Pujols sounds off
By Joe Strauss
03/03/2008
"It's hard to walk in here and not see people like Jimmy, Eckstein and Rolen. But at the same time you get excited to see the young kids here who want to play the game and learn," Pujols said. "We don't have that many veteran guys even though we have a veteran bullpen. We have guys like myself, (nonroster outfielder Juan) Gonzalez and Molina. We'll help these guys like Mike Matheny, (Edgar) Renteria and (Mark) McGwire helped me in 2001.
"I still remember Darryl Kile saying, 'I'm doing this for you because you will do it for others.' That's what I'm doing."
My take: Nice nod to DK Pujo!
===
Cards Notebook: Rasmus reaches (again)
By Derrick Goold
02/29/2008
Colby Rasmus, the Cardinals' top prospect, entered Thursday's game as a pinch runner for Albert Pujols — not that he's had any trouble reaching base on his own.
Including the exhibition against St. Louis University, Rasmus has reached base in his first six plate appearances. He doubled and walked Thursday, and he's three for three with three walks and four runs scored.
"If spring training ended tomorrow," La Russa said, grinning, "he'd have a hell of a shot."
My take: I am anxious like you all to see how this kid plays. Thanks for the email on Friday Zapple, it's still newsworthy even this week.
===
After 20 years, Ted Simmons suits up one more time
By Rick Hummel
03/03/2008
MARYVALE, Ariz. — It's not that Ted Simmons, probably the Cardinals' greatest catcher of all time, had been away from baseball after he retired from the Atlanta Braves in 1988. In fact, he had done a little of everything.
But now, at age 58, he has taken the highly unusual step of putting on a uniform for the first time in 20 years. He signed on as the Milwaukee Brewers' bench coach, where he will assist manager Ned Yost, who was soaking up knowledge from Simmons 25 years ago as the backup catcher on a Milwaukee team where Simmons was a star.
My take: Say it ain’t so Simmons... The flippin’ Brewers?!
===
Notebook: Ponson reappears
By Derrick Goold
03/03/2008
JUPITER, Fla. -- The Cardinals will lend former pitcher Sidney Ponson a place and a mound to throw for scouts Thursday at lunchtime.
Ponson, who made 13 starts for the Cardinals in 2006, is said to have slimmed down to 245 pounds and cranked up his fastball to 91 mph.
Because he'll be on their spring-training campus, the Cardinals will have scouts in attendance, and they are interested is seeing what he has. "Just keep an open mind," manager Tony La Russa said.
My take: I swore I saw Ponson working at Taco Bell last week...
===
Concern for reliever Johnson
By Derrick Goold
03/03/2008
Lefthanded reliever Tyler Johnson will have an MRI taken of his left shoulder today to determine if there is an injury. Johnson stopped throwing during his warm-up for Saturday's game because of tightness and soreness in the shoulder.
Johnson came to spring training in good throwing shape, coaches say, but they were not as pleased with his overall conditioning. La Russa said the lefty had been ill. The manager said given those factors, a shoulder problem was "not a big surprise."
My take: Do we get a group discount for MRI’s or do we have a punch card that every 10th one is free?
