The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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MICHIGAN IN THE PROS ronto Maple Leafs: Notched one goal and three assists in 18 games before going to the injured list Nov. 19 with a broken arm that will require surgery … Stands plus-three with 12 shots on goal. • John Madden (1994-97), C, Free Agent: Currently looking for a team after spending last year with the Min- nesota Wild, where he notched 12 goals and 13 assists. • Brendan Morrison (1994-97), RW, Calgary Flames: Has scored one goal in 10 games played … Stands even with 12 shots on goal. • David Moss (2002-05), LW, Calgary Flames: Registered one goal and four assists in 15 games before being placed on the injured list Nov. 13 with a foot injury … Stands plus-one with 36 shots on goal. • Eric Nystrom (2002-05), LW, Dallas Stars: Has registered eight goals and two assists in 19 games … Stands plus- one with 36 shots on goal. • Max Pacioretty (2007-08), LW, Montreal Canadiens: Notched 10 goals and nine assists in 24 games before be- ing suspended for three games Nov. 28 for a blindside check in a Nov. 26 loss to Pittsburgh … Stands plus-one with 86 shots on goal. • Kevin Porter, C, Colorado Ava- lanche (2005-08): Has scored one goal in 11 games … Stands minus-five with 15 shots on goal. • Marty Turco (1995-98), G, Free Agent: Currently looking for a team af- ter spending last season as the Chicago Blackhawks' backup. Major League Baseball CARDINALS HIRE MIKE Matheny, who played for four major league teams including San Francisco and St. Louis, was hired to be the Cardinals' skipper despite having no prior managerial experience. PHOTO COURTESY SAN FRANSISCO GIANTS leader for his passion and leadership. "I loved spending the time I had with Tony talking about managing, and he knew that," Matheny said at his mid-November press conference. "He's been an advocate for a long time, someone that's been promoting me." Matheny beat out Boston Red Sox MATHENY AS MANAGER TO REPLACE TONY LA RUSSA Intangibles over dugout experi- ence. That's how the St. Louis Post- Dispatch described the St. Louis Cardinals' decision to hire former Michigan, St. Louis and San Francisco Giants catcher Mike Matheny as their new manager, replacing future Hall of Famer Tony La Russa. Matheny was a "roving coach" within the St. Louis minor league system for the last two years as well as a Fox TV analyst, but he's now got a two-year guaranteed contract with a club option for a third year (2014) to manage the defending World Series champions. Matheny, 41, played five years in St. Louis, where he became a clubhouse manager Terry Francona, Hall of Fame second baseman Ryne Sand- berg, Cardinals third base coach Jose Oquendo, Memphis Redbirds man- ager Chris Maloney and Chicago White Sox coach and former Cardinal Joe McEwing for the job. "He'll do as much as he can to be as ready as he can for the season," said Oquendo, who will remain with the Cardinals in the same capacity. "I think he'll bring people he knows can help him a lot. He's home. People know him real well and like him. The core guys on the team already know what he's all about." Matheny was heavily involved in charity work with children when he played in St. Louis. "He automatically has respect from the players," former Cardinal out- fielder and longtime Matheny friend Andy Van Slyke added. "The only thing he can do from here forward is lose it. But I can't believe that will happen, not as well as we all know Mike. His great strength is who he is as a human being." Matheny was a career .239 hitter who appeared in 1,305 major-league games for four teams, earning four Gold Gloves, including three with the Cardinals. He signed with the San Francisco Giants as a free agent before the 2005 season, but had his career cut short by concussion syn- drome following a home plate colli- sion in 2006. Chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. called Ma- theny "well respected throughout baseball," adding his ties to the club made him a natural. "He knows our current club and organization as well as anyone, and we feel he is the perfect one to lead us into a very bright future," DeWitt said. "I believe I owe this organization to be myself," Matheny said. "I'm not here to try and clone Tony or any other manager or coach, but I believe I'm a collection of all the above." Matheny played three years at Michigan (1989-91), and was U-M's MVP, a captain and All-Big Ten third- team selection as a junior. ❑ DECEMBER 2011 THE WOLVERINE 97