The St. Louis Cardinals announced today the schedule for the team’s 2013 Cardinals Caravan which will make stops in Missouri, Illinois, Arkansas, and Tennessee.

The Cardinals will embark on five separate caravans, scheduled around the Winter Warm-Up weekend, January 18-21. Three caravans will depart on Friday, January 18 through Saturday, January 19 and two caravan trips are slated for Sunday and Monday, January 20-21.

The Caravans are scheduled to visit 18 total cities throughout Cardinal Nation, including the respective cities of local minor league affiliates Memphis (Tennessee), Springfield (Missouri) and Peoria (Illinois).

Several current Cardinals players such as Jon Jay, Marc Rzepczynski, Trevor Rosenthal, Joe Kelly, Pete Kozma and Shelby Miller will take part in the promotional caravans. Numerous other veterans and future stars such as Tony Cruz, Shane Robinson, Adron Chambers and others are also participating in the caravans. Minor-league future stars involved with the caravans include 2012 Organizational Player of the Year Oscar Taveras, 2012 Minor League Pitcher of the Year Seth Maness and 2012 First Round Draft Pick Michael Wacha.

Fans will also be able to meet some of their favorite former players as Cardinals Alumni Andy Benes, Cal Eldred, Ryan Franklin, John Mabry, Joe Magrane, Kerry Robinson, Jason Simontacchi and others will accompany the current players. Cardinals announcers John Rooney, Dan McLaughlin, Al Hrabosky, Rick Horton and Mike Claiborne will serve as Caravan emcees. Team mascot Fredbird will also be on hand.

The Cardinals will be implementing a new Autograph Ticket system at each stop. The first 400 kids (15 and under) through the door on the day of the event will receive a free Autograph Ticket which guarantees one autograph from each current and former player. Autographs will only be available for kids 15 and under. A schedule of the five Caravans, their destinations and participating players is attached, and can also be found on the team’s website at cardinals.com/caravan

This press release was provided by the St. Louis Cardinals.

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