- Joe thinks there is a lot of pressure on the bullpen.
- John agrees that the bullpen is a bit of an issue.
- Ryan Franklin, Chris Perez, Jason Motte, and Josh Kinney are all competing for the closer and setup roles.
- The development of the bullpen is a big key.
Hazel talk with Tony La Russa:
- Tony thinks the club took a lot of hits and didn't catch too many breaks in 2008.
- Chris Carpenter is feeling good.
- Chris Perez has a lot of talent and has a good chance to be the closer.
- Tony says that the Cardinals have a deep bullpen.
- The Cardinals might move Skip Schumaker to second base so they can get him in the lineup every day.
- Troy Glaus won't be ready until late April or early May. Joe Mather could get time at 3rd in the first month of the season.
Tony runs a very smooth, professional camp.
2008 MLB Ranks:
- Average- 2nd
- Runs- 12th
- HR- 11th
- ERA- 14th
- Blown Saves- Tied for First
More on the Cards:
- John likes some of the young players that they will bring up.
- Magrane says that St. Louis is getting back to focusing on the draft instead of free agents.
- La Russa is one of the best managers in the game according to Hart. There is a high bar that Tony sets and he gets the most out of their players.
- Sean says that the whole coaching staff is very prepared.
Projected Batting Order:
- Skip Schumaker, 2B
- Ryan Ludwick, RF
- Albert Pujols, 1B
- Rick Ankiel, LF
- Yadier Molina, C
- Khalil Greene, SS
- David Freese/ Brian Barden, 3B
- Pitcher
- Colby Rasmus, CF
Tony likes to bat the pitcher 8th. Joe thinks this give the Cardinals 2 lead off mans. John likes how it will give Colby Rasmus some protection.
Chris Carpenter joins Hazel:
- The last 2 years have had a lot of ups and downs for Chris.
- He is excited about this year.
- Carpenter had to rehab but for the most part had a normal offseason.
- He feels like he is right where he needs to be.
- Chris is ready to pitch at the start of the regular season.
- Adam Wainwright is a smart kid that works hard and doesn't accept failure. Chris says it has been fun to watch him grow.
Possible Rotation:
- Adam Wainwright
- Kyle Lohse
- Todd Wellemyer
- Joel Pineiro
- Chris Carpenter
More on the pitching staff:
- Magrane says that Dave Duncan is one of the best pitching coaches in baseball. He thinks that Duncan being a former catcher really helps him.
- Hart says Dave is watching every pitcher he can around the league.
- Sean says that Dave Duncan has a way with game plan.
- John says that Adam Wainwright is a key to this staff. He has a good power sinker and breaking ball.
- Sean loves Todd Wellemyer. He had great stuff but did not pitch all that well for the Cubs and Royals, and then Duncan got his career back on track.
- Joel Piniero looks to improve on his 2008.
Greg and John were joined by the Cardinals GM John Mozeliak:
- Mozeliak says that teams had to make adjustments last offseason because of the economy.
- John sees the late innings improving this year.
- He says that most of the blown saves were in the first half before they brought out some young arms.
- Mozeliak says that there is a very high chance that Rasmus will make the team.
- Joe Mather and David Freese will get a lot of playing time at 3rd until Glaus comes back.
- John calls Schumaker playing second an experiment that has real legs.
The guys talk about the Cardinals outfield:
- Joe says that it is a crowded and very left handed outfield.
- Sean thinks the key is putting Schumaker at second so they can open up another spot in the outfield.
- St. Louis did a great job sticking with Ryan Ludwick, and now he puts up big numbers.
- Magrane says this team has to have good outfield defense.
- Hart likes Rasmus's range and instinct in the outfield.
Ryan Ludwick and Rick Ankiel joined Hazel:
- Ryan has taken advantage of video the last few years.
- When you go into a ball game there are to excuses.
- Rick Ankiel says Ludwick is one of the better hitters that he has seen.
- Ludwick told Mae that it is nice to have one of the best right handed hitters of all time hitting behind you.
- He calls Tony's camp extremely organized.
- It makes Rick feel good when he hears that certain guys could be the next Rick Ankiel.
More on Ryan Ludwick:
- Hart thinks Ludwick "has it figured out."
- Magrane expects even more pop and power out of Ludwick.
- Casey expects another big year for Ryan.
Albert Pujols joined Hazel:
- Albert's elbow is holding up pretty good.
- He rehabbed very hard all offseason.
- Pujols has to come to the park very early to exercise and rehab before he does any baseball activity each day.
- Albert feels great as of right now.
- He thinks that if the Cardinals stay healthy they will compete with everyone in the NL.
- All the Cardinals young guys have talent according to Pujols.
- Albert gives Ludwick all the credit for hitting well last year. He is a hard worker.
- He likes to make his teammates better in the lineup.
- Pujols thinks St. Louis will have a "pretty good year".
More on the infield:
- Casey says you could put this team on his back. He calls them one of the best hitters of this generation.
- Joe says that pitchers make mistakes to other guys in the lineup because they are already worried about Pujols.
- He hits for average, power, drives them in, and gets on base.
- John thinks Schumaker is the right kind of kid to move from the outfield to the infield.
- Magrane says footwork is so critical at second base.
- Sean says this will be huge for the offense if they can get Skip's bat in at 2B.
- Glaus is a big hit to this team according to Hart.
- David Freese is going to get a good look at 3rd.
- Brett Wallace, the 2008 first round pick, is the third baseman of the future according to Sean.
Cardinal Memories:
- Magrane calls the fans very loyal and says they are with you no matter what.
- Casey says that these fans are knowledgeable baseball fans.
- Hart says the fans great loyalty and support translates down to the players.
All-Time Team:
Starting Lineup:
- Lou Brock, OF
- Rogers Hornsby, 2B
- Albert Pujols, 1B
- Stan Musial, OF
- Joe Medwick, OF
- Ken Boyer, 3B
- Ted Simmons, C
- Ozzie Smith, SS
- Bob Gibson, P
Pitchers and Bench:
- Frankie Frisch
- Joe Torre
- Marty Marion
- Jim Edmonds
- Dizzy Dean, P
- John Tudor, P
- Bob Forsch, P
- Bruce Sutter, CL
Bob Gibson is John Hart's guy. Joe says he would run Gibson out there if there was one game he had to win.
Predictions:
- Sean- 2nd (behind the Cubs)
- Joe- 2nd
- John- 2nd
I'll recap the Reds "30 in 30" soon!
Later today I'll post the starting lineup and notes for the Cubs VS Indians game.
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