After the scandal at the beginning of the year, during which he admitted that he had used steroids, Mark McGwire is finally enjoying the calm after the frenzy. After several, repeated apologies, McGwire is returning to his position as the St. Louis Cardinals new batting coach, to the pleasure of St. Louis fans. The team is pleased to welcome the former baseball star to the spring training camp begun this week.
Just over a month ago, McGwire ended more than ten years of denial, admitting that he had used steroids and human growth hormone (HGH) to improve his performance during games. After the confession, the player asked for forgiveness and understanding.
Initially, McGwire said, he used the drugs for help healing his injuries, but later he began to use them to improve his swing and performance during his baseball games. In fact, much of the controversy stems from the fact that McGwire is well known for setting a record in 1998, hitting 70 homeruns, easily surpassing Roger Marris' record of 61 and then 65.
"It's something I regret," McGwire said. "I can't say I'm sorry enough to everybody in baseball and across America, and whoever watches this great game. I think people understand how truly sorry I was for what I did."
McGwire is ready for a new beginning and a chance to demonstrate that he has the skills for the job he was offered. Now he is in the St. Louis spring training clubhouse lockers, waiting for an opportunity to make up for what happened more than 10 years ago.
The real work starts this weekend and early next week, when the team's hard practice starts, and McGwire's new pupils are still excited about the idea of having the legend on the team as a batting coach. This is especially true of Skip Schumaker, who doesn't hide his admiration for the player; Schumaker has been working with McGwire in the offseason and shares a passion for hitting.
"I'm excited about it," Schumaker said. "I'm not excited I have to share him. He's helped me a whole lot the last couple of years and I'm excited to have him for a full season."
McGwire also has the support of other players on the team. They've avoided judging him; McGwire, after all, is not the only one who has had access to these types of drugs. Most of them said that the time Big Mac played was one of the best eras of baseball, a period with incredible talent in the MLB.
McGwire stated that he is willing to work when the Cardinals need him, 5am in the morning or 7 o'clock at night; he is ready to start his work for the team rather than for himself. He has expressed his excitement over this new chapter in his career and life.
McGwire retired back in 2001 and since then has made few public appearances.
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