ST. LOUIS -- Mike Matheny settled into Tony La Russas desk chair in a freshly painted office minus all the knickknacks accumulated over 16 years by his predecessor. The stuffed tiger from the 2006 World Series title, the bust of TLRs favourite dog, the piles and piles of books -- all gone. A blank slate -- just like the St. Louis Cardinals new manager, who has never filled out a lineup card in the majors. Not that he hasnt thought about it. "I loved spending the time I had with Tony talking about managing, and he knew that," Matheny said Monday after getting a two-year contract with a club option for a third season. "Hes been advocate for a long time, someone thats been promoting me." General manager John Mozeliak offered Matheny the job last Friday while he was in the Dominican Republic with Albert Pujols but told Matheny to say nothing until Monday. Mozeliak envisioned Matheny as manager material when he rejoined the organization two years ago. Matheny was a special assistant in player development last year and previously had been a minor league instructor. Mozeliak knew thered be questions about Mathenys lack of experience but pointed out when he replaced Walt Jocketty four years ago, he, too, was unproven. "Thats something Ive experienced myself, and I know what its like going from maybe a less leadership role to one where youre thrust into it," Mozeliak said. "I think he has that skill set." Mozeliak also believes Matheny is a good fit for this team because of its blend of veterans and youth, and because the rotation is set. "A Matt Holliday and a Lance Berkman, they dont need to be over-managed if you will," Mozeliak said. "So I think hes going to be able to put his energy into the players that most need it, and to the team itself. That was something we factored in." Chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. said Matheny is well-respected throughout baseball, and the Cardinals background doesnt hurt. "He knows our current club and organization as well as anyone, and we feel he is the perfect one to lead us into a very bright future," DeWitt said. As for his managing style, Matheny said hed rely on instincts honed from his playing days. "I believe I owe this organization to be myself," Matheny said. "Im not here to try and clone Tony or any other manager or coach, but I believe Im a collection of all the above." Holliday and World Series MVP David Freese attended Mondays news conference, held in the same room where La Russa said his good-byes two weeks earlier. Both escaped via a side door without talking to reporters. Mozeliak and DeWitt said Matheny, who won three of his four Gold Gloves with the Cardinals from 2000-04, stood out from a group of candidates that began with about 35 names in mid-August when the 67-year-old La Russa first announced his intentions. The final six included Terry Francona, Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg and longtime Cardinals third base coach Jose Oquendo. The Cardinals expect to complete its coaching staff by the weekend, and it could include at least two holdovers from the La Russa era. Mozeliak said pitching coach Dave Duncan, who is signed for next season, should be back, and Oquendo also could return. Mozeliak said he was in contact with La Russa during the interview process. "I dont know if the word consulting is right," Mozeliak said. "He was someone I kept abreast of the process. I always welcome his opinion." Matheny is the Cardinals youngest manager since Jack Krol, also 41, in 1978. Mathenys playing career blossomed after he signed a one-year free-agent deal to be the backup catcher in St. Louis. Though a career .239 hitter, Matheny did enough defensively to earn a starting job. Matheny was with the Giants when his career was ended by concussions in 2006. He said hes been symptom free for about 1 1/2 years. Johnathan Joseph Texans Jersey . 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It was almost exactly like the way Babcocks Team Canada won gold at the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. The result was a 2-1 Red Wings victory on Swedish Olympian Gustav Nyquists rebound goal with 28 seconds left in overtime.Alouettes GM and head coach Jim Popp revealed that two NFL teams have called him about job possibilities in 2014. Popp would not name the clubs and issued only a, "no comment" about whether or not theres been progress in him returning to Montreal in the dual role he has worked since returning to the CFL in 1996. “It hasnt been as busy as the last two off seasons,” Popp admitted. Popp later clarified to TSN on Friday that while his representatives received calls, he has not spoken to any teams. He also said he has not interviewed or spoken to anyone about other jobs. At this time last year, the Als lost their head coach Marc Trestman to the Chicago Bears while Popp interviewed for a job with the Panthers, having also been considered for employment with the Eagles and Colts. Popp says he has interviewed prospective coaches for thee coming season since the team still needs a new offensive coordinator and may have spots for as many as three other newcomers to the staff.dddddddddddd Popp is in New York for Super Bowl weekend and admitted hes rooting for the Seahawks because of a home town connection with Seattle guard JR Sweezy. “Hes from my hometown Mooresville, North Carolina and I helped get him a scholarship,” Popp told the TSN 690 Morning Show with Price, Starr and Moffat. “Small world, Marc Trestman was on the staff at NC State at the time.” Sweezys mother Susan works for the Alouettes as Popps executive assistant from her North Carolina home and her son was on the Alouettes negotiation list before becoming a fixture on the offensive line that protects Russell Wilson, who not coincidentally, was once on the Als “neg list” as well. ' ' '
