talking trade
by lboros on Jun 12, 2009 9:33 AM EDT
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Printhere are some random trade musings for friday morning; danup returns to the chair next tuesday.
miguel tejada?: joe strauss snuck that name into a notes column yesterday -- at the very bottom, where we might not notice it. strikes me as exceedingly unlikely to happen -- the astros (like most teams) don’t make deals within their division, and moreover they don’t view themselves as out of the race. why should they? they’re only 5 games behind the cards, just 5.5 games out of first place. if we’re in the race, so are the ’stros. . . . . but let’s just pretend this were possible; how helpful would such an acquisition be?
tejada leads the league in hitting so far this year, but that almost surely won’t continue; once the BA heads back toward the mean, what’s left? tejada still hits a lot of doubles, but since coming to the nl a year and a half ago he has only gone yard 5 times away from the astros’ cozy home park (including 0 times this season); he’s basically a gap-power hitter at this point. kinda like joe thurston. of greater concern, tejada’s defense is atrocious. according to his UZR values at fangraphs, he’s been costing his teams runs for several years and this season is at -19 runs per 150 games. presumably the cardinals envision him at 3b initially, a position he has never played in the big leagues before (although i'll grant that it’s an easy shift from ss to 3b). he might rise to the level of league-averageness at the hot corner, but if glaus does return, then tejada probably gets the everyday ss job -- and that hurts the team. over the course of two months, he’d be about 10 runs worse with the glove than brendan ryan / tyler greene; i don’t think his bat is good enough anymore to overcome that fielding deficit. tejada had a .701 ops away from houston last season, with isolated power of .087; this year his ops away from houston is .805, not all that much better than thurston’s .748.
a tejada trade would be the type of move that would satisfy la russa’s (and pujols’s) yen to add a brand-name player, but i question whether it would really make the cards better. in spite of the marquee name, i don’t see tejada as more than a modest improvement over the status quo -- and only if he stays at 3b. if he ends up playing shortstop every day, i think he makes the team worse. in the very unlikely event the astros were willing to make tejada available to a detested nl central rival, they’d surely demand premium talent in return . . . . pass.
felipe lopez?: the cards saved the guy’s career last season; maybe he could return the favor this year and bail out the cards’ flagging offense. the dbacks are 9 games under .500 and 14 games out of first; brandon webb has been disabled all year with a sore shoulder. only the washington nationals’ season is more dead than the dbacks’. lopez is on a one-year deal and would only cost the cards about $2m in additional payroll, plus a modest (and expandable) prospect. although he’s not a markedly better hitter than what we’ve seen from joe thurston, lopez is a switch hitter who punishes left-handers. his career UZR/150 at 3b is +6 runs (including +18 in his 13 games at the position for st louis last year), and he’s an average defender at 2b. he’s a more likely "get" than tejada -- and also, imho, a better fit for the cardinals.
doug davis?: this lefty starter, also dead weight on the sinking diamondback roster, might have a bigger positive impact than any 3b on the market right now. i know the cards are supposed to be looking for a hitter, not a pitcher . . . . but with lohse out and wellemeyer sucking, adding a reliable starting pitcher surely couldn’t hurt this team. davis is a pending free agent with an $8.5m salary this year and sports a 3.42 ERA; his FIP is only 4.79, but davis (like tom glavine, a similar pitcher) has a history of posting ERAs that are better than his FIP. in the st louis ballpark, i'd feel safe in projecting 6+ ip per start with a 4.00 ERA; his k rate is still good, and he’s the type of pitcher (veteran, groundballer) who tends to work well w/ dave duncan. it would probably cost the cardinals at least one young arm, and not an inconsequential one -- wave bye-bye to one or two of boggs, motte, perez, todd, etc. steep price for a rental, but given that the cards have a deep stockpile of such arms, i’d give very serious consideration to that type of a deal.
jarrod washburn?: another expensive pending free-agent lefty on a dead-end team. the mariners are playing .500 and are only about 5 games out of first, but who are they kidding? the cards reportedly made inquiries on washburn last year, and i heartily endorsed that idea; i still do. washburn is pitching for a new contract and having a fine season; he wouldn’t cost nearly as much in talent terms as his teammate erik bedard (also a pending FA), but like davis he’d bolster the rotation and give the cards a southpaw option. probably would cost at least as much as davis in talent terms.
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AS FAR AS
pitching why trade, I would at least talk to Glavine and see what he might have left considering he does want to pitch this year, couldnt be any worse the wellemeyer at this point
Pujols takes out "I" in BIG and "A" in MAC, previously considered to be an unyielding, consonant threat
I wouldn't be totally opposed but I think Glavine was done about 3 years ago
and he’s more than done now.
Because chicks dig the intentional base on balls.
by Felonius_Monk on Jun 12, 2009 10:35 AM EDT up reply actions
have em
do a bullpen session then from what i read he was doing pretty decen in his rehab assignment before being let go
Pujols takes out "I" in BIG and "A" in MAC, previously considered to be an unyielding, consonant threat
Don't you remember how many times Carp and Mulder did well in their rehab assignments?
In other words, don’t put too much stock into it.
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 Jun 12, 2009 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions
thats why have him throw a simulated game and scout it out, no harm no foul, the cards dont like what they see they just end it there if they do try and workout a contract…like i said cant be any worse then Welly
Pujols takes out "I" in BIG and "A" in MAC, previously considered to be an unyielding, consonant threat
Yeah, I could be imagining things
but I seem to remember his “good” rehab starts being things like, “well, he lasted 5 innings and only gave up three runs. Struck out 2. Hrm…” And then there were the not-so-good rehabs.
There's no "I" in team. There's also no "I" in "B-g Mac Land".
ALSO
THREW LIKE 15 SCORELESS INNINGS BEFORE BEING RELEASED
Pujols takes out "I" in BIG and "A" in MAC, previously considered to be an unyielding, consonant threat
CAPITAL LETTERS DONT MAKE FRIENDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!111
How depressing is it being you? Is it closer to being a lifelong cubs fan or being born without lips? - Janitor
by themanthemyth on Jun 12, 2009 11:10 AM EDT up reply actions
SORRY IM AT WORK AND MY SYSTEM I WORK DOESNT TAKE LOWER CASE…TRUE STORY
Pujols takes out "I" in BIG and "A" in MAC, previously considered to be an unyielding, consonant threat
just joshin' ya
How depressing is it being you? Is it closer to being a lifelong cubs fan or being born without lips? - Janitor
by themanthemyth on Jun 12, 2009 11:12 AM EDT up reply actions
that's awesome.
Anyway, mulder didn’t “throw like 15 scoreless innings before being released”. He got lit up at AAA, then was inexplicably promoted and got lit up at the MLB level.
- "I went at it and didn’t slow down, so it kind of bounced off me." -Lil' Dunc
he got lit up
but I remember his new arm slot. it produced some wicked movement, the movement just ended up down the middle
How did the pig corner the breakfast market?
so
disappointed by Mulder was a favorite of mine, and i liked the trade at the time all except losing Haren thought that was dumb to move him considering some of the other untouchable talent we had at the time that hasnt panned out now
Pujols takes out "I" in BIG and "A" in MAC, previously considered to be an unyielding, consonant threat
I'm on the Beltre bandwagon
and if they throw in Jarrod Washburn with him, all the better.
MyBrute - Where tiny gladiators rule the internets
+1
"A genius is a guy like Norman Einstein." - Joe Theismann
by Futility Infielder on Jun 12, 2009 10:44 AM EDT up reply actions
No to Beltre
I think he would cost too much talent. There are several other teams in the market for 3B (Angels, Twins) and he might not be a Type A free agent afterall.
does anyone know...
where you can find a pitchers average fastball velocity this year, compared to last? Specifically, i’m looking for Waino’s
MyBrute - Where tiny gladiators rule the internets
Fangraphs will tell ya
But I just looked but nothing to tell. Wainwright has been steady on everything the last 5 years. Not just speed on all his pitches but how much he throws them.
Stat Whore
by FlimtotheFlam on Jun 12, 2009 10:07 AM EDT up reply actions
Bernie Miklasz wrote in his column today
that Waino’s velocity was down, but I don’t think it’s the case. So I was hoping to call him out on it but I couldn’t find the information anywhere.
MyBrute - Where tiny gladiators rule the internets
Bernie said both have seen a drop in velocity.
"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
The quote
From his blog:
Adam Wainwright’s velocity is down; Todd Wellemeyer’s velocity is down. You just have to hope that this isn’t related to some sort of looming physical problem …
"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
I would have to question where Bernie got the infromation
that he used to concluded that Waino’s velocity is down. It can’t be first hand information since Bernie hasn’t been traveling with the team. So it would have to be published somewhere or come from Strauss.
Correct me if I’m wrong but Wainwrights fastball sites at 91-92 and he can ramp it up to 95 right?
Check FanGraphs
St. Louis relievers... defying win expectancy since 2008
http://www.drivelinemechanics.com/
by vivaelpujols on Jun 12, 2009 11:12 AM EDT up reply actions
shows it at 90.7
compared to 90.1 last year and 89.4 in 07. It is lower than the 91.4 when he was in the pen.
for that matter
fangraphs shows wellemeyer as being 0.7 mph slower this year compared to last - average 92.3 last year, 91.5 this year. that’s not an insignificant dropoff, but it’s not 5 mph either.
and -- since the data are easily available, and derived from an official mlb database - would it have hurt joe strauss to take 10 seconds and fact-check wellemeyer’s quote against the pitch/FX numbers?
What do fancy schmancy stats have to do with real-life baseball stuff like year-to-year pitch velocity?
We’re not talking about numbers here, we’re talking about flesh and blood.
Too much?
There's no "I" in team. There's also no "I" in "B-g Mac Land".
by mattybobo on Jun 12, 2009 12:12 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Bernie is claiming it came from "data kept by the team"
And that such data indicates a drop of 2-3 mph for Waino
So, the team has its own radar gun?
And this radar gun is different from the pitch f/x guns?
"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
And why is the team even sharing this information?
I don’t know why we would doubt fangraphs’ objective data.
I wouldn't doubt that
The TV gun and the stadium gun often disagree, for example.
They say that it's never too late, but you don't get any younger...
A velo drop of that much magnitude would be recorded in the pitch f/x data however,
because the same time frame is still being recorded.
Decrease runs scored?
Maybe.
Decrease winning? Never seen that proven.
-SFTU
he's a journalist, not a blogger
he can’t be expected to do those complicated “fact-checking” things.
- "I went at it and didn’t slow down, so it kind of bounced off me." -Lil' Dunc
by SleepyCA on Jun 12, 2009 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
being a journalist must be sweet
i mean, even when someone throws the facts at you, you can just claim to have insider sources that prove otherwise and never reveal anything.
MyBrute - Where tiny gladiators rule the internets
I actually remember Wainwright hitting 95 once and only once.
It was in the 2006 postseason. Shannon said he struck out somebody with a 95 mph fastball. I was listening and not watching, and those are kind of unusual circumstances, so grains of salt aplenty.
There's no "I" in team. There's also no "I" in "B-g Mac Land".
He did it semi-regularly out of the pen from my memory
He can grab a 94 now from time to time as a starter, so that would seem to fall in line with me not being an idiot on this one.
Not afraid to nitpick
Yeah, I would believe he did it occasionally
But that’s the only actual memory I have of it.
There's no "I" in team. There's also no "I" in "B-g Mac Land".
this is my new favorite graph.
this is waino’s game velocity 07-09. maybe the average speed is lurking closer to 90 than earlier, but i don’t see a huge drop.
welley on the other hand seems to show a much more dramatic drop, especially relative to a velocity peak shortly after he came off the dl last year.
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
Actually Perez is the one with the big drop
has not helped his control either.
whoa.
you’re not kidding. after seeing this, i’m much more okay with trading him for derosa.
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
wonder how much of this is the ankle injury from ST
that he decided to try to play through, rather than have fixed?
- "I went at it and didn’t slow down, so it kind of bounced off me." -Lil' Dunc
which ankle is it? the ankle he lands on?
or maybe the ankle is sore because of some problem elsewhere in the body – e.g., his shoulder is sore, so he has trouble getting the same velocity, so he slams down harder on his ankle to generate more velocity? everything is so interrelated, it’s hard to tell from the sidelines what’s going on.
but like Driver said, it’s not like he’s mastering his control by taking 3-4mph off his pitches.
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
I think it's the ankiel that slammed into the wall
How did the pig corner the breakfast market?
by STLRegalia on Jun 12, 2009 2:12 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Bone spur on the left ankle IIRC
I have one on my right ankle now, and it definitely impacts anything I do. Even driving is difficult.
- "I went at it and didn’t slow down, so it kind of bounced off me." -Lil' Dunc
you've probably got it then.
better a bone spur on the ankle than a fraying labrum.
seems like we have enough RH depth he’d be a good candidate to get the spur fixed and do a rehab stint.
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
I don't know if its related but there was talk of "fixing his mechanics" back in spring
Duncan wanted him to be more controlled to have better control and more sink on his pitches. If that the source of the drop it clearly failed in its objective. He is walking more than ever. I’ve heard nothing about him being hurt so I don’t know what to make of it.
Motte’s graph showed a similar drop at the beginning of the year and then a sudden return to form. TBH, Motte has more variation in velocity than any other I have seen on a per-day basis.
He is anything but "fixed"
These “fixes” sometimes work, but often cause other problems. In this case his velocity went somewhere.
Al Hrabosky was saying the same thing in his last start
but was referring to the FB velo being down compared to when he was pitching out of the ’pen, which is no doubt true.
Guys like Bradley are exactly why we can't have a pumpkin patch anymore.
little harder
to maintain stamina when your throwing 98 all game, unless your verlander whose been doing it for so long
Pujols takes out "I" in BIG and "A" in MAC, previously considered to be an unyielding, consonant threat
AL Central looks about as good as the NL Central
So everybody is in this till they are out
Stat Whore
by FlimtotheFlam on Jun 12, 2009 10:19 AM EDT up reply actions
I'm a DeRosa fan as well.
Baseball's only fun if you're playing it, watching it, or thinking about it.
go go dero
4B - beer baseball bands blog
"OOHHHHH!!!! He knocked out the I in Big Mac Land!!"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 12, 2009 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Tejada on his PrOPS
I for one am a big fan of Hardball Times PrOPS
Tejada’s is only .772 with his real OPS of .886 with a difference of .114 which is huge. Makes him one of the luckiest players in baseball right now.
Most people don’t know but Khalil Greene was about the unluckiest. We have actually a lot of unlucky players outside of T Greene/B Ryan connection
Stat Whore
I told guys you Khalil was unlukcy
St. Louis relievers... defying win expectancy since 2008
http://www.drivelinemechanics.com/
by vivaelpujols on Jun 12, 2009 10:35 AM EDT up reply actions
The problem:
Given his anxiety issues, his unluckiness wears on him mentally even more than your average ballplayer. Hopefully, he’s on the road to recovery. I still can’t help but think that a 15-day DL stint is not enough to turn things around for K-Greene. I hope I’m wrong on this point.
"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
I do
I really want to see him play third when he comes back…
St. Louis relievers... defying win expectancy since 2008
http://www.drivelinemechanics.com/
by vivaelpujols on Jun 12, 2009 10:46 AM EDT up reply actions
Defensively
I’m sure 3B is no problem for him – I know he played there some in college. I don’t think his bat plays there, though. In the middle of the field, you can stomach a guy that does that little if he plays good enough defense. It’s harder to take at 3B.
He'd be a better defender then Thurston
And he would allow Thurston to move to second and Skip to move to left… hopefully. Plus, Greene has been roughly a league average hitter for most of his career when you park adjust his numbers. An average hitting, average fielding third baseman is a valuable commodity.
St. Louis relievers... defying win expectancy since 2008
http://www.drivelinemechanics.com/
by vivaelpujols on Jun 12, 2009 10:55 AM EDT up reply actions
honestly
who cares about production at certain positions like that, as long as the team is winning it doesnt matter to me. and by production i mean power numbers, if he can play there defensively and other players are there for the power why does it matter. These molds that 3b is power, 1b is pwer and the OF is power is ridiculous. case im point chone figgins fast guy at 3rd no power Angles win with him
Pujols takes out "I" in BIG and "A" in MAC, previously considered to be an unyielding, consonant threat
not to piss in your wheaties
but Skip isn’t going back to left full time. TLR had a plan, and it didn’t fail, so he’ll stay at 2B, if nothing else to keep egg off the face of TLR. I could be wrong though
How did the pig corner the breakfast market?
Average hitting for a SS
and average hitting for a 3B are not the same thing. Where are you getting your “roughly league average” from? What and where are those numbers? I’m also not sure that an average fielding, average hitting 3B is a “valuable commodity.” What is the baseline? When you say average do you truly mean average for all hitters in MLB or all 3B in MLB – or do you actually mean replacement level?
I think we just disagree about Khalil’s talent level. I don’t think he makes us any better at 3B. His highest value is if he can play SS and hit.
average hitting, average defense
is 2 wins above replacement level.
Khalil Greene’s career OPS+ is 94, which is very close to league average.
- "I went at it and didn’t slow down, so it kind of bounced off me." -Lil' Dunc
I'm assuming that is not position-adjusted?
"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
no
and OPS+ overrates him because his OPS is slg-heavy.
- "I went at it and didn’t slow down, so it kind of bounced off me." -Lil' Dunc
K. Greene career wOBA
.312, according to fangraphs.
There's no "I" in team. There's also no "I" in "B-g Mac Land".
stupid question
and I should do the research myself, but just don’t have time right now – how is “career wOBA” calculated?
Since wOBA is linked to the league-average OBP in each individual season, and that usually won’t be the same from season to season, I would think that you can’t just add up all the wOBA’s and weight by PA’s.
- "I went at it and didn’t slow down, so it kind of bounced off me." -Lil' Dunc
I was actually wondering that myself
For all we know there is heavy duty calculus involved.
There's no "I" in team. There's also no "I" in "B-g Mac Land".
There's always heavy duty calculus involved
Most people just don’t realize it
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 Jun 12, 2009 1:35 PM EDT up reply actions
That would at least be one average
I guess, if you wanted, you could go and re-run the numbers using raw totals for the career in question, and then averaging against the league average OBP over that same time period. I would assume that both mentods woudl give you roughly similar answers anyway.
They say that it's never too late, but you don't get any younger...
tejada sucks
4B - beer baseball bands blog
"OOHHHHH!!!! He knocked out the I in Big Mac Land!!"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 12, 2009 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Felipe Lopez only value is against Lefties
That’s it. That is all we need really. We need a lefty killer above all. Fuck me to see that Rolen is hitting lefties with a 1.088 OPS. But so is DeRosa.
Stat Whore
I would like to see
the Cards move Chris Duncan for anything they can get for any minor leaguer they can get for him. I think he just muddles the mix of the outfield and is hurting the performance of others with a little more talent.
I say this not because I dislike Duncan; in a way I like him. I think he hustles gives and gives it his all and ocassionally comes up with a big hit. but to me the Cards have better options and better fits for his position.
If the Cardinals are going to go "all in"
then I’d swap for Beltre and Bedard. Both in their walk years. Both likely to be type B free agents. Beltre helps with the handedness of the lineup and Bedard gives you a third pitcher that is actually good apart from the defense. I wouldn’t want to start any of Pineiro, Wellemeyer or Lohse in a playoff game.
It’d take a huge package to get those two players but you could do it. More difficult would be whether the Cardinals could actually take on that kind of salary.
Future Redbirds - tracking Cardinal prospects for Cardinal Nation
I'm considering two key phrases in your post here
“both in their walk years” and “It’d take a huge package to get those two players”
Assuming your correct there, and it seems reasonable, well then, I wonder if that’s the best move for a franchise that’s still working on a “build from within” movement, of which I’m particularly fond of.
by Scarecrow7775 on Jun 12, 2009 1:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Eventually, you need to cash in the prospects in surplus areas to fill needs, however
They say that it's never too late, but you don't get any younger...
Anyone but Rasmus, Wallace, D Jones
I would be in for it. The question is what do you do with Wellemeyer?
Stat Whore
by FlimtotheFlam on Jun 12, 2009 4:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Spay him.
Because chicks dig the intentional base on balls.
by Felonius_Monk on Jun 12, 2009 6:24 PM EDT up reply actions
i'm not hugely keen on any of those options
Davis is severely under-rated (he’s been about average, or just under, for the last 3 or 4 years if I recall) but I’m not sure he’s worth what it would take to land him – I’d rather just run Boggs out there, as I think he’s shown considerable talent this year, rather than give up Boggs or any of our talented young relief talent. I guess (given his high-ish contract) they might sell for less. I’d give up a Lynn/Ottavino-type maybe.
Tejada is a flat out no for all the reasons above.
Lopez is intriguing – I bet he could be serviceable at 3B but he’s also been lucky this year, his numbers were boosted (last time I checked) by a .350+ BABIP, and he’s not really shown much power or any change in his plate discipline this year. He’s an option to hit vs lefties, I guess, but I’d rather have someone who is also useful against RHP and who could be a day-to-day option at 3B, so I’d have to pass unless they give us him virtually for nothing.
I’m not keen on Washburn, but I’ll admit that’s more of a subjective view than anything objective. I realise that he’s made real strides this year in his peripherals and his approach to pitching, so his improvements could very well be “real” up to a point, but you could say that to some extent about Pineiro too – I’m not sure it takes too much of a change in the opposite direction to a soft-tossing, no-true-outcomes-type pitcher before they regress back to the crappy pitcher they’ve been. That is, Washburn’s success is maybe “for real”, but that doesn’t mean it’s going to continue. If he’s a throw-in on a Beltre trade, however, then I’d be more than happy with that. He’s better than Welly, Boggs and probably Pineiro too.
Because chicks dig the intentional base on balls.
me neither
4B - beer baseball bands blog
"OOHHHHH!!!! He knocked out the I in Big Mac Land!!"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 12, 2009 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions
this has to be some sort of record
for greatest disparity between word counts of a post and response.
by stlhulsey on Jun 12, 2009 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
heh
4B - beer baseball bands blog
"OOHHHHH!!!! He knocked out the I in Big Mac Land!!"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 12, 2009 4:15 PM EDT up reply actions
Shysterball
Humorous paragraph from Craig Calcaterra’s daily “And That Happened” feature:
Trever Miller on the home run he gave up to Pujols: “That wasn’t a situation where I was going to nibble on [Pujols] at 3-1. He’s too good of a hitter, he’s not going to chase a bad pitch. He’s going to get his pitch and hit it. Unfortunately, he did.” Wait, why exactly don’t you nibble on Pujols there? He’s only going to get his pitch to hit if you give it to him, and once you’ve gone 3-1 on the guy, you really have no business giving it to him unless the bases are juiced, and maybe even then you don’t. Wait . . . unless Pujols has finally developed telekinetic powers which enable him to will fat pitches into his wheelhous (as many of us have long expected he might some day). Crap. That’s it. We’re all doomed. All hail our Pujolsian overlord.
"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
pretty humorous if our bullpen's so bad
We can give up home runs to Albert… or maybe he’s just that good.
http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=453192
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Jun 12, 2009 10:53 AM EDT up reply actions
i for one welcome our new telekineticly powered overlord
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
I'd rather wait
and see who else shakes free. Its only mid-June, another two weeks and that list of potential players being traded will increase dramatically.
Amaury Marti.
Bring out the kraken.
Guys like Bradley are exactly why we can't have a pumpkin patch anymore.
how's he doing?
I haven’t heard anything about him in a while, and can’t easily find anything now.
It really couldn’t hurt to give him a callup, could it? If nothing else, he’d be more useful than a 13th reliever, and a RHB off the bench.
- "I went at it and didn’t slow down, so it kind of bounced off me." -Lil' Dunc
Doing pretty good
I think the Mexican league is somewhere around AA in talent level, but with a broader mix of quality—some guys are rookie leaguers, others easily AAA caliber.
Numbers are here. He’s hitting well.
Guys like Bradley are exactly why we can't have a pumpkin patch anymore.
good lord
.359/.414/.665 with a HR every 15 PA… what’s the poor guy gotta do to get some consideration, on a team desperate for a RHB power bat?
I mean, if nothing else, this guy could play So Taguchi and just hang out and smile a lot and pinch hit once in a while.
- "I went at it and didn’t slow down, so it kind of bounced off me." -Lil' Dunc
We need to add him to the 40-man next year, I thinks
I’m not suggesting adding him as a joke. Let him hit or let him make a living in unaffiliated leagues on his own. I don’t see a better right handed batter.
(and for a joke)
He’s the latin Lou Brock!
Guys like Bradley are exactly why we can't have a pumpkin patch anymore.
ok
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Jun 12, 2009 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions
Awaken the Kraken
If only the Cardinals could afford to hire Dethklok to play a quick gig and release Marti from his exile deep beneath the Mexican smog-lair. Little known fact: “Amaury Cazana Marti” is an anagram for “Baseballokalypse”, but only in his forbidden native tongue, the alphabet of which is itself so maddening for mortal humans to gaze upon that it doesn’t even have a Wikipedia page.
There's no "I" in team. There's also no "I" in "B-g Mac Land".
by mattybobo on Jun 12, 2009 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions 6 recs
Wow. mattybobo. Nice yarn.
"Rasmus doesn't hit lefties. Instead he bashes them over the head with their own bleeding arm he just raced to the mound to rip off before the ball arrives to the plate. He then smashes that baseball with the pitchers bloody arm over the wall because he does not hit lefites he bashes them." Ted Lilly
we just need a good GM
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Jun 12, 2009 2:35 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
awesome
4B - beer baseball bands blog
"OOHHHHH!!!! He knocked out the I in Big Mac Land!!"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 12, 2009 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Amaury Marti
spells Miskatonic with no K but seven belqs, two fouders, and one sankofite.
You can't teach a hammer to love nails.
by the red baron on Jun 12, 2009 2:49 PM EDT up reply actions
And I thought
my “Clash of the TItans” reference was nerdy.
Guys like Bradley are exactly why we can't have a pumpkin patch anymore.
If we trade for Lopez im going to be upset at Mo
he would have been easy to sign in the offseason. We let three 2nd basemen walk last year. One we are paying to turn into Justin Pedroia for the A’s. I really don’t want to give up a prospect for another.
It wouldn’t surprise me. We are the team that trade Barton for 11 relief innings.
If we trade for a player we are already paying for
It creates a paradox. Which would destroy us all. Therefor; in order to maintain balance; the player we trade would have to be Todd.
heh
4B - beer baseball bands blog
"OOHHHHH!!!! He knocked out the I in Big Mac Land!!"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 12, 2009 1:12 PM EDT up reply actions
I'll be very surprised
if either Kennedy or Lopez end the season with a league-average OPS, even after their hot starts.
- "I went at it and didn’t slow down, so it kind of bounced off me." -Lil' Dunc
AK will most certainly
turn back into AK before very long.
by MdRedbirdFreak on Jun 12, 2009 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions
also interesting
that AK’s defense has been a net negative this year, so far.
- "I went at it and didn’t slow down, so it kind of bounced off me." -Lil' Dunc
what a bust
Pujols takes out "I" in BIG and "A" in MAC, previously considered to be an unyielding, consonant threat
Matty H
Why no mention? I thought Dewitt had a meeting with him recently.
Holliday?
"If I prepare myself, my stuff is good and I'm going to get outs. That is a fact." - Chris Carpenter
Don't say his name!!!
That gives him power
There's no "I" in team. There's also no "I" in "B-g Mac Land".
I just assume
everyone means Halladay.
"If I prepare myself, my stuff is good and I'm going to get outs. That is a fact." - Chris Carpenter
Everytime there's Doc Halliday speculation
I get theoretically excited, and then have to talk myself down.
C’mon, Jay’s! Let’s get stupid! You know you want to deal him!
They say that it's never too late, but you don't get any younger...
by Valatan on Jun 12, 2009 4:57 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
he hurt his hammy tonight
and the jays saw their season fall to pieces.
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
beetlejuice
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Jun 12, 2009 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Someone say my Name.... MattJuice
Stat Whore
by FlimtotheFlam on Jun 12, 2009 5:13 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
candyman...
Because chicks dig the intentional base on balls.
by Felonius_Monk on Jun 12, 2009 6:27 PM EDT up reply actions
how is that not green?
i call dibs if he ends up on the Cards
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
heh
4B - beer baseball bands blog
"OOHHHHH!!!! He knocked out the I in Big Mac Land!!"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 13, 2009 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions
i didn't mention holliday because
he’s been talked to death; there’s nothing new to say about him. i thought i’d toss out some new names for discussion.
for what it’s worth, in my opinion holliday is NOT the answer. his career OPS away from coors field is on the order of .800, and his HR/AB away from coors is about 1/30 -- in short, away from coors field he’s ryan ludwick. he’s a name, but i don’t think he makes the team that much better, if at all. and he’ll cost a ton of talent for a rental. i hate the idea.
Not that Holliday is a solution
But there’s the long documented Coors field road depression there as well.
Not afraid to nitpick
ZOMG HOW COUD U NOT MENSHUN HOLIDDAY!! HE IS THE BOMB!11!1
WE NEED HIS BAT YO PROTECT PUJOLES
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 Jun 12, 2009 2:01 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
It really is
funny every time.
You know toddius
it really isn’t.
Because chicks dig the intentional base on balls.
by Felonius_Monk on Jun 12, 2009 6:28 PM EDT up reply actions
I'll take ryan ludwick
because ryan ludwick isn’t ryan ludwick right now.
How did the pig corner the breakfast market?
so when he gets back to being ryan ludwick...
it would be like… uhm…. what is it now… like making a trade?
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
ixnay on the ollidayhay
4B - beer baseball bands blog
"OOHHHHH!!!! He knocked out the I in Big Mac Land!!"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 12, 2009 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Wait a while
I say wait till either Beltre or Holliday are available, then pull the trigger. The Cards need an IMPACT BAT, not a band aid. The idea of trading Motte or Perez for a salad tosser like Davis blows my mind. If the Birds are going to give up serious talent like that, they need to wait for the real deal – then lay waste to the division in August and September.
Why not Webb?
I know the asking price will be sky high, but he’s due back shortly and the D-Backs aren’t going to extend him. Rumor around Arizona is that he’s on the block. He’s only making $6.5 million this year and has a club option around $9.5 for 2010.
Could a package centered around Wallace/Jones be enough? Would it be worth it? Let’s not discount their (D-Backs) desire to trim payroll (they didn’t offer Dunn arbitration in the offseason – though he said he’d decline it – because they didn’t want to have to pay additional picks. There’s always the injury worry, but he’s been remarkably durable prior to this season.
http://overzealousfan.blogspot.com
The post says that he's due back shortly.
But I could only imagine what the asking price on im would be.
They say that it's never too late, but you don't get any younger...
I could see
Jake Westbrook when he’s eligible to come off the DL. I always liked him and figured he’d be a great fit with the Cards, but his peripherals aren’t awe-inspiring.
I’m sure the D-Backs would rather go the arbitration/compensation picks route with Webb. It didn’t backfire with Cruz last year, and Webb’s a far better pitcher.
Guys like Bradley are exactly why we can't have a pumpkin patch anymore.
heck
why not Haren?
4B - beer baseball bands blog
"OOHHHHH!!!! He knocked out the I in Big Mac Land!!"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 12, 2009 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions
He's locked up long term
Webb isn’t. Plus, he’s (Webb) had a falling out of sorts with the front office over their refusal to extend his contract.
http://overzealousfan.blogspot.com
great
now i know what my nightmares will be about later. tks chitown
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
just trying to help
give you nightmares
4B - beer baseball bands blog
"OOHHHHH!!!! He knocked out the I in Big Mac Land!!"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 13, 2009 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions
no worries
i had a weird ass nightmare, but it wasn’t about danny. i think hunter s thompson haunted me last night. it was f’ed 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
Due back in the next 2 weeks or so
http://overzealousfan.blogspot.com
Webb?
My distaste for trading lots of talent for Diamondbacks pitchers evaporates when I hear the name Webb. Boy, I don’t know if that is possible, but it would be killer deal; specially given the $9.5 for 2010.
i love webb
and I want to have his fetid, deformed, sinkerballing children growing in my man-womb.
That said, I don’t think that’s a deal the Cards ever get done.
Because chicks dig the intentional base on balls.
by Felonius_Monk on Jun 12, 2009 6:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Expandable Prospect
We can’t afford to lose an expandable prospect. Do we even have an expandable prospects in our system? Who would qualify as expandable?
I sure hope you mean expendable
Cause the Walrus doesn’t need to expand any more.
Yep, every Hall of Famer did something unique. Mike Schmidt played with his hat sideways. Roberto Clemente chewed other people's fingernails. Tris Speaker was Japanese. Lou Boudreau rode a dolphin into the batter's box. Nap Lajoie would only use John Wilkes Booth's dismembered leg as a bat. And he corked it. Johnny Mize was from the future. - FJM
by Choix003 on Jun 12, 2009 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
I'm just messing with lboros
Don’t know if you noticed, but “expandable” was the term used in the main thread. I thought it was pretty unintentionally funny.
Nope, I totally missed it up there
but somehow did notice it in the comment making fun of the original. I guess I am a little late to the party
Yep, every Hall of Famer did something unique. Mike Schmidt played with his hat sideways. Roberto Clemente chewed other people's fingernails. Tris Speaker was Japanese. Lou Boudreau rode a dolphin into the batter's box. Nap Lajoie would only use John Wilkes Booth's dismembered leg as a bat. And he corked it. Johnny Mize was from the future. - FJM
Dang it, I was going to make that joke
There's no "I" in team. There's also no "I" in "B-g Mac Land".
In honor of our boys heading off to Cleveland
Guys like Bradley are exactly why we can't have a pumpkin patch anymore.
Those are so funny I had tears in my eyes
There's no "I" in team. There's also no "I" in "B-g Mac Land".
wow.
everybody watch those. maybe it’s just ‘cause i’ve actually been to cleveland a lot, but those videos were hilarious.
cardinals are the things with feathers that perch within the soul.
A lot of it applies pretty well to St. Louis too.
“Come and look at both of our buildings!”
“We’re not Detroit!”
There's no "I" in team. There's also no "I" in "B-g Mac Land".
You could do it with any large, former industrial giant city
The Cleve is just fun to pick on.
"I usually don’t read other peoples sigs." -Cuttah
Except for Detroit.
Unfortunately for them, they are Detroit.
There's no "I" in team. There's also no "I" in "B-g Mac Land".
we had that right after 06 WS, didn't we?
There was a lot of “we’re number one!”….
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
My favoite part
is when gdm rides his bike across the street.
"I usually don’t read other peoples sigs." -Cuttah
by Alxfritz on Jun 12, 2009 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Who the fuck still uses a payphone?
Decrease runs scored?
Maybe.
Decrease winning? Never seen that proven.
-SFTU
1/2 a game out of first
hopefully cleveland will roll over and play dead
4B - beer baseball bands blog
"OOHHHHH!!!! He knocked out the I in Big Mac Land!!"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 12, 2009 1:20 PM EDT reply actions
true
but more telling is that we have the same number of losses at as the cubs (in 4th). all the feel good about we survived our horrible 6 weeks neglects how many teams actually made up ground in the central and how far behind the other division leaders we fell. overall, this is what i fear from mo et al, we are competitive, when it means we are just as bad as our immediate competition. also, cubs get Z and ramirez back to bolster their case and we have nothing.
"No matter where you go, there you are" Buckeroo Bonzai Across the 8th Dimension
who knows who's going to win this clusterf@ck of a division
4B - beer baseball bands blog
"OOHHHHH!!!! He knocked out the I in Big Mac Land!!"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 12, 2009 3:05 PM EDT up reply actions
I think it's about time Jose Oquendo holds a press conference
and tells the media that he has filed papers to cancel Joel’s citizenship to Puerto Rico. And that it is based soley on the fact that he is the worst pitcher from Puerto Rico to ever play baseball. And after today’s game, Him (Jose) and Yadier will be hosting a party for team Puerto Rico’s starting pitchers.
How did the pig corner the breakfast market?
yes
piss off Joel, please!
4B - beer baseball bands blog
"OOHHHHH!!!! He knocked out the I in Big Mac Land!!"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 12, 2009 3:05 PM EDT up reply actions
That's an awesome idea!
Because chicks dig the intentional base on balls.
by Felonius_Monk on Jun 12, 2009 6:34 PM EDT up reply actions
I am more concerned about their animal army
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
I sure hope Chicago beats Wisconsin
and Minnesota beats Chicago tonight
How did the pig corner the breakfast market?
??
Sox play in Milwaukee, Cubs about to lose at home to Minnesota. correction. Cubs just lost to Minnesota
How did the pig corner the breakfast market?
by STLRegalia on Jun 12, 2009 5:18 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Cards v. Cleveland..
What do we set for the over/under on hits/home runs by Grady Sizemore this series? He kills teams from Missouri. (small sample size alert)
v. Royals – 93 games, 420 PA, .307/.392/.581/.973 – 23 homers, 71 RBI
v. Cardinals – 3 games, 15 PA, .538/.600/.846/1.446 – 1 homer, 3 RBI
i'm going with zero. think he's still on the DL.
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
although
he doesn’t seem to be faring very well this season
4B - beer baseball bands blog
"OOHHHHH!!!! He knocked out the I in Big Mac Land!!"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 12, 2009 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Pick-ups apart from trades?
If Dewitt is willing to take on salary are there any semi-retired bodies that would make sense? I know Pedro and Glavine have been discussed recently. How about resurrecting talks for players like Gruds, Durham, etc… Are they not impact enough? At least we don’t give up anyone and make not long term commitments. I am not saying that they would be good 3B candidates, but I wouldn’t mind a veteran righty (or switch) bat off the bench in critical situations.
born Dodger blue, now dyed Cardinals red
BARRY BONDS
- "I went at it and didn’t slow down, so it kind of bounced off me." -Lil' Dunc
by SleepyCA on Jun 12, 2009 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Opening up a can of worms, again?
But yes, how could I forget to mention Bonds.
born Dodger blue, now dyed Cardinals red
He's a LH OF.
Unretire Sosa.
Decrease runs scored?
Maybe.
Decrease winning? Never seen that proven.
-SFTU
Can you agree that Ludwick and Rasmus should be no-brainers?
Now explain their benching.
mel
Decrease runs scored?
Maybe.
Decrease winning? Never seen that proven.
-SFTU
Corey Koskie
He’d be 36 and is the only 3B free agent I see around.
Went 1-5 with a double for the Cubs in ST this year, retired in March due to post-concussion syndrome. I’d rather give Barden a few more starts and see if he can start hitting again.
Guys like Bradley are exactly why we can't have a pumpkin patch anymore.
A few more names
Moises Alou, Louis Gonzalez, Jeff Kent, Paul LoDuca, the Big Hurt, Sean Casey. I am not sure if any of them would be willing to sit on the bench. We were able to entice Percy out of retirement, right? I think we were spoiled by having Mabry, Gooch and Spizio off the bench. I have to say that I need to apologize to Stav since I ragged on him so much last year. So it’s not that I don’t appreciate what the young ’ems are doing.
born Dodger blue, now dyed Cardinals red
Alou is almost 100
but I’d bet he can still hit lefties.
Actually, 42
But that’s funny.
I guess if we did want Alou, we have to make sure that Bartman does not come to the stadium.
born Dodger blue, now dyed Cardinals red
paul loduca? seriously? seriously?
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
If we sign Paul LoDuca
I am done with this season. Become a Texas Ranger’s fan or something.
Stat Whore
by FlimtotheFlam on Jun 12, 2009 4:01 PM EDT up reply actions
SHEETS
4B - beer baseball bands blog
"OOHHHHH!!!! He knocked out the I in Big Mac Land!!"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 12, 2009 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
PJ Walters Up
Brian Barden Down.
Got to have arms in for the AL series!
"I usually don’t read other peoples sigs." -Cuttah
Nice nowing you Barden.
I guess T. Greene’s recent showing of his ability to play 3rd allows Barden to be expandable. Because really, how many middle infielders do you need..
No need for Barden and T-Greene
Sadly, there is not a reason for a 13-man bullpen featuring PJ Walters as the 13th man either. I wish they’d have called up Craig.
"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
Bet they don't make the trade until after the series...
unless Cleveland needs an arm after burning 7 pitchers tonight in the Cards 15-1 win.
Why does Mortensen not get a chance?
Is he on the 40 man?
by ChicagoRedBird on Jun 12, 2009 3:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Not on the 40 man
and they probably want to keep him starting.
"I usually don’t read other peoples sigs." -Cuttah
I knew it had to happen sooner or later
thanks for that win vs the DBacks, Bardo
4B - beer baseball bands blog
"OOHHHHH!!!! He knocked out the I in Big Mac Land!!"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 12, 2009 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions
yeah
true
4B - beer baseball bands blog
"OOHHHHH!!!! He knocked out the I in Big Mac Land!!"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 12, 2009 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions
i am sad.
i know i’m a huge barden homer.
i thought he would rebound, given his ridiculous BABIP, if given enough time to play.
in the interim he was a very good defensive 3b. i know that as a slump stretches into 6 weeks plus, you can’t expect him to keep getting chances. oh well.
from rookie of the month to memphis.
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
He was my breakout guy for the year, fo sho.
(That’s “for sure” for those unhip to such jive.)
Guys like Bradley are exactly why we can't have a pumpkin patch anymore.
ROOKIE OF THE MONTH BAY-BEE!
Because chicks dig the intentional base on balls.
by Felonius_Monk on Jun 12, 2009 6:37 PM EDT up reply actions
13 man bullpen!
I’d much rather see Hawk or Walters pitch tomorrow than PK.
Guys like Bradley are exactly why we can't have a pumpkin patch anymore.
what is TLR going to do
without the double switch as an option? at least Duncan will finally get a shot at his natural position this series.
How did the pig corner the breakfast market?
Who need the double switch
when you’ve got a (spits) DH?
Guys like Bradley are exactly why we can't have a pumpkin patch anymore.
My guess?
In order:
- Try to use 5 pitchers in one inning.
- Make defensive replacements in the 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th innings
- DH Wainwright and then pinch run for him if/when he gets on base.
"I just wish that the late Harry Caray were still around so I could hear him mispronounce 'Kosuke Fukudome' every fukun' night" -- Dennis Miller
by fourstick on Jun 12, 2009 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Yuck.
Walters didn’t look like major league material to me the first time around.
by MdRedbirdFreak on Jun 12, 2009 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions
neither did...
greg maddux, or chris carpenter, or hundreds of other great pitchers. Not saying Walters is that good, but the first time around doesn’t mean shit.
MyBrute - Where tiny gladiators rule the internets
he looked pretty decent to me
4B - beer baseball bands blog
"OOHHHHH!!!! He knocked out the I in Big Mac Land!!"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 12, 2009 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions
He might not of been that good
But he showed enough upside to pique my interest
Stat Whore
by FlimtotheFlam on Jun 12, 2009 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
you get a rec for properly using "pique" and not "peek" or "peak."
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 Jun 12, 2009 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
Does he get a flag for using "of" rather than "have"?
BTW, you get a rec for placing your period inside of your quotation marks.
by Willie McGee's Twin on Jun 12, 2009 4:35 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Burn.
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 Jun 12, 2009 4:38 PM EDT up reply actions
you didn't actually rec him though
I had your back and rec’d him for you though. Don’t make a habit of it!
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
Flim
often types phonetically.
"If I prepare myself, my stuff is good and I'm going to get outs. That is a fact." - Chris Carpenter
He puts the fun
in phonetics.
Guys like Bradley are exactly why we can't have a pumpkin patch anymore.
I don't know,
I just couldn’t get the words “Mike” and “Parisi” out of my mind when watching PJ. Yes, this is purely subjective and yes, I hope I’m wrong.
by MdRedbirdFreak on Jun 12, 2009 4:12 PM EDT up reply actions
Sweet
Let’s get a 13 man pitching staff when we get PLAY AN EXTRA GD HITTER SINCE WE’RE IN AN AL PARK. I HATE THE 13 MAN PITCHING STAFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Future Redbirds - tracking Cardinal prospects for Cardinal Nation
13 man staff probably isn't needed
but I would almost think it would be used better in an AL setting. You hardly ever PH in the AL, so all you really need are defensive substitutions or possible handedness switch
How did the pig corner the breakfast market?
breaking news: seen on the streets of st. louis this afternoon:
17 people maimed, 5 dead. robot heard saying “13 goddamn 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 Jun 12, 2009 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
image link fail
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 Jun 12, 2009 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
None of those silhouettes has a Lancelot haircut...
that I can tell.
"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
I'm not 100% opposed to the idea of this move
But why Walters?!
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 Jun 12, 2009 4:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Another name to throw into the trade rumor discussion
…Brad Penny. At least according to John Heyman, so take it for what it’s worth.
The Phillies, Mets and Cardinals are supposedly among the teams in on the Brad Penny trade talks. But the Phillies are aiming higher, Mets GM Omar Minaya said he feels comfortable wit his rotation (though that was two days before John Maine went to the disabled list with a shoulder issue) and the Cardinals may need to target a third baseman instead of a pitcher. In any case, the Red Sox want to make room for John Smoltz and are allowed to trade Penny after June 15.
…Some third-base possibilities for the Cards could include Miguel Tejada, Adrian Beltre, Mark DeRosa and Melvin Mora.
Targeting a third baseman instead of a pitcher…Has Heyman not watching The Colonel pitch or looked at his average fastball velocity over at FanGraphs?
I was just reading a post from the always insightful Rob Neyer on Brad Penny. Here is what he provides in the way of a breakdown on Penny’s performance this season in red so[cks].
Penny’s got a 5.32 ERA, so it might seem like an easy choice: trade Penny for whatever you can get.
Most of the damage to Penny’s ERA was done in April, though, when he was absolutely horrible in four starts, with an 8.66 ERA and more walks (11) than strikeouts (6?). In Penny’s eight starts since April, he’s got a 4.10 ERA with nine walks and 38 strikeouts in 48 innings. Those aren’t great numbers, but they’re certainly good enough for any other team in the majors.
"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
I'd be game.....
Penny is from Tulsa, OK too, so resigning him might be an option, due to location to home.
I remember when he was a short, skinny kid throwing heat as a 12 year old. Dude got big.
Say you were standing with one foot in the oven and one foot in an ice bucket. According to the percentage people, you should be perfectly comfortable." - Manager Bobby Bragan
I heard the Penny rumor too
4B - beer baseball bands blog
"OOHHHHH!!!! He knocked out the I in Big Mac Land!!"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 12, 2009 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions
if we get Melvin Mora after all this
I am gonna freakin puke
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
Is the Randy wells era over?
Twins have put up 3….make that 4 runs in 4 innings.
How did the pig corner the breakfast market?
only for the people who thought the randy wells era had begun.
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
haha he is from where i went to High School so he gets some points for that
which he loses for playing for the cubs
a kid from my home town (& current residence)
just got drafted by the cubs in the 7th Round out of high school. Blair Springfield. apparently he’s a lifelong cardinals fan, so his family is kind of torn
How did the pig corner the breakfast market?
I went to High School with Buehrle
And I don’t even remember him being that good at baseball
Stat Whore
by FlimtotheFlam on Jun 12, 2009 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions
This is
what allows him to fool major league hitters as well. They don’t think he’s very good either, they just can’t seem to hit the ball when he throws it.
"I just wish that the late Harry Caray were still around so I could hear him mispronounce 'Kosuke Fukudome' every fukun' night" -- Dennis Miller
every game, outside of today
he’s also a former catcher
How did the pig corner the breakfast market?
he's a decent pitcher.
but he has put up FIP’s of over 4.00 for three consecutive seasons in AAA. i don’t know why people looked at 5 or 6 games and thought he would suddenly turn into johan santana. he was a regression waiting to happen.
again, he’s probably a serviceable #4 type pitcher. but the cubs fans just got whipped up into a frenzy over a few games – in which he pitched well.
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
and this surprises you, because?
but the cubs fans just got whipped up into a frenzy over a few games – in which he pitched well.
How did the pig corner the breakfast market?
His dad refused to buy a Cubs shirt
until he made the big leagues, I guess hoping he’d be traded first. I like that.
"I usually don’t read other peoples sigs." -Cuttah
by Alxfritz on Jun 12, 2009 3:35 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
He been a tough luck loser several games this year.
That sounds like a Cub’s player if I ever heard one.
They been a tough luck loser several decades this millennium.
Stat Whore
by FlimtotheFlam on Jun 12, 2009 4:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Rasmus is benched AGAIN tonight
even with the fucking DH.
I really wish our pitching coach was named Dave Rasmus instead of Dave Duncan
Ryan 6
Ankiel 8
Pujols 3
Ludwick 9
Stavinoha 7
Duncan DH
Molina 2
T. Greene 5
Thurston 4
MyBrute - Where tiny gladiators rule the internets
holy fucking shit.
"I usually don’t read other peoples sigs." -Cuttah
by Alxfritz on Jun 12, 2009 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
A) I agree.
But…
B) Didn’t the trainer check on Colby yesterday? What was that about?
"If I prepare myself, my stuff is good and I'm going to get outs. That is a fact." - Chris Carpenter
or we had a different manager
4B - beer baseball bands blog
"OOHHHHH!!!! He knocked out the I in Big Mac Land!!"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 12, 2009 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions
at least ludwick is batting cleanup
Larussa’s lineups are never perfect
4B - beer baseball bands blog
"OOHHHHH!!!! He knocked out the I in Big Mac Land!!"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 12, 2009 3:50 PM EDT up reply actions
Wow
that really is surprising. Benching our best defensive OFer and one of our hottest hitters in favor of Duncan doesn’t make any sense to me.
my internal optimist
says that TLR doesn’t want Colby to risk his hitting streak against a lefty
How did the pig corner the breakfast market?
He was willing to risk it yesterday by PH'ing him, giving him one AB to extend it
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 Jun 12, 2009 4:41 PM EDT up reply actions
I want to say unbelievable
But that’s not the right word. How about Unjustified! Unwarranted! Crazy! I don’t get how Dunc and Ankiel keep starting over Rasmus who lately has been the second best hitter on the team and plays premium defense?
Gotta play that hot hand!
Caveat: Not if said hot hand is Colby Rasmus. Oh, and Duncan doesn’t have to be hot.
There's no "I" in team. There's also no "I" in "B-g Mac Land".
by mattybobo on Jun 12, 2009 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
rasmus isn't as experienced
4B - beer baseball bands blog
"OOHHHHH!!!! He knocked out the I in Big Mac Land!!"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 12, 2009 4:02 PM EDT up reply actions
We know Colby can hit lefties, I guess TLR doesn't
on a side note: how many freaking lefties are they going to face? I think I heard during a cubs telecast that the cubs have faced something like 5 lefties this year, yet the cardinals seem to see 1 or 2 a series.
How did the pig corner the breakfast market?
Who is pitching for Cleveland?
It’s gotta be Cliff Lee right?
"I just wish that the late Harry Caray were still around so I could hear him mispronounce 'Kosuke Fukudome' every fukun' night" -- Dennis Miller
prepare for Total Domination
How did the pig corner the breakfast market?
by STLRegalia on Jun 12, 2009 4:04 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Well
we definitely needed Nick Stavinoha’s hot bat in the lineup then. Why not DH Stav, play Rasmus in CF and Rick in LF? That’s by far our best defensive lineup.
FUCK!
"I just wish that the late Harry Caray were still around so I could hear him mispronounce 'Kosuke Fukudome' every fukun' night" -- Dennis Miller
by fourstick on Jun 12, 2009 4:07 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Someone please tell
me that behind the scenes Moz is giving TLR eight varieties of holy hell over these lineup decisions. Please? Even if it doesn’t work, tell me someone besides us is beating Tony over the head about these decisions.
by MdRedbirdFreak on Jun 12, 2009 4:15 PM EDT up reply actions
Aubrey Huff
well a Huff anyway…Charlie? all i know is that he’s left handed and they will see 2 of them this series.
How did the pig corner the breakfast market?
You know, if I was
a struggling player I’d really love playing for TLR. You’ve gotta admit, he will go to great lengths to help a guy straighten out his game … he’s not as likely as many managers to bury a guy on the bench for long stretches.
Unfortunately I’m not a struggling player, I’m a fan who wants to win games and YEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAWWWWZZZ this makes me crazy.
by MdRedbirdFreak on Jun 12, 2009 4:04 PM EDT up reply actions
That depends though..
With Ludwick, just when he was getting hot (okay, sort of),
He was 0-4, then had 3 games where he went 1 for 4. Looked like he was getting better. Then he gets benched. Then the next day, he goes 0 for 4. Then he gets benched for 2 more days (albeit with pinch hitting duties).
Then again, he had 2 hits yesterday, when he started again. So maybe. But it seems like Tony was just jerking him around, to be honest.
Looks like LaRussa is just rolling the
Stat Whore
by FlimtotheFlam on Jun 12, 2009 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions
someone needs to replace his
with one that has Colbys picture on there 3 times
MyBrute - Where tiny gladiators rule the internets
I would update if I wasn't so lazy
I am getting ready to move so I am still hoping someone else actually makes it. It wouldn’t take upwards of 5mins.
Stat Whore
by FlimtotheFlam on Jun 12, 2009 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions
lol...
I printed out the die at work yesterday. Myself and the other Cardinals fan at work took turns rolling out lineups for about half an hour in the afternoon. We decided three things:
- Ankiel mysteriously comes up way more than he should. Perhaps you’re onto something flim…
- If you roll and place in the batting order from top to bottom, Skip ended up in the top 3 spots every time, and even when yadi is hitting first it doesn’t look all that weird. Fucking LaRussa is melting my brain…is he part of the braintrust with McFarlane and Leary over there at Hulu?
- Rasmus has a dexterity of +12….which explains a lot of things and probably why Al hates him so much.*
*Sorry, had to get a AD&D reference in their somehow.
"I just wish that the late Harry Caray were still around so I could hear him mispronounce 'Kosuke Fukudome' every fukun' night" -- Dennis Miller
by fourstick on Jun 12, 2009 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions 5 recs
ought to have some of those dice made up
and sold on Ebay or something.
- "I went at it and didn’t slow down, so it kind of bounced off me." -Lil' Dunc
Than lose money on Production Costs
I can’t keep up with LaRussa’s call ups and call downs
Stat Whore
by FlimtotheFlam on Jun 12, 2009 4:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Could you take a picture of it by chance
I was cracking up when I was making it.
Stat Whore
by FlimtotheFlam on Jun 12, 2009 4:38 PM EDT up reply actions
I'll throw it up in a FanShot when I get back to the office on Monday.
It’s currently sitting on a baseball pedestal (one of those things you put autographed baseballs on) in my office like it’s the intersect or something.
"I just wish that the late Harry Caray were still around so I could hear him mispronounce 'Kosuke Fukudome' every fukun' night" -- Dennis Miller
Sounds like you guys had a busy day at work
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 Jun 12, 2009 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions
slow afternoon yesterday...
plus I had today and Monday off, so I really didn’t have much to prep for.
"I just wish that the late Harry Caray were still around so I could hear him mispronounce 'Kosuke Fukudome' every fukun' night" -- Dennis Miller
I Imagine them throwing their Dies
Down against a Cardboard in the Alley behind work throwing down Benjamin’s listening to The Chronic by Dr Dre
Stat Whore
by FlimtotheFlam on Jun 12, 2009 4:46 PM EDT up reply actions
is Thurston playing third, or Greene?
hopefully it’s thursty at 2nd, Ryan at shortstop, and Greene at third (for lack of better options)
4B - beer baseball bands blog
"OOHHHHH!!!! He knocked out the I in Big Mac Land!!"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 12, 2009 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions
that's what the numbers mean.
4 = 2B, 5 = 3B, 6 = SS
- "I went at it and didn’t slow down, so it kind of bounced off me." -Lil' Dunc
seems a little counterproductive
to play your best defensive options in the infield, and then put stavi on defense when he could dh
4B - beer baseball bands blog
"OOHHHHH!!!! He knocked out the I in Big Mac Land!!"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 12, 2009 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions
you seem a little surprised by all this
not really though
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
not surprised
just understating everything
4B - beer baseball bands blog
"OOHHHHH!!!! He knocked out the I in Big Mac Land!!"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 13, 2009 3:12 PM EDT up reply actions
Seriously
it’s gotten to the point where I’m genuinely starting to hate this guy.
by Hardcore Legend on Jun 12, 2009 4:37 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree
I’ve always thought he was a good manager. The results he’s had certainly don’t disagree. However, I think it’s time the club moves in another direction, because this bullshit is getting really old really quick.
Also, everywhere he’s been he’s started off a bit slow, then had a few years of dominance, followed by a decline. I feel like we’re in the decline phase.
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 Jun 12, 2009 4:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Yup
the bottomline is TLR is the wrong guy to manage a team trying to develop young players. Lineups like these are the epitome of the problem! how is our best young player supposed to learn how to major league lefties if in a game w/ the f’n DH, and while he’s on fire, he doesn’t get the start? I just think all his tinkering makes it tough for young players to get and stay in a groove. One of my many gripes about TLR this season.
But, alas, i’m merely preaching to the choir here
And there's been this criticism since day one, if I remember
no one has ever liked the lineup tinkering
They say that it's never too late, but you don't get any younger...
Seriously
I can’t watch TLR manage this team into the ground this year. It’s awful.
Future Redbirds - tracking Cardinal prospects for Cardinal Nation
we clearly need nick stavinoha's vital contributions to this club.
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
No need to knock Nick.....
Dude has been clutch this year, has helped us win a few games, and drives runners in. He deserves an occassional start against a lefty.
Say you were standing with one foot in the oven and one foot in an ice bucket. According to the percentage people, you should be perfectly comfortable." - Manager Bobby Bragan
stavinoha = replacement value
he has a wOBA of .305 for THIS YEAR and he’s an appalling outfielder. worse than duncan.
and fuck clutch.
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
Well you answered you own question
Every time Duncan and Ankiel feel down on themselves they just look at Nick.
I guess we could be worst
Stat Whore
by FlimtotheFlam on Jun 12, 2009 4:12 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
First.....
All that replacement level and wOBA BS doesn’t mean squat on a game to game basis. That is a seasonal evaluater, but individual games, slumps, and matchups may dictate something else.
And fuck clutch? Okay, that makes sense. Nick has been outstanding at bringing runners home. He deserves to play some.
Say you were standing with one foot in the oven and one foot in an ice bucket. According to the percentage people, you should be perfectly comfortable." - Manager Bobby Bragan
still doesn't make him a capable defender
4B - beer baseball bands blog
"OOHHHHH!!!! He knocked out the I in Big Mac Land!!"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 12, 2009 4:22 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
nick stavinoha gets on base at a .281 rate.
that means he makes an out 72% of the time. he has one walk this year.
what does clutch really mean? that he gets hits when there are people on base? is that a luck factor, or is he trying harder when people are on base? if it’s the first case, then why play him? if it’s the second, why isn’t he trying hard all the time.
i don’t think clutch exists.
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
I think anti-clutch exists though
4B - beer baseball bands blog
"OOHHHHH!!!! He knocked out the I in Big Mac Land!!"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 12, 2009 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions
I don't know if clutch exists
but there are players who have mental toughness and capability to rise to the occasion with the game on the line, just as there are players who choke in those situations due the pressure.
That said, give me the more talented player every time.
MyBrute - Where tiny gladiators rule the internets
and the ones who choke
typically get weeded out long before they make the majors.
Anyway, if a clutch hitter faced a clutch pitcher, and one strikes out or gets a hit, does it mean that the other one wasn’t clutch?
- "I went at it and didn’t slow down, so it kind of bounced off me." -Lil' Dunc
OPS vs lefties this year.....
Stavi – .864
Raz – .450
Also, Stavi has one more RBI against lefties than Raz does, in 19 less AB’s.
Let’s not assume that b/c Raz has been hot that he is hitting lefties. He isn’t. The hot streak has been against righties.
Say you were standing with one foot in the oven and one foot in an ice bucket. According to the percentage people, you should be perfectly comfortable." - Manager Bobby Bragan
Seems a little silly.....
To think that Raz is just hitting into bad luck against lefties, not righties.
Say you were standing with one foot in the oven and one foot in an ice bucket. According to the percentage people, you should be perfectly comfortable." - Manager Bobby Bragan
that's backwards-
it’s an even smaller sample size. The smaller the sample size, the greater the effect luck has.
One additional single would be 52 points of OPS, over the sample size Rasmus has this season against LHP.
- "I went at it and didn’t slow down, so it kind of bounced off me." -Lil' Dunc
colby’s babip v lhp – .129
nick’s babip v. lhp – .389
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
I really wish one could see LD% against handedness
"I usually don’t read other peoples sigs." -Cuttah
fwiw, in memphis last year, colby had this split:
ops v. LH: .700
ops v. RH: .764
in sp’fld in 07:
ops v. LH: .839
ops v. RH: .958.
so he had a real but smaller LH split — worth about 60-100 points on slugging, mostly. almost no OBP split.
stavinoha has a career minor league split that looks like this:
ops v. LH: .805
ops v. RH: .820
i think the disparity sooner is pointing at is mostly illusory.
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
And you can point to numbers.....
Raz put up in the minors until you are blue in the face. That doesn’t mean that he has a better chance of being sucessful against tonight’s pitcher. It doesn’t. Seriously, what does what Raz did in A ball, how many seasons ago, have to do with today?
Not much if you ask me.
Say you were standing with one foot in the oven and one foot in an ice bucket. According to the percentage people, you should be perfectly comfortable." - Manager Bobby Bragan
sure. nick's 20 AB against lefties this season is much more
reliable than what he’s done over hundreds of AB’s in the minors.
good for you.
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
right
thanks for using stats, btw, but the argument is that Rasmus should be starting in CF and Stav should be DH, making the comparison “rasmus vs LHP” vs “Duncan vs LHP”.
While Duncan’s been a bit better, rasmus is probably not a .450 true-talent against LHP, and even if he is, the difference in defense makes up for it.
- "I went at it and didn’t slow down, so it kind of bounced off me." -Lil' Dunc
I'd like to see Dunc as the power pinch hitter
4B - beer baseball bands blog
"OOHHHHH!!!! He knocked out the I in Big Mac Land!!"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 12, 2009 4:37 PM EDT up reply actions
except that he has no power lately
at least he can take a walk most of the time (he sucks recently though)
4B - beer baseball bands blog
"OOHHHHH!!!! He knocked out the I in Big Mac Land!!"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 12, 2009 4:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Exactly
100% agree
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 Jun 12, 2009 4:49 PM EDT up reply actions
so, 4 singles and 3 doubles in 20 ab's v. lhp is a reasonable sample size?
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
For future reference.....
What is the smallest number I’m allowed to use as a sample size?
Say you were standing with one foot in the oven and one foot in an ice bucket. According to the percentage people, you should be perfectly comfortable." - Manager Bobby Bragan
most batting stats stabilize around 150 ab's. if that's what you're asking.
obviously, there’s no rule that you have to have X number of AB’s to cite it, but you leave yourself open to criticism if you do. 20 is not very many.
if just one of those doubles were turned into a fly ball, nick’s OPS would drop by about 120 points.
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
Railing against the wrong guy
Say all you want about Nick Stavinoha, about how he isn’t a very good player, how he is shit defensively, etc. … The point of the matter isn’t whether we should have somebody better than him on the team, it is whether Nick or Baby Huey is the best option, tonight, against a LH starter.
Almost everybody on this blog believes that Colby is better than any of our other OF options (cool, 5 straight O-words!). If I could, I would trade for his brothers and put them in the lineup as well.
The coaches have seen Stavinoha get clutch hits, we have stats to back it up, and sometimes it just pays to run out the hideous lovechild of Jeff Suppan and Aaron Miles, and watch him drive in two runs when every fiber of your being believes that he sucks as a baseball player.
Don't argue with stupid people. They will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience. - anon.
by Solanus on Jun 12, 2009 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Your Right
I have more problems with Ankiel in the lineup than Stavinoha. But he still sucks
Stat Whore
by FlimtotheFlam on Jun 12, 2009 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions
really?
Ankiel has a lot more upside imo
4B - beer baseball bands blog
"OOHHHHH!!!! He knocked out the I in Big Mac Land!!"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 12, 2009 5:06 PM EDT up reply actions
not to mention his defense is a lot better
4B - beer baseball bands blog
"OOHHHHH!!!! He knocked out the I in Big Mac Land!!"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 12, 2009 5:06 PM EDT up reply actions
classic
“the hideous lovechild of Jeff Suppan and Aaron Miles”
4B - beer baseball bands blog
"OOHHHHH!!!! He knocked out the I in Big Mac Land!!"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 12, 2009 5:07 PM EDT up reply actions
Thought of that last year
I just thought it was an interesting observation.
Don't argue with stupid people. They will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience. - anon.
it is accurate
4B - beer baseball bands blog
"OOHHHHH!!!! He knocked out the I in Big Mac Land!!"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 12, 2009 5:42 PM EDT up reply actions
True. Nick the Stick is true to his name. He drives in runs. That's just what he does no big deal.
"Rasmus doesn't hit lefties. Instead he bashes them over the head with their own bleeding arm he just raced to the mound to rip off before the ball arrives to the plate. He then smashes that baseball with the pitchers bloody arm over the wall because he does not hit lefites he bashes them." Ted Lilly
lb, thanks for filling in this week
but there’s already a trade talk fanpost up.
"I usually don’t read other peoples sigs." -Cuttah
Larry is just lucky he didn't pull this during hot stove season
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
there's more content in larry's 1000 words here than in 500+ posts over there.
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
even Rotoworld says WTF
Cardinals optioned 3B Brian Barden to Triple-A.
Just some roster-shifting here; the Cardinals decided they wanted to go with 13 pitchers, all of whom, it is assumed, will hit eighth.
Burn.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
the sarcasm dripped, this time
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
Why dig at TLR for batting the pitcher 8th?
The only reason pitchers have batted 9th is tradition. Most of the research says it is a wash (8th vs. 9th), or, a slight advantage for the club. They should dig at him for the 13 pitchers more than batting the pitcher 8th.
"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
I haven't diagrammed it yet
Though they are knocking the pitcher-batting-8th concept, they seem to have used it in order to knock the 13 pitcher concept. Footnotes to come later.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
OTOH
the research also shows to bat the best hitters in the 1, 2 or 4 spots. The 3 spot should be the lowest-OBP slugger ont he team (IE, Rick Ankiel). Batting Pujols 3rd probably hurts the team much more than anythign with the pitcher, unless they decided to bat him 5th or something. It wastes a lot of his OBP by putting him on first base with 2 outs, instead of on first base with one or no outs where he’s much more likely to score.
- "I went at it and didn’t slow down, so it kind of bounced off me." -Lil' Dunc
wasn't there a main post about this?
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
yeah, houstoncardinal had a good one about it
It’s probably been discussed 50-60 times in the comment threads as well.
- "I went at it and didn’t slow down, so it kind of bounced off me." -Lil' Dunc
You mean chuckb, right? :)
"If I prepare myself, my stuff is good and I'm going to get outs. That is a fact." - Chris Carpenter
sleepy's posts about baseball prospects in the soviet union and yugoslavia
are pretty embarassing too.
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 Jun 12, 2009 7:08 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
lol
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 Jun 12, 2009 7:32 PM EDT up reply actions
whenever lboros posts
he magically reverts to houstoncardinal
4B - beer baseball bands blog
"OOHHHHH!!!! He knocked out the I in Big Mac Land!!"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 13, 2009 3:13 PM EDT up reply actions
They burn TLR constantly
they were ribbing him about sitting Rasmus earlier this week as well on my fantasy baseball updates. Yes, in a keeper league, someone was stupid enough to trade me Rasmus and Justin Upton for Matt Wieters.
"I just wish that the late Harry Caray were still around so I could hear him mispronounce 'Kosuke Fukudome' every fukun' night" -- Dennis Miller
wow
worst trade ever
4B - beer baseball bands blog
"OOHHHHH!!!! He knocked out the I in Big Mac Land!!"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 12, 2009 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions
right now it is
In his defense, he has BJ Upton, McCutchen, Ethier, Kemp, Choo, and Jason Bay in the outfield, while his catcher right now is, um, Pudge, with no backup.
"I just wish that the late Harry Caray were still around so I could hear him mispronounce 'Kosuke Fukudome' every fukun' night" -- Dennis Miller
Nelson Cruz is a golden god to me this season
He is this years Ludwick
Stat Whore
by FlimtotheFlam on Jun 12, 2009 4:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Milton Bradley
Having a day for the ages out there. Ran into an out on the bases. Lost a fly ball in the sun. Caught a fly ball for the second out, with runners on, and threw it into the bleachers and started running off the field. A day to forget for sure.
What is wrong with this Pic?
My buddy just took a pic on his camera and sent this to me.
Stat Whore
by FlimtotheFlam on Jun 12, 2009 4:53 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
I can't wait to move
This state terrifies me
They say that it's never too late, but you don't get any younger...
I went to Dallas for the Cotton Bowl a few years ago
Saw this sign on a door:
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 Jun 12, 2009 6:47 PM EDT up reply actions
But he's in Texas
so it makes sense.
"I usually don’t read other peoples sigs." -Cuttah
by Alxfritz on Jun 12, 2009 5:01 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
heh
4B - beer baseball bands blog
"OOHHHHH!!!! He knocked out the I in Big Mac Land!!"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 12, 2009 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Blind people have second amendment rights, too!!
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
Seems ridiculous but let me ask you this
Would you rob a blind person with a gun?
In all honesty if I were a thief the gun would be the first thing I’d take, so it probably is hurting a lot more than it is helping.
I'm more surprised
someone would wear black socks with shorts. What is he, blind?!?
"I usually don’t read other peoples sigs." -Cuttah
by Alxfritz on Jun 12, 2009 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
Honestly
That was the first thing I noticed wrong with the picture
Stat Whore
by FlimtotheFlam on Jun 12, 2009 5:14 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
The rest of the world
thinks that wearing white socks is tacky. Maybe he is from France.
born Dodger blue, now dyed Cardinals red
I like black socks and flipflops
4B - beer baseball bands blog
"OOHHHHH!!!! He knocked out the I in Big Mac Land!!"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 13, 2009 3:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Jorts, no less
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 Jun 12, 2009 6:48 PM EDT up reply actions
awesome
4B - beer baseball bands blog
"OOHHHHH!!!! He knocked out the I in Big Mac Land!!"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 12, 2009 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions
LaRussa Needs to Go
Plain and simple this guy has lost his ability to make sound decisions. His line-ups are not logical, he overmanages, and he continues to find ways to play Duncan when he does not deserve such opportunity. Benching the returing Silver Slugger winner was crazy enough, and remember Ludwick got benched back when he was actually hitting the ball well. Rasmus, Ludwick and Ankiel are obviously the best outfielders yet Duncan continues to get playing time. This is just hogwash and it is so obvious. I cannot wait until Tony LaRussa is gone.
True
Take away the fact Ankiel is better than Duncan and it’s a wash.
/Dunc is a left-handed Stav infection.
by Willie McGee's Twin on Jun 12, 2009 6:13 PM EDT up reply actions
The essence of Tony LaRussa
Solve the problem: You have 3 electric trains. Train A is heading northbound at 20 mph on Track 1. Train B is heading southbound at 45 mph on Track 2. Train C needs a track to travel on. An opportunity presents itself where all 3 trains can be moving at the same time. What do you do?
AnswerTake the bus. Then sue the train company for not providing a more reliable coal powered train.
by Hardcore Legend on Jun 12, 2009 5:06 PM EDT reply actions
I will say that Thurston starting makes sense
not statistically but I’m sure he’ll have one of those awesome games players tend to have after they have a child born.
Barden being off the roster however, can’t get behind that. We just lost the on 3B on the team. If you are going to send him down and call up Mather or Craig, that’d be cool with me. But to just have more pitchers on the team…grrrr.
How do we get Duncan to get married and his wife to start spitting out kids every other day?
"Rasmus doesn't hit lefties. Instead he bashes them over the head with their own bleeding arm he just raced to the mound to rip off before the ball arrives to the plate. He then smashes that baseball with the pitchers bloody arm over the wall because he does not hit lefites he bashes them." Ted Lilly
Lets not intruduce any more Duncan's into the world
they will just end up taking away playing time from Rasmus’ kids.
by TheBirds on Jun 12, 2009 5:13 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
Oh noes! The Duncans are coming the Duncans are coming! Quick hide the line-up card from Tony Larussa Jr.!
"Rasmus doesn't hit lefties. Instead he bashes them over the head with their own bleeding arm he just raced to the mound to rip off before the ball arrives to the plate. He then smashes that baseball with the pitchers bloody arm over the wall because he does not hit lefites he bashes them." Ted Lilly
by Red Blazer on Jun 12, 2009 5:15 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
If we can get one on every MLB team, though
No world series trophy will go unhumped
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 Jun 12, 2009 6:50 PM EDT up reply actions
I just don't get it.
I read every day and post occasionally. I’ve been resisting posting what I’m about to say for a long time because I don’t particularly like getting flamed and I’ve seen what happens to people with unpopular opinions in these threads lately (I know you will say that’s not true, but it is. There is a significant group of posters that are irrationally rude to those who disagree with them, using the methods of the poster as an excuse to be mean.)
I just don’t understand the Tony hate. I know he does crazy things. I know his line ups are nuts a lot of the time and his personality is abrasive as well. But, the bottom line is he wins. He wins in a way that is historic, hall of fame, and will be legendary. I can understand disagreeing with his methods and decisions, but not the hate. I don’t understand not wanting him to manage the team either. He gets more out of less…crazy decisions not withstanding…than any manger I’ve ever seen.
I’m not defending him or his decisions, but just expressing my amazement at the bitterness towards a man that has taken this franchise farther than almost any manger they have had.
Seriously, maybe instead of always focusing on what you don’t like, some of you could take step back and look at the good things about the club and the manager. I honestly don’t understand how some of you even enjoy being a fan of this club as negative as you constantly are. If I felt the rage and anger and hatred that many of you express, I would get a new team I didn’t hate so much.
I’m sorry to be so dissenting to what has become the overall tone of many of the threads on this blog and probably to open myself up to much flaming, but this stuff is getting old and I just felt the need to express my opinion. I know that the response to me might be, “well, go read somewhere else then,” but there is still fantastic content here if one sifts through the vitrol. I do think perspective, in many cases, but not all, has been lost.
If you’ve read this far, thanks.
mel
by mel1975 on Jun 12, 2009 5:24 PM EDT reply actions 5 recs
If he'd just start Ludwick and Rasmus 95% of the time
a lot of us wouldn’t be so negative about him. He’s not putting the best possible team on the field lately.
"I usually don’t read other peoples sigs." -Cuttah
by Alxfritz on Jun 12, 2009 5:27 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
yeah this is the central issue for me as well
followed closely by the silly insistence on carrying 13 pitchers, which he then doesn’t even use enough to justify. Roster management has left this team short-handed overall and hurt us this year.
As for vitrol, if I say “I hate TLR” it’s basically just rhetoric. I don’t literally hate the man. I’d like to think that one day I’ll look fondly on the TLR era as a whole(and i’m sure i will, numerous playoffs, 06 WS, etc).
BUT at this point he’s the wrong guy to manage this team in my opinion. This has nothing to do w/ this past accomplishments and everything to do w/ this team’s goals moving forwards.
I think
for the most part that most people are spewing rhetoric as well and don’t really mean it, but personally the level and the amount is really getting old for me even though I rationalize and tell myself that it is just venting.
mel
I agree
it can get out of hand at time for sure. I think that’s indicative of the fact that the types of fans posting on this blog are diehards. We care ALOT about baseball, which is great. For many of us, it’s our favorite hobby.
Also, Tony is a very polarizing figure
It's one of my favorite hobbies too, but
Hobbies are things I enjoy. I’m not sure I get what is so enjoyable about spewing gallons of negativity all over the internets night after night. Maybe I am just missing the boat on that and it is a needed outlet for people.
mel
Alx
I agree that right now the Cardinals should be giving the bulk of the outfield duties (against righties and lefites) to Ludwick and Rasmus. However, TLR constantly puts his team and his players in positions that he believes will help them be better and probably win. Even the past few years when he is only 14 games above .500 (I read that somewhere below), he has done this by shuffling the lineups around. He shuffles the lineups because (I assume): 1) it keeps people fresh, and 2) it allows those with more of a traditional bench role to experience playing time, that way when they are in a position in a big situation, they will have been there before.
You listed a lot of quantifiable negatives
and then said ‘but he wins’.
Since losing to the Astros in 2005 NLCS, the Cardinals are 280-266. Would that imply that his craziness should be accepted because over the last 4 seasons, his team has won 14 more games than they’ve lost?
by Hardcore Legend on Jun 12, 2009 5:30 PM EDT up reply actions
In a round about way yes.
I would say that some of his craziness has actually made that fourteen win advantage possible given the talent that he has been working with in those four years.
mel
I just don't buy that argument
it’s impossible to tell how another manager would do with the same team
4B - beer baseball bands blog
"OOHHHHH!!!! He knocked out the I in Big Mac Land!!"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 12, 2009 5:47 PM EDT up reply actions
so then why do you bitch about Tony?
Turning your own logic around on you means that you can’t prove he’s bad.
didn't say he's bad
he could do a lot better though
4B - beer baseball bands blog
"OOHHHHH!!!! He knocked out the I in Big Mac Land!!"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 13, 2009 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions
I think Albert Pujols had more to do with those 14 wins than TLR
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
by mattyfrommo on Jun 12, 2009 6:06 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
why is this not green already?
4B - beer baseball bands blog
"OOHHHHH!!!! He knocked out the I in Big Mac Land!!"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 13, 2009 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions
who said I hated the cardinals?
give me a break
4B - beer baseball bands blog
"OOHHHHH!!!! He knocked out the I in Big Mac Land!!"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 12, 2009 5:45 PM EDT up reply actions
I was a fan of this team before TLR
so why would I change teams?
4B - beer baseball bands blog
"OOHHHHH!!!! He knocked out the I in Big Mac Land!!"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 12, 2009 5:46 PM EDT up reply actions
I'll say it
you hate the cardinals! cards fan in chitown my butt. you’re nothing but a spy.
How did the pig corner the breakfast market?
whatevs
been a fan since ’82. Whitey Herzog is twice the manager
4B - beer baseball bands blog
"OOHHHHH!!!! He knocked out the I in Big Mac Land!!"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 12, 2009 5:47 PM EDT up reply actions
were you born in '81 then?
4B - beer baseball bands blog
"OOHHHHH!!!! He knocked out the I in Big Mac Land!!"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 12, 2009 5:52 PM EDT up reply actions
I already did
sorry if I offended anyone
4B - beer baseball bands blog
"OOHHHHH!!!! He knocked out the I in Big Mac Land!!"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 12, 2009 5:52 PM EDT up reply actions
honestly
if whitey was managing this team, we’d be much harder on him than we’ve been with Tony. Iloved whitey back before I really knew anything about baseball, but I think I’d hate to watch him work nowadays.
Anyway, most of the decisions managers have to make are not tough decisions, and even the “wrong” decision (IE, leaving a LOOGY in to face the RH cleanup man) works 60+ percent of the time. Managers should not have a large effect on the outcome of the game; there are very few opportunities for “genius” to present itself.
- "I went at it and didn’t slow down, so it kind of bounced off me." -Lil' Dunc
I'll come out and say it
I am not a fan of TLR. I have NEVER been a fan of the ever changing lineups. I used to think he was decent, but it seems the last few years he has gone out of his way to be more TONY! I also am not a huge fan of his pompous attitude, and anyone who has seen any type of interview with the man will have a hard time arguing that he is not a superior sort. Luckily I do not have to love the manager to love the team.
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
that's the thing
you can tell that he is getting worse at managing over the last 2 seasons
4B - beer baseball bands blog
"OOHHHHH!!!! He knocked out the I in Big Mac Land!!"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 13, 2009 3:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Consistency in complaints
I think it’s really easy to complain about TLR because of the perceived micro-management. But I get a little annoyed about the asymmetry in complaints. In other words, sometimes people only blame TLR when things go wrong and don’t give him any credit when things go right. I guess I would appreciate more even-handedness in complaints. If TLR’s constant tweaking maximizes match ups, keeps players fresh, tries to re-start struggling batters, etc… it might at the same time create instability, take playing time away from hot batters, etc… Same with Dunc. It doesn’t make sense to me that he can be blamed for ruining young pitchers by forcing the two-seam on them and at the same time receive no credit at all for improvement in pitchers like Carp.. I am not saying everyone does this. Also, the past month has been extremely painful for all us fans. So I propose that we give a grace period to complainers for a while. I hate to say this, but 1.5 good games (0.5 because it was Cody Ross assisted) does not mean that all is well. So I might be liable to complain some more.
born Dodger blue, now dyed Cardinals red
Excellent post!
Say you were standing with one foot in the oven and one foot in an ice bucket. According to the percentage people, you should be perfectly comfortable." - Manager Bobby Bragan
surprise surprise
4B - beer baseball bands blog
"OOHHHHH!!!! He knocked out the I in Big Mac Land!!"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 13, 2009 3:17 PM EDT up reply actions
Good post
And, you didn’t make your point by saying “ZOMG, U totaly havent had uh video gam named after U! U won’t be in teh hallz of fame!”
I am, however, growing weary of Tony
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 Jun 12, 2009 6:52 PM EDT up reply actions
i missed all this yesterday, but i do not in any way hate Tony
but his constant micromanaging has driven me more than a little crazy
and yes, Colby has an achy foot, so that’s why he hasn’t started the last couple games. i’m totally fine with that. i hope he’s for once looking ahead to the future when he may not be running the show.
BUT, there have been numerous times over the past 13 seasons he’s done so many stupidly crazy things with the line ups, bullpens & rotations for no good reason except that he could do those things. and i think that’s why now there’s so much “hate”. a lot of people, me included have had enough of him playing MI’s in the OF just because he can.
good post btw. it’s now green. your welcome.
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
damn insomnia
one more thing
i think many, if not almost everyone will miss him when he’s gone. that is, if he ever leaves. we’ll miss how he gets career performances out of scrubs like Mini Me, Nunez & Heart. i have no idea how he does it, but somehow he’s able to turn a crappy player into a pretty good one & gets them to help the team win for a big portion of the time that players is a Cardinal.
and it’s not just him that will be gone. Duncan, Petini, Mason & the rest of the staff minus Oquendo will probably be gone as well. i think it goes without saying Duncan & Mason especially will be missed considering how great they do are with many pitchers the rest of MLB gave up on.
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
I agree.
but at the same time I don’t want him fired or gone or hate him because of that. I disagree with his decisions but still respect his knowledge. Sometimes, people make decisions for reasons that aren’t clear for a long period of time or maybe never…or maybe they are just bad decisions, but it simply just does not negate all the positives. I feel like people are completely ignoring every good thing he has done because they disagree with his line ups.
mel
Ha, Can't even reply to your own thread...No Offense
But I feel what you are saying. A lot of cheap shots taken at him probably unfairly. But on the counter point I hate 160 Lineups in 162 games.
Stat Whore
by FlimtotheFlam on Jun 12, 2009 5:33 PM EDT up reply actions
typing too fast.
I have a hard time hating anything related to the Cardinals. I love baseball and the drama of it. The ups, the downs, all of it. It’s better than TV or Books for me. It’s a microcosm (sp?) of all of life played out year after year in a new way. I am heavily personally invested in the Cardinals, but try not to let my mood be affected too much either way, because ups and downs are both inevitable.
And, when I read all the hate and anger, I wonder, do we forget that there are a lot of other teams worse than us, that sometimes, bad things just happen, that our team will lose? Every negative occurrence does not have to be someone’s fault. Some times, bad stuff happens. That makes the good even sweeter. It’s not like we are cubs fans or something.
mel
would you not like to see a more regular lineup?
4B - beer baseball bands blog
"OOHHHHH!!!! He knocked out the I in Big Mac Land!!"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 12, 2009 5:48 PM EDT up reply actions
absolutely I would.
that doesn’t change how I feel about him overall. I dislike many of his decisions and have even been known to yell at the tv on occasion, but that doesn’t mean that I understand the level of hate and negativity that has been on the increase here.
I like to enjoy my baseball and I just have a hard time understanding how a lot of the views expressed lately would result in the poster enjoying the team.
But, as I stated above, I may just have a different way of enjoying. Perhaps that type of posting/venting is a part of a cathartic experience that is the way some people enjoy the game. I personally just can’t see it.
mel
Hoping against human nature
Every negative occurrence does not have to be someone’s fault. Some times, bad stuff happens.
Interweb boards like VEB are studies in fundamental attribution error/actor-observer bias. TLR and MO are the main targets. I agree with you in sentiment but good luck changing cognitive biases.
by Willie McGee's Twin on Jun 12, 2009 6:26 PM EDT up reply actions
I don't pretend to be a force of change.
I just felt the need to express my opinion, which of course means I am a cog in the interwebs wheel myself.
And I guess, a small part of me hopes that it gives a little bit of pause to those who read it.
mel
I hear ya
I don’t hate him, I hate his lineups. Nothing personal.
"I usually don’t read other peoples sigs." -Cuttah
I really don't hate TLR
at all. he’s a good manager, it’s just that he has gotten worse the last few seasons and it is frustrating. plus his reputation means he will probably stick around too long… he should go out on top like Whitey did, before he goes bananas (if he hasn’t already… I mean, cmon, playing Adam Kennedy in the OF? amateurish)
4B - beer baseball bands blog
"OOHHHHH!!!! He knocked out the I in Big Mac Land!!"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 12, 2009 5:50 PM EDT up reply actions
End of last year...
when he was playing MIF’s in the OF was the most I’ve been pissed at TLR. I clearly don’t think he thought it was a smart baseball move – he was sending a message (in the worng way, IMO). Personally, I think I would have canned him if I were GM.
by Willie McGee's Twin on Jun 12, 2009 6:30 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Colby Rasmus will be more important to this team than TLR ever was in the future
And TLR is not playing him enough right now, or giving him any looks against LHP. This could be damning in the future when we’ve got a manager who will actually play Colby.
It’s TLR vs Rasmus. I CHOOSE RASMUS.
I just don't see it like that.
it’s not a battle. shrug.
mel
I think you have a point
but it’s easy to get fed up with Tony at times.
4B - beer baseball bands blog
"OOHHHHH!!!! He knocked out the I in Big Mac Land!!"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 12, 2009 5:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Nonsense.
Let’s see what Raz does before we annoint him something he may not be. There is a good chance he is never even the best hitter on any Cardinal team he ever plays for. There is a chance he’ll bolt for a ton of money some day. TLR has done great things in STL. Compare his tenure to the same years before. Factor in changes to the game, etc. Guy knows what he is doing.
Say you were standing with one foot in the oven and one foot in an ice bucket. According to the percentage people, you should be perfectly comfortable." - Manager Bobby Bragan
oh noes!
rasmus isn’t going to hit better than albert? rasmus might actually want to earn a lot of money some day? clearly not worth playing him everyday!
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
DGoold hits two birds with one blog
Why Rasmus didn’t run yesterday and why he’s not starting today:
Colby Rasmus was considered for tonight’s lineup, though is out as he deals with a bruised left heel. The rookie said it was sore Thursday, and he missed a green-light to steal because he couldn’t push off on it.
"I usually don’t read other peoples sigs." -Cuttah
nice
4B - beer baseball bands blog
"OOHHHHH!!!! He knocked out the I in Big Mac Land!!"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 12, 2009 5:51 PM EDT up reply actions
If they'd just -- you know -- communicate
with the fanbase, a lot of angst against the org wouldn’t even happen. We have to find out in a blog post on the PD that our ROY can’t play (and hasn’t been able to play) b/c of an injury? That’s not good PR.
"I usually don’t read other peoples sigs." -Cuttah
Would you like a personal call from Moz?
I’m not sure how else you are supposed to find ou. Dgoold is the beat writer for the Cardinals, he is the one that is supposed to let you know these things.
I got a call from
Robot John Rooney two years ago.
"I usually don’t read other peoples sigs." -Cuttah
how come every time i call you no one answers?
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
No, what is BS.....
Is that it is a big deal at all.
If a rookie CF that hasn’t been starting every game sits out on another team, I doubt their fans get all pissy about it. The Cardinals don’t owe it to us to tell us a guy is a little banged up, and taking the day off.
Say you were standing with one foot in the oven and one foot in an ice bucket. According to the percentage people, you should be perfectly comfortable." - Manager Bobby Bragan
On how many other teams did a 2008 All Star sit out the 2nd Game of the Year
How many other teams have used 58 different lineups in 59 games?
How many other teams pinch hit Brendan Ryan with Ryan Ludwick available to pinch hit in the key PA of the game?
Show me where to find that lineup info.....
And I’ll tell you.
Say you were standing with one foot in the oven and one foot in an ice bucket. According to the percentage people, you should be perfectly comfortable." - Manager Bobby Bragan
You know, I often wonder this.
I just don’t have the time or the inclination to do do the work it would take to find out, but I wonder how many other teams fans are just completely befuzzled by their managers’ moves.
mel
how many other managers
have had as many opportunities to win a world series as tony, and yet only succeeded twice?
- "I went at it and didn’t slow down, so it kind of bounced off me." -Lil' Dunc
Yeah, they do.
We’re the customers.
"I usually don’t read other peoples sigs." -Cuttah
by Alxfritz on Jun 12, 2009 10:42 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
because every time they come out with something in the press
it gets blasted because of the way they’ve handled injuries in the past. Really, if it were Joe Thurston getting sat for one freakin’ game because of a left heel contusion (to use the typical hockey term for bruise) would anyone care?
C’mon guys, there are 162 games…let’s be reasonable and assume that nobody will play all of them…
ohhhhhh so that's why there was a visit of doom
I mean, Barry Weinberg came to check on him late in the game.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
I remember this happening before
People are up in arms, and then find out there was a legitimate reason for something. But such are people I guess…
Happens alot around here.
Say you were standing with one foot in the oven and one foot in an ice bucket. According to the percentage people, you should be perfectly comfortable." - Manager Bobby Bragan
I think that this sort of thing
is part of what got me going. There are times-gasp-that Tony’s decisions are actually based on information we don’t have. It just seems like people are pretty quick to jump on the Tony Hater Band wagon. And I bet there are more times than not that he actually makes good decisions. Note—I have zero stats to back that up.
mel
Thank you
Thank you for the comments – I’ve been around this board for a little over a year and love the analysis and thought that go into many of the posts. I particularly loved the motto of needing to have a reason, or facts, behind your argument before making it. Unfortunately, over the last couple of months I’m starting to fall of the VeB bandwagon a bit due to incessant railing on Tony and a couple of our other favorite punching bags.
Do I think they’re beyond criticism? Absolutely not. But what frustrates me is the apparent double standard. It seems that if the topic is cutting down Tony and his hatred of young players, simply act like you’re in one of the StlToday chat rooms and let the emotional, unproven opinions fly!
If having 58 lineups so far this year pisses you off, fine, just give me some reason why having 58 lineups by June 12th is detrimental to winning the most games over the course of a season. Don’t simply say that it sucks, you hate Tony and he’s hurting out team.
not playing the best hitter on the team not named pujols
and the best defender, bar none, is absolutely hurting the team. There’s a good chance colby catches at least one of those fly balls to the LCF gap tonight; even if he goes 0-5, he helps the team.
Sending a guy out to pitch the 7th who is over 100 pitches is just a bad idea. That lead-off double was not “bad luck”, it was “bad process”. He might have gotten that hit off of Motte, or he might have homered, but he was a lot less likely to do either than he was to do it off of Piniero. That’s just bad process.
Taking out Jason Motte and bringing in a guy with a ~6 ERA who has a line against by RHB of .308/.400/.615 (1.015 OPS — no joke, Dennys Reyes turns EVERY RHB hitter into alex rodriguez) (and that number is before tonight; it’s now worse) to face an awesome switch hitter with no noticeable platoon splits is absolutely hurting the team. If he gets him out, it’s good luck, if he doesn’t, it’s “poetic justice”.
Letting Nick Stavinoha face a ROOGY with both colby rasmus and skip schumaker on the bench is just plain stupid. The ONE THING we have a surplus of on the bench is LHB. WTF was he saving them for, if not for the guy who can’t get LHB out, when the only LHP left in their bullpen to counter with (perez) has an ERA of 11+ and a reverse split? LHB this year vs Joe Smith: .375/.444/.625 (1.069 OPS). .895 OPS, career. Yes, he’s worse against LHB than Reyes is against RHB. And that’s typical for a submariner; i am positive that any baseball man, including tony, would know what the splits would look like without even looking them up. Like i said above, most of these decisions are not hard; this was on par with batting BRyan over Ludwick in terms of how awfully bad it was.
These are not “second guesses”. These are “TLR relied on his gut and made bad process decisions, and didn’t get lucky”; these are bad decisions on par with “I didn’t look both ways before crossing the street”. These are “raising all in on Ad-5c” kind of decisions. Although the incessant hatred does get tiresome, it’s also ridiculously tiresome to see him do dumb things on the diamond and a lot more tiresome to see people constantly and blindly supporting his bad decision-making processes.
I wouldn’t be upset if he did it one or two times a week, but he’s doing it several times a day at this point. Someone the other day said he looks like a poker player on tilt, and that is a great analogy; unfortunately, he’s playing with our money and making these decisions, and he’s going to make a decent team look like a bad team by the end of the season (and waste a great season by pujols) if something doesn’t change.
- "I went at it and didn’t slow down, so it kind of bounced off me." -Lil' Dunc
perfect hindsight
shows that Rasmus was unavailable for the PH appaearance and TLR was saving Schumaker to lead off the 9th, apparently.
I don't know, I might be crazy here
but common sense will tell you that having 58 different lineups by June 12th might not be the best thing for keeping hitters in a groove. I am sorry, but sitting someone who is HOT so someone who is stinking up the joint has the chance to MAYBE get into a groove is just asking to cool down your offense. And no, I am not talking about Colby here, this is something that has happened A LOT of the last few years.
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
by mattyfrommo on Jun 13, 2009 11:30 AM EDT up reply actions
Indians lineup seems ridiculously good
hopefully we can hit a lefty for once.
1. Jamey Carroll, 2B
2. Mark DeRosa, 3B
3. Victor Martinez, 1B
4. Shin-Soo Choo, RF
5. Jhonny Peralta, SS
6. Travis Hafner, DH
7. Ben Francisco, CF
8. Ryan Garko, LF
9. Kelly Shoppach, C
I thought we have a positive winning % against LHP this year?
Or am I making that up?
"I usually don’t read other peoples sigs." -Cuttah
don't forget the birds
Unless of course you’re working for them…. [suspicious look]
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
I think the Cardinals' lineup is well known by now
Thankfully this lineup seems much worse after actually thinking. I basically saw Hafner hitting 6th and deemed it good.
Other than Victor
that lineup doesn’t impress me a whole lot.
MyBrute - Where tiny gladiators rule the internets
Jamey Carroll is their leadoff hitter
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 Jun 12, 2009 6:57 PM EDT up reply actions
have to apologise for the off-tpic
and finger off the pulse here…
Am I totally wrong or is there a website (like hit-tracker) that shows all the hits (incl. HRs) that each hitter has hit this year at different stadiums (i.e. with the appropriate OF dimensions etc)? I saw a few at BtB where people had superimposed the hit-tracker info onto google earth pictures but I didn’t know if such a site was available yet…
Because chicks dig the intentional base on balls.
i just noticed
this yesterday – you can access it from the mlb gameday window by clicking on the players name in the lineup and following the ‘spray chart’ link. I assume you could also do so from the MLB website. Handy tool….. Pujols looks an awful lot like a pull hitter when viewed in this manner….
He is a pull
hitter. But he doesn’t have to be.
"If I prepare myself, my stuff is good and I'm going to get outs. That is a fact." - Chris Carpenter
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