Jarrett Hoffpauir News

In an attempt to cleanup their 40-man roster for the offseason, the St. Louis Cardinals made a series of moves this morning that included releasing reliever Brad Thompson.

St. Louis Cardinals second baseman and Natchez native Jarrett Hoffpauir was claimed off of waivers Tuesday by the Toronto Blue Jays.

When David Freese's deep sacrifice ball to centerfield allowed Jon Jay to score from third, tying their game against the Durham Bulls at four in the top of the seventh inning, there wasn't a player in the Redbirds dugout that didn't believe they were on their way to the Triple-A baseball national championship.

In sports sometimes the rookies can surprise even the most hardened professional players.

By Marlon W. Morgan , Memphis Commercial Appeal Wednesday, August 5, 2009 "The first place Memphis Redbirds" actually had a nice ring to it.

By Marlon W. Morgan , Memphis Commercial Appeal Wednesday, August 5, 2009 "The first place Memphis Redbirds" actually had a nice ring to it.

Infielder Donovan Solano has been sent from Triple-A Memphis back to the Springfield Cardinals.

Team officials and Ankiel said regardless of the scan's findings he would continue to be available, for now.

The St. Louis Cardinals activated utilityman Mark DeRosa from the 15-day disabled list Saturday.

"As it was explained to me, he can wait another week or two and it would be the same as going out there today," said manager Tony La Russa.

Third baseman Mark DeRosa was activated Saturday by the St. Louis Cardinals, who returned infielder Jarrett Hoffpauir to Class AAA Memphis.

Jarrett Hoffpauir ran onto Wrigley Field long before the first pitch on July 10 before the Cardinals' four-game series began to just take in the moment.

In one of the wackier moments of a bizarre first half , Lou Piniella made an unusualdouble switchin the top of the ninth inning, sendingleft-hander Sean Marshall into left-field for Alfonso Soriano, andbringing right-handerAaron Heilman to face Brendan Ryanwith the bases loaded and no outs.

The ultimate goal for every Minor Leaguer is to reach the Major Leagues. Every week, Movin' On Up will take a look at prospects who have reached that goal and made their big league debut.

Homer Bailey did not deserve what he was served by Dave Weathers last night. Bailey was pitching one of the best games you could imagine.

Manny Ramirez returned to the big leagues and apologized to fans and his teammates.

Every youngster, who has ever had dreams of playing in the big leagues, has imagined what it would be like to be in the perfect scenario - bases loaded with two outs in the ninth inning of a tie ball game.

The gang tries to steal a street sign for Hyde, who insists on no party for his 18th birthday.

Cardinals manager Tony La Russa doesn't believe in "reward" starts. If he did, rookie Jarrett Hoffpauir would have gotten the call on Saturday, 15 hours after his game-winning hit against the Reds on Friday night.

Albert Pujols hit his club-record fourth grand slam of the season, and Jarrett Hoffpauir drove in the go-ahead runs in the ninth inning with his first career hit as the St.