Two-time MVP Juan Gonzalez hopes to earn spot on Cardinals

Just when most baseball fans probably thought Juan Gonzalez was long gone, he's back.

Proud owner of two AL MVP awards and a pair of home run titles, Gonzalez is in camp this spring with the St. Louis Cardinals, hoping to revive a career that many figured was over.

"I feel like a rookie invited to big league camp after two years off," the 38-year-old outfielder said Tuesday in Jupiter, Fla. "I'm coming back for a big challenge. This is opening doors for myself. I'm here working hard to see what happens."

Gonzalez took part in the first day of full-squad workouts for the Cardinals. At 38, and away from the majors for two years, he's looking for any sort of job.

"He's got a spot that could be very helpful to us if he's got his game together and I've been told he does," Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said. "He's going to get an opportunity to make the club."

Scott Rolen, who feuded with La Russa in recent years, is definitely gone from St. Louis. The All-Star third baseman was upbeat as he arrived at Toronto's camp in Dunedin, Fla.

"It's exciting," said Rolen, traded from St. Louis to the Blue Jays for Troy Glaus. "It's like going to a new school or your first day of school. You walk in and you don't see or know anybody, it's challenging and exciting at the same time."

Rolen will play alongside former St. Louis teammate David Eckstein. The Blue Jays signed the 5½-foot shortstop as a free agent.

"The fans will take a liking to him right away," Rolen said. "He's the little engine that could. He's going to be running around out here like his hair's on fire."

Gonzalez last appeared in the big leagues in 2005. He got only one at-bat that season for Cleveland and it did not go well -- he tore his hamstring and was out for the year.

Gonzalez last played regularly in 2003, when he had 24 home runs and 70 RBI in 324 at-bats for the Texas Rangers.

The Cardinals signed Gonzalez to a minor league contract after he was recommended to the organization by Albert Pujols, Yadier Molina, third base coach Jose Oquendo and former St. Louis player Eduardo Perez.

"He'd been advertised to me for three months; looked at by four people who endorsed him," new Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak said. "I'm very excited."