Happy Presidents Day

Presidents Day is celebrated every year on the third Monday of February in honor of the nation’s first president, George Washington. Washington took office in April 1789, and since then, 43 other men have claimed the title of the president of the United States.

Chirp Chatter

If Cardinals Don't Have A Second Baseman, They'll Make One

Whether he was discussing Anthony Reyes as starter, Ryan Ludwick as cleanup hitter or, more recently, Mitchell Boggs as closer, St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa says there are "boxes" that must be checked when it comes to taking over those roles. They're job prerequisites, hurdles that must be cleared for consideration, and La Russa usually has a litany of them.

Birdland

Rico Washington Named American Association Player Of The Week

Washington batted .471 in the opening four game series with El Paso. In 17 at-bats, the Surprise, AZ resident collected eight hits, including four extra base hits and scored six runs. Washington also collected 11 RBIs, slugged .765 and had an on-base percentage of .550.

American Association Official Site

Cardinals Veteran NRI Spring History: 2005-10

Looking at the last six years of Cardinals spring veteran non-roster invitees’ attempts to make the team out of spring training camp.

The Cardinal Nation

Rico Washington Returns To Kansas City T-Bones For 2011

The Kansas City T-Bones and manager Tim Doherty have announced that former St. Louis Cardinal Rico Washington will return to the T-Bones for the 2011 season.

Wyandotte Daily News

Former Cardinals Independent League Transactions Sept 20-Nov 17

Sept. 20 The St. Paul Saints of the American Association released Chad Gabriel.

Sept. 27: The St. Paul Saints of the American Association released Gerard Haran.

Sept. 30: The Worcester Tornadoes of the Can-Am League signed Chris Farley.

Nov. 1: The Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks of the American Association exercised 2011 option on Donnie Smith.

Nov. 1: The Kansas City T-Bones of the American Association exercised 2011 options on Kyle Heim, Matt Perisho, and Rico Washington.

Nov. 2: The Winnipeg Goldeyes of the American Association exercised 2011 option on Juan Diaz.

Nov. 2: The Pensacola Pelicans of the American Association traded Scott Vander Weg to the El Paso Diablos.

Nov. 4: The Wichita Wingnuts of the American Association released Raul Gonzalez.

Nov. 9: The Gary SouthShore Railcats of the American Association exercised 2011 option on Brad Furnish.

Nov. 17: The Normal Cornbelters extended the contract of manager Hal Lanier.

The Curse Of Scott Rolen

The last time a team from the National League Central won a postseason series, Scott Rolen authored a 10-game playoff hitting streak, was a week removed from one of the lowest points in his career, and seemed ready to embrace his place as the St. Louis Cardinals' unparalleled fixture at third base as enthusiastically as he did Albert Pujols seconds after clinching the World Series.

STL Today

Former Cardinals Independent Transactions August 2-13

Aug 2: The Kansas City T-Bones of the Northern League placed Rico Washington on the inactive list.

Aug 2: The Rio Grande Valley White Wings of the Untied League Baseball activated Juan Cabrera.

Aug 3: The Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League activated Ivan Maldonado.

Aug 3: The Rockford River Hawks of the Northern League released Ian Church.

Aug 4: The Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League placed Kip Wells on the inactive list and signed Randy Keisler for the remainder of the 2010 season.

Aug 5: The Newark Bears of the Atlantic League signed Will Cunnane to a contract for the remainder of the 2010 season.

Aug 7: The Wichita Wingnuts of the American Association signed Raul Gonzalez to a contract for the remainder of the 2010 season.

Aug 9: The Newark Bears of the Atlantic League placed Pablo Ozuna on the inactive list.

Aug 9: The Chico Outlaws of the Golden Baseball League placed Mike Rose on the suspended list.

Aug 9: The Edmonton Capials of the Golden Baseball League placed Larry Bigbie on the inactive list.

Aug 9: The Kansas City T-Bones of the Northern League activated Rico Washington.

Aug 10: The Grand Prairie Air Hogs of the American Association released Ryan Riddle.

Aug 10: The Rockford River Hawks of the Northern League released Kevin House.

Aug 10: The Rio Grande Valley White Wings of the United League Baseball placed Juan Cabrera on the inactive list.

Aug 11: The Rio Grande Valley White Wings of the United League Baseball traded Juan Cabrera to the Coastal Bend Thunder.

Aug 12: The Lancaster Barnstormers of the Atlantic League released Eric Ackerman.

Aug 12: The Chico Outlaws of the Golden Baseball League activated Mike Rose from the suspended list.

Aug 13: The Lancaster Barnstormers of the Atlantic League traded Eric Ackerman to the York Revolution.

Kyle Heim: Continues Professional Career Close To Home

The Cardinal Nation

Fernando Salas Joined Six Others Here & Gone Cardinals #59's

Like a number of short-timers before him, St. Louis Cardinals reliever Fernando Salas wore number 59 for his one-game MLB introduction before returning to Triple-A.

The Cardinal Nation Blog

Former Cardinals On Northern League 2010 Opening Day Rosters

Ian Church - Lake County Fielders
Juan Diaz - Winnipeg Goldeyes
Brad Furnish - Gary Southshore Railcats
Marco Gonzalez - Lake County Fielders
Kevin House - Joilet Jackhammers
Justin Knoff - Rockford RiverHawks
Jason Pearson -Lake County Fielders
Reid Price - Schaumburg Flyers
Donnie Smith - Fargo-Moorhead Red Hawks
Rico Washington - Kansas City T-Bones

The Northern League opened their 2010 season on May 20th.

Former Cardinals Independent League Transactions Dec. 2009-Feb. 10, 2010

Dec. 3: The Windy City Thunderbolts of the Frontier League exercised the 2010 contract of Brandon Garner.

Dec. 11: The Winnipeg Goldeyes of the Northern League signed Juan Diaz to a contract for the 2010 season.

Dec. 17: The Southern Illinois Miners of the Frontier League exercised the 2010 contract of Ryan Bird.

Jan. 12: The Chico Outlaws of the Golden Baseball League named Garry Templeton manager.

Jan. 12: The Lake County Fielders of the Northern League signed Ian Church to a contract for the 2010 season.

Jan. 14: The Tucson Toros of the Golden Bseball League traded Reid Price to the Schaumburg Flyers of the Northern League.

Jan. 21: The Southern Illinois Miners of the Frontier League signed Ryan Bird for a contract extension.

Jan. 25: The Pensacola Pelicans of the American Association signed Marcos Rodriguez to a contract for the 2010 season.

Feb. 1: The New Jersey Jackals of the Can-Am League traded Timo Perez to the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs of the Atlantic League. Perez was signed to a minor league contract by the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Feb. 4: The Kansas City T-Bones of the Northern League signed Rico Washington to a contract for the 2010 season.

Feb. 5: The Fort Worth Cats of the American Association traded Isaias Garcia to Shreveport-Bossier Captains.

Feb. 5: The Sussex Skyhawks of the Can-Am League traded Justin Knoff to the Rockford Riverhawks Of the Northern League.

Feb. 10: The Edmonton Capitals of the Golden Baseball League traded Jason Pearson to the Lake County Fielders of the Northern League. Lake County signed Pearson to a contract for the 2010 season.

Rico Washington Joins Kansas City T-Bones For 2010 Season

The Kansas City T-Bones and manager Tim Doherty have announced the signing of former St. Louis Cardinal Rico Washington for the 2010 season.

WIBW

Ex-Cardinals Watch 7-12-09: Rico Washington Retires; Cory Doyne Signs Deal; Scott Rolen Being Scouted For Trade Market

Scott Rolen (Blue Jays):
Scouts watching Rolen play, including Dodgers.
Jeff Blair Twitter

Despite rumors of both Scott Rolen and Vernon Wells being involved in trades, The Toronto Star reported that Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi dismissed the notion of involving the two in any deals currently.
Blue Jays Official Site

Rico Washington (Free Agent):
Former Curve infielder Rico Washington, one of the more popular players in franchise history and still an Altoona resident, has retired from baseball.
Altoona Mirror

Adam Kennedy (Athletics):
Adam Kennedy hits a two-run home run to right field, giving the Athletics a 4-2 lead in the top of the seventh inning
Athletics Official Site

Jeff Weaver (Dodgers):
On a night which Dodgers starter Jeff Weaver struggled to pitch what his manager called his worst outing of the year, the Milwaukee pitching staff had no such problems.
Dodgers Official Site

Tomo Ohka (Indians):
In Sunday's rubber game, the Indians will counter with right-hander Tomo Ohka, who has a simple strategy against the Tigers.

"Just keep the ball down," he said.
Indians Official Site

Cory Doyne (Long Island):
Long Island Ducks team officials today announced the signing of outfielder George Lombard and pitcher Cory Doyne. The 33-year-old Lombard has enjoyed six stops in the Major Leagues with four different organizations (Braves, Tigers, Rays and Nationals), earning his first call-up in 1998 at the age of 22 with the Braves. The righthanded Doyne began the 2009 season with the Syracuse Chiefs (AAA, Nationals) compiling a 2-0 record in 10 games.
Atlantic League Baseball

Mark Mulder (Free Agent):
Mulder will be in Cincinnati this week to work with his former coach from Michigan State, putting the finishing touches on his rehab from major shoulder surgery. He’s worked out his arm slot and now has to perfect his stride. “I’m hoping that by the last week of July we can start entertaining offers,’’ said his agent, Gregg Clifton. “It doesn’t appear he’s going to need much time in the minors because he’s been throwing all along.’’ The Dodgers, Brewers, and Phillies have remained interested.
Boston Globe

Is Not Signing Minor League Veterans Really The Cardinals Problem?

In recent days, I have seen several columns in the traditional news media that regularly cover the St. Louis Cardinals engage in what for them is a continuing theme – second-guessing the organization’s commitment to building from within.

The Cardinal Nation

Chinese Professional Baseball League Team (Unexpectedly) Releases Rico Washington

The Taiwan Baseball blog reports that defending Chinese Professional Baseball League champion Uni-President Lions have released third baseman Rico Washington after the 30-year-old Milledgeville, Georgia native had made all of 86 plate appearances.

World Baseball Today

Cardinals Minor Matters 3-19-09

With little unreported news of note on current St. Louis Cardinals, it seems a good time to sweep up some miscellaneous items from the last few days about ex-Cards still active across the game.

The Cardinal Nation

Former Cardinals In The Chinese Professional Baseball League

Chris Gissell signed with Uni-President (Unity) 7-Eleven Lions after the 2008 major/minor league season. He was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in 1996 and pitched seven seasons in their system. Gissell joined the Colorado Rockies the following year and made his major league debut in 2004. In 2005 he signed on with the St. Louis Cardinals and pitched at Triple-A Memphis for the season before heading to the Nippon Professional Baseball League where he hurled two season with the Seibu Lions. In 2008 he made another attempt at getting back to the major leagues, this time with the Oakland Athletics, but never did and spent the season at Triple-A.

Gissell made 25 appearances (12 starts) posting a 7-3 record, 3.43 ERA, and earned one save for the Sacramento River Cats in 2008. He allowed 79 hits, 33 runs (31 earned), ten home runs, 19 walks, hit three batters, and struck out 67 over 81.1 innings.

Rico Washington also signed a contract to play for the Lions for the 2009 season. He spent the last three years in the St. Louis Cardinals organization. Washington finally made his major league debut in 2008, after hopping around in four (Pittsburgh Pirates, San Diego Padres, Tampa Bay Rays, & Cardinals) different farm systems spanning a 12-year minor league career. Over the winter off season he played a short time with Caribes de Anzoategui before being released for lack of performance.

Washington played in 92 games batting .254 with a .392 OBP, .468 SLG, and .860 OPS for the Memphis Redbirds in 2008. He had 15 doubles, 13 home runs, 40 RBIs, scored 54 runs, walked 52 times, and had 49 strikeouts. In St.Louis, he played in 14 games going 3-for-19 (.158) with two doubles, three RBIs, two runs, three walks, and six strikeouts.

CPBL opened their season up on March 13, 2009: Official Site

Evolution Of The Farm System

Pre-2005 it probably wouldn’t have been much fun to cover the minor league farm system on a daily basis. Part of the success that we’ve had here at FR, besides the dashing good looks of our avatars and lyrical prose*, is that the minor leaguers have actually gotten good and people enjoy watching teams that don’t suck. There’s been one glaring change this year to tell us that the farm system is producing top to bottom but where would we hope to see the farm system head next?

Future Redbirds

Jarrett Hoffpauir Reporting For Spring Training

Spring training just got more interesting for Vidalia native Jarrett Hoffpauir.

The Concordia Sentinel