Conspiracy theorists have tried to decipher Cardinal’s manager, Tony LaRussa’s comments to The Contra Costa Times regarding Mark McGwire’s future.  “If we’re in contention, we’ll put him on the roster Aug. 31. It’s a nice little dream,” said La Russa. “Is it likely? Probably not. I don’t think it’s a zero possibility.”

Some speculate that it’s LaRassa’s way of putting McGwire’s Hall of Fame eligibility clock on hold in order to reduce the stigma associated with McGwire’s supposed use of performance enhancing substances while playing.  McGwire received 128 votes or 23.7 percent from the Baseball Writer’s Association of America.  A player needs to be retired from the game for five years and accumulated at least 75% of the vote to be elected.  In the event a player un-retires, he will have to wait another five years before they can become eligible for the Hall of Fame ballot.  At that time, their eligibility will resume.  In McGwire case, he has been on the ballot four times so if he were to play and then retire, he’ll start at his fifth year of eligibility after the five year waiting period.

In all reality, LaRussa is having fun with the media.  I would be shocked to see McGwire get activated and take a roster spot.  On a similar topic, I believe Barry Bonds has not filled his formal retirement paperwork in order to keep his Hall of Fame clock from starting.  He wants others like McGwire, Sammy Sosa and Rafael Palmeiro to take the brunt of the scrutiny.  As far as I know, there is no rule that forces a player to declare his retirement.  If I were Bonds, I would wait it out as long as possible.