So Bob Verdi and Steve Rosenbloom want to throw roses behind Mark McGwire as he exits the spotlight, proclaiming his class in turning down $30 million and leaving before his skills deteriorate. Did they miss last season? This “class” guy burdened his team with his high salary and ineffective performance.
Granted, he hit 29 home runs in 299 at-bats, which is pretty good production. But the batting average was .187 (can we call .190 the “McGwire Line?”) and he struck out an astonishing 118 times. Strikeouts generate no offense and only hurt the team, but this does not apply when Rosenbloom and Verdi are looking at a one-trick pony.
So long, McGwire. I will remember .187 longer than I remember 70. (Oops, that record has already been broken, hasn’t it?)
