Defining Listlessness, OR When you're sure you've had enough of this team / well hang on

by DanUpBaby on May 19, 2009 7:15 AM EDT Comment 313 comments

Even Albert Pujols (0-3, 2 long strikes) hurts, sometimes.

Now the losing streak is starting to get malicious. We talk about the offense yesterday and it generates two runner-on homers and a 2-5 night from one of the replacement outfielders, and what happens? The bullpen, heretofore on the road to recovery, takes an all-the-wrong-buttons beating, with its two defining features, walks and pitching changes, conveniently appropriate for the listless, suspenseless way in which the Cardinals have been bad. But I'm not up for analysis today. Analysis is the province of people who are not parked in their vintage Firebird with the windows up, listening to R.E.M.

So anyway. For my money those are the two most listless ways to pitch badly in baseball. If I had to make a top-five list, it would look like this:

Pitching change backfire
Walk, preferably on four pitches
Pick-off play error
Run Balked In
Ground rule double

Luckily for us, the two the Cardinals have utilized in the last three games are the longest lasting of all the techniques; they aren't just making the game worse to watch, they're spreading it out. It's the opposite of that joke at the beginning of Annie Hall--terrible food, and such enormous portions.

The pitching change backfire is a nightmare to sit through. It means there are probably important runners on already; it means the pitcher before has almost failed, gotten so close to blowing the game that the nervous hum of failure hangs in the air; it means that a narrowly effective pitcher, often one who looks completely helpless when the pitching move doesn't work, is about to enter the game with one chance to make good.

Most listlessly, it takes forever. It might begin a batter early, with a furtive trip to the bullpen phone; meanwhile the current pitcher stands slump-shouldered on the mound. Then Dan'n'Al suggest that La Russa is walking up to make the change, and finally--he really is.

Then: commercials. FSN Midwest commercials--five or six, all local, all poorly made, chosen in April and played on shuffle for 162 mind-numbing, serious, cheap-cheap fun-fun games. I'd argue that if you're at Busch the pitching change can be almost pleasant, if the weather's nice and you're with friends. But watching on TV means you have to flip around, lest you feel an unavoidable compulsion to burn down the Last Refuge of the Persecuted Smoker.

Yesterday we got a moderate case of the pitching change backfire--La Russa brings The Diner in to face Prince Fielder, in a matchup with much symbolic import, after Blaine Boyer retires one batter out of two.

One important criterion for the high-grade pitching change backfire is that it must be a sound decision--it doesn't hurt quite as much if you begin the Call to the Bullpen with I told you so. This one meets the requirements--Boyer has a .135 OPS platoon split and had given up a back-breaker to Fielder the night before, and Reyes was brought in specifically to neutralize the in-division southpaws.

So he comes in with just one lefty to face--another hallmark of the backfire--and he walks him on four pitches and three pickoff attempts, and is left to face a bunch of right-handers. The run the move was designed to strand comes in. Textbook.

Walks: The Cardinals walked 23 Brewers in the last three games. You may be asking yourself: self, as my high school physics teacher would say, when was the last time the Cardinals walked 23 opposing batters in three games? Perhaps you're curious. Perhaps you don't have your own Baseball-Reference PI account yet.

Anyway, it's September 16-18, 2007, helped along by an 11 walk, 14 inning loss against the Phillies. Without extra innings, you have to go all the way back to 1994, that most listless year of all--judging from the half an hour I spent scrolling down Baseball-Reference game logs, it seems like it takes a rare kind of listlessness to break the 20 walk mark in regulation.

From July 14-16, in Coors Field at its moon-gravitiest, the Cardinals walked 24 batters, including a remarkable 16 in 8 innings on the 16th. (Even Bob Tewksbury, who started game two, couldn't stop this BB bacchanal.) The Cardinals lost the three games by a combined score of 11-33, which is to say that, although we're probably past the point of diminishing returns, it could be worse.

Steve Dixon, who walked 6 in 1 2/3 on that day and 13 in his 5 career innings, is the resposible party; I'd like to sponsor his B-R page, but a ticket broker, apparently knowing that Dixon's pagerank would be boosted by this link, has preemptively swooped in.

No team has walked more people in one nine inning game in the last 50 years, presumably because Todd Wellemeyer has not yet been allowed to throw 200 pitches in a game.

It's a long season; there'll be stretches like this, sometimes, where the day games and the night games are long, so just hold on, hold on, hold on.

[Pozterisk: While I'm at it, hitting listlessness, non-DP division:

Get up, baby, get up, get up--just foul!
Infield fly rule
Pinch strikeout.
Failed sacrifice bunt
Ground rule double.]

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Thanks for answering to early morning request!

On with the (good) youth movement!

by aet15 on May 19, 2009 7:30 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Body Language

Just watching the game the guys looked like they had already lost when Looper shut them down the first few innings. Long gone is the energy and excitement that seemed to ooze from everyone in April. I almost want Ank to come back in and make a bonzai diving catch in center just to wake the guys up.

Anyway, as mentioned yesterday, Skip and Colby swinging the bats. Not much else happening.

by paposse on May 19, 2009 8:43 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think Colby needs to be back hitting 2nd

this slide started around the same time TLR decided that we needed our second best (healthy) hitter to have fewer PA… coincidence? i think not…

"Baseball is dull only to dull minds." - Red Barber
Yeah, I'm a loser...

by nomar34 on May 19, 2009 8:48 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

This could be completely wrong

But I almost feel like TLR wants to put Colby at least at the #6 spot in order to spread out his better hitters. In other words, he doesn’t want Skip, Colby, Albert and Dunk hitting 1-4, then a whole lot of nothing for 5-9. Am I the only one who thinks this? Is this completely wrong?

I've got one foot on the platform, the other foot on the train
I'm going back to New Orleans, to wear that ball and chain

by jd is legend on May 19, 2009 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

dead wrong

you couldn’t be more wrong if you tried. God are you wrong…

you’re probably right

by STLRegalia on May 19, 2009 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

I really hope that's not the case

all the available evidence tells us that it’s better to bunch up your good hitters rather than spread them out. My guess is that he’s down there to “drive in runs.” Never mind that if no one’s on base at the time. Rasmus should absolutely be in the 1 or 2 hole. Batting 6th the way the team is struggling right now is absurd.

by chuckb on May 19, 2009 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

that is how I see it too

Skip sets the table, Stav/Robinson get the “Albert protection” and hopefully get on base, Albert, Dunc, Molina and Rasmus drive them in, rest just sit there and look pretty. At least that is how I think LaRussa is thinking.

"People call me El Hombre," Pujols said. "But only Stan is the Man."

by StLHugo on May 19, 2009 12:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wonder how many Hall of Fame careers are pretty much built on applying logical fallacies over and over?

I’d imagine more than 0

by mattybobo on May 19, 2009 12:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh I agree

Just trying to come up with reasons why TLR is doing this, then having Shane Robinson or Nick Stavinoha as the #2 batter.

I've got one foot on the platform, the other foot on the train
I'm going back to New Orleans, to wear that ball and chain

by jd is legend on May 19, 2009 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think Colby is there

to steal a base or hit and run. If he gets a single and then steals, it only takes one more hit to get him in. It’s hard to get three hits out of that part of the order (7-9).

by Willie McGee's Twin on May 19, 2009 7:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

This team seems to either be dead in the water from the start

Or play above it’s head. Not a lot of middle ground and certainly, lately, not a lot of luck. I keep saying they just need to tread water until it turns but they are unable to do so and these games happen to be against our rivals, making it that much worse

by riotmute on May 19, 2009 8:50 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Question. Who has to be protected on the 40 man roster

from the Rule 5 draft? Can opposing teams draft ANY player you don’t have on the 40 man? Does a player have to be in the system for some amount of time before he can be drafted via rule 5?

You guys have filled me with questions after all the 40 man roster talk in the last week.

by sdrone on May 19, 2009 9:15 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

in the system for a certain time

4 years for people who were 18 or younger when drafted (mostly high schoolers) and 3 years for those 19 and older

"People call me El Hombre," Pujols said. "But only Stan is the Man."

by StLHugo on May 19, 2009 9:22 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I believe

they changed that, in the last collective bargaining agreement, to four and five years, respectively.

If you've got a blacklist, I want to be on it.

by the red baron on May 19, 2009 1:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I am always disappointed by your avatar

I think it is the “Major” than click on it to wonder who it is

Stat Whore

by FlimtotheFlam on May 19, 2009 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i beleive it was

2 and 3 years and the last change was to 3 and 4

"People call me El Hombre," Pujols said. "But only Stan is the Man."

by StLHugo on May 19, 2009 8:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Khalil on his way out?

Link

by paposse on May 19, 2009 9:15 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Classy posters on stltoday

hecanthithecanthithecanthithecanthit

by Alxfritz on May 19, 2009 9:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Foresight of TLR

“Mostly it’s a chance for him to come to the park and work. We’ve got the infielders here to give us a chance to do that and I’m going to do it,” La Russa said.

It’s clear now that all of this MIF stew he’s been cooking since March was merely insurance for when The ~~Schumaker~~ Khalil Experiment failed. I’m only half-joking. In all seriousness, Greene’s decline has been a sad sight to see and we’re catching the tail end of it.

"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 May 19, 2009 9:45 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

and it makes it all the more weird after his promising ST

4B - beer baseball bands blog
"The ball sank the pirate ship that had been docked in the river."

by Cards Fan in Chitown on May 19, 2009 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Xanax?

I use booze to cure my anxiety. Maybe if he shotguns a beer during pregame and again every few innings, he’ll take the edge off? Or maybe he can talk to Dunc, Ludwick, Ank, ect, and start chewing. I picked it up during softball and golf and I find that it relaxes me just enough to keep me focused.

by STLRegalia on May 19, 2009 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Isn't that a time-honored slow-pitch softball tradition?

Shotgunning a beer during pregame and again every ~~few~~ innings?

"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 May 19, 2009 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah

I play in a tournament, forgive me if I’ve already told you this, where instead of a coin flip, a member from each team shotguns a beer and the winner is the home team

by STLRegalia on May 19, 2009 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Whatever Zach Greinke is using

Get Khalil some

I've got one foot on the platform, the other foot on the train
I'm going back to New Orleans, to wear that ball and chain

by jd is legend on May 19, 2009 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

oh yeah, I forgot about that

call weinburger

by STLRegalia on May 19, 2009 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

beer helps me to bowl

maybe Khalil needs to take a similar approach?

4B - beer baseball bands blog
"The ball sank the pirate ship that had been docked in the river."

by Cards Fan in Chitown on May 19, 2009 12:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

+1

by STLRegalia on May 19, 2009 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

This may sound terrible...

I’m not sure of the exact time frame, and I hate to make a stereotypical assumption, but doesn’t Greene’s slide partially coincide with the time that MLB started truly enforcing their substance abuse policy. Not to say that he was on roids or any sucn non-sense. But the guy is now experiencing “anxiety”. Could it be that he was always self-medicating that anxiety… maybe Paletta needs to get licensed in California and write him a script for his “glaucoma”.

At the same time ’roids became a huge fireball issue, substances of abuse were included with the same punishments.

Someone just please make Willie Nelson / Bob Marley his personal batboy

by streamman on May 19, 2009 12:56 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Marjiuana is not illegal under the MLB contract

Stat Whore

by FlimtotheFlam on May 19, 2009 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

it would be like drug testing graphic designer

there would be no one left… well, maybe not that bad.

4B - beer baseball bands blog
"The ball sank the pirate ship that had been docked in the river."

by Cards Fan in Chitown on May 19, 2009 1:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

pizza delivery guys?

the truth can't hurt you, it's just like the dark/ it scares you witless, but in time you see things clear and stark -- macmanus

by tom s. on May 19, 2009 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That was actually one of my favorite jobs and ....

In college I delivered pizza’s and I loved driving around during the summer listening to baseball games on the radio. I still almost exclusively follow games on the radio and rarely on TV.

Stat Whore

by FlimtotheFlam on May 19, 2009 1:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

that too

4B - beer baseball bands blog
"The ball sank the pirate ship that had been docked in the river."

by Cards Fan in Chitown on May 19, 2009 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Speaking of

Did you guys know they decriminalized small amounts of drugs in Mexico?

Stat Whore

by FlimtotheFlam on May 19, 2009 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wow

Just…wow

I've got one foot on the platform, the other foot on the train
I'm going back to New Orleans, to wear that ball and chain

by jd is legend on May 19, 2009 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It happened during all that swine flu hype

Stat Whore

by FlimtotheFlam on May 19, 2009 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's like that Duke administrator

She said she wanted to reduce the number of minors getting caught with alcohol, and suggested lowering the drinking age to 18 to do so. Just the complete wrong way to deal with a problem, making the problem legal!

Note: I am all for lowering the drinking age to 18. If you’re old enough to die for the country or elect its president, you’re old enough to get a beer.

I've got one foot on the platform, the other foot on the train
I'm going back to New Orleans, to wear that ball and chain

by jd is legend on May 19, 2009 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why is it a problem?

The problem’s only exist cause it is illegal. How many gang wars do you see over cigarette’s and alcohol?

Stat Whore

by FlimtotheFlam on May 19, 2009 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

+1

by FunkeeC on May 19, 2009 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not saying it's a problem, the Duke administrator is (as seen in the note at the end of my post)

It was the only real example I could think of. Let’s say someone said “I wish there were less people in prison for sex with minors.” Instead of doing something to protect minors from pedophiles and reduce the number of underage sex crimes, that person lowered the age of consent to 10 or something like that. It tackles the original problem the person had (fewer people in prison for sex with minors) but completely misses the point.

I've got one foot on the platform, the other foot on the train
I'm going back to New Orleans, to wear that ball and chain

by jd is legend on May 19, 2009 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

that's a ridiculous comparison

4B - beer baseball bands blog
"The ball sank the pirate ship that had been docked in the river."

by Cards Fan in Chitown on May 19, 2009 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

kind of a false equivalence.

if the issue is one where the act itself is not immoral and the justifications for the restriction are tenuous, then decriminalization could be a legitimate answer.

i doubt many people will stand up for pedophilia, but plenty might say drinking by 18 or 19 year olds or marijuana use is okay.

a better analogy might be raising the speed limit to 65 or 75. that was not a crazy way to respond to pretty rampant speeding on highways.

the truth can't hurt you, it's just like the dark/ it scares you witless, but in time you see things clear and stark -- macmanus

by tom s. on May 19, 2009 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

the thing is

that if alcohol is legal, then there is no reason cannibis should not also be legal

4B - beer baseball bands blog
"The ball sank the pirate ship that had been docked in the river."

by Cards Fan in Chitown on May 19, 2009 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

+Q

*Rasmus is to CF as Longoria is to 3B*

by Red Blazer on May 19, 2009 6:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Having sex with a ten year old is not the same as doing drugs

One has a victim and one does not. Lowering the age on consent would justify being a pedophile. While legalizing drugs would most likely reduce drug usage. It allows drug users to not fear coming out for drug rehabilitation.

They decriminalized drugs in Portugal over 5 years ago to combat the worst drug problems in Europe. Now they have the lowest drug use in Europe.

http://www.cato.org/event.php?eventid=5887

Stat Whore

by FlimtotheFlam on May 19, 2009 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Smoking Marijuana does not equal Buritto Taster

I mean the last 3 presidents of the USA have admitted smoking Marijuana.

Stat Whore

by FlimtotheFlam on May 19, 2009 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah

I really can’t believe he said that

4B - beer baseball bands blog
"The ball sank the pirate ship that had been docked in the river."

by Cards Fan in Chitown on May 19, 2009 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Really? I am not

It is hard to come up with a logical reason why Marijuana(Drugs in General) are illegal. So you are forced to make logical fallacies to support your arguments.

Stat Whore

by FlimtotheFlam on May 19, 2009 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

right

I’m still amazed though that such comparisons even exist. it’s like comparing baseball to soccer

4B - beer baseball bands blog
"The ball sank the pirate ship that had been docked in the river."

by Cards Fan in Chitown on May 19, 2009 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm sorry

that was naughty

4B - beer baseball bands blog
"The ball sank the pirate ship that had been docked in the river."

by Cards Fan in Chitown on May 19, 2009 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I never said having sex with a 10 year old is the same as doing drugs

Did I come up with an extreme example to try and prove my point? Yes. Could I have found a better one to suit my purpose, like the one tom s. cited above? Yes. Do I believe that legalizing small amounts of drugs in Mexico will effectively reduce or end violence in relation to the drug trade? Absolutely not.

That’s an interesting article you cited about Portugal. Although I will caution that correlation does not equal causation, I believe the returns do point to some level of correlation, though I’m not sure it’s a matter of fear of being found out in drug rehabilitation.

One last note to the general population of VEB: Re-read my original post. Like I’ve said, I picked a poor, created scenario to use for my argument, but I never said I was the one with those views. It was a created viewpoint that is not one I have. Sorry if there was any confusion.

I've got one foot on the platform, the other foot on the train
I'm going back to New Orleans, to wear that ball and chain

by jd is legend on May 19, 2009 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sort of

They both have victims. The pedophile case is obvious.

Drugs in and of themselves aren’t necessarily the problem. It’s funneling money to organized groups that destroy the lives of others that is. Look where most of the drugs come from. Lawlessness and people living above the law while the majority massively suffer (Mexico, Afghanistan, Central America, Columbia, etc. ).

The logic of why drugs is illegal is incredibly simple. How to fix that situation is quite the opposite.

It always bugs me when some moronic hippie goes off about how drugs don’t hurt anyone but the person doing the drug. They simply refuse to look at the big picture. The hippie reminds me of a close minded conservative politician. They never like that comparison.

by BirdsonFire on May 19, 2009 5:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

"The logic of why drugs is illegal is incredibly simple"

It’s also incredibly flawed. The problems you mention in your second paragraph – organized crime, lawlessness, violence – are all greatly exacerbated by the fact that prohibition creates a black market, dramatically drives up prices, and creates a situation where basic contracts and standards aren’t enforceable and there’s no rule of law because everyone involved is already acting illegally, so they’re not going to be too inclined to seek legal recourse when they’re wronged.

There will always be some societal damage associated with drugs, legal or not (at least the ones that are strongly addictive and have serious health consequences – marijuana probably not so much). But looking at any number of examples of different societies at the same time period, or the same society in different time periods, with different drug policies, it’s really hard to make a coherent case that prohibition does more good than harm.

by BTown Birds fan on May 19, 2009 5:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

black markets are obvious, everything has a black market

especially when there are shortages of something, something is considered illegal, or something is restricted (or even if it’s considered pricey)

and i’m not going to get into whether or not prohibition is good or not… that’s why the answer isn’t simple

but the logic of why drugs are illegal is incredibly simple

if you are buying or using drugs, that money is going to be funneled to what many people would claim (and probably somewhat correctly) is a terrorist organization

i don’t have any issues necessarily with drugs… correct time, correct place, correct means of acquisition, distribution, and creation… which doesn’t happen

by BirdsonFire on May 19, 2009 5:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

if drugs were made legal

drugs would be manufactured and distributed legally, there would be no need for a black market. i dont remember any speakeasies since probihibtion of ETOH was repealed

by FunkeeC on May 19, 2009 5:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

logic of why drugs are illegal is incredibly simple

I can agree with what you are saying. I just think it is an incredibly short sighted view. Terrorists bad, Me fight Terrorists. Completely ignoring the fact why their is terrorists in the first place.

Stat Whore

by FlimtotheFlam on May 19, 2009 5:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

sorry

i didn’t mean it was the end all be all of terrorism

and you are correct… i’m pretty much on the ball with what you said..

in the same way some may take my statement as a blanket argument, i mean to show that the blanket argument of no prohibition won’t work because neither is paying attention to everything going on (poverty, opportunity, corruption, etc.)

i’m just doing a very poor job of stating that

by BirdsonFire on May 19, 2009 6:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I didn't infer you to mean that all terrorism comes from drugs

But you are absolutely right that a HUGE portion of all funding for terrorism does come from drugs. On that note. Wouldn’t the benefits of eliminating this funding be worth any additional social issue we would deal with?

Stat Whore

by FlimtotheFlam on May 19, 2009 6:05 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Terrorism connection

There’s nothing inherently “terroristy” about drugs. You’d probably have a very similar phenomenon with coffee if it were made illegal. So if the logic terrorism argument is that drug money is used to fund terrorists, that seems like an excellent reason to end prohibition – it would take away the large majority of the profit margin and allow some regulation, accountability, and transparency.

by BTown Birds fan on May 19, 2009 6:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

some is funding

other (all?) is simply terrorism because of the death and destruction of society that it entails

by BirdsonFire on May 19, 2009 6:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm honestly not sure how to interpret that statement,

I think maybe because I’m not sure how you’re using the word terrorism.

by BTown Birds fan on May 19, 2009 6:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

it does appear we are using different definitions

the easiest way is to say that i’m using a much more general definition right now

by BirdsonFire on May 19, 2009 6:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If you're using it to mean

the organized crime and lawlessness you mentioned earlier, I would argue that 1) to my mind that definition is so broad as to have very little meaning; but more importantly 2) even accepting that definition, some of that terrorism is a result of the addictive, harmful nature of some drugs, but much of it is a direct result of prohibition itself. Which again to me is a strong argument against prohibition.

In any case, I think this is a really interesting topic but I guess it’s probably not an appropriate conversation here, since although it’s been civil it seems to violate the spirit of the “no politics” rule. So I’ll sign off on this part of the thread; have a good night and enjoy the game (and pleeeezzee can we end our losing streak tonight!).

by BTown Birds fan on May 19, 2009 6:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i'm not sure about that

Terrorism is the systematic use of terror especially as a means of coercion.

that seems pretty on the ball for how drug trafficking works

by BirdsonFire on May 19, 2009 6:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Exactly

In legal markets opposed to black markets when someone has a problem with someone else/company they take it the police or to a civil court. They don’t resort to violence because they don’t have to. By making drugs illegal they are forced underground and allow the money be funneled to all the worst people.

You can’t quench people’s thirst for drugs by simply making them illegal. Also, When a law is regularly broke by a large portion of the society it shows a disrespect to all laws. So by having laws that can not be enforced you are creating a perception of the uselessness of laws in general.

Stat Whore

by FlimtotheFlam on May 19, 2009 5:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think the best approach

would be to just legalize cannibis, and re-direct all those resources to harder drugs and violence prevention.

4B - beer baseball bands blog
"The ball sank the pirate ship that had been docked in the river."

by Cards Fan in Chitown on May 19, 2009 7:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

in order to justify the assertion

“the logic of why drugs is illegal is incredibly simple” you must acknowledge the circumstances that led to first the 18th Amendment, and how that led to the 21st Amendment, and all the many consequences of the Prohibition era.

Certain groups see every public policy question in Manichean, militaristic terms: we don’t like XYZ, so we Declare War on XYZ. This is like the person who, upon seeing a grease fire, immediately reaches for a huge bucket of water.

Not only is it impossible for the chosen method to have the intended effect, its vigorous and misguided application is guaranteed to make the problem immeasurably worse.

But the inertia of the status quo is sometimes nearly impossible to overcome, so Big Time Stupid becomes wrapped in the authority of law.

It always bugs me when some moronic hippie goes off about how drugs don’t hurt anyone but the person doing the drug. They simply refuse to look at the big picture. The hippie reminds me of a close minded conservative politician. They never like that comparison.

Gross, sweeping generalizations.

All you non-hippies and non-conservative politicians have a good time at Busch Stadium tonight! And your pals at InBev want to remind you to Just Say No to Drugs!

by nota bene on May 19, 2009 6:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i find it lovely

how people look at one line that could be construed a few different ways and run with it as fact

it’s simple to follow… i’m not saying it’s right or wrong (for the ten billionth time)

as for the hippie comment… it was an exaggeration to show a point to friends who claim the other side is entirely wrong while their side is entirely right because their views are 180 degrees apart… thus these said friends are annoyed because i have likened them to those that they despise

by BirdsonFire on May 19, 2009 6:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Logic fail.

Classic underachiever.

by spants on May 19, 2009 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It was legal

back in Nov of 07. Not that I’d know…

hecanthithecanthithecanthithecanthit

by Alxfritz on May 19, 2009 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was under the impression

That that got vetoed down by the President than by pressure from the US in 07

Stat Whore

by FlimtotheFlam on May 19, 2009 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

MLBPA members can't get suspended for marijuana

Not afraid to nitpick

by joker24 on May 19, 2009 3:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Does anyone know if minor league players sign a different contract?

Because the recent “drugs of abuse” suspension do not follow MLBPA guidelines

Stat Whore

by FlimtotheFlam on May 19, 2009 3:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i thought we looked at this at the time of hooker's suspension.

i think the issue was players don’t get tested as a matter of course for drugs of abuse. they do get tested based on reasonable suspicion — so if somebody finds a bag of weed in your locker, or you show up glassy eyed with track marks on your arm, they can test you.

i think it’s more an issue of not getting randomly tested for drugs of abuse than not getting punished for using.

Except as set forth in Section 3.A or Section 5.B (as to Stimulants) or Section 3.C or Section 4.E, Players shall not be subject to testing for the use of any Drug of Abuse.

3C relates to “reasonable cause testing,” which is what i’ve outlined above.

the truth can't hurt you, it's just like the dark/ it scares you witless, but in time you see things clear and stark -- macmanus

by tom s. on May 19, 2009 3:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i take it back -- if i'm understanding the rules properly, there's a special marijuana

exception.

A Player on the Administrative Track for the use or possession of marijuana shall not be subject to suspension. The Player will be subject to fines, which shall be progressive and which shall not exceed $25,000 for any particular violation.

It seems like players are either on the clinical (getting treatment) or administrative (disciplinary) tracks. the worst thing that happens on the clinical track is getting moved to the administrative track. so, there is a special marijuana exception. as long as you pay the fines you can stay on the field.

the truth can't hurt you, it's just like the dark/ it scares you witless, but in time you see things clear and stark -- macmanus

by tom s. on May 19, 2009 3:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It is the 50 day suspension that does not comply with the MLBPA

Stat Whore

by FlimtotheFlam on May 19, 2009 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Minor leagues

aren;t covered under the MLBPA Union.

hecanthithecanthithecanthithecanthit

by Alxfritz on May 19, 2009 3:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Anyone know where you can get a copy of the Minor League baseball contract?

Stat Whore

by FlimtotheFlam on May 19, 2009 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Uh, FO not doing their job?

“Mozeliak said he was unaware of Greene’s anxiety issues last season with the Padres. Greene’s strong spring training gave no reason for concern. “Everything seemed very normal,” Mozeliak said."

what are we doing over there?

R.P.O.F.Y.M.

by BVHeck on May 19, 2009 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

for whatever reason

I don’t buy that.

If it’s true it means that Mo didn’t fully do due diligence. But I don’t believe it, it sounds like after-the-fact CYA to me.

Just my $0.02….

by nota bene on May 19, 2009 6:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wow. That's just awful.

As someone who’s struggled with mental problems all my life (including time as a cutter in high school), I really feel for the guy. Just brutal, to have no proper control over your mind.

If you've got a blacklist, I want to be on it.

by the red baron on May 19, 2009 1:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

this quote was disturbing

Greene admitted to feeling increasingly overwhelmed by his situation and did not dispute accounts that he has several times punished himself physically.

exactly what is this referring to? punching walls again? seems strange that strauss would make such an open-ended comment without further explanation.

by _pistol_ on May 19, 2009 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You've read Straus before, right?

hecanthithecanthithecanthithecanthit

by Alxfritz on May 19, 2009 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

touche,

or something like that.

by _pistol_ on May 19, 2009 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

very worrying

and also a very odd place for the newspaper one-sentence-paragraph—definitely not something that should just stand on its own, either because it misrepresents what he’s said or because it’s extremely important.

It’s got to be especially tough for a guy like Khalil, who, when he was successful, seemed to pride himself on being perpetually collected and self-aware.

by DanUpBaby on May 19, 2009 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I noticed

that Leach didn’t mention any self-mutilation references in his article at the mothership.

I’ve still got pretty high hopes for Khalil as a ballplayer this season. Here’s hoping Khalil the human being turns things around quickly.

Guys like Bradley are exactly why we can't have a pumpkin patch anymore.

by liam on May 19, 2009 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That comment

worried me, too. Depending on what they mean, Khalil should seek psychiatric treatment. I wouldn’t hesitate to put him on the DL if that’s the case.

The Personal Finance Playbook.

by Toddius on May 19, 2009 2:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Seriously.

Are they waiting for him to break his own ankle with a baseball bat? The guy is hurting and needs help.

Classic underachiever.

by spants on May 19, 2009 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Or Strauss wrote a poor article

He either implied something very bad and untrue or he dropped some vague gossip without context.

Guys like Bradley are exactly why we can't have a pumpkin patch anymore.

by liam on May 19, 2009 3:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

When I read punished himself physically

I see him kneeling in front of his locker flogging himself over his shoulders

Stat Whore

by FlimtotheFlam on May 19, 2009 2:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think that fad went out several centuries ago.

"Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals." --Churchill

by lordsummer on May 19, 2009 4:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

not to read too closely here, but

it’s the “punishing himself physically” part that sticks out to me. If we’re going to take this at face value, he’s not just being too hard on himself mentally, he’s doing something to himself physically somehow. Spending ridiculous amounts of time in the weight room or something? Or is he cutting himself or something?

I hate to dwell on this but “disturbing” is definitely the word.

by nota bene on May 19, 2009 6:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

that makes me feel bad for getting on KG's case

but damn, being a pro athlete must be an extremely tough place to be if you have anxiety issues.

Here’s hoping the guy gets things figured off the field.

by nota bene on May 19, 2009 6:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Today brings good news and bad news

The good news is the Brewers have left town. The bad news is the Cubs are in town.

by ridgesee on May 19, 2009 9:42 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm going to the game tonight

what time does the stadium open? Are you able to watch BP?

by STLRegalia on May 19, 2009 9:47 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Usually about two hours before, I believe

And, yes, you can watch BP:

BATTING PRACTICE TIMES
12:10 & 12:15 PM Games
Cardinals Batting Practice 9:35 a.m. – 10:50 a.m.
Visiting Team Batting Practice 10:50 a.m. – 11:30a.m.
1:15 PM Games
Cardinals Batting Practice 10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
Visiting Team Batting Practice 11:45 a.m. – 12:25 p.m.
3:10 & 3:15 PM Games
Cardinals Batting Practice 12:25 p.m. – 1:40 p.m.
Visiting Team Batting Practice 1:40 p.m. – 2:20 p.m.
7:15 PM Games*
Cardinals Batting Practice 4:35 p.m. – 5:50 p.m.
Visiting Team Batting Practice 5:50 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
* Times are one hour earlier for 6:10 and 6:15 PM games.
Batting practice times are subject to change without notice

I hope your Cards-Cubs experience is as good as mine was. That weekend seems like ages ago.

"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 May 19, 2009 9:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

bah!

I screwed up my reply, but I beat you! ;p

"People call me El Hombre," Pujols said. "But only Stan is the Man."

by StLHugo on May 19, 2009 9:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think it was a tie

Unless there are seconds to measure the posting time. To go along with both of our posts, I have a question that has long bothered me. Why on earth doesn’t the stadium open when the Cards start BP? It would only be a half an hour earlier.

"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 May 19, 2009 9:54 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

Yeah I noticed the minutes were exact, I just saw yours pop up after mine, but that is probably due to the refresh rate. Also I completely agree on the gate opening.

"People call me El Hombre," Pujols said. "But only Stan is the Man."

by StLHugo on May 19, 2009 9:55 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

thanks

I would be happier if it was tomorrow, to see carp, but it’s my first cards/cubs game, so I’m excited anyway

by STLRegalia on May 19, 2009 9:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I went to the same one bgh did

and it was a great game, been to two Cards-Cubs games now, one in 07 after the Ankiel HGH slide began and watched Izzy blow up in the 9th and then the one this year to watch a great game. It was fun both times though.

"People call me El Hombre," Pujols said. "But only Stan is the Man."

by StLHugo on May 19, 2009 9:54 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Haha

My first Cards-Cubs game was in ’06 and was also my first game in Busch III. Izzy blew a 2-run 9th-inning lead and we lost in extras. But, it was cool because the ushers let us sit in prime seats for the 5 extra innings.

"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 May 19, 2009 9:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

9-14 07 was my game

http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SLN/SLN200709140.shtml

Waino technically got the loss but he was only losing by 1 and we ended up scoring 2 in the bottom of the 9th and should have won if Izzy had held it to 1 run.

"People call me El Hombre," Pujols said. "But only Stan is the Man."

by StLHugo on May 19, 2009 10:02 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's a ton of fun

I wish I could be there. Enjoy!

"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 May 19, 2009 9:54 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I just hope I get to see

The Curious Case of Joel’s Sinker

-and not-

G.I. Joel: Rise of the Home Run Ball

by STLRegalia on May 19, 2009 10:07 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs

I'll be there too

by momup on May 19, 2009 11:11 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If I remember correctly (tickets are at home)

section 146 row 24

by STLRegalia on May 19, 2009 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

We have 2 seats in the commissioners box tonight. Secion 141 row d. All u can eat and drink.

Our season tickets are in 138 row h. I think we’re going Thursday. Danup isn’t going. I’m going with a friend.

by momup on May 19, 2009 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

....i envy you

seriously

"People call me El Hombre," Pujols said. "But only Stan is the Man."

by StLHugo on May 19, 2009 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I've done the all inclusive area in centerfield

well worth the $90

by STLRegalia on May 19, 2009 12:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

So was Bank of America

the thing I liked about BoA was that it had an air conditioned part with the food if I wanted to go inside, and the outside seats had great views, too bad I was there for JR Towles debut where he had a great game.

"People call me El Hombre," Pujols said. "But only Stan is the Man."

by StLHugo on May 19, 2009 12:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

my game(in centerfield)

was the rain delayed Carlos Lee HR game (last year)

by STLRegalia on May 19, 2009 12:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Busch Stadium Guide

Batting Practice Times
12:10 & 12:15 PM Games
Cardinals Batting Practice 9:35 a.m. – 10:50 a.m.
Visiting Team Batting Practice 10:50 a.m. – 11:30a.m.
1:15 PM Games
Cardinals Batting Practice 10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
Visiting Team Batting Practice 11:45 a.m. – 12:25 p.m.
3:10 & 3:15 PM Games
Cardinals Batting Practice 12:25 p.m. – 1:40 p.m.
Visiting Team Batting Practice 1:40 p.m. – 2:20 p.m.
7:15 PM Games*
Cardinals Batting Practice 4:35 p.m. – 5:50 p.m.
Visiting Team Batting Practice 5:50 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
* Times are one hour earlier for 6:10 and 6:15 PM games.
Batting practice times are subject to change without notice

"People call me El Hombre," Pujols said. "But only Stan is the Man."

by StLHugo on May 19, 2009 9:51 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Meant that as a reply

also this is helpful too:

Gate Times
Stadium gates generally open 2 hours before game time.

"People call me El Hombre," Pujols said. "But only Stan is the Man."

by StLHugo on May 19, 2009 9:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

thanks to you too

even though your reply failed

by STLRegalia on May 19, 2009 9:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah, replying to the last post

sometimes really confuses me since I think I hit reply but didn’t and it has the same post interface.

"People call me El Hombre," Pujols said. "But only Stan is the Man."

by StLHugo on May 19, 2009 9:55 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I apparently picked the right time to come to Prague yikes

Though Looper striking out none, walking 2 and giving up a solo bomb is some bad luck.

Not afraid to nitpick

by joker24 on May 19, 2009 9:59 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

That's the way I felt all through 2007

And, I got back just in time for Ankiel’s debut and our run at first place. Hopefully your return stateside has a similar effect.

"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 May 19, 2009 10:01 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Also, you're in a country where they make excellent and cheap Franklins.

by mattybobo on May 19, 2009 10:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

$1 .5 liter amazing Franklins

And they Franklinize themselves all day, not just when Ryan Franklin enters a game.

Not afraid to nitpick

by joker24 on May 19, 2009 11:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Heh.

I spent a semester of college in Rome, and one of my biggest regrets was that I never visited Prague or really any of Eastern Europe at all. All my friends raved about how awesome and affordable the place was.

by mattybobo on May 19, 2009 11:55 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It is a-mazing

The downtown is as cool and historic as any other city and it is really cheap for everything. The Czech people are very friendly even when they don’t know English and like to have fun (they drink more beer per person than any country in the world by far, Ireland is in 2nd place by ~30 liters per year and the beer is 21 crowns ($1.05) basically everywhere. Soda and water are literally more expensive than beer. There’s a bar IN my dorm, a brewery on campus and there are people drinking at 10 AM. It’s fun.

Food from what I’ve seen in 3 days is really good, similar to German where it’s very meat and potatoes, and mostly crazy cheap plus you don’t have to tip ($3 medium sized good pizza, $2 Czech subs, Subway is cheaper than $5 a footlong not that I ever plan on eating Subway here) but we also went to a restaurant and spent ~$30 each. But it feels like everything is free with their money it’s funny.

I do like coming back from going out and there’s still baseball on MLB.tv.

Not afraid to nitpick

by joker24 on May 19, 2009 12:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, that's pretty much the description I kept getting from people

Awesome history and art/architecture, crazy value, fun people, etc. etc. Seems like they’re very happy to not be communist anymore, thank you very much.
I think Prague was uniquely lucky in not getting stuff blown up during WW2, for their region… or something. Kind of like the anti-Berlin.

by mattybobo on May 19, 2009 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

Germany took Czechoslovakia basically violence free (huge German population, used to be at least) and then they were already retreating back to their borders by the time Russia came along to “liberate” them.

Not afraid to nitpick

by joker24 on May 19, 2009 3:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i hear the women are crazy beautiful too

live it up bro, live it up

It kind of sounds like he’s [Duncan] just running around like a puppy out there – full speed ahead in random directions. – BTown Birds Fan

by gdm426 on May 19, 2009 7:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

speaking of sponsors

the 09 cards are currently lacking a BR sponsor, anyone up for the $175 it says it takes?

"People call me El Hombre," Pujols said. "But only Stan is the Man."

by StLHugo on May 19, 2009 10:05 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I'll chip in $.50

I've got one foot on the platform, the other foot on the train
I'm going back to New Orleans, to wear that ball and chain

by jd is legend on May 19, 2009 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

At this point

we might as well cut ties with Khalil. If he’s not going to the full time starter I don’t see any reason to have him around. He’d just be taking away playing time from T. Greene and Ryan, who certainly seem to at the very least his equal if not better at this point.

Milt Thompson FTW!

by gossard56 on May 19, 2009 10:16 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I guess we might as well DFA glaus and ludwick too

Because chicks dig the intentional base on balls.

by Felonius_Monk on May 19, 2009 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

huh?

how is that remotely similar? Glaus and Ludwick are on the DL, Greene is struggling and as far as we know not injured. I am not advocating releasing him but I don’t get how you consider releasing Greene similar to releasing two injured stars for this team.

"People call me El Hombre," Pujols said. "But only Stan is the Man."

by StLHugo on May 19, 2009 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It is a complete waste of talent for no gain

there’s no upside to releasing greene, just as there was no upside to releasing kennedy (though I can understand that if he wasn’t seeing eye-to-eye with TLR). I was making a somewhat hyperbolic point.

Because chicks dig the intentional base on balls.

by Felonius_Monk on May 19, 2009 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

glaus

maybe. if he’s going to be out until august or september and he’s on the last year of the contract, why not? i don’t know the roster implications though.

by spencegrif on May 19, 2009 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

there is no reason to DFA Glaus

his contract is up after this season and being on the 60 day DL he won’t hurt our 40 man roster, we gain nothing at all besides never having to hear “glaus will be back next week” over and over for a few months if he never does make it back, but we could possibly get him back full strength and get 10-15 second half home runs out of him.

"People call me El Hombre," Pujols said. "But only Stan is the Man."

by StLHugo on May 19, 2009 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Commercials

Do you mean the commercials about FSN, or the commercials only played on FSN? I’m assuming the later, since you mention the “cheap, cheap” thing. Not all of those commercials are poorly made.

by saladdays on May 19, 2009 10:31 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

yeah, like that Mobil on the Run Commercial

that one is excellent, how does it go again?

by STLRegalia on May 19, 2009 10:38 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hope to God you're joking

(and I’m pretty sure you are)

I want to reiterate that the Mobil on the Run commercial is the worst commercial in the history of commercials. It gives me a migraine every time I see it, which is every fourth commercial break during a game, it seems.

by ajabegg on May 19, 2009 12:05 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

As I have posted before

That commercial is marketing at it’s finest, and nobody can convince me otherwise.

by STLRegalia on May 19, 2009 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

In fact,

I was considering making a ‘6’ medallion to wear around my neck at tonight’s game, in hopes that they would score a serious number and I would get to see the commerical at the stadium and raise it in the air in celebration…but my wife said no.

by STLRegalia on May 19, 2009 12:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Your wife sucks.

Because chicks dig the intentional base on balls.

by Felonius_Monk on May 19, 2009 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

normally I would be offended with you talkin' bout my baby-moma

but I really wanted to make it. all I would need is cardboard and aluminum foil

by STLRegalia on May 19, 2009 1:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I obviously wasn't talking about that one

The Schnucks commercials aren’t terrible, and at least they always change unlike the others.

by saladdays on May 19, 2009 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

na na na na na na na na

NA NA NA NA NA NA NA

hecanthithecanthithecanthithecanthit

by Alxfritz on May 19, 2009 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

they make it easy

they really do.

by adiueordie on May 19, 2009 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

stats project

Hey, not to jack the thread, but I’m going to have to do a stats project for grad school this summer. It might have to be national security related, but they also might let me do something with sports. Any ideas for an interesting baseball themed stats project?

by spencegrif on May 19, 2009 10:48 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Perhaps I’m late to the party but I’ve always wondered about something about a good estimator of the probability of getting out (or, transversely, not out) at the plate in a given situation. You know, one that takes into account opposing pitcher/defense, “hot/cold-ness”, etc. It seems whenever someone tries to give a rough estimate for the probability for getting out, they go with something around .65 or .7 or maybe even 1 – obp. I’m sure there’s some good stuff out there already that I’ve just never bothered to look for, because this idea doesn’t seem particularly unique, but I think it’d be cool.

by ajabegg on May 19, 2009 12:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

hm

wouldn’t it be the difference between 1 and average OBP?

by spencegrif on May 19, 2009 4:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

maybe a way to rank pitchers using all the different pitching stat categories

that would be awesome…. or something similar but with defensive stats, combining the different rankings, since they don’t always agree would be very interesting.

4B - beer baseball bands blog
"The ball sank the pirate ship that had been docked in the river."

by Cards Fan in Chitown on May 19, 2009 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

hm, good thought

I’ll keep that in mind. I’m not sure what the parameters are going to be for the project. I might have to figure out how to incorporate span of time over which to measure the stats’ effectiveness. we’ll see.

by spencegrif on May 19, 2009 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

30th in the MLB in OBP

Thats right, for the month of May the Cards are currently 30th (last) in MLB in OBP

"People call me El Hombre," Pujols said. "But only Stan is the Man."

by StLHugo on May 19, 2009 11:26 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

khalil

Does Khalil Greene have anxiety disorder or is the last third or so of this article just really lazy writing?

by spencegrif on May 19, 2009 11:38 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Hm.

I’m starting to think one of two things:
Either Khalil Greene needs some sort of therapist, or he’s already been to a therapist and is regressing. The way he talks about being irrational makes me wonder if he’s had CBT before. This is total speculation by me.

by mattybobo on May 19, 2009 11:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

maybe he's having issues with TLR

4B - beer baseball bands blog
"The ball sank the pirate ship that had been docked in the river."

by Cards Fan in Chitown on May 19, 2009 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

forgive me

but CBT?

by STLRegalia on May 19, 2009 11:54 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

reply fail

by STLRegalia on May 19, 2009 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

S'OK

Stands for cognitive behavioral therapy. It’s a very prevalent school of psychotherapy that is pretty rigorously evidence-based, lots of support in the literature. Anxiety type stuff is one of the areas that it’s gotten a lot of empirical support in.

by mattybobo on May 19, 2009 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

syllable overload...

…system shutting down…need a franklin…

by STLRegalia on May 19, 2009 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

gotcha

perhaps the cardinals and Greene need an intervention?

by STLRegalia on May 19, 2009 12:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

not often my day job comes up on these boards

but matty here has the main points.

by FunkeeC on May 19, 2009 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was told

that anxiety meds give you the same feeling you get after 2 or 3 beers. Not drunk, but buzzed just enough to ease your worries. was I told right or wrong, because I would assume that’s why people with anxiety often drink a lot?

by STLRegalia on May 19, 2009 12:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

well its why people abuse alcohol

cause it generally will numb just about anything. but yes, xanax will give many people a buzz and which is why its also a huge drug of abuse by itself or in combination w/ alcohol.

and you dont want to go through a benzo detox….trust me

by FunkeeC on May 19, 2009 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I just stick to the booze (not for anxiety reasons, I'm just a lush)

I’m too scared to mix booze with any kind of drug, hell I won’t even take tylenol when I drink.

by STLRegalia on May 19, 2009 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Aren't there also

anti-depressants geared towards people with anxiety issues?

Classic underachiever.

by spants on May 19, 2009 12:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

this is how bad the season has turned

we are all talking about meds and booze…save us Albert!

by STLRegalia on May 19, 2009 12:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

yes and no

anti depressants can for some people assist w/ anxiety but not in the same way the benzo class meds do. antidepressants take a while to build up to therapeutic levels in your blood. so if you have someone experiencing panic attacks, prescribing something that will help in 2-3 weeks may not be exactly helpful by itself.

by FunkeeC on May 19, 2009 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

which is why you really should see a psychiatrist to discuss these issues

and not rely on your PCP for these types of meds

by FunkeeC on May 19, 2009 12:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

How about Hill-billy Heroine?

by STLRegalia on May 19, 2009 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Makes sense.

Classic underachiever.

by spants on May 19, 2009 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It seems like SSRIs show up in treatment for just about anything these days

I know I’m exaggerating, but yeah.

by mattybobo on May 19, 2009 12:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

They’re giving them in large numbers to children and now animals. You can get a scrip for your dog. The latest trend is to add a 2nd drug to work with it. Their value as a treatment is still somewhat controversial.

by ol Pete on May 19, 2009 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

when did tom cruise become a cards fan?

he never struck me as a baseball type….

by FunkeeC on May 19, 2009 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

First of all

I don’t think ol Pete was arguing against anti-depressants and psychiatric medicine, and if he was, he didn’t have the same vitriol Tom Cruise has used. Second of all, I’m pretty sure ol Pete is a Brewers fan.

I've got one foot on the platform, the other foot on the train
I'm going back to New Orleans, to wear that ball and chain

by jd is legend on May 19, 2009 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

ironically

Its statisticians who call foul with the rampant selling of SSRIs. When did Karl Rove sign up with big pharma?

by ol Pete on May 19, 2009 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

well...

just to speak for myself, i wasn’t trying to imply that they are a cure all or needed for everyone/everything ( i actually often get callers to my day job in which i will advocate for parents to attempt non-pharm interventions. but our society is a bit obsessed w/ the quick fix and the pharm industry has a long reach. but the issue i had w/ your post wasn’t that you claimed that they may be over prescribed but that their value in treatment is controversial.

by FunkeeC on May 19, 2009 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yikes.

Man, sometimes I just harmlessly throw out a comment and it turns into a mess.
SSRIs are great drugs. They have proper uses.
I’m not sure what to be more offended about, the Tom Cruise reference or the Karl Rove reference. For one thing, I totally like Tom Cruise in certain roles. Sure he’s crazy and traffics in damaging misinformation, but there are plenty of other stupid celebrities who do the same thing and aren’t nearly as hated, and they don’t even have the cult excuse. For another thing, I checked both in my closet and under my bed, and in neither place was Karl Rove waiting to get me. So I think maybe people exaggerate about him just a tad.

by mattybobo on May 19, 2009 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

well to be honest

i did mean the cruise comment as a bit of a joke, but ya, this went in a direction i didnt intend haha

by FunkeeC on May 19, 2009 4:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Heh. I was mostly joking too, or trying to.

Although everything I said was literally true.

by mattybobo on May 19, 2009 6:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hate Tom Cruise

But damn it, I love his movies. He was hilarious in Tropic Thunder.

I've got one foot on the platform, the other foot on the train
I'm going back to New Orleans, to wear that ball and chain

by jd is legend on May 19, 2009 5:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Last Samurai is one of my favorite modern movies.

Tom Cruise is perfect for the role, so long as the role is Tom Cruise. Kinda like Jack Nicholson, only better looking, but shorter and not as talented.

by mattybobo on May 19, 2009 6:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

According to wikipedia...

CBT shows promise for benzo rehab. Or something.
My dad is actually a cognitive-behavioral therapist, and I’m probably going to go to grad school for something in the clinical psych world. So I’m kind of an amateur know-it-all about stuff like this.

by mattybobo on May 19, 2009 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

what a coincidence.

i consider myself an amateur know-it-all about everything (as long as i have google near by)

by STLRegalia on May 19, 2009 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Haha

I think I am definitely a part of the “Google + Wikipedia” amateur know-it-all generation.

by mattybobo on May 19, 2009 12:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I can’t remember what I used to do with myself before I had broadband….

by nota bene on May 19, 2009 6:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

very cool

im a marriage and family therapist licensed in california. came out here from grad school after graduating from slu.

by FunkeeC on May 19, 2009 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Coolness

by mattybobo on May 19, 2009 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

ok Doc

so my wife has this problem where…..how much do you charge for online patients?

by STLRegalia on May 19, 2009 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

lol

by FunkeeC on May 19, 2009 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i sure hope khalil finds his way through this.

not an easy thing for anybody to deal with, and surely not easier in a baseball clubhouse performing six days out of seven on tv.

the truth can't hurt you, it's just like the dark/ it scares you witless, but in time you see things clear and stark -- macmanus

by tom s. on May 19, 2009 1:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

leaving work then leaving for the Lou

Go Cards! hope I get to see a good one

by STLRegalia on May 19, 2009 1:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

must. beat. cubs.

4B - beer baseball bands blog
"The ball sank the pirate ship that had been docked in the river."

by Cards Fan in Chitown on May 19, 2009 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Man I was gonna run errands tonight

then I remembered who the Cubs are playing. Good thing: it’s repeat season. Bad thing: Wife will get annoyed at having to watch American Idol upstairs on the smaller TV.

by sdrone on May 19, 2009 2:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

that's what happens when you want to watch American Idol

4B - beer baseball bands blog
"The ball sank the pirate ship that had been docked in the river."

by Cards Fan in Chitown on May 19, 2009 2:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Proud to say I have never watched an episode

Stat Whore

by FlimtotheFlam on May 19, 2009 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

kudos

4B - beer baseball bands blog
"The ball sank the pirate ship that had been docked in the river."

by Cards Fan in Chitown on May 19, 2009 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I watched one to see Ozzie's kid

some friends of mine used to do karaoke at a place where he’d hang out.

Guys like Bradley are exactly why we can't have a pumpkin patch anymore.

by liam on May 19, 2009 3:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Wife loves the show

and I have to admit, the first few weeks, when Simon is just insulting people, are hilarious.

After that, if I’m in the room, I’m just insulting the contestants. Which she loves, of course.

by sdrone on May 19, 2009 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

She loves the contestants or she loves you insulting the contestants?

I've got one foot on the platform, the other foot on the train
I'm going back to New Orleans, to wear that ball and chain

by jd is legend on May 19, 2009 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

In general terms

I’m not allowed to watch most of American Idol, the Oscars, and other awards shows with her.

by sdrone on May 19, 2009 3:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Damn sarcasm detector was acting up again

funny stuff!

by mattybobo on May 19, 2009 3:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

simon annoys me

4B - beer baseball bands blog
"The ball sank the pirate ship that had been docked in the river."

by Cards Fan in Chitown on May 19, 2009 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

turning televised mariah carey impersonations into some obligatory national

cultural institution annoys me.

the truth can't hurt you, it's just like the dark/ it scares you witless, but in time you see things clear and stark -- macmanus

by tom s. on May 19, 2009 3:07 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Me too.

I hate that show.

Classic underachiever.

by spants on May 19, 2009 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't watch the show

But there was a guy in one of the early episodes who auditioned with Cher’s “Do you believe in life after love” or whatever that song is called. He sounded just like her. I hate Cher.

I've got one foot on the platform, the other foot on the train
I'm going back to New Orleans, to wear that ball and chain

by jd is legend on May 19, 2009 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah

the whole thing stinks

4B - beer baseball bands blog
"The ball sank the pirate ship that had been docked in the river."

by Cards Fan in Chitown on May 19, 2009 3:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

rec'd

I could not possibly agree with this comment any more.

Simon Cowell is a walking, talking middle finger to taste, decency, professionalism, and music itself. America sure as hell doesn’t “idolize” the people that go on that show and caterwaul their way to prominent shelf space at Wal-Mart.

I could go on and on about how much I despise that show….the contracts they make those poor bastards sign, the elevation of all. that. awful. friggin. music, the know-nothings judging the things (at least Randy and Paula have been on stage)…..

by nota bene on May 19, 2009 7:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

it's a shame

that in a country that is at the forefront of music and culture, the thing we’re most known for (or gets paid attention to) is this garbage… but I guess, most of the interesting music is either ahead of its time, or is too subversive

4B - beer baseball bands blog
"The ball sank the pirate ship that had been docked in the river."

by Cards Fan in Chitown on May 19, 2009 7:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well, to our credit or further shame depending on your perspective...

isn’t American Idol just a remake of a British show? So either it’s not our fault, or we’re so unoriginal that we have to get crummy shows from other countries.
Now, I am going to do something shocking and try defend the show and Simon Cowell just a little bit (very little bit in fact). I don’t care for it, and I usually hate the music. It’s mostly either lame versions of good songs, or lame versions of bad songs. And these lame versions are either skillfully or badly produced. Sometimes when I see it (I do not watch the show, but it is occasionally on being watched by others) there is a performance that I enjoy a little, but that is pretty rare.
However! The audience doesn’t seem to mind that these artists don’t seem to go on to do anything significant. There have been a couple exceptions, but for the most part the winners end up not really going anywhere. The show has way more value as pure entertainment than it does producing actual talent. The competition is what brings people in (and the "train wreck factor) so many people don’t care that the artists aren’t really worthwhile when all is said and done.
And Simon Cowell is by far the best part of the show. He makes it almost worth watching. Sure he’s never sang. And Tony LaRussa was a crappy player. And Mozeliak was never a professional player. But he does know what makes a good (or at least sell-able) performance. The people who actually care enough to vote, and the studio audience especially, have never been producers. Sure, his job might be evil, but he knows what he’s doing. The other judges are worthless; they are the equivalent of Morgan and Phillips. The black guy occasionally says something meaningful. Cowell is often funny and he’s the only one who has the stones to call people out for their terrible ideas.
Phew. I can’t believe I ranted that much about a show that I actually don’t particularly like, but ah well. Bored and waiting for Cards/Cubs I guess.

by mattybobo on May 19, 2009 7:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I thought of that too

but we are still putting up the huge ratings. part of it being, there is hardly anything on worth watching on the boobtube… but sure, I really want to blame the Brits too ;)

my annoyance with Simon Cowell is actually sort of shallow for me… don’t like the accent, the look, etc. I agree that on such a show they have to have a guy like him that knows what Mariah Carey mimicry is supposed to be like. I keed

4B - beer baseball bands blog
"The ball sank the pirate ship that had been docked in the river."

by Cards Fan in Chitown on May 19, 2009 7:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Haha

You keed, but I totally agree. His area of expertise is crap, but I trust his opinion on that crap more than most.

by mattybobo on May 19, 2009 7:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

the key in your post

But he does know what makes a good (or at least sell-able) performance.

“sellable” is the key word. A “good” performance depends on the interpretation of the listener. I’m of the opinion (I may be dead wrong on this) that most people, even the Great Unwashed, are competent enough to be able to make up their own minds about what they do and don’t like, without somebody like Cowell telling them how to feel about it. But Cowell himself can dismiss this criticism by pointing to the fact that he’s rich and famous and has this ridiculously successful TV show in front of millions every night of the week, do you?

What’s telling is that Cowell isn’t famous for doing anything, he’s famous for talking about what other people do. It’s not unlike being the cranky color guy on a baseball broadcast, except worse, because people don’t need other people to tell them what entertains them. Plus, you can’t listen to music and listen to Cowell talk at the same time. So when Cowell is doing anything, you’re not listening to music at the same time.

Plus, he plays up this image that people have of what producers do. The idea that you can act like that (constantly belittling and berating people) in the real world and continue to be employed (or start a brawl!) is laughable. Yes, there are definitely exceptions, but they are the exception to the rule.

by nota bene on May 19, 2009 7:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I just think that if I had to put up with Paula Abdul so much I'd get pretty snippy too.

I think one of the funniest part of the whole thing is that the audience in general secretly or not so secretly loves him. Your points are perfectly valid though, it’s a matter of opinion mostly.

by mattybobo on May 19, 2009 8:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I know what you mean

One of my friends is having a going away dinner tomorrow, which I’m trying to get out of in favor of Carp’s Return.

"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 May 19, 2009 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It can't be moved to a sports bar?

"Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals." --Churchill

by lordsummer on May 19, 2009 5:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

brendan ryan is a stathead.

that’s my conclusion, at least, about this article.

TLR takes him to task for “erratic defense” — snagging high fly balls that were in Greene and Robinson’s areas.

I like to think that he said as he brought in the catches “Boo ya! Another out of zone play! My UZR is going through the roof!”

the truth can't hurt you, it's just like the dark/ it scares you witless, but in time you see things clear and stark -- macmanus

by tom s. on May 19, 2009 1:44 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs

The veteran

Brendan doesn’t trust the rookies?

by kkkkathmandubirdsview on May 19, 2009 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

khalil greene. no, i think this is more a personal style issue.

the truth can't hurt you, it's just like the dark/ it scares you witless, but in time you see things clear and stark -- macmanus

by tom s. on May 19, 2009 2:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

so i just realized something

I get to go to a few games a year living in peoria… and last year I went to see the Cards and Phillies when they put up 25 runs on us. Wellemeyer was pitching that game and I think that he will be pitching again at the first game that I get to see this year (Friday night vs. the Royals). Should I be worried?

SlamalamaJackADongWick cares very little about your draft pick standing-by gdm426

by FredbirdisaDork on May 19, 2009 1:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yes.

Classic underachiever.

by spants on May 19, 2009 2:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

When's the last time a team went 0-9 on a 9-game homestand?

It currently seems like a legitimate concern for the Cardinals…

I've got one foot on the platform, the other foot on the train
I'm going back to New Orleans, to wear that ball and chain

by jd is legend on May 19, 2009 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

no

the Royals aren’t going to score 20+ runs on anyone.

They’ll probably only win 10-0

by Cuttah on May 19, 2009 2:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ricky Weeks out for the season

that’s a fairly large blow to the Brewers, with as good as he was playing this year. Luckily for them though, they have the likes of Mat Gamel and Alcides Escobar who can replace him

by Cuttah on May 19, 2009 2:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

danup -- do you claim any kind of prescience or inside-the-clubhouse source?

Two posts in a row: “Physician, Kaheal thyself” and an “Everybody Hurts” themed post both put out and then Khalil’s bouts with anxiety revealed?

the truth can't hurt you, it's just like the dark/ it scares you witless, but in time you see things clear and stark -- macmanus

by tom s. on May 19, 2009 2:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I've got the club's only psychic press credentials

by DanUpBaby on May 19, 2009 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

shakes fist at last two seasons trend of pirates and brewers beating us a lot

4B - beer baseball bands blog
"The ball sank the pirate ship that had been docked in the river."

by Cards Fan in Chitown on May 19, 2009 3:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Lineup hope

1. Rasmus CF
2. Barden 3B
3. Pujols 1B
4. Duncan LF
5. Molina C
6. Stavinoha RF
7. T. Greene SS
8. Pineiro P
9. Schumaker 2B

Man that was depressing to try and put together a decent lineup against a lefty with the 25-man roster we currently have……

I've got one foot on the platform, the other foot on the train
I'm going back to New Orleans, to wear that ball and chain

by jd is legend on May 19, 2009 3:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

not sure how this impacts your lineup, but leach has an interesting discussion.

They have some fine defensive players, though. Manager Tony La Russa often turns to a “hands team” in the late innings with a lead — a unit that includes Brian Barden at third base, Joe Thurston or Brendan Ryan at second base and Skip Schumaker in left field.

However, La Russa said he has no plans to start the hands team behind Pineiro on Tuesday against the Cubs or any other time.

“Our third basemen are pretty much the same,” La Russa said. "Our shortstops are pretty much the same. Skip’s playing well, and Albert [Pujols] is Albert.

“I do that mostly so that nothing happens late in the game that Skip would take real personal and take steps back, not that he can’t make the plays. Yeah, right now, you would say that Brendan or Joe can make more plays defensively than Skip. But I’m not going to start them [just because of that] when Joel pitches.”

the gist of the larger article is that if you have a pitcher who puts the ball in play you need good defenders behind him (it is subtitled “don’t play skip at second tonight, tony!”). needless to say, tony will ignore this advice.

the truth can't hurt you, it's just like the dark/ it scares you witless, but in time you see things clear and stark -- macmanus

by tom s. on May 19, 2009 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

In what world are Joe Thurston and Brian Barden 'the same'

right now?

They are both homo sapians from planet Earth that play on the same team. That’s about it.

Still looking for 1985 Regular Season games on DVD/VHS

by Hardcore Legend on May 19, 2009 4:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

this just shows that tony la russa's defensive ranking sheet has only two columns --

“gritty” and “not gritty.” ankiel is going to start in center when he comes back because of the grit factor. barden and thurston are both the same because they’re gritty.

maybe there’s a third column for “gritty but still not very good” which is occupied by skip.

the other question this raises is if, in some solely-apparent-to-la russa fashion they are the same, how is thurston still getting twice the playing time as barden?

the truth can't hurt you, it's just like the dark/ it scares you witless, but in time you see things clear and stark -- macmanus

by tom s. on May 19, 2009 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

TLR's Mind...

The Same:

Thurston
Barden

Greene
Greene
Ryan

Different:

Skip
Pujols

"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 May 19, 2009 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

put that in a Venn diagram and make it a fanshot.

the truth can't hurt you, it's just like the dark/ it scares you witless, but in time you see things clear and stark -- macmanus

by tom s. on May 19, 2009 4:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't know how to get a graph from my computer to VEB

Otherwise, I’d have done a few more Fanposts and Fanshots this year.

"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 May 19, 2009 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Take a screen shot and just edit it in paint

Stat Whore

by FlimtotheFlam on May 19, 2009 5:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Listless ways to finish a FSN blowout

1. Al finds way to lay blame on young hitters/pitchers.
2. Dan brings up 2 day old ‘global’ baseball story for 20 minute discussion
3. Al points out obvious problems (too many walks, not enough hits, too many injuries) which may be a contradiction as theses were things he praise the team for yesterday. This will eventually devolve into a "Tony wants them to lose because it makes them stronger for later’ argument.
4. Dan talks about Blue/Rams/Mizzou and launches into discussion about person no one outside of Dan and Al has ever met.
5. Emergency Alert System on my cable mercifully activates and saves me from seeing the rest of the 8th inning.

Still looking for 1985 Regular Season games on DVD/VHS

by Hardcore Legend on May 19, 2009 3:27 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs

Didn't Al

diss on Wallace, too?

Guys like Bradley are exactly why we can't have a pumpkin patch anymore.

by liam on May 19, 2009 3:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Trade bait!

hecanthithecanthithecanthithecanthit

by Alxfritz on May 19, 2009 3:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Mad Hungarian

I swear, if I have to listen to that man wax nostalgic about the good ol’ days when pitchers threw 175 pitches every fourth day and then threw batting practice on the fifth day, I’m going to vomit. How much were they paid, Al? What’s that? Less than $10MM? Less than $5MM? Less than $1MM? It’s called protecting an investment. If I were an owner who dropped tens of millions of dollars on a pitcher as part of a multi-year contract, you’d better believe that I’d have him on a pitch count. Next thing you know, Al’s going to be lamenting the state-of-the-art training facilities the Cards have. “In my day, we did it all with a bucket of ice and a medicine ball…”

"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 May 19, 2009 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

currently appearing on mlb.com -- a photo of pujols sliding into second

with a frankly terrified looking miles awaiting a throw.

the truth can't hurt you, it's just like the dark/ it scares you witless, but in time you see things clear and stark -- macmanus

by tom s. on May 19, 2009 3:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Do you have a link?

"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 May 19, 2009 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

naw -- it's the cover photos. they're in flash, so i can't post the photo. just go to mlb.com

and check out the cover. hopefully it’s not yet changed.

the truth can't hurt you, it's just like the dark/ it scares you witless, but in time you see things clear and stark -- macmanus

by tom s. on May 19, 2009 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nice Pujols Two-Fer

Him tagging out Gathright at first on a pickoff throw and him sliding into second safely with Miles making the funny face. Awesome.

"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 May 19, 2009 4:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Pujols hits pretty well for such a defensive-oriented first baseman.

by mattybobo on May 19, 2009 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oops

I mean, a speedy, defense-oriented first baseman.

by mattybobo on May 19, 2009 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's kind of a montage to grit

…featuring a player no one would ever describe as “gritty.”

"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 May 19, 2009 4:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

by adiueordie on May 19, 2009 5:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh god oh god oh god oh god

He’sgonnakillme, he’sgonnakillme, he’sgonnakillme

by mattybobo on May 19, 2009 6:08 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

in the next panel, he drops his glove and runs away before either pujols or the ball arrive.

the truth can't hurt you, it's just like the dark/ it scares you witless, but in time you see things clear and stark -- macmanus

by tom s. on May 19, 2009 6:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

So glad

you snagged this. It’s not on the front page anymore.

Classic underachiever.

by spants on May 19, 2009 8:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Did anyone see the bizarre rant by George Brett in response to an apparently negative question

about Trey Hillman? It’s not quite pine tar intensity, but he’s pretty pissed (and pretty sarcastic at the end too).

And even better, a poster at Royals Review did a pitch-perfect parody of the A Few Good Men “you can’t handle the truth!” scene with Brett in place of Nicholsen. That is some funny, funny shit.

by BTown Birds fan on May 19, 2009 4:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Have you seen the George Brett Sprint Training footage where he's talking to rookies about pooping his pants?

"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 May 19, 2009 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

No - do you have a link? (Although frankly, I'm not sure I want to see that...)

by BTown Birds fan on May 19, 2009 4:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's pretty funny

Here’s the link. It’s just him talking about doing so to a couple of terrified rookies during Spring Training. It’s funny because they keep trying to distance themselves from him, but he follows them so he can complete the tale.

"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 May 19, 2009 4:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That video's not available "due to a copyright claim by Time Warner Cable."

Really? I copyright claim by Time Warner on footage of George Brett talking about crapping himself?
Anyway, I think I got the gist of it from the accompanying text. George Brett was an idol of mine when I was a little kid (I still like to use the number 5 on my softball jerseys; it’s just a happy coincidence that it’s also Pujols’ number). I think I’d have had a very different opinion of him (still a very positive one, mind you) if I’d been old enough to hear and understand some of the stories that must have gotten out about him while he played. Seems like a pretty interesting fellow.

by BTown Birds fan on May 19, 2009 4:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

here it is

At first I thought he was kidding, but if so he’s got a real talent for making up details on the fly…..

I love how he turns around after all that and says, “who’s the pitchers in this game?”

by nota bene on May 19, 2009 7:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I heard that on the radio at lunch

and I kind have lost a little respect for Brett over it. He sounded like Phil effin Simms. I suppose those of us who have never played or managed major league baseball or played in the NFL better just hang up our fandom and quit making these people all that evil money.

* sarcasm might be involved in this comment

by mattyfrommo on May 19, 2009 6:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

that RoyalsReview thread

is one of the most hilarious things I’ve read in a long time….

by nota bene on May 19, 2009 7:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Neyer on the K-Greene Situation

Commenting on the article from the P-D:

He needs to play better?

We still think he’s capable of playing?

What, are we still living in the Dark Ages? What’s next, maybe a good bleeding? Or some wisdom teeth removed? Is there anyone outside of St. Louis who doesn’t realize that Greene needs a long break from baseball, during which he engages in some serious talk therapy and perhaps a bit of medication.

I do not mean to make light of this situation. Greene was a good player for four seasons, a league-average hitter and a decent enough shortstop. And then, suddenly and shockingly, he was not. Suddenly, he went from being worth $10 million per season to being worth nothing as a ballplayer.

I know that’s harsh, but it’s the truth. Still, one might have assumed that Greene’s 2008 season was a fluke, the product of some terrible convergence of randomness or (more likely) an injury that wasn’t enough to impress his manager but was enough to limit his abilities on the field.

Greene apparently looked fine in spring training with the Cardinals, and yet now he’s playing worse than ever. Now, you simply can’t say things like “He needs to play better” or “We still think he’s capable of playing.”

Why would you think that, exactly? John Mozeliak is not a foolish man. But the notion that Greene’s once-impressive skills are going to suddenly snap back into place is approximately as reasonable as believing in fairies and unicorns and leprechauns who wear little pointy shoes.

"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 May 19, 2009 4:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

And thus, there you have the Cardinals handling of poor performing/injured players

2005-2009.

Damn it Scott Rolen, you’ve just got to play better! With 1 arm!

Still looking for 1985 Regular Season games on DVD/VHS

by Hardcore Legend on May 19, 2009 4:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

why do we seem to keep coming back to this?

if somebody can’t play at their best they shouldn’t be on the field, and mgmt should be honest with the world about what’s going on, whether it’s KG, Edmonds, Rolen, Carpenter, Mulder, etc etc etc. TLR seems like the opposite of the hardass/drill seargant type of manager that belittles his players or demands too much from them, doesn’t he? So where does this recurring problem come from? Is it just our imagination, or what?

This just confuses the hell out of me….

by nota bene on May 19, 2009 7:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

So now we're not going to be able to call up a leprechaun from the minors to help out our staff?

There goes TLR’s and Mo’s plan for midseason upgrade.

by BTown Birds fan on May 19, 2009 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

What's Puppy Kicker got to do with this?

*Rasmus is to CF as Longoria is to 3B*

by Red Blazer on May 19, 2009 6:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

that's a bit glib from a guy who's getting all his information from joe strauss.

couldn’t the sharp performance in spring training suggest that the problem may be cyclical or could be something he could play through? couldn’t the fact that he played baseball well just two months ago suggest that he’s still capable of playing?

i have no more psych training than neyer does, but i could make arguments for and against keeping him on the team to work through his problem. i’d probably lean towards sending him to Jupiter for a bit, but that’s a shot in the dark. khalil’s therapist would know, for instance, if khalil is getting good support from his teammates or if they’re being hard on him. the clubhouse environment could surely help determine whether it’s healthy or not for him to be with the big league club.

each person is a little different and i don’t think that neyer’s pop psychology is helpful.

the truth can't hurt you, it's just like the dark/ it scares you witless, but in time you see things clear and stark -- macmanus

by tom s. on May 19, 2009 4:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

and isn't he doing just what he says he won't?

I do not mean to make light of this situation.

the notion that Greene’s once-impressive skills are going to suddenly snap back into place is approximately as reasonable as believing in fairies and unicorns and leprechauns who wear little pointy shoes.

if he wants to be seen as taking the problem seriously, then maybe we should leave the leprechauns out.

the truth can't hurt you, it's just like the dark/ it scares you witless, but in time you see things clear and stark -- macmanus

by tom s. on May 19, 2009 5:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i'm not sure about that

he’s calling out cardinals management

by BirdsonFire on May 19, 2009 6:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hate to say it,

because Rob Neyer is one of my favorite columnists, and may be the reason I’m a sabermetrically inclined baseball fan, but I think he’s way off base here. Not enough information to make a pronouncement, especially when Mozeliak almost certainly knows more about the situation—and isn’t likely to know any less about the treatment—than those of us who have read exactly one article on the subject do.

That said, the demotion to utility infielder does seem like a prelude to a DL trip or something.

by DanUpBaby on May 19, 2009 5:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Skip the prelude

In my opinion, they should send K-Greene to the DL now. As TLR says, “our shortstops are the same.” For that matter, our four utility infielders are, too. Why add another one to the mix? I think there are ample grounds for a DL stint here.

"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 May 19, 2009 5:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

His PrOPS is over .800

Which says he is currently very unlucky not hurt

Stat Whore

by FlimtotheFlam on May 19, 2009 5:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

unless, say, being demoted is likely to make him more depressed, more frustrated.

i think in some cases, having nothing to do can be worse.

i’m not saying that’s the case here. that’s something where khalil, his therapist, mo, and tony need to make the decision.

the truth can't hurt you, it's just like the dark/ it scares you witless, but in time you see things clear and stark -- macmanus

by tom s. on May 19, 2009 5:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

duh man

we can’t send Greene to the DL, who the hell are we can call up so we can have our full allotment of 6 MIFs?

* sarcasm might be involved in this comment

by mattyfrommo on May 19, 2009 6:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

if you believe in leprechauns who wear regular shoes

does that make your belief more reasonable?

by tdawg on May 19, 2009 5:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

One thing that's gotten me irked....

Is a lot of times, when a player isn’t performing very well, all his problems are blamed on his mental condition.

We see this mostly with pitchers. The nickname given to Marquis, “Bi-polar Betty” for instance. I’ve seen similar comments now about Wellemeyer.

But people overlook that perhaps the players just aren’t that good. Or maybe they are unlucky (which seems a big factor in this case).

That’s not to say players might not have mental problems. But I don’t see how anyone other than a psychiatrist can really diagnose this.

by DiscoJer on May 19, 2009 7:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's obvious he's

having mental issues. He said that he has a very hard time not leaving it on the field. He is taking it all very hard and very seriously. I guarantee you he’s ruminating, and that is NOT a fun way to live.

Classic underachiever.

by spants on May 19, 2009 8:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

tell me about it

i feel his pain, i really do

It kind of sounds like he’s [Duncan] just running around like a puppy out there – full speed ahead in random directions. – BTown Birds Fan

by gdm426 on May 19, 2009 9:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

No self-injuring, okay?

Classic underachiever.

by spants on May 19, 2009 11:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Lineups for tonight

Does anyone know how soon the lineups will be available? I’m trying to print out some info in preparation for the game tonight, and the earlier the better…

by blehmann on May 19, 2009 4:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Usually about two hours before gametime,

but that varies.

"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 May 19, 2009 4:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

OT: Anyone want to buy a Mahogany Wood Bar?

I am getting ready to move and just don’t have room for it.

Stat Whore

by FlimtotheFlam on May 19, 2009 5:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Lineup per Goold...

1. Brendan Ryan, SS
2. Colby Rasmus, CF
3. Albert Pujols, 1B
4. Yadier Molina, C
5. Chris Duncan, LF
6. Nick Stavinoha, RF
7. Brian Barden, 3B
8. Joel Pineiro, P
9. Joe Thurston, 2B

I am so confident we will lose this game that we may just win it.

by LukeMP1186 on May 19, 2009 5:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Brendan Ryan is not a leadoff hitter

(The last time I typed this he hit a leadoff triple.)

"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 May 19, 2009 5:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

there are only 2 people in that lineup that belong where they are

Pujols and Rasmus
(maybe Duncan)

gonna need more franklins to get through this one.

by hoofhearted-pujols on May 19, 2009 5:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree but if there is one guy I want hitting 4th at this moment it is Yadi.

He makes contact and is clutch….

See 2006 playoffs.

*Rasmus is to CF as Longoria is to 3B*

by Red Blazer on May 19, 2009 6:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i like your style

by BirdsonFire on May 19, 2009 6:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The best months in Cardinals history, per WPA

This is kind of a continuation of the post from the 30th that talked about Albert’s 5 greatest months, as measured by wRAA. I had brought up the equivalent using FanGraphs to show his 5 best months per WPA. I also talked about the best Cardinal months otherwise during his career, plus the best from the pitching mound. I went full bore & found out the best Cardinal months going back as far as FanGraphs goes (1974), as well as the best for all of baseball.

Hitters – Cardinals
Best – 3.19 (Albert Pujols, April ‘06) already mentioned
2nd best – 3.08 (Felix Jose, May ’92 – WTH?) .346/.415/.538, 4 HR, 25 RBI, 9.6 wRAA (haven’t dug through the boxscores, but I’m guessing he had some clutch hits to get this amazing of a month per WPA)
3rd best – 2.62 (Mark McGwire, May ’98) .326/.513/.907, 16 HR, 32 RBI, 22.5 wRAA
4th best – 2.50 (Jim Edmonds, August ’04) .359/.519/.795, 10 HR, 24 RBI, 17.2 wRAA
5th best – 2.45 (Ted Simmons, July ’75) .417/.500/.631, 11 2B, 3 HR, 19 RBI, 16 wRAA
Others 2.00 or higher – Pujols (4 more times), Simmons (again), Jack Clark, Pedro Guerrero (NOTE: JD Drew posted a 1.99 – slacker! layabout! malingerer!)

Hitters – MLB
Best – 3.22 (Dave Winfield, July ’79) .393/.480/.710, 9 HR, 25 RBI, 19.1 wRAA
2nd best – 3.19 (Albert Pujols, April ’06)
3rd best – 3.12 (Jeff Bagwell, July ’95) .330/.438/.589, 7 HR, 31 RBI, 11 wRAA
4th best – 3.08 (Felix Jose, May ’92 – still hard to believe, huh?)
5th best (tie) – 2.95 (Eric Davis, August ’88) .323/.434/.581, 6 HR, 24 RBI, 10-10 SB, 12.4 wRAA
5th best (tie) – 2.95 (Ryan Howard, August ’06) .348/.464/.750, 14 HR, 41 RBI, 17.6 wRAA
Notables 2.50 or higher – Barry Bonds (4 times), Bagwell & Howard (again), Dave Parker (twice)

Pitchers – Cardinals
Best – 2.42 (John Tudor, Sept. ‘85) 6-0, 1.34 ERA, 4 SO’s
2nd best – 2.13 (Tudor, June ‘85 – great season, eh?) 5-1, 1.09 ERA, 3 SO’s, 33-3 K-BB
3rd best – 2.07 (Woody Williams, Sept. ’01) 4-0, 0.92 ERA, 1 SO
4th best – 2.01 (Al Hrabosky, July ’75 – same as Simmons) 6-0 (as a reliever!), 3 saves, 13 G, 21 IP
5th best – 1.85 (Chris Carpenter, April ’06) 3-1, 1.80 ERA
Others 1.50 or higher – Joe Magrane (twice), Lynn McGlothen (twice), Bruce Sutter (twice), Todd Worrell (twice), Carpenter & Hrabosky (again), Bob Forsch, Jason Isringhausen, Mark Littell, Greg Mathews, Lee Smith, Garrett Stephenson (yes – Stephenson!)

Pitchers – MLB
Best – 3.38 (Sid Monge, July ‘79) 1-0, 2.73 ERA, 6-for-7 saves, 12 G, 26.1 IP, 16 BB (must have pitched some extra frames, because the numbers aren’t that impressive)
2nd best (tie) – 3.34 (Don Sutton, Sept. ‘76) 5-1, 0.97 ERA, 5 CG, 2 SO’s
2nd best (tie) – 3.34 (Orel Hershiser, Sept. ‘88) 5-0, 0.00 ERA, 5 SO’s
4th best – 3.04 (Charlie Hough, June ‘84) 4-0, 1.15 ERA, 6 GS, 4 CG, 55 IP (look at those last 3 stats & let it sink in for a moment – he averaged 9.17 IP/start & didn’t actually complete two of those games)
5th best (tie) – 2.89 (Jim Kaat, Sept. ‘74) 7-0, 0.30 ERA, 6 CG, 2 SO’s
5th best (tie) – 2.89 (Mark Langston, Sept. ‘88) 5-1, 0.50 ERA, 3 SO’s
Notables 2.00 or higher – Roger Clemens (three), Charlie Hough (twice more), Randy Johnson (three), Jim Palmer (three)
NOTE: Of the 19 months of 2.50 or better, only two (Johnson, 2.56, April ’00; Roy Halladay, 2.55, Sept. ’03) happened from 1990-now. As we all know, nobody pitches a ton of innings anymore, giving fewer opportunities to excel like this.

Weirdest names on the MLB lists (other than F.Jose & S.Monge): Ricky Jordan, Oddibe McDowell, Jeff D’Amico (not that one, the other one – or was it the first one?), Carlos Perez

Don't argue with stupid people. They will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience. - anon.

by Solanus on May 19, 2009 5:27 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Good Stuff

Once again thanks

Stat Whore

by FlimtotheFlam on May 19, 2009 5:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

nice sig.

4B - beer baseball bands blog
"The ball sank the pirate ship that had been docked in the river."

by Cards Fan in Chitown on May 19, 2009 5:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks

n/t

Don't argue with stupid people. They will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience. - anon.

by Solanus on May 19, 2009 5:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Man

For some reason I read that as Orel Hershiser went 5-0 with a 0 ERA with 5 strikeouts. I was gonna call shenanigans, but then I remembered what else SO can mean…

I've got one foot on the platform, the other foot on the train
I'm going back to New Orleans, to wear that ball and chain

by jd is legend on May 19, 2009 5:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just more proof that J. D. Drew doesn't care about baseball

by mattybobo on May 19, 2009 6:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

must read at FR for the upcoming draft.

Drafting HS pitchers.

the truth can't hurt you, it's just like the dark/ it scares you witless, but in time you see things clear and stark -- macmanus

by tom s. on May 19, 2009 5:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

WTF picture of the day

Stat Whore

by FlimtotheFlam on May 19, 2009 6:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

damn freeloaders

by BirdsonFire on May 19, 2009 6:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

caption: "cooking venison on the go"

the truth can't hurt you, it's just like the dark/ it scares you witless, but in time you see things clear and stark -- macmanus

by tom s. on May 19, 2009 6:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I've hit a deer before

it’s my most constant, rational fear, I think. The deer bounced off the front of my poor old Maxima, did a number of barrel rolls, and sprinted off into a cornfield.

by DanUpBaby on May 19, 2009 6:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

had one ram the driver side passenger door a few years back… trooper and i went for a short walk to find it and put it down (he did obviously) before it limped across the highway again and did even worse damage

by BirdsonFire on May 19, 2009 6:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

my dad drove a car hauler & once at xmas time we were following him home to mizzou for the holidays

and he ran right over a deer & it got caught under his trailer & he dragged that thing for miles. those trailers are only inches off the ground so they were always catching all kinds of stuff. he was a few miles a head of us, and this was back before cell phones, so he told us over the CB to watch out for flying body parts. that poor deer was shredded all over west bound I-70. my mom had to pull over when we she saw the guts because she almost puked. yeah, it was a big mess.

It kind of sounds like he’s [Duncan] just running around like a puppy out there – full speed ahead in random directions. – BTown Birds Fan

by gdm426 on May 19, 2009 7:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not Quite Roadkill

I was driving along a country road at night when I saw a deer on the road well ahead of me in the opposite lane. I slowed down to about 25 and was prepared to pass alongside it. Just as I was nearly even with it, the deer jumped out in front of the car & I hit it with a glancing blow. The deer laid there for a few seconds, then bounded across the road & into the woods.

My first thought was, “Thank goodness for that, I don’t have any room in the freezer.”

Don't argue with stupid people. They will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience. - anon.

by Solanus on May 20, 2009 10:38 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Freese had his ankle scoped today

No mention of when his return will be. Wallace will be there (Memphis) for the rest of the season I presume. (If the Freese story has been mentioned already, my apologies)

by OKCARDSFAN_411 on May 19, 2009 6:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

link

here

by OKCARDSFAN_411 on May 19, 2009 6:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The plot thickens

Apparently the G.O.B. specifically target areas of depth for their plagues of injuries.

by mattybobo on May 19, 2009 6:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

bite your tongue. do not bait the GOB! you'll have ryan and tyler greene throwing out their

shoulders swinging as hard as they can at the first pitches they see tonight. then we’ll end up promoting pete kozma to play ss or trying to teach shane robinson to handle SS or some crap like that.

and yes, i know we’d just put barden there. roll with it.

the truth can't hurt you, it's just like the dark/ it scares you witless, but in time you see things clear and stark -- macmanus

by tom s. on May 19, 2009 6:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think Kozma is trying to break the record for most errors

What does he have so far 25?

Stat Whore

by FlimtotheFlam on May 19, 2009 6:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

B-R says 12. but the season is young!

the truth can't hurt you, it's just like the dark/ it scares you witless, but in time you see things clear and stark -- macmanus

by tom s. on May 19, 2009 6:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Tyler Greene racked up a lot of Errors in the minors and he turned out okay...so far.

knock on wood…

*Rasmus is to CF as Longoria is to 3B*

by Red Blazer on May 19, 2009 7:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

By the way Dan, good post as usual

I’ve seen a lot of movies. And I have come to believe that the perfect remedy for times like this is simple—the Cardinals need a montage. They need one bad. A few minutes filled with snippets of gradually improving play, backed by a feel-good pop song, and possibly including some hilarious morale-strengthening off field shenanigans, will have us back in first place in no time. I know it’s not a baseball montage, or even a team sport montage, but this montage is dear to my heart and I offer it as an example.

by mattybobo on May 19, 2009 6:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Most montages

have James Brown’s “I Feel Good” for their music.

hecanthithecanthithecanthithecanthit

by Alxfritz on May 19, 2009 6:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

we need to bring back

who let the cards out

by adiueordie on May 19, 2009 6:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If I ever meet you

I will punch you in the throat b/c of that link.

hecanthithecanthithecanthithecanthit

by Alxfritz on May 19, 2009 7:00 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

st. louis havin a ball, hey!
(yippee yi yo)

goodbye griffey!
so long sosa!
cardinals are going to the postseason!

let’s take it around the horn!
it starts with big mac, fernando vina, and edgar renteria
fernando tatis, ray lankford, jim edmonds and don’t forget j.d. drew!

by adiueordie on May 19, 2009 7:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs