If I was a MLB Hall of Fame voter

Mark McGwire, Tony Gwynn, and Cal Ripken Jr headline the first-time candidates on the 2007 baseball writers Hall of Fame ballot released yesterday.

Jose Canseco is also on the ballot for the first time. Canseco said he used steroids along with McGwire when they were teammates in Oakland. At least Canseco was honest. McGwire denied using illegal performance-enhancing substances, but when he appeared before a congressional committee, he evaded questions. "I'm not here to talk about the past," was his repeated response.

There is a clause on the Hall of Fame ballot indicating that character should be considered, and after his non-performance at the congressional hearings, his character certainly DOES come into play.

If I was a Hall of Fame voter, this would be my stance:
McGwire doesn't want to talk about the past? Then I don't want to consider his past.

My friend Darren caused me to have a different view on it...do you punish the player, or punish the era??