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."
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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."
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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.
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