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McGwire says he won't name drug users during inquiry

Retired slugger Mark McGwire told a US congressional panel investigating drugs in baseball that he would not "participate in naming names" of major league players who used steroids.

McGwire, one of six current and former stars appearing on Thursday before the House Government Reform Committee, did not say whether he used steroids. He said his lawyers advised him not to answer certain questions.

Under oath, retired batter Jose Canseco -- whose best-selling book, "Juiced," said steroids were rampant in major league baseball -- repeated his admission that he used them. Baltimore Orioles teammates Sammy Sosa and Rafael Palmeiro said they didn't. McGwire repeatedly avoided a direct response, saying his lawyers advised him not to answer certain questions.

"If a player answers, `No,' he simply will not be believed," McGwire said. "If he answers, `Yes,' he risks public scorn and endless government investigations."

Asked whether he favored a tougher policy, McGwire responded: "What anybody can do to improve it so that there's no more meetings like this, I'm all for it."

Asked whether use of steroids was cheating, McGwire said: "That's not for me to determine."

Earlier, choking back tears, he said he knew that steroid use could be dangerous and pledged to discourage young athletes from using them.

All of the players offered condolences to the parents of two young baseball players who committed suicide after using steroids. The parents testified earlier, along with medical experts who talked about the possible effects of the drugs: Heart disease, cancer, sterility, depression.

"Players that are guilty of taking steroids are not only cheaters -- you are cowards," said Donald Hooton of Plano, Texas, whose son, Taylor, was 17 when he hanged himself in July 2003.

Canseco's book included claims that he injected McGwire with steroids when they were teammates with the Oakland Athletics and that Palmeiro used the drugs.

"Steroids were part of the game, and I don't think anybody really wanted to take a stance on it," Canseco said. "If Congress does nothing about this issue, it will go on forever."

The extraordinary scene featuring some of the North American game's biggest stars came after committee members accused Major League Baseball of ignoring its steroids problem for years, and then only under pressure, embracing a weak testing program. Lawmakers were particularly critical of the plan's penalties, including a provision allowing for fines instead of suspensions. A first offense could cost a player US$10,000 instead of a 10-day suspension.

Using most steroids without a doctor's prescription for medical purposes is illegal. MLB banned steroids in September 2002 and began testing in 2004.
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