Two weeks ago, the Red Sox descended on our nation’s capital and took D.C. by storm. This week, major league baseball crashed into Capitol Hill amid a storm of controversy.

A House committee blasted players, owners, and league officials Thursday, saying the game’s power brokers weren’t doing enough to put an end to the ongoing steroid scandal.

It was quite a sight as committee members lined up to grill the likes of Curt Schilling, Mark McGwire, Bud Selig and Jose Canseco.

McGwire came away the biggest loser of the day. In addition to losing what appeared to be some 40 lbs. since his playing days (I always thought athletes got fatter when they stopped competing), McGwire lost a lot of respect sitting there before the committee. He probably lost a lot of Hall of Fame votes, too.

“I will use whatever influence and popularity I have to discourage young athletes from taking any drug that is not recommended by a doctor,” said McGwire.

That said, McGwire refused to comment on his alleged use of steroids, saying he wasn’t there “to discuss the past.” It wasn’t quite invoking the fifth amendment, but it wasn’t a denial of those allegations. And that’s what most people will take away from this dark day for the sport that was once called the national pastime.

Schilling and others took the opportunity to blast Jose Canseco, who brought the controversy to a boil in his current best-seller. McGwire also spent time pointing out the “contradictions” in Canseco’s tell-all tale.

Canseco’s book has grabbed a lot of headlines, in large part because of his explicit description of McGwire’s alleged steroid use. On Thursday, McGwire said there were inconsistencies in the story, but he never said there were lies. No, he said he wouldn’t talk about the past.

Which leaves us to talk about it. And what we’re saying isn’t good.

The committee came short of creating legislation to enforce stricter testing and penalties for steroid use, but it’s hoping the hearings will turn up the heat. There was a good amount of time spent pointing out how laughable the new, “tougher” MLB guidelines are – highlighting the fact that the commissioner could fine “up to” $10,000 instead of a suspension for first-time users.

Selig vowed to suspend anyone caught under the new rules, but Congress expressed its doubts.

They have plenty of reason to doubt. Major League Baseball has circled the wagons and appears more intent on saving face than on saving players from the harmful effects of these drugs. The game turned a blind eye on steroid use for more than a decade, and now they’re paying the price.

Imagine, Canseco’s unseemly book might just be the most believable part of all this. And that’s the saddest thing of all.

Lewiston native Tom Caron is a studio host on Boston Red Sox telecatsts on NESN.