Ryan Ludwick News & Rumors: Pro Sports Daily

January 17

Cincinnati Enquirer

"Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com reports tonight that the Reds and free agent outfielder Ryan Ludwick have agreed to a one-year deal with a mutual option for 2013. Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com, following Rosenthal's report, says that Ludwick gets $2.5 million with a chance to make $3 million. The Reds have not confirmed the report."

Pirates' Ludwick plays the hero with winning RBI in 9th

September 24

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"Joel Hanrahan kept Friday's game interesting, prolonging the result. Ryan Ludwick made it worth the wait. Ludwick's walk-off single scored Chase d'Arnaud in the bottom of the ninth and gave the Pirates a 4-3 win Friday against the Cincinnati Reds at PNC Park. "It felt like it was what I was supposed to do," Ludwick said. "Been awhile since I hit a walk-off. But it felt good." Pinch-hitter Jason Jaramillo doubled and d'Arnaud ran for him. Ludwick hit Nick Masset's pitch to the wall in center field. D'Arnaud said he started running when he saw center fielder Drew Stubbs' numbers, meaning he was running toward the wall."

Pirates Notebook: Ludwick feels fit again after back spasms

August 27

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"A convergence of circumstances sent Ryan Ludwick to the disabled list. Ludwick said he experienced back spasms Tuesday, then again Wednesday morning. He has had these back spasms before in his career, he said, but usually in the offseason. "Usually they'll put me on some muscle relaxers and it goes away in 48 hours," he said. On Wednesday, he had an MRI that showed no damage, but was put on the disabled list. "I don't think that he had a second episode in the past, which is what was challenging for us," general manager Neal Huntington said. "Our thought was the second episode was going to make it unlikely for him to be able to play through the weekend, which would leave us short for a"

Pirates send outfielder Ludwick to 15-day DL

August 25

Pittsburgh Tribune Review

"The Pirates placed outfielder Ryan Ludwick on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to Aug. 23, on Wednesday with mid-back muscle spasms. Manager Clint Hurdle said Ludwick's back first locked up on him Tuesday and he was unavailable for that night's game. Then, with shortstop Pedro Ciriaco at the Pittsburgh airport ready to travel to rejoin Triple-A Indianapolis, Ludwick's back seized up on him again Wednesday morning. Ciriaco returned to the ballpark, and Ludwick had an MRI and was placed on the DL. » There are about a dozen players in consideration for September call-ups, Hurdle said, and he'd like to keep the roster total to about 35. While he didn't want to get into a guessing game to"

Lee, Ludwick familiar with park, division

August 2

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"The Pirates welcomed two new players to their roster Monday who are quite familiar with this city and this ballpark. Derrek Lee and Ryan Ludwick join the Pirates having both played for several seasons with National League Central Division rivals -- Lee parts of seven seasons with the Chicago Cubs and Ludwick parts of four seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals. "I'm definitely familiar," Lee said at an introductory news conference. "I spent close to seven years in this division. There shouldn't be too many surprises pitching-wise and park-wise." Lee was acquired by the Pirates late Saturday night in a two-player swap with the Baltimore Orioles. The Pirates sent minor leaguer Aaron Baker to"

Ludwick completes Pirates' trade puzzle

August 1

Pittsburgh Tribune Review

"Hunter Pence was a possibility. So was Carlos Beltran. But in the end, the Pirates walked away from the trade deadline Sunday with two players -- Derrek Lee and Ryan Ludwick -- who cost them just $4.8 million and a couple of low-level prospects. "We explored all levels of deals," general manager Neal Huntington said. "We explored the huge deals and the smallest of deals. We were not afraid of going all-in, but it's got to be logical and rational." Houston's list of demands for Pence was too high. Beltran refused to take the Pirates off his list of no-trade teams. Huntington also went after a top-grade reliever -- Kojii Uehara and Heath Bell were on his radar -- but again found the price"

Ludwick isn't worried about his poor July

August 1

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"In the final 18 hours before Sunday's non-waiver trade deadline, the Pirates added two veteran hitters to a team that has struggled to score runs. Minutes before the 4 p.m. deadline, the Pirates acquired San Diego Padres left fielder Ryan Ludwick for a player to be named later or cash. Ludwick will join Derrek Lee, who the Pirates got Saturday night, in an effort to bolster the lineup. "That's a professional player," said Pirates manager Clint Hurdle, who had Ludwick on the National League All-Star team in 2008, after a 6-5 loss Sunday to the Philadelphia Phillies. "I spent a few days, got to know him a little bit and had some conversations at times since. He plays hard, he's a pro, he's"

Pirates acquire Padres outfielder Ludwick

July 31

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"The Pirates acquired San Diego Padres outfielder Ryan Ludwick before Sunday's trade deadline in exchange for a player to be named later or cash. The Pirates reportedly had interest in Ludwick for a while, but a trade to the Cleveland Indians looked more likely earlier Sunday. As the deadline approached, the Pirates again got involved, according to Yahoo Sports. Ludwick, 33, was hitting .238 for the Padres this season with 11 home runs and 64 RBIs. He hit .314 in May, but the production dropped as the season progressed and he hit .172 in July."

Bell a goner; Padres likely to make 2-3 trades

July 31

Yardbarker

"The Padres are not going to keep Heath Bell and settle for draft picks when he departs as a free agent. They are not going to use him to close meaningless games in the final two months of the season. Bell will be traded Sunday before the non-waiver deadline at 4 p.m. ET, according to a source familiar with the Padres' thinking. The Rangers remain the front-runner, the source said, but the Cardinals remain in the mix and the Phillies and Yankees are showing late interest. The Padres will make two and possibly three trades Sunday, with Bell, outfielder Ryan Ludwick and right-hander Chad Qualls the most likely to move, according to the source."

Now that Beltran is gone, everyone wants Ryan Ludwick?

July 28

Hardball Talk

"We figured that everyone looking for a bat at the deadline would wait until after Carlos Beltran got moved to swoop in for the second tier. That seems to be happening at least with Ryan Ludwick, as Jon Heyman reports that the Phillies, Braves, Reds and Indians are all interested."

Ludwick says he's OK after scary collision

July 26

CBSSports.com

"One of the names that has been mentioned the most leading up to Sunday's non-waiver trade deadline is San Diego's Ryan Ludwick -- and the Padres are exhaling after learning Ludwick is OK after leaving Monday's game in Philadelphia early. However, after the game, Ludwick told MLB.com's Corey Brock he'd be back in the lineup for San Diego on Tuesday (via Twitter). Ludwick said he felt "woozy" after the collision, but the heat of the day was a factor as well. Ludwick and center fielder Chris Denorfia collided in right field on a triple by Domonic Brown in the fourth inning. Ludwick stayed in the game long enough to contribute a sacrifice fly in the fifth inning, but left before the bottom of"

Debating the values of Willingham, Ludwick

July 21

Foxsports.com

"Eleven days from the non-waiver deadline, the buyers are sounding their usual complaints: Asking prices are ridiculous, nothing will happen until the sellers turn realistic, etc. When it comes to two of the top available hitters, the frustration level among some buyers is especially high. Why? Because Padres outfielder Ryan Ludwick and Athletics outfielder Josh Willingham are good — but not that good. As potential free agents, both Ludwick and Willingham are two-month rentals. As players, both are flawed."

Now that Ludwick has shown his stuff, will he be shown the door?

June 30

San Diego Union-Tribune

columnist Tim Sullivan

"Ryan Ludwick has proved his point. He is not as lousy as he looked last season. He is not the same hired gun who struggled to hit a moving target. He is not reprising his role as the pennant insurance who failed to perform. He is pretty much what the Padres thought he would be, albeit a season behind schedule: a professional hitter, a reliable source of run-production, an outfielder who deserves to be in demand. "I played terrible last year," Ludwick said Wednesday afternoon. "I wouldn't say I've been playing great this year, but I've been doing what I've been known to do and what they brought me over here to do — to drive in runs… "Last year, every time I came to the ballpark I was"

Report: Mariners interested in Padres' Ludwick

June 23

Seattle Post-Intelligencer

"The Mariners are among at least three teams that have inquired about San Diego Padres outfielder Ryan Ludwick, Jon Paul Morosi of FoxSports.com reported. According to Morosi, the Padres are willing to trade Ludwick, 32, who is eligible for free agency after the season. The Mariners find themselves near the top of the American League West and could be looking to solidify left field. They are using a combination of Carlos Peguero, Greg Halman and Mike Carp in left, but none is an established major league hitter."

Phillies, Mariners, Reds interested in Padres' Ludwick

June 22

Foxsports.com

"Outfielder Ryan Ludwick couldn't help the Padres reach the playoffs after San Diego acquired him from St. Louis last July. But that won't prevent Ludwick from being moved again this year. Sources say the Phillies, Mariners and Reds are among the teams that have already inquired about Ludwick's availability. And the Padres are signaling that they are willing to move Ludwick, the 32-year-old who is eligible for free agency at season's end. San Diego appears to be one of the few certain sellers, with roughly 40 days to go before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline. If parity around the game causes the overall supply of available players to be short, this could become a busy trading season"

Headley, Ludwick Padres hottest hitters

June 21

San Diego Union-Tribune

"Ryan Ludwick and Chase Headley are clearly the Padres two hottest hitters. The pair combined for seven of the Padres nine RBI in Minnesota. Headley was 6-for-14 in the series with three RBI to give him 26 for the season. Ludwick was 3-for-12 with a three-run homer for four RBI total and a team-leading 45 on the season. Headley has hit safely in 21 of his last 28 games, batting .327 (34-for-103) over the span."

Ludwick's RISP numbers read like MVP

June 5

San Diego Union-Tribune

"Throughout his career, Ryan Ludwick has always hit for a higher average with runners in scoring position than he has with nothing on the line. His career RISP average is .308. His career batting average is .265. "I can't explain why that is," Ludwick said Saturday afternoon. "But I've always thrived in pressure situations. I've always driven in runs. I know I like being in those situations." But at the start of this season, Ludwick's RISP mark lagged even behind his sub-Mendoza-line batting average. On May 10, Ludwick was hitting .181 overall and .129 with runners in scoring position. Since May 11, Ludwick has been one of the hottest hitters in the major leagues. He has hit safely in 18 of"

Two for a show: Ludwick's second homer of game powers Padres

April 26

San Diego Union-Tribune

"Ryan Ludwick capped his first two-homer game of the season with the fourth walk-off homer of his career Monday night to give the Padres a 5-3, 13-inning victory over the Atlanta Braves at Petco Park. Ludwick's drive into the left field seats off Braves reliever Cristhian Martinez followed a one-out walk drawn by Nick Hundley, whose two-out double in the eighth tied the game at 3-3. "I think it was a fastball," said Ludwick. "I could be mistaken. It's kind of a blur sometimes as a hitter. Sometimes as a hitter, I can't recall what happened. "I just know I hit it really hard and it barely got out. It's crazy. I think that ball is 20 rows deep in most ballparks. This park plays crazy at"

Ludwick ends long drought with long home run

April 11

San Diego Union-Tribune

"When Ryan Ludwick stepped to the plate to lead off the fourth inning Sunday he was batting .087, two hits in 23 at-bats. He was in an 0-for-17 funk, going more than a week without a hit. Was he pressing? "I think so," manager Bud Black said. In his first plate appearance Ludwick slammed a ball deep to left field. "I thought it was 15 rows out," Ludwick said. Instead, it died on the warning track. Ludwick left no doubt about his fourth-inning trip to the plate, crushing a 438-foot home run that landed deep into left field's second deck. As soon as the ball took flight, Ludwick whipped his bat to the ground and began circling the bases. "I think (that was) frustration," Ludwick said. "It's"

Ludwick, Padres come up short in St. Louis

April 4

San Diego Union-Tribune

"For Ryan Ludwick, baseball wasn't a game of inches Sunday afternoon. It was one of feet - four and one. That's how close Ludwick twice came to what could have been a game-winning hit Sunday in St. Louis. Bases loaded, one out in the Padres sixth. Two line drives. One landed four feet foul deep in the left-field corner. The second landed a foot foul between third base and the corner. "I don't know how many runs those would have scored," Ludwick said. "At least two. It could have been the difference in this game." Oh, there was a third line drive. This one was caught by Cardinals third baseman Daniel Descalso, who doubled losing pitcher Dustin Moseley off third to end the inning and kill the"

Ludwick wants to stay a Padre

October 5

San Diego Union-Tribune

"Ryan Ludwick wants to return to the Padres next year, but believes the chances are "probably less than 50-50." The right fielder hit only .212 with the Padres with six homers and 26 RBI in 59 games after being acquired from St. Louis in a trading deadline deal. He struck out 57 times in 209 at-bats. Ludwick, 32, is arbitration eligible. "I'd like to come back to show the Padres and the San Diego fans what I can do," said Ludwick. "I was disappointed. The calf muscle injury (suffered when he was a Cardinal) killed me. I just got back from that when I was traded. I never got back on firm ground." *breaker Young thoughts Padres general manager Jed Hoyer Monday said "it's a safe assumption""

Ludwick's blast powers Padres

September 19

San Diego Union-Tribune

"With one swing, Ryan Ludwick proved what he could mean in a pennant drive. The former Cardinal launched a three-run homer Saturday, snapping a 4-4 tie with one out in the top of the ninth, to lead the Padres to an 8-4 victory in yet another of what seems to be an endless stream of make-or-break victories. The win ended a run of 11 straight Padres losses in St. Louis dating back to 2007. More importantly, it boosted the Padres' hopes in both the National League West and wild card races with 14 games to go. The win, coupled with the Giants' 2-1 loss to Milwaukee later Saturday, gave the Padres a half-game lead in the division. "That's the biggest," Bud Black said of Ludwick's 353-foot drive"

Ludwick eager for stop in St. Louis

September 17

San Diego Union-Tribune

"Ryan Ludwick says he is like any former Cardinal returning to St. Louis for the first time. "I'm excited," Ludwick said Wednesday. "St. Louis is a special place to play. The fans are really into the game and the team. They make it special." Sometimes very special. When David Eckstein returned to St. Louis with the Padres last season, he was given a standing ovation the first time he approached the plate. And the second. And the first time he hit in the second game, and the third game. "It's not going to be like Eck," said Ludwick. "He was the Most Valuable Player of the 2006 World Series. There's a special place for Eck in St. Louis. But I'm sure it will be a nice reception. It always is."

It's not always an easy slide

August 10

San Diego Union-Tribune

"Before he was baseball's overnight success story of 2008, Ryan Ludwick had some sleepless nights. A year earlier, Ludwick, fearing he was stuck on an endless yo-yo between the majors and minors, contemplated moving his baseball fortunes to Japan. Before that, a series of injuries resulting in four rounds of surgery threatened to sidetrack his career. "I never had doubts that I could play in the major leagues," Ludwick said last weekend. "But for awhile there, I wasn't getting anywhere for a variety of reasons. I give myself credit for perseverance. In a way, the injuries, what happened along the way, made me better. "I believe God has a plan. I really believe that." As he spoke, Ludwick"

Is there life after Ludwick?

August 5

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

columnist Jeff Gordon

"Is there life after Ryan Ludwick for the Cardinals? Perhaps, if Allen Craig can take the same step Jon Jay is taking this season. As we've noted before, Craig, 26, is not widely regarded as a blue-chip prospect. He is one of many college stars the Cards drafted in recent years, hoping to develop badly needed depth ASAP. He and Jay - another low-ceiling college product, in the eyes of many - are manning right field after Ludwick's departure. "When that happened, it opened up a spot for me to be here," Craig said. "It's my job to contribute, driving in runs when we need them." Jay is batting .366, but has just one hit in 12 at-bats since Ludwick left. Jay figures to get most of the starts"

Ludwick, Tejada toughen batting order

August 4

San Diego Union-Tribune

"The addition of Ryan Ludwick and Miguel Tejada gives the Padres more than just a boost at the top of the lineup. "It lengthens the entire lineup," said Padres manager Bud Black. "Their presence can be felt throughout the order. It gives us options, too." Black exercised some of the options Tuesday night. With left-hander Ted Lilly making his Dodgers debut, Black gave Monday night's heroes - Chase Headley (four hits, including a three-run homer) and Will Venable (a three-run homer and four RBI) - the night away from the starting lineup. Headley, who had played the sixth-most innings in the National League this season and is hitting only .192 against left-handers, was spelled by Miguel"

Beaning in past for Gregerson, Ludwick

August 2

San Diego Union-Tribune

"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"

Ludwick makes an impression

August 2

San Diego Union-Tribune

"An hour before Sunday's first pitch, Padres manager Bud Black had second thoughts about starting Ryan Ludwick in his first afternoon in a Padres uniform. "Ryan got in late last night," explained Black. "I wanted him to settle in. I know that feeling of changing teams. A lot of things are moving fast. Ryan felt ready to go, but coming off the calf injury and everything, I changed my mind." So Black rewrote his starting lineup and scratched Ludwick, who was on the DL with a sore calf from July 3 through July 24. Besides, even if Ludwick didn't start, Black thought there would come a time Sunday that the outfielder's bat would come into play against Florida's Cy Young Award candidate, Josh"

Pads fall after trade

August 1

San Diego Union-Tribune

"Shortly after outfielder Ryan Ludwick arrives at Petco Park this morning, Padres manager Bud Black plans to press him into service. "I expect him to play and hit in the middle of the lineup somewhere," the Padres manager said Saturday night after the inoffensive Padres dropped a second straight decision to the Florida Marlins at Petco Park. All of a sudden, the Padres are struggling. Instead of getting a boost from the arrival of Miguel Tejada and news of Saturday morning's acquisition of Ludwick from St. Louis in a three-team trade that included Cleveland sending pitcher Jake Westbrook to the Cardinals, the Padres flattened out. "The last few games, we have not shown our best," said"

Cardinals acquire Wesbtrook from Indians, then deal Ludwick to Padres in 3-team deal

July 31

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"The Cardinals have acquired righthanded starting pitcher Jake Westbrook and cash considerations from the Cleveland Indians in a three-team trade that sends right fielder Ryan Ludwick to the San Diego Padres. The Cardinals receive minor-league lefthander Nick Greenwood from the Padres. The Cardinals confirmed the moves via a press release. Westbrook, 32, was 6-7 with a 4.65 ERA for the struggling Indians. Greenwood has been assigned to Class A Quad Cities. Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak cited Westbrook as someone the organization had eyed "for a good period of time." The deal, which began to firm Friday night, apparently involved Westbrook modifying a $2 million trade bonus. He is"

Indians close to trading Jake Westbrook to St. Louis

July 31

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"The Indians are close to sending Jake Westbrook to St. Louis. The deal must be completed by 4 p.m. Westbrook is 6-7 with a 4.65 ERA in 21 starts. He missed most of the last two years because of Tommy John surgery on his right elbow. The final hurdle to clear is money. Westbrook has $3.2 million left on his $11 million contract. Westbrook also receives a $2 million bonus if he's traded. The last year of his contract is also protated at $1 million if he's traded."

Ludwick will have rehab assignment in Memphis

July 20

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"After a full-speed workout Monday afternoon at Busch Stadium, Cardinals outfielder Ryan Ludwick received clearance to go south and work his way back. Ludwick will join the Cardinals' Class AAA affiliate in Memphis tonight to begin a minor-league rehab assignment, a Cardinals official confirmed. Ludwick said if his rehab work goes well he could rejoin the major-league team as early as this weekend and be activated for the series at Wrigley Field. "I'm ready to go," Ludwick said. "I'm feeling really good with things. I'm able to do all the stuff I need to. I'm ready to get back and get things going." Ludwick has been sidelined by a calf strain since June 25, a few days after he injured his"

Ludwick hopes to come off DL after break

July 4

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"Cardinals outfielder Ryan Ludwick said his strained calf felt better Saturday, but he's no longer in the business of grading his health, not after two relapses and one nagging muscle injury put him, officially, on the disabled list that afternoon. "I'm telling myself that I'll be ready after the All-Star break," Ludwick said. "But then I don't know. ... I just want to do whatever it takes to get it ready." The Cardinals promoted outfielder Jon Jay from Class AAA Memphis to take Ludwick's spot on the roster and return to a role he filled expertly earlier this season - a pinch-hitting extra outfielder. Jay, a lefthanded hitter, hit .375 as a pinch hitter in 16 at-bats for the Cardinals"

Ryan Ludwick has injury setback, appears headed to disabled list

July 3

St. Louis Globe-Democrat

"Ryan Ludwick arrived at Busch Stadium Friday afternoon expecting to tell manager Tony La Russa that he was available to pinch-hit in the game against the Brewers. A few minutes on the treadmill changed those plans, however, and Ludwick now appears destined for a trip to the disabled list on Saturday. While running on the treadmill, Ludwick felt his left calf grab, letting him know that he has not recovered from the injury he first suffered last week in Toronto. "I don't think we're back to square one, but I knew it wasn't ready," Ludwick said. While general manager John Mozeliak said a final decision about placing Ludwick on the DL would not be made until Saturday, manager Tony La Russa"

Cardinals' Ryan Ludwick heads to the disabled list

July 3

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"Cardinals came and went before Friday night's game with Milwaukee and another is headed for a different destination — the 15-day disabled list. Infielder Tyler Greene was called up from Memphis for the second time and was written into the lineup at second base. Reliever Fernando Salas, packing his bag as Greene spoke to the media, was sent back to Memphis for the third time this season. And right fielder Ryan Ludwick, feeling a twinge in his previously strained right calf as he exercised on the treadmill Friday afternoon, will be placed on the disabled list before tonight's game. Ludwick, who hadn't appeared since last Friday in Kansas City when he reinjured himself running from third to"

Ludwick would like to be noticed for defense

June 8

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"Ryan Ludwick has a Silver Slugger. He has no problem saying he wants to pair it with Gold Glove. Ludwick, who entered Monday night's series opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers leading the National League in hitting with runners in scoring position, would like his exploits in right field to become just as noticeable. "It's been a goal of mine to get some recognition for something I've worked so hard at my whole life," said the normally low-key Ludwick. "It would feel good, to be honest with you." Ludwick reached St. Louis in 2007 after signing as a minor-league free agent known as something of a plodder with an arm more accurate than powerful. Reality has shown Ludwick to possess a knack"

Cardinals' Ryan Ludwick gets kick out of catch

May 18

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"When Washington's Ryan Zimmerman sent an opposite-field fly ball down the right field line in the eighth inning, it gave Cardinals right fielder Ryan Ludwick a chance to be a kid again. Ludwick had to make a long run toward the foul line to make a diving catch for the out and end up on the warning track. Now that's fun. "I enjoyed that one," Ludwick said after the Cardinals' 6-2 victory at Busch Stadium. "That was my favorite one of the year. It was kind of fun because the grass was wet so you got to slip and slide. It kind of brought me back to my childhood days. I landed on the grass, slid on the grass, and then slid on the dirt. It was like a slip and slide on to a sandpaper slide.""

Ludwick (18 for 35) sits

May 17

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"Cardinals manager Tony La Russa sat right fielder Ryan Ludwick against Reds starter Bronson Arroyo until calling upon him for a seventh-inning at-bat Sunday. Ludwick struck out, ending an eight-game hitting streak. La Russa told Ludwick his decision to start rookie Jon Jay in right field was primarily motivated by a desire to keep Ludwick fresh. Ludwick, 18 for 35 during his hitting streak, is the Cardinals' only player to appear in every game this season. La Russa started Jason LaRue at catcher after noticing a fatigued and frustrated Yadier Molina on Saturday night. Molina struck out twice during an 0-for-four night."

Ludwick, Pujols power Cardinals past Astros in home opener

April 13

St. Louis Globe-Democrat

"After slumping to a .143 average and just three hits in 21 at-bats to start the season, maybe all outfielder Ryan Ludwick needed was a little home cooking. The All-Star had more hits Monday than he had in the first six games of the season, going 4-for-4 with a triple to help propel the Cardinals to a 5-0 win over the Houston Astros in their home opener at Busch Stadium. "It feels good," Ludwick said. "It definitely feels good. I think someone brought up the point that I had more hits today than I did the entire season coming in, so that's nice. But most important I think is getting this first win at home." Ludwick enjoyed a great spring training but began slumping just as the club was"

Ludwick moves up in batting order

April 10

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"Two days after rolling out a lineup carbon from opening day, Cardinals manager Tony La Russa on Friday embraced what may be a longstanding alteration to his card by moving former Silver Slugger right fielder Ryan Ludwick to the second spot in the batting order. La Russa discussed the possibility of such a move with Ludwick during the team's five-day stay in Cincinnati, then followed through after Ludwick and previous No. 2 hitter Brendan Ryan labored through the opening series. "It makes more sense," La Russa said. La Russa has long advocated placing "damage" in a slot many managers reserve for bat control over power. During his 31-year major league managerial career, La Russa has"

Ryan Ludwick excited, relieved about new contract with Cardinals

January 20

St. Louis Globe-Democrat

"Outfielder Ryan Ludwick did more than just sign autographs at the Winter Warm-Up during his trip to St. Louis over the weekend. Ludwick and the Cardinals spent time finalizing a one-year contract worth $5.45 million for 2010. The deal, which avoids arbitration between the two sides, is a raise of $1.75 million from his $3.7 million salary a year ago. "I talked to them there at the Warm-Up and obviously my agent was in touch with them quite a bit," Ludwick told Globe-Democrat.com Tuesday night. "We just hammered it out and got it done. I'm excited. I'm glad that I am going to be in a Cardinal uniform next year. I am really excited about the opportunities that we have as a team." Ludwick,"

Cardinals agree on contract with Ryan Ludwick

January 20

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"The Cardinals reached agreement Tuesday with right fielder Ryan Ludwick on a one-year, $5.45 million contract that will allow the parties to avoid a potential salary arbitration hearing next month. Resolving Ludwick's contract leaves second baseman Skip Schumaker as the only Cardinal to seek arbitration. The parties exchanged figures Tuesday, with the club offering $1.45 million and Schumaker seeking $2.75 million. Schumaker made $430,000 last year. "There are still some question marks" on how close a deal with Schumaker is, general manager John Mozeliak said. "It is nice to have Luddy done." Though the difference in the bids presented by the club and Schumaker appears daunting, both sides"

Ludwick, Cards agree to one-year contract

January 19

St. Louis Globe-Democrat

"The Cardinals announced on Tuesday morning that they have come to terms with outfielder Ryan Ludwick on a one-year contract for 2010. The deal avoids arbitration between the two sides. Terms of the deal were not disclosed but Ludwick, who hit .265 with 22 home runs and 97 RBIs last year, will earn more than $5 million in 2010 after making $3.7 million a season ago. "We are pleased to have reached an agreement with Ryan," Cardinals General Manager John Mozeliak said in a statement. "Ryan has proven to be a steady run-producer for our ballclub for the past two-plus seasons and we look forward to another strong season from him in 2010." The deal leaves Skip Schumaker as the only"

Cardinals talking contracts with Ludwick, Schumaker

January 15

St. Louis Globe-Democrat

"John Mozeliak has checked off some pretty important boxes on his "to-do" list in the last couple of weeks, but the Cardinals' general manager has a few more tasks remaining before the team reports to spring training next month. One of the those is to complete contract negotiations with the two Cardinals eligible for arbitration, outfielder Ryan Ludwick and second baseman Skip Schumaker. Even though the true deadline to complete a deal and avoid going through the arbitration hearings is the date of the hearings, in mid-February, the two sides will exchange figures on Tuesday if a deal is not reached before then. Dan Horwits of the Beverly Hills Sports Council, who represents Ludwick, said"

St. Louis Cardinals' Ludwick shows signs improved performance at plate

July 2

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"Ryan Ludwick is starting to look a little bit more like a cleanup hitter. The Cardinals' right fielder was one for three with a walk in Wednesday night's 2-1 win over the San Francisco Giants, and he recorded his 39th RBI with a first-inning single that drove in Skip Schumaker after an intentional walk to Albert Pujols. One night earlier, Ludwick hit a double and his first triple of the season with the bases empty against Randy Johnson. It was his first game with two extra-base hits since he hit two home runs against the Cubs on April 17. "I'm just trying to put together good at-bats and I feel like I've done that in the last four days," Ludwick said. "All you can do is control going up"

Cards expect lift from Ludwick

May 29

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"The last time the Cardinals walked into AT&T Park, Ryan Ludwick remained a curiosity, a guy who hit town after failing to appear in consecutive games in Houston against lesser pitching lights Shawn Chacon and Chris Sampson. Ludwick was also a no-show in the April 10 series opener against San Francisco Giants righthanded mystery meat Kevin Correia. Ludwick grins at the memory. "It's kind of where it all got started for me," he says, reflecting on the place where an All-Star and Silver Slugger season began to germinate. "I got going. There were a couple lulls along the way, but I remember feeling really good there." When the team charter left San Francisco after a four-game series, Ludwick"

The winding road

May 18

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"Emerging as he did as a 30-year-old slugging revelation and an All-Star in his first full season, Cardinals outfielder Ryan Ludwick understands the perception that he and his 2008 season "came out of nowhere." Because there was a time when he felt like all of the mileage and meandering through pro baseball had landed him exactly there - nowhere. "I got lost in the shuffle," Ludwick said. "They had no clue who I was, who I had been or the kind of player I had been in the past. I'm fortunate to get a chance to show that." Ludwick - currently on the disabled list with a hamstring injury - took a path to becoming a regular in the major leagues that was a twisty one, marked by a high-speed"

Cardinals place Ludwick on DL

May 13

MLB.com

"The Cardinals placed outfielder Ryan Ludwick on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday because of a strained right hamstring and recalled outfielder Nick Stavinoha from Triple-A Memphis to fill his spot on the 25-man roster. Stavinoha will be available for St. Louis' Wednesday night game against the Pirates. Ludwick was pulled out of Tuesday's game in the bottom of the second after trying to chase down a deep fly ball to right-center field off the bat of Nyjer Morgan -- who ended up with a triple. After Ludwick came up short trying to snag it, manager Tony La Russa and head athletic trainer Barry Weinberg went out to check on the 2008 All-Star. After walking around a bit, Ludwick was taken"

St. Louis Cardinals lose to Pirates 7-1, lose Ryan Ludwick

May 13

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"The Pittsburgh Pirates, having descended to their customary submerged spot of sixth place in the National League Central Division after eight consecutive losses, needed a win. The Cardinals, who already had dropped five of their last eight, lost twice Tuesday night. Not only did the Cardinalsa 7-1 decision to the Pirates, but they almost certainly have lost right fielder and cleanup man Ryan Ludwick for a period of time, probably even the disabled list, because of a right hamstring strain. He was hurt when giving futile chase to Nyjer Morgan's fly ball, which went for a two-run triple in the second inning. Manager Tony La Russa was on the telephone to general manager John Mozeliak, who"