Brian Barton revels in making the big leagues; videotapes big moment

ST. LOUIS -- Brian Barton didn't care if he looked a tad foolish.

Toting a video camera he purchased at Wal-Mart the previous evening, Barton made sure all the pomp and circumstance of his first Opening Day as a major-league baseball player was caught on tape.

The 25-year-old rookie outfielder for the St. Louis Cardinals chewed up nearly 45 minutes of tape recording the pregame festivities Monday at Busch Stadium.

"I was going to (tape) it from the start," Barton said. "I went and bought a video camera last night. It was one of those things where I really didn't care what people thought.

"People say 'Act like you've been here before,' but you only get one of those moments. To me, it didn't matter how I looked. If I looked like a kid, then hey, I have one day to be a kid."

After the Cardinals' abbreviated workout Sunday afternoon at Busch Stadium, Barton visited a Wal-Mart and bought a small, hand-held digital camera costing around $200.

"I didn't need to go expensive," Barton said. "I just needed to get the memories."

Barton began taping a few minutes before he boarded the red convertible that paraded the players around the warning track. He kept taping as he shook hands with Cardinal Hall of Famers Bob Gibson, Ozzie Smith, Lou Brock and Red Schoendienst, then took his spot with the others players on the first-base line.

"I know everybody saw my video camera, but this only happens one time in your life," Barton said. "It was something where I wanted to be able to show my kids and in the near time, my friends and family back home."

Barton, who is single, lives in Los Angeles. He has 87 at-bats as the Class AAA level last year for Cleveland. The Cardinals got him from the Indians in the Rule 5 draft in December and was considered a long shot to make the team.

Now, he can't wait to make his major-league debut.

"I'm just looking to get on the field, period," Barton said. "Even if I have to pinch run from third. My mom is in town and I want her to see me play."

(bnd.com)