MARK MCGWIRE

Drug is a non-issue

Having listened to the debate over Mark McGwire's use of
androstenedione, I can't help but wonder what all the fuss is about.
How is his taking a legal substance any different than Sammy Sosa
taking ginseng or any of the Mariners taking every vitamin they can
lay their hands on? The fact is that he is breaking no laws and any
long-term repercussions as a result of McGwire's use are something he
will have to deal with when the time comes.

The bottom line is people take things to improve their job
performance, whether it be five cups of coffee in the morning or a
two-pack-a-day habit to meet their need for nicotine. Until the league
bans the drug, this should be a non-issue. As for the idea that
McGwire is a poor role model compared to Babe Ruth and Mickey Mantle,
I wonder if drinking so much alcohol that you destroy your liver, thus
requiring a transplant that could have gone to someone else qualifies
as a "good" role model? When is the last time you saw McGwire's name
in the paper due to spousal abuse or for drunk driving?

Anyone who knows anything about McGwire knows he is a fine individual
who donates part of his salary to a foundation for children in need
and who, if memory serves, once refused to take more money because his
performance the year before was less than satisfactory to him. They'd
also know that as a rookie he hit 49 home runs and the increase in
home runs has more to do with the lack of quality pitching in the
league than any drug. Public figures as role models is a faulty
notion, but given the choices out there, I'll take McGwire every time.

MICHAEL A. WOOD
Arlington

Checked-by: Rich O'Grady