--For the eighth year in a row -- he has played only eight seasons -- 1B Albert Pujols was selected the St. Louis Baseball Man of the Year by the local baseball writers. Pujols also received the 2008 National League Most Valuable Player award.
--Manager Tony La Russa, talking about OF Chris Duncan, whose 2008 season was ended in July by a herniated disk in his neck that required surgery: "If he's healthy, this a legitimate, rise-to-the-occasion, impact bat with A-plus competitiveness and toughness." --OFs Chris Duncan, Rick Ankiel and Ryan Ludwick and RHPs Todd Wellemeyer and Brad Thompson all filed for salary arbitration. Ankiel and Wellemeyer are five-year players and can be free agents at the end of next season.
--RHP Kyle McClellan, who had 30 "holds" last year, will be conditioned this offseason to be a starter, although he may remain in the bullpen if the club adds a starter.
--RHP Chris Carpenter, winless the last two seasons as he's battled various arm problems, has begun playing catch and plans to begin throwing off a mound on Feb. 1.
BY THE NUMBERS: 42,382 -- Average attendance for the Cardinals last year. That ranked behind only the New York Yankees, New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "This year, we have a strong core of players, we've added where we had needs, and there are still things we'd like to do. I feel we have the right players. ... I think it's also clear what our direction is." -- GM John Mozeliak, on the present and immediate future of the club.
