The Sprint
by the red baron on Sep 10, 2008 10:00 AM EDT
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PrintYou know, I had a whole post planned out for this morning. It was all about why I, personally, am a 'if only' guy, as opposed to what Houston wrote a little over a week ago. As is my usual MO, I was going to tell you all a story from my personal life, and then completely destroy any meaning it may have possibly had be equating it directly to a baseball game with absolutely no qualifiers. Then, of course, along comes Cesar Izturis and his- ahem- walk off heroics, and I have to try and come up with something totally different.
I know, I know, you're all so very disappointed. I can hear the cries from all throughout VEB land, "But what about your story, Aaron? At least tell us, was it going to be wistful and tinged with bitterness?" You bet your sweet ass it was!
However, the Cardinals now find themselves only three and a half games back of the Brewers for the wild card lead this morning, so the bittersweet recollections will just have to wait for another morning.
On Monday morning, I postulated that the Cardinals would probably need to go about 14-5 over their last nineteen games if they wanted to have a legitimate shot at catching Milwaukee and making the playoffs. I operated under the assumption that the Brewers would likely play no worse than one game under .500 over the final stretch. However, I must say that after watching Milwaukee play lately, I could easily see them playing much worse than that. They may be a year older than the team that collapsed so utterly in September of '07, but that is still an operation that seems to be floundering along, desperately searching for an identity.
There were two major turning points in the game last night, and it isn't real hard to figure out what they were. The first was the Albert home run in the bottom of the sixth. Up until that point, Dempster had pretty much had his way with the Cardinal hitters. In that one swing, Pujols turned the game around and gave the Cards a fresh slate. The other, of course, was the double play that Perez induced in the top of the ninth inning. Just before that, Ron Villone had come in and walked the only batter he was to face, the lefty hitting Fukudome. You could hear the groan go up from Cardinal fans all throughout the land. It was happening again. Just another in a long line of late inning letdowns for the 2008 Cards. One pitch later, everything was going to be just fine.
If the Birds really are going to make a run at it down the stretch, the bullpen is probably going to be the key. The starting pitching pretty much is what it is, and the offense has been about as good as you could possibly hope for most of the year. That 30+ blown saves is the number that is standing betweeen the Cards and the postseason right now.
To that end, I really like that we haven't seen Kyle McClellan in a while. K-Mac hasn't appeared in a game since his disastrous appearance on the 3rd of September against Arizona. That was the game he gave up two earned runs on two walks and a double in only two thirds of an inning. I have to give Tony credit on this one. McClellan has thrown an awful lot of innings this season, particularly for a guy who's still not that far removed from elbow surgery, and setting him down for a week makes a lot of sense to me. I think that K-Mac will still be able to contribute down the stretch for this team, and a lot of what he may be able to offer will be thanks to the rest he's getting now.
Only time will tell if that double play was really that important or not. It could end up being like the three run shot that Albert hit off of Cla Meredith late in 2006; the Cardinals won the game from the Padres that night, holding off a charging Astros team for yet another night. Or, of course, it could also end up more like that other three run shot Albert hit, the one in October of '05. That one, dramatic as it may have been, only delayed the inevitable for a single night. I guess for now we'll all just have to hope for 2006.
Bits and pieces:
Jaime Garcia was supposed to have had his Tommy John surgery yesterday, I believe, but I haven't heard anything about it yet. If anyone out there has a heads up, it would be greatly appreciated.
Speaking of injuries, I also haven't heard anything else coming out of Chicago regarding the condition of Rich Harden. As they used to say on Laugh In, verrrrrry interesting.
Batavia, the Cardinals' short season affiliate in the New York Penn league, is currently tied at one game apiece with Lowell, the Boston affiliate. I have no idea what the Lowell mascot is, but I sincerely doubt it can be any tougher than something called a Muckdog. Advantage: Batavia.
See you guys later for game 2 of the Cards' playoffs to reach the playoffs. Take care of yourselves.
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Lowell Spinners
http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/clubs/ip_index.jsp?sid=milb&cid=t558
Huge advantage to Muckdogs
harden
i heard piniella on the wgn pregame show yesterday. harden threw on the Cubs day-off (monday), and barring anything unforeseen, is scheduled to start thursday vs the cards..
I'd rather my sister be a prostitute than my brother a Cub fan.
According to ESPN,
Harden is set to start on Thursday.
by launchshuttle on Sep 10, 2008 10:25 AM EDT up reply actions
Nice win
Regarding Villone: when he entered to start the 9th, how many of us KNEW he would walk the leadoff hitter?
Fun facts regarding Villone: in his last 16 appearances, 7 times he has recorded zero outs and left after facing one batter.
In his last 16 appearances, Villone has pitched a total of 4.2 innings.
Villone’s line since May 10:
51 appearances, 29.2 ip, 61 hits+walks, 7.28 era, .918 OPS against.
Warning Bad Joke Coming
Still reading?
I warned you.
Well maybe this is Flo’s time of the month to be strong.
Thanks for the warning...
Sometimes I wish I weren’t so reckless, and actually heeded warnings.
Lou Brock loves Lamp.
PMS Jokes
I went to a middle school that went by PMS, do you know how hard it is for 7th and 8th graders to cheer for PMS during porting events? The jokes we made up were our only ways of dealing with it.
Were you scarred
for life from the trauma of it all?
by cardsgirl95 on Sep 10, 2008 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions
I really wonder sometimes...
If the players on the field think along the same lines that we do… Do you think that they are like “Franklin? Tony seriously…. Franklin?” (I know that he actually pitched well last night but still)
by FredbirdisaDork on Sep 10, 2008 10:39 AM EDT up reply actions
Who else were you going to use?!?
Carp wasn’t available by all accounts. Motte had already been used. Looks like Tony is trying to rest K-Mac a little bit, which you really can’t argue. I guess Springer would have been available…..
by SoonerfanTU on Sep 10, 2008 11:01 AM EDT up reply actions
heh heh
I wasn’t commenting on using Franklin last night, I was just wondering aloud whether or not the players experience the same angst that we do
by FredbirdisaDork on Sep 10, 2008 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions
the other night when Franklin was used in the 9th
someone said that Glaus looked extremely nervous
it's time to bring the rock!!!!!!!
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Sep 10, 2008 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions
heh
i’ll never forget the close-up of andy petitte after pujols hit the homer off lidge in 2005; he clearly mouthed either “oh my gosh” or “oh my god” with this stupefied look on his face, which is probably the same way i would have reacted were i a houston fan. nothing against petitte, i just mean that athletes are after all only human.
Problem seems to be
that many teams teams are using a righty to pinch hit against Villone. I could be wrong, but it just seems that many times he ends up facing a righty instead of lefty.
Well, on wgn
you could see LaRussa mouth sh*t after the walk. He looked pretty pissed off. I think Villone is not going to be used very often late in the game from here on out.
"Slide DiMaggio, slide!" "Hey, my name isn't DiMaggio, my name is mm..mmmm...mmm....mud."
Sorry for bringing up this old argument again,
Fukudome:
vs. LHP: .277, .378, .353, .731
vs. RHP: .256, .358, .392, .750
might have been better off going with a righty there. Then again, Fukudome really can’t do anything agaist any pitcher right now except walk…
Bottom line…….throw strikes.
In the world I see--you are stalking elk through the damp canyon forests around the ruins of Rockefeller Center. You'll wear leather clothes that will last you the rest of your life. You'll climb the wrist-thick kudzu vines that wrap the Sears Tower. And when you look down, you'll see tiny figures pounding corn, laying strips of venison on the empty carpool lane of some abandoned superhighway.
huh..
I thought we had more than 2 people in the pen…
by Birds on the Matt on Sep 10, 2008 10:24 AM EDT reply actions
How much worse could a righty be?
Although Villone does still have a good line vs. LH, I wonder what it is since May 10, since which point he’s allowed over 2 baserunners an inning, some of which had to be lefties?
His overall line vs. LH is .178/.319/.301, which is damn good, but that includes action through May 5, at which point he had a WHIP below 1.00 and had allowed one earned run. I’m too lazy to find out his splits from May 10 on…
Since may 10th
.300/.426/.492 in 29.2 innings
Much like the meatloaf, not so good.
hecanthithecanthithecanthithecanthit
If he hasn't been "shut down"...
…how about K-Mac against lefties? He’s got a “reverse split”… lefties are hitting .239 against him, while righthanders are hitting .292.
However, he may have hit “the wall”, given his 5.59 ERA in August (in 9.2 IP). It’ll be interesting to see when, or if, Tony goes to him again…
"In this game, don't nobody know nuthin' about nuthin'." -- attributed to Lawrence Peter "Yogi" Berra
by The Ol Goaler on Sep 10, 2008 10:56 AM EDT up reply actions
a few observations from the game thread
seems like the veb community really likes it when the other team’s pitcher balks….seemed like 100 posts in about 5 secs (only the second most important balk of the night…..braves/rox had a walk off balk)
Cubs+cards+nice win=more posts than the previous week combined
ryan franklin where have you been? Wow 2 scoreless innings from a Cards reliever!
agree with shutting down McClellan………..his recent struggles, seeming inability to go more than 3 outs even when he was going good, make me think he should stay in the pen next season
Harden still slated to start thursady and Z this weekend . Cubs haven’t said anything about either, but who’d believe them if they did? The original report on Harden was they planned skipping his last start when they acquired him. Then it came out, oh by the way he has soreness in his shoulder.
only thing keeping a lid on the Cubs fans full metal panic is the fact the Brewers are trying to out cub the cubs
3.5 back of the crew, 0.5 back of the phils….but I’m hearing thundering footsteps coming up behind. if told at the start of spring training that on sept 10th the cards would be 3.5 games out of a playoff spot, who wouldn’t have jumped on that?
speaking of sore armed starters
we haven’t seen Carp since 9-2 either and just one inning since 8-10
can’t find a situation to use him? Is he sorta kinda shut down?
rotoworld bar says he is having trouble recovering from that appearance
vague as usual statement from carp…
How depressing is it being you? Is it closer to being a lifelong cubs fan or being born without lips? - Janitor
by themanthemyth on Sep 10, 2008 10:50 AM EDT up reply actions
Let the cubs and brewers be the cubs and brewers
How ’bout the Cards win the division and the Phillies win the Wild Card?
In the world I see--you are stalking elk through the damp canyon forests around the ruins of Rockefeller Center. You'll wear leather clothes that will last you the rest of your life. You'll climb the wrist-thick kudzu vines that wrap the Sears Tower. And when you look down, you'll see tiny figures pounding corn, laying strips of venison on the empty carpool lane of some abandoned superhighway.
just as long as houston doesn't be houston...
"How depressing is it being you? Would you equate it to being a lifelong Cubs fan?"
well, yeah
it’s only natural that the game thread comes back to life when we face the Cubs.
On with the (good) youth movement!
i was actually hoping for him to throw it away after all those pickoff attempts
but a balk worked just fine for me too!
Al....
I am not normally one to comment on the announcing… I actually like Danny Mac and can usually tolerate Hrabosky, but last night…..
Did anybody else think that he was in rare form? Again I normally never complain about the announcing, but I felt compelled this morning to comment about it
by FredbirdisaDork on Sep 10, 2008 10:37 AM EDT reply actions
I loved the game winning call...
Dan pulled a Ken Wilson (old Blues announcer) and nearly screeched the words “Brendan Ryan with THE SLIDE!!!!” It was great.
i missed the call
my fiancee called right as it happened :(
by FredbirdisaDork on Sep 10, 2008 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions
what is ironic is that she is a cubs fan
and she had no clue that they were even playing…. sigh….
by FredbirdisaDork on Sep 10, 2008 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Your fiance...
is a CUBS fan!!! How does that happen?
By fan, do you mean because they’re popular, or they’re her favorite team but she’s not really into baseball – or is she a serious fan? I’m guessing not since she didn’t even know they were playing. I don’t think I could marry a Cubs fan…
Nah you could
If you met the right girl you could… She is confusing in that she likes the cubs (but she is not a bandwagon fan) but that she cheers for the Cardinals with me sometimes…
by FredbirdisaDork on Sep 10, 2008 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Maybe so...
My wife’s not very into sports, but she puts up with my obsessions. She really enjoys going to the games, and can tolerate watching them…she doesn’t understand how I can spend three hours a night listening to them, though.
I generally find Cubs fans annoying.
I agree
But generally you don’t the “benefits” of being engaged to one… The losers who get drunk at games and run their mouths are annoying for sure, but I’m 100% positive that they don’t look good in lingerie… whereas my fiance… :)
by FredbirdisaDork on Sep 10, 2008 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Hmm.....
How ’bout no! (had to quote Dr. Evil there) :)
by FredbirdisaDork on Sep 10, 2008 3:14 PM EDT up reply actions
ahahah that has straight to voicemail written all over it.
"How depressing is it being you? Would you equate it to being a lifelong Cubs fan?"
Glaus
Looks like he is going to miss at least a few games. If this team didn’t have bad luck, we wouldn’t have any luck at all.
Probably see Lopez at 3rd most of the time I’d think. I’d like to see what Bardon can do at SS in games that Izturis doesn’t start. He laid down a hell of a bunt last night.
It couldn't be that TLR
failed to rest Glaus at all despite saying he would get a day off every series at the beginning of the year. Who could have guessed he’d wear down. If this team had chosen to place a legitimate option for the corner on their roster instead of carrying 4 MIs they might not find themselves in this situation.
I can’t have too much sympathy for problems of their own making.
Addendum
I hope the “hell of a bunt” you are talking about wasn’t the game winning “bunt” because that was one of the worst bunts I’ve seen in my life and barely got the job done.
ok -- the pronoun usage was confusing me
because it refers to Izturis as the last person before the “He”.
To be fair.....
Glaus has gotten more days off in the 2nd half, and arm/shoulder worries were never a part of protecting him. I think the concern was his foot and/or knees. Sometimes ball players get sore arms.
by SoonerfanTU on Sep 10, 2008 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions
He's played in 139 games this year
for someone who they were concerned would be hurt (regardless of the reason) they’ve done a pitiful job managing/planning for that instance.
agree.
Mo should have gotten rid of Kennedy to clear up a wasted spot. He really has not served much of a purpose other than being a guy who can “only” play 2B, and I guess 1B in a crunch.
If a roster spot is open, who knows maybe they call up Freese to help relieve Troy Glaus a bit more often. As Sooner said I was more concerned about his lower body than upper body. Gluas tends to look a bit gimpy at times and you can tell when all the games are starting to catch up on him a bit.
The only other option was to play Aaron Miles more at 3B as Brendan Ryan just did not look comfortable there and there is really no reason to put Izturis there.
but who would gidp
in key pinch hit at bats if AK wasn’t around??
How depressing is it being you? Is it closer to being a lifelong cubs fan or being born without lips? - Janitor
by themanthemyth on Sep 10, 2008 1:32 PM EDT up reply actions
Lopez looked good at 3B last night
but yeah, they should really give Freese a try there
it's time to bring the rock!!!!!!!
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Sep 10, 2008 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Agree.
I should have been more clear. When the Edmonds for Fresse deal was made STL probably was unsure of Freese.
I was thinking maybe around late June while Freese was putting up good numbers in AAA it may have been an option to send Brendan Ryan down and Bring Freese up to back up Troy at 3B to help rest Troy’s surgically reparied foot.
I was stating more so that STL had no option to play at 3B as with Troy out of the line up you were playing a 3B, SS, and 2B with no pop no matter what guys you filled in the holes with. Troy was really too valuable to sit.
who else is available to come off the 40-man roster?
Is Rico still on it? Mulder? Johnson?
In the world I see--you are stalking elk through the damp canyon forests around the ruins of Rockefeller Center. You'll wear leather clothes that will last you the rest of your life. You'll climb the wrist-thick kudzu vines that wrap the Sears Tower. And when you look down, you'll see tiny figures pounding corn, laying strips of venison on the empty carpool lane of some abandoned superhighway.
if they knew glaus was having shoulder problems
not giving freese a callup seems amazingly irresponsible.
the ******* plane has crashed into the mountain.
Personally, I thought Glause was being held out not because his shoulder is sore,
but because he has generally been horrible against the Cubs this year.
When cheese gets its picture taken, what does it say?
by RosevilleRedbird on Sep 10, 2008 5:19 PM EDT up reply actions
+1
Anyway, it looked like glaus hurt his shoulder leaping to catch that line drive early in the game. He certainly clutched it after landing. He might have been playing with pain for a couple of weeks- that would explain the recent “slump”- but that didn’t look like something that would have been prevented by rest.
the ******* plane has crashed into the mountain.
Cortisone shot on Sunday
Full article on the team website talks about this bothering him for “quite some time”, even with all the off days in August.
Glaus sat out Sunday’s game against Florida following a cortisone injection in the shoulder, and Monday’s off-day allowed him extra rest from the shot. Still, he wasn’t feeling right on Tuesday. Glaus expects to have an MRI exam on Wednesday.
“Not everything is a miracle,” Glaus said. “We were hoping that it was going to be enough. Obviously, it wasn’t, so now we’ll do tests and see what those show, and based on that we’ll have a plan of attack.”
I just LOVE
this stuff from Sweet Lou:
Pregame:
Piniella … said before the game that if the manager “is a little bit of a worry wart, you have something to worry about every single day. Halfway through the year, you need a psychiatrist and by the end of the year you need a bed. So now, I’m not concerned about anything.”
Postgame:
“We’re playing like we’re waiting to get beat,” Piniella said. “You don’t have a big enough lead in September to play ball like that. Teams that play baseball like that invariably get caught, no matter how big the lead.
"You’ve got to do the things you’ve done all year. We’re not executing, we’re making mistakes and we’re getting beat.”
Welcome to managing the Cubs in September, Lou!
"In this game, don't nobody know nuthin' about nuthin'." -- attributed to Lawrence Peter "Yogi" Berra
Sounds to me
Like there is some serious puckering going on with the Cubbies
by FredbirdisaDork on Sep 10, 2008 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions
most cubs fans in Chicago that I know
are starting to ignore the team… they’re like, if they don’t make the playoffs, they don’t deserve to be there. well said
it's time to bring the rock!!!!!!!
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Sep 10, 2008 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions
my future inlaws are cubs fans...
I think that it infuriates them when I am there watching games with them while the cubs lose…. Cause I don’t say anything… I don’t get in there face or anything… I just sit back and I think that it drives them nuts
by FredbirdisaDork on Sep 10, 2008 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions
heh
that’s how I usually play it
it's time to bring the rock!!!!!!!
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Sep 10, 2008 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions
It's so great...
It’s like I am adding another dimension to their anxiety… Like they are waiting for the Cubs to tank all the while waiting for me to say something (which I never do)
its so much fun
by FredbirdisaDork on Sep 10, 2008 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, i think that gets under their skin more than anything
they are so ready to fly off on a tirade about it, that when you act like you never even cared to watch the game they aren’t sure what to do about it.
In the world I see--you are stalking elk through the damp canyon forests around the ruins of Rockefeller Center. You'll wear leather clothes that will last you the rest of your life. You'll climb the wrist-thick kudzu vines that wrap the Sears Tower. And when you look down, you'll see tiny figures pounding corn, laying strips of venison on the empty carpool lane of some abandoned superhighway.
they want you to go to their level and start the trash talking
then when you just quietly celebrate, it pisses them off even more. Blagoyovich (sic) was on the radio last night praises Cards fans as a Cubs fan. I liked that.
it's time to bring the rock!!!!!!!
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Sep 10, 2008 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions
I don't like anything he does.
In the world I see--you are stalking elk through the damp canyon forests around the ruins of Rockefeller Center. You'll wear leather clothes that will last you the rest of your life. You'll climb the wrist-thick kudzu vines that wrap the Sears Tower. And when you look down, you'll see tiny figures pounding corn, laying strips of venison on the empty carpool lane of some abandoned superhighway.
You guys watch family guy?
Stewie beats the shit out of Brian, and in retrobution, Brian gets to hit Stewie at a time of his choosing. He waits so long that Stewie finally breaks down and begs to be beaten JUST GO GET IT OVER WITH.
Baseball's only fun if you're playing it, watching it, or thinking about it.
I really need to do some work..
I’m so danged bored though.. All I want to do is wait the afternoon out and post on here
thankfully Caterpillar has like a bazillion employees… maybe they don’t notice how much time I waste when I have nothing to do
by FredbirdisaDork on Sep 10, 2008 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Caterpillar--Cool!!!
I’m a Caterpillar regional manager in Peoria…. where (exactly) are you?
Ha...
I work in AC for Cat Electronics
by FredbirdisaDork on Sep 10, 2008 2:53 PM EDT up reply actions
I work for a Remanufacturing company...
that both Cat and John Deere are trying to buy out. What a small, small world we live in.
Oh….Springfield, MO.
my uncle worked and retired from caterpillar in Rock Island, IL
it's time to bring the rock!!!!!!!
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Sep 10, 2008 2:50 PM EDT up reply actions
just watch a recent cub home game
the fans are all over them every time something goes wrong. It’s like they’re saying “I don’t care you have the best record in the league, you lost today so YOU SUCK!!!”
In the world I see--you are stalking elk through the damp canyon forests around the ruins of Rockefeller Center. You'll wear leather clothes that will last you the rest of your life. You'll climb the wrist-thick kudzu vines that wrap the Sears Tower. And when you look down, you'll see tiny figures pounding corn, laying strips of venison on the empty carpool lane of some abandoned superhighway.
wow
nice job there, fans. you might demoralize the team into not making the playoffs.
it's time to bring the rock!!!!!!!
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Sep 10, 2008 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions
it's happened before.
In the world I see--you are stalking elk through the damp canyon forests around the ruins of Rockefeller Center. You'll wear leather clothes that will last you the rest of your life. You'll climb the wrist-thick kudzu vines that wrap the Sears Tower. And when you look down, you'll see tiny figures pounding corn, laying strips of venison on the empty carpool lane of some abandoned superhighway.
heh
it's time to bring the rock!!!!!!!
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Sep 10, 2008 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Brandon Phillips
Did anyone else see that Phillips broke his finger on a swing then preceded to hit a walk off hit in the same AB? He is now done for the season, what a way to end your season.
Wasn't a walkoff hit
The Reds were the visiting team. It was the GW hit though.
Cardinal fan in the heart of Braves country
DFA Adam Kennedy and Randy Flores!
"Just because nobody understands you doesn't make you an artist."
WPA
So perusing Fangraphs I confirmed your assesment, .252 gain in WPA for Pujol’s HR and a .189 gain for the Soriano DP. Soto’s DP and Izturis’ Fielders’ Choice are next with .152 and .153 respectively (I Know i reversed them, so sue me!)
http://www.fangraphs.com/plays.aspx?date=2008-09-09&team=Cardinals&dh=0
I also thought a huge moment was Soriano's LOOONG fly out with the sacks jammed in the top of the 6th
That could have blown the game wide open, but it fell just short on the track.
Cardinal fan in the heart of Braves country
DFA Adam Kennedy and Randy Flores!
"Just because nobody understands you doesn't make you an artist."
I think it was worth more psychologically than on a WPA scale
Cardinal fan in the heart of Braves country
DFA Adam Kennedy and Randy Flores!
"Just because nobody understands you doesn't make you an artist."
yeah
wpa only sees it as an inning ending out. we all saw it as a deep fly ball that made it to the warning track by a hitter who has a knack for hitting homeruns.
In the world I see--you are stalking elk through the damp canyon forests around the ruins of Rockefeller Center. You'll wear leather clothes that will last you the rest of your life. You'll climb the wrist-thick kudzu vines that wrap the Sears Tower. And when you look down, you'll see tiny figures pounding corn, laying strips of venison on the empty carpool lane of some abandoned superhighway.
I'm going to be immature...
and complain about the Astros. How annoying is their 2nd half surge nearly EVERY SINGLE YEAR? I mean, they never win a thing in the end, so what’s the point? They’ve just made a lot of teams ahead of them repeatedly crap their pants. Stupid Berkman.
Uhhh...
In 2004 it got them within a few innings of the world series and in 2005 it got them to the world series.
I was talking about, you know....
actually winning the world series. So yay, perennial 2nd half surges resulting in one NL pennant. That’s not much. But it was a light-hearted post, don’t take it too seriously…
it is interesting, isn't it?
In the past you could blame it on picking up clemens mid-season. This year they aren’t even playing that well; they are just “not losing”. Lots of balls bouncing their way, clutch hits, etc.
the ******* plane has crashed into the mountain.
If only we had been the team that picked up LaTroy Hawkins.....
In the world I see--you are stalking elk through the damp canyon forests around the ruins of Rockefeller Center. You'll wear leather clothes that will last you the rest of your life. You'll climb the wrist-thick kudzu vines that wrap the Sears Tower. And when you look down, you'll see tiny figures pounding corn, laying strips of venison on the empty carpool lane of some abandoned superhighway.
I'll leave that up to you....
In the world I see--you are stalking elk through the damp canyon forests around the ruins of Rockefeller Center. You'll wear leather clothes that will last you the rest of your life. You'll climb the wrist-thick kudzu vines that wrap the Sears Tower. And when you look down, you'll see tiny figures pounding corn, laying strips of venison on the empty carpool lane of some abandoned superhighway.
that thing looks like an egg yolk
it's time to bring the rock!!!!!!!
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Sep 10, 2008 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Listening to the Dan Patrick show
And John Smoltz said that Carlos Delgado would win the MVP over Albert if the Mets continue on to the playoffs…. Unbelievable
by FredbirdisaDork on Sep 10, 2008 11:47 AM EDT reply actions
disgusting, but it's very plausible
think about how many gold gloves derek jeter has won. he’s one of the worst-fielding shortstops in baseball. but that’s what playing in n.y. will do to you.
Here's how it could be framed...
The morning of July 7, 88 games into the season, the Mets were a .500 team in 3rd place…Delgado was hitting .239….
Since then, the Mets have gone 37-19 and stormed into 1st place as Delgado has hit 20 homers and driven in 54 in 55 games while posting a 1.056 OPS….
Of course, in that same time frame Albert has 1.156 OPS, but he’s only driven in 50 runs and the Cardinals have only played 2 games over .500
Last time I checked, Smoltz is not a card carrying member of the BBWAA
he’s just talking out of his ass…I’d like to hear what some writers have to say about it
That could be reality, though
I didn’t hear the interview, but that may just be what he thinks may happen, and not what he actually would pick. But I dunno
Or?
Perhaps he is just laying some smallish ground work for a possible contract talk with the Mets for next season? Didn’t it just come out the other day that he would be open to pitching for other teams next season?… Just a thought….not a great one I’ll give you that….
MLB on XM
was talking up Albert this morning. The guys on WGN also were in Albert’s corner, so he is getting some good press. Maybe the surgery talk was a PR move to get the MVP vote going?
FWIW
“kthxbai” came long become the lolcats, it’s just internet lingo that got incorporated into that meme.
Not that I’d know anything about that.
can't spell "meme" without "me"
admit it, you’re just as guilty of internet silliness as the rest of us!
as for anybody but pujols winning the mvp this year… DO NOT WANT!
Not that most writers understand OPS, but....
The gap b/t Pu (1.121) & Delgado (0.868) of .253 is bigger than the gap b/t Delgado and the likes of Freddie Sanchez, 0.209 or Jason Kendall, 0.199. And Pu doesn’t just lead the league, he destroys it. In all of MLB Berkman is sitting in 2nd in OPS but is closer to Huff (10th) and Youkilis(11th) that to Pu.
All stats from mlb.com.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/stats/2008/batting/ml_0_byOPS.html
at least it's delgado...
and not david wright who’s put the mets on his back…cause if it WAS wright, pujols wouldn’t even be in the discussion, for wright is the golden boy…
sometimes I think Pujols gets overlooked
just because he has a funny name. and Wright has a right sounding name
it's time to bring the rock!!!!!!!
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Sep 10, 2008 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions
The difference between Pujols and Delgado
is bigger than the difference between Carlos Beltran and WILLY TAVERAS.
and that doesn't even consider
that Delgado is a poor defensive first baseman.
the ******* plane has crashed into the mountain.
all of this is true
and it’s also true that rollins won the damn thing last year. i put albert’s odds at about 50/50 right now of winning the mvp; he’s having such a great year that nobody can really ignore him. but i wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if enough writers macgyvered together a dubious justification for somebody else, including delgado. especially because i know i’ve heard more than one instance of his name being floated around. “here’s a guy some left for dead, in decline (103 OPS+ last year) yet he turned it back on and led his mets to the playoffs!” i can certainly imagine reading drivel just like that as writers defend their vote in a few months.
assuming albert does get hosed again...
are there any historical comparisons that are even remotely similar? i mean, has any player deserved to win the mvp so many times and almost never won it? stan the man maybe? but he at least won a couple…
I don't know that Albert has deserved it so many times...
Probably only deserved it and didn’t get it in 2006, the year Ryan Howard got it…
He just had the misfortune to have a couple really good years when Barry was having some of the best seasons ever, steroids or no steroids….
Ted Williams
He posted seasons of 235 OPS+ (the .406 season) and 233 OPS+ and came in second both times. The first time he lost to Joe DiMaggio (184 OPS+); the second to Mickey Mantle (223 OPS+).
I don't know about that '57 season against Mantle
first of all, those are basically the same seasons, spectacular seasons. Plus, OPS+ didn’t even exist in 1957. But even if it did, I don’t think anyone could make the statement that Williams deserved the MVP over Mantle.
In the world I see--you are stalking elk through the damp canyon forests around the ruins of Rockefeller Center. You'll wear leather clothes that will last you the rest of your life. You'll climb the wrist-thick kudzu vines that wrap the Sears Tower. And when you look down, you'll see tiny figures pounding corn, laying strips of venison on the empty carpool lane of some abandoned superhighway.
True about '57...
still, he was one of the best players ever, and those were his two best seasons – ones where he went north of 380/500/730. He always paid the price for playing on bad teams…
wow. sometimes i get lost on baseballreference.com
all i know is that anybody who thinks dimaggio was a better hitter than williams clearly has never bothered to do any research.
its not really lost
if that is where you are supposed to be…deep, i know.
"Baseball is like church. Many attend, but few understand." -Wes Westrum
Dimaggio and Mantle
Don’t forget, though – Dimaggio and Mantle were both gold glove quailty centerfielders, while Williams was….less than stellar in left field.
Not that that was enough to make the difference, but it should come into consideration.
heh... no, you've got a point...
see, dimaggio was gold-glove caliber, so he would have won some of them… and we all know that being a good hitter is the best way to ensure you win the gold glove. therefore, dimaggio was a better hitter!
ok, end sarcastic silliness. i get your point of course, and you might be right that dimaggio was better overall, but damn. ted was just a better hitter. didn’t williams himself once say as much?
I spent about four straight hours one night about a year ago
Reading up references in “American Pie” on Wikipedia. Maybe if I were from that generation I would have gotten everything, but it was pretty deep.
Cardinal fan in the heart of Braves country
DFA Adam Kennedy and Randy Flores!
"Just because nobody understands you doesn't make you an artist."
speaking of which...
ontheissues.org is pretty good, too.
btw, if a game thread was up (because a game was about to start) we would be talking about that instead. :)
Barry Bonds
A good case could be made that he should have won in 1991 and that if the Giants had played better he could have won in ’95. (That the ’91 award should have been his is a belief held by many; but in ’95 he led the NL in OPS, Runs Created, Batting Wins, and Offensive Win Percentage, and was 2nd in the league in RBI despite leading in intentional walks.
If he’d won in ’91 and ’95, that would have been 5 consecutive MVP awards (all, in theory, before the Steroid Age was in full bloom), to go along with the four consecutive he won from 2001-04.
He was an incredible player...
probably the best ever, steroids or no steroids. That seems to get lost in all the roids hysteria.
He was pretty good pre-steriods
but he wasn’t close to being the best ever.
In the world I see--you are stalking elk through the damp canyon forests around the ruins of Rockefeller Center. You'll wear leather clothes that will last you the rest of your life. You'll climb the wrist-thick kudzu vines that wrap the Sears Tower. And when you look down, you'll see tiny figures pounding corn, laying strips of venison on the empty carpool lane of some abandoned superhighway.
he was well on his way
to being the best of his generation, though.
"Baseball is like church. Many attend, but few understand." -Wes Westrum
If you said "of the best"
I would agree with you.
In the world I see--you are stalking elk through the damp canyon forests around the ruins of Rockefeller Center. You'll wear leather clothes that will last you the rest of your life. You'll climb the wrist-thick kudzu vines that wrap the Sears Tower. And when you look down, you'll see tiny figures pounding corn, laying strips of venison on the empty carpool lane of some abandoned superhighway.
Name me another player who had 8/9 seasons over a 170 OPS+ (2 over 200) in the 90s
Kosuke Fukudome: $55 million.262 .362 .382
Skip Schumaker: $Free .305 .365 .416
Skippy needs a new publicist
okay
Mark McGwire who had 3 200+ seasons.
Btw, McGwire only had 7 seasons of 170 OPS+, but so did Bonds.
In the world I see--you are stalking elk through the damp canyon forests around the ruins of Rockefeller Center. You'll wear leather clothes that will last you the rest of your life. You'll climb the wrist-thick kudzu vines that wrap the Sears Tower. And when you look down, you'll see tiny figures pounding corn, laying strips of venison on the empty carpool lane of some abandoned superhighway.
Sabathia breezes through the 1st against the Reds, fanning 2
Durham leads off with a walk against Arroyo…
Nice---Hardy grounds into a DP
Let’s go Redlegs!!!!
OT: Joe Maddon
I’ve been wondering if anybody else thought he would be a potential future managing target for our F.O.
1) He is a Cards fan from his youth
2) He is doing a heck of a job with the Rays (I won’t rule out that I could be giving him too much credit from a small sample size)
3) Every time I hear him interviewed or read stuff about him he sounds like he is a smart baseball guy
I was just curious to know if anybody else thought the same or if I am an idiot
by FredbirdisaDork on Sep 10, 2008 2:24 PM EDT reply actions
What an idiot!
Just kidding—-I like the guy too.
Not to mention his glasses are about 10o times more hip than Tony’s.
I was reading on BTF about his “inspirational clubhouse sign”: Instead of somehting lame like “There’s no "I” in “team’” he has “Integrity has no need of rules.”
Yeah
While I may be an idiot (heh heh) he does have some very hip glasses… If you ever want to really laugh about Tony’s glasses, go over to Bleed Cubbie Blue and read some of the Cub fans impressions of Tony and his glasses… Along the lines of Drug Dealer… etc… Its really funny
by FredbirdisaDork on Sep 10, 2008 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm surprised at how goodies twoshoes some of the cubs fans act
it's time to bring the rock!!!!!!!
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Sep 10, 2008 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions
I noticed that too
While there are some of the lunatic fringe who seem to only be able to write and simultaneously drop the F-bomb… there are some thin skinned weenies there too
by FredbirdisaDork on Sep 10, 2008 2:35 PM EDT up reply actions
and some of them are both
oh no! Tony got a DUI! He must be a drug dealer! All of the Cardinals do drugs and steroids!! That’s the only reason why they are good! Give me a break. They are good because they put together competitive teams and play sound baseball
it's time to bring the rock!!!!!!!
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Sep 10, 2008 2:40 PM EDT up reply actions
You're not runners... Your Stupid!
I actually had a high school track coach yell this at us during a stretch before practice one night
by FredbirdisaDork on Sep 10, 2008 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions
He was a special guy
Got kicked out of the previous school worked at for misconduct with a minor… He then basically broke up the marriage of a female gym teacher who had an affair with him… He would also stand at practice with his dress shirt unbuttoned and his chest exposed
My high school garage band actually wrote a song about him :)
by FredbirdisaDork on Sep 10, 2008 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Kinda like O'Banion from Dazed and Confused.
“You know the cool thing about high school chicks? I get older, but they are always the same age.”
Baseball's only fun if you're playing it, watching it, or thinking about it.
He did have a sweet fu man chu....
But he was a cub fan.. and back in the late 90’s (97, 98, 99??? whatever year it was) when the cubs won the wild card, I wore a shirt to school that said “I don’t like the Cubs” and he got really pissed at me
by FredbirdisaDork on Sep 10, 2008 2:49 PM EDT up reply actions
That's not O'Bannion
That’s Wooderson
Cardinal fan in the heart of Braves country
DFA Adam Kennedy and Randy Flores!
"Just because nobody understands you doesn't make you an artist."
Elias Numbers came out for NL Relivers
And Russ Springer is Type A if you can believe it. That much pretty much seals the deal for Russ to stay with us or bust. I doubt many times would be willing to give up their first pick in the draft for Russ Springer.
He's got no interest in signing anywhere else.
In the world I see--you are stalking elk through the damp canyon forests around the ruins of Rockefeller Center. You'll wear leather clothes that will last you the rest of your life. You'll climb the wrist-thick kudzu vines that wrap the Sears Tower. And when you look down, you'll see tiny figures pounding corn, laying strips of venison on the empty carpool lane of some abandoned superhighway.
Damnit, Villone just missed Type B!
Crap.
Btw, what happens with Dempster? He’s obviously not a relief pitcher anymore, yet he’s listed as a Type A Reliever.
In the world I see--you are stalking elk through the damp canyon forests around the ruins of Rockefeller Center. You'll wear leather clothes that will last you the rest of your life. You'll climb the wrist-thick kudzu vines that wrap the Sears Tower. And when you look down, you'll see tiny figures pounding corn, laying strips of venison on the empty carpool lane of some abandoned superhighway.
I'll say it again
I really hope we don’t see any more of Villone next year (among others)
it's time to bring the rock!!!!!!!
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Sep 10, 2008 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions
1-0 Brewers over Reds
after Jay Bruce throwing error leads to unearned run.
by Hardcore Legend on Sep 10, 2008 3:00 PM EDT reply actions
Cinci is lame
I’m currently sitting in the Cincinnati airport waiting for a flight and can’t even cheer the Reds to a victory over the Brewers because the game’s not televised.
Ah
so it must be the Damon’s in the Cinci airport that is lame. Based on the food I can definitely believe that.
I hate airport food
It’s usually not that good, and it’s usually priced about twice as much as it should be
Cardinal fan in the heart of Braves country
DFA Adam Kennedy and Randy Flores!
"Just because nobody understands you doesn't make you an artist."
Brian Barton has to be starting tonight, right?
Since Lopez will likely be our 3B (even though we should just go ahead and call up Freese), that gives Tony OF options of:
Skippy
Ankiel
Ludwick
Barton
Stavinoha
Phelps
Skippy can’t hit LHP, Ankiel struggles against it as of late. Ludwick is anchored in RF, Phelps is a 1B trying to do the best he can in LF. Stavinoha is, well, Stavinoha. Kennedy can’t hit LHP, so he won’t start tonight, leaving Miles, Izturis, Lopez, Pujols as your IF’ers, unless Tony trusts Barden.
So, as I said, Brian Barton’s gotta start tonight, right?
by Hardcore Legend on Sep 10, 2008 3:03 PM EDT reply actions
cuz it's freese's turn
it's time to bring the rock!!!!!!!
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Sep 10, 2008 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions
would like to see Barton
provided that he’s actually recovered from his injury.
I have a love/hate relationship with the Cardinals' middle relief corps.
Only concern would be.....
That he hasn’t seen game pitching in what, nearly a month?
Might be one of those games we see an OF of Phelps/Skip/Ludwick. I really wouldn’t mind that, Phelps has swung the bat well.
Another option would be Ryan in the OF. Or Ryan at 3B, and Lopez in the OF.
Why give up an out though?
We already give up an out with Izturis, can we afford to give up yet another one with Skippy?
by Hardcore Legend on Sep 10, 2008 3:22 PM EDT up reply actions
I don't have the numbers.....
But Skip has been better against lefties the last month or two. How much better? I dunno.
Could go Lopez then. Forgot that Iz will likely start at SS. So if Miles is at 2B, you could put Ryan at 3B and Lopez in the OF. Lots of options. I think it all depends on how healthy Barton is, and how confident Tony is that he’s somewhere close to having his swing back after being out so long.
I hope Barton plays if he's ready to go
it's time to bring the rock!!!!!!!
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Sep 10, 2008 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ijh2Fqd1ZPY
Kosuke Fukudome: $55 million.262 .362 .382
Skip Schumaker: $Free .305 .365 .416
Skippy needs a new publicist
I don't disgree.....
Just warning against flaming Tony for not starting him if that happens. None of us know how healthy he is, or ready to play.
flaming Tony?
I thought he was married?
it's time to bring the rock!!!!!!!
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Sep 10, 2008 3:56 PM EDT up reply actions
I don't want Izturis and Ryan playing at the same time......
They are both not very good offensively. Only one should play at a time.
add Kennedy to that list
it's time to bring the rock!!!!!!!
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Sep 10, 2008 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Kennedy's better than both of 'em.
In the world I see--you are stalking elk through the damp canyon forests around the ruins of Rockefeller Center. You'll wear leather clothes that will last you the rest of your life. You'll climb the wrist-thick kudzu vines that wrap the Sears Tower. And when you look down, you'll see tiny figures pounding corn, laying strips of venison on the empty carpool lane of some abandoned superhighway.
pretty pathetic when an OPS of .669
will qualify you as better than anyone. That goes to show the pathetic state of our MIF
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
but he can't play anything but 2B
unless of course he plays for TLR and morphs into a craptastic LF/1B.
Those Pilgrims ain't lookin' so proud now...
david pintos database
is a great tool for finding splits over time. For instance, Skip over the last 2 months — .510 OPS, which is actually a vast improvement. Over the last month, he has a .619 OPS vs LHP, but in just 15 PA’s.
the ******* plane has crashed into the mountain.
I'm sorry Jerry Hairston Jr.
You don’t completely suck.
3-run HR. Reds lead Brewers 3-1.
by Hardcore Legend on Sep 10, 2008 3:23 PM EDT reply actions
YESSSSS!!!!
Man, I’m really enjoying the Cub/Crew swoons…. just wish the Birds didn’t have an ugly spell right in there as well….
maybe it's their turn and we're done with our ugly spell
crosses fingers
it's time to bring the rock!!!!!!!
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Sep 10, 2008 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions
teh awesomeness
it's time to bring the rock!!!!!!!
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Sep 10, 2008 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions
and CC with a double....
He’s a pitching, hitting AND music factory.
"How depressing is it being you? Would you equate it to being a lifelong Cubs fan?"
Baseloaded 5-4-3
thanks to Encarnacion. Arroyo escapes.
by Hardcore Legend on Sep 10, 2008 3:35 PM EDT reply actions
Back together again
Back together again…
by Hardcore Legend on Sep 10, 2008 3:40 PM EDT up reply actions
1st and 3rd
no outs, C.C.’s Cy Young is crumbling .
Gabe Kapler just tore an arm muscle on that throw. Trainer is out to see him.
by Hardcore Legend on Sep 10, 2008 3:40 PM EDT reply actions
hardcore...
you have mlb.tv? is that how you’re watching?
by RedbirdAvenger on Sep 10, 2008 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Freaking Encarnacion goes on contact
gunned down at the plate.
by Hardcore Legend on Sep 10, 2008 3:46 PM EDT reply actions
Lineout
inning over, no runs scored.
Braun, Fielder, Gwynn coming up.
by Hardcore Legend on Sep 10, 2008 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions
That's Ryan, Prince and Tony Jr.
Not Steve, Cecil and Tony Sr.
by Hardcore Legend on Sep 10, 2008 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah
but the ball was at the 3rd basemen, not the 2nd basemen.
by Hardcore Legend on Sep 10, 2008 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions
well.
uh.
at least c.c. threw more pitches?
by RedbirdAvenger on Sep 10, 2008 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions
he's going to be very tired after the season's over
hopefully he’ll have time to rest come october
it's time to bring the rock!!!!!!!
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Sep 10, 2008 3:58 PM EDT up reply actions
here come the brewers...
get arroyo out of there, dusty. can’t ask for any more from the guy.
tie game at the end of this inning, i predict.
here comes the Crew....
boooo
ESPN Management (CT): Umm…...what does this have to do with the Red Sox and Yankees?
SportsNation Jerry Crasnick: Management, Let’s take a break with the sarcasm, OK?
tied up
but they got the DP
ESPN Management (CT): Umm…...what does this have to do with the Red Sox and Yankees?
SportsNation Jerry Crasnick: Management, Let’s take a break with the sarcasm, OK?
by Smokin Turkeys on Sep 10, 2008 4:38 PM EDT up reply actions
And David weathers saves the Brew Crew from the sweep...
ESPN Management (CT): Umm…...what does this have to do with the Red Sox and Yankees?
SportsNation Jerry Crasnick: Management, Let’s take a break with the sarcasm, OK?
frack
When the time comes for me to not be bothered by losing that is when I know it is time to retire my fandom
Tony does the same thing
it’s like they think the pitcher that just created the bases loaded mess is best suited to get out of the bases loaded mess.
I just don’t get it.
by Hardcore Legend on Sep 10, 2008 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Patterson is freaking fast
When the time comes for me to not be bothered by losing that is when I know it is time to retire my fandom
Come back one more time Reds
please
When the time comes for me to not be bothered by losing that is when I know it is time to retire my fandom
yes
you can doooo it
it's time to bring the rock!!!!!!!
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Sep 10, 2008 4:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Backup catcher
Pitcher’s spot
Hairston.
I don’t think Jerry Hairston can get lucky twice in one week.
by Hardcore Legend on Sep 10, 2008 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions
So it is Ramirez
Jose Valentine
Hairston
by Hardcore Legend on Sep 10, 2008 4:47 PM EDT up reply actions
this one is gonna be a tough one
to see the Brewers pull out
ESPN Management (CT): Umm…...what does this have to do with the Red Sox and Yankees?
SportsNation Jerry Crasnick: Management, Let’s take a break with the sarcasm, OK?
by Smokin Turkeys on Sep 10, 2008 4:50 PM EDT up reply actions
you're not kidding.
cards will be deflated before they even start playing tonight.
just gotta keep winning.
by RedbirdAvenger on Sep 10, 2008 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Still only three back in the loss column
Cards have to have the mindset of keep winning and let the competition stumble.
At least we can still root for the marlins
When the time comes for me to not be bothered by losing that is when I know it is time to retire my fandom
And win ourselves of course
When the time comes for me to not be bothered by losing that is when I know it is time to retire my fandom
Sabathia has become the king of escaping
picking up his first loss in the NL.
The farce of C.C. for Cy Young will continue as his record remains unblemished.
by Hardcore Legend on Sep 10, 2008 4:56 PM EDT reply actions
Also
If Pujols doesnt win the MVP, the reward, along with the writers will be dead to me, it would the biggest screw job in sports awards history to my knowledge.
ESPN Management (CT): Umm…...what does this have to do with the Red Sox and Yankees?
SportsNation Jerry Crasnick: Management, Let’s take a break with the sarcasm, OK?
by Smokin Turkeys on Sep 10, 2008 5:01 PM EDT up reply actions
yeah
what more can the guy do? force the pitchers to pitch to him to increase his # of rbi’s?
it's time to bring the rock!!!!!!!
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Sep 10, 2008 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Both runs against Arroyo
came after he walked the leadoff hitter to start the inning….
Even though both runs ended up being “unearned,” you have to say that Arroyo made his own bed…. (and then Weathers stumbled in and took a dump in it)
You could look at it that way
but Bruce threw the ball into the dugout for a 2 base error and Votto swiped at a ball instead of trying to catch it that allowed the run to score.
by Hardcore Legend on Sep 10, 2008 5:14 PM EDT up reply actions
crap
he needs to get his 30HR!
it's time to bring the rock!!!!!!!
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Sep 10, 2008 5:15 PM EDT up reply actions
sure, why not
What positions haven’t had a significant injury this year? 2B and SS? Yadi had his concussion, Albert had his 15-day DL stint, Glaus out now, Duncan in LF, Ankiel in CF . . . I guess Ludwick has avoided injury this year in RF. At least three of the five SP slots, a closer, a couple setup men . . . TLR’s been working with a patchwork roster all year.
I know, I know, every team has injuries, and it’s probably been beaten to death here, but this seems way beyond the norm for one team to experience in one season.
TSF
by TedSimmonsFan on Sep 10, 2008 5:18 PM EDT up reply actions
suckititis isn't an injury?
if it is, 2B and SS have had injuries this season
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
Could be related to the "hero" syndrome of this team.
Rather than resting and letting a minor injury heal the players attempt to play though them and them make them far worse. I am not sure where to assign the blame, but its a real problem.
definitely
we have had an inordinate number of injuries again this year, it’s really unfair. Kudos to TLR and the players for keeping things together still, despite a very unlucky # of injured players and starters.
it's time to bring the rock!!!!!!!
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Sep 10, 2008 5:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Lineup
I’ve seen it. Some of you guys are going to have a cow. I’ll just say this…..both Skip and AK are in it.
If I remember.....
Izturis
Lopez
Albert
Ludwick
Molina
Phelps
AK
Looper
Skip
Lopez at 3rd. Phelps in LF.
and you know that will put up a 10 spot against Ted Lilly for no apparant reason.
In the world I see--you are stalking elk through the damp canyon forests around the ruins of Rockefeller Center. You'll wear leather clothes that will last you the rest of your life. You'll climb the wrist-thick kudzu vines that wrap the Sears Tower. And when you look down, you'll see tiny figures pounding corn, laying strips of venison on the empty carpool lane of some abandoned superhighway.
worst lineup of the year
I fully expect them to score 20 tonight
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
no
the lineup with AK7 batting 3rd was the worst
it's time to bring the rock!!!!!!!
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Sep 10, 2008 7:46 PM EDT up reply actions
I like how you say
“some of you guys”… as if seeing that lineup gave you a warm, fuzzy feeling. If you say it did, you are either completely BSI or lying. It’s ugly, except for that one guy and Slumpy Luddy. I know you blindly and unwaveringly trust in TLR, but at some point you’re going to snap…
(though it is still better than what the astros have been winning with)
the ******* plane has crashed into the mountain.
Doesn't matter how "ugly" it is.....
It’s probably the best lineup he could put out, all things considered. Glaus is hurt. Rick is hurt and can’t hit lefties. No Mather. I’m guessing Barton isn’t “right” enough to be starting yet.
What else can you do, ya know?
Obit for former Cardinal, Brown in NY Times
Anyone see this obituary for Don Gutteridge? He played for the Cards in the 1930s and the Browns in the 1940s, and was the last surviving member of the Browns team that lost to the Cards in the ’44 world series.
by BTown Birds fan on Sep 10, 2008 6:42 PM EDT reply actions
Tonight lineup?
Who’s gonna play in the outfield tonight?
Ankiel and Shumaker both hit poorly against lefties.
I don’t think Barton is ready to play yet.
may be Phelps?
See above......
Phelps, Skip, and Ludwick
Injuries may dash any of our hopes over the final few weeks. Who knows what Glaus will get to do, Ank is part time the rest of the season. Sheesh.
Thanks
I’m glad Ankiel is resting tonight because of his injury, i hope he’ll be better soon. Tony should have put Stavinoha in. He can hit lefties more than Skip, but he’s probably caring more about defense with Phelps in. I’m OK with Lopez filling in for Glaus. I only hope he’s defense at third is good enough and that Glaus will be back soon.
by Brianzaredbird on Sep 10, 2008 7:13 PM EDT up reply actions
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