Cardinals extend Matheny's contract

The St. Louis Cardinals rewarded manager Mike Matheny on Wednesday with a three-year contract extension through the 2017 season.

In his second season after taking over for Tony LaRussa, Matheny led the Cardinals to the World Series, where they lost in six games to the Boston Red Sox.

The former catcher took the job in 2012 without any previous major league managing experience and has compiled a 185-139 record and two playoff appearances in two seasons.

Matheny's current contract was set to expire after the 2014 season.

The 43-year-old Matheny was fourth in the NL Manager of the Year balloting the past two years.