Readers Add a Supplement to the McGwire Controversy

Mark McGwire has done nothing illegal. This sudden controversy has been non-news all year. Now that he’s close, all of a sudden it’s an item.

Can’t you people let this guy alone? Let him bat and get off his back.

TOM CHANCE

Ventura

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You can’t spell “home runs” without “hormones.”

SUZANNE EVANS

Hermosa Beach

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With all the hype surrounding McGwire and his use of androstenedione, it surprises me that nobody has done any research to determine just how much strength and muscle mass this supplement is good for. There is such a thing as the placebo effect and from what I understand, the increase in testosterone from androstenedione pales in comparison to anabolic steroids (200% vs. up to 5,000%).

Also, it was erroneous to write that androstenedione was the secret of the East German sports machine. While andro was used by them, it was simply to confuse IOC testing. There is ample documentation of steroid use by former Soviet athletes.

BEN ROTHMAN

Culver City

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Dietary supplements? Maris probably used milkshakes, but the Babe definitely used bathtub gin and bootleg scotch. Or was it bourbon?

THOMAS J. McKIMMEY

Van Nuys

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So what if Mark McGwire is supplementing his diet with controversial items. As long as they are legal, it is no different than taking vitamins or drinking Gatorade.

MIKE ROUHAS

Chatsworth

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“Great Chase Turns Into Great Debate” read the headline in today’s Times. Yes, I understand that garbage or not, The Times has a responsibility to report the “controversial use” of a substance by McGwire. Never mind that he hit 49 home runs in his rookie year, and the fact is he’s simply a great home run hitter. It’s not like Rickey Henderson suddenly joined the Maris watch here.

You know, for years I wondered what life would be like without Jim Murray, and now that it’s here I can honestly say it’s far worse than I ever imagined.

DOUGLAS LITTLETON

Dana Point