It didn’t take long for Jim Edmonds to officially introduce himself to Cardinals fans. Just two weeks after the Cardinals traded Kent Bottenfield and Adam Kennedy to acquire the two-time Gold Glover, Edmonds launched his first home run as a Cardinal in a 10-4 victory over the Cubs. One day earlier, the Cardinals opened their […]
April 5, 2000: Jim Edmonds hits his first Cardinals home run Read More »
After three years of trade rumors, Angels general manager Bill Stoneman emphatically announced that he had no intention of trading Jim Edmonds. Four days later, on March 23, 2000, Edmonds became a St. Louis Cardinal in a deal that sent pitcher Kent Bottenfield and second base prospect Adam Kennedy to the Angels. “When we heard
How the Cardinals pulled off the Jim Edmonds trade Read More »
After just one season as a major-league starting pitcher, it was already becoming clear that Adam Wainwright was destined to become a cornerstone of the Cardinals’ starting rotation. On March 20, 2008, the Cardinals made it official, signing Wainwright to a four-year, $15 million contract extension with a two-year team option that ultimately made the
Cardinals sign Adam Wainwright to his first contract extension in 2008 Read More »
With less than three weeks remaining before their March 31 season opener, the 2008 Cardinals were quickly running out of healthy starting pitchers. Mark Mulder was rehabbing from shoulder surgery. Chris Carpenter was working his way back from elbow surgery. Joel Pineiro was questionable with shoulder stiffness and Matt Clement had yet to pitch since
March 13, 2008: Cardinals sign Kyle Lohse Read More »
Just one day before the Cardinals and 24-year-old Albert Pujols were set to meet in Phoenix, Arizona, for an arbitration hearing, the two sides agreed to the richest contract in team history, one that would keep the young star in St. Louis through the 2011 season and two World Series championships. On February 19, 2004, Pujols
On his way to helping the Cardinals capture the 10th World Series in franchise history, utility infielder Scott Spiezio inadvertently started a fashion phenomenon at Busch Stadium. Spiezio had been a World Series hero for the Angels in 2002, but he came to St. Louis after two subpar seasons with the Mariners. On February 17,
How the Cardinals signed Scott Spiezio and spurred a phenomenon Read More »
As a 6-year-old boy growing up in Southern California, Troy Glaus proudly declared to his mother that he wanted to be the Cardinals’ third baseman. Twenty-five years later, that dream came true, though it required a “very personal” feud between Cardinals manager Tony La Russa and third baseman Scott Rolen to make it happen. On
Why St. Louis traded Scott Rolen to Toronto for Troy Glaus Read More »
On the day the Baseball Writers Association of America was set to announce the Hall of Fame class of 2002, Ozzie Smith had a backup plan ready. If the phone rang with the news that he had not been inducted in his first year of eligibility, Smith and his family were all set to drive
Ozzie Smith is elected to the Hall of Fame: January 8, 2002 Read More »
After winning 22 games and placing third in the National League Cy Young Award voting in 2001, Cardinals right-hander Matt Morris was arguably at the height of his negotiating power. At a time when many players would have called their agent to begin laying the groundwork for a new contract that would take full advantage
How Matt Morris negotiated his own deal in 2002 Read More »
When David Eckstein signed with the Cardinals on December 23, 2004, he couldn’t help but think of his last visit to St. Louis almost 2 ½ years earlier. The second-year major-league shortstop was leading off for the Angels on June 18, 2002, the same day the Cardinals hosted a pregame memorial service in honor of
Why the Cardinals signed David Eckstein in December 2004 Read More »