AP Photo 6 months ago

St. Louis Cardinals' Joe Thurston, right, is safe at first base after narrowly avoiding the tag from Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Johnny Cueto during the second inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, June 3, 2009, in St. Louis.

AP Photo 2 months ago

St. Louis Cardinals catcher Jason LaRue celebrates his solo home run against the Colorado Rockies with trainer Barry Weinberg and Joe Thurston (22) during the seventh inning of a baseball game on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009, in Denver.

AP Photo 2 months ago

St. Louis Cardinals' Joe Thurston reacts to being called out on strikes to end the baseball game against the Florida Marlins, Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2009, in St. Louis. The Marlins beat the Cardinals 2-1.

AP Photo 3 months ago

Milwaukee Brewers' Casey McGehee, front, trots past St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Joe Thurston while rounding the bases on a three-run home run during the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2009, in St. Louis.

AP Photo 4 months ago

St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Julio Lugo (12), left, dashes to pick up the ball after New York Mets Alex Cora hit into a first inning fielder's choice as second baseman Joe Thurston comes in to assist in the second inning of the 9-0 loss to the New York Mets in their baseball game at Ci...

AP Photo 5 months ago

Minnesota Twins second baseman Matt Tolbert, right, turns a double play as St. Louis Cardinals' Rick Ankiel (24) is out at second during the fifth inning of a baseball game Friday, June 26, 2009, in St. Louis. Cardinals' Joe Thurston was out at first.

AP Photo 5 months ago

Minnesota Twins second baseman Matt Tolbert, right, prepares to turn the double play as St. Louis Cardinals' Rick Ankiel, left, is out running to second during the fifth inning of a baseball game Friday, June 26, 2009, in St. Louis. Cardinals' Joe Thurston was out at first.

AP Photo 5 months ago

Detroit Tigers second baseman Placido Polanco, right, tags out St. Louis Cardinals' Joe Thurston on an attempted steal during the sixth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, June 17, 2009, in St. Louis.

AP Photo 5 months ago

St. Louis Cardinals' Joe Thurston, left, scores on a bases-clearing double by Brendan Ryan as Detroit Tigers catcher Gerald Laird takes the throw during the fifth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, June 16, 2009, in St. Louis.

AP Photo 5 months ago

St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa, third from left, calls for right-hander Jason Motte (not shown) from the bullpen while relieving pitcher Joel Piniero, third from right, of his start during seventh-inning baseball game action against the Cleveland Indians in Cleveland on Friday...

AP Photo 6 months ago

Colorado Rockies' Troy Tulowitzki, right, is safe at first base for a single as St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols, left, handles the throw from third baseman Joe Thurston during the fourth inning of a baseball game in St. Louis, Sunday, June 7, 2009. The Rockies won 7-2.

Getty Images 6 months ago

SAN FRANCISCO - MAY 31: Joe Thurston #22 of the St. Louis Cardinels turns a double play as Edgar Renteria #16 of the San Francisco Giants slides in to second base at AT&T Park on May 31, 2009 in San Francisco, California.

AP Photo 6 months ago

St. Louis Cardinals' Joe Thurston throws his helmet after striking out with two on against the San Francisco Giants during the eighth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, May 31, 2009 in San Francisco. The Giants beat the Cardinals 5-3.

AP Photo 6 months ago

St. Louis Cardinals' Joe Thurston throws to first base after forcing out San Francisco Giants' Fred Lewis during the second inning of a baseball game, Sunday, May 31, 2009 in San Francisco. Giants' Juan Uribe was out at first to complete a double play.

AP Photo 6 months ago

Milwaukee Brewers' Mat Gamel, bottom, breaks up a double play on a ball hit by Mike Rivera (not shown) with St. Louis Cardinals' Joe Thurston, top, covering during the ninth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 27, 2009, in Milwaukee. The Cardinals won 3-2.

AP Photo 7 months ago

Cincinnati Reds' Aaron Harang, left, is tagged out at third by St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Joe Thurston, right, in the sixth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, May 9, 2009, in Cincinnati. Harang was the winning pitcher and drove in two runs in the game won by the Reds, 8-3.

AP Photo 7 months ago

Cincinnati Reds second baseman Jerry Hairston Jr. (15) tags out St. Louis Cardinals' Joe Thurston as he tried to steal second in the ninth inning of a baseball game, Friday, May 8, 2009, in Cincinnati. Hairston had two RBIs in the Reds' 6-4 win.

AP Photo 7 months ago

Cincinnati Reds' Adam Rosales (23) slides safely into third ahead of the tag by St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Joe Thurston (22) in the second inning of a baseball game, Friday, May 8, 2009, in Cincinnati. Rosales advanced to third on a hit by teammate Ryan Hanigan.

AP Photo 7 months ago

Pittsburgh Pirates' Nyjer Morgan, right, is out at second as St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Joe Thurston turns the double play, throwing out Freddy Sanchez out at first to end the top of the sixth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 6, 2009, in St. Louis.

AP Photo 7 months ago

St. Louis Cardinals' Joe Thurston, right, is tagged out at home by Philadelphia Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz during the third inning of a baseball game Monday, May 4, 2009, in St. Louis.

AP Photo 7 months ago

Washington Nationals' Austin Kearns slides safly into third as St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Joe Thurston jumps over him and the ball goes past on his RBI triple in the eighth inning of a baseball game at Nationals Park in Washington Saturday, May 2, 2009. Nationals won 6-1.

St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Joe Thurston hangs onto a ball hit by Atlanta Braves batter Chipper Jones in the fourth inning for a ground out at their MLB National League baseball game in Atlanta, Georgia, April 27, 2009.

AP Photo 7 months ago

St. Louis Cardinals' Joe Thurston walks with the bases loaded to tie the baseball game against the New York Mets in the fifth inning Tuesday, April 21, 2009, in St. Louis.

AP Photo 7 months ago

St. Louis Cardinals' Joe Thurston reacts after being called out on strikes with the bases loaded against the New York Mets in the forth inning in a baseball game Tuesday, April 21, 2009, in St. Louis.

AP Photo 7 months ago

St. Louis Cardinals' Yadier Molina hits an RBI-single to break a 4-4 tie, scoring teammate Joe Thurston, during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Thursday, April 16, 2009.