Geezus, but this is a dumb-ass business at times. Bad enough that as a group most of us didn't care enough to pursue the steroid issue during the late 1990s – some because of ignorance but mostly, I think, because we'd overdosed on realism knowing everybody bent rules to make money – but now we've started to become experts in analyzing apologies.
It should come as no surprise that Mark McGwire's performance on the MLB Network Monday night was almost as dithering as his performance in front of Congress. Newsflash: McGwire isn't the sharpest knife in the drawer, but beyond that, anybody who has ever interviewed him knows that he is about as comfortable as Phil Kessel in front of a camera or doing group interviews. He doesn't do contrition well in front of bright lights any more than he did self-promotion well. He stunk at that, too, which is why so many people cheered for Sammy Sosa during their home run race. McGwire still comes off as a big goof who is likely not comfortable in his own skin. Horrors!
So it was laughable reading the reviews of McGwire's interview with Little Bobby Costas and hearing folks who are much better in front of the camera talk about 'crocodile tears.' This was in fact vintage McGwire. It's how he's wired. Like Roger Clemens, he should never be allowed in front of a microphone why is why the TV interview was in fact a follow-up to the print apology put out through the Associated Press. Frankly, I found the fact that McGwire would rather apologize through a wire service before going on the air to be a little refreshing.
Again: this whole deal was scripted. McGwire's apology was part mea culpa, part B.S., which is pretty much how you'd go about doing this if you were him. I don't think it was aimed at changing anybody's mind. It was aimed at expediting his return to the game. Anybody who tries to read anything more into it is a dewy-eyed sentimentalist who still believes professional athletes would play "a child's game" for nothing and that sports is all about purity instead of money. There is no hope for them. When it comes to professional sports always - always - err on the side of cynicism. You'll never be disappointed.
