Unger given reins of Triple-A Memphis

NEW YORK -- The Cardinals announced on Monday that Craig Unger, an account executive in marketing and sales who has been assisting in Memphis since January's transfer of the Redbirds ownership to the Cardinals, will permanently take over the daily management of the Triple-A team as the club's new general manager.

"Craig played a key role in our acquisition. which made him a natural fit for the position," said Bill DeWitt III, president of the Cardinals. "He brings a lot to the table with his experience in sales, marketing and management."

Unger, who joined the Cardinals in 2008, played an essential role in returning the team's radio broadcasts to KMOX (1120 AM), served as the field producer for the 2009 All-Star Game at Busch Stadium, coordinated the 2011 World Series victory parade and secured last year's long-term partnership with St. Louis-based Mercy as the Cardinals' official medical provider.

To assist Unger, Ben Weiss, the Redbirds' general manager since 2009, has been named senior advisor.

The Redbirds are the third Minor League team owned and operated by the Cardinals. The Class A Advanced Palm Beach Cardinals, purchased in 2002, and Double-A Springfield Cardinals, purchased in 2005, have each won their respective league championships under the ownership of the parent team.

The Cardinals have won a championship at every Minor League level since 2000, including two in Memphis (2000, 2009) and one in Springfield (2012), Palm Beach (2005), Quad Cities (2011), Batavia (2008) and Johnson City (2010-11).