Mike Shannon considered either making a comeback as a player or becoming a Cardinals coach before he launched a career as a team broadcaster.
This year will mark Shannon’s 40th season as a Cardinals broadcaster. He signed a three-year contract Feb. 4. 
In the autumn of 1971, Shannon, 32, was at a crossroads. After it was discovered in spring training 1970 that Shannon had a serious kidney ailment (acute nephritis), he missed part of that season (appearing …

So pitchers and catchers report soon you say…hard to believe with all the snow (and more coming) on the ground!
St. Louis signed a legacy member from the last decade huh…looks like the 15 jersey will be a tug-of-war by St. Pat’s Day!
The Cardinals got it right for playing on my birthday this year hmm…just hope that the third time is the charm for April 1!
You see what I did there? …

On the morning of January 19th, I started collecting links – as many as I can find with minimal effort – that discuss the Albert Pujols contract discussions. Why? Who knows, yet here they are. Oh, and to serve you all, our three loyal readers! The Daily Pujols certainly won’t be a comprehensive list, but between local, national, and blog coverage, maybe you’ll find something here you otherwise wouldn’t. Without further …

Get on the Bucco Bandwagon. It’s baseball season now.
53 days until Opening Day.
Let’s Go Bucs!
P.S. – All the more reason to dominate the Brewers this season. Do it.
©2011 Raise the Jolly Roger. All Rights Reserved.
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Brian McTaggart posted his latest inbox at Astros.com Saturday. Included in the series of questions he answered were Drew Locke, Koby Clemens (both of whom are already in Kissimmee) and Chia-jen Lo.

Click here to view the embedded video.
©2011 Raise the Jolly Roger. All Rights Reserved.
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We interrupt this unofficial break to inform you that, according to Hardball Talk (via the Examiner), Feb 18 is the date for Tal Smith to get his argue on in the Case Against Hunter Pence.

Today’s “non-roster” look is focused on Chad Reineke and Dontrelle Willis, pitchers invited to spring training for a look by the big club.
Reineke was a 13th round pick by the Astros in 2004 and is a native of Defiance, Ohio and an alum of Miami (of Ohio). Not sure why the Reds didn’t draft him, I’ve long thought they should make more of an effort to draft area players. …

MLB.com is asking "Who was black baseball’s best pitcher?" Among the pitchers that the 19-member expert panel will consider to name in their top five is Satchel Paige, who, pitching in St. Louis and being one of baseball’s all-time characters, has always been one of my favorites. It’s impossible to really know who was best, let alone how they compared to the major leaguers of the day. But Richard …

Since you can get the Pujols news from everyone else, here’s something that is relevant particularly to today. I have said it before and will again: Baseball is the best game in the world.  It has a feel that no … Continue reading →

Today’s “non-roster” look at players not on the 40-man but invited to spring training with the big club views Matt Klinker and Justin Lehr. Klinker is a prospect, Lehr a minor league veteran.
South Carolina native Klinker was a 15th round pick by the Reds in the 2007 draft. Already 22 when drafted, he was getting a late start in pro ball, and struggled in his debut at Billings. …

In the spirit of Rob Neyer’s Monday Mendozas and Friday Filberts, we bring you Saturday Saturrias.

Perhaps Cardinal fans are a bit edgy these days waiting for Albert Pujols to sign an extension. Or maybe they just have long memories. When former Cardinal Brad Penny posted a seemingly innocuous tweet about his recent workout, JoeSportsFan’s Matt Sebek took umbrage, perhaps still upset that Penny’s injury left the Cardinals in …

Yesterday’s news about Jim Edmonds signing a minor league deal with the Cardinals immediately raised several questions in my mind.  After allowing them to bounce around the somewhat empty space within my cranium, I eventually was left with one unanswered question.  With retirement for Jimmy Ballgame waiting somewhere on the not-too-distant horizon, is Cooperstown beckoning just as soon as he is eligible?  In this post, the first in a series of …

On the morning of January 19th, I started collecting links – as many as I can find with minimal effort – that discuss the Albert Pujols contract discussions. Why? Who knows, yet here they are. Oh, and to serve you all, our three loyal readers! The Daily Pujols certainly won’t be a comprehensive list, but between local, national, and blog coverage, maybe you’ll find something here you otherwise wouldn’t. Without further …

Entering the 2000 season, the Anaheim Angels where hurting for pitchers.  (12-11, 4.43 Chuck Finley was their best in the season prior).  Although only two years away from a World Series win, the Angels where dead-last in the 1999 version … Continue reading →

Apparently there was some bitterness and hurt feelings after the Winter Warm-up, regarding Albert Pujols’ comments, John Mozeliak’s acknowledgement of a deadline, and Bill DeWitt III stating he believed the negotiation window would extend into spring training and the team … Continue reading →

The Oklahoma RedHawks have announced that J.P. Shadrick will be their new radio play-by-play announcer for the 2011 season. Shadrick, who most recently called games for the Jacksonville Suns will also handle media relations for the Astros new AAA affiliate.

With the Cardinals facing the prospect of giving a substantial pay raise to arguably the best player in baseball, I thought I’d try and help the team out with some fundraising ideas.  No ordinary bake sales or car washes will do for this team, though.  This situation calls for some extraordinary, out-of-the box ideas, and I’ve got 10 that just might do the trick…..or not.

Emergency catcher for a day auction.  …

Only four Cardinals third basemen in the last 40 years _ and just eight in franchise history _ have driven in 100 runs or more in a season.
If David Freese stays healthy, will he be the next St. Louis third baseman with 100 or more RBI in a season?
Freese, who turns 28 in April, never has knocked in 100 runs in a season since he began his professional career in …

ap Ever since I came to the sad realization that I don’t have what it takes to make the Majors, I have thought that the next best thing would be to write about those that do.  Of course, there are … Continue reading →