(Photo Credit: Mick Lite)
The St. Louis Cardinals have announced that Erik Pappas will serve as the Springfield Cardinals Hitting Coach for the 2014 season. Pappas joins returning Manager Mike Shildt, Pitching Coach Randy Niemann, Athletic Trainer Scott Ensell and Strength and Conditioning Coach Josh Cue on the staff.
Pappas, a former St. Louis Cardinal, begins his second season as a coach in the Cardinals system, having spent the 2013 campaign as the Hitting Coach for the Peoria Chiefs (Low-A). Prior to joining the Cardinals ranks, Pappas spent 2006-12 at the Cangelosi Baseball Academy in Orland Park, Illinois, while also serving as a scout for the Texas Rangers from 2005-09.
The Chicago, Illinois native suited up for the Cardinals under Joe Torre in 1993-94, playing in a total of 97 games for St. Louis. Although originally a 1st-round draft pick by the California Angels in 1984, Pappas made his Major League debut with the Chicago Cubs in 1991. In his big league career, Pappas hit .242 with one home run and 35 RBIs through 104 games.
