Tagged: St. Louis
Twitter Talk – Let the Games Begin
Spring Training is a few days old and all those invited to Major League camp have reported. Drills are in full swing and the team has started to take live batting practice. Here’s the weekly Twitter Talk update on word around camp.
Players make sure to have some fun before the season starts. Matt Holliday and Matt Carpenter play a game of ping pong.
#Cardinals new toy, courtesy Holliday and Aminis. Holliday and Carpenter play a game. #stlcards pic.twitter.com/Uty6czEyYe
— Derrick Goold (@dgoold) February 13, 2014
Jason Motte appreciated the support after the Cardinals’ Twitter account posted a picture of his beard.
Was wondering y I had all the mentions out of no where. Thanks for the love #cardinalnation. @Cardinals
— Jason Motte (@JMotte30) February 13, 2014
Outfielder Randal Grichuk enjoyed his first day in Cardinals’ camp.
Good first early workout in Jupiter #Cardinals
— Randal Grichuk (@RGrich15) February 14, 2014
Mike O’Neill tried to get clever on Twitter during Valentine’s Day.
Happy Valentines Day to my Valentine @taylorswift13
— Mike O'Neill (@MikeONeillUSC) February 14, 2014
Infielder Xavier Scruggs enjoys a good tune now and then.
The Radio is on point with the old school Jams this afternoon
— Xavier Scruggs (@Xavier_Scruggs) February 14, 2014
It’s not everyday you refer to a kitchen appliance as “the Bugatti of blenders.”
Enjoying some protein shakes from the Bugatti of blenders with @T_Coons and @LeeStoppelman #Blendtec @Blendtec pic.twitter.com/ADMCKvXhIp
— Zach Petrick (@Zach_Petrick) February 17, 2014
The funny things that happen when pitchers get together.
@JosephKellyJr RT @PDPJ: Funny watching @JMotte30 and Kelly photo bomb the time lapse camera in #stlcards camp today pic.twitter.com/8UnAYmAoIH
— Jason Motte (@JMotte30) February 19, 2014
Even the players keep tabs on when ESPN shows up to camp.
Warming up the set here. @espn @ESPN_BBTN pic.twitter.com/Esm3JIkhtC
— Jordan Swagerty (@JordanSwagerty) February 19, 2014
Player Spotlight: Relief Pitcher, Josh Kinney
Josh Kinney has had a great season as a Memphis Redbird this year. With 10 saves, three wins and four losses on the season, Kinney has been one of our most relied upon relievers appearing in 48 games.
He was the first Cardinals farmhand from the Springfield (MO) Double-A affiliate to reach the Major Leagues. While with St. Louis in 2006, Kinney played in 21 games giving up nine runs on 17 hits with eight walks and 22 strikeouts. His ERA was 3.24 in 25.0 innings pitched. He also made two appearances in the playoffs that year.
After his spectacular season with the Cards, Kinney missed all of 2007 to undergo “Tommy John” surgery on his right elbow then fractured his arm during rehabilitation.
Making a comeback in 2008, he rehabbed with Double-A Springfield in late September and made his way back to the St. Louis roster where he closed out the season. He began 2009 with the Cardinals before being optioned down to the Memphis Redbirds where he spent most of the year. Kinney still appeared in 17 games as a Cardinal, being recalled twice.
Full Name: Joshua Thomas Kinney
Nicknames: My buddies back home call me ‘the Movie Star’
Hometown: Port Allegany, PA
Favorite baseball player of all time: I don’t really have one…I always liked Bob Gibson, I thought what he did was awesome so if I was going to pick one it would probably be him.
What is your best moment on the diamond? Winning the World Series in 2006
What team did you watch growing up? The St. Louis Cardinals
If you weren’t in baseball, what would you be doing? I’d probably be doing something involved in the outdoors. I spend a lot of time hunting and fishing and I like to get into outdoors television of some sort.
Most embarrassing moment while playing baseball: Knock on wood, I haven’t really had any yet but…to be continued.
Favorite play in a baseball game: In 2006, it was game two of the National League Championship Series against the Mets in the eighth inning, tie game. I think I had bases loaded with one out facing (Carlos) Beltran who’s a Cardinal Killer. I got him to hit into a double play to end the inning, we went onto win and I got the win.
Best prank pulled that you’ve seen or been a part of while in pro ball? I always like the ‘jump out of a locker at somebody.’ You hide in someone’s locker and scare them- we just did it the other day here for the first time to Lance Lynn. The funny part about it is he’s the only person I’ve ever seen not really jump.
What is your favorite off-day activity? My wife and I own a farm back in Springfield, MO and on off-days I usually go home and work on the farm. Just spend time with my wife outside.
What is the most difficult part about playing professional baseball? Being away. No matter where you’re at, in the minor leagues or major leagues, you’re still away from your family.
Where do you see yourself in 25 years? Hopefully I’ve got a whole house full of kids, doing something else I love to do, and my family is healthy and I just hope I have a really big family.
If you were on a reality TV show, which one would it be and why? Oh, that’s a no-brainer. I’d go on the Drury Outdoors: Dream Season.
As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? A baseball player and maybe a professional hunter.
Favorite food: Steak. Deer steak. Deer, Elk or even Moose. Bear is pretty good too.
Favorite movie: Jeremiah Johnson
Song that gets you pumped up: “On the Road Again” by Willie Nelson
Favorite TV Show: Grey’s Anatomy
Newest Hobby: I’m always outside- I don’t feel right sitting inside watching television but during baseball season there’s only so much you can do! So, I started watching TV shows. My roommate (Matt Scherer) keeps me updated on all the drama and we stay up and have ice cream and watching television.
I’m afraid of…Snakes…and spiders aren’t really a friend of mine either.
Tell us one thing about you the fans don’t already know: I can whistle like any bird and I’m as normal as you can get.
Who is your greatest influence? My dad
Do you have any autographs? Not really, I’ve gotten a few but I give them away to family and friends. I like to give that kind of gift away.
What do you like best about the city of Memphis? The food. They have really good food here.
Any broken bone stories? Yea, I broke my elbow pitching. It was after I had Tommy John surgery and I was rehabbing from that. I made a throw and I cracked my funny bone- it sounded like a carrot snapping in half. Now I have an inch screw holding my bone on, they screwed it back onto my arm and…I’m actually lucky to even be playing again.
Describe yourself in five words or less: Boring and simple.
Three things you can’t live without: Air, food and water.
Lightning Round Responses
Dogs or Cats
Summer or Winter
Fruits or Vegetables (He chose steak)
Movies or Books
Offense or Defense
Ketchup or Mustard
Sunflower Seeds or Bubble Gum (Neither)
Have the ability to fly or read people’s minds
Know it all or have it all
Be able to stop time while you slept or never have to do laundry
Hit a grand slam or turn a triple play to win a game
That’s all for Josh Kinney!
Jordan. Out. 🙂
Player Spotlight: Outfielder, Jon Jay
Although Jon Jay is currently playing for the Cardinals, and very well I might add, before he left I
had the opportunity to pick his brain and get some insight on who he is as a person, not just as a baseball player.
But before we get to the question and answer part, I’d like to take some time to show you how well Mr. Jay has been doing while with the Cardinals, just in case you haven’t been paying attention as close as you should be.
His last seven games:
|
DATE |
OPP |
AVG |
AB |
R |
H |
2B |
3B |
HR |
RBI |
BB |
SO |
|
7/3 |
MIL |
.318 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
7/4 |
MIL |
.319 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
|
7/6 |
COL |
.327 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
7/7 |
COL |
.352 |
5 |
1 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
|
7/8 |
COL |
.368 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
7/9 |
HOU |
.377 |
4 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
7/10 |
HOU |
.385 |
4 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
His totals after all 33 games:
|
G |
AVG |
AB |
R |
H |
2B |
3B |
HR |
RBI |
BB |
SO |
SB |
CS |
|
|
33 |
.385 |
65 |
11 |
25 |
6 |
0 |
3 |
9 |
2 |
12 |
0 |
1 |
And his first Major League hit on 4/30/10 against Cincinnati:
And his first Major League start as right fielder 5/16 against the Reds
Keep it up Jay!
And now for why I wrote this blog in the first place…the interview!
Full Name: Jonathan Henry Jay
Nicknames: Jay and The Bomb
Favorite baseball player of all time: Ken Griffey Jr.
Team you watched growing up: Atlanta Braves
If you weren’t in baseball, what would you be doing? I’d be a businessman.
Where do you see yourself in 25 years? Hopefully I can have a good baseball career and do community work around where I’m living.
Newest Hobby: Dominating World Cup FIFA 
Best prank pulled that you’ve seen or been a part of while in pro ball? In ’06 when we (Quad Cities) won the championship, a guy put on Clyde the Drexler mascot head and ran around the locker room.
Favorite movie: Bad Boys II 
Greatest memory since playing baseball: All the years of hard work, to make my major league debut this year and the relationships I’ve created.
Who is your greatest influence? My mom
Song that gets you pumped up: Anything Jay-Z song
Most embarrassing moment while playing baseball: Dropped a fly ball to lose a game in college against the Florida Gators.
Describe yourself in five words or less: Fun, easy-going and simple
If you were a drink, what kind of drink would you be? Pina Colada because it’s ‘daytime fun’.
Favorite play in a baseball game: Robbing hits from guys in the outfield
Any broken bone stories? No, thank God. Knock on wood.
If you were a kid would you rather be the one in Rookie of the Year, Angels in the Outfield or Little Big League? Rookie of the Year, definitely.
Three things you can’t live without: My phone, any type of ball (basketball, baseball, soccer ball) and my family.
Lightning Round Responses
Dogs or Cats
Summer or Winter
Fruits or Vegetables
Movies or Books
Offense or Defense
Ketchup or Mustard
Have the ability to fly or read people’s minds
Be able to stop time while you slept or never have to do laundry
And that’s a wrap on Jon Jay. We wish him the best in St. Louis!
Player Spotlight: Outfielder, Joe Mather
Full name: Joseph Paul Mather
Nicknames: Joey Bombs, Jumper, Joe Joe
Favorite Color: Right now it’s royal blue.
So it changes? How often does it change? If I see a color that I really start liking, I’ll just change it.
Favorite baseball player of all time: Trot Nixon
What team did you watch growing up? The Red Sox
If you weren’t in baseball, what would you be doing? Hopefully I’d be traveling around. If I had to have a job, I’d like to try and play tennis.
Where do you see yourself in 25 years? On a lake somewhere with my family watching my kids grow up.
Do you have any rituals? Drink a cup of coffee, hot tub, stretch and then pre-game high-fives.
Newest Hobby: FIFA 2010 Soccer for Play Station
Best prank pulled that you’ve seen or been a part of while in pro ball? I saw a cop come into the clubhouse and fake arrest a guy for being out after curfew.
Favorite movie: Hot Rod 
Favorite movie quote: “Life is short- stunt it.” ~ Rod Kimble from Hot Rod
Greatest memory since playing baseball: There’s so many…probably getting called up to St. Louis for the first time.
Who is your greatest influence? My parents
Song that gets you pumped up: “Forever” by Drake and “Drop the World” by Eminem
Most embarrassing moment while playing baseball: Running all the way back into the dugout with only two outs.
Describe yourself in five words or less: Goofy (just a little bit), fun-loving and super rad
Can I have five dollars? Sure. 
If you were a drink, what kind of drink would you be? Water because I love it. That’s pretty much all I drink, it’s good for you and…I like to be good for people?
Favorite play in a baseball game: Home run, it’s got to be a home run.
Any broken bone stories? Yes, I broke my hand. I broke it in Phoenix, we were playing the Diamondbacks and I was facing Randy Johnson and I swung and broke that bone. I ended up
striking out after that.
If you were a kid would you rather be the one in Rookie of the Year, Angels in the Outfield or Little Big League? Rookie of the Year
Three things you can’t live without: Pizza, Nerf basketball hoop and my iphone
Three people you can’t live without: My mom, my dad and Andy Sandberg
Lightning Round Responses
Dogs or Cats
Summer or Winter
Fruits or Vegetables
Offense or Defense
Movies or Books (although books are usually better)
Ketchup or Mustard
Cold or Hot
Have the ability to fly or read people’s minds
Be able to stop time while you slept or never having to do laundry again
Joe Mather, everybody.
Jordan. Out.
We took an in-office poll, and last weekend was voted as pretty great.
Last weekend’s exhibition games against the St. Louis Cardinals was significant in that it issued in the Redbirds first taste of baseball in AutoZone Park of 2009, but it was special for other reasons as well. Primarily, it introduced two vulnerable, naive youths named Ben and Alex to the tumultuous, tenacious world of professional baseball.
We did manage to have some fairly great experiences. In a weekend certainly filled with more highs than lows, the two of us are pleased to announce some of our personal highlights and not-so-highlights of the weekend.
Ben
The Best:
1. Getting quotes in the Cardinals clubhouse – My first brush with a major league clubhouse was an absolutely surreal mix of stonewashed denim, tattoos and Rambo. Everyone was extremely personable and answered questions, which was great for a guy who was unbelievably nervous about the whole thing. Awesome.
2. Albert Pujols’ monster performance over the weekend – On Friday night alone, he posted a 3-for-5 outing with a homer and six RBI. He definitely put on the performance everyone wanted to see over the weekend. Super awesome.
3. Jose Oquendo – The Cardinals third-base coach and all-around legend decided to get in an at-bat in Saturday’s exhibition game, earning the walk and eventually making it all the way to third base. Baseball dreams do come true. Undeniably awesome.
Not the best:
Tripping in the Redbirds radio booth – It’s hard to make friends with broadcasters when you misjudge steps and form-tackle trash cans live on-air. I can only assume the sound of clanging aluminum raises more questions than answers from the listeners’ perspective. Embarrassingly awesome.
Alex
The Best:
1. The Cardinals Clubhouse – Finally getting experience interviewing professional athletes. Who better to break me in than Tony La Russa? I was fortunate enough to be in there with a few other interviewers, who knew what they were doing. Pretty cool.
2. Getting stared down by Albert Pujols – I enjoy taking photos and I was granted access to the field during warm-ups. I was really close to Albert Pujols and started taking some photos. A few pictures in he turned his head and stared me down. It was evident he wasn’t going to back down so I turned and took pictures of the player he was throwing to. Really just being able to take photos on the field was a privilege.
3. Action in Press Box – I was finally able to see how it all works. From the FOX Sports truck to the delicious buffet, there were a lot of people running around and getting everything in order, including myself. There was a buzz in the air. I think everyone was ready for professional baseball in the AZP.
The Worst:
Yellow – I never thought I’d be saying this about my favorite color, but wearing a pale yellow game day polo in a Cardinal-red dominated clubhouse certainly didn’t help me blend in. And for a rookie interviewer unsure who to interview, I have trouble believing that I didn’t stick out like a sore thumb. Still, the experience will not forget.
This weekend was unquestionably phenomenal, but it’s only the tip of a giant, diamond-shaped iceberg. The Redbirds officially kick off their season Thursday, April 9, when they take on the Oklahoma City RedHawks, so expect the good times to keep rolling all summer long. All-in-all, we’re pretty pumped about some catching some Redbirds baseball this year.
Gregerson sent to the Padres
Bust out the sunscreen, Luke Gregerson, you’re going to sunny San Diego. And just in time for Spring Break, too!
As part of their trade for shortstop Khalil Greene, St. Louis sent the right-handed pitcher to the Padres on Monday. Gregerson was selected as the player-to-be-named in the December 4, 2008 deal, which initally sent right-handed pitcher Mark Worrell to San Diego. The Cardinals 2006 draft pick posted a 7-6 record with 10 saves and 3.35 ERA in 57 relief appearances for Double-A Springfield in 2008.
And the tidal wave of awesomeness keeps rolling
Here we go again. And it’s a big one. In keeping with some of the recent transactions going down in camp, we thought it would be best to stay current and give you our second set of projections for the Redbirds Opening Day roster, two weeks before the team’s first exhibition game. We’ve decided to rule out Pujols and make the stunning prediction that he will begin the season as a Cardinal. Other than that, it’s easy to spot the lack of differences between this lineup and last Friday’s, but the re-assignments on Monday did manage to shake a few things up, most notably in the bullpen.
We added left-handed reliever Charlie Manning to the mix, who finished his eighth year in professional baseball pitching in 57 games with Washington after starting the year with the Triple-A Columbus Clippers of the International League. In his major league debut, Manning posted a 5.14 ERA with 37 strikeouts versus 31 walks.
So with those changes in mind, here’s what we have so far:
Starting Pitchers
Mitchell Boggs RHP – Ended the year with the Redbirds, finishing the season ranked first in the Pacific Coast League in ERA; made his major league debut with St. Louis.
Jess Todd RHP – Ended the 2008 season with the Redbirds, pitching in 36 games with a 3.97 ERA on the season.
P.J. Walters RHP – Led the Redbirds in strikeouts in 2008 with 122.
Clayton Mortensen RHP – Pitched in 15 games with Memphis, recording 57 strikeouts to 87 hits in 310 opposing at-bats.
Blake Hawksworth RHP – Appeared in 18 games for the Redbirds, compiling a 5-7 record with a 6.09 ERA.
Relief Pitchers
Tyler Herron RHP – Threw for a career-high 137.1 innings with a combined 102 strikeouts and 40 walks in 2008.
Matt Scherer RHP – Finished his first season as a Redbird with a 3.93 ERA, accumulating 32 strikeouts.
Ian Ostlund LHP – Spent his first full season at the Triple-A level with Toledo, compiling a 3-0 record with a 2.44 ERA in 44 appearances.
Luke Gregerson RHP – Spent the full season with Double-A Springfield, compiling a 3.35 ERA and a 7-6-10 record in 75.1 innings as a reliever.
Fernando Salas RHP – Named Scout.com’s “Reliever of the Year,” leading the Texas League in saves (25) and games pitched (60).
Josh Dew RHP – Threw a total of 50 innings for a 1-2-2 record with a 4.50 ERA for Springfield.
Charlie Manning LHP
Infielders
David Freese – Appeared in a career-high 131 games with a .306 average, 58 extra-base hits and 91 RBI.
Tyler Greene – Began his fourth year in professional baseball with Double-A Springfield, hitting .259 with 25 extra-base hits and 41 RBI.
Allen Craig – The Texas League All-Star finished the season ranked third among Texas League batters with 154 total hits while with Double-A Springfield.
Jarrett Hoffpauir – Hit .273 with 31 doubles, four homers and 45 RBI after spending the entire 2008 season with Memphis.
Brian Barden – Hit .285 as a member of the Redbirds and earned his third stint in the big leagues, hitting .222 and recording his first major league RBI as a Cardinal.
Joe Thurston – A 2008 International League All-Star who makes his return to the PCL after three years of absence.
Outfielders
Jon Jay – Hit .345 (20×58) with six extra-base hits and 10 RBI in his 16 games with the Redbirds.
Nick Stavinoha – A 2008 PCL All-Star with the ‘Birds, finished ’08 hitting .337, which was fifth- best in the PCL.
Shane Robinson – Shined in Springfield batting .352 (86×244) and produced a .220 average as a ‘Bird.
Brian Barton – Appeared in 82 games with St. Louis, putting together a .268 average with nine doubles, two triples, two home runs and 13 RBI.
Catchers
Bryan Anderson – Appeared in 73 games as a Redbird with a .281 average, 13 doubles, two triples, two home runs and 27 RBI; was selected to participate in the 2008 Futures Game.
Justin Knoedler – Spent the entire 2008 season with Triple-A Sacramento as a member of the Oakland A’s system, hitting 12 doubles, one
triple, 10 home runs and 34 RBI.
While there aren’t many spots left, there are still some question marks going into the season. In particular, the bullpen situation is still somewhat up in the air and the backup catcher spot is in no way set in stone. Minor league Spring Training games kick off tomorrow, so there should be some more definitive answers once Redbirds camp gets underway.
If we can make assumptions based on speculation, so can you. Let us know what you think the roster should or will be as the countdown to the first pitch of the 2009 season continues.
Cardinals trim roster by eight; six pitchers among those re-assigned
The list of potential Redbirds got a little longer today as the Cardinals optioned eight players, trimming their Spring Training roster down to 37 players. Among those players re-assigned to minor league camp were pitchers Clayton Mortensen, Adam Ottavino, Jess Todd, and infielder Allen Craig. Outfielder Brian Barton and pitchers Mitchell Boggs, Charlie Manning and Matt Scherer were also optioned by St. Louis. Be sure to keep up with us as more information comes trickling out of Florida and Opening Day gets closer.
Cardinals re-assign 15 players to the minors
Well, some potential faces appearing for the Redbirds during the 2009 season are beginning to show themselves as Opening Day draws closer. Following the Cardinals Spring Training game on March 8, St. Louis re-assigned 15 non-roster players to their minor league camp. The list of those players re-assigned include pitchers Hyang-nam Choi, Justin Fiske, Brad Furnish, Shaun Garceau, Trey Hearne, Tyler
Herron, Katsuhiko Maekawa, Ian Ostlund and Francisco Samuel; catchers Tony Cruz, Luis De La Cruz, Steven Hill and Justin Knoedler; infielders David Freese and Brett Wallace. Stay tuned as we get more news filtering out of Spring Training.
Chirp Chatter 