St. Louis Sports Online

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Mike Huss "The Fuss According to Huss" St. Louis Sports Online lead columnist and host of "Sportstalk" on WGNU AM-920 note new time: (7:00-8:00 pm Tuesdays and Thursdays) E-mail Mike at: hussonwgnu@aol.com

With the possible exception Michael Jordan, is there any other athlete with a better flair for the dramatic than Mark McGwire? His 500th Home Run is another classic example.

Although 500 home runs is a significant milestone, Mc Gwire views four consecutive seasons of fifty or more home runs as more note worthy.

This latest Mc Gwire love-fest should end the silly notion of trading him. The Cardinals and the Convention and Visitors Bureau will have nothing of that. Why should the Cardinals (and the city of St. Louis) trade their best player and this area's biggest draw?

Perhaps we should re-examine our thoughts about the Gateway City being the "smartest" baseball town in America. During this recent home stand, I counted three separate instances when Mc Gwire, representing either the tying or go ahead run, was walked. In all cases, the local fans booed lustily. Isn't the main goal still to win ball games??

I really do not care what Mr. Shearer does with the baseball he caught Thursday night.

On the night Mac hit #500, it was like Christmas Mass in the Press Box. Two thirds of the folks occupying those chairs won't be seen again until Opening Day, 2000.

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Baseball needs more people like Tony Gwynn. He is a class act.

Lost in the Mc Gwire hoopla, Tony La Russa moved to 11th place in all time Managerial wins. This should qualify him as a good (maybe not great) Manager.

Speaking of La Russa, I agree with my editor that if #10 does not return to manage the Red Birds in 2000, it will be HIS decision. I also agree with my editor in that #10 will be back as Red Bird skipper in 2000.

With all the howling and gnashing of teeth about the pitching, the Cardinals do need a third outfielder for the 2000 season.

In case you have not noticed, Fernando Tatis is hitting near .300 and should finish the season with thirty or more home runs.

Craig Paquette might be a sleeper for the Cardinals. He can play the same positions as Shawon Dunston, but is younger and less expensive.

Trent Green, Isaac Bruce, and Tory Holt all performed well in the Rams first pre-season game at the Dome. Remember though, Green and Bruce only played two series in the first quarter. Let's not start saving for those playoff tickets quite yet.

Let's hope Green stays healthy all season. There is not much to back up #10.

Leonard Little entered and exited Saturday night's game with scarce fan reaction.

Apparently I am not the only person who is skeptical about the 1999 Rams. There are still tickets available for all Rams Pre Season and Regular Season Games.

Questions to ponder: Why was Saturday night's attendance of 45,449 (or 21,000 empty seats) at Dome not announced? Why was this attendance total buried in Paragraph 14, on Page 5 of the Post Dispatch's Sunday morning game story?

Another reason to laugh at the National Football League: the header on Page One of the fact sheet that provides all the pre-game information for Saturday night's game INSIDE the Trans World Dome between the Rams and Raiders, included the temperature and weather conditions OUTSIDE the Dome!

Thank you, Commissioner Tagilabue for providing the Rams a BYE in week 2 of the Pre Season and Week 2 of the Regular Season. It is nice to see that you still do not hold a grudge after all these years. Rest assured, local football fans harbor the same sentiments on your upcoming visit to the Gateway City.

Speaking of the Commish, Dallas Cowboy Owner Jerry Jones had to be smiling. When Taglibue arrived in Macomb to meet with the Rams, he was photographed wearing shorts with the famous Nike "Swoosh".

The Rams P R Department still masterfully lobbies the local media. The menu at the Press Box buffet on Saturday night was exceptional. This smorgasbord is an effective way to ensure a positive image with many of my colleagues.

Three years ago, San Francisco's Bill Walsh was critical of the Rams on their drafting of Lawrence Phillips. Now that L P will be starting in the Niners backfield, Walsh sounds a lot like Tom Osborne.

Things have been quiet at 14th and Clark this summer. Does this mean the Blues are not working to improve the team, or is there a new buyer for the team and building?

Since the Colorado deal fell through, could the Columbia, Missouri tandem of Stan Kroenke and Bill Laurie might be looking for an NHL team and building closer to home?

Kiel Partners are watching the Ambush status very closely. The Ambush leases many dates at 14th and Clark. The resignation of Darryl Doran was a huge blow to the organization. Kevin Hundelt is the logical choice to replace Doran. If not, Hundelt may join Doran in St. Chuck. The Ambush can't lose both Doran and Hundelt.

Recently, I drove past the new SSM Arena. This facility will house minor league basketball and hockey, as well as indoor soccer. The building is taking shape. However, will the roads leading to the building be ready on opening night in October?

If you have not traveled to O' Fallon to see the River City Rascals play, I strongly urge you to do so. It is a fun and entertaining experience.

Lorenzo Romar continues to impress everyone he meets. The new SLU Coach has met with and spoken to any person or group that has invited him. Romar is striving for visibility while mending fences throughout the region.

Meanwhile, the other new local basketball coach, Quin Snyder has not been as visible. Snyder was a no show at this summer's Mizzou Alumni Golf Tournament in St. Louis. He did not attend the tournament in Springfield, either. No word was given on the new coach's whereabouts at either alumni function.

Speaking of round ball at Ol' Mizzou: I am told that Norm Stewart gave a rather graphic and stern history lesson to those in attendance at his summer basketball camp on who is really the most important person in the history Tiger Basketball.

I have also been told by three separate sources that Coach Stewart was "strongly nudged" to announce his retirement.

The hoopla for the Missouri Football Program has been relatively quiet this summer.

I imagine NBC will televise reruns of Frazier, Friends and E R, on Saturday afternoons now that they may have open programming time from Notre Dame Football.

FROM THE CHEAP SELF PROMOTION DEPARTMENT:
Starting on, August 17, my Tuesday and Thursday night WGNU Sport Talk Shows will now start at 7:00 PM, St. Louis time.

AND FINALLY: Congratulations to 33 year old Del Hampton of Fort Smith, Arkansas who was named the National Cluck-off Champion at the 19th annual Wayne, Nebraska Chicken Show. Mr. Hampton brought a large box filled with straw and began clucking atop it, before producing an egg. Mr. Hampton intends to return next year to defend his new title.

It is unclear at this writing if local media scribes and talking heads predicting playoff possibilities for the Rams will be competing against Mr. Hampton in this egg-laying extravaganza in the summer of 2000.