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Vina A Happy Cardinal
Former Brewer Grins And Bears It In St. Louis
By Drew Olson of the Journal Sentinel Staff
April 8, 2000
St. Louis - Fernando Vina bounded into the visitor's clubhouse at Busch Stadium Friday afternoon with the enthusiastic and slightly mischievous grin that was his trademark during the past five seasons.
Only his uniform looked different.
From head to toe, Vina was decked out in the red and white colors of his new team, the St. Louis Cardinals.
"It's been great so far," said Vina, who was dealt from Milwaukee to St. Louis over the winter in a deal that brought right-handed reliever Juan Acevedo to the Brewers.
"It's been a really smooth transition. The guys here are great. Big Mac (first baseman Mark McGwire) is just like one of the guys. He was joking around in spring training, playing with my son. Everybody has been great. (Manager) Tony La Russa has been great to play for. It's just a good situation."
The Brewers found Vina to be expendable because of his contract status (he's a free agent after this season) and the rapid emergence of Ron Belliard. The Cardinals, who do not have a lot of depth at second base in their system, will probably make it a priority to sign Vina to a contract extension this summer.
"This seems like a great place to play," Vina said. "The fans are great, just like they were in Milwaukee. There is a real family-type atmosphere here and I felt like I was a part of things right away."
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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