Cards Caravan

[Coop]

I was at Autozone last night.
On stage, Dyer Miller thought we have good prospects for Memphis.
Off stage, he responded to me that Anthony Reyes had been tipping his breaking pitches. I sure hope he breaks that habit.
Everybody was just saying winning was great and they want to win more.
Not much big. Rick Eckstein, our Memphis batting coach, said he likes to work with a batters strengths. Chris Ducan said Hal McRae helped him in learning the strike zone and controlling the bat. Tyler Johnson said they weren't expecting it, but everything just clicked and all of them were getting batters out. Wainwright was the same way. He's just wanting to be ready starting or relieving. These are not quotes. It was nice, but nothing shocking.
Chris Maloney was nice, but the usual comments. They want to win. Providing player backups is the job of the minors. After Jr. Spivey, I am so glad Sheaffer is gone. I don't want to see either of them anymore.
J-Rod is glad he got the chance and came through.

They like the Cardinals. I do, too.
coop

[BleacherBum593]

On stage, Dyer Miller thought we have good prospects for Memphis.
Off stage, he responded to me that Anthony Reyes had been tipping his breaking pitches.

Surprised he admitted that, but Reyes has had that problem for awhile. Cranny & I saw him in a spring training game against Atlanta in 2005 and I was able to call all of his pitch's from the 2nd inning on. It was pretty easy to pickup on, since he changed his motion when he threw breaking balls.

[BleacherBum593]

Been going back tonight and checking out a few of the articles written at different stops for the Cardinal Caravan. I'll post the links to the articles and quote a few of the highlights. You can check out the articles if you so desire.

Thompson praises several of Cards' prospects by Hal Pilger of the Springfield (IL) Journal Register

"We've got tons of great prospects," (Brad) Thompson said Sunday night during the Cardinals Caravan stop at the Crowne Plaza hotel. "Like some of the guys that I played with - pitchers in Triple-A, like Andy Cavazos - he's got a great arm in the bullpen."

"And we've got Blake Hawksworth," Thompson said of the 6-3 right-handed starter who was 4-2 with a 3.39 ERA, striking out 66 while walking 31 in 79-2/3 innings for Class AA Springfield (Mo.)

"This guy right here, (center fielder) Colby Rasmus, he's a stud," Thompson said of the Cardinals' top draft pick in 2005.

Rasmus, a highly regarded five-tool prospect, broke Bo Jackson's Alabama state record for home runs in a season by a high school player and is an excellent base stealer.

As a first-year pro in 2005, Rasmus hit .296 with seven homers and 27 RBIs in 216 at-bats for Johnson City in the rookie Appalachian League, where he stole 13 bases.

Last year the left-handed hitter batted .254 with five homers and 35 RBIs in 193 at-bats for Palm Beach in the high Class A Florida State League after batting .310 with 11 homers and 50 RBIs in 303 at-bats for Quad Cities in the low-A Midwest League.

He had 28 stolen bases counting his statistics for both teams.

[BleacherBum593]

Wainwright still savors all the closing moments By Jeremy Joffray ~ Southeast Missourian

"When you're in the backyard and 8 years old, every time you throw the ball to someone you're playing it out like it's two outs in the World Series," (Adam) Wainwright said. "It was just a dream come true in every aspect."

"It's pretty special," Wainwright said. "[Chris] Duncan told me on the trip that forever you'll be a World Series hero. I really hadn't thought about that before, but I think there's a lot of heroes on this team. We kind of came out of nowhere."

"I'm open to the challenge of starting," Wainwright said. "I don't think that's set in stone. It depends on Izzy's health. I think I can help the team either way."

[BleacherBum593]

Rasmus could be next Jim Edmonds by By Randy Reinhardt of the Bloomington Pantagraph

“They say not to rush it. It’s going to come. Everybody wants to make it as fast as they can,” said the Columbus, Ga., native. “It’s been my dream forever. I would like to make it this year, but I’m not saying that’s going to happen. Whenever I make it, I make it. I’ll try my best to make it as soon as possible.”

Colby Rasmus possesses that type of talent and, as the consensus No. 1 prospect in the St. Louis minor league system, he does feel a bit of that pressure.

“There is some,” Rasmus said. “I’ve just got to play and have fun with everything. I feel blessed with everything that has happened to me. I like to play baseball. They gave me the opportunity, and I’m going to do the best with it I can.”

[BleacherBum593]

Ready, willing and able
by Kary Booher of the Springfield News-Leader

The loudest applause and the most questions from local fans naturally found Josh Kinney, and now he knows he better get used to it.

Making his first public appearance in the city where he launched an improbable run that catapulted the Redbirds to their first world championship since 1982, the former Springfield reliever became the star of the Cardinals Caravan stop Thursday night that drew almost 1,000 fans to Bass Pro Shops

If Izzy is unavailable early, Kinney could get another shot at a first. Such as his first big-league save.

[Alex Austin]

Coop did you happen to take any pics of the RedBirds new uni's, I havent been able to find any other pics of them other than the one on MILB.com

[Coop]

I'm sorry. I have rarely taken pictures of anything.

You should be able to see them here.
Memphis Redbirds: Home

They are not a big change. The idea is to sell a lot more because they are new and a little different.
JD

[Alex Austin]

Thanks Coop, I seen that picture I was wanting to find one with a better quaility of the hats and patch on sleeve. I didnt like the Jersey at first but its growing on me a bit, but I dont like the hats at all.