McGwire Laments Brother's Book on Steroids
Mark McGwire says he doesn't plan on ever seeing again his estranged brother, who wrote a book about their use of performance-enhancing drugs.
McGwire says Thursday that he knew his brother Jay McGwire was writing a book but he was still saddened to know a relative could "do something like that."
Jay McGwire chronicles Mark's use of steroids and human growth hormone in "Mark and Me: Mark McGwire and the Truth Behind Baseball's Worst-Kept Secret." The book, to be released Monday, says Big Mac knew he became a better hitter because steroids enhanced his size and strength.
The brothers haven't spoken since 2002.
Last month, McGwire admitted taking steroids and human growth hormone during the 1990s, but said he only did so to recover from injuries — not to improve his performance. He hasn't commented on the book as he works with hitters at the Cardinals' spring training facility in his new job as batting coach.
St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa has no plans to read the new book.
La Russa told reporters Thursday that the allegations sound familiar. He said someone he knew read an advance copy and it doesn't sound as though the book includes "first-page-to-last-page damning stuff about Mark."
The manager said he doesn't plan to read it.
"What's the point?" La Russa said. "It's stuff that's already been gone over a bunch of times. I don't know what it's going to change."
Jay McGwire says in the book that he persuaded his brother to start using steroids regularly in 1994 and set him up with a supplier. He says Mark regularly used an array of drugs through 1996 that included Deca-Durabolin, human growth hormone, Dianabol, Winstrol and Primobolan. McGwire later used androstenedione, a steroid precursor that wasn't banned by baseball until 2004, when it became a controlled substance.
Jay McGwire, a former bodybuilder who turns 40 on May 5, said he was introduced to steroids by friends in 1989, beginning with pills of Anavar. He says his brother only gave in to using steroids after an injury-filled 1993 season.
La Russa, who managed Mark in Oakland before the pair reunited in St. Louis, recalled seeing Jay McGwire in the Athletics clubhouse, but said he didn't think Jay was taking steroids.
Mark McGwire hit 70 homers for the Cardinals in 1998, shattering Roger Maris' record of 61 set in 1961.
The brothers haven't spoken since 2002. They fell out after Jay McGwire's stepson, Eric, tickled Mark and caused Mark to spill coffee on himself. Mark then swatted Eric on the backside. Jay's wife, Francine, then refused to attend Mark's wedding.