Expectations run high at Cards' camp

Spring Training has arrived, and the Cardinals open camp on Thursday morning with something special, something both coveted and dreaded: high expectations.
For the first time in at least three seasons, St. Louis begins Spring Training as the favorite in the National League Central. So as the Redbirds officially begin camp at Roger Dean Stadium, they do so with a little extra buzz surrounding them. Manager Tony La Russa, of course, has high expectations for his club every year. But for fans coming out to Roger Dean Stadium, the feeling will be a little different this spring.
For plenty of players, the work is already under way. A number of pitchers reported last week or even earlier, and they've already begun throwing. The rest were scheduled to report on Wednesday. Some infielders and outfielders have arrived as well, as has the entire coaching staff. "Report day" has become something of a misnomer.
Even so, it's all been informal up to this point. The first fully structured workout for pitchers and catchers, with uniforms and a La Russa-written schedule, is Thursday. Infielders and outfielders begin working out on Tuesday.
"Any time you can see the season around the corner, it's a good feeling," said pitcher Mitchell Boggs, who will be vying for a spot in either the starting rotation or the bullpen. "The offseason becomes pretty long. You don't do all the workouts and stuff like that for nothing. I look forward to it, and it should be a good opportunity."
Joining Boggs in the competition for a pitching roster spot is right-hander Josh Kinney, who has endured a great deal of difficulty since starring in the 2006 run to the World Series title. Kinney made 17 big league appearances with an 8.80 ERA in 2009. But he said he's healthy and feeling good, and looking forward to contributing.
"Last year didn't work out the way I wanted it to," Kinney said. "But it was a good year, [because] I pitched a year. I'm proud of that. I didn't go on the DL. I got that over with, and now it's time to refine everything, I guess would be the way to say it."
It's one of the most exciting times of the year, not just for pitchers like Kinney and Boggs, but for anyone who loves baseball. The winter has ended, metaphorically at least, and spring is starting. Photographs and videos of palm trees and pitch-and-catch sessions have begun making their way north and west from southeastern Florida as the Cardinals prepare to defend their NL Central title.
For the first five days, pitchers and catchers will work out. They'll throw bullpen sessions and work on conditioning and defense. Those who are farther along may have some catchers stand in to swing. Full-squad workouts begin on Tuesday, and shortly thereafter, the hitters will start taking their hacks against pitchers.
From there, it's a bit of a wait -- and for players, one of the longest waits of the year. It's nine days of full-squad workouts before Grapefruit League play begins. The Cards open their exhibition schedule on Thursday, March 4 against the Mets at Port St. Lucie, Fla. Their first home game of the spring is the next day against the Mets.
The Grapefruit League schedule stretches through April 1 before the team flies north. The Cardinals will inaugurate the Twins' new stadium with two exhibition games against Minnesota on April 2 and 3. Opening Day comes April 5 in Cincinnati, with the home opener set for April 12 against the Astros at Busch Stadium.
Before that, though, it's camp. The Cardinals will be trying to answer several questions. They need to identify their fifth starting pitcher. They need to settle on a third baseman -- or a division of labor at third base. They need to figure out when Brendan Ryan will be ready, and if his regular-season debut is delayed, who will fill in for him. And they need to sort out just about their entire bench.
So while the games don't get going for more than two weeks, the competition starts Thursday. And so do the expectations.