RETIRED CARDS' HURLER TO SPEAK AT EXPO '97

Pitching, or lack of it, has been a weak spot for the St. Louis baseball Cardinals recently with no less than four hurlers are on the ailing list.

But another Cardinal hurler, this one retired, will be in Cape Girardeau this weekend, to sign autographs and talk baseball.

Bob Forsch, who spent 15 years in a Red Bird uniform, will be a guest at the second annual Business Expo 97, to be held at the Show Me Center on Southeast Missouri University campus.

"Everything is ready for the Expo," said Linda Minner, special projects director for the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce, which sponsors the event. More than 40 businesses will feature displays at the Expo.

"We'll have everything on display from computers to Internet and web site development, cash registers to commercial printing and office furniture to advertising specialties," said Minner.

The Expo opens at 3 p.m. Friday. It will reopen at 9 a.m. Saturday.

One of the highlight events Friday includes the 3:30 p.m. appearance of St. Louis entrepreneur Sam Silverstein, author of the book "The Success Model." He will conduct a two-hour seminar titled "Performance 2000."

Silverstein, president of Sam Silverstein Enterprise Co., will also introduce "Smarketing, the developing of tools to drive your business marketing plans into the year 2000."

A business reception will be held from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Friday.

Local hospitals will present a stress management program and a fitness seminar.

"Fitness in the Workplace," will be presented by Southeast Missouri Hospital at 9 a.m. Saturday, to be followed by a "Stress Management Seminar," by St. Francis Medical Center, at 10 a.m. Saturday.

Forsch will be at the Show Me Center at 11 a.m. Saturday.

Forsch, a native Californian who pitched for the Cardinals 15 years, still makes his home in St. Louis. He started his career as an infielder in the Gulf Coast Minor League. He made the switch to pitcher in 1970. He tossed a couple of no-hitters and was called up by the Cards in 1974.

During his 15 years with the team, he won 168 games (lost 136), appeared in 498 games, pitched two no-hitters, and was a member of the 1983 World Champion Cardinal team.

Another sports-oriented program will be held at 1 p.m., when a golf professional from the Bootheel Golf Club in Sikeston, offers golf tips.