Luvofthegame
11-16-2006, 10:15 PM
Veteran utilityman earns two-year contract with club option
By Matthew Leach / MLB.com
Scott Spiezio had so much fun, he's coming back for more.
Spiezio, signed by the Cardinals early in Spring Training this past season, re-upped with the club on Thursday, agreeing to a new two-year contract with a club option for 2009. The utilityman won his second World Series ring with the '06 Cardinals and joined his father, Ed Spiezio, as a world champion in a St. Louis uniform.
According to The Associated Press, Spiezio's deal is worth a guaranteed $4.5 million.
It was a remarkable comeback season for Spiezio, who was miserable and ineffective the two previous seasons in Seattle. He was released by the Mariners before the 2005 season ended, but didn't find a home until the start of spring.
Once he joined St. Louis, however, Spiezio found himself smiling more, and hitting more. He batted .272 with a .366 on-base percentage and a .496 slugging percentage, which was the best of his career in any season of more than 29 at-bats.
Spiezio played first base, third base, a little second base and both outfield corners, proving to be an invaluable super-sub while picking up 276 at-bats in 119 games. His three-run triple on the second-to-last day of the season was arguably the biggest hit of the regular season for St. Louis, and he added five RBIs in the National League Championship Series.
"You hear the term 'winning player,'" general manager Walt Jocketty said in a statement issued by the team. "Scott showed once again why he has been tabbed with such a label. Scott's leadership, versatility and production in the clutch are such strong qualities and we're happy to announce that he will remain a Cardinal."
Spiezio became a major fan favorite over the course of his first year in St. Louis, due to his key hits, ebullient personality and not least of all, his distinctive red soul patch. By the World Series, fans all over Busch Stadium were sporting imitations of the facial hair, and chanting his name during games.
By Matthew Leach / MLB.com
Scott Spiezio had so much fun, he's coming back for more.
Spiezio, signed by the Cardinals early in Spring Training this past season, re-upped with the club on Thursday, agreeing to a new two-year contract with a club option for 2009. The utilityman won his second World Series ring with the '06 Cardinals and joined his father, Ed Spiezio, as a world champion in a St. Louis uniform.
According to The Associated Press, Spiezio's deal is worth a guaranteed $4.5 million.
It was a remarkable comeback season for Spiezio, who was miserable and ineffective the two previous seasons in Seattle. He was released by the Mariners before the 2005 season ended, but didn't find a home until the start of spring.
Once he joined St. Louis, however, Spiezio found himself smiling more, and hitting more. He batted .272 with a .366 on-base percentage and a .496 slugging percentage, which was the best of his career in any season of more than 29 at-bats.
Spiezio played first base, third base, a little second base and both outfield corners, proving to be an invaluable super-sub while picking up 276 at-bats in 119 games. His three-run triple on the second-to-last day of the season was arguably the biggest hit of the regular season for St. Louis, and he added five RBIs in the National League Championship Series.
"You hear the term 'winning player,'" general manager Walt Jocketty said in a statement issued by the team. "Scott showed once again why he has been tabbed with such a label. Scott's leadership, versatility and production in the clutch are such strong qualities and we're happy to announce that he will remain a Cardinal."
Spiezio became a major fan favorite over the course of his first year in St. Louis, due to his key hits, ebullient personality and not least of all, his distinctive red soul patch. By the World Series, fans all over Busch Stadium were sporting imitations of the facial hair, and chanting his name during games.