the beauty of low expectations
by lboros on Apr 7, 2008 8:47 AM EDT
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Printby far my favorite part of the weekend was watching brian barton leg out that triple on saturday. a veritable whiteyballer --- dude’s feet don’t even touch the ground when he runs. barton looks relaxed at the plate, seems to recognize pitches and make adjustments. he doubled on a 1-2 slider friday night, singled off a changeup later in that game, then took another 1-2 slider the opposite way for the triple on saturday. i like the skill set, the attitude, and the look; hope the kid sticks.
re rick ankiel --- it’s good to see him knocking the cover off the ball again (by golly, maybe he ain’t a fluke after all), but to me the real revelation so far has been his defense. am i the only one surprised to see him making highlight-reel plays? i don’t recall him making a single one of those last year. nor do i remember him getting such a consistently good jump on the ball --- check out his reaction on milledge’s line drive in the 9th yesterday. if he’s a quarter-beat slower (as a certain 37-year-old cf was last year), that ball’s over his head. my memory’s not so good anymore; maybe he played this kind of D last year and i simply don’t remember anymore. whatever the case, after only 6 games the outfield D already looks palpably better than last year’s. but --- oops --- chris duncan is just about set to return to the lineup . . . . .
kyle lohse curveball update: he threw it 12 times yesterday in 102 pitches, about twice as often as he threw it on opening day. 10 of the 12 came against left-handed hitters; for one game, anyway, the curve replaced the changeup as lohse’s off-speed pitch of choice against lefties. 9 of the 12 curves crossed the plate for strikes; the nats only swung at 3 of them and only put 2 into play (both by the only right-handed hitter to see a lohse curve, lastings milledge --- he popped up and flew out). of particular note, lohse threw the curve 5 times on the first pitch and 4 times with men in scoring position --- he wasn’t just throwing it in safe counts / safe situations.
another mildly interesting thing about lohse’s pitch selection: when the score differential was 1 run or less, lohse threw 26 fastballs in 44 pitches (59 percent). but after the cards went ahead 2-0 in the bottom of the 3d, lohse stripped down the repertoire and starting pumping more fastballs in there, 38 out of 55 pitches (69 percent). just what you’d expect a pitcher to do; boring and common-sensical. i bet dave duncan deserves a little credit for that; can’t prove it, just guessing.
i read somewhere that the cards’ last 5-1 start came in 2000. that got me curious about fast starts more broadly --- how often do the cards start out 5-1? and if we look forward, how often do they start 6-1, 7-1, and so forth? i only looked back at the last 40 years, ie to 1969 --- the beginning of divisional play, and more pertinent the year i began to pay attention to baseball. within that span, the 2008 cards are the 6th st louis team to start the season 5-1. no team has gone 6-0; last team to do that was El Birdos in 1967. here’s the complete list of 5-1 starters --- the "w-l" columns refer to final regular-season record; the "rs" and "ra" columns refer to runs scored and allowed during the 6 opening games:
| w-l | pl | rs | ra | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | --- | --- | 25 | 13 |
| 2000 | 95-67 | 1st | 52 | 27 |
| 1986 | 79-82 | 3d | 29 | 12 |
| 1983 | 79-83 | 4th | 31 | 14 |
| 1977 | 83-79 | 3d | 39 | 23 |
| 1974 | 86-75 | 2d | 35 | 24 |
four of the teams on this list extended the hot start to 6-1, and two (the 2000 and 1986 teams) opened 7-1; no cardinal team has opened the season 8-1 since i don’t know when. you’ll note that the 2008 cards rank last in runs scored on this list and second-to-last in run differential --- i draw no conclusions at all from those facts, just i thought i would call your attn to ‘m.
which cardinal teams of recent vintage have had the best record after 10 games? surprisingly enough, only one team of the last 4 decades has won more than 7 games in the first 10 --- the 1981 cards, who started 8-2. a dozen teams have opened with 7-3 marks, including forgettable outfits such as 1993, 1998, and 1999. i didn’t count all the 6-4 teams; there were quite a many.
it’s too early to draw any conclusions, but like all of you i couldn’t be more pleasantly surprised by this start. one of the beauties of low expectations is how easily they are surpassed. keep surprising us, fellahs.
final item --- here's a question and a poll re the not-quite-finished, not-quite-forgotten simulation tournament. i’ve gotten extremely backed up in my work and don’t have team to write even the most cursory game summaries for the tournament. nearly all of our summary-writing crew is in the same boat ---- overcommitted at work, traveling, what have you. for those of you who are still interested in the outcome, i offer two options. i can return to posting the results, one game per series per day --- but i’ll just post links to the box scores, unaccompanied by any summary. that’s the shortest path to the conclusion of the tournament. however, if you feel the summaries are essential to the experience, then the second option is ---- the results will be posted on a halting, as-time-permits timetable.
i’ll abide by the majority. i’d hoped to get this all wrapped up before opening day, but it just didn’t happen. best-laid plans, &c. sorry.
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Hobbs
I too am shocked at the jump Rick is getting on balls in Center this season. The only great play I remember him making last season was on a ball in right that he took a bad route on, adjusted, and made a lunging catch up against the wall. In center, he just didn't look comfortable at all. This year he looks like a born CF. This kid adjusts so quickly. His pitch recognition, the way he hits left-handers ... Rick has gone from a raw talent to J.D. Drew playing with emotion in a few months. Astonishing. I am pulling for Barton to be our everyday leadoff hitter. The only problem with that is he can't play RF due to his arm. Thus, the only way to play Duncan and Barton together is put Duncan in left / Barton center / Ankiel in right (gotta play Hobbs). Hate to move Ankiel around, let him settle into CF.
I agree
but eventually Rasmus is going to move him to right anyway. I also don't think Duncan can put together a full solid season. I say leave Barton in left and let him compete with Duncan for the position. When Rasmus comes up, move Rick to right....
Probably not discussed that often but
Its a heck of a lot easier to get a jump on the ball in CF. You have a clear view of the strike zone and can intuitively see/feel where the ball is going a lot easier than RF where the balls hook and slice and aren't quite as easy to see off the bat. Either way, I love the way Rick is playing CF.
mattnj
Duncan has played some RF
I remember some of it in the 2006 postseason. People said he would be more comfortable in right because he's a natural 1B and would be on the same side of the field, but I feel like he made a stupid error, maybe against the Tigers. Not advocating, just bringing it up.
Cardinal fan in the heart of Braves country
He made two stupid errors
But Jeff Weaver didn't get phased. Jeff Weaver not getting phased...It just doesn't sound right. Man that was a fun World Series.
The game they're talking about is
Game 5 of the WS - he played in right field and made two terrible plays. Although if I remember correctly he was not charged with an error on the second play, even though he deserved it.
I was at the game yesterday..
best seats of my life two rows behind the Nats...will I ever be able to sit in the terrace seats again? Probably...
Anyway, Lohse looked great in the box score, but from the 2nd till probably the 5th inning he through more balls than strikes. Thank god for aggressive hitters. There's no way he should have made it seven innings or walked only one batter. His final breakdown looks okay 100 pitches 63 K's, but at around 60 pitches it was 50/50.
Ankiel looked great (obviously) ridiculous natural talent! Barton looked good...I don't understand subbing Schumacker at that point in the game. Glaus still looked to be pressing and Kennedy was very unimpressive at the plate (lefty-lefty)! Overall what a perfect day at the ole ball park!!
Thanks for the highlight moments 15 and 27!!!
TLR got a lot of flak
in the real-time blog for yanking Barton for Schu, but I for one see it as reasonable, for reasons going beyond the "defensive replacement" rationale. Schumaker needs to get back to hitting, at least when there are right handers on the bump, and he won't do it sitting on the bench. Early in the season it's good to spread the playing time around a little, at least if it doesn't put the game in jeopardy.
That said, I'd really like to see Barton get a start against a right hander or two some time soon. This kid looks like he might be for real, and if he can hit righties, all sorts of entertaining options open up in terms of roster construction, trades, etc.
by StanTheManFan on Apr 7, 2008 9:29 AM EDT up reply actions
In the minors last year Barton actually hit righties a little better
With no evidence to the contrary, Colby Rasmus is clutch
This is the great thing about this season so far...
Not only are the birds playing well, they are doing it with young guys that have "upside"/potential for improvement. Once Brendan Ryan is back most of the bench will be younger guys that I wouldn't mind seeing in the game.
In years past when we had a bench player come in for a regular it was usually a guy like So Taguchi, Aaron Miles, Eduardo Perez, etc. I appreciate So, and obviously Miles is still on the team, but the fact that we have these new young guys on the bench that are more exciting to watch is amazing. Makes the games much more fun when you get to find out how good these kids can really be.
I gave him some flak
and it was well-deserved in my opinion. Not only does Barton need some time in the OF and he needs to be able to evaluate him out there, but from a strategic standpoint, it was a blunder. He unnecessarily burned an OF when the team is already playing short-handed. One of our OF's isn't even healthy enough to run for himself once he reaches base and yet he's replacing a LF in the 6th inning? What if Ankiel or Ludwick had pulled a hamstring in the 7th?
The 6th just isn't a high-enough leverage situation to justify using a defensive replacement and, therefore, burning one of your bench players. If you want to pinch-hit Skip for Barton against the righty in the next AB, you could do it but if the Nats tie the game, you might need to use Skip to PH for the pitcher. You can't do that if you've already used him.
by chuckb on Apr 7, 2008 10:03 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I have no problem giving Skippy the extra AB's..
but why put him in as a defensive replacement in the top of the inning? It all worked out well, but what if Lohse has a rough 6th? It's not like he was mowing them down...all three outs were flyballs and Zimmerman's went a ways. We were at the four spot in our lineup in the bottom of the sixth. If Washington scores in the top and we've got an opportunity in the bottom Lohse probably gets pulled and Skip wouldn't have been available.
Doesn't make any sense! Skip doesn't need practice in the OF, and didn't bat until the next inning.
Thanks for the highlight moments 15 and 27!!!
TLR on Barton
"Baby steps defensively," said La Russa of his use of Barton. "Next time he gets out there, maybe he (goes) seven and by the middle of the season, he’s playing nine innings. I think he’s done very well."
Looks like Tony's plan is just to easy him into the late innings. Right now he is making sure he gets his at bats against Left-handers. It has to be hard to Manage someone who hasnt played above double A ball who you can't send down.
remember
he tweaked his knee as well-maybe that plays a role. Who knows...Tony is frustrating, but one thing he does know is how to keep his personnel fresh and his bench happy.
It has to be hard to Manage someone who hasnt played above double A ball who you can't send down.
Right...remember OF Miguel Mejia? Another Rule V player the Cards drafted from Baltimore via Kansas City in 1995 for the '96 season. He was completely over matched and couldn't hit a lick. TLR was reduced to using him as a pinch runner and sometime defensive replacement. Somehow, he made it onto the post-season roster for both series. That probably would be the worst case I've seen of someone who was in the bigs but obviously didn't belong. Outside of Herb Washington on those '70's Oakland teams.
Re: Loshe settling in
I agree, I was at the game too, and spent the entire top of the fifth in line for concessions, with a perfect view of the pitch count meter (but nothing else). At the start of the fifth he was actually under 50% strikes, and I recalled him getting into a bunch of hitters' counts, then wriggling out of them. I remember thinking the same thing you did - "how is he doing this?" and "is this just a bad/impatient Nats lineup?"
But during that fifth, and for the rest of the way out, he threw almost all strikes and finished with a nice ratio. I don't know if it was the extra run of support, or maybe a coaching visit from Yadi or Dunc that I missed, but he really settled in.
He's obviously not going to be unhittable all season, but after this game I definitely think he's capable of becoming our Suppan v2.0. The question is, do we pay him Supps money to resign him?
"Attaway to stomp 'em. Stomp the piss out of 'em. Stomp 'em when they're down. Kick 'em and stomp 'em. Attaway to go boys. Pound that old Budweiser into you and go get them tomorrow." -- Joe Schultz
we also seemed to have
a very generous umpire. Lohse seemed to get a very favorable strike zone compared to the Nats pitchers.
I wasn't complaining, but it's worth noting. If he had gotten squeezed, the game could have gone very differently.
Well the girls would turn the color of the avocado when he'd drive down the street in his El Dorado
yeah
The Nats' announcers seemed to complain about that the entire broadcast.
"Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too." ~8-year-old Greg
by ChiTown CardFan on Apr 7, 2008 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Ankiel's defense
I thought he had the athleticism for it. I saw him play 1 game at Round Rock last year and believed he could do it. He just needed more experience doing it. I did, however, notice some defensive metrics in the offseason that had Rick as very good in RF and very bad in CF during his time in St. Louis last season. They were very small sample sizes, no doubt, but it made me wonder if he would have had enough time in CF to be even average this season. I think he'll still make some mistakes out there, but he definitely has the tools to make it happen.
As for Lohse, LB, are you charting his pitches individually as we did last year or did you find that kind of info at fangraphs or somewhere else on the web. It's great info to have and, as importantly, great to see it put to use.
i'm using pitch Fx
which is faster and easier than charting pitches by hand. but you have to cross-ref it carefully ---- pitch FX does make some mistakes. the nice thing is that it records the break of each pitch numerically, which makes it very easy to distinguish similar-looking pitches. for example, izzy heaves one up there at 91 mph --- was that a standard fastball or a cutter? on pitch FX, the fastball is typically 92-93 and has break / pfx values of about 4" / 14"; the cutter is 89 to 90 and has break / pfx values of about 5" / 8".
likewise you can readily distinguish a sinker from a slider, or a weak slider from a changeup. if you're interested in seeing any data, let me know and i'll send you some graphs.
are you getting it from gameday
or from the bornybits blog? did you do the #'s yourself based on what gameday told you? thanks.
Ankiel, etc.
I've been very impressed by Rick's play in the outfield so far this year, too. There was a good discussion in a fanpost a day or two ago, entitled, "blasphemy, heresy, and excommunication." You should all check it out.
Personally, I'm hoping that, by the end of this year, we can look from left to right in our outfield and see Barton, Rasmus, and Ankiel starting everyday. Sorry, Ludwick, but you're just going to have to be the fourth guy, I think.
For whoever it was above who commented on the number of balls Lohse threw: It's true, he did run up some counts, and throw a lot of pitches out of the zone. However, I was watching on television, and the strike zone was very, very tight, and also a little inconsistent. Several time Mr. Lohse threw a pitch that looked to catch a nice portion of the plate, only to have it called a ball. Both pitchers were getting squeezed.
No Es Bueno!
RB...
now that you mention it, I do recall thinking the zone looked a little tight...hard to tell from where I was. I could only see heighth and how the catcher framed it. Still a more patient lineup could've done some serious damage IMO.
Thanks for the highlight moments 15 and 27!!!
not
if they were unsure of what blue was going to call a ball or strike. I have no doubt that both teams were hearing in the dugout or seeing it out on the field, that the strike zone was tight and inconsistent. to me, that would cause some hitters to not take the boderline pitches or start swinging at anything within a couple inches of norm.
C'mon you Redbirds, lets prove em' wrong, again!
by yer dog first on Apr 7, 2008 1:00 PM EDT up reply actions
inconsistency...
wasn't the problem from what I could tell. It seemed to be a consistently tight strike zone for both starters.
Thanks for the highlight moments 15 and 27!!!
that's interesting
from watching the game I thought Lohse was given a couple of gifts.
It's really hard to tell with the new camera angle, though.
Well the girls would turn the color of the avocado when he'd drive down the street in his El Dorado
can we please wait...
until ludwick's OPS falls below 1.000 to bench him?
Well the girls would turn the color of the avocado when he'd drive down the street in his El Dorado
Hey
I'm not benching him now. I said by the end of the year that's the grouping that I want to see. In that scenario, I think Luddy ends up the #4 guy. No shame in it; on a Tony LaRussa team, the fourth outfielder is still going to get 400 at bats.
Que sera.
by the red baron on Apr 7, 2008 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Biggest surprise to me
Is that what we have done against Lefties so far. I believe Barton and Ankiel have had the biggest impact against lefties.
13 Runs in 3 days doesnt seem like a whole lot. But compared to a 3 game period last year It is imporved.
Not to mention...
the five runs we hung on Francis in the washed-out opener.
Thanks for the highlight moments 15 and 27!!!
Some folks bought the company line
For better or worse, I have to admit that I am one of those folks who actually bought what the front office was selling befroe the season, i.e. that Cards were going to be competitive this year. Although I am not as surprised as others, I am sure rejoicing as the rest. I agree with Larry that Dunc is probably doing something for Lohse. I know it's early, but I am sure glad that we brought back LaDunc.
born Dodger blue, now dyed Cardinals red
The road not traveled
this team has been praised for it's youthful exuberance and energy but youthfulness also has a downside. It's dealing with adversity. This team hasn't been out on the road yet. They haven't trailed in a game except for late in the second home opener and that was for 2 innings at the end of the game.
It's going to be tougher on the road (although not much in San Fransisco). The Astros are primed to get beat (no Berkman, no Oswalt) but the baby birds have to be careful not to get too down should they fall behind early in Game 1 of this roadtrip.
A 5-2 roadtrip would be a rousing success and would go a long way to legitimizing this early start. What boggles my mind is how well they are doing with Glaus and Pujols providing little if anything. I'm also impressed with how much better Glaus' defense has gotten in 6 games.
Go get 'em.
Still looking for 1985 Regular Season games on DVD/VHS
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 7, 2008 11:16 AM EDT reply actions
Pujols is walking at a Bondsian pace...he's doing something
Not to mention he went 6/17 with a couple of doubles. It's Glaus' lack of production that's surprising to wonder how it hasn't impacted us.
With no evidence to the contrary, Colby Rasmus is clutch
I didn't say he wasn't doing anything
but he has driven in 1 run and scored 1 run. That isn't a criticism. It isn't his fault, they aren't giving him anything to hit.
But neither he, nor Glaus have really provided anything offensively in terms of runs and we are still 5-1. That's impressive.
Still looking for 1985 Regular Season games on DVD/VHS
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 7, 2008 11:36 AM EDT up reply actions
I know what you were saying, but it's really not him, he's doing everything he can possibly do short of HRs
If Glaus produces then Pujols has more runs.
With no evidence to the contrary, Colby Rasmus is clutch
Hobbs for cleanup
Makes the most sense. Other teams obviously don't respect Glaus @ 4.
If they don't respect him, it'll be their mistake
Let's not write Glaus off just yet, after one week. When healthy, the guys been a solid baseball player for quite a while. he wasn't accidentally hitting a home run every five games off of AL East pitching the last couple of years.
I haven't heard much complaining about his defense after last night, finally.
"You say the world has lost it's love. I say embrace what it's made of" - Dar Williams
Depends how you define "adversity."
First, all these guys have played minor league ball. They have adversity there too. Secondly, of the "young guys," it would be fair to say that Lud, Ankiel, McClellan, Schumaker, Ryan and Barton have all dealt with personal adversity in their careers -- especially the first 3, who have overcome a hell of a lot to even be on the field.
All of those guys have dealt with more diffucult problems in their career than being down by 4 runs in the 7th, or weathering a 3-game team losing streak.
by MdRedbirdFreak on Apr 7, 2008 11:37 AM EDT up reply actions
Of course they have
but that rarely has anything to do with winning baseball. Pirates core players have dealt with adversity the last 4 years and still can't ever get over 'the hump' when down early.
The team is flying high right now as success is feeding the monster. I'm just interested to see how they respond to some form of failure on the road. If they succeed in the face of that, we've got the real deal on our hands. If not, we've got the 2005 Baltimore Orioles on our hands.
Still looking for 1985 Regular Season games on DVD/VHS
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 7, 2008 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions
Teams such as the Pirates
don't "get over the hump" when down early because they don't have much talent. I put a lot more weight on the fact that they objectively suck.
by MdRedbirdFreak on Apr 7, 2008 12:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Playing a hard nine
Isn't adversity where the vets step in and show how it's done? This will be a good road test for the young guys to learn on and perhaps the vets can step it up a bit.
by OKCARDSFAN_411 on Apr 7, 2008 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions
I mentioned this last night
does anyone know what year/game this is from? The elbow sleeve has me believing 2001/2002 but I don't know.
Still looking for 1985 Regular Season games on DVD/VHS
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 7, 2008 11:19 AM EDT reply actions
Uni...
doesn't look like an STL uniform.. Also the high socks. Is it a minor league game?
Thanks for the highlight moments 15 and 27!!!
It's a 1942 Throwback
you can see the Cardinals logo with the black bat on the chest, as well as the STL on the helmet. It's a throwback day at Busch, I can tell that.
Other than that, I have no idea.
Still looking for 1985 Regular Season games on DVD/VHS
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 7, 2008 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions
Probably either a 42 or 44 throwback
This is the uniform
They won the series in 42 and 44, so this was probably honoring one of those years. The elbow pad makes it seem more than likely 2002 than 2004.
Still looking for 1985 Regular Season games on DVD/VHS
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 7, 2008 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions
your best clue is the advertisement
if i were you i'd try to figure out who "Majestic" is --- contact the marketing dept and ask what year(s) they had that sponsorship slot at old busch.
i googled "majestic st. louis" and found 2 possibilities ---
Majestic Management ---- http://majestic-management.com/, (314) 535-2220
Majestic Real Estate ----- http://www.4majestic.com/, (314) 878-6900
those might be the same company. there's also a majestic hotel, majestic restaurant, majestic manicure salon . . . .
"Majestic"
makes the MLB uniforms... in you look closely, you can see their logo on the bottom of the sleeve of the current Cards' uniform. Marketing might know when the company had a sign at Busch II, but with the loss of Marty Hendin, I kinda doubt it.
"In this game, don't nobody know nuthin' about nuthin'." -- attributed to Lawrence Peter "Yogi" Berra
by The Ol Goaler on Apr 7, 2008 12:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Majestic
They are the sports apparel company that makes the Cardinal Uniforms.
"I just wish that the late Harry Caray were still around so I could hear him mispronounce 'Kosuke Fukudome' every fukun' night" -- Dennis Miller
Rawlings
The Cards had Rawlings unis until 2003, when MLB signed a new agreement. If you look closely at the sleeve, you can see the Rawlings "R." Likewise, if you look at good ol' Looney Tavarez's sleeve, you see the Majestic logo.
Majestic Restaurant
Is owned by a good friend's family. He runs it at night, when it's a pretty fun bar.
I don't recall...
the Cards actually having a '40's "retro" day (I Could Be Wrong warning)... could the pic be Photoshopped?
Classic unis, though...
"In this game, don't nobody know nuthin' about nuthin'." -- attributed to Lawrence Peter "Yogi" Berra
by The Ol Goaler on Apr 7, 2008 11:59 AM EDT up reply actions
I was there...
Well I was for one of them. It was in 04 vs the Royals, my grandfather was in town from NC. Hes been a die hard out of market fan for going on three decades now. It was his last game at the old Busch.
Man
what a sweet-ass swing.
Keeping those hands and barrel of the bat back, wrists ready to explode.
Thing of beauty.
I think he's about to get jammed actually
He's not really an extension guy but it seems like he's tried to gator arm this one. High and tight tough to hit.
With no evidence to the contrary, Colby Rasmus is clutch
I think it was a throwback game against Baltimore
Baltimore used to be the STL Browns and I think they made an interleague visit to Busch II in 2005.
YAHOO SPORTS COMES THROUGH
June 7, 2003 vs. the orioles.
Sidney Ponson threw a complete game against us
Jim Edmonds was thrown out of the game. J D Drew was thrown out at home..... All music played between innings was from the 40s.
Here's the deal, I'm the best there is, plain and simple, I mean I wake up every morning and I kiss excellence, and nobody can hang with my stuff, uh, you know I'm just a, just a big hairy American winning machine.....
Excellent work
now I can go look for more photos.
Still looking for 1985 Regular Season games on DVD/VHS
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 7, 2008 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions
here is the spot for
Enjoy
Here's the deal, I'm the best there is, plain and simple, I mean I wake up every morning and I kiss excellence, and nobody can hang with my stuff, uh, you know I'm just a, just a big hairy American winning machine.....
Here's the deal, I'm the best there is, plain and simple, I mean I wake up every morning and I kiss excellence, and nobody can hang with my stuff, uh, you know I'm just a, just a big hairy American winning machine.....
Here is a guys page of the game
http://cmshaffer.com/CardsPics/2003/CardsBrowns/CardsBrowns.htm
Still looking for 1985 Regular Season games on DVD/VHS
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 7, 2008 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm giddy with anticipation
I get to watch my first game of the season on TV tonight. About time.
For all my fellow Cards fans in Texas who don't buy a package, tonights game is on FSN SW 6pm start, get that DVR or VCR set. It's the only game in the series that they are showing which sucks to no end, so enjoy what we can.
LB, are you as happy as I am we kept banging that drum for Lohse?
I knew Duncan could do something with him.
"Do what you want to the women and children but leave me alone"- George Carlin
by That's a Winner on Apr 7, 2008 11:32 AM EDT reply actions
Dave Duncan's influence?
LB, are you as happy as I am we kept banging that drum for Lohse?
I knew Duncan could do something with him.
Can Duncan take any credit for Lohse's early performance? He had a very short spring with us, and the only coaching up that I've heard is that Dunc wanted Lohse to throw his curveball more. It seems that Lohse just came in here and from his first simulated game has been throwing darts.
I ask not to denigrate Duncan, but to wonder what our ability to resign Lohse will be after this year. He's a Boras client, and our only argument for signing him for less than Boras dollars (i.e. 4 yr $40 mil) will be Lohse's specific comfort zone in working with Duncan, and playing in StL.
"Attaway to stomp 'em. Stomp the piss out of 'em. Stomp 'em when they're down. Kick 'em and stomp 'em. Attaway to go boys. Pound that old Budweiser into you and go get them tomorrow." -- Joe Schultz
i was at the game yesterday
second row behind cards bullpen. Took a few notes....
lohse looked like he had some command issues. Maybe it was my angle, but it looked it was more the nats hitting poorly, not lohse doing well.
ank can hit. I'm a skeptic. But damn the dude can hit. He's also pretty fast,but on his diving play in the middle of the game he didn't really need to dive. But he did a great job on that lastings line drive.
Barton has got to be one of the fastest guys ive ever seen. His throws didn't look very strong. It'd probably he better if he just ran the ball in
Skip didn't look very good in the OF. His first defensive play looked goofy. Kind of box stepped over to the ball.
Reyes looked like he was aching to be in the game. And McClellan looked like he was enjoying every moment of the bigs.
Good day at the park overall
check out VEB on facebook...just search groups for Viva El Birdos
MLB blackout policy
Jeff Passan at Yahoo Sports, who's written a fair bit about MLB's blackout policy (and who also wrote the rather silly article about the Cardinals last week) has a new story up about it. Not a lot of really specific details, but it sounds like there's a legitimate chance the blackout maps will be substantially redrawn (and reduced) for the 2009 season. No action for this season....
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=Avr.AJxFrtTU2tL6zZlsY6c5nYcB?slug=jp-blackouts040608&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
by BTown Birds fan on Apr 7, 2008 11:47 AM EDT reply actions
I'm in an area that in 2007
I was able to see Indians games and now in 2008, I can not. The worst part is that my cable provider does not provide STO (the channel for all Indians games) so the people that live in this area (who prefer Indians to Pirates) can not see their team play on TV.
Still looking for 1985 Regular Season games on DVD/VHS
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 7, 2008 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions
in-demand
we get extra innings through in-demand and cox cable. anyone had any luck finding out from either company the details of blackouts? during the EI preview last week, we got the tuesday and sunday games, but the rest were blacked out. doesn't seem it should be that hard to find out what you are buying with EI. i guess the truth is out there, but it has eluded me.
If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs, perhaps you haven't grasped the situation!
comments from the game yesterday...
i was also at the game yesterday. one thing i noticed, and i must preface by seeing i didn't keep track of this the whole game, is that reyes appeared to be sitting by himself in the bullpen quite a bit. i was in the second section on the third base line, so obviously it was a distant view. did anyone else notice this? not to make too much of anything, but i was hoping that the bullpen atmosphere would be good for anthony. i.e. hanging out, joking around, trading jabs with the vets.
also, similar to lb, my favorite part of the game, was barton scoring in the first after walking on ankiel's double. the guy can definately move around the bases. i think he excites me more than any other guy on the roster right now. i've found myself day-dreaming about a lineup with barton and rasmus in front of pujols, ankiel, et al.
Barton
He seems a bit like Juan Pierre to me though -- he can run.........and that's about it. I think he's had some good AB's so far this season, but I find myself wondering if that can continue. He's definitely as much of a defensive liability in the field as Duncan, so his only option is to play left field. If he can be effective in the leadoff spot I think that it behooves the franchise to move Duncan for a middle infield or pitching prospect. With Hobbs playing as well as he is and Rasmus waiting in the wings I don't see how Duncan really fits into the long term plans if Barton becomes the leadoff hitter that the Cards haven't had since Vince Coleman.
I'm still holding out to really see what Barton can do over a month-long stretch, and to see whether Duncan starts raking when he comes back. If Barton and Rasmus solidified the top of the lineup by August, it would be the best thing that could happen. With that speed, and Colby's pop, in front of Albert it would make him really tough to pitch to and he'd get to see a lot more pitchers working out of the stretch with pesky runners on base.
"I just wish that the late Harry Caray were still around so I could hear him mispronounce 'Kosuke Fukudome' every fukun' night" -- Dennis Miller
"definitely as much of a defensive liability "
Really? I didn't know that. That worries me.
Barton
if he starts tonight, I think we'll be able to see if
defensive liability in the field as Duncan. I agree that his arm isnt the strongest, but I dont wanna sink the kid just yet. that outfield at the juice box looks to be pretty challenging to play.
C'mon you Redbirds, lets prove em' wrong, again!
by yer dog first on Apr 7, 2008 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions
well
that didnt go very well. for some reason the quote just kept on goin.
C'mon you Redbirds, lets prove em' wrong, again!
by yer dog first on Apr 7, 2008 1:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Juan Pierre is no Barton
Barton has much higher OBP skill than Pierre and more power, too. A better comparison is Lonnie Smith, who was a Herzog player with great speed, good OBP, some power, but weak fielding (that's why they called him "Skates").
I'll admit
Barton's not a "top-notch" fielder, but as much of a liability as Duncan? That seems a bit strong. Isn't the only significant difference between RF and LF the throwing arm? In which case Barton is not a fit for RF (from what I've read...and seen). He seems to flip the ball and not use his legs appropriately. He was a centerfielder throughout college and the minors IIRC, so he's not the defensive liability Duncan is. He has more instincts and takes better routes than Duncan, and obviously has more speed.
As far as comparing him to Pierre...I think he's got a LOT more pop in his bat than Juan & on base ability. The only ways he reminds me of Pierre is that he's lightning fast and has an apparent noodle arm...other wise the comparison is quite an insult IMO. Juan to me is a floor projection for Barton.
Barton's carreer OBP/SLG/OPS (three minor league seasons)
.417/.476/.893
Juan's career OBP/SLG/OPS (9 major league seasons)
.347/.373/.720
Thanks for the highlight moments 15 and 27!!!
Comparing Pierre with Barton is an insult to Brian
I totally agree with you. And Pierre doesn't have a degree in engineering either.... : )
jUAN
They did a story on him a few years ago. He is extremely inteligent, he had some academic full ride offers, but he chose to skip college and play pro ball.
Juan is no dummy.
Juan Pierre
He went to college (if only for one season, as far as I can tell based on a quick google search), at none other than the University of South Alabama. Where did he play his collegiate ball? Stanky Field
Cardinal fan in the heart of Braves country
After last year
I had a gut feeling that Ankiel would be good, both offensively and defensively, but I had no idea he could be amazingly good. ..Now I don't know just how high he can go.
During the offseason, I commented that I thought Ankiel would make a good centerfielder and should be placed there. (this was on a thread where there was a lot of talk of trading for a stop gap centerfielder until Rasmus was ready.
Immediately, I was chastized by several other posts that reminded me that Rasmus was the future centerfielder and Ankiel's only future was rightfield. Personally, I don't care which plays what, but I have noticed that it is a touchy subject on this blog. There seems to be a lot of people here that don't won't to except anything other than Rasmus being brought up as reasonably soon as possible and handed the centerfield job and let the other chips fall as they may.
Now, knowing a little bit about La Russa and how he thinks and knowing a little bit about his affection for Ankiel, Rasmus diehards might be in for a dissappointment.
On a KTRS sportsnight program early in ST, La Russa was interviewed. He stated that Ankiel had come to him and asked him for the centerfield job. He said that Ankiel told him he had been working hard in the offseason to hone his skills and that he expressed great confidence he could handle it.
Now this was before Rasmus had the good spring and appeares to be further developed than thought.
Now again, I don't care. I just want to see Ankiel playing somewhere if he continues to hit and play defense as he has but also again knowing La Russa a little bit, and how he thinks, you Rasmus fans, get ready to moan cause Ankiel might be hard to move from center.
Rasmus & Ankiel
If Rick is comfortable, and plays pretty much the same D in center as Rasmus why not leave him in CF. If Rasmus is a natural OF and a good defender he should be able to adjust to playing RF. Rasmus has a very good arm based on accounts I have heard on this board and future red birds. Why not play Rick in CF as long as he is playing very well there.
I don't get why Rasmus must play CF, if he can adjust to RF better than Rick. Then you have two good defenders in both spots rather than a shaky guy in RF if Rick plays there.
by ICbirdfan on Apr 7, 2008 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
+1
Culture of Winning: 10 World Championships, 17 Pennants, 6 Division Championships ...
by Cardinals4Ever on Apr 7, 2008 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions
Agreed.
If it aint broke don't try to fix it...
Let Raz win a gold glove in RF and when Anks wheels get tired in a few years switch them in the field.
"Why does he keep saying that?"
Seen Rasmus play in person
And RA on TV. Rasmus seems to be the better CF. I'll leave it up to LaRussa to decide whom plays where. You know he loves RA, so he'll be as fair to him as he can be. The next arguement on this board will then be is where does Rasmus bat? If Barton continues to do well, do you put Rasmus 2nd or 9th?
by OKCARDSFAN_411 on Apr 7, 2008 1:29 PM EDT up reply actions
It's not necessarily who the best CF'er is
It's the best combination of run prevention from both CF/RF. If Ank is a good CF'er and a mediocre RF'er while Rasmus would be a great CF'er and good RF'er, I'll take good/good vs. great/mediocre.
And let's be honest, we don't want to be messing with Ankiel's head even if it is benign as a position switch.
Barton/Rasmus/Pujols/Ankiel/Glaus would be my preference. RLRLR too.
With no evidence to the contrary, Colby Rasmus is clutch
Don't forget Ankiel's cannon arm
You want a strong arm in RF. Think Vlad G. in Anaheim. No one considers running on him. Ankiel's going to be the same.
That applies to CF too...
And from what I gather Rasmus has himself a pretty good arm in his own right.
With no evidence to the contrary, Colby Rasmus is clutch
yes he does
Saw it in person last Thursday.
by OKCARDSFAN_411 on Apr 7, 2008 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions
I made this same argument
in my Fanpost. I think there are legitimate psychological reasons to keep Ankiel in CF. While I do think that Rasmus would be the superior defender in time (and better hitter b/c strikezone judgment) I am not sure I would move Ankiel when Rasmus comes up. Rasmus' bat will play just as well at the corner OF position.
I would ultimately like to see Raz bat in the #2 slot...
Barton
Rasmus
Pujols
Ankiel
Glaus
Molina
Kennedy
Pitcher
Izturis
"Why does he keep saying that?"
That is a really healthly lineup
Expect for the pitcher part. Because non of our pitchers are healthy. (I amuse myself to much some times.)
But no really. I really really like that Lineup. Two guys that seem to be good at getting on base in the 1-2 spot. Power in the two spot. Best hitter in the world in the 3 spot. Dangerous middle of the line-up.
I just seeing it being really really successfull.
Count me in as a Lohse believer
at least cautiously so, after last night. It really seemed like he knew what he was doing, mixing his pitches around the plate and keeping hitters off balance, and, as noted, shortening the game by throwing strikes once he got a lead.
I'm not super excited about him, but I think he'll probably be worth a full seasons' worth of what Piñeiro did last year, and thats gotta be worth something, especially since Wellemeyer and Thompson aren't going to hold up indefinitely.
"You say the world has lost it's love. I say embrace what it's made of" - Dar Williams
Lohse is exciting.
I know he won't probably end the year with an era under 2 but maybe he can finish up under or just over 4 and throw about 200 innings.
That would be an obtainable goal for him.
"Why does he keep saying that?"
Watching Lohse pitch with the Reds last year
It was obvious that he had good stuff. It seemed like everything he threw moved and that he had good control over the strike zone. At certain points in a ball game he would just loose it and give up big innings, but I was thrilled to hear he was coming to STL. You know that Duncan must be helping him a ton. I'll take him as an upgrade over Suppan---in cost and value--for this year
mattnj
Expectations on a sliding scale
One notable difference between this Cardinal team and the previous teams to start the season 5-1 is that this team leads MLB in players on the DL, and the total salary of DL players is about one third of the total team salary. I don't recall any Cardinal team that had such reasonable expectations to improve steadily as the season progressed. The rotation alone will have a significant upgrade about once every month through July:
APRIL
Pineiro vs. Wellemeyer (improving the rotation AND the pen)
MAY
Mulder vs. Thompson (better rotation and pen again)
JUNE (possibly)
Clement vs. Looper (my guess)
JULY
Carpenter vs. the weakest of the starting 5 (Pineiro?) OR Carp to the bullpen, either way lending a boost to the team
Add in other bullpen reinforcements (Motte, Perez, Garcia, Mortensen, etc.) and it is clear that this team is loaded with pitching depth, in stark contrast to last year. At least one July trade, adding whatever the team needs then (middle infield prospect? LH reliever?), from a position of strength, seems very likely.
Offensively, of course, Rasmus is the most important addition expected. Mather could be close behind. Or a player picked up in a July trade.
As I said it in my fanpost just before opening day, this team seems poised to very pleasantly surprise a lot of Cardinal fans. Then, I predicted 85-88 wins, at least. But if the team has an April anything like this past week, it may be that even that prediction was underestimating this team! But, as Larry says, better to keep expectations a bit on the low side to increase the enjoyable likelihood of expectations being exceeded.
Then June looks good
for some trades as the Cards will have a surplus of pitching (and outfielders too) to part with.
by OKCARDSFAN_411 on Apr 7, 2008 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Trading from a position of strength
Agreed. In addition to a surplus of starting pitching by July, the bullpen should be loaded well before then.
Josh Kinney and Tyler Johnson, who started the season on the DL, should be back by May. Cliff Politte might be ready to come up before then, and by July it seems likely that several minor leaguers might be ready for promotion: Perez and Motte especially. Mortensen or Garcia might be ready, too (for the pen temporarily, like McClellan).
I'm guessing Mozeliak has a spreadsheet
that prioritizes his "surplus" of pitching and outfielders (assuming the hurt guys come back successfully) for trade, since it's obvious a whole lot of trading might be needed later in the season. I'd love to get a look at that list.
by MdRedbirdFreak on Apr 7, 2008 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions
This trade season will be very interesting
First of all, most of the time trade deadlines come and go without blockbuster deals taking place. 90% hype, 10% payoff.
That said...
Early on, it seems like we have two player pools to dip into: outfielders & starting pitchers. It seems to me that Duncan is not only expendable given Ank's power numbers, our glut of outfielders & Rasmus' eminent promotion, but would draw the most return on the market. Package Duncan with one of our pitchers (Piniero? Looper? Reyes? I don't know.) and we might be able to add some nice pieces to this team.
Two questions:
1) What pieces do we need? Another Impact bat? Another bullpen pitcher? A few top minor league prospects to save some money to resign Albert in a few years?
2) Would Mo have any problems trading Dunc? What politics would be involved trading a coach's son?
1) prospects
Need infielders and starting pitching I would think. We have Carp and Wainwright for a few years. Loshe will be gone after this year unless he just falls in love with St. Louis. The others are just fodder till bigger and better arms comes along.
2) No problem. It's a business. Duncan can find more at bats in the A.L. then on the Cards.
by OKCARDSFAN_411 on Apr 7, 2008 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions
besides..
I think if you tell Dave Duncan you are trading Chris away for some new pitchers he will be all for it.
The way things are going for D.D. this year
He may not want to come back next year.
by OKCARDSFAN_411 on Apr 7, 2008 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Then it's even less of a non issue
But how so? Right now he has his starting rotation ERA under 1. With a former Ace back late in the season and reinforcements due periodicly through the year. It can shape up to be a real good year for Dave Duncan. If Lohse has a good year then he is going to get a lot of credit for it.(rightfully or not.)
Sure there is the issue of Reyes. But I don't think that will be a make or break thing for Duncans return.
Just think he may tire from the mental drain
This year he has already had a pitcher forced on him by management (Reyes) with little support from LaRussa and a run-in with a now defunct radio talk show host. He's been vilified by many in just a few short weeks. If the pitching goes south as many predict it will eventually, then the heat will get worse then ever. Throw in a slump hitting son to add pressure and retirement looks better and better. He's a tough son of a gun, we'll see how he handles it all.
by OKCARDSFAN_411 on Apr 7, 2008 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions
If anything, trading junior might help
I won't argue it's been a trying year plus for Duncan. Last year he had more frying pans than fire, with Reyes, Looper, Pineiro, Maroth and Mulder all needing severe attention. Add Chris' late season hernia into the mix, and it must have been extremely difficult. But if he was going to quit, why not then?
He is a tough old cuss. And if anything he came out smelling like a rose in the fracas with Slaten, and was vindicated by Slaten's dismissal. But I disagree that trading his son off the team would worry him in the least. He saw his kid become a major leaguer here, but now he's watching him get pushed to the bench. If he could be traded (especially as a 1B) and get more ABs, wouldn't he want that for him? Plus, it would take some of the day-to-day fatherly worry off his shoulders.
"Attaway to stomp 'em. Stomp the piss out of 'em. Stomp 'em when they're down. Kick 'em and stomp 'em. Attaway to go boys. Pound that old Budweiser into you and go get them tomorrow." -- Joe Schultz
What we ask for might have a lot to do with where the MLB club is sitting
Come June or July. It's not like we'll be looking to add any players in the mold of the aging superstar, but whether or not a trade is designed to add depth to the minors or to help the MLB team win now is to be seen.
"You say the world has lost it's love. I say embrace what it's made of" - Dar Williams
Point taken
I actually fall into the camp of "it's too early to tell...," but it's fun to project wildly into the future based on one week of action, ain't it?
I'm very anxious to see Mulder and Carp back in action. For some reason, I'm more optimistic about Mulder's return than I am about Carp's. Still a TON of questions marks for this season.
By the way
It's become one of my favorite parts of this site that any pitcher who has a chance to be medicore with middling stuff has become "the next Jeff Suppan". It's like the "next Michael Jordan" of league average major league starters.
With no evidence to the contrary, Colby Rasmus is clutch
The next John Paxton, maybe?
"Attaway to stomp 'em. Stomp the piss out of 'em. Stomp 'em when they're down. Kick 'em and stomp 'em. Attaway to go boys. Pound that old Budweiser into you and go get them tomorrow." -- Joe Schultz
dunc should start at first
Pujols is 0-for-9 lifetime against rodriguez.
They were talking about resting Pujols more regularly - if not against rodriguez, against who?
Dunc could use less running as he eases back in. 1b would be much easier on him.
Give Barton another start in LF, put Dunc at 1B. Rest Albert.
He can't stay Oh-forever
Hate to be the one to say "Albert, you're terrible against this guy. We're going to put a left-handed bat with a pulled hamstring in place of you, same difference you know?... no hard feelings, right?"
I don't think so.
by OKCARDSFAN_411 on Apr 7, 2008 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions
not saying Pujols stinks
Just noting that they said they'd rest him more to take care of his elbow this year. There's still 6 days till our next off-day.
I understand
But with a short left field, a lefthander on the mound, 0-9 itch that has to be scratch, a winning streak and being homerless (officially), it doesn't make sense to rest him tonight. Who's pitching tomorrow.
by OKCARDSFAN_411 on Apr 7, 2008 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions
chacon (RHP)
Dunc should go in LF against a rightie, but I thought rodriguez might be a good day to put him at first.
Not sure I follow your logic
Why not rest Pujols tomorrow against a righty, Duncan play 1st and Barton or Schumaker in LF?
by OKCARDSFAN_411 on Apr 7, 2008 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm all for
going with the numbers.......Unless you are talking about Albert F'n Pujols
Albert knows his numbers against Rodriguez. Believe me he will want to be out there
Here's the deal, I'm the best there is, plain and simple, I mean I wake up every morning and I kiss excellence, and nobody can hang with my stuff, uh, you know I'm just a, just a big hairy American winning machine.....
Exactly
Tony pretty much leaves it up to Albert to decide when to sit. I don't think he'll choose to sit when he a) has something to prove against the starting pitcher and b) has yet to hit an official HR and has a chance to pound the Crawford Boxes.
Jimmy steps in to lead off the bottom half of the inning... with nobody on base... It could happen... just not tonight.
Two strikes already
Hope he keeps it together. Good luck Speez, not many get third chances unless your name is Howe or Strawberry.
by OKCARDSFAN_411 on Apr 7, 2008 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions
This always makes me smile
Murphia, Maryland: You want a team in bigger trouble? How about the Orioles? I'd take 0-6 and the Tigers lineup any day over first place in April with what the O's have.
Jayson Stark: You know, I'm glad you made that point. I'd take either the Tigers or Rockies over the Orioles and Cardinals. And they're both 5-1. So when you think about it in those terms, why are we getting so worked up about one week?
How come everytime someone says, "I'll take the Tigers over the Cardinals." I get a huge smile on my face?
meant to preview before I posted
http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/chatESPN?event_id=20064
Jayson Stark chat from ESPN.
tigers in 3!!!
Well the girls would turn the color of the avocado when he'd drive down the street in his El Dorado
my guess for your smile
has a ring to it?
by OKCARDSFAN_411 on Apr 7, 2008 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions
and the pirates roll over for the cubs
i expected more out of you, gorzellany...
Well the girls would turn the color of the avocado when he'd drive down the street in his El Dorado
WGN
lost their picture just before the Cubs' big inning... I told my wife, "My God, somebody just nuked Pittsburgh!!!"
Brenly and whoever-he-is are NOT a very good radio announcing team...
"In this game, don't nobody know nuthin' about nuthin'." -- attributed to Lawrence Peter "Yogi" Berra
by The Ol Goaler on Apr 7, 2008 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Doesnt look like they have rolled over completely
So far they have got 4 runs back in the same inning.
its the cubs rolling over
2 errors by the left side of the infield - cubs will pirates back into game.
by Birds on the Matt on Apr 7, 2008 3:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Like I said in his last start
that loud thud you just heard was Ted Lilly crashing back down to Earth.
Still looking for 1985 Regular Season games on DVD/VHS
Maybe
But two errors by the infield in the same inning is going to lead to an early exit by most pitchers.
So is 3 walks in an inning
with a 7-0 lead.
Still looking for 1985 Regular Season games on DVD/VHS
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 7, 2008 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions
'07 vs. the Nats; '08 vs the Nats
I was at first dismissive of our series sweep of the Nats, but then I harkened back to last season. Last year, the Cards were 1-5 vs. Washington, losing a home series 1-2 and suffering a sweep in D.C. This year, we have already tripled our wind total vs. the Nats.
Giants are looking for a left handed 1B...
How about Duncan and Hamilton with a couple of pitchers for Lincecum or some sweet pitching prospects ?
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/04/06/SPMP100KOM.DTL
"Why does he keep saying that?"
Wet pants
if that trade went down, I'd seriously do it.
C'mon you Redbirds, lets prove em' wrong, again!
by yer dog first on Apr 7, 2008 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Lincecum. Going. Nowhere. Not for Duncan/Hamilton/Garcia/Perez not for anyone.
With no evidence to the contrary, Colby Rasmus is clutch
I agree
was just saying how excited I would be.
not that you were replying to my comment, i understand that.
C'mon you Redbirds, lets prove em' wrong, again!
by yer dog first on Apr 7, 2008 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions
I don't think excitement would properly rate what I'd feel for Duncan + pitcher for Lincecum
With no evidence to the contrary, Colby Rasmus is clutch
What could we expect to draw from the Giants for say
Duncan, Hamilton, Reyes & Motte?
"Why does he keep saying that?"
I don't really think the Giants are a good match
They're in rebuilding mode (at least they should be), I can't come up with anything that would make sense for me although Brian Sabean probably thinks about these things vastly differently from most.
For me, Cain/Lincecum are untouchable. If you trade one of them you're opening up just as big a hole in your rotation as the one you'd be fixing. Unless I'm getting about 2-3 top top prosects for them i.e. if the Rays went insane and dropped Garza/Jennings/Brignac there's just no point. Their top prospect Villanova is a first baseman so that's pretty much ruled out for us let alone whether they'd want to trade him in the first place. #2/3 are first rounders from last year and everyone loves them some first rounders...plus they can't even be traded yet. That package (and basically the individual components) would probably be way too much for anything else the Giants have...seriously...they just don't have talent in that organization. The only guy who intrigues me is Henry Sosa big stuff bad command...and say in a hypothetical situation Sabean is really trying to contend this year Duncan + a Hamilton/Craig + a PTBNL 2007 draft HS pitcher miiight get him??? I dunno. Note: I know it'd be a dumb trade from the Giants philosophically but I don't think the Giants have a very good feel of where they sit...or at the very least want to make it look like they're trying to contend for fans/money reasons.
With no evidence to the contrary, Colby Rasmus is clutch
8-5 cubs
PIT batting, bot 6
bases loaded, none out.
GO BUCS!
C'mon you Redbirds, lets prove em' wrong, again!
how far Bay's stock has fallen
that the cubs pitch to him with runners on 2nd and third, one out, and then IBB Ryan Doumit...
Well the girls would turn the color of the avocado when he'd drive down the street in his El Dorado
Lou's face
says it all after his RP walked in a run, bases still loaded!
C'mon you Redbirds, lets prove em' wrong, again!
AHHH!
Izturis is leading off!
1. Izturis, SS
2. Ankiel, cf
3. Pujols, 1b
4. Glaus, 3b
5. Ludwick, rf
6. Duncan, lf
7. Molina, c
8. Wellemeyer, p
9. Miles, 2b
does tlr think the responsibility of being leadoff will light a fire under him?
or the fear factor of Ankiel and pujols behind him?
I dont know
But I don't like it. IMO I would have kenndy in that spot any time Skip or Barton are not starting. But Kennedy isnt in the line up either.
But what do I know? I haven't won 2 World Series yet.
Izturis batting .500 against Wandy
1 for 2. LaRussa must love it, eh?
by OKCARDSFAN_411 on Apr 7, 2008 4:25 PM EDT up reply actions
With a lefty on the mound
we have black holes at #1, #5, #6, #8, #9 and until Glaus gets going #4. Yikes! Wellemeyer, twirl a gem.
Still looking for 1985 Regular Season games on DVD/VHS
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 7, 2008 4:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Can you be an MVP on a 5th place team?
Cause I think the X-Man is going to make a serious run at it this year.
Still looking for 1985 Regular Season games on DVD/VHS
Andre Dawson won it
in 1987, on a last place team...
Of course, since then, we've had the precedent (supposedly) set of Sammy Sosa winning over McGwire in 1998 because the Cubs made the playoffs (barely) and the Cardinals didn't.
Who knows how the people who vote for these things determine how they vote...seems to be very little rhyme, and especially reason.
"The only thing you know about pitching is that you can't hit it." Bob Gibson to Tim McCarver
by player2bnamedl8r on Apr 7, 2008 4:53 PM EDT up reply actions
True
There has been alot of debate since Dawson won it, so I don't know that it could happen again unless someone has a 50+ HR season like ARod.
Still looking for 1985 Regular Season games on DVD/VHS
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 7, 2008 5:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah
I don't know that Dawson didn't deserve it...but Jack Clark had a helluva season too.
"The only thing you know about pitching is that you can't hit it." Bob Gibson to Tim McCarver
by player2bnamedl8r on Apr 7, 2008 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Pittsburgh 250
it's for the cities anniversary.
The Penguins have been wearing it this season too.
Still looking for 1985 Regular Season games on DVD/VHS
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 7, 2008 4:25 PM EDT up reply actions
I love those losers!
Tie Game. Cubs blow 7-0 lead on the error.
Still looking for 1985 Regular Season games on DVD/VHS
DeRosa!
Booted a routine ground ball that allowed the tying run to score!
C'mon you Redbirds, lets prove em' wrong, again!
Why is Lou using Leiber
instead of Marmol? Did Marmol go 2 innings yesterday?
This could be over quick.
Still looking for 1985 Regular Season games on DVD/VHS
Of course, Reed Johnson pulls a Lastings Milledge in CF
and the leadoff double.
Still looking for 1985 Regular Season games on DVD/VHS
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 7, 2008 5:05 PM EDT up reply actions
this would be
3 days in a row for both wood and marmol...
Of course, grabow pitched yesterday, and they are trying to get 2 IP out of him today. i can't imagine that ending well.
Well the girls would turn the color of the avocado when he'd drive down the street in his El Dorado
Pirates effin suck!
what a downright terrible baseball team
...just a bit outside....
by Ankiels Missing Curveball on Apr 7, 2008 5:10 PM EDT reply actions
Good Grief
runners at 2nd and 3rd with 1 out, Bautista executes the suicide squeeze only for the runner at 3B to miss the sign and stand there while the bunt rolls into an out at 1st for the 2nd out of the inning.
Are there two more inept organizations than the Cubs and Pirates?
Still looking for 1985 Regular Season games on DVD/VHS
i can't believe that just happened
I was all but celebrating, and then the pirates give an out away for nothing...
Well the girls would turn the color of the avocado when he'd drive down the street in his El Dorado
I am absolutely dumbfounded...
what on earth just happened....what the hell was Bixler thinking?!
...just a bit outside....
by Ankiels Missing Curveball on Apr 7, 2008 5:13 PM EDT up reply actions
hughes and santo
seemed to think that bautista bunted on his own... but it's more likely that bixler missed a sign.
either way: dammit!
I'd rather my sister be a prostitute than my brother a Cub fan.
Listening
Hundley and Santo made it sound like the batter bunted for no reason?
Did the batter look at the runner like he mised a sign?
hundley and santo are morons...
they are praising DLee for that play. He didn't do shiz, the Pirates just screwed up
...just a bit outside....
by Ankiels Missing Curveball on Apr 7, 2008 5:14 PM EDT up reply actions
He was out by 3 feet
that's an awful call at 2B.
Still looking for 1985 Regular Season games on DVD/VHS
Theriot was out by a mile...
W T F
...just a bit outside....
by Ankiels Missing Curveball on Apr 7, 2008 5:18 PM EDT reply actions
and now the Pirates SS makes an error...
You suck Pirates.
...just a bit outside....
by Ankiels Missing Curveball on Apr 7, 2008 5:21 PM EDT reply actions
i guess it's too much to expect
derrek lee to randomly bunt, eh?
Well the girls would turn the color of the avocado when he'd drive down the street in his El Dorado
amazing how long they made the crying last...
must be dreadful to be a pirate fan. And on the home opener too.
Well the girls would turn the color of the avocado when he'd drive down the street in his El Dorado
and DLee gets a favorable call...
on a borderline strike 3 call
...just a bit outside....
by Ankiels Missing Curveball on Apr 7, 2008 5:23 PM EDT reply actions
and now the ump makes up for it....
by punching DLee out!
...just a bit outside....
by Ankiels Missing Curveball on Apr 7, 2008 5:24 PM EDT reply actions
i'll tell you what...
these WGN announcers, make me appreciate Dan and Al
...just a bit outside....
by Ankiels Missing Curveball on Apr 7, 2008 5:26 PM EDT reply actions
What kind of elixir is Dave Duncan peddling?!
Wellemeyer has given up one single and one walk in four innings, with four strikeouts. What kind of elixir is Dave Duncan giving these guys?!
Knock on wood
Of course, as soon as I post that Wellemeyer gives up his second hit, to lead off the fifth inning. But at least it was just a groundball that sneaked through the infield....
Wellemeyer has given up 2 singles and 1 BB in 6 IP, w 6 K's, on only 74 pitches
Excellent efficiency AND effectiveness. What an improvement for Wellemeyer....
Izturis again makes an excellent play
that Eckstein would not have gotten to. Great speed, great arm, great hands. We're beginning to see the skills that won Izturis a gold glove.
The Astros TV announcers thought the fly ball fell in for a single
before they realized Izturis had snatched it way out in left field running all out with his back to the infield
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