Once and for all, I did not use steroids or any other illegal substance.

- Mark McGwire

The only team that could have competed with us was the Cubans. It's too bad they're boycotting. The teams we're playing just can't compete with our power.

- Mark McGwire

I chose to be retired. I chose to start a family. That was one of the biggest reasons I got away from the game of baseball. I wanted to start a family. I was happy.

- Mark McGwire

There's not a pill or an injection that's going to give me, going to give any player the hand-eye coordination to hit a baseball.

- Mark McGwire

I know it's tough. Everybody in baseball knows its tough. I'm just going to give it my best shot.

- Mark McGwire

Baseball was a chapter in my life, and now I'm excited to start another chapter as a hitting coach.

- Mark McGwire

I wish that every player could feel what I've felt in visiting ballparks. The receptions I've received, it's blown me away. It's absolutely remarkable.

- Mark McGwire

I study pitchers. I visualize pitches. That gives me a better chance every time I step into the box. That doesn't mean I'm going to get a hit every game, but that's one of the reasons I've come a long way as a hitter.

- Mark McGwire

You don't know that you'll ever have to talk about the skeleton in your closet.

- Mark McGwire

Wouldn't it be great if we just ended up tied? I think it would be beautiful.

- Mark McGwire

Only sixteen players have hit fifty or more homers in a season. To me, that's a very special milestone.

- Mark McGwire

I touched Roger's bat and held it to my heart. My bat will lie next to his. I'm damn proud of that.

- Mark McGwire

I sort of missed one big thing, to touch first base. I hope I didn't act foolish, but this is history.

- Mark McGwire

I think it puts baseball back on the map as a sport. It's America's pastime and just look at everyone coming out to the ballpark. It has been an exciting year.

- Mark McGwire

I tell you what, I was so shocked because I didn't think the ball had enough to get out. It's an absolutely incredible feeling. I can honestly say I did it.

- Mark McGwire

Performance-enhancing drugs are an illusion. I wish I had never gotten involved with steroids. It was wrong. It was stupid.

- Mark McGwire

I don't know if I want to break my own record. I think I would rather leave it as it is.

- Mark McGwire

What a perfect way to end the home stand, by hitting sixty-two for the city of St. Louis and all the fans. I truly wanted to do it here and I did. Thank you St. Louis.

- Mark McGwire

My message is that steroids is bad. Don't do them. It's a bad message.

- Mark McGwire

I remember trying steroids very briefly in the 1989 -1990 off season, and then after I was injured in 1993, I used steroids again.

- Mark McGwire