Parris & Burwell Show Note Tuesday 10.27.09

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9:02a-- Parris congratulated Burwell on asking La Russa tough questions about the hiring of Mark McGwire and actually getting a response. Burwell has something to say: his article in the Post was not about trying to block the hiring of McGwire, but about how he needsto come clean about PEDs if he wants this venture to be a success. Parris has something to say as well: McGwire needs to be forthcoming about his past, but not too forthcoming as to incriminate himself; but Burwell disagrees and thinks he should just tell the whole truth because there will not be any legal ramifications. Cliff Saunders has something to say: if McGwire comes clean like A-Rod, he will eventually be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Parris and Burwell are concerned about the number of injuries on both the Rams and the Blues.

9:24a-- Should Mark McGwire finally talk about the past? Burwell thinks McGwire will bein a theoretical "bubble" and no one will be able to ask him about PEDs. Burwell says the hiring of McGwire is a move made by the Cardinals' front office in an effort to revive his career and get him into the Hall of Fame; Burwell hopes Hall of Fame voters will not be fooled. Parris believes fans just want to "let it go" when it comes to McGwire and PEDs; he believes this to be a baseball writer's issue and not a fan issue. Burwell says the numbers that have been put up by McGwire and Bonds do not matter at all; because they are cheaters, plain and simple. Parris says MLB Commissioner Bud Selig is directly to blame for the lingering steroid cloud over baseball.

9:42a-- Cardinals insider Brian Feldman joined the guys to talk McGwire and La Russa. Feldman says Mark McGwire can be a legitimate hitting coach, despite his lack of coaching credentials simply because he knows hitting. Feldman says McGwire proved this with his work in the offseason with Skip Schumaker and Matt Holliday. Parris thinks there is a difference between having baseball knowledge and actually imparting it onto people, but he doesn't think McGwire will have any problems. Feldman says McGwire is just the hitting coach and argues people are making way too big a deal out of his hiring. Feldman believes that McGwire knew what he was getting himself into when he accepted this job and he is more than likely preparing himself for a media circus. Feldman also thinks that if McGwire comes clean about PEDs, everyone can move on and Mac can focus on coaching. Feldman believes the hiring of Big Mac will certainly help with the possible resigning of Matt Holliday; but he thinks it helps only about 5%. Feldman says many of the Cardinals endorsed the hiring of McGwire, including Albert Pujols.

10:02a-- Are the Rams the worst team in the NFL? Burwell says he and Parris have come up with about 12 teams in the NFL this season that are just bad. Parris thinks he would rather be a Rams fan than a Redskins fan, based on where the future is headed for both teams. Parris and Burwell both agree that the Kansas City Chiefs and Larry Johnson have a lot of work to do to get their club out of the gutter. The Lions, Browns, Raiders and Bucs are all teams that Parris and Burwell argue may have bleaker outlooks than the Rams. Parris says everyone would feel a little bit better about the Rams if they could get a win this Sunday in Detroit.

10:23a-- The guys replayed the Chris Carpenter interview from earlier today with Mike & Mike. Chris Carpenter was named Comeback Player of the Year by the MLBPA. Carp is proud of everyone on the team and was especially impressed with Skip Schumaker and his adjustment from outfield to second base. Carp says he was relieved to see that La Russa would be returning to St. Louis for at least one more season. Carpenter is excited that Mark McGwire has been hired on as the new hitting coach and with all of his experience and hard work, he fails see how Big Mac wouldn't be a successful coach. Carp will be donating $20,000 to C.H.A.D., a charity organization devoted to fight cancer in children. Parris argues that the hiring of Big Mac is overshadowing the fact that La Russa is coming back for another year as well. Burwell doesn't understand why La Russa still isn't fully embraced by St. Louis fans and why he is continually second-guessed.

10:43a-- What do the guys think about Bud Selig's comments glorifying the Cardinals for hiring Mark McGwire? Burwell is surprised that Selig didn't show any misgivings at all related to the hiring of Mark McGwire. Burwell wonders if perhaps Roger Clemens or Barry Bonds are going to be offered jobs with their former teams. Burwell thinks Selig's legacy is so tarnished already that it doesn't really matter what he says. Parris says that Selig is embracing McGwire simply because the Cardinals are doing the same thing. Burwell says not every sports writer turned a blind eye to PEDs, but it was a much more touchy subject back in the 80's and 90's.

11:02a-- Former Cards slugger Jack Clark joined the show to talk about Big Mac's new role with the Redbirds. Clark says first and foremost, Big Mac must earn the players' trust in order to be succesful in his new role. Clark says that McGwire has to understand that each player is going to have different issues with hitting and McGwire must remain patient. Clark says a big part of being ahitting coach is simply talking to the players about any personal problems so their minds are clear when batting. Clark thinks Big Mac should come clean about his past and that he probably should have been at yesterday's press conference. Clark argues that if McGwire doesn't come clean, it will be a distraction all year. Clark says McGwire owesit to the fans of St. Louis to talk about PEDs. Parris says teaching in general is not as easy as people may think. Parris thinks that imparting wisdom to players about anything can be extremely difficult and that McGwire will not only be dealing with that issue, but with a potential media circus as well. Burwell agrees and says that some of the players will catch on to McGwire's methods easier than others.

11:23a-- It's time for the Brain of Burwell.  Bryan reiterates some of his thoughts on McGwire and applauds the candor of Mr. Jack Clark!

11:45a--Pat and Bryan catch up on your texts and emails!  Text the show at 61837 email at PBShow@101espn.com!

It was just another beautiful day in Parris and Burwell Land we'll talk to you again tomorrow!

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