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Scott Spiezio
Scott Spiezio in the News
Braves release Spiezio after minor-league stint: Scott Spiezio was released by the Atlanta Braves from their top minor league affiliate Saturday, less than a week after the veteran infielder pleaded guilty in a drunken-driving case. Spiezio spent 12 years in the majors. He was released by St. Louis on Feb. 27 and signed by Atlanta on March 31.
Scott Spiezio pleads guilty to DUI, gets 3 years probation: Scott Spiezio has pleaded guilty to misdemeanor drunken driving and hit and run charges involving a December car crash in Orange County.
Spiezio gets probation: Former Cardinal Scott Spiezio was sentenced Monday in a California court to three years on probation after pleading guilty to driving under the influence and hit-and-run.
NL | Scott Spiezio pleads guilty to DUI, gets probation: Scott Spiezio pleaded guilty Monday to misdemeanor drunken driving and hit-and-run charges stemming from a December car crash in Orange...
Cardinals happy for Spiezio: Although the Cardinals parted ways for Scott Spiezio earlier this spring, manager Tony La Russa was happy to hear that the infielder signed a Minor League deal with the Braves on Monday.
Braves sign Spiezio to Minors deal: Scott Spiezio's alcohol-related problems seemingly had driven him out of baseball. But the Braves are willing to give the 35-year-old utilityman at least one more chance.
Spiezio joins Braves' organization: ATLANTA — Scott Spiezio agreed Monday to a minor-league contract with the Atlanta Braves, who gave the utility player a second chance after he was released by the Cardinals in February following an arrest on drunken driving and assault charges.
NL: Infielder-outfielder Spiezio joins Braves: Atlanta BravesINF Scott Spiezio agreed to a minor league contract Monday. Spiezio was released by St. Louis in February after an arrest on drunken driving and assault charges. Spiezio, 35, will work out with the Class A team in Rome, Ga., today and report to Class AAA Richmond the following day.Cincinnati Reds
Family, friends worry about troubled Spiezio: Veteran utility player Scott Spiezio, released by the Cardinals last month, has his closest friends and teammates concerned after a Dec. 30 car crash and a substance-abuse rehab stint earlier in 2007.
Police reports on Spiezio describe bizarre night: After allegedly wrecking his car and beating up a friend, Scott Spiezio is believed to have hidden in a closet as his wife told police he was asleep in bed with pneumonia, according to court documents.
Irvine police reports filed in Orange County Superior Court flesh out details of the night that ended the utility infielder's career with the Cardinals. The reports allege that Spiezio's attack caused the friend's eye to close from swelling and nose to bleed for an hour.
Extra bases: Joel Pineiro (shoulder stiffness), who will miss his scheduled start Sunday, will return to the rotation, as planned, to start Friday. … The Cardinals have named prospect Kyle McClellan, a Hazelwood West grad, as Sunday's starter. … For the second consecutive day, Chris Duncan was the initial replacement at first base for Albert Pujols. La Russa had said that "left (field) is the way for him to go." But Duncan will start at first base today, and La Russa clarified Friday that maybe Scott Spiezio's release does mean more time at first for Duncan — if only to get another outfielder into the order. … Lafayette High grad David Freese tripled in his first at-bat as a Cardinal.
Replacing Spiezio a tall order: A day after the Cardinals released Scott Spiezio, they began looking at the personal and professional fallout from the incident that ended his St. Louis career.
Cards cut ties with Spiezio: Cardinals utilityman Scott Spiezio is facing legal trouble in connection with a December 2007 incident in Orange County, Calif.
Cardinals cut Spiezio after warrant issued for his arrest: The St. Louis Cardinals have released utilityman Scott Spiezio, a move that came after police issued a six-count warrant for his arrest following a December car crash. The warrant filed Tuesday alleges driving under influence, driving under the influence with a blood alcohol content of .08% or more, hit and run, aggravated assault, assault and battery. The maximum penalty is two years in state prison.
Cardinals Release Spiezio After Warrant: IRVINE, Calif. (AP) -- Utilityman Scott Spiezio was cut by the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday, released after being charged in a six-count complaint involving drunken driving and assault in a December car crash....
Troubled Spiezio Is Cut By the Cards: Utilityman Scott Spiezio is cut by the St. Louis Cardinals, released after police issued a six-count warrant for his arrest following a December car crash.
Cardinals Release Spiezio After Warrant: Utilityman Scott Spiezio was cut by the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday, released after being charged in a six-count complaint involving drunken driving and assault in a December car crash. "We had heard some things about this," Cardinals general...
Cardinals release Spiezio after arrest warrant issued: The St. Louis Cardinals have released utilityman Scott Spiezio, a move that came after police issued a six-count warrant for his arrest following a December car crash.
Baseball Notebook | Scott Spiezio faces charges: Utility man Scott Spiezio was cut by the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday, released after being charged in a six-count complaint involving...
Cards cut Spiezio after charges filed: Utilityman Scott Spiezio was cut by the St. Louis Cardinals yesterday, released after being charged in California on a six-count complaint involving drunken driving and assault in a December car crash.
Moonlighting as a rocker helps Spiezio recover: - Music has long been a part of Scott Spiezio's life. Now it's also part of his therapy. The St. Louis Cardinals' utility player missed more than a month last season while receiving treatment for substance abuse. He poured the emotions from that ordeal and...
Spiezio speaks out through music: Scott Spiezio isn't ready yet to talk publicly about the depression and chemical dependency he battled before he sought treatment late last year, but Spiezio addresses both of those issues through his band, Sandfrog, in its upcoming album"Off Season."
Spiezio changing the tune: Faced with a personal crisis that overwhelmed him last season, Scott Spiezio channeled his untamed emotions and did what mere words could not.
He made music.
The Cardinals' utility infielder and moonlighting rocker captured the ups and downs — "mostly downs," he said — of his 2007 season by writing songs.
Spiezio: Playing is therapeutic: When he returned from a month without baseball, Scott Spiezio (left) told his teammates he'd "probably be ready to play by the last game of the season." He was.
Cubs split, Central lead cut to one:
ST. LOUIS -- The Cardinals ended their slide, probably too late to do them any good.
Miguel Cairo's run-scoring triple capped a four-run third inning, and St. Louis rallied past the Chicago Cubs 4-3 in the second game of a day-night doubleheader to end a nine-game losing streak.Chicago's NL Central lead was cut to one game over Milwaukee, but St. Louis is six games back of the Cubs with just over two weeks remaining.In the opener, Alfonso Soriano hit a go-ahead, two-run homer in the eighth inning that powered the Cubs to a 3-2 victory and gave Kerry Wood his first win since May 29, 2006. St. Louis lost nine in a row for the first time since a 10-game skid in 1980.Soriano hit another homer in the second game, a two-run drive in the second off Joel Pineiro (5-3). Chicago also got a first-inning RBI single from Aramis Ramirez and took a 3-0 lead, but the Cubs had two runners thrown out at the plate.Center fielder Jim Edmonds caught Derrek Lee trying to score on Mark DeRosa's lineout to end the first and left fielder So Taguchi's relay made Ryan Theriot an easy out in the second.A key error by catcher Jason Kendall hurt the Cubs in the third.Kendall bounced a throw to first that eluded Lee after recovering the ball on a third strike in the dirt to Ryan Ludwick. Yadier Molina had a two-run double, Scott Spiezio tied it with a single -- his first RBI since substance-abuse rehab -- and Cairo tripled over center fielder Jacque Jones.Pineiro allowed one hit his last five innings, retiring 15 straight hitters after Lee's leadoff double in the third. Russ Springer worked around an error to start the eighth and Jason Isringhausen finished for his 29th save in 31 chances.Sean Marshall (7-8) made his first start since Aug. 31 and lasted 2 2/3 innings, giving up four runs -- two unearned -- and six hits.CHART: Game staitsticsSpiezio activated after treatment for substance abuse: Cardinals infielder Scott Spiezio was activated from the restricted list on Friday, about five weeks after leaving the team to ...
Spiezio gets back on field: The Cardinals activated Scott Spiezio from Major League Baseball's restricted list before inserting him into the starting lineup at third base against the Chicago Cubs, a show of normalcy for the switch-hitting utility player who left the club Aug. 9 to seek treatment for drug and alcohol abuse.
Spiezio rejoins Cards from restricted list: After five weeks of substance abuse, Scott Spiezio is back with the Cardinals for the NL Central race. He started at third base against visiting Chicago and batted sixth.
Spiezio returns following treatment: Cardinals infielder Scott Spiezio was activated from the restricted list Friday, about five weeks after leaving the team to undergo treatment for substance abuse.
NL Wire Notes | Spiezio alters look, attitude in his return: St. Louis infielder Scott Spiezio was activated from the restricted list Friday, about five weeks after leaving the team to undergo treatment...
Cards' Spiezio returns following drug counseling: St. Louis infielder Scott Spiezio was reactivated Friday, about five weeks after being placed on the restricted list to undergo treatment for substance abuse.
Jocketty hopes to activate Spiezio soon: Cardinals general manager Walt Jocketty said he is awaiting approval from Major League Baseball before he can activate Scott Spiezio from the restricted list, though that could happen as soon as this weekend.
Spiezio may rejoin team this weekend: Cardinals utilityman Scott Spiezio has been working out at Busch Stadium and is expected to join the team Friday, though manager Tony La Russa said he isn't sure if Spiezio will be immediately ready to play.
Spiezio's return 'possible': Nearly a month after utility infielder Scott Spiezio entered a rehabilitation program for substance abuse, Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said, "It's still possible we'll see him before this season is over." The Cardinals have been reluctant to offer details of Spiezio's progress because of privacy rules related to employee assistance programs. La Russa said Wednesday that general manager Walt Jocketty has been keeping track of the situation and offers optimistic reports.
Help on the way from minors: La Russa said "four or five" position players would come up from Memphis, probably on Sept. 1, which is the first day teams can expand rosters to as many as 40. Outfielder Skip Schumaker and infielder Miguel Cairo are sure to be among the reinforcements. Catcher Kelly Stinnett also is expected to be called up, though Stinnett has been on the restricted list since the Cardinals waived him. La Russa said he had received no indication that Scott Spiezio, who is being treated for substance abuse, would be back before the end of the season.
Spiezio placed on restricted list: The Cardinals announced on Thursday that infielder/outfielder Scott Spiezio has been placed on Major League Baseball's restricted list.
Spiezio to seek drug treatment: The Cardinals and Scott Spiezio concluded several traumatizing days Thursday when the club placed its versatile utility player on the restricted list while he submits to a rehabilitation program to address alcohol and drug abuse, club and industry sources confirmed.
NL Wire Notes | Spiezio to seek treatment for substance trouble: Utility player Scott Spiezio of St. Louis is voluntarily entering a treatment program for a substance problem that the team did not specify...
Report: Spiezio voluntarily seeks drug treatment: Cardinals utility player Scott Spiezio is voluntarily entering a treatment program for a problem that the team did not specify.
Cards' Spiezio to join treatment program (AP): Cardinals utility player Scott Spiezio voluntarily sought treatment for "possible problems related to substances" that the team did not specify. Spiezio, who has relished a hard-rocking image through his 12 seasons in the major leagues, was placed on the restricted list Thursday and will be paid while he undergoes treatment.
Spiezio being treated for unspecified illness: Utilityman Scott Spiezio, who became nauseous after batting practice on Monday and had an IV that night, missed a third straight game on Wednesday and is being treated for an unspecified illness. Manager Tony La Russa and trainer Barry Weinberg said more information would be available on Thursday.
Infection puts Spiezio on DL: The Cardinals placed utility player Scott Spiezio on the disabled list Sunday and sent him back to St. Louis after Spiezio experienced renewed swelling in his problematic left index finger.
Spiezio's almost ready: Utilityman Scott Spiezio sat out Monday's game after already missing four games with an infected left index finger.
Spiezio Hospitalized With an Infected Finger: St. Louis' Scott Spiezio is hospitalized Wednesday with an infected left index finger and will be reevaluated Thursday.
Cards beat Mets 5-3 in 11 innings: Brendan Ryan hit his first career home run in the 11th inning and the St. Louis Cardinals snapped the New York Mets’ four-game winning streak with a 5-3 victory Tuesday night.
Ryan, a rookie, had three hits and two RBIs. Scott Spiezio and Juan Encarnacion each drove in a run for St. Louis, which snapped an eight-game losing streak in the regular season against the NL East-leading Mets.
Spiezio stays in lineup: Looking for a way to keep Scott Spiezio in the lineup, La Russa started the switch-hitter at second base for the first time this season, keeping Adam Kennedy out of the starting lineup for the third consecutive game. Spiezio is hitting .314 over his previous 17 starts, batting .333 righthanded.
Spiezio steps up: Utility star Scott Spiezio was still living the dream Sunday, two days after making a one-inning pitching cameo in Friday's 14-3 loss.
Spiezio pitches: Scott Spiezio didn’t begin a second career Friday night but he did earn distinction as the Cardinals’ most effective pitcher.
Big round numbers for Cards hitters: Scott Spiezio didn’t begin a second career Friday night but he did earn distinction as the Cardinals’ most effective pitcher.
Haren Helps A's Defeat Cardinals 14-3: OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) -- Only one of the four pitchers the St. Louis Cardinals sent to the mound Friday night gave up fewer runs than innings pitched, and he is normally a third baseman. Scott Spiezio pitched the final inning and the Cardinals lost 14-3 to the Oakland Athletics, a night after allowing 17 runs to the Kansas City Royals....
Cards' pitching woes continue: Braden Looper (left) left Friday's game in the fifth innig because of tightness in his pitching shoulder.
Later in the game, it was utility man Scott Spiezio who pitched a scoreless eighth inning before the Cards lost 14-3 to the A's in Oakland on Friday night.
A's spoil La Russa's return to Oakland (AP):
Oakland Athletics' Jack Cust, right, slides to score behind St. Louis Cardinals catcher Gary Bennett in the fourth inning of a baseball game Friday, June 15, 2007, in Oakland, Calif. Cust scored on a triple by Travis Buck. " align="left" border="0">
Only one of the four pitchers the St. Louis Cardinals sent to the mound Friday night gave up fewer runs than innings pitched, and he is normally a third baseman. Scott Spiezio pitched the final inning and the Cardinals lost 14-3 to the Oakland Athletics, a night after allowing 17 runs to the Kansas City Royals.
Up Next: Cards at Royals: Sunday's 9-6 win over the Los Angeles Angels suggested the lifting of a curse, as the Cardinals finally beat an American League team. Two home runs by first baseman Albert Pujols and one by third baseman Scott Spiezio accounted for eight of the Cardinals' nine RBIs as they won for the first time in six tries this year vs. American League competition.
Redbirds blast off: Sunday's 9-6 win over the Los Angeles Angels suggested the lifting of a curse, as the Cardinals finally beat an American League team. Two home runs by first baseman Albert Pujols and one by third baseman Scott Spiezio accounted for eight of the Cardinals' nine RBIs as they won for the first time in six tries this year vs. American League competition.
Spiezio, Molina leave game early: A busy week for the Cardinals training staff got even more hectic on Tuesday night. Yadier Molina was injured and Scott Spiezio became ill, and both left Tuesday night's game against Colorado in the fourth inning.
Rocky road goes on: Just as Scott Rolen returned to the lineup, Chris Duncan was lost. Yadier Molina and utility fielder Scott Spiezio left early in the game. And David Eckstein remains unavailable.
And the Rockies won 8-3.
Tigers sweep Cards in Series rematch (AP):
St. Louis Cardinals' So Taguchi, left, and Scott Spiezio watch from the bench in the ninth inning of their 6-3 loss to the Detroit Tigers in an interleague baseball game Sunday, May 20, 2007 in Detroit. The Tigers swept the Cardinals in the three-game series. " align="left" border="0">
The World Series rematch was a mismatch. Detroit's Justin Verlander stayed unbeaten in May and Brandon Inge homered to help the Tigers win 6-3 on Sunday, completing a sweep of the defending world champion St. Louis Cardinals. "You wish we would've swung the bats like this in the World Series," said Detroit's Sean Casey, who was one of the Tigers' few offensive standouts during the 4-1 series loss...
Notes: Spiezio dealing with limited time: Scott Spiezio is glad to be back in Southern California, where he enjoyed some of his finest baseball with the Halos. His playing time lately, though, has been more reminiscent of his frustrating tenure further up the coast.
Spiezio time for tonight's lineup: La Russa said he would try to find a place in tonight's lineup for Scott Spiezio, whose eroding playing time was further affected by Sunday's return of right fielder Juan Encarnacion from a minor-league rehab assignment.
Cards ease past Rockies: In a role where he delivered countless times for the Cardinals last season, Scott Spiezio again flourished as a pinch-hitter Tuesday night. Trailing by one, in the seventh inning with the bases loaded, Spiezio came to the plate, pinch-hitting for the pitcher's spot.
Mourning Cardinals lose: MILWAUKEE - A day after the death of Josh Hancock, the St. Louis Cardinals tried to move on. They had a game to play. But for Scott Spiezio, it was too much to handle. He told manager Tony La Russa to pull him from the starting lineup Monday night. With Hancock's jersey hanging in the bullpen and Milwaukee fans observing a moment of silence, the Cardinals went back to work, trying to focus on the task at hand. "It's just one more thing that we have to deal with that people don't want to," center fielder Jim Edmonds said. "But this really doesn't make any sense." The Cardinals lost to the B
NL: Cards move on without Hancock: A day after the death of Josh Hancock in St. Louis, the Cardinals tried to move on. They had a game to play in Milwaukee.But for Scott Spiezio, it was too much to handle. He was overcome with emotion...
In the clubhouse, players find emotions hard to escape: Scott Spiezio became a late scratch Monday. The cause wasn't his misbehaving back or a return bout of food poisoning. "Emotional," said manager Tony La Russa, saying little but conveying much.
Game of the Day | Cards try to move on after Hancock's death: A day after the death of Josh Hancock, the St. Louis Cardinals tried to move on. They had a game to play. But for Scott Spiezio, it was...
Notes: Rolen out with illness: Cardinals third baseman Scott Rolen was missing from Wednesday's starting lineup with suspected food poisoning. Filling in for Rolen at third was Scott Spiezio, who was out with food poisoning last week.
Cards Notebook: Dealing with "ouchies": Through the first 10 games of the season, manager Tony La Russa said he has been struck by the Cardinals' ability to "roll with the punches" despite an early-season spate of injuries. And he isn't just referring to Chris Carpenter's bone spurs and Scott Rolen's and Scott Spiezio's back ailments.
Cards Notebook: Spiezio dinged: Utility player Scott Spiezio remained available for pinch-hit duty only after a crash into a wall in foul territory Saturday night jarred his already sore upper back.
Lineup moves: La Russa achieved his yearly goal of starting every position player in the season's first week when he wrote Scott Spiezio in as his right fielder and Gary Bennett as his catcher.
Spiezio gets another start in right: Sending Scott Spiezio out to play right field for the second consecutive day isn't so much about finding a temporary sub for injured Juan Encarnacion as it is about searching for another way to get Spiezio into the lineup, manager Tony La Russa said.
Notes: Lo Duca has no NLCS regrets: The sense of lament has faded. And Paul Lo Duca says he isn't haunted by the moment that many believed turned the 2006 NLCS, the two-run, score-tying triple by the Cards' Scott Spiezio against Mets reliever Guillermo Mota in the seventh inning of Game 2.
Scott Spiezio in the Blog Pen
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