Eckstein in All-Star mix
TORONTO -- David Eckstein squirms a little in his seat as soon as the topic comes up. One of the most amiable, media-accessible players on the Cardinals, Eckstein seems uncomfortable even before the question is finished.
"Have you heard about the All-Star voting?"
Yes, he's heard. A St. Louis broadcaster told him on Tuesday afternoon that he's right in the mix, just about 11,000 votes behind the Dodgers' Cesar Izturis. Eckstein has never been an All-Star in the big leagues, but his chance may come this season. But it's June, and he has absolutely no desire to talk about it at this point.
"It's early," said Eckstein. "It definitely would be an honor. Without a doubt. But it's the kind of thing that I don't really look at."
Eckstein is enjoying an excellent year at the plate, with a spiffy .380 on-base percentage, 34 runs scored, 20 RBIs and just 16 strikeouts entering Tuesday's game. He had some defensive struggles in May, but he seems to be sorted out lately.
And that interests him more because it's pushing his team to the postseason, not because it may earn him a starting spot in Detroit next month.
"I'm sure my family knows about it," he said. "They've made a comment to me about it. But they know not to talk to me about it. It's one of those things that, if it happens, it happens. The ultimate goal is to win the World Series."
Fans can cast their vote for Eckstein, or any other Cardinals player, online at MLB.com through 10:59 p.m. CT on June 30.
Rolen update: Scott Rolen continues to work out in St. Louis, but the star third baseman is not yet pain-free. That means that a hoped-for return this weekend against Tampa Bay is growing less likely.
"I don't know," said manager Tony La Russa. "[We face] left-handed starters the first two days, but I think if you had to guess, you'd guess no. But today is only Tuesday."
Edmonds still out: Jim Edmonds missed a second straight game on Tuesday because of what the team is calling a left rib contusion, and he expects to sit out at least one more before returning to the lineup.
The Cardinals are off on Thursday, and Edmonds is hoping to play on Friday night against the Devil Rays in St. Petersburg, Fla., but that remains to be seen.
"Hopefully, three days will help," said Edmonds. "This isn't some nagging thing. It hurts to breathe."
Edmonds sustained the injury last Wednesday at home against Boston. He played through the pain for several days, but on Monday it was too much.
Cal Eldred / P
Born: 11/24/67
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 240 lbs
Bats: R / Throws: R
More info:
Player page
Stats | Splits
Gallery
Team Site | Shop
Eldred returns: It's not so much that Cal Eldred took the mound on Monday night -- the first time he had done so in a big league game in two months. What's most encouraging is that he is in good enough shape that he was frustrated by his performance. The right-hander permitted a run in the eighth inning in his return from the disabled list. He had been out since early April after contracting a viral infection in the lining of his heart.
"If anybody tells you they don't think about it the next day when they give up a run, they're lying to you," said Eldred. "Whether you win or lose, you're still frustrated.
"My wife said, 'Well, you know, you're not just gonna jump right back in there and be perfect.' She made that point to me, and I said, 'You're right, but I need to be perfect out there as much as I can.' "
Nice year: Russell County High School in Alabama, the school of Cards' first-round draft pick Colby Rasmus, has been named the high school team of the year by Baseball America. Russell County went 38-1 and was ranked No. 1 in the magazine's final high school top 50 poll. Rasmus was a star outfielder on the Warriors, and his brother Cory pitched for the team.
Today in Busch history: On June 14, 1989, Joe Magrane and the Cardinals dominated the Expos. Milt Thompson went 4-for-5 with two doubles, and Pedro Guerrero drove in three runs with three hits. Magrane went the distance, allowing five hits, striking out one and walking two. Thanks to Project Retrosheet (www.retrosheet.org) for the information.
Baby 'Birds: Anthony Reyes got back to his regular form with five clamp-down innings in a 9-5 win over Round Rock on Monday. Reyes picked up the win for Triple-A Memphis with help from Raul Gonzalez, who went 3-for-4, and Brandon Berger, who hit a three-run pinch-hit homer. ... Jordan Pals was drilled for nine runs (three earned) in 2 2/3 innings as Double-A Springfield lost, 10-3, to Arkansas. ... Tyler Parker and Terry Evans each hit a solo homer in Class A Palm Beach's 7-3 loss to Daytona. ... Class A Quad Cities had an off-day.
Reyes is the player of the day for his excellent outing. Considered the organization's top prospect, he pitched five shutout innings with two hits and a walk. He struck out seven.
Coming up: The Cardinals' first regular-season series in Toronto comes to an end on Wednesday at 6:07 p.m. CT. Jason Marquis takes the mound looking for his ninth win, facing left-hander Ted Lilly.
Source: http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/
"Have you heard about the All-Star voting?"
Yes, he's heard. A St. Louis broadcaster told him on Tuesday afternoon that he's right in the mix, just about 11,000 votes behind the Dodgers' Cesar Izturis. Eckstein has never been an All-Star in the big leagues, but his chance may come this season. But it's June, and he has absolutely no desire to talk about it at this point.
"It's early," said Eckstein. "It definitely would be an honor. Without a doubt. But it's the kind of thing that I don't really look at."
Eckstein is enjoying an excellent year at the plate, with a spiffy .380 on-base percentage, 34 runs scored, 20 RBIs and just 16 strikeouts entering Tuesday's game. He had some defensive struggles in May, but he seems to be sorted out lately.
And that interests him more because it's pushing his team to the postseason, not because it may earn him a starting spot in Detroit next month.
"I'm sure my family knows about it," he said. "They've made a comment to me about it. But they know not to talk to me about it. It's one of those things that, if it happens, it happens. The ultimate goal is to win the World Series."
Fans can cast their vote for Eckstein, or any other Cardinals player, online at MLB.com through 10:59 p.m. CT on June 30.
Rolen update: Scott Rolen continues to work out in St. Louis, but the star third baseman is not yet pain-free. That means that a hoped-for return this weekend against Tampa Bay is growing less likely.
"I don't know," said manager Tony La Russa. "[We face] left-handed starters the first two days, but I think if you had to guess, you'd guess no. But today is only Tuesday."
Edmonds still out: Jim Edmonds missed a second straight game on Tuesday because of what the team is calling a left rib contusion, and he expects to sit out at least one more before returning to the lineup.
The Cardinals are off on Thursday, and Edmonds is hoping to play on Friday night against the Devil Rays in St. Petersburg, Fla., but that remains to be seen.
"Hopefully, three days will help," said Edmonds. "This isn't some nagging thing. It hurts to breathe."
Edmonds sustained the injury last Wednesday at home against Boston. He played through the pain for several days, but on Monday it was too much.
Cal Eldred / P
Born: 11/24/67
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 240 lbs
Bats: R / Throws: R
More info:
Player page
Stats | Splits
Gallery
Team Site | Shop
Eldred returns: It's not so much that Cal Eldred took the mound on Monday night -- the first time he had done so in a big league game in two months. What's most encouraging is that he is in good enough shape that he was frustrated by his performance. The right-hander permitted a run in the eighth inning in his return from the disabled list. He had been out since early April after contracting a viral infection in the lining of his heart.
"If anybody tells you they don't think about it the next day when they give up a run, they're lying to you," said Eldred. "Whether you win or lose, you're still frustrated.
"My wife said, 'Well, you know, you're not just gonna jump right back in there and be perfect.' She made that point to me, and I said, 'You're right, but I need to be perfect out there as much as I can.' "
Nice year: Russell County High School in Alabama, the school of Cards' first-round draft pick Colby Rasmus, has been named the high school team of the year by Baseball America. Russell County went 38-1 and was ranked No. 1 in the magazine's final high school top 50 poll. Rasmus was a star outfielder on the Warriors, and his brother Cory pitched for the team.
Today in Busch history: On June 14, 1989, Joe Magrane and the Cardinals dominated the Expos. Milt Thompson went 4-for-5 with two doubles, and Pedro Guerrero drove in three runs with three hits. Magrane went the distance, allowing five hits, striking out one and walking two. Thanks to Project Retrosheet (www.retrosheet.org) for the information.
Baby 'Birds: Anthony Reyes got back to his regular form with five clamp-down innings in a 9-5 win over Round Rock on Monday. Reyes picked up the win for Triple-A Memphis with help from Raul Gonzalez, who went 3-for-4, and Brandon Berger, who hit a three-run pinch-hit homer. ... Jordan Pals was drilled for nine runs (three earned) in 2 2/3 innings as Double-A Springfield lost, 10-3, to Arkansas. ... Tyler Parker and Terry Evans each hit a solo homer in Class A Palm Beach's 7-3 loss to Daytona. ... Class A Quad Cities had an off-day.
Reyes is the player of the day for his excellent outing. Considered the organization's top prospect, he pitched five shutout innings with two hits and a walk. He struck out seven.
Coming up: The Cardinals' first regular-season series in Toronto comes to an end on Wednesday at 6:07 p.m. CT. Jason Marquis takes the mound looking for his ninth win, facing left-hander Ted Lilly.
Source: http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/
