DOWNTOWN — For a rookie, Brian Barden sure has been around.

The St. Louis Cardinals part-time third baseman and full-time plus glove, Barden has changed positions, changed roles, changed teams, made his second Opening Day roster by learning he’d made the team on his birthday, hit his first home run, become a father, won a Bronze Medal in the Olympics and, oh, had surgery to repair a nagging groin injury.

All of that has come in the…

SOUTH GRAND — St. Louis Cardinals infielder Brian Barden, a superb glove with the journeyman flecks of gray in his hair, was validated as a 28-years-old rookie this week by winning the league’s rookie of the month award. He crossed paths with manager Tony La Russa outside the team’s clubhouse Monday and got what passes for congratulations in May.

“Rookie of the month!” La Russa said.

“Thanks, skipper,” Barden said.

“But,” La Russa said walking into the clubhouse, “that…

TOWER GROVE — As a tandem, they make for one productive player.

The St. Louis Cardinals are split-shifting third base with steady success so far this season, sharing the at-bats and innings at the position between Joe Thurston and Brian Barden. Colleague Joe Strauss reported in this morning’s newspaper that despite their length of time in the minors and sporadic appearances in the majors, both of the Cardinals’ utility infielders are considered “rookies” when it comes…