Viva El Birdos: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:

Sports blogs for fans, by fans.
New Blog: Mid-Major Madness for Mid-Major Sports news!

unlikely sources

Birdos_avatar_tiny by lboros on Comment 279 comments

surprisingly --- or maybe not surprisingly, depending on how you feel about la russa --- adam kennedy is not the worst hitter tony has ever started at first base. in just his 12th game as the st louis manager, back in 1996, he started danny sheaffer at first base; take a look at sheaffer’s career record and see if you think kennedy is a worse hitter. in 1997 tony started tom pagnozzi at 1b one day; pags had a .628 ops at the time in limited duty (he’d been injured most of the year) and a career ops of .658. 1999 yielded a bumper crop of execrable first-basemen; with mcgwire at first base, coming off his 70-homer year, tony didn’t even carry a backup at the position. in may he gave a start at 1b to super joe mcewing, then a very popular rookie (he was hitting .372 at the time); david howard (career slg .303) started not one but two games at first base in ’99; and poor old broken-down willie mcgee started a game there as well (he had a .246 / .290 / .276 line at the time). there was also a game in 2002 that miguel cairo started at 1b.

even at his current, diminished level, kennedy’s a better hitter than all the aforementioned --- and he did knock in the go-ahead run off kenny rogers last night. the card lineup featured 3 middle infielders, a rule V draftee, and a guy playing his 2d game in the big leagues --- and it romped to the win. it’s turning out to be that kind of year.

albert has been down for 12 games now, and the cards have actually hit for more power in his absence --- 16 dingers in 12 games, which works out to 216 homers over a full season. they’re averaging 4.41 runs a game in his absence, a far milder downturn than we might have feared. where is the offense coming from? here are the hitters since june 11, in descending ops order:

AB  R  H 2B 3B HR BI | AVG OBP SLG
barton 10  2  4  2  0  1  3 | .400 .400 .900
larue 27  4  9  0  0  2  6 | .333 .379 .556
kennedy 30  2 11  2  0  1  4 | .367 .367 .533
miles 34  4 12  1  0  1  2 | .353 .405 .471
molina 28  3  9  2  0  1  1 | .321 .321 .500
schumaker 47 10 13  1  0  3  7 | .277 .320 .489
ryan 24  3  8  3  0  0  3 | .333 .360 .458
ankiel 50  9 11  3  1  3  6 | .220 .291 .500
glaus 44  5  9  1  0  3  9 | .205 .300 .432
ludwick 48  6  9  3  0  1  6 | .188 .286 .312
duncan 40  1  7  1  0  0  1 | .175 .250 .200

mighty mites to the rescue. some of us will ascribe character virtue to these performances --- ie, the scrubs on the roster gutted up and willed themselves to play better in albert’s absence --- and others will just call them random data blips, the ups and downs that happen for no reason at all during any 162-game season. neither answer is entirely satisfactory. my biggest problem with the "guts" formulation is that it implies that the hitters who haven’t done well during albert’s disablement lack guts, or aren’t "winners," or whatever terminology you want to put on it. that doesn’t seem fair to, say, ryan ludwick, who was due to cool off at some point and just happened to do so at the moment the team needed him most. but if we’re going to write off the slumps to random chance, then don’t we also have to explain the hot streaks in the same manner? it doesn’t seem consistent to do otherwise. . . . . however, i’m not willing to embrace the "randomness" formulation entirely either, because that turns the ballplayers into automatons. expecting their performance to be unaffected by a trauma such as albert’s injury is unrealistic. the truth is that they grapple w/ the same psychological / emotional effects that we fans do --- fear, doubt, anxiety, etc etc. it goes without saying that some players can manage their emotions more readily than others. . . .

i’ll leave that pair of issues unreconciled, and open for discussion.

when albert when down, i said i was less concerned about the offense than about the pitching and defense --- as long as they kept runs off the board, i figured they could stay afloat. so far, that has largely been the case. in the 12 games since albert hit the dl, the cards have yielded 59 runs, or just shy of 5 a game --- but 20 of those runs came in a single game. in the other 11 games, they have yielded only 39 runs, or fewer than 4 a contest. looper has a 2.05 era in 3 starts since albert got hurt; lohse has a 1.93 era, pineiro 2.37. and the unsung hero of the pitching staff this month is russ springer, who has appeared in 8 of the 12 games during albert’s absence and pitched 6.1 innings of 1-hit, 1-run ball. he threw one of the most important innings of the season to date --- the bottom of the 7th in the friday night game at fenway, where he faced manny ramirez with the sacks jammed and nobody out and escaped the threat with the cards’ slim lead intact. springer has been murder on right-handed hitters this year, holding them to a .182 average and a .200 slugging average --- he’s allowed just 1 extra-base hit (a double) in 63 plate appearances.

the cards should be proud of how they’ve stayed afloat, but there’s no time for self-congratulation. the brewers are surging --- 15-6 this month. they’ve closed to within a game and a half of the st louis.

0 recs | Comment 279 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

Re wimpy first basemen,

don’t forget Einar Diaz. A couple years ago I went to RFK in DC when the Birds were playing the Nationals. Just as I arrived in the bottom of the 1st, Pujols was getting tossed by the umpire for arguing a call at 1B. TLR then plugged Diaz into first for the rest of the game. And yes, he was truly wretched.

by MdRedbirdFreak on Jun 25, 2008 9:29 AM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Diaz

I was at that game. I think Pujols was actually tossed for continuing to argue about being called out on a steal attempt in the top of the first. When they came back out in the bottom half, he just kept giving it to the ump and was tossed. Pujols was safe on that slide into second from where I was. From what I remember, Marquis pitched a shutout and we won 6-0. No idea if that’s what actually happened though

by brafi on Jun 25, 2008 11:19 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yeah, that sounds right.

What I really remember the most is the damn sunburn I got that day.

If I recall right, Diaz wasn’t that great at playing his OWN position; I can only conclude that TLR really does have a sense of humor.

by MdRedbirdFreak on Jun 25, 2008 11:52 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

actually

that was a bullpen game. Mulder was suppose to start and was scratched with either a back pain, or neck pain. Cal Eldred started the game. I remember because I drove down for that game as well, and found out on the way there that Mulder wasn’t starting, and then the first inning when Albert got tossed. It sucked. Although, they did win.

by stickman179 on Jun 25, 2008 12:45 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Mulder scratches from a start w/ back pain?

Nope. Don’t believe it. That would never happen, sorry.

by effin fisk on Jun 25, 2008 1:58 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Tried to see Big Mac in 98

He got tossed for arguing a called third strike in the first inning. Thankfully I love the Cards so I was okay, but not what I was hoping for.

by CardFaninTTown on Jun 25, 2008 2:20 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I remember that game...

it was on FOX. I remember being so pissed at McGwire for getting tossed.

If everything seems to be going well, you have obviously overlooked something.

by cardsrul on Jun 25, 2008 5:04 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Einar Diaz

had an unbelievably hard time actually catching a baseball.

Well who the hell can see forever?

by Alxfritz on Jun 25, 2008 12:50 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Automatrons

I have a hard time just ascribing wins, losses and performances to statistical peaks and valleys. If we ignore the human element to the game then why bother following it at all? Seeing guys step up when others go down add to the drama. Taking two wins at Boston and now the first game in Detroit under these circumstances make me keep watching and make me feel this team really is something unique.

The day I start using ‘regression to the mean’ in regular conversation is the day I should stop watching baseball.

by paposse on Jun 25, 2008 9:57 AM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

My problem with that is

it implies that Kennedy and such were playing as bad as they were before Pujols went down because they didn’t feel like it…or it wasn’t important enough to them. I just think that is an insult to them. The prospect of being DFA and being out of the game you love wasn’t motivation but Pujols going down was?

If you don’t like “regression to the mean” then how about “shit happens”

by Harknights on Jun 25, 2008 10:01 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

If we are being poetic then

”...If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same…”

by Harknights on Jun 25, 2008 10:10 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Well done

Putting a technical term on a very real aspect of human performance doesn’t dehumanize it.

These are things about people that’ve been known since the times of Homer, no doubt. We just have some tools men then didn’t, but would’ve gladly used.

by liam on Jun 25, 2008 11:08 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I see your point

But I don’t usually think that is the case. I’m not implying they aren’t out there competing every other day also. The whole human element point is that in dire situations (although, we’re just talking baseball, not to be confused with real life) people reach for a new level maybe they didn’t they were capable of. Who knows. But that’s what keeps it interesting to me.

Shit happens works.

by paposse on Jun 25, 2008 10:48 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

USS Mariner sums up my thoughts on these kinds of subjects with their post on team chemistry

Here.


There are generally two kinds of team chemistry. There’s good chemistry, where a team works well together and makes everyone better, and there’s bad chemistry, where players don’t like each other, characterized by factions in the clubhouse.

But then there’s good-bad chemistry, where players hate each other so much they work really hard to show the other players up, and the end result is they all work their ass off, glare at each other a lot, and win a ton of games.

And bad-good chemistry which is when everyone’s friendly and comfortable and doesn’t try hard enough to win, and spends their time hanging out together instead of working out, and they joke around instead of concentrating in drills.

There’s young team optimism chemistry, where a rebuilding franchise is learning the game, improving, working well together, keeping their head up even through the losses. They may not know they’re not supposed to win so much.

Then again, they might not know how to win. That happens, too.

And there’s winning team chemistry, where they expect to compete each day and win a championship.

And losing team chemsitry, where they’ve all given up and don’t really try.

Team chemistry is observed changing in-season, too. A team on a losing streak will find something wrong with whatever chemistry they had working up to that point. If they’re optimistic and have faith, they’re not realistic or working harder. If they’re working harder and depressed, they’ve lost faith and are flailing about. If they stick together, they’ll be ignoring to the problems they need to confront. If they admit that one part of the team or one player is struggling, they’ll be turning on each other.
If they start winning, whatever they were doing during the losing streak was key.

"Regression to the mean is so much more fun to watch when it’s a Cub who is regressing." SleepyCA

by joker24 on Jun 25, 2008 11:03 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Sounds like

This year’s team has “winning team chemistry” and last year’s team had “losing team chemistry,” at least based on the above definitions.

Cardinal fan in the heart of Braves country
DFA Adam Kennedy!
Track 'em Tigers - An SB Nation Blog for Auburn Tigers fans

by Mr Redbird on Jun 25, 2008 11:12 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

For now

"Regression to the mean is so much more fun to watch when it’s a Cub who is regressing." SleepyCA

by joker24 on Jun 25, 2008 11:22 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Was this written by someone

with personal experience of major league baseball team chemistry? Because it sounds great but is awfully speculative. I’d be interested in hearing an objective discussion of this from veteran ML players who have been on a lot of different teams in different situations.

by MdRedbirdFreak on Jun 25, 2008 11:55 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Think it's dripping with sarcasm

Lord knows there were some serious issues in the clubhouse last year. I have to believe that all had some impact on the wins and losses. Just because it isn’t quantifiable doesn’t mean it isn’t there.

I’d be hard pressed to think of a season where the Cards had more chemistry issues than they did last year. At least when looking from afar, as a fan. That being said, I think all those issues didn’t cause near as much damage as Kip Wells and Mike Maroth giving up touchdowns every time out.

by Merry CRasmus on Jun 25, 2008 1:59 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

It's about the Mariners this year #1

But now my favorite part if you read the whole link:


I have to believe that all had some impact on the wins and losses. Just because it isn’t quantifiable doesn’t mean it isn’t there.

Click the link and scroll down to “Chemistry doesn’t matter enough to see”.

"Regression to the mean is so much more fun to watch when it’s a Cub who is regressing." SleepyCA

by joker24 on Jun 25, 2008 2:29 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Take if for what it's worth

Usually if if comes from that site and if you can’t assign a number value to it, then it’s often dismissed or discredited.

by Tackle Box on Jun 25, 2008 2:58 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Sorry I wasn't clear

I was veering way off direction there. I love the USS Mariner – knew they weren’t talking about us and our situation. I was just speculating they were being sarcastic about the whole general concept of chemistry.

Then I just added my own thoughts – it has to matter a little, but you’re better off focusing on the talent on the field if you are trying to troubleshoot problems. Hancock killing himself, Spiezio snorting rails 24/7, Rolen and LaRussa, et all, had to have some negative impact. But having a bunch of starters that couldn’t get through 5 innings is the better starting point.

by Merry CRasmus on Jun 25, 2008 3:18 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Question being

Point being if we did have starting pitchers who could get through 5 innings (or even 6 or 7!) then it’d become “good-bad” team chemistry IMO. Winning--which is caused by talent—-causes chemistry. Can things snowball and become worse/better than the talent? Probably to a certain degree, but it’s basically irrelevant to constructing a team on ability.

"Regression to the mean is so much more fun to watch when it’s a Cub who is regressing." SleepyCA

by joker24 on Jun 25, 2008 3:22 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

More or less we agree

I stop short of saying it has no impact. I just read the link, and thanks for posting it. Sounds like they reach the same conclusion…Maybe it’s there, maybe it’s not, either way it usually isn’t worth the attention it gets.

As far as this stuff goes, some of it probably matters more than others. If people don’t like Brendan Ryan because he sits in the wrong section of the plane and acts goofy, I refuse to make the connection that it affects anybodys play on the field. Same thing if Pujols and Rolen really didn’t like each other. To me that stuff is completely irrelevant.

However, if you have a few guys that have serious personal problems. Maybe they stay out all night, show up to the park in bad shape. They need teammates staging interventions and babysitting them to the point they don’t show up to the game in their best shape themselves…..In those type of cases then I can understand viewing it as a “chemistry issue” that matters, even if it is nebulous and can’t be measured.

by Merry CRasmus on Jun 25, 2008 3:55 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

It only gets attention

because it’s hard to refute. Just like saying “I don’t go by stats I go by my own eyes”.

I just simply quit talking about baseball with non-sabr’s because their ace in the hole is shit like Club House Cancer, Team Chemistry, Grit, and Clutch.

"How depressing is it being you? Would you equate it to being a lifelong Cubs fan?"

by rocKStark5 on Jun 25, 2008 6:03 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

It's a crutch

It’s a card that is played a lot. Anytime expectations aren’t met (on either side of the spectrum), you can be sure talking heads will eagerly attribute it to good/bad chemistry.

Still, I sometimes think that those of us that are more stats oriented are a little too militant in our rejection. Almost out of rebellion of the stupidity, it seems. Sure usually it’s overstated, no arguments there. But to deny that it could ever be a factor, at all, seems to be going to the other extreme IMO.

by Merry CRasmus on Jun 25, 2008 6:37 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

How in the hell

can you not be a stat-head? It makes the game so much more enjoyable.

* sarcasm might be involved in this comment

by mattyfrommo on Jun 25, 2008 6:44 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

By the end of the season/

Yes, it could be a factor. Guys could just be down on themselves and not play to their potential. I don’t buy for one second that chemistry “helped” anyone, there’s no way music in the clubhouse or Edmonds handing out game balls is going to heal Rolen’s shoulder in the WS etc, but I can buy that it hurt a team retrospectively.

The problem is teams will think that they have to mix up the chemistry and not upgrade talent. 2 weeks of April wins can have a team saying “last year was last year that’s over, we’re winning now” and magically they have good chemistry and again I don’t buy for half a second that any “chemistry” related issue matters in the first two weeks of the season.

Look if there’s true vitriol, like Rolen/LaRussa, I can see something being there. But short of that, it’s all revisionist bullshit for “not that good” or “they had Randy/Schilling”.

"Regression to the mean is so much more fun to watch when it’s a Cub who is regressing." SleepyCA

by joker24 on Jun 25, 2008 6:45 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I think a good example of a change helping immediately

is the trade a few years ago (okay, more than a few) that sent Ray Lankford to the Padres for Woody Williams. At the time, the Cardinals were horrible and were playing lifeless baseball and the number one moper in my eyes were Ray Lankford. He was a long-time Cardinal and was visiably a malcontent at the time.

They shipped his ass to San Diego and brought in a great leader and personality in Woody Williams. The team caught life and we all know what happened.

By no means do I think it is this easy, but I do think that trade had a humongous impact on the team.

by Tackle Box on Jun 25, 2008 6:51 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Either that

Or Woody Williams throwing 75 innings of 189 ERA+ baseball. That might have helped.

"Regression to the mean is so much more fun to watch when it’s a Cub who is regressing." SleepyCA

by joker24 on Jun 25, 2008 7:09 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

It can definitely help in the short term

A friend who is a former major leaguer talked about how hard it is to stay focused every night for an entire season. Even though they are playing what is a “game” to us, for them it’s a job.

I’m sure you’ve had good days and bad at work – ever had a rough day and had somebody notice and determine that it’s time to head out for a decent lunch to cheer you up?

Stupid crap like that can help all of us at work so to assume it doesn’t help professional baseball players who happen to be human is a bit too simplistic I think.

by birdo rojo on Jun 25, 2008 6:59 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Baseball is played by humans?

But firstinning.com and baseball-reference.com don’t even post pitcures of these so called “hu-mans”.

just kidding guys. don’t get bent out of shape.

by Tackle Box on Jun 25, 2008 7:05 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Statistcal

analysis is just another way of expressing understanding….... As quantum mechanics is to the ” Art of Classical Physics”. lboros creates a delightful blend of quantum science and artistic observation in his introduction. He loves the Cardinals!!!!!
Sometimes I feel like we deify Albert Pujols too much for the good of the team.
I believe the use of Kennedy at first is the end of Chris Duncans tour, even though he will probably start today.

Westcoastbirdwatcher

by westcoastbirdwatcher on Jun 25, 2008 11:39 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

If there's a righthander throwing

then Duncan should probably be playing first and it has nothing to do with his bat. Kennedy almost killed Looper twice yesterday because of bad throws to first. Kennedy is a superior defensive player, but once again first base is much more difficult to play than people want to believe. And those throws to first hitting a running pitcher should be evidence enough. Those are routine plays that first basemen make multiple times a game. What happens when something comes up that isn’t so routine?

by Tackle Box on Jun 25, 2008 1:08 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Looper took the wrong angle to first

both times in my opinion. Looper was running to a spot about 5 feet in front of first instead of a direct line to the bag. I admit the timing was off, but that is to be expected. If Looper had gotten hurt, I would blame TLR for playing Kennedy at first to begin with rather than Kennedy. I’m no Kennedy fan, but Looper looked at fault there.

by OKCARDSFAN_411 on Jun 25, 2008 1:26 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

But the pitcher isn't supposed to run directly towards the bag

It’s supposed to be a rounded path that brings him up the line. otherwise he and the runner are crossing paths and that is a recipe for disaster. Both throws were to the foul territory side of first base which Looper had to reach across his body for and took him into the path of the runner.

Don’t believe everything the Detroit announcers say. I heard it too, but they didn’t even know what inning it was in due to the parade of arthritic Tigers marching through the booth.

by Tackle Box on Jun 25, 2008 1:30 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I was listening to Shannon on the first one...

and he blamed Looper after watching the replay. I watched the second one and would have to say that was Looper’s fault, too…he didn’t reach for the ball IMO it was right at his chest.

by cardzfanbub on Jun 25, 2008 2:11 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Okay, I've watched both plays a second time

The first play was where Kennedy fielded the ground ball about 15 feet behind 1st base standing almost directly on the foul line. He then threw the ball directly down the line. If Looper doesn’t catch it, it hits Granderson in the chest. Looper was stepping on the foul line as he caught it and it was caught to the middle/right side of his chest. Plus the throw was rushed. Kennedy had time to make a good throw and he didn’t take the time probalby due to inexperience. The correct throw would be to the glove side of Looper (his left), while not causing Looper to be directly in front of Granderson when he caught the ball.

The second throw was much worse than the first. Now, FSN Detroit only showed the origional play and never bothered with a replay because they were probably talking about how whatever decrepid Tiger in the booth had bought 3 pairs of shoes from the play-by-play man 30 years ago…but I digress. Kennedy fielded that ball even with the bag about 20 feet or so towards 2nd base. Here, the throw should once again be to Looper’s glove side, which should be easy since he’s standing to the left of Looper. Instead, his throw was way out in front of Looper, high and he not only had to reach across his face to catch the ball, but he had to jump a little. For what it’s worth, this is actually a tougher throw since you are hitting a guy angleing away from you as opposed to the first throw where he was running directly towards Kennedy.

Now I’m not going through all this to bash Adam Kennedy, quite the contrary actually, but I will say he is not a good firstbaseman. A poor one, to be honest. Both throws led Looper in front of the runner which is a horrible position to put your pitcher. Kennedy didn’t do it on purpose, he just doesn’t have the experience to make that throw. It’s a tough throw to hit a running pitcher so he has enough room to tag the bag while not leading him into the runner. It is the 1st basemans role is to deliver a good throw to the correct spot, not to throw the ball to where the pitcher is.

Bottom line is, you just can’t put anyone at first. Sure , if all he had to do was run to first and catch balls thrown by the infielders he’d be fine. But in reality, the first baseman has some of the most difficult plays to make on the diamond coupled with having more territory to cover on balls hit to the outfield.

by Tackle Box on Jun 25, 2008 4:33 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

1B........

The only reason it’s an easy position is anyone can play it but not anyone can play it properly/well….............

I did not see the throws made by Kennedy as I was not watching the game when both throws took place.

Would it have been better for him to underhand feed the ball like good 1B do?

by ICbirdfan on Jun 25, 2008 4:37 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

No,

the throws were way too long to underhand, plus the runners in each situation were Curtis Granderson and Edgar Renteria. Granderson can fly and Renteria isn’t exactly a slouch, so the throws needed to be overhand. He just didn’t throw them where he should have. Cost an out (and almost a sprained Looper ankle) on the first. The second, Looper made a good play and saved the out.

by Tackle Box on Jun 25, 2008 4:45 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

TLR does things

I think we can all say are out of the ordinary. But, what I believe this shows is exactly where Chris Duncan will be playing once Albert comes back. Basically, he’s being kicked off first base by an inferior (by a mile) “first baseman” and he’s being kicked out of DH by a kid who not only hit’s righty, is making his 3rd career start.

Granted, I’m not sure where you are getting your lineup from. But, I’ll take you for your word. Basically, it looks as though Duncan’s bat has taken him out of the lineup against a right handed starter.

by Tackle Box on Jun 25, 2008 4:52 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Duncan is playing LF

Ludwick is giving the night off.

Listening on 1380AM. Didn’t have a pen ready when they talked about the line up.

by OKCARDSFAN_411 on Jun 25, 2008 4:55 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

then I understand

Duncan is playing over Barton (left/right thing I guess) and since he’s the only other outfielder then Kennedy plays 1st.

Don’t ask me to explain the logic. but I think the Barton defenders definately have reason to bitch.

by Tackle Box on Jun 25, 2008 4:59 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

"Don’t ask me to explain the logic"

If you could explain TLR, you could make a few bucks with a book. Even Tony can’t explain Tony.

by OKCARDSFAN_411 on Jun 25, 2008 5:04 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

But Duncan will probably

make a great diving catch and double up Granderson at first on a great play digging the ball out of the dirt by Kennedy after Dunc hit the go ahead grand slam or something.

by Tackle Box on Jun 25, 2008 5:08 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

You give TLR too much "luck"

He’s pushing his luck I think with Kennedy at first and he’s pushing the Cards luck with Duncan in the line-up. I think Duncan will get another single, strike out twice with runners in scoring position and ground into a rally killing double play.

by OKCARDSFAN_411 on Jun 25, 2008 5:27 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Oh i agree

I was kidding about the whole thing but he has had a bit of a King Midas like touch.

by Tackle Box on Jun 25, 2008 5:31 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I'm kidding too

just had to counter the “how does he get away with that” thoughts we have when his Midas touch happens. I think he sometimes just out smarts himself sometimes and THOSE things are the ones that drives me crazy. He got lucky with Schu hitting for Barton last night… pretty gutsy, but I would have liked to seen what Barton could have done. I think that gift of a HR really pissed the Cards bench off and there was no way they were going to let that HR decide the game.

by OKCARDSFAN_411 on Jun 25, 2008 5:55 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Way off base

First of all, Barton has gotten starts lately against lefties, so him getting the start and then calling on Skip against the righty is pretty much par for the course.

Secondly, I don’t think the hr pissed off LaRussa and that’s about as dumb a claim as I’ve heard. You really think they would rather lose than have Barton hit a homerun that won a game? Ridiculous.

I have to remove myself from this conversation.

by Tackle Box on Jun 25, 2008 6:07 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I think

he was talking about the Mig homer gift?

by TNTinCO on Jun 25, 2008 6:08 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Read it again

I believe he was talking about the STL bench being upset at the Detroit “homerun” that was really just a double off the top of the wall.

There are 10 types of people in the world. Those who understand binary, and those who don't.

by Mr Clean on Jun 25, 2008 6:08 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Alright

I guess you can read it that way so I do appoligize. I simply read that as they were upset Barton hit a homerun and that’s why the took him out.

My bad.

by Tackle Box on Jun 25, 2008 6:14 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

No problem

I just have to read my comments over sometimes to see if my point is coming across. No apologies required.

by OKCARDSFAN_411 on Jun 25, 2008 6:18 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Pinch hitter

Tony probably just wants to have somebody to PH besides Duncan!

"Give a man a fire, and he’ll be warm for a night. Set him on fire and he’ll be warm for the rest of his life."

by BigMOman on Jun 25, 2008 4:59 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

It's been a fun week

I hope we can get another win from Detriot in the next two days before we head out to KC. And then I hope we get some payback in KC. After that I wish that Edmonds stops playing with my emotions.

We start pulling away from the philies in the wild card race. And now we have the Brewers coming up right behind us. But im not to worried about them. Because unlike the philies, we have a lot more games against them.

by Evilfrog on Jun 25, 2008 10:03 AM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Just to point out the Brewers

would be in first place in the East or the West but are in thrid place in the central.

The media couldn’t wait to tell everyone how bad the Central would be at the begining of the season (well the bottom is) but it’s at least better than expected.

by Harknights on Jun 25, 2008 10:04 AM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

you mean the bottom

that beat the Yankees 12-5 last night?

"Give a man a fire, and he’ll be warm for a night. Set him on fire and he’ll be warm for the rest of his life."

by BigMOman on Jun 25, 2008 10:05 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

or the bottom

that took 2 out of 3 from the Yankees over the weekend

...or the bottom that took 2 out of 3 from the Rays over the weekend?

"Give a man a fire, and he’ll be warm for a night. Set him on fire and he’ll be warm for the rest of his life."

by BigMOman on Jun 25, 2008 10:08 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Or the bottom

that took two out of three from the Red Sox.

by Red in Chicago on Jun 25, 2008 10:13 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

The NL central versus the east and west

No one has a losing record versus the EAST
and only cinci has a losing record versus the WEST
makes an argument for being the strongest division in baseball…top to bottom

mattnj

by mattnj on Jun 25, 2008 10:29 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

wow

Didn’t realize that. Putting it that way sure looks impressive.

I enjoyed the Buccos win last night.

by paposse on Jun 25, 2008 10:50 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I'd say it is...

the NL Central has been very good so far and compete with anybody.
The Cubs and the Cards have some of the best records in baseball.
The Brewers have Ben Sheets and some stacked hitting.
The Astros are similar with Oswalt (although not performing up to par) and stacked hitting
The Pirates can score a lot of runs and have a great offense, while the Reds have Volquez and also a decent offense. Not too shabby for a traditionally panned division.

Ankiel is Jesus!

by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 25, 2008 1:52 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

tidbits unrelated

Ben Sheets will test the Free Agency rather than sign a mid-season extension. Doubt he’ll be a Brewer next year.

Oswalt is in the mist of trade rumors, but the team has not asked him to waive his no-trade clause as yet.

by OKCARDSFAN_411 on Jun 25, 2008 1:57 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Mmmm

I wish I could have me some Roy Oswalt. Too bad that’s outrageously unrealistic.

"Regression to the mean is so much more fun to watch when it’s a Cub who is regressing." SleepyCA

by joker24 on Jun 25, 2008 2:31 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

dude has been pitching hurt this year though

hasn’t been super effective. that said, it would obviously be nice to have him if he’s healthy.

this just popped into my head, but strangely enough I think I’ll miss Looper next season (he’s kinda won me over these last two seasons even though I haven’t liked him much until just this past month or so)

Ankiel is Jesus!

by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 25, 2008 3:06 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Peripherals are all in line minus HR/FB% which is an obscene 17+%

He’ll be fine by the end of the year I promise double stamped no anti-quitsies.

"Regression to the mean is so much more fun to watch when it’s a Cub who is regressing." SleepyCA

by joker24 on Jun 25, 2008 3:24 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

the burden of expectations

Could the performances be reasonably explained by a change in the expectations that are placed on them? When a player like Pujols gets injured the role of run producer gets passed down to the next in line. In this case it is Ankiel, Ludwick and Glaus. But theese expectations are not only put on these guys by the Cards, but by the opponent too. They expect this “next in line” to be the one to hurt them. The opponent probably prepares for them more. Now this doesn’t help to explain the improved performance by the likes of Kennedy, Miles and LaRue? No. It is very difficult to come up with a story that accounts for the increased performance of some players who had been horribly slumping and a slump by those who had previously been fairly hot. That sounds a bit like regression to their means. But there has to be something else.

The piece of information that is missing is have the plans of the hitters changed once AP went on the DL? Not their results, but their plans.

by bdief on Jun 25, 2008 10:10 AM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

One thing that's obvious

Is that the lineup gets reshuffled a bit. But perhaps with the psychological comfort of Pujols’ hitting being gone does intensify everyone’s concentration at the plate just a degree or two—enough to make a marked improvement in hitting. Interesting if true, because it means that 5-10 percent more effort can yield, say, 20-100 percent better results.

by Red in Chicago on Jun 25, 2008 10:17 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I'll give you Kennedy and LaRue

although I believe LaRue was actually underperforming in reguards to his career numbers. But, Aaron Miles wasn’t slumping. Just because he’s gotten better since Albert’s injury doesn’t mean he was slumping.

by Tackle Box on Jun 25, 2008 1:12 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

he's gotten better

because he’s the Interleague Batting Champ

Ankiel is Jesus!

by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 25, 2008 1:54 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

If you look at that table, it's dead clear

how Albert effects the lineup. All in all the core 3-4-5 are all having subpar performances. When Albert got hurt I mentioned that there’s a hidden tone to his dynamics on the guys batting around him. Sadly enough it looks to be a solid case for it

I use statistics much as a drunken man uses lamp-posts – as support rather than illumination. - Andrew Lang

by AdjustedExpectations on Jun 25, 2008 10:20 AM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

in fact

every guy with more than 40 AB’s (i.e. regulars) have seen a drop in BA and a large drop in OBP. I would guess it’s because they are seeing a lot more strikes. It was documented last week how much the walk rate has dropped off for everyone since Albert has been out of the lineup. I think his overall effect is measureable offensively, but the pitching has been so good the club hasn’t had to score more than 3 or 4 runs to win most of these games.

Miles has been outstanding the last month or so, so it’s hard to see why Adam Kennedy is still getting AB’s at all.

"I just wish that the late Harry Caray were still around so I could hear him mispronounce 'Kosuke Fukudome' every fukun' night" -- Dennis Miller

by fourstick on Jun 25, 2008 10:31 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

must admit

i didn’t cry too much with duncan getting a seat last night for Kennedy.

As far as the Miles part, he’s a god during interleague, and Ryan is even warming up. I do hope as the injuries settle they don’t screw him out of playing time.

I use statistics much as a drunken man uses lamp-posts – as support rather than illumination. - Andrew Lang

by AdjustedExpectations on Jun 25, 2008 10:35 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

yeah

Duncan is even worse than Kennedy now. wow

Ankiel is Jesus!

by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 25, 2008 1:55 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

because

He has been hitting better than miles snice albert went down?

by Evilfrog on Jun 25, 2008 10:37 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

10-15 days

erases the ineptitude that Kennedy has shown for 2007 and most of 2008?

by azruavatar on Jun 25, 2008 10:41 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I think he's saying

that those numbers he’s putting up recently is why Kennedy is getting at bats in general, not that he deserves them over Miles, Ryan et all

I use statistics much as a drunken man uses lamp-posts – as support rather than illumination. - Andrew Lang

by AdjustedExpectations on Jun 25, 2008 10:43 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

or well, that’s how I took it.

I use statistics much as a drunken man uses lamp-posts – as support rather than illumination. - Andrew Lang

by AdjustedExpectations on Jun 25, 2008 10:44 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yeah, they aren't walking but they may feel their job descriptions have changed.

I’m guessing that they may be deliberately more aggressive at the plate. They can’t try to draw a walk and wait for Pujols to drive them in.

Baseball's only fun if you're playing it, watching it, or thinking about it.

by Eckstreem on Jun 25, 2008 12:02 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

how to measure the effects?

I think it’s likely that Luddy, Glaus and Ankiel are all trying to be “the man” with Pujols out. I would bet that, for those guys:

  • P/PA have gone way down
  • out-of-the strike zone pitches swung at has gone way up
  • LD% for all 3 is down, but especially Luddy. K rate seems up too.

I wish there was a day-by-day type database with batted ball information…

"If thats bad luck, lets DFA our luck away." -DriverZN

by SleepyCA on Jun 25, 2008 3:26 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Ohhhh fangraphs to the rescue

Season Glaus O-Swing%: 13.78%.
Last 14 Days Glaus O-Swing%: 8.33%

Season Ankiel O-Swing%: 28.36%
14-day Ankiel O-Swing%: 33.33%

Season Ludwick O-Swing%: 22.1%
14-Day Ludwick O-Swing%: 27.00%

Glaus P/PA Season: 3.96
14-day P/PA: 3.74

Ankiel P/PA Season: 3.80
Ankiel P/PA 14-day: 3.69

Ludwick P/PA Season: 3.68
Ludwick P/PA 14-day: 4.14

Glaus LD% Season: 18.1%
Glaus LD% 14-day: 15.8%

Ankiel LD% Season: 15.2%
Ankiel LD% 14-day: Mr. Blutarski: Zero Point Zero (percent)

Ludwick LD% Season: 28.0%
Ludwick LD% 14-day: 22.2%

So yeah I guess you are mostly right but it’s not that dramatic outside of Ankiel’s 0 line drives in 14 days.

"Regression to the mean is so much more fun to watch when it’s a Cub who is regressing." SleepyCA

by joker24 on Jun 25, 2008 3:50 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

good stuff

I didn’t realize they do 14-day splits at fangraphs; that’s perfect. Where did you find it? I’m looking there and not having luck.

Looks like AdjustedExpectations is right- Luddy is taking more pitches, and swinging at bad ones.

One thing to keep in mind with the above data is that “season” numbers include 14-day numbers (14 days is 18% of the season to date). Ankiel’s seasonal LD rate will be especially affected (how can ANYONE go 2 weeks without a line drive!)

"If thats bad luck, lets DFA our luck away." -DriverZN

by SleepyCA on Jun 25, 2008 4:03 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

man that is an annoying bug

there was a second sentence there, but I forgot what point I was trying to make already, lol.

"If thats bad luck, lets DFA our luck away." -DriverZN

by SleepyCA on Jun 25, 2008 4:07 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

They just added them under the leaders

And you can import them into excel to find individual players.

The seasonal numbers include the 14-day stuff but dropping the 14-day stuff from the seasonal sample isn’t the right way to approach measuring a difference. You always, always answer stat questions regarding “change” conservatively and of course you are going to be able to find differences by splitting off parts from the data to distort it. When in doubt, take the larger sample and including the 14-day split in the seasonal data is the right move regardless of the convenience.

Eyeballing it the only numbers you could say are a statistically significant change would be Ank’s linedrive rate (obviously), mayyyyyybe Luddy’s P/PA and doubtfully Glaus’ O-Swing% (which go against the theory). That’s not to say you aren’t right, you were—-those things were happening, it’s just that most of this is likely just fun with variance that could happen in any arbitrary 14 days.

For a lot of the reeeeal hardcore stat guys who say that streaks don’t really exist, I’d like to wonder the odds on Ankiel not hitting a line drive for 14 games 55 PAs.

"Regression to the mean is so much more fun to watch when it’s a Cub who is regressing." SleepyCA

by joker24 on Jun 25, 2008 4:11 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

assuming hitting line drives is random

and not a skill (doubtful) and assuming the probability of a line drive is 15%, using observed data, the probability of Ankiel NOT hitting a line drive on a ball put into play would be (1-.15 = .85). He’s struck out 13 times and walked 5, so he’s put 37 balls in play in that time period. if each AB is an independent event, the probability of not hitting line drives on 37 consecutive balls in play would then be (.85)^37, or .00245- about one in 409 (?)

If you sort by LD rate over 14 days, it’s kind of interesting; ankiel is the worst, but he’s not the only one having trouble. Dan Uggla (14.8% on the year) and Adam Dunn (15.4% on the year) are both below 5% over the same time period.

"If thats bad luck, lets DFA our luck away." -DriverZN

by SleepyCA on Jun 25, 2008 4:55 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Duh

I’m an idiot, I was thinking it’d take some binomials which I’m too lazy to do.

In an odd way, I want him to hit a bunch of flyball home runs while managing not to hit a line drive for some obscene period of time. 75 straight batted balls without a line drive would be 1/196598. Wouldn’t that have to prove streaks exist? How about 10 homers in his next 38 batted balls all flyballs!

"Regression to the mean is so much more fun to watch when it’s a Cub who is regressing." SleepyCA

by joker24 on Jun 25, 2008 6:08 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Let's remember that automatons are robots too.

Not only has Springer been downright nasty on the mound as of late but TLR seems to be less reluctant to use him as well. Maybe that elbow discomfort he was having earlier in the season has finally cleared up. The right side of the pen has the potential to be dominant on any given night.

by azruavatar on Jun 25, 2008 10:44 AM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

the right side can be downright salty

as we’ve all pointed out ad nauseum, it’s the left side that’s atrocious.

by chuckb on Jun 25, 2008 11:01 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Can I say I like Villone against lefties only

I’ll take his .159 avg, .278 OBP and .250 SLG if he only throws against the lefties. Plus he did help carry Pujols off the field so that’s got to count for something.

by birdo rojo on Jun 25, 2008 11:14 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Oh, I forgot Az

You don’t just care about your yourself but things that remind you of yourself like turtles and automatons.

"Do what you want to the women and children but leave me alone"- George Carlin

by That's a Winner on Jun 25, 2008 11:17 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I believe I have also seen LaRussa

move away from him steadfast reliance on lefty/righty matchups concerning his bullpen. The last two games we have seen him stick with a good option in a righty (McClellan and Springer) over the all-too-typical lefty. Actually, I believe LaRussa might have left Villone and Flores in the bullpen the entire extra inning game against the Red Sox.

by Tackle Box on Jun 25, 2008 1:20 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Villone

pitched an inning. I thought it would end then, but we survived unscored upon. don’t recall Flores pitching. And that is saying something considering Parisi was all that was left.

by CardFaninTTown on Jun 25, 2008 2:29 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

That's right

villone did pitch an inning. Nevertheless, it seems to this observer a greater reliance on the righthanders the past couple of games than what had become the norm.

by Tackle Box on Jun 25, 2008 3:01 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

who cares if statistically he's not the worst

its still inexcusable. Fans want the guy OFF the team he’s so bad. But TLR starts him at first base when he has plenty of better options. If he doesn’t think he has better options then fucking call up someone to fix the situation.

Starting Kennedy at DH and 1st the past week is pathetic!!!

Milt Thompson FTW!

by gossard56 on Jun 25, 2008 11:01 AM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

in defense of TLR

Kennedy has performed well lately.

"Give a man a fire, and he’ll be warm for a night. Set him on fire and he’ll be warm for the rest of his life."

by BigMOman on Jun 25, 2008 11:05 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yeah

it’s gotta sting a little to make those arguements only to see Kennedy come up with hit after hit in big situations.

by Tackle Box on Jun 25, 2008 1:22 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

He's beyond terrible

and a couple of solid hits over the course of 1 week doesn’t change that.

by chuckb on Jun 25, 2008 11:56 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I agree

I’m not taking it out of my sig just yet, but the guy has been playing some solid ball for us lately. Better than Duncan by far and probably better than Ank and Luddy over the past week or two.

Cardinal fan in the heart of Braves country
DFA Adam Kennedy!
Track 'em Tigers - An SB Nation Blog for Auburn Tigers fans

by Mr Redbird on Jun 25, 2008 11:18 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

that's what I like about this team

we seem to have more depth than most teams, and when people slump or get hurt, others step up for them

Ankiel is Jesus!

by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 25, 2008 1:58 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Can you imagine how tough it will be

this December for Mo to figure out who to put on the 40 man roster to protect against the Rule 5 draft?

by OKCARDSFAN_411 on Jun 25, 2008 2:00 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Agreed.

This will do a lot to cement his reputation with the fans. Will he be able to get value back? We all think that the glut of talent is good, but could it work against him? Teams start trying to low ball him thinking that they can get players in the rule 5 draft or off waivers once players get healthy and return? Certianly a problem you like to have.

by CardFaninTTown on Jun 25, 2008 2:32 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Fotunately....

there’s a lot of dead wood that can be cleared out…. Flores, Clement, Hawksworth, Jimenez, Johnson, Kinney, Hoffpauir, Rico, Miles, Encarnacion, Villone, Thompson, Reyes, Mulder…

Plus I believe none of the top guys in Memphis are eligible.

by guayzimi on Jun 25, 2008 2:56 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Total dead wood...

his ceiling is about a 700 ops where he is now, and he remains a terrible defensive second baseman. Wouldn’t you rather dump Miles than lose a Brian Barton or Hector Luna?

by guayzimi on Jun 25, 2008 3:41 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I agree with you, but

advise against using Luna as part of your argument. A year or two after he left the Cardinals he was playing for an independent league team in Pennsylvania.

by MdRedbirdFreak on Jun 25, 2008 4:06 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

why the Miles bashing?

especially after how good he’s been lately? who’s going to be our extra middle infielder anyway?

Ankiel is Jesus!

by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 25, 2008 4:27 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

All dead wood?

I don’t think we know for sure that most of those are dead wood.

by saladdays on Jun 25, 2008 4:01 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I can se at least five that...

ought to be in the bigs next year…really only three that definitely shouldn’t be.

by cardzfanbub on Jun 25, 2008 4:06 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I'll do better than 3

Clement, Hawksworth, Jiminez, Kinney, Rico, Encarnacion and maybe Mulder.

by Tackle Box on Jun 25, 2008 4:38 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

You're going to say...

that Mulder, Clement, Hawksworth and Kinney DEFINITELY shouldn’t be in the bigs next year? I’ll admit they’re all expendable, but I’d say they also have a shot at being in the majors…meaning not dead weight. Notice I have no argument against Rico, Jiminez and Encarnacion (obviously).

by cardzfanbub on Jun 25, 2008 4:47 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I would say

you can’t really know about Kinney or Mulder. Mulder might yet get the bugs out (I have doubts, but there are signs). Kinney is in a 2 year layoff so maybe you can write him off too, but I wouldn’t do that until at least he gets a chance to go on a rehab. He might just come back with that nasty stuff. Hell , KMac wouldn’t have made this team if you wrote off everyone who was having serious injury problems. I can make no excuses for Clement.

* sarcasm might be involved in this comment

by mattyfrommo on Jun 25, 2008 5:58 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

The reason I include Kinney

Is because he’s a 29 year old career minor leaguer who may or may not have caught lightning in a botle in 2006, which just so happens to be the last time he’s pitched in a baseball game. Might he ever make it back to the majors? Maybe. But I’d cut him lose and wouldn’t think twice about it.

by Tackle Box on Jun 25, 2008 6:12 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Why I wouldn't

he is cheap, it is worth the risk.

* sarcasm might be involved in this comment

by mattyfrommo on Jun 25, 2008 6:29 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

he may be cheap

but he takes up a spot that could go to one of the other 1000 right handed relief pitchers in the organization who are younger than 30.

by Tackle Box on Jun 25, 2008 6:32 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

yep, next year

The way I look at it is Kinney has the stuff to be like Springer , but even better! I don’t care if you have someone over 30 being one of your righties out of the bullpen.
You were right, Kinney might have caught lightning in a bottle, but isn’t that what any reliever that is in the mid to late twenties and still in the minors has to do?

* sarcasm might be involved in this comment

by mattyfrommo on Jun 25, 2008 6:49 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

yeah

I don’t envy having to make those decisions… I just wonder if he will try and move some outfielders before then.

Ankiel is Jesus!

by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 25, 2008 3:04 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I might chalk this up...

...to the scrubs seeing better pitches to hit. If I am a major league pitcher facing our line-up, I am definetely throw less stuff over the plate to Ludwick, Glaus, and Ankiel-they are the only hitters that should be able to do much damage. The scrubs on the other hand are going to get a lot of challenge pitches, “Here is the fastball. Whatcha going to do with it.” There is a converstion like this going on in most pitchers meeting before they face the cards. That said it is a false logic-almost every hitter in the league has some basic ability to hit the fastball.

by BigJawnMize on Jun 25, 2008 11:08 AM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Makes me realize just how good AP is (as if I didn't already)

Now that pitchers can afford to be cute to Ludwick, Glaus and Ankiel we’ve seen their performance drop. Just makes it all that more amazing what AP does with what little he gets to hit..

by birdo rojo on Jun 25, 2008 11:17 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

The Cubs are offensively better than STL...........

Is that what you are saying?

Rick Ankiel and Ryan Ludwick are not going to see strikes because you don’t have to throw strikes to get them out.

by ICbirdfan on Jun 25, 2008 11:55 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

He used scrubs

as a lower-case term, meaning-I think-our middle infielders and LaRue. Not “Scrubs” upper-case, which we all know means “Small Bears.”

by Red in Chicago on Jun 25, 2008 11:57 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

If we continue to win

they may want to reconsider that whole conversation :). I’m all for the “scrubs” getting in on the pie. Problem is that Glaus is the only one out of those three who is patient at the plate. Rick and Luddy haven’t been selective at all. If they were patient, we’d have a lot more LOB I’m sure, but at least a potential extra runner for the “scrubs” to bring home.

I use statistics much as a drunken man uses lamp-posts – as support rather than illumination. - Andrew Lang

by AdjustedExpectations on Jun 25, 2008 12:19 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

self-correction.

Luddy’s problem seems to be the fact that he’s being too patient, or just not seeing it well. I talked about it last night in the game threads, and later confirmed that he’s been leaving “wheelhouse” pitches alone early in the count. His numbers earlier in the season were very nice when he jumped into a pitch in the first couple of pitches – first pitch swinging specifically.

He may want to get a little more aggressive to get out of his struggles or at least get back to what he was doing before and sitting on something.

His outs have generally been loud when connected though, a few warning track/liners in the past 10 days. May just be a series of regression, and that he’s becoming a known quanity

I use statistics much as a drunken man uses lamp-posts – as support rather than illumination. - Andrew Lang

by AdjustedExpectations on Jun 25, 2008 12:30 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Are you telling me?

That taking the first strike SHOULDN’T be carved in stone? Amazing.

by Tackle Box on Jun 25, 2008 1:26 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

It's becoming painfully obvious where to pitch Ankiel though.

And that’s typically a breaking ball, low and out of the zone.

by Tackle Box on Jun 25, 2008 1:23 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

actually...

on the saturday fox game against the sox, they showed that up and in is ricky’s weak spot

by FunkeeC on Jun 25, 2008 1:58 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yep. And when I see

that I’m always reminded of Willie McGee, who absoluately couldn’t lay off those 59-footers. It still astonishes me that Willie managed 2 batting titles and an MVP.

by MdRedbirdFreak on Jun 25, 2008 4:08 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

So he's got two gigantic holes

Doesn’t change the fact that pitchers know exactly where to pitch Ankiel and he is absolutley unable to lay off either high fastballs or breaking balls in the dirt. But, just wait til some sucker throws a fastball over the plate!!!

by Tackle Box on Jun 25, 2008 4:41 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Oh yeah Rick sure as heck has holes.........

Hasn’t he hit curveballs that are low and slightly hanging fairly well?

Rick just needs to learn to lay off stuff as he tends to swing at a lot of balls.

by ICbirdfan on Jun 25, 2008 4:42 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Rick needs more ABs

Still has only around 500. Not that many in the minor league either. Sucks he is already 29. But he’ll get better for a few years before age starts setting in. It’s amazing he is able to hit as well as he has considering the amount of time he was a pitcher. I mean, position players come up from high school batting all the way to the majors. Pitchers don’t get to do that.

by Evilfrog on Jun 25, 2008 4:47 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yeah

Those “hot/cold zones” were for pitches in the strike zone. If it’s in the strike zone, Rick likely will kill the pitch. He just swings at shit in the dirt or high and tight too often.

Cardinal fan in the heart of Braves country
DFA Adam Kennedy!
Track 'em Tigers - An SB Nation Blog for Auburn Tigers fans

by Mr Redbird on Jun 25, 2008 3:16 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I think that graph highlighted BA on Balls in Play

Pretty sure it doesn’t account for whiffs on balls bouncing off the plate.

by birdo rojo on Jun 25, 2008 4:10 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

LaRussa on pulling Barton

Which worked out rather nicely

But with Barton the scheduled hitter and the Cardinals ahead 3-2 in the sixth, La Russa decided to pull him for lefthanded-hitting Schumaker when righthanded rookie Freddy Dolsi relieved Rogers. Schumaker’s two-run hit gave the Cardinals a three-run lead.

“I thought about (leaving Barton in) because he had had a really nice game,” La Russa said.

“I wish I knew more about Dolsi. I didn’t, except that righties were hitting .190 (actually .216) and lefties were hitting .290 (actually .308).” In addition, Schumaker was hitting .340 against righthanders himself.

“In the end, I pulled the trigger,” La Russa said. “If you miss at least that one run, that’s a big momentum switch.”

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/stories.nsf/cardinals/story/1510669E7B06190A86257473000ECE0C?OpenDocument

by Evilfrog on Jun 25, 2008 11:30 AM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Heh

It’s a line drive in the box score, as they say. Schumaker got jammed like crazy and blooped the ball into center field for his aforementioned “two-run hit.” A hit’s a hit, I guess.

by mojowo11 on Jun 25, 2008 11:43 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

it was a terrific piece of hitting

i’d say it was more impressive than a line drive. He got jammed on a pitch up and in and was able to muscle it into short center.

boo cubs, hooray beer

by Raconteur on Jun 25, 2008 12:07 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Oh btw

Mather is back and went 4-5 with a HR last night. He’s the DH/1st we should be playing instead of Kennedy. Starting 3 middle infielders is emberrasing.

Milt Thompson FTW!

by gossard56 on Jun 25, 2008 11:46 AM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Agreed.

Of course, the question is how we make room. Giant Miles isn’t going to be going down just yet and LaRussa definitely will be keeping Kennedy at least until Iz2 returns.

Maybe it’s time for Duncan to go back down and try to figure it out?

by mojowo11 on Jun 25, 2008 12:02 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Amen...

except you can’t drop a middle infielder and bring up Mather. Either Barton or Duncan have to go.

by guayzimi on Jun 25, 2008 12:03 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Will Mather play?

Albert is coming back so Mather is not going to play 1B
If we are facing RHP then Skip will play OF and Mather will not play..

I don’t see the need to bring up Mather at this point, unless the Cards are going to face a lot of LHP in the next week or so.

by ICbirdfan on Jun 25, 2008 12:11 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

make that Duncan

don’t think they’re going to release Barton

Ankiel is Jesus!

by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 25, 2008 2:01 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Execrable (!)

Nice. I can’t be the only one that sent to dictionary.com. Bill Heyde would be proud!

by Secret Weapon on Jun 25, 2008 11:52 AM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I'm going to go on record

and predict the Cards will get shut out Albert’s first game back. Another odd page in the bewildering novel which is the St Louis Cardinals 2008 campaign.

Well who the hell can see forever?

by Alxfritz on Jun 25, 2008 12:29 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

going on the record

is not a good idea. If it (the shutout) happens, you will be held responsible here.

"Give a man a fire, and he’ll be warm for a night. Set him on fire and he’ll be warm for the rest of his life."

by BigMOman on Jun 25, 2008 12:33 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

We're talking tomorrow, right?

I’ll go on record and say that we won’t :)

We’re a night and day team with Albert on the DL vs when he’s not. KC won’t be playing the same team they just swept.

I use statistics much as a drunken man uses lamp-posts – as support rather than illumination. - Andrew Lang

by AdjustedExpectations on Jun 25, 2008 12:36 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Hopefully we'll come out ready to play

The team seemed dead playing KC at home last week…

Cardinal fan in the heart of Braves country
DFA Adam Kennedy!
Track 'em Tigers - An SB Nation Blog for Auburn Tigers fans

by Mr Redbird on Jun 25, 2008 12:39 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I think Yadi sucked out the remaining “umph” we had left going against KC, we should be fine. Even better if we finish well against DET after taking BOS to task

I use statistics much as a drunken man uses lamp-posts – as support rather than illumination. - Andrew Lang

by AdjustedExpectations on Jun 25, 2008 12:41 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Duh

Tomorrow is Det, not KC.

Still stands though

I use statistics much as a drunken man uses lamp-posts – as support rather than illumination. - Andrew Lang

by AdjustedExpectations on Jun 25, 2008 12:39 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

really

are we doing that much worse without Albert? the night and day metaphor might be a little extreme. maybe sunny vs. cloudy?

Ankiel is Jesus!

by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 25, 2008 2:03 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I’m saying that with Albert in the lineup the whole lineup would be completely different to plan against from a pitching perspective.

Not as in the actual performance of each lineup.

I think Kc seeing us lethargic after Yadi went down will be “night and day” different to when we roll into town with Yadi back behind the plate and Albert hungry.

I use statistics much as a drunken man uses lamp-posts – as support rather than illumination. - Andrew Lang

by AdjustedExpectations on Jun 25, 2008 5:38 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Kelly Johnson's the man...

Do we really have anything to fear from the Brew Crew? Their pitching is poor minus Gallardo. Plus Sheets can’t keep it up, can he?

by guayzimi on Jun 25, 2008 2:08 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I expect them to be hot and cold for the most part

maybe make a run at the end of the season, but don’t think they’ll make the playoffs due to pitching

Ankiel is Jesus!

by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 25, 2008 3:03 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

really?

you’ve got to go after sheets’ manhood?

by sdesserman on Jun 25, 2008 8:21 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

he always has Viagra

to fall back on…but sad at such a young age

* sarcasm might be involved in this comment

by mattyfrommo on Jun 25, 2008 10:03 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Baseball in Europe?

European league with extra-innings tweak planned

HAVANA—The International Baseball Federation plans to upgrade the sport in Europe.

“Our tentative plans also include the launch of a professional baseball league in Europe in 2010 and beyond,” Federation president Harvey Schiller said Wednesday as he finished a visit to Cuba.

Baseball’s World Cup in September 2009 is being shifted from Cuba to seven European nations in an effort to bolster the sport’s bid to get back into the Olympics.

The International Olympic Committee eliminated baseball and softball from the 2012 London Olympics during a vote in 2005. Baseball hopes to rejoin the Olympics for 2016.

Schiller also mentioned a rule change being considered in an effort to save time on games that go into extra innings.

“When the game enters the 10th inning, the next players on the roster are placed on first and second base and each team starts with one out,” he said. “We feel that this proposal will help bring the game to an end in a timely manner.”

AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service

I would just hate for the extra inning rule to be used here.

by OKCARDSFAN_411 on Jun 25, 2008 3:11 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Terrible, just terrible

The new rule, that is, not baseball in Europe. I’m all for our game spreading to places it’s not traditionally loved. British people (for the most part) look down on baseball.

Cardinal fan in the heart of Braves country
DFA Adam Kennedy!
Track 'em Tigers - An SB Nation Blog for Auburn Tigers fans

by Mr Redbird on Jun 25, 2008 3:18 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

agreed

that’s a stupid idea. why not just have the baseball equivalent of penalty kicks? let them tee off against a pitching machine, the most homers after five batters each wins.

by mattybobo on Jun 25, 2008 3:21 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I think baseball is misunderstood by non-fans

they call it a dumb sport, etc. when in reality it’s one of the most nuanced and sophisiticated. That said, I think most baseball fans grew up with the sport and the learning curve is a bit steep for newcomers imo.

Ankiel is Jesus!

by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 25, 2008 3:22 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Is it really that hard to understand?

I would think American Football is complicated. Soccer to me is sooooooooooooooooo boring until they get the ball near the net and even then, big freaking deal. Yet fans KILL each other over their teams. CRAZY!

by OKCARDSFAN_411 on Jun 25, 2008 3:28 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I don't think it's hard to understand

I do agree that it is misunderstood. People think it’s boring because they don’t see the hundreds of little strategy decisions that go into every pitch. Sadly, I think way too many people don’t find it entertaining because they don’t want to think as part of entertainment.

People like football because there’s generally violent action of some sort every 40 seconds. Once heard football described as a combination of two of the worst things American culture: violence interrupted by meetings.

by TNTinCO on Jun 25, 2008 3:36 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

the thing about baseball

is that it’s quite a bit different than other sports. in most sports, the ball is always the focus, and points must be scored with the ball. in baseball, you have things happening simultaneously regardless of the where the ball is at; i.e. two exciting things can be happening at once.

Ankiel is Jesus!

by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 25, 2008 3:43 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

on the surface

it’s not hard to understand, it’ll all the little things that add up

Ankiel is Jesus!

by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 25, 2008 3:44 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

“Baseball is dull only to dull minds.”

-Red Barber

by mojowo11 on Jun 25, 2008 4:00 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

nice one

that’s why you can watch it, listen to it on the radio, or just talk about it. plus the pauses are good for conversation instead of having constant action

Ankiel is Jesus!

by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 25, 2008 4:15 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Breaks beat the constant "action" of soccer anyway

"Regression to the mean is so much more fun to watch when it’s a Cub who is regressing." SleepyCA

by joker24 on Jun 25, 2008 4:15 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

don't get me started on soccer

When even golf is more exciting, I’m amazed how people can get hyped up over kicking a ball around

Ankiel is Jesus!

by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 25, 2008 4:23 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I love soccer

except every time I get up to use the bathroom or get a soda I miss the only goal scored. In the whole game. It’s frustrating. Then I leave because 90 minutes is up. Except it isn’t! Injury time outs have to be made up…...better to go watch the kids at the local high school play…..

She isn't crazy, she's just not impressed.

by jillsinmo on Jun 25, 2008 4:37 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

soccer

It’s a very fun game to play for sure….... I have not been able to enjoy watching it though. I can watch the really big matches, but I can only watch so much.

I understand all that is going on, but it is just boring to watch after a while.

by ICbirdfan on Jun 25, 2008 4:39 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

FYI

Hell of a game just finished between Germany and Turkey in the Euro 2008 Semis. And since I know there’s at least one person who reads this blog who has been known to record these games, that’s all I’ll say.

by Tackle Box on Jun 25, 2008 4:42 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

who won?

i was rooting for germany, but missed it

by mattybobo on Jun 25, 2008 5:28 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I appreciate it, Tackle Box

I’m the guy. Unfortunately for me, like an idiot, I just went to cbs.sportsline to check on the Cubs’ game and stumbled on the Euro result.

And the Cubs don’t even play until tonight. Damn my eyes.

by Youneverknow on Jun 25, 2008 6:58 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Ha, that's why I didn't respond

to the question above about who won!! Figured if one really wanted to know, they could just go to espn or cbs or yahoo or where ever to see the score.

Nice move YNK.

by Tackle Box on Jun 25, 2008 7:02 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

ah, the old "baseball is amazing...if you understand it...

but soccer is horrible” argument by someone who most likely understands nothing about soccer.

such a funny, paradoxical argument. im glad i love all sports.

by longhornscardinals on Jun 25, 2008 5:06 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

haha i was about to say the exact same thing

One thing i’ve learned is that every sport has many intracacies that many people love but not everyone can understand. Soccer is actually my favorite sport (sorry guys, but it is my name) but i can understand how some think it is boring. I guess because that was the main sport i grew up playing, it’s the one I most fully enjoy watching. Nascar, on the other hand, is the most BORING sport ever, but apparently some people enjoying watching cars driving in circles for hours. actually, if someone can explain to me the appeal, i’d appreciate it

by soccerfreak on Jun 25, 2008 7:25 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I played soccer, I like playing soccer, I understand soccer

I can even watch games (today’s game was unreal), but by and large it’s a boring sport to watch to me.

"Regression to the mean is so much more fun to watch when it’s a Cub who is regressing." SleepyCA

by joker24 on Jun 25, 2008 7:36 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

yea i heard the germany-turkey game was amazing

but i was at work, therefore couldn’t watch it. turkey has been involved in SO many close games so far this tournament, with goals scored in final minutes/extra time, it’s crazy. I think my breakthrough in being able to watch soccer was following the english premiereship and uefa league for awhile, and becoming familiar with the player. knowing players well goes a long way in making games more fun to follow

by soccerfreak on Jun 25, 2008 7:42 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Playing the video games is the fastest way to learn names actually.....

The NHL series almost singlehandedly got me back into hockey.

"Regression to the mean is so much more fun to watch when it’s a Cub who is regressing." SleepyCA

by joker24 on Jun 25, 2008 7:52 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

As a fellow Mizzou student

Do you also find it outrageous the Big XII doesn’t have soccer? When living in the Stl i love going to SLU games, but here in columbia there’s nothing to watch

by soccerfreak on Jun 25, 2008 7:59 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

umm

Nascar isn’t a sport.
Car racing isn’t a sport

* sarcasm might be involved in this comment

by mattyfrommo on Jun 25, 2008 10:04 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

haha i'd agree

but did you mean “car racing IS a sport?”

by soccerfreak on Jun 26, 2008 2:40 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

nah, but I can see how that might have been read as a mistake

Car racing is not a sport, in any way, shape, or form.

* sarcasm might be involved in this comment

by mattyfrommo on Jun 26, 2008 6:13 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

teaching baseball

Have any of you ever tried to explain baseball to an adult (frequently european) that has never experienced it? I have – and I realized how silly I sounded trying to do it. ‘the pitcher throws the ball to the catcher, and the batter tried to hit it…. if he hits it he has to run around the bases – as long as he is on a base, he is safe, when he is off a base…..’ I absolutely love the game of baseball, but I think that there is a critical age window during which you must have been exposed to it to really love it as an adult.

I heard myself explaining it to a well educated adult and it SOUNDS like such a SILLY game! I never really was able to convey my appreciation for it, nor to cultivate an appreciation for it in the person I was trying to educate. Partly my inability to describe it, admittedly. Someday i will figure out a five minute tutorial that will give the basics of the game, but for now – I have not found that I am able to do that.

by cdb on Jun 25, 2008 3:40 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Doesn't sound any sillier

compared to most other sports to me.

by saladdays on Jun 25, 2008 4:04 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

i agree

here’s an eye-opener. find someone who grew up in india, new zealand, or england and have them explain cricket to you. the terminology alone will take you awhile. then try to learn the rules, strategy and subtle concepts could take you years to understand. This is exactly how baseball appears to the uninitiated. although a simple game in american minds, the nuances and terminology can be extremely confusing.

I'd rather my sister be a prostitute than my brother a Cub fan.

by _pistol_ on Jun 25, 2008 4:27 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I'm going to sort of disagree a bit

I think Cricket is actually easier to understand. I was in India during the last world cup and had about 80% of the game in under 5 minutes. When I tried to return to favor to an Indian colleague for a baseball game it was hopeless.

by birdo rojo on Jun 25, 2008 4:32 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I grew up in an area with NO football.

There was no high school, college, or professional football. It was 5 years before I could understand that game.

BTW, we didn’t have cable or sattelite TV then either. I grew up pretty poor in southern Illinois.

Baseball's only fun if you're playing it, watching it, or thinking about it.

by Eckstreem on Jun 25, 2008 5:00 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I've had 2 similar experiences

A Portugese exchange student at my high school thought I was absolutely crazy after I tried to explain the fundamentals while throwing the ball around one day. My favorite part was his response after I tried to explain what “outs” were, and how fielders get outs: “Oh . . . so I throw to the bases . . . so some for 1st, and some for 2nd and some for 3rd . . . and they all get outs?” I tried to explain “force outs” to clear up the confusion . . . then we quit.

Also, a good friend of mine originally from Ghana has been here 10 years and says he just now understands the fundamentals. We were watching a game on TV and, after a caught fly ball, he asked, “why did he [the runner] go back to second?”

by Ray Lankford on Jun 25, 2008 4:36 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

explaining football

I had an absolute bear of a time trying to explain American football to my advisor, who’s English, during the Rams-Patriots superbowl.

She got SO confused by the fact that different players play offense and defense. She kept asking which of the Rams players were on the field at any given time, the offense or the defense. When I’d say the offense, because we had the ball, (or the defense, because we were on defense), she had no idea what I meant. I think it’s because the players don’t change in soccer, but I must have said something else to confuse her. It was a mess.

by six on Jun 25, 2008 5:22 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Sucks for the pitcher in extra innings

Who is that run going to be charged to? The guy who came in and inherented a random runner?

by mojowo11 on Jun 25, 2008 3:21 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

rule change is bs and doesn't guarantee a speedup of the game

that said, I’m glad they’re going to Europe and while there’s a lot of talk about football below, the ideal comparison would be cricket. Which is a great game by the way. The rules are just as asinine at times as baseball’s.

I think that baseball can adopt well in countries not knee deep into cricket, and even cricket could use a way to offload and compete on that particular talent base

I use statistics much as a drunken man uses lamp-posts – as support rather than illumination. - Andrew Lang

by AdjustedExpectations on Jun 25, 2008 5:43 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Brewers lose!

4-2 to Atlanta

Cardinal fan in the heart of Braves country
DFA Adam Kennedy!
Track 'em Tigers - An SB Nation Blog for Auburn Tigers fans

by Mr Redbird on Jun 25, 2008 3:40 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I think that's great...

‘cept I consider the Braves more of a threat for the Wildcard than the Brewcrew…even if the Braves are 5 games behind the Brewers and 7 behind STL…Florida’s in the middle there, but I don’t see them staying in it.

Expected wins/losses
Atlanta – 44/36
St. Louis – 42/36
Milwaukee – 39/39
Florida – 38/38

by cardzfanbub on Jun 25, 2008 4:03 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

for some reason

I’m not at all worried about the Braves this year.

Ankiel is Jesus!

by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 25, 2008 4:15 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Summary of news from Strauss's chat today

1. Cards remain interested in signing a LH relief pitcher
2. Brad Thompson is in the doghouse with Reyes
3. Clement is DFA bait
4. Cards are likely to pursue summer rental on high-quality pitcher
5. Stavinoha, NOT Duncan likely to be sent down when Pujols returns

by Red in Chicago on Jun 25, 2008 4:21 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

#5: duh.

I'd rather my sister be a prostitute than my brother a Cub fan.

by _pistol_ on Jun 25, 2008 4:29 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

#5: doh!

is what really should be said.

by OKCARDSFAN_411 on Jun 25, 2008 4:44 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Just because Reyes has better "stuff"

doesn’t make him a better pitcher. At some point you have to go out there and compete.

by Tackle Box on Jun 25, 2008 6:44 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

You asked why Reyes defenders ignore Thompson

and, at least for me, the reason is that Thompson’s peak was a fringe starter/middle reliever. Reyes and his better stuff always had more potential even if they didn’t have the results at the bigs. There are dozens of Thompson’s in the minor leagues (my favorite is Jack Cassel) who have a sinking fastball and fringe secondary offerings. Reyes (at one point) had plus stuff.

I’m not slighting Thompson’s contribution or saying that Reyes’ performance in the bigs was better—merely the reason why someone might get more riled up about Reyes than Thompson.

by azruavatar on Jun 25, 2008 10:19 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Off topic

Could somebody, who either lurks or posts over at the post dispatch page, please explain who the heck Mickey Wiers is? I see the 15 page thread (maybe not 15 but it’s long) with only 3 people who talk this guy up, but I cannot find him anywhere on the internet. Not on any team pages in the minors and a google search only turns up the same thread which I am talking about. If this has been already explained please forgive me.

by FredbirdisaDork on Jun 25, 2008 4:39 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

It's a hoax

Like Sidd Finch. I think it’s funny that someone would put the effort in to drag it out like that over months though. Heck, maybe years – not sure.

by Merry CRasmus on Jun 25, 2008 4:42 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I figured as much

I was pretty convinced that it was a joke, but for some reason I couldn’t help but ask for further explanation. Some of the responses by other people on there are very very funny though and its fun to read.

by FredbirdisaDork on Jun 25, 2008 4:43 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Mr. Chris Perez

Has anyone heard the status of Perez, I heard he was ill and was sent back to his room last night?

by NattyNat on Jun 25, 2008 4:52 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

TLR Calls out Cards fans

In reference to NO Cardinals players being in the top 2 in ASG voting.

“What happened to the great St. Louis Cardinal fans?”

“They can’t get Yadier 1 or 2 in there? They let the Cubs beat them?

“They’ve got to keep earning their well-deserved reputation.”

Sorry Tony… I vote for ALL-STARS not guys wearing Cardinal uniforms. Only 2 Cards got my votes: AP and Yadi.

THE SKIP IS LEGIT!!

by stltrav09 on Jun 25, 2008 4:54 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Well

I think Yadier is a more obvious choice as an all-star candidate. Yadier has Soto beat in every aspect of the game except power. There are several deserving outfielders and you can make a case for many of them being picked over Ludwick.

I see your point but don’t look too much into it.. I hope you guys aren’t trying to pull some “TLR hates Ludwick” bs

THE SKIP IS LEGIT!!

by stltrav09 on Jun 25, 2008 4:58 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Not trying to start a "TLR hates Ludwick"

Questioning whether stltrav09 hates Ludwick

The way you wrote it you’re saying you wouldn’t vote for him in the all-star outfield. Just curious, what 3 did you vote in?

by birdo rojo on Jun 25, 2008 5:08 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Unlike some members of this blog,

I love all that wear the birds on bats.

Ludwick got maybe half of my 25 votes. I voted for AP and Yadi as I stated in my first post. I don’t think Ludwick is one of the best three outfielders in the NL.

THE SKIP IS LEGIT!!

by stltrav09 on Jun 25, 2008 5:37 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Then who

that’s all we are asking. What 3 OF’ers in the National League are having better years than Ludwick?

Still looking for 1985 Regular Season games on DVD/VHS

by Hardcore Legend on Jun 25, 2008 5:44 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

ahh ok

well my vote is based not solely on this seasons stats but a combination of stats AND talent.

Ken Griffey Jr. is a great player but he’s not having a great year.. so he won’t get my vote. On the other hand, Soriano has been torrid and has pretty good numbers but his defense does not make him an all star in my book.

My votes weren’t the same everytime. When Skip was hitting 370, I wrote him in 2 or 3 times. I’ve voted for Ankiel several times. Voted for Braun a couple times as he started to get hot. McClouth also got some votes early on.

Thinking back, if there’s one guy I’ve voted for more than any others it has been Ludwick.

THE SKIP IS LEGIT!!

by stltrav09 on Jun 25, 2008 5:55 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

OK - makes sense

especially if you vote at a few different times.

I was assuming you were just placing all your votes right now and looking back at the first half. If you had voted at different times throughout the year you get very different answers. Can’t really argue with your choices given the timing thing.

by birdo rojo on Jun 25, 2008 5:58 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Which is why I always wait til late to place my vote(s)

I’d rather give all of my votes to whoever deserves them the most. By waiting, I see who is healthy and who is having sustained success. But, the other way is fine too I suppose.

by Tackle Box on Jun 25, 2008 6:17 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Here's my All-Stars

Pujols, Yadi, Luddy, Ank (for defense alone)

Ankiel is Jesus!

by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 25, 2008 4:59 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Berkman is better this year

At least so far. It’s hard to get on anybody that votes for him. Especially considering the DL stint.

And as great as Molina is, it’s hard not to vote for McCann. Or even Soto I suppose, but I can’t vote for Cubs.

by Merry CRasmus on Jun 25, 2008 5:07 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

yeah

yr probably right. plus I like the idea of Pujols and Molina having that time off to rest

Ankiel is Jesus!

by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 25, 2008 5:08 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

No Lohse?

He’s probly not a shoe in for sure, but he def. should be gettin some consideration.

by NattyNat on Jun 25, 2008 4:58 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Idiot!!

* sarcasm might be involved in this comment

by mattyfrommo on Jun 25, 2008 6:04 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

*

*

* sarcasm might be involved in this comment

by mattyfrommo on Jun 25, 2008 6:05 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

You can't vote for pitchers.

Baseball's only fun if you're playing it, watching it, or thinking about it.

by Eckstreem on Jun 25, 2008 5:03 PM EDT to parent up