February 26, 200521 yr Jason Isringhausen will be with the Cards through at least 2007. (David Zalubowski/AP) Cardinals, reliever Jason Isringhausen agree to two-year contract extension New pact also includes club option for 2008 JUPITER, Fla., February 26, 2005 -- The St. Louis Cardinals today announced that reliever Jason Isringhausen has agreed to a two-year contract extension with a club option for a third season (2008). "This is a great opportunity for both the Cardinals and Jason, who shared our same interest in getting an extension done," said Walt Jocketty, Cardinals' Senior Vice President/General Manager. "This deal gives us financial certainty, while securing one of the game's elite closers for the next few years." Isringhausen, 32, was instrumental in the Cardinals pennant run last season, posting a career high 47 saves while tying a St. Louis single-season saves record last set by Lee Smith in 1991. He finished tied for first in the National League saves category. A native of Brighton, Ill., Isringhausen has accumulated 101 saves as a Cardinal, which ranks fourth on the team's all-time list. He is just 26 saves shy of tying Bruce Sutter (127) for third on the Cardinals all-time saves list, and 28 saves away from equaling Todd Worrell (129) for second on St. Louis' all-time list. The 2005 season will be Isringhausen's fourth in a Cardinals uniform. He has led the team in saves each of his three previous seasons and his 168 saves over the past five seasons rank fourth in the majors behind only Mariano Rivera (207), Armando Benitez (185) and Troy Percival (177).
February 26, 200521 yr Author Cards, Izzy agree to two-year deal Contract includes option year in 2008 By Jim Molony / MLB.com Jason Isringhausen tied Armando Benitez for the league lead in saves last season with 47. (David Zalubowski/AP) JUPITER, Fla. -- Cardinals closer Jason Isringhausen agreed to terms Saturday on a contract extension worth $25.75 million that will keep the right-hander with St. Louis through the 2007 season with a club option for 2008. Isringhausen will receive $7 million this year, $8.75 million in 2006 and $8.75 million in 2007, with the option valued at $8 million or a $1.25 million buyout. Isringhausen was in the final year of a four-year deal he signed before the 2002 season. That contract included an option for 2006, but the new contract will instead cover the balance of the old pact. "I don't know how many times I thanked (Cardinals Senior Vice President and General Manager) Walt (Jocketty) today," Isringhausen said. "I've given them all I've got, even through the painful days and everything, everybody here does. Treat the organization with respect and they repaid me with this (and) I'm deeply thankful." When the new contract expires, Isringhausen will have a dozen years in the Major Leagues. "I'd love to retire as a Cardinal," he said. "We'll see how that works out. We'll see how much I have in the tank three years from now and go from there." "Being able to be a part of this, be able to close Busch Stadium and open up a new stadium will be great," Isringhausen said. "It's great for me and great for my family more than anything. We know where we're going to be and we've got a little bit more money, so it I mean it's nice. Especially for my wife and baby, we'll know where she'll be going to school." [More in URL]
February 28, 200521 yr Lucky for Isringhausen he got the deal before the new drug testing policy went into effect. He's got the biggest watermelon head I've ever seen after bonds.
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