Fan favorite leads Redbirds to a league title.
Stubby Clapp and Memphis met at precisely the right time.
With ground already broken for the soon-to-debut AutoZone Park, Clapp made his Triple-A debut with the Redbirds in 1999, and did so with a back flip.
In the heart of Cardinals Country, Memphis knew back flips thanks to Cardinals shortstop Ozzie Smith. Clapp secured his own middle-infield spot (second base) and became the sideburned heart of a Pacific Coast League championship team in 2000, AutoZone Park’s inaugural season.
Clapp played four seasons for the Redbirds and made it up to St. Louis for a 23-game stint with the big league Cardinals in 2001. From there, he stayed in the game, playing for the Canadian national team and coaching for ten years in the Astros and Blue Jays systems.
It turns out, though, you can go home when you’re Stubby Clapp and home is Memphis. The Cardinals reunited with Clapp when they announced in Nov. 2016 that he would become the team’s new manager.
Denne historien er fra December 8, 2017-utgaven av Baseball America.
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Denne historien er fra December 8, 2017-utgaven av Baseball America.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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THE SERVICE TIME CONUNDRUM
MLB’s byzantine service time rules cloud rookie status and now PPI eligibility
LUIS TIANT WAS MLB'S MOST SUCCESSFUL CUBAN PITCHER
On a scouting trip to Cuba in 1957, Bobby Avila discovered 16-year-old righthander Luis Tiant on the island's Juvenile League all-star team.
ORGANIZATION REPORT
Outfielder Heston Kjerstad's career has been unique, to say the least.
TOP 10 NL EAST
From the moment Thomas White stepped on a high school mound, he was viewed as the top lefthander available in the 2023 draft.
PREPARATION PAYS OFF
lowa politician J.D. Scholten makes a surprising return to pro ball at age 44
MAKING THE GRADE
Assessing the future value of graduated National League prospects
TOP 10 NL WEST
Even in high school, Bryce Eldridge could hit the ball a mile. The 6-foot-7 righthander could also touch 96 mph off the mound.
Wood Has Towering Upside- Nationals rookie James Wood also stands 6-foot-7 and also has game-changing power.
Aaron Judge and Oneil Cruz are 6-foot7 sluggers who stand out for their power in this year’s MLB Best Tools voting. Wood spent half of this season with Triple-A Rochester before making his MLB debut on July 1. While he was in the International League, he captured managers’ attention. Wood unanimously won Best Power Prospect and also claimed Most Exciting Player in a survey of league skippers. Wood hit .353/.463/.595 with 10 home runs in 52 games for Rochester. His .242 isolated slugging was the best for a player 21 or younger at Triple-A this season.
ROAD BLOCK?
Scholarship expansion puts mid-majors at a major disadvantage on the road to Omaha
ROYALS REVIVAL
A revamped and rejuvenated farm system has Kansas City ready to rebound
