16th Annual Winter Warm-Up to Kick off 2012 Season

ST LOUIS (January 11, 2012)-- The 16^th annual Cardinals Care Winter Warm-Up, the Cardinals Caravan, the 53^rd annual St. Louis Baseball Writers Dinner, as well as two events benefiting Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF) highlight a busy Cardinals-themed holiday weekend that continues the 2011 World Championship celebration while also unofficially kicking off the 2012 baseball season.

The Winter Warm-Up returns to the Hyatt Regency at the Arch Saturday, January 14^th through Monday, January 16^th (Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day) with appearances by a variety of current and former Cardinals players.

            “This year’s Warm-Up will be even more special as we celebrate our 11^th World Championship and look forward to the 2012 season,” said Michael Hall, Vice President for Cardinals Care and Community Relations. “The event is a fun-filled weekend that really has something for everyone.”

This year fans will get their chance to take a picture with the Cardinals 2011 World Series trophy as well as get their first opportunity to greet new acquisitions Carlos Beltran and J.C. Romero, who are scheduled to appear on Sunday and Monday respectively.

For complete Warm-Up information visit www.cardinals.com/winterwarmup.

In addition to the Warm-Up, on Friday night Cardinals fans can enjoy a special program at the Peabody Opera House as Tony La Russa and Bob Costas will discuss the 2011 season. Saturday night La Russa’s annual “Stars to the Rescue” event will take place at the Peabody and both events will benefit the former Cardinals manager’s Animal Rescue Foundation.

The 54^th annual Baseball Writers Dinner will take place at the St. Louis Millennium Hotel on Sunday night. Fans will enjoy a night of fun and entertainment as the dinner will celebrate the 2011 World Championship, pay tribute to the 30^th anniversary of the 1982 World Series Champion Cardinals and include the presentation of several 2011 awards and recognitions.

Below are the complete highlights of the 2012 Winter Warm-Up:

Friday, January 13, 2012

• Tickets: The Will Call ticket window at the Hyatt Regency will be open from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Cardinals Caravan Kicks Off: Stops in Springfield, Mo., Champaign, Ill., Decatur, Ill., Mexico, Mo. and Jefferson City, Mo. kick off the 2012 Cardinals Caravan.
• La Russa Discusses the 2011 Season: Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation will host “A Champs Perspective,” a viewing of the 2011 Championship season at the Peabody Opera House with special guest Bob Costas. Join La Russa as he gives his unique commentary on this historic season.

Saturday, January 14, 2012 (9 a.m. – 5 p.m.)

• 2012 Cardinals Autographs: Chris Carpenter, Tony Cruz, Tyler Greene, Fernando Salas, Adam Wainwright and more.
• Cardinals Alumni Autographs: Andy and Alan Benes, Glenn Brummer, Cal Eldred, Rex Hudler, Rick Horton, Brian Jordan and more.
• Dugout Presentations: “Collecting Sports Memorabilia” with sports collector Dave Jackson at 10:30 a.m.; Learn how to shoot a Cardinals game with team photographer Scott Rovak at 12:00 p.m.; Weatherbird live demonstrations with St. Louis Post-Dispatch artist Dan Martin at 2:00 p.m.
• Clubhouse Presentations: Cardinals Farm Director John Vuch discusses the organization’s minor league system at 11:00 a.m.; Cardinals Vice President of Sales and Marketing Dan Farrell discusses the team’s sales, marketing and broadcasting at 1:00 p.m.; Brian Finch of the Cardinals’ Hall of Fame Museum will discuss the history of the Cardinals with 10 items from the museum at 3:00 p.m.
• Main Stage: Cardinals Senior Vice President and General Manager John Mozeliak will host a question and answer session at 12:30 p.m, while a panel discussion with three members of the Cardinals local media will to follow at 1:00 p.m.
• Auctions: Silent Auctions: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.; Live Auctions (Main Stage): 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Items that are won at auctions must be paid for at the close of each auction.
• Cardinals Caravan: The Cardinals caravan makes its way thru Cardinal Nation with stops in Joplin, Rolla, Hannibal, Columbia, and Moberly, Mo. as well as Quincy, Ill.

Sunday, January 15, 2012 (9 a.m. – 5 p.m.)

• 2012 Cardinals Autographs: Lance Berkman, Mitchell Boggs, Daniel Descalso, Jaime Garcia, Matt Holliday, Jon Jay, J.C. Romero, Jake Westbrook and more.
• Cardinals Alumni Autographs: Danny Cox, Chris Duncan, Curt Ford, Tony La Russa, Red Schoendienst and more.
• Dugout Presentations: “Collecting Sports Memorabilia” with sports collector Dave Jackson at 11:30 a.m.
• Clubhouse Presentations: Brian Finch of the Cardinals’ Hall of Fame Museum will discuss the 2011 World Championship season at 10:30 a.m.; an exclusive launch of the Cardinals Hall of Fame and Museum’s new website with the group’s registrar Jennifer Jackson at 12:00 p.m.; “Caring for the 2011 World Champions” with team physician, Dr. Wendell Becton at 1:00 p.m.
• Main Stage: A panel discussion with members of the 1964 World Championship team and the 2011 World Championship team from 2:15 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.
• Auctions: Silent Auctions: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.; Live Auctions (Main Stage): 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Items that are won at auctions must be paid for at the close of each auction.
• Cardinals Caravan: The Cardinals Caravan makes its way thru Cardinal Nation with stops in Dyersburg and Memphis, Tenn., as well as Mattoon and Peoria, Ill.
• 54^th Annual Baseball Writers Dinner (Millennium Hotel, 6:30 p.m.): Enjoy a night of fun and entertainment as the St. Louis chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America celebrates the 2011 World Championship team and several members of the Cardinals organization receive awards recognizing their accomplishments in 2011. Also, there will be a special program honoring the 30^th anniversary of the 1982 World Series Championship.

Monday, January 16, 2012 (9 a.m. – 3 p.m.)

• 2012 Cardinals Autographs: Carlos Beltran, Allen Craig, David Freese, Kyle Lohse, Lance Lynn, Kyle McClellan, Mike Matheny and more.
• Cardinals Alumni Autographs: Jack Clark, Whitey Herzog, Mike Jorgensen, Ray Lankford, Kerry Robinson, Jason Simontacci and more.
• Dugout Presentation: Photograph opportunities with America’s symbol, the bald eagle at 10:30 a.m. and Brian Finch of the Cardinals’ Hall of Fame Museum will present “Designing the Past” at 12:30 p.m.
• Clubhouse Presentation: Cardinals President Bill DeWitt III discusses the franchise at 10:00 a.m. and “Collecting Sports Memorabilia” with sports collector Dave Jackson at 11:30 a.m.
• Main Stage: A discussion with former Cardinals manager Tony La Russa and new Cardinals skipper Mike Matheny at 1:30 p.m.
• Auctions: Silent Auctions: 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. - 2 p.m. Live Auctions (Main Stage): 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Items that are won at auctions must be paid for at the close of each auction.
• Cardinals Caravan: The Cardinals Caravan makes its way thru Cardinal Nation with stops in Jonesboro, Ark., Cape Girardeau, Mo., Quad Cities, Iowa and Springfield, Ill.

All Three Days

On the second floor of the Hyatt, fans will be able to play interactive games, find collectable memorabilia and baseball cards, meet Fredbird and listen to informative presentations by Cardinals executives.

On the fourth floor, fans will be able to meet their favorite players at the autograph tables and will also have the opportunity to visit the Cardinals Care Store. The store will be stocked full of Cardinals memorabilia such as discounted hats, game-worn jerseys, toys and grab bags. Also, there will be booths for Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation and Stan the Man Inc. There will be plenty of items on hand for purchase at booths sponsored by Cardinals Publications as well as the official team store.

This year Cardinals Authentics will be selling unique items from the 2011 Cardinals Postseason. In addition to autographed World Series balls and photos, fans can purchase autographed champagne bottles from each round of the Cardinals’ 2011 postseason run and limited edition items such as World Series Game 7 rosin bag material and infield dirt.

Tickets

Three-day passes for the event can be purchased at the Busch Stadium Cardinals Team Store, at area Cardinals Clubhouse Stores or by calling (314) 345-9000. Ticket prices are $40 for fans 16 and older and $10 for fans ages five to 15, while kids under five are free. Fans that purchased their tickets in advance can begin picking them up at the Hyatt Regency Will Call starting Friday, January 14^th from noon to 7 p.m. The Will Call window will open again on Saturday at 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Monday 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Pizza Party

Cardinals Care has now partnered with Papa John’s Pizza for a special promotion where proceeds of pizza purchases in January will be donated to their cause. The Cardinals Care $20 Papa John’s Deal includes any large pizza, one chicken side and a Cinnapie for only $20 with $2 from every deal sold going directly to Cardinals Care. The deal is good thru January only and orders can be made at www.papajohns.com or by visiting any St. Louis area Papa John’s store.

Cardinals Care

Since its inception in 1997, Cardinals Care has maintained a direct focus on “Caring for Kids” by distributing funds to area non-profit youth organizations and establishing Redbird Rookies, their flagship program that supports youth on and off the baseball field. Most of the organizations who are recipients of Cardinals Care charitable grants are based in Missouri, Illinois and Iowa.

Grant funds are intended to support purchases such as school supplies and uniforms, computers, software, instruments, books and games for educational programs, as well as basic needs such as winter clothing for needy children.

The Winter Warm-Up and annual 6K Run are Cardinals Care’s two largest fundraising events each year. In 2011 Cardinals Care raised over $700,000 at the Warm-Up and nearly $160,000 at the second annual 6K Run. Cardinals Care also raises funds through memorabilia auctions online and throughout Busch Stadium during the season

54^th Annual St. Louis Baseball Writers Dinner

The event will feature a tribute to the 2011 World Series Champion Cardinals as well as presentations of the annual Baseball Writers Awards. Those scheduled to receive awards are Tony La Russa, John Mozeliak, Red Schoendienst, Dan Descalso, Lance Berkman, Chris Carpenter, David Freese and Kyle Lohse, along with Cardinals Organizational Player of the Year Matt Adams and Pitcher of the Year Shelby Miller.

Cardinals Caravan

The 2012 Cardinals Caravan begins Friday, January 13^th and will embark on five separate caravans, scheduled throughout the weekend.  The caravans are scheduled to visit 19 total cities, including the respective ballparks of local minor league affiliates Memphis (Tennessee), Springfield (Missouri) and Quad Cities (Davenport, Iowa).  For complete information of all caravan stops visit www.cardinals.com/caravan.

Stars to the Rescue

Tony La Russa’s annual Animal Rescue Foundation event is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at the Peabody Opera House and tickets for the event are $75 and $25 and are on sale now by visiting the Ford Box Office at Scottrade. Stars scheduled to appear are Tom Johnson, Luke Bryan, Timothy B. Schmit, John McDaniel, Christopher Jackson and Lara Johnston. ARF saves dogs and cats that have run out of time at public shelters and strives to bring together people and pets.

Sponsors

Cardinals Care and the St. Louis Cardinals would like to thank the following sponsors for helping to make the 2012 Winter Warm-Up possible:

Anheuser-Busch, Inc., Belleville News-Democrat, Betallic, Centric Group, Coca-Cola North America, Enterprise Holdings, Fox Sports Midwest, Framin' Place, Gwin's Travel, Hardee's, Hostess Brands, Hunter Engineering, Hyatt Regency, In Focus Marketing, KMOX News/Talk 1120, M & I Bank, Nehmen-Kodner, Paramount Convention Services, Rawlings Sporting Goods, RBO PRINTLOGISTIX, Sportservice, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, , St. Louis Sportswear, St. Louis Town Planner, Suburban Journals, Supply Concepts, Inc., Swank Audio Visuals, Syberg's, Thrivent Financial, Victoria Products, Warren Sign and Wireless USA.