Just 85 days until Opening Day!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

That can't be right, can it?

The Springfield Cardinals will be back at Hammons Field before we know it and I'm starting to get a little excited about the make-up of this team. Hopefully in the next week or so I'll get the gumption to post Baseball America's thoughts on some prospects that could find their way to the Queen City of the Ozark this coming season.

In the meantime the 'Birds announced their 2006 coaching staff. The Hammer, Chris Maloney is back as skipper after guiding the club through a 70-70 inaugural campaign. This will be his 11th overall season in the organization. He's 705-608 (.537) in those 11 seasons. Blaise Ilsley is back as pitching coach and Brad LaRosa returns as the athletic trainer.

The new hitting coach is Joe Cunningham, the manager at Quad Cities last season. Cunningham's been a manager in 11 of his 17 seasons in the Cardinals' system. The Swing was 72-67 and went to the play-offs last season. His overall managerial record is 726-788. He was last a hitting coach in 1995, at Triple-A Louisville.

Cunningham replaces Dallas Williams, who moves to Ottawa (Triple-A) in the same capacity.

There will be just one change in the St. Louis farm system this season, with State College (Pa.) replacing the New Jersey Cardinals as the Low-A affiliate. The State College Spikes will share new 6,000-seat Medlar Field at Lubrano Park with Penn State University and play in the New York-Penn League.

Curve Baseball LP - owner's of the Altoona Curve - purchased the New Jersey franchise and moved it to State College in the offseason.


--Kess
Listening to: Emiliana Torrini - "Lifesaver"