Jim Heads to the Alter

The slowest sports day of the year has brought us some good news. According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch in this story, Jim Edmonds is now married.

Here is the story:

CLAYTON — James Patrick Edmonds and Allison Jayne Raski, both of Creve Coeur, were couple No. 11 of the 25 who got married Wednesday at the St. Louis County Courthouse in Clayton.

Edmonds, now a Chicago Cub, was better known to Cardinals fans for whom he patrolled center field at Busch Stadium for eight years as Jim Edmonds or "Jimmy Ballgame.''

Edmonds, 38, and Raski, 28, tied the knot in the chambers of Judge Michael T. Jamison, who wished the newlyweds good luck after performing the brief ceremony.

Both were casually dressed. Edmonds wore a T-shirt, jeans and tennis shoes. Raski, one observer noted, sported a nice-sized diamond ring.

The couple have a young son, Landon. Raski graduated from high school in Zeigler, a town of about 1,700 in Southern Illinois.

Edmonds played with the Cardinals from 2000 through the 2007 season, and had some key contributions in the 2006 World Series win over the Detroit Tigers. He was traded to the San Diego Padres on Dec. 15, 2007. He was released by the Padres on May 9 and signed by the Cubs on May 15.

After the mid-afternoon wedding, the couple headed for Edmonds' restaurant on Locust Street, F15teen, said Jamison's bailiff, Frank Kelly.

At F15teen later Wednesday afternoon, a hostess was surprised and excited to hear the news of the wedding and the manager said he was unaware of any ongoing celebration.

So Jim is now married. We can only hope that it improves his at bats with the Cubs. After hitting .302 in June, "Lassie" has regressed back to old levels this month with a .206 average. That is just not going to cut it down the stretch. Hopefully, the Cubs are looking for more options in center.