Cardinals Caravan makes a stop in Mid-Missouri

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

For the first time since 2020, the St. Louis Cardinals Caravan rolled through Columbia on Saturday afternoon, with multiple current and former Red Birds in tow.

Cardinals utility player Brendan Donovan, pitcher Packy Naughton and minor league pitchers Connor Thomas and Michael McGreevy were all in attendance at the Stoney Creek Hotel. Former Cardinals Rick Ankiel and Ryan Ludwick both spoke at the event, as well.

The Caravan marks one month until pitchers and catcher report to Spring Training in Jupiter, Florida.

"January 1st comes around, the New Year rolls around and it's go time," Naughton said. "Cardinals Caravan is a great way to kick it off and get back into the swing of baseball season. But, since the last out of last year, you're just itching to get back no matter what."

You can watch the full interview with Naughton in the video player below.

The 2022 season was historic for the Cardinals organization. The legends Yadier Molina and Albert Pujols both retired at the end of the year. Not to mention, Pujols hit 700-career home runs, a feat only few others have achieved.

"The old quote is how can you not be romantic about baseball, it's just like you see a chapter come to a close and for those guys to go out the way that they did, it's just special. Special for the organization and special for them and their families," Donovan said.

You can watch the full interview with Donovan in the video player below.

Donovan added that Pujols and Molina said they will both be at Spring Training this year, but will not be wearing a uniform. Both Naughton and Donovan said that even though those two will not be in the clubhouse, they left in indeliable mark.

"It's a legacy and tradition of winning," Donovan said. "They built the culture, now it's up to us to continue to pass it along."

The first game of Spring Training will be on Feb. 25 against the Washington Nationals.