Character Counts

1998 was a magical year for Mark McGwire. He was engaged throughout the summer in an epic home run battle with Sammy Sosa that commanded the attention of the entire nation. He ended up hitting 70 home runs, demolishing the old record of 61 set by Roger Marris. By the end of the '98 season McGwire was anointed as the new Home Run King.

What a difference eight years makes. Today Mark McGwire has been reduced to a mere mortal. His career achievements have been overshadowed by allegations of steroid and growth hormone use. His character was put to the test and came up empty.

McGwire's reputation plummeted following allegations by former teammate Jose Canseco, who claimed in a 2005 book and subsequent interviews that he and Mark McGwire used steroids together while playing on the A's. And then came McGwire's testimony to a congressional committee on March 17, 2005, when he repeatedly avoided questions regarding steroid use, saying time after time: "I'm not here to talk about the past."

And for the past 1 1/2 years we almost forgot about Mark McGwire. But his character has once again taken center stage as people begin to debate his candidacy for the Baseball Hall of Fame. McGwire, who hit 583 career home runs, headlines the ballot released Monday along with Cal Ripken Jr. and Tony Gwynn. Ballots were mailed to voters this week and must be postmarked by December 31. Results will be announced January 9, and inductions will take place July 29.

McGwire's baseball credentials and achievements are "hall of fame like." But then there is that sticky character issue. The ballot says a player's record of achievement, contribution to the team, the game, their character, longevity and sportsmanship should be considered. So where does that put McGwire?

The Associated Press surveyed about 20 percent of eligible Hall of Fame voters, and only one in four who gave an opinion plan to vote for McGwire this year. That's far short of the 75 percent necessary to gain induction. It seems that in spite of McGwire's insistence to not talk about the past, the majority of sports writers are still trying to come to grips with it.

Which brings us back to character. Like it or not, a baseball players past achievements and character are considered when voting for the Hall of Fame. For the next several weeks Mark McGwire's statistics, achievements and character will be reviewed, evaluated and discussed. Mark can deny his past, but he can't run from it. For better or worse, Mark McGwire is discovering that in the game of baseball, just like the game of life, character counts.