Farewell Joey Bombs

Joe Mather first arrived on the scene in St. Louis in 2008. A versatile player that could play all three outfield positions and both corner infield positions, Mather seemed to fit the mold of a Tony LaRussa style ball player. During his first big league season, he would notch eight home run and 18 runs batted in. He was not yet a complete player, posting a batting average of .241 while striking out 32 times in a mere 133 at bats. The Cardinals hoped he would mature and become a mainstay in the Gateway City from there.

After suffering a left wrist injury, however, Mather never showed the Major League promise that he once had. A fun loving, energetic, and positive force in the locker room, Mather would find himself playing side kick to Brendan Ryan’s antics throughout the early part of 2010. When his bat was not producing at the major league level, the Cardinals sent him down to Memphis to figure it out.

Mather played well in Memphis and earned a trip back to the big leagues during the September call up period. In limited duty during the last month of the year, Mather showed no signs of drastic improvement and left the Cardinals and their fans wondering about the future of a much loved yet under-producing ball player.

The Atlanta Braves have chosen Mather off of waivers from the Cardinals, ending his tenure with the franchise that drafted him in the third round of the 2001 amateur draft. Mather will look to earn a spot on the Braves roster, providing them depth at key positions that they needed depth at this past season.

The Braves had shown interest in Mather a few seasons ago and had actively been seeking a trade with the Cardinals for the outfielder. Talks broke down, however, and now Mather will find himself wearing a tomahawk instead of the birds on the bat next season without any return for the Cardinals.

“Joey Bombs” leaves St. Louis as a fan favorite that will surely be greeted with respect upon returning this season in September during the weekend series against the Braves on the September 9 – 11. The Braves gain a role model player that can hopefully provide them with the depth they need.