Well it is great to be back in the United States after spending the last 6 weeks in the Dominican Republic and Australia. On top of all the great golf and scouting out the land for future hunts I enjoyed fishing at Port Vila Bay in the beautiful land down under. When not sightseeing, I was truly amazed at how great the newspapers are in Australia; everyday was filled with very good reads and editorials. Australia pays very close attention to their sporting events, the AFL, Rugby, Baseball, Soccer, Cricket - the list goes on and on. I also enjoyed eating lunch and talking baseball with members of the Australian Baseball League which is Australia's professional baseball league comparable to the MLB in the United States.

 

The 2011 St. Louis Cardinals season is molding together rather quickly. The number one strength for the Cardinals right now is the potential for the first five hitters. This is equally a major threat to opponents. Tony LaRussa has several options with the lineup this year, something he has been craving for quite some time. If the following five players stay healthy, I see them as a dynamite line up and a pitcher's nightmare - Ryan Theriot would be the leadoff hitter followed by Colby Rasmus, Albert Pujols, Matt Holliday, and Lance Berkman. Wow- that's what I call some major on-base-percentage potential! 

 

Let's take a look at the outfield; I really like the fact that Colby Rasmus will have the advantage of playing with everyday players, Berkman and Holliday. This should provide him with some consistency which can be huge. It looks like Skip Schumaker will be at 2^nd base again this year, but be on the look-out for a backup middle infielder. I think it was a great move re-signing Jake Westbrook, and I also am happy to see the Cardinals signed an experienced American League catcher, Gerald Laird, to ease the pressure off of Yadier Molina. The 3^rd base position has the big question mark by it depending on what happens to David Freese. The 3^rd base position and backup middle infield position will probably remain up for bid until the closing days of Spring Training.

 

All and all I am very excited about all the additions and like what I am seeing from the Cardinals' General Manager, John Mozeliak. I also wanted to commend the Dewitt family for signing powerful players while being wise with their spending, such as the Berkman deal. All of this is shaping up for an interesting and powerful Cardinals team. 

 

I am really looking forward to the Panama Canal Cruise which is approaching on February 8^th. This 15-day excursion through Destination Travel departs in Los Angeles and ends in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida - leading right into spring training. Tickets remain available - go to www.1destinationtravel.com for more details. And I look forward to seeing you at the restaurant over the winter. Don't forget to make your reservations for winter warm up. It's just around the corner on January 15^th - January 17^th. Also, we open up again on Monday night January 10^th, make sure you come down and see our new renovations. Right now I'm enjoying the beautiful land of Kentucky with my good friends Spike Stacey and Rickey Walden, where we are enjoying some of the best duck hunting in the area. They're practically falling out of the sky. So long from beautiful Ballard County, Kentucky.