Quotes from 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.

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.

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.

This is a great thing that's happening in baseball. We don't know if it will ever happen again.

The only reason I took steroids was for my health purposes. I did not take steroids to get any gain for any strength purposes.

The thing I sort of get tired of hearing is if I don't hit home runs or don't get hits, that the pressure of the media is getting to me. Absolutely not. Believe me, it's not getting to me.

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

I'm not here to discuss the past... I'm here to be positive.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

I've been thinking about the record since I reached the fifty plateau. But you think about it and then you let it go because you can't waste many brain cells on hours thinking about it.

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.

I think back and I really feel for what he (Roger Maris) went through, for all the negative stuff that was going on in his life. I wish it didn't happen.

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

Sammy Sosa's a September player, so you have to watch out for him. It's crunch time, time to make history.

I didn't even realize it was a grand slam (number thirty-one) because I was mentally preparing myself for Andy Benes because he struck me out the first time.

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

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.

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

Do you want to know the truth, or see me hit a few dingers?

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