Hagin has a private meeting with team
By Joe Strauss 0f the Post-Dispatch
03/28/2005
JUPITER, Fla. -Cardinals radio broadcaster Wayne Hagin addressed the players in a closed-door meeting before Monday morning's workout and expressed regret over the stir created by his March 19 comments about Colorado Rockies first baseman Todd Helton.
"I consider it personal and I would like it to remain so, but I thought it was something important for me to do," Hagin said.
===
Sanders returns
Left fielder Reggie Sanders returned to the lineup Monday and homered in his second at-bat against New York Mets starter Kris Benson.
He had not batted against live pitching since undergoing an appendectomy March 17.
Sanders says he expects being in the lineup opening day next Tuesday.
"I felt pretty good," he said. "I'm only looking forward now. I plan on getting at-bats in all the remaining games, and that should be enough."
===
Two pitchers are sent to Memphis
The Cardinals trimmed their roster by reassigning pitching prospect Anthony Reyes to Class AAA Memphis and optioning lefthanded reliever Carmen Cali to Memphis.
===
Cards due to take action on Ankiel
By Joe Strauss of the Post-Dispatch
03/29/2005
JUPITER< Fla. -- The Cardinals remain tight-lipped about when they will attempt to pass pitcher-turned-outfielder Rick Ankiel through waivers, but they must do so no later than Wednesday.
Teams will have until the weekend to claim Ankiel.
===
Cards trade Myers back to Red Sox
BY DERRICK GOOLD and JOE STRAUSS of the Post-Dispatch
03/29/2005
JUPITER, Fla. –- The Cardinals alleviated some of the lefthanded logjam in the bullpen by trading submariner Mike Myers to Boston on Tuesday.
The team did not immediately confirm the trade, although Myers did, and it was not immediately known whom the Cardinals would receive in return.
Myers’ trade leaves the Cardinals with three lefties still in camp, certain setup man Ray King and two auditioning, non-roster invitee and spring surprise Bill Pulsipher and returning lefty Randy Flores. The Cardinals have not decided if three of the seven relievers taken into opening day will be lefthanders or if they’ll just take two.
===
CBS Sportsline
Cardinals report: Notes, quotes
--The Cardinals trimmed four position players Sunday (March 27), including Bo Hart, who was their regular second baseman for most of the second half of the 2003 season. 2B Hart, OF John Gall, INF Scott Seabol and C Mike Mahoney all were optioned to Triple-A Memphis. Seabol, who had 31 home runs last year at Memphis, had the best spring of the quartet, hitting .313 in 32 at-bats.
===
CBS Sportsline
Redbird left fielder catches La Russa's eye -- Fielding, strong at-bats may earn Gall big chance
JUPITER, Fla. - His spring training batting average is on the high side of .300. The big club's boss, St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa, is raving about his play as an outfielder. And John Gall, wisely, is trying not to get caught up in any of it.
Tuesday, March 29, 2005
Wednesday, March 16, 2005
March 16th: Pulsipher, King, Carpenter, Stadium
Pulsipher extends run of scoreless innings to 6
By Joe Strauss of the Post-Dispatch
03/15/2005
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - The transformation of Bill Pulsipher from lefthanded novelty act to legitimate contender for a spot in the Cardinals' opening day bullpen continued Tuesday as he secured the save with three strikeouts in a 5-4 win over the Baltimore Orioles.
As general manager Walt Jocketty noted afterward, "He keeps getting people out."
Pulsipher, 31, last pitched in the major leagues for Boston in 2001 and gained an invitation to major-league camp primarily because his former New York Mets teammate, Jason Isringhausen, lobbied Jocketty.
===
King works side session
Seven days after making his only Grapefruit League appearance, King threw about 40 pitches from a bullpen mound at the team's Jupiter complex. Pitching coach Dave Duncan oversaw the work before heading south and proclaimed it a success upon rejoining the team at Fort Lauderdale Stadium. King might make a game appearance Friday in a split squad game or in Orlando Saturday against the Atlanta Braves.
===
Carpenter vs. Sosa
Chris Carpenter made his third spring start a successful one, lasting four innings without a run or a walk and prompting Duncan to describe the Cardinals' opening day starter as "right where he needs to be."
Carpenter added his signature to the outing by repeatedly challenging Orioles right fielder Sammy Sosa during a third-inning at-bat. Mixing in only one off-speed pitch in reaching a full count, Carpenter bore a fastball in on Sosa's hands, shattering his bat (no cork was found) for an inning-ending grounder to short.
"It was good," Carpenter said. "My changeup was good, my fastball was good and my curve was good. ... I'm comfortable with all my pitches right now."
===
ESPN Sports Nation Poll
Who is the best preseason pick for NL MVP?
Beltran - 15%
Bonds - 19%
Pujols - 54%
Ramirez - 7%
Thome - 5%
Total votes: 76,172
===
Construction of new Busch Stadium draws its own fans
By Jeffrey Tomich of the Post-Dispatch
03/16/2005
Work on the stadium is moving clockwise. Crews are about halfway finished erecting the steel skeleton, which reaches most of the way down the first base side of the park, followed closely by concrete risers that will be the foundation for 46,000 red seats to be installed beginning this summer.
One of two pedestrian ramps, the one along the third-base side of the park, is finished and is being used by contractors to move men and materials to the upper levels. Carpenters are beginning to frame the suites and, in the belly of the stadium, workers are installing boilers, completing electrical work and building loading docks.
Crews benefited from a mild winter and only occasionally had to delay steel erection because of rain, wind or ice, Loyd said.
Between 350 and 500 workers are on the job up to 10 hours a day, six days a week, depending on the work to be done, Loyd said. Crews are working "selective overtime" when a specific task must be completed, he said.
Nearer completion, work will go on 24 hours a day, every day. The number of people on the project will reach about 900 for much of the finishing work.
By Joe Strauss of the Post-Dispatch
03/15/2005
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - The transformation of Bill Pulsipher from lefthanded novelty act to legitimate contender for a spot in the Cardinals' opening day bullpen continued Tuesday as he secured the save with three strikeouts in a 5-4 win over the Baltimore Orioles.
As general manager Walt Jocketty noted afterward, "He keeps getting people out."
Pulsipher, 31, last pitched in the major leagues for Boston in 2001 and gained an invitation to major-league camp primarily because his former New York Mets teammate, Jason Isringhausen, lobbied Jocketty.
===
King works side session
Seven days after making his only Grapefruit League appearance, King threw about 40 pitches from a bullpen mound at the team's Jupiter complex. Pitching coach Dave Duncan oversaw the work before heading south and proclaimed it a success upon rejoining the team at Fort Lauderdale Stadium. King might make a game appearance Friday in a split squad game or in Orlando Saturday against the Atlanta Braves.
===
Carpenter vs. Sosa
Chris Carpenter made his third spring start a successful one, lasting four innings without a run or a walk and prompting Duncan to describe the Cardinals' opening day starter as "right where he needs to be."
Carpenter added his signature to the outing by repeatedly challenging Orioles right fielder Sammy Sosa during a third-inning at-bat. Mixing in only one off-speed pitch in reaching a full count, Carpenter bore a fastball in on Sosa's hands, shattering his bat (no cork was found) for an inning-ending grounder to short.
"It was good," Carpenter said. "My changeup was good, my fastball was good and my curve was good. ... I'm comfortable with all my pitches right now."
===
ESPN Sports Nation Poll
Who is the best preseason pick for NL MVP?
Beltran - 15%
Bonds - 19%
Pujols - 54%
Ramirez - 7%
Thome - 5%
Total votes: 76,172
===
Construction of new Busch Stadium draws its own fans
By Jeffrey Tomich of the Post-Dispatch
03/16/2005
Work on the stadium is moving clockwise. Crews are about halfway finished erecting the steel skeleton, which reaches most of the way down the first base side of the park, followed closely by concrete risers that will be the foundation for 46,000 red seats to be installed beginning this summer.
One of two pedestrian ramps, the one along the third-base side of the park, is finished and is being used by contractors to move men and materials to the upper levels. Carpenters are beginning to frame the suites and, in the belly of the stadium, workers are installing boilers, completing electrical work and building loading docks.
Crews benefited from a mild winter and only occasionally had to delay steel erection because of rain, wind or ice, Loyd said.
Between 350 and 500 workers are on the job up to 10 hours a day, six days a week, depending on the work to be done, Loyd said. Crews are working "selective overtime" when a specific task must be completed, he said.
Nearer completion, work will go on 24 hours a day, every day. The number of people on the project will reach about 900 for much of the finishing work.
Tuesday, March 15, 2005
March 15th: Rolen, Sanders, Walker, Pitching
Editors Note: Safe travel wishes for the Eckert's and their families as they travel to Spring Training next week. Maybe we'll get some behind the scenes feedback - of course that goes for all - if you have any good tidbits, forward them on and they'll get posted. Go Cards!
===
Rolen and Sanders look ahead
By Derrick Goold of the Post-Dispatch
03/14/2005
The Cardinals third baseman and outfielder Reggie Sanders are both hitting .133 this spring, with four hits between them, but they couldn't care less about the numerical results.
"At the beginning, you take a ball you normally wouldn't," Sanders said. "For the most part, it's not about the results. You're gauging the pitch, how you see it. Right about now, I want to start putting things together."
On Sunday, Rolen went through the whole progression. His first at-bat "went poorly." His second at-bat went better. On his third at-bat, he hit a home run but was more pleased with how he felt, how he eyed the ball, recognized the pitch and reacted.
Larry Walker's slow start is a little different. The Cardinals' right fielder has yet to get a hit in seven at-bats. He missed the first weeks of spring training with a back sprain.
"I'm not really fretting," Walker said. "I don't like the results. But if I was hitting the ball well, hitting it hard, I'd accept the results a little better."
===
Cardinals report: Notes, quotes
March 15, 2005
The Sports Xchange
--After a loss to the Mets in the exhibition opener, the Cardinals rattled off six straight wins, with no starter allowing more than two runs. Through the first week of spring games, the Cardinals led the majors in earned-run average at 2.67.
--RF Larry Walker, who had been bothered by a bad back, finally made his first appearance of the spring on Thursday (March 10) and went 0-for-2.
"It's been a few days (without pain) and I probably could have played a few days ago," Walker said. "But we wanted to stick with somewhat of a cautious approach, not getting myself into trouble."
--Through 10 games, the Cardinals have won seven with an ERA under 3.00, including splitting two games on Sunday (March 13), beating Atlanta 7-3 and losing to Baltimore 5-3.
--LHP Mark Mulder became the first Cardinals starter to go five innings Sunday (March 13). He gave up three runs and seven hits but didn't walk a batter. One of the hits was a two-run homer by Atlanta's Mike Hampton, one of baseball's best hitting pitchers.
--Rookie RHP Anthony Reyes got his welcome to the big leagues by allowing a home run to Baltimore's Sammy Sosa at Fort Lauderdale, Fla., in a 5-3 Cardinals defeat. Reyes is the top pitching prospect in the organization.
--LHP Ray King has appeared just once this spring as he rests a biceps injury.
BY THE NUMBERS
13. Number of big-league games won by Rick Ankiel before he quit as a pitcher.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"I was as frustrated as I could be. I wasn't sure I still wanted to be part of the game or not." -- LHP Rick Ankiel, on why he gave up pitching.
Copyright (C) 2005 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.
===
Cardinals report: Inside pitch
March 15, 2005
The Sports Xchange
RHP Chris Carpenter, who will be the Opening Day starter in Houston on April 5, became the first Cardinals pitcher to work four innings on Thursday (March 10). Carpenter held the Astros to one run and three hits in a 4-2 Cardinals' win.
RHP Matt Morris, who had shoulder surgery in December, made his first appearance of the spring Saturday (March 12), working the first two innings of the Cardinals' 3-2 loss to the Mets. Morris threw 21 strikes on 32 pitches. He allowed two hits (one an infield grounder) and struck out three -- all three called.
===
Rolen and Sanders look ahead
By Derrick Goold of the Post-Dispatch
03/14/2005
The Cardinals third baseman and outfielder Reggie Sanders are both hitting .133 this spring, with four hits between them, but they couldn't care less about the numerical results.
"At the beginning, you take a ball you normally wouldn't," Sanders said. "For the most part, it's not about the results. You're gauging the pitch, how you see it. Right about now, I want to start putting things together."
On Sunday, Rolen went through the whole progression. His first at-bat "went poorly." His second at-bat went better. On his third at-bat, he hit a home run but was more pleased with how he felt, how he eyed the ball, recognized the pitch and reacted.
Larry Walker's slow start is a little different. The Cardinals' right fielder has yet to get a hit in seven at-bats. He missed the first weeks of spring training with a back sprain.
"I'm not really fretting," Walker said. "I don't like the results. But if I was hitting the ball well, hitting it hard, I'd accept the results a little better."
===
Cardinals report: Notes, quotes
March 15, 2005
The Sports Xchange
--After a loss to the Mets in the exhibition opener, the Cardinals rattled off six straight wins, with no starter allowing more than two runs. Through the first week of spring games, the Cardinals led the majors in earned-run average at 2.67.
--RF Larry Walker, who had been bothered by a bad back, finally made his first appearance of the spring on Thursday (March 10) and went 0-for-2.
"It's been a few days (without pain) and I probably could have played a few days ago," Walker said. "But we wanted to stick with somewhat of a cautious approach, not getting myself into trouble."
--Through 10 games, the Cardinals have won seven with an ERA under 3.00, including splitting two games on Sunday (March 13), beating Atlanta 7-3 and losing to Baltimore 5-3.
--LHP Mark Mulder became the first Cardinals starter to go five innings Sunday (March 13). He gave up three runs and seven hits but didn't walk a batter. One of the hits was a two-run homer by Atlanta's Mike Hampton, one of baseball's best hitting pitchers.
--Rookie RHP Anthony Reyes got his welcome to the big leagues by allowing a home run to Baltimore's Sammy Sosa at Fort Lauderdale, Fla., in a 5-3 Cardinals defeat. Reyes is the top pitching prospect in the organization.
--LHP Ray King has appeared just once this spring as he rests a biceps injury.
BY THE NUMBERS
13. Number of big-league games won by Rick Ankiel before he quit as a pitcher.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"I was as frustrated as I could be. I wasn't sure I still wanted to be part of the game or not." -- LHP Rick Ankiel, on why he gave up pitching.
Copyright (C) 2005 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.
===
Cardinals report: Inside pitch
March 15, 2005
The Sports Xchange
RHP Chris Carpenter, who will be the Opening Day starter in Houston on April 5, became the first Cardinals pitcher to work four innings on Thursday (March 10). Carpenter held the Astros to one run and three hits in a 4-2 Cardinals' win.
RHP Matt Morris, who had shoulder surgery in December, made his first appearance of the spring Saturday (March 12), working the first two innings of the Cardinals' 3-2 loss to the Mets. Morris threw 21 strikes on 32 pitches. He allowed two hits (one an infield grounder) and struck out three -- all three called.
Friday, March 11, 2005
March 11th: Ankiel, Walker, Reyes, Eckstein
Editor's Note: Ankiel coverage is all the news for now, maybe everyone will remember we have other players to track as well soon. Have a great weekend.
===
Competition to replace Ankiel begins in earnest
By Joe Strauss of the Post-Dispatch
03/10/2005
JUPITER, Fla. - The subtraction of Rick Ankiel from the Cardinals' bullpen equation leaves the club with simple math, according to pitching coach Dave Duncan: find one lefthander to go with Ray King.
Duncan had held open the possibility of Ankiel claiming the role of innings eater and spot starter until Wednesday's surprise announcement that the lefthander would pursue a second-chance career as an outfielder. Thursday, after the Cardinals played a morning intrasquad game and an afternoon exhibition against the Houston Astros, Duncan said it had become "very likely" that only one among Mike Myers, Carmen Cali, Randy Flores, Bill Pulsipher and Hector Mercado would survive.
===
Walker returns to Cards' lineup
BY DERRICK GOOLD
Of the Post-Dispatch
03/11/2005
JUPITER, Fla. -- Larry Walker prepared as if he was going to have another day of working out and easing his back into baseball, but instead he had a far easier day than imagined: He played.
Out since the start of camp with a back strain, Walker made his spring debut Thursday with two at-bats and four innings in the Cardinals' 4-2 victory over Houston.
===
BY THE NUMBERS
10 -- Number of road victories (against one loss) posted by RHP Jeff Suppan last season.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"He's 5-foot-6 3/4. But he plays like he's 6-foot-3." -- David Eckstein's father, Whitey Eckstein, on the new Cardinals shortstop.
One watch of Cardinal rookie Anthony Reyes and it's easy to see how he punched out 140 in 111 innings in the Florida State and Southern Leagues. Wow. The veteran pitchers claim he could be a tremendous hitter. "He has a swing like Albert Pujols," Mulder said. Strong words.
===
ESPN Sports Nation Online Poll
Will Rick Ankiel ever make a regular-season MLB roster as an outfielder?
34% say yes
64% say no
===
Competition to replace Ankiel begins in earnest
By Joe Strauss of the Post-Dispatch
03/10/2005
JUPITER, Fla. - The subtraction of Rick Ankiel from the Cardinals' bullpen equation leaves the club with simple math, according to pitching coach Dave Duncan: find one lefthander to go with Ray King.
Duncan had held open the possibility of Ankiel claiming the role of innings eater and spot starter until Wednesday's surprise announcement that the lefthander would pursue a second-chance career as an outfielder. Thursday, after the Cardinals played a morning intrasquad game and an afternoon exhibition against the Houston Astros, Duncan said it had become "very likely" that only one among Mike Myers, Carmen Cali, Randy Flores, Bill Pulsipher and Hector Mercado would survive.
===
Walker returns to Cards' lineup
BY DERRICK GOOLD
Of the Post-Dispatch
03/11/2005
JUPITER, Fla. -- Larry Walker prepared as if he was going to have another day of working out and easing his back into baseball, but instead he had a far easier day than imagined: He played.
Out since the start of camp with a back strain, Walker made his spring debut Thursday with two at-bats and four innings in the Cardinals' 4-2 victory over Houston.
===
BY THE NUMBERS
10 -- Number of road victories (against one loss) posted by RHP Jeff Suppan last season.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"He's 5-foot-6 3/4. But he plays like he's 6-foot-3." -- David Eckstein's father, Whitey Eckstein, on the new Cardinals shortstop.
One watch of Cardinal rookie Anthony Reyes and it's easy to see how he punched out 140 in 111 innings in the Florida State and Southern Leagues. Wow. The veteran pitchers claim he could be a tremendous hitter. "He has a swing like Albert Pujols," Mulder said. Strong words.
===
ESPN Sports Nation Online Poll
Will Rick Ankiel ever make a regular-season MLB roster as an outfielder?
34% say yes
64% say no
Thursday, March 10, 2005
March 10th: Hasta La Vista Ankiel
Ankiel had his chance; Cards must move on
By Bernie Miklasz of the Post-Dispatch
03/09/2005
If for some inexplicable reason Ankiel went unclaimed, then the Cardinals would have nothing to lose by letting Ankiel learn a new trade in the minors. But it would be a travesty to carry Ankiel all summer in St. Louis, on a veteran team that wants to redeem itself in the World Series, swaddling him in a big-league uniform that he didn't deserve at this point. It's time to let Ankiel move on with his life. The Cardinals did their part. Now they need to get out of the day-care business.
===
No longer a freak show, Ankiel could find new life in outfield
BY JEFF GORDON, Post-Dispatch Online Sports Columnist
03/09/2005
Rather than setting himself up for another Big Fall in a game environment, Ankiel chose a new course. Scouts always told him he has the arm, the bat and the athletic tools to become a fine major league outfielder. So he decided to change jobs.
Can the Cards afford to keep him on the big league roster as an outfielder?
That’s doubtful, since he needs to go someplace -– we’d suggested extended spring training, then high Class A ball, moving up to Class AA in July -- and start succeeding as a hitter. More than anything, Ankiel needs to regain his athletic confidence.
Will the Cards lose him on waivers?
Maybe, because some team may try to claim him and convince him to give pitching another try. Other baseball folks may believe a change of scenery, not a change of position, is all Ankiel needs.
Let’s hope that is not the case.
===
Ankiel's days as a Card numbered?
By Joe Strauss Of the Post-Dispatch
03/09/2005
There will be few at-bats this spring for Rick Ankiel. "I can't give them to him because he's not going to make our team," manager Tony La Russa said.
===
Misc Quotes
- "You're not going to able to walk into a big league camp and win a spot," La Russa said. "But he has talent and I wouldn't put anything past him."
- Joe McEwing of the New York Mets, who played with Ankiel in the Cardinals organization in 1998 and 1999, had a bit of advice. "Just work," McEwing said. "It's going to take a lot of hard work and repetitions, but one thing about it is that he's a good athlete."
- "He's said he's not going to pitch," Jocketty said. "If somebody claims him to be a pitcher, it'll be a costly error."
- "It's a shame, all his talent, not that it's wasted because he's a great athlete and who knows what he can do," said pitcher Matt Morris, perhaps Ankiel's closest friend on the team. "But I hope one day he gets back to pitching."
===
There's a precedent here.
In 1957, Cardinals rookie Von McDaniel pitched a two-hit shutout in his major league debut. He wound up the season with a 7-5 record and a 3.22 ERA. Oh, one more thing: he was 18 years old.
McDaniel never won another game in the majors. He missed most of 1958 with an injury, and spent 1959 in the Florida State League. He pitched well that season, going 13-5 ... and he also played in the field, and batted .313 with 10 homers and 71 RBI. That basically ended McDaniel's career as a pitcher, but he spent six more seasons in the minors as a power-hitting infielder.
That's about what I think will happen to Rick Ankiel. He's immensely talented, but almost certainly not talented enough to hit major league pitching with any sort of consistency. He's the new Von McDaniel. -- Rob Neyer
By Bernie Miklasz of the Post-Dispatch
03/09/2005
If for some inexplicable reason Ankiel went unclaimed, then the Cardinals would have nothing to lose by letting Ankiel learn a new trade in the minors. But it would be a travesty to carry Ankiel all summer in St. Louis, on a veteran team that wants to redeem itself in the World Series, swaddling him in a big-league uniform that he didn't deserve at this point. It's time to let Ankiel move on with his life. The Cardinals did their part. Now they need to get out of the day-care business.
===
No longer a freak show, Ankiel could find new life in outfield
BY JEFF GORDON, Post-Dispatch Online Sports Columnist
03/09/2005
Rather than setting himself up for another Big Fall in a game environment, Ankiel chose a new course. Scouts always told him he has the arm, the bat and the athletic tools to become a fine major league outfielder. So he decided to change jobs.
Can the Cards afford to keep him on the big league roster as an outfielder?
That’s doubtful, since he needs to go someplace -– we’d suggested extended spring training, then high Class A ball, moving up to Class AA in July -- and start succeeding as a hitter. More than anything, Ankiel needs to regain his athletic confidence.
Will the Cards lose him on waivers?
Maybe, because some team may try to claim him and convince him to give pitching another try. Other baseball folks may believe a change of scenery, not a change of position, is all Ankiel needs.
Let’s hope that is not the case.
===
Ankiel's days as a Card numbered?
By Joe Strauss Of the Post-Dispatch
03/09/2005
There will be few at-bats this spring for Rick Ankiel. "I can't give them to him because he's not going to make our team," manager Tony La Russa said.
===
Misc Quotes
- "You're not going to able to walk into a big league camp and win a spot," La Russa said. "But he has talent and I wouldn't put anything past him."
- Joe McEwing of the New York Mets, who played with Ankiel in the Cardinals organization in 1998 and 1999, had a bit of advice. "Just work," McEwing said. "It's going to take a lot of hard work and repetitions, but one thing about it is that he's a good athlete."
- "He's said he's not going to pitch," Jocketty said. "If somebody claims him to be a pitcher, it'll be a costly error."
- "It's a shame, all his talent, not that it's wasted because he's a great athlete and who knows what he can do," said pitcher Matt Morris, perhaps Ankiel's closest friend on the team. "But I hope one day he gets back to pitching."
===
There's a precedent here.
In 1957, Cardinals rookie Von McDaniel pitched a two-hit shutout in his major league debut. He wound up the season with a 7-5 record and a 3.22 ERA. Oh, one more thing: he was 18 years old.
McDaniel never won another game in the majors. He missed most of 1958 with an injury, and spent 1959 in the Florida State League. He pitched well that season, going 13-5 ... and he also played in the field, and batted .313 with 10 homers and 71 RBI. That basically ended McDaniel's career as a pitcher, but he spent six more seasons in the minors as a power-hitting infielder.
That's about what I think will happen to Rick Ankiel. He's immensely talented, but almost certainly not talented enough to hit major league pitching with any sort of consistency. He's the new Von McDaniel. -- Rob Neyer
Wednesday, March 09, 2005
March 9th: Ankiel to Outfield
Editors note: Unbelievable!!
Cards move Ankiel to outfield
By Joe Strauss of the Post-Dispatch
03/09/2005
JUPITER, Fla. -- Cardinals lefthander Rick Ankiel, once deemed the game's most promising young arm, will convert from pitcher to outfielder, effective immediately.
The Cardinals confirmed the move Wednesday morning shortly after rain washed out what was scheduled to be Ankiel's spring debut in a B game against the Florida Marlins.
"We are fully supportive of Rick's decision to convert to an everyday outfielder," Cardinals general manager Walt Jocketty said in a prepared statement. "Rick will continue to train with the major league club this spring, and we look forward to seeing his development as a full-time batter and outfielder."
The unexpected announcement comes after Ankiel, 25, gave a promising September showing in the Redbirds bullpen followed by a credible performance as a starter in the Puerto Rican winter league. The winter league stint was cut short by elbow tenderness.
This spring, Ankiel has struggled with command and had been pulled from pitchers field drills before experiencing erratic command in batting practice.
"I just felt like after Puerto Rico, coming back when I was hurt there, I changed mechanically. Just coming back, I couldn't really replicate it," Ankiel said. "This whole time, that frustration has built up. I just really felt like it was eroding my spirits and starting to affect my personality off the field as well.
"The frustration . . . it just became apparent it was time for me to move on and pursue becoming an outfielder."
"... Not being able to go out there and be effective, not being able to replicate my mechanics, the frustration and the way it effects me off the field -- it just wasn’t worth it. I feel relieved now and I’m happy to move on."
Ankiel won 11 games for the Cardinals as a 20-year-old rookie in 2000 before suffering a loss of command during the postseason. Hindered by elbow reconstruction surgery, he took nearly three seasons to make his return to the major leagues.
Ankiel hit .250 with two homers and nine RBIs for the Cards in 2000. After being sent to Johnson City of the Appalachian League in 2001, he got 105 at-bats as a designated hitter and hit .286 with 10 homers and 35 RBIs. In 134 minor-league at-bats since 2001, Ankiel has a .575 slugging percentage.
The Cardinals plan to immediately integrate Ankiel into their outfield. In the "players" database on Major League Baseball's official web site (mlb.com), Ankiel already is listed as a left fielder.
Because he is out of options, Ankiel must either make the club or be put through waivers.
Derrick Goold of the Post-Dispatch contributed to this story. STLtoday.com will have more later as this story develops.
Cards move Ankiel to outfield
By Joe Strauss of the Post-Dispatch
03/09/2005
JUPITER, Fla. -- Cardinals lefthander Rick Ankiel, once deemed the game's most promising young arm, will convert from pitcher to outfielder, effective immediately.
The Cardinals confirmed the move Wednesday morning shortly after rain washed out what was scheduled to be Ankiel's spring debut in a B game against the Florida Marlins.
"We are fully supportive of Rick's decision to convert to an everyday outfielder," Cardinals general manager Walt Jocketty said in a prepared statement. "Rick will continue to train with the major league club this spring, and we look forward to seeing his development as a full-time batter and outfielder."
The unexpected announcement comes after Ankiel, 25, gave a promising September showing in the Redbirds bullpen followed by a credible performance as a starter in the Puerto Rican winter league. The winter league stint was cut short by elbow tenderness.
This spring, Ankiel has struggled with command and had been pulled from pitchers field drills before experiencing erratic command in batting practice.
"I just felt like after Puerto Rico, coming back when I was hurt there, I changed mechanically. Just coming back, I couldn't really replicate it," Ankiel said. "This whole time, that frustration has built up. I just really felt like it was eroding my spirits and starting to affect my personality off the field as well.
"The frustration . . . it just became apparent it was time for me to move on and pursue becoming an outfielder."
"... Not being able to go out there and be effective, not being able to replicate my mechanics, the frustration and the way it effects me off the field -- it just wasn’t worth it. I feel relieved now and I’m happy to move on."
Ankiel won 11 games for the Cardinals as a 20-year-old rookie in 2000 before suffering a loss of command during the postseason. Hindered by elbow reconstruction surgery, he took nearly three seasons to make his return to the major leagues.
Ankiel hit .250 with two homers and nine RBIs for the Cards in 2000. After being sent to Johnson City of the Appalachian League in 2001, he got 105 at-bats as a designated hitter and hit .286 with 10 homers and 35 RBIs. In 134 minor-league at-bats since 2001, Ankiel has a .575 slugging percentage.
The Cardinals plan to immediately integrate Ankiel into their outfield. In the "players" database on Major League Baseball's official web site (mlb.com), Ankiel already is listed as a left fielder.
Because he is out of options, Ankiel must either make the club or be put through waivers.
Derrick Goold of the Post-Dispatch contributed to this story. STLtoday.com will have more later as this story develops.
Tuesday, March 08, 2005
March 8th: Pujo, Marquis, Izzy, Mabry & Ankiel
Pujols gets into swing of things with 2 HRs
By Derrick Goold 0f the Post-Dispatch
03/07/2005
JUPITER, Fla. - His swing, he says, is not ready for the regular season, but Albert Pujols hit his second and third home runs of the exhibition season and already has five extra-base hits in eight at-bats this spring.
"What's new?" manager Tony La Russa said.
Pujols was three for three with two homers and a double in the Cardinals' 6-1 victory against the Dodgers on Monday. In three games, he has had eight at-bats and hasn't hit a single, producing instead 16 total bases in five extra-base hits for a tidy 2.000 slugging percentage.
===
Marquis unveils curve
Crafting a curve this spring, Marquis threw it to the second batter Monday, dropping it past a frozen Dodger, Jason Repko.
Matt Morris called that curve nasty.
"That was a Matty Mo curveball," said Marquis, who threw 41 pitches over three innings Monday. "I have to get to that point where I'm doing that 100 percent of the time."
The last time he got a looking K with a curve?
"Probably high school," he said.
===
Izzy works into, gets out of trouble
Closer Jason Isringhausen threw his first game inning of spring. Coming off hip surgery in the offseason, Isringhausen tossed one inning - but what an inning.
"Couple hits. A walk. A couple strikeouts," he said. "About normal."
===
Injury updates
Einar Diaz and John Mabry, both coming off injuries, might get game at-bats today. Diaz has missed time with pain in his side that limited his ability to bat, not catch. Mabry, just two days removed from hearing a pop in his right elbow, said he had only mild discomfort and was cleared for full batting practice Monday.
===
Ankiel, etc.
The Cardinals were able to schedule a second game for Wednesday, and lefty Rick Ankiel is scheduled to make his spring debut against the Marlins in the B-lot game at the teams' spring training facility. Suppan will start the Cardinals' scheduled game against the Mets at Port St. Lucie. ... Former Cardinal Drew had a double for the Dodgers in Monday's exhibition game against the Cards.
By Derrick Goold 0f the Post-Dispatch
03/07/2005
JUPITER, Fla. - His swing, he says, is not ready for the regular season, but Albert Pujols hit his second and third home runs of the exhibition season and already has five extra-base hits in eight at-bats this spring.
"What's new?" manager Tony La Russa said.
Pujols was three for three with two homers and a double in the Cardinals' 6-1 victory against the Dodgers on Monday. In three games, he has had eight at-bats and hasn't hit a single, producing instead 16 total bases in five extra-base hits for a tidy 2.000 slugging percentage.
===
Marquis unveils curve
Crafting a curve this spring, Marquis threw it to the second batter Monday, dropping it past a frozen Dodger, Jason Repko.
Matt Morris called that curve nasty.
"That was a Matty Mo curveball," said Marquis, who threw 41 pitches over three innings Monday. "I have to get to that point where I'm doing that 100 percent of the time."
The last time he got a looking K with a curve?
"Probably high school," he said.
===
Izzy works into, gets out of trouble
Closer Jason Isringhausen threw his first game inning of spring. Coming off hip surgery in the offseason, Isringhausen tossed one inning - but what an inning.
"Couple hits. A walk. A couple strikeouts," he said. "About normal."
===
Injury updates
Einar Diaz and John Mabry, both coming off injuries, might get game at-bats today. Diaz has missed time with pain in his side that limited his ability to bat, not catch. Mabry, just two days removed from hearing a pop in his right elbow, said he had only mild discomfort and was cleared for full batting practice Monday.
===
Ankiel, etc.
The Cardinals were able to schedule a second game for Wednesday, and lefty Rick Ankiel is scheduled to make his spring debut against the Marlins in the B-lot game at the teams' spring training facility. Suppan will start the Cardinals' scheduled game against the Mets at Port St. Lucie. ... Former Cardinal Drew had a double for the Dodgers in Monday's exhibition game against the Cards.
Thursday, March 03, 2005
March 3rd: Molina, Walker, Pujo
Molina ready to take No. 1 job
By Derrick Goold of the Post-Dispatch
03/02/2005
JUPITER, Fla. - The only thing that whizzed through the Cardinals' minor-league system quicker than Yadier Molina in the past four years was word on how good this catching prodigy with rich pedigree was going to be.
"For me, when you hear people talk about him - and you've got (scouts) you trust and you hear what they are saying - you develop a certain opinion about him," Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan said. "Our expectations were very high for Yadi before we ever saw him play. ... During the championship season, he played as if he's played in the big leagues for many years, as if he was experienced.
"He's a very smart kid with great instincts for the game."
===
Walker relapses in recovery from back injury
By Joe Strauss of the Post-Dispatch
03/02/2005
Right fielder Larry Walker probably will miss the next several days' workouts after aggravating what trainers describe as a sprained back.
Head trainer Barry Weinberg described Walker as taking a "three-quarter step back" after prematurely pushing himself through a Monday workout. Walker arrived in camp complaining of back spasms and has undergone treatment daily.
"I think you have to be a little concerned," La Russa said before Wednesday's workout. "It's bad enough that he can't get out there."
===
Pujols' defense gets rave reviews
By Joe Strauss of the Post-Dispatch
03/01/2005
On a brisk Tuesday, Pujols serves as hitting coach Hal McRae's righthanded model, demonstrating a level swing through the zone by smashing balls off a waist-high tee.
The sky is bright but Pujols produces a thunderclap.
Outfielder John Mabry listens to a passerby's cliche about how pitchers are supposedly light years ahead of hitters, thinks about Pujols, and laughs.
"Those rules don't apply to him. He's a freak. Incredible," Mabry said.
===
By Derrick Goold of the Post-Dispatch
03/02/2005
JUPITER, Fla. - The only thing that whizzed through the Cardinals' minor-league system quicker than Yadier Molina in the past four years was word on how good this catching prodigy with rich pedigree was going to be.
"For me, when you hear people talk about him - and you've got (scouts) you trust and you hear what they are saying - you develop a certain opinion about him," Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan said. "Our expectations were very high for Yadi before we ever saw him play. ... During the championship season, he played as if he's played in the big leagues for many years, as if he was experienced.
"He's a very smart kid with great instincts for the game."
===
Walker relapses in recovery from back injury
By Joe Strauss of the Post-Dispatch
03/02/2005
Right fielder Larry Walker probably will miss the next several days' workouts after aggravating what trainers describe as a sprained back.
Head trainer Barry Weinberg described Walker as taking a "three-quarter step back" after prematurely pushing himself through a Monday workout. Walker arrived in camp complaining of back spasms and has undergone treatment daily.
"I think you have to be a little concerned," La Russa said before Wednesday's workout. "It's bad enough that he can't get out there."
===
Pujols' defense gets rave reviews
By Joe Strauss of the Post-Dispatch
03/01/2005
On a brisk Tuesday, Pujols serves as hitting coach Hal McRae's righthanded model, demonstrating a level swing through the zone by smashing balls off a waist-high tee.
The sky is bright but Pujols produces a thunderclap.
Outfielder John Mabry listens to a passerby's cliche about how pitchers are supposedly light years ahead of hitters, thinks about Pujols, and laughs.
"Those rules don't apply to him. He's a freak. Incredible," Mabry said.
===
Tuesday, March 01, 2005
March 1st: Ankiel, Williams, Walker, Tavarez, Rolen
Wild pitching earns Ankiel a quick hook
By Derrick Goold of the Post-Dispatch
02/28/2005
Ankiel threw 23 pitches. Several thudded into the dirt ahead of the plate, one sailed wildly to the back of the cage and only three were strikes. In simulated at-bats, he walked five of the six batters he faced. Three were four-pitch walks.
"It's just disappointing," Ankiel said. "You go out there and don't execute the way you want to execute. ... I feel like I just didn't have a rhythm. My mechanics were out of whack there. You try to stay mechanically sound, and hopefully you catch it pitch to pitch. Unfortunately I wasn't able to."
The outing was, at most, disconcerting, not alarming.
===
Team hopes veteran Williams will be father figure
By Rick Hummel of the Post-Dispatch
02/28/2005
Williams acknowledged that management wanted him to be a leader, and though he's not exactly sure how that will play out, Williams said he welcomes the opportunity.
"Of course," he said. "That's part of my personality. And it doesn't take anything away from what I do.
"Sometimes guys don't ask (for help) and you have to tell them. If there's one guy in here that I can make a better player or a better pitcher, then that's what I'll set out to do."
Bochy, who managed Williams in his previous stint with the Padres, called Williams a "father figure."
===
Larry Walker was sidelined with back...
CBS Sportsline
RF Larry Walker was sidelined with back spasms although he didn't consider them significant. Walker worked out on a limited basis after missing the first two full-squad drills. "Much better today, much better," Walker said. "If there's a game today, I'm playing." A year ago, Walker arrived three weeks early to Colorado's camp. He played in three spring training games before feeling a pop while tracking a flyball -- and he missed 68 games because of a strained groin. (02/28/2005)
===
Sportsline VIP: NOTES
--The left pinkie finger RHP Julian Tavarez broke when punching a dugout telephone in Houston during last year's National League Championship Series still hasn't healed.
"He probably thinks it's a conversation piece," La Russa said. "When he retires he might get it fixed. Right now, it's something he enjoys looking at. It reminds him to keep his temper."
--3B Scott Rolen didn't have offseason surgery on his occasionally troublesome left knee, but Dr. George Paletta, head of the club's medical staff, concedes 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."
Copyright (C) 2005 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.
By Derrick Goold of the Post-Dispatch
02/28/2005
Ankiel threw 23 pitches. Several thudded into the dirt ahead of the plate, one sailed wildly to the back of the cage and only three were strikes. In simulated at-bats, he walked five of the six batters he faced. Three were four-pitch walks.
"It's just disappointing," Ankiel said. "You go out there and don't execute the way you want to execute. ... I feel like I just didn't have a rhythm. My mechanics were out of whack there. You try to stay mechanically sound, and hopefully you catch it pitch to pitch. Unfortunately I wasn't able to."
The outing was, at most, disconcerting, not alarming.
===
Team hopes veteran Williams will be father figure
By Rick Hummel of the Post-Dispatch
02/28/2005
Williams acknowledged that management wanted him to be a leader, and though he's not exactly sure how that will play out, Williams said he welcomes the opportunity.
"Of course," he said. "That's part of my personality. And it doesn't take anything away from what I do.
"Sometimes guys don't ask (for help) and you have to tell them. If there's one guy in here that I can make a better player or a better pitcher, then that's what I'll set out to do."
Bochy, who managed Williams in his previous stint with the Padres, called Williams a "father figure."
===
Larry Walker was sidelined with back...
CBS Sportsline
RF Larry Walker was sidelined with back spasms although he didn't consider them significant. Walker worked out on a limited basis after missing the first two full-squad drills. "Much better today, much better," Walker said. "If there's a game today, I'm playing." A year ago, Walker arrived three weeks early to Colorado's camp. He played in three spring training games before feeling a pop while tracking a flyball -- and he missed 68 games because of a strained groin. (02/28/2005)
===
Sportsline VIP: NOTES
--The left pinkie finger RHP Julian Tavarez broke when punching a dugout telephone in Houston during last year's National League Championship Series still hasn't healed.
"He probably thinks it's a conversation piece," La Russa said. "When he retires he might get it fixed. Right now, it's something he enjoys looking at. It reminds him to keep his temper."
--3B Scott Rolen didn't have offseason surgery on his occasionally troublesome left knee, but Dr. George Paletta, head of the club's medical staff, concedes 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."
Copyright (C) 2005 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.
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