Playing With Pain: Rolen's knee will remain a problem
By Joe Strauss of the Post-Dispatch
Rolen has had aches and pains that have limited him in each of his three seasons with the Cardinals. "I've been hurt, but I haven't been injured. I've been able to go out and do more or less what I needed to do," he said.
People concede that Rolen's knee condition isn't going away. Should the cartilage continue to erode, surgery may one day become inevitable.
Said Paletta, "The knee is potentially the bigger issue. Without some intervention, it's highly unlikely this is going to heal itself. Once it's worn away, it's gone. We can keep our eye on whether it progresses. Right now, the symptoms are pretty minimal."
Manager Tony La Russa said that Rolen's knee is a maintenance issue, adding, "He's a big guy. He plays hard. He runs hard. But I think as far as his problem goes, he comes into camp 100 percent."
===
Giants like Matheny for emphasizing catching
By Rick Hummel of the Post-Dispatch
Matheny, 34, acknowledged there had been several times when he thought he would finish his career with the team he was on. First, it was Milwaukee, then Toronto and then the Cardinals. "I couldn't imagine being away from St. Louis," he said.
Until late last season, that is, and then as the postseason wound down. Matheny sat on the bench in his last game as a Cardinal, watching as Molina caught Game 4 of the World Series.
"Wouldn't you want to be playing in Game 4 of the World Series?" Matheny said. "But, yes, as it pretty much got out of hand, it crept into my mind that that probably would be my last game as a Cardinal."
Matheny was honored for his 2004 season as a Cardinal at the St. Louis Baseball Writers' Dinner in January. There was a standing ovation from the crowd. There was high praise from all sides of the dais.
"That was the most moving part of my professional career," Matheny said. "To hear guys say some of the things they did ... long-term beyond the game, that stuff is so much more important than just the statistical things."
Matheny left the Cardinals with disappointment but not bitterness. "I have nothing but fond memories of being with the Cardinals," he said. "I couldn't have been treated any better.
"I certainly learned a lot about catching from (pitching coach) Dave Duncan, who was an unbelievable resource, and (bullpen coach) Marty Mason."
===
Hart is trying to switch-hit
Bo Hart has begun learning how to hit lefthanded. Hart, who hit .299 at Class AAA Memphis last season, is experimenting with hitting from the left side. He said La Russa, who lobbied for a lefthanded-hitting infielder to be signed in the offseason, suggested he try it.
At 28, Hart is making the switch late. Some coaches have told him it will be difficult, especially if lefthanded at-bats detract from the work he could do to win the job hitting righthanded.
"He's trying to learn, but it's real trial and error right now," said new hitting coach Hal McRae. "It's very difficult. Very difficult."
===
JUST A SOSA PLAYER?
Gordo's Tipsheet: Thursday Edition
By Jeff Gordon
The Chicago Cubs won’t be the same without Sammy Sosa, no matter what Mark Prior, Kerry Wood or any of the incumbent players say.
“I understand that they are saying right now that they don't need me,” Sosa told reporters after his first work day with the Baltimore Orioles. “They lie. I understand they want to move forward and they feel they have a competitive team, but I don't think nobody can replace me. They can say whatever they want to say, but it is going to be hard, my friend, to duplicate me.”
Especially with Jeromy Burnitz playing right field.
Sosa was philosophical about the demise of his notorious boom box, which was beaten into submission by a Cubs teammate after Sammy went home during the 2004 season finale.
“I don't really care,” Sosa said. “You know why? Because when the man is not in the house, the chickens are jumping around.”
Words to live by, indeed.
