Post by #1 Jays Fan on Feb 24, 2008 20:17:43 GMT -5
JUPITER, Fla. -- Troy Glaus is still learning after 10 seasons in the big leagues.
That's why the new St. Louis Cardinals third baseman is happy to be in a hitting group with Albert Pujols and Juan Gonzalez at spring training.
"I'm always trying to work every day to get better, and that's why I'm looking forward to watching Albert and watching Juan," Glaus said Friday. "I could learn something from these guys. These guys have been unbelievably productive for a long time."
St. Louis acquired Glaus from the Toronto Blue Jays in January for disgruntled slugger Scott Rolen. The swap of third basemen came after a long feud between Rolen and manager Tony La Russa that began when Rolen was benched during the 2006 playoffs.
"I said at the time, I meant it then, and I mean it now -- I was actually disappointed (in the trade) in one regard because there was no doubt in my mind that once Scott Rolen came to camp that knowing him, he would be a part of the team," La Russa said. "He might be upset at me, but he would handle it and he would be a teammate."
Glaus, 31, was hampered by a bad left foot last season while hitting 20 homers in 115 games. Playing on grass in St. Louis rather than artificial turf in Toronto could be beneficial for Glaus, who hit a combined 75 homers in 2005-'06 and has a pair of 40-homer seasons.
Glaus underwent season-ending surgery in September for a ruptured plantar fascia but La Russa said he looks good.
"I think he's in great shape, and he's excited to be here," the manager said.
Last year, SI.com reported Glaus received steroids from Signature Pharmacy between September 2003 and May 2004. On Dec. 6, Major League Baseball said it found insufficient evidence to discipline him.
.This will be Glaus' second season with a NL team. He had 37 homers and 97 RBIs with a .258 average for the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2005.
That year he batted .650 (13-for-20) against the Cardinals a homer and four RBIs, while going 7-for-9 -- all singles -- in old Busch Stadium.
"I like having fun," Glaus said. "Between 7 and 10:30 p.m., I'll be serious, but other than that, I like to have fun."
Glaus actually owns a horse older than he is. His wife, Ann, is an equestrian who keeps horses at their home in Ocala, Fla. But Glaus' 35-year-old horse is kept at the couple's other home in New Jersey.
"He's really old and he doesn't really want to be ridden," Glaus said. "I ride him once a year, and he just stays out in the pasture the rest of the year."
That's why the new St. Louis Cardinals third baseman is happy to be in a hitting group with Albert Pujols and Juan Gonzalez at spring training.
"I'm always trying to work every day to get better, and that's why I'm looking forward to watching Albert and watching Juan," Glaus said Friday. "I could learn something from these guys. These guys have been unbelievably productive for a long time."
St. Louis acquired Glaus from the Toronto Blue Jays in January for disgruntled slugger Scott Rolen. The swap of third basemen came after a long feud between Rolen and manager Tony La Russa that began when Rolen was benched during the 2006 playoffs.
"I said at the time, I meant it then, and I mean it now -- I was actually disappointed (in the trade) in one regard because there was no doubt in my mind that once Scott Rolen came to camp that knowing him, he would be a part of the team," La Russa said. "He might be upset at me, but he would handle it and he would be a teammate."
Glaus, 31, was hampered by a bad left foot last season while hitting 20 homers in 115 games. Playing on grass in St. Louis rather than artificial turf in Toronto could be beneficial for Glaus, who hit a combined 75 homers in 2005-'06 and has a pair of 40-homer seasons.
Glaus underwent season-ending surgery in September for a ruptured plantar fascia but La Russa said he looks good.
"I think he's in great shape, and he's excited to be here," the manager said.
Last year, SI.com reported Glaus received steroids from Signature Pharmacy between September 2003 and May 2004. On Dec. 6, Major League Baseball said it found insufficient evidence to discipline him.
.This will be Glaus' second season with a NL team. He had 37 homers and 97 RBIs with a .258 average for the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2005.
That year he batted .650 (13-for-20) against the Cardinals a homer and four RBIs, while going 7-for-9 -- all singles -- in old Busch Stadium.
"I like having fun," Glaus said. "Between 7 and 10:30 p.m., I'll be serious, but other than that, I like to have fun."
Glaus actually owns a horse older than he is. His wife, Ann, is an equestrian who keeps horses at their home in Ocala, Fla. But Glaus' 35-year-old horse is kept at the couple's other home in New Jersey.
"He's really old and he doesn't really want to be ridden," Glaus said. "I ride him once a year, and he just stays out in the pasture the rest of the year."
