GatewayRedbirds.com

Welcome to St. Louis!

It's been a tough year since winning the World Series last year with the Cardinals. In your short time here do you see any reason this team can turn it around? How are you fitting in with the other guys?

Also, what hitters and pitchers around baseball do you like watching and/or competing against?

Thanks for taking the time and nice first start. Hope to see many more starts like that from ya!

Thanks for taking the time to answer these questions, Mike.

It's been well-documented that the Cardinals organization adopts a "pitch-to-contact" philosophy with its pitchers. What do you think is most essential in order for this philosophy to work?

Describe the relationship between a pitcher, the pitching coach, and the manager.

_________________

Hey Mike!

Thanks for the time to take our questions!

What do you think are your biggest strengths?

How would you compare your approach to AL hitters as opposed to NL style?

_________________

Thanks for taking our questions, Mike! Welcome to Cardinal Nation!

1) What is it like working with Iván Rodríguez?
2) What is your proudest baseball moment?
3) Since you don't have a DH are you excited about swinging the bat at the MLB level? Have you been practicing?
4) Any funny locker stories you'd like to share?

Thanks again!

_________________
User Registration Is Open

Congrats on a great first game as a Cardinal, Mike! Thanks for taking the time to answer a few of our questions.

You broke into the league during some pretty lean years for the Tigers organization...what sort of personal experience was it for you to be a part of that franchise's five year turnaround from 55 wins to 95 wins and representing the AL in the World Series?

Was there any initial awkwardness when you learned that you would be playing for the team that put a damper on the dream season for the Tigers last year? How have some of your new teammates/fans helped to make you feel welcome?

Finally, what are you looking forward to experiencing the most in your time with the St. Louis Cardinals?

Thanks again!

_________________
"Baseball fans are junkies, and their heroin is the statistic." -- Robert S. Wieder

Mike, welcome to the Cardinals and thanks for taking our questions.

1. What is your favorite baseball card from your collection?

2. Which roller coaster ride is your favorite?

3. My Dad just moved to your hometown area, which pizza place does he have to try?
======

Speaking of pizza places, whoever is interviewing Mike needs to give him a list of the places to go in St. Louis.

_________________

Fulldeck Photos - Cardinals Photos and Wallpapers Website - 8 new wallpapers posted

i would like to expand on this question, mike. is the switching of leagues going to change your approach? are you going to think about situations differently, or is it really just a matter of pitching well?

whos the best pitcher you've seen/played with? best hitter?

thanks for answering and great first start.

_________________
I find tinsel distracting.

Mike, Welcome to St. Louis! We are delighted to have you with the team. Your start on Monday was great, sorry our offense couldn't get a win for you.

I am curious if you have an opinion on the DH. With all the colleges and even some HS now using them, do you think it is a good idea for players to be brought through their HS and college years as a DH? Does it hurt their chances of being drafted without a position to play?

_________________
Baseball is like church--many attend, few understand!

"once you get used to it, you get used to it."--TFG

Thanks so much for responding...

Seeing that you grew up and went to college in Florida, who did you root for growing up? Were you a Marlins or Tampa Bay fan, or was there another team?

You spent a big chunk of time in the Tigers organization...is there something about Detroit or that organization in particular that you are really going to miss?

Mike-

Having grown up in Florida, I would imagine that you got the chance to play against some pretty impressive prep prospects. Who were some of the best players that you played against in high school?

_________________
There's a lot to be said for making people laugh. Did you know that that's all some people have? It isn't much, but it's better than nothing in this cockeyed caravan.
-John L. Sullivan, Sullivan's Travels (1941)