He Leaves a Big Mark on the Game

How much integrity does Mark McGwire have? What does it take to realize that he wasn’t playing up to his expectations and act upon it and hang it up--even though he was only 17 homers away from the immortality that comes with 600? After all, only Aaron, Ruth and Mays have reached that mark.

And how much integrity does it take to also turn down the two-year, $30-million deal, which was to have begun next season with the Cardinals? I’ll tell you how much integrity. A lot more than I’d probably have in that situation, and definitely a lot more than many current major leaguers.

Steve Smith

San Gabriel

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In retiring rather than accepting a salary much higher than his injuries will allow him to play up to, McGwire has set a new standard for sportsmanship that few, if any, of his fellow major leaguers will follow. Scott Boras, Donald Fehr, Mo Vaughn, Tim Salmon and the rest of you overpaid underachievers, please take note.

Jerry Mazenko

Garden Grove

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J.A. Adande, what beautiful words of homage you provided for Times readers. So moving was your paean to “The Sultan of Smug” that, for one brief shining moment, I almost forgot the object of your affection. Just one question, J.A.: has the passage of time completely eradicated from your consciousness the ugly truth of major league baseball, circa ‘98? What other explanation could there possibly be for your dispensing an entire column in tribute to a steroid-fueled, self-absorbed freak like Mark McGwire and not once even alluding to the “Breakfast of Champions” that fueled his date with destiny, androstenedione?

Just how good was Mark McGwire? You’re right, we’ll never really know. Even he will never know, since he will always have to wonder how much was him and how much was his chemist.

Brian Patrick Clarke

Burbank

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Mark McGwire should play next year in Japan. He would have a good chance at winning rookie of the year.

Paul Zimmelman

Marina del Rey