ST LOUIS (January 11, 2012)– The 16^th annual Cardinals Care Winter Warm-Up, the Cardinals Caravan, the 53^rd annual St. Louis Baseball Writers Dinner, as well as two events benefiting Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF) highlight a busy Cardinals-themed holiday weekend that continues the 2011 World Championship celebration while also unofficially kicking off the 2012 baseball season.

The Winter Warm-Up returns to the Hyatt Regency at the Arch Saturday, January 14^th through Monday, January 16^th (Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day) with appearances by a variety of current and former Cardinals players.

“This year’s Warm-Up will be even more special as we celebrate our 11^th World Championship and look forward to the 2012 season,” said Michael Hall, Vice President for Cardinals Care and Community Relations. “The event is a fun-filled weekend that really has something for everyone.”

This year fans will get their chance to take a picture with the Cardinals 2011 World Series trophy as well as get their first opportunity to greet new acquisitions Carlos Beltran and J.C. Romero, who are scheduled to appear on Sunday and Monday respectively.

For complete Warm-Up information visit www.cardinals.com/winterwarmup.

In addition to the Warm-Up, on Friday night Cardinals fans can enjoy a special program at the Peabody Opera House as Tony La Russa and Bob Costas will discuss the 2011 season. Saturday night La Russa’s annual “Stars to the Rescue” event will take place at the Peabody and both events will benefit the former Cardinals manager’s Animal Rescue Foundation.

The 54^th annual Baseball Writers Dinner will take place at the St. Louis Millennium Hotel on Sunday night. Fans will enjoy a night of fun and entertainment as the dinner will celebrate the 2011 World Championship, pay tribute to the 30^th anniversary of the 1982 World Series Champion Cardinals and include the presentation of several 2011 awards and recognition.

Below are the complete highlights of the 2012 Winter Warm-Up:

Friday, January 13, 2012

• Tickets: The Will Call ticket window at the Hyatt Regency will be open from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Cardinals Caravan Kicks Off: Stops in Springfield, Mo., Champaign, Ill., Decatur, Ill., Mexico, Mo. and Jefferson City, Mo. kick off the 2012 Cardinals Caravan.
• La Russa Discusses the 2011 Season: Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation will host “A Champs Perspective,” a viewing of the 2011 Championship season at the Peabody Opera House with special guest Bob Costas. Join La Russa as he gives his unique commentary on this historic season.

Saturday, January 14, 2012 (9 a.m. – 5 p.m.)

• 2012 Cardinals Autographs: Chris Carpenter, Tony Cruz, Tyler Greene, Fernando Salas, Adam Wainwright and more.
• Cardinals Alumni Autographs: Andy and Alan Benes, Glenn Brummer, Cal Eldred, Rex Hudler, Rick Horton, Brian Jordan and more.
• Dugout Presentations: “Collecting Sports Memorabilia” with sports collector Dave Jackson at 10:30 a.m.; Learn how to shoot a Cardinals game with team photographer Scott Rovak at 12:00 p.m.; Weatherbird live demonstrations with St. Louis Post-Dispatch artist Dan Martin at 2:00 p.m.
• Clubhouse Presentations: Cardinals Farm Director John Vuch discusses the organization’s minor league system at 11:00 a.m.; Cardinals Vice President of Sales and Marketing Dan Farrell discusses the team’s sales, marketing and broadcasting at 1:00 p.m.; Brian Finch of the Cardinals’ Hall of Fame Museum will discuss the history of the Cardinals with 10 items from the museum at 3:00 p.m.
• Main Stage: Cardinals Senior Vice President and General Manager John Mozeliak will host a question and answer session at 12:30 p.m, while a panel discussion with three members of the Cardinals local media will to follow at 1:00 p.m.
• Auctions: Silent Auctions: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.; Live Auctions (Main Stage): 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Items that are won at auctions must be paid for at the close of each auction.
• Cardinals Caravan: The Cardinals caravan makes its way thru Cardinal Nation with stops in Joplin, Rolla, Hannibal, Columbia, and Moberly, Mo. as well as Quincy, Ill.

Sunday, January 15, 2012 (9 a.m. – 5 p.m.)

• 2012 Cardinals Autographs: Lance Berkman, Mitchell Boggs, Daniel Descalso, Jaime Garcia, Matt Holliday, Jon Jay, J.C. Romero, Jake Westbrook and more.
• Cardinals Alumni Autographs: Danny Cox, Chris Duncan, Curt Ford, Tony La Russa, Red Schoendienst and more.
• Dugout Presentations: “Collecting Sports Memorabilia” with sports collector Dave Jackson at 11:30 a.m.
• Clubhouse Presentations: Brian Finch of the Cardinals’ Hall of Fame Museum will discuss the 2011 World Championship season at 10:30 a.m.; an exclusive launch of the Cardinals Hall of Fame and Museum’s new website with the group’s registrar Jennifer Jackson at 12:00 p.m.; “Caring for the 2011 World Champions” with team physician, Dr. Wendell Becton at 1:00 p.m.
• Main Stage: A panel discussion with members of the 1964 World Championship team and the 2011 World Championship team from 2:15 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.
• Auctions: Silent Auctions: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.; Live Auctions (Main Stage): 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Items that are won at auctions must be paid for at the close of each auction.
• Cardinals Caravan: The Cardinals Caravan makes its way thru Cardinal Nation with stops in Dyersburg and Memphis, Tenn., as well as Mattoon and Peoria, Ill.
• 54^th Annual Baseball Writers Dinner (Millennium Hotel, 6:30 p.m.): Enjoy a night of fun and entertainment as the St. Louis chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America celebrates the 2011 World Championship team and several members of the Cardinals organization receive awards recognizing their accomplishments in 2011. Also, there will be a special program honoring the 30^th anniversary of the 1982 World Series Championship.

Monday, January 16, 2012 (9 a.m. – 3 p.m.)

• 2012 Cardinals Autographs: Carlos Beltran, Allen Craig, David Freese, Kyle Lohse, Lance Lynn, Kyle McClellan, Mike Matheny and more.
• Cardinals Alumni Autographs: Jack Clark, Whitey Herzog, Mike Jorgensen, Ray Lankford, Kerry Robinson, Jason Simontacci and more.
• Dugout Presentation: Photograph opportunities with America’s symbol, the bald eagle at 10:30 a.m. and Brian Finch of the Cardinals’ Hall of Fame Museum will present “Designing the Past” at 12:30 p.m.
• Clubhouse Presentation: Cardinals President Bill DeWitt III discusses the franchise at 10:00 a.m. and “Collecting Sports Memorabilia” with sports collector Dave Jackson at 11:30 a.m.
• Main Stage: A discussion with former Cardinals manager Tony La Russa and new Cardinals skipper Mike Matheny at 1:30 p.m.
• Auctions: Silent Auctions: 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. – 2 p.m. Live Auctions (Main Stage): 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Items that are won at auctions must be paid for at the close of each auction.
• Cardinals Caravan: The Cardinals Caravan makes its way thru Cardinal Nation with stops in Jonesboro, Ark., Cape Girardeau, Mo., Quad Cities, Iowa and Springfield, Ill.

All Three Days
On the second floor of the Hyatt, fans will be able to play interactive games, find collectable memorabilia and baseball cards, meet Fredbird and listen to informative presentations by Cardinals executives.

On the fourth floor, fans will be able to meet their favorite players at the autograph tables and will also have the opportunity to visit the Cardinals Care Store. The store will be stocked full of Cardinals memorabilia such as discounted hats, game-worn jerseys, toys and grab bags. Also, there will be booths for Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation and Stan the Man Inc. There will be plenty of items on hand for purchase at booths sponsored by Cardinals Publications as well as the official team store.

This year Cardinals Authentics will be selling unique items from the 2011 Cardinals Postseason. In addition to autographed World Series balls and photos, fans can purchase autographed champagne bottles from each round of the Cardinals’ 2011 postseason run and limited edition items such as World Series Game 7 rosin bag material and infield dirt.

Tickets
Three-day passes for the event can be purchased at the Busch Stadium Cardinals Team Store, at area Cardinals Clubhouse Stores or by calling (314) 345-9000. Ticket prices are $40 for fans 16 and older and $10 for fans ages five to 15, while kids under five are free. Fans that purchased their tickets in advance can begin picking them up at the Hyatt Regency Will Call starting Friday, January 14^th from noon to 7 p.m. The Will Call window will open again on Saturday at 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Monday 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Pizza Party
Cardinals Care has now partnered with Papa John’s Pizza for a special promotion where proceeds of pizza purchases in January will be donated to their cause. The Cardinals Care $20 Papa John’s Deal includes any large pizza, one chicken side and a Cinnapie for only $20 with $2 from every deal sold going directly to Cardinals Care. The deal is good thru January only and orders can be made at www.papajohns.com or by visiting any St. Louis area Papa John’s store.

Cardinals Care
Since its inception in 1997, Cardinals Care has maintained a direct focus on “Caring for Kids” by distributing funds to area non-profit youth organizations and establishing Redbird Rookies, their flagship program that supports youth on and off the baseball field. Most of the organizations who are recipients of Cardinals Care charitable grants are based in Missouri, Illinois and Iowa.

Grant funds are intended to support purchases such as school supplies and uniforms, computers, software, instruments, books and games for educational programs, as well as basic needs such as winter clothing for needy children.

The Winter Warm-Up and annual 6K Run are Cardinals Care’s two largest fundraising events each year. In 2011 Cardinals Care raised over $700,000 at the Warm-Up and nearly $160,000 at the second annual 6K Run. Cardinals Care also raises funds through memorabilia auctions online and throughout Busch Stadium during the season

54^th Annual St. Louis Baseball Writers Dinner
The event will feature a tribute to the 2011 World Series Champion Cardinals as well as presentations of the annual Baseball Writers Awards. Those scheduled to receive awards are Tony La Russa, John Mozeliak, Red Schoendienst, Dan Descalso, Lance Berkman, Chris Carpenter, David Freese and Kyle Lohse, along with Cardinals Organizational Player of the Year Matt Adams and Pitcher of the Year Shelby Miller.

Cardinals Caravan
The 2012 Cardinals Caravan begins Friday, January 13^th and will embark on five separate caravans, scheduled throughout the weekend. The caravans are scheduled to visit 19 total cities, including the respective ballparks of local minor league affiliates Memphis (Tennessee), Springfield (Missouri) and Quad Cities (Davenport, Iowa). For complete information of all caravan stops visit www.cardinals.com/caravan.

Stars to the Rescue
Tony La Russa’s annual Animal Rescue Foundation event is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at the Peabody Opera House and tickets for the event are $75 and $25 and are on sale now by visiting the Ford Box Office at Scottrade. Stars scheduled to appear are Tom Johnson, Luke Bryan, Timothy B. Schmit, John McDaniel, Christopher Jackson and Lara Johnston. ARF saves dogs and cats that have run out of time at public shelters and strives to bring together people and pets.

Sponsors
Cardinals Care and the St. Louis Cardinals would like to thank the following sponsors for helping to make the 2012 Winter Warm-Up possible:

Anheuser-Busch, Inc., Belleville News-Democrat, Betallic, Centric Group, Coca-Cola North America, Enterprise Holdings, Fox Sports Midwest, Framin’ Place, Gwin’s Travel, Hardee’s, Hostess Brands, Hunter Engineering, Hyatt Regency, In Focus Marketing, KMOX News/Talk 1120, M & I Bank, Nehmen-Kodner, Paramount Convention Services, Rawlings Sporting Goods, RBO PRINTLOGISTIX, Sportservice, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, , St. Louis Sportswear, St. Louis Town Planner, Suburban Journals, Supply Concepts, Inc., Swank Audio Visuals, Syberg’s, Thrivent Financial, Victoria Products, Warren Sign and Wireless USA.

In the annual polling of members of the Baseball Bloggers Alliance, former Cincinnati Reds shortstop Barry Larkin and former Houston Astros first baseman Jeff Bagwell were recommended for induction to the Baseball Hall of Fame. This is the third year the organization has conducted this survey of the membership.

Larkin, a 12-time All-Star who fashioned an .815 OPS over 19 seasons, received the largest percentage of votes, being named on 84.25% of the 148 ballots cast. This is the highest percentage garnered by any player in the three years of BBA voting.

Bagwell, who hit 449 HR and had a .948 OPS in his 15 seasons in Houston, was selected on 115 ballots for a 78.77% rate. As with the official voting done by the Baseball Writers of America, a player must be named on 75% of the ballots to be recommended by the alliance.

Last year, the BBA recommended second baseman Roberto Alomar and pitcher Bert Blyleven, both of whom were inducted into Cooperstown during the summer. In 2010, no player reached the 75% mark in BBA balloting, the year that outfielder Andre Dawson was selected for the Hall by the baseball writers.

The Baseball Bloggers Alliance’s vote has no impact on the official vote taken by the Baseball Writers of America. However, the BBA has often been a predictor of major awards granted by the writers.

The final voting results are as follows:

Barry Larkin 84.25%
Jeff Bagwell 78.77%

Edgar Martinez 60.27%
Tim Raines 57.53%
Alan Trammell 44.52%
Mark McGwire 41.10%
Larry Walker 35.62%
Lee Smith 33.56%
Jack Morris 32.19%
Don Mattingly 29.45%
Rafael Palmerio 28.77%
Fred McGriff 28.08%
Dale Murphy 16.44%
Bernie Williams 11.64%
Juan Gonzalez 6.16%
Javy Lopez 2.74%
Brad Radke 2.05%
Tim Salmon 1.37%
Bill Mueller 0.68%
Phil Nevin 0.68%
Ruben Sierra 0.68%
Tony Womack 0.68%
Jeromy Burnitz 0.00%
Vinny Castilla 0.00%
Brian Jordan 0.00%
Terry Mulholland 0.00%
Eric Young 0.00%

The Baseball Bloggers Alliance was established in the fall of 2009 for the purpose of fostering collaboration and communication among bloggers from across baseball. The BBA has quickly grown to its current membership of 347 blogs, including some of the most prominent blogs on the Internet, spanning all major league teams and various other general aspects of the game.

More information about the BBA can be found at their website, baseballbloggersalliance.wordpress.com, or by contacting the founder and administrator of the organization, Daniel Shoptaw, at founder@baseballbloggersalliance.com.

The following is a press release from the St. Louis Cardinals organization

Cardinals And Garcia Strike A Deal
Pitcher agrees to four year contract with two club options

ST. LOUIS, MO July 13, 2011 – St. Louis Cardinals Sr. Vice President & General Manager John Mozeliak announced today that the Cardinals have agreed to terms with pitcher Jaime Garcia on a four year contract with two club options. The Cardinals made the announcement this afternoon at a press conference at Busch Stadium.

“Jaime is one the best young arms in baseball today,” said Mozeliak. “We are excited to have him as part of the core of our pitching staff for years to come.”

Garcia, 25, is 9-3 with a 3.23 ERA during the first half of this season, which comes on the heels of one of the best rookie campaigns in 2010 where he was 13 – 8 with a 2.70 ERA (4^th N.L.), ranking not only among top rookie pitchers, but also the top Major League pitchers in several categories.

Garcia’s career mark is 23 – 12, with a 3.06 ERA in 57 games, with 240 career strike outs. In 2010, Garcia’s 2.70 ERA was the lowest by a Cardinals’ left handed starter since John Tudor recorded a 2.40 ERA in 22 starts (25 games) during 1990.

Garcia was named both Rookie of the Year and Comeback Player of the Year for 2010 by the St. Louis Chapter of the Baseball Writers of America Association.

Garcia was selected by Baltimore in the 20^th round (899^th overall) of the 2004 draft, but did not sign. The 6-2, 215-pounder was born in Reynosa, Mexico and currently makes his home in Mission, Texas, where he attended Sharyland High School.

To download a copy of this press release in a pdf format, click here.

I-70 Baseball is a proud member of the Baseball Bloggers Alliance in both the Kansas City and St. Louis Chapters.

As members of the BBA, we are all asked to compile All Star Ballots once a year. The BBA compiles all of the ballots and announces the All Star Teams as picked by the group of almost 300 baseball writers.

As the midsummer classic converges on Arizona, the lineups that I would suggest are reflected as follows (editor’s note: Angela Weinhold selected the National League squad):

American League		National League
Starting Pitcher
Justin Verlander – Detroit Tigers		Roy Halladay – Philadelphia Phillies
Verlander is silencing critics on his path to super stardom. One of the American League’s first ten game winners and is dominating the strike zone. Hitters are reaching at a paltry .178 average against him and a 0.84 WHIP makes him a hands down favorite to star in the mid-summer classic.		Ten game winners are not growing on trees around the majors this year, but Doc Halladay has laid claim to his first ten victories. Not as dominant as his American League counterpart, he has held hitters to a .241 average and holds a 1.03 WHIP.
Catcher
Alex Avila – Detroit Tigers		Yadier Molina – St. Louis Cardinals
Let’s give the Tigers the starting battery on the idea that this young backstop has earned hit. Throwing out over 63% of would be base stealers he has been a force at the plate as well. He is hitting .303 with 10 home runs and 45 runs batted in.		Yadi’s production behind the plate has declined drastically this season seeing him catch less than a third of baserunners. His production in the lineup, however, has found a surge. The Cardinals field general is hitting .294 on the season with four home runs and 29 runs batted in. He deserves a starting nod.
First Base
Adrian Gonzalez – Boston Red Sox		Joey Votto – Cincinnati Reds
The big offseason pickup for the Red Sox has not disappointed at all. With Most Valuable Player type numbers, Gonzalez is putting together one of the best seasons in either league. A .361 average, 1.026 OPS, 16 home runs and 71 runs batted in makes this pick the easiest of the ballot.		The strangest feeling of the All Star voting process in 2011 is the absence of Albert Pujols’ name. Votto is putting together a respectable season while the annual appearance of Albert is more than a bit absent. Votto’s .318 batting average, 11 home runs, .950 OPS, and 49 runs batted in make him the NL choice on this ballot.
Second Base
Robinson Cano – New York Yankees		Rickie Weeks – Milwaukee Brewers
Speaking of players that have their names show up on these types of lists constantly, meet Yankee second baseman Robinson Cano. He hits .290, boasts an .836 OPS, has hit 14 home runs and driven in 48. He strikes out a bit, but every general manager in baseball would choose him over their own second baseman given the option.		The man at second in the frozen north has established himself as one of the premier at that position everywhere. A leadoff man with some pop, Weeks brings a .360 OBP with his .290 average and compliments it with 14 home runs. A strong defender as well, he is easily the best in the National League.
Third Base
Adrian Beltre – Texas Rangers		Chase Headley – San Diego Padres
Beltre went to Texas to prove that he could still hit, and hit he has. With 14 home runs, 56 runs batted in, a .263 average and .769 OPS, the Rangers have a third baseman in the middle of their order that pitchers fear. His potent bat, strong arm, and solid glove will serve the American League squad well.		There is no clear cut choice at the hot corner in the National League, so let’s go out on a limb with a Padre here. Headley plays in the pitcher friendly Petco Park and is finding it more than double friendly, posting 21 two-baggers already this season. A .296 average and .793 OPS is worth giving him a solid look at an all star appearance.
Shortstop
Asdrubal Cabrera – Cleveland Indians		Jose Reyes – New York Mets
Is this a changing of the guard or just a good season for the Indians’ shortstop? Time will tell, but Cabrera is putting up a season that does not need to be ignored. A .293 average, 12 home runs, 44 runs batted in and .833 OPS puts him high on every chart at his position.		The most pure lead off hitter in the game today, Jose Reyes has spent 2011 proving that he is worth a look as the starting shortstop in this game. His average is .341, he has a .385 on base percentage, an .899 OPS and has stolen 28 bases while only being caught five times.
Outfielder
Alex Gordon – Kansas City Royals		Ryan Braun – Milwaukee Brewers
Gordon promised before this year that he would dominate. That may have been a stretch, but he certainly has arrived as a key part of the Royals’ bright future. His hot start has cooled a bit, but he is still hitting .293 with a .844 OPS. Nine home runs and 44 runs batted in put him in the conversation for the All Star Game.		Ryan Braun has made his way into this lineup and the hearts of many fans in Milwaukee. Most players that hit .308 with a .943 OPS, 16 home runs, 59 runs batted in, and 17 stolen bases will do that for a fan base, though, and Braun is just that guy.
Outfielder
Curtis Granderson – New York Yankees		Matt Kemp – Los Angeles Dodgers
Curtis Granderson might be the most impressive Yankee so far in 2011. Of course, 21 home runs, 56 runs batted in, .933 OPS and 12 stolen bases might just make Granderson one of the most impressive players in baseball, period.		Kemp is taking his place at the top of the outfield conversation in the National League and he deserves it. His glove work is stellar and his bat is impressive. With 21 home runs and 60 runs batted in, the team may be going bankrupt but he is trying to win some games. No slouch on the basepaths, 21 stolen bases make him that much more of a threat.
Outfielder
Jacoby Ellsbury – Boston Red Sox		Hunter Pence – Houston Astros
The speedy young outfielder from Boston gets the nod in the outfield here for his impressive work on the basepaths and solid bat. A .303 average, .827 OPS, and 25 stolen bases are enough but add in nine home runs and 39 runs batted in and you have got an All Star.		Hunter Pence has played himself into this conversation despite his team’s inability to play themselves into any conversation. Nine home runs, 52 runs batted in, and a .315 average will most likely land him Houston’s loan spot in the mid summer classic.

Bill Ivie is the editor here at I-70 Baseball as well as the Assignment Editor for BaseballDigest.com.
He is the host of I-70 Radio, hosted every week on BlogTalkRadio.com.
Follow him on Twitter here.

At the beginning of Spring Training if someone would have said the Royals are going to be good enough to win or split their first five series of the year, I would have been extremely skeptical along with most other baseball writers and analysts.

They are currently tied for first in their division with another surprise team, the Cleveland Indians, who are coming to town on Monday. Both teams will be coming in on early season high notes and with the expectations of setting an early tone for the American League Central.

The Royals bats have definitely gotten into rhythm with several everyday players batting at or over .300. The pitching staff is starting to come together quite nicely but now have an open slot for the setup role due to Robinson Tejada’s recent placement on the disabled list for the next couple of weeks. The defense continues to back up the quality pitching efforts by both the starters and the bullpen.

If the Royals can finish out their current series with Seattle on a high note, they will be able to carry that momentum into the showdown against Cleveland. The Cleveland series is games 5-8 in their thirteen consecutive playing day stretch this month. A sweep by either team would send a strong message to the rest of the division that their franchise is tired of being the American League whipping boy.

Last year the Royals finished out 8-10 against the Tribe including three straight losses to close out the season series. If the Royals want to continue to make positive strides with their young team, they will have to continue to step up and execute as they did the past two weeks.

Solid pitching from first pitch to the last out, timely hitting, and solid defense is what the Royals have demonstrated so far this month. Their success has even reached the realm of social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter, where people are saying things like this:

“Royals, you are getting my hopes up. Be careful for your sake!”
“Life in our house is great because the Royals are winning.”
“Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen. How about another I-70 series!”

It’s very early in the season, but I don’t see anything wrong with instilling and investing a little excitement into this young and exciting team.

Cooperstown.

That is all it takes. In baseball, it does not take much more than that one word to start an argument, inspire awe, or draw some attention. This year, there are 33 names on the ballot for admission into the hallowed halls. On January 5th, the Baseball Writers Association will announce the results of their voting for the next legends to become immortalized with a brass plaque hanging in the Hall of Legends.

The Baseball Bloggers Alliance announced their choices for Hall Of Fame enshrinement. Read the press release right here on I-70.

In just a few days, on I-70 Baseball Radio, we will feature a panel discussion with respected writers from around the country as we break down the 33 man ballot and voice our opinions on who gets in and who gets left out in the cold. We will be joined by Shawn Anderson from HallOfVeryGood.com, Michael Lynch from Seamheads.com, Kary Booher from the Springfield News Leader, and Mark Healey from BaseballDigest.com. This panel of writers will help Matt Kelsey and I break down everyone on the ballot and come to our own conclusions as to who we think belongs in the Hall Of Fame in 2011. You can listen live on Monday, January 3rd at 10 p.m. CST by clicking here.

I will gladly wait and discuss 32 names on that radio show, but one will be discussed right here today. Mark McGwire belongs in the Hall Of Fame.

Yes, you heard me correctly. Yes, I know he rocked the ‘roids. Yes, I am aware that this act is cheating. Yes, I am aware he has confessed this ballgame sin and found his way back into baseball.

I take a very simple stance on this subject. The man was good for baseball, put up seriously good numbers for a long period of time, and he played the game during a time frame where everyone turned a blind eye to what was being done behind the scenes. The “Steroid Era” left a lot of rubble behind in the time frame it existed. The tainting of the sport during that era was as far reaching as to extend to members of the press, coaches, players and fans alike.

The Hall Of Fame is full of players who, in one way or another, cheated the game. It is full of liars, gamblers and thieves (no, I am not referring to Rickey Henderson or Lou Brock). The character of the man has never before prevented a player from being enshrined for his (or her) contributions to the game.

Like it or not, baseball was in shambles in 1997. The game could not recover from the players strike earlier in the decade. Fans did not want to be part of the game. They felt disconnected. They felt like the game was not for them anymore. The home run chase began and people flocked back to the gates to see the ball fly out of parks at a rapid pace. People rumbled even then about the size of the players and the medication they were taking. No one cared. Baseball was back. It was okay to love the game again.

But one season does not make a Hall Of Fame career. McGwire started his assault on record books in 1987 when he hit 49 home runs as a rookie first baseman for the Oakland Athletics. He worked hard over his entire career to achieve a better batting average and take more prolific at bats. He took as much pride, if not more, in hitting .300 then he did in any of his home run totals. He was at the park hours before anyone else and left later than most. The game consumed his life while he played it, dominating his time and his mind for many years.

McGwire would walk away from a guaranteed contract and leave the game he loved behind. His body, his mind, and maybe even his soul had been tarnished by the same game that had consumed him since childhood. He lied when asked about his steroid use. He lied to his fans, his country, and his game. He disappointed everyone.

Ultimately, he saved the game. He did what fans, owners, writers and players expected him and others to do. He brought the fans back to the National Pastime. He brought baseball back to the people. He put thousands of expectations on his broad shoulders and carried them to the nation as a whole. Over his career he performed at legendary levels consistently.

For those reasons, writers need to step down from their own soapboxes and give the man the plaque he so rightly deserves. It is time that everyone take a look inward and honestly evaluate what was felt when he played. If you suspected, as many of us did, yet cheered right along with the rest of us, why do you hold the man back now?

Allow the legends to embrace one of their own in Cooperstown. Take a stand for baseball above your own opinion.

Bill Ivie is the editor here at I-70 Baseball as well as the Assignment Editor for BaseballDigest.com.
He is the host of I-70 Radio, hosted every week on BlogTalkRadio.com.
Follow him on Twitter here.

For Immediate Release
I-70 Baseball – Springfield, MO

I-70 Baseball Announces First Writers Conference

I-70 Baseball is proud to announce the organization of the first Midwest Baseball Writers Convention to be held on February 12, 2011 in Springfield, MO.

Baseball writers from around the country are being invited to attend the first ever conference, aimed at creating a networking opportunity for writers to exchange ideas and meet with industry professionals that can assist them in expanding their reach within their industry.

Attendees of the conference will be allowed full access for the day to the various displays inside of the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame. In addition, guest speakers will grace the auditorium stage at the venue to discuss various topics.

Confirmed Speakers at this time are:

- Representatives from the Society of American Baseball Research (SABR) will be on hand to discuss their organization and offer the ability to setup membership that day.

- Rob Rains will be on hand with copies of his book “Cubs Win, Cubs Win, or do they?”

- Tim Danielson of BaseballDigest.com will be on hand to discuss the collecting industry and the impact on

- A Sabermetric expert will be on hand to discuss statistics in today’s game and their place in journalism

- Experts on New Media and it’s reach into mainstream society

Other authors, professional athletes, and experts in their field have been contacted and we are finalizing the full list of guest speakers and celebrity guests.

In addition, I-70 has asked the United Cardinal Bloggers and the Baseball Bloggers Alliance for their involvement and we anticipate a large group of writers to attend the event, giving the unique opportunity for face-to-face interaction and relationship building going into the 2011 Major League Baseball season.

The conference will be an exciting time for writers to meet each other, learn more about their craft, and build their content to an all new level.

In addition, there will be a private dinner for guests and writers at Ebbet’s Field in Springfield, MO the night before the event on February 11.

Contact Bill Ivie, Founder of i70baseball.com, at bill@i70baseball.com for more information or to reserve your spot today. Attendance will be limited.

You can visit I-70 on Facebook here.
The official Facebook page of the conference is located here.

As we enter our third month of bringing you daily content here on I-70 Baseball, we also enter our third month of our weekly radio show on Monday nights on BlogTalkRadio.com.

The show has increasingly drawn more and more listeners every week, and there are some good reasons. We have watched our guests, our hosts, and our fans grow in their various roles, producing a better show each and every week. It is my belief that, from the debut show until now, every show has been better than the previous. With knowledgeable guests checking in to discuss various Major League teams, accomplished writers discussing their books, charitable individuals discussing their causes and some of the industry’s top expert analysts checking in each and every week, the guest list has quickly become a who’s who of baseball coverage. I-70 Baseball content editor and Royals writer Matt Kelsey and myself have found a great balance that keeps the show moving while focusing equally on both the Cardinals and the Royals.

In addition to the on-air talent and informative audio broadcast provided, the online chat room has been a hotbed of activity during the show every Monday night. Monitored by Angela Weinhold and Justin Hulsey, the chat room provides fans the opportunity to discuss the events around the team, bring questions to the on air hosts if they do not want to call in, and interact with some of their favorite I-70 Baseball writers, all while listening to the great guests we bring to you for an hour.

Due to this growth, we have gained the ability to provide a quality broadcast on a weekly basis even during adverse situations. This month, we look forward to bringing you the same great content in a new and exciting way as the two franchises put the finishing touches on 2010.

On September 6th, Labor Day, I will be taking the day off. However, thanks to the great content we have been able to provide, this does not mean the show will not air. Join Matt Kelsey as he takes over the reigns of the show and he is joined by I-70′s Photo Editor Justin Hulsey from the Cardinals’ point of view.

The following week on September 13, Matt Kelsey will take his turn at vacation. In an effort to provide some cross promotion, balance the show with a Royals expert, and show some love to a site we feel deserves it, I will be joined by Nick Scott of BrokenBatSingle.com (BBS). BBS is one of my personal favorite Royals podcasts and I look forward to bringing Nick’s voice and opinion to our fans.

September 20 will see the reunion of I-70′s editors and broadcast team as Matt Kelsey and myself will bring you I-70 Radio once again. The team that many of you are growing to love will bring you the same great content you have come to expect, having some fun along the way and trying to pin down just what each franchise has done this season. We will come together one more time in September on the 27th to examine post-season hopes, winter league ball, and what to expect from both of these franchises in the offseason.

We hope each and every one of you can join us every Monday night in September at 10 p.m. Central Time as we broadcast, chat, and take calls live for one hour on Blog Talk Radio!