MajorMike
11-17-2006, 10:03 AM
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Spiezio will return
By Joe Strauss
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
11/17/2006
Scott Spiezio reached the Cardinals last February with a red soul patch, a nonguaranteed contract and a need to remind the sport that his career had not ended in the 2002 World Series.
Thursday, Spiezio reached agreement with the Cardinals on a two-year, $4.5 million contract that returns the free-agent utility player to the team that provided him the opportunity to resurrect a career known for the dramatic. The contract includes a team option for 2009.
Spiezio became the second free-agent member of the Cardinals' World Series championship team to return, following center fielder Jim Edmonds by six days. While Edmonds represented part of the team's core, Spiezio provided indispensable support in a season pocked by attrition among position players.
Released last year by the Seattle Mariners after enduring two injury-filled seasons, Spiezio hit .272 in 276 at-bats with the Cardinals after signing several days into spring training.
A hero for the 2002 Anaheim Angels, Spiezio enhanced his reputation as a clutch performer by hitting .304 with runners in scoring position, including .367 with two outs in such situations. His three-run, game-winning triple Sept. 30 against the Milwaukee Brewers proved the difference in a 3-2 decision that helped the Cardinals hold off the Astros.
Spiezio hit 13 home runs and produced 52 RBIs (35 with two outs) while compiling a .368 on-base percentage and a .496 slugging percentage. The switch-hitter also contributed five RBIs in the Cardinals' seven-game win over the New York Mets in the National League Championship Series.
By seasons's end, a player shunned by his previous organization had become a cult figure in St. Louis, as fans donned red soul patches during the postseason.
"Scott felt the Cardinals had given him a chance to reanimate his career. That was a strong consideration," said Barry Meister, Spiezio's agent. "Scott also believed that Tony (La Russa) knew exactly how to use him. To go with all that, Scott felt extremely good about the way he had been treated by the people of St. Louis. He had a relationship with the fans that meant a lot to him."
Since he was a released player, the Cardinals were obligated to pay Spiezio only the major league minimum salary last season. Thursday's deal suggests the Redbirds see more than a bench role for Spiezio next season. He started 61 games this year, including 28 in left field and 19 at third base. The Cardinals have publicly stated a desire to obtain another hitter either for left field or second base, but as a secondary goal to revamping their starting rotation.
Neither general manager Walt Jocketty nor Spiezio could be reached for comment. Jocketty, who was attending a meeting in Naples, Fla., said through a prepared statement, "You hear the term 'winning player.' Scott showed once again why he has been tabbed with such a label. Scott's leadership, versatility and production in the clutch are such strong qualities, and we are happy to announce that he will remain a Cardinal."
Spiezio ranked second on the club to first baseman Albert Pujols with 15 RBIs during the team's 12-17 September. His triple against the Brewers rescued the Cardinals from a possible makeup game against the San Francisco Giants.
Spiezio, 34, had only four at-bats in the Cardinals' five-game triumph over the Detroit Tigers in the World Series. But he helped get them there with three extra-base hits in his first 13 postseason at-bats.
Scott is the son of former Cardinal Ed Spiezio. The two are the third father-son tandem in Cardinals' history. Both of the Spiezios have won World Championships with the St. Louis Cardinals (Ed in 1967, Scott in 2006).
Prior to being known for his signature goatee, dyed Cardinal red, Spiezio was well-known for his time as a member of the Anaheim Angels, when he hit a 3-run home run in Game Six of the 2002 World Series against the San Francisco Giants, sparking the Angels to a dramatic come-from-behind victory.
Fellow Cardinal and Worlds Series MVP David Eckstein was also a member of the 2002 Angels team. Juan Encarnacion and Braden Looper (both with the 2003 Marlins) were the only other members of the 2006 Cardinals with a prior World Series Ring.
Spiezio will return
By Joe Strauss
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
11/17/2006
Scott Spiezio reached the Cardinals last February with a red soul patch, a nonguaranteed contract and a need to remind the sport that his career had not ended in the 2002 World Series.
Thursday, Spiezio reached agreement with the Cardinals on a two-year, $4.5 million contract that returns the free-agent utility player to the team that provided him the opportunity to resurrect a career known for the dramatic. The contract includes a team option for 2009.
Spiezio became the second free-agent member of the Cardinals' World Series championship team to return, following center fielder Jim Edmonds by six days. While Edmonds represented part of the team's core, Spiezio provided indispensable support in a season pocked by attrition among position players.
Released last year by the Seattle Mariners after enduring two injury-filled seasons, Spiezio hit .272 in 276 at-bats with the Cardinals after signing several days into spring training.
A hero for the 2002 Anaheim Angels, Spiezio enhanced his reputation as a clutch performer by hitting .304 with runners in scoring position, including .367 with two outs in such situations. His three-run, game-winning triple Sept. 30 against the Milwaukee Brewers proved the difference in a 3-2 decision that helped the Cardinals hold off the Astros.
Spiezio hit 13 home runs and produced 52 RBIs (35 with two outs) while compiling a .368 on-base percentage and a .496 slugging percentage. The switch-hitter also contributed five RBIs in the Cardinals' seven-game win over the New York Mets in the National League Championship Series.
By seasons's end, a player shunned by his previous organization had become a cult figure in St. Louis, as fans donned red soul patches during the postseason.
"Scott felt the Cardinals had given him a chance to reanimate his career. That was a strong consideration," said Barry Meister, Spiezio's agent. "Scott also believed that Tony (La Russa) knew exactly how to use him. To go with all that, Scott felt extremely good about the way he had been treated by the people of St. Louis. He had a relationship with the fans that meant a lot to him."
Since he was a released player, the Cardinals were obligated to pay Spiezio only the major league minimum salary last season. Thursday's deal suggests the Redbirds see more than a bench role for Spiezio next season. He started 61 games this year, including 28 in left field and 19 at third base. The Cardinals have publicly stated a desire to obtain another hitter either for left field or second base, but as a secondary goal to revamping their starting rotation.
Neither general manager Walt Jocketty nor Spiezio could be reached for comment. Jocketty, who was attending a meeting in Naples, Fla., said through a prepared statement, "You hear the term 'winning player.' Scott showed once again why he has been tabbed with such a label. Scott's leadership, versatility and production in the clutch are such strong qualities, and we are happy to announce that he will remain a Cardinal."
Spiezio ranked second on the club to first baseman Albert Pujols with 15 RBIs during the team's 12-17 September. His triple against the Brewers rescued the Cardinals from a possible makeup game against the San Francisco Giants.
Spiezio, 34, had only four at-bats in the Cardinals' five-game triumph over the Detroit Tigers in the World Series. But he helped get them there with three extra-base hits in his first 13 postseason at-bats.
Scott is the son of former Cardinal Ed Spiezio. The two are the third father-son tandem in Cardinals' history. Both of the Spiezios have won World Championships with the St. Louis Cardinals (Ed in 1967, Scott in 2006).
Prior to being known for his signature goatee, dyed Cardinal red, Spiezio was well-known for his time as a member of the Anaheim Angels, when he hit a 3-run home run in Game Six of the 2002 World Series against the San Francisco Giants, sparking the Angels to a dramatic come-from-behind victory.
Fellow Cardinal and Worlds Series MVP David Eckstein was also a member of the 2002 Angels team. Juan Encarnacion and Braden Looper (both with the 2003 Marlins) were the only other members of the 2006 Cardinals with a prior World Series Ring.