Key figures talk about the Mark McGwire home-run record chase in 1998:


THAT WAS THEN

Bob Costas already was entrenched as NBC’s top sportscaster by the time McGwire and Sammy Sosa made their assault on Roger Maris’ record, and living in St. Louis gave him a front-row seat to watch many of the dramatics.

“At the time I was deeply skeptical about everything that was going on in baseball, and in general terms — without mentioning any specific players’ names — I had said that on the air," Costas said.

"In 1996, ’97, I said things like the game had been ripped from its historical moorings, that you’d have to discount these numbers the way you would adjust financial figures for inflation. ... Did I think it was peculiar that someone would reach 60 homers in 100 less at-bats than it took Maris to do it? Yes, I was very skeptical.’’

“But like everybody else I got caught up, at least to some extent, in the good feeling that was generated. I wanted the game to come back from the problems it had gone through a few years earlier. And for me the key part, and I’m being very honest, (is I got so interested in part) because it was St. Louis and McGwire is a good guy, because the other guy was from the Cubs. It was the scene at Wrigley Field, and because Sosa comes up to bat in St. Louis and the fans give him a standing ovation. And McGwire hits the homer and Tim Forneris produces the ball and instead of trying to sell it says (to McGwire) ‘I have something that belongs to you.’ And McGwire is so gracious to Maris’ family.

“Leaving the skepticism about the statistics aside, the atmosphere that surrounded this was akin to the genuine atmosphere the surrounded Cal Ripken in 1995’’ when he broke the ironman streak.

“I skeptical, yes. But did I see things that were admirable and even endearing? Yeah — not the least of which was how Mark McGwire comported himself.

“I never pointed the finger at Mark or Sammy because I just didn’t have a strong enough basis to do so. Did I get excited about it and did I cheer it when it happened? Yes I did. Did I interview Mark immediately after and express appreciation for what he had done and the way he handled himself? Yes I did. Did I speak words of admiration of him to Tom Brokaw and Matt Lauer (on NBC news shows)? Yes I did. I don’t feel bad about that, because based on what we knew at the time I was giving him the benefit of the doubt. But did I have doubts? Sure I did.’’


THIS IS NOW


“First and foremost I feel Mark McGwire is a very good man. That doesn’t mean that his home run totals are completely authentic, because I don’t think they are.

"But he’s a good man, he was a good teammate and has many admirable qualities as a person and I felt bad for him that he’s in kind of a purgatory place when it comes to baseball history. I feel bad for him as a person. I know him and I like him.’’