Toronto-In the first scene of William Shakespeare’s masterpiece King Lear, the title character, an old, senile ruler, puts his three daughters through a “love test.” The capricious king, who plans to bequeath his empire, essentially, expects his offspring to become the ultimate sycophants, demonstrating their “love” through laudatory words.
Two of his children, Goneril and Regan, are insincere. Nonetheless, they receive their keys to the kingdom. Lear’s youngest daughter, Cordelia, abstains from engaging in this phony pursuit. Her incensed father responds with a legendary Shakespearian locution. “Mend your speech a little, Lest you may mar your fortunes” (King Lear, Act I, Scene 1). In other words, “tell me what I want to hear or you will get nothing.” But, Cordelia’s love is action-oriented. She cannot “heave [her] heart into [her] mouth.”
In yet another cheater’s insincere apology, Mark McGwire assumed the role of Lear’s two pernicious daughters. After five years of silence, the fraud conveniently admitted the obvious. He used the booster juice. In an interview with Bob Costas of the MLB Network, tears and “contrition,” were ubiquitous. He apologized to the relatives of Roger Maris, the fans of baseball, his family, et al.
Yet, he denied the suggestion that the drugs enhanced his performance. “I was given this gift by the man upstairs,” he countered. The self-refutation of this proclamation does not require supplementary elaboration.
McGwire belongs in the Overacting Hall of Fame. (Perhaps, his plaque could stand next to CSI: Miami’s David Caruso.) His obvious concern was with repairing an appearance. The intelligence of the masses and the reality be damned.
While King Lear suffered the ultimate consequences of naivety, namely his own death and the murder of his altruistic daughter, McGwire’s gobbledygook was inconsequential. He will continue to live his life as a sybarite. Indeed, greenbacks do not judge.
If Mr. McGwire were sincerely apologetic, he would return the bulk of his earnings. If he truly cared, his love for the game of baseball would be expressed like Coredila’s. Actions speak louder than words.
Instead, the forty-six year old will assume his position as the incumbent hitting coach of the St. Louis Cardinals. He will face media scrutiny early in the season. Questions will be responded to with carefully crafted, publicist-authored declarations. Eventually though, the cameras will find a new target. Soon, his ignoble actions will be usurped by the deception of someone else.
McGwire’s actions were not against league policy. Junkies were omnipresent. However, Lord Denning was not needed to illegitimatize his deeds. As McGwire confessed, he knew it was wrong. He cheated. There should be no ethical questions surrounding the use of performance-enhancing drugs.
The distasteful sob stories and hypocrisy will not undo the eternal damage. Unless these players plan to surrender the fortunes, which they have amassed through endorsements and baseball salaries, to philanthropic groups, the sponsors, or the league itself, they would be better off merely admitting their use and saying nothing else. Of course, there is a better chance of George W. Bush becoming an eloquent, outspoken Marxist.
Practically, none of these athletes are truly sorry. Like Goneril and Regan, they have their keys to the kingdom.
mcGwire had every write to cheet. have u read the american bill of rights? i didnt think so. ppl like u r angihastojaplictions.
Roth: I won’t question your word invention, as the Bill of Rights allows you to make up terms, like “angihastojaplictions.”
McGwire is not giving back his money-that’s crazy.
Roth: You are right. He will continue to live his lavish lifestlye, which is why we can conclude that his contrition is phony.