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Cardinals news and notes: Rosenthal, Reyes, and memories of the Shredder

Nick Punto retired yesterday and other happenings at VEB

Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Nick Punto, infielder and shredder of jerseys, retired yesterday after a 14-year career, including one memorable season with the Cardinals in 2011.

Memorable not necessarily for how he played, he only saw 166 plate appearances that year (although he hit a solid .278/.388/.421), but because he was a constant presence during the Cardinals' playoff chase and subsequent and improbable World Series victory.  Game 5 of the NLDS versus the Phillies is one of the all-time greatest games of any our lifetimes, and Chris Carpenter, naturally, is the first person that comes to mind when I think about that game.  I'm not sure if Punto is the second but he's close because he fielded the groundout from Ryan Howard that ended the game (and Howard's Achilles), and then shredded Carpenter's jersey in the middle of the celebratory mob.  I'm smiling just thinking about it.

Congrats, Nick, and enjoy retirement.

Here's what you missed yesterday at VEB:

Trevor Rosenthal

  • The 2016 VEB projections continued yesterday with Trevor Rosenthal.  Be sure to have your voice heard.  Also, you can vote for how you like your potatoes fried.  In the interest of transparency, I voted for waffle fries.
  • Joe Schwarz noted that the Cardinals might have the type of bullpen which, if used correctly, is built to preserve Rosenthal over the course of the season.  As Joe highlights, Rosie throws hard and is one of the best closers in baseball, let's get him some rest when we can.

Alex Reyes (and Carlos Martinez)

  • A surprise to no one, Alex Reyes tops the Red Baron's list of Cardinals' prospects.  From the piece:
And yet, it remains undeniable that Reyes has the potential to dominate. Not just survive, not just succeed, not just thrive, but dominate. The fact he has reached Double A at such a young age, with that gulf of development still ahead of him, is a testament to that potential.

Kevin Maitan and the handshake agreement

A good tweet

Red is a treasure.  Have a great weekend, everyone.