JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — Arriving for the first time at the St. Louis Cardinals’ spring training clubhouse, Scott Linebrink plopped down an Atlanta Braves equipment bag in front of his locker stall.
It was a vivid reminder of the front row seat the relief pitcher had during the collapse that helped the Cardinals make their improbable World Series title drive last fall. The Braves were 9-18 in September, and the 35-year-old right-hander took the loss in a 13-inning setback to the Phillies on the final day that gave St. Louis the NL wild card.
Linebrink’s description of the downward spiral: A three-week car wreck that slid past in slow motion.
The Cardinals signed Linebrink to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.
