St. Louis Sports Online |News'n'Notes|Quick Hitters|Columns|Articles|Audio|Photos|Media|Fun|Editorials|Letters|Archives|

---

Mike Huss "The Fuss According to Huss" St. Louis Sports Online lead columnist and host of "Sportstalk" on WGNU AM-920 (8:00-9:00 pm Tuesdays and Thursdays)

During the last week of February, two well known symbols of St. Louis made the news: for entirely different reasons. One symbol arrived, and the other symbol departed. Each symbol dealt with blasts-but each of a completely different nature.

Mark Mc Gwire arrived in Jupiter, Florida early last week to begin his 1999 Spring Training regiment with the St. Louis Cardinals. Upon his arrival, Mc Gwire was swarmed by an entourage of media and paparazzi. Since late last summer, we learned that he is no longer Mark Mc Gwire, Cardinal First Baseman. Rather it is Mark Mc Gwire, Incorporated: National Celebrity and Global Personality.

Back on Labor Day as he approached Roger Maris' single season home run record, the Mc Gwire watch brought 699 of my closest colleagues to the Gateway City. Powerful outlets like ESPN, CNN, the Major News Networks reported from our town.

National and World News reports, National Publications, Major Television and
Cable Networks are starting their reports or bylines "From St. Louis, Missouri".

We also played host to others who occupied space at the Ball Park at that time from
Nickelodeon, M-TV, and Television Tabloid show "EXTRA". Some of these journalists even could identify a baseball diamond and as many as three Major League Players.

Still, almost six months of winter later-the Mc Gwire Mania continues.

#25, you are now right up there now with the Rock Stars and Monica Lewinsky.

But, Big Mac simply wants to only play baseball.

So in an effort to head off the on rush of media blitz, the Big Red Head set up a date last week to meet one on one with the media. Each local talking head got an opportunity to boast over their airways during February sweeps month of their "Exclusive one-on-one Interview with Mark Mc Gwire".

He answered the good questions: his health, his focus on baseball. He answered the intriguing questions: his son and his outlook on life. He answered the silly questions: his acting debut on Mad About You and his love life.

But throughout these sessions, and in print Mc Gwire made one thing clear: Once the games begin on March 5, there will be no more talking about the home run race.

This is a reasonable request. Let's face it, that wonderful 1998 Home Run race ended six months ago. It is over. It is history. Let it go.

The focus should be on the Cardinal team that had to scramble to finish the 1998 season four games over .500. A team that finished 19 games behind Houston in 1998.

The how good is this questionable starting pitching?? How many games will Eric Davis play? Will J D Drew live up to his press clippings?? How good is Fernando Tatis and can Carlos Berega come back?? Which Ray Lankford will show up this season??

Lots and lots of questions marks and Lots and lots of ifs surrounding this Red Bird team. Yet, it is the Big Red Head at First Base which attracts most of the attention.

Ironically, all of this Mc Gwire media attention may turn out to be a blessing for the team. It could take the spotlight off of many the Red Birds question marks. Eventually though, the Mc Gwire fad will wear off. Then it will be a make or break year for the team, especially Manager Tony La Russa, who is in the final year of his contract.

The St. Louis Convention and Visitor's Bureau recently reported that next to the Gateway Arch, Mark Mc Gwire is the most well known symbol of St. Louis.

If Mc Gwire is high on the list-where did the St. Louis Arena rank?

At approximately 5:45PM last Saturday, the lever was pushed and the structure on 5700 Oakland Avenue became the rubble at 5694, 5696 ,5698, 5700, 5702, 5704 Oakland Avenue. The implosion became an event; as hundreds of curious on-lookers, and hordes of journalists watched and chronicled the festivities.

On my way to the WGNU Studios on the Friday night before the Big Blast, I drove past the Arena for one final look. When I arrived, I saw a couple of hundred people holding a vigil for the old building. At the time of the blast, tears were shed by many in the crowd. Some people actually laid flowers in the area where the old building stood.

I am surprised that someone did not contact Governor Carnahan or the Pope in last ditch effort for clemency.

It intrigues me that some people desperately want to hold on to the past. Don't get me wrong: I have many Arena Memories. I worked in the building during my college years. My Blues season tickets for eight years were in Section 102, Row K Seats 1 and 2.

I had the opportunity to watch in person, the Monday Night Miracle in May, 1986, Bill Walton lead UCLA to the NCAA Title in March, 1973, Wayne Gretzky score five goals in a game in December, 1984, Mario Lemieux score three goals and three assists in an All Star Game, St. Louis University Basketball and Hockey, the Spirits of St. Louis, Steamers Indoor Soccer, Missouri-Illinois Basketball, and hundreds of other memories.

Also, I saw Bob Dylan, Led Zeppelin, the Beach Boys, Chicago, Alice Cooper, Elton John, and others in concert at the Old Barn.

Yet, there is a time to turn the page. And this is past that time.

You can say many things about the City of St. Louis (most of which are deserving), but they are dead right on the future of the property on Oakland Avenue. One can not expect the city to continue to pay on a bank note for a dormant piece of property.

The City gave this community four years for a buyer/developer of the Arena site to come forward. Although we heard grand plans about aquariums, mega-malls and such, the bottom line is that no one signed on the dotted line at the proper time with the cash.

On my Friday night WGNU Sport Show, I opened the phone lines for the Arena memories. Naturally, there were the remembrances of hockey, basketball, indoor soccer, and concerts. But one phone call stood out. This caller remembered the Arena's bad plumbing, lack of restrooms, leaky roof, sticky floors, and lousy parking.

Ah, yes; I remember it well!!

This area does have a dreadful habit of living in the past.

Two symbols of St. Louis, attracting media and spectator attention for two entirely different reasons. Both being attracted for their memories. Folks, it is time to move on.

Satchel Paige once said: "Don't look back because someone might be gaining on you".

That, of course, assumes that you are moving forward and not stuck in one spot.