The other day as I heard that former St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Mark McGwire admitted on national television he used steroids, my heart sank. I, too, followed McGwire’s career with the Cardinals, especially during the home-run race back in 1998. When McGwire and Sammy Sosa of the Chicago Cubs were in the running for breaking Roger Maris’ home run record, I had the opportunity to watch a game in St. Louis. It was on a Saturday back in the day and McGwire hit two home runs – that made him less than five to beat the Roger Maris’ record. But he did not while I was up there.
I was at home in Joplin at the time and started to watch the St. Louis ballgame when McGwire finally broke the home run record. It seemed like the world just stopped rotating. I even flipped through some of the channels on the TV and every channel that I came across had McGwire breaking the record. It literally brought tears of joy to my eyes.
Years later, as a reporter for the Neosho Daily News, I had the opportunity of a lifetime. My Dad had purchased two tickets and wanted to know if I would like to go up to St. Louis to Mark McGwire Day, that was in mid-April 2005, I believe, at Busch Stadium.
Prior to going, I called the media relations for the Cardinals and asked if I could get down on the field when McGwire threw out the first pitch. They said yes. Dad was up in the stands with his camera.
I was on the field when McGwire came out to wave to the countless fans before a game. He then proceeded to the pitcher’s mound to throw out the first pitch. At that time, I was just to the right of the catcher when he threw the ball over the plate. After a brief presentation on the field, he went up to a conference room near the press box, where he gave an interview. There were around 30 reporters from newspaper to TV to radio and even Internet and magazines, asking questions of McGwire. I was standing as close as I could get and then the final question came from a reporter, “Mark, what do you think of Barry Bonds breaking your home run record?” Before McGwire could even answer, his publicist grabbed McGwire and said, “Time to go.” McGwire gave a brief statement and proceeded toward the door. I noticed one reporter holding out his hand for a handshake and I followed with my hand as well. McGwire shook my hand, thanked the reporters for being there and proceeded to watch the Cardinals ballgame.
It truly was one of the greatest moments I will cherish as a journalist.
To this day, I still have McGwire’s No. 25 T-shirt that was given to me by my parents in 1998, I have some McGwire memorabilia and when Dad and I go to a baseball card show, I occasionally will look for McGwire’s cards.
Today, McGwire is back with the Cardinals as a hitting coach.
Todd G. Higdon is a staff writer and writes a weekly column for the Neosho Daily News. He can be reached at tghigdon@neoshodailynews.com.
