Long time looker, rare poster here; and I need a little assistance from Cardinal Nation.

I finally set some time in my schedule to visit St. Louis to see the Cardinals/ A's series.  It's my first extended trip to the Lou, and if I could implore you for some help, that would be superb.  I'm looking for a hotel.  I would like one kind of close to the stadium or the Metro Link thing.  I don't necessarily want it to cost me my first born (since I'll be spending at least that on my tickets) and I kind of would like to be in a nice area as I plan on hitting up the city after dark.  What places would you recommend? 

Now, I'm going by myself.  What places would you recommend for a single/Late 20's dude to have some fun?

Thanks and go Cards!!!!!!!!!!

Let me first go on record (once again) and state that Mark McGwire has always been my favorite player.  It all started back when I was a LittleJ and I went to a game in Oakland and watched him hit a grand slam over the Center field wall.  Being only 8 years old and watching that, I fell in love with him before I knew what women were.

Now on to current times.  I don't know if anyone saw the Sunday conversation on SC last Sunday, but they interviewed a number of Baseball writers about Big Mac making into the Hall of Fame.  If you ask me, this is a no-brainer.  Not only did he hit 583 home runs, but he helped bring baseball back to what it is now thanks to that epic chase of Maris in '98.  Yes, his "performance" on Capitol Hill was a joke, but McGwire played before the times that steroids was illegal in baseball.  Also, there is no proof that he took steroids (besides andro, when MLB allowed to take andro).  In my humble opinion, McGwire should be in the HOF.  If you are going to hold out players who allegedly take steroids, you have to hold out Bonds, Sosa, and company.  Just my opinion, for what it's worth.

What does Cardinal Nation think?  Does McGwire belong in the Hall?    Feel free to comment.  Thanks!