Best MLB players not in the Hall of Fame: Oakland Athletics, Mark McGwire
WAR value: 42.9
Some may see it as controversial to put Mark McGwire on this list for the Oakland Athletics. But there is a good reasoning behind the decision. While his biggest overall moment came in St. Louis, McGwire spent most of his historic career in Oakland.
This is a slugger who retired with 583 career home runs and if he would have been enshrined, his playing days with the A’s would make up most of his career. He was a Rookie of the Year and also won a World Series with Oakland. His career was much more than just a few flashy home run seasons in Missouri.
But discussion of which team he would go in under is a moot point considering he admitted to using PEDs throughout his MLB career. That is much different than others who were only alleged to used banned substances. McGwire may have though admitting it would help his chances of enshrinement, but not much changed in that regard.
That is truly a shame because few will ever forget the 70 home runs he launched in 1998. However, few will also ever forget the fact steroids surround the bulk of his career story. Fans in Oakland saw the young McGwire rise up into a true star. He seemed to get on base at will and made pitchers pay all the time. Unfortunately, there is more to the story and his actions are one of the ultimate sins of the game.