Cardinals Caravan Rolls Through Springfield

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Baseball was on the mind of Cardinals fans in the Ozarks Friday -- not because of the warm weather, but because the Cardinals Caravan is in town.

Pitchers Shelby Miller and Seth Maness were joined by former Cards Andy Benes, Cal Eldred, John Mabry and Al Hrabosky.

Oscar Taveras was suppose to be here but had flight difficulties getting out of the Dominican Republic.

The group met with sponsors and fans at Hammons Field then visited the children's floors at Mercy and Cox South hospitals.

PHOTO GALLERY via Mercy's Facebook

Miller's hoping to make the big league club out of spring training, Maness will most likely start in Triple AAA Memphis.

"It's out of your hands and it's not in your control," said Cards minor league pitcher of the year Seth Maness. "So you really can't worry about I think I need to do this and I think I need to do that. You just do your game and let the chips fall where they may. Obviously I want to keep moving up, maybe Triple AAA. The ultimate goal is trying to get to the major league level."

"Obviously there are a lot of expectations going into the spring," said Miller. "It's probably my biggest spring this far. I say that every year because I'm getting closer to making the rotation in St. Louis. So it's very important."