ST. LOUIS—And they’re off! The Saint Louis Cardinals migrate south for Spring Training in Jupiter, Florida. Players from the Show-Me State will start showing up in the Sunshine State on Friday, but their gear will be there a day sooner.

What You Need To Know

The Saint Louis Cardinals migrate south for Spring Training in Jupiter, Florida

Cardinals staff helped load up two trucks of the Redbirds’ equipment

This assignment is among the mover’s annual favorites, one driver has helped transport the Cards’ gear for the last 35 years

The birds on the bat start their Spring Training games on February 21st

Opening day at Busch Stadium is March 26th

Clubhouse and equipment staff helped load up two trucks of the Redbirds’ equipment on Monday, Feb. 2.

United Van Lines / A-Mrazek Moving Systems, the company contracted to transport the Cards’ belongings, circles this date with excitement. The 900+ mile job is one of the most-sought assignments for the movers’ staff.

“All of our drivers want to be associated with this, we all love doing (the Cardinals’ move),” said Vinnie Rogers, Manager of Special Commodities for A-Mrazek Moving Systems.

Aside from the prestige of moving the Birds on the Bat’s hardware and personal items, it’s a different assignment compared to the movers’ usual.

“This is nothing like a regular day, our guys are used to handling household goods, office moves and we’re doing a library move today. So all of this specialized equipment, (the Cardinals) bring down medical equipment. It’s high-value items that our guys will take each piece and pad-wrap it, strap it to the wall to make sure nothing shifts all the way down to Jupiter.”

“A little different, relocating for Spring Training,” said Bob Amelung, driver for United Van Lines. “We’ve done it, I’ve done it probably 35 years—I haven’t counted them but close.”

With the decades of hauling bats, balls, X-ray machines and more, Amelung built relationships.

“I’ve got close with Ray Lankford, close with Chris Carpenter and a few other ones—It makes me proud to be part of relocating them down to Spring Training.”

In addition to the annual Jupiter move, Amelung relocated Lankford and others’ personal homes too.

As a St. Louis-born and raised as well as a lifelong fan, Amelung looks forward to this assignment because of its deeper connection to what’s been true his whole life.

“It’s our hometown. It’s the baseball team in our hometown and it’s a privilege for us, for United Van Lines to help them in relocating and get started in Spring Training.”

The Cardinals start their Spring Training games on February 21st and opening day at Busch Stadium is March 26th.