"Luke Gregerson was a bit nervous Sunday morning as he reintroduced himself to the newest Padre.

It seems Gregerson and outfielder Ryan Ludwick have a history.

"I beaned him," said Gregerson.

The incident came at the end of spring training in 2006 when the Cardinals were playing two games against their Double-A affiliate. Gregerson was pitching for Springfield at the time.

"I hit Ryan on the side of the helmet, 93 mph, flush," said Gregerson, somewhat embarrassingly recalling the incident.

"The ball bounced all the way back to me. As I was picking it up, I looked in the Cardinals dugout and Tony LaRussa had ripped the hat off his head and had it clenched in his hands he was so mad.

"My catcher came out and said, 'You know what you just did, you beaned the Cardinals' starting right fielder … one of the National League's best hitters.' I thought I was going to get released right there."

"He got me good," recalled Ludwick. "I suffered a concussion."

Gregerson actually had a chance to make amends with Ludwick in spring 2009 before the reliever was traded to the Padres. On Sunday, both he and Ludwick were smiling as their paths crossed again."