Cardinals may not miss McGwire much

ST. LOUIS -- The post-McGwire era is about to begin for the St. Louis Cardinals, not that anyone should feel sympathy for them.

Pitchers and catchers reported to spring training in Jupiter, Fla., on Thursday, and manager Tony La Russa has never been more excited about a team in his seven seasons with the Cardinals. Last fall they lost in the ninth inning of Game 5 in the first round of the playoffs to the eventual World Series champion Arizona Diamondbacks, and there's a definite feeling of unfinished business.

"There ain't nothing wrong with noticing we've got nine World Championships and shooting for a 10th," La Russa said. "We came very close against Arizona but we're shooting for the big dream and the big dream is the World Series."

The first workout is today, with the first full-squad workout on Feb. 20. The spring schedule begins Feb. 28 with the Cardinals playing the New York Mets at Roger Dean Stadium.

The Cardinals enter spring training as a favorite to make it back to the postseason for a fourth time under La Russa. The rotation is loaded and there are no holes in the starting lineup or bullpen, either, with the offseason free-agent acquisitions of first baseman Tino Martinez and closer Jason Isringhausen.

"I just think on paper that we have more plusses than any of the other six teams, but you still have to play," La Russa said, comparing this team to the Cardinals' previous six teams he has managed. "That's the message for our team, that we've got to go out and play because other teams have improved in our division."

Matt Morris, who won 22 games two years after elbow surgery, leads one of the best staffs in the majors. Darryl Kile was a 20-game winner in 2000 and was 16-11 last year, and Woody Williams was the biggest pickup in the Cardinals' playoff drive last year. Williams was 7-1 with a 2.28 ERA after joining the team in August in a low-key trade for outfielder Ray Lankford.

The fourth starter is probably Bud Smith, who was 6-3 as a rookie and no-hit the Padres in September. Plus, Rick Ankiel is expected to compete for a starting spot after a wild 2001 that landed him in the low minors and Garrett Stephenson, a 16-game winner in 2000, also could be back on a spot basis after elbow surgery last April.

Isringhausen had 34 saves in 43 chances last year for the Oakland A's, closing both of their playoff victories against the Yankees in the playoffs, and gives the bullpen a dominating presence it has lacked. And rubber-armed left-hander Steve Kline is back as one of the majors' top setup men.

The everyday lineup led by NL rookie of the year Albert Pujols lacks Mark McGwire, but the former home run king played only half a season in 2000 due to knee problems and last year batted .187 in semi-regular duty before calling it quits.

Martinez, who had 34 homers and 113 RBIs for the Yankees last year, will be a huge upgrade over the gimpy McGwire of the past two seasons. He has driven in at least 100 runs in six of the last seven seasons.

"This guy is terrific," Jocketty said. "I think he'll be a great influence. He's the right kind of guy for this club right now."

McGwire, who hit 583 home runs, made his final impact when he walked away from the last two years of a contract worth $30 million when he retired in November. He made the signings of Martinez and Isringhausen possible.

Now, they hope to take the next step without Big Mac.

"It's going to be different," Jocketty said. "I don't think we'll really notice it until we get to spring training and he's not there. It really will be a whole different era, I guess."