THE REDBIRD REVIEW
Good day to you.
The Cardinals equipment trucks will load up and leave Busch Stadium on Monday, bound for Jupiter in the fulfillment of an annual baseball tradition that lets us know that the spring-training gates are opening. First to enter are the players who have shown up to work out. Next is the equipment, the tools of the game. And the gates will swing wide open when pitchers and catchers report – soon followed by the first full-squad workout. And by then the early-bird fans will appear on the scene and embrace the return of baseball and the warmth of the sun.
On Feb. 21, the crowd will file in through the gates of Roger Dean Stadium, for the first game of spring, Nationals at Cardinals. Cold beverages. Ballpark snacks. Blue skies. White clouds. A new pair of sunglasses. Souvenirs. Autographs. Sunscreen and smiles. Daydreams. Hope. The unique sounds of a busy ballpark and the colorful pageant of those who stroll in. Happy. Everybody is happy.
Curiosity. The first days of a rebuilding project. A chance to watch the new players, the prospects, who will become part of the St. Louis baseball family.
Memories? I have a few.
But for now I’ll just go with my favorite:
Watching the rookie Albert Pujols launch rockets during his first official batting practice session as a Cardinal after being invited to spring training for the first time. It was 2001. (I feel old, and that’s OK.) I vividly remember two things:
A) The sound of the ball leaving Pujols’ bat as it took flight and crashed into the side of the building beyond the left-field wall. I think the baseball could talk and shout. It sounded like …destination Cooperstown and the Hall of Fame!
B) The sound made by manager Tony La Russa as he stood behind the cage and made grunting sounds as he witnessed Pujols introduce himself as a rare hitter that would alter franchise history, and deliver two more World Series titles for La Russa and the Cardinals. La Russa walked away. Why? Because at that point he knew the best thing for Pujols was to open the ‘21 season at Triple A. And the more that he stood there in awe, watching those bombs bursting through air, TLR knew he would be tempted to rush Pujols to the majors. Well, Pujols was rushed to the majors. Tip of the cap to Bobby Bonilla for tweaking his hamstring and going on the injured list to clear a roster spot for the young Prince Albert.
I’m at the old coot stage of my career. Which is actually liberating. Because I get to enjoy the moments of everything I’ve been privileged to watch and treasure. Those magical feelings that live inside of you forever.
That thunderous three-homer game by Pujols in 2011 Game 3 of the 2011 World Series at Texas? The Pujols Power that had enough juice to deliver five hits, six RBIs, four runs scored and 14 total bases? Another stat: no walks for Pujols. Why pitch to him? Pujols led the way as the Cardinals piled on for a 16-7 victory in that game.