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SPORTS
THE UNIVERSITY JOURY KANSAN
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2007
Cardinals player has busy offseason
》 MLB
ASSOCIATED PRESS
JUPITER, Fla. — After helping the St. Louis Cardinals win their first World Series in 24 years, it could be argued that Albert Puiols had just as big of an offseason.
Last week, Punols became a U.S. citizen when he aced a test that required months of preparation. He skipped another potential highlight, a trip to the White House, to embark on a humanitarian mission to his native Dominican Republic.
"It was pretty busy," Pujols said. Wednesday. "Obviously, those are dreams come true."
During that whirlwind, the NJ MVP runner up was getting ready for spring training. He arrived at Roger Dean Stadium with his young son, A.J., in tow five days ahead of the five date for the full squad.
Pujols actually has been in town
since Friday, and had been working out at a high school with his personal trainer for several days. He was among about 20 Cardinals hitting the field on an informal basis on Wednesday in an early start to their title defense.
No NI team has repeated as the pennant winner since 1996 and there have been seven different World Series winners this decade. The Cardinals won only 83 games, fewest ever by a World Series winner, and nearly collapsed in the closing weeks.
"We probably didn't have the best year with our record, but who cares?" Puilols said. "But that's over, all of that in the past. Now I'm here in camp and celebration is over."
It was an extended one, though, capped a week ago by a citizenship swearing in ceremony at the Eagleton Courthouse in St. Louis.
About two relatives and friends were in attendance.
"Obviously, I probably will never work for the government, but the U.S. opened the door for my family." Puiols said. "It was awesome. It was a lot of hard work, but I came through."
Puilots, 27, had a practical reason for taking the test now. His resident alien card was about to expire.
"Every question was tough," Puibu said. "If they weren't tough, I wouldn't be starting on them for almost a year. It was crazy."
Last month's mission to the Dominican Republic was a similar accomplishment, a year in the planning. Accompanied by six doctors, he spent five days helping impoverished children, also organizing some games.
"Obviously it's a pretty neat thing going to the White House but I'm
glad I didn't miss my trip." Puols said. "We went down there to work and that's what we did.
"We saw some bad things but it was a great experience. It was awesome."
After connecting with his homeland, Pujols is eager to make a return trip.
"I want to go back so bad that if I could do it every month, I'd do it. When you close your eyes and think about it, you want to cry about it."
The off field activities haven't prevented Puiols from reporting in top shape, with none of the toot, back and hamstring issues that have dogged him in recent year. He noted, however, that there hasn't been much baseball related activity yet.
"I feel too strong right now, but it's better to be ready," Pujols said. "We'll see if i can hold on hopefully, for the whole year."
St. Louis Cardinal Albert Pujols became a U.S. citizen last week before traveling to his native Dominican Republic,公立春季培训开始 Wednesday。
Elise Amendola/ASSOCIATED PRESS
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>> MLB
Royals spring camp will feature new faces Manager Buddy Bell looks to improve struggling franchise this year
ASSOCIATED PRESS
SURPRISE, Ariz. — The arrival of a $55 million free agent pitcher and a hard hitting third base prospect should make this Kansas City's most interesting spring in many seasons.
A ratt of other new faces pouring into a talent-starved program that's lost 100 games four of the past five years also should make it one of the most competitive.
Not many jobs will be entirely safe when pitchers and catchers report this weekend for Dayton Moore's first spring training as general manager. And that's exactly the way he wants it.
"Competition is the No. I criteria all successful organizations have," said Moore. "Players know they've got to perform every day and be prepared to perform every day. We're excited about the competition and depth going into spring training."
Taking center stage will be Gil Meche, a right-hander with a career record of 55-44, a lifetime ERA of 4.65 and a shocking (at least for Kansas City) five-year $55 million free agent contract.
If anyone but Moche emerges as the No. 1 starter this spring, it'll
That makes him the highest-paid Royal ever, besides first baseman and designated hitter Mike Sweeney, who'll be on the final year of his own $55 million deal.
either mean owner David Glass' first venture into high-stakes free agent poker was a bust, or some young prospect came roaring out of nowhere.
"The commitment the organization made in me, that's going to come with a lot of responsibility," Meche, 28, said when he signed in December.
Third base man Alex Gordon will also be under scrutiny. Hitting for both power and average, Gordon was named minor league player of the year in 2006 and is expected to force Mark
"We don't want to put limitations on our players, but we don't want to put unrealistic expectations on them either," said Moore. "Guys who are special players sometimes move up quicker than you expect. As for Luke Hochevar, we have made an advanced decision to start him in Double-A. Gordon will be given an
"Players know they've got to perform every day and be prepared to perform every day."
Teaken into what could become a crowded outfield.
One difference in Moore and his predecessors, however, is a reluctance to rush young players to the majors. Outfielder Billy Butler, another gem in the minor league system, will also be in camp, but nothing short of a spectacular month in Arizona will keep him from opening the season at Triple: A Omaha.
Right hander Luke Hochevar, the overall No. 1 pick last year, will also be in camp but fans should not look for him on the opening day roster in Kansas City, either.
DAYTON MOORE General Manager
opportunity to force our hand out of spring training."
If Gordon establishes himself and Sweeney can shake the injury bug that's plagued him the past three seasons, the lineup could be appre-
ciably more productive.
Buddy Bell, back for his second full season, underwent surgery to remove a cancerous growth in his throat at the end of last season and has pronounced himself fit and ready to go.
"We're not going to know the true test of this team until they go through some hardships and some trials over the summer," Moore said. "But I do know this — the people we've brought into our organization expect us to win a World Series at some point in time."
in brief
Wildcats coach resigns one month after taking job
MANHATTAN — Kansas State's new defensive backs coach has resigned to take a coaching position at Miami, only a month after agreeing to coach the Wildcats, coach Ron Prince announced Wednesday
Wesley McGriff was the recruiting coordinator and cornerbacks coach for Baylor for the past four seasons, before accepting the Kansas State job Jan. 10.
Prince said that he was disappointed that McGriff took the job with Miami, but "the made an impact in the short time he was here and we wish him the best."
Prince said in a press release he expected to name another replacement for defensive backs coach Raheem Morris, who left Kansas State after one season to return to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' coaching staff.
Associated Press
jail for driving under the influence of alcohol.
The sentence came Wednesday after the defensive end pleaded no contest in Leawood Municipal Court. The judge then found him guilty of the charge.
Chiefs player sentenced to jail for second DUI charge
Allen's two-day stint will be at the Johnson County Jail. He also must spend two days in a lockdown treatment program and one day on house arrest.
The case stemmed from a September stop in Leawood. It was Allen's second DUI charge.
LEAWOOD — Kansas City Chief Jared Allen will serve two days in
Associated Press
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