Washington @ St. Louis GameThread, Apr 4, 2008 8:15 PM EDT

Is it just me or

are the Cards' player headshots this year unsually bad? Looper looks like his dog just died -- and his might be one of the better ones.

by DCGreg on Apr 4, 2008 5:55 PM EDT 0 recs

Duncan's

is down right embarassing. He looks like a complete stoner.

by Ray Lankford on Apr 4, 2008 6:18 PM EDT up 0 recs

Now THAT's funny!

I went to high school with a dude who looked like that. Called him "Two-a-day Cla.y"
Link to L'il Dunc's MLB player page /w photo

by random on Apr 4, 2008 6:57 PM EDT up 0 recs

He still looks like an angry NYC cabbie to me

"You say the world has lost it's love. I say embrace what it's made of" - Dar Williams

by Valatan on Apr 4, 2008 7:13 PM EDT up 0 recs

+1

I didn't really think about it until I noticed Albert's last night. yikes.

I haven't seen a good one yet.

by thisgirllovesbaseball on Apr 4, 2008 7:14 PM EDT up 0 recs

Seriously

Most of them either look like they're about to pop a cap in you or they look far too high to be angry. Looking at previous threads, Wagonmaker and Lohse have the only good ones.

by hannah_in_va on Apr 4, 2008 7:22 PM EDT up 0 recs

Tonight's Lineup

Per Bernie:

Barton 7
Ankiel 8
Pujols
Glaus
Ludwick 9
Molina
Izturis
Looper
Miles

Yay to Barton getting a start!

C70 at the Bat

by Cardinal70 on Apr 4, 2008 5:55 PM EDT 0 recs

Hope Barton goes 4 for 4

to avoid going back to the purgatory that is the bench.

Why is Ankiel, our best cleanup hitter, batting 2nd?

Still looking for 1985 Regular Season games on DVD/VHS

by Hardcore Legend on Apr 4, 2008 6:27 PM EDT up 0 recs

why Tony keeps playing with the idea of Rick in the 2 spot ... I understand you want your best hitters as high in the order as possible ... but Ludwick does plenty of 'damage', and is perfectly suited there ... I like Ankiel 4th and Glaus 5th ... actually ... I would prefer to see Glaus batting 2nd and Ludwick/Duncan (based on pitcher) batting 5th ...

You never know what you're going to get with Tony ...

Culture of Winning: 10 World Championships, 17 Pennants, 6 Division Championships ...

by Cardinals4Ever on Apr 4, 2008 6:34 PM EDT up 0 recs

With Tony's 'Crazy Eight" lineup.....

After the first inning Ricky will be hitting third after the pitcher. It moves everybody down... It just might work

by Schnake on Apr 4, 2008 7:05 PM EDT up 0 recs

So the bases won't be clogged for Albert?

That's perhaps not fair, Ankiel's taken a couple walks already.

The real answer is probably because Glaus had a couple hits last night. Thus the "promotion" from 5 to 4th.

by DiscoJer on Apr 4, 2008 6:36 PM EDT up 0 recs

I think, from Tony's perspective ...

you could file his obsession with Ankiel in the 2 spot under 'I'll try any lineup once' ...

Culture of Winning: 10 World Championships, 17 Pennants, 6 Division Championships ...

by Cardinals4Ever on Apr 4, 2008 6:44 PM EDT up 0 recs

Left-handed starting pitcher

so he wants 3-4-5 to be righthanded hitters. And Ank's gotta bat somewhere.

by StanTheManFan on Apr 4, 2008 6:47 PM EDT up 0 recs

Tony

likes pop in the 2 hole ahead of Albert. Ank has some speed that doesn't hurt, and hitting in front of AP he'll see some pitches. I think it's the best position for him in the lineup personally.

"Dude, we're running out of stadium" - said on the way to our seats in Section 428.

by bukowski on Apr 4, 2008 6:51 PM EDT up 0 recs

I follow the reasoning

and it sure worked for L'il Dunc, but don't wholeheartedly agree. Seeing more pitches to hit might be just the thing for Ank, but my old-fogey opinion is that the primary criteria are OBP for #1-2, best OPS for #3, & SLG for #4-5. Then, if the team wants to steal or hit & run a lot, the ability to take pitches & make contact get factored in. I'd think "pop" might become more important w/ "twin leadoffs" if we're still playing station-to-station. Ank's speed doesn't hurt when he's on, but he wouldn't be my first choice at bat on a hit & run.

On the other hand, Ankiel could catch & hit ninth & I'd still be happy to see him in the lineup. :-)

by random on Apr 4, 2008 7:22 PM EDT up 0 recs

What a comment

even I can't figure out what I meant...other than Ank rocks.

Clearly time for a pre-game beer...

by random on Apr 4, 2008 7:27 PM EDT up 0 recs

I thought up a better nickname for Ankiel

Rank.........lol its the perfect nickname!!!!!!!!

"when we say strength we mean kettlebell,when we say kettlebell we mean strength"

by Calhoun on Apr 4, 2008 7:47 PM EDT up 0 recs

BOO! to miles and izturis in the same lineup.

by stlcardinalsfang on Apr 4, 2008 6:48 PM EDT up 0 recs

Same comment: lefty starter.

A Miles-Kennedy platoon seems to be taking shape at second. I don't think that's so bad, and right now there's no viable alternative to Iz2 on the 25-man except (very marginally) Miles. The shortstop shortcomings need to be remedied, but they won't be in time for today's game.

by StanTheManFan on Apr 4, 2008 6:50 PM EDT up 0 recs

Ryan will get unhurt eventually

and spell Izturis and Glaus.

"You say the world has lost it's love. I say embrace what it's made of" - Dar Williams

by Valatan on Apr 4, 2008 7:15 PM EDT up 0 recs

funny twist

I plugged in everyone's OBP and SLG and let the computer pick the best lineup and the results were pretty interesting.

http://tinyurl.com/5sjypz

None of the top 20 lineups even had pujols in the three spot (the three spot was always occupied by miles/iz2/molina). Most of them have ankiel batting between four and six. The most interesting was a validation of the crazy eight - all of the top twenty lineups had looper batting eighth - larussa is himself a computer model!!!

by cdb on Apr 4, 2008 7:02 PM EDT up 0 recs

Very interesting ... thanks for sharing that ...

Interesting that 5 of the top 6 lineups have Glaus batting second ... I think Tony should try it sometime (and the way he uses so many different lineups, I'm sure he'll get around to it) ... It would be interesting to actually see Pujols leadoff ... seems to defy logic ... but I guess he would probably get to bat more often that way ... Tony will never do that, however ...

Culture of Winning: 10 World Championships, 17 Pennants, 6 Division Championships ...

by Cardinals4Ever on Apr 4, 2008 7:16 PM EDT up 0 recs

Extending contracts for the up-and-comers?

Ok, not a game-relevant topic, but there have been so many fanposts lately that i didn't see a reason to add another. I thought it might provide some pre-game amusement.

Anyone else notice how many club-controlled players have been getting contracts lately? Wainwright for us, Tulo for the Rox, Rios for Toronto... And now it looks like Milwaukee is trying to tie up Braun and Fielder, among others. Maybe I just haven't noticed it as much until this year, but it seems like a growing trend.

It's interesting, because it goes against what I understood to be the Moneyball approach of getting as much as you can while the player makes league minimum, then trading them before they can cash in on the talent. (Yes, I read Moneyball. And yes, I realize there's more to the book than that.)

Personally, I think this new trend is a great strategy, because it still seems to save money in the long run, plus you don't risk young all-stars thinking about how much they would be making on the free agent market.

Am I off base on this? Thoughts?

by effin fisk on Apr 4, 2008 6:36 PM EDT 0 recs

i dont know much about the specifics of money

but it seems to me that if you really like a player and can lock him in at a lower rate then you would end up paying you have to make the move. there are risks to any contract no matter when they are given. teams with limited money have to do what they can to keep their players

i take your signatures and use them as away messages

by ihavebadknees on Apr 4, 2008 6:42 PM EDT up 0 recs

Moneyball was written before...

MLB got internet money. Which is quite a lot, and distributed to every team. And they also got a one time bundle of cash from the sale of the Nationals. MLB is pretty much flush with money, and last year was a recent (like since the late 80s) low in terms of how much of the money brought in was being distributed to the players (something like 40%)

by DiscoJer on Apr 4, 2008 8:11 PM EDT up 0 recs

I noticed

that the Brewers payroll sits around $81 Million this season. I had no idea they were spending that much. (Not that $81M makes you a big spender these days.)

Interesting stuff about the internet money though. I just read an article by Deadspin's Will Leitch in Fast Company magazine about MLB's online video business model. I had no idea they also ran the video for March Madness and handled the NHL's online infrastructure. MLB is on pace to pass the NFL in revenue soon, which is damn impressive.

by effin fisk on Apr 4, 2008 8:16 PM EDT up 0 recs

Well the teams are betting that

they can lock up their premier talent to get a slight discount. There's certainly some concern that those players could decline by that time but (loosely speaking) they are extending the cost controlled time frame by a few years. I think it's a good strategy with the premier players. When they start doing it with league average or marginal talent, I'll be concerned.

by azruavatar on Apr 4, 2008 9:23 PM EDT up 0 recs

Ryan Howard

is heading out of Philly.

Still looking for 1985 Regular Season games on DVD/VHS

by Hardcore Legend on Apr 4, 2008 9:25 PM EDT up 0 recs

one of lboros' better posts in my opinion

by stlcardinalsfang on Apr 4, 2008 6:48 PM EDT 0 recs

oh yea

a real classic

lol

The Phinsider: SBN's Miami Dolphins blog

by Matty I on Apr 4, 2008 6:57 PM EDT up 0 recs

holy crap it's odalis perez!

alberts going 5 for 5 with 4 HRs and 1 @B

by stlcardinalsfang on Apr 4, 2008 7:01 PM EDT 0 recs

that'd be 2B you dummy

by stlcardinalsfang on Apr 4, 2008 7:02 PM EDT up 0 recs

Maybe he'll hit for the cycle.

Twice.

by effin fisk on Apr 4, 2008 7:05 PM EDT up 0 recs

We kvetch about TLR's lineup...

but for the luvva Mike, can anybody tell me how Manny Acta justifies batting Christian Freakin' Guzman leadoff???

The rest of that lineup's not too bad, but gimme a break! If MLB used high-school rules, one might let the pitcher hit and DH for Guzman!!!

"In this game, don't nobody know nuthin' about nuthin'." -- attributed to Lawrence Peter "Yogi" Berra

by The Ol Goaler on Apr 4, 2008 7:10 PM EDT 0 recs

Odalis, Who's Your DADDY?!?!?

Here's to a couple of homers for Pujols, one for the opening day, and another to make up the one off the wall the other day.... Thank God, Allah, Buddha or whoever you want that Barton gets a start, that's a lot of speed ahead of AP.... Ankiel can hit and can do some damage, but it should be nice to hopefully have some people on base for El Hombre and his .500 avg tonight.... it's almost game time... :)

by redbirddude on Apr 4, 2008 7:17 PM EDT 0 recs

Here's hoping Braden Looper gets off to a good start ...

tonight ... I think he will ... I see 6IP, 3ER ... anyone think that's close, or are you worried? ...

Culture of Winning: 10 World Championships, 17 Pennants, 6 Division Championships ...

by Cardinals4Ever on Apr 4, 2008 7:20 PM EDT 0 recs

No worries...

Unless... he's not completely healthy yet, that's a good line and I'll take it, Odalis already had a good start this year, hope we 'ruff him up....

by redbirddude on Apr 4, 2008 7:23 PM EDT up 0 recs

Heading out to the game

Waiting on someone right now. Really sucks. Because I dont want to miss anything. But it's looking like I might miss the opening pitch.

Oh well. First Cardinal game of the year for me. Funny enough. This is will only my 4th game at the new busch. And the 4th time it will be started by Looper. I have nothing against the man. But I want to see someone else pitch!

by Evilfrog on Apr 4, 2008 7:43 PM EDT 0 recs

On that note...

Am I right that Wainwright is scheduled to pitch next Thursday night's game in San Francisco? I have to figure out which of the games to go see.

by six on Apr 4, 2008 7:48 PM EDT up 0 recs

I'll be at Friday night's game

I scored the front row seats right next to the Cardinals dugout. I'm pumped up!

by effin fisk on Apr 4, 2008 7:52 PM EDT up 0 recs

I'll be in the nose bleeds...

So for the sake of my ears I'll probably just go to the day game. Not enough wool and hot chocolae in the world to make April night games comfortable in those upper decks.

by six on Apr 4, 2008 8:10 PM EDT up 0 recs

no problem moving down

The stadium has been EMPTY this year!

America is all about speed. Hot, nasty, badass speed. -Eleanor Roosevelt, 1936

by Schnake on Apr 4, 2008 8:12 PM EDT up 0 recs

Good to know.

Thanks

by six on Apr 4, 2008 8:13 PM EDT up 0 recs

AH. Still sitting in the office on 17th&Washington

People are running behind. But hey. It's a free ticket. So im not going to be complaining to loud. And it's about 12 rows back by the Cardinal's undeck if I heard him right.

by Evilfrog on Apr 4, 2008 8:14 PM EDT up 0 recs

Speaking of April night games

I was in MO on April 14th last year. (My birthday.) Got tickets to the game as a gift, and had to brave a blizzard driving up I-44 from Springfield.

Sat through most of the game in freezing temperatures, only to watch us get stomped by the Brew Crew. Here's hoping this year breaks away from that trend.

by effin fisk on Apr 4, 2008 8:18 PM EDT up 0 recs

I'll be

I'll be at Thursday, Friday, and Saturdays game. Got my tickets from Costco, 4 for 50 in View Box. I'll be the guy in all the red =)

by davethebutcher on Apr 4, 2008 8:43 PM EDT up 0 recs

Give me a shout

That is, if you can yell through the glass in your fancy schmancy view box. :)

by effin fisk on Apr 4, 2008 8:46 PM EDT up 0 recs

Have fun!!!

I was at both opening days this week, number 1 was better... :) Looks like the clouds are leaving good deal....

by redbirddude on Apr 4, 2008 7:49 PM EDT up 0 recs

its friday night

and im a substitute teacher in florida

spring break is next week, i think im going to have a few brewdaddies tonight

go cards

i take your signatures and use them as away messages

by ihavebadknees on Apr 4, 2008 7:43 PM EDT 0 recs

Virgin Poster here...

So how about Kevin Slaten getting canned today by KFNS because of the whole Duncan thing? I haven't lived in St. Louis for about 8 years, but U don't miss his big mouth!

by husker4cards on Apr 4, 2008 8:04 PM EDT 0 recs

i don't live in stl anymore either, but i used to listen to his show sometimes. pretty annoying most of the time though. the crap he pulled on duncan was pretty weak, so i'm glad they fired him. hopefully none of the other stations will hire him.

by adiueordie on Apr 4, 2008 8:12 PM EDT up 0 recs

Comeuppance

I think being critical of LeDunc is legit, but one has to be professional about it. But, I think it is clear from reading the transcript that Slaten was deceiving Dunc. There is significant legal protection for public speech of public figures like LeDunc. But deception crosses the line.

born Dodger blue, now dyed Cardinals red

by totalloser on Apr 4, 2008 8:15 PM EDT up 0 recs

Glad to see him go.

I live in St. Louis, and I have gotten to the point I won't even turn that station on in the morning or the evening. I expect the sports media to legitimately criticize the local franchises when they are backed by true reporting. Slaten doesn't do any. He simply shouts louder when someone dissents against his opinion. He is little more than that loud mouth fan at the end of the bar (you know the guy), and for some reason somebody gave him a broadcasting job. He's not entertaining, and he provides no information for the fans.

Good riddance to bad rubbish. This is his second firing in the last 5 years in the St. Louis area (previously fired from FSMW). Maybe he'll get the hint.

by etp_stl on Apr 4, 2008 10:16 PM EDT up 0 recs