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Palm Beach Cardinals

Mather contributes to Cards hot start

April 21, 2006 - Florida State League (FSL1)
Palm Beach Cardinals News Release


The third week of the 2006 season is coming to a close as the Palm Beach Cardinals are currently 9-5, tied with St. Lucie for second place in the Eastern Division behind Brevard County. As the season progresses players work in and out of the line-up hoping to catch the organization's eye.

One of those players happens to be Joe Mather. I had an opportunity to chat with Joe after the Cardinals completed a brief, but successful home stand against Brevard County.

Joe Mather started his professional baseball career in 2001 as a member of the Johnson City Cardinals. Mather was selected as a 3rd round selection (104th overall) out of Mountain Pointe High School in Phoenix, AZ. I asked him about the Cardinals selecting him and responded, "I was very surprised that St. Louis selected me. I was very pleased because the organization is great and there's a lot of tradition."

Mather goes back to Arizona every off-season stating, "The weather is fantastic and I never have to change from shorts and sandals." His family moved from Northern Idaho heading into his freshman year. I asked him to choose his favorite university between Arizona State and Arizona and he smiled saying, "Since I was never recruited by the two, I really don't follow their programs."

Joe played two full seasons (2001-2002) as a member of the Johnson City Cardinals. During that span, he played in 107 games, launching 13 homeruns and collecting 60 runs batted in. His progression after Johnson City was: 2003 New Jersey, 2004 Peoria/New Jersey and 2005 Quad Cities/Palm Beach.

Mather patterns his game after Larry Walker, who's now coaching in the Cardinals organization. Joe didn't get a chance to speak with Walker during Spring Training, but praised the slugger's game, "He was an all-around great player. He good hit, throw, run and I loved his hard nosed style."

Last year Palm Beach received a boost at the end of the season with many players coming up from Quad Cities. Mather happened to be one of those players, playing 57 games for manager Pop Warner. "I think everyone expected big things from us (Quad Cities players) and we delivered, winning the championship at years end", Mather commented.

His first action for Palm Beach in 2005 came during a doubleheader against Brevard County on June 24. Mather was in the starting line-up for both games, but the second game really provided a story. In the bottom of the eighth, Mather found himself on deck watching the Manatees intentionally walk the bases loaded. "I stood there watching the pitching coach stare me down as he came out to talk with the pitcher", Mather remembers. He would finish off the Manatees, sending a grand slam off into the night sky. "I remember watching it go over the fence still having the bat in my hand as I reached the first base coach. I don't think the Manatees liked my actions as I got nailed with the first pitch the following day."

Mather finds himself on the outside looking in, concerning the Cardinals starting line-up. "I know if I'm not on the line-up card today, I most likely will be on it tomorrow", Mather says. "You have to be patient in minor league baseball."

Joe Mather has split time between the outfield and designated hitter and patiently waits to see what 2006 has in store for him. "There's some guys in this clubhouse that are swinging the bats awesome", Mather mentions. "I just hope I can contribute to the ball club in any way possible."

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