Should McGwire get Hall bid in '07

GORDON EDES
Globe baseball reporter
I find the idea of somehow ``punishing" Mark McGwire by not voting for him on the first ballot as somewhat foolish. Either you believe McGwire is a Hall of Famer, or you don't. McGwire's repeated refusal before Congress to answer questions because he didn't want to talk about the past inclines me to be dismissive of his past, too, and declare it unworthy of Hall consideration. But in the steroid era, how do you separate the do-gooders from the cheaters? Keep McGwire out, while voting some undeserving steroid abuser in? It's such an ugly dilemma, and I'm reserving my right to decide until December.

AMALIE BENJAMIN
Globe baseball reporter
Even if there weren't questions about any unsavory help Mark McGwire used to get to his 583 career home runs, he was never a lock as a first-ballot selection. Hall of Famer, almost certainly, but not necessarily on the first try, especially with Cal Ripken Jr. and Tony Gwynn assured of election in 2007. Now, the question is whether -- in light of his performance before Congress -- he will make it at all. Especially with the words ``integrity" and ``character" listed alongside ``playing ability" and ``contribution to the team" in the official rules for election to the Hall. So, no, not in 2007. And, maybe, not ever.

NICK CAFARDO
Globe baseball reporter
As a Hall of Fame voter, I reserve the right to withhold my vote until I have enough evidence concerning allegations of McGwire's steroid use. I have until Dec. 31 to make that decision. Obviously, McGwire should be a first-ballot Hall of Famer based on his statistical accomplishments, but like Barry Bonds, if the high number of home runs came as a result of an artificial boost, then his numbers are tainted and therefore he would not be worthy of induction. Anyone who is inducted under those circumstances disrespects the feats of the many players who accomplished records naturally.

RON OUELLET
New Bedford
Electing McGwire may be uncomfortable for him; if he is elected, he would need to give a speech at his [induction], which may require he mention a thing or two about his days of playing the game of baseball. It would be a shame for him to be elected into the Hall and his acceptance speech consist of the same remarks he offered to Congress. ``Thank you for electing me to the Baseball Hall of Fame, I am grateful but I'm not going to go into my past," which is why he would have been elected.

BRUCE MURPHY
Easton, Pa.
Mark McGwire played according to the rules of baseball at the time he played. We will never know how many people were using what substances. We don't even know who is using what now. So, all you can do is compare the players to the players they competed against. Were these players the best of their era? McGwire was. Whatever he may or may not have been using, you still have to hit the ball -- and Mark McGwire did. Somewhere, in all of this mess, you have to give credit to the one guy who was honest about what he did or did not do. By refusing to testify in the congressional hearings, he took the fall for everyone else in baseball. But at least, by his silence, he maintained his integrity.