Nick Stavinoha #34

Graduated from Jersey Village High School in Houston, Texas, where he was a Class 5A All-State selection as a catcher in 2000...began his collegiate career as a middle linebacker for the University of Houston...attended San Jacinto Junior College to begin switch to baseball...at SJJC in 2002, batted .377 with 24 home runs and 87 RBI to help lead the team to the Junior College World Series... transferred to Louisiana State University...as a senior at LSU, hit .370 with 18 HRs and 65 RBI in 257 at-bats while playing outfield...originally drafted by the Houston Astros in the 39th round of the 2002 draft but did not sign...resides in Magnolia, Texas with his wife, Casey, and daughter, Kate Elaine (9/29/08) ...name is pronounced stav-uh-noah.

2010

Began the season on the Cardinals' Opening Day roster for the first time. Split time with St. Louis and Memphis (AAA), earning three recalls during the season. ... Played in 79 games, 56 as a pinch-hitter and made 17 starts (16 RF, 1 LF). ... Was on 15-day DL from 7/12-31 with a right shoulder strain. Had a 5-game rehab stint at Memphis (.368, 7-19). ... Tied for 4th among MLB players with 15 pinch-hits (15-53, .283) including two home runs (T6th, MLB). ... His 15 pinch hits were the most by a Cardinals player since Marlon Anderson had 17 in 2004. ... Hit a game-winning pinch-hit, two-run homer off Trevor Hoffman (4/9 at MIL). His second pinch-hit home run came on 5/3 at PHI off Joe Blanton. ... Caught 1/3 of an inning as an emergency catcher on 4/11 at MIL.

2009

Played 111 games between Memphis (AAA) and St. Louis. Started in Memphis and was initially called up on 5/13 due to Ryan Ludwick's injury. Started 34 games at first base and 32 at catcher at MEM; and 23 in the outfield in STL...Combined to hit 13 home runs, 73 RBI and 24 doubles between AAA and St. Louis...Hit first Major League HR at MIL (5/26), a solo HR off Jeff Suppan. Also had a pinch-HR off Clay Zavada vs. ARI (7/17)...Had the game-winning hit in four of Memphis' 14 last at bat wins including walk-off solo HR at IWA (5/9) in the 10th inning...Smacked a pair of home runs and a double (3-4) vs. OMA (6/24) in most productive offensive game...Put together a 12-game hitting streak (18-46, .391, 3 HR, 13 RBI) from 5/4-6/21 picked up between MLB time...Was 4-for-4 with 10 RBI in bases loaded situations at Memphis...Hit 17 doubles in 72 games at Memphis for a team leading .24 doubles per game.

2008

His .337 average led the Cardinals farm system and ranked 5th in the Pacific Coast League...Played 112 games at Triple-A and had 16 HR, 74 RBI and led the team with 144 hits...Started off his season at Triple-A gathering hits in 9 of the team's first 11 games. Had a season-high 12-game hitting streak from 6/2-14 (.348, 16-46)...Was Memphis' lone representative at the Triple-A All-Star Game. He went 1-2 with a run scored as a sub in RF...Was Memphis' lone representative at the Triple-A All-Star Game. He went 1-2 with a run scored as a sub in RF...Picked up his first ML hit in his start 6/22, a single off Boston's J. Lester...Started 12 games for the Cardinals: 7 in leftfield, 2 in rightfield and 3 as the DH...His 2nd recall came 7/28 & he was optioned 8/6. Recalled a final time on 8/26 (Barton DL) for the remainder of the season.