CARTERVILLE - St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Kyle McClellan said he hopes to get the opportunity to prove his worth as a starting pitcher for the ballclub this spring.

A middle- and late-innings reliever in the summer, the rookie was among the league leaders in holds, even with a rough September.

"I hadn't pitched a full season since 2004," said the St. Louis native who missed almost two full years rehabbing an injury to his right arm. "There was definitely a point where I hit the wall."

McClellan was the featured guest Sunday afternoon at the 23rd annual Jerome "Mimi" Alongi Baseball Card and Sports Memorabilia Show at John A. Logan College. After a brief news conference, McClellan signed autographs and posed for pictures with Cardinals fans for two hours in the college gym.

Funds raised from the show benefit the Logan baseball program.

"I would like to start, but really, it doesn't matter to me whether I start or relieve. Whatever helps the club the most," McClellan said.

His role may largely be dictated by the health of ace pitcher Chris Carpenter and whether management makes an off-season acquisition of a starting pitcher either via free agency or trade.

McClellan said he learned a lot about pitching from reliever Russ Springer, a 16-year veteran.

"He took me under his wing from day one," McClellan said. "I still talk to him about once a week."

McClellan said the Cardinals should be a fun team to watch in 2009 even if they don't make any other significant moves.

"The experience the young guys got last year was important," he said. "And with Khalil Greene (new shortstop acquired in a trade with San Diego) coming in, and hopefully, a healthy Chris Carpenter � I think we should have a successful season."

Logan baseball coach and athletic director Jerry Halstead said he was impressed with McClellan's poise on the mound and the manner in which he conducted himself when meeting the fans at the college.

"He's a class guy from a class organization and understands that without the fans in the stands, the paychecks wouldn't be as big," Halstead said. "Kyle is great to talk to and work with. It really meant a lot to me to hear that last year's guest, (Cards pitcher) Brad Thompson, told him that he ought to come here - that we do things up right."

Halstead said he was also encouraged by the turnout Sunday. It was a larger crowd this year than the last few.

Guy Alongi, whose father formulated the idea of a sports memorabilia show as a fundraiser for the baseball program, said he, too, was glad to see an increase in attendance.

"I think Kyle had a lot to do with that," Alongi said. "I hope he gets a chance to start. We'll see how things go in spring training."