TOWER GROVE — Three years ago, the Cardinals were coming off a World Series appearance and on their way to the second of three consecutive NLCS berths. They boasted a veteran-laden lineup and a highly-decorated outfield.

Injuries limited the number of games the trio of planned starters played together, but when Reggie Sanders and Larry Walker flanked Jim Edmonds in the Cardinal outfield they carried a combined 33 playoff series, 10 All-Star Games, one MVP, 15 Gold Gloves and four Silver Sluggers out there. They also had the age needed to collect all that hardware:

• LF, Sanders … 37
• CF, Edmonds … 35
• RF, Walker … 38

This spring the Cardinals start with little in the outfield but … potential.

In an article for today’s paper, I gave an introductory tour of the candidates and favorites to fill the three open spots in the outfield. As I wrote the article it reminded of last year’s starting rotation casting call and how the Cardinals had to sort five, si candidates in three, four openings. Sure there are some obvious leaders (Chris Duncan in left; Rick Ankiel somewhere). There are also just as obvious intrigue (Colby Rasmus to be sure; Juan Gonzalez).

There is also the obvious absence.

There isn’t an outfielder coming to spring training with the Cardinals that had 400 at-bats in the majors last year. The two leaders — Duncan’s 375 and Ryan Ludwick’s 303 — are both players with less than 1 1/2 seasons of major-league experience. More striking than those numbers, was this possible starting outfield:

• LF, Duncan … Age: 26
• CF, Rasmus … Age: 21
• RF, Ankiel … Age: 28

If that is the trio of outfielders that the Cardinals finish the season with, then in the span of four seasons they will have dropped a dozen years from their average age.

Trying to recover from the lowest-rated Bird Land ever, we continue to the Cardinals spring training primaries — Decisions (in) 2008 – by asking who should start in the outfield? Should the need for a leadoff hitter be considered here? Can an all-lefty outfield work? Will Tony La Russa use one? Does Gonzalez fit? Here’s the ballot:

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RICK ANKIEL, CF/RF, from the left: There’s really no need for lengthy bios on these candidates because they are so well known by now. Ankiel has raw power and could be an exciting source of 20-homer-plus offense. He also packs the best arm of any of the outfielders. No surprise there. At the end of last season, La Russa said he was excited to see what Ankiel could do in center field if there was an opportunity. He’ll be a starter. Where is the only question.

BRIAN BARTON, CF/RF/LF, from the right: Quite literally the rocket scientist of the group, who just finished up a semester of classes that included an advanced-level course on propulsion of something and yadda-dynamics. He had knee surgery to repair what he has described as a clicking sensation that’s bothered him for several seasons. He insisted that it didn’t inhibit his performance, but for a player lauded for his tools and especially his speed any knee injury — and any knee surgery — is a concern. The surgery was enough to allow Barton to slip to the Cardinals in the Rule 5 draft. They feel they have good intel on his condition and he said in December he was out running sprints, full bore, no problems. With the exception of his first taste of Triple-A, Barton has a standout stat: a better than .400 on-base percentage at every level, in every previous season. As a Rule 5 pick, like Hector Luna and Juan Mateo before him, Barton has to spend the entire season on the 25-man roster for the Cardinals win complete control of his rights. His injury makes for an interesting detour for the Cardinals — they could take a longer look at him after spring by sending him off on a rehab assignment.

JUAN GONZALEZ, LF/RF, from the right: La Russa wants to see if the former MVP and Hack Wilson pursuer is the righthanded bat he wants for his bench and perhaps more. Eduardo Perez says “Igor” is in great shape and rejuvenated health and less prickly demeanor. Jose Oquendo and Yadier Molina gave their thumbs up after seeing Gonzalez take batting practice. Albert Pujols was also there, and said this:

“Did we sign him yet? He looks really good, man. He’s got real bat speed. He’s real healthy now. We chattted for a little bit: ‘Hopefully, you get the opportunity to play and we get to talk more and workout together in spring training.’”

When Gonzalez played in winter ball he didn’t put up eye-catching power numbers, so there’s no guarantee the bat still has its charge. As Texas-bred assistant sports editor Cameron Hollway pointed out Gonzalez spent most of his career in right field; I was told he could be a better bet in left now. That fits the description given repeatedly to the Cardinals about Juan Gone No More: “He’s a new man.”

RYAN LUDWICK, RF/LF/CF, from the right: The incumbent on the right side of this contest. Proved deft at the corner spots last season and adept enough at center to make a few cameos there. His power is intriguing. His 14 home runs was the third most on the team. His 110 OPS+ — which is based against the league average — was third-best on the team among players who had at least 100 games. Looking over his numbers it’s doesn’t seem unreasonable to expect Juan Encarnacion-like production from Ludwick, making him a natural replacement for … Encarnacion.

COLBY RASMUS, CF, from the left: Well-covered ground here. Cardinals believe he’s going to be in the big leagues some time in 2008, unless sidetracked by injuries. That could be opening day. That could be July 11. Has a coveted blend of tools that include speed, instinct, developing power and polished athleticism. Scouts who saw him in Double-A and a few opposing managers I spoke to in the Texas League believe he is major-league-ready with his glove right now. That glove could keep him in the lineup in center while he learns his way at the plate. The Cardinals are keen not to put too much pressure on the kid, saying they don’t need him to make the major-league roster out of spring.

True. But they sure would like him to.

SKIP SCHUMAKER, CF/RF/LF, from the left: Always seems to be an underdog this time of year and 40, 50 days later is on the opening day roster. Is arguably the most gifted defensive player of the group, with Rasmus his only true rival and he doesn’t have the experience. Schumaker has the makings of a .300 hitter, though he could walk more and use his speed more. May have the inside track on being the leadoff hitter early on for the Cardinals because they can play him in right field in a platoon, or in left or center when needed. The twist this spring for Schumaker is he’s playing to catch attention from every other team as well. Schumaker is out of options and will have to pass through waivers if the Cardinals try to send him to the minors. That could land him with another team in the role he’s no longer content to have — fourth or fifth outfielder.

“I haven’t done anything,” he said. ”I’ve had one good year of 200 at-bats or whatever it was. That’s nothing compared to the guys on our team who have done a lot over a number of years. I still have a lot ot prove. One year doesn’t mean that I’m just set in stone and I’m on this team.” 

Other candidates coming to camp include … LF/RF Joe Mather, LF/RF Nick Stavinoha, LF/RF Amaury Marti and LF Cody Haerther.

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Coming Monday: Let the marathon begin — the first dispatch from Jupiter. 

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