Leading off - Jan. 26

Big Mac’s younger brother is determined to make right with the world on his bro’s behalf by exposing the truth about steroids.

Dicking over a famous family member for a quick buck is the route for Jay McGwire to help Mark McGwire find salvation. And who has to sacrifice in turn to save Jay’s soul?

The news comes from Deadspin.com, and few other places have pursued it beyond rehashing the Deadspin material. Already, pieces are questioning Jay’s truthiness, but it’s probably an accurate portrayal.

The deep sadness of Mark’s Congressional not-talking-about-the-past turns another stage sadder with this new chapter. I hope he one day comes clean, but the saving of his baseball soul is a lost cause.

I don’t believe the big guy ever makes the Hall of Fame, but I believe his real salvation will come if Mark’s human failings keep those big-headed fellas Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa and Roger Clemens out of the Hall as well.

In case you missed it…

Joe Strauss over at the Post-Dispatch delivered a cool off-season feature on Kyle McClellan, talking about the St. Louis-area native’s work as an instructor over the winter.

It used to be that all players had off-season jobs, but for a promising young pitcher like McClellan to still be so actively working in this day and age is pretty refreshing.

He works with his dad, Springfield manager Pop Warner, Cardinals athletic trainer Keith Sanders – and an array of baseball guys young and old – to coach baseball and softball to kids.

The 24-year-old has an interesting Spring Training just around the corner with an outside shot of making the rotation. After a great rookie season, here’s hoping his talent develops like the kids he helps at his other gig.

He could play a big role in 2009.

A few other bits of note:

• Non-roster invitees for Spring Training were recently announced, highlighted of course by Colby Rasmus (he’ll wear No. 28) and big-boneded Brett Wallace (he’ll wear No. 84), but the list also includes Jess Todd, Adam Ottavino, Jon Jay and the litany of contestants to replace Troy Glaus.
• Speaking of which, there have been numerous well-done pieces (here and here and here and here and here) on the Glaus injury and said potential replacements.
• And, here’s a little bit more on Ryan Ludwick and Rick Ankiel’s arbitration business.

Rumor-mongering Monday

Now that we know the line-up will start the season short-handed, it is with a bit more interest I watch the position players left on the market. The news this week with interest to the Redbirds and the rest of the NL Central:

• Poor Cubbies are still praying for Peavy.
• Prince is getting paid.
• The Mets are looking at Andy Pettitte and Ben Sheets.

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