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NEWS > SPORTS > MARK MCGWIRE WARMING UP NEEDLES AS HE TAKES ON CARDINALS COACHING JOB
MARK MCGWIRE WARMING UP NEEDLES AS HE TAKES ON CARDINALS COACHING JOB
October 26 2009
St Louis, MS – It may be a long time before professional baseball gets past the steroid scandal that rocked the league and called into question the integrity of America’s favourite pastime. The scandal, which drew in some of the biggest names in
the league, has put a stain on an entire era of the sport that had been one of the most exciting in the history of the sport. Of course, that excitement had also largely been fuelled by steroids and other enhancements, and it is that revelation that has so burdened the league and the players since.
One the biggest stars of that era, both on the field and in the courtroom, was Mark McGwire. His record setting homerun battle with Sammy Sosa in the summer of 1999 created the most excitement the sport had seen in years. With record after record, McGwire was a cinch for the Hall of Fame until the steroid scandal hit. Now after years of being out of the sport, McGwire is bringing his formidable talent and experience with the bat and the needle the St Louis Cardinals as their hitting coach, virtually ensuring that a new generation of players will be able to share in his disgrace.
“I don't know how many years I have left to manage and I wanted to take this opportunity to invite a guy who I think has a very special talent. Many others have watched Mark and know that he is indeed a talent. No one will work harder to help our players get the most out of their abilities,” said Cardinals General Manager Tony LaRussa. “We are completely confident that Mark’s skill set and experience will be a huge benefit to the younger players on our team. We will not comment now or in the future on Mark’s personal life. We are here to play baseball not engage in second guessing or looking back on the past.”
Cardinals’ officials hinted that they would in fact bar needles and other unsolicited drugs from the locker room though admit that experienced and determined persons would be able to sneak contraband regardless of their efforts.
“McGwire really brings a lot to the team and frankly I’m surprised other teams didn’t pursue him. He answered a ton of questions during those inquiries but wasn’t indicted and really came off looking quite good. The controversy will keep him out the hall more than likely but he made a ton of money and put up some incredible numbers, something he can bring to the team,” said a Cardinals insider. “Of course he’s going to bring drugs in. We all expect that and frankly would be disappointed if he didn’t. This is a guy that was able to stay more or less clean in the public eye and still put up great numbers. If he bring some of that to the team then will be laughing all the way to the World Series.”
Of course, such clandestine methods would do little to clear McGwire’s name in the public, something that likely would only be improved by the implication of dozens of other players.
“The only way, or at least the best way, to reduce McGwire’s crimes is to normalize them. If everyone starts doing steroids then his crimes will seem almost incidental or eventually perhaps even the beginning of a revolution that could ultimately put him in the hall. That’s really what he should be looking to do in order to get his name where it really should be,” said Scrape TV Sports analyst Mark Marvins. “That will also help other players from that ere such as Sosa or Barry Bonds for any future chances they may have at the Hall. McGwire would be doing those guys, as well as himself, a solid and would be laying the groundwork for future players.”
McGwire has reportedly ordered a major quantity of fresh needles ahead of spring training.
Alexi Orton, Sports Correspondent
NEWS > SPORTS > MARK MCGWIRE WARMING UP NEEDLES AS HE TAKES ON CARDINALS COACHING JOB
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