Todd Wellemeyer, or, Chris Lambert Returns to Discuss Todd Wellemeyer with Viva El Birdos from Beyond the Grave
by DanUpBaby on Aug 10, 2009 2:36 AM EDT
610 comments
It's been a month and a half since the Cardinals last had the brooms out, so for each game against the Pirates I've been building in a little room for the obligatory let-down game; it didn't help that the last two began with the Pirates, a board-certified Team We Should Beat, jumping out to an early lead.
But these are the new Cardinals. Objectively speaking, Holliday and Lugo will not continue to post a combined MLVr of 1.549 runs per game. Subjectively, I no longer get listless and irritable toward those around me when the Cardinals fall behind early or line up against a young pitcher with bad stuff.
You rang?
Oh, for God's sake! Don't just pop up like that. Aren't you busy pitching bulk innings in Detroit? At least busy enough not to haunt a website?
Don't look a gift-me in the mouth, danup, baby! I'm here for the object lesson.
I'm not looking forward to this. Let's hope he doesn't know how the jump works.
So danup, it goes something like this. You guys—and God only knows why, right? You guys keep trading away all your rotation depth for, I don't know, Mike Maroth.
Right. I don't know why or how, but that's a basically rational explanation of what the Cardinals have done. And I guess you could implicate that way of thinking, indirectly, as the prime mover in the chain of events that have led to Todd Wellemeyer making another start. The Cardinals' seeming nonchalance toward rotation depth both in and out of the system has led to Todd Wellemeyer's continued faux-relevance.
Prime mover? What a pseudointellectual thing to say! Anyway, this object lesson requires a table, and ghosts are far too sinister to use WYSIWYG editors! That means...
Oh... oh no—I feel different. I feel like, like I could almost get Major League hitters out on a regular basis. Something is compelling me to feed numbers into an MLE spreadsheet... something terrible...
| NAME | GS | IP | K/9 | BB/9 | HR/9 | MLE PERA |
| Mortensen | 17 | 96.1 | 5.2 | 3.3 | 2.4 | 6.63 |
| Hawksworth | 12 | 71.2 | 4.9 | 2.6 | 1.0 | 4.00 |
| Boggs | 14 | 70.1 | 5.0 | 4.2 | 2.4 | 6.53 |
| Walters | 15 | 89 | 6.4 | 3.0 | 1.1 | 5.18 |
| Lambert | 21 | 122 | 5.6 | 2.4 | 1.1 | 4.67 |
| Lynn | 18 | 97.1 | 5.6 | 3.4 | 1.1 | 4.92 |
| Wellemeyer | 20 | 108 | 5.1 | 3.5 | 1.5 | 7.13 |
Does it... does it scare you?
It does, a little, but mainly because I was possessed for the sole purpose of producing a table. I don't even remember opening Excel.
But all things considered, Chris--and I hate to alter our relationship like this--I'm inclined to agree with you. I still think you should have been traded--I mean, do I ever--but it's obvious that the Cardinals, in remaining bound and determined to have Todd Wellemeyer to kick around anymore, are passing up a number of options that can if nothing else be just as bad as he is.
Wait, what? Did I get Viva El Birdos? Ghost travel is a little sketchy.Bone-chillingly sketchy!
No, I'm serious. Tony La Russa's most infuriating flaw, and it's one common to most managers, is his reluctance to demote certain regulars in-season. Kip Wells and Brett Tomko have had this exact same season before--a pitcher with a patchy but occasionally impressive career gets beaten into the ground but not out of the Cardinals' rotation. In situations like this the Cardinals' field management seems to have little idea of the concept of a replacement level, and without that they don't realize that guys below it can easily be replaced.
Here, I think, is what it finally comes down to: For Tony La Russa, Proving Yourself is something that happens once. Anthony Reyes didn't do it, and when he struggled he was removed from the rotation. Mark Mulder had already done it, some time ago, so he was sent back out again and again until he had to be wheeled off. Todd Wellemeyer proved himself last year; more specifically, he had several uninterrupted good stretches, something Reyes never managed, something his possible replacements haven't had the chance to manage yet. The proven switch is on.
The good news is that he might have somehow managed to unprove himself, which would be a Cardinals first:
As for Wellemeyer possibly staying in the rotation after Tuesday, La Russa said, "He needs to prove that he's the best of the candidates for that spot. If there's somebody, in our opinion, who's better than he is, then (that person) will pitch... There's other guys out there."
If La Russa really does see that--and I have a high enough opinion of him, even in the face of his flaws, to believe it a possibility--it's a blessing for the Cardinals, who still have a lot of meaningful baseball left before the fifth starter won't matter. But Wellemeyer's already made several starts too many, and as long as Tony La Russa manages the Cardinals--realistically, as long as the Cardinals have a manager--having in-season depth at a Proven position is never going to be quite as valuable as it could be.
Well, anyway... while I'm here, can my friend say hi to his family? His ghost family?
I--I guess so. Good behavior should be rewarded, is what I always say. Is he a long-time reader, first-time caller?
Good, good. Just as I planned.You've stumbled headlong into my trap once more, you contemptible snark-jockey! Creature of the night, attack!
W-what?
so do i jus talk into the ghost microphone?
No!
It explains those 71 walks, doesn't it, Dan? He works for me now!
ima scary ghost man, watch out or ill scare you
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I am scared to death.
I’m at the point where I hope for a bad outing. Surely one more will get him out of my life. If he does pitch well tommorrow, where does that leave us? Yay!!!! More Welley. My biggest fear is the Reds anemic offense of late. Please Todd, suck just enough to be gone, but not enough to completely take us out of the game.
by cdc81 on Aug 10, 2009 2:59 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Sadly, I'm inclined to agree.
I try to keep it a sacred rule that I never root against a Card no matter how much I hate them (or how irrationally, Edmonds!). But it will actually hurt the team more in the long (medium) run if Wellemeyer re-proves himself and earns two or three starts to lose by winning this one. Perhaps he can get thumped and then mercifully be rescued by the offense. Perhaps he’ll develop a hiatal hernia (ah who am I kidding, his ridiculous zen-like acknowledgment of his own powerlessness after each terrible start precludes the development of stress-related disease). Perhaps he’ll just string a few decent starts together and then get off this team forever. I hate being in this position and I hate TLR for putting me here.
15=/=25
by hazel on Aug 10, 2009 3:05 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
How the hell do you hate Edmonds?
Oh, and I agree about Wellemeyer.
F*** Billy Beane... actually, I kinda like Holliday
by vivaelpujols on Aug 10, 2009 3:09 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I just never liked him for some reason, I think it was that annoying check-swing thing he did that really got me.
And I still think he should be in the HOF and he was good and everything.
15=/=25
by hazel on Aug 10, 2009 3:13 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I always said this...
If Edmonds played for anyone but the Cardinals, I would find him really annoying. His overly dramatic way of playing baseball was irritating to me. He was a great CF’er, but it was pretty obvious that he just coasted to the ball b/c he could (why run when you can glide and look cool?), and sometimes he’d take unnecessary dives b/c he didn’t just get to a spot. But that was small potatoes compared to his histrionics in the batters box…What’s this, a high, inside pitch? Clearly I must bend back to get out of the way, and then stumble roughly 15 ft!!!
Point is, the guy was a hell of a baseball player, but he was also an unquestionable “show-off,” to borrow the elementary schoolyard term.
VivaElBirdos...Scoring less, but more frequently since approximately 1903.
by redbirdnation8206 on Aug 10, 2009 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
stance
when your stance is as wide as his is/was, i can see how getting out of the way of an inside pitch would cause you lose your balance.
by STLRegalia on Aug 10, 2009 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Was it necessary to tumble 15 ft. on a pitch that often wasn't that close?
VivaElBirdos...Scoring less, but more frequently since approximately 1903.
by redbirdnation8206 on Aug 10, 2009 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I would have to see more than a mental image
give it a try. on lunch, or after work/class/blogging in your mom’s basement, stand with your feet as wide as Edmonds, and either have somebody throw a ball at you or just try to move quickly backwards, to see how much you stumble.
he probably goosed it up a bit, but perhaps taking a few extra stumbles and seconds to regain focus was needed?
by STLRegalia on Aug 10, 2009 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think it was easy to get pissed off at Edmonds
I never hated him or anything, but I’d get really mad when he was on one of his streaks where he looked absolutely helpless in all of his at-bats. He was as streaky as they get. Which is weird, b/c my favorite Cardinal ever was probably Ray Lankford, another streaky-as-hell-who-Ks-a-ton player.
"I think he's the best hitter of all time. I think there has never been a better hitter than him. And I know I didn't see them all, but I just don't think there could be." - Adam Wainwright on The Mang
by bmorgan on Aug 10, 2009 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Never hated the guy
but his melodramatics at the plate always anoyed me. And I thought I was the only one.
The St. Louis Cardinals- 11 time World Champions!
by Zubin on Aug 10, 2009 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
A common attitude among Cardinals fans ...
But one I can’t go along with. Baseball is entertainment, not a life-or-death exercise requiring grim noses to the grindstone. Why we should denigrate players with flair I’ll never know.
by MdRedbirdFreak on Aug 10, 2009 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Well said!
"Ludwick, I could kiss you on the nuts!" - the red baron 7-29-09
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
by mattyfrommo on Aug 10, 2009 7:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
a bad outing where we win preferably
a nice 10-6 game where Wellemeyer gvies up 6 in 3 innings and then is replaced by Hawksworth who pitches the next 6 innings scoreless.
by dcfcblues on Aug 10, 2009 9:55 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
exactly
"...and pujols has given st louis the lead"
by tgreenfield on Aug 10, 2009 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You said it better.
Thanks Welley for last year, but please go away now. Good luck next year, wherever that may be.
by cdc81 on Aug 10, 2009 3:11 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
As long as it's not here.
There was Gibson in the Reds' dugout, visibly manhandling about three Reds and tossing them bodily out of the dugout and onto the field...He was the toughest athlete mentally I ever saw, and the greatest competitor. JACK BUCK
by ISawGodInGibby'sRightArm on Aug 10, 2009 11:19 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Brett tomko and Kip Wells already had this season
That’s the mosty infuriating thing. After 14 seasons, it is still the same thing.
For as smart as Tony is, can’t he see this? Can’t he see this redundant flaw in his behavior?
by Hardcore Legend on Aug 10, 2009 4:18 AM EDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs
Kindred (or anyone who can help)...
I’ve been looking to do some advanced graphing stuff with a lot data, and Excel doesn’t have the capabilities I need. Awhile back at BtB, you mentioned something about the program “R”. I downloaded it and have had no luck in figuring out how to use it. Do you think you could point me in the direction of a useful tutorial, or suggest another program with similar capabilities with an easier to use language?
F*** Billy Beane... actually, I kinda like Holliday
by vivaelpujols on Aug 10, 2009 4:40 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
What version of excel have you got?
it has a LOT of functions. I can’t think of many things you might want to do with baseball data that can’t be done in excel.
Felonius Monk - bitching to contact since 2008
by Felonius_Monk on Aug 10, 2009 4:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well
First of all, I am using about ~200,000 rows of data (pitch fx), so to even get it into Excel I have to split it up. Then, I need to graph the data, and it takes FOREVER with Excel to graph that many data points. Then, the graphing option that I am looking for (something like a density scatter plot function) isn’t offered in Excel I don’t believe.
F*** Billy Beane... actually, I kinda like Holliday
by vivaelpujols on Aug 10, 2009 5:08 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
yeah...
… R is kind of a pain in the ass to get used to. it’s learning a new language. but it does have a pretty good payoff if you do a lot of statistical work. it’s much more powerful than Excel, Minitab, SAS, SPSS, or Stata. and because it’s language-based you have a lot more flexibility. once you learn how to do charts and graphs, you can do basically anything you want, and it’s great with large data sets. plus: free is the best price.
to get the most out of it, it’s best to have at least some working knowledge of matrix algebra, since that is how the data is managed in R.
for manuals, the “official” one is here, and it is pretty helpful. another page with a lot of useful information for new users is here. it was put together by a fellow grad student of mine, and has a lot of links to other resources. if you’re really interested, Fox wrote a book called “An R and S-Plus Companion to Applied Regression” that is helpful.
by kindred on Aug 10, 2009 11:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I bet SAS would be useful
It’s a very strong statistics and analysis tool, which we use at our company for complex risk forcasting (i.e. predictions on future performance given historical data).
Albert Pujols is ridiculous.
by stlhulsey on Aug 10, 2009 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe they should use SAS to predict whether a ballplayer is any good,
e.g., whether a hitter will get a hit in a certain at-bat.
There was Gibson in the Reds' dugout, visibly manhandling about three Reds and tossing them bodily out of the dugout and onto the field...He was the toughest athlete mentally I ever saw, and the greatest competitor. JACK BUCK
by ISawGodInGibby'sRightArm on Aug 10, 2009 6:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
so does this mean the ghosts of
aaron miles & joe thurston are going to haunt me for the rest of my life?
pretzels pretzels pretzels pretzels
by gdm426 on Aug 10, 2009 5:33 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
yes
F*** Billy Beane... actually, I kinda like Holliday
by vivaelpujols on Aug 10, 2009 6:32 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
YES YES YES YES YES! Chris Lambert’s ghost is my favorite blog feature! I want a Tino Martinez ghost, plz
by ajabegg on Aug 10, 2009 6:50 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Who sits on the Nickname Appropriations Committee?
I’ve got one I’d like to submit
"I'll be glad to have Ryan [Braun] help if he wants to. I'll give him a badge and he can be my deputy." - Doug Melvin
by all4tookie on Aug 10, 2009 7:58 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I think Yadi2Second is the Nickname czar
because he holds powers over all official nickname fanposts that I have read.
by AWolfAtTheDoor on Aug 10, 2009 8:02 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I only observe and report
If you get other people to use it, I report it. As long as the search function ain’t lying, evident the wash.
The glossary is still missing a few nicknames, in any case.
Though, speaking of nicknames, y’all can call me Yadi2. It’s faster.
AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 10, 2009 8:24 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
In that case:
To whom it may concern:
I stumbled across what I think is an apt nickname for Matt Holliday. To the VEB nickname committee, I would like to submit “Bug” for the following reasons:
1. “Bug Holliday” – OFer from 1889-1898. Born in St. Louis. American Association HR leader in 1889, National League HR leader in 1892. During the first six years of his career, he slugged 63 home runs, which was second to only Roger Connor during the same span. The two also share a striking resemblance.
2. Our lineup, when constructed with a RH LFer, used to be Stav-infected. Now it has the Bug.
3. BUG is a common acronym for backup generator. Perfect description of his offensive role.
4. Bug and Boog in the same lineup = certain victory.
"I'll be glad to have Ryan [Braun] help if he wants to. I'll give him a badge and he can be my deputy." - Doug Melvin
by all4tookie on Aug 10, 2009 8:47 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
GHOSTS
AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 10, 2009 8:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Is that...
…a caterpillar under Holiday’as face? It looks like a wooly-bear..
;=8)
I hate Jason Marquis!
:=8O
by The MooCow on Aug 10, 2009 8:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm sticking with
Mr. Holliday for now.
I never would slip you Mickey! It is merely rhinoceros horn. This makes the champagna bubble.
by The Continental on Aug 10, 2009 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I submit APu as an official nickname
for Albert as I recently discovered that “apu” is an Inca word for “sacred mountain”. I certainly worship Albert and I would imagine most of you do too.
Those Pilgrims ain't lookin' so proud now...
by giveml on Aug 10, 2009 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I still like Tackleberry for Holliday
I don’t know…something just seems right about it
I dabbled in pacifism once....not in 'Nam of course
by bag32781 on Aug 10, 2009 4:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
everytime I see that name, I cry a little bit
and no, I am not talking about Holliday
"Ludwick, I could kiss you on the nuts!" - the red baron 7-29-09
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
by mattyfrommo on Aug 10, 2009 7:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Where'd ya get that Matty with a moustache?!
:-)
by vexedtechie on Aug 10, 2009 7:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You have to copyright things around here now, didnt you hear? =)
"I'll be glad to have Ryan [Braun] help if he wants to. I'll give him a badge and he can be my deputy." - Doug Melvin
by all4tookie on Aug 10, 2009 9:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Is that the proper usage of "evident the wash"?
Is there an improper usage of it?
Chlorophyll? More like borophyll!
by jd is legend on Aug 10, 2009 9:41 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
While the original post was less than coherent...
I can still make out most of what he/she—can’t remember the name—was trying to say (see, hearhole). What is the best guess for what they were getting at with that phrase. Further complicating matters is the fact that it consists of three correctly spelled words in succession…..so you have to think it was executed, to some degree, in accord with their intentions.
I’m baffled…I think about every time it pops up
I dabbled in pacifism once....not in 'Nam of course
by bag32781 on Aug 10, 2009 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i think he meant "evident" like "evidence" as a verb.
the “evidence” is in the fact that rogers had to wash his hands. or the evidence is in the wash (the water he washed off his hands). or maybe he’s even demanding that MLB investigate the sink where rogers washed his hands.
anyway, some thing about the handwashing made it evident to the poster that kenny was cheating.
also “COUNTRY HARDBALL!!!”
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 Aug 10, 2009 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
ahhhh...
i guess i didn’t remember rogers washing his hands. makes much more sense now. i used to get regular emails from a japanese exchange student—with atrocious command of the english language—that remind me a great deal of this post. that’s me theory on this guy: japanese exchange student
I dabbled in pacifism once....not in 'Nam of course
by bag32781 on Aug 10, 2009 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That was always my theory too
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
by mattybobo on Aug 10, 2009 4:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
What sucked is that we couldn't hit him even after he washed his hands
Chlorophyll? More like borophyll!
by jd is legend on Aug 10, 2009 7:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Southern Redbird, I think?
There was Gibson in the Reds' dugout, visibly manhandling about three Reds and tossing them bodily out of the dugout and onto the field...He was the toughest athlete mentally I ever saw, and the greatest competitor. JACK BUCK
by ISawGodInGibby'sRightArm on Aug 10, 2009 6:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh no.
It should take as long to say your name as it actually takes for Yadi to actually run to second.
Baseball's only fun if you're playing it, watching it, or thinking about it.
by Eckstreem on Aug 10, 2009 10:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Or if you time it from his throwing time to second,
Just keep it Ya
"I'll be glad to have Ryan [Braun] help if he wants to. I'll give him a badge and he can be my deputy." - Doug Melvin
by all4tookie on Aug 10, 2009 10:48 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
you guys don't believe in hustle, I see
haha
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 10, 2009 10:55 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
"Hustle"....
…is not quantifiable. Therefore it does not exist…
;=8)
I hate Jason Marquis!
:=8O
by The MooCow on Aug 10, 2009 10:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
we have GRIT now
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 10, 2009 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hell yeah we do
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
by mysterui on Aug 10, 2009 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Watching Yadi hustle is like watching a special education kid in Harvard.
You know he’s giving it all he’s got, but it just ain’t gonna happen.
Baseball's only fun if you're playing it, watching it, or thinking about it.
by Eckstreem on Aug 10, 2009 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
And yet, he actually has a triple this year
his first since 2005, and only the second in his 6-year career. Like John Olerud’s comment of a decade ago, there must have been an outfielder lying on the ground somewhere.
There was Gibson in the Reds' dugout, visibly manhandling about three Reds and tossing them bodily out of the dugout and onto the field...He was the toughest athlete mentally I ever saw, and the greatest competitor. JACK BUCK
by ISawGodInGibby'sRightArm on Aug 10, 2009 6:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Its not that it doesnt exist...
just that it already shows up in the statlines
"I'll be glad to have Ryan [Braun] help if he wants to. I'll give him a badge and he can be my deputy." - Doug Melvin
by all4tookie on Aug 10, 2009 6:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
We should make up one in...
Old Entish. That would be about how long it takes Yadi to get to second.
by OldieWan on Aug 10, 2009 2:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Second base...
…is such a hasty word…
;=8)
I hate Jason Marquis!
:=8O
by The MooCow on Aug 10, 2009 3:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
OT: watch the games carefully
Because Boog’s great throws will not be covered by anybody. Boog-snubbed :(
Avenge!
AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 10, 2009 8:36 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Wellemeyer Conspiracy Theory
I figured it out……Wellemeyer is starting AGAIN as a result of the latest Cardinals promotion.
For every game the Cards win on this homestand, ticket-buyers will save $6 off tickets to the next homestand against the Astros. Did anybody else see that promotion? Obviously, a 6-0 homestand would be devastating to the pocketbooks of Cardinals ownership. Wellemeyer starting guarantees a 5-1 homestand at best.
by FiedsinEvilleIN on Aug 10, 2009 8:48 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
hahaha oh god
I have tickets to his next start. I had no choice… schedules ended up that way.
AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 10, 2009 8:50 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I Always Look Forward...
…to the return of Chris Lambert on this site – its always a pleasure!
;=8)
Now if we cud somecow bring back the ghost of Bo Hart…
I think one mootivational reason behind giving Welly moore rope to hang himself, errr, one moore chance, is that now we have a line-up capable to producing moore offense, meaning we only need someone to give us 5 innings. And yeah, anybody apart from the first penguin that wanders in from the zoo can do this, but somecow TLR believes Welly can righten the ship – we can only assume that DD supports the moove as well. Boggs is still up and down; for good or ill, TLR is happy with Hawk in the ‘pen, and he has a point: we need a reliable righty in the pen these days beyond Franklin (can u believe I’m saying this?) and KMac. If there were any justice in the world, Welly would be that dependable righty in the pen and Hawk would be our 5th starter. Hasn’t shaken out like that, not yet anyway.
Baseball is full of redemption stories – c’mon, we’re all a sucker for that ‘old vet rediscovers the fountain of youth/wash-up finally turns the corner’ story. Maybe Welly’s got it in him. Or, maybe he just needs one more pounding to have reality finally sink in.
Either way, Welly is going to get his chance, and you have to think its got to be the last. Let’s hope he makes the best of it.
:=8)
I hate Jason Marquis!
:=8O
by The MooCow on Aug 10, 2009 8:50 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
ot: MooCow, how do you feel about your nemesis
probably being the reason we won’t see Rolen playing in St. Louis?
AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 10, 2009 8:54 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I Hate Jason Marquis!!!
>:=8O
I hate Jason Marquis!
:=8O
by The MooCow on Aug 10, 2009 9:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I hope we don't see the same article
Written about Lohse in a few weeks
by olddomination on Aug 10, 2009 9:07 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
with the comparisons to A-Reyes...
at some point, you’ll have to let that go.
by jomfa on Aug 10, 2009 9:21 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
If Wellemeyer gets pounded as expected on Tuesday
And gets “placed on the DL” afterwards, with TLR’s reluctance to go with Boggs/Hawksworth as the #5, do you think they’ll express any interest in Smoltz if he hasn’t signed with anyone by then? Or are there not enough starts for the #5 left to warrant that?
by olddomination on Aug 10, 2009 9:26 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Hmmmm.....
…at this point I see no difference between Welly getting pounded and Smoltz getting pounded, apart from spending moore moolah on Smoltz. Don’t see it happening.
:=8/
I hate Jason Marquis!
:=8O
by The MooCow on Aug 10, 2009 9:28 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If no-one claims him off waivers (doubtful, given he's owed like $5m or something)
the Sox could work out a trade for him whereby they eat most/all of the remaining salary (as with Lugo). And, if no-one wants him on waivers, I’m guessing he won’t be terribly expensive, prospect-wise. I’d guess we could get him for a big pile of not-very-much, given that they’re stuck with him otherwise.
Of course, someone else has probably had the same idea. I’d give up a marginal relief prospect (i.e. anyone other than Sanchez) to get Smoltz.
Felonius Monk - bitching to contact since 2008
by Felonius_Monk on Aug 10, 2009 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Smoltz wasn't put on waivers
he was DFA’d, so the Cardinals could sign him for league minimum the rest of the way as I understand 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
by fourstick on Aug 10, 2009 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
DFA means Red Sox have 10 days to:
Place the player on waivers
Trade player
Release player
They will almost certainly place him on waivers to see if anyone bites. When no one does, they can then deal him for a C prospect or whatever they can get as Felonius suggested.
"I'll be glad to have Ryan [Braun] help if he wants to. I'll give him a badge and he can be my deputy." - Doug Melvin
by all4tookie on Aug 10, 2009 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Speaking of..
ESPN just posted a story about Smoltz and where he goes from here
"I'll be glad to have Ryan [Braun] help if he wants to. I'll give him a badge and he can be my deputy." - Doug Melvin
by all4tookie on Aug 10, 2009 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hahah - Smoltz has a smart agent
“but the Red Sox also indicated they would like him to restructure a clause in his contract that allows him to make $35,000 for each day he is on the major league roster, above and beyond his base salary.”
by sdrone on Aug 10, 2009 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
fyi, it takes 7 days to pass through waivers
Stat Whore
by FlimtotheFlam on Aug 10, 2009 12:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I thought it was that...
…if the team is going to place someone who was DFA’d on waivers, they had to do so within 7 days of DFA’ing him, no? And I’m pretty sure it takes 48 hours to clear waivers. My main source is from an awesome rundown at Purple Row
"I'll be glad to have Ryan [Braun] help if he wants to. I'll give him a badge and he can be my deputy." - Doug Melvin
by all4tookie on Aug 10, 2009 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Reading up on the subject, looks like I wasn't exactly right:
Since he was DFA’ed and removed from the 40-man roster, placing him on waivers, though an option, is not optimal for the Red Sox because then someone could sign him for the pro-rated league minimum and the Red Sox would eat the rest of his contract. Its better for them to work out a trade where they at least get something in return.
"I'll be glad to have Ryan [Braun] help if he wants to. I'll give him a badge and he can be my deputy." - Doug Melvin
by all4tookie on Aug 10, 2009 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
if he's claimed on waiver
and the sox don’t pull him back, the claiming team is on the hook for all of his salary. if he clears waivers and no one claims him, they can send him to the minors – assuming he agrees – or outright release him where then someone could sign him for league min
Of course, hope means being cut down on some street corner, as you run like mad, by a random bullet.
by prophetjohn on Aug 10, 2009 2:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The sox can't pull him back -
the waivers used when DFA’ing someone are irrevocable – in which case, the winning claim team would only pay the pro-rated league minimum, with the Sox making up the difference (and why the $35k per day on MLB roster clause in his contract would hurt so much). As it stands now, they are better served to try to trade him for at least a prospect and a little salary relief, because as ESPN reported a number of teams are interested and there is little chance he would clear waivers if he is still willing to play.
"I'll be glad to have Ryan [Braun] help if he wants to. I'll give him a badge and he can be my deputy." - Doug Melvin
by all4tookie on Aug 10, 2009 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Also, I have no idea how this DFA process is impacted by the trade deadline
Given that players have to clear revocable waivers before being traded after the deadline, I don’t know if the deadline is waived if a guy is DFA’d.
Shit is complicated.
"I'll be glad to have Ryan [Braun] help if he wants to. I'll give him a badge and he can be my deputy." - Doug Melvin
by all4tookie on Aug 10, 2009 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I reserve the rights to "shit is complicated", btw
"I'll be glad to have Ryan [Braun] help if he wants to. I'll give him a badge and he can be my deputy." - Doug Melvin
by all4tookie on Aug 10, 2009 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Shit is complex.®
FTW!
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 Aug 10, 2009 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
hahah damnit
"I'll be glad to have Ryan [Braun] help if he wants to. I'll give him a badge and he can be my deputy." - Doug Melvin
by all4tookie on Aug 10, 2009 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yah...
I was going to re-post about this with links, but you seem to have figured it out on your own by replying to yourself, lol.
I don’t believe it has anything to do with the trade deadline, it’s just that he’s sucked so bad they decided to clear a spot on the 40 man for another starter and needed him off, so they DFA’d him.
"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 Aug 10, 2009 6:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
if we get Smoltz...
… i want him in the pen.
by kindred on Aug 10, 2009 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
+1
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 10, 2009 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
anybody else more concerned about Lohse's starts
this week? The Colonel only gets the ball once; Kyle goes twice. I’m hoping for something positive. The guy hasn’t had a win since 5/23 vs. KC (!!!!)
Proud sponsor of the Official 2009 StL Cardinal theme song: Reason to Believe
by gocards62 on Aug 10, 2009 9:29 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
stat FAIL
Lohse is obviously still tuning up. His velocity was down, and while his breaking stuff seemed sharp, his FB/change have not been separating out well. Wins are not a stat that tell you anything. Just because Wellemeyer has had more wins over that span doesn’t mean I would ever want to see him get a start over Lohse.
15=/=25
by hazel on Aug 10, 2009 9:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I also noticed
He’s had all away starts… except for his game against L.A., where the night before he’d stayed up late with the rest of the team for extra innings. If it’s partly a mental thing, he hasn’t had a string of home games to settle down.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 10, 2009 9:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
All I'm saying
is that Welley gets maybe 2 more starts this month, Kyle five (5). The team can weather a couple of Welley bad outings, but not so from Lohse.
Proud sponsor of the Official 2009 StL Cardinal theme song: Reason to Believe
by gocards62 on Aug 10, 2009 10:12 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
4 days rest and at home
should be good medicine for Lohse’s next two starts. He’s had a strange stretch since the May injury. Getting back to a standard schedule should help his starts.
by ubeddie on Aug 10, 2009 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
kind of like choosing between scurvy and cancer
While wins are a bad stat, since 23 May, Lohse has had a 5.74 ERA, a FIP of 5.95, a K/9 of 4.46, a K/BB of 1.18, and an opponents’ OPS against of .897. He’s averaged just over 4 IP/start.
Zips thinks wellemeyer will have a 4.50 ERA, a 4.72 FIP, a K/9 of 6.07, a K/BB of 1.55, and average 5.75 IP/start going forward. I’ll take the over on that, but it’s still a lot better than what Lohse has been since the injury.
yuck.
it's Clydesdales vs Goats. Actually sums up Cards vs. Cubs quite nicely. -all4tookie
by SleepyCA on Aug 10, 2009 3:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ummmm.....
….I’ll take scurvy, thanks…
:=8.
I hate Jason Marquis!
:=8O
by The MooCow on Aug 10, 2009 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ive already had cancer, beat it
Dont want scurvy, dont wanna have to beat it
C'mon you Redbirds, lets prove em' wrong, again!
by yer dog first on Aug 10, 2009 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Much more, really. I think the team is lulling itself into complacency between "internal options" for Welly and faith in the improved offense.
Possibly the team does have enough to overcome Welly’s terror, but I doubt they can hurdle the demise of both Lohse and Welly. Not sure of the level of the suckiness of the suckometer, but both Lohse and Welly would have to be graphed in the third quadrant.
An optimist is a man who upon discovering that a rose smells better than a cabbage concludes it will make better soup.
HL Mencken
by akaitori on Aug 10, 2009 9:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The thing that dawned on me as I read this
is that there is a very important concept that we tend to ignore when considering these trades. It’s called “upside.”
The mere possibility that an untried minor leaguer will have upside is enough to induce some teams to overvalue them when making a trade. Wellemeyer, by contrast, has NO upside. (Nor, incidentally, did Lambert.) It would be completely impossible to trade Welly for anything that actually improved the team, even as a throw-in on a package.
For a bunch of medium-to-high-upside minor leaguers, the team just got some useful guys (to put it mildly) for the stretch run. If all of those minor leaguers achieve their upside, the trades will look bad in the long run; if none do, they’ll look pretty good. Most, in all likelihood, will not. And the system has shown itself quite capable of reloading with medium-to-high-upside guys now that Luhnow is doing the drafting. If any with ENORMOUS upside had been traded (DJ, I’m looking at you), things would be different. But compared to doing something with Wellemeyer that they simply cannot do — because the whole frigging baseball world knows exactly what we know about him — these trades at least have a chance of turning out well.
by StanTheManFan on Aug 10, 2009 9:29 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Redbird retread availability list - in no particular order of hopelessness
Multer
Maroth
(Kip) Wells
Lambert
Clement
Reyes
Yan, Bourbon,Miles, Villone, Flores, Fredbird (bullpen game)
Other candidates?
An optimist is a man who upon discovering that a rose smells better than a cabbage concludes it will make better soup.
HL Mencken
by akaitori on Aug 10, 2009 9:56 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
i am holding out for
Jeff Fassero
Stat Whore
by FlimtotheFlam on Aug 10, 2009 9:58 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Ghost of John Tudor...
….haunts this club – will we ever see a Big Lefty again?
:=8/
I hate Jason Marquis!
:=8O
by The MooCow on Aug 10, 2009 10:00 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
See you a Tudor and raise a Carlton. Not a "Wise" move! Toss in Neil Allen at PTBNL
An optimist is a man who upon discovering that a rose smells better than a cabbage concludes it will make better soup.
HL Mencken
by akaitori on Aug 10, 2009 10:19 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Jeff Fassero
That name just made me spit out my Cheerios.
And I say England's greatest prime minister was Lord Palmerston.
by tangledbrett on Aug 10, 2009 10:38 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
whoops - Mulder
An optimist is a man who upon discovering that a rose smells better than a cabbage concludes it will make better soup.
HL Mencken
by akaitori on Aug 10, 2009 9:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Keep Hearing...
…encowraging Mulder reports. Would love to see him come back for the rest of the season and redeem himself. Stranger things have happened.
I hate Jason Marquis!
:=8O
by The MooCow on Aug 10, 2009 9:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I heard encouraging Mulder reports last year as well
and the year before that….
and the year before that…..
Encouraging Mulder reports mean nothing.
by dcfcblues on Aug 10, 2009 10:01 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He could redeem himself
If he came back here and pitched 20-5 seasons / 2.00 ERA for the rest of his career. For Free.
Let us not forget, Mulder is the reason we traded away “He Who Must Not Be Named”.
by JWO on Aug 10, 2009 10:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bernard Gilkey???????
:=8O
I hate Jason Marquis!
:=8O
by The MooCow on Aug 10, 2009 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
you oughta visit the glossary, Moo
It wouldn’t feel right without your hoofstamp.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 10, 2009 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I Had to...
…I mean, when was the last time that name was tossed out?
;=8)
I hate Jason Marquis!
:=8O
by The MooCow on Aug 10, 2009 11:11 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No regrets about Bernard
He gave us four pretty good seasons. Never quite became a star, but I’ll tip my cap to a man who hit ~.300 in three different seasons, and managed 50 home runs.
Thanks for the walk down “moomery” lane. Heh.
by JWO on Aug 10, 2009 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
True Enough!
:=8)
I hate Jason Marquis!
:=8O
by The MooCow on Aug 10, 2009 3:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I have an autographed ball by him laying around here somewhere
Stat Whore
by FlimtotheFlam on Aug 10, 2009 11:05 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Interesting quote from Bernie,
from this article:“Word from an AL scout: Cardinals Class AA closer Eduardo Sanchez is the real deal, and could pitch in the majors right now.”
by santiagofish on Aug 10, 2009 10:00 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
for whom?
An optimist is a man who upon discovering that a rose smells better than a cabbage concludes it will make better soup.
HL Mencken
by akaitori on Aug 10, 2009 10:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not for somebody
who judges their worthiness whether or not they are a “proven veteran.”
Sanchez could be another K-Rod circa 2002 and LaRussa wouldn’t even sniff.
Even if Mozeliak forced his hand and replaced Wellemeyer with him, LaRussa stubbornly would insist on pitching Motte and McClellan in those late-inning spots.
by Michael_68_1999 on Aug 10, 2009 10:38 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sanchez could be another K-Rod circa 2002 and LaRussa wouldn’t even sniff.
Where do people get this stuff? Does anyone really think that LaRussa doesn’t want a flame-throwing reliever who can strike people out and doesn’t walk anyone? (Where did you go Jason Motte?) Sanchez just started pitching at AA this year, is just leapfrogging others like Samuel, and people are saying he’s not being given a chance by TLR?
And I love how Larussa is supposedly going to be “stubborn” about pitching Motte (or McClellan for that matter) because they are “proven veterans.” Really? Motte is a “proven” veteran? You’re disproving your whole, ill-reasoned point.
by Willie McGee's Twin on Aug 10, 2009 11:07 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I Wuz Gonna Say Somethin...
…like this, but now, nevermind!
:=8)
I hate Jason Marquis!
:=8O
by The MooCow on Aug 10, 2009 11:12 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
"people" aren't saying it
Michael_68_1999 is saying it. FWIW.
it's Clydesdales vs Goats. Actually sums up Cards vs. Cubs quite nicely. -all4tookie
by SleepyCA on Aug 10, 2009 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Is FWIW...
….in the Glossary?
:=8/
I hate Jason Marquis!
:=8O
by The MooCow on Aug 10, 2009 4:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
for what its worth,
the glossary rocks!
C'mon you Redbirds, lets prove em' wrong, again!
by yer dog first on Aug 10, 2009 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
FWIW is not just a VEB-ism
Chlorophyll? More like borophyll!
by jd is legend on Aug 10, 2009 7:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well
IMHO it is.
"If I prepare myself, my stuff is good and I'm going to get outs. That is a fact." - Chris Carpenter
by spants on Aug 10, 2009 7:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
lmfao.
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 Aug 10, 2009 7:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
KISS.
Felonius Monk - bitching to contact since 2008
by Felonius_Monk on Aug 11, 2009 5:30 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good Points...
…about Moolina and BRy too.
:=8)
I hate Jason Marquis!
:=8O
by The MooCow on Aug 10, 2009 10:05 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Given that Jess Todd is now gone
This is a very good thing.
by JWO on Aug 10, 2009 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Kiss of Death
See you in 5 years, Ed.
by thepainguy on Aug 10, 2009 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
no no no
Jeff Luhnow’s prospects are all fabled myths that everyone overrates. Can’t possibly contribute in the majors.
Future Redbirds - tracking Cardinal prospects for Cardinal Nation
by azruavatar on Aug 10, 2009 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
How much of this is spite and/or passive aggressiveness on Tony's part?
I think it’s non-trivial, and at least Tony saying to Luhnow and the new-fangled guys, “I’ll run thing my way, thank you very much.”
by thepainguy on Aug 10, 2009 12:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think there is a serious rift between agent and principal here.
Tony is going to manage for what, another 1-2 years? Why should he give a shit about prospect development? He is in serious win now mode. If I was him I would be all for selling the farm for the chance at another ring.
"I'll be glad to have Ryan [Braun] help if he wants to. I'll give him a badge and he can be my deputy." - Doug Melvin
by all4tookie on Aug 10, 2009 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I look forward to the day
that every front office decision doesn’t have to be viewed through the tinted lenses of TLR’s perceived motives.
Future Redbirds - tracking Cardinal prospects for Cardinal Nation
by azruavatar on Aug 10, 2009 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I'm no TLR fan, but
I am also very afraid of the unknown if we get a new regime in. The bottom line is that we have been pretty good since he got here. I’m scared to death that we may bring in the next Dusty Baker or some such moron.
Baseball's only fun if you're playing it, watching it, or thinking about it.
by Eckstreem on Aug 10, 2009 1:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't think you can necessarily point
to TLR as a cause for that effect. The more likely cause is that the new ownership that brought TLR/WJ in raised the payroll substantially. During the Torre/Brewery years the Cardinals were pretty regularly in the bottom third of payroll. Payroll has way more to do with winning than any manager. Spending money isn’t a guarantee, but it is very strongly correlated with both regular season and playoff success. You can find anecdotal evidence to the contrary, but since 1996 when TLR was brought in to manage the Birds the big payrolls have mostly dominated.
The Cardinals have been in the top 1/3 on payroll pretty much every year of the TLR regime.
Those Pilgrims ain't lookin' so proud now...
by giveml on Aug 10, 2009 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
especially when compared to the rest of the NL central.
it's Clydesdales vs Goats. Actually sums up Cards vs. Cubs quite nicely. -all4tookie
by SleepyCA on Aug 10, 2009 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think that is key
Pitt and Cin haven’t been players for the entire TLR era. So it has essentially only been 3 teams involved in chasing the division. And at least as I recall, the Cubs have really only started major spending the last 3 or 4 years.
by OCCardsFan on Aug 10, 2009 4:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Forgot to mention Milwaukee
They are competing the last 2 years, but I’m not sure how their salary stacks up. I was under the impression it was pretty low, but I’m not sure.
by OCCardsFan on Aug 10, 2009 4:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Cots has them at $80 million on opening day
But they were much lower just a few years ago
"I'll be glad to have Ryan [Braun] help if he wants to. I'll give him a badge and he can be my deputy." - Doug Melvin
by all4tookie on Aug 10, 2009 4:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm not giving LaRussa the credit for us winning.
I’m just saying we won. I’m also saying that he didn’t hurt our chances of winning in was that other managers could. As much as we malign him for strange decision-making, we have to concede that 99% of his decisions are very astute.
Baseball's only fun if you're playing it, watching it, or thinking about it.
by Eckstreem on Aug 10, 2009 3:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Umm
no, we don’t. 99% is awfully high. I doubt that any human being makes 99% of their decisions correctly.
Those Pilgrims ain't lookin' so proud now...
by giveml on Aug 10, 2009 3:55 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
99% of the time when I'm drinking
I always make the correct decision
(at least it seems that way at the time)
by STLRegalia on Aug 10, 2009 4:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He, like me as the future Cardinals' manager
gets 90% just for keeping Albert Pujols happy and playing him every freaking day. Therefore, I only have to agree with 9% of the rest of his decisions to make the 99% threshold.
Baseball's only fun if you're playing it, watching it, or thinking about it.
by Eckstreem on Aug 10, 2009 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He, like me as the future Cardinals' manager
gets 90% just for keeping Albert Pujols happy and playing him every freaking day. Therefore, I only have to agree with 9% of the rest of his decisions to make the 99% threshold.
Baseball's only fun if you're playing it, watching it, or thinking about it.
by Eckstreem on Aug 10, 2009 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
you can say that, again!
C'mon you Redbirds, lets prove em' wrong, again!
by yer dog first on Aug 10, 2009 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Its more like
99% of the time hes right all the time
"People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring" -Rogers Hornsby
by stlwcards on Aug 10, 2009 5:42 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
How long have people been saying that TLR is only going to manage 1-2 more years?
by Willie McGee's Twin on Aug 10, 2009 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He's 7-10 days away
There should be a pool at VEB. Which will happen first: Mark Mulder returning to baseball, or Tony LaRussa retiring?
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
by mattybobo on Aug 10, 2009 1:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
TLR won't quit managing
at least until he passes Joe McCarthy on the managerial wins list. Our only hope is if WJ fires Dusty Baker. I don’t think there are a whole lot of other takers out there for TLR’s services.
Those Pilgrims ain't lookin' so proud now...
by giveml on Aug 10, 2009 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
why would other teams not want TLR?
by STLRegalia on Aug 10, 2009 3:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The calm me is going to answer he is very expensive.
The excited me has 1,000 other reasons.
"I'll be glad to have Ryan [Braun] help if he wants to. I'll give him a badge and he can be my deputy." - Doug Melvin
by all4tookie on Aug 10, 2009 3:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think you forget
that MLB isn’t a blog. TLR would have numerous offers, most likely just to spite you
by STLRegalia on Aug 10, 2009 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I remember TLR flirting with both the Yankees and Seattle
prior to signing his last contract. He made it known he would leave St. Louis and there were no takers. When you insist on having a very large payroll to work your “magic”, it really limits the amount of interest.
If anyone can point to another team expressing serious interest in TLR during any of his numerous free agency periods I am all ears.
Those Pilgrims ain't lookin' so proud now...
by giveml on Aug 10, 2009 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
it's all just opinion.
I can respect yours, I just honorably disagree. If he wanted to continue managing, he wouldn’t be unemployed. (IMO)
by STLRegalia on Aug 10, 2009 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
At least I
attempted to substantiate mine. Got anything to back you up?
Those Pilgrims ain't lookin' so proud now...
by giveml on Aug 10, 2009 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
the culture of baseball
is all I’ve got. the same way mangers, right or wrong, trust veterens over rookies, GMs/owners trust veteren coaches over rookie coaches.
by STLRegalia on Aug 10, 2009 3:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It is not black and white
as there will surely be other veteran coaches out there. It is also interesting to note that some of today’s most successful managers, namely Mike Scioscia, Terry Francona, Ron Gardenhire, and Joe Madden were hired into successful franchises without previous managerial experience.
Those Pilgrims ain't lookin' so proud now...
by giveml on Aug 10, 2009 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
oh snap, didn't even think of that.
"How depressing is it being you? Would you equate it to being a lifelong Cubs fan?"
by rocKStark5 on Aug 10, 2009 4:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Tampa Bay
wasnt a very successful franchise. They had finished close to, or at the bottom of their division every year since the birth of that franchise. They never finished above .500 until 2008 and have had 3 100 loss seasons (2001, 2002, 2006). Joe Maddon was hired in 2007.
Unless, of course, you are talking about Maddon being hired by the Angels as a fill in in 96 and again in 99.
C'mon you Redbirds, lets prove em' wrong, again!
by yer dog first on Aug 10, 2009 5:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Unfortunately for TLR
and those who are willing to boldly venture into the post-TLR era, most of the teams looking for managers in the off-season will be franchises that aren’t very successful. Most of them are unsuccessful because they aren’t good enough to overcome their inability/unwillingness to spend money on players.
I just don’t see a bunch of $100M+ payroll teams lining up to hire him. I hope I’m wrong, but he is probably Cardinal manager for life and I am wagering that his Cardinal managerial life will be at least three more years.
Those Pilgrims ain't lookin' so proud now...
by giveml on Aug 10, 2009 5:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't doubt that his on-field decisions would excite a lot of organizations..
But are there a lot of teams that want a manager who employs a “my-way-or-the-highway” mentality, gets involved in personnel decisions as much as possible, and commands a multi-million dollar salary when his is in the twilight of his career? He can’t just go anywhere.
"I'll be glad to have Ryan [Braun] help if he wants to. I'll give him a badge and he can be my deputy." - Doug Melvin
by all4tookie on Aug 10, 2009 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Lets make a list of possible destinations, then:
AL East
Baltimore Orioles – No, too long-term
Boston Red Sox – Set with Francona, hands-off approach
New York Yankees – Set
Tampa Bay Rays – New school
Toronto Blue Jays – New School
AL Central
Chicago White Sox – Maybe?
Cleveland Indians – Not a near-future contender, money issues
Detroit Tigers – Leyland = LaRussa
Kansas City Royals – No
Minnesota Twins – New school/Gardenhire fine
AL West
Los Angeles Angels – No, Scioscia is set
Oakland Athletics – NO
Seattle Mariners – Maybe?
Texas Rangers – Nolan Ryan far too hands on
NL East
Atlanta Braves – Not while Cox is around, clashing approach
Florida Marlins – Small market
New York Mets – Maybe?
Philadelphia Phillies – Manuel will be there as long as he wants
Washington Nationals – Small market
NL Central
Chicago Cubs – No
Cincinnati Reds – Maybe?
Houston Astros – Stretch maybe? Cooper still new
Milwaukee Brewers – Small market, clashing approach
Pittsburgh Pirates – No
St. Louis Cardinals -NA
NL West
Arizona Diamondbacks – Just switched
Colorado Rockies – Just switched
Los Angeles Dodgers – Torre not going anywhere
San Diego Padres – Not a contender in the near term
San Francisco Giants – Bochy not on the hot seat
So looking at that, there are MAYBE 4 teams that would be interested, and even then they aren’t exactly dying to get rid of their current guys.
"I'll be glad to have Ryan [Braun] help if he wants to. I'll give him a badge and he can be my deputy." - Doug Melvin
by all4tookie on Aug 10, 2009 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Why not the Cubs?
That would be really interesting.
Shut up, Fritz™.
by Alxfritz on Aug 10, 2009 4:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I dont think Piniella is going anywhere...
too easy to blame their 2009 underperformance on injuries. Unless new ownership comes in and cleans house – but then why go with a hardened guy near the end of his career?
"I'll be glad to have Ryan [Braun] help if he wants to. I'll give him a badge and he can be my deputy." - Doug Melvin
by all4tookie on Aug 10, 2009 4:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think Piniella
is good as gone by the end of next year if not sooner.
Shut up, Fritz™.
by Alxfritz on Aug 10, 2009 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Piniella
usually yanks the “retire” chain before anyone gets a chance to fire him, and he’s never really been anywhere for very long if you look at his track record.
I would say the Cubs are probably a decent choice if TLR wanted to manage there he probably could. But I’m NOT sure that they’re going to continue to be a high payroll club having just changed owners who paid a very high price tag for them. We’ll have to see.
"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 Aug 10, 2009 6:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Meh
This thread almost needs its own post. TLR is staying with the Cardinals until he retires. He is going to stick with it until he passes the all-time wins record, or until Albert retires.
by JWO on Aug 10, 2009 4:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good.
:=8)
I hate Jason Marquis!
:=8O
by The MooCow on Aug 10, 2009 4:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
+1
yeah, some of the decisions are maddening. But, he hasnt gotten to where he is by being a bad manager. You cant be Mr. Hyde to your players all the time, for as long has he has been a ML Manager.
C'mon you Redbirds, lets prove em' wrong, again!
by yer dog first on Aug 10, 2009 5:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
you are quite possibly right
I will defer to your higher level of research and information. It probably doesn’t matter, because TLR will probably stick around with Pujols. I guess we’ll never know until it happens
by STLRegalia on Aug 10, 2009 4:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm not saying the TLR market is the Brad Thompson market
But I just don’t think he could just walk in anywhere with his resume and get to work.
"I'll be glad to have Ryan [Braun] help if he wants to. I'll give him a badge and he can be my deputy." - Doug Melvin
by all4tookie on Aug 10, 2009 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
TLR would be hired somewhere
everyone else isn’t focusing on his moves the way we do. They’re going to see the number of wins, a couple of rings, and that’s it.
Not saying it’s right, but I believe that there would definitely be interest in him by several teams.
youneverknow
by floodOfLove on Aug 11, 2009 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Giants is who I would see
Close to his home, competitive team and area. That is about the only team I could think that might be a good fit for him, Mets might work but I don’t see him fitting in with the NY Media.
"Come test me every day if you want," says Pujols, "Everything I ever made in this game I would give back to the Cardinals if I got caught."
by StLHugo on Aug 10, 2009 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I would love to see him in NY.
Could you imagine the press conferences.
by cdc81 on Aug 10, 2009 7:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I really, really would want
to sit in on the first meeting between Theo Epstein, TLR and BILL JAMES after the BoSox hire TLR. Somebody’s head would explode, that’s for sure.
by MdRedbirdFreak on Aug 10, 2009 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
for what it's worth
In 1997, at least, when he wrote his book on managers, Bill James considered La Russa to be an excellent manager.
by DanUpBaby on Aug 10, 2009 5:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I wouldn't argue with that
at least not in 1997. Almost all of my displeasure with TLR is from 2007 going forward. I just think the championship changed his attitude for the worse and amplified all his negative attributes.
Those Pilgrims ain't lookin' so proud now...
by giveml on Aug 10, 2009 5:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Although
It’s more likely because you have recent memory of the past few years. I seriously don’t think he’s changed his style much since he’s been with the cards
by saladdays on Aug 10, 2009 5:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I guess you are entitled
to your opinion. I will stand by mine.
Those Pilgrims ain't lookin' so proud now...
by giveml on Aug 10, 2009 5:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, I'm thinking
more about TLR’s tolerance of James.
Though James, who strikes me as a tough guy who is never at a loss for words, wouldn’t be intimidated.
But one way or another, a fun meeting.
by MdRedbirdFreak on Aug 10, 2009 5:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That would make sense
if it wasn’t for the fact that TLR has been in “win now” mode since 1996.
Those Pilgrims ain't lookin' so proud now...
by giveml on Aug 10, 2009 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm going to agree with that.
I got a chance to get out to Springfield and see Sanchez just not too long ago, and oh sweet jesus. The kid is just ridiculous. Plus, he doesn’t walk half the team like Samuel.
I've made a huge tiny mistake.
by the red baron on Aug 10, 2009 1:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Let's trade him for Smoltz, lol j/k
Do you guys see him being aggressively promoted? Guesses on when he reaches the majors?
I’ve been trying to keep better track of our prospects but I don’t think I knew anything about Sanchez until the last month or so.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
by mattybobo on Aug 10, 2009 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Don't feel bad.
He did sort of just jump up, as a lot of relief prospects do, though his numbers last year were very good. As for how soon he gets here, I think sooner than most think, though I don’t think it will be this season, even in September. Personally, I would love to see him get a call in September, just to see what he could do, but I don’t see it happening. He’ll be in big league camp next year, though, and I think he could very well be one of those guys who has the big spring and makes an impression.
ETA: maybe, hmm, May/June 2010?
I've made a huge tiny mistake.
by the red baron on Aug 10, 2009 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I thought your new avatar was frylock in a red coat at first
heh
Positronic Upgraded Juggernaut Optimized for Logical Sabotage
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Aug 10, 2009 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yadi Moolina and Brendan Ryan.
Sorry, we cows have our own lingo, it saves our hooves from all that typing…
;=8)
I hate Jason Marquis!
:=8O
by The MooCow on Aug 10, 2009 10:06 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
REPLY FAIL!!! DOH!!!
I hate Jason Marquis!
:=8O
by The MooCow on Aug 10, 2009 10:07 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You gonna call him Moooooog, then?
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 10, 2009 10:07 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not a bad idea.....
…but it seems very few would udderstand who I am talking about.
I hate Jason Marquis!
:=8O
by The MooCow on Aug 10, 2009 10:08 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Linguistic note. In Thai "moo" means pig. How about, "The cards have made a 'moo' to the pen and summonsed . . .
. . . Welly, Villone, Flores, Izzy etc, etc, etc. . .
An optimist is a man who upon discovering that a rose smells better than a cabbage concludes it will make better soup.
HL Mencken
by akaitori on Aug 10, 2009 10:30 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
AND...
….there are breeds of pigs which have Holstein (black and white splotches) marks!
:=8D
I hate Jason Marquis!
:=8O
by The MooCow on Aug 10, 2009 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Roman Holliday?
I forget what the reference is, but it just popped in the noggin (Bug is a bit random for my tastes) and I felt compelled to throw it out there.
As I think about it, it’s got a nice double entendre:
“Roamin’”.
That’s both country-fied and describes Holliday’s situation of late.
by thepainguy on Aug 10, 2009 11:02 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
This exactly headline was used like 2 weeks ago
Maybe that’s where you heard it?
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
by mysterui on Aug 10, 2009 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I believe that was me...
and it was actually Roman Halladay, discussing the possibility of trading for Roy.
I've made a huge tiny mistake.
by the red baron on Aug 10, 2009 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes
But then we got to commenting last week or the week before and decided that “Roman” might be well co-opted as a nickname for Matt Holliday.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
by bgh on Aug 10, 2009 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Let's just hope that Roman Holliday doens't become a Pyrrhic Victory
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
by mattybobo on Aug 10, 2009 2:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks
But I misspelled “doesn’t” so it feels kind of hollow.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
by mattybobo on Aug 10, 2009 4:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I also won't mention that Pyrrhus was Greek
by thepainguy on Aug 10, 2009 4:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He was a
Moolossian!
;=8)
I hate Jason Marquis!
:=8O
by The MooCow on Aug 10, 2009 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I thought that was understood
I always pair them together. We’re talking about the Classics after all.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
by mattybobo on Aug 10, 2009 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Besides, he fought and won his costly victories against Rome.
That’s a really cool period in history I think.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
by mattybobo on Aug 10, 2009 4:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ah. Gotcha.
I think I missed that.
I've made a huge tiny mistake.
by the red baron on Aug 10, 2009 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Has anyone seen this Fan Made Movie?
It is a fan made movie of the LOTR. It takes places before the trilogy. I expected it to be pretty bad but I enjoyed the LOTR series so watched it. It was actually pretty good and deffinetly didn’t feel like a cheap fan made movie. It is only 40 mins long and worth it if you like LOTR.
Stat Whore
by FlimtotheFlam on Aug 10, 2009 11:11 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Isn't Peter Jackson making a
“Hobbit” movie? Or am I totally wrong on that?
"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 Aug 10, 2009 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
no your right
This is not Peter Jackson though
Stat Whore
by FlimtotheFlam on Aug 10, 2009 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
WSJ had an interesting article about Jackson last week
Yes, he is making The Hobbit. Also collaborating with Spielberg. Pretty interesting stuff to the effect that he has created his own studio essentially.
by OCCardsFan on Aug 10, 2009 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
not wrong, not totally right either
Peter Jackson is collaborating on the screenplay, but opted out of directing. Guillermo Del Toro has taken over the reins as director. Should be an interesting final project.
by mattyp on Aug 10, 2009 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
slightly odd choice of director
I’ll be interested to see it. I think the Hobbit is a better book than the LOTR trilogy, and might actually work better on film, too.
Felonius Monk - bitching to contact since 2008
by Felonius_Monk on Aug 10, 2009 12:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think it's a great choice as a director actually...
He’s done both Hellboy movies and Mimic, which to me makes him a good choice to direct the Hobbit movies since that book is a bit darker than the LOTR trilogy.
"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 Aug 10, 2009 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Didn't he also direct Pan's Labyrinth?
I like the choice too. I’m a tad concerned that the Hobbit movie will end up being (un?)intentionally terrifying or somehow made way darker and more depressing than it should be, but that’s mostly based on my love/hate relationship with Pan’s Labyrinth.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
by mattybobo on Aug 10, 2009 12:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Pan's Labyrinth
is one of my favorite movies. Compelling storyline seemlessly intertwining the imaginary with the real.
Future Redbirds - tracking Cardinal prospects for Cardinal Nation
by azruavatar on Aug 10, 2009 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It's a fantastic movie
I just don’t think I can watch it again. So depressing and horrifying. It managed to make the Spanish Civil War look even worse than I thought.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
by mattybobo on Aug 10, 2009 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
So awesome.
I love that movie.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
by bgh on Aug 10, 2009 2:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
by mysterui on Aug 10, 2009 2:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You're going to get yelled at for no subject line.
I've made a huge tiny mistake.
by the red baron on Aug 10, 2009 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Why would anybody want to minimize that picture, anyways?
Psh
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
by mysterui on Aug 10, 2009 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
no subject line!!
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 10, 2009 4:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
is it possible
for one of the mod’s to edit any of these comments? even so much as to put a … in the subject of huge comments like the one above?
C'mon you Redbirds, lets prove em' wrong, again!
by yer dog first on Aug 10, 2009 5:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
nope
unfortunately there’s no edit function, only delete and hide.
by DanUpBaby on Aug 10, 2009 5:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i've been asking for an edit button since the day i signed up
why doesn’t SBNation like me?
pretzels pretzels pretzels pretzels
by gdm426 on Aug 11, 2009 6:30 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
what the fuck is that thing?
pretzels pretzels pretzels pretzels
by gdm426 on Aug 11, 2009 6:31 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Really?
I have read both The Hobbit and LOTR about 150 times (no exaggeration), and I really remember the Hobbit being more child-friendly. Now, I will admit that I haven’t read the Hobbit in a couple of years, but I do know it was much easier to read and much less dark and foreboding as the LOTR was.
Baseball's only fun if you're playing it, watching it, or thinking about it.
by Eckstreem on Aug 10, 2009 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I always thought that it was much darker
and I’ve read both a couple of different times. With LOTR, you have a quest to rid the world of an evil spirit by dumping the ring, it has it’s terrifying moments, but’s it’s always about the positive quest.
"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 Aug 10, 2009 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
100% agree
The St. Louis Cardinals- 11 time World Champions!
by Zubin on Aug 10, 2009 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hobbit movies since that book is a bit darker than the LOTR trilogy.
Not sure I necessarily agree with that. From the start it was supposed to be a kid’s book and has a touch of the Brothers Grimm about it in places. I really liked the hobbit, though, the writing’s better than in LOTR and it’s not bogged down in Tolkein’s bullshitty faux-Nordic/Celtic fairy languages, Middle Earth lore and attempts to fill the story with synthetic “culture”, as is the case with a lot of his other Middle Earth stuff.
I like the fact that it concentrates on the story, character development and the simple fairytale structure more than his “epic” stuff (I like LOTR but I think it’s technically an inferior book, and I find most of his other stuff that I’ve attempted pretty unreadable).
Felonius Monk - bitching to contact since 2008
by Felonius_Monk on Aug 11, 2009 5:48 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Apparently there are going to be two Hobbit movies
and possibly a third as well.
The feel of The Hobbit is much different that LoTR, so a different director is probably a good thing.
I never would slip you Mickey! It is merely rhinoceros horn. This makes the champagna bubble.
by The Continental on Aug 10, 2009 12:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Guillermo Del Toro = Yeah!
Steven Spielburg = Boo!
:=8/
I hate Jason Marquis!
:=8O
by The MooCow on Aug 10, 2009 1:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
They should get
Steven Spielberg’s Mexican, non-union equivalent.
Shut up, Fritz™.
by Alxfritz on Aug 10, 2009 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Senor Spielbergo? I hear he's very good.
I've made a huge tiny mistake.
by the red baron on Aug 10, 2009 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I Still Think...
…Holiday should be ‘Hitman’ Holiday – ‘cause he’s in the protection racket…
;=8)
I hate Jason Marquis!
:=8O
by The MooCow on Aug 10, 2009 11:14 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Matt "The Hitman" Holliday?
I like it. His finishing move is, of course, the Sharp Shooter.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
by mattybobo on Aug 10, 2009 11:21 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Too bad its taken...
"I'll be glad to have Ryan [Braun] help if he wants to. I'll give him a badge and he can be my deputy." - Doug Melvin
by all4tookie on Aug 10, 2009 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hugely popular poster when I was a little kid
It’s funny—those pants would pass as an acceptable part of the uniform these days.
by olddomination on Aug 10, 2009 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Donnie Baseball is from my hometown, I think I have no less than 8 of these under a bed somewhere
"I'll be glad to have Ryan [Braun] help if he wants to. I'll give him a badge and he can be my deputy." - Doug Melvin
by all4tookie on Aug 10, 2009 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Donnie Baseball
You an Evansville native? Mattingly went to my High School. I still live in E’ville.
by FiedsinEvilleIN on Aug 10, 2009 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Haha, Memorial cake eater are you?
I went to Mater Dei
"I'll be glad to have Ryan [Braun] help if he wants to. I'll give him a badge and he can be my deputy." - Doug Melvin
by all4tookie on Aug 10, 2009 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Could be a different Mater Dei, but
did your teams ever play Priory?
I fear I’ve opened two cans of worms here… one for the St. Louis area high school cliches, the other for admitting which one of said high schools I went to and opening myself up to whatever comes of it.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
by mattybobo on Aug 10, 2009 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
They're talking about E-Ville, IN.
Shut up, Fritz™.
by Alxfritz on Aug 10, 2009 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ahh
There are too many E’villes!
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
by mattybobo on Aug 10, 2009 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I imagined you saying that peeking through thick blinds
with a foil helmet on
"I'll be glad to have Ryan [Braun] help if he wants to. I'll give him a badge and he can be my deputy." - Doug Melvin
by all4tookie on Aug 10, 2009 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Memorial? Yes.....
Cake Eater? Only in the most literal terms of the phrase.
And I hated Mater Dei….mostly for always beating us at everything.
by FiedsinEvilleIN on Aug 10, 2009 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Haha, I was just teasing with you..
..figured you had plenty of west side ammo to toss back. In my playing days, no team was more hated or coach more scorned than Merkel. I hated/hate that guy, haha. Probably didn’t help than Matt Brinkman shut me down every AB, and only carried over into legion season.
"I'll be glad to have Ryan [Braun] help if he wants to. I'll give him a badge and he can be my deputy." - Doug Melvin
by all4tookie on Aug 10, 2009 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Random facebook fact
Facebook doesn’t have a massive listing of towns. So all my friends in small towns in Southern IL have to list Evansville as their hometown. hehe.
by sdrone on Aug 10, 2009 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I TOLD him to shave those sideburn!!!
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
by mattybobo on Aug 10, 2009 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
"Smithers, Have the Rolling Stones Killed!"
“But, Sir – "
“Do it!”
;=8)
I hate Jason Marquis!
:=8O
by The MooCow on Aug 10, 2009 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i think lambert and his teammate
Rick porcello should make regular visits as the first round pitching prospect of seasons past and the first round pitching prospect that might have been.
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 Aug 10, 2009 11:31 AM EDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs
I might've just figured out why Wellemeyer is getting the start
http://www.scribd.com/doc/18348553/Rankings-080909
Who is the very last name that’s a Type B free agent? Why, it’s Todd Wellemeyer! If he pitches decently over his next few starts, he might be able to remain a Type B. If he stays in the bullpen, it’s unlikely that he will.
Either way, he would probably accept arbitration though, and this point would be moot. It’s something to think about, though
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
by mysterui on Aug 10, 2009 11:51 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Also, Joel Pineiro is just off the cusp of being a Type B
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
by mysterui on Aug 10, 2009 11:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i don't think the Cardinal's will offer Arbitration to Wellemeyer regardless of his Elias Ranking
Stat Whore
by FlimtotheFlam on Aug 10, 2009 11:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
They'd be f*cking idiots if they did.
"If I prepare myself, my stuff is good and I'm going to get outs. That is a fact." - Chris Carpenter
by spants on Aug 10, 2009 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh, I totally agree
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
by mysterui on Aug 10, 2009 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nice to see Rasmus
Is one spot ahead of Ross Gload in the 1B/OF column
by olddomination on Aug 10, 2009 12:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Got a text last night from a friend who's a Yanks fan
Apparently Joe Morgan had another gem:
You can’t blame Lester – you can’t pitch a perfect game. No one can.
by mattyp on Aug 10, 2009 12:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I swear that sentence made me look up from the newspaper and say loudly
“WHAT THE F” before I remembered the kids were on the couch.
by sdrone on Aug 10, 2009 12:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He cleaned it up nicely though...explained what he meant..
That even Buerhle, Larsen, etc. made mistakes in their perfect game..he meant that even an uttlerly dominant performance is going to have a few pitches left over the plate, etc.
"I'll be glad to have Ryan [Braun] help if he wants to. I'll give him a badge and he can be my deputy." - Doug Melvin
by all4tookie on Aug 10, 2009 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
ah, then it was some creative out of context editing on my friend's part
I actually assumed that’s what Morgan was saying, even though i didn’t have the benefit of knowing he went on to put it in context. Still, a more thoughtful person—realizing that the term ‘perfect game’ has a specific meaning and resonance w/in baseball—might have chosen something more along the lines of “flawless game” or “game without mistakes.”
by mattyp on Aug 10, 2009 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Trust me, I am ready and waiting at all times to nitpick about how dumb Morgan is..
..but he was ok on that one. What was worse: later, 2nd and 3rd, Swisher up, thinks/fakes getting hit by the pitch – starts running to first base. Morgan (paraphrase): “Must have thought he was still playing for the A’s! Around here people want to hit and don’t care about just getting on base!”
"I'll be glad to have Ryan [Braun] help if he wants to. I'll give him a badge and he can be my deputy." - Doug Melvin
by all4tookie on Aug 10, 2009 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
heard that too...
followed by something like “You wanna drive those runs in; why is he complaining of being hit?”
Um, maybe because he gets on base that way? I dunno.
by goodymobb on Aug 10, 2009 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It's as though
He doesn’t recognize that bases loaded 2 outs is better than 2nd/3rd 2 outs.
Not afraid to nitpick
by joker24 on Aug 10, 2009 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
is it?
creates a force at every base, possibly leading to an easier FC. of course it also means a BB leads to a run and is an extra run on most XBH. but the chances of an out are higher.
by STLRegalia on Aug 10, 2009 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think what joker
is alluding to is that the probability of scoring a run (or more) is greater with the sacks jammed and two outs (77.9%) than with runners at second and third (58.1%).
Those Pilgrims ain't lookin' so proud now...
by giveml on Aug 10, 2009 3:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If it was better to have bases loaded than 2nd and 3rd
you should walk the hitter every time. Baserunners are hugely valuable – the force play only slightly makes an out more probable.
"I'll be glad to have Ryan [Braun] help if he wants to. I'll give him a badge and he can be my deputy." - Doug Melvin
by all4tookie on Aug 10, 2009 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm not saying it's better
the %‘s giveml provided show a pretty big difference, I just don’t think it’s that detrimental to the situation, especially if you factor in righy/lefty matchups or if Pujols is up with runners on 2nd & 3rd two outs. the force play only slightly makes an out more probable, but an out is still almost always more probable than a hit/walk/error (unless it’s pujols).
by STLRegalia on Aug 10, 2009 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No disrespect to Matt Holliday
but the run probability when Albert is up with runners on second and third and two out should be zero. Run probabilities aside, I would walk Pujols every time.
I know you weren’t arguing that, just sayin’.
Those Pilgrims ain't lookin' so proud now...
by giveml on Aug 10, 2009 5:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I would also walk Pujols every time, if I pitched in the majors
and I mean EVERY time. I have a fear of being eliminated.
by STLRegalia on Aug 10, 2009 6:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Which, IMO, is silly
since no one is measuring “pitches left over the plate.”
by sdrone on Aug 10, 2009 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If DeRosa is out again with back problems
What gem will they have at third base today?
Thurston?
Greene?
(Ryan is too much to ask for, I assume)
by olddomination on Aug 10, 2009 12:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
would you rather have
Greene, Ryan, Schu, Pujols
or
Ryan, Lugo, Schu, Pujols
?
From an O standpoint the second may be better but from a pure defensive standpoint…Ill take 1 any day.
"Come test me every day if you want," says Pujols, "Everything I ever made in this game I would give back to the Cardinals if I got caught."
by StLHugo on Aug 10, 2009 5:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I Think the Problem Really is a Larussa AND Duncan Problem
I think Larussa and Duncan don’t work well younger players, and particularly pitchers. They don’t trust them and they don’t give them the support and communication they often need to thrive. Also, they make snap judgements about makeup, attitude, etc.
You see this in stories, interviews, and quotes all the time. Repeatedly, rookie players are sent down, and say Larussa never said anything to them about it. some say Larussa never talked to them while they were up with the team.
A few years ago, at a Cardinal Caravan, my dad sat and talked with a Cardinal minor league pitcher, one who was a name prospect at the time, and he said quite openly, that the Cardinal minor league pitchers were all pretty demoralized, that they all knew their only chance at a major league career was to get traded.
Larussa and Duncan do a lot well, but this is not one of the things they do well.
Also, all managers in a pennant race would rather lose with a “Proven Veteran” than a rookie. You throw a veteran with some record of success out there, and the press and ownership are less likely to blame you if you lose than if you go with kid no one has ever heard of.
by tarakas on Aug 10, 2009 12:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
especially when the last young pitcher you threw out there no longer pitches...
unless, of course, you count kinney and wainwright in ’06
by STLRegalia on Aug 10, 2009 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good point. Has Ank (as a pitcher) ever commented on how he was treated by TLR? No stats, but I think Tony was rather patient - maybe out of guilt??
An optimist is a man who upon discovering that a rose smells better than a cabbage concludes it will make better soup.
HL Mencken
by akaitori on Aug 10, 2009 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
or ARey that same year
"Come test me every day if you want," says Pujols, "Everything I ever made in this game I would give back to the Cardinals if I got caught."
by StLHugo on Aug 10, 2009 5:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think this is a Mo "Problem"
Mo has mentioned wanting to get Welly more of a look before making a decision last week. And he really hasn’t had a chance. I think if Welly doesn’t pitch well tomorrow he might be DFA.
Also; Duncan didn’t want to trade ….. for Mulder and Tony thrusted a Rookie into the Closer roll durring the end of a pennant and world seasion.
I do think there is do think there is a higher level of trust for Veteran pitchers. But that’s a trait that is shared by ALL managers.
by Evilfrog on Aug 10, 2009 12:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
very unusual
But Shane Victorino was ejected by the plate umpire yesterday for protesting a ball strike call from centerfield. He threw up his hands in disgust and yelled something from the outfield after the ump called a ball what he thought was a strike to an opposing batter.
The ump promptly ejected him.
by ridgesee on Aug 10, 2009 12:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
That's awesome.
"If I prepare myself, my stuff is good and I'm going to get outs. That is a fact." - Chris Carpenter
by spants on Aug 10, 2009 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
How so?
"If I prepare myself, my stuff is good and I'm going to get outs. That is a fact." - Chris Carpenter
by spants on Aug 10, 2009 12:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ejecting the center fielder?
Seems a bit petty, no?
VivaElBirdos...Scoring less, but more frequently since approximately 1903.
by redbirdnation8206 on Aug 10, 2009 12:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He yelled at the ump from CF.
That is petty. You cannot argue balls and strikes.
"If I prepare myself, my stuff is good and I'm going to get outs. That is a fact." - Chris Carpenter
by spants on Aug 10, 2009 12:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, but he's in CENTER FIELD!
Why does the umpire care what the CF’er is yelling and hooting about? Of course you can’t argue balls and strikes, but at that time Victorino was not hitting, pitching, catching, or managing, so who cares what he’s yelling about? The home plate umpire should have a thick enough skin or at least enough an ego to not-give-a-shit what some dude 355 feet away yells. You could argue he shouldn’t be paying attention anyway. This is a pretty petty move, plain and simple. Players yell at umps from the field all the time, and this is the first I’ve ever heard of a fielder getting tossed.
VivaElBirdos...Scoring less, but more frequently since approximately 1903.
by redbirdnation8206 on Aug 10, 2009 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
This was
in the 7th inning. Victorino likely had previously had words with the ump. If he’d complained during at-bats already and been warned to knock it off and then yelled at the ump from the field, I could see why the ump would feel justified in tossing him.
THEN, he rushes in and acts like a lunatic.
Said Victorino: “Things got built up from the half-inning before that.”
"If I prepare myself, my stuff is good and I'm going to get outs. That is a fact." - Chris Carpenter
by spants on Aug 10, 2009 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And this is what the ump said:
“The third pitch was called a ball, and he was out there waving his arms like this,” said Rapuano, imitating Victorino. “So I stepped out, took my mask off, looked out there and gestured. Again, he went [waving his arms] and I said that’s it. You can’t do that from center field. I gave him the chance to not do it again.”
"If I prepare myself, my stuff is good and I'm going to get outs. That is a fact." - Chris Carpenter
by spants on Aug 10, 2009 12:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Even....
…a fan can be ejected for arguing with an ump on balls and strikes – I remember it happening a couple of times.
I hate Jason Marquis!
:=8O
by The MooCow on Aug 10, 2009 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If the umps paid attention to every player and coach who yells/gestures at calls
nearly every player would be ejected by the end of the game.
Sometimes umps need some common sense to ignore certain things that would otherwise go completely unnoticed.
Yeah if a batter/catcher/pitcher starts acting up then there’s a problem, but otherwise be strong enough to let it go.
by bailorg on Aug 10, 2009 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I wonder how I would do at work
50+ people I was working for only yelled at me for screwing up and never complimented me on a good job, while thousands others watched and yelled from both sides of the aisle?
by STLRegalia on Aug 10, 2009 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, considering it's a job
where you have no other penalty for doing your job badly or making mistakes, I think many people would take it.
Seriously, if most people made as many mistakes on their job as umpires do, they wouldn’t have their jobs for very long.
Especially nowadays when they can easily be replaced by machines.
by DiscoJer on Aug 10, 2009 5:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
how would a machine call a check swing?
a tag at a base/home plate? Maybe this is just a running joke I haven’t caught on to, but is there really technology to even call balls and strikes for each, different sized, hitter? I know they have gameday and k-zone type things, but the ability to put it on the field?
do we know they aren’t penalized for their mistakes? Being an umpire is a job just like being an accountant is a job, but can an accountant be an umpire? can a janitor be an engineer?
by STLRegalia on Aug 10, 2009 6:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Shane Victorino annoys the hell out of me.
Taking his WS ring to UFC 101 and flashing it on camera — just a total tool.
Future Redbirds - tracking Cardinal prospects for Cardinal Nation
by azruavatar on Aug 10, 2009 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Im glad im not the only one who thought that
it was a pretty douche move
"People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring" -Rogers Hornsby
by stlwcards on Aug 10, 2009 1:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If I won a world series ring, then both of you guys would call me a douche forever
because I would be blingin’ that thing absolutely everywhere!
Baseball's only fun if you're playing it, watching it, or thinking about it.
by Eckstreem on Aug 10, 2009 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Couldn't disagree more
You’re sitting ringside at UFC (and next to Randy Couture no less) to be flashy and how are you going to get flashier than the WS ring. If I had one I totally would have done the same thing.
Not afraid to nitpick
by joker24 on Aug 10, 2009 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think it's the whole
sitting beside Randy Couture and subsequently having to flash the ring that’s getting people’s goat here. Although I wouldn’t have a problem if somebody hit Randy Couture with the Stanley Cup, but that’s just me.
"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 Aug 10, 2009 6:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I can't believe Couture still headlines events.
I don’t want to watch people hit each other with their walkers!
Future Redbirds - tracking Cardinal prospects for Cardinal Nation
by azruavatar on Aug 10, 2009 7:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'll say it again
The sooner we figure out how to eliminate umpires from the game, the better the game will be.
by sdrone on Aug 10, 2009 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
agree
or at elast take them down a notch. The next game this guy umpires should be in AAA.
it's Clydesdales vs Goats. Actually sums up Cards vs. Cubs quite nicely. -all4tookie
by SleepyCA on Aug 10, 2009 3:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
what I don't like
Is there is no real review system for the umpires. They don’t sit down and watch the #!$#) gems that make it on sportscenter.
We joke about them being on the take… how do we know they’re not? I mean, someone tell me there’s some active review process during the season.
IMO if we’re really serious about the integrity of the game, that comes before steroids and instant replay.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 10, 2009 4:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I thought there was a review system?
can’t remember what it’s called, but I have some quasi-memory of hearing about one.
by STLRegalia on Aug 10, 2009 4:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That thing Schilling was always pissed about...
Ques-tech or something. Its officially over.
"I'll be glad to have Ryan [Braun] help if he wants to. I'll give him a badge and he can be my deputy." - Doug Melvin
by all4tookie on Aug 10, 2009 4:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
cool
I have googling to do.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 10, 2009 4:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
aha. no, that's not what I meant.
I mean, if this is some closed society of umpires, do they literally sit down with each other and critique the other crews?
In every other judging situation that requires measured results for subjective things, the only way to standardize judgments is to review them. In person. Until everyone makes the same call every time.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 10, 2009 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
with the fine tooted comb
everyone is running through Major League Baseball, I doubt any umpire pocket fattening scandal could exist.
by STLRegalia on Aug 10, 2009 4:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
open a window
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 10, 2009 4:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
They're reviewed
after every game. Since the NBA ref scandal, they have investigators check on them.
"If I prepare myself, my stuff is good and I'm going to get outs. That is a fact." - Chris Carpenter
by spants on Aug 10, 2009 5:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
thanks spants
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 10, 2009 5:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Talking of the NBA...
you think MLB umps are bad, I think they take it to a whole other level. Honestly, I feel the standard of officiating is pretty good in baseball. Ball/strike calls are sometimes poor but I feel that the umpires are generally consistent – I don’t mind if they have a tight or a wide zone, as long as they’re calling the same strikes for both teams.
I also feel, compared to other sports, that baseball umpires have a tough job on all the non-ball/strike calls they have to make (close plays on the basepaths, balks, fair/foul balls etc) and get the vast majority of them correct. For example, they do a much better job of officiating (IMO) than cricket umpires, who, although they have more decisions to make, typically get 2 or 3 downright wrong every single game.
Felonius Monk - bitching to contact since 2008
by Felonius_Monk on Aug 11, 2009 6:00 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The NBA
has the worst officiating outside of, well, college basketball, so perhaps that’s part of the problem. David Stern has done nothing to address the issues with the NBA officiating since the Donaghy scandal a couple of years ago except to appoint Stu Jackson to “oversee” the league’s officials, whatever the hell that is. As an NBA and basketball fan it irks me that this is not given more scrutiny by the media, for one, and that the league itself hasn’t come up with measures to ensure the fairness and quality of the contests. Five simple things would improve things drastically:
- Mandatory retirement at age 55 for all referees, and a lifetime pension package for anyone with 5 years experience in the league. That should include pretty much everyone, and keep 70 year old referee’s from influencing key games when it’s clear they can’t keep up with the action anymore.
- Referees work in teams of 4 (3 on the floor, one scoring official) and ALWAYS work with the same team of 4. None of this “All-Star” officiating coverage for the playoffs, it’s patently ridiculous that the commissioner’s office can choose the officials for EACH game of a series, speaking of which….
- The same officials work all the games of a 7 game playoff series. If you take care of #1, there shouldn’t be any need to shuffle ref’s on and off in between games. This way games are called the same each game and teams don’t have to adjust for the first quarter of each half as to how the game is being called.
- Officials should be scored at the NBA and D-League levels, with the 5 worst officials going down to the D-League at the end of every season, and the 5 best D-League officials coming up. You also create a nice training ground for officials at the D-League. This is how English Premier Soccer does it if I’m not mistaken, and it’s worked very well for them.
- If an official blatantly shows his indifference towards a team or a player (like Joe Crawford asking Tim Duncan to “step outside” and then ejecting him from a game a few years ago), than that official is severely reprimanded and faces suspension and punishment, as well as making sure that he doesn’t work any more of that player’s games.
"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 Aug 11, 2009 9:54 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I believe that there may be someundelying memes pushing Welle out there.
TLR has said here that Hawk has become more and more important in the pen.
The only way to recall Boggs is to ship some one out. Any body that is sent down is unavailable for 10 days, so I believe that, even though they aren’t saying it, this is the best way to keep the roster intact. If Welley blows up, then DFA him (which admittedly I wish had happened long ago).
Philles announcers about Toronto:
"Well they go out West after this series, this weekend, against the Tampa Bay Rays"
by RiverRat on Aug 10, 2009 12:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
"in hawksworth case,
he’s pitched well but our rh bullpen needs somebody like him who’s pitching effectively so, we really hesitate to mess with that"—tlr.
well tony, we better hurry and get carp and wainwright to the pen, if relievers have now became more valuable than starters.
by ball in play on Aug 10, 2009 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hey, there is some logic to that.
We really only need a 5th starter a couple of times this month. Hawk may mean more to the team in the ’pen right now than he would be in the 5th starter role.
Baseball's only fun if you're playing it, watching it, or thinking about it.
by Eckstreem on Aug 10, 2009 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
hawks has entered…..down 2, down 5, tied, down 5, down 4, down 3, down 3, down 8, ahead 7, down 2, down 3, down 5.
it’s a mop-up role hawks is filling.
welly is better suited for these innings, for me, until “effective” and “wellemeyer” can be mentioned in the same sentence.
by ball in play on Aug 10, 2009 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm not arguing that point.
I am saying that Hawks has more POTENTIAL to be good for the team if he is used out of the ‘pen. Now, if Tony still uses him in low-leverage spots, then that is a misuse of the resource. Personally, I wouldn’t be suprised if Hawks were used in higher leverage situations and Motte gets demoted to mop-up. Tony seems to be losing his faith in Motte lately.
Baseball's only fun if you're playing it, watching it, or thinking about it.
by Eckstreem on Aug 10, 2009 2:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
yes
tlr is trying to find these type of appearances where motte can continue to develop his pitches at the mlb level.
ahead by 4, two outs needed for a win, mottes last outing.
if a 5th isn’t needed, then both welly and hawks are available from the pen, no resource wasted.
if a 5th is needed, i’d prefer tlr go with the guy he is currently evaluating as “pitching effectively”.
since a GS has higher value to me, than a “when behind” relief appearance, i feel like a resource is already being wasted.
what’s to lose? welly gets his rotation spot back if hawks isn’t effective?
i’ve soured on welly beyond hope :(
by ball in play on Aug 10, 2009 2:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
So it Would Seem...
:=8/
I hate Jason Marquis!
:=8O
by The MooCow on Aug 10, 2009 3:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was able to watch most of yesterday's game, but was not able to stop by the game threads
Was there a consensus about the Albert HBP and Capps ejection? It seemed kind of strange to me. I’m sure emotions were running high and everything, but I was kind of surprised he was thrown out so quickly.
Also, Albert is scary when he’s angry. I feared an ELIMINATE override in his system would lead to trouble but I think that visit to the clubhouse cooling unit calmed him down.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
by mattybobo on Aug 10, 2009 12:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
for a few seconds
I thought he would eliminate him, because he was still holding the bat. After a second, he remembered he was holding it, and tossed it aside. Albert also went down into the dugout to replace his gum and perhaps cool himself off. He was cracking a smile, then he’d go back to scowling, and the guys were joking with him (though I still laugh nervously as Backslapper DeRosa gives him a friendly pat… after being drilled in the back).
Capps, yes, threw out an F bomb, but it seemed so staged to me. He only did it when Albert looked up and glared. Just comparing that second’s hesitation to Marquis’s accidental concussion special makes it look phony.
Tony, of course, saw something going down from the opposing dugout, but no one believes it because he said it in LaRussa-Cryptic. Some surmise it was the pitching coach.
(Apparently Skip ruining the odds of 80 PH at-bats with that home run pissed someone off.)
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 10, 2009 4:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I told you all why Wellemeyer is starting
they can’t call anyone up because if they did, they would have to either:
a) send down Hawk and lose him for 10 days
b) release Thurston, Thompson or Wellemeyer
And ‘b’ is sure as hell not happening. Tony is going to lose one of his ‘guys’.
by Hardcore Legend on Aug 10, 2009 12:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
What is your e-mail HL
I wanted to ask you a question about your T-shirt
Stat Whore
by FlimtotheFlam on Aug 10, 2009 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Is Thurston one of his guys or did he keep playing him b/c all the other 3rd base options failed or got hurt?
VivaElBirdos...Scoring less, but more frequently since approximately 1903.
by redbirdnation8206 on Aug 10, 2009 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Can we release Thompson while he is suspended?
or is his suspension over?
Baseball's only fun if you're playing it, watching it, or thinking about it.
by Eckstreem on Aug 10, 2009 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
His suspsension is under appeal, as I understand it
Chlorophyll? More like borophyll!
by jd is legend on Aug 10, 2009 2:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Until He Kicks That Puppy!
:=8)
I hate Jason Marquis!
:=8O
by The MooCow on Aug 10, 2009 3:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
IMO the Thurston thing has now reached the point of mindf&#k
There’s no logic to it.
It’s just Tony showing that he’s still the man.
by thepainguy on Aug 10, 2009 1:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
if you say so
how many games has he started since all the trades? what are his pinch hit numbers since the trade? do you want the 13 man pitching staff back?
by STLRegalia on Aug 10, 2009 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
A1: too many
A2: August stats – 2 singles in 7 AB; no walks (or a .286/.286/.286 line)
A3: not really; how about allen craig or jon jay? david freese?
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 Aug 10, 2009 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
while I have the august stats open - check the post-slump albert.
.407/.500/.817 for an ops of 1.315 and a wOBA of .546.
say it together class: “ALBERT PUJOLS IS RIDICULOUS”
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 Aug 10, 2009 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
slg= .815, not .817. sorry.
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 Aug 10, 2009 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Post-slump Albert is the best
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
by mattybobo on Aug 10, 2009 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Post-slump Albert doesn't exist.
Because slump Albert never existed. Do you need some time in room 101?
"I'll be glad to have Ryan [Braun] help if he wants to. I'll give him a badge and he can be my deputy." - Doug Melvin
by all4tookie on Aug 10, 2009 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
OH, see, what I meant was...
in certain small samples, to the human observer anyway, Albert’s production can very much resemble a “slump”. However, most theories posit that this is not the case. Some baseball thinkers believe that he is merely targeting his production for certain situations in His Wisdom. Therefore the periods directly preceding these precision offensive attacks appear to be “slumps” by comparison. “Post-slump Albert” is merely ironic shorthand for “Albert when he decides he really just needs to kill the other team for a while”.
As my signature points out, there is no such thing as “down” Albert Pujols, especially at the more easily measured full-season scale, because down-ness could imply bad-ness, and Albert Pujols does not play baseball badly.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
by mattybobo on Aug 10, 2009 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
haha you must have worked in the Ministry of Truth
"I'll be glad to have Ryan [Braun] help if he wants to. I'll give him a badge and he can be my deputy." - Doug Melvin
by all4tookie on Aug 10, 2009 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Is that like the Ministry of Magic?
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
by mysterui on Aug 10, 2009 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No amount of whitewash covers up heresy
The only option is to repent and accept your penance.
by thepainguy on Aug 10, 2009 4:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
oceania has always been at war with east asia
Of course, hope means being cut down on some street corner, as you run like mad, by a random bullet.
by prophetjohn on Aug 10, 2009 3:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
but if they call up one of those guys, and they suck, who will be everybody’s new whipping boy? Thurston does a great job of filling the offensive scapegoat position.
by STLRegalia on Aug 10, 2009 3:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
so, we should never call anybody up just in case they suck? not because they are
having success?
and i don’t think the board generally has a problem recognizing good performance. brendan ryan has gone from being poorly regarded to being well liked. thurston’s offensive performance has been horrendous for months. the only reason to have him before was that the alternatives were limited. with freese returning from his injuries, derosa on the squad, and allen craig hitting, there’s no reason to keep him around.
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 Aug 10, 2009 3:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm not saying that Thurston is good
He is hardly seeing the field/plate at this point, so why bring somebody up that can play everyday in the minors? If derosa or another everyday player gets hurt, then sure, but if not why bring them up to ride the pine?
by STLRegalia on Aug 10, 2009 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
because then we might be able to use them instead of thurston or ankiel.
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 Aug 10, 2009 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
ok. do you have any logic to apply here or just an unsupported dismissal?
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 Aug 10, 2009 3:51 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
my logic
was the small number of at bats. There’s no way TLR will give away any at bats of ankiel’s that he doesn’t have to, so the only available ones will be Thurston’s. It’s probably better for Freese, Craig, et al to get consistent at bats instead of coming up and pinch hitting once every other game. especially Freese, who’s coming off an injury.
by STLRegalia on Aug 10, 2009 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed that it is best for the players
to get consistent ABs in order to develop, but what is best for the parent club in a pennant race trumps that.
Those Pilgrims ain't lookin' so proud now...
by giveml on Aug 10, 2009 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
neither craig nor jay really figure in the club's plans beyond
being a bench player, so not sure we’re really hurting their prospects by calling them up to see how they handle their potential role.
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 Aug 10, 2009 4:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
fair enough
but how many games would they have won if one of those guys goes 3,4, or 5 for 7 instead of 2/7?
there’s always september.
by STLRegalia on Aug 10, 2009 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
silly argument.
no, the fifth bench guy isn’t going to win you 10 games a year — although i remember thurston getting a couple high-leverage PAs recently. that doesn’t mean that you should put just anybody in the slot, if you have a better player available.
sure, we could put the bat boy up for 7 PAs. would it lose the club seven games? probably not. is it good baseball? no. you look for an advantage wherever you can find it.
right now with rasmus injured/sick, i’d like a better defensive OF on the bench. i’d rather see allen craig or david freese get some innings at third and some ML PA’s. i’d rather see mark hamilton be our designated LH pinch-hitter. all of these guys would be better than joe thurston, most likely.
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 Aug 10, 2009 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
you're probably right
unfortunately, neither you nor I get to decide. Everyone hopes that the above mentioned names would produce better than Thurston, but nobody will ever know.
by STLRegalia on Aug 10, 2009 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
but if they call up one of those guys, and they suck, who will be everybody’s new whipping boy? Thurston does a great job of filling the offensive scapegoat position.
I am very much concerned that DeRosa has been filling that void in some people’s eyes over the last week or so. That makes me sad, because I love DeRosa and I want to have his babies.
Felonius Monk - bitching to contact since 2008
by Felonius_Monk on Aug 11, 2009 6:05 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
[writes it down.... "have his babies"....]
I haven’t seen a lot of negativity about DeRosa. I just think he’s too short.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 12, 2009 8:58 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Youngest AA and AAA
We currently have the youngest AA and AAA teams in baseball.
With the average age of AA being 23.1 and AAA being 25.4
Stat Whore
by FlimtotheFlam on Aug 10, 2009 1:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Wasn't there a crazy amount of promotion through the minors this year?
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
by mattybobo on Aug 10, 2009 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That is is general policy
Up or out.
by thepainguy on Aug 10, 2009 4:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That the the general policy?
"I'll be glad to have Ryan [Braun] help if he wants to. I'll give him a badge and he can be my deputy." - Doug Melvin
by all4tookie on Aug 10, 2009 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
It has been under Luhnow and Moz
Can somebody find the link to the interview with Luhnow from back in the spring where he talks about aggressive promotion of prospects? If you can pitch or hit at a certain level, they organization is bound and determined to get you to a level where you are challenged so they can see what your made of AND get more and more help/trade bait to the top of the system sooner. It makes a lot of sense if you ask me — I actually would have expected Lance Lynn to get promoted to AAA before the end of the year considering how well he’s thrown at Springfield.
"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 Aug 10, 2009 6:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Possible downside?
It sounds pretty smart overall. But wouldn’t the aggressive promotion expose certain prospects early, thus killing their value in a trade? Obviously trading off prospects with deceptive “value” is not priority 1 in a farm system but I was just wondering if my thought process here makes any sense.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
by mattybobo on Aug 10, 2009 6:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think your thought process makes sense
I’m just not sure that they’re “overpromoting” guys, they’re just promoting them to where they think they’ll be challenged, which to me does a few things:
- Tells us how good they make adjustments as the competition gets tougher.
- Tells us how talented they truly are.
- Gets the organization to a make or break point earlier in a career, shuttling prospects out quickly if they aren’t perceived to being able to “make it” at the big league level, or being able to make trades using those players to acquire talent when the team is in a “win-now” mode without depriving the whole system of all it’s talent.
"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 Aug 10, 2009 7:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think in particular
Adam Ottavino and Pete Kozma have been hurt (perhaps just in their perceived value, but perhaps also in their development) by being moved up at least one level too high. I suspect if Ottavino had stayed in AA this year and found his feet a little, he might’ve been able (with the whole “1st rounder” tag, plus some decent minor-league results) to be included in one of the trades we made this year, letting us keep maybe a Todd or a Mortensen.
Felonius Monk - bitching to contact since 2008
by Felonius_Monk on Aug 11, 2009 6:09 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
haha, my comment was a literal translation of the edit he made, not a snarky dig
"I'll be glad to have Ryan [Braun] help if he wants to. I'll give him a badge and he can be my deputy." - Doug Melvin
by all4tookie on Aug 10, 2009 6:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was curious about something
I took a browse through the fangrphs pages of Joe Thurston and Abraham Nuñez for comparison. I originally thought they might be pretty similar; they both ended up filling in primarily at 3B for a competitive Cardinals team, and neither one was exactly a superstar. I thought, maybe Thurston is this year’s Nuñez, only we hate him instead of admire his decent job of filling in (that is my memory of Nuñez anyway).
Well, it turns out that’s not a very good comparison, at all. Nuñez played a lot more, and was a lot better. He managed to put together his best year offensively, with a not-that-much-below-average wOBA of .311 (in fact, it seems he had career highs in lots of stats, including a .326 BABIP and LD% over 25) and got on base at an above average clip of .343 (remember when Thurston was at least getting on base? Sigh…).
However, maybe Nuñez was the lucky version of Joe Thurston?
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
by mattybobo on Aug 10, 2009 1:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Nuñez ruled.
Tilde + Hustle = Awesomeness.
Shut up, Fritz™.
by Alxfritz on Aug 10, 2009 1:22 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
I loved the guy
It was a hell of a time to have a career year.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
by mattybobo on Aug 10, 2009 1:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Heh.....
….he said Tilde…
;=8)
I hate Jason Marquis!
:=8O
by The MooCow on Aug 10, 2009 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You must have loved
Viña then
"I'll be glad to have Ryan [Braun] help if he wants to. I'll give him a badge and he can be my deputy." - Doug Melvin
by all4tookie on Aug 10, 2009 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Viña was pretty good in 2000 and 2001
Never lit the world on fire or anything.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
by mattybobo on Aug 10, 2009 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I liked him back in the day
Kind of like a poor man’s Biggio. Selective memory recalls him always willing to take one for the team.
"I'll be glad to have Ryan [Braun] help if he wants to. I'll give him a badge and he can be my deputy." - Doug Melvin
by all4tookie on Aug 10, 2009 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
not selective memory
he always leaned into the pitches to get hit. Got bitched at a lot because of it (from other teams)
"How depressing is it being you? Would you equate it to being a lifelong Cubs fan?"
by rocKStark5 on Aug 10, 2009 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
plunked 28 times in 2000; 22 times in 2001.
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 Aug 10, 2009 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And to that I say F you, cognitive dissonance
Unlike you statnerds out there I’ve been actually watching the games
"I'll be glad to have Ryan [Braun] help if he wants to. I'll give him a badge and he can be my deputy." - Doug Melvin
by all4tookie on Aug 10, 2009 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
there are GAMES?
Felonius Monk - bitching to contact since 2008
by Felonius_Monk on Aug 11, 2009 6:10 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
he didn't lean in
he stuck his thigh out
by BirdsonFire on Aug 10, 2009 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
could we build an all-tilde team, like we built an all-ex-Pirates team?
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 10, 2009 4:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
2b Fernando Viña
CF wily mo Peña
1b Carlos Peña
RF Magglio Ordoñez
LF Roger Cedeño
C Tony Peña
3B Abraham Nuñez
SS Rey Ordoñez
P Jo-EL Piñata
"How depressing is it being you? Would you equate it to being a lifelong Cubs fan?"
by rocKStark5 on Aug 10, 2009 5:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
....that would be pretty sweet.
Now pit them against the ex-Pirates team, and we might have something here!
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 10, 2009 5:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
ex-Pirates team
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 10, 2009 5:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
How do they stack up against
The all in the family team?
"I'll be glad to have Ryan [Braun] help if he wants to. I'll give him a badge and he can be my deputy." - Doug Melvin
by all4tookie on Aug 10, 2009 5:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
if you throw in the Mets on the DL team
This smells like a tournament. Who knows how to run these things?
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 10, 2009 6:03 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
This thread is awesome.
We’d have to iron out the particulars of the Team Brothers, but this could be fun.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
by mattybobo on Aug 10, 2009 6:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
the question never before considered
Which team do the LaRoches play for?
[…waits]
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 10, 2009 6:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i c wut u did ther
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
by mattybobo on Aug 10, 2009 6:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
VEB Day Aug. 15?
who’s going, where are we meeting, where should I buy tickets, yada yada yada
dang, I didn’t have time to read that yet danup, but it’s rec’d for that pic of welley, hahaha!
Positronic Upgraded Juggernaut Optimized for Logical Sabotage
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Aug 10, 2009 2:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
i like "contemptible snark-jockey."
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 Aug 10, 2009 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just got an All-Inclusive email
Crap. You can get 50% off All-Inclusive seats for Sunday the 16th’s game vs. SD. I haven’t seen any deals yet for the 15th (and given that it’s a SAT, I’m not sure we’ll get any).
by goodymobb on Aug 10, 2009 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i have tried signing up for the email list
But have never gotten anything like these before
Stat Whore
by FlimtotheFlam on Aug 10, 2009 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
there won't be anything for Saturday
Sunday is the only discount day this weekend from what I understand.
"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 Aug 10, 2009 6:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
this is what I read
The battle for the NL Central is heating up – for every win the Cardinals get against the Reds and Padres August 10-16, you can take $6 off OF Loge Box seats for the August 25-27 games vs. the Astros.
Normal price for OF Loge Box is $34 — so if the Cards sweep the six games, your tickets are free! With a 5-1 homestand, it’s a $30 discount, making the tickets just $4, and so on.
by STLRegalia on Aug 10, 2009 6:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
P.S Shot you an e-mail
Stat Whore
by FlimtotheFlam on Aug 10, 2009 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Is there gonna be a "catch-all"
for bar/meeting info, etc.?
If so and I missed it, my apologies…I’ve been away from here for like 2 weeks. However, I did manage to snap some pics of a dude (me) rocking Cards gear after climbing effin’ Pike’s Peak!
by goodymobb on Aug 10, 2009 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Once i figure out my own tickets
I will put up a the final catch all
Stat Whore
by FlimtotheFlam on Aug 10, 2009 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
can you get me a ticket
I emailed you about what happened
Positronic Upgraded Juggernaut Optimized for Logical Sabotage
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Aug 10, 2009 3:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
errr
Check your email
Stat Whore
by FlimtotheFlam on Aug 10, 2009 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
ok
I am the proud owner of a bleacher seat ticket now!
Positronic Upgraded Juggernaut Optimized for Logical Sabotage
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Aug 10, 2009 3:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I thought that it was going to sell out soon
Positronic Upgraded Juggernaut Optimized for Logical Sabotage
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Aug 10, 2009 3:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Pike's Peak, eh?
I’m on vacation in Breckenridge right now. Fancy that there coincidence and whatnot.
by mojowo11 on Aug 10, 2009 5:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I put up a Final Fanpost for this
Stat Whore
by FlimtotheFlam on Aug 10, 2009 5:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Dear world:
Rick Ankiel is still not very good at baseball.
July 2008: .250/.278/.441
August 2008: .214/.267/.286
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 Aug 10, 2009 2:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Assume you meant 2009?
And you don’t even need to break it down by month, his season long line is terrible too: .238/.290/.404/.694 (OPS+ of 82)
"I'll be glad to have Ryan [Braun] help if he wants to. I'll give him a badge and he can be my deputy." - Doug Melvin
by all4tookie on Aug 10, 2009 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
sorry, yes. still working on my coffee for the day.
i used the recent month stats in case people really think he’s “turned it around.” that was a once common meme when he had a three-hit game in late July.
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 Aug 10, 2009 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
but he's streaky! get him back in there! he's due!
"I'll be glad to have Ryan [Braun] help if he wants to. I'll give him a badge and he can be my deputy." - Doug Melvin
by all4tookie on Aug 10, 2009 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
ZOMG! HOT HAND! INTANGIBLE! HUSTLE! CAN YOU SMELL WHAT THE RICK IS
COOKING!?!
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 Aug 10, 2009 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And if he's on one of his (seldom) hot streaks
We can’t take him out! He’s tearing the cover off the ball!
Chlorophyll? More like borophyll!
by jd is legend on Aug 10, 2009 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
did you know he used to be a pitcher?????
"I'll be glad to have Ryan [Braun] help if he wants to. I'll give him a badge and he can be my deputy." - Doug Melvin
by all4tookie on Aug 10, 2009 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
This could only be better
if he used to be a punter and/or a hockey player in high school
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
by mattybobo on Aug 10, 2009 2:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
His role on his high school's hockey team was punter
Chlorophyll? More like borophyll!
by jd is legend on Aug 10, 2009 3:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Specialty was kick saves?
I heard he was the first guy to roundhouse kick a guy with his skate
"I'll be glad to have Ryan [Braun] help if he wants to. I'll give him a badge and he can be my deputy." - Doug Melvin
by all4tookie on Aug 10, 2009 3:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That's what I like to see in a BALL PLAYER
He grits his way through non-baseball related situations, and that’s called playing the game the right way.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
by mattybobo on Aug 10, 2009 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
that makes me think of the time dave concepcion and i
were forced to play game 3 of the LCS on a hockey rink, with a puck. we put on the hit and run and you know what i bunted that puck and dave concepcion was already running and the puck skidded on the ice down the third base line, and past the zamboni, and i had an inside the rink bunt home run.
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 Aug 10, 2009 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
That's how the game is supposed to be played.
You could have taken a walk, but that would have just clogged up the blue line. And walking with skates on is kinda weird if you’re on ice, so that kills your speed game.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
by mattybobo on Aug 10, 2009 3:58 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Steve Phillips chimes in
with “thats the difference between the way you played, Joe, and guys like Carlos Beltran who just don’t quite step up to be the leader the team needs.”
"I'll be glad to have Ryan [Braun] help if he wants to. I'll give him a badge and he can be my deputy." - Doug Melvin
by all4tookie on Aug 10, 2009 4:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
just keep on believin!
Positronic Upgraded Juggernaut Optimized for Logical Sabotage
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Aug 10, 2009 3:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
and he hasnt been since 2000
but i will always have a special spot in my heart for the lefty with a NASTY curve.
"Baseball is dull only to dull minds." - Red Barber
by nomar34 on Aug 10, 2009 2:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rick Ankiel really turned it on in July.
For Rick Ankiel, that is.
You forgot his defensive wizardry in center field.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
by bgh on Aug 10, 2009 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i think people forget what defensive wizardry really is...
"Baseball is dull only to dull minds." - Red Barber
by nomar34 on Aug 10, 2009 3:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm looking at another example right now (partly obscured b/c it is my computer backdrop).
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
by bgh on Aug 10, 2009 3:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
is That Bernard Gilkey??
;=8)
I hate Jason Marquis!
:=8O
by The MooCow on Aug 10, 2009 3:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
2 BG references in one thread
is too many!!!
"Baseball is dull only to dull minds." - Red Barber
by nomar34 on Aug 10, 2009 3:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
His body is almost completely horizontal
It doesn’t seem possible… it’s like some optical illusion
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
by mattybobo on Aug 10, 2009 3:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
hence the wizardry!
"Baseball is dull only to dull minds." - Red Barber
by nomar34 on Aug 10, 2009 3:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I just forwarded that picture
to my buddies saying pretty much the same thing
by STLRegalia on Aug 10, 2009 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He's doing a one handed pushup
but with his feet raised. Impressive.
Shut up, Fritz™.
by Alxfritz on Aug 10, 2009 4:07 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
He clearly over dove.
You can tell because he snags the ball like someone would without a glove.
He clearly has not enrolled in the Jimmy Baseball School of Diving.
If he had, he would know that when you dive, the ball must be snagged in the very tip of the glove. This forms a snow-cone and displays your epic coolness.
I really expect better. And I hope that everyone else will hold their defensive heroes to this higher standards with me. If we don’t stand together, the Cubs win.
by BirdsonFire on Aug 10, 2009 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
What's so impressive?
He’s clearly lying down on a plexiglass stand.
by Willie McGee's Twin on Aug 10, 2009 4:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Didn't know Ozzie could levitate
No wires, no ropes!
by JWO on Aug 10, 2009 4:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He's getting some help from the ground effect
So flying at that altitude isn’t THAT big of a deal.
by thepainguy on Aug 10, 2009 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Out of curiosity...
What are Rasmus’ lines over that same period? I want to know if he’s any good at baseball.
by Willie McGee's Twin on Aug 10, 2009 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
rasmus's august line is worse; his july line is better than ankiel's.
rick ankiel’s total value 2007-09: 3.7 wins above replacement.
colby’s value so far in 2009: 2.2 wins above replacement.
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 Aug 10, 2009 4:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Don't go changing the rules on me!
You were originally talking slash lines, not WAR.
In any event, though I consider myself an Ankiel fan, now that we have Holliday, Ank should be the 4th outfielder that can play all three positions and fill-in for injuries/days off. Rasmus’ defense should trump Ank every day of the week, given their same-handedness. (I made the same argument for why Ank should have played every day over Dunc in LF).
I’m just glad Dunc is gone. I don’t think MO has gotten enough credit for the Lugo/Dunc trade – not only is Lugo a good RH platoon option with Skip at 2b who can fill in at SS, getting rid of Dunc was like addition by subtraction given TLR’s stupid outfield configurations.
by Willie McGee's Twin on Aug 10, 2009 4:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
as a weak fielder, ankiel's value is defined mostly by his slash lines. rasmus, not so much.
player to player comparisons aren’t easily reduced to one stat.
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 Aug 10, 2009 4:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
According to fangraphs...
Rick is a +4.1 UZR/150 in the outfield this year, so I wouldn’t call him a “weak” fielder.
by Willie McGee's Twin on Aug 10, 2009 5:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
the positive defensive value is in LF.
he’s a negative force in CF this year.
a +4.1 UZR/150 corner outfielder with a sub .700 OPS is a replacement value player. that’s why he has a 0.3 WAR for the 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
by tom s. on Aug 10, 2009 5:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Anybody know when the other shoe drops
on the PTBNL in the Dunc/Lugo trade? Any idea who might be on the list?
Those Pilgrims ain't lookin' so proud now...
by giveml on Aug 10, 2009 5:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
apparently it's no-one terribly relevant.
won’t be another Jess Todd situation.
Felonius Monk - bitching to contact since 2008
by Felonius_Monk on Aug 11, 2009 6:14 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Add to that that Ank doesn't even make the qualified list for 2009
2008 UZR/150: -14.8 (in 899.1 innings)
2009 UZR/150: 4.1 (in 597.1 innings)
I would definitely call him a “weak” fielder.
"I'll be glad to have Ryan [Braun] help if he wants to. I'll give him a badge and he can be my deputy." - Doug Melvin
by all4tookie on Aug 10, 2009 5:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Why don't you add in his 2007 UZR numbers then?
+13.6 in 350 innings. Also, it’d be interesting to see what his UZR numbers were before August of last year, when TLR kept trotting him out there with a pulled abdominal muscle.
by Willie McGee's Twin on Aug 10, 2009 5:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
After Dick was hurt last year
he played almost entirely in LF. His UZR/150 for CF was -8.1 in 2008. In 2007 all his defensive goodness was in the corners as he was -2.1 in CF. Dude has proven he is a below average CF and Raz sure looks like he will eventually prove himself to be an elite CF.
Those Pilgrims ain't lookin' so proud now...
by giveml on Aug 10, 2009 5:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ok...
but not being as good in CF as Rasmus (few are) does not equal being a “weak” fielder. Even considering Rick is a below average CF, that does not equate to being a “weak” fielder.
by Willie McGee's Twin on Aug 10, 2009 6:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ok, so lets do some dirty math:
2007: 3.1 UZR in 41 defensive games
2008: -9.8 UZR in 100 defensive games
2009: 1.7 UZR in 82 defensive games
Total: -5.0 UZR in 223 defensive games, good for a -3.4 UZR/150 defensive games.
Now, we could waste more time and get finer with the analysis, honing in by position, weighting more recent years more heavily, etc, but the fact is that even giving this dirty math and UZR some room for error, he is a weak fielder.
"I'll be glad to have Ryan [Braun] help if he wants to. I'll give him a badge and he can be my deputy." - Doug Melvin
by all4tookie on Aug 10, 2009 6:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, I guess we can just agree that we don't have the same definition of "weak"
by Willie McGee's Twin on Aug 10, 2009 6:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just gonna say that -
I am considering moderately below average = weak
"I'll be glad to have Ryan [Braun] help if he wants to. I'll give him a badge and he can be my deputy." - Doug Melvin
by all4tookie on Aug 10, 2009 6:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Would it be fair to say
defense is not a strength?
Those Pilgrims ain't lookin' so proud now...
by giveml on Aug 10, 2009 6:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes...
in CF. I think Ank can be/is an above avg. defensive corner outfielder. And I think that his true talent level is closer to his 2007-2008 .360 wOBA years than this year’s production. I’m hopeful that he can be a productive 4th outfielder for us for the rest of the year. In contrast, I don’t think saying Rick Ankiel “is still not very good at baseball” while showing his slash lines for the last two months is all that illuminating.
by Willie McGee's Twin on Aug 10, 2009 6:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
the word "still" might have been a tipoff.
i meant to say that rick hadn’t gotten appreciably better. i presumed most readers were familiar with the season rick has had so far. clearly, you were familiar with it.
if the word “still” wasn’t enough, i explicitly said that i meant to point out that he “hadn’t turned a corner” as some people had concluded based on a few games of improved hitting.
two months slash lines do not prove that someone is not good at baseball, no doubt. but the slash lines were not intended to say “this is definitive evidence of rick ankiel irredeemable suckiness.” the lines are not particularly illuminating themselves, but they are more illuminating than the sample size of two games which several folks relied on.
if you had straightforwardly stated “i think rick ankiel could return to form and be a + corner OF and post a .360 wOBA” then i would have acknowledged that as a possibility. that’s your opinion. there’s no problem with optimism.
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 Aug 10, 2009 6:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Straightforwardly....
“I think Rick Ankiel could return to form and be a + corner OF and post a .360 wOBA (for the rest of the season).”
And thank you, sir, for correspondingly acknowledging the possibility.
Ank has obviously looked like a baboon’s asshole at the plate for much of this year, I just find much of the animus directed against him unnecessary, because it is either an offshoot of dislike for TLR or it stems from the false dichotomy that to support Raz, you must denigrate Rick.
by Willie McGee's Twin on Aug 10, 2009 6:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Here's the thing
In 2007, he played mostly RF, which is why his UZR is so good. He’s got a cannon and fields balls pretty well at the corner outfield spots. If he could hit at all, he’d be a solid player in RF defensively.
Similarly, all his value defensively this year (and last year) came from playing LF. He’s a poor defensive centerfielder, and if you cut out his arm rating (which is rated appreciably higher because of those throws in Colorado) he’s a very poor defensive centerfielder, and this is coming from someone who isn’t a huge believer in UZR. He gets bad jumps on balls, he doesn’t handle the wall well (leading to him pussyfooting around it or crashing into the fucking thing and leaving him worthless for two months), and his angles in CF are simply not very good. When you watch both Rick and Colby play the position its very easy to see who comes by it naturally. My eyes tell me that Rasmus is a superior defender, and both UZR and RAR back up what I see. You are entitled to your opinion, but the evidence shows him to just not be very good in center field, despite the small sample size (i.e. fewer than 2000 innings played)
I’m not disparaging Ankiel at the defense of Rasmus, but with Holliday here, Ank has no business in CF at all unless Colby is simply getting the day off.
"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 Aug 10, 2009 7:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
My comment was agreeing with giveml that Rick was not strong in CF
but said he is, IMO, an above average corner OF’er. I think you misread me.
by Willie McGee's Twin on Aug 10, 2009 7:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Haven't heard anything recently
what is the status of the miller deal?
Chuck Norris doesn't need a bat.
he just roundhouse kicks the ball out of the park.
by bearcatcardfan on Aug 10, 2009 2:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
well
i think miller and coors are owned by the same group now (or one of them bought the other)
which would include leinie’s, blue moon, and various others
but i’m here to talk about baseball… not shit beer
by BirdsonFire on Aug 10, 2009 2:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No progress
This one is going to the deadline, methinks. He did make a small slip-up regarding a comment saying he is destined for a Cardinal uniform, but they aren’t going to reach a lowball agreement given the deals already signed
"I'll be glad to have Ryan [Braun] help if he wants to. I'll give him a badge and he can be my deputy." - Doug Melvin
by all4tookie on Aug 10, 2009 2:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
that link took me to an article about the Bucs
signing their picks, Dodson and Cain.
C'mon you Redbirds, lets prove em' wrong, again!
by yer dog first on Aug 10, 2009 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
yeah, i just realized that, sorry...
I was trying to link to a different story, hold up
"I'll be glad to have Ryan [Braun] help if he wants to. I'll give him a badge and he can be my deputy." - Doug Melvin
by all4tookie on Aug 10, 2009 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I meant to link to
this. Gives a breakdown of the latest on all the unsigned guys, and it doesn’t appear that this is going to be a year where the slot guidelines are adhered to.
"I'll be glad to have Ryan [Braun] help if he wants to. I'll give him a badge and he can be my deputy." - Doug Melvin
by all4tookie on Aug 10, 2009 3:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
you really don't know that
unless there is new information i’m not aware of (very possible)
but from everything I have heard, there are strong indications that the deal is already done but is being kept on the down low until the deadline in order to respect MLB’s wishes for people to not go above slot.
by dcfcblues on Aug 10, 2009 3:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You are right, I meant no public progress
"I'll be glad to have Ryan [Braun] help if he wants to. I'll give him a badge and he can be my deputy." - Doug Melvin
by all4tookie on Aug 10, 2009 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Anyone else jazzed for Wednesday 3pm?
by BirdsonFire on Aug 10, 2009 2:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Yeah man
That’s when I’ll be on a plane to Philly/NYC for my last vacation for the summer
Best part is; I have no idea what I’m going to be doing. I am, metaphorically, taking me pants off and sliding butt-naked across the ice
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
by mysterui on Aug 10, 2009 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
that sounds great
but i was referring to the US-Mexico World Cup Qualifier in Mexico City
by BirdsonFire on Aug 10, 2009 2:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I thought you intuitively knew of my vacation plans =/
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
by mysterui on Aug 10, 2009 2:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
hell yes
i didn’t think i was going to have cable, either. but it was apparently left on in my vacant apt. for 3 months even after I canceled it in May. I’ll be watching.
"I think he's the best hitter of all time. I think there has never been a better hitter than him. And I know I didn't see them all, but I just don't think there could be." - Adam Wainwright on The Mang
by bmorgan on Aug 10, 2009 3:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The game will be on Telemundo and Mun2.
Most places are providing a free day of Mun2.
This is a channel intended for young latino’s in this country. It is around 50-50 for programming in English and Spanish. Mun2 will have the game in English. Telemundo will have it in Spanish. Although I would imagine the SAP button will work for both.
ESPN tried to get the rights from NBC Universal, but were denied. And they will not put the game on NBC because they cannot force all the affiliates to show the game over whatever the local programming is at that time.
by BirdsonFire on Aug 10, 2009 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
oh, i was under the impression that it was on ESPN
maybe i won’t be watching, after all. I don’t think I get this Mun2 channel
"I think he's the best hitter of all time. I think there has never been a better hitter than him. And I know I didn't see them all, but I just don't think there could be." - Adam Wainwright on The Mang
by bmorgan on Aug 10, 2009 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Check with your cable provider.
As I said, most are providing this channel for free that day. I know DirecTV and Dish both are. Most of the TimeWarner providers are as well.
NBC Universal is offering it up to anyone that wants it that day. They are using it as an opportunity to grow their audience for Mun2.
That said, I’m going to a bar to watch the game. With a bunch of friends.
The game will be pretty easy to find.
by BirdsonFire on Aug 10, 2009 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I should add...
Telemundo has the rights for all Mexico matches in Mexico. US matches in the states are owned by USSF, which typically sells them to ESPN or Fox Soccer Channel.
With the game being in Mexico against the US and a WCQ, Telemundo is trying to use the increased tv audience to help jump start Mun2.
It’s not a bad business decision if they want that channel to grow.
Otherwise they take the cash call from ESPN. Who mind you is still doing an hour long pregame show despite the fact they aren’t even showing the game.
by BirdsonFire on Aug 10, 2009 3:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
as excited as I am for a prostate exam
by STLRegalia on Aug 10, 2009 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hm. Mexico + Prostate exam?
With this kind of association I’ll be disappointed if nobody comments with a crazy story about that one time in Cancun…
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
by mattybobo on Aug 10, 2009 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I stay away from mexico
canada has good beer, so I have no problem with them, but No voy a México si Albert Pujols, él mismo, me compró una cuota de tiempo.
by STLRegalia on Aug 10, 2009 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Mexico is a ton of fun
Great food. Great people. Great weather. Incredible geography. Amazing ancient civilizations (the largest pyramid in the world is close to Puebla, naturally the Catholics built a Church on top of it).
Sure the water is a bit dangerous. I would not recommend going to a border town. And I also would not recommend driving a car down there.
But it’s easy to have a good time if you act intelligently.
by BirdsonFire on Aug 10, 2009 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
bingo
But it’s easy to have a good time if you act intelligently.
not included on my resume.
by STLRegalia on Aug 10, 2009 3:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You can get drunk and still act intelligently.
Usually it involves a little bit of foresight before hand.
Where, When, Who with…
And you’re talking to someone that’s done that down there and walked home piss drunk at 3am alone because everyone else called it early. I don’t speak a lick of Spanish.
Of course, I did get chased by a Rottweiler. But it eventually gave up.
by BirdsonFire on Aug 10, 2009 3:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
When it got done chewing on you?
Baseball's only fun if you're playing it, watching it, or thinking about it.
by Eckstreem on Aug 10, 2009 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
When it got done chewing on you?
Baseball's only fun if you're playing it, watching it, or thinking about it.
by Eckstreem on Aug 10, 2009 4:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was going to say
that that would be when it would give up on me. Because I would probably fail in an attempt to kick/punch it, and have to just lie there and bleed
by STLRegalia on Aug 10, 2009 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just got back from Cozumel Saturday...
Fantastic!!! Almost made up for missing a week’s worth of Cardinal baseball. Thank God for DVR!
"There is one word in America that says it all, and that one word is, 'You never know.'" Joaquin Andujar
by Big Mike on Aug 10, 2009 5:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Cozumel is pretty cool
The water on the side facing the mainland is the clearest ocean water I’ve every seen. However, I haven’t exactly been to a lot of beaches, but it was pretty cool.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
by mattybobo on Aug 10, 2009 6:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bahamas has the clearest ive ever seen
i could see at least a mile underwater
"People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring" -Rogers Hornsby
by stlwcards on Aug 10, 2009 6:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Antarctica
Chlorophyll? More like borophyll!
by jd is legend on Aug 10, 2009 8:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Funny
When I go on vacation in the winter, I literally do that.
Chlorophyll? More like borophyll!
by jd is legend on Aug 10, 2009 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You, my friend, are one that I can party with
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
by mysterui on Aug 10, 2009 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thats what time I get off work Wed
so, yeah.
Shut up, Fritz™.
by Alxfritz on Aug 10, 2009 2:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm gonna have a moonpie roundabout then, can't wait.
"I'll be glad to have Ryan [Braun] help if he wants to. I'll give him a badge and he can be my deputy." - Doug Melvin
by all4tookie on Aug 10, 2009 2:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
<3 Moonpies
If heaven were a food…
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
by mysterui on Aug 10, 2009 2:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Deputy Douche Time
Don’t look now, but ESPN has a big love-fest story on everyone’s favorite Brewer, Ryan Braun. Ladies and gentlemen, let the heckling begin.
by JWO on Aug 10, 2009 4:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
can I heckle "Kory Kozak"?
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 10, 2009 4:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I dunno. I don't feel up to the task.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 10, 2009 4:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well in Kozak's defense
His name would be awesome as a scrabble word. I count about 33 points without the board bonuses.
by JWO on Aug 10, 2009 4:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
mozeliak kills him
"I'll be glad to have Ryan [Braun] help if he wants to. I'll give him a badge and he can be my deputy." - Doug Melvin
by all4tookie on Aug 10, 2009 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Get this guy a Remetee already
"I'll be glad to have Ryan [Braun] help if he wants to. I'll give him a badge and he can be my deputy." - Doug Melvin
by all4tookie on Aug 10, 2009 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If it makes you feel any beter
Peter Pascarelli of the ESPN Baseball Today podcasts has the Cardinals #2 in his power rankings this week
Stat Whore
by FlimtotheFlam on Aug 10, 2009 5:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It does make me feel better
But I think a #2 ranking is overly generous. I wouldn’t mind a Cardinals / Yankees WS though.
by JWO on Aug 10, 2009 5:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I would...
my perennial dislike of the yankees has not decreased with the ascension of the red stockings. how about Cards Tiggers – I liked how that turned out last time around….
by cdb on Aug 10, 2009 5:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
cards/yanks = my dream ws.
Yanks have been my favorite ALmost baseball team since the pre-strike A’s.
"How depressing is it being you? Would you equate it to being a lifelong Cubs fan?"
by rocKStark5 on Aug 10, 2009 5:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, I hate the Yankees,
but I was sure a Yankee fan last night when I saw them sweep the BoSox. Sweeeeeeet.
by MdRedbirdFreak on Aug 10, 2009 5:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I Hate the Yankees!!!
>:=8O
I hate Jason Marquis!
:=8O
by The MooCow on Aug 10, 2009 6:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Who is #1?
- does seem generous for the time being, but certainly could be there soon enough
by purple_haze on Aug 10, 2009 5:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
YES AN AVATAR
well done. You’ve been commenting too much for me to have to read your screen name. Thank you.
Future Redbirds - tracking Cardinal prospects for Cardinal Nation
by azruavatar on Aug 10, 2009 6:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You recognize everyone by their avatars?
Chlorophyll? More like borophyll!
by jd is legend on Aug 10, 2009 8:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
when we all swap our avatars, it will be an explosive day
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 10, 2009 8:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I need to consult the community guidelines
but I think that’s a ban-able offense.
Future Redbirds - tracking Cardinal prospects for Cardinal Nation
by azruavatar on Aug 10, 2009 11:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes
If I have to go through a game thread, I go by pictures. If you put up an avatar contest, I think I’d get about 90% right.
Future Redbirds - tracking Cardinal prospects for Cardinal Nation
by azruavatar on Aug 10, 2009 11:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
My favorite quote
Breathe. Big eyes. Sweet swing. Breathe. Tug on jersey. Every time. Routine. A successful routine.
Ahahahaha
"People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring" -Rogers Hornsby
by stlwcards on Aug 10, 2009 6:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
very lemur-like
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 10, 2009 6:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ryan Braun holding his new bat
Felonius Monk - bitching to contact since 2008
by Felonius_Monk on Aug 11, 2009 6:21 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wellemeyer to miss Tuesday start
RT @dgoold Wellemeyer’s elbow flares up. Scratched from tomorrow’s start. Boggs in the house; logic says he’ll make the start. More in Cardinal Beat.
by dralexp on Aug 10, 2009 5:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
my purchase of game tickets is justified!
Whew.
"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 10, 2009 5:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I would like to take this opportunity
To lead a collective sigh of relief.
On three, everyone.
1…
2…
3…
sighhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
by purple_haze on Aug 10, 2009 5:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wasn´t the last Boggs start a blowout in AAA, though?
by purple_haze on Aug 10, 2009 5:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes He Did
I was at that game in SLC, to his defense, there was about a 30MPH wind blowing out to left that clearly aided at least one of the home runs he gave up.
And I say England's greatest prime minister was Lord Palmerston.
by tangledbrett on Aug 10, 2009 6:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I realize that the subject in my previous post
Makes no sense. In further defense of Boggs’ last outing, there it was 30 minute mid-game delay because the wind got so bad it knocked out some of the lights.
I think he’ll do fine this week.
And I say England's greatest prime minister was Lord Palmerston.
by tangledbrett on Aug 10, 2009 6:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Didn't Bogg's just pitch though
The other day?
Stat Whore
by FlimtotheFlam on Aug 10, 2009 5:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
His schedueled start
he was shadowing the unused 5th spot w/ the Cards.
Shut up, Fritz™.
by Alxfritz on Aug 10, 2009 5:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Fake injury
gets him on the DL.
by Hardcore Legend on Aug 10, 2009 5:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It does sound a bit like a
“actually, we changed our minds”
by purple_haze on Aug 10, 2009 5:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs