Descalso ready compete for starting spot

ST. LOUIS - Dan Descalso arrived at spring training a year ago just hoping to sneak onto the Cardinals roster as an extra guy on the bench. Eight months later it was his hit to start the bottom of the tenth inning that fueled the Cardinals' two-run tenth inning that helped them stave off elimination with a dramatic win in Game 6 of the World Series. Descalso did much more than take up a roster spot in his first full big league season. He finished second on the team in games played and became an irreplaceable part of the Cardinals' World Championship club. With a year of valuable experience under his belt, Descalso arrives to the Cardinals' spring training complex in Jupiter, Fla., in a few weeks with a completely different mindset this time around. "It's a huge difference," Descalso said. "Last year I went down there not even knowing really what my chances were of making the team, but to be able to contribute and be up there the whole season and just learn and watch guys and how they went about their business and to be able to play deep into October in my first season, its going to be huge in the future." Descalso had a rough April while trying to adjust to being a bench player for the first time in his career. But when David Freese went down with a broken hand on May 1, Descalso made the most of his opportunity in the starting lineup. He contributed immediately, hitting his first career home run on May 3, a game-winning three-run shot in the bottom of the seventh that gave the Cardinals a 7-5 win. Just four days later, Descalso spoiled a no-hit bid from Brewers pitcher Yovani Gallardo with a solid single up the middle to start the bottom of the eighth. The left-handed hitting Descalso had four three-hit games and a four-hit game, hitting .264 with 24 extra-base hits and 35 runs scored. He also hit a remarkable .364 in "late and close" situations and 14 of his 28 RBIs came with two outs and runners in scoring position. "I had my ups and downs at the plate last year, especially early on," Descalso said. "But towards the second half of the season, I felt like I had a better command of the strike zone and I was having some better at-bats." But despite the solid season at the plate, Descalso was even more impressive in the field. He made just six errors in 666 innings at third base, the third fewest errors in Cardinals history by a third baseman with at least 600 innings played. Descalso was so impressive at third base that he was named a finalist for the Rawlings Gold Glove Award despite making just 61 starts there during the regular season. It was an unexpected season from the rookie but one the Cardinals desperately needed to end up where they did. "My attitude showing up to the ballpark every day was, What can I do today to help the team win?'" Descalso said. "If it's starting that's great. If its coming off the bench as a defensive replacement or a pinch-hitter or pinch-runner or bunter, if I can do one thing today to help the team win, I felt like it was a good day for me. That's the attitude I came with every day and I think that helped me a lot." But Descalso has a chance to be more than a reserve or role player in 2012. The Cardinals open up spring training in a few weeks with an opening at second base - and Descalso is preparing to challenge for the spot. Descalso, Tyler Greene and Skip Schumaker will compete for the starting second base job in spring training, with some in the organization hoping Greene eventually wins out in part so Descalso can return to his valuable utility role. But the 25-year-old Descalso plans to make the decision a tough one. "All you can ask for is a chance to be in the lineup every day," Descalso said. "Everybody wants to be an everyday player. I'll show up in spring training ready to win a job." And the competition will be a new experience for Descalso, who can't remember the last time he entered a season in a competition for a starting spot. "I don't know if I've ever been in that situation, definitely not at this level," Descalso said. "But competition is good. It brings out the best in people. If you're not here to compete and battle out there, then you should probably head home. "I'm good friends with Tyler and Skip and they are just going to let the best man play. Whoever is playing well is going to get the at-bats and the innings in the field. Healthy competition is always good." Descalso has been taking ground balls at second, short and third this offseason because, "I think my versatility can help the team. I don't mind playing third one night, second the next night - throw me out at short. Wherever I can get in the lineup, I'll be happy to be there." Regardless of whether or not he starts at second, Descalso is almost assured of a spot on the roster in some capacity. What a different feeling from a year ago.