Mark McGwire: Apparently, we only had a week to “talk about the past”

Well, we’re moving on to the future again.  The past was previously unattainable….but then it was here, but only for a short period of time, in the present.  Now, we can’t have it back.  We’re moving on to the present, or future, or something.

Whew, that was a mouthful.  And no, that isn’t insider knowledge to the upcoming LOST premier.  It’s Mark McGwire’s latest public relations stance.  Familiar, right?  That’s because it is. After a seven-day period of fluffy details, soft admissions, and cozy photo sessions, Mark McGwire is finished with the whole “my life is an open book” charity case.  Back to 2005.

(Video courtesy of  KMOV’s “Sports Sunday”)

Do we know more today than we did when McGwire stumbled over his words on Capitol Hill five years ago?  Sure.  Do we know everything?  Absolutely not.

One thing is for sure: The St. Louis sports scene is like a WWE/WWF script these days.

A few talking points:

1.) When in doubt, lead with a “best fans in baseball” proclamation.

Hearing St. Louis Cardinals fans referred to as “the best fans in baseball” always tickles my derailment button.  It’s even more enraging when an athlete strategically uses the phrase to blindly win over the populous.  The guy could walk up to the podium wearing a Chicago Cubs hat and holding an autographed copy of “Fever Pitch”, but as long as he strokes St. Louis’ baseball ego, we’ll wax his ass for years.

It should also be noted that McGwire is responsible for the whole “best fans in baseball” label, which began in 1998 when thousands of fans starting flocking to games hours early to see a McGwire batting practice bomb.  It was these same fans who would leave games early after McGwire’s last at-bat…and booed opposing pitchers for throwing three straight balls to McGwire…and then booed the umpire if he called the next pitch a strike.

Best. Fans. Ever.

2.) “Taking the high road” = I have no statement prepared for this one.

The dynamics of this impromptu media session was intriguing.  McGwire was supposed to hold a formal Q & A session, then he didn’t, then he (essentially) got trapped by a mob of media members, and was eventually funneled through a back door when the questions got chippy.  As you can see from the video, he wasn’t prepared…especially for the inquiries that followed the early, “Do you feel better now?” softball question.

One such question concerned Jose Canseco’s recent statements about McGwire’s validity—to which McGwire responded, “I’m not going to go down that road with Jose.”  When asked again about the legacy of the Bash Brothers, McGwire claimed that he was “taking the high road."

Fans (and media members) move at different paces when throttling their acceptance levels.  Most in St. Louis have accepted McGwire into their proverbial circle of trust because of last Monday’s sit-down with Bob Costas.  But, how much more knowledgeable about the situation are we, really?  Do we know McGwire willingly took steroids?  Yes, but we "knew" that five years ago.  What more do we know today?  Not much.

McGwire was castrated on Capitol Hill for the despicable, “I’m not here to talk about the past” line.  After six days of “honesty”, McGwire has resorted to ambiguity and shadowy corporate synonyms.  What has changed?

3.) These faces probably aren’t good while engaged in an “honesty” session.

4.) This will be the last impromptu McGwire media session EVER.

Fans hoping for more un-staged, transparent Q & A sessions with No. 25 might find themselves waiting a long time.  If Saturday’s media rush was any indication, the 2010 season could turn into a regular zoo if sessions like this continue.  They won’t.  If that’s the case…what will we get?  Likely, nothing.  How often do you hear from a batting coach?  Very infrequently.

McGwire’s vagueness on Saturday drew a line in the sand that future questions about his past will be dismissed immediately.

One question remains; if McGwire won’t answer outstanding inquiries in Spring Training, they’ll ultimately be dumped on the current Cardinals roster players.  How much will they take and how much will it affect them?

5.) Pedro Gomez is a beast.

Hear that guy consistently screaming over the rest of the local media to get his questions answered?  Pedro Effing Gomez.  He’s from the WWL, dammit.  Plus, the guy knows a thing or two about following steroids.  After all, ESPN had him camped out in Barry Bonds’ yard for 18 months.

6.) The Cardinals have played this thing perfectly.

Kudos to the Cardinals public relations department for making lemonade out of this entire scenario.  Very little negativity has been directed toward the Cardinals organization for hiring McGwire.  All the shortcomings surrounding the past month of events have fallen back on McGwire, the individual.  He was the one that looked like a buffoon in front of Congress, not the Cardinals.  He was the one ultimately responsible for “coming clean,” not the Cardinals.

During this entire process, the Cardinals have hung out in the shadows.  Now that the majority of fans have accepted McGwire and all of his imperfections back into their lives…the Cardinals have jumped at the opportunity.

Don’t believe it?  They played McGwire’s signature at-bat introduction music (Guns ‘N Roses “Welcome to the Jungle") as he appeared in front of the Winter Warm-up crowd on Saturday afternoon—which prompted a two-minute standing ovation.

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