Finally: The Mark McGwire Saga

This space was reserved to handle the fallout of the Packers' season on Sunday, but the "not really" stunning statement from current STL Cardinals hitting coach Mark McGwire's steroid use has changed plans.



Seven years since his body gave up on him, and five years since coming down with a case of amnesia during a congressional hearing, McGwire has finally come out with what people have been whispering about since the incredible home run chase of 1998.

Well not whispering about so much as stating aloud as fact.

As a Cardinals fan though, why do I not feel any hostility towards McGwire, but really an emptiness not even a bottle full of Andro could fill?

Like most Cardinal fans, the congressional hearing spelled the end for our embrace of McGwire. There were always questions about McGwire's work ethic, how LaRussa has praised McGwire's "rigorous physical and fundamental workout program." Forgetting to mention the fact steroids allow for a more strenuous workout program.

But most fans were willing to throw that into the back of their minds as McGwire launched pitch after another 500 feet into Big Mac Land at Busch II. He was one of the few players who allowed the Cardinals to be watchable during the mid-late 90s. There was nothing much to cheer for during the usual 80-90 loss seasons except for McGwire's moonshots.

But when the need to talk about the past came up, and McGwire seemed to forget the fact he ever played baseball. He stonewalled, in front of the nation, when peppered with questions about steroids. From there, the tides of Cardinal Nation went from willingly turning away from the obvious misdeeds, to accepting the obvious.

See, we Cardinal fans have already gone through the five stages of grief in terms of McGwire's career. Most have come to accept McGwire for what he is, a product of the steroid era. Unlike STL Post-Dispatch writer Bryan Burwell, fans are not devastated or shocked by the news of steroid use. I would like to believe most fans have accepted the fact that most players used steroids, it was the cool thing to do. No need for a Joe Camel to promote the product.

But the question remains, why stay silent about past use.

In a great interview by P-D writer Bernie Miklasz, McGwire said he was never asked about steroids during his career, and only kept silent afterward due to his lawyers.

Cop out? Absolutely. But McGwire finally came clean, and for that I will give him props. He was damned if he did, damned if he didn't. At least now, the healing process can begin.

At least, for non-Cardinal fans.

(Look tomorrow for Part II, looking into LaRussa's role in the situation)

Update: Not everyone seems thrilled with McGwire

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy