Spring Training is right around the corner and I have no doubt that it's going to be an interesting one. First of all there will be some new faces down in Jupiter like Jim Edmonds and Ozzie Smith. Those two additions alone will be a great support system for the Cardinal Manager Mike Matheny and for the youngsters in Spring Training. Of course we will see Bob Gibson and Lou Brock who are always great for morale. Along with the new Manager we are going to see new coaches and some new roster faces, which always adds to the excitement.

I'm going to enjoy watching the great instructors and teachers that will be working with Matheny and his players. Former teammate John Mabry will serve as the assistant hitting coach. Big congratulations to John Mabry, who I feel will do a tremendous job with Mark McGwire. This is a fantastic pick up for the coaching staff along with Michael Aldrete who is the new bench coach. I'm going to have a blast watching the interaction between all the coaches and the support system that they will provide to Mike Matheny.

How is the roster coming along you ask? Look for the Cardinals and John Mozeliak to be tweaking the roster before Spring Training starts. That tweaking will continue right through Spring Training until we open up with the Marlins on April 5th. That is a very unusual opening day because it is only a one game series between the Cardinals and the Marlins which is also the inaugural day at the Florida's new Stadium, the Marlins Ballpark. We then head north to Milwaukee and then down to Cincinnati. Mark your calendar for April 13th which will be one of the most memorable Opening Day's in Cardinal history as we open up against the Chicago Cubs. On top of all the excitement that surrounds Opening Day, did I mention that the Cardinals will receive their 2011 World Series rings on April 13th? What a day that is going to be!

The Mike Matheny party at the restaurant was a huge success. Former teammates, colleagues, and current teammates traveled far to support the new Cardinals Manager. I enjoyed seeing David Freese, Whitey Herzog, Matt Holliday, Ozzie Smith, Red Schoendienst, Jon Jay, Jason Motte, Daniel Descalso, John Mabry, Jason Isringhausen, and John Mozeliak. We all had a blast and enjoyed seeing and talking about the future of Cardinal baseball. Our Executive Chef Nick Zotos did a dynamite job of preparing wonderful food for this party. Hard to believe I will be writing you from Florida next month which only means Spring Training is right around the corner. Don't forget to call the restaurant and make your reservations for Valentines Day.

And then I hope to see many of you down in Jupiter. I enjoy that there is a more leisurely pace during the beginning of Spring Training, but with a seriousness of purpose as excitement builds toward final roster decisions, the Cardinals' opening day of 2012 baseball against the Marlins on April 5th and then the Home Opener at Busch on April 13th!

2/7/2012-2/8/2012
Michael Jackson the World Immortal Tour
Scottrade Center

2/8/2012
Elvis Lives
Peabody Opera House

2/14/2012
Valentine's Day

2/14/2012-2/26/2012
West Side Story
Fox Theatre 2/18/2012-2/19/2012
Shen Yun
Peabody Opera House

2/23/2012-2/26/2012
35th Annual Builders Home and Garden Show
America's Center and Edward Jones Dome

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