After first MLB hit, Peterson hoping to stick around

ST. LOUIS -- Brock Peterson plans to send the ball from his first big league hit home with Mom and Dad -- if he ever finds it.

The career Minor Leaguer recorded his first Major League hit in the eighth inning of Wednesday's 11-3 win over the Phillies, but has yet to receive the ball.

"I'm sure someone's got it and they're holding it for ransom," Peterson said after the game.

"I'll just wait it out," he added Thursday afternoon, the ball still unaccounted for.

With or without the physical proof of his first hit, Peterson said he is starting to feel like a Major League player after spending 10 years in the Minors.

"There's a lot of little work to do and a lot of accomplishments personally and with the team that are still in front of us," he said, "but it definitely feels a lot better to have a [batting] average."

Now that he finally broke through to the Majors, Peterson, who nearly walked away from the game this offseason to go to college, has a rejuvenated motivation.

"Being in the Minors, watching all the other guys get their opportunity, it starts to wear on you," Peterson said. "And they always come back excited and with a bunch of stories. Now I'm getting a taste, it definitely fuels the fire a little bit."

With bench player Ty Wigginton recently released, Peterson has an opportunity to stick with the team even when Matt Holliday returns this weekend from the 15-day disabled list, particularly because the Cardinals are unlikely to keep a third catcher, Rob Johnson, on the active roster for long.

Regardless of what happens when Holliday returns, Peterson is hopeful his professional baseball career is far from over.

"My outlook now is I'll play as long as they let me wear a jersey," Peterson said. "Hopefully that is the start of a lot more doors to open up to me. I love being here as a Cardinal and hope to be here for a long time."