Leading off - Jan. 19

A few beautiful stories from the Cardinals Caravan on Sunday in Peoria

After a quick Public Service Announcement on the value of playing multiple sports as a means to the end of financing a college education by emcee Al Hrabosky, Josh Kinney shares his story of selecting a school.

Josh got enough offers that he had a choice in schools scattered across the country, and ultimately, they were all about equal in his mind.

He chose Quincy University (Quincy, Ill.) based on its proximity to good deer hunting.

Danny Cox, who made the first reference to such outdoors activities, including hunting and fishing in the list of sports he played in high school, seemed to like Kinney’s thinking.

After all this manly-man talk, Chris Perez took his turn to talk about other sports he played in high school.

Among them, volleyball, the indoor variety…

This admission drew snickers from many, outright laughter and mocking from Cox, who tops 6’ 4” and weighs well over 300 pounds.

Cox stood and motioned like he was feathering his hair back over his ears, batting his eyelashes and playing to the crowd. Perez, who now wears shoulder-length surfer dude hair befitting an off-season chilling at the beach, didn’t seem to appreciate the jibes.

Quick hits from the event:

• Nick Stavinoha is completely without personality.
• Hrabosky hates the Cubs and made some intelligent remarks about the Small Bears’ questionable off-season moves subtracting Mark DeRosa while adding Milton Bradley.
• Tom Lawless still rocks that 1987 World Series home run and likely replays it in his head at least once every day of his life.

In case you missed it

It seems that Prince Albert is continuing to play the PR game.

Coming out of the Winter Warm Up, the Associated Press reports No. 5 is feeling fine after October elbow surgery to fix a compressed nerve. The other tidbit worth noting is Pujols’ feelings on his contract.

We can rest assured that he’ll get expensive eventually, but Alberto apparently isn’t itching for an extension just yet. His $100-million-guaranteed deal takes us through 2010 with a 2011 option year.

Here’s hoping it’s not just Pujols playing nice…

Rumor-mongering Monday

After a week that saw Derek Lowe land with the Atlanta Braves and a number of minor deals come together, here’s a recap of the happenings impacting the Cardinals and NL Central rivals.

• Todd Wellemeyer and Chris Duncan have reportedly agreed to terms on one-year deals to avoid arbitration. Todd’s deal is for $4.05 million and Dunc’s is for less than $1 million.
• With Michael Young now apparently intimidated into playing third base in 2009 by Nolan Ryan, the Rangers are looking to deal Hank Blalock.
• Nick Swisher and Xavier Nady are as expected being made available by the restocked Yankees, and the Pirates and Reds have expressed interest.
• Pirates and Pedro Martinez have also been mentioned together.

That’s it for today. Been away for a while, but it’s good to be back after the long weekend.

Enjoy the inauguration tomorrow…

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