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January 14, 2010

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Canseco claims McGwire still lying

FORMER major league All-Star Jose Canseco says Mark McGwire is still lying about his use of steroids and his former manager Tony La Russa isn't telling the truth either.

McGwire admitted on Monday that he used steroids for a decade, including when he hit 70 homers in 1998, but denied Canseco's claims that he injected himself and McGwire with steroids in bathroom stalls.

Canseco told ESPN 1000 radio in Chicago that it was "ironic and strange" that McGwire was calling him a liar again. Canseco also said he passed a polygraph test and challenged McGwire to take one on national TV.

Canseco also disputed La Russa's assertion he didn't know about McGwire's steroids use until the slugger called him Monday, calling it "a blatant lie."

Baseball Hall of Fame reliever Goose Gossage also said there should be no place in the hall for McGwire or any other player who used performance-enhancing drugs.

"I definitely think that they cheated," Gossage said.

"And what does the Hall of Fame consist of? Integrity. Cheating is not part of integrity."

Career record

For Gossage, Hank Aaron still holds the career record of 755 home runs and Roger Maris owns the season record of 61. The Goose tosses out the fantastic figures posted by Barry Bonds, McGwire, Sammy Sosa as part of a "cheating era."

"The integrity of the Hall of Fame and the numbers and the history are all in jeopardy," said Gossage, inducted two years ago.

"I don't think they should be recognized. Here's a guy Aaron, we're talking about the greatest record of all records. And he did it on a level playing field.

"He did it with God-given talent. And the same with Maris, absolutely. These are sacred records and they've been shattered by cheaters."

US Anti-Doping Agency executive director Travis Tygart dismissed McGwire's claim that steroids didn't help him become a better player, that they only allowed him to become more healthful.

"It's just crazy. I don't buy that for a second," he said. "It's sort of disappointing you don't just come clean, take full responsibility. But the trend is with most athletes we've seen in (MLB) that they take half responsibility."




 

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