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Tag: spring training

John Nogowski, St. Louis Cardinals organization

Posted by olabner on April 1, 2020 in Interviews, Minors, NL, Springfield Cardinals, St. Louis Cardinals

Like many Cardinal farmhands, first baseman John Nogowski was in Jupiter, Florida, for spring training. Unlike many of his former teammates, he was playing for the major league club. He appeared in 14 games for the Cards this spring and…

The Inner Cespedes

Posted by olabner on March 25, 2016April 2, 2017 in NL

NY Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes gave up an inside-the-park home run when he saw the fly ball was lodged under the outfield wall and figured it was a ground rule double. He could’ve picked it up, but he didn’t, and…

Tom Sawyer, Dodgers ace.

Posted by olabner on March 20, 2015March 22, 2015 in Spring

Zack Greinke tossed a pitch that slipped over the outside corner. He fell toward the plate as he followed through, holding his hand next to his heart. Another called strike, and another comparison with Greg Maddux. But with blonde hair…

Expanding Cardinal Nation

Posted by olabner on March 18, 2015March 22, 2015 in Spring

“I’m entering my 52nd season as a Cardinals fan,” he told me. I poured his coffee. I told him I’d been a fan since I was 8, and that Jaime Garcia pitched a couple of good innings the day before….

Spinning Red Stitches, and Other Aims

Posted by olabner on March 14, 2015March 22, 2015 in Spring

With a runner at second, a righthanded hitter stood at the plate. He was down by four. His team was down by four. But he might’ve tried to even it out. Get ahead at once! Instead, he checked his swing…

Batting Light

Posted by olabner on March 13, 2015 in Spring

I watched a baseball game to see how people train. Instead, I saw the one with stars circling his head. Something like a crown. His helmet sparkled with light from above. On the bill, most likely, or above his ear…

Beauty at the Ballpark

Posted by olabner on March 10, 2015 in Spring

Giants and Padres: Tyler Lindsey cracked a sinking line drive to left. Jarrett Parker dove into the grass, hat jostling, and misplayed the ball. Angels and A’s: Tyler Landendorf knocked a ball to right center, sliding safely into third after…

Dear Baseball, or, what wondrous love is this.

Posted by olabner on February 23, 2015February 23, 2015 in Spring

The spring has started, with flowers, allergies, light. Pitchers and catchers. You come, too. Truly, there is no sight sadder than one baseball glove. No sight more grand than a familiar figure scraping the dirt and flinging a ball back…

Strasburg

Posted by olabner on March 11, 2014January 4, 2015 in Spring

Stephen Strasburg tosses a couple of fastballs near Peter Bourjos. A couple of years ago, Strasburg was potentially so good that he couldn’t play. His innings were limited by Washington after elbow surgery recovery. At one point, perhaps the best…

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