"I wanted to make sure I thanked them, from me and my family," Eckstein said.

The last time one of the team's departed heroes returned, things were not nearly so cordial. La Russa took exception to remarks Jim Edmonds made to Chicago reporters about wanting to move on from the past, so he chose to ignore his former star center fielder and asked fans to follow his lead.

The Cubs have been to St. Louis twice with Edmonds, who's been booed before his at-bats although not with conviction. The manager has yet to meet with Edmonds, who said earlier this month he had given up on trying to clear up the misunderstanding.

When the Cubs visited in July, Edmonds thought La Russa was just getting fired up about the rivalry and joked that if La Russa ignored him "I'm going to punch him in the mouth."

"The only thing Jim did differently was he disassociated himself from us," La Russa said. "He's the only guy that ever did that.

"He's the only guy that said, 'Hey, I'm not a Cardinal, don't even remind me of that."'

Eckstein spurned the Cardinals for a free-agent deal in Toronto, although the one-year, $4.5 million deal was considerably less than he had been seeking.

Eckstein blamed reports that he would settle for a one-year contract on his new deal, and he and the Cardinals have a difference of opinion on offseason negotiations. Eckstein said he never received an offer after expressing a desire to stay with the organization, a statement he reiterated on Monday, and also recounted in a batting cage conversation with La Russa.

The Cardinals have said the infielder's agent was at fault for not communicating with his client.

In the end, Eckstein said moving on was simply a business transaction.

"That had nothing to do with my teammates or my club," Eckstein said. "You show up and play this game for your teammates and the fans and that's what I always take back.

"I'm just truly honored to have the opportunity to put on that uniform and especially to have the opportunity with a great club to win a world championship."

The starting shortstop on two 100-win teams and a World Series winner in three seasons for St. Louis was traded to Arizona for a prospect on Aug. 31.

La Russa said he has already visited with Eckstein, renewing acquaintances earlier this month when the Cardinals played in Arizona.

"I'm sure they'll give him a great ovation and it'll be well deserved, La Russa said. "I'm sure we'll all be clapping for him."

Eckstein, batting eighth for a team 2 1/2 games back in the NL West race in the final week, was hoping that would be the case.

"The fans here were unbelievable," he said. "It's kind of different that you're on the other side, but it should be a nice night.

"I know my response to them will be definitely, 'I'm very happy to see them."'