Some Winter Heat

The Winter Warm-Up got underway this weekend (and continues today) which means that there is usually quite a bit of news generated, even if it's just what the players say.  This year was no exception.

Of course, you knew that was going to happen when Mark McGwire was added to the appearance list.  Mac didn't stick around long, and his post-appearance press conference didn't win him any fans with the local scribes, but the fan base appears to have accepted his apology and are glad to have him back in uniform.  I know it's going to be a while, but I do hope that some of this steroid stuff will start to recede in the coming weeks.  Let's see how he does as a hitting coach, OK?  That's the important thing now.

But Mac wasn't the only former Cardinal slugger in the news.  Jim Edmonds showed up at the Animal Rescue Foundation dinner on Sunday and challenged Tony LaRussa from the stage to let him return to the Cardinals.  While it's a long shot to happen, it'd definitely be interesting.  How much rust would be on him after a year off?  Could he play just once or twice a week and be happy and productive?  I'd give him a spring training invite to find out, especially if he's serious about playing for the minimum.

Matt Holliday made his first appearance at a WWU and was a crowd favorite as well.  Of course, he said all the right things about enjoying St. Louis and the fans, which helps a lot!  It'll be fun to watch him on a regular basis this year and hopefully the offense won't sputter as often with another bat like his in the mix.

Other players made appearances, of course, including a fairly tame and routine discussion by Yadier Molina.  Today's closing day will be big, as Albert Pujols is on the docket.  It'll be interesting to hear what the big guy has to say.

I've got some assorted links and news piling up in my e-mail box, so let me take this time to clear them out:

• Have you ever wondered just how good (or, more likely, bad) Charlie Brown and his team actually were?  Larry at Wezen-Ball has taken on a project he terms "Retrosheet: The Peanuts Chronicles" and gone through the strips tabulating.
• Stalking Steve Phillips has an post about returning the home run record to Roger Maris in light of McGwire's admission.  While I understand and sympathize with the sentiment, if it happened on the field, it has to stand.  Put any kind of explaining mark next to it as you wish, but it still happened and without a verifiable way of reducing the number or replaying the games, it has to be on the books.
• MLB contributed $1 million to the Haitian earthquake relief effort through UNICEF, according to a press release I received.  MLB also plans to air PSAs, have editorial coverage and comment, and encourage the fan base to donate and help as well.
• January 30 will be SABR Day in America.  Numerous local chapters will have events going on, which will be open to members and non-members alike.  If you want to see if there is a chapter in your area, check out the official site.
• Five O'Clock Blogger is back active, with a new URL.  Check out Jeff and change your bookmarks if you haven't already!
  

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