Tony LaRussa has agreed to return for his 15th season as the skipper of your St. Louis Cardinals, extending his record as the longest-serving manager in franchise history. The team looks to repeat as the NL Central Champions.
Hitting Coach Hal McRae was released to make room for new hitting coach Mark McGwire, his first stint back in baseball since his retirement.
The team should have a strong pitching rotation with a lineup of RHP Chris Carpenter, RHP Adam Wainwright, RHP Brad Penny, RHP Kyle Lohse and LHP Jamie Garcia.
The 2009 off season saw some changes to the team; P Mark Worrell and P Luke Gregerson for shortstop Khalil Greene. Felipe Lopez left to sign with the Diamondbacks; Adam Kennedy was released (making OF Skip Schumaker transition to 2nd base). On the pitching scene, Kyle Lohse (15-6 w/a 3.78 ERA) resigned while the franchise declined to resign relievers Russ Springer, Jason Isringhuasen and starting pitcher Braden Looper and Ron Villone. The franchise did sign Trever Miller to help with all the left handed losses the team suffered. The team had to send SS Khalil Greene to the DL as he was (is) suffering from social anxiety disorder.
Three players made it onto the National League Starters for the 80th annual All Star Game (Albert Pujols, Yadier Molina and relief pitcher Ryan Franklin) and the team later traded three top prospects for shortstop Julio Lugo and later acquired Mark DeRosa from Cleveland for Chris Perez.
The 2008 St. Louis Cardinals finished out the year began with the hope that they would improve on their 78-84 2007 record. The team managed to improve by eight games and finished the 08 season with an 86-76 record.
The Cardinals are currently atop the NL Central with a 56-48 record. Be sure to go out and get your Cardinals tickets and cheer the birds on to the World Series.
The Cardinals are currently atop the NL Central with a 56-48 record. Be sure to go out and get your Cardinals tickets and cheer the birds on to the World Series.
