After nearly a decade of being out of the game and admitting to steroid use and facing so many obstacles, slugger Mark McGwire did not expect a welcome like this in the field. There were numerous fans who lined the stands; fans who wore red clothes, carried posters and balls to commemorate the “Big Mac’s” 70-homer season. There were a lot of “thank you’s” heard after McGwire signed for his admirers for several minutes.

McGwire rejoins the Cardinals not as a player but as the new batting coach. Although McGwire had many questions to answer like the accusations of his younger brother Jay McGwire, this great athlete seems to be at peace, appearing to have moved on and ready to face what’s ahead.

McGwire, back in the uniform after the long pause in his career, is now at it teaching the young players in batting cages. A lot would describe his presence in the team as more of a welcome event rather than another nuisance. There is a lot he can offer and teach, especially with his long experience in the game.

“Big Mac” says that this country is the best in giving people second chances. He continues, saying that he has to live with the fact of what he did. He is sorry for it but now he’s ready to move on. He just wishes that everyone else is too. Many Cardinal players are impressed with McGwire’s work ethic. Second baseman Skip Schumaker says that there are times that McGwire beats them to the field, and with his hands-on coaching, leaves them with his mark. He goes on to say that he (McGwire) does not just help the veterans with their work but also helps guys with the 85 on their backs.

McGwire admits that he has always dreamt of teaching but was happy and at ease spending much of his time with his family after retiring last 2001. His return to baseball, now as a batting coach, all started with a text message. Manager Tony La Russa one Sunday night just sent him a message, asking if he would consider being a hitting coach. Now he is back and enjoying working with the young players. He understands that hitting is a process and cannot simply be achieved overnight. He has had his share of ups and downs, albeit more of the downs, when it comes to baseball. He will be able to impart a lot of his experiences especially as a home run record breaker to the young athletes and help them get through the tough times in their own careers.

Although McGwire was very apologetic and emotional when he confessed to using steroid on and off for almost a decade to help him with his injuries, he did not admit that the drugs gave him the edge to hit more homers. On former players who were not as forgiving as others, all he could say was that he can’t control how other people think.

McGwire’s support now continues to grow especially within the Cardinals’ clubhouse. Schumaker says that from a player’s point of view, McGwire did what needed to be done, answering every question and moving on. For him, McGwire was the best hitting coach he’s ever had and it seems many would agree by the end of the year.

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