Gonzalez comes out swinging in comeback attempt
By Derrick Goold
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
02/20/2008
JUPITER, FLA. — Former MVP Juan Gonzalez came out swinging in his attempt to return to the majors, a comeback driven by an unfinished career and a chance to add to what he believes is an unquestioned legacy.
A distinct buzz followed Gonzalez and his batting-practice rockets Tuesday as he joined the Cardinals for their first official full-squad workout of spring training.
After his first day of what could be his last chance at a big-league return, Gonzalez said he's fit and eager to improve on the wealth of numbers he produced as an RBI juggernaut in the 1990s. Numbers, he insisted, he produced cleanly.
"Because you have goals in your mind, you're trying to come back to finish your goals," Gonzalez said. "I'm close to 500 home runs and 400 doubles. It's the goals. When you have goals in your mind, you try inside your heart to try again and see what happens."
The Cardinals signed the 38-year-old outfielder to a minor-league contract and invited him to spring training. There is a spot open on the team for a righthanded power-hitting outfielder, and the Cardinals became intrigued by first-hand accounts this winter of Gonzalez's health and what coach Jose Oquendo called "a renewed desire."
Dyer Perspective:
Wonder if Walker's walker is still around in a broom closet at the stadium?
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Fans want action, but Cards take patient approach
By Jeff Gordon
02/19/2008
STLtoday.com users are exorcised by Matt Clement's setback at the start of spring training.
Some fans immediately predicted that Clement would miss half the season or more. Many are railing against the Cards medical staff, again.
With mending aces Mark Mulder and Chris Carpenter also missing the start of the season, Cardinal Nation seemed ready to declare a state of emergency.
General manager John Mozeliak hasn’t eased their angst. Rather than rush out to buy one of the remaining free agent pitchers, he is willing to track the progress of his rehabilitating hurlers for a few more weeks while sizing up potential internal replacements.
Why is he so patient? Any pitcher Mozeliak adds now could become superfluous by late summer, if Clement (shoulder), Mulder (shoulder) and Carpenter (elbow) all return. And the Cards pitching sets up wonderfully for 2009, when Mozeliak can count on Carpenter, pick up team options on Mulder and Clement (if they are well) and see which of his top prospects graduate.
Dyer Perspective:
Isn't this vintage Cardinal management at it's finest? Why barter and have to pay for a viable option now if you have all of those "rehab hopefuls" in the stable? Frustrating indeed when the current owners have made so much money with this franchise.
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Juan here ... healthy … hitting
By Derrick Goold
02/19/2008 3:20 pm
JUPITER, Fla. — Not since a throng of reporters and cameras lined up to watch Detroit Tiger pitchers take fielding practice a year ago had there been such an odd event for a mass of media to attend.
Yet, there we were, tape rolling, shutters clicking, pens scratching as Juan Gonzalez … bunted.
The humor wasn’t lost on manager Tony La Russa, who approached the media with the promise of a “neat note.”
“The first offensive act from a two-time MVP for the Cardinals will be laying down a sacrifice bunt,” La Russa said. “How about that?”
Gonzalez, previously believed to be retired, began his bid for a spot on the Cardinals’ roster with some soft-handed bunts down the first- and third-base lines. He also raked. Matched with Albert Pujols, Troy Glaus and Scott Spiezio in a hitting group, three of that foursome showed why they will never put those bunting drills to use. Consider the credentials (1,112 combined homers) that foursome brought into the cage against batting-practice pitcher Mike Matheny.
* Gonzalez … 434 HR
* Pujols … 282 HR
* Glaus … 277 HR (meaning two Cardinals are on the verge of 300 this season)
* Spiezio … 119 HR
Dyer Perspective:
Are we even gonna see Pujo hit #300 before he goes on the DL with this elbow thing? Doubtful in my opinion.
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Glaus, Izturis make first appearance
By Derrick Goold
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
02/19/2008
The new look left side of the Cardinals' infield arrived Monday, with third baseman Troy Glaus proclaiming health and shortstop Cesar Izturis embracing a starting opportunity.
They even had the same take on their first day in an unfamiliar place.
“Still like the first day of school,” Glaus said, a sentiment echoed later by Izturis after he unpacked a Pittsburgh Pirates bag.
On the eve of the Cardinals’ first official full-squad workout, Glaus reported in time to join Albert Pujols and others on the field for morning batting practice. Izturis checked in later in the day. Scott Spiezio, newcomer Brian Barton and several others also reported Monday, leaving outfielder Juan Gonzalez, the former MVP, as the only player not to come by the clubhouse by Monday night.
Izturis played winter ball to get back in the rhythm of being a regular again after playing a combined 164 games the past two seasons. This winter, Izturis hit .333 with a .348 on-base percentage in 63 games with a team in his native Venezuela.
“New year. New team,” Izturis said. “I think in this game you have to have comfort. Knowing that I have a chance to play every day and be the shortstop, it’s the first time I have comfort.”
Dyer Perspective:
Can these 2 guys "powerhouse" the left side of the infield this year? Think about it, L to R it will be Glaus, Izturis and Kennedy. Combined those three have what, one game experience in a Cardinal uniform. Ouch.
