While much of the country is gorging on sports after having gorged on food, let me interrupt our holiday complacency with a controversial blog. People who think Mark McGwire should be in the baseball Hall of Fame may have valid reasons for thinking so.

Did he take body enhancing substances? Yes, but none of them were banned by baseball then. He broke no official rule. Many think it's unfair extend a rule into the past. We don't allow it in our judicial system.

In most cases like this I favor swift stout penalties. But I have to admit McGwire's supporters can build a case for saying his situation is marked by extenuating circumstances.

Many think McGwire should be in Cooperstown because he brought baseball back from the brink of annihilation. Some of us are old enough to remember how disgusted even the most loyal fans were with baseball after the players strike.

Many felt baseball would never recover. The homerun races between McGwire and Sosa resurrected baseball. Their heroics brought it back to life. They did for baseball after the strike what Babe Ruth did for it after the Black Sox scandal.

People smarter than I am will have to make the Hall of Fame decision. I'm just a lowly Cardinals fan who is glad Mark is returning to the Cardinals as their hitting coach. I hope he and Pujols become the best of friends.

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