Back into the Chrisper
by DanUpBaby on Mar 31, 2009 8:45 AM EDT
357 comments
First order of business: Cardinals go at 12:05 today; Gameday thread here.
For what it's worth, here, in the old Rob Neyer construct, are two relief pitchers. Their parents, in a fit of Dadaist clairvoyance, named them Relief Pitcher A and Relief Pitcher B.
| NAME | G | IP | HR | BB | K | ERA | FIP |
| R.P. A | 41 | 41.2 | 5 | 22 | 42 | 3.46 | 4.33 |
| R.P. B | 68 | 75.2 | 7 | 26 | 59 | 4.04 | 3.87 |
Of course you guys know who's who—these things work better when the blog isn't focused entirely on the roster minutiae of one team. It seems weird that the battle for the last spot in the bullpen came down to Chris Perez and Brad Thompson when such a close analogue spent much of Spring Training trying to figure out why he couldn't get anyone out.
Kyle McClellan has options; he has problems; he has almost no track record, something La Russa suggested as a motivator for Perez's departure; most importantly, he has a muddled role on the pitching staff, set-up relief with a side of he-could-probably-start. Nobody on the staff—not even the minor league catcher—could better use a month or two to figure things out.
But perception is important. McClellan has a whole year in the pen, one with some wonderful high points, and La Russa—perhaps rightfully—sees that as "track record" where Perez's time in the bigs is a test run. But seeing them as anything but similar players with similar strengths and weaknesses is, I think, an illusion of McClellan's service time.
As for WonderBrad, erstwhile long reliever, he is what he is—he doesn't strike out enough people to start, he doesn't play in middle relief because his sinker is knuckleball-like in the fear it instills in managers wary of the late-innings wild pitch, but he'll soak up all kinds of low-leverage innings while remaining on the right side of adequate. I'd rather have Chris Perez lurking in the bullpen, but Thompson is not a scrub so much as a barely-average guy with no chance to excite (which makes it stranger than ever that he was the one, all those years ago, who threw 58 scoreless minor league innings in a row.)
Meanwhile, Joel Pineiro is the latest pitcher to finish up his Grapefruit season, and the latest to be turned into an ace by small samples, Roger Dean Stadium, et al. I officially have no idea how, or if, to treat Spring Training pitching statistics. I'm glad I didn't come to this conclusion until now; it would have been a rough spring slate of posts.
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Perez will be fine
I have no idea if it bruises his ego, but its the smart decision. The Cardinals have a lot of young weapons in relief at the moment. Give Perez a few weeks to further refine his game, and he will get a call-up. If McClellan continues to struggle with the big club, swap them out.
I really feel for Kyle, though. Long reliever? Pseudo-starter? Set-up Man? Utility pitchers (a.k.a. Brad Thompsons of the world) must suffer through a lot of uncertainty…
by JWO on Mar 31, 2009 9:16 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
even
if he says all he wants to be is on the MLB roster, he’s definitely thinking he wants a defined role, either set-up or just getting enough time to stretch out and become a starter at some point in the season.
Cardwash Definition: Birds on the Nat.
OHHH YEAHHHH!!!!!!!
by cardwash on Mar 31, 2009 7:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
that's one of the reasons i like PK so much
all that uncertainty, and he still keeps going.
BEN MOTHERHUSHYOURMOUTH SHEETS
I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson
by gdm426 on Mar 31, 2009 10:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
...and the kick of destiny
The artist formerly known as...
Mr Redbird @ Viva El Birdos
PowerOfDixieland @ Track Em Tigers, other SEC blogs
by jd is legend on Mar 31, 2009 11:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
could someone tell me
where “puppy kicker” came from?
by krippledmaster on Apr 1, 2009 10:45 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
After a game
I think it was a game he started, Brad said something along the lines of “I am so upset I just want to go find a puppy and kick it” not the exact words but that is the gist of it.
"People call me El Hombre," Pujols said. "But only Stan is the Man."
by StLHugo on Apr 1, 2009 10:55 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Check out gdm426's signature.
Not the Ben Sheets part. The other part.
by cardsgirl95 on Apr 1, 2009 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
the BEN SHEETS part is money though
BEN MOTHERHUSHYOURMOUTH SHEETS
I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson
by gdm426 on Apr 1, 2009 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
my brother thought that the yanks signed him
did they really?
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Apr 1, 2009 3:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes,
but it doesn’t explain “Puppy-Kicker” to krippledmaster.
by cardsgirl95 on Apr 1, 2009 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
no kidding, say that three times fast
BEN MOTHERHUSHYOURMOUTH SHEETS
I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson
by gdm426 on Apr 1, 2009 9:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm sure Perez'
value to the club was explained to him and I doubt his ego is bruised much.
by ridgesee on Mar 31, 2009 9:32 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
plus
he was hurt for half of spring. that makes it easier to explain “hey, you missed about 3 weeks. make them up and you’ll get your shot”
by spencegrif on Mar 31, 2009 9:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
it depends on who is doing the explaining
I hope you’re right… because at the end of the Reyes fiasco Tony / Dunc never talked to Reyes about what he needed to do to improve and make it back.
by felone on Mar 31, 2009 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
seriously
is Reyes going to be 2 years of Flores?? one so-so year, one really bad year….
Cardwash Definition: Birds on the Nat.
OHHH YEAHHHH!!!!!!!
by cardwash on Mar 31, 2009 8:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I am just happy and grateful
that my team is now in a position to have to make all these tough choices, and to have to spend so much time worrying about who is blocking who on the depth chart. May we never go back to the days of getting excited about Bo Hart and Joe McEwing.
by MdRedbirdFreak on Mar 31, 2009 9:35 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
"Excitement" about Super Joe, etc., is a good thing.
Reliance on them is what is not so good. I’m perfectly happy to have some feel-good stories like those guys as part of the team, as long as they’re filler rather than the main attraction.
by StanTheManFan on Mar 31, 2009 9:41 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, yes, we are on the same page.
Those things were human-interest excitement stories as opposed to possibly championship-caliber Cardinal player excitement stories. Frankly there will always be plenty of the former in the wider world, but not as many of the latter as we would like.
by MdRedbirdFreak on Mar 31, 2009 10:24 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
While all of that's true
I’d much rather get “excited” about Colby Rasmus, Joe Mather, and Jason Motte because I know they’re going to be pretty good players for a while, while guys like Hart, McEwing, and Percival were nothing but filler that had no future with the club.
"I just wish that the late Harry Caray were still around so I could hear him mispronounce 'Kosuke Fukudome' every fukun' night" -- Dennis Miller
by fourstick on Mar 31, 2009 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It is the right decision.....
Perez will be fine, and I’m guessing you’ll see him in the Lou before the end of May.
"Stats are for losers," Muschamp said after last week's victory. "I like winning games."
by SoonerfanTU on Mar 31, 2009 9:38 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Thompson or KMac
if KMac keeps doing poorly and Perez gets healthy then I could see a swap. Otherwise if Perez and KMac are both doing good I think Thompson is shown the door.
"People call me El Hombre," Pujols said. "But only Stan is the Man."
by StLHugo on Mar 31, 2009 9:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Who ever gets hurt, or is ineffective. Small chance that one of those two things doesn’t happen.
"Stats are for losers," Muschamp said after last week's victory. "I like winning games."
by SoonerfanTU on Mar 31, 2009 9:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
does your signature imply
that teams that pay attention to statistical analysis will lose? or are you trying to rile up some of the more statistically inclined fans? sounds kind of dramatic…
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Mar 31, 2009 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Muschamp is Texas' defensive coordinator
Stats in football aren’t as meaningful as they are in baseball
The artist formerly known as...
Mr Redbird @ Viva El Birdos
PowerOfDixieland @ Track Em Tigers, other SEC blogs
by jd is legend on Mar 31, 2009 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Most likely for an injured pitcher
Also, we won’t have to see transactions like these in 2009.
Apr 5 08 – Placed RHP Russ Springer on 15-day disabled list with an inflamed nerve in his right elbow; Recalled RHP Kelvin Jimenez from Triple-A Memphis.
May 28 08 – Placed RHP Joel Pineiro on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to May 21, due to a right groin strain; Recalled RHP Kelvin Jimenez from Triple-A Memphis
Jul 18 08 – Activated LHP Randy Flores from the 15-day disabled list; Recalled RHP Kelvin Jimenez from Triple-A Memphis; Optioned RHP Chris Perez and OF Joe Mather to Triple-A Memphis
by ubeddie on Mar 31, 2009 10:02 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Can't we just redact "his" name?
Not afraid to nitpick
by joker24 on Mar 31, 2009 10:07 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
So who is the first starting pitcher to come up?
My guess would be Boggs, but if it is early they may try to convert KMac?
by MRCARD on Mar 31, 2009 11:12 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
probably perez still gets the call if a starter goes down
KMac or Brad T go to the rotation and Perez to the pen.
by jjray on Mar 31, 2009 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
spring stats
I always place more weight on hitters’ poor performance than hitters’ good performance, or pitching performance of any kind. My reasoning being that pitchers have all sorts of goals in spring like trying new pitches and finding the strike zone (or they’re just horrible pitchers trying to make the squad), so they are not necessarily going to be bringing their best stuff to the mound every time. However, hitters are ALWAYS trying to hit, so while poor pitching might inflate hitters’ spring numbers, poor performance over an entire spring might be something to worry about.
Then again, maybe not.
by spencegrif on Mar 31, 2009 9:57 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
"Then again, maybe not"
Are you Edward Scissorhands? Because that post was beautifully hedged!
by arch support on Mar 31, 2009 10:07 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Well, everyone knows Custer died at Little Bighorn.
What this book presupposes is… maybe he didn’t?
by mattybobo on Mar 31, 2009 10:48 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I know that line
but I can’t recall where it’s from.
by arch support on Mar 31, 2009 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Royal Tannenbaums
Wildcat…
"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 Mar 31, 2009 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think it takes a peculiar sort of taste to like that movie.
I loved it. One of the most well-acted movies I’ve ever seen. It made me wonderfully uncomfortable for the entire show.
Baseball's only fun if you're playing it, watching it, or thinking about it.
by Eckstreem on Mar 31, 2009 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I loved it
by Toddius on Mar 31, 2009 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Speaking of useless spring stats and McClellan
Did you know that McClellan leads the team with 3 wins? He is 3-0.
I have a list of 10 Spring Training trivia questions at Whiteyball, and I don’t think I’d get 2 of them right (if I hadn’t made them).
I think hitters and pitchers performance should be taken with a grain of salt. The biggest indicator in the spring (when comparing performance) is health in my opinion. You do have a point that pitchers seem to be even more of a crapshoot though.
by MRCARD on Mar 31, 2009 11:07 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm glad you pointed that out
I was thinking it was weird that the guy has so many wins… and it illustrates that the win statistic is practically useless
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Mar 31, 2009 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Actually
Pinata is 3-0, too. But for a run being given up by bully yesterday, he woulda been 4-0.
There was Gibson in the Reds' dugout, visibly manhandling about three Reds and tossing them bodily out of the dugout and onto the field...He was the toughest athlete mentally I ever saw, and the greatest competitor. JACK BUCK
by ISawGodInGibby'sRightArm on Mar 31, 2009 12:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I disagree on the hitters
However, hitters are ALWAYS trying to hit, so while poor pitching might inflate hitters’ spring numbers, poor performance over an entire spring might be something to worry about.
Hitters are working on things in the spring too.
- Learning to take pitches and work counts like Khalil Greene has done this spring.
- Working on using the opposite field on pitches away.
- Putting down a proper bunt or working on drag bunting skills.
- Reading the defense and getting a pitch that you can hit and find a hole.
- Changing the finish of your swing to get more carry on the ball.
There’s probably not as many things that a hitter has to work on, but there’s still plenty of things for them to do besides just hit.
"I just wish that the late Harry Caray were still around so I could hear him mispronounce 'Kosuke Fukudome' every fukun' night" -- Dennis Miller
by fourstick on Mar 31, 2009 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
In some instances...
guys may be changing their whole approach at the plate. Different stances, swing paths/styles, etc…
Sometimes I wonder,
"Why is that frisbee getting bigger?"
...and then it hits me!!
by cardzfanbub on Mar 31, 2009 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
How many Ks does Greene have now?
Not afraid to nitpick
by joker24 on Mar 31, 2009 9:58 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
ks
3 in the last 71 PAs. http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/stories.nsf/cardinals/story/038A357D2D3C1C6D8625758A00103B5B?OpenDocument
by spencegrif on Mar 31, 2009 10:01 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Im gonna have to breakdown and draft Greene
Milt Thompson FTW!
by gossard56 on Mar 31, 2009 10:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Beware the streaky, strikeout-prone hitter
defy, cards, defy. hey logic --- you suck.
by effin fisk on Mar 31, 2009 2:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Here is to hoping that Brad Thompson has finally figured it all out...
I think I’m joking but a small part of me is serious.
*Rasmus is to CF as Longoria is to 3B*
by Red Blazer on Mar 31, 2009 9:59 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I don't think he's got a lot to figure out...
He is what he is, a mediocre swingman with so-so stuff who’s just about worth his spot on an MLB roster as a long-man. I think he does get his stats hurt a bit by all the wierd spot starts and low-leverage garbage innings we have him pitching in; I’ve always had a soft spot for him and I reckon if he was used as a one-inning reliever against mostly RHH he’d be average-ish. Thankfully, we have enough quality pitching in our pen now that that’s not required and he be the dumpster guy.
I remember back before the start of the 07 season, when Izzy was a re-habbing question mark and it looked like it might be a competition between Thompson and the late Josh Hancock for the CLOSER spot. Ugh.
Because chicks dig the intentional base on balls.
by Felonius_Monk on Mar 31, 2009 10:16 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Has he unfigured or has others figured him out?
I seemed to recall that PK used to be better and throw a lot more strikes and get lot’s of ground balls including getting DPs. So I looked at baseballreference:
Year G GS IP BB SO *ERA+ WHIP
———-—-———-————————-+
2005 40 0 55.0 15 29 144 1.109
2006 43 1 56.7 20 32 133 1.376
2007 44 17 129.3 40 53 93 1.523
2008 26 6 64.7 19 32 83 1.407
Sorry, about not getting FIPs. But I just wanted some data to test my recollection. So how did his WHIP jump way up? Did hitters figure him out? Did he lose somethings? Is he no longer able to throw his sinker for strikes because of the movement? Likewise, I have a soft spot for PK, even though my dog hates him.
born Dodger blue, now dyed Cardinals red
by totalloser on Mar 31, 2009 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
once your dog reached adult hood, he had nothing to fear from PK
from watching PK pitch, his sinker stopped sinking. don’t know why, but that’s what my eyes told me
BEN MOTHERHUSHYOURMOUTH SHEETS
I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson
by gdm426 on Mar 31, 2009 10:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm certain you're right
One day I’d like to confirm that with pitch f/x data. Problem is that if I get a free day, I’m more likely go out watching baseball. Where did the offseason go?
by random on Apr 1, 2009 12:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
BABIP
In 2005 it was .245 and last year it was .308. Thompson actually had a slightly lower FIP this year than he did in 05.
vivaelbeñsheets
by vivaelpujols on Apr 3, 2009 5:14 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Perez is at the airport with the Memphis Blues again
Well fans, another stroll down memory lane. TLR and company painted themselves into the proverbial corner with their two lefties and misaligned bullpen missions. Leave it up to Tony Speak to enervate “Track Record” as the reason you left your best young pitcher holding his jewels in his hand again. Yes, he’ll be fine down there on the wrong side of Big Muddy, and he’s said all the right stuff. But it flat out sucks that Perez didn’t make this club.
by deweydell on Mar 31, 2009 10:01 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
You can relax.
Tony could do a lot worse things than putting Perez in Memphis. In fact, for Perez, this could be a blessing in disguise: he can iron himself out, and come up in three weeks/a month or so with his best stuff. That would be better for him than to start the season rusty and be removed from the closer role/taken out of the bullpen altogether because he walked as many as he k’d.
And I’m a guy who normally doesn’t approve of La Russa’s questionable rookie-handling moves. This one, I’m ok with.
by arch support on Mar 31, 2009 10:13 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed.
Because chicks dig the intentional base on balls.
by Felonius_Monk on Mar 31, 2009 10:17 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oops I hit post too quick...
I meant, agreed – also, it has the added advantage that we can keep thompson (for now) and don’t have to put him through waivers. I quite like the idea of keeping the puppykicker around at least for the start of the year (not that I don’t think Boggs/Todd/whoever could do a similar job in the pen, I just think they’re better off spending that time in memphis further refining their craft).
Because chicks dig the intentional base on balls.
by Felonius_Monk on Mar 31, 2009 10:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
not to mention
Perez was hurt for a few days and it may have slowed him down a bit in getting ready for major league playing time
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Mar 31, 2009 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
So far I think Motte is the better of the two. I hate walks in the 9th inning.
*Rasmus is to CF as Longoria is to 3B*
by Red Blazer on Mar 31, 2009 10:11 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Starting a young pitcher at the
pressure of major league level when he has not had enough work in ST is a recipe for arm trouble. La Russa and company did the right thing. He really needs extended ST rather than Memphis.
by ridgesee on Mar 31, 2009 10:13 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Plus
I took Motte in the last round of my fantasy draft. That little move could pay off for me nicely.
by arch support on Mar 31, 2009 10:14 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Motte's statistics so far last year and this year in ST
leave little to be argued about
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Mar 31, 2009 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
What,
you didn’t find Izzy’s adventures into BBland exciting?!?!?!?!?
There was Gibson in the Reds' dugout, visibly manhandling about three Reds and tossing them bodily out of the dugout and onto the field...He was the toughest athlete mentally I ever saw, and the greatest competitor. JACK BUCK
by ISawGodInGibby'sRightArm on Mar 31, 2009 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No, not at all. But in Izzys defense until the wheels came off he still got the job done.
*Rasmus is to CF as Longoria is to 3B*
by Red Blazer on Mar 31, 2009 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
So you're saying
Izzy got the job done until he stopped getting the job done?
by mojowo11 on Mar 31, 2009 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
he gutted it out until he got hurt
Izzy didn’t lose his nerve, or give up, but medical problems took him down. He got the job done until injuries made him unable to do it.
by madridbend on Mar 31, 2009 1:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Another perspective
Izzy was unable to do it, but didn’t bother telling anybody about it. That’s what bothered me.
I don’t question his guts or competitiveness. And I don’t forget all that he has done for the Cards in the past.
born Dodger blue, now dyed Cardinals red
by totalloser on Mar 31, 2009 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes. That's what I said.
*Rasmus is to CF as Longoria is to 3B*
by Red Blazer on Mar 31, 2009 2:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Perez Decision A Mistake
Just my opinion, but I think that Perez should have made the team. I don’t have a problem with Motte winning the closers job, but Motte will not be able to pitch everyday and there was room for both of them. Let me put it this way, say Motte has pitched his limit and will not be available for a particular game – who is your closer? I understand that there are several who can fill that role but none of them are as good a Perez. Perez could have been used in a variety of ways which would have done nothing but strengthen the pen.
by Warcard on Mar 31, 2009 10:38 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I agree
I think its as simple as keeping the better pitcher. Plus Perez pitched in 41 major league games last year. That should count for something. I think Perez should have been a lock going in to camp to make the team. He’s proved he can pitch in the bigs, so at least keep him around to pitch in the 7th or 8th.
Milt Thompson FTW!
by gossard56 on Mar 31, 2009 10:50 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Perez is being sent to Memphis
to work on his “stuff”…… mainly because he was delayed by his injury. It will be much easier for him to do that in Memphis without all the pressure and questions that will no doubt be happening to the Cards MLB bullpen. Motte, Franklin and Kinney will be the closers as needed….. it would be hard to slot Perez in his “current” condition into that mix without possibly messing him up anymore.
by OKCARDSFAN_411 on Mar 31, 2009 10:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
agree a mistake
but a small mistake. Some right handed relieve or starter shall be hurt or ineffective in the 1st half of the season. It’s inevitable. Then Perez comes back up. Perez is a better reliever than KMac at this point and, thus, Chris should have gotten the job. KMac has issues and should work those out in Memphis. That said, this does not appear to be the same as the Anthony Reyes rear end hosing that went down in past years. This one is marginally defensible and probably does no great harm.
by jjray on Mar 31, 2009 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree
The situation will take care of itself. However, I worry about McClellan ironing things out at the big league level and feel that maybe he should have been sent down to work on his stuff. I personally don’t think that McClellan has a more meaningful “track record” than Perez, as DanUp demonstrates above. What’s more, K-Mac’s last few months of throwing have not been pretty at all.
"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 Mar 31, 2009 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Whether right or wrong....
I don’t think Perez was in competition with KMac or Thompson in reality. He is a one-inning man. KMac and Thompson can pitch in long relief, which we may need lots of. Perez does not provide the inning-eating capability of either of those two. He was looking for a spot in the whole Franklin-Motte area.
My personal opinion is that Perez will be the best pitcher in our bullpen at some point this year. I think he should have made the team as the 8th inning guy and move Franklin to long relief while sending KMac down to work on HIS problems.
Baseball's only fun if you're playing it, watching it, or thinking about it.
by Eckstreem on Mar 31, 2009 3:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Kinney can close when Motte isn't available
Kinney was excellent in 2006 and he looks like he is back to full health. He has the pitches and the temperament to close, but doubts about the stamina of his arm probably kept him from consideration as the designated closer. So Kinney, in effect, replaces Russ Springer. But he could just as well replace Isringhausen v.2008, part time. That’s not the backhanded compliment that it might seem to be….
by CardsWin on Mar 31, 2009 12:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
is perez healty?
let him go prove it in aaa.
by ball in play on Mar 31, 2009 12:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
is mcclellan healthy?
he should have just as much, or more, to prove in that regard.
Those Pilgrims ain't lookin' so proud now...
by giveml on Mar 31, 2009 1:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
haven't
seen stl shut him down for two weeks this month (perez). so, i guess so, based on his appearances.
by ball in play on Mar 31, 2009 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Health
It seems to me that Perez has been cleared by the MLB training staff. Not that this fact is very heartening, but he has thrown effectively and without pain since being cleared. The Cards were intentionally overly cautious and with good reason. There is no need to rush him back during Spring Training.
The question b/t the two relievers, to me, is one of effectiveness. Perez, from what I’ve seen in ST, has looked more MLB-ready than McClellan. I recognize that it’s fun with small ST sample sizes, but McClellan has not been effective for months, if we go back to 2008. Frankly, at this juncture, I’d say that McClellan has more to work on in AAA than Perez.
"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 Mar 31, 2009 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i don't trust our med staff :)
seems like a good prequationary move to let him go prove it for a month, rather than 2 IP since returning.
we already have garcia logging mlb service time on dl, why add another quality youthful arm to that scenario when sending him down answers it.
lose thompson to waivers just to find perez needs shut down a month. burn an option on k-mac just to replace perez on the 25man if need be.
i hope he’s not hurt, but who knows. here’s where i have to trust dave duncan, that he knows who belongs, and why.
by ball in play on Mar 31, 2009 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
IP in 2009
Another item to keep in mind is that Perez’ innings can be manipulated much easier at AAA than in the majors. If the FO has an IP target for Chris in 2009, I’d like to see those innings later in the season than having to shut him down ala KMac -08 in September.
by ubeddie on Mar 31, 2009 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
IP in april/early may
with the lack of days off, is what thompson and k-mac offer, that perez doesn’t. especially after being shut down recently.
managing perez is 09 is fine, but this is the on-field managment making sure they have the april IP covered, it seems.
don’t see it as an effectiveness competition between certain players, but more a team need. trying to make sure the IP getting met.
by ball in play on Mar 31, 2009 3:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think we can probably all agree that
TLR and management have a better idea about who’s “healthy” than we do. Any suppositions that McClellan isn’t “healthy” are just that.
by Willie McGee's Twin on Mar 31, 2009 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Devil's Advocate
The evidence that TLR and management are good at assessing player health is pretty scant. Edmonds, Rolen, and Mulder come to mind.
"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 Mar 31, 2009 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Problem with listing of these names
Is that we have not the slightest clue who they handled well because they recovered and got healthy.
Not afraid to nitpick
by joker24 on Mar 31, 2009 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
The evidence that anyone on this board is any better at assessing player health is even scanter.
Players get hurt. They don’t all recover at pre-determined rates. Sometimes they get better; and sometimes, in the process of recovering, they have setbacks. Sometimes they over-compensate for one injury that leads to another. On top of this, every player’s anatomy, tolerance for pain, ability to recover, etc. is different. And the medical tools to assess health are not full-proof, nor even close to it, when assessing things like “shoulder pain.” It’s not like they’re assessing whether someone has a broken femur.
Besides, whether they are good at assessing health and whether they are completely straightforward with what they know when talking to the media are two different things.
by Willie McGee's Twin on Mar 31, 2009 7:02 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
whether they are good at assessing health and whether they are completely straightforward with what they know when talking to the media are two different things
both of those are meaningless when players who are obviously hurt are being run out there when they should be on the DL
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
and....BEN SHEETS!!! **
**not that BEN SHEETS might be involved in this comment, just BEN SHEETS!!!
(BEN SHEETS might be involved in this comment)
by mattyfrommo on Mar 31, 2009 7:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
yeah, but we've just trotted out a list of names that this board targeted as
injured long before the injury was acknowledged publicly.
and i don’t think that we have any less right to speculate on whether mcclellan is hurt than we do to debate whether his fastball is losing velocity or whether he’s tipping his pitches.
by tom s. on Mar 31, 2009 7:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nobody said you didn't have a "right to speculate"
I just said that’s all you’re doing. And your list of names isn’t good (or any) evidence of your independent ability to assess player health better than TLR and the doctors who, you know, actually diagnose, talk to, and treat the players. You sound like the painguy now.
BTW, I “speculate” by benching guys on my fantasy football team all the time because they’re “Questionable” or some other designation that indicates injury. When the coach starts them that weekend, sometimes they have bad games (obviously justifying my pseudo-assessment of their health) and sometimes they have good games (oops, I won’t mention those). But just because they have a bad game doesn’t mean I’m actually better at assessing the player’s health than the head coach who had the benefit of talking to the player, talking to a medical staff who had treated the player and read diagnostic tests, watched the player warm-up, etc.
by Willie McGee's Twin on Mar 31, 2009 9:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It was pretty obvious that Chris Duncan was injured or had forgotten how
to play baseball. Similarly, Rick Ankiel’s gut wound was obvious as well.
Going back even further, everyone in the world could see Izzy stalling when he was injured in 2006 but Tony sat there, arms crossed.
by Hardcore Legend on Mar 31, 2009 9:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good Lord people.....
It isn’t like TLR/Duncan are giving Perez the Reyes treatment. Relax…..he’ll be up in the majors for a significant part of the season, most likely.
He had a chance to beat Motte out, and didn’t do it. Quite the opposite, actually. Instead of bashing TLR for Perez, why not say “good job” for giving the closers role to a rookie, since most of you never thought he’d do it.
"Stats are for losers," Muschamp said after last week's victory. "I like winning games."
by SoonerfanTU on Mar 31, 2009 11:50 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
heck
maybe Duncan sent him down, not TLR
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Mar 31, 2009 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Or maybe it was.....
Mo.
If the alternative is possibly having to let Thompson walk away for nothing, given our shortage of pitching depth, maybe Mo just said Thompson is staying for now. Find somebody else to send down.
"Stats are for losers," Muschamp said after last week's victory. "I like winning games."
by SoonerfanTU on Mar 31, 2009 12:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Unless I've missed something
the closer’s role hasn’t been given to Motte. All public statements indicate it will be matchups that determine who closes, whatever that means.
Whatever points he may get for letting a rookie close will be overshadowed by his public insistence that the team’s number one priority was to avoid having a rookie closer.
Those Pilgrims ain't lookin' so proud now...
by giveml on Mar 31, 2009 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
"it will be matchups that determine who closes"
Between righty Kinney, righty Motte, and righty Franklin?
I think Motte has more or less won the job. It’s just TLR’s insistence on not named rookies to the closer job that’s holding that back.
by mojowo11 on Mar 31, 2009 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Don't want to put pressure on them, ya know
Having them come in during almost every save opportunity is one thing, but naming a rookie a closer? I mean, c’mon, they can’t handle that.
"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 Mar 31, 2009 1:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I didn't know that only
one of the two, Motte or Perez, could be on the roster.
Here I thought not good relievers like Thompson could be replaced by more talent.
by Hardcore Legend on Mar 31, 2009 3:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I find the Perez love a little puzzling...
He doesn’t seem to be that great a pitcher. Either in the majors or the minors.
He walks way too many people. 22 in 41 innings last year, 4 in 7 innings this spring. In his minor league career it’s 72 in 109 innings.
It’s not a case of Reyes, where he totally dominated the minors but struggled in the majors (for whatever reason). Perez has control problems in the minors, too.
Felipe Lopez - next year's Joel Pineiro (on another team, thank you Mo!)
by DiscoJer on Mar 31, 2009 5:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
he has to potential to be a big time closer
at least that’s why i love him. i see the flashes of brilliance & i hope he can put it all together & be the lock down closer for many, many seasons
BEN MOTHERHUSHYOURMOUTH SHEETS
I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson
by gdm426 on Mar 31, 2009 10:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
he throws a bajillion MPH whats not to love.
Chuck Norris hit a Home Run
with his beard
by bearcatcardfan on Mar 31, 2009 10:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He has excellent strikeout rates and doesn't allow a lot of homers
vivaelbeñsheets
by vivaelpujols on Apr 3, 2009 5:17 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
hopefully McClellan will right the ship (and isn't hurt somehow)
before the regular season starts… but it wasn’t the worst decision to send Perez to the minors, he’s still young and honing his craft. which doesn’t mean that it makes sense to keep McClellan on the team, it appears he could do the same thing. Thompson will probably be needed due to the extreme amount of games in the first month or so (is this a lopsided schedule or what?)
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Mar 31, 2009 11:53 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
win vs. quality start
I wonder, which one is more meaningless? the win?
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Mar 31, 2009 11:54 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Depends
If you looking at the standings or projecting a player’s effectiveness. I personally like wins when looking at the standings, but will admit I get a warm and fuzzy feeling when we get a quality start but lose the game.
by ubeddie on Mar 31, 2009 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You must have had
a lot of warm, fuzzy feelings last year, what with quality start after quality start being blown by the bullpen.
There was Gibson in the Reds' dugout, visibly manhandling about three Reds and tossing them bodily out of the dugout and onto the field...He was the toughest athlete mentally I ever saw, and the greatest competitor. JACK BUCK
by ISawGodInGibby'sRightArm on Mar 31, 2009 12:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The win is definitely more meaningless IMO
At least the pitcher needs to have SOME input into a QS and, in general, the pitchers with the most QS are the better pitchers (just look at the NL QS leaders vs the NL win leaders last year – the QS guys are generally all excellent pitchers, whilst there’s some wacky win ratios out there).
I actually don’t think QS is bad for a counting stat.
Because chicks dig the intentional base on balls.
by Felonius_Monk on Mar 31, 2009 12:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Win is absolutely meaningless
It’s too dependent on other players. A pitcher could throw eight innings and allow an unearned run, yet suffer the “loss.” Comparatively, a pitcher could give up five runs in five innings and conceivably get a “win.” And then there is the “no decision,” implying a neutral performance. This can rear its head merely because a reliever blows the lead. The club’s offensive performance and the performance of its relievers have as much to do with a “win/loss” determination as the pitcher’s individual performance. As pointed out above, at least the QS, while not ideal, is somewhat reflective of what the pitcher’s individual performance was in a game.
"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 Mar 31, 2009 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think QSs are almost as stupid and arbitrary
6 IP, 3 ER? Quality start!
8 IP, 4 ER? BOOOOOOOOOOOO!
9 IP, 4 ER? BOOOOOOOOOOOO!
by mojowo11 on Mar 31, 2009 1:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Have you checked out vivaelpujols's work revising the "Quality Start" stat?
It is in the “Recommended FanPosts.” Pretty interesting.
"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 Mar 31, 2009 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
thank you sir
but I still think that mojowo11 will be disappointed because I don’t include innings pitched.
vivaelbeñsheets
by vivaelpujols on Mar 31, 2009 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
also
check out Wainwright, losing win-loss record, 3.27 ERA
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Mar 31, 2009 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ahhhhhh BUT....
Check out his FIP. Is it the case that his win-loss record is under-rating him, or that his ERA is OVER-rating him?
In fact, it’s almost certainly both.
Because chicks dig the intentional base on balls.
by Felonius_Monk on Apr 1, 2009 9:12 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No
There is one major problem with FIP, it doesn’t consider the relationship between events. For example, for a pitcher like Wainwright, who doesn’t allow a lot of baserunners, homeruns generally won’t be as detrimental as they will be for a mediocre starter. Yet the FIP calculation treats a homerun from Wainwright the same as it does a homer for Piniero.
FIP as a stat underrates good pitchers and overrates bad ones, just how much I don’t quite know. I am currently reading up on the work involved in FIP to see if I can tweak the formula to adjust for this. Needless to say, I am hopelessly lost :)
vivaelbeñsheets
by vivaelpujols on Apr 3, 2009 5:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I disagree and agree at the same time.
Personally, I think a stat that measures quality starts is a great thing. However, mojo, I do agree that the stat is flawed. I think they should drop the runs allowed in 6 innings to 2, and never have the pitcher allow more than 3 runs, even if he pitches a complete game.
Baseball's only fun if you're playing it, watching it, or thinking about it.
by Eckstreem on Mar 31, 2009 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If a pitcher averaged 9 innings and 3 earned runs every start
Than he would be the best pitcher in baseball.
vivaelbeñsheets
by vivaelpujols on Apr 3, 2009 5:26 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
OT:
Gary Sheffield was released by the Tigers, with $14 million owed on his K. Now, AK’s release doesn’t look so bad.
There was Gibson in the Reds' dugout, visibly manhandling about three Reds and tossing them bodily out of the dugout and onto the field...He was the toughest athlete mentally I ever saw, and the greatest competitor. JACK BUCK
by ISawGodInGibby'sRightArm on Mar 31, 2009 12:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Ouch
I bet somebody picks him up for the minimum, though. He’d probably not be a bad move for someone short of a DH.
Because chicks dig the intentional base on balls.
by Felonius_Monk on Mar 31, 2009 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Do I smell
a Baltimore signing?
There was Gibson in the Reds' dugout, visibly manhandling about three Reds and tossing them bodily out of the dugout and onto the field...He was the toughest athlete mentally I ever saw, and the greatest competitor. JACK BUCK
by ISawGodInGibby'sRightArm on Mar 31, 2009 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Joe Morgan just canceled out on any Tigers Sunday Night Baseball games
The artist formerly known as...
Mr Redbird @ Viva El Birdos
PowerOfDixieland @ Track Em Tigers, other SEC blogs
by jd is legend on Mar 31, 2009 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You're assuming Joe Morgan
knew that Sheffield played for the Tigers AND that he knows what the day-to-day transactions are on the wire.
"I just wish that the late Harry Caray were still around so I could hear him mispronounce 'Kosuke Fukudome' every fukun' night" -- Dennis Miller
by fourstick on Mar 31, 2009 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good point
Sorry about making an ass of you and me
The artist formerly known as...
Mr Redbird @ Viva El Birdos
PowerOfDixieland @ Track Em Tigers, other SEC blogs
by jd is legend on Mar 31, 2009 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wouldn't it have been "an ass out of u and Ming?"
What do you have against Ming anyway? And nobody can carry that team like Sheff. But I haven’t seen them play yet.
by mattybobo on Mar 31, 2009 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I expect that without Sheffield
Detroit’s going to have trouble staying consistent.
by mojowo11 on Mar 31, 2009 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
consistent teh suck?
consistently in the news for off-field issues? consistently keeping Jim Leyland’s prilosec prescription filled?
by tom s. on Mar 31, 2009 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He couldn't have said any better !
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
and....BEN SHEETS!!! **
**not that BEN SHEETS might be involved in this comment, just BEN SHEETS!!!
(BEN SHEETS might be involved in this comment)
by mattyfrommo on Mar 31, 2009 5:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
said it. any better
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
and....BEN SHEETS!!! **
**not that BEN SHEETS might be involved in this comment, just BEN SHEETS!!!
(BEN SHEETS might be involved in this comment)
by mattyfrommo on Mar 31, 2009 5:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You said it in true Joe Morgan style
Not afraid to nitpick
by joker24 on Mar 31, 2009 5:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
yes!
that is what i was shooting for
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
and....BEN SHEETS!!! **
**not that BEN SHEETS might be involved in this comment, just BEN SHEETS!!!
(BEN SHEETS might be involved in this comment)
by mattyfrommo on Mar 31, 2009 6:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
he shoots, he scores!
BEN MOTHERHUSHYOURMOUTH SHEETS
I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson
by gdm426 on Mar 31, 2009 10:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rec
The artist formerly known as...
Mr Redbird @ Viva El Birdos
PowerOfDixieland @ Track Em Tigers, other SEC blogs
by jd is legend on Mar 31, 2009 6:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
OUCH!!! Good one.
Baseball's only fun if you're playing it, watching it, or thinking about it.
by Eckstreem on Mar 31, 2009 3:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You're also assuming
that Joe Morgan hasn’t been fired from Sunday night baseball, which I believe he has…
Because chicks dig the intentional base on balls.
by Felonius_Monk on Apr 1, 2009 9:30 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No he hasn't
They just added Steve Phillips to the booth so it’s a three man booth now. It also made the over under on “stupid and misinformed comments per broadcast” shoot up to 137 from the previous high line of 94.
"I just wish that the late Harry Caray were still around so I could hear him mispronounce 'Kosuke Fukudome' every fukun' night" -- Dennis Miller
by fourstick on Apr 1, 2009 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yep.
Originally ESPN had planned to remove him from the Sunday Night Broadcast, but before we could all rejoice, they came to their senses and decided to allow us all to enjoy, quite possibly, the best announcing team of all time. ALL TIME!
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
and....BEN SHEETS!!! **
**not that BEN SHEETS might be involved in this comment, just BEN SHEETS!!!
(BEN SHEETS might be involved in this comment)
by mattyfrommo on Apr 1, 2009 5:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
can we start a boycott or something of Sunday Night Baseball?
i for one will not watch unless the Cards are playing. seriously. i’m not setting through those two.
BEN MOTHERHUSHYOURMOUTH SHEETS
I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson
by gdm426 on Apr 1, 2009 9:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
you and I need to be the announcers
it will drive up the ratings to astronomical heights
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Apr 2, 2009 1:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
done, let's make it happen because i've got the perfect voice for an announcer
and a perfect face for radio.
BEN MOTHERHUSHYOURMOUTH SHEETS
I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson
by gdm426 on Apr 2, 2009 5:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
me too
we will combine both types of announcers, so if one of us is hung over and can’t make it, we can have a guest on the show
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Apr 3, 2009 12:13 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
deal, now all we need is an attractive on field reporter
and a camera crew, and some old video to do a demo tape for FNSMW. once they see us in action, Dan & Al will be gone so fast they won’t know what hit em.
BEN MOTHERHUSHYOURMOUTH SHEETS
I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson
by gdm426 on Apr 4, 2009 12:23 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
you really need to learn how to use a comma
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
and....BEN SHEETS!!! **
**not that BEN SHEETS might be involved in this comment, just BEN SHEETS!!!
(BEN SHEETS might be involved in this comment)
by mattyfrommo on Apr 1, 2009 10:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
what'cha talkin bout matty?
BEN MOTHERHUSHYOURMOUTH SHEETS
I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson
by gdm426 on Apr 2, 2009 12:13 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I need to learn not to make comments when drinking
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
and....BEN SHEETS!!! **
**not that BEN SHEETS might be involved in this comment, just BEN SHEETS!!!
(BEN SHEETS might be involved in this comment)
by mattyfrommo on Apr 2, 2009 5:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
not sure
kinda looked like a run-on sentence, where’s DanUp?
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Apr 2, 2009 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Gary was
8-45 this spring, but 5 of those 8 hits were HRs. Somebody’s gonna pick him up.
There was Gibson in the Reds' dugout, visibly manhandling about three Reds and tossing them bodily out of the dugout and onto the field...He was the toughest athlete mentally I ever saw, and the greatest competitor. JACK BUCK
by ISawGodInGibby'sRightArm on Mar 31, 2009 12:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
heck yeah
why would they release him? was he a disruption?
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Mar 31, 2009 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He is a below average hitting DH who has personality issues and has no future with the club
I would say that it was a defensible move.
vivaelbeñsheets
by vivaelpujols on Mar 31, 2009 3:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
For $500 k
I’d take the chance with him coming off the bench. Just because he could eliminate late inning relievers in the vortex his twirling swing creates.
by Hardcore Legend on Mar 31, 2009 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i can totally see Tony pushing for this
i wouldn’t mind it either
BEN MOTHERHUSHYOURMOUTH SHEETS
I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson
by gdm426 on Mar 31, 2009 10:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Tigers' FO is so stupid.
Why didn’t they trade him instead of releasing him and getting nothing?*
*sarcasm directed to those who thought trading Adam Kennedy was actually an option.
by Willie McGee's Twin on Mar 31, 2009 7:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
yeah
good point, but the fact that the tigers traded 3 young pitching prospects to get sheffield (regardless of whether or not they pan out) does not help Dombrowski’s case any ;)
- So, to ease his pain, you're supposed to take him to a ball game?
- Yes.
by SleepyCA on Mar 31, 2009 7:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yadi in the 2 hole today
No Albert though. Looks like the “Sunday on the road getaway day” lineup today with the exception of Yadi at DH. Need that speed in the 2 hole. Maybe Tony read the lineup post and this is his response?
by ubeddie on Mar 31, 2009 12:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
"Need that speed in the 2 hole."
Did you read the lineup post?
"People call me El Hombre," Pujols said. "But only Stan is the Man."
by StLHugo on Mar 31, 2009 4:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Did you read the box score?
El Yadi had a SB today!
by mojowo11 on Mar 31, 2009 6:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Perez
The only thing I worry about with him going down is if he turns into Rasmus 08 and doesn’t handle it well and struggles.
by paposse on Mar 31, 2009 12:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I'm less worried about that
They sent Perez down last season, mid-year, to work on his slider. He seemed to have the right attitude about it then and I suspect he will this time, too. Plus, he had the injury in Spring Training and could probably use the extra work.
"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 Mar 31, 2009 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It's official
Per Goold, Wagonmaker will be starting Opening Day. Goold also gives us this for projected starts:
April 6 vs. PIT … Wainwright
April 7 vs. PIT … Lohse
April 8 vs. PIT … Todd Wellemeyer
April 9 vs. PIT … Chris Carpenter
April 10 vs. HOU … Joel Pineiro
April 11 vs. HOU … Wainwright
April 12 vs. HOU … Lohse
April 13 at ARZ … Wellemeyer
April 14 at ARZ … Carpenter
April 15 at ARZ … Pineiro
April 16 at CHI … Wainwright
April 17 at CHI … Lohse
April 18 at CHI … Wellemeyer
April 19 at CHI … Carpenter
Nice to get a Wainwright and Carpenter start versus the Cubbies.
"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 Mar 31, 2009 12:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Are we really starting the season with 14 straight games?
Awesome for us fans, shitty for the team!
The artist formerly known as...
Mr Redbird @ Viva El Birdos
PowerOfDixieland @ Track Em Tigers, other SEC blogs
by jd is legend on Mar 31, 2009 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
A brutal opening stretch due to the WBC
14 straight games, then 20 straight games. 34 in the first 35 days. This is one of the reasons TLR has cited in support of carrying a long reliever.
"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 Mar 31, 2009 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
So are we looking at
6 wins above .500 as a successful start (20-14) or ??? I will of course be hoping for 24-10 start or better…… but expect something near 17-17.
by OKCARDSFAN_411 on Mar 31, 2009 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
9-5 in those first 14 games
That’s my mark
The artist formerly known as...
Mr Redbird @ Viva El Birdos
PowerOfDixieland @ Track Em Tigers, other SEC blogs
by jd is legend on Mar 31, 2009 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hoping for 8-6
Would be tremendously enthused if we win 10 of the first 14.
"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 Mar 31, 2009 1:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
My logic
Win 3 vs. PIT
Win 2 vs. HOU
Win 1 at ARI
Win 2 at CHC
Hope to pick up another win, be it a sweep of PIT or HOU, or taking the series against ARI or CHC
The artist formerly known as...
Mr Redbird @ Viva El Birdos
PowerOfDixieland @ Track Em Tigers, other SEC blogs
by jd is legend on Mar 31, 2009 1:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
10-4!!!!
GO CRAZY FOLKS, GO CRAZY
yeah….. that would be sweet.
by OKCARDSFAN_411 on Mar 31, 2009 1:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
"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 Mar 31, 2009 1:19 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
sweet moment
Too bad I was at work when that happened.
by OKCARDSFAN_411 on Mar 31, 2009 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The artist formerly known as...
Mr Redbird @ Viva El Birdos
PowerOfDixieland @ Track Em Tigers, other SEC blogs
by jd is legend on Mar 31, 2009 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, shoot. Might as well top it off.
"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 Mar 31, 2009 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
where's the guy with the beltran K video
Chuck Norris hit a Home Run
with his beard
by bearcatcardfan on Mar 31, 2009 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
here's all i got
i think there was a fanshot i while back that had these, maybe some others as well.
by adiueordie on Mar 31, 2009 5:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Delete the Chavez catch please
Not afraid to nitpick
by joker24 on Mar 31, 2009 5:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No way
I know how the series turns out, so I actually enjoy the Endy catch. It was an incredible play in the biggest stage. It is part of what made that series (and that game) so incredible.
The artist formerly known as...
Mr Redbird @ Viva El Birdos
PowerOfDixieland @ Track Em Tigers, other SEC blogs
by jd is legend on Mar 31, 2009 6:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I have no idea what those two think they're looking at.
We all know, by the time Pujols got two steps out of the box, that ball had left the stratosphere. Favorite sports moment ever. The comedy of it all . . . Houston personel estimated it to have traveled 404 feet. Yeah, right, it was 404 feet away when it hit the train tracks. Has anyone ever given a real estimate of how far that ball would have traveled?
by Cardaholic on Mar 31, 2009 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
They're looking to make sure the stadium
is still sound as a structure after the ball put a giant hole in the roof…
"I just wish that the late Harry Caray were still around so I could hear him mispronounce 'Kosuke Fukudome' every fukun' night" -- Dennis Miller
by fourstick on Mar 31, 2009 1:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Someone has measued it
According to them it was a mere 455 feet. I went to a game in Minute Maid two years ago and sat in right center. I probably traced the path of the ball in my head about 50 times during the course of the game. It looks way longer than 455.
They do analysis of all the home runs hit and include things like ball speed off the bat, launch angle, etc. Pretty cool site to waste hours on.
by birdo rojo on Mar 31, 2009 1:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I still like McGwire's...
545 footer that left a band-aid over the post-dispatch sign at Busch II for a couple of years.
by stlfan on Mar 31, 2009 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
OK, now someone needs to post the pic of Yadi watching his HR
in the 2006 NLCS game 7
by BTown Birds fan on Mar 31, 2009 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Isn't Game 7 of 2006 NLCS on right now on MLB TV?
by OKCARDSFAN_411 on Mar 31, 2009 1:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
These pics are giving me goosebumps
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by jd is legend on Mar 31, 2009 1:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Awesome, thanks
What a great set of photos for Cards fans…
by BTown Birds fan on Mar 31, 2009 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And a low blow
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by jd is legend on Mar 31, 2009 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
that's awesome
Keep throwing down that glove, lilly!
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Mar 31, 2009 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Do you think Piniella added one to his pitch count after he threw his glove?
Probably put the same strain on his arm as a fastball
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by jd is legend on Mar 31, 2009 3:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
this is the bigget defensive play i have ever seen
i thought for sure the ’stros were going on to the WS when the ball when it was hit
"Baseball is dull only to dull minds." - Red Barber
by nomar34 on Mar 31, 2009 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i love seeing it in stereo
- So, to ease his pain, you're supposed to take him to a ball game?
- Yes.
by SleepyCA on Mar 31, 2009 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
8-6 is cool by me
9-5 is cooler. 10-4 is epic.
by adiueordie on Mar 31, 2009 5:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That will require at least 4 wins
at Arizona and Chicago (Provided the Cards win the home series)….. so it appears doable.
by OKCARDSFAN_411 on Mar 31, 2009 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
30-4 to start the season
or this that too optimistic?
by STLRegalia on Mar 31, 2009 3:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
without Chris Perez it is...
"Baseball is dull only to dull minds." - Red Barber
by nomar34 on Mar 31, 2009 3:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I like the way you think
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
and....BEN SHEETS!!! **
**not that BEN SHEETS might be involved in this comment, just BEN SHEETS!!!
(BEN SHEETS might be involved in this comment)
by mattyfrommo on Mar 31, 2009 5:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Go big or go home
34-0
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by jd is legend on Mar 31, 2009 6:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I like the way you think
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
and....BEN SHEETS!!! **
**not that BEN SHEETS might be involved in this comment, just BEN SHEETS!!!
(BEN SHEETS might be involved in this comment)
by mattyfrommo on Mar 31, 2009 7:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
stupid wbc
BEN MOTHERHUSHYOURMOUTH SHEETS
I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson
by gdm426 on Mar 31, 2009 10:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
yeah, it's like last year
they have to play a super concentrated amount of games in the first 35 days
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Mar 31, 2009 12:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I hope that stays
Im going to the 4/19 game against the cubs. It would be so amazing to see Carpenter pitch the finale on sunday night baseball in Chicago
by huts04 on Mar 31, 2009 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, crap. I'm going to the 4/21 game against the Mets,
and I guess this projection means Pineiro will probably be the starter. But who knows – maybe he’ll still be Spring Training Pineiro….
by BTown Birds fan on Mar 31, 2009 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think it will be Wainwright
I think I heard something about skipping Piniero on the off day
"People call me El Hombre," Pujols said. "But only Stan is the Man."
by StLHugo on Mar 31, 2009 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I dont know if anyone has posted about this but
590 the fan is running a raffle for cubs cards tickets if you correctly predict the opening day lineup by April 2
http://www.kfns.com/BCEntrypage.aspx
by huts04 on Mar 31, 2009 1:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
new nickname for perez
chrisp… also, my friend with a similarly initialed last name is coming into town today, who is also a cardinal fan
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Mar 31, 2009 1:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I see that Gameday is slowly rounding into regular season form
They’re at least partly keeping up with the plays this half inning.
by BTown Birds fan on Mar 31, 2009 1:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I was wondering when that started
Saw that they’re doing all the pitches, too.
Been gone for a while.
by liam on Mar 31, 2009 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i dont think those are accurate for the pitches
it seems like every once in a while they put the right pitches, but I’d be shocked if their pitcher has only thrown 28 pitches only 3 of which were balls in the fourth giving up 5 runs and 7 hits already
by huts04 on Mar 31, 2009 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
How 'bout
them Cardinal outfielders!
by santiagofish on Mar 31, 2009 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
talk about an amazing turn in an inning
Chuck Norris hit a Home Run
with his beard
by bearcatcardfan on Mar 31, 2009 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
uh, when did yadi steal a base?
also, that’s apparently his second of ST.
by tom s. on Mar 31, 2009 2:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
i was wondering how he scored from first on a ludwick double
guess he didn’t. Not sure which would have been more interesting to watch.
- So, to ease his pain, you're supposed to take him to a ball game?
- Yes.
by SleepyCA on Mar 31, 2009 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
balk
Chuck Norris hit a Home Run
with his beard
by bearcatcardfan on Mar 31, 2009 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Can anyone tell me how Wainer is looking?
Good line score through three innings. How’s the control?
by JWO on Mar 31, 2009 2:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
twitter?
i saw here a few days ago, someone had a twitter feed from somewhere that had updates from the game, including accurate pitch counts (which gameday doesn’t have). anyone know what that is?
Look, I don't ask for much. All I want from the 2009 season is for Carp and Adam to combine for 420 IP and go 1-2 in the Cy Young voting, and for Albert to win the MVP again. Oh, and for the Cubs to never win another World Series as long as I live. I really don't think that is too much to ask.
by nycbirdo on Mar 31, 2009 2:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
goold periodically has it.
twitter.com\dgoold. he has links to matt leach’s feed on his site. leach sometimes has good stuff, too.
by tom s. on Mar 31, 2009 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
tx!
Look, I don't ask for much. All I want from the 2009 season is for Carp and Adam to combine for 420 IP and go 1-2 in the Cy Young voting, and for Albert to win the MVP again. Oh, and for the Cubs to never win another World Series as long as I live. I really don't think that is too much to ask.
by nycbirdo on Mar 31, 2009 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
have I mentioned
that I am excited about our offense?
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Mar 31, 2009 2:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Zero black holes for the first time in sooooo long
Assuming K-Bot’s software upgrade doesn’t glitch, and Yadi’s ’08 is keepin it real.
Not afraid to nitpick
by joker24 on Mar 31, 2009 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
if Yadi or Greene are our worst hitters
then we are sitting pretty
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Mar 31, 2009 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
we are beautiful
BEN MOTHERHUSHYOURMOUTH SHEETS
I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson
by gdm426 on Mar 31, 2009 10:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I know this means nothing
but Milwaukee is doing really well in ST, should I rethink my opinion on that team?
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Mar 31, 2009 2:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Probably
they still have a lot of young talent – Fielder, Braun, Hart, Hardy, Weeks, Gallardo. I think there a team we’ll need to worry about. There pitching isn’t as good as the Chicago, or even Cincy, but that lineup is sick.
by Toddius on Mar 31, 2009 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
what do you think of Gallardo?
is he enough to overcome their pitching weakness? I’m guessing probably not
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Mar 31, 2009 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
he's just one guy. and we'll see if he stays healthy.
but they’re relying on a lot of guys that are not special. suppan today makes pineiro look good.
by tom s. on Mar 31, 2009 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
how is their bullpen?
it’s a mystery to me, plus Hoffman is hurt
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Mar 31, 2009 3:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Um,
I’ll take one of Manny Parra for my team, please. He sure looks like someone who could be special. Probably not this year, but he’s one I’d watch for 2010.
She isn't crazy, she's just not impressed.
by jillsinmo on Mar 31, 2009 5:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
not to mention by 2010 he will be 30, not exactly a spring chicken that one
but yes, he was solid last year and is predicted to roughly have a 4.0 FIP this year. Id take him on the cards
by FunkeeC on Mar 31, 2009 5:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
just ignore me
ok he will be 28 in 2010…can i haz math skillz pls?
by FunkeeC on Mar 31, 2009 5:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i was thinking more of bush, suppan, looper. parra counts as a reasonable pitcher.
by tom s. on Mar 31, 2009 6:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bush is a lot better than peeps think.
He’s Lohse-ish.
Because chicks dig the intentional base on balls.
by Felonius_Monk on Apr 1, 2009 9:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
They're good
But they have a lot of wins to make up after the loss of Sabathia (4.7 wins for just the Brewers!) and Sheets (4.6 wins).
by mojowo11 on Mar 31, 2009 4:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Their hitters are due for big regression
And I mean the good kind. They have a good defense, and there starting staff is well balanced. I could easily see them winning 85 games.
vivaelbeñsheets
by vivaelpujols on Apr 3, 2009 5:31 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hooray!
Skip with a hit off the lefty Sherrill
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by jd is legend on Mar 31, 2009 2:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
BA's Jim Callis
This is pretty amazing.
If this has happened before, I certainly can’t remember it. The Cubs have released three of their top picks from the last six drafts this spring: outfielder Ryan Harvey, the sixth overall pick in 2003; righthander Grant Johnson, a second-rounder in 2004; and lefty Mark Pawelek, the 20th overall choice in 2005. For an investment of $5.41 million, Chicago couldn’t get any of three players past Double-A (and Pawelek couldn’t move past low Class A).
I wonder if this would change Erik’s valuation of the Cubs’ farm system, making it worse?
"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 Mar 31, 2009 3:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
is that possible?
it was ahead of (I think) only detroit and washington.
it’s certainly a useful reminder of the importance of drafting and farming for depth as opposed to just the sexy pick at the top of the draft (porcello and detroit, looking at you).
by tom s. on Mar 31, 2009 3:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't think any of those guys were any good any more
Not afraid to nitpick
by joker24 on Mar 31, 2009 3:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
$5.41MM...
What’s that flushing noise?
"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 Mar 31, 2009 3:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Captain Caveman!
Mather HR
The artist formerly known as...
Mr Redbird @ Viva El Birdos
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by jd is legend on Mar 31, 2009 3:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
duncan is now tied for the RBI lead for ST with ludwick.
by tom s. on Mar 31, 2009 3:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Joe Masher
The Monster Math
I really like Joe Mather. Instant gamethread fun.
by mattybobo on Mar 31, 2009 3:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
interesting article about mather on the P-D
quote from goold:
It was a tailspin that lasted more than 20 at-bats… It corresponded with Mather getting a virus that sapped a lot of his strength. Mather said he lost 10 pounds because of the illness.
I noticed that Joe looked really skinny in the game the other day, but this is just absurd; it seems like at least one or two of these guys get viruses that sap xx pounds etc every year. That seems really bizarre to me; I’ve never known anyone who got sick like that, and this seems like a systemic thing.
They need to seriously look into cooking their food, or something.
- So, to ease his pain, you're supposed to take him to a ball game?
- Yes.
by SleepyCA on Mar 31, 2009 6:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I've been sick like that before.
My husband was just sick like that in February. He also lost 10 pounds.
by spants on Mar 31, 2009 7:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
where is that virus & where can i get some of it?
BEN MOTHERHUSHYOURMOUTH SHEETS
I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson
by gdm426 on Mar 31, 2009 10:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
wow
been a rough spring for mr moeller, eh? Came into today with a .432 OPS, and then went 0-4.
- So, to ease his pain, you're supposed to take him to a ball game?
- Yes.
by SleepyCA on Mar 31, 2009 3:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Anyone notice...
how sucky the sched is this year visavis the Cubs? Ten contests by May 21, then only three meetings after the break. That’s just lame.
by guayzimi on Mar 31, 2009 3:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
well, it kind of works out well
considering that’s the time frame in which glaus is expected to be injured, since he’s pretty much useless against them…
- So, to ease his pain, you're supposed to take him to a ball game?
- Yes.
by SleepyCA on Mar 31, 2009 3:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Funny I have...
only good memories of him against the Cubs last year… so I looked it up. 4 for 47 with 3 home runs. That explains it…
by guayzimi on Mar 31, 2009 4:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
and 3 of those hits
(and 2 HR’s) came in one game. The rest of the season was a massive exercise in futility (1 for 43 with an HR, 5 BB’s, 0.036 BABIP!!!).
- So, to ease his pain, you're supposed to take him to a ball game?
- Yes.
by SleepyCA on Mar 31, 2009 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was the same way
guess I was just remembering the good times
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Mar 31, 2009 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
you are an optimist & see the glass as half full, that's why we love you
i on the other had see the glass as half empty & only remember his sucking hard core
BEN MOTHERHUSHYOURMOUTH SHEETS
I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson
by gdm426 on Mar 31, 2009 10:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was negative for a long time
now all I have left is positivity
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Mar 31, 2009 11:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i get the feeling my therapist is going to have a heyday with me
BEN MOTHERHUSHYOURMOUTH SHEETS
I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson
by gdm426 on Apr 1, 2009 2:14 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
heh
sometimes I act like a psychologist, I will analyze you
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Apr 1, 2009 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
you're probably cheaper too
i’ll just buy you some been & you can try & fix me, deal?
BEN MOTHERHUSHYOURMOUTH SHEETS
I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson
by gdm426 on Apr 1, 2009 3:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
sure
you going to the aug. 15th thing? psychoanalysis over a shot of tequila is the best way to go
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Apr 1, 2009 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
you foget about my ban
i’m not allowed within 200miles of the team when they are playing
BEN MOTHERHUSHYOURMOUTH SHEETS
I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson
by gdm426 on Apr 1, 2009 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
This just in, Tim Kurkjian reporting
Adam Dunn hates baseball and his leaving the Reds means they are the dark horse team in the NL.
Not afraid to nitpick
by joker24 on Mar 31, 2009 3:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I loved the way he said that the younger guys were intimidated by Junior
as someone who watched a lot of Reds games last year, Jay Bruce and Junior were BFFs until the trade.
by Hardcore Legend on Mar 31, 2009 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Keep your friends close and your enemies closer
The artist formerly known as...
Mr Redbird @ Viva El Birdos
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by jd is legend on Mar 31, 2009 6:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
just when i think i'm out, they pull me back in
BEN MOTHERHUSHYOURMOUTH SHEETS
I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson
by gdm426 on Mar 31, 2009 11:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
In Sicily, women are more dangerous than shotguns
There was Gibson in the Reds' dugout, visibly manhandling about three Reds and tossing them bodily out of the dugout and onto the field...He was the toughest athlete mentally I ever saw, and the greatest competitor. JACK BUCK
by ISawGodInGibby'sRightArm on Apr 1, 2009 12:56 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
"In five years major league baseball will be completely legitimate."
That was seven years ago, Michael…
by mattybobo on Apr 1, 2009 9:36 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Motte had a little test there
and passed with yet another K
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Mar 31, 2009 3:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Hitters don't test Motte...
Motte tests hitters.
Baseball's only fun if you're playing it, watching it, or thinking about it.
by Eckstreem on Mar 31, 2009 4:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
well
he gave up two hits in a row in the 9th… haven’t seen him do that too much, and he didn’t crack under pressure.
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Mar 31, 2009 4:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Gubs don't kill people
Jason Motte fastballs do.
hecanthithecanthithecanthithecanthit
by Alxfritz on Mar 31, 2009 6:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Gubs?
Thought they were extinct. Or the second album released by Pigface?
There was Gibson in the Reds' dugout, visibly manhandling about three Reds and tossing them bodily out of the dugout and onto the field...He was the toughest athlete mentally I ever saw, and the greatest competitor. JACK BUCK
by ISawGodInGibby'sRightArm on Mar 31, 2009 6:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes, Gubs.
fs,m oy.
hecanthithecanthithecanthithecanthit
by Alxfritz on Mar 31, 2009 6:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Matt Wieters has nightmares of facing Jason Motte
Not afraid to nitpick
by joker24 on Mar 31, 2009 8:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The name of Ben Sheets’ private pitching instructor has been leaked.
It is of course Jason Motte.
vivaelbeñsheets
by vivaelpujols on Apr 3, 2009 5:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
MLB Network
I’m pretty sure that there was no Cardinals highlight on last night’s (this morning’s) broadcast of MLB Tonight and definitely nothing on the 6PM edition. Does the team not have any video to give them or are they just going, “14 games, that sounds about right”?
That said, the Cubs do deserve my pity, but never my support.
by Solanus on Mar 31, 2009 8:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
what are the Braves thinking?
3 years $42 million for Chipper? maybe 4 years $61 million? seriously? what do they know that we don’t?
BEN MOTHERHUSHYOURMOUTH SHEETS
I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson
by gdm426 on Mar 31, 2009 11:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
well
Chipper was one of the best players in the game last season… guess they are taking a gamble on his health though
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Mar 31, 2009 11:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That Chipper Jones is a good baseball player?
and can now likely retire an Atlanta Brave?
by Hardcore Legend on Mar 31, 2009 11:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't know, I can see it
No prospect on the way, he’s a HOF-bound fan favorite who’s spent his whole career with the Braves and is going to be the last link with their golden era, and his OPS+ has somehow gone up each of the last five years. (Remember when it looked like he was an over-the-hill left fielder?)
It’s a ton of money, and he’ll be 40 when it’s over, but I can see him pasting the ball for 120 games a year for the duration.
by DanUpBaby on Mar 31, 2009 11:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Atlanta management had to try to get back on the fans' good side after letting Smoltz walk
Braves fans were ready to riot at CNN/TNT/Cartoon Network after that debacle…
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Mr Redbird @ Viva El Birdos
PowerOfDixieland @ Track Em Tigers, other SEC blogs
by jd is legend on Mar 31, 2009 11:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Also
Remember when he was an over-the-hill left fielder? (Not sure if that was the joke you were going for there or not, but Chipper played exclusively LF in 2002 and 2003…)
The artist formerly known as...
Mr Redbird @ Viva El Birdos
PowerOfDixieland @ Track Em Tigers, other SEC blogs
by jd is legend on Mar 31, 2009 11:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
the cash is what shocked me
not that they extended him, but that how much they are paying him. i mean, wow that’s a lot of cash. i guess i’ll never forget when he was an over the hill left fielder. i really think last season was a fluke.
jd, i totally agree with you they had to keep him. but that contract is going to bite them in the ass.
BEN MOTHERHUSHYOURMOUTH SHEETS
I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson
by gdm426 on Apr 1, 2009 12:02 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
oh well
the braves kind of annoy me anyway
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Apr 1, 2009 12:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
+1
Remember when they were America’s Team? Hated them then, especially that over-the-hill left fielder they had, Larry something-or-other.
There was Gibson in the Reds' dugout, visibly manhandling about three Reds and tossing them bodily out of the dugout and onto the field...He was the toughest athlete mentally I ever saw, and the greatest competitor. JACK BUCK
by ISawGodInGibby'sRightArm on Apr 1, 2009 12:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
after Sept of 06, i kind of let all my dislike for the Braves go
it was pretty cool to the the chop going on at Busch III
BEN MOTHERHUSHYOURMOUTH SHEETS
I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson
by gdm426 on Apr 1, 2009 2:12 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Did nobody notice how good Chipper Jones was last year?
Three straight years with an OPS over 1.000 — he’s an elite offensive force, he’s just injury-prone.
by mojowo11 on Apr 1, 2009 1:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Rich Harden
of position players.
by MdRedbirdFreak on Apr 1, 2009 7:14 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Also, they could just move him to 1B
When his legs finally shatter and he can’t play 3B anymore. I don’t think they have any great 1B in their system and Kotchman’s kinda meh.
Because chicks dig the intentional base on balls.
by Felonius_Monk on Apr 1, 2009 9:41 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
true...
but they don’t have any good third baseman in their system either, and Kotchman can’t play third base. I think they’ll end up leaving him at 3B for the rest of his career.
"I just wish that the late Harry Caray were still around so I could hear him mispronounce 'Kosuke Fukudome' every fukun' night" -- Dennis Miller
by fourstick on Apr 1, 2009 1:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I did
he was almost as good as Pujols, well, as close as anyone gets I guess
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Apr 1, 2009 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That's interesting/scary
I don’t remember who wrote the article about Chipper a couple of years ago; I don’t think it was SI.
He can’t drive himself home after games. His wife has to drive him home. And then, when they get home, he can’t walk to the house. His wife has to help him get out of the car and walk across the driveway.
I dunno if baseball would be worth that.
by sdrone on Apr 1, 2009 9:31 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That is an excellant deal
vivaelbeñsheets
by vivaelpujols on Apr 3, 2009 5:37 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Troy Glaus will never play another game for the Cardinals
maybe. hell i don’t know, and apparently neither do the Cardinals.
linky linky
i for one welcome our new frozen & bombastic overlords at the hot corner
BEN MOTHERHUSHYOURMOUTH SHEETS
I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson
by gdm426 on Apr 1, 2009 2:11 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!
Mulder syndrome is contagious.
Chuck Norris hit a Home Run
with his beard
by bearcatcardfan on Apr 1, 2009 2:45 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
1) Glaus has always been injury prone. It’s not terribly surprising that he’d come down with something while in STL.
2) The Cardinals are deficient in managing injuries imo but, perhaps worse, their awful at managing the PR surrounding injuries. They should really fire whoever is developing the “talking points” for injured players.
by azruavatar on Apr 1, 2009 8:26 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
GD
I hate when I use the wrong there/they’re/their. It makes me look like a fool.
by azruavatar on Apr 1, 2009 9:41 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
doesn't your a.i. have a built in spell/grammar check?
maybe your due for an upgrade?
by STLRegalia on Apr 1, 2009 10:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nice
You’re response got a chuckle out of me.
by birdo rojo on Apr 1, 2009 11:10 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The bad grammar
Its making my head spin!
The artist formerly known as...
Mr Redbird @ Viva El Birdos
PowerOfDixieland @ Track Em Tigers, other SEC blogs
by jd is legend on Apr 1, 2009 11:19 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
It's going to to be alright
I had to do that, I could not resist the urge.
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
and....BEN SHEETS!!! **
**not that BEN SHEETS might be involved in this comment, just BEN SHEETS!!!
(BEN SHEETS might be involved in this comment)
by mattyfrommo on Apr 1, 2009 6:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It's from all the text messaging and sloppy speech habits of today's youth
bad grammar is hard wired into the brain. Even a robot brain can’t handle it.
If you back me into a corner, I’d even admit I make the same mistakes. Just don’t tell anyone.
She isn't crazy, she's just not impressed.
by jillsinmo on Apr 1, 2009 10:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i thought nobody puts jilly in a corner?
BEN MOTHERHUSHYOURMOUTH SHEETS
I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson
by gdm426 on Apr 2, 2009 12:14 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
join us
it is April Fool’s Day!
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Apr 1, 2009 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Do we need...
“talking points” in sports. Maybe I just get enough of them in other areas of my life.
Either the guy plays or he doesn’t. I understand it could be useful to spin for trade purposes. Still, do we really need a sleek PR campaign every time a guy yanks something?
by guayzimi on Apr 1, 2009 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hrm...
Is it now time to crack open each other’s skulls, and feast on the gooey innards?
Well, it might not be a disaster. Some combination of Freese and Mather (and who am I kidding, some Ryan/Thurston and probably the ghost of Miguel Cairo thrown in) should be decent for a while, right? Right?…
Guys?
by mattybobo on Apr 1, 2009 9:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Let the Wallace era begin...
no sense in putting it off any longer…even with his defensive liabilities he will be a more valuable player than Mather or Freese right now!!!
"Baseball is dull only to dull minds." - Red Barber
by nomar34 on Apr 1, 2009 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't really agree about waiting to get Colby's arbitration clock started
But I sure do about Wallace. He actually could use the defensive reps in the minors.
Not sure what the Cards minor league system is going to do with him though. He’s a man among boys right now in AA.
Counting the days 'till the first pitch.
by IL and StL Fan on Apr 1, 2009 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
between freese's pre-season injury
the timing of glaus’ surgery, the mysterious disappearance of Allen Craig, and Joe Mather’s gut-eating virus, it sure does look like the GOB are trying to tell us something…
- So, to ease his pain, you're supposed to take him to a ball game?
- Yes.
by SleepyCA on Apr 1, 2009 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wallace may be on the fast track?
at least, Freese will quickly become a major-leaguer, somehow I knew this would happen
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Apr 1, 2009 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
or Rolen has a 3rd baseman's voodoo doll dressed in a Cards uni
every time one of the new guys begins to help us forget him, he starts poking that sucker like there’s no tomorrow.
BEN MOTHERHUSHYOURMOUTH SHEETS
I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson
by gdm426 on Apr 1, 2009 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
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