We have an answer, and I'm not Ryan!
by chuckb on Sep 5, 2009 10:22 AM EDT
in News
177 comments
Ryan seemed to be in Tony’s doghouse a lot for his eccentricities and the fact that he once missed a take sign on 3-0 and Tony went all Milton Bradley on him in the dugout. This site divided pretty clearly into a group who wanted to see more of Ryan and a group who took the view that Tony’s the manager and he runs the club and it’s the player’s job to do what the manager says…period. More managers should act this way. I wondered then whether Ryan ever would get a chance to see what he could do.
He didn’t get much of a chance last year but his play didn’t exactly inspire a lot of extra chances, either. I’m not sure he hit a loud foul all season and, while Cesar Izturis hardly inspired a lot of confidence at the plate either, his defense was solid. I got the impression that I was right all along about Ryan – that his relatively strong offensive performance in a third of a season in ’07 was somewhat of an aberration considering his minor league track record and that he’d never really end up more than a utility infielder.
Neither Mo nor Tony seemed to be convinced that Ryan was the solution either as the team traded for the declining and mercurial Khalil Greene in the offseason. Hoping to catch lightning in a bottle, Greene started 17 of the Cards’ 23 April games, batting .219/.333/.344 w/ 2 homers. More troubling, however, was Greene’s defense. At the end of May, Greene had started 26 of the Cards’ 47 games, was hitting .200/.287/.295 and was on the D.L. w/ anxiety issues related to his poor play. Ryan took over more out of necessity than the team’s intrepid confidence in his ability.
Meanwhile, as May came to a close, Ryan was hitting .280/.345/.387 (in just 86 PAs) and was playing solidly at shortstop. In fact, I don’t think I was alone in noticing that Ryan was even a much better defensive player than I had remembered. He was simply making plays that the Cards hadn’t seen at that position since #1 ran out there every day. I’m not calling him Ozzie, but Renteria never made as many really good plays as Ryan was making. Eckstein and Greene damned sure weren’t that good defensively either.
Now, of course, Ryan’s the every day shortstop on a team that’s 24 games over .500, has the largest lead in the majors, and is tied for the best record in the NL. Who’d a thunk it? Not me, that’s for sure. Ryan’s been solid, offensively. He’ll never be Renteria, Rollins, or Reyes at the plate but neither is he a liability. He’s got a respectable .713 OPS and .309 wOBA. Make no mistake, he’s a below average offensive player, even at the shortstop position, but it’s not like he’s an automatic out either.
It’s his defense that’s made Ryan an everyday player. As I mentioned, he’s been spectacular defensively and it allows the team the ability to tolerate his offense. Let’s face it, if he was playing defense like Greene was, the team just couldn’t abide his offense. But right now his UZR at short is 9.1 runs above average. That’s the 2nd best rate in the majors, behind only Jack Wilson. According to RZR, he’s not quite that good. THT has his UZR as .837, 7th best in the majors. Still, it’s very good. The really interesting thing is that, despite our perceptions, according to UZR, he’s not really a better shortstop than he’s been the previous 2 seasons. We just didn’t notice it b/c of the limited playing time he received. His UZR/150 this season is 11.4 but it was 14.4 in 2008 and 13.7 in 2007. We can point to the limited innings in each of those seasons and say "small sample size" and that’s true, of course, but it’s right in the same range as the 660+ innings he’s garnered there this year.
In terms of his value, he’s been worth 2.2 WAR w/ about a month left in the season, putting him on a pace for about a 2.5 win season. Not too shabby for a guy making the major league minimum. Despite the fact that Ryan played very little in the season’s first 2 months, only 12 major league and 4 NL shortstops have been more valuable this season.
It’s pretty clear to me that the Cards have now found the young shortstop they’ve needed – and not really been searching for. It’s also clear to me that Ryan should get some Gold Glove consideration. Will he? I doubt it. Jimmy Rollins has won the award each of the last 2 seasons but his offense has gone south this season. That should be irrelevant but, unfortunately, it isn’t. Still, he has just 3 errors, the highest fielding percentage, and he’s a big name so he’ll probably get it again. The thing that hurts Ryan the most is the fact that he hardly played the first 2 months of the season and will have played only about 2/3 of the season when it ends next month. Both RZR and UZR have J.J. Hardy and Ryan Theriot above Rollins but it’s unclear how much playing time Hardy will get over the last month and his poor offensive season has gotten as much attention as Rollins’s has. As for Theriot, I’m not sure he’s a big enough name to win the award.
Right now I see Ryan as the best defensive shortstop in the NL. I’m biased, of course, but it’s pretty clear to me that he’s going to be worth 1-1.5 wins defensively, 1.5-2 wins for the replacement level adjustment, and another half a win or so for the positional adjustment. Given 140+ games at short next year, he’s at least a 2.5 – 3 win player for the Cards, earning just a million bucks or so. This is a position for the team that’s appeared to have no long-term solution available, just a perennial series of band-aids but now it seems as though the team has found its solution.
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Ryan dealt with injuries last year
If I remember correctly, he made the team in spring training but got hurt at the very ended. He then spent some time on the DL until returning to Memphis for a while.
I love me some Boog.
by Evilfrog on Sep 5, 2009 10:28 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
In a year of great individual performances
Carp, WW, JP, Franklin, Albert (of course), Boog has been the most pleasant surprise for me. Having a great defensive SS is a key for a championship club. In my mind he’s the Cards’ MVP. Here’s hoping he has a Bucky Dent post-season!
Proud sponsor of the Official 2009 StL Cardinal theme song: Reason to Believe
by gocards62 on Sep 5, 2009 10:48 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Please elaborate on your definition of MVP...
Not afraid to nitpick
by joker24 on Sep 5, 2009 10:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
as far as pleasant surprises go
i’m gonna have to rate that chris carpenter guy a little higher than our 2 war ss
Of course, hope means being cut down on some street corner, as you run like mad, by a random bullet.
by prophetjohn on Sep 5, 2009 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
On most unlikely team MVP
As much as I like Ryan it has to go to Skip. Skip learned a tough new defensive position and has become respectable at that position.
by FlimtotheFlam on Sep 5, 2009 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
In terms of unlikeliness
I think Franklin’s sucked more than anyone thought possible.
by mojowo11 on Sep 5, 2009 12:11 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I knew he had it in him
"Ludwick, I could kiss you on the nuts!" - the red baron 7-29-09
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
by mattyfrommo on Sep 5, 2009 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Anyone can play second.
Shut up, Fritz™.
by Alxfritz on Sep 5, 2009 12:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
even GDM?
"Ludwick, I could kiss you on the nuts!" - the red baron 7-29-09
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
by mattyfrommo on Sep 5, 2009 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
anyone* can play second
*not gdm of course
"If I prepare myself, my stuff is good and I'm going to get outs. That is a fact." - Chris Carpenter
by spants on Sep 5, 2009 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i think you have had to been to second base before
to play second base
by FlimtotheFlam on Sep 5, 2009 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions 6 recs
Epic and uncalled for burn
"I remember once talking to one guy on the Cardinals and asking him what Pujols was like as a teammate. He said something that’s really special, if you think about it. He said: "Albert is so good that you feel like you let him down when you screw up." I thought that had to be the ultimate line that could ever be said about a ballplayer. I build my baseball team around that ballplayer."
by Smokin Turkeys on Sep 5, 2009 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
wow,,,,,,,,
how is that not green?
pretzels pretzels pretzels pretzels
by gdm426 on Sep 5, 2009 10:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
c'mon
even GDM has made it to second base
"Ludwick, I could kiss you on the nuts!" - the red baron 7-29-09
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
by mattyfrommo on Sep 5, 2009 11:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
it doesn't count if it's your own second base
pretzels pretzels pretzels pretzels
by gdm426 on Sep 5, 2009 11:20 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Boooooooog!
I know that didn’t add anything to the conversation, but I felt that it needed to be said.
I never would slip you Mickey! It is merely rhinoceros horn. This makes the champagna bubble.
by The Continental on Sep 5, 2009 10:49 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
BOOOOOOOOOOOG!!!!!!!!
"F@*& Lidge and the horse he rode in on!"
-Cards Fan in Chitown, via text message shortly after the VEB Get Together Day.
by Tackle Box on Sep 5, 2009 12:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
well, hell, the one effin' day I'm late to the party!
Boog: The Mix-Tape is my updating fan-post of all things Brendan Ryan.
Check out the earlier links in particular (there’s an analysis by lboros!) because he’s always had that rap. His high school coach says he’s pretty much the same other than the shaved head. It seems like he clashed with his college coach because of the same issues stated above.
The precluding elements are always the same:
1. lack of playing time
2. frequent injuries
3. mental / focusing mistakes
Actually, TLR said that right out in one of the postgame interviews. We were all starting to take notice most of this year — but I didn’t think he’d turned the corner till he stopped committing errors. At KC, I saw pretty much all the infield coaches working with him while the rest of the team took BP, and I think it’s that extra attention that’s steered him into a sharper game, taking more responsibilities at SS. GOBs bless José Oquendo!
To my eye, Brendan just doesn’t learn the same way the other guys learn. It almost looks like he must have playing time to sharpen his game, and the major league game runs at a different clip than he’s used to. He’s always a second away from making those “easy” mistakes, like when he almost took that at-bat instead of the ‘mistake’ PH switch; Oquendo was halfway to home plate to get his attention out of his locked-in, shirt-licking mode. But that doesn’t mean he’s not coachable. When he doesn’t make the same mistake twice, he’s incredible.
I look forward to Yadi-Albert-Boog being our homegrown, permanent Bermuda Triangle of Defense. Oh, and that Cory kid.
Also, he has a symbiotic relationship with Piñeiro. Fear it!
Also worth it to note he’s been on a team on a championship run before, so I don’t think he’ll be especially spooked with postseason jitters.
To quote tom s.,
that’s the secret to getting out of the doghouse. you have to like sleeping there.
In conclusion, Boooooooooooooooooooooog.
"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 Sep 5, 2009 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
turning our collective frown upside-down
boog :)
"on gameday it says duke loves to face the four seamer and hates to face the four seamer" -VolsnCards5
"perhaps it's a computer joke about the duality of man." -tom s.
by Tudor's Electric Fan on Sep 5, 2009 3:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Throwing this out there for discussion
If Boog comes out and plays horribly at the plate and in the field, who do we see at SS for the season? Is it Khalil again after he comes off the DL, we keep seeing Boog, or do we make a pickup for a SS?
Note: This would be before the pickup of Lugo
No excuses. No injuries. No "better luck next time"
Do it, and shut the f—- up.
-Reggie Jackson
by stlwcards on Sep 5, 2009 10:56 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Thats who i was thinking
Tyler
No excuses. No injuries. No "better luck next time"
Do it, and shut the f—- up.
-Reggie Jackson
by stlwcards on Sep 5, 2009 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Lugo at SS more than once a month
or in the playoffs at all makes baby Jesus cry.
"I remember once talking to one guy on the Cardinals and asking him what Pujols was like as a teammate. He said something that’s really special, if you think about it. He said: "Albert is so good that you feel like you let him down when you screw up." I thought that had to be the ultimate line that could ever be said about a ballplayer. I build my baseball team around that ballplayer."
by Smokin Turkeys on Sep 5, 2009 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I like good defense and I'm really happy
that Ryan is working out at SS for us. It’s great to have that position solved for a few years.
But HOW IN HELL is Theriot ranked higher in UZR? I watch a lot of Cubs games since I live in Chicago. There is no way. Most people believe Theriot should be at 2nd and the Cubs should get a better SS.
by sdrone on Sep 5, 2009 11:02 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Because UZR isn't very fine in one season
I think MGL has basically said it’s about +/- 10 in one season’s worth of data.
Not afraid to nitpick
by joker24 on Sep 5, 2009 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Though Theriot has been above average 3 years running
Not afraid to nitpick
by joker24 on Sep 5, 2009 11:05 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think they've said
+/- 5 runs either way, meaning a 10 run swing, potentially. +/- 10 runs is HUGE!!!!! It’s like the difference between an average major league shortstop and Brian Barden.
by chuckb on Sep 5, 2009 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i've heard
+/- 5
Of course, hope means being cut down on some street corner, as you run like mad, by a random bullet.
by prophetjohn on Sep 5, 2009 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Random thought
If Theriot gets to the ball but doesn’t get the out, does UZR count that or not?
by sdrone on Sep 5, 2009 11:05 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
UZR seems ridiculous to me.
It can help answer lifetime defensive quality questions but using it season to season as a measure of a player’s performance is a mistake.
by dugmartsch on Sep 5, 2009 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
uzr
accounts for throwing, so i would assume yes. that is, if i understand your question correctly
Of course, hope means being cut down on some street corner, as you run like mad, by a random bullet.
by prophetjohn on Sep 5, 2009 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
does uzr account for a drawn in infield?
Last night in the cubs game, the cubbies had the infield drawn (in a situation where I’d have had them back, but anyway) and a ball was hit to Theriot’s right that he couldn’t get a glove on. However, had he been playing normal depth, he would have had to move at best like a step.
Does, uzr account for this?
"F@*& Lidge and the horse he rode in on!"
-Cards Fan in Chitown, via text message shortly after the VEB Get Together Day.
by Tackle Box on Sep 5, 2009 12:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
pretty sure
uzr doesn’t account for positioning or batted ball type. one of the big flaws of the stat
Of course, hope means being cut down on some street corner, as you run like mad, by a random bullet.
by prophetjohn on Sep 5, 2009 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
on that note, how much can horrible defensive positioning affect one’s uzr rating? Can’t an outfielder that is actually pretty damn good with the glove be rated much closer to average due to positioning from the bench?
"Ludwick, I could kiss you on the nuts!" - the red baron 7-29-09
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
by mattyfrommo on Sep 5, 2009 12:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
yeah
that’s why you want a 2000 inning or so sample to crown out the noise.
otherwise yeah, that’s why you have +/-5 runs margin of error
it’s not that great, but it’s the best we gots
Of course, hope means being cut down on some street corner, as you run like mad, by a random bullet.
by prophetjohn on Sep 5, 2009 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
well stated
i wanted to see ryan play since day one
ryan has made plays we havent seen since the 80s
and all around the diamond the d is above average, and even skip is getting it done
between alberts cat like reflexes, brendans quick release and range, rasmus’ smooth glide to the ball, molina and ludwicks’ guns…..and having holiday or duncan
this has been a great year to watch this team play D
Come on 2009!
by benstl on Sep 5, 2009 11:07 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
what about
Kory Ramos?
Carry the battle to them. Don't let them bring it to you. Put them on the defensive and don't ever apologize for anything.
by giveml on Sep 5, 2009 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Kory is the smooth one...keep up!
benstl just put in some random name to mess with us
"Ludwick, I could kiss you on the nuts!" - the red baron 7-29-09
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
by mattyfrommo on Sep 5, 2009 12:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If I remember correctly
Ryan was not a highly touted shortstop in the minors. I saw stuff like good, adequate, steady etc. but nothing beyond. Just shows..How often does this happen?
Also, in last nights game, Motte threw one pitch that definitely looked like a splitter. It wasn’t a strike, being low, just off the outside corner. It appeared to be faster than his slider he tries to throw and took a sharp dip down.
Is it possible Smoltz has already taught him something. It definitely looked like a Smoltz pitch. Might be just me misreading. Maybe the pain guy can come along and straighten me out.
by ridgesee on Sep 5, 2009 11:12 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
its a screwball!
No excuses. No injuries. No "better luck next time"
Do it, and shut the f—- up.
-Reggie Jackson
by stlwcards on Sep 5, 2009 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
whatever
it was a damn good pitch. I hope he develops it.
by ridgesee on Sep 5, 2009 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was referring
to when painguy said that Smotz’s splitter behaved more like a screwball
No excuses. No injuries. No "better luck next time"
Do it, and shut the f—- up.
-Reggie Jackson
by stlwcards on Sep 5, 2009 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I remember way back in the Sutter days
when Mike Marshall claimed that super slo-mo video showed that Sutter’s splitter was a “one-fingered screwball”. The movement are similar with a screwall being more of a backwards curve and the splitter like a 2-seamer on steroids.
Carry the battle to them. Don't let them bring it to you. Put them on the defensive and don't ever apologize for anything.
by giveml on Sep 5, 2009 11:37 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I just don't get this sentiment
It’s like saying because most pitchers supinate on the slider, they’re throwing a curveball! Pronation<>screwball.
Not afraid to nitpick
by joker24 on Sep 5, 2009 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That bugs me, too
And in the Sutter video I had a hard time seeing what Marshall did. To me it looked more like a combination of arm slot, release point, and a freaky long middle finger at work rather than screwball pronation. Marshall’s pronation on his screwball was really pronounced, offhand I’d say more than Valenzuela’s. I didn’t see that w/ Sutter’s pitch.
by random on Sep 5, 2009 2:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
A slider is thrown harder than a curveball
Also, you come over the top of a curveball for pure topspin whereas with a slider you come around the side more.
Well, I'm from Texas and my mama taught me to not piss all over myself.
by thepainguy on Sep 5, 2009 3:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks for the lecture
I’ve never thrown a slider or curveball before.
Not afraid to nitpick
by joker24 on Sep 5, 2009 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
But a screwball
breaks toward a right handed hitter at a more diagonal break, where as a splitter has a lot more downward vertical break
No excuses. No injuries. No "better luck next time"
Do it, and shut the f—- up.
-Reggie Jackson
by stlwcards on Sep 5, 2009 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That's true for most, but
Marshall threw the screwgy w/ a bunch of different breaks including one that was straight down. McGraw & Valenzuela threw big down breakers, too (maybe 10-to-4?). On the other hand, they were all pretty much freaks.
by random on Sep 5, 2009 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And come to think of it
10-to-4 is pretty much diagonal, isn’t it? Never mind.
by random on Sep 5, 2009 2:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Welcome to the dark side
Well, I'm from Texas and my mama taught me to not piss all over myself.
by thepainguy on Sep 5, 2009 3:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Clemens gripped his splitter funny, and kind of like a screwball
His middle finger is on the seam and his index finger is on the skin of the ball. That suggests he pulls hard on the seam with the middle finger.
Which way did Clemens’ splitter move? I don’t remember.
Well, I'm from Texas and my mama taught me to not piss all over myself.
by thepainguy on Sep 5, 2009 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just don't start this, no one agrees with you
Not afraid to nitpick
by joker24 on Sep 5, 2009 3:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You don't agree with facts?
What’s the grip in this pick?
Notice the splitter grip with his middle finger on the seam and his index finger on the smooth part of the ball.
Next time, make sure the facts are on your side before you spew out more of your garbage.
Well, I'm from Texas and my mama taught me to not piss all over myself.
by thepainguy on Sep 5, 2009 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
So that makes it a screwball and not a splitter right?
We get it, you call every pitch a screwball just to be contrarian. No one agrees with you here, no one else refers to Roger Clemens as throwing a screwball or Smoltz throwing a screwball because they throw splitters, but keep being “different” for being different’s sake, it’s always a cool move.
Not afraid to nitpick
by joker24 on Sep 5, 2009 4:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Why is it so important to you that I always be wrong?
I’m not trying to be different. I’m just pointing out interesting facts.
Facts that you are unable to argue with.
Well, I'm from Texas and my mama taught me to not piss all over myself.
by thepainguy on Sep 5, 2009 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You aren't pointing out facts whatsoever
You are pointing out an opinion on the label of a pitch. The purpose of calling something a name is so people know what it is we’re talking about, you call circle changeups splitters sinkers and everything with a hint of pronation a screwball. Something no one else does therefore it makes no sense to anyone else but you.
The irony of yesterday was you being the one who was confused by CU because of “standardization” (which none of the general public has actually seen so it’s irrelevant to the audience of internet PITCHf/x), yet you call all these pitches, which people have previously set names for, screwballs…and you’re the only one.
Here is a damn screwball at the 2:30 mark. Note the presence of topspin, something we can objectively say using PITCHf/x (if you’d take the time to learn it) that Clemens or Smoltz’s splitters or Walter’s changeup do not regularly have. This is what a screwball PITCHf/x looks like from a lefty. Note how the h-move/velocity and v-move/velocity charts are basically the same as Smoltz’s right handed curve. This matches exactly general accepted view that a screwball is essentially a reverse curveball.
Not afraid to nitpick
by joker24 on Sep 5, 2009 4:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Whoops
I mean this is what a screwball PITCHf/x looks like.
Not afraid to nitpick
by joker24 on Sep 5, 2009 4:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Part of the reason I bring this up is because many people think the screwball is evil
But the fact is that many pros throw screwballs or variants or it.
That is because it is both safe and effective.
Well, I'm from Texas and my mama taught me to not piss all over myself.
by thepainguy on Sep 5, 2009 4:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And no one is debating that
I agree, a true screwball can be thrown safely. A circle changeup with pronation can be thrown safely, a splitter with pronation can be thrown safely, but the latter two should in no way be called screwballs anymore than a cutter should be called a curveball.
Not afraid to nitpick
by joker24 on Sep 5, 2009 4:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The problem is that LOTs of people debate that
They say that the screwball ruined Carl Hubbell’s arm.
Well, I'm from Texas and my mama taught me to not piss all over myself.
by thepainguy on Sep 5, 2009 4:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Does anyone here?
And can’t you make that point without calling pitches that aren’t screwballs screwballs?
Not afraid to nitpick
by joker24 on Sep 5, 2009 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
FWIW, scouting reports on clemens
compiled in “the neyer/james guide to pitchers” basically say he threw a forkball as his #2 pitch for years. That’s the same grip shown in this picture, isn’t it?
it's Clydesdales vs Goats. Actually sums up Cards vs. Cubs quite nicely. -all4tookie
by SleepyCA on Sep 5, 2009 4:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i thought i remembered reading
that he could make it go both ways? Which is one of the reasons it was so effective.
But that was from the “facing clemens” peudo-biography/arse kissing, so it could be complete BS.
interesting article here, basically says down and away from a LHB, but he could adjust it to be more “straight down” by changing his grip.
it's Clydesdales vs Goats. Actually sums up Cards vs. Cubs quite nicely. -all4tookie
by SleepyCA on Sep 5, 2009 4:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That's plausible
The grip above is probably the one he used to make it tilt away from a LHB.
Well, I'm from Texas and my mama taught me to not piss all over myself.
by thepainguy on Sep 5, 2009 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
His slowest non-slider was 92
So I doubt it was a splitter grip, looked to me last night like he was turning over a sinker or something.
Not afraid to nitpick
by joker24 on Sep 5, 2009 11:30 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It looked like he threw fastballs and sliders
From the pitchf/x data (and not the Gameday classifications), it looks like he threw 8 fastballs (3 4-seamers and 5 2-seamers) and 3 sliders. The 3 sliders weren’t identical but they all broke down and away compared with his 4-seam fastball. (From a catcher’s point of view when throwing to a righthanded batter.) This is the 7th game of Motte’s that I have looked at and last night he threw a greater percentage of 2-seamers than in any of his other games.
by kjblair on Sep 5, 2009 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Which way did it move?
Straight down, down and to the left, or down and to the right?
Also, what was the velocity?
Well, I'm from Texas and my mama taught me to not piss all over myself.
by thepainguy on Sep 5, 2009 3:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
More pitchf/x data
Motte’s 4-seam fastball: avg = 95.7 mph. The pfx_x avg = -1.2 in. pfx_z avg = 9.2in. This is all relative to a ball thrown with no spin. Motte’s fastball usually has movement towards a righthanded batter (more negative pfx_x) so you could classify this as a “straight” fastball.
I’ll show relative movement to Motte’s 4-seam fastball for the next two pitches.
Motte’s 2-seam fastball: avg = 93.4 mph. Motte has usually shown a little larger difference between the speed of his 4- and 2-seam fastballs. In this case, his 4-seam fastball seemed a little slow. The 2-seam fastballs dropped (on average) 4.2 inches compared to his 4-seamer. They also moved 6.9 inches in towards a righthanded batter. Normally, the difference in horizontal movement isn’t this great but as I mentioned above, his 4-seam fastball was straighter than normal.
Motte’s slider: avg = 79.6 mph. The three sliders ranged from 79.4 to 80.1 mph. These pitches dropped 9.3 inches compared to his 4-seam fastball. They moved 4.0 inches away from a righthanded batter. Again, he usually has a greater difference in horizontal movement to the right but the 4-seam fastball was straight.
Let me know if you want any additional data.
by kjblair on Sep 5, 2009 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ryan
The one area I would love to see him improve in is OBP. If he could draw a few more walks, get on a few more times a season, I think his speed could eventually be a great asset to the team. I don’t think he’s been a great base stealer yet, but he could be, if only he got on a few more times here and there. Be great to have that 8 hitter get to second ahead of the automatic pitcher’s bunt.
by fuegophil on Sep 5, 2009 12:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I am dreaming of a 2010 season where Ryan, Ramos, and Luddy all have an OBP over .350
and on related note, Holliday has caught APu in OBP, both are sitting at a ridiculous .443 right now
"Ludwick, I could kiss you on the nuts!" - the red baron 7-29-09
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
by mattyfrommo on Sep 5, 2009 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
We have a really good team.
It’s fun.
Shut up, Fritz™.
by Alxfritz on Sep 5, 2009 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Indeed
I am going to have to dig into my franklins fund to find a way to make it to at least one more game this season
"Ludwick, I could kiss you on the nuts!" - the red baron 7-29-09
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
by mattyfrommo on Sep 5, 2009 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
if it isn't a Friday to Sunday game
I have tons of coupons
by FlimtotheFlam on Sep 5, 2009 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I will keep that in mind
I am not against screwing over my employers
"Ludwick, I could kiss you on the nuts!" - the red baron 7-29-09
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
by mattyfrommo on Sep 5, 2009 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ryan's approach at the plate doesn't lend itself to walks.
I think he is what he is offensively. Low power, slap hitter with speed and terrific defense.
Future Redbirds - tracking Cardinal prospects for Cardinal Nation
by azruavatar on Sep 5, 2009 2:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I for one thought Ryan was worthless
I bagged on him and didn’t think he had a place on this team. I was against the Khalil Greene trade also. I wanted someone with superior defense with at least a mediocre bat. I actually wanted Izturius back. Oh how Ryan has proved me wrong.
by FlimtotheFlam on Sep 5, 2009 12:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Hmm I found my answer how Pujols isn't murdering everyone in wRAA
wOBA doesn’t include IBBs, thus Pujols is being criminally underrated by his wRAA relative to everyone else due to 40 IBBs. That’s a big flaw in that WAR formula, at least for if it’s trying to determine MVP type stuff.
Not afraid to nitpick
by joker24 on Sep 5, 2009 12:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Wow, let's see what the difference is
That is huge. We can rough out what it could be with IBBs included. Formula comes from Tango and APu’s stats from B-R, except RBOE which comes from Baseball Prospectus.
So he’s at a .451 wOBA right now. If including all BBs instead of NIBBs, we get:
(0.72xBB + 0.75xHBP + 0.90×1B + 0.92xRBOE + 1.24×2B + 1.56×3B + 1.95xHR) / PA
(0.72×101 + 0.75×7 + 0.90×72 + 0.92×3 + 1.24×35 + 1.56×1 + 1.95×43) / 585 = 0.469 wOBA !
I do not know what the run value of an IBB is, though I think it would be close to a NIBB. At any rate, this gives Albert 19 more points in wOBA when you add in IBBs.
"But as the leadoff guy that inning, my job is to get on base and let guys drive me in." - Albert Pujols 8/20/09, base-clogger.
by lightbulb on Sep 5, 2009 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
no, that just got corrected. doh.
St. Louis Cardinals -- 2006 World Champions
by greenback06 on Sep 5, 2009 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It got corrected?
So where did I go wrong? When I removed the IBBs and PAs from my manual calculations, I got the .451 wOBA reported by Fangraphs.
"But as the leadoff guy that inning, my job is to get on base and let guys drive me in." - Albert Pujols 8/20/09, base-clogger.
by lightbulb on Sep 5, 2009 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Fangraphs wRAA apparently includes IBBs
Not afraid to nitpick
by joker24 on Sep 5, 2009 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes
wRAA does include IBBs because it’s calculated using PA as a multiplier. What this ends up doing is scaling the weighting of an IBB to that of an average plate appearance for that particular player. IBBs from player to player are not worth the same amount, so wRAA ends up reflecting that.
by dkappelman on Sep 6, 2009 2:55 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
After Ryan's first decent season where he showed pretty good leather and some unexpected pop (4HR)
I actually drafted him late in a really big fantasy league to be my third MI. I’ve been waiting YEARS for him to break out like this. The unexpected production from him, Corky, and the rotation has been able to make up for abominable numbers from 3B/LF this season.
"Of course Kolby Rasmus was going deep! That’s what Kolby Rasmus does! You don’t give Kolby Rasmus second chances!" -Kolby Rasmus
by hazel on Sep 5, 2009 12:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
That's funny, I picked Brendan Ryan up in 2007 too as a third MI
great minds think alike
"I think those scorers must be from Mars or Venus. Or maybe they're just from that book." --Mike Shannon, 7/09/2009
by andi_k on Sep 5, 2009 7:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
A lot of movies got released this Weekend
DVD Quality release of District 9, Monsters vs Aliens, Star Trek, Ghosts of Girlfriends Past, Observe And Report, UP, and Year One
Hooray piracy
by FlimtotheFlam on Sep 5, 2009 1:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Up will make you cry
at the beginning unless you are a heartless bastard. You’ve been warned.
"If I prepare myself, my stuff is good and I'm going to get outs. That is a fact." - Chris Carpenter
by spants on Sep 5, 2009 1:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
+ a billion
"Of course Kolby Rasmus was going deep! That’s what Kolby Rasmus does! You don’t give Kolby Rasmus second chances!" -Kolby Rasmus
by hazel on Sep 5, 2009 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i have seen it
I don’t remember crying in the beginning
by FlimtotheFlam on Sep 5, 2009 1:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, we know what this makes you, then.
"If I prepare myself, my stuff is good and I'm going to get outs. That is a fact." - Chris Carpenter
by spants on Sep 5, 2009 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
To be fair, it probably
hits closer to home for married folks, or people in long-term relationships.
"If I prepare myself, my stuff is good and I'm going to get outs. That is a fact." - Chris Carpenter
by spants on Sep 5, 2009 1:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I've got 24 years with the Cardinals.
That count as long term relationship?
by Tom_Lawless_Bat_Flip on Sep 5, 2009 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And hooray peerguardian
You’d think the movie industry would find a way to monetize downloadable movies. I’d easily trade some 30 second commercials every 10-15 minutes to download things legally. Hulu figured it out, why can’t anyone else.
Not afraid to nitpick
by joker24 on Sep 5, 2009 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hulu isn't making money yet, though.
They’re trying to find a way to make money, not just break even. I would pay a few bucks a month to use Hulu, though I hope it continues to be ad-driven.
"If I prepare myself, my stuff is good and I'm going to get outs. That is a fact." - Chris Carpenter
by spants on Sep 5, 2009 1:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Everything I've read has Hulu clearing profit
Not a monster amount, but they’re actually making money as opposed to Youtube.
Not afraid to nitpick
by joker24 on Sep 5, 2009 1:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Really?
I’ve read the opposite. Does that mean they’re breaking even?
"If I prepare myself, my stuff is good and I'm going to get outs. That is a fact." - Chris Carpenter
by spants on Sep 5, 2009 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
regardless once HTML 5 comes out
Video costs will go down and will help with the bottom line
by FlimtotheFlam on Sep 5, 2009 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
http://www.newsweek.com/id/185790
That’s 2008 numbers, 13 million gross profit, I’d imagine 2009 is going to blow that away with its growth in popularity.
Not afraid to nitpick
by joker24 on Sep 5, 2009 1:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Dang.
I love Hulu.
"If I prepare myself, my stuff is good and I'm going to get outs. That is a fact." - Chris Carpenter
by spants on Sep 5, 2009 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah
I’ve read up on all the “value creation” theory stuff on the future of economics and I just can’t go with it. I don’t care that more users use Youtube, it isn’t profitable and there isn’t really a way to make it so when you can advertise on like 5% of your content. It blows my mind that they paid $1.65 billion for an asset that loses money. Same with facebook being valued at 10-15 billion. There has to be some sort of information tracking thing or something that I’m just completely missing.
Not afraid to nitpick
by joker24 on Sep 5, 2009 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
well customers are hard to find
Paying for potential. Costs of streaming video should go down a lot in years to come. HTML 5 means no more inbeded video
by FlimtotheFlam on Sep 5, 2009 2:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
But customers for what?
Advertising that they can’t even put on the videos?
How much cost savings are we talking here, Youtube is bleeding money.
Not afraid to nitpick
by joker24 on Sep 5, 2009 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Youtube has started to offer movies and shows w/ advertising
First you get the customers than you figure out how to make money. Reduce costs and increase advertising.
by FlimtotheFlam on Sep 5, 2009 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I guess
But it’s going to take massive improvements. By most accounts they’re losing 400M a year right now.
Not afraid to nitpick
by joker24 on Sep 5, 2009 2:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
oh i understand
I think running a company based upon advertising on the internet is almost doomed to fail. You should use the internet to enhance your local life. I mostly browse sites that are mostly global and few that are intended only for local users. Like a web page for a local restaurant only located in Saint Louis. It seems a lot of them lack web pages, have poor web pages, or just average web pages. You rarely see local internet with excellent above the curve ideas.
I for one believe Mobile internet is where the future is headed. The one thing I do love about the Iphone is the ability of an apps and large user base. It is difficult to program content for cell phones due to the lack of standards between phones. A local company created an Iphone app to order food from them. I thought this was a brilliant idea. It was a perfect way to blend the internet with mobility with local issues.
by FlimtotheFlam on Sep 5, 2009 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Totally agree
4G fully implemented is really gonna change how everything is done. And on that note I’ve never bought the "cloud computing" future for desktops and laptops at least in the mid-term, it’s inexpensive to make processors and memory, but that’s where I think phones end up going (relatively) soon … and that’s how that standardization happens . Broadband everywhere is going to open up infinite possibilities.
I can at least vaguely see the potential value in Youtube a little bit if they change their current business model, but facebook is out of my mind. There’s just no way you can sell enough "clicks" in the format they’re using. The thing has to change down to its core for that to have a chance to make money, not that I have an idea of what that change would even be.
Not afraid to nitpick
by joker24 on Sep 5, 2009 3:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Off topic: for those who haven't embraced the internet as our Overlord just yet
I give you www.runpee.com
Not afraid to nitpick
by joker24 on Sep 5, 2009 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
See I can dig cloud computing
I use Google Documents and having those abilities at any internet enable computer is huge for me. I store all my documents on it. When mixed with GMail and Google voice it is a powerful mobile business platform that is all free.
by FlimtotheFlam on Sep 5, 2009 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Except some of those are still in theater
I stopped using torrents a few years back. To much hassle and trouble. I use Usenet now. Ten times faster and more reliable.
by FlimtotheFlam on Sep 5, 2009 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Usenet?
Man I never thought I’d hear this type of answer from someone in 2009. Hahah.
by sdrone on Sep 5, 2009 3:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Usenet is still awesome
It is a secure and fast way to transfer files.
by FlimtotheFlam on Sep 5, 2009 3:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
don't you have to pay for access?
Of course, hope means being cut down on some street corner, as you run like mad, by a random bullet.
by prophetjohn on Sep 5, 2009 3:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
yes, I pay $11 a month
A small price to pay for speed, quality, and piece of mind of security.
by FlimtotheFlam on Sep 5, 2009 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just so you're aware
Peerguardian does not in anyway prevent people from finding your IP Address when you are getting shit through torrents.
by dcfcblues on Sep 5, 2009 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I like how it says opinion
at the top. Like its even up for debate
No excuses. No injuries. No "better luck next time"
Do it, and shut the f—- up.
-Reggie Jackson
by stlwcards on Sep 5, 2009 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
This just makes me like Blyleven even more
Aalbert really likes Albert
"Ludwick, I could kiss you on the nuts!" - the red baron 7-29-09
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
by mattyfrommo on Sep 5, 2009 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i luv Bert
but why is he writing for msnbc? shouldn’t he be writing for Fox?
pretzels pretzels pretzels pretzels
by gdm426 on Sep 5, 2009 11:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
no one should be writing for fox
Fox Sports is an abomination forced upon the masses
"Ludwick, I could kiss you on the nuts!" - the red baron 7-29-09
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
by mattyfrommo on Sep 6, 2009 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
it's better than the WWL
but that’s not saying much
pretzels pretzels pretzels pretzels
by gdm426 on Sep 6, 2009 6:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Albert doesn't K nearly as much as the Babe did.
The St. Louis Cardinals- 11 time World Champions!
by Zubin on Sep 5, 2009 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ryan Howard is the modern day Babe
Unfortunately the game has changed.
Not afraid to nitpick
by joker24 on Sep 5, 2009 2:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
exactly
the game has changed to the point where comparisons like these are moot. actually, i don’t think there could be a modern day babe ruth because someone with so much disregard to a physical regimen would never make it in professional sports.
that said, i think the babe would still find a way to win today.
"on gameday it says duke loves to face the four seamer and hates to face the four seamer" -VolsnCards5
"perhaps it's a computer joke about the duality of man." -tom s.
by Tudor's Electric Fan on Sep 5, 2009 4:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not until he
turns in a 122 ERA+ in 1200 innings on the mound.
by MdRedbirdFreak on Sep 5, 2009 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
OT: Random Thoughts from a 25 year old to 35 year old
My 4-year old son asked me in the car the other day “Dad what would happen if you ran over a ninja?” How the hell do I respond to that?
It should probably be called Unplanned Parenthood.
Why is a school zone 20 mph? That seems like the optimal cruising speed for pedophiles…
by FlimtotheFlam on Sep 5, 2009 1:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I like this one
- While driving yesterday I saw a banana peel in the road and
i nstinctively swerved to avoid it…thanks Mario Kart.
because i’ve totally done that
by dcfcblues on Sep 5, 2009 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
stupid video games
i think those tendencies get stronger as the video games become more sophisticated as well. after a week of playing condemned, i saw a fire axe and my initial reaction was “shit, i need that!”
they should at least develop a game where the object is becoming successful at office politics. maybe condemned applies here.
"on gameday it says duke loves to face the four seamer and hates to face the four seamer" -VolsnCards5
"perhaps it's a computer joke about the duality of man." -tom s.
by Tudor's Electric Fan on Sep 5, 2009 4:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
poor chuck
arguably the best writer of the VEB start-thread posters, but so often his topic gets segued into la-la land. Please carry on, chuck; I always like your prompts the best.
I’ve noticed increased segues away from the ‘game’ on the game threads as well. One of the downsides of having a comfortable lead in the division and playing so well overall; distractions are inevitable and the tension surrounding any given game is less.
by the Tewk on Sep 5, 2009 3:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
yeah, and they are "fun" segues
as opposed to the “i want to roast player X on a stick” like we had this time last year.
it's Clydesdales vs Goats. Actually sums up Cards vs. Cubs quite nicely. -all4tookie
by SleepyCA on Sep 5, 2009 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
segues is actually a big draw of this community
by FlimtotheFlam on Sep 5, 2009 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
everyone has something they don't like
I’m waiting for the periodic Mike G entrance to lambaste the use of WAR in this post. THEY’RE PEOPLE CHUCK; THEY’RE PEOPLE!
Future Redbirds - tracking Cardinal prospects for Cardinal Nation
by azruavatar on Sep 5, 2009 5:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
everyone's people except you
guess that’s why you said they’re & not we’re
pretzels pretzels pretzels pretzels
by gdm426 on Sep 5, 2009 11:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
so last night's game
raised Ryan Ludwick’s season OPS by .035 points, from a middling .780 to a decent .815.
That’s a pretty impressive accomplishment, this late in the season. And he wasn’t even close to leading the team in WPA yesterday…
it's Clydesdales vs Goats. Actually sums up Cards vs. Cubs quite nicely. -all4tookie
by SleepyCA on Sep 5, 2009 3:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Just goes to show
what a 3.600 game OPS can do for you, even late in the season!
Of course the bad news is that it’s all downhill from here, i.e., Luddy has now already had the best game of his life.
by MdRedbirdFreak on Sep 5, 2009 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just saw the video...
he nailed every one of those balls… Missed a third home run by a couple feet.
Please take this comment in the spirit it was intended.
by guayzimi on Sep 5, 2009 3:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
this video?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/markhalski/3398588837/
"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 Sep 5, 2009 4:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Please Tony
don’t sit Luddy tonight
"Ludwick, I could kiss you on the nuts!" - the red baron 7-29-09
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
by mattyfrommo on Sep 5, 2009 4:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Two homers
Plus he hit one off the top of the wall and short-hopped the wall in left.
Beastly.
by mojowo11 on Sep 5, 2009 5:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Gold Glove
I don’t think Boog will get it.
I also, shockingly, don’t think Boog should get it, from what I’ve seen so far. JRoll is just so much smarter at the position, and I think that counts for something.
However, if they were to play defense in the same game against each other, in some hypothetical series that is purely hypothetical… that might swing the balance one way or another.
"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 Sep 5, 2009 3:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Lineup per Mayo
Shu
Ramos
Ludwick
Glaus
Ankiel
DeRosa
Lugo
LaRue
Boggs
Indianapolis Indians vs. Memphis Redbirds!
by ChicagoRedBird on Sep 5, 2009 4:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I had no idea we had so many L's on the team
I hope that’s not an omen.
"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 Sep 5, 2009 4:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Franklin is the only L.
Loser, right?
by Tom_Lawless_Bat_Flip on Sep 5, 2009 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
no, he's not a loser
he just sucks.
"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 Sep 5, 2009 4:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
what?!?
So many middle infielders, I need positions posted next to those names. And no Holiday OR Pujols OR Molina? Are we supposed to win the first 2 games of a series before it a backup day? I’m suprised thurston isn’t on that list somewhere.
by DarkHelmut on Sep 5, 2009 4:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
or Boog!
how did I overlook the lack of Boog on Boog discussion day?
by DarkHelmut on Sep 5, 2009 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
because Boggs is pitching.
"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 Sep 5, 2009 4:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Boog should always be paired with Boggs
I really don’t understand Tony sometimes. Of all the days in the last month + that he could have given Holliday a day off , he waits until Albert has it off too? So many times we could have had Rasmus in center instead of Ank, with Ank moving over to give Holliday a day off.
Cripes, I might start pulling out what is left of the hair on my head! And we have an 11 and 1/2 game lead.
"Ludwick, I could kiss you on the nuts!" - the red baron 7-29-09
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
by mattyfrommo on Sep 5, 2009 4:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
like a fine wine?
He could’ve just taken a look at the guys and gone, damn, everyone’s gassed. They had a lot of hits, and they were running all night. I’m speculating in another thread that there’s some kind of allergen in the air that’s affected Adam.
Tony may just need to test the strength of his bench. Lots of those guys are hurting for playing time, and there will not be another opportunity after this. Any other starter’s turn would be wasted — our big three are chasing career numbers, and then there’s Smoltz.
I dun like it. Necessary evil.
"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 Sep 5, 2009 5:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I can deal with it though
and I fully expect this lineup to score 10 runs tonight.
"Ludwick, I could kiss you on the nuts!" - the red baron 7-29-09
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
by mattyfrommo on Sep 5, 2009 5:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
and today i noticed comments are closed for the VEB Glossary
sad day, sad day
"Ludwick, I could kiss you on the nuts!" - the red baron 7-29-09
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
by mattyfrommo on Sep 5, 2009 5:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
at least
missouri’s winning big. 17 year old sensation melanie oudin from georgia is playing great at the u.s. open. brewers everywhere will be rolling out the oktoberfest versions of their beer and it’s september and we’re talking postseason for our beloved redbird team that had to start schumaker and thurston in the infield at the beginning of the season. there is reason yet to smile, matty.
"on gameday it says duke loves to face the four seamer and hates to face the four seamer" -VolsnCards5
"perhaps it's a computer joke about the duality of man." -tom s.
by Tudor's Electric Fan on Sep 5, 2009 6:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
yeah, it truly is an awesome time to be alive!
"Ludwick, I could kiss you on the nuts!" - the red baron 7-29-09
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
by mattyfrommo on Sep 5, 2009 6:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
that's the spirit!
let’s all go out for frosty chocolate milkshakes!
"on gameday it says duke loves to face the four seamer and hates to face the four seamer" -VolsnCards5
"perhaps it's a computer joke about the duality of man." -tom s.
by Tudor's Electric Fan on Sep 5, 2009 6:28 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Plus I'm about to win STLRegalia's signature rights
Not afraid to nitpick
by joker24 on Sep 5, 2009 6:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I've re-opened them for another month.
Future Redbirds - tracking Cardinal prospects for Cardinal Nation
by azruavatar on Sep 5, 2009 7:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
cheers, az
maybe I can add “nexdef”. irony!
"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 Sep 5, 2009 9:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Haha yeah sorry, it is a little confusing
Shu 4
Ramos 8
Lud 9
Glaus 3
Ankiel 7
DeRosa 5
Lugo 6
LaRue 2
Boggs
by ChicagoRedBird on Sep 5, 2009 4:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
All that matters is that we win the series, not any individual game
Well, I'm from Texas and my mama taught me to not piss all over myself.
by thepainguy on Sep 5, 2009 4:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I get that
But I’d like to know they have the series sealed up before sitting half the starters. I know it’s just the pirates, but they are still a professional baseball team. They can still steal a game from your regulars now and then.
by DarkHelmut on Sep 5, 2009 4:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was being facetious
It’s a bit presumptuous to assume you’ve won there series before you actually do.
Although, it is the Pirates.
And they are playing a bunch of college kids and beer league retreads.
Well, I'm from Texas and my mama taught me to not piss all over myself.
by thepainguy on Sep 5, 2009 5:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i like the look on lugo's face in the picture above
it’s like he’s trying to decide whether to stab Brendan Ryan, or just learn to like playing second base.
it's Clydesdales vs Goats. Actually sums up Cards vs. Cubs quite nicely. -all4tookie
by SleepyCA on Sep 5, 2009 6:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
So where's STLRegalia?
Not afraid to nitpick
by joker24 on Sep 5, 2009 6:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The really interesting thing is that, despite our perceptions, according to UZR, he’s not really a better shortstop than he’s been the previous 2 seasons. We just didn’t notice it b/c of the limited playing time he received.
I think brendan alluded to this when he said that he’s just had more chances this year to get noticed
Positronic Upgraded Juggernaut Optimized for Logical Sabotage
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Sep 5, 2009 7:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I swear I wasn't searching for Brendan Ryan posts
Look what I found! http://www.vivaelbirdos.com/2008/3/28/363392/troy-glaus
March 2008.
juggler: We’ll see what happens, but this comment could be interpreted to mean that TLR is ready and willing to give a lot of playing time to Ryan (and hopefully not Miles).
stlcardinalsfang: i’d rather see izzy2 out of the lineup and ryan at short (his natural position).
etp_stl: I don’t think TLR is adverse to playing Ryan, I just don’t think he is excited about the prospect of starting him. He has said he feels Ryan needs more seasoning before he will trust him with an everyday gig.
redbirdnation8206: Ryan’s value in playing is not so much what he’ll bring to the table, but rather the improvement he would be over Miles or Izturis. Let’s not kid ourselves…Brendan Ryan is a decent little ball player, but he’s no Chone Figgins, a supersub who is basically an everyday starter at hell knows where. He’s a fringe major leaguer. However, even in his fringiness, he’s a step up over the other two.
etp_stl: Ryan is probably an above average bench player, but he probably isn’t any kind of everyday SS for a contending team.
MilCardFan: But Tony has an axe to grind with Ryan,
for whatever reason. I don’t see him playing Ryan unless he has to.
How time flies….
"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 Sep 7, 2009 1:41 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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