Marquis breaks out curveball in batting practice
By Derrick Goold of the Post-Dispatch
Jason Marquis is developing a curve, which will offer him an opportunity to change speeds. He said he was pleased with half of the curves he threw Thursday in batting practice.
Continuing his spring schooling to hone and harness a curveball, Marquis threw 40 pitches to batters Thursday in Day 2 of the Cardinals' full-squad workouts at Roger Dean Stadium. The sinkerballer, primarily a power pitcher, said he was pleased with 50 percent of the curves he threw.
"It's somewhat of a luxury to be able to work on a few things," Marquis said. "In the past (spring trainings), I've had to come out with my best stuff and try to get the batters out anyway possible just to get the position I wanted. I have some time to work on things (this spring)."
===
Cardinals report: Inside pitch
Feb. 21, 2005
The Sports Xchange
"If we have problems along the way, if we lose guys, then there's no way to know. But going in we expect to have a good pitching staff."
Duncan said having a new middle infield and a first-year starting catcher wouldn't be impediments to his staff.
Regarding SS David Eckstein and 2B Mark Grudzielanek replacing Edgar Renteria and Tony Womack, Duncan said: "I think our middle-infield defense is going to be OK. Is it going to be Gold Glove? I don't know. But I think it's going to be good."
Duncan also doesn't have concern about 22-year-old C Yadier Molina.
"If he hadn't been with us before, it would be a real concern, but with the time he spent with us last year he convinced me he's ready to catch in the big leagues," said Duncan. "Mechanically, he does everything well except he still needs to work on his technique for blocking balls."
Molina hit .267 in 135 at-bats for the Cardinals after batting .302 in 37 games at Memphis. His .356 slugging and .329 on-base percentages exceed the career numbers of the Gold Glove defender he replaces, Mike Matheny.
TOP CANDIDATE TO SURPRISE
LHP Rick Ankiel. Ankiel hasn't started a season as an active big leaguer since 2001, in the height of his control trauma. Now, his control issues are behind him and the only concern is how his surgically repaired elbow would hold up under regular duty. He will start the season in the rotation but might go to the bullpen when RHP Matt Morris is recovered from shoulder surgery.
TOP CANDIDATE TO DISAPPOINT
RHP Jason Marquis. Is he the 15-game winner he was last year or the pitcher who struggled in his other big-league seasons with Atlanta? He faded in the second half of last season and was inconsistent in the postseason play.
Copyright (C) 2005 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.
===
La Russa: McGwire could be hitting instructor for Cardinals
Feb. 24, 2005
SportsLine.com wire reports
JUPITER, Fla. -- St. Louis manager Tony La Russa thinks Mark McGwire will become a hitting instructor with the Cardinals at some point.
McGwire mostly has stayed away from ballparks since his retirement after the 2001 season.
"I just know he's another year away from playing, and in conversations I had with him, he knows he has something to offer hitters," La Russa said Thursday. "I don't know that it got that close (this year), but there's no doubt that at some point he wants to share with the guys."
Half-jokingly, La Russa said he'd make it easier for McGwire to return by keeping him out of the spotlight.
"I'd love to see him here," La Russa said. "I told him, 'You come here and we'll hide you in the back. No interviews, nothing, just for the baseball."'
Former Oakland teammate Jose Canseco has accused McGwire of using steroids. McGwire issued a statement denying the accusations but has refused requests for interviews.
===
More dirty laundry in Sosa-Cubs tiff
San Jose Mercury News
Feb. 25, 2005
As it turns out, baseball's Pants-On-Fire debate rages beyond Barry Bonds vs. the media. It has engulfed Sammy Sosa and the Cubs, too.
"They lie," the new Oriole said Wednesday of Cubs who have said, at least in Sosa's interpretation, the team is better off without him.
