+St. Louis Cardinals Thumbnail Sketches+
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By Anthony Mormile 
SportsTicker Baseball Editor 

JERSEY CITY, New Jersey (Ticker) -- The following are thumbnail
sketches of some of the key contributors for the St. Louis
Cardinals and their career League Championship Series stats: 

C - #26 Eli Marrero, R/R, 26 -- Has struggled since returning
from torn left thumb ligament; Was expected to be the Cards
starter when they broke camp in late March but has never fully
lived up to his potential; Now an important part of the team
with starter Mike Matheny done for the season. 

In the Division Series: DNP 

League Championship Series Numbers: DNP 

C - #8 Carlos Hernandez, R/R, 33 -- Acquired at the trade
deadline in an attempt to bolster a perceived weakness.  But
Matheny took over and never gave the job back; Has been bothered
by a bad back, which has limited his ability to impress manager
Tony La Russa; a pretty good hitter in the clutch. 

In the Division Series: Stepped in nicely for injured starter
Mike Matheny and had three hits in 11 at-bats, including a home
run. 

League Championship Series Numbers: 
Years: 1998
Batting Average: .333
At-Bats: 18
Home Runs: 0
RBI: 0

1B - #25 Mark McGwire, R/R, 36 -- Has been limited to one at-bat
appearances due to patella tendinitis in his right knee; Has
enjoyed a very productive season, even by his lofty standards,
when he has been healthy; Is making his first postseason
appearance since 1992, when he was with Oakland; Did take ground
balls earlier in the week but with Will Clark's production there
has been no rush to force a premature return. 

In the Division Series: Batted just twice but his last at-bat
was a memorable one, a bomb over the center field wall.  His
presence on the bench definitely affected strategy. 

League Championship Series Numbers: 
Years: 1988-1990, 1992  
Batting Average: .258
At-Bats: 66
Home Runs: 3
RBI: 11

1B - #22 Will Clark, L/L, 36 -- The other half of the McGwire
equation.  With McGwire unable to go, Clark has stepped in and
given the Cardinals a steady bat and quality glove since being
acquired at the trade deadline.  Could be the perfect answer for
righthanded closer Armando Benitez. 

In the Division Series: Continued to haunt the Braves, hitting 
a big home run in Game Two.  That homer came off Tom Glavine and
prevented Atlanta from generating any momentum. 

League Championship Series Numbers: 
Years: 1987, 1989  
Batting Average: .489
At-Bats: 45
Home Runs: 3
RBI: 11

2B - #4 Fernando Vina, L/R, 31 -- Missed nearly half of
September with a rib injury and it is amazing that he doesn't
get hurt more considering his hit by pitch total (28); Had a big
August that included a career-high 17-game hitting streak; a
much bigger threat at the top of the lineup when a righthander
is on the mound; former Met farmhand hit .270 against New York
in the regular season and should run more in the NLCS. 

In the Division Series: Had a solid series with four hits in 13
at-bats, including a homer leading off Game Three.  Scored three
runs and drove in three runs from the leadoff spot. 

League Championship Series Numbers: DNP

SS - #3 Edgar Renteria, R/R, 25 -- Does a little a bit of
everything and does it without a lot of fanfare; leads team in
stolen bases and has swiped at least 20 in each of the last four
seasons; has postseason experience with Florida; Set a Cardinals
record for home runs by a shortstop; Replaced an injured McGwire
on the All-Star team; Struggled against New York this season with 
seven hits in 31 at-bats. 

In the Division Series: Had just two singles in the series but 
drew a pair of walks and scored five runs.

League Championship Series Numbers: 
Years: 1997  
Batting Average: .227
At-Bats: 22
Home Runs: 0
RBI: 0

3B - #23 Fernando Tatis, R/R, 25 -- Had a potentially awesome
season derailed by a groin injury that cost him 54 games in May
and June; Has really struggled in September and all season
against righhanders; One of many Cardinals who falter in the
clutch but a streaky hitter that could dominate a short series
with his power; May get some time against the Mets' lefthanders. 

In the Division Series: DNP

League Championship Series Numbers: DNP

IF - #27 Placido Polanco, R/R, 24 -- Another player who has made
a late charge for playing time; a very, very underrated player
who hits extremely well in the clutch; versatile defensively, he
has surprising pop for a little guy (5-10, 168 pounds); Has
taken over the third base job from Tatis; Hit New York very well
(.375) with six hits, including a homer, and five RBI. 

In the Division Series: Was 3-for-10 with three RBI and
justified St. Louis manager Tony La Russa's faith with a big hit
early on. 

League Championship Series Numbers: DNP

OF - #24 Eric Davis, R/R, 38 -- Absolutely murder against
lefthanders, Davis provides La Russa a measure of flexibility
and postseason experience; Has endured a bit of a power drought
over the second half of the season but has been rested enough
over the last month that he should be able to contribute however
he is used; Figures to see time against New York lefthanders but 
was just 3-for-18 against the Mets this season.

In the Division Series: Was 0-for-4 with two strikeouts.

League Championship Series Numbers: 
Years: 1990, 1997  
Batting Average: .167
At-Bats: 36
Home Runs: 1
RBI: 3

OF - #7 J.D. Drew, L/R, 24 -- Has forced his way into an everday
spot with his strong play the second half of the season; is
likely on a short leash against lefthanders, against whom he has
no power; Enjoyed a big series against the New York Mets in
early September. 

In the Division Series: Had just a single in six at-bats but 
walked twice.  Did not play in Game Two, which was started by
Glavine.

League Championship Series Numbers: DNP

OF - #15 Jim Edmonds, L/L, 30 -- Possibly the biggest impact
player of 2000; the only Cardinals' outfielder ever to hit 40
homers in a season; Numbers could have been even better if
McGwire was healthy in the second half; Home run (42), runs
scored (129) and RBI (108) totals are career highs; an early
Most Valuable Player candidate, he will get some consideration
for the award; An All-Star Game starter, Edmonds is among the
best defensive players in the game; Edmonds had a big final
series with New York and will likely be remembered for his
antics after a pair of game-winning home runs.  Did hit four
homers in 36 at-bats against the Mets. 

In the Division Series: Tore up the Braves, hitting .571 with
four doubles, two homers and seven RBI.  Set an early tone and
kept it going throughout.  Also made a couple of nice defensive
plays. 

League Championship Series Numbers: DNP  

OF - #16 Ray Lankford, L/L, 33 -- One of the few disappointments
for St. Louis in its dream season; Can't touch a lefty, which
could open up some playing time for Davis or Shawon Dunston;
recorded his sixth 20-homer season and hit career homer No. 200
on August 24 against Atlanta; has been terrible in the clutch
but has been putting in extra time with hitting coach Mike
Easler in an attempt to turn it around; Hit for power against
the Mets in the regular season, with a double, homer and seven 
RBI in 19 at-bats.

In the Division Series: Saw action in all three games and 
despite having just two hits in 10 at-bats, managed three
RBI.  His two-run double in Game Two turned the contest into
a rout.

League Championship Series Numbers: 
Years: 1996  
Batting Average: .000
At-Bats: 13
Home Runs: 0
RBI: 1

UT - #12 Shawon Dunston, R/R, 37 -- One of the most valuable
bench players in the game; A leader who showed his postseason
toughness last season with the Mets; Effective against righties
and lefties, he has hit much better with men on base this
season; recorded career hit No. 1,500 on August 19; Was just
1-for-11 against new York this season. 

In the Division Series: Batted just once and delivered a single.

League Championship Series Numbers: 
Years: 1989, 1999  
Batting Average: .269
At-Bats: 26
Home Runs: 0
RBI: 0

UT - #21 Craig Paquette, R/R, 31 -- Maybe the Cardinals should
have realized this was their year when he stepped in for McGwire
on Opening Day and homered; Good pop against righthanders,
nearly half of his base hits overall have gone for extra bases;
Another La Russa favorite who's versatility could prove useful;
a former Met, he was just 4-for-24 against New York this season.

In the Division Series: Hitless in two at-bats.

League Championship Series Numbers: DNP

RH - #57 Darryl Kile, 31 -- Kile put it all back together this
season becoming one of just two 20-game winners in the NL; Will
draw the Game Two assignment against fellow 20-game winner Tom
Glavine; A workhorse, he was unbeaten after August 23 and was
great at bailing out a shaky bullpen; Split two decisions with
New York this season but pitched a no-hitter against New York in
1993. 

In the Division Series: Allowed two runs in the first inning
of Game Two but nothing else after that.  He struck out six
in his seven innings.

League Championship Series Numbers: DNP

RH - #41 Pat Hentgen, 31 -- Solid but somewhat disappointing
campaign, he can turn it all around with a strong postseason; 
Likely will get a chance with Garrett Stephenson sidelined;
Very inconsistent and was hit hard in final two starts. 

In the Division Series: DNP

League Championship Series Numbers: 
Years: 1993
Games: 1
Innings Pitched: 3.0
Record: 0-1
ERA: 18.00
Saves: 0

LH - #66 Rick Ankiel, 21 -- Highly touted rookie did not live up
to all the preseason hype but quietly put together an outstanding 
rookie campaign;  Was so good down the stretch that he got the nod 
in Game One; Does not seem to be bothered by pressure though pitch 
count for the future star is always a consideration; Was 
impressive in his one start against New York. 

In the Division Series: Very erratic in that Game One start, he
will be forever etched in postseason lore for his third inning
wildness when he walked four and issued five wild pitches.

League Championship Series Numbers: DNP

LH - #48 Jason Christiansen, 30 -- The only lefty the Cardinals
have in the bullpen has done everything asked of him; Has racked
up the holds in a specialist's role and done a very good job
stranding inherited runners; Might not see a lot of work against
New York's righthanded-heavy lineup. 

In the Division Series: Got out the only batter he faced.

League Championship Series Numbers: DNP

RH - #49 Mike James, 33 -- Struggled a bit early and spent just
under a month on the disabled list with a right shoulder strain
in mid-May; But since his return, James has regained some
movement on his fastball and been very, very good in the role of
setup man for Dave Veres. 

In the Division Series: Had a stellar series with 4 1/3 
scoreless innings.  Surrendered just one hit and bailed out
Ankiel in Game One, earning the victory.

League Championship Series Numbers: DNP

RH - #35 Matt Morris, 25 -- Has possibly the best stuff on the
staff but St. Louis has been understandably conservative with
him coming off arm surgery that cost him all of 1999; Was placed
in more pressure roles in September and responded; Could be a
game-stealer if put in the position. 

In the Division Series: Threw two scoreless innings and looked
very good in the process.

League Championship Series Numbers: DNP

RH - #50 Mike Timlin, 34 -- Has been very inconsistent since
being acquired from the Baltimore Orioles at the trade deadline;
Not exactly known for his ability to come through in the clutch;
A necessary move for St. Louis at the time but could turn ugly,
especially if Chris Richard pans out for the Orioles. 

In the Division Series: Was one of the few Cardinals to be hit 
hard, he surrendered two runs and three hits while retiring just
two batters in Game Two.  

League Championship Series Numbers: 
Years: 1991-1993
Games: 7
Innings Pitched: 9.1
Record: 0-1
ERA: 3.86
Saves: 0

RH - #43 Dave Veres, 43 -- Veres was solid in the series against 
Atlanta but now faces a team that hit him hard during the regular 
season.  Was 1-1 but surrendered three runs -- including a pair 
of homers -- in 3 2/3 innings.  

In the Division Series: Allowed an unearned run in two innings
but more importantly showed he will not crumble under October
pressure.

League Championship Series Numbers: DNP

st 10-11-00 17:47 et