Updated throughout the day with quick takes from staff.
Mark McGwire fell 51.3 percent short of being elected into the Hall of Fame this year, but darn it, one more October appearance might be able to get him over the hump in 2011:
In an interview with the Contra Costa Times, Cardinals manager Tony La Russa mentioned the possibility of putting McGwire on the team's active roster on Aug. 31 so he'd be eligible to play in the postseason, if the Cardinals are still in the race.
"If we're in contention, we'll put him on the roster Aug. 31. It's a nice little dream," La Russa told the newspaper.
However unlikely the scenario might be, La Russa said it's not impossible.
"Is it likely? Probably not. I don't think it's a zero possibility. The point is, you'll see him in spring training. He won't be leaning on the batting cage chatting it up. He'll work his [butt] off, and hitters will be thrilled he's there helping them," La Russa told the newspaper.
No, La Russa wasn't kidding. He's quite serious. He wants the 46-year-old McGwire to pick up a bat and perform for the Cardinals come September. But what could he really do? McGwire couldn't play first base when he was 26, let alone 46. And last I checked, the designated hitter hasn't found the National League yet.
Perhaps the funniest part of this whole story is La Russa's ridiculous optimism:
"Hopefully now he'll get back [in voters' good graces] where he's out working again."
Sure, that will work. I can see the headline next year: "McGwire Credits Thousands Of Crunches For Getting Into Hall."
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