Former KU Infielder Called Up to the Majors

Sept. 6, 2006

LAWRENCE, Kan. –

Former University of Kansas infielder John Nelson was called up to the St. Louis Cardinals from Triple-A Memphis on Tuesday.

Nelson, a 6-foot-1 shortstop from Denton, Texas, played at Kansas from 1998-2001. He hit .319 in three seasons with the Jayhawks and tied a then-school record with 42 stolen bases during his final season. In 1999, Nelson hit .311 with 13 doubles, 39 RBIs and 16 steals en route to earning Big 12 Honorable Mention accolades.

This season in Memphis, he was batting .215 with 21 home runs, 48 RBIs and 12 steals.

Nelson was called up to the Cardinals roster along with pitchers Chris Narveson and Josh Kinney.

“I don’t know how many at-bats John is going to get, and I don’t know how much Chris is going to pitch,” St. Louis manager Tony La Russa said. “But I know they’ll benefit from watching the last four weeks.”

Nelson will look to become the 19th Jayhawk player to appear in a Major League game. He joins Tom Gorzelanny (Pittsburgh) and Les Walrond (Chicago Cubs) as former Jayhawks who are currently on an active Major League roster.