Spiezio Released

Shortly after the Cardinals learned of a warrant being issued for the arrest of utility man Scott Spiezio, the team officially released him. Sources say that Spiezio is wanted in Orange County, California on six different charges, including driving under the influence and assault, all stemming from an incident in late December.

Spiezio missed over a month of the 2007 season while receiving treatment for substance abuse. It was thought that he had gotten past those problems and was ready to take back his role with the ’08 squad.

“I was out of control for a while,” Spiezio said late last season. ”I learned a lot and I’m ready to start contributing in a good way now.”

I wish Scott the best and hope he can get the treatment he needs to get his life in order. I also think this was a smart move for the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team. There were too many non-baseball stories accompanying last year’s team, and more off the field trouble is the last thing La Russa and the Redbirds need.

With Spiezio now out of the picture, an opportunity presents itself for one of the other infielders to make the club out of camp. It would seem that no one has quite the flexibility of a Scott Spiezio, but there are some candidates that can play multiple positions, including Brendan Ryan and D’Angelo Jimenez. We’ll soon have a better idea of what the opening day roster will look like. The Post Dispatch has more on the Spiezio story here.

Mike

It's sad to see Spiezio go like this. Yes, it would have been nice of the organization to stand behind him, but I think that's what they did last season. I think that if they were take that route again the young players in camp would be getting some mixed signals. I think the way they handled it was smart. The youngsters need to know that the Cardinals will not tolerate the same kind of off the field trouble that they did last season. Releasing Scott sends the right message.

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Kathy

I think it's sad the Cardinals let him go! I got a chance to talk with Scott at practice on Tuesday and he was in a great mood, looking good, feeling hopeful and yet very humble about the work he has been doing and the work he has ahead of him. I think it took a LOT of courage for him to enter treatment and there are many more players and others in this world who don't do it. He is a great role model and I think it would have made the Cardinals organization look better by standing behind him. No one is perfect. Even Tony LaRussa had a DUI. We are all human and so is Scott! I wish him all the best.

I'd like to see Ryan make the club. I would guess that guys like Barden and Phelps are in the mix too, with Ryan being the favorite.

Tony "inquired" about Bonds. Mo and Dewitt released Spiezio. All in all, a very smart move by the front office.

Anonymous

yeah, let's 'inquire' about barry bonds not once, but TWICE....but let spiezio go. seems a bit hypocritical to me....

Cardinal70

I think it is almost a lock Ryan makes the squad now. Jimenez would have to have a superb spring to knock him out.

purple iguana

I'm sad to see this. I always liked Spiezio and his soul patch. I'll never forget the excitement he showed after hitting the triple on the last weekend of the '06 regular season.
I was shocked to see the news on the drug abuse last year, and thought he had turned it around. Guess not. Good luck in the future Scott.

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