McGwire and steroids

ST. LOUIS, Jan. 12 (UPI) -- Former St. Louis Cardinals slugger Mark McGwire admitted he used steroids for several years, including the season in which he hit a record 70 home runs.

McGwire issued a statement Monday saying, "I used steroids during my playing career and I apologize."

McGwire left baseball in 2001 after hitting 583 home runs over a 16-season career. In 1998, he broke Roger Maris's single-season home run record of 61 set in 1961 when McGwire hit 70 home runs. He added 65 homers the following season.

He denied using illegal performance-enhancing drugs after he left the game and he refused to answer questions on steroid use during an under-oath appearance before a congressional committee.

He had been out of the baseball limelight since then but was hired for the upcoming season by the Cardinals to be their hitting coach. The statement and series of media appearances were probably an attempt to keep the steroid question from becoming a distraction when the Cardinals begin spring training.

In the statement, McGwire said he tried steroids "briefly" in the 1989-90 offseason and after he was injured in 1993.

"I used them on occasion through the '90s, including during the 1998 season," McGwire said. "I wish I never touched steroids. It was foolish and it was a mistake. I truly apologize. Looking back, I wish I had never played during the steroid era."