Franklin comes back from Hollywood
by DanUpBaby on Sep 7, 2009 5:06 AM EDT
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PrintI'm not saying that either one of us (Franklin and Miller) have been on too much of a high but it brings you back down to where you're supposed to be."
The somberly realistic athlete is too much in fiction, usually, but never fails to depress in an actual locker room—it's why I've never been able to gin up very much anger about guys who are too exuberant or completely out of touch with their middling place in the baseball world. (Unless they're announcers.) It's one thing to make fun of a utility infielder who thinks the little things at which he works make him more valuable than Adam Dunn, but it's another thing entirely to watch him realize that a lifetime of breathing baseball and perfecting his sacrifice bunt has made him the 500th best player in the United States.
Ryan Franklin is a solid reliever, and he'll probably make good (though just barely) on that extra year the Cardinals tossed his way—that kind of money pays, on the open market, for a nice Dave Weathers year, and I've always thought that Ryan Franklin is a nice Dave Weathers. But if it's fair to say that he's not the guy who's walked 10 batters in his last 20 innings, it's also fair to say that the guy who's currently #5 on Baseball Prospectus's WXRL leaderboard, who's apparently added 4.7 wins over a replacement level, inexplicably highly leveraged pitcher, is not likely to make a return engagement.
So stop thinking about Ryan Franklin as a sad reliever and start thinking about him as a stern rebuker of over-excited fans. "Well," he says. "It brings you back down to where you're supposed to be."
When a guy begins the season as brilliantly as Franklin did I always expect him—that is, hope for him—to coast gently back toward his expected level of performance. An ERA of 0.79 at the all-star break? Well, gee, that's great; but that 3.45 ERA in the second half will be just fine, too. But he hasn't just turned back into Ryan Franklin in the meantime; he's turned into Kelvin Jimenez. Here are his half-seasons as a Cardinal, rendered as full years using yet another great tool from Baseball Reference:
G W L IP H ER HR BB K ERA BABIP FIP 2007 68 5 0 78.0 57 10 3 7 30 1.23 .214 3.20 2007 67 2 8 78.0 83 46 13 15 59 5.25 .294 4.43 2008 68 4 3 64.0 69 24 7 27 43 3.43 .299 4.55 2008 68 6 9 83.0 92 34 11 27 52 3.68 .310 4.66 2009 68 4 0 66.0 40 6 4 14 54 0.79 .196 2.99 2009 68 0 3 66.0 54 17 0 34 30 2.29 .246 3.84
Sorry about the preformatted table—wrangling the SBN table editor wasn't going as planned. Anyway, 2007 is the season we'll all have in mind if Franklin continues to slide, because the same combination of extraordinarily low BABIP and solid control was in play when he was at his best, and the same uneasy feeling came on so quickly when he wasn't. (Though it's interesting to see that the was "finer" in 2007 and better with the strikeout in 2009; I would have guessed the opposite.)
But this most recent hiccup isn't the same as the second half of 2007, where he basically pitched like himself save for the home run every six innings; this time he's become both hittable and nibbly, walking—and this is a damned-lie caliber stat, but I like it anyway—twice as many batters as Chris Perez has in the second half, over four per nine innings.
In April Franklin's tenacity was what I latched onto when I watched him pitch; he was relentless on both corners, like Chris Carpenter at his best, and he was doing it despite a fastball that would pass for batting practice if he were allowed to stand behind a giant screen. He was all fast-moving confidence in a way that seemed to deny he was throwing the pitches he threw—It's one thing to live on the edge like that if you've got a fastball that misses bats; he was just acting like he did. Mess up with Carpenter's fastball, throw a quality start; mess up with Franklin's fastball, it looks like this.
He's not this guy any more than he was Dennis Eckersley; luckily, the Cardinals have some breathing room in which to see how quickly this version wears himself out. This last month of the season and into the playoffs will be quite a test of Tony's bullpen button-pressing, because as of September 7 he's got exactly one reliever who's been good all year and is keeping it up right now—a LOOGY. He's probably too in tune with Franklin's touchy Closer Mentality to swap him out of the ninth inning role, but aside from Miller against the toughest left-hander he has no autopilot relievers for the highest-leverage moments. (Well, he does—Thompson and Motte have appeared in a combined three games with a leverage index over one since August 1, to McClellan's eight—but he probably shouldn't.)
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How much does Franklin
need to pitch the rest of the month?
Is rest the answer?
Proud sponsor of the Official 2009 StL Cardinal theme song: Reason to Believe
If Motte continues to perk up a little
I wouldn’t be aversed to giving him the ball in the 9th sometimes, especially if we’re 2-3 runs up. Might be good experience.
Felonius Monk - bitching to contact since 2008
by Felonius_Monk on Sep 7, 2009 8:31 AM EDT up reply actions
I agree with that
Motte has pitched better lately and it would be nice to know that he can close out games if called upon to do so.
+1
Positronic Upgraded Juggernaut Optimized for Logical Sabotage
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Sep 7, 2009 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions
also, send the memo around the league
our 99mph fireballer is going up there without goggles.
fear the sauce!
"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
this is like dragonball
"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
and it's on fire!
"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
Everybody would be wearing David Wright sized helmets
No excuses. No injuries. No "better luck next time"
Do it, and shut the f—- up.
-Reggie Jackson
actually I heard it didn't stay on his head
Kind of defeats the purpose.
"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
what an awesome title
"Ludwick, I could kiss you on the nuts!" - the red baron 7-29-09
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
franky signs extension
franky turns into frizzy
coincidence?
do’t forget our most experienced closer, j smoltz
if he goes to the pen, it will be an interesting test of whether tlr is such a creature of habit as to not use his most experienced closer if frizzy falters
"No matter where you go, there you are" Buckeroo Bonzai Across the 8th Dimension
this is a bit of an overreaction, no?
Franklin has looked a little shaky for a few appearances, but he has only blown one save as of late. I am not so sure we have to worry about Franklin all that much yet.
"Ludwick, I could kiss you on the nuts!" - the red baron 7-29-09
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
the umpiring has been atrocious in all of his shaky starts, IIRC
And he admitted he let it get to him in San Diego. When you goat-nibble and the umpire says you’re not even on the lawn, the guy’s gotta start throwing in the middle of the zone.
"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
But can a shaky Franklin
cut it come playoff time. In fact, is our bullpen really good enough for the playoffs. I have doubted that for some time.
I thought for sure a move would be made at the deadline but it wasn’t. I don’t want to rain on a parade but I’m concerned.
Wow
First on other boards, now here. Franklin had a perfect August and has been used quite a bit. Regardless, he has been effective sans yesterday. I thinkfans are over reacting
by riotmute on Sep 7, 2009 10:38 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
This is a pretty tame overreaction.
Franks reverting. He was having the greatest season by a RH closer in National League history. Ryan Fucking Franklin. His BABIP simply wasn’t going to stay that low all year, this was bound to happen.
Shut up, Fritz™.
I don't think Danup is panicking over this.
He’s just pointing out that since “Franklin sucked” so much thus far that he was due to have a run where he struggles a bit. I’m kind of happy to see it now so he can get it worked out before the playoffs.
Yeah, Danup has just about gotten Franklin nailed
Fraknlin is who he is, which is good since he is not Bad Franklin.
"Ludwick, I could kiss you on the nuts!" - the red baron 7-29-09
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
yes
better to work it out now than when it counts.
Especially since it seems a mite psychological. Those throws to first in the other appearance reminded me of Franklin’s M.O. of holds past, when getting three outs took for-effin-ever. It almost looked like Franky didn’t trust his stuff.
Personally I think Yadi needs to step up and get out of his aggressive It’s Adam Wainwright closing mode, and calm down his pitcher at the first sign of wavering. The dumb thing is, it’s worked before this season, when the two of them executed risky game-plan after risky game-plan.
"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
No
if Franklin had gained the save yesterday, I would have made the same comment about the bullpen being strong enough for the playoffs.
I will be pleasantly surprised if this pen can the likes of Phillies, Dodgers, Yankees, Red Sox or even Giants, Colorado when it comes crunch time…just trying to look at it realisticl, that’s all.
Reply button is good
No excuses. No injuries. No "better luck next time"
Do it, and shut the f—- up.
-Reggie Jackson
I'm not extremely worried about the bullpen in the playoffs.
The only relievers who are going to see a lot time are Franklin, Miller, Reyes, and hopefully Smoltz. If Smoltz is a starter in the playoffs, then either Motte or Hawksworth takes his place and they are both throwing well. If you look at the other teams we will be facing in the NL, we match up well against their bullpens. The Yankees, Red Sox, and Angels bullpens’ are probably better, but our starting pitching is better than the Yanks and Angels, and the Red Sox don’t have much offense.
we also have to remember
that there are quite a few days off during the playoffs. I am not worried about the bullpen at all, as long as Welley isn’t in the playoff bullpen. Hell I hope Thompson makes the pen over Welley.
"Ludwick, I could kiss you on the nuts!" - the red baron 7-29-09
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
yeah
Thompson has been waaaay better than welley this season
Positronic Upgraded Juggernaut Optimized for Logical Sabotage
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Sep 7, 2009 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions
So you think
TLR is not going to use Kmac in the playoffs, arguably his most trusted reliever, behind sir sucks-a-lot, especially if Smotlzy isnt in the pen?
No excuses. No injuries. No "better luck next time"
Do it, and shut the f—- up.
-Reggie Jackson
the Red Sox don’t have much offense.
que?
Felonius Monk - bitching to contact since 2008
by Felonius_Monk on Sep 8, 2009 6:04 AM EDT up reply actions
OT: check out what y'all said about Brendan Ryan
Blast from the past. Kinda funny how things work out.
"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
this just cracks me up
flames coming out of robot’s face, ahoy. if I read it correctly, time for robots to gloat.
"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
and sometimes the irony burns
the Greene bullet point. man, we could not have known.
"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
PS - I was right. And BRy has been the better player this year.
Future Redbirds - tracking Cardinal prospects for Cardinal Nation
I'm reading another one along the same vein
and boy were you ever right about the upside.
"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
Link
I’m reading through the last comment from CardsWin where he quotes me like half-a dozen times about Boog. As much fun as Boog has been to watch, I still think the Cardinals need to keep looking for a solution at SS unless they’re willing to count on Boog and Tyler Greene for a few years.
Future Redbirds - tracking Cardinal prospects for Cardinal Nation
If he can keep this up,
I am happy with him for as long as we can keep him. Really needs to bring up the OBP, but .280ish average from a good (if not great) defensive SS, who is pretty cheap, seems like a perfect fit for the team. Do you not think this year’s performance is sustainable, or do you think the team could find someone better?
Guess my question is, if you held the funds, and the decision was up to you, what do you do for our MI?
Unless they can pry a young SS away from another team
they’re going to have to rely on BRy and T.Greene in the near term. There’s nothing on the FA market and at the least those guys have some sick gloves. They’ll need offense from other positions though — they won’t be able to punt on 3rd base for instance.
Future Redbirds - tracking Cardinal prospects for Cardinal Nation
SS is the one position where offense means little to me
SS to me is still an all glove position with an offense bonus if possible. We need someone to step up for 3B. I don’t want DeRosa to be our 3B in 2010
by FlimtotheFlam on Sep 7, 2009 12:54 PM EDT up reply actions
Pre-injury DeRosa would have been fine with me.
I don’t want to see David Freese manning 3B for us next year.
Future Redbirds - tracking Cardinal prospects for Cardinal Nation
You won't.
It will be Allen Craig.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
by bgh on Sep 7, 2009 5:03 PM EDT up reply actions
agreed
Boog is an injury risk par excellence.
"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
boog certainly avenged
that fanpost
No excuses. No injuries. No "better luck next time"
Do it, and shut the f—- up.
-Reggie Jackson
it's kind of interesting to see who fell into which camps
Even though all of the posts were talking about other players and not Boog in particular. ghosts, Iz2 wars
Mostly because we just could not have known.
"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
your link brings me to
a troy glaus fanpost, is that what its supposed to be?
No excuses. No injuries. No "better luck next time"
Do it, and shut the f—- up.
-Reggie Jackson
read the comments.
"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
figured that would be it
as soon as i posted my reply
No excuses. No injuries. No "better luck next time"
Do it, and shut the f—- up.
-Reggie Jackson
I wasn't even doing a search on him
(I was looking for one of my own comments, and typed in ‘axe’)
"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
All the uncle Rico
talk brought back some memories
No excuses. No injuries. No "better luck next time"
Do it, and shut the f—- up.
-Reggie Jackson
I'm not extremely worried about
bullpen in the playoffs either. Just throwing out some concerns and to add a couple of others. Notice Wainwright in his last 2 starts is suddenly giving out of gas in the 5th or 6 inning (not like Wainwright at all) Is this just a blip hopefully? Carpenter is also having a few innings where he is giving up multible hits, which make me wonder can he even be expected to be good for a full season after a two year layoff.
Just a few things to notice, no panic.
I'm trying to determine if there's something up with Wainwright and Pittsburgh
He runs out of gas in that ballpark awfully quick. I think it’s the river.
"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
smog?
No excuses. No injuries. No "better luck next time"
Do it, and shut the f—- up.
-Reggie Jackson
is the river solid or liquid?
"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
pretty sure it hasnt
been a liquid since the 70’s
No excuses. No injuries. No "better luck next time"
Do it, and shut the f—- up.
-Reggie Jackson
that's the one.
"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
Today's Lineup via Leech
1. Schumaker 2B
2. Ankiel CF
3. Pujols 1B
4. Holliday LF
5. Ludwick RF
6. Glaus 3B
7. Molina C
8. Ryan SS
9. Carpenter P
....my quick smells like french toast...
this is the first game
i will have been able to watch since wednesday
No excuses. No injuries. No "better luck next time"
Do it, and shut the f—- up.
-Reggie Jackson
We're all working
DanUp is secretly using our comment threads to power his backup generator. The longer the thread, the better.
"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
i'm in class
wonderful private university doesn’t believe in Monday holidays
I'm going to anticipate Albert being walked if Babe Ruth is hitting behind him -Holliday
i'm off work
because i’m scheduled off.
but i have no school because labor day is my friend
Of course, hope means being cut down on some street corner, as you run like mad, by a random bullet.
Wow
I assumed everyone was back in school already. Senior year of HS was fun because I already was accepted to the college’s I wanted to and just slacked off
by FlimtotheFlam on Sep 7, 2009 12:55 PM EDT up reply actions
Michigan changed their law
All schools start after Labor Day now, and have so for about 4 years. It used to be that schools started in late August like everyone else.
I love this team.
Not at work
but I’m working on projects around the house today…and listening to the Cards on the radio.
"I just wish that the late Harry Caray were still around so I could hear him mispronounce 'Kosuke Fukudome' every fukun' night" -- Dennis Miller
off work
going to the game. I’ll be in the baby blue four rows behind home plate.
I have the day off
my sympathies go out to those who have to work, because you probably don’t have a choice
Positronic Upgraded Juggernaut Optimized for Logical Sabotage
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Sep 7, 2009 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm working today
so I can take next Sunday off (day after a bachelor party). I don’t mind it at all.
Shut up, Fritz™.
I don't work
Been retired since 1997, but thinking about going back to school to become a teacher. Hell, 51 is still young, isn’t it? I still feel like I’m 35 (except when I bend down to get something onthe ground).
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 Sep 7, 2009 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions
51 is the new 17, right?
Of course, hope means being cut down on some street corner, as you run like mad, by a random bullet.
i would not want to be 17 again
I would not want to be back in High School
by FlimtotheFlam on Sep 7, 2009 1:25 PM EDT up reply actions
yeah, high school sucked
and living with the ’rents, too
Of course, hope means being cut down on some street corner, as you run like mad, by a random bullet.
Is Deja Vu still open
And have bottomless cup’s on Thursday?
by FlimtotheFlam on Sep 7, 2009 1:48 PM EDT up reply actions
the only thing i hate more than deja vu
is the field house
Of course, hope means being cut down on some street corner, as you run like mad, by a random bullet.
I loved Deja Vu
Used to always go with a bunch of girls and just dance all night. Fieldhouse was ok on off nights like Tuesday but hated it on the weekends. I actually disliked going to most of the bars on the weekends. I have and always be a house party kind of guy. Used to live on High St on East Campus where I through many of parties
by FlimtotheFlam on Sep 7, 2009 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions
i don't really dance
i was more of a shakespeare’s, mcnally’s, billiards, southside pizza type
Of course, hope means being cut down on some street corner, as you run like mad, by a random bullet.
Southside is the best just to watch a game, dollar bottles or drafts!
Though they really jack up the price of beer to $2 bottles on gamedays.
Not afraid to nitpick
i liked to go
on the nights they had those massive 64 oz mugs for for 3 bucks
Of course, hope means being cut down on some street corner, as you run like mad, by a random bullet.
Those are awesome but I don't think they've had those for awhile
Chicken wings are a-mazing too.
Not afraid to nitpick
+1
shakespeares pizza is awesome
No excuses. No injuries. No "better luck next time"
Do it, and shut the f—- up.
-Reggie Jackson
We usually went there once a year
around May, when it seemed like the proper place to be all Reflective in a large group. But other than that, I never got the appeal.
I always go there after going down to columbia
for MU football or basketball
No excuses. No injuries. No "better luck next time"
Do it, and shut the f—- up.
-Reggie Jackson
The one place I miss more than anything else in Columbia is
G&D’s Burger’s. So cheap and so good. Favorite hangover food
by FlimtotheFlam on Sep 7, 2009 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions
when i hung drywall for a living
we ate lunch there a lot. kinda burned out on it. but yeah, the food is good and it’s cheap
Of course, hope means being cut down on some street corner, as you run like mad, by a random bullet.
i lived in the house with 3 houses side by side
We lived in the middle. It was glorious. Mr.Lee owned the place.
by FlimtotheFlam on Sep 7, 2009 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions
That's where my friend lives
You’re talking the one with the crappy little parking lot in back right?
Not afraid to nitpick
Weird
That half wall thing randomly placed in the middle of the room is so dumb. I think they still get your mail haha.
Not afraid to nitpick
i should find this pic for you
I got this pic of about 30 cop’s in my front lawn cause of a party. My neighbors had a small party but lacked the negotiating skills in talking to the police. Someone must of touched a police officer cause they start macing everyone at the party and beating people up.
by FlimtotheFlam on Sep 7, 2009 2:20 PM EDT up reply actions
How do you hate fieldhouse?
You get lit for 10 bucks tops Wednesdays/Fridays and it’s the single best place to…squire a girl because there’s the dancefloor or beer pong. Can be ridiculous trying to get a drink but whatever.
Not afraid to nitpick
Was more a Frat House guys place
I for the most part avoided the Frat hangout’s.
by FlimtotheFlam on Sep 7, 2009 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Frat guys usually make me laugh anyway
But yeah, where Old Shiloh was is now Bengals and it’s yet to be discovered by fratties yet.
Not afraid to nitpick
the patrons
Of course, hope means being cut down on some street corner, as you run like mad, by a random bullet.
Yeah, I think it's bottomless Fridays but haven't been there in awhile
It’s the underage hangout—-and then there’s also old people. They ID harder than anyone in Columbia…then proceed not to care.
Not afraid to nitpick
I don't want another year of HS
I’m ready for college and to move on, but I got another stinkin’ year…
I love this team.
What did you do to retire so young?
"If I prepare myself, my stuff is good and I'm going to get outs. That is a fact." - Chris Carpenter
just my guess
but I’m betting military
"Baseball is like Church, many attend, few understand" - Wes Westrum
or was he the one
that made a bunch of money betting on horses
"Baseball is like Church, many attend, few understand" - Wes Westrum
I agree with the "fragile Franklin closer mentality"
He pitched even worse last year when he was removed from the closer role, so I would really hesitate to tinker around with his role at this point. If he can at least get a few relatively clean saves in the next week or so, I think he’ll be OK.
At the same time, if he goes forward and blows pretty much every save opportunity going forth, something might have to be done. If they find themselves in a situation where the playoffs are slipping away or where Franklin blows the first few games of a playoff series, Smoltz would have to be the guy to turn to. Motte still hasn’t shown anything that he’s ready, and K-Mac has been a disaster in that situation.
for old time's sake
franklins game (2008)
"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
I really liked that game too much
"Ludwick, I could kiss you on the nuts!" - the red baron 7-29-09
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
Hope Franky can return to his sucky self
without returning to his 2008 self. I’m a little concerned right now, but not very much. We’re pretty much a lock in the playoffs, and I’m excited to see what could happen then.
I love this team.
Happy Labor Day everyone
great post Dan! it’s good to hear the quote about Franklin and Miller having their awakening. as long as Franklin keeps the control that he’s had most of the season, and keeps painting the black, we’ll be all right.
Positronic Upgraded Juggernaut Optimized for Logical Sabotage
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Sep 7, 2009 12:52 PM EDT reply actions
so did Glaus have to make any throws at third base yesterday?
Positronic Upgraded Juggernaut Optimized for Logical Sabotage
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Sep 7, 2009 12:55 PM EDT reply actions
Yes, and he didn't look bad
Threw a hard strike off of his back foot.
Well, I'm from Texas and my mama taught me to not piss all over myself.
stat question
How does one calculate WPA per inning for a pitcher? Is there a better stat? I want to show progression from inning to inning i.e. a rough snapshot of leverage, regardless of whether or not the pitcher got out of the situation.
signed, I-was-told-there-would-be-no-math
"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
math and science, math and science
why do I even come here? Oh yeah, science was my most favorite subject.
"Ludwick, I could kiss you on the nuts!" - the red baron 7-29-09
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
they were my worst, i suck at both so much, my teachers nicked named me hoover
i really have no business being here
pretzels pretzels pretzels pretzels
you guys think
yadi is a HOF in the making?
Of course, hope means being cut down on some street corner, as you run like mad, by a random bullet.
Good question
I went to the game on Thursday with some pals, and we started debating how many future HOFers we were seeing:
3 definites (Smoltzy, Hoffman, Pujols), 2 possiblies (Yadi, Fielder), and 1 already there (Boog)
Testicle-exploding shit storm, circa 7/12/08 - We will never forget!
by dan on Sep 7, 2009 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions
if the HOF won't take Boog, they should just tear the place down
"Ludwick, I could kiss you on the nuts!" - the red baron 7-29-09
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
I'd say Braun has more of a shot than Fielder
Prince could be out of the game by 32 with his weight problems.
Holliday’s only 29. I’m guessing he’s a very long shot, but probably shorter than Fielder.
Felonius Monk - bitching to contact since 2008
by Felonius_Monk on Sep 8, 2009 6:26 AM EDT up reply actions
sadly
since he’s arguably the best defensive catcher all time
Of course, hope means being cut down on some street corner, as you run like mad, by a random bullet.
Also interesting
do you think Carp has enough years to be considered for the HOF?
No excuses. No injuries. No "better luck next time"
Do it, and shut the f—- up.
-Reggie Jackson
yeah, he has 115 wins coming into today
he has no realistic shot, unless he pulls like six 25 wins seasons out the rest of his career
"Ludwick, I could kiss you on the nuts!" - the red baron 7-29-09
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
Draw him as ASCII picture
to keep him interested.
Future Redbirds - tracking Cardinal prospects for Cardinal Nation
make Luddy do it
"Ludwick, I could kiss you on the nuts!" - the red baron 7-29-09
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
Derrek Lee is 2-2 with 2 HR so far today
He’s certainly having himself a nice little bounce-back season.
Good piece, good points
Being aware that you are regressing to the mean has to hurt a little, and I think that’s what Franky was trying to express in the post-game interview yesterday.
That being said, he does need to learn how to calm down when the umpire is squeezing him, or at least use that anger to his advantage.
"I think those scorers must be from Mars or Venus. Or maybe they're just from that book." --Mike Shannon, 7/09/2009
was Angel behind the plate yesterday?
"Ludwick, I could kiss you on the nuts!" - the red baron 7-29-09
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
yes.
at least that’s what I remember. these games keep blurring together.
"I think those scorers must be from Mars or Venus. Or maybe they're just from that book." --Mike Shannon, 7/09/2009
I say before the next time Angel umps HP in a Cards game
the team has Thompson, Welley, or Thursty go kick him in the junk. Angel misses the game, and we will never miss any of those three.
"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 7, 2009 5:46 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
+1
Felonius Monk - bitching to contact since 2008
by Felonius_Monk on Sep 8, 2009 6:26 AM EDT up reply actions
hope colby is taking notes
on this highlight reel
Sell it kid!
"Baseball is like Church, many attend, few understand" - Wes Westrum
I look forward to years of Colby awesomeness
but this reel of Jim Edmonds catches is the best thing I’ve seen in my entire life. Except maybe the Pujols/Lidge HR.
defy, cards, defy. hey logic --- you suck.
I might be going against popluar wisdom here
but i think Waino’s curve to Beltran in the 06 NLCS was the most awesome thing
No excuses. No injuries. No "better luck next time"
Do it, and shut the f—- up.
-Reggie Jackson
i agree
i recently said the waino striking out beltran was the greatest moment of cardinal history that i was around to remember and everyone was like “WHAT ABOUT THE WORLD SERIES”
i dunno, that nlcs was just so much more epic than the ws
Of course, hope means being cut down on some street corner, as you run like mad, by a random bullet.
It was just full of awesomeness
So hitting a home run off billy effin wagner, Yadi hitting a home run in that game 7, Endy’s ridiculous catch, etc.
It just kept me on the edge of my seat throughout the whole series
No excuses. No injuries. No "better luck next time"
Do it, and shut the f—- up.
-Reggie Jackson
yeah, it was such an awesome series for both teams
made me respect the mets a lot. endy’s catch is one of the best i’ve ever seen
Of course, hope means being cut down on some street corner, as you run like mad, by a random bullet.
Yeah
although another thing i remember is a mets fan crying after Beltran struck out to end the series, one of the funniest things ive ever seen
No excuses. No injuries. No "better luck next time"
Do it, and shut the f—- up.
-Reggie Jackson
I feel like a horrible person, but I totally agree.
It was that mid-40’s woman with brown-reddish curly hair, right? I was like, “Suck it up, BITCH!”
I know that’s not very nice.
"I think those scorers must be from Mars or Venus. Or maybe they're just from that book." --Mike Shannon, 7/09/2009
you may not win any midwest niceness awards
but who cares? we all can’t be saints. some of us have to be jerks.
pretzels pretzels pretzels pretzels
no pie for andi
"Ludwick, I could kiss you on the nuts!" - the red baron 7-29-09
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
the shot of the anguished Mets fans is like an annual tradition
kind of sad.
"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
my favorite moment
I played softball with this guy who was a big Mets fan. We were discussing how overachieving the Cards were, and how bad Jeff Weaver was. Jeff Weaver dominates in his first start. I see my buddy the next day, and all he says to me is “Jeff Fucking Weaver”.
he might have sold a few of those
but man, he just made some spectacular catches over the years. Man, I miss Jimmy, can we bring him back next year please?
"Ludwick, I could kiss you on the nuts!" - the red baron 7-29-09
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
franky really sucks
i’ve been trying to tell you people this for years. our best shot at a flag is if Smoltzy is holding down the 9th inning during the playoffs, because franky’s luck has run out. the phills, dodgers & whoever makes it in the AL will chew him up & spit him out.
pretzels pretzels pretzels pretzels
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