McGwire shows for final bash

The former slugger helped bid farewell to Busch Stadium.

ST. LOUIS -- Mark McGwire stands by his no comment.

The St. Louis Cardinals season home run king made his first appearance at Busch Stadium this season on Friday as part of a final-weekend reunion at the 40-year-old ballpark. He said he had no regrets about his often-criticized testimony before Congress in March during steroids hearings, during which he repeatedly said "I'm not here to talk about the past."

"I've moved on from it and I wish the media would," McGwire said. "I've made my statement in Washington, that's my statement, and when I left Washington that's the last time I was ever going to talk about it, and that's really about it."

McGwire told Congress he'd be interested in speaking out against steroid abuse. Now he said he isn't interested in discussing the steroids issue anymore.

"That statement comes from the heart and that's the way it is," McGwire said. "When I left there, I'm never going to talk about it again.

"I'm a very positive person and I just wish everybody else would be positive."

McGwire said he's aware his image has taken a big hit, but didn't appear concerned. He said he missed baseball and would like to get back into the sport "some day."

"I'm enjoying life right now," he told reporters from The Associated Press and the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "I know you guys have been very negative towards me and that's your job, but I'm a very positive person and I've moved on."

McGwire broke Roger Maris' home run record in 1998 when he hit 70, and hit 583 home runs in his career. He participated in the stadium countdown, removing the number 3 from the right-field wall after the end of the fifth.

A sellout crowd stood in anticipation before McGwire arrived at the right-field wall with his wife, Stephanie, and sons, Max and Mason. He then waved in several directions as cheers overwhelmed light booing for the appearance.

And then, just as often happened during McGwire's heyday with the Cardinals, many fans left a game still hanging in the balance. The Cardinals led the Reds 4-3.

McGwire didn't appear worried about what reception he might receive from those who might have soured on his feats. During McGwire's time with the Cardinals, fans routinely showed up early to watch him belt long home runs in batting practice, and flashbulbs popped incessantly every time he came to the plate.

"I'm ecstatic they even thought about me taking the number down and being here for the weekend," McGwire said. "It's going to be outstanding. How can it not be with all of the history here and how the fans are going to be treated to a fantastic new stadium next year?"

Cardinals manager Tony La Russa had a terse response, though, to a question about McGwire's likely reception.

"I'll see you all later," he snapped. "That question shouldn't even be asked. Haven't we had a positive great season, a great 40-year history?"

Then La Russa slammed his fungo bat on a wall.

McGwire, who retired in 2001 and lives in California, was among dozens of former Cardinals who returned to give the 40-year-old stadium a good send-off.

"I think it's outstanding and I'm ecstatic they invited me," McGwire said. "It's good to be back here. I've got too many great memories of here in St. Louis and that's really about it.

"It's going to be a great weekend, a lot of memories. My four years and the four years in the city."

McGwire said if he lived in St. Louis, "I'd be here all of time. I just don't live here."