Redbirds looking to make some noise as 2024 season begins this weekend
The Redbirds are hoping to return to the postseason for the first time since 2018. The Memphis Redbirds begin their 2024 season against the Charlotte Knights at AutoZone Park on Friday afternoon. The team's first baseman, Luken Baker, won the International League MVP with 33 home runs and is returning for a second season in the 901. Michael McGreevy, one of the better pitching prospects in the Cardinals organization, was named the Opening Day starter for the third consecutive year. The Redbirds are looking to return to postseason play for the first time since they won the Pacific Coast League championship in 2018. Manager Ben Johnson has encouraged the team to be a good ballclub that picks each other up and enjoys winning ballgames together.
Published : 4 weeks ago by Matt Infield in
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) -The Memphis Redbirds begin 2024 on Friday afternoon at AutoZone Park against the Charlotte Knights. Opening Day is a cause for celebration among the team.
“Nothing like it,” says first baseman Luken Baker.
The man with the honor of being named the Opening Day starter is 23-year-old Michael McGreevy, one of the better pitching prospects in the Cardinals organization is back for a second season in the 901.
“It’s very exciting,” says McGreevy. “Third year in a row, third different level for Opening Day, so it’s kind of a cool little achievement there. But you know, just looking to get back in the routine of things and start right for the Memphis Redbirds.”
There are plenty of newcomers in the lineup, but the slugger at the heart of it all is back.
Baker is coming off maybe the greatest season by a Redbirds hitter ever. The first baseman whacked 33 home runs on his way to winning International League MVP.
He also got his first taste of big league action with the Cardinals. After being sent down to Memphis at the end of spring training, he wants to prove he belongs in St. Louis for good.
“The goal is to be undeniable,” Baker said. “Play so good that I can’t keep playing here. The goal is the big leagues, and the goal is to contribute at that level. Every day of work that I do here is to achieve that goal and do it for a long time.”
As the Redbirds look to return to postseason play for the first time since they won the Pacific Coast League championship in 2018, manager Ben Johnson found inspiration from an unlikely source: The team’s book club.
“One line that came to us was: You can be the germ, or you can be the Vitamin C. We want our guys to be the Vitamin C in here,” Johnson explains. “We want to be the group that looks to be well done instead of well said. That’s our goal for this year, is to be a really good ballclub that picks each other up and has a lot of fun winning ballgames together.”
First pitch for the opener is at 3:05 on Friday afternoon.
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