"To David Freese, the last 25 months have included: • A single-car accident in January 2009 that tore cartilage from atop his left foot and put him on crutches barely a month before he was due in spring training as the Cardinals' expected heir to Troy Glaus at third base. • Surgery in June 2009 to shave damaged cartilage from atop the ankle. After making the opening-day roster, Freese plays 17 games with the parent club in a lost season. • A DUI arrest in December 2009 sends Freese into rehab for alcohol abuse. He says he has not had a drink since. • A misstep atop third base against the Milwaukee Brewers last June eventually returns Freese to the disabled list with what is described as a badly bruised right ankle. • Fracturing his big toe when a 75-pound weight drops on his left foot as he works out at Busch Stadium last July. During an August rehab assignment at Double-A Springfield, Freese blows out the ankle, tearing tendon and rupturing membrane protecting the area. He undergoes reconstructive ankle surgery several days later in Vail, Colo., and begins a six-month rehab after hitting .296 in 70 games." Read more: http://www.stltoday.com/sports/base...cle_baa16295-b11f-5cf7-a470-ba1829df2833.html
