Until the Real Thing Comes Along
by the red baron on Sep 20, 2008 2:18 AM EDT
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PrintThat was fun. We got to see the Cubs beaten, quite badly, and enjoy the Cards put up a big number. Even better, it was against Zambrano. Now, I would never wish ill on any baseball player personally, but watching Big Z get knocked around isn't, shall we say, exactly unpleasant.
And that's what we're really left with at this point in the season. Small victories, tiny packets of happiness even as the ship of the season sinks around us. We may contend next year; then again, we may not. None of us truly know until we get where we're going what we'll find there. So perhaps the time has come to appreciate what we've had, rather than try to diagnose where it went wrong.
I'll be the first to admit that I'm not generally the most optimistic of people. I have a very, very tough time looking on the bright side of much of anything, much less something so very disappointing as the latter bits of this season. It's turned out to be a very tough time to follow the Cardinals, even as they've probably still overachieved a little bit, at least relative to what we all thought we were going to look at this season. A slow slide into oblivion? Hey, Aaron's totally into that sort of thing!
Surely, Dylan Thomas had the right of it when he instructed us all to rage, and yet also there is joy, even nobility, to be found in the acceptance of loss, the resignation to fate. To walk forward, sans illusions, to an ignoble end, is the ultimate expression of free will. In the end, we have the choice to accept, to give in, and to find the beauty even in our sorrow.
Thus, as the Cardinals', and by extension, our, season comes to an end, let us sing in our chains, rejoice in our bonds. Rather than raging at the onrushing darkness, let us meet it calmly, with the smile of greeting for an old friend we've met so many times before.
Our season in the sun may be coming to a close, yet the joy still outweighs the sorrow. All beginnings are but the beginnings of endings; the journey to reach the end is the only reward any of us can ever truly hope to achieve.
What will you take from this season? What single moment, among all the good and the bad, will stay with you as the autumn closes in on another summer?
What will stay with me from this season? The fourth of July. The Cardinals lost the game that night to the Cubbies, 2-1. You may remember the game; the Cards were badly, badly hosed on a couple of late inning calls that night against Kerry Wood. Troy Glaus, in particular, struck out looking on two balls clearly out of the strike zone. The next day, in fact, I wrote a piece called "Tangled Up in Blue" here all about the umpiring, as well as my grilling problems.
But what I'll take from that game isn't the game itself, it was everything that went along with it. I remember running back and forth from the fireworks to the game, trying not to miss a pitch or an explosion. I remember being among friends, and the joy of just being able to spend the time with people I care about. The outcome of the game was secondary; that running from place to place, that thrill of anticipation, was the real point. The joy of being there.
So what will it be for you? What memory of the summer now gone will you bring out in the dark months to catch the reflected glow?
It's been a frustrating season, to be sure, in many, many ways. But it's our frustrating season. What has it meant to you?
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My favorite 2008 moment: August 16th against the Reds
It was the only game I went to this season but it was a good one!
Albert Pujols hit a pair of solo home runs, Skip Schumaker hit a three-run dinger and Ryan Ludwick blasted a two-run shot in a rout against the Reds.
Albert hit a HR to the deepest part of CF. The four homers equaled a team single-game high for the season. Cards won 9-3.
This was also the last game Izzy pitched in this season and it could be his last game as a Cardinal.
We’ve got a long way to go and a short time to get there.
I liked that game as well,
but my reason was more personal. It was my birthday and I always want a Cards victory for my birthday. Its my favorite gift. Thanks, boys!
Haven't Give Up Yet
cause there’ll be plenty of days in the off-season to ruminate on what was and could have been, but I agree those peggings were sweet and they were in one of the few games I was able to see on the televizor. Glaus’ casual tag at third, as if it were an everyday occurence, was sweet as well. Not a moment, but also enjoyed watching some games in May and developing the impression that Ludwick was for real; the holes in his swing have been noted, but I still like his demeanor at the plate and his presence on the field.
Other mysteries remain. TL
Trying again
I saw the replay of Ank’s peg again just the other day. One thing I hadn’t noticed before was that, after the tag, the runner pops up and looks around like “Where the heck did THAT come from?” Priceless.
by ArkansasTravs on Sep 20, 2008 10:27 PM EDT up reply actions
of note (2008)
- the weird nationals game with kennedy replacing APu batting 3rd. somehow we lost.
- ludwick(!), and some of the potential Ankiel showed, especially the rockies game
- lots of close games with the cubbies
- Pujols batting title chase/MVP snubbing
- Brian Barton not getting to play
- cardinals usually are above .500 overall
- finger tendons can be caused to snap due to pitching
- miles really is the new secret weapon
- schumaker really is a good hitter, unless he’s facing a soft tossing lefty.
- izturis really shouldn’t be signed (except as defensive backup, or bunter)
- adam kennedy: wtf?
- don’t take your bullpen as the only given
- we have an interesting looking bullpen next season
- Kyle Lohse can win you some games
- the cardinals get injured a lot
- first to worst outfield
- the Pirates? really?
- new stats that I was not aware of: thanks VEB!
- weird vertigo inducing, rotating lineups and position shuffling
- more twists and turns than a drive through the Swiss Alps
- our offense was pretty dang good for most of the season. I like having two hitters in the mid 30s range for home runs and another two players with mid 20s+ home runs
- Yadier Molina emerging as a .300+ average hitter
- Troy Glaus is as good at defense as Scott Rolen
- Don’t rely on aging, injured starters
- platoons, platoons galore!
- bizarre roster management
- injuries suck
go rays
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Sep 20, 2008 3:14 AM EDT reply actions
great collection
but c’mon , Izturis can’t bunt man. Guess they shouldn’t resign him
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
by mattyfrommo on Sep 20, 2008 10:21 AM EDT up reply actions
This season will be summed up for me in 1 game
http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/WAS/WAS200806052.shtml
Of note?
-Adam Kennedy batting #3
-Mike Parisi putting us in a 7-0
-Skip Schumaker misplaying 3 balls in the OF
-Skip Schumaker hitting a triple
-Joe Mather hitting his first career HR
-Me saying to my better half “Man, Worrell’s got a good swing. If he makes contact with it….OMGDSIJREWU(RWR(WERUIW(RWRUEWWRUIWEUW!”
-Ryan Franklin punching me in the nads
-Elijah Dukes still being a waste of life
That’s the season in a nutshell. Our off-season aquisition playing out of position at 1B, our rookie 1B from Memphis playing in RF, Adam Kennedy batting in Albert Pujols’ slot, the pitching sucking, the team giving all the fight it can to get back in, something a little out of nowhere (Worrell’s HR), and then of course, the trusty, rusty veteran failpen spreading my legs, bending down to one knee and giving me a good ole right cross to the short and curlys.
That’s my 2008 St. Louis Cardinals.
by Hardcore Legend on Sep 20, 2008 3:47 AM EDT reply actions
+1
I’m with ya, HL. My dad and I watched the whole thing.
You forgot AP getting hosed by a “called” third strike on a ball six inches off the plate, AND AK getting picked off right before Glaus’s HR in the fourth. This run would have won the game in regulation.
Proud sponsor of the Official 2008 StL Cardinal theme song: "Beautiful Day" by U2
When did Joe Mather become our rookie first baseman from Memphis?
Nothin'. A handful of nothin'. You stupid mullet head. He beat you with nothin'. Just like today when he kept comin' back at me......with nothin'.
Yeah, well, sometimes nothin' can be a real cool hand.
he was a first sacker occasionally
but the majority of his time has been in the OF every season though last season he played quite a lot at 1B
Occasionally?
He’s played first base twice in 129 games at the AAA level. I don’t think he’s a first baseman. At best, he’s an outfielder who can play first. Because if he’s a first baseman, then Adam Kennedy is an outfielder, Aaron Miles is a pitcher and Jason Motte is a catcher.
Nothin'. A handful of nothin'. You stupid mullet head. He beat you with nothin'. Just like today when he kept comin' back at me......with nothin'.
Yeah, well, sometimes nothin' can be a real cool hand.
He's more of a 1Bmen
than Troy Glaus.
by Hardcore Legend on Sep 20, 2008 11:35 AM EDT up reply actions
Just because he's more of a first baseman than Troy Gluas
doesn’t make him a first baseman. You’re comment above was written in a way as to say he was playing out of position. “Our rookie 1B from Memphis playing RF”. Really? Because he played 4 games at first and 127 in the outfield at Memphis.
Nothin'. A handful of nothin'. You stupid mullet head. He beat you with nothin'. Just like today when he kept comin' back at me......with nothin'.
Yeah, well, sometimes nothin' can be a real cool hand.
he did play 1B in 41 games in 2007 at AA
plus those 2 games at AAA the same year. I would think he knows how to handle himself at 1B
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
by mattyfrommo on Sep 20, 2008 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions
although those 5 errors in 41 games isn't very encouraging
but still , up until this year Miles and Kennedy had a total of 13 games in the OF. One for each last year, one for AK in CF in 2002 for the Angels, and 10 for AK for Memphis in 99.
Motte was primarily moved because he couldn’t hit a lick, right? A career .191 .220 .233 line will do that to someone.
To get back on topic, I just think that Mather can handle himself a lot better at 1B than AK, or Miles can in the OF. Plus, who the hell likes an outfield with no punch and questionable defense?
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
by mattyfrommo on Sep 20, 2008 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions
That's besides the point
Is he a first baseman? No. He’s an outfielder who “can handle himself at first”. Big difference when you’re trying to make a point.
Nothin'. A handful of nothin'. You stupid mullet head. He beat you with nothin'. Just like today when he kept comin' back at me......with nothin'.
Yeah, well, sometimes nothin' can be a real cool hand.
dude...
who cares? I’m not sure why you are arguing about this. Bored?
Nick Stavinoah = John Gall
by The Ghost of Todd Burns on Sep 20, 2008 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions
no
I was just hoping I could get you to comment.
;D
The point is, the original comment was written in a way to say that an infielder was yet again playing in the outfield, which wasn’t true.
Nothin'. A handful of nothin'. You stupid mullet head. He beat you with nothin'. Just like today when he kept comin' back at me......with nothin'.
Yeah, well, sometimes nothin' can be a real cool hand.
sorry...
i guess that was out of line… I just see a lot of pointless arguing going on here and it bothers me sometimes to the point that I hate getting involved in the discussion because it turns into a prolonged thread of making the same point over and over and over again.
Nick Stavinoah = John Gall
by The Ghost of Todd Burns on Sep 20, 2008 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Don't take offense
I was just being a smart ass.
Just read my comment below and I think it’s a little clearer why I made my comments.
Nothin'. A handful of nothin'. You stupid mullet head. He beat you with nothin'. Just like today when he kept comin' back at me......with nothin'.
Yeah, well, sometimes nothin' can be a real cool hand.
I don't think I was exactly clear with my last comment
Basically, I understand there is plenty to complain about in regards to how this team has been put together and used. Enough so, that we don’t have to make things.
Nothin'. A handful of nothin'. You stupid mullet head. He beat you with nothin'. Just like today when he kept comin' back at me......with nothin'.
Yeah, well, sometimes nothin' can be a real cool hand.
good point
one of those times I didn’t exactly pay attention to what the hell I was commenting on.
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
My favorite 08 Moment
While living in Colorado I went early to all four of the Cards games there at the beginning of May to get my jersey signed. I got McClellan to come over by shouting “I’m from Hazelwood if that does anything for you”. Wainwright, Glaus, Brian Barton. The series was fun, especially sitting 50 feet away from 3rd base when Ankiel got those two improbable assists from dead center. But my favorite moment was May 9th, my graudation day from University of Colorado. I showed up early, again and Tony came over and started signing. I explained that I was graduating and all I wanted was to meet Jose Oquendo. “Jose Oquendo?” He asked. I told him how he’d been my favorite player since I was a little kid, how he struck out Deion Sanders, the poster I still have hanging in my old room of him. When informed of this, even Jose himself seemed suprside, saying “Me? You want me?” He posed for a picture, signed my jersey, and even tossed me a ball. I was in baseball heaven!
Allusions to "Fern Hill"
in a baseball blog will be my lasting memory. That’s why I love this site.
by vinniefromjersey on Sep 20, 2008 8:51 AM EDT reply actions
My faves
were probably the 2 walk-offs against the cubs at home. Schumaker’s homer and Ankiel’s lazer. Being in the bleachers for those 2 games was very special. Especially Ankiel’s hit.
this year
I gave myself a little more room from the ups and downs of the season than I usually do… first baseball season as a married home owner is probably the reason why. The consolation prize I take away from this season is quite a good one. I got to see one of the greatest baseball players who ever lived play another season in his prime. We’re so close to it and beginning to take it for granted but we shouldn’t. Albert is building a true legend and I saw it from the start and hopefully to the end. That is a blessing. Much the same as fans who got to watch the Babe or Lou Gherig play.
Being in Wrigleyville 08/09/08
with about 8 other Cards fans all donning our red and white jerseys with the Birds destroying the Cubs 12-3. I know they had like the best record in baseball at the time but their fans couldn’t muster any trash talking because of the spanking Glaus in perticular put on them that day. Good times!
"Here's how I look at the choice Americans face in this election. In politics, there are some candidates who use change to promote their careers," she said. "And then there are those, like John McCain, who use their careers to promote change."-Sarah Palin
The Red Sox game
on Fox. 13 innings. Strategery. Solid baseball. Great plays. Clutch pitching. A tension in a mid season game. And then TLR overmanages and we lose.
But it was a great game – for 12.5 innings, it was why I love Cardinal baseball.
From a memory perspective, going to Yankee stadium for the first time and seeing the last doubleheader played there last weekend. 4 first ballot HOF’s on the same team at the same time. Monument park. A crappy stadium that smelled like pee and the kids in front of me screaming for Abreu to throw them the warm-up ball.
I have discovered in twenty years of moving around a ball park, that the knowledge of the game is usually in inverse proportion to the price of the seats. ~Bill Veeck
All of the above were great moments
One moment that I have enjoyed is Josh Kinney’s return from TJ surgery. What a great job he has done since coming back!
"There is one word in America that says it all, and that one word is, 'You never know.'" Joaquin Andujar
Memories
I went to two games this year, both blowouts. 20-2 loss to the Phillies in St. Louis on June 13 (Friday the 13th). And yesterday’s Cubs game here in Chicago. The Cubs game was (obviously) my favorite in-person experience this year. Lots of Cardinals fans (as usual), just a beautiful day, and the every day occurrence of Adam Kennedy putting up your workmanlike 4 for 5, 5 RBI game.
In terms of more general feelings, I am pleasantly surprised at how the Cards fared this season as a whole. They gave us something to cheer about into September, when I think most of us had them pegged at about a 75 win team (at most). It was nice to see the emergence of certain players and an otherworldly season from the man who should clearly be the NL MVP (remind me to claw my eyes out when someone like Carlos Delgado or Ryan Howard wins). Pujols makes it look so effortless, in such a consistent manner, that we often just take it for granted. The guy is simply amazing.
'favorite' not exactly
but the most hyped up I was all season was the July night when Mark Mulder took the hill as a starter. My stomach was in knots.
But it wasn’t just the sad, punishing melodrama that ensued, but also the secondary fact that we rebounded from that disappointment (at least until September rolled in) and even had an ‘erasing’ day of exhilaration when Carpenter (in a similar ‘debut’ moment) pitched well.
A perrenial LaRussa strength...
Interleague games.
Or, “how the hell did the Cards take 2 of 3 from the Rays?” Coupled with the rout of Boston (which was one of TWO games Fox televised here on the left coast), this was probably the high-water mark for the ’08 squad.
Oh, and the Lebowski-themed threads were good times as well. Thought I should mention that.
"Well, folks, this game began as a tiny worm and is blossoming into a large cobra." - Mike "The Moon Man" Shannon
by Tudor's Electric Fan on Sep 20, 2008 12:59 PM EDT reply actions
3 - 6
vs two of the worst AL teams (KC and Detroit) makes absolutely no sense to me.
by Hardcore Legend on Sep 20, 2008 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Think about this
if you flip that record (6-3), we are 2.5 games behind Philly with 9 to play.
by Hardcore Legend on Sep 20, 2008 1:32 PM EDT up reply actions
33-40 vs Central
That is the record that needed flipping. Winning record in your division helps if you want to go to the playoffs
yeah that was not good
here’s their records against the national league thus far. the good teams have beaten them. most of the bad teams haven’t. i haven’t looked it up, but i’m betting pittsburgh has more wins against st. louis than any other team this year. that isn’t supposed to happen.
vs CHC (92-60): 6-7
vs NYM (86-67): 3-4
vs PHI (86-68): 4-5
vs MIL (84-70): 5-10
vs HOU (81-72): 8-7
vs FLA (81-72): 5-2
vs LAD (80-74): 4-2
vs ARI (76-77): 1-2
vs CIN (71-82): 7-5
vs COL (71-83): 4-3
vs SF (69-85): 3-4
vs ATL (67-87): 5-2
vs PIT (64-90): 7-10
vs SD (59-95): 6-1
vs WAS (58-96): 5-1
The Pirates and Brewers records stand out.
Most of the Brewer losses were because of the bullpen. But most of the Pirates losses though were because they just flat out beat us on most nights. For some reason the Pirates just feasted on our pitching, when on most nights they couldn’t buy a hit against the rest of the NL Central. And they really loved to hit at Busch especially Jason Michaels (who burned us a couple of times).
So two big things that will keep us out of the playoffs in my opinion: 1. The bullpen sucked against the Brewers. 2. The Pirates got their revenge for all the years we dominated them.
We’ve got a long way to go and a short time to get there.
2008
this is the season that I finally saw an Albert Pujols homerun, in person. My husband and I were at AT&T park in April and saw him launch a 3 run shot- it put us ahead and we stayed ahead to win the game. Good times…
When cheese gets its picture taken, what does it say?
by RosevilleRedbird on Sep 20, 2008 2:32 PM EDT reply actions
My top in the park memory of my life occurred this season, (well of the regular season, because I was at the NLCS game 7 in 2004).
I got to see my first walkoff Homerun. It was July 2nd I think, and Glaus hit the walkoff in the bottom of the 9th against the Mets.
"I remember once talking to one guy on the Cardinals and asking him what Pujols was like as a teammate. He said something that’s really special, if you think about it. He said: "Albert is so good that you feel like you let him down when you screw up." I thought that had to be the ultimate line that could ever be said about a ballplayer. I build my baseball team around that ballplayer."
by Smokin Turkeys on Sep 20, 2008 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions
believe that would be
That was a great series, great ballpark too. Luddy had one that night too.
"All I am saying is give Freese a chance!" -- nmstar
shocking comparison:
Player TEAM W L ERA G GS CG SHO SV SVO IP H R ER HR HBP BB SO
1. T Wellemeyer STL 12 8 3.66 30 30 0 0 0 0 179.1 162 78 73 24 7 57 124
2. C Zambrano CHC 14 6 3.77 29 29 1 1 0 0 184.0 169 80 77 17 6 68 128
Nick Stavinoah = John Gall
by The Ghost of Todd Burns on Sep 20, 2008 3:33 PM EDT reply actions
salary
Wellemeyer = $1 Million
Zambrano = $16 Million
Nick Stavinoah = John Gall
by The Ghost of Todd Burns on Sep 20, 2008 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions
imagine welley's agent is drooling over that...
"All I am saying is give Freese a chance!" -- nmstar
T E S S
that is all that needs to be said about the 2008 St. Louis Cardinals
I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson AND THAT'S A WINNER!
I had a nightmare about that yesterday, honest
probably related to the (realized) fear of having to watch to Cub dogpile while the Cardinals walk off the field. I’d rather dream about Ank’s throws to third.
Ignoti et quasi occulti
June 20th in Boston
The Celtics were there, the rain came down…and the Cardinals beat the pants off the Sox with two homeruns over the Green Monster. One my sweetest memories ever, not just this season.
by cardinalinboston on Sep 20, 2008 6:42 PM EDT reply actions
I skipped school
I go to UW-Madison, so the only game I was able to get to was a Cardinals headache to be sure, a losing effort against the Brewers. Since I go home to MN, it was the only game I was able to see this year by the Cardinals. But I did get to see Albert Pujols do something he’s only done in an All-Star game: Play 2B.
Boxscore: http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/MIL/MIL200804220.shtml
Fond memories also include: the Red Sox series, the Ank throws, and anything Albert did this year.
"...and pujols has given st louis the lead"
My best memories
will probably be less specific. On the good side, I’ll remember the way the team outperformed everyone’s expectations for most of the season, the emergence of Ludwick as a power threat, Ankiel’s performance until his injury, some great pitching from Welly and Lohse, for a while.
Unfortunately, I think the bad taste at the end of the season will predominate till April. The feeling that, given a break or two, or one or two less injuries, what might have been, the slow slide of Ludwick then, for the last couple of weeks here when I was watching only to see if Albert could catch and hold off Chipper, his going cold.
Ah well, that’s baseball. We’ll get ’em next year!
the good
-ludwick, ankiel and skippy proving they are ML outfielders and producing in the high end of their potential ranges
-grand slams by both Miles and Kennedy
-Glaus having a solid all-around season
-Yadi approaching league average offensive production
-LaRue’s stash
-Pujols being Pujols and a Cardinal.
-McClellan, Mather, Perez, Motte, and Garcia given chances to contribute and giving some reason for optimism
-the walrus, goo goo ka choo
-Welly proving he’s a mid rotation caliber pitcher
-Worrell’s HR
-the Bellyrubbers missing the playoffs (hopefully)
-the AL wins the WS (hopefully)
-AK requests a trade
the bad
-the clinic on how not to handle an elite prospect
-the seemingly daily bullpen implosion during July
-Ryan Braun posing like the ball will land in Ohio, despite it landing in the 1st row of the bleachers
-rolling over and playing dead for the Brewers
-Ryan Franklin practically in tears in the post-game interview
-Moz not granting an honorary Doctorate in Fine Arts to any Cardinal MI or Loogy
-Mather and Stavy striking out with the bases loaded down by one on 7 total pitches against Lidge
-watching the last grains of sand ebb from the hour glass of Mark Mulder’s career — live on national TV
-Izzy too
-Edmonds as a Cub
-Garcia’s elbow, Mather’s wrist, Rasmus’ knee, Carp’s nerve, Wainwright’s middle finger, Ank’s abdominal wall, TLR’s messages, Moz’s due dilligence, DeWitt’s pond
forgot to mention
the emotional rollercoatser (were in it, were out of it, no wait were in it) culminating in the Cubs series 9/9-11
win on the 9th, 8 games back (hey, if we sweep the Cubs, take say 5 of 6 from the Pirates and Reds, then sweep the Cubs again….Holy Cow! we could still win this thing)
to two days, two losses, and two key injuries later……….we’ll be lucky to stay above .500
Sorry I'm late on this ... just got back from a trip ...
Best: Seeing the Cardinals win in person for the first time in FORTY YEARS. I live a long way from St. Louis and can only see the team once or twice a year, almost always on the road. For some reason, ever since I was a little kid, those rare exposures have gone badly. But this year my wife and I were finally able to see a game in Busch III, on vacation, and it was a win over the Reds, in absolutely glorious baseball weather (something that, let’s be honest, you can’t always count on in the Lou). Life was good …
Worst: No one event, but rather the growing realization, facilitated by lots of games to watch on mlb.com, of how thoroughly the sport is being hosed by the inability of home-plate umpires to call the rulebook strike zone. It’s a disgrace in general, and one that worked to the Cardinals’ disadvantage, as big-name pitchers seem to get a lot more umpiring breaks than no-names, and with Carp, Mulder and Izzy all busted, they didn’t have any of those. MLB really needs to do something about that.
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