Mark McGwire admitted this week that steroids and human growth hormone helped make him a home run king.

“The toughest thing is my wife, my parents, close friends have had no idea that I hid it from them all this time,” he told The Associated Press in an emotional, 20-minute interview. “I knew this day was going to come. I didn’t know when.”

In tears, McGwire apologized and said he used steroids and human growth hormone on and off for a decade, starting before the 1990 season and including the year he broke Roger Maris’ single-season home run record in 1998.

“I wish I had never touched steroids,” McGwire said. “It was foolish and it was a mistake.”

The Philadelphia Phillies won the opening game of the World Series 6-1 over the host New York Yankees on Wednesday due largely to the incredible pitching of Cliff Lee.

“To me he sets the tone by his rhythm, getting the ball back, and he knows what he’s going to do and he knows what he’s going to throw,” Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. “I like the way he pitches. I like everything about how he goes about it.”

The Phillies, who won last year’s World Series, brought their game, which didn’t seem to phase Yankees captain Derek Jeter. “We’ve just got to win a game, it’s nothing more complicated than that,” Jeter said.

Game Two of the best-of-seven series will be in New York on Thursday with the Phillies starting Pedro Martinez against A.J. Burnett of the Yankees.

Eric Bruntlett became the second player in major league history to get the final three outs on his own, accomplishing the feat Sunday to preserve the Philadelphia Phillies’ 9-7 victory over the New York Mets.

“I didn’t know how to react. I didn’t know what to do,” Bruntlett said. “The ninth inning was wild. The whole game it seemed was strange.”

It was an incredible ending to an awesome game that included an inside-the-park homer after the ball got stuck under the outfield wall.

Bruntlett turned the 15th unassisted triple play in big league history—the second that ended a game. Detroit Tigers first baseman Johnny Neun also turned the trick on May 31, 1927, completing a 1-0 victory over Cleveland, according to STATS LLC.

The Chicago Cubs will have a new owner, and it’s who everyone expected it to be back in January.

Tribune Co. said Friday that it signed an agreement to sell the iconic franchise to the Ricketts family. The family is paying about $800 million to acquire a 95 percent interest in a package of assets: the team, Wrigley Field and Tribune Co.’s 25 percent stake in Comcast SportsNet Chicago, which broadcasts many Cubs games on cable television.

The agreement values the franchise and related assets at $845 million, less than the Rickett’s winning bid in January of $900 million. Tribune Co. will retain a 5 percent ownership stake in the joint venture.

“Our family is thrilled to have reached an agreement to acquire a controlling interest in the Chicago Cubs, one of the most storied franchises in sports,” Joe Ricketts, a billionaire who founded the Omaha-based online brokerage TD Ameritrade Holding Corp., said in a statement. “The Cubs have the greatest fans in the world, and we count our family among them. We look forward to closing the transaction so that we can begin leading the Cubs to a World Series title.”

Mark Buehrle pitched the first perfect game in the major leagues in five years Thursday and Chicago White Sox center fielder DeWayne Wise got the assist.

Buehrle got a great catch from center fielder Wise leading off the ninth inning to save the bid - and the 5-0 shutout of the Tampa Bay Rays.

“I was hoping it was staying in there, give him enough room to catch it. I know the guys were doing everything they could to save the no-hitter, the perfect game, whatever it might be,” Buehrle said.

The left-hander has now become only the second pitcher to throw two no-hitters for the White Sox: Frank Smith did it against Detroit in 1905 and the Philadelphia Athletics in 1908. The only previous perfect game for the White Sox was by Charles Robertson at Detroit on April 30, 1922.

Pete Rose could be reinstated into baseball, Bud Selig is considering, and the Hall of Fame could be next.Hank Aaron said the following of Pete Rose:

“I would certainly like to see him in. He belongs in, really. His career is one that he needs to be right here in the middle of all of this.”

Selig has already said earlier this month he would agree to review the matter:

“I agreed to review this matter. I would remind you that Pete voluntarily accepted a lifetime suspension from Commissioner Bart Giamatti, and since I am the judge in this case, I think it’s inappropriate for me to comment. He has a right to ask for it to be reviewed, if there’s any new evidence, and we certainly have done that and will do that.”

Manny Ramirez has tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs and will be suspended 50 games starting today. The suspension will cost Ramirez $7.7 million, or roughly 31% of his $25-million salary. Players in violation of baseball’s drug policy are not paid during suspensions. Ramirez is expected to attribute the test results to medication received from a doctor for a personal medical issue, according to a source familiar with matter but not authorized to speak publicly.
With the suspension taking effect with tonight’s game against the Washington Nationals at Dodger Stadium, Ramirez will not be eligible to return to the team until July 3.

The right-hander was the American League Rookie of the Year in 1976, when he went 19-9 with a 2.34 ERA and 24 complete games. But injuries cut short his career, and he ended up spending only five seasons in the major leagues, all with the Detroit Tigers. He was 29-19 with a 3.10 ERA.

“The entire Detroit Tigers organization was saddened to learn of the passing of former player Mark Fidrych today,” the Tigers said in a statement. “Mark was beloved by Tigers fans and he was a special person with a unique personality. The Tigers send our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.”

Worcester County district attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. said a family friend found Fidrych about 2:30 p.m. Monday beneath a dump truck in Northborough, Mass., about 35 miles west of Boston. He appeared to have been working on the truck, Early said.

Ken Griffey Jr. has decided to return to the Seattle Mariners.

“He’s coming home,” General Manager Jack Zduriencik confirmed on Wednesday night. “I can’t begin to tell you how ecstatic we are. He is, too.”

The contract for Griffey, 39, is for one year and is believed to be worth $2 million in base salary, plus incentives. Atlanta was originally thought to be Griffey’s choice on Tuesday because the Braves’ spring training camp is near the Griffey family home in Orlando, Fla., and Atlanta is about an hour away by air. Instead Ken Griffey Jr chose to honor the promise made two years ago to finish his career as a Mariner.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have made a new offer to Manny Ramirez: one year and $25 million, according to a major league source. Dodgers GM Ned Colletti confirmed to ESPN.com that he met with Ramirez’s agent, Scott Boras, on Monday and presented the new offer in person.

Colletti declined to confirm any details of the offer. But the offer was confirmed by another source with knowledge of the discussions. It’s believed that Manny Ramirez and Scott Boras were given a 2 day deadline to accept the offer. The new offer is a step up from the Dodgers’ previous offer. On Election Day, the Dodgers offered Ramirez $15 million for the 2009 season, $22.5 million in 2010 and a $7.5 million buyout or $22.5 million club option for 2011. That contract would have maxed out at $60 million over three years if the Dodgers picked up the option.