The St. Louis Cardinals have hired Mike Matheny to be their new manager signing him to a 2-year contract with a club option for the 2014 season.

Matheny, who turned 41 last month, played thirteen big league seasons as a catcher with the Cardinals as well as with the Milwaukee Brewers, Toronto Blue Jays and the San Francisco Giants. Primarily known for his defensive abilities, Matheny won four Gold Gloves for his work behind the plate. He played on Cardinal teams that reached the post-season four times including the NL pennant in 2004.

His career abruptly ended following the 2006 season after a series of concussions while with the Giants. Matheny returned to the Cardinals organization in 2008 to work in their minor league system before becoming an analyst with Fox Sports Midwest this past season.

Although Matheny has no managerial experience he does have the respect of the likes of Albert Pujols, Chris Carpenter and his predecessor, Tony La Russa. Even during his playing career, Matheny was often thought of as someone who had a future as a big league manager. Still, he does have some big shoes to fill.

Matheny beat out the likes of former Red Sox manager Terry Francona, Ryne Sandberg and Cardinals third base coach Jose Oquendo for the position. The Cardinals will formally introduce Matheny at a press conference on Monday morning.