I'm up for the challenge

Good luck making the team. I really enjoyed watching you relish every bit of the post-season. Watching you run back on the stage and raise the WS Trophy over your head after the celebration was over at Busch really showed that you care more about the game and winning than anything else.

I am looking forward to seeing you on the team this year! You are such an exciting player and I know you give 110% every time. Good Luck!!

J Rod, even though the Yanks let you go, I was so excited to see you up in the majors with the Red Birds. Your winning attitude spilled onto the Cardinals and helped them win it all in 06. Continued success my friend.

Eric

Best of luck big man. You're a great presence on this team. You've got the hard working attitude and a positive mindset. I hope you can get a few more at bats this year and help defend the title.

Good Luck Man-

Dale

J Rod, best of luck to you during spring training!! I've got my fingers crossed and saying a prayer or two!! Your personality and positive thinking, coupled with your ability to be ready when the call comes, makes you one of the assets of the 2007 Cardinals.
DeAnne

Hey J-Rod, I am so glad that you are going to be keeping a blog again this season. I really enjoyed reading it last year. I'm counting down the days until opening day - I can't wait. You guys are totally going all the way again this year!!

God bless,

Abigail

Hey John. I've been a fan of you ever since you came up for the first time a couple of years ago. At first glance I remeber saying, "This guy is gonna be the man". I even remember giving you the nickname J-Rod that day, it was a pretty easy name to come up with A-Rod and all. And you have developed very well. I'm sure people have asked you about it before but the only thing that I've never really liked is your batting stance. Really just the laying the bat on your shoulders part. I could really see you becoming a great hitter if you would change that just lift that bat up a bit and be in more of a hitting position. I know you are very comfortable with your stance and that why you have never changed it but I could just see you being an even better fastball hitter. That's just me and I'm just a fan but I really feel strongly about it. I wish you the best of luck this spring and hope to see you on the field a lot this year. Take care.

Best of luck this season! Go Cards!

You've got a great attitude man. It's refreshing. You can also hit--you've been a huge part of this team these last two years, I hope you know that the fans are really behind you. I will always remember in the 2005 nlcs, when Edmonds got ejected, and you came up to bat with 2 strikes against Lidge. That ball you hit would have been a homerun in any other ballpark in the league (well maybe not Arizona.) It shows how laser focused you are all the time. That's why we love having you on the team, you never lose your edge. Best of luck.

John, you've demonstrated a tremendous heart, and unwavering commitment to your team. You've proven you belong in the majors. I hope you win a spot on the Cards roster this year, but if you find yourself playing for another team, I suspect you'll actually get more PAs than you might in STL. Wherever your career takes you, the best of luck to you. And you'll always be a Cardinal.

Dave Snoke

John, we need a lefty bat with power on the bench. I hope you make the team this year and its good to hear that you are up for the challenge. If you can hit like you did in the minors the year that the cards first brought you up in spring training you would probably be a shoe in lol. Lookin forward to seein you guys defend the title. Good Luck.

John,
My wife & I love your batting stance! She calls it "waiting for the bus" you MUST make the team. You're even in the special names category - Scotty-Ro, Yadi-Mo, J-Rod, The Gooch, & Speezer. You guys are our favorites. Now get out there and do your best. Make us proud.

J-Rod, you've got the drive that I love to see in a player. TLR also loves that determination, so I have a strong feeling that you are making this team. You're gonna be big things for us this year. I can feel it. Good luck.

Good luck, J-Rod. The one bad thing about having so many good players is that some guys don't see a lot of starts, but you've been around the Cardinals clubhouse long enough to have everyone's respect. Just make the best of your playing time.

John,
I really hope you make the team this year. I agree with many of the comments already posted here. You are definitely a player that brings joy & energy to the team. You seem to get along with all of the guys and not just certain groups. Besides Edmonds, you're my favorite outfielder with the Cards.

Good Luck & God Bless.

John,
It is so awesome to see that you are back into the blog scene. It was so nice to get an insider's view of how everything was going last postseason. I wish you luck on your attempt to make the starting lineup. We will all be cheering for you!

Good Luck and God Bless!

Josh Watjen

Winning attitudes are contagious!!! Keep up the good work and that positive attitude. You'll do great.

J-Rod,

Really hoping you not just make it, but get a ton of time out there. Love watching you at the plate. See you in DC when the cards come to town. Good luck defending the WS title.

J THANKS FOR ALL OF THE MOMENTS WHEN YOU HAVE COME THROUGH FOR THE CARD! I LIVE IN TERRE HAUTE IN. USUALLY MAKE ABOUT 6-10 GAMES IN ST. LOUIS I WAS IN THE FRONT ROW BEHIND CARDS DUGOUT ON SEPT 28TH! AFTER YOU GUYS CAME BACK AN WON THE GAME! GOT MOST OF THE CARDINALS PICTURE AFTER THE GAME! ANY WAY WILL BE THERE FOR THE 1ST 3 GAMES AGAINST THE METS! ENJOY YOUR RING! I'M SURE I'LL HAVE A TEAR IN MY EYE AS YOU GUYS GET THEM! P.S. PLEASE HELP CHRIS BECOME A BETTER FIELDER! HAVE A GREAT SPRING!

Hi John! What a GREAT SURPRISE to see you blogging again! Thanks for everything you did last year to help the team win the World Series!!
ESPECIALLY going back to the stage to get the trophy at the WS rally. I know the parade & rally were exciting, but how could the entire team forget the WORLD SERIES TROPHY?!?!?

I'll be in section 106 row 4(which is really row 1 right behind the TV camera space in the dugout)for the games March 3rd & 5th, and HOPE you can stop by for autographs. I already have 2 balls, both #53, one for me, the other for my 16 yr old neice....we both adore you.

Have a great spring training!

And please keep up the blog..

Debbie

Hey Mr.Rodriguez! I just have to say, that you are one of my favorite Cardinals, and also that you are one of my heros! You are amazing and inspiring, and I just want to thank you for not being affraid to tell about your dedication to your religion. You've really helped me to become a better person. Well, aside from thanking you for that, I just wanted to say good luck this year, and I'm SURE you'll make the team!
~~Lauren

(PS: the blogs are awesome, I hope you can continue doing them, though I realize that you probablly don't have quite as much time during the season!)

Hey John I'm rooting for you. I think there is no doubt you should be on the team this year right out of spring training. I will be disspointed if you don't make the team, because you're the best left handed option off the bench we have, and I think you should even get some starts if the corner outfielders start slumping. I cannot see it possible, that you aren't one of the 25 best we have, even if it means bumping Taguchi or Miles. Your batting average and power are invaluable to a club looking for more power. Thanks for the memories and good luck to another great year. Go get 'em in '07

Good Luck John