Khalil Greene reports, says there’s “room for improvement”
JUPITER, Fla. — New Cardinals shortstop Khalil Greene spent a good part of his first day in red chatting with — or rather listening to — manager Tony La Russa about how he runs his spring training camp and about how Greene usually uses February and March to get ready for April and beyond.
Greene said he probably doesn’t remember everything that was thrown his way Monday, but his ears are open to anything La Russa or the other Cardinals’ coach can offer.
“There is considerable room for improvement, especially on the offensive side of the ball,” Greene said sitting at his new locker this afternoon in the St. Louis Cardinals clubhouse. “I can get better consistency-wise, technique-wise. … Even in 2007, there were one or two times (within the season) that I felt like I was performing tremendously (well), but never from start to finish.”
New Cardinals shortstop Khalil Greene chats with manager Tony La Russa on Monday, Greene's first day in camp. (Photo: Chris Lee — P-D)
Greene took some groundballs and stepped in for some batting practice in his first appearance at Cardinals’ spring training. Full-squad workouts don’t official begin until Tuesday, but he drove down from South Carolina on Sunday night and felt like getting a 24-hour head start on names, faces and, sure, second baseman. (”I’ve heard some of what’s going on,” he said. “I’ll work with whoever is there.”)
The Cardinals acquired the 29-year-old shortstop from San Diego shortly before the Winter Meetings, and Greene has been upfront since the trade that he understands the factors that played into the move. Most were economic. Some were performance. San Diego Padres general manager Kevin Towers told me that if he didn’t have slash cash from the payroll, he would have likely kept Greene. Greene allows that there may have been mitigating circumstances even then.
His performance was subpar, especially coming off of the 27-homer career-binge that he had in 2007. Last seaosn, Greene hit just .213 and had career lows of 10 home runs and 35 RBIs while also striking out 100 times in 389 at-bats.
He “got somewhat lost offensively for a period of time,” he said. “Never really got it going.”
As the team continued to lose and he continued to struggle, frustrating set in and eventually erupted with a punch to a cooler in the dugout that busted his hand and ended his season. There is still an active grievance over whether the Padres owe him his salary from the time he missed because of the injury. The performance. The injury. The losing. All of that created a chilly atmosphere for Greene — one he didn’t have a problem returning to, but wasn’t sure he would.
While talking about all of the positions battles in his camp, La Russa stated this morning that some things are locks: Like Adam Wainwright in the rotation and Greene at shortstop.
La Russa rarely says such things lightly but it does allow Greene some space to get his game in shape — and rediscover the swing, the approach, the confidence, the … well, whatever that was missing in 2008. He said he’s all ears.
“There is always something else to learn. I’m capable of doing a lot better than I’ve done in the past. I know that much,” Greene said. “Consistency-wise, my overall game is something I can better.”
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Derrick Goold said he was going to Mizzou for capital-J journalism, but after growing up in the Time Zone Baseball Forgot he was really drawn to MU sitting between two major-league cities. Goold joined the Post-Dispatch in 2001 after working for The Times-Picayune and Rocky Mountain News, covering sports from LSU to NHL and every level of baseball in between. 
I believe we’ll see a version closer to the 2007 Khalil Greene (27 HR, 97 RBI, .468 SLG) and less like the 2008 version (10 HR, 35 RBI, .339 SLG). I think the facts that he won’t be playing half his games at Petco Park, but in the great baseball environment of St. Louis all add up to numbers closer to ‘07 than the awful numbers he posted last year.
Another excellent post from Jupiter, DG!
We have three reasons why Greene will succeed. 1 - Environment. From what I can tell the atmosphere in the clubhouse should be very positive and competitive. And we all know how supportive the fans are. 2 - Busch Stadium. The guy hit 27 dingers while playing half his game in Petco. Hitting in a normal park for half his games should help him get back on track. 3 - Coaching staff. Say what you want about Tony, he motivates. He motivates and our coaching staff teaches. Add those three reasons to Greenes contract season and I have a feeling he’ll play a major production role this year.
Give me a break, all you Greene ga-gas.
Greene’s a classic example of steroid abuse: 27 HR/97 RBI/.468 SLG in ‘07 and 10 HR/35 RBI/.339 SLG when he avoids detection in ‘08? Can you say Brady Anderson?
This guy is joke just like all the other Padres steroid abusers (Brian, Marcus Giles, Mike Cameron) who have gone on to loser land.
Wake up Cards Nation.
Wake up Cards Nation.
Do I have to???????
I have enjoyed the pass twelve years going to the PO’s and two WS. Even winning one.
Personally I think I will remain in my daze known as Cardinal Nation day dream. Besides, it’s only a sport. Nothing to do with life or death. I have 15 grandchildren and all of them really think the atmosphere at Busch Stadium is first class.
Any other suggestions you would like to pass on.
Khalil Greene says “Water is wet.”
You had a lower OPS than Cesar Izturis last season, Khalil. Yeah, you could probably use some improvement there, thanks for that brilliant bit of insight…
If Greene can hit .270 with 10 to 15 homeruns and 65 RBI while fielding his position well, I’ll take that. He can be my number 6 or 7 hitter in the batting order.
I could care less if Greene hits 10 home runs. All we need is a consistant .340-.350 OBP, some decent pop to drive it into the gap and quality, consistant defense. I’d be happy with .270/.340/.450
La Russa stated this morning that some things are locks: Like Adam Wainwright in the rotation and Greene at shortstop.
Does that mean El Hombre has to battle for his spot, just the way he likes to approach it? That would be a fun headline from this:
Pujols No Lock at First, Has to Compete for Spot
The uproar would be amazing.
Well, we do need to find some at bats for some of the extra outfielders, first base could be an option for that.
First of all, Im pretty sure that Greene is about the sam size as he was in college at Clemson. The guy had a rough 08′. Jame your just wrong. He is a rare player that doesnt pretend that he has it all figured out. If you have ever played the game Jame (doubtful) you understand that the game is difficult, performance enhancing drugs or not. Do you really think that these players keep track of thier OPS Jason? They dont have time, the next pitch is all they have time to focus on. All hitters at any level have rough stretches at times, unlike the monday moring QB’s on this forum; they dont dwell on the past- they try to get better everyday. The same reason Im sure you two clowns got cut from your high school team. You couldnt hit the curve, probably couldnt hit the fastball. You watch it on TV now and think its easy to put up a .300 avg w/25 HRs every year. Whats worse, if he would of done that you two would tell its because of drugs. Act like you have a clue about the game.