December 7, 2004, 5:10 CST
Kline is gone
By Ray Mileur
Fan favorite, left handed reliever Steve Kline is gone. He got word earlier today from his agent that the Cardinals will not be offering him arbitration and as such Kline is no longer a member of the team.
Kline coming off his best season as a Cardinal with a 2-2 record, with 4 saves and a 1.79 ERA, appeared in 67 games for the Redbirds this season. After a disappointing 2003 season where it appeared Kline lost his mind, complaining of not knowing his role and lacking motivation, this season was a major turn around for him lowering his ERA from 3.82 down to 1.79 this season.
Kline had some problems with Cardinal Manager Tony LaRussa this season and the boiling point came when Kline was caught on film giving the Manager an obscene gesture (the finger) from the bullpen, after Kline warmed up but did not enter into the game.
The Cardinals left Kline off their World Series roster because they were concerned that his stiff left index finger wouldn't react well to the cold weather in Boston. Al Reyes took Kline's spot on the roster which didn't sit well with Kline who thought he could still pitch.
Kline had missed almost all of September with a groin injury and torn tendon in his finger and we supported the Cardinals decision to leave Kline off the post season roster.
Steve is recovering from surgery on his left index finger on Nov. 11, the same injury that kept him off the World Series roster, and while the New York Yankees have expressed interest in Kline, it's highly unlikely he will sign with them this soon after his surgery.
