ShareThisThe St. Louis Cardinals Skip Schumaker didn't know what to think when Tony La Russa told him he was moving from the outfield to second base -- a position he has never played at the professional level -- this spring.
One thing he did know was that the move wouldn't be easy.
"I knew it was going to be a tough camp and it's been the toughest camp physically and mentally that I've ever had to go through," Schumaker said.
In an effort to get more offense on the field and with an abundance of young outfield talent, La Russa decided to move Schumaker to second base, releasing veteran Adam Kennedy right before workouts started.
"I think when you look at his improvement, I think he's been remarkable," La Russa said. "I think he'll end up making the plays he has to make and get better at it."
The move gives the Cardinals an outfield of Chris Duncan, Rick Ankiel and Ryan Ludwick, while keeping the spark plug Schumaker in the lineup at second base.
And while Schumaker has struggled at times this spring -- he leads the team with five errors -- he has also showed flashes of brilliance with his defense.
"It's a lot to learn, sometimes overwhelming," Schumaker said. "Physically it's been tough because there are a lot more movements. But I'm out there early every single day. I've worked as much as anybody trying to get this thing done. I don't think I'm there yet, but I'm progressing every day and that's all you can really ask for at this point."
Duncan, who along with Albert Pujols represents the only Cardinals to start their careers with consecutive 20-home run seasons, is returning from neck surgery that limited him to 76 games last season. Ankiel played in 120 games and batted .264 with 25 home runs and 71 RBI, before season ending sports hernia surgery.
Filling in for both players, Schumaker batted .302 with five home runs and 46 RBI in 540 at bats in 2008.
Both Duncan (.306, 4 HR 19 RBI) and Ankiel (.341, 4 HR, 14 RBI) are enjoying healthy and productive springs. And despite his fielding adjustments, Schumaker is batting .298 this spring, meaning the move could pay off big for La Russa and the Cardinals.
"I was willing to try it because I knew it was going to make the team better," Schumaker said. "Chris Duncan is one of my good friends. We root for each other.
"This is all about getting all four outfield bats in the lineup."
(Frank O. Schaeffer is a correspondent for Scripps Treasure Coast (Fla.) Newspapers, The Stuart News, Fort Pierce Tribune and Vero Beach Press Journal.)
