Matheny offered advice to Marlins skipper Redmond

JUPITER, Fla. -- The Cardinals will begin their 32-game Grapefruit League slate on Saturday, with a 12:05 p.m. CT game against the Marlins at Roger Dean Stadium. The game will feature the Majors' two youngest managers, one of whom has been leaning on the other for advice and suggestions since taking the position.

Mike Redmond, 41, snatched the label of baseball's youngest manager from St. Louis' Mike Matheny, 42, last fall when he was hired to replace Ozzie Guillen in Miami. Like Matheny, Redmond is a former Major League catcher with no previous managerial experience at the big league level.

Only a year removed from his rookie managerial season, Matheny contacted Redmond during the offseason to offer perspective on what to expect during the first year of the job.

"I always appreciated that there were guys who reached out to me," Matheny said. "Not that I've got this wealth of knowledge or experience, but it was pretty fresh in my mind the challenges that come up with a guy stepping into the situation. We talked quite a few times."

Redmond said he appreciated the gesture from Matheny, who was one of many to reach out to the new Marlins skipper.

"If I have a question, I feel confident that I can go to him," Redmond said. "He's been through it already, and I haven't. I have a lot of respect for him and his career as a player. I know a lot of guys say a lot of great things about him, and the type of manager he is. I know that he is a great guy."

The Cardinals and Marlins, who share a Spring Training complex, will face each other eight times in Grapefruit League play. Trevor Rosenthal will start Saturday's game for St. Louis against Miami's John Maine.