Cardinals Hot Stove League Show

ST. LOUIS (November 29, 2012)- Gather around the Hot Stove this winter as the “Cardinals Hot Stove League Show presented by U.S. Cellular,” keeps you up-to-date on all the latest free agent signings, trades, and personnel moves made during the off-season.

Hosted by Kevin Wheeler and Mike Claiborne, the “Cardinals Hot Stove League Show presented by U.S. Cellular” will air on 1120 KMOX and select Cardinals Radio Network affiliates from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. (Central Time) every Wednesday night beginning on December 5th and running through March 27th.

The focus of the show will be on Cardinals baseball, with an additional emphasis on Major League Baseball as a whole. Topics will also include the Cardinals minor league system, as well as business and community issues.

Guests will include Cardinals manager Mike Matheny, general manager John Mozeliak, broadcasters Mike Shannon and John Rooney, front office officials, and current and former Cardinals players.

 

Press Release

Congratulations to the Kirkwood Pioneers 2012 Missouri State Champions

 

I would love to give props to the Kirkwood Pioneers! Tonight they won the Missouri State Championship for the first time. The reason I am writing this in a baseball forum is because this is my high school, where I played football from 1981-83. As a football player I also tried out for Kirkwood Baseball Team, The two years I tried out I would always get cut but at least I had football. My dad was a part of the Lubbock High School Football state Champions in 1939. He was hoping to see be a part of a Championship season like he did. In 1983 the Kirkwood Pioneers became Suburban West Conference Champions and 5A District Champions Semi-Finalists. That was a fun season for us. Tonight I got to watch the Pioneers finally reach that pinnacle of excellence! They finished what the 1983 team tried to accomplish. Great job Pioneers!

 

Show Your Championship Pride For only $11.40 you can show your Pioneer Pride by wearing the official Kirkwood state championship commemorative T-shirt. Student price is $10. To order now, click the T-shirt!

T-shirts will be available to students at the Pioneer Store beginning November 28. Community members may purchase the T-shirt in the District’s Community Relations and Development Office beginning November 29.

2012 United Cardinal Blogger Awards

 

 

This year the 2012 United Blogger Awards has been open up to the fans. This is your chance to be heard! You are able to vote for your favorite Cardinal Player of the year, game of the year, rookie of the year and so on. Please do not forget to think of me in regards to the Blogging part of the Awards. Remember this is your opprotunity to vote! Have fun.

 

Here is the link to the Ballot:

 

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dEE4WTdpTDRBSjdXZGVWdk9CSmNjLXc6MQ#gid=0

Berkman goes Back to Rice

With no talk of retirement yet Lance Berkman decides to become a volunteer assistant with Wayne Grahams staff. Lance was a two time all american and a national player at Rice in 1997.
According to Berkman,“Coaching is something I want to pursue after I am done playing,” and “If you have any aspirations to be a college baseball coach, the one guy you want to learn from is coach Graham.”
Berkman said the position on the Rice staff “gives me flexibility” in case he decides to play another season.
“Having flexibility if I want to play another year or two was important,” Berkman said. “If I decide to hang it up, I have something to step into immediately.” Lance also has had talks with Astros owner Jim Crane in regards to possibly returning to baseball with the Astros. Lance would make a excellent DH for the Astros since they are now in the AL.

New Jersey for 2013

A few days ago I heard the possibility of the Cardinals using a new third jersey. I thought to myself no way, well last I got the official word its happening and also recieved a press release this morning in regards to this exciting news. This update to the uniforms is the first time in 80 years! I really like the new jersey, very retro. I love seeing the red St.Louis on the front of the home jersey. This jersey will only be worn for home games on Saturday only.

This is part of the Press Release I recieved:

With the 2013 jerseys, fans will notice much more detail in the birds. Additional changes include a slight modification to the size of the numbers on the front of the jersey (dropping from 4 inches to 3 ½”). All jerseys are available in both the traditional double knit and the Cool Base, a lightweight moisture wicking performance fabric that is popular with players. In addition to the jersey changes, the team will wear red caps with their road uniforms, while the blue cap will remain a road alternate. The team will also wear a new batting practice cap this season.

Fans may purchase the 2013 authentic jerseys at the Cardinals Official Team Store at Busch Stadium exclusively through Thanksgiving and at other local outlets thereafter. While supplies last, the Cardinals Official Team Store at Busch Stadium is offering a free set of pint glasses featuring the new St. Louis logo with the purchase of the 2013 home alternate jersey. The store is also offering, for a fee, on-site jersey customization to accommodate holiday shoppers looking for a unique personalized gift. The team store is open 10 AM – 6 PM seven days a week, except holidays. The store will have extended hours on Black Friday (8AM – 6PM) and will have a number of Black Friday Specials.

Brian Fuentes Retires

After 12 years of Major League Baseball Brian Fuentes decides to hang it up due to missing his family. The 37 year old reliever began to have the feeling of absence from his family deeper than ever. Last year he spent time with the Oakland A’s and the St.Louis Cardinals. Brian mentions when he was with the Cardinals he was further away from his family and he didn’t like it. Fuentes had a good career. His final numbers as a pitcher falls like this: 26-43 with a 3.62 ERA and 204 saves.
He was also a four time All-Star.

source: MLB

So Long Kyle McClellan

Well today the Cardinals released hometown stud Kyle McClellan. The Florissant native missed all of 2012 season due to elbow and shoulder problems. I wish Kyle well and hope he could catch on to another team soon. On another note the Cardinals signed catcher Rob Johnson to a minor league contract with a non-roster invite to spring training. Johnson formerly played for the Mets and minor league team in Buffalo.

Cards Have Eyes for Cabera

This bit of news just came in. Joe Strauss has reported that the Cardinals have a very real interest in Asdrubel Cabrera, the short stop for the Indians. You may wonder who the Cards would trade to pick up this slick short stop. First name that comes to mind is Matt Adams and one of the minor league pitchers that may not crack the big team. Asdrubal has been voted in for the All Star two years in a row, 2011-12. His numbers for  2012 where 16HR…68RBI…270BA. So he does have some nice pop at his position. If we can match up with the Indians for a trade he would be a better fit for the Cardinals.

Cardinals Name John Mabry New Hitting Coach

Just like I thought it finally happened. John Mabry taking over the reigns as the new batting coach. Now they are looking for an assistant for Mabry. It will probably be someone from within the organization. Mabry’s help last year help the Cardinals  led the league in both runs scored and on-base percentage while finishing second in batting average.

Cardinals to Announce New Coaches

Blaise Ilsley(shown above) will be announced on Monday as the new bullpen coach. It is nice to see the Cardinals to promote within the organization. Ilsley has been the pitching coach for the Memphis Redbirds for the past five years Blaise helped the team lead the PCL with being tops in earn run average. He has been active in regards to the development of Shelby Miller, Lance Lynn and Jaime Garcia. Ilsley himself was a left handed pitcher with the Cubs. He had spent time in 1994 with the Cubs. He was drafted by the Montreal Expos in 1984 in the fourth round. He eventually went on to play in the Astros minor league system and became a touted prospect when he won 20 games in 1986. In 1991 he signed with the Cardinals. Then became a free agent in 1992 he signed with the Cubs. After his MLB career he signed on as a coach with the Cardinals organization. Glad to see Blaise make it to the major leagues.

In other news, Chris Maloney will return as the first-base coach. There is also a good chance that John Mabry may be our new hitting coach. The Cardinals may promote from within an assitant hitting coach.

reference: Joe Strauss