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Monday, Oct. 26, 2009
| Comments (0) |La Russa's coming back and he's bringing Big Mac with him
McGwire will be hitting instructor
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closeTony La Russa will return as the St. Louis Cardinals manager for a 15th season, and he's bringing an old friend with him.
Multiple reports Sunday afternoon indicated that La Russa, 65, today will sign a new contract, probably for two years, to remain in St. Louis. He's expected to be joined by former Cardinals first baseman Mark McGwire, who will replace Hal McRae as the hitting instructor.
A press conference has been scheduled for 11 a.m. today at Busch Stadium.
- Story: Big Mac back with the Birds? Say it ain't so, Tony
- Story: La Russa makes it official: He's back, and so is Big Mac
- Link: CARDS CHEAP SEATS: Scott Wuerz blog
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Poll:Should Mark McGwire be back in baseball?
La Russa has spent the last two weeks in California, pondering his future and determining whether he still had the fire in his gut to manage. The Cardinals were swept by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Division Series, prompting La Russa to evaluate whether he wanted to return.
The delay in La Russa's decision might have been tied to his efforts to secure McGwire as his hitting coach. McGwire, 46, played for La Russa in Oakland and St. Louis. He was with the Cardinals for the last two months of the 1997 season until he suddenly retired after the 2001 season.
McGwire hit a then-record 70 home runs in 1998, a mark that was broken by Barry Bonds in 2001 when he hit 73. McGwire has spent the last eight years with his family, seldom making public appearances with the exception of his well-documented testimony on Capitol Hill in March 2005 regarding performance-enhancing drugs.
During his interview, McGwire said, "I'm not here to talk about the past."
McGwire batted .263 with 583 home runs in 16 seasons. Cardinals second baseman Skip Schumaker and others have credited McGwire with helping them become more polished hitters. Soon-to-be free agent Matt Holliday of the Cardinals has recently worked with McGwire.
McRae, 64, was with the Cardinals for five seasons. His contract was not renewed for next season. He was the fifth hitting instructor under La Russa since 1996, following Dave Parker, George Hendrick, Mike Easler and Mitchell Page.
La Russa flew to St. Louis on Sunday morning and attended a Bruce Springsteen concert Sunday night.
Contact reporter David Wilhelm at dwilhelm@bnd.com or 239-2665.
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