2000s - STLRedbirds.com

Cardinals sign Adam Wainwright to his first contract extension in 2008

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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 […]

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Kyle Lohse signs with St. Louis: March 13, 2008

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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

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Albert Pujols, Cards sign $100 million extension: 2/19/2004

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Just one day before the Cardinals and 24-year-old star Albert Pujols were set to meet in Phoenix, Arizona, for an arbitration hearing, the two sides agreed to the richest contract in team history. On February 19, 2004, Pujols signed a contract for at least seven years and $100 million, making him just the ninth $100

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How the Cardinals signed Scott Spiezio and spurred a phenomenon

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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,

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Why St. Louis traded Scott Rolen to Toronto for Troy Glaus

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As a 6-year-old boy growing up in Southern California, Troy Glaus proudly declared to his mother that he wanted to be the St. Louis 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

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Ozzie Smith is elected to the Hall of Fame: January 8, 2002

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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

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How Matt Morris negotiated his own deal in 2002

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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

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Why the Cardinals signed David Eckstein in December 2004

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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

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How Mark Mulder was traded to the Cardinals

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On the heels of the Cardinals’ loss to the Red Sox in the 2004 World Series, their offseason began with the departure of several prominent players. They took their first step toward replenishing the cupboard when they traded for ace pitcher Mark Mulder. Shortstop Edgar Renteria signed with Boston. Catcher Mike Matheny went to the

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Cardinals trade J.D. Drew, get Adam Wainwright in five-player deal: December 13, 2003

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When the Cardinals drafted J.D. Drew in 1998, they thought they were getting a franchise cornerstone. More than five years later, they obtained a new foundational piece when they traded Drew to the Braves in a five-player deal that sent Drew and catcher/outfielder Eli Marrero to Atlanta for starting pitcher Jason Marquis, left-handed reliever Ray

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