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Reactions: McGwire retires

Surprised? Some. Saddened? All said yes.

St. Louis slugger Mark McGwire announced his retirement Sunday night. Most CNNSI.com users were surprised by his decision, saying that he should have stuck with it to reach the 600 home run benchmark. All cited his class and said that he is a player others should emulate. A sample of the responses we received follows:

As a kid I watched McGwire play his rookie season in 1987 and as an adult was present for his 70th HR in 1998. All these years with great teams, great home runs and long lapses of being on the DL led me to believe he would be back for the 2002 season, especially with St. Louis coming so close this year. A part of my childhood just retired today, I guess I will see him in Cooperstown in five years.
Don Creekmore, Wichita, Kan.

I am depressed. What I don't understand is why can't he just ask to be traded to another team that needs a first baseman or DH who can hit 50 - 60 home runs if he's worried about the Cards. I know Big Mac has high standards. But aside from the .187 avg., he was still productive. How many sluggers wouldn't be ecstatic to hit 29 homers in an off year?! He's so classy, but I don't think he should go out like this - not quitting. Somebody, talk to the guy!
Alan J. Lee, Houston, Texas

Finally, a baseball player who says that he is not worth the money he would make. How totally refreshing. Now if the others would start to think like that, I could actually consider bringing major league baseball back into my life.
Glenn Thomson, Abilene, Texas

Big Mac leaves the game like he played it... with dignity and class. He knows that during his career he made more money than he could ever imagine and his pride will not allow him to hang in his physically diminished capacity. All I say is "Thank you, Mark". You provided countless thrill during your career and I look forward to your speech in Cooperstown five years hence.
Scott Carson, Sutton, Ontario, Canada

Surprised? Nothing could match the surprise McGwire gave Oakland fans when he vowed that he'd go into the Hall of Fame as a Cardinal after only one year in St. Louis.
Jeff Kahsen, Oakland, Calif.

No I wasn't surprised. What is going to happen when the Cooperstown Committee has to select only two spots from first year eligibles: Gwynn, McGwire and Ripken?
Ryan O'Connor, Ellicott City, Md.

I was only surprised by the fact that he made the announcement the way he did. I believe he should have informed the Cardinals first before he made an announcement to the media.
Richard Murphy, Brighton, Ill.

I wasn't surprised to hear that Mark McGwire decided to retire. His body was never quite right, ever since his fairy-tale season of '98. Even though there were rumblings that he would not return in 2002, true baseball fans didn't want to believe it. Mark McGwire is everything that is RIGHT about baseball: a clear joy and love for the game, a monstrous presence in the batter's box, an accommodating personality to teammates, fans and media alike. Baseball has lost a great player and an even better man. Enjoy retirement, Big Red.
Geoff Coons, Kanata, Ontario

My friend is a huge Cardinals fan, and I've been telling him for over a year that he should give it up. I thought this for a couple of reasons:
1) When anyone has Rob Deer numbers, they should give it up. The pitching in the bigs is supposed to be diminished, and he still only a buck-eighty seven. If he would have played all year, he would have crushed the strikeout record for a season.
2) He's set for life. Why risk more injury and possibly really bad, irreversible effects from it?
3) His career has been riddled with injuries. The home run record is, realistically, out of reach for him.
Mark was great, but all great things must come to an end.
Jeff Peltier, Racine, Wis.

I understand he's getting old but only a four other players have ever hit 600 homers, he could reach that in two or three months next year. No matter what kind of year he would have he could still hit 17 homeruns. I think he retired to young. Who knows? He could have been the ALL time home run champ.
Jason Replogle, Richmond, Ky.

After seeing how thoroughly dominated McGwire was in the playoffs against Arizona and Schilling, I could not imagine him wanting to play at a level so far below his expectations. It's a shame that injuries played so much of a role in the decision... I would have loved to see what he could do (healthy) for at least another three years!
Adam Sheaffer, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

Not surprised but saddened. He's one of a very few in professional sports today that has some class. He respects the game, respects himself, and the fans. A man of honesty and integrity is hard to find these days. Big Mac you will be missed by baseball fans everyday! Farewell.
Kurk Anderson, Kohler, Wis.

Mark is one of the few athletes to act with integrity at all times, not just when the cameras are rolling. This came as no surprise - when he knew he couldn't help his team like they needed, he always said he would step down. Then, when I read in SI that he hadn't signed the contract extension offered him last summer, I knew he was gone. So long to a true sportsman!
Jim, Chattanooga, Tenn.

What an outstanding career! Not only did he dazzle us with numerous home runs, but also he brought baseball back to life in St. Louis and was the original building block for their success. I hope that he stays in the organization.
Eric Dow, Littleton, Colo.

Not surprised. Maybe a tad disappointed. I really wanted to see him come back and have yet another jaw dropping year. But I'll never forget that '98 season and my eternal thanks go out to Mark McGwire for being one of the few real gentleman of baseball.
George West, Louisville, Ky.

I am not surprised and it's nice to see that in the ego-driven world of professional sports that a man has enough respect for himself and the people around him not to take advantage of the St. Louis organization.
Gary W. Johnson, Carthage, N.Y.

I hate to see one of the best hitters of all time leave the game with so much left to gain. He will be sorely missed by not only St. Louis, but also by people across the nation. He did so much for baseball after the strike in '94 and he is one of the few ball players I still respect.
Patrick, Dallas, Texas

I am not surprised. During the playoffs, Tony LaRussa said that he expected Mac to retire. But, I am still somewhat disappointed. I think he still has a lot to offer baseball, and I sincerely hope that he may decide to come back. There are too few professional athletes that have McGwire's class. How many retire because they don't deserve to get paid what they have been offered?
Jeff, Tucson, Ariz.

As much as I hate to see it happen, I'm glad that he decided to retire before he does any more damage to his knee. He has always been a class act, and retiring now allows the Cardinals to replace him through free agency. If he feels that he cannot perform at the level he wants, then he has the right to decide to retire. I look forward to seeing him in the Hall of Fame in five years.
Christopher Mohme, Athens, Ohio

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