Cards manager Matheny to be in Cape on Dec. 2

It's Oct. 1, and only three games remain on the regular season for the St. Louis Cardinals. But big news was made locally last week that goes beyond the World Series.

The Southeast Missourian and rustmedia announced Cardinals manager Mike Matheny will return to Cape Girardeau on Dec. 2.

"The State of Cardinals Nation with Mike Matheny," presented by First Missouri State Bank, will feature the team's manager giving remarks about Cardinals baseball, his faith, character building and youth sports. Following his remarks will be a 30-minute Q&A emceed by Steve Taylor and Jay Knudtson of First Missouri State Bank.

Along with being a fun night, this event will help raise money for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri. A portion of all ticket sales will go to the organization, and 100 percent of online auction and event raffle funds benefit it. More information about the online auction is to be announced this fall.

Matheny is an impressive, yet humble, individual. He spoke in Cape Girardeau last year to a crowd of more than 1,500 for the Arrow Leadership and Success Summit. His remarks were inspiring.

Matheny has found early success as a manager of the Cardinals. He has led the team to the playoffs in each of his four seasons, including three appearances in the National League Championship Series and one trip to the World Series.

There still is much on the line this season. Will the Cardinals make it back to the World Series for the third time in five years? Can the pitching staff who have been so strong this season carry the team? How will the rookies do? Will more key players get healthy at the right time? These are all questions to be answered.

What we know is Matheny has done a tremendous job as manager of the Cardinals and has valuable experience he will share with the crowd in December. Add in offseason talk about Cardinals baseball, and it has the makings for a fun event.

Tickets go on sale Oct. 14 at semissourian.com/Matheny, by phone at (573) 388-2761 or in person at the Southeast Missourian at 301 Broadway in Cape Girardeau.

General admission seats are $20, and a limited number of VIP tickets are $100.

VIP tickets include the best seats at the talk, admission to a pre-talk reception (including heavy hors d'oeuvres), a photo opportunity with Matheny and a signed copy of the manager's best-selling book "The Matheny Manifesto: A Young Manager's Old-School Views on Success in Sports and Life."

Those interested in sponsorship can secure VIP tickets before they go on sale by contacting Lucas Presson at lpresson@rustmedia.com or (573) 388-3649.