Everybody mark you calendars. February 13th is day one of the Skip Schumaker outfield to second base transformation. Hopefully with today being Friday the 13th this project this project won't be doomed.
Skip took his first ground balls of the spring early this morning. Ironically, the Cardinals new 'Secret Weapon' is being taught by none other than Oquendo himself. It's always hard for the sequel to match the original, but that Schumaker can aim for.
After the morning workouts and the media's first look at Skip 2.0, La Russa seemed optimistic. This experiment could end up making Tony look like a genius. Here's what he had to say at the end of day one.
“The initial impression is let’s keep working Skip out. Skip’s got a cannon. He’s tough. He’s quick. I think he’ll leave here in seven weeks as an average second baseman, at least.”Well, an 'average second baseman' sounds like a huge victory for me. Especially considering that's all the Cards were going to be expecting from Mr. Kennedy.
Who would have guessed after our final game of 2008 that 3/4ths of our opening day infield would possibly be David Freese, Khalil Greene and Skip Schumaker?
The Post-Dispatch's photographer Chris Lee snapped some shots of Skip's first day. For those of you in denial who still don't believe this could happen, here's the first visual evidence. And on a side note - check out Oquendo's totally phat 80's woman's tights. Great - first NBA guys were trying to pull this off [see:Kobe], now baseball guys too...c'mon Oquendo, you're better than that.
"You're gonna be great on my team next year, Skip." . . . . .
"OK, Skip. Hold your glove down like so. Adam struggled with this.". . . . .
Lookin' good. Adam who?VEB also had an interesting article as they inaugurated the First All-Schumaker Team. This was a Cardinals team where every player fielded a different position. I particularly enjoyed the part about Pujols playing third base:
3B Albert Pujols: I've even worked this out with his ragged arm; he's just got to throw it to Motte, who has to act like he's about to throw it right at the base runner. When the base runner dives out of the baseline, the umpire will call him out.Check out the article at the link above. I highly recommend it.
That's all from me today. Have a great weekend!
I hope Oquendo doesn't spend too much time out there working with Skip. I could see Mo thinking...hmmm, Oquendo would probably take minimum. Sorry Skip, just traded you to Pittsburgh for a 10 round draft choice.
ReplyDeleteI could see that. I could also see Mo signing a ceremonial first pitch thrower.
ReplyDelete