This was during last season’s second half, after Mike Shildt started bringing his players together daily to talk ball.
Questions were asked. Tips were swapped. One of Munoz’s contributions sticks with Shildt, still. During one session, the utilityman who wears a running back’s number (34) told the room he had faced an upcoming opposing pitcher in the minors. He remembered the pitcher rarely checked on baserunners before starting his motion toward the plate. Video confirmed the trend. Sure enough, the Cardinals swiped a bag against the guy.
“One of the things Yadi (Molina) told me,” Munoz said, “is that there are things veteran players might not see that a rookie sees, and vice versa.