Wainwright, Duncan expected to visit Cape

Adam Wainwright, who recorded the final out in all three of the St. Louis Cardinals' postseason series last October, is expected to be among the players appearing in Cape Girardeau on Jan. 14 at the annual Cardinals Caravan.

Wainwright, outfielder Chris Duncan, pitcher Tyler Johnson and outfielder John Rodriguez are the players scheduled to make stops in Memphis and Dyersburg, Tenn.; and Cape Girardeau next weekend. Also on the caravan are former player Tom Lawless and former player and current broadcaster Rick Horton, who will serve as the emcee.

The Cardinals released its caravan schedule and lineups on the team's Web site on Friday.

Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department officials had been awaiting word from the team. Tickets for the event are being sold at $4 for those ages 3 and older. Children ages 2 and under are free. The program will be 6 to 8 p.m. at Osage Community Centre, though the doors will open at 5 p.m.

The players will speak about the prospects for 2007 and also sign autographs for children.

Wainwright became the Cardinals' bullpen hero in his rookie season. After posting a 2-1 record with three saves and a 3.12 earned run average in 75 innings in the regular season, he took the closer's job in the postseason and recorded a 1-0 mark with four saves and a 0.00 ERA in 9 2/3 innings. He walked two and struck out 15. He pitched the final inning of the NL Division Series against the Padres, picked up the save with a dramatic strikeout against the Mets in Game 7 of the NLCS and saved the final game of the World Series in St. Louis.

Duncan, who also was a rookie last year, hit .293 with 22 home runs and 43 RBIs in 90 games.

Rodriguez hit .301 with two home runs and 19 RBI.

Johnson, a left-handed pitcher who was a rookie last year, was born in Columbia, Mo., but played high school baseball in California. He was 2-4 with a 4.95 ERA in 36 1/3 innings last year.