Notes: Molina enjoys time at Classic
03/17/2006
JUPITER, Fla. -- Always a happy sort, Yadier Molina was beaming even more than usual in the Cardinals clubhouse at Roger Dean Stadium on Friday morning. Despite only five at-bats in the World Baseball Classic, Molina had the time of his life in the tournament.
Playing for the Puerto Rican team, which was eliminated Wednesday evening, Molina went 3-for-5 while serving as the backup catcher. Puerto Rico played three games at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, in front of frenzied crowds.
"It was unbelievable," said Molina. "It was like playing in the World Series. Everybody was excited."
Molina sat on the bench behind Ivan Rodriguez for the most part, but he had no complaints. He knew in advance that he wouldn't see a lot of playing time. Simply putting on the Puerto Rico jersey on a team filled with stars like Rodriguez and Bernie Williams was thrill enough.
"Amazing," he said. "I can't explain it. It's an amazing feeling playing in front of your family. It's something you can't explain. To represent your country is something you want one time in your life."
Molina cited Williams as a hero and said it was a "dream come true" to play with the ex-Yankees star. But now it's back to business, and he'll catch the first four games upon his return to camp.
"It was a great experience for him," said manager Tony La Russa. "I'm sure because he's a very smart guy he observed. He was around pressure situations. I think it was really good for him."
Molina looked just as sharp upon his return as he did before he left. He rapped a pair of base hits, drew a walk and caught all nine innings of a 5-2 win over the Yankees.
Eck's progress: David Eckstein returned to camp on Friday feeling much more spry than he had a day earlier. Eckstein came down with what he termed a "24-hour flu" that forced him to leave camp Thursday.
"I feel a lot better," he said.
Eckstein will make the trip to Fort Lauderdale on Saturday and will start against the Orioles.
"He came in, he's feeling better, but he hasn't eaten," La Russa said Friday morning. "So he's weak. He's going to work out and he'll make the trip tomorrow."
Bigbie sore: On the travel roster for Saturday's trip to Fort Lauderdale, Larry Bigbie's name had a question mark next to it, rather than a check mark. That's indicative of Bigbie's status -- he's dealing with some tendinitis in his left Achilles tendon.
That's the opposite ankle from the one that bothered him for much of last season.
"The Achilles is barking," said La Russa. "You take all that stuff seriously."
Miles starts: Aaron Miles made his first start in two weeks Friday, but his appearance was brief. Miles, who is recovering from a bone bruise on his left hand, started at second base and got two plate appearances in the leadoff slot.
The problem is that the bruise still hinders the switch-hitting Miles when he bats right-handed. So after his two chances against righty Shawn Chacon, he was lifted when the Yankees brought in a left-hander.
"I'm making good strides from the right side," said Miles. "I swung a little bit in the cages and I feel a little better."
It's been a tough go for Miles, who entered the spring as a competitor for the second-base job. Missing two weeks has made it difficult to make an impression.
"It's a long season," he said. "I want to be a productive player. It's tough going through this little period right here, but hopefully a month from now I won't even be thinking about it."
Assembling the puzzle: La Russa said Friday he is currently leaning toward carrying 12 pitchers, rather than 11, on the Opening Day roster. That means seven relief spots, with five all but sewn up; Jason Isringhausen, Braden Looper, Ricardo Rincon, Brad Thompson and Randy Flores are all expected to be on the squad.
In the other two spots, one is expected to be a long reliever -- perhaps one of the runners-up for the fifth starter battle, perhaps Josh Hancock. The other spot could go from anyone to a left-hander like Tyler Johnson to a righty such as Brian Falkenborg or Jeff Nelson.
"That doesn't mean it can't be 11, but more probably [12] right now," La Russa said. "We always go in thinking we're going to protect our pitching. I would love to have that sixth player."
Bits and pieces: New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick visited La Russa and the Cardinals on Friday. ... The Cardinals wore green jerseys and caps for the St. Patrick's Day contest, which was a sellout. ... Team Mexico was eliminated from the World Baseball Classic on Thursday night, meaning that Rincon is expected back any day. Rincon made four appearances, allowing no runs, no hits and no walks in 2 2/3 innings. ... Sunday's game against the Braves will be carried on MLB.TV and FOX Sports Net Midwest.
Quotable: "I wasn't expecting the crowd. That many people there, I wasn't expecting that. That surprised me, like 22,000. That many people live in Puerto Rico?" -- Molina, on World Baseball Classic attendance in San Juan
Weather report: Saturday should be the definition of meteorological perfection. The forecasted high is 81 degrees, with no clouds and no rain. Wear plenty of sunscreen if you're coming out to Fort Lauderdale Stadium.
Source: http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/
JUPITER, Fla. -- Always a happy sort, Yadier Molina was beaming even more than usual in the Cardinals clubhouse at Roger Dean Stadium on Friday morning. Despite only five at-bats in the World Baseball Classic, Molina had the time of his life in the tournament.
Playing for the Puerto Rican team, which was eliminated Wednesday evening, Molina went 3-for-5 while serving as the backup catcher. Puerto Rico played three games at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, in front of frenzied crowds.
"It was unbelievable," said Molina. "It was like playing in the World Series. Everybody was excited."
Molina sat on the bench behind Ivan Rodriguez for the most part, but he had no complaints. He knew in advance that he wouldn't see a lot of playing time. Simply putting on the Puerto Rico jersey on a team filled with stars like Rodriguez and Bernie Williams was thrill enough.
"Amazing," he said. "I can't explain it. It's an amazing feeling playing in front of your family. It's something you can't explain. To represent your country is something you want one time in your life."
Molina cited Williams as a hero and said it was a "dream come true" to play with the ex-Yankees star. But now it's back to business, and he'll catch the first four games upon his return to camp.
"It was a great experience for him," said manager Tony La Russa. "I'm sure because he's a very smart guy he observed. He was around pressure situations. I think it was really good for him."
Molina looked just as sharp upon his return as he did before he left. He rapped a pair of base hits, drew a walk and caught all nine innings of a 5-2 win over the Yankees.
Eck's progress: David Eckstein returned to camp on Friday feeling much more spry than he had a day earlier. Eckstein came down with what he termed a "24-hour flu" that forced him to leave camp Thursday.
"I feel a lot better," he said.
Eckstein will make the trip to Fort Lauderdale on Saturday and will start against the Orioles.
"He came in, he's feeling better, but he hasn't eaten," La Russa said Friday morning. "So he's weak. He's going to work out and he'll make the trip tomorrow."
Bigbie sore: On the travel roster for Saturday's trip to Fort Lauderdale, Larry Bigbie's name had a question mark next to it, rather than a check mark. That's indicative of Bigbie's status -- he's dealing with some tendinitis in his left Achilles tendon.
That's the opposite ankle from the one that bothered him for much of last season.
"The Achilles is barking," said La Russa. "You take all that stuff seriously."
Miles starts: Aaron Miles made his first start in two weeks Friday, but his appearance was brief. Miles, who is recovering from a bone bruise on his left hand, started at second base and got two plate appearances in the leadoff slot.
The problem is that the bruise still hinders the switch-hitting Miles when he bats right-handed. So after his two chances against righty Shawn Chacon, he was lifted when the Yankees brought in a left-hander.
"I'm making good strides from the right side," said Miles. "I swung a little bit in the cages and I feel a little better."
It's been a tough go for Miles, who entered the spring as a competitor for the second-base job. Missing two weeks has made it difficult to make an impression.
"It's a long season," he said. "I want to be a productive player. It's tough going through this little period right here, but hopefully a month from now I won't even be thinking about it."
Assembling the puzzle: La Russa said Friday he is currently leaning toward carrying 12 pitchers, rather than 11, on the Opening Day roster. That means seven relief spots, with five all but sewn up; Jason Isringhausen, Braden Looper, Ricardo Rincon, Brad Thompson and Randy Flores are all expected to be on the squad.
In the other two spots, one is expected to be a long reliever -- perhaps one of the runners-up for the fifth starter battle, perhaps Josh Hancock. The other spot could go from anyone to a left-hander like Tyler Johnson to a righty such as Brian Falkenborg or Jeff Nelson.
"That doesn't mean it can't be 11, but more probably [12] right now," La Russa said. "We always go in thinking we're going to protect our pitching. I would love to have that sixth player."
Bits and pieces: New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick visited La Russa and the Cardinals on Friday. ... The Cardinals wore green jerseys and caps for the St. Patrick's Day contest, which was a sellout. ... Team Mexico was eliminated from the World Baseball Classic on Thursday night, meaning that Rincon is expected back any day. Rincon made four appearances, allowing no runs, no hits and no walks in 2 2/3 innings. ... Sunday's game against the Braves will be carried on MLB.TV and FOX Sports Net Midwest.
Quotable: "I wasn't expecting the crowd. That many people there, I wasn't expecting that. That surprised me, like 22,000. That many people live in Puerto Rico?" -- Molina, on World Baseball Classic attendance in San Juan
Weather report: Saturday should be the definition of meteorological perfection. The forecasted high is 81 degrees, with no clouds and no rain. Wear plenty of sunscreen if you're coming out to Fort Lauderdale Stadium.
Source: http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/
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