Disenchanted Blue Jays Fan Looking For A New Team
by Jevant on Nov 9, 2009 12:30 PM EST
194 comments
I'm a disenchanted Toronto Blue Jays Fan, looking for a new team. Ownership decisions and a general aimlessness in the direction of the team has caused me to consider abandoning the Jays after 25 years of cheering for them.
My search has narrowed to the Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and your St. Louis Cardinals.
I am looking for a MLB team that has ownership committed to winning, a group of players worth cheering for, and a reasonable shot at competing for the playoffs sometime in the next 10 years.
Convince me (with defensible reasons) why I should join you. Go!
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My pitch:
1) We are birds, and we use our bird’s color predominantly in our color scheme (something the Jays have inexplicably abandoned). Furthermore, our birds are predominantly featured in one of the most classic uniforms in sport: the-birds-on-the-bat (BOTB).
2) Our fans are “Midwest nice.” I’ve been to Toronto and often go fishing in Canada. I feel their general niceness is very similar to that of Cardinal Nation. (We do things like applaud the Red Sox after they sweep our Cards in the World Series.)
3) Watching Albert Pujols day in and day out is a treasure that I can’t wait to tell my children and grandchildren about. I’m genuinely not overstating it. He is the greatest baseball player I’ve ever seen and you would greatly enjoy watching him play for big reasons (homers) and intanglible reasons (defense, baseball “smarts”).
4) Chris Carpenter is like Roy Halladay. A lot like Roy Halladay.
5) A strong nucleus going forward. Pujols is still pretty young for a first baseman, and, if you follow us, you could see him hit 600 homers, get 3,000 hits, etc. Yadier Molina is still young and under a club-friendly contract. Adam Wainwright, the same. We have Colby Rasmus, who is an absolute joy to watch field (and, in the future, probably to watch hit). We have the best-fielding shortstop in baseball, who is club-controlled. we are positioned to compete in our division for at least the next 5 years, if not 10 years. This gives us a strong base to add to this offseason when we will give far too much weight to Heyman, Olney, Gammons, etc. on the Holliday subject. At least for this offseason, I don’t think the Dodgers, Tigers, or Angels will be in the position to add players that we are.
6) Future Redbirds, the wonderful site on Cardinals’ prospects will make it very easy and enjoyable for you to get up to speed on, well, future Cardinals.
7) DanUp, the writer in charge of this site, is wonderful. And the other authors are great. And the contributors in the community are awesome, too.
8) Mike Shannon, the Cardinals’ radio announcer, is amongst the last of a dying breed.
9) Our history. We have 10 World Series championships. Even though neither Joe Buck nor Mike Shannon (both former Cardinals) did not know this during the World Series, it is the second-most all-time behind the Yankees.
10) The National League doesn’t have the DH, which makes for some fun late-inning substitutions, which are made even more fun by our (over-)manager, TLR.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
by bgh on Nov 9, 2009 1:22 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Great points. Can you think of any reasons why I would want to avoid the other teams? I’ve heard a few comments talking about the perils of the Dodgers and Tigers…although admittedly few about the Cardinals.
I do have some concerns with the management decision to bring back McGwire…isn’t that fraught with danger?
And I do miss Chris Carpenter. And I have heard tons of great things about the Cardinals fanbase and organization (although have heard similar things about the Angel organization as well).
by Jevant on Nov 9, 2009 1:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Big Mac
There’s been quite a lot of discussion here about this hiring decision, and over at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. I wrote a Fanpost taking Jeff Pearlman to task because I am sick of the PED sanctimony. I don’t know that the decision is, to use your term, fraught with danger. I think that the story will lose its legs early in the season, except when Fox and ESPN come to town. By all accounts, McGwire was a good teammate, so I don’t think the players will reject him. The real question is whether the media will continue to go after him so much so as to make it a distraction, which is possible.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
by bgh on Nov 9, 2009 1:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I'd just like to congratulate you on that takedown.
It was so necessary. The commenters even produced that ridiculous article of Pearlman fawning over Bonds.
"Of course Kolby Rasmus was going deep! That’s what Kolby Rasmus does! You don’t give Kolby Rasmus second chances!" -Kolby Rasmus
by hazel on Nov 9, 2009 2:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
That article was a great find.
And it leaves Pearlman with no credibility on the issue whatsoever.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
by bgh on Nov 9, 2009 3:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Fair enough
Although I follow baseball closely, I haven’t followed the McGwire thing all that much due to the World Series…it just seemed a bit strange.
What’s your thoughts on Brett Wallace, anyways? I was hoping that he was going to be coming to TO in a package for Halladay (of course, management screwed up the Halladay deal as well, but that’s a longer discussion). Was he worth giving up for the (potentially, of course), 1/2 season of Holliday?
by Jevant on Nov 9, 2009 3:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I don't think so.
I’d have felt better about trading him for 1.5 seasons of Halladay, but still would have resisted. Players like Wallace are how we will remain contenders and retain Pujols. I may be higher on Wallace than some, though. I don’t think his defense is as bad as advertised. After all, we had a season of primarily Joe Thurston and Mark DeRosa at third and no one seemed to have batted an eye.
The Big Mac hiring wasn’t all that odd. McGwire has been helping MLB and MiLB players at what is constructively a hitting camp during the offseason for a few years now. TLR has a standing invitation for McGwire to come and be an instructor in Spring Training. (Of Course, McGwire has never accepted…) He was a good teammate, by most, if not all, accounts. TLR is loyal to a fault, as well. So, while it was surprising, it wasn’t all that surprising, I guess. Plus, St. Louisans will welcome him with open arms.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
by bgh on Nov 9, 2009 6:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Tigers are from Detroit
They just seem ready for a crash. Dodgers are made up of fair weather fans. I have no beef with the Angels and I like them as an AL team.
by FlimtotheFlam on Nov 9, 2009 2:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Oh and you don't want to be associated with the fans of the Angels.
There is that to worry about.
(Insert Your Own Joke)
by AWolfAtTheDoor on Nov 9, 2009 1:30 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
For the record, I’m leaning towards deciding between the Angels and the Cardinals, so I am curious to know why you are anti-Angels-fans.
by Jevant on Nov 9, 2009 1:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I guess there isn't a great reason that I can point out
but all 10 or so Angels fans I know are douches. To me the Angels fans are the LSU fans of baseball if that makes sense.
(Insert Your Own Joke)
by AWolfAtTheDoor on Nov 10, 2009 2:50 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
angels fans >>> dodgers fans.
it's Clydesdales vs Goats. Actually sums up Cards vs. Cubs quite nicely. -all4tookie
by SleepyCA on Nov 10, 2009 3:03 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
agreed
the Angels fans I know are much more pleasant than the Dodgers fans.
Jevant, you could do a lot worse than choosing between the Angels and Cards. Those are definitely the best choices out of those 4.
On with the (good) youth movement!
by aet15 on Nov 12, 2009 3:51 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
scott boras
has angels season tix.
welcome to Birdland (and it’s only appropriate).
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
by cardball on Nov 10, 2009 8:44 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Don't
One man’s opinion: don’t abandon the Blue Jays. Yes, it is tough rooting for a team devoid of direction and hope, but don’t jump ship. Fandom isn’t really something you get to choose – it is something that you inherit. If you’ve been a Blue Jays fan your whole life it would be a tragedy to switch teams now. It’s the cheap way out and I would encourage you not to take it.
by roarke on Nov 9, 2009 1:46 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I agree with this,
but there’s also no harm in rooting for an NL team while maintaining your Blue Jays allegiance. The likelihood of those two teams facing off in a World Series is almost nil.
Now with extra feisty!
by spants on Nov 9, 2009 1:52 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
exactly
I root for the Twins and Indians all the time, and the Blue Jays aren’t really that bad man, you just have the 2 worst teams to try and compete with in the history of baseball.
by from First to Third on Nov 9, 2009 1:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Noted, but...
Do you have any reasons why you would abandon a team?
I am simply questioning the point of cheering for a team that has no direction, no hope, and no intention of putting a product on the field that is actually capable of competing.
by Jevant on Nov 9, 2009 3:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
A rebuttal:
The 1990s Cardinals. Without the ‘98 HR Chase, I don’t know where we’d be today. Not only did it reputedly save MLB, but it was the launching pad for the team of the decade for the twenty-aughts. From 1988 to 1999, we had the 1996 club that blew a 3-1 series lead in the NLCS to the Braves and then McGwire, but that’s it. We traded for Jim Edmonds and Daryl Kile before the 2000 season and the rest, as they say, is history.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
by bgh on Nov 9, 2009 6:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I will go back a little bit farther.
When I was very young, The 70’s Cardinals were just awful. But then we got to the end of that decade and Whitey came to town and Maxvill was the GM and damn if the 80’s weren’t a baseball party, for the most part.
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Nov 10, 2009 10:39 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Reasons
Ok, the reasons to abandon a team:
1. The team relocates
2. Hell freezes over
I don’t know if your situation is that you grew up in Toronto and thus became a Blue Jays fan, but that’s what happened with me and the Cardinals. I grew up in St. Louis and consider my fandom to be a birthright. I was 8 when we won the 1982 WS and suffered through some crappy teams in the early to mid 90’s, but nothing could have converted me to another team (except relocation). I now live in Kansas City (a baseball wasteland if there ever was one) and I have friends that are Royals fans that have every right in the world to switch allegiances (in fact, they would scoff at your reasons), but they stick with them through every pathetic and depressing season. Their glory days are a lot further in the rear view mirror than the Jays’ glory days, but true fans stick with the team no matter what. The payoff will be that much sweeter when the team turns it around. Trust me, if you switch to the Cardinals, it won’t feel even a fraction as satisfying when we win the World Series this year as it will when the Blue Jays eventually turn things around and you’ve stuck with them the whole time.
by roarke on Nov 9, 2009 11:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
No point to stick on sinking ship
While other ships floating fine
by FlimtotheFlam on Nov 10, 2009 12:29 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Grew up in London, Ontario (almost exactly between Detroit and Toronto).
The main two reasons I’m considering abandoning ship is because 1) the ownership has abandoned the fan and 2) the playoff structure, divisional alignment, unbalanced schedule and payroll inequity would mean it would take a stroke of lightning or 10 years of sucktitude (Rays) to ever make the playoffs. The ownership in Toronto used to be committed to spending money to compete with the Yankees and Red Sox, but they have quit trying.
Why should I cheer for a team that has abandoned me (especially when considering that Toronto is NOT my hometown and I am actually not really a fan of the city in general).
For what it’s worth, we have a junior hockey team here in London (London Knights) who I am a passionate, attend-20-games-per-year-plus-every-playoff-game type fan and will never, ever, ever, leave them.
by Jevant on Nov 10, 2009 8:06 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
did you enjoy those world series?
thick and thin. it’s a vow. and ownership can change many times in your lifetime.
you’re welcome here (if i may be so presumptuous) but card fans will always be dubious, i’m afraid. myself, i cannot be other than a card fan, ever. i also keep an eye on the O’s (StL Browns), but that’s nothing.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
by cardball on Nov 10, 2009 8:55 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
nah
we’re only dubious of cubs fans.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Nov 10, 2009 9:16 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
they don't have the sense
to switch allegiance – wait till next year. so many will die waiting.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
by cardball on Nov 10, 2009 9:46 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
sometimes I think we should save
the little children
that’s abuse, that is.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Nov 10, 2009 10:05 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
i hope there's a class-action suit
so we can discuss it ad nauseum
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
by cardball on Nov 10, 2009 11:01 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
where is Azru to comment when we really need him?
Lighten up, Francis - Sergeant Hulka
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
by mattyfrommo on Nov 10, 2009 7:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
stocking up on plastic bags
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Nov 11, 2009 10:21 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm sad you're leaving the Jays.
I think you should choose none of those teams and stay with the Jays like Roarke said. This is coming from an Indians fan, so I feel your pain. Stay strong!
However the Cardinals are the obvious choice for second favorite. I am slightly biased. My defensible reasons: Albert, Carpenter, Wainwright, Yadi, and COLBY!
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
by ClemsonGirl on Nov 9, 2009 1:52 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Well my small opinion between LA and STL
LA has a larger market and about 50 million dolars more on the payroll. So if you like more “Big Name” free agents so you can keep track of the older MLB players, the Angels of Anahiem would be a great choice. They have a great minor league systems as well so it’s not really going to be all old guys(just joshin)
With Stl your are going to see more moves within the org. or minor league free agent pick-ups, more unknowns than LA i would say. Plus is you get stabbed at a Cardinals game, you have a better chance at being left a pie from the “Engage Midwest Niceness” group while you bleed out. The Birds also have a deep tradition, and great histroy to go along with the history being made by #5 right now.
by from First to Third on Nov 9, 2009 1:53 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Obviously Angel fans might be better spellers also
*dollars, and *if
FAIL
by from First to Third on Nov 9, 2009 1:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
we almost certainly have better
Also, we have Chris Carpenter.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Nov 9, 2009 2:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I have nothing against the Angels,
they just kind of bore me for some reason.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
by ClemsonGirl on Nov 9, 2009 2:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
The Angels...
…do seem to be an exceptional organization. One of the reasons they are on the short list.
The Cardinals made it because of the history, the fact I always hear that they have the best fans in baseball, and the ownership seems (at least from my preliminary overview) to be committed to winning.
by Jevant on Nov 9, 2009 4:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
the twins
are a well-run organization, too. and have the richest owner in baseball. he went and died now, so the sons may pony up and be formidable (as the son of blackhawks owner is doing)
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
by cardball on Nov 10, 2009 8:59 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
The problem with switching to the Halos
is that you’ll have to root for them vs the Jays.
You should change to an NL team (i.e. us!) to prevent that problem from happening. Plus, it’s a nice change of pace to see the pitcher have to hit, and I think it makes for a more interesting game.
Also, our SBN site is MUCH better IMO, from what I’ve seen of Halos Heaven. I think we have one of the very best baseball sites on SBN FWIW.
Felonius Monk - bitching to contact since 2008
by Felonius_Monk on Nov 10, 2009 10:48 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
We have VEB. It's miles ahead in awesomeness of Halos Heaven.
"Of course Kolby Rasmus was going deep! That’s what Kolby Rasmus does! You don’t give Kolby Rasmus second chances!" -Kolby Rasmus
by hazel on Nov 9, 2009 2:14 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
We our a good offseason team to follow
Most of us here don’t really like other sports that much outside of college football. We still have hundreds of posts each day talking about baseball (mostly).
by FlimtotheFlam on Nov 9, 2009 2:22 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I'd go with the Angels...
No telling what might happen when/if Pujols leaves.
MB for LF in 2010!
by guayzimi on Nov 9, 2009 5:25 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Negative Nancy.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
by ClemsonGirl on Nov 9, 2009 5:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
We know what happens
Busch Stadium ( and possibly the whole damn city) gets burnt to the ground. How many times do we have to go over this scenario before people get it?
Lighten up, Francis - Sergeant Hulka
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
by mattyfrommo on Nov 9, 2009 7:56 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I had no idea people switch fanhood like this.
seems odd
"The field mouse is fast but the owl sees at night"- Ricky Bobby's belligerent Granddaddy
by pinkelposse on Nov 9, 2009 7:32 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
The Jays ownership has abandoned and given up on their fans
It’s only fair that I do the same.
by Jevant on Nov 9, 2009 10:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Have they abandoned their fans
or have they given up trying to compete with the Yankees/Red Sox in terms of salary? To be honest I feel for you. I would be frustrated myself if I were in the same division as the two big spenders. Although I do think the Jays have done a poor job with the resources they have though over the past 10 years. They may have given up (spending wise) if they feel they can’t compete in the division. It’s a sad situation that many teams are going through now.
Boy a frosty cold Budweiser would be great about now"…long pause…then an "aahhh". --Mike Shannon
by KYCards on Nov 11, 2009 8:26 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
You should probably stay a Jays fan
so you don’t get the term “bandwagoner” associated with you. However, if you choose to have a new team, you should switch to the Cardinals. We are considered the best fans in baseball, and we have many good players on our squad (Albert, Wainwright, Carpenter, etc).
My word of advice: If you don’t choose the Cards, DO NOT choose the Dodgers. The Dodgers have awful fans. I would narrow your choice to the Angels, Tigers and Cards. Remember this: the Cards beat the Tigers in the 06 WS… so I’ve made my point.
Best moment I've ever seen at a game in person
"If it was Zoom Zoom'd, we'd be doom doom'd" - making fun of myself for my bad luck streak in the 2009 season
Looking forward to Cardinals baseball in 2010!
by zoomzoomj88 on Nov 9, 2009 7:49 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I would like to second this post
RE: the Dodgers. You’d have to put up with all the “Manny being Manny” bs. Plus, on more than one occasion I noted this summer that they play “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” TWICE during the seventh inning stretch. I mean, WTF?? That’s not baseball.
Also, I go to school with a girl who grew up in LA. She is one of those “lifelong” Dodgers fans that during the Cards/Dodgers series didn’t even know who the hell Hong Chi Kuo was, or “the big guy that pitched last” (Broxton). If you truly are a fan of baseball, do you want to be associated with those kinds of fans?
"Baseball is like Church, many attend, few understand" - Wes Westrum
by scoot on Nov 9, 2009 8:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
yabut.... we don't have this:
MB for LF in 2010!
by guayzimi on Nov 9, 2009 9:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
STDs?
Future Redbirds - tracking Cardinal prospects for Cardinal Nation
by azruavatar on Nov 10, 2009 8:58 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
is that some new sabr stat?
damn you kids….
Felonius Monk - bitching to contact since 2008
by Felonius_Monk on Nov 10, 2009 10:50 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Eh...
Relative to other disease riddled starlets she has a pretty low disease risk reward factor. The formula below where x=looks, Dp=disease probability, and Ds=disease severity gets it mostly right, though I don’t care about (y) wealth.
I guess it depends on how much itching and burning you can take… but in any case this isn’t Lindsay Lohan we’re talking about…
MB for LF in 2010!
by guayzimi on Nov 10, 2009 12:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
crop moar?
damn, I regret being completist.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Nov 10, 2009 1:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Bandwagon
How can I be a bandwagon when I switch teams once every 25 years? And I’m looking for a new permanent team!
by Jevant on Nov 9, 2009 10:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
i think you have to be in season to be bangwagon fan
Like now I am a New Orleans Saints fan. Dodgers entire base is made up of band wagon fans. Tigers just seem like they will break your heart in the long term. They have a high payroll with a poor farm system that is most economically devastated city in America. The only beef I have against the Angels is their name. The Los Angeles of Anaheim Angels, ridiculous.
When I visited Toronto something struck me as odd. That people from Toronto sound a lot like people from Saint Louis. As in we both had the same accent. Normally cities being so far apart have different accents but we sounded so similar. Toronto is one of my favorite cities.
by FlimtotheFlam on Nov 9, 2009 11:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
As a further point, I’m not picking a team that just won the WS, or even their league. And I’m looking for a permanent home with a stable franchise. I do not know how that can make me a bandwagon jumper.
Ironically enough, since I’m not from Toronto, I am NOT a fan of Toronto the city. Grew up a Jays fan and stuck with it, until now.
by Jevant on Nov 9, 2009 11:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
that doesn't surprise me
Most Canadians I know do not like Toronto.
by FlimtotheFlam on Nov 10, 2009 12:30 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
you cannot go wrong with the Cardinals
if I weren’t a Cards fan, I’d probably not like baseball anymore
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Nov 10, 2009 1:23 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Don't take what I said too harshly
This happens when most people switch teams. But hey, if you’re gonna hang around, I’ll welcome you to the club.
Best moment I've ever seen at a game in person
"If it was Zoom Zoom'd, we'd be doom doom'd" - making fun of myself for my bad luck streak in the 2009 season
Looking forward to Cardinals baseball in 2010!
by zoomzoomj88 on Nov 10, 2009 4:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Boog has a sad.
still: http://www.vivaelbirdos.com/2009/10/8/1076767/my-largely-negative-experiece-at
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Nov 10, 2009 9:22 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Boog has a sad.
still: http://www.vivaelbirdos.com/2009/10/8/1076767/my-largely-negative-experiece-at
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Nov 10, 2009 9:24 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
best fans in baseball because?
because we don’t switch teams when we get tired of losing…and because we give a standing ovation to pretty much every hack that comes through busch. Even if Dewitt really tightened up and quit fielding a respectable team, I wouldn’t switch to another team. I can’t…That love for the birds on the bat will always be there.
If you CHOOSE the cardinals, you’ll be gone the next time they lose. If you want to CHOOSE a team, then pick the yankees, they’re the only team you can choose which will be able to win enough to keep you around….
You want us to give you REASONS to love the cardinals?!?!?! How about because they’re our team and stick with them through it all (granted I’m only 23 and have forgotten the 90s years). Just saying, REASONS to root for teams will get you to fall out of baseball real fast!!
Cantu and Penny for '09!
by Yadi on Nov 16, 2009 8:42 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
another yadi?
there really are more molinas out there.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
by cardball on Nov 16, 2009 2:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
duh.
more will come. more will come, my friend.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Nov 17, 2009 11:33 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
[is numbered for convenience]
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Nov 17, 2009 11:34 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
You're from Toronto, so you're somewhat familiar with...
the Buffalo Bills. I have been a long suffering fan of theirs. The Cards are the only thing that’s kept me sane in my otherwise dreary superfan existence. They’re kind of a similar story with a long successful run in the early 90’s followed by a decade plus of utter futility. However, as we say over at buffalorumblings.com, don’t stop Billievin! You can’t give up on your team ever if you’re a true fan. The key is to adopt a secondary team to root for once yours is out of contention (similar to an NFL depth chart). One guy goes down and the next one comes in to fill his place in the lineup!
by live6453 on Nov 10, 2009 12:15 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
I can see having a team to cheer for when your team is awful.
It’s the only thing that’s kept me from losing it with the Indians to cheer for. And from experience the Cardinals are good at that so they should be a good choice.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
by ClemsonGirl on Nov 10, 2009 1:52 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
That's one of the advantages of following soccer
i.e. the one sport anyone cares about over here – your team is nearly always playing for something. Whereas something like 10-15 teams in MLB are either playing for nothing when the season STARTS or at least a couple of months in (especially teams like the Jays that have zero chance of making the playoffs most years), at least in soccer leagues if you’re near the bottom you’re in danger of being relegated to a lower league, and if you’re somewhere in the top half there are usually incentives to play for (in the EPL something like the top 8 teams qualify for european football the next year, which is a big incentive) AND there’s cup competitions being run in parallel (plus there’s more local rivalry than there tends to be in US sports). Often the most exciting games at the end of the season are actually between the teams near the bottom as they scrap for survival.
In my short (relatively!) Cardinals fandom I’ve never had the misfortune of having to watch a truly desperately poor team, I can imagine it’s not much fun to lose 100 games.
Felonius Monk - bitching to contact since 2008
by Felonius_Monk on Nov 10, 2009 10:56 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
how did you become a cards fan?
this has likely been discussed.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
by cardball on Nov 10, 2009 11:05 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I went to Busch about 7 years ago during the start of the MV3 years
and saw us beat the hell out of the BlueJays (ironically enough) in what was presumably a rare inter-league meeting of the two… I suppose I might put up a more detailed fanpost about it sometime. I was a casual fan for a few years and then oddly enough got a lot more engrossed in the team at the start of 2006 (arguably our worst team since I got into the game). Perhaps the catalyst for that was the Major League Baseball show in the UK, which was an absolutely brilliant piece of sports broadcasting which has now sadly fallen by the wayside, so it’s mlb.tv for me mostly now.
Felonius Monk - bitching to contact since 2008
by Felonius_Monk on Nov 11, 2009 6:53 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
fanpost would be cool
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
by cardball on Nov 11, 2009 5:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
was that the year that Carp came back to Toronto
in the middle of his Cy Young year, and pitched a 1 hit shutout in front of fans holding ‘thanks for all of the years of frustrating mediocrity?’ That was a fun day.
They say that it's never too late, but you don't get any younger...
by Valatan on Nov 11, 2009 5:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Nah, that was 05
I think it was 03 that I first saw a Cards game. I get the feeling either Morris or Williams was pitching, and Jimmy Baseball and Albert both hit jacks. I found the game on baseball reference a while back, I think I have it bookmarked somewhere….
Pretty sure this was the game
http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SLN/SLN200306050.shtml
Felonius Monk - bitching to contact since 2008
by Felonius_Monk on Nov 12, 2009 7:22 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I love soccer.
I’m still trying to find some way to watch Chelsea games on my computer. I haven’t figured it out. From what I can tell they don’t have things like mlb.tv for soccer. I wish they did. I would pay money for that.
In the meantime I have been watching soccer soap opera-like movies. For example the Goal series. Which apparently will at some point have a third one since the second one ended with to be continued. It was very upsetting.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
by ClemsonGirl on Nov 10, 2009 12:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Ugh. Chelsea. Not my favourite team, I'm afraid.
I can’t really help you on the live games front, I don’t know if there’s anywhere you can watch on your computer, which is a shame. Mlb.tv, despite its foibles, is a truly brilliant thing, I know of nothing else like it, really, and for me it’s really worth the money as I watch a LOT of Cards games during the regular season.
The highlights package show, Match of The Day, which is very good from a broadcasting quality point of view, is on the BBC and I’m fairly sure it’ll be available everywhere on the BBC website (i-player). It’s on Saturday nights in the UK and there’s often a follow-up show on Sundays with shorter highlights of the Saturday games plus fuller highlights of the Sunday ones (MOTD2).
I suspect the lack of an mlb.tv-type thing for the EPL is because the league is run a bit differently to US sports- the league itself doesn’t “franchise”-out the teams, they’re all separate entities (in fact most are PLCs) and so I feel they have slightly less of a say on how the media rights are sold etc. (they are done through the league, but sold to TV companies in different countries etc. – I just don’t think the league itself has the same iron grip on everything as the US sports leagues do).
Felonius Monk - bitching to contact since 2008
by Felonius_Monk on Nov 11, 2009 6:59 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
What I don't understand is I thought the EPL rights were sold to ESPN.
But the Chelsea Man U game was nowhere to be found on Sunday. Surely they could at least put it on ESPN Classic if they didn’t want to interrupt the NFL programming.
(Insert Your Own Joke)
by AWolfAtTheDoor on Nov 11, 2009 9:38 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
They do play some of the games.
But they were not playing Chelsea/ManU on Sunday which is a good game so I don’t know why not. I found something online that said it was playing the game live but then Cristiano Ronaldo was playing and that’s when I knew it was lying.
And Felonius would it make you happy to know I abandoned ManU for Chelsea? Most people I meet, whether or not they like Chelsea, are at least leased to hear that.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
by ClemsonGirl on Nov 11, 2009 11:05 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
+p
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
by ClemsonGirl on Nov 11, 2009 11:05 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I was just really disappointed by the lack of that game.
I’ve watched some EPL games this year, but I was really looking forward to this one. Someone in my dorm got FIFA and I’ve been playing it a lot, so of course I had to adopt a team. And thus I’m on the Chelsea bandwagon, but I feel dirty. I’ve never just arbitrarily picked a team before.
(Insert Your Own Joke)
by AWolfAtTheDoor on Nov 11, 2009 1:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Why do you feel dirty?
I don’t understand.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
by ClemsonGirl on Nov 11, 2009 1:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Here's why:
I think it’s important as an American soccer fan of the Premier League to find a soccer team, it doesn’t really matter how since you don’t live there, and then follow them. You then become a fan of that team and as long as it’s not ManU most people are okay with it no matter how you chose them.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
by ClemsonGirl on Nov 11, 2009 2:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I really like Tottenham Hotspur for the Shakespearean connections.
My wife has been a Man-U fan since childhood. Might be because of her dad, might be that she just chose them randomly, can’t remember. She actually plays soccer, so her loyalty is such that she will never abandon them even though they’re kind of the Yankees of English soccer.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
by mattybobo on Nov 11, 2009 7:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Well if you are one since childhood and it's in your family people don't hate you.
It’s when you’re like me and pick them up when you’re 15 with no family connections that people question you. So I decided to pick a new team. And I always liked Chelsea even when I was a ManU fan. I still don’t hate ManU I have just chosen a new team that doesn’t make me people hate me when they meet me. Also it’s like starting over, I can really become a fan of the team now.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
by ClemsonGirl on Nov 11, 2009 7:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Shakespearean connections?!
That’s something even I’m not aware of. Pourquoi?
As I mentioned below, I’d say Man United are maybe closer to the BoSox – proud history, years of under-achievement, then in the 90s they got their shit together, brought through lots of talented internal players (literally 4 or 5 all-time great players in the EPL, plus lots of other decent ones) and spent their money more wisely on imports, whilst kinda retaining their “local identity” with young players, at least more so than the other big 3 clubs (Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea). So I’d say they’re closer to the RedSox model.
Felonius Monk - bitching to contact since 2008
by Felonius_Monk on Nov 12, 2009 7:29 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I just like that Hotspur is a character in Shakespeare
He was in Henry IV part One, I believe. He was a real person, of course, but I have no idea what (if anything) he has to do with Tottenham. I also don’t recall whether or not the nickname of the team draws directly from Shakespeare or not. I just like to think that it does.
Interesting info on the Man-U/Bosox comparison. I was going by the general gist of things that I get from other sports fan friends of mine in judging Manchester to be the “Yankees of English Soccer” but that isn’t based on much detail. I’m not sure the Boston comparison makes them more palatable though… maybe a little.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
by mattybobo on Nov 15, 2009 11:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
That's not a play I've seen/read
I tend to avoid the Shakey “king-based” ones (except Lear, which is basically entirely fiction AFAIK instead of just being 90% fiction like the Richard/Henry ones), so I wasn’t aware of Mr Hotspur. I also don’t know what the derivation of the football club’s name is, but I imagine a wikipedia search will illuminate you!
Spurs have classically been the more middle/upper-class North London team, I’d have said (compared to Arsenal, although now perhaps the tables have turned in that regard!) and have quite a large jewish following, for reasons I’m quite hazy on. The London football “scene” is quite interesting because you literally have about 20 professional clubs (and, at any one time, 5-6 premier league clubs) in and around the city, which I would think makes it the biggest concentration of pro teams in any sport anywhere. You’re probably never more than about 2 or 3 miles from a large stadium in London (especially when you consider it’s also home to Wembley, the national soccer stadium, Twickenham, the national rugby stadium, two of the largest national cricket stadia, Lords and The Oval, and by 2012 will also have it’s Olympic stadium).
Felonius Monk - bitching to contact since 2008
by Felonius_Monk on Nov 16, 2009 5:58 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
That's a lot of teams
Again, cool information. I’ll have to read up on Wikipedia about Hotspur.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
by mattybobo on Nov 16, 2009 10:18 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I picked Newcastle to folow back in 01
just b/c I like the beer. Now I don’t have an EPL team.
"In 2035, 25 young men will be able to call themselves world champions. Some of those guys haven’t even been born yet. And some of them are Asian." -Mike Shannon
by Alxfritz on Nov 11, 2009 5:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
You probably will have next year.
Felonius Monk - bitching to contact since 2008
by Felonius_Monk on Nov 12, 2009 7:30 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Then you have to switch to West Ham United
because there are so many awesome things about that absurd name, that I can’t list them.
They say that it's never too late, but you don't get any younger...
by Valatan on Nov 14, 2009 2:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Their traditional baseball enemies are presumably the Nippon Ham Fighters.
Felonius Monk - bitching to contact since 2008
by Felonius_Monk on Nov 16, 2009 5:59 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I prefer Man United to Chelsea, actually
doing that (going from Man U to Chelsea) would be pretty much unheard of in the UK!
Man U are mega-successful but at least have built a lot of their success internally, with a quality system and bringing through lots of their own talent, spending wisely, and developing the players they sign (soccer’s RedSox?), whereas Chelsea have just gone apeshit since Abrahamovic bought the club, and bought every quality player in sight a few years ago for kinda instant success (soccer’s Yankees).
Felonius Monk - bitching to contact since 2008
by Felonius_Monk on Nov 12, 2009 7:26 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Also, Chelsea have a lot of players I can't stand
Man United less so. Rooney seems like a bit of a penis but I can perhaps forgive that as he’s been a superstar since he was about 16.
Felonius Monk - bitching to contact since 2008
by Felonius_Monk on Nov 12, 2009 7:30 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I've been looking for a video of what Drogba did on Sunday.
Apparently he through a big, big fit according to some Man U fans. Who else on there is really annoying. Just asking because I’m still trying to get a feel for soccer personalities. I remember hating Rooney from the World Cup 3 years ago.
(Insert Your Own Joke)
by AWolfAtTheDoor on Nov 12, 2009 12:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Drogba got destroyed by a cleat to the chest..
..blatantly purposeful. Is that what started it maybe?
Free Milton
by all4tookie on Nov 12, 2009 2:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I have no idea
I was just talking to someone about that and they were complaining.
(Insert Your Own Joke)
by AWolfAtTheDoor on Nov 12, 2009 3:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Drogba is a massive child, basically
a lot of pro soccer players are. They’re cosseted from their early teenage years and are often superstars before they’re 20. Prima-donna-ish behaviour has been de regeur on the continent for a long time (esp. Italy, France and Spain, and even more so now in Eastern Europe) for star players. It’s generally not been quite as bad in England but with the influx of foreign players and the younger English players becoming increasingly douchey, I think it’s pretty much taken hold here too.
Drogba is one of the best players in the world but a prime example – he’s always got what he’s wanted (and perhaps never had to “pay his dues” as baseball players have to do in the minor leagues) and never really had to grow up. Rooney’s just the same. They throw tantrums like 8-year-olds.
It’s one of the reasons I’m not really that into soccer beyond a passing interest and supporting a small team from where I was born in Scotland. The players are, to a man, just so universally dislikable it’s hard to pull for them. There is literally nobody like Albert Pujols, a true great who is humble, generally pleasant and grounded, in the entire sport, pretty much.
Felonius Monk - bitching to contact since 2008
by Felonius_Monk on Nov 16, 2009 6:05 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
This is so true.
But I love watching soccer and I can usually pretend the players aren’t that bad, hence, the Cristiano Ronaldo poster hanging on my wall.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
by ClemsonGirl on Nov 16, 2009 11:11 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Ugh him??
(Insert Your Own Joke)
by AWolfAtTheDoor on Nov 16, 2009 11:22 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah I know.
But he’s beautiful. Soccer is the one sport that I allow looks to really affect anything.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
by ClemsonGirl on Nov 16, 2009 11:24 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
and fantasy baseball, right?
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
by cardball on Nov 16, 2009 2:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Well they have to be good.
And not Yankees.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
by ClemsonGirl on Nov 16, 2009 2:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I also don't like the Red Sox.
I have never in my life heard anyone call Chelsea the Yankees of soccer. Obviously you know more than me and the people who tell me these things. I think over here ManU comes off as the Yankees. I have really decided recently that I have had a difficult time not caring about ManU and my favorite player that I discovered on Chelsea over the summer is on loan so he’s not even playing for them. So really I’m kind of following both. Kind of like my Cards and Indians set-up I have going on for baseball.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
by ClemsonGirl on Nov 12, 2009 9:46 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
who is your favourite player?
Felonius Monk - bitching to contact since 2008
by Felonius_Monk on Nov 16, 2009 6:06 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Di Santo.
I also like Deco.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
by ClemsonGirl on Nov 16, 2009 11:12 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Albert Pujols
I think having the best player in baseball is a good answer it its self. Having a Cy Young winner doesn’t hurt also. I don’t think any of the teams have either a MVP or a Cy Young player on their roster.
by FlimtotheFlam on Nov 10, 2009 1:08 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
yeah
we mix high caliber players like Pujols and Carp with crazy mustached shortstops and varmint hunting backup catchers. the entertainment never ends
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Nov 10, 2009 1:24 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
And Colby.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
by ClemsonGirl on Nov 10, 2009 1:51 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
and did we mention colby?
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
by cardball on Nov 10, 2009 9:03 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Cards fan in Chitown didn't.
I’m just reiterating his awesomeness.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
by ClemsonGirl on Nov 10, 2009 9:36 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
yes
and rangey center fielders from Alabama
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Nov 10, 2009 12:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Who give the most amusing interviews you will ever hear.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
by ClemsonGirl on Nov 10, 2009 12:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
all his interviews next year need to be with Shannon, for 6.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Nov 10, 2009 1:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
who?
we also generally don’t make players’ wives cry on the radio.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Nov 10, 2009 9:43 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
no crying in baseball
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
by cardball on Nov 10, 2009 9:51 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Blue Jays make Brandy Halladay cry
http://www.nationalpost.com/sports/story.html?id=1808151
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Nov 10, 2009 10:05 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Haha
Worst move in JP Riccardi’s awful, awful history. And there are a lot of candidates.
by Jevant on Nov 10, 2009 8:02 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I dunno
surely giving Rios a massive contract and then giving him away for nothing a year later is pretty, erm, “special”?
Felonius Monk - bitching to contact since 2008
by Felonius_Monk on Nov 10, 2009 10:57 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
baseball execs agree
"That may be the worst contract in baseball history," a National League official said. "Worse than Barry Zito."
An American League assistant GM was only slightly less depressing in his analysis. "I believe that Vernon Wells’ contract makes him the most difficult player to trade in the entire major leagues," the assistant said.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Nov 10, 2009 10:02 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
yeah, ok
switch teams, jevant. the jays have to live with that contract, but no reason you should have to. hey, bring some friends – cardinal nation = big umbrella.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
by cardball on Nov 10, 2009 11:11 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
we have lots of pies
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Nov 10, 2009 11:41 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Those pies are rotten by now.
"In 2035, 25 young men will be able to call themselves world champions. Some of those guys haven’t even been born yet. And some of them are Asian." -Mike Shannon
by Alxfritz on Nov 10, 2009 6:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
jebus fritz not those ones
those are for the cubs fans’ cars
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Nov 10, 2009 7:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
* not actually advocating wasting pie on cubs fans
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Nov 10, 2009 7:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
*cubs*
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Nov 11, 2009 10:22 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I say root for both the Jays and Cards...
While the Jays surely don’t have much hope to win a title for the next few years, there are still plenty of reasons to be excited about Blue Jays baseball.
1. Aaron Hill – 36 Homers and 108 RBI’s for a second baseman…incredible
2. Adam Lind – 35 HR’s and 114 RBI’s …and he’s still only 26
3. Travis Snider – will only be 22 on opening day.
4. Ricky Romero – should be near the top in rookie of the year voting and is also only 25
5. They will get some SERIOUS young talent for Roy Halladay – possibly JA Happ or Kyle Drabek
6. JP is gone.
7. Jesse Litsch is still only 25
8. Brett Cecil is still only 23
9. Albatross contracts are starting to disappear…BJ Ryan – gone. Alex Rios – gone. Overbay – about to be traded? Halladay – will be traded.
10. With this young nucleus of both position players and starters….spending wisely to up the payroll back to around 90 million-ish…they might not be that far off from a Tampa – like run….they are just in the most evil division in all of sports. But if the Rays can do it so can the Jays.
by The Ghost of Todd Burns on Nov 10, 2009 12:27 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
they could maybe use a new manager also...
Apparently the players didn’t much care for Cito…1 former Jay that is going to make an amazing manager one day who is available: Mike Matheney
by The Ghost of Todd Burns on Nov 10, 2009 12:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Matheny is not available
until his kids are older.
which is when we show up at his doorstep with pie. pre-cut.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Nov 10, 2009 1:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
don't get me wrong...I want Matheny all to ourselves...
But if I’m a GM – I’d be doing everything I can to lure him to my team. I can see him turning a team around much like Scioscia did in Anaheim or Joe Maddon did in Tampa.
by The Ghost of Todd Burns on Nov 10, 2009 1:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
yes, but only the Cards fans would pre-cut the pie.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Nov 10, 2009 1:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
also he's been pretty firm about the 'raising my kids' thing.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Nov 10, 2009 1:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
i love Mike Matheny
Matthew, Mark, Lugo, and John.
by BVHeck on Nov 14, 2009 7:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Jarrett Hoffpauir
THE HOFF
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Nov 10, 2009 1:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
they won't get Happ or Drabek for Halladay
because that was precisely the sticking-point of why that deal with the Phillies didn’t go down, and why they got Lee instead.
Felonius Monk - bitching to contact since 2008
by Felonius_Monk on Nov 11, 2009 7:11 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Wow...
that vernon wells contract is stunning…still has 5 years and 107 Million remaining to be paid…..Does anyone know how I can contact Brian Peters to negotiate my next pay raise?
by The Ghost of Todd Burns on Nov 10, 2009 12:48 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Operation Midwest Nice is Go
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
by mattybobo on Nov 10, 2009 3:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Kind of late to this party
But please please choose the Cardinals. You’ll be glad.
I understand why some are advising you to stay a Blue Jays fan instead, and I even kind of agree that it is a nobler path to stick with a franchise even though they are going through a bad era. However, like you say, you’re not even from Toronto, and you very well could have grown up a Tigers fan by geography. So in a way it’s admirable how long you’ve stuck with them.
Furthermore, I don’t see much harm in adopting a “second team”, especially one that is in the National league, meaning very little conflict of interest with your first team. They’d both have to get to the world series for there to be a problem, and that is unlikely for a while. Interleague play is kind of a joke so that doesn’t count.
You can still hope that the Blue Jays do better and take steps to improve, while also getting to enjoy the Cardinals’ success. It’s a win/win.
As for some more supporting evidence of the Cardinals’ awesomeness:
-Stan Musial, Bob Gibson, Rogers Hornsby, Ozzie Smith
-Our arch rival is the Chicago Cubs
-Our franchise pretty much invented the farm system if I recall correctly
-Albert Pujols requires more than one row
-Albert Pujols requires more than one row
-Albert Pujols requires more than one row (I’m just trying to be absolutely sure, here)
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
by mattybobo on Nov 10, 2009 3:53 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Even if you want to switch teams
You probably won’t be able to. I am a fan of the Oakland Raiders. I hate being a fan of the Oakland Raiders. IMO it is the worst-run franchise in professional sports. I live outside of Atlanta, so have been pulling for the Falcons the last couple of years, but every week I still check on the Raiders score religiously, and watch if they’re on here. I have no real reason to pull for the Raiders, other than that’s the team I picked when I was like 7 and stuck with them. As much as I’d like to disown Al Davis, Tom Cable, and that laughable bunch of players, I just can’t.
And, in a related story, this week marked the 5,000th performance of the Broadway musical "Cats." It also marked the 5,000th time a guy turned to his wife and said, "What the hell is this?"
by jd is legend on Nov 10, 2009 4:51 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Yeah.
This exact thing is starting to crop up. Now that we are getting into hot stove season, I keep hearing about the moves the Jays are considering, and I cannot keep myself from getting involved and offering opinions.
The idea of adopting the Cardinals as an NL team is quite appealing.
by Jevant on Nov 10, 2009 4:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Attaboy!
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
by mattybobo on Nov 10, 2009 5:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Cards fans, helping other fans through existential dilemmas for over a century
except for those cubs fans. [shakes head]
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Nov 10, 2009 6:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
They're beyond help.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
by ClemsonGirl on Nov 10, 2009 6:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
then you'd have the bluebirds and the redbirds
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Nov 10, 2009 7:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
That is a very good point as well
If Jevant were a Rebirds, somewhat White Sox, and Bluejays fan all at once that he could officially become an American.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
by mattybobo on Nov 11, 2009 11:29 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
check if he's Adam Dunn, first.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Nov 11, 2009 11:58 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
That's the right play
Growing up in St. Louis I became a Cards fan (I was 6 in 82 and thoroughly enjoyed the 80’s teams), I loved the early 90’s team – even though they mostly sucked – because it was my first experience with a team that didn’t have the resources to win, but “tried hard” (The ownership change was imminent and they had no budget). Late 90’s was a blast, Aughts have been a great run…
Anyway, growing up I was also a fan of baseball cards, long story medium, the more I read, the more I liked the Yankees because of their history (don’t hate me at this point). This was before I understood who Steinbrenner was and before Cashman was given unlimited money for building a team). Anyway, they are still my AL team. I was happy when they won the world series this year, not as happy as I was with the teams of the 90’s because those players were mostly home grown, but nevertheless I watched them win and was satisfied. And I still have Yankees jerseys and hats, etc. My first baseball jersey I bought with my own hard earned money was a Yankees throwback (this was during the early 90s).
But I live and die by the Cardinals. My McGee 82 powder blue road jersey is one of my most prized possessions, I watch games at work, I listen when I can. etc.
I like and follow teams in both the NL and AL. I love the Cards. If they play the Yankees, it would be a no brainer – I’d be rooting for the Redbirds. But following and rooting for two teams is fun, especially when they don’t directly compete.
Sorry for rambling…But you should come enjoy Midwestern niceness and the tradition of the Cardinals. And enjoy watching history in the making with Albert. Have some pie! Plus VEB is the best team blog on SBN and there is the great futureredbirds.net site for our prospects. So if I was to pick one from your list, it’d be a no brainer. It’s the Cards.
by creativereason on Nov 12, 2009 8:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
+1
SOLIDARITY BROTHER…SOLIDARITY
Jermaine Dye fan since KC. He's STILLLLLLLLLL GOT IT!!! now lets get him...and a real closer (named rafael soriano). Thats all, thats all I want.
by Yadi on Nov 16, 2009 12:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
that was to be in reply to the poor raiders fan that can’t switch. I’m there with ya. thats the key, have a shitty team like the raiders who please god will be good someday again, and then have an actually respectable organization like the cardinals that bears fruit regularly.
Jermaine Dye fan since KC. He's STILLLLLLLLLL GOT IT!!! now lets get him...and a real closer (named rafael soriano). Thats all, thats all I want.
by Yadi on Nov 16, 2009 12:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Albert F'in Pujols
pretzels pretzels pretzels pretzels
by gdm426 on Nov 10, 2009 8:51 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Because if you don't
Chris Carpenter will find you.
Lighten up, Francis - Sergeant Hulka
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
by mattyfrommo on Nov 10, 2009 9:48 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
he's familiar with your territory
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
by cardball on Nov 10, 2009 10:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
BE AFRAID
Felonius Monk - bitching to contact since 2008
by Felonius_Monk on Nov 11, 2009 7:12 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Stay a Jays fan.
"In 2035, 25 young men will be able to call themselves world champions. Some of those guys haven’t even been born yet. And some of them are Asian." -Mike Shannon
by Alxfritz on Nov 11, 2009 7:06 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
it's worth it just to cheer for these uniforms:
Now that is a man
Free Milton
by all4tookie on Nov 11, 2009 11:10 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
A Cards/Jays throwback interleague game would be epic
Battle of the Pullover Powder Blue Birdos.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
by mattybobo on Nov 11, 2009 11:31 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I will admit to being a tad bit jealous of Jays' fans
They got to rejoice in one of the greatest moments in all of sports. A fucking World Series winning walk-off HR. When Ryan Ludwick does that next year, I will… I don’t know what I will do, but the celebration will probably cause me to end up in the clink.
Lighten up, Francis - Sergeant Hulka
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
by mattyfrommo on Nov 11, 2009 7:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
just keep your pants on and you'll be fine.
"In 2035, 25 young men will be able to call themselves world champions. Some of those guys haven’t even been born yet. And some of them are Asian." -Mike Shannon
by Alxfritz on Nov 11, 2009 7:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
matty doesn't have pants
pretzels pretzels pretzels pretzels
by gdm426 on Nov 11, 2009 9:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Bra. Seriously, bra. Fuck these nerds. For serious. True story, bra — I’m at the game yesterday. I’m wasted. Seriously, bra, I’ve had like eleven brews. I’m there with my boy Donnie — awesome guy. Solid guy. The papers call him the “Laundry Room Rapist.” So Donnie’s like, “Bra, you want another one?” And I’m like, “Shitchyea, dude! I ain’t driving!” And Donnie’s all, “Bra, you are driving, remember?” And I was like, “Ohhhh shit!” And we high-five, right?
So basically everything was awesome. We were crushing it, bra. And then, this little fucking nerd in front of us is like, “Can you be careful? You’re spilling beer on my daughter’s head,” and I’m like, “Whatever dude — it’s a ballgame. Shut up and enjoy the ride!” and he’s like, “Just try to be more considerate,” and then his little nerd son is like, “Daddy, look, Manny’s up!” and his nerd dad is like, “Let’s go Manny!” and his nerd son is like, “His batting average is down to .288” and that’s when I just lost it, bra. Those fucking nerds and their numbers. So I pull my rod out — you know, because I have to piss, right? — and the guy is all, “Hey! You can’t do that here!” and I’m like, “Sorry, nerdbra, the only statistic I care about is how many brewskis I’ve had and how much piss I’ve pissed” and the next thing you know security is dragging me out and they’re all like, “You’re banned for life” and I’m like, “Bra, what the hell?” and they’re like “You pulled your penis out and urinated at your seat and there’s vomit on your forearm, and also you can’t smoke in the stadium, and your friend is wearing a shirt and shoes but no pants,” and I’m like “He’s Donald Ducking it, bra — it’s classic!” and they’re like, “Get out of here and never come back.”
And that’s when I realized: nerds have ruined baseball.
Free Milton
by all4tookie on Nov 12, 2009 8:30 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I don't know where the hell that came from
but once I stopped laughing, I came to realize I now have the perfect fucking idea for a Halloween costume next year. So yeah, thanks for all that.
Lighten up, Francis - Sergeant Hulka
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
by mattyfrommo on Nov 12, 2009 1:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Haha, sorry for the length of the quote,
But had to give the “Donald Ducking it” some context. Its from FJM, naturally.
Now just find a friend to “Porky Pig” it, and you are set
Free Milton
by all4tookie on Nov 12, 2009 2:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I picture this happening at Fenway.
Is that wrong of me?
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
by ClemsonGirl on Nov 12, 2009 7:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
i had dodger stadium
in mind personally
Matthew, Mark, Lugo, and John.
by BVHeck on Nov 14, 2009 7:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
The use of bra signaled Boston to me.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
by ClemsonGirl on Nov 14, 2009 7:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
bra made me think
of Aloha Stadium, Honolulu. they don’t play baseball there, but it could totally happen at a UH football game – i’ve witnessed close to it several times there..
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
by cardball on Nov 15, 2009 12:34 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Try and say bra without a Boston accent.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
by ClemsonGirl on Nov 15, 2009 12:40 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
i lived in hawaii
it is impossible for me to hear brah without thinking of hawaii – it is probably the most commonly-used word there, but yes, it does sound rather bostonian, and sometmes even like brooklynese.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
by cardball on Nov 15, 2009 12:58 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I believe you.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
by ClemsonGirl on Nov 15, 2009 1:08 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
you'd better
or else
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
by cardball on Nov 15, 2009 1:28 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
nobody puts cgirly in a corner
pretzels pretzels pretzels pretzels
by gdm426 on Nov 15, 2009 1:33 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
sorry clemsongirl
for a brief moment i lost my mind and forgot what happened to the Ankiel Gals – were the bodies ever found?
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
by cardball on Nov 15, 2009 1:50 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Wouldn't you like to know.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
by ClemsonGirl on Nov 15, 2009 2:10 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
actually
the less i know the better. i just feel safer that way.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
by cardball on Nov 15, 2009 2:50 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
not always
those who know where the bodies are buried always have some juice
pretzels pretzels pretzels pretzels
by gdm426 on Nov 15, 2009 2:53 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
i'm not falling for that
as a great military man was known to say, “I know nothing(k)!”
hey, i’m already implicated in this mess. i’m the one who ratted out the Ankiel Gals. (haha, lame – i changed “fingered” to “ratted out”)
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
by cardball on Nov 15, 2009 3:24 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Logistics- time zones, curvature of the earth, start times, psychology, etc
There are already so many good reasons mentioned as to why you should gain Redbird citizenship, and someone may have already said this, but…
… time zones. Following an LA team while living in London Jr. will present some difficulties, unless you’re a night owl. So if you have no problem with at least 82 games starting at 10 or 11 (sorry, not sure which zone you’re in), then it’s a moot point.
Also, dude, “Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim”? Leave it to an LA team to suffer some sort of dramatic personality crisis.
So, maybe following the “St. Louis Cardinals of Downtown St. Louis” makes a bit more sense.
by Scarecrow7775 on Nov 12, 2009 11:55 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
on the other hand...
the rally monkey is pretty sweet
I love monkeys
by Scarecrow7775 on Nov 12, 2009 11:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
eeehhh
Cardinals Nation is much larger than that. Your territory’s shrinking. (….she said.)
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Nov 13, 2009 8:49 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Uhm...
The hockey team in our city isn’t a misspelling of the plural of Leaf… I’m not sure what kind of English the Leafs are, but I would abandon all Tononto teams based on that fact.
If anything, the Cardinals have the best overall player in the league in Albert Pujols and has two Cy Young candidates that actually want to play for the team they’re on.
There’s an outdoor stadium here, which is good because baseball is an outdoor sport as opposed to a dome in Toronto. Granted LA and Detroit have an outdoor stadium, but out of that whole bunch, the Cardinals were the last to win the World Series.
If you rally behind a monkey, you should be flinging feces at one another. I really don’t see the connection between an Angel and a monkey. And I wouldn’t support a team with an asshat of a guy as in Manny.
Detroit isn’t bad though if you like only visiting during daylight hours on weekends during games where there is a law enforcement convention in town.
I just support your change from the Jays.
by Niemann on Nov 16, 2009 6:32 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Making fun of detroit for crime is tacky, to say the least
especially when there’s this
They say that it's never too late, but you don't get any younger...
by Valatan on Nov 17, 2009 1:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yes, but that's misleading.
Now with extra feisty!
by spants on Nov 17, 2009 2:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
In that violent crime in St. Louis tends to skew toward murder?
Or is the argument that the statistic is an artifact of the city/county split? Regardless, I’m really not one to pile onto St. Louis, and I love the city, I just really hate Detroit-bashing, particularly from those who live around glass houses.
They say that it's never too late, but you don't get any younger...
by Valatan on Nov 17, 2009 3:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
old thread.
http://www.vivaelbirdos.com/2009/9/16/1033428/game-147-overflow#21324230
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Nov 17, 2009 5:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
The only thing that I would say to that
is that a true, fair reading would also include Metro East, so it’s debatable about what would happen to the crime stats until you actually run the numbers.
They say that it's never too late, but you don't get any younger...
by Valatan on Nov 17, 2009 6:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
City-county split.
Majorly skews the rate.
Now with extra feisty!
by spants on Nov 17, 2009 7:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
We’re not the Tigers, Dodgers, or the Angels. Nuff Said
by Notorious PSC on Nov 17, 2009 2:58 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
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