Like everyone else within 100 miles of Busch Stadium, Tony La Russa is keeping a close eye on St. Louis rookie OF J. D. Drew.

Drew, who started out the season batting in front of Mark McGwire, began the season very slowly...and his batting average crept above the Mendoza Line (.200) only after La Russa moved him down to the #6 spot in the batting order.

But Drew, who, in his own words had never experienced a batting slump in his life (which included three years at Florida State University) seemed to get well at the expense of soft-tossing Brewers lefty Jim Abbott...with a single, triple, and home run to his credit.

In addition, Drew's CF defense and throwing have been surprisingly inconsistent...although some observers connect his defensive difficulties with the aforementioned batting woes.

But things are looking up...and J. D. Drew's recent progress is erasing any comparisons with, dare-you-say...Jim Lindeman?