during the 1998 home run chase, were fans aware

I had an Indians season ticket package then and made it a point to go to the games against St Louis and got to see 2 of Mcguires home runs in person. There was talk and Mcguire was using android but it wasn't banned at the time. In hindsight, it's obvious baseball turned a blind eye and was also about electing fans back after a cancelled world series. Many of us, me included, had an idea of it then