MARK MCGWIRE: HOME-RUN KING AND MORE

Mark McGwire fever is easy to catch. His record-breaking performance at Busch Stadium in St. Louis has captured the attention of the nation -- and the world. The Cardinals are enjoying more fan support -- if calculated by paid admissions -- than ever, and they aren't even winning all that many games.

After what seems like far too long a dry spell, America's pastime is producing real role models again, players you would like for your children and grandchildren to emulate.

Congratulations, Mark McGwire, for your accomplishments in the batter's box. More than that, thanks for restoring the childlike faith so many of us have in our national sport.