Schmidt 'Most Likely' Would Have Used Steroids

CLEARWATER, Fla. - For only the second time in their history, the Phillies are getting ready to defend a World Series championship.
On Wednesday, the most famous player from their first World Series team joined them. Hall-of-fame third baseman Mike Schmidt is there as a special instructor.
Fox 29's Joe Staszak reported from Clearwater, Fla., where Schmidt had some interesting things to say.
The former Phillie knows what it's like to be a champion. He also knows how hard it is to be a defending champion.
"It's just something about when the world champions come to town, or you go to their town to play them, you seem to have that little bit of extra adrenaline and effort and, you know, mental readiness when you play the world champions," Schmidt said.
But for a guy who made his career hitting balls over the fence, when it comes to the subject of steroids, "Michael Jack" is right on top of it.
"I'm a guy that, I always seem to be walking down the middle of the, right on top of the fence," Schmidt said. "I mean, I could understand the guys that, you know, the old, hard-line guys that used the word, 'he cheated, he cheated, he cheated,' and the other guys who go, 'you know, it was a culture thing back then. If you played then, you would've been tempted, too.'"

Schmidt calls it "the steroid culture" and doesn't care if users like Alex Rodriguez break his homerun (total).
"It doesn't matter to me whether I'm 14th. I'm going to be 30th someday. That whole discussion, I'm tired of that whole discussion," he said.
He also said that the homerun chase between Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa in the late '90s got him interested in baseball again.
"What an exciting time for baseball. Guys are, you know, homeruns in ridiculous numbers and fans in the ballpark and revenue coming back into the game, and the game's back and, man, look how big he got over the winter, and wow," Schmidt said, drawing laughs from reporters.
Then, the big question was asked: would the hall-of-fame third baseman have ever used steroids, if given the chance.
"Most likely," a pensive Schmidt answered. "Why not?"

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[tar464]

haha mike schmidt is my greatgrandparents son hahahaha :)

[sjcf9]

absolute unbiased HR hitter talking about HR, Bush smoked pot---became President, Arnold did more than HGH---became governor. Soon, we'll call the steroid era the BEST era in BB! Mcgwire/Sosa/Palmeiro/Clemens/­Bonds belongs in HOF! It was the "culture" and it was legal in BB at the time!

[differdange08]

Im from germany and dont know this man. But Ive hardly ever heard someone talk better about the doping issue.

[ProfessorRiffs]

Killer interview... Mike Schmidt is the no-bullshit king.

[bat29501]

Mike Schmidt is my Hero, always has been and always will be. When he played he was always the voice of reason and was a true role model. The players today do not hold a candle to Mike or any of the players from that era.

THANK YOU MIKE!

[th13182]

Real talk from Mike Schmidt.