Advertisement

Cardinals Caravan Visits Fans in Paducah

Cardinals Caravan Visits Fans in Paducah
Advertisement
By Bill Hughes
Jan. 21, 2019 | PADUCAH
By Bill Hughes Jan. 21, 2019 | 06:22 PM | PADUCAH
On a cold January day, baseball fans were dreaming of summer fun, and hopefully a team in contention to win the National League's Central Division.

Former, current and future members of the St. Louis Cardinals visited Paducah on Monday, interacting with fans and signing autographs at the Expo Center. Over 200 people attended the event, and some walked away with door prizes like jerseys, bobbleheads or game tickets.

Fans 15 years old and under received tickets to get autographs, and the first two were J.D. Seaton and his brother, Austin, from Palmersville, Tennessee. They drove about an hour and got to the Expo Center just before 11 am. 

Fox Sports Midwest announcer Chris Hrabe emceed the event that featured current prospects and players Tommy Edman, Daniel Ponce de Leon and Alex Reyes, along with mascot Fredbird and alumni players Bernard Gilkey and Brad Thompson. 

The players showed off the new powder blue alternate jerseys that will be worn at selected games this year. They resemble the ones worn by the team in the 1980s. 

Most fans in attendance recognized the name of Alex Reyes, because he's been one of the top pitching prospects in the game for a while, but two different surgeries (Tommy John in 2017 and a shoulder muscle surgery last year) have kept him out of the lineup. He pitched only once with the big-league team in 2018 before going back on the disabled list. He's been throwing since December and has pitched from a mound already this year, so Reyes said he's ready to put the last two years behind him, face live hitters in spring training and participate in the 2019 season. 

Reyes said, "Honesty right now, my job is to get healthy. I think all that stuff will take care of itself. If I, myself am healthy on that mound, I feel like I have a good shot on making the club, and wherever it is - it doesn't matter to me - I just want to be a part of the team."

Fellow pitcher Daniel Ponce de Leon made the big-league squad last June, and no-hit the Cincinnati Reds through seven innings in his major league debut. He said he's looking forward to the camaraderie when pitchers and catchers report to Jupiter, Florida on February 12, and hopes his off-season work pays off.

"Usually every off-season's the same - get bigger, stronger - but this year I put a little extra focus into my throwing, especially the curveballs, because if I can get that weapon back it will definitely help my arsenal get even better," Ponce de Leon said. 

Infielder Tommy Edman has been invited to participate in spring training for the second year in a row. He got called up to the AAA team in 2017 and 2018, topped off by an exciting second half of the season for the Memphis Redbirds. Under Manager Stubby Clapp, who is now coaching first base for the Cardinals, Edman helped Memphis win the Pacific Coast League Championship and secure the AAA Championship with a 14-4 win over the Durham Bulls. He then stayed busy honing his skills in the Arizona Fall League.

Edman said, "It was a good experience to get more at-bats against what is considered the highest level of competition in the minor leagues. I was working on a few things there, kinda becoming more consistent with my swings and I'm hoping that experience out there will help me carry over into this next year."

Brad Thompson, who pitched for the Cardinals from 2005-2009, now gets paid to talk sports. He's part of a radio program on 101 ESPN in St. Louis, and also helps the Fox Sports Midwest team with Cardinals pre-game and post-game shows. Thompson is excited about the team's winter acquisitions.

Thompson said, "If you look around baseball, I don't know who's had a better off-season. You pick up Paul Goldschmidt in a trade. You never want to get rid of controllable players, but you had an area of excess there with starting pitching. Yadi's (Molina) still at the top of his game so giving up Carson Kelly didn't hurt you that bad, and you get one of the best in baseball in the middle of your order who's also fantastic at first base and makes everyone better. And then you pick up Andrew Miller, who is one of the premier lefties in the game, and that was something they really needed was that shutdown lefty."

Thompson said coupling those acquisitions with standouts Molina, Matt Carpenter and Harrison Bader and healthy full-season contributions from Paul DeJong and Marcell Ozuna make the Cardinals a talented team poised for an exiting year.

Thompson said he expects the Cardinals to contend for the Central Division title, but said the teams that finished first and second last year - the Milwaukee Brewers and the Chicago Cubs - are stacked with talent. He also noted significant moves the Cincinnati Reds made in the off-season to improve their team, and said the Pittsburgh Pirates are always competitive, especially against teams in the division.

Members of the St. Mary Vikings baseball team sold raffle tickets for door prizes at the event, raising money for the Feeding America Backpack Program. It helps less fortunate children by providing easy-to-prepare foods they can take home for weekend meals. Vikings Manager Chris Haas played in the Cardinals' minor league system between 1995-2000.

ADVERTISEMENT
Advertisement


Latest McCracken County
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest McCracken County

Advertisement
ADVERTISEMENT