“I’m obsessed with Tim Tebow and I’m not afraid to say it,” said Wainwright. “It’s almost embarrassing to us athletes that this much emphasis is put on Tim Tebow _ because that means we aren’t living our lives like we should. If we did that more often, the way he is living wouldn’t be a story.

“I’m so proud of him for living out his faith. That’s what we’re called to do. If we were doing what we’re supposed to be doing as athletes, then it wouldn’t be as big a story. I really mean that, but because Tim is so unique and so outpoken about his faith, then it’s a big story.

“Tim Tebow is such a great role model. I was watching Fox News yesterday and they were talking about GOP (presidential) candidates and they probably said, ‘Tim Tebow,” 50 times in a 30-minute span. Tim Tebow is everywhere right now and it’s awesome.

“He’s my favorite athlete. I feel like he’s the face of sports right now _ and rightfully so because he gives the whole nation something to believe in. It’s the story of hope.” (STL Today)

Wainwright does have a better reason then they many who just love Tebow’s underdog story, he’s a devout Christian himself. He doesn’t show his faith pitch by pitch but he certainly enjoys and respects Tim for showing his almost every play.

@JoeStrauss: Dave Duncan is Stepping down as Cards pitching coach.

Strauss has a full post up at STL Today regarding the matter and I have to tell you it’s sad to see one of the game’s great positional coaches leave for such a reason.

There aren’t many details regarding his decision, right now he basically says he can’t devote the necessary time to the team as his wife needs him right now. The organization is expected to disclose more details tomorrow, if not then Monday at the latest.

Strauss does add that Duncan will take another role with the club, probably so he can stay closer to home and not travel as much. Expect Derek Lilliquist, the team’s bullpen coach to be promoted.

Matthew Leach another St. Louis beat writer says it’s a leave of absence not stepping down.

@MatthewHLeach: Release: Duncan “has asked to take a leave of absence to attend to his wife Jeanine as she continues her treatment and rehabilitation”

Veteran free-agent righthander Roy Oswalt would be an excellent veteran presence in Boston’s starting rotation, and even though the Red Sox are aware that Oswalt would be open to a one-year deal, he still appears to be out of Boston’s price range.

The Sox may have competition from the Yankees on Oswalt, who is also being eyes by the St. Louis Cardinals, where Oswalt would love to pitch. (Nick Cafardo – Boston Globe)

I’m not surprised that Oswalt would “love” to pitch for the defending Major League champions. He had the taste of pitching in a superstar rotation last year and pitched quite well in the fourth spot with no pressure. In St. Louis he’d most likely enjoy the same luxury thanks to Cris Carpenter, Adam Wainwright and Jaime Garcia.

The only question in my mind would be will the Cardinals match the dollar figure he’s looking for. If they are I’d expect him in St. Louis and staying put in the National League.

@HensonYahoo: The Cardinals are in discussions to sign Coco Crisp to play CF and bat at the top of the order. Jon Jay wld move to RF with Craig injured.

@dgoold: Re: Coco Crisp. Multiple teams interested. Agent doesn’t want to “characterize” discussions. Didn’t expect imminent resolution 1/2

@dgoold: Crisp, ’99 Cards draft pick, seeks contender. Some interested teams are checking on him as alternative to other OFs (see: #stlcards). 2/2

If the Cardinals are talking with Crisp, I’m thinking they’d like a cheaper alternative to Mr. Beltran. I’m sure Carlos is still on the teams wish list but if they truly believe in Allan Craig then maybe a cheaper, stop gap till he returns may be a smarter play.

@JoeStrauss: For those wondering: Cards may be realizing traction w/Beltran.

It’s no surprise when you consider the other options he had. The two main ones were the Colorado Rockies and the Toronto Blue Jays. Colorado just signed Michael Cuddyer to play in their outfield while Toronto won the Yu Darvish bidding and will look to sign him to a major deal. With them off the table all signs would point to St. Louis, especially at the suggested dollar figure.

@DKnobler: Rockies signing Cuddyer closes out one option for Beltran. Heard yesterday he has at least one offer for $10 mill per year.

And here’s Buster Olney’s tweet from a couple days ago.

@Buster_ESPN: STL is serious entity in the Carlos Beltran talks; he’s a fit, especially with questions about when Allen Craig will be back from surgery.

When you take all of this into consideration I really don’t see how he winds up in St. Louis. The question is how long will it take and what the final deal will look like.

@jonmorosi: Spoke with #STLCards pitching coach Dave Duncan. He intends to come back in ’12, effectively ruled himself out of managerial consideration.

Where do the Cardinals turn now, who the hell knows but one things for sure. Whomever they hire will have one of the better pitching coaches in the game now only if they can get him some relievers he could work with.

Patrick Courtney, a spokesman for commissioner Bud Selig said Wednesday night, that the MLB will invite Nowitzki to throw out the first pitch during one of the three possible games at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. (Evan Grant – SportsDay DFW)

Good move Bud!!! He’s a local hero after leading the Dallas Mavericks to an NBA championship he deserves the right to throw out the first pitch as another local team tries to bring home the cities second championship in a year.

I do have to say something I’ve always said, Selig you’re a moron. Even reversing course doesn’t change that you still are. You could have saved yourself some trouble and just made the decision from the beginning.

Hats off to CoEd Magazine for the legwork on this one.

The White Sox are expected to try to bring starting pitcher Mark Buehrle back on a two-year deal, and he may be one of the many veterans loyal to owner Jerry Reinsdorf who stays for less. If he leaves, most would expect it to be for his hometown St. Louis Cardinals. (Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated)

Buerhle just finished a four year deal that was worth $52 million, which paid him $14 million in 2011. I’d expect the Sox to offer something similar even with his age (32) and the large amount of innings he’s thrown (2476 over 12 seasons).

Personally, I’d say Chicago is insane if they don’t bring him back. He’s thrown for over 200 innings pitched in all ten of his full seasons. Even more impressive is that he’s only had three seasons in that span where he had an ERA over four.

Mark won’t put up the eye popping number of ace pitchers but the guy simply gets the job done. Buehrle is one player that Reinsdorf needs to keep if he’s serious about trying to stay competitive while rebuilding.