I hadn't thought of that, but now that you mention it, I'm worried. I tend to see dips in production in terms of slumps. But if this is a case where Chris just can't recover his past production, that's bad news.

As an aside, though, it seems like we (and I include myself in this criticism) always think about trading players when they are at their lowest production. If Duncan doesn't increase his production by June, we aren't going to get much for him in a trade. If his numbers jump back up, we're going to be clamoring for him to be our everyday left outfielder.

constant trade proposals outlined on VEB since last October of trade packages built around Chris Duncan and a good many to the Giants because of his so called good fit with them. If the Cards had any idea to showcase Duncan to the Giants in this series, so far it hasn't worked defensively or offensively. He looked terrible on several plays early in the game on throws back to the infield. The Giant announcers chewed him up pretty good on his base running also. To sum it up. Duncan's trade value is sinking fast.

FWIW, Joe Charboneau was the Indians Albert Pujols. A wild kid who bit the bottle caps off of beer bottles, and so on. One day he tried to do 1000 sit-ups on a bet, and slipped a disk in his back. Had surgery and was never the same. A real shame because he was a lot like Albert, had both power and a high average.

would seem to be very low at this point. I can't imagine anyone acquiring him as more than the lefty half of a first base platoon, and that's not the kind of player that teams shell out legit prospects for. And I think most who post these dream trade deals must know that as well, or why would Duncan always be the chip that will supposedly land us the blue chip prospect?

I'll see your Mass and Charboneau and throw out a former Card he's beginning to remind me of: Eduardo Perez.

"16 ABs a season does not make."
LOL

... most Cards fans are above that type of trolling. And at least Zito is actually pitching - we have a pretty high-priced (in terms of what it took to get him) former A who hasn't done a whole lot for us since we traded Danny Haren, Kiko Calero, and Daric Barton for him.

and the replay shows that izturis definitely looked up at oquendo as he rounded 2nd... but i didn't see a shot of oquendo. i was half awake, so anyone see if cesar was given the 'stop' sign?

Strange things like this happen every day across the League. We have a stronger lineup than in 2007. Glaus is an upgrade over Rolen and Ankiel over Edmonds in terms of offensive production. Our outfield defense will also be improved (not that it would take much) from 2007. In addition, it looks like our rotation will be moving in the opposite direction of 2008: rather than attrition via injury, we may have a cavalry on the hill which will strengthen the rotation and bullpen by supplanting Das WunderBrad and Wellemeyer with Pineiro and Clement or Mulder, which will bolster the 'pen and the rotation at the same time. Plus, Rasmus is waiting in the wings and Izturis' horrendous offensive performance may force TLR's hand with Ryan.

Ever since the Cards split with KMOX, it's been difficult to find a station who gives nearly the amount of committed, quality coverage. KFNS is a joke (the morning show has more in common with "The View" than an actual informative sports show), KTRS is coming around (were they the station that carries a show with Mike Claiborne? I moved from the area a year ago, so I don't know), but ouside of that the options are thin.

Don't know about you, but I blame ESPN for being the harbinger of the decline of informative sports coverage.

to tell, I like him though. Who else could keep Joe Morgan employed.

I've never heard a baseball announcer who seemed to know so very little about the game of baseball. He is a joke. A line I've never forgotten is "I'd always thought it would be a good idea to change the positions of the baserunners" when a slow guy was on 2nd in front of a speedster on 1st. I prefer Morgan to him, sometimes. Blasphemy, I know, but Miller makes me sick, and Joe at least knows about how to play the game. Not the strategy, but stuff like getting the ball out of your glove before you throw it so the receiving fielder can pick it up, stuff like that.

but his smoothness is for some reason intensely irritating to me. I guess if he would call Morgan on some of his worst bullshit I'd cut him some slack, but he doesn't.

Another thing that drives me nuts is how he uses the word "slugger" all the time, and says it the way my aunt Ethel who knows nothing about baseball would say it. I just find him creepy somehow.

i'm sure there are folks who don't like him, but i'll stand by my earlier statement. i like listening to the dude on the radio.

If Miller was with anyone in the non-Tim McCarver category he'd seem infinitely better.

Barry Bonds, Barry Bonds, Barry Bonds....................HE NEVER STOPS TALKING ABOUT HIM!

but i remember watching that game and it was indeed awesome.

understood the virtue of shutting their mouths every once in a while. Who is the most minimalistic color guy out there? Give him an Emmy.

the call on Rolen's HR and thinking it was the greatest HR call I heard in years. I think I even screamed at my television when Miller and Morgan returned.

Maldonado and Baerga > complete silence > Miller and Morgan