Lohse
The players showed up in absolutely rapid succession today, and since it is a shortened day with long chunks for them to sign autographs, we didn’t get as much time with everyone as we did the last two days. We got some, though, so that was worth it. Let’s just get right into it.
Kyle Lohse
On last season:
“I’m proud of what I was able to do. … Obviously you want to be better than last year.”
On the rotation:
“I think we should be really good. Any time you can add someone like Waino back, it’s a huge pickup. The sad part is not being able to have Dunc with us.”
On being on the trading block:
“If they’re talking about you, it means somebody wants you. I’m still here so obviously St Louis wants me. Obviously I’m happy here. It would take a lot to get me away from a World Series contending team.”
On Carlos Beltran:
“Have you seen his numbers on me? I think he’s the best player. It’s going to lower my ERA at least half a point.”
Here’s hoping, Mr. Lohse!
Beltran
Speaking of Beltran, he was surrounded by cameras and microphones when in the media room. There were a lot of questions about how comfortable he felt in the outfield, how he felt coming to the Cardinals, things like that. Berkman yesterday told us that he thought Beltran “ran pretty.”
Yeah, he really does.
On moving forward:
“It’s a new beginning. What happened in the past is the past, and you have to move on. … I’m going to come to the ballpark every day ready to play and play wherever they need me.”
On recovering from his injury:
“It gives me a sense of where I am and how much baseball I have left.”
On hitting:
“I like to be in situations where I can drive in runs. … Pujols is a hole maybe no one can fill, but with me, Berkman, Holliday, it’s some guys who can produce.”
On coming to the Cardinals:
“I decided to come here because it felt like a good fit for me.”
The media quipped with him, asking if he’d be willing to play first. His response:
“Yeah, I don’t know, man. I mean, I can stand there.”
When told how Berkman saw his running, Beltran told us that Berkman ran “like a puma.”
It’s a bit of an adjustment to see Beltran as a friend not foe. But maybe Lohse is right, maybe the ERAs for our pitchers will drop and he’ll make every other pitcher in the league pay.
The guys are excited to see Beltran, and somehow, I am too. I blame Berkman. Hated rival turned beloved teammate. That’s a story I could get used to.
