light pimping
by lboros on Feb 26, 2010 9:54 AM EST
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Printg’morning boys and girls. danup was kind enough to put me in the chair this morning to pimp (gently) this year’s Maple Street Press guide. danup and the red baron made big contributions again this year, and we also brought back chuckb (aka houstoncardinal), jeff sackmann, will leitch, and dayn perry. i did a little writing for the book as well; one of my articles (in the history section) goes on for about a zillion pages about a beloved cardinal team of my youth, the 1974 edition. that’s the "apocalypse now" article of the magazine — originally budgeted at 6 or 7 pages, but delivered at 14 or so. the studio suits wanted to cut the length (so predictable), but i threatened to dump all galleys into the mississippi if they touched so much as a word. i guess "apocalypse now" would be the best-case comp; the worst-case would be "heaven’s gate."
anyway, i don’t want to drone on for 14 pages here. the book will be on newsstands early next week, or you can order it online. it’s an above-replacement-level book, i promise; if you have thoughts about how to make it better next year, email me at vivaelbirdos on the yahoo.
the magazine is pretty sanguine about the cardinals. and why not — the team has collected four very good players who are at their career peak, surrounded them w/ several league-average players who are also in their prime, tossed in a grade A prospect and some role players with upside . . . . given where this roster was just two years ago, it’s a pretty striking turnaround. think back to that spring for a second. heading into camp in 2008, the cards were seriously considering juan gonzalez as a bench player. mark mulder was an important part of the plan for the rotation. their best outfielder was chris duncan, who entered the season with 756 career at-bats; rico washington and kelvin jimenez both made the opening day roster. and the most exciting young players on the roster — the guys we all hoped the team could build around in the future — were rick ankiel and brian barton.
that was just a few months into mozeliak’s tenure, and now here we are today. but here’s what is fascinating — mo didn’t get the team to this point by churning the roster. he built it largely out of resources that were on hand in 2008. ludwick, rasmus, schumaker, and ryan were all in the organization two februarys ago, but none had ever held down an everyday position in the big leagues — and only rasmus was considered a future regular on a first-division team. yadi was a no-hit catcher with a career high ops of .708. carp was on the eternal dl. kyle mcclellan, jason motte, blake hawksworth, mitch boggs — just names for the #hpgf to get themselves worked up over. the only key additions from outside the organization have been holliday, lohse, and penny. that’s not nothing, obviously, but it’s a distinctly different approach from the way walt jocketty built his teams — ie, by bringing in guys from other organizations.
mo has built this one by relying heavily on guys like david freese — passed-over prospects who don’t have star potential and are therefore very easy to dismiss. he’s stuck to that program despite a lot of advice from many quarters (including the media, talk-show callers, field manager, and star first baseman) to blow big chunks of money on guys like brian fuentes or torii hunter or miguel tejada. he has changed the organizational culture to the point that there-for-the-taking veterans like felipe lopez and john smoltz don’t generate much interest in cardinal nation anymore. the focus is generally on players like jaime garcia and allen craig. unproven players with upside have found a home in st louis. thank you, mo.
their handling of freese made me ask myself a question: when’s the last time the cardinals placed this type of faith in a rookie? ie, when’s the last time that a player with 31 major-league at-bats was option A for an everyday position heading into a season? it’s the "option A" piece that’ important here. colby rasmus played himself into an everyday role last year, but he wasn’t entrusted with the position right from the get-go. he opened the season as the fourth outfielder, starting nearly as many games in right field (5) as center (6) during the month of april, and didn’t become the regular centerfielder until ankiel’s collision with the outfield wall on may 4 sent him to the dl. likewise, albert pujols was an everyday player as a rookie, but even after he hit his way onto the roster he didn’t have a regular position. he made starts at four different positions (1b, 3b, lf, rf) in april, and his playing time was divided pretty evenly among those four slots all season — 52 starts at third, 30something at the other three stations. the team didn’t insert him into a position; he forced his way into the lineup.
freese is a different case — they’ve got him penciled in for 130 starts at third base. the last time the organization did that with a rookie was . . . ? with j.d. drew back in 1999, per my recollection. they’ve certainly given opportunities to many other young players since then, but most of those guys got their chances in mid-season, after option A (and maybe B, C, and D) washed out. brendan ryan, chris duncan, ryan ludwick, and rick ankiel all fall into that category. and then there are guys like schumaker and yadi, who understudied for a season or three before coming into a season with an everyday job.
likewise, if jaime garcia should win the #5 starter’s job, he’d become the first cardinal rookie to be counted on for 30 starts since rick ankiel in 2000. my heart kind of broke as i looked back over that history. between 1996 and 2000, the cards opened every season with a rookie figuring prominently in their rotation plans. the five rookies were alan benes (1996), matt morris (1997), cliff pollitte (1998), jose jimenez (1999), and rick ankiel (2000). benes ranked #5 on baseball america’s top prospect list heading into 1996; ankiel was #1 heading into 2000. the team seemingly had a built-in rotation slot for rookie pitchers until ankiel’s meltdown. and since then? baby steps with young arms. it’s a pretty stark dividing line.
one other note, and then i gotta run. assuming that freese sticks, all 8 of the cards’ 2010 regulars will be under club control again for 2011. when’s the last time they returned all 8 starters two years in a row? it happened in 2003 with matheny, tino, vina, renteria, rolen, pujols, edmonds, and drew. it also happened in 1994, when they returned pags, jeffereies, alicea, ozzie, zeile, gilkey, lankford, and whiten; and in 1983, when they returned their series-winning lineup of porter, hernandez, herr, ozzie, obie, lonnie, willie, and silent george. it happens about once a decade, in other words — and they’re about due.
thanks danup for the invitation — thanks ev’ybody for reading.
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welcome back
Blaine Matthew Burns: Albert Pujols' biggest fan (his first words will for sure be "Albert Pujols is RIDICULOUS")
SBN'd already
good read, without all of those pesky capital letters
Blaine Matthew Burns: Albert Pujols' biggest fan (his first words will for sure be "Albert Pujols is RIDICULOUS")
in honor of lboros' return
i will be writing everything today in all lower-case, and much smarter than i usually do.
by williamfleitch on Feb 26, 2010 10:03 AM EST reply actions
Good night...
…a Borowski AND a Leitch appearance in the same thread? And within 10 minutes of each other? Truly, this is a red-letter day!
"But I’m still hungry. I’ve got 10 fingers. There’s one that’s busy and I need nine more."
- Albert Pujols
now we just need a flesh and blood unicorn to wander into our 2d world.
I'm like a polygon, I'm edgy.
Resident malcontented betamale
agreed
that is what i shall do.
VivaElBirdos: Celebrating glorious mustaches since 2009
by redbirdnation8206 on Feb 26, 2010 11:13 AM EST up reply actions
excellent
i finally get to read a brand new post from the mighty lboros
you’re gonna stick around, right?
I miss your articles Lboros
I enjoy reading the other guys, but you were the original reason I began coming to this site. Don’t get me wrong I love reading Danup, red baron, and chuckb, but that doesn’t mean I don’t miss your insightful posts. I hope in the future you find time to write for this site again on a regular basis even if it is only once a week.
by tnek5 on Feb 26, 2010 10:12 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
Could not agree more with everything tknek5 wrote.
My feelings exactly.
1.14.10, the day I went green.
strongly agreed
we’ve been exceedingly fortunate to go from Brian Gunn to Lboros to the Baron and DanUp. For what it’s worth, here’s me casting my ballot in favor of bringing everyone back to create an all-star lineup here at Viva.
Imerman Angels 1on1 Cancer Support - ask me more if someone you know is fighting cancer.
If only there were some sort of book that containted writing from those writers...
"What's your favorite Chuck Palahniuk book?"
"I like the one about the alienated character who finds the socially unacceptable way of coping with modernity."
by hazel on Feb 26, 2010 1:21 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Bought one yesterday
Looking forward to getting it .
now I just gotta figure out where to get a 2010 Cards media guide.
Good to hear from you lboros!
A single tear
Oh for the days of lboros posting regularly. Nothing against the current crew, but Larry is the gold standard. Gonna buy the annual for that reason alone.
I hope Freese can hold it together for 130 starts, but does anyone think that’s gonna happen?
sure, i wouldn't be surprised by 120-130 starts
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
why not?
I'm gonna need a whole lot more franklins if Franklin is our closer this year
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Feb 26, 2010 2:02 PM EST up reply actions
Thanks for the great read, LB.
And I must say, you have clearly mastered the art of understatement. I mean, when one of “four very good players who are at their career peak” is Albert Pujols…
"But I’m still hungry. I’ve got 10 fingers. There’s one that’s busy and I need nine more."
- Albert Pujols
I think you misread it...
Albert equals the combined output of “four very good players”. No, seriously.
/sarcasm.
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
Colby
Not sure how many games he actually started last year, but I think the plan was to have him win the starting job, and start 130 games. Just didn’t work out that way, thought I doubt he was too far off the 130 number.
But yea, the Cards haven’t had to rely on rookie starters too often. Not sure if that speaks of a poor system, or good roster management in that we can let the young guys work their way in?
Matt Holliday. Nuff said.
He started 114 games last year
and started an equal number in just about every month. I don’t think that the plan was to have him win the starting job and start 130 games, I think the plan was to get him enough PA’s (300-400) so that the club could still get Ankiel and Duncan enough PA’s to determine their worth going forward, while putting Colby in a position to succeed.
As it turns out, Duncan never made it back, Ankiel stunk and was banged up all season, and Colby ended up starting 114 games and appearing in 147. Did he play well enough to win the job last season? Clearly he did — Ankiel is now with the Royals, Duncan was traded, and Jay isn’t on the 40 man. To say that was the plan at the beginning of last year is simply hindsight being 20/20 though.
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
Good post LB
I’ll say I’ve been much more critical of Mo that others, mainly due to his inability, in my opinion, to be willing make deals for undervalued players.
Lopez and Smoltz are right there for the taking. They each have problems (Smoltz is old and Lopez is inconsistent and a dick apparently), but they fill positions of very weak depth. I’m fine with giving Craig, Freese and Garcia a chance, but you can’t solely rely on those players, nor can you rely on Carpenter and Penny to stay healthy.
Mixed opinions
I’m of two minds:
- on one hand it makes sense to pick up additional assets without having to surrender any existing players and “only” give up cash.
- on the other hand it’s interesting to give some of the younger talent on the roster a chance to step into the voids while keeping the cash in reserve as the season progresses.
Imerman Angels 1on1 Cancer Support - ask me more if someone you know is fighting cancer.
all about the $
We need to see what cost controlled assets can and will stick at the Major League level.
Next year and the year after are going to be very tight on $.
If spots open due to injury, I can see Mo pulling another DeRosa trade to fill a hole.
a DeRosa-type trade
Only works if we have the assets to trade away. The cupboard is pretty bare right now, hence the thought that signing some free agents would have a ripple effect and make other players on the roster more fungible for a trade.
Imerman Angels 1on1 Cancer Support - ask me more if someone you know is fighting cancer.
I'm more critical of not signing Smoltz than Lopez.
I’m comfortable with filling third base from within right now and I don’t want Lopez anywhere near shortstop with a glove. (Okay, so maybe third base is “near” shortstop, but you know what I mean.)
"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
Yes, plz ...
sign the ol’ man already. I’ll even chip in to buy him a tank of gas to get to the stadium.
@aaronjscott
by musialsuspects on Feb 26, 2010 11:25 AM EST up reply actions
SMOLTZ FOR CLOSER
You know what they call a quarter pounder with cheese in France?
by jd is legend on Feb 26, 2010 11:43 AM EST up reply actions
incorrigible
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
Looking at our payroll
We could still sign
Lopez ($3M)
Smoltz ($3M)
Calero ($1M)
That is $7M of insurance that could be difference between the playoffs and not. The last few dollars when you are projected around 88 to 92 wins are the most precious spent. That $7M will plug every remaining hole. But…
I understand Moz wants to see the hole before plugging it. But sometimes if you wait that long you will have nothing to fill the hole with by that time.
by FlimtotheFlam on Feb 26, 2010 12:11 PM EST up reply actions
I know little about payroll maneuvering ...
but would Mo hold onto that $7M for a mid-season acquisition? Or will there be more money available down the line?
@aaronjscott
by musialsuspects on Feb 26, 2010 12:12 PM EST up reply actions
exactly
Why are we worrying about mid season acquisitions. When we could grab a starter, bullpen guy, and utility infielder. What hole is left? An OFer if something happens. Plus, we don’t have anyone to trade for a mid season acquisition.
by FlimtotheFlam on Feb 26, 2010 12:17 PM EST up reply actions
Well, I'm not suggesting it ...
I just wonder if it is part of the GM’s rationale. Or if it would be.
@aaronjscott
by musialsuspects on Feb 26, 2010 12:21 PM EST up reply actions
i agree / disagree
i agree that the team still has holes -- need a LH bat, and franklin is going to be a problem sooner or later. and if carpenter goes down (always a possibility) all bets are off.
but i disagree w/ the notion that the team should rush out to find their depth externally. given the cards’ payroll future, players who are young, cheap, and cost-controlled have intrinsic value to this org -- esp in support roles such as backup IF, setup man, and #6 starter. there are plenty of pitchers already in the organization who possess the talent to fill all of those roles, and the team can only identify them by going through a sorting-out process -- letting people play and seeing who sticks and who flops.
IMHO that sorting-out process, and the cost-controlled talent it yields, has more value to this team, at this time, than a one-year fix like john smoltz or kiko calero. given the payroll burdens they’re going to face in the next decade (assuming a monstrous contract for pujols), developing long-term, in-house fixes is a critical priority, and it won’t just happen by accident. the team has to make it happen by creating opportunities for guys when they are ready. i’m glad to see the cardinals taking that approach.
if the in-house options flop -- or if one does not exist -- then you look outside the organization for help. which is an argument for signing felipe lopez, because there is not an in-house option who can match his profile - ie a good hitter who can bat left-handed and play multiple positions (including 3B). that’s a glaring hole IMHO, and they won’t find a player of that type in-house no matter how much sorting out they do.
Not to mention that Lopez fits the glaring lineup hole
The Cards do not have anyone on the roster who profiles for the #2 lineup spot.
"I learned a long time ago if you keep checking your stats all year, you're going to end up in the toilet." - Chris Carpenter, 2009.
you say that but
If he is the #2 what position is he playing?
by FlimtotheFlam on Feb 26, 2010 2:32 PM EST up reply actions
3B against righties
2B against lefties. Some corner OF to spot Lego and Thudwick. I realize that this somewhat limits Freese’s opportunity and of course it makes Lugo expendable but those are minor problems in my book in order to get a .370-.380 OBP in the lineup in front of Albert. Freese will still get some opportunities against righties and you are protected if he doesn’t pan out.
"I learned a long time ago if you keep checking your stats all year, you're going to end up in the toilet." - Chris Carpenter, 2009.
Mo seems very much settled
On the thought that Freese is getting a serious shot at playing 3B. I just don’t see how Lopez gets a lot of playing time.
by FlimtotheFlam on Feb 26, 2010 2:42 PM EST up reply actions
he starts 30 games at 3b
another 20 at 2b/ss, and then a dozen or so in the outfield. but he appears in 125 or 130 games, because he’s the first LH pinch-hitter, and he gets double-switched into games routinely. so he ends up w/ 60 starts, 350 to 400 plate appearances . . . .
Well stated lb (redundant?)
I think that he could start a few more games at 3B but you don’t have to make it a strict platoon. Lopez can easily get 400-500 PA’s for this team and you could still break in Freese. I think the Cards will be sorry if they don’t add depth in this area. We all thought they had numerous 3B options last year as well and look how that turned out.
"I learned a long time ago if you keep checking your stats all year, you're going to end up in the toilet." - Chris Carpenter, 2009.
I think Mo has just put him self so far out there for Freese
And Schumaker is an important part of this team. The clubhouse seems to love him, Mo signed him for 2 years, and TLR loves him for being the lead off guy.
But TLR just loves tinkering with lineups not to have utility guy getting tons of PA’s. Plus, Lopez would be taking Gotay’s spot on the team. Who reminds me to much of Thurston.
by FlimtotheFlam on Feb 26, 2010 2:52 PM EST up reply actions
The logic of signing Lopez...
…and the Cardinals’ apparent reluctance to do so makes me think that the Cards aren’t really all that thrilled with Lopez’s attitude, which is a factor with the St. Louis’s clubhouse environment. LaRussa and the lockerroom leaders put a lot of emphasis on that. They’ve already experienced Lopez as a teammate and didn’t seem all that pressed to try and resign him, despite the fact it was logical then, as well.
Of course, money and term were an issue, and that could be the same case. Teams may simply not want to commit a lot of time and money to a player with baggage, at least at the level that Lopez may be expecting (especially since he fired Boras).
I agree with your appraisal of the situation
I’m just not sure if I agree with Mo’s reasoning. I understand the need to develop young cost-controlled talent and the Cards have done that all over the roster. However, when you have a need that is so clear (#2 spot) and there is a player who can fill it cost effectively and you don’t have to give up prospects for said player, then I don’t see the point in not getting it done. Furthermore, this team is a contender and the marginal upgrade that Lopez provides would bring real value in terms of playoff probabilities.
"I learned a long time ago if you keep checking your stats all year, you're going to end up in the toilet." - Chris Carpenter, 2009.
I'm not sure that's true...
which is an argument for signing felipe lopez, because there is not an in-house option who can match his profile – ie a good hitter who can bat left-handed and play multiple positions (including 3B). that’s a glaring hole IMHO, and they won’t find a player of that type in-house no matter how much sorting out they do.
Isn’t that EXACTLY what Daniel Descalso is? He can play 2B and 3B and could probably handle the occasional RF spot start in the TLR system. He’s a pretty good hitter from the left side, although he hasn’t proven anything at the big league level yet. Yes, he struggled at AAA last year, but the team obviously buys into his talent or they wouldn’t have him at camp as an NRI. He’s not on the 40 man roster yet.
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
no way descalso this year
floppy would be just a one-year deal, right?
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
Probably
But why “no way”? He was drafted out of college, had a pretty good season in AA in 2008/2009, so there’s no reason why he couldn’t move up to the big league level in one big jump if the club needed him to. I mean, have you even seen the kid play? He’s a pretty good line drive hitter and he’s good defensively at both 2B (pros) and 3B (college).
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
yeah, i've seen him play
i like him alot, and have no doubt they could call on him in an emergency, but also have no doubt he’s not in their plans this year. he needs a year at AAA after the way he got jacked around there last year, and i believe he’s being groomed to replace skip, possibly even next year.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
i see your point fourstick
in another year, maybe descalso will be that guy. but for right now, i don’t see it. descalso still hasn’t adjusted to triple A, let alone to the big leagues. i think he needs more development time.
the operative sentence from my comment above is: “the team has to make it happen by creating opportunities for guys when they are ready.” my opinion is that descalso isn’t ready yet, but it’s just my opinion.
ruben gotay’s name is mentioned below - he’s the only in-house candidate with this skill set. he’s even described in the MSP guide as “a poor man’s felipe lopez.” i would not be at all shocked to see gotay make the team, because they need a guy w/ his profile.
there's about a 0% percent chance
DD could come close to matching ploppy’s production this year
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
I didn't say he would be.
lboros stated that the Cardinals organization doesn’t have a left handed hitting 2B/3B guy in the farm system. I think Descalso is that guy. If he’s not going to get a shot, then why is he at camp right now? They clearly want to see what he has to offer.
On the flipside, how do you know that Lopez is going to show up and give a shit? He pouted for a whole year in Washington and stunk up the fucking joint, yet we think he’ll just show up as a utility player for less than half of what he was asking for and be a 3 WAR player in 400 PA’s? Give me a break, that’s not likely to happen either. I think you’re really underestimating how bad a talented yet unmotivated player can be, especially one who’s already shown these type of traits just 2 seasons ago.
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
He is a good hitter
he just hasn’t proven it at the major league level yet. I believe I pointed this out.
Yup, here it is:
He’s a pretty good hitter from the left side, although he hasn’t proven anything at the big league level yet.
FWIW, I think your taking lboros out of context here. He’s not FOR a Lopez signing from what I can tell. He’s only for it if none of the other internal options can’t help the club in that role. To say that Descalso can’t help in that role is simply wrong. As he said elsewhere in the comment:
but i disagree w/ the notion that the team should rush out to find their depth externally. given the cards’ payroll future, players who are young, cheap, and cost-controlled have intrinsic value to this org — esp in support roles such as backup IF, setup man, and #6 starter. there are plenty of pitchers already in the organization who possess the talent to fill all of those roles, and the team can only identify them by going through a sorting-out process — letting people play and seeing who sticks and who flops.
emphasis mine.
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
I think you might be mistaken
if the in-house options flop — or if one does not exist — then you look outside the organization for help. which is an argument for signing felipe lopez, because there is not an in-house option who can match his profile – ie a good hitter who can bat left-handed and play multiple positions (including 3B). that’s a glaring hole IMHO, and they won’t find a player of that type in-house no matter how much sorting out they do.
Sounds to me like lb doesn’t think there is an in-house option like Lopez.
"I learned a long time ago if you keep checking your stats all year, you're going to end up in the toilet." - Chris Carpenter, 2009.
.....and we've come full circle
That’s why I commented that I didn’t necessarily agree with that assessment because of Daniel Descalso. I think he fits that mold quite well and should be given a chance during the spring to prove it.
I thought it might have been an oversight on his part, since Descalso has been one of lboros’ pet prospects for that last year or so.
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
i think you've come full circle
but i’m sticking with the party line.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
What's the party line?
That we should sign Lopez? Or that we should have a conversation about signing Lopez if nobody emerges in spring training that can do what he does?
If Descalso tears the holy shit out of it in spring training, would it be horrible to have both him and Tyler Greene on the roster to start the year? You’re carrying four middle infielders, but Greene can play all over the place and Descalso can play 2nd and 3rd pretty well and provides a lefthanded bat off the bench. That’s essentially what we’re getting with Lopez, minus $3.5M or so.
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
the party line
1-800-GOCARDS
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
This is not as hot a party as I had anticipated.
by Andyfantastic on Feb 26, 2010 5:04 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
wait till rasmusgirl answers
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
I'm not trying to argue
However, I do think it is a stretch to push Descalso as an in-house analog to Lopez. Lopez has shown a consistent ability to put up above average OBP rates in the majors. Descalso has had one nice half-year in Springfield which is a hitters’ haven. I like Descalso and do think he has a chance of being a useful Lopez type player. I just don’t think that he can do that in 2010, regardless of how he hits this spring. If you pay Lopez you are paying for his OBP in the #2 spot in the lineup, not for his ability to play multiple positions. That versatility allows you to plug him into that lineup hole on a fairly regular basis. I guess what I am saying is that it is his bat that makes him a fit, not his versatility or his left-handedness.
"I learned a long time ago if you keep checking your stats all year, you're going to end up in the toilet." - Chris Carpenter, 2009.
but his bat is also versatile
switch-hitter
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
I know that he is a switch hitter
I was just using the LHB as a way to complete the comparison to Descalso. I think that Lopez ability to hit from both sides makes him a better fit because it means we don’t need Lugo. Lugo can then be flipped for a 5th starter/swingman.
"I learned a long time ago if you keep checking your stats all year, you're going to end up in the toilet." - Chris Carpenter, 2009.
i know you know
i was supporting you
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
Thanks
Sorry for the misread.
"I learned a long time ago if you keep checking your stats all year, you're going to end up in the toilet." - Chris Carpenter, 2009.
when it comes to debating fourstick
it takes a village. (and i mean that with all due respect, fourstick)
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
That's the point of the OP though
I just don’t think that he can do that in 2010, regardless of how he hits this spring.
You don’t know, so you find out by testing him in the spring and see how he does.
What part of this haven’t I explained 800 times?
Are you afraid that there isn’t going to be someone available after next Monday or something? I don’t see anyone in a real rush to sign Lopez, so why not just wait it out?
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
You're right about not knowing for sure
But I do think that Lopez will sign soon and there isn’t any other player available that is similar. So yes I think the Cards should be in a rush to sign him. There is simply no way the Cards are going to break camp with Descalso on the roster. He does not have enough MiLB at-bats for Tony and Mo to consider relying on him to fill any role on this team.
"I learned a long time ago if you keep checking your stats all year, you're going to end up in the toilet." - Chris Carpenter, 2009.
We already have a guy on the 40 man roster similar to him
in Ruben Gotay. He’s not a farm hand so I’ve left him out of this discussion. Freese and Mather are going to duke it out for 3B. Greene is the injury replacement for Boog and Skip.
We are not going to be scrambling for a warm body to put there. We have players that can fill the need should there be a rash of injuries.
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
when gotay is similar to lopez
i am truly lost.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
gotay and lopez both shouldn't play short
gotay’s 2010 CHONE: .248/.358/.374
lopez’s 2010 CHONE: .273/.344/.381
Both are switch-hitters.
You are absolutely right about keeping them away from SS
But both should be serviceable 3B/2B glovemen.
Lopez’ CHONE projection is still being dragged down by his awfulness in D.C. He has been really good since the Cards rescued him.
"I learned a long time ago if you keep checking your stats all year, you're going to end up in the toilet." - Chris Carpenter, 2009.
shouldn't it be dragged down by that, though?
I mean, it happened, and it could happen again. If it were variance in attitude I’d be just as worried about it as if it were variance in talent.
I understand your point
and it is concerning that his attitude caused poor play. I just see that as exceedingly unlikely on this team with this manager. I would rather a variance in attitude than talent. Attitude can be fixed talent cannot.
"I learned a long time ago if you keep checking your stats all year, you're going to end up in the toilet." - Chris Carpenter, 2009.
4.6 WAR also happened
and could happen again.
gotay’s ceiling is nowhere near there
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
i don't see a comparison
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
I am actually intrigued by Gotay
Because of his eye. I would be thrilled if he can put up a reasonable facsimile of his AAA line from last year. He would indeed be a Lopez analog. I am just not sure if it can be relied on and I am afraid of seeing Thursty_v2 if Freese bombs.
"I learned a long time ago if you keep checking your stats all year, you're going to end up in the toilet." - Chris Carpenter, 2009.
come on, dude
i don’t think it’s how to understand why it’s a bit of a stretch to declare descalso an in-house comparable to felipe lopez
i’m a fan of him, but let’s be realistic. he has good numbers in 366 AA PAs. that’s it
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
It's also a stretch to compare
Smoltz to Kyle McClellan right? But i don’t see you nitpicking about that.
The point is, the entire comment gives credence to letting cost controlled players of certain skill sets duke it out for spots, then for some reason leaves out Descalso as someone with a similar skill set to Lopez. I thought that was strange because Larry really likes Descalso. I was just pointing it out, not trying to get in flame war with you because you can’t comprehend what I’m saying. Here it is:
They have similar skill sets: can play multiple positions, bat from the left side, etc. I’m not saying they are the same player.
If they have similar skill sets and your opinion is that cost-controlled players with those skill sets should be given a chance to play their way in before signing FA talent, then Descalso should be given a chance to play his way onto the roster.
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
having the skill set is one thing
it being fully developed is another.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
id like to see DD given a chance
but dd to flop is not comparable to the difference between mcclellan and smoltz
mcclellan is a legitimate big leaguer. descalso? maybe. big maybe
the marginal war from descalso to flop is a lot more than the marginal war from kmac/hill/garcia to smoltz. especially when you consider age and injury probability
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
Again, read carefully
I. Am. Not. Comparing. The. Two. As. Players.
Is that clear enough? Stop trying to refute what I’m saying by trying to make it seem like I’m comparing them via WAR or any other metric. I’m not.
I’m simply saying they have comparable skill sets and if you’re going to let the rest of the ‘spects hash it out for spots, I don’t see why he wouldn’t be the same. Especially if that means avoiding shelling out dough for a guy who may or may not want to play in St. Louis to begin with.
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
i think the 'spects legitimately hashing it out
have nothing left to prove in AAA
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
Maybe
Although I’m guessing that Salas and Sanchez will get shots at the bullpen and they still have some things to prove at that level.
I just think it’s incorrect to say that we don’t have a prospect with similar skills to Lopez in the farm system. We don’t.
It’s clear you all have a hard on for Felipe Lopez. Fine. I just don’t.
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
i'm not even arguing to sign floppy
i’m merely saying that dd will not be on the roster.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
i do have a hard on for floppy
wait
anyway, i’ll be pleased as hell if descalso proved me wrong or mo proved himself prescient and floppy….flops (?)
i just think the most likely scenario is descalso plays his way firmly off the team (not that he has a legitimate shot anyway) and lopez signs elsewhere with craig and gotay being the utility guys. which is okay with me
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
being condescending doesn't make you less wrong
he’s not ready
so however you want to manipulate your initial point, it’s still dumb. and wrong
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
I'm not being condescending
You aren’t comprehending the point, so I’m trying to put it in a way that you can get your head around it.
Now you’re calling me dumb and wrong. So I’ll just drop it. It’s not my fault you keep making straw man arguments about equating players. That’s not what I’m doing.
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
he said your point was dumb and wrong
not that you were, if we are talking about straw man arguments
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
thanks
this guy’s retarded network setup requests are keeping me too busy for this
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
They do have similar skill sets
In a vacuum. However, Lopez has proved his skills at the highest level. Descalso hasn’t even proven his at AAA.
"I learned a long time ago if you keep checking your stats all year, you're going to end up in the toilet." - Chris Carpenter, 2009.
By that rationale
Albert Pujols should never have been given a shot to play when Bobby Bonilla went down, we should have signed “said crappy corner OF journeyman” instead. He hadn’t proven himself in AAA.
Same for Rasmus last year. And Rick Ankiel in 2000. Or Brendan Ryan, um, EVER.
The point is that you don’t know how they’ll respond until they get the opportunity to play at the highest level. So stating that Lopez is better because he’s been better so far in his longer and more experienced career doesn’t relate in the least to my overall point.
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
Apples and oranges
Pujols is a power hitter and a special talent. That was obvious when he was destroying A-ball. Descalso does not have the minor league track record or standout tool of any of the above mentioned players. Look at the players you mentioned…all have a special tool (or ridiculous toolbox in Albert’s case). Descalso does not and he does not have near the at-bats or innings that all of those players had in the minors, excepting Albert. Are you really comparing Descalso to Albert Pujols?
"I learned a long time ago if you keep checking your stats all year, you're going to end up in the toilet." - Chris Carpenter, 2009.
kozma is at camp too
like i said above, dd should be playing everyday to prepare for next year, and that is only going to happen at AAA
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
exactly
mid season means players and money
now it is only money and some minor opportunity cost
re smoltz vs floppy, no contest
smoltz brings positive intangiibiles and floppy (apparently) the opposite
no brainer
I may be in a rut, but at least I know where I'm going
I guess looking at it ...
in terms of insurance, putting that money into players NOW or holding it in reserves and spending it on an emergency/playoff-run move LATER. Does that make sense?
@aaronjscott
by musialsuspects on Feb 26, 2010 12:17 PM EST up reply actions
It does
But there are not going to be free agents available in the middle of the season. Most likely. So if we do end up losing Carp, and have to get another starter, that will cost prospects and we ain’t got no prospects.
by vivaelpujols on Feb 26, 2010 12:38 PM EST up reply actions
dude
We just sunk a wad of cash into Holliday. We are on a play-off run NOW.
Dots Miller for HOF. 'cuz a name means everything!
now, and for the foreseeable future
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
Does he even intend to start the season?
Seems like I read he was mulling over coming in mid-way. Which would be fine with me, when the needle on the Franklinometer is headed towards E.
@aaronjscott
by musialsuspects on Feb 26, 2010 12:22 PM EST up reply actions
for the umpteenth time
smoltzie never said that himself. at the same time, he’s not gonna just sign with anybody to secure a job. he will wait for the right team IF HE HAS TO. (he prefers the cards, but if another contender steps up and we don’t come close to matching the offer…)
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
Thanks for the clarification.
I need to start reading more than just headlines.
@aaronjscott
by musialsuspects on Feb 26, 2010 1:19 PM EST up reply actions
I am in complete agreement
That is a championship club.
"I learned a long time ago if you keep checking your stats all year, you're going to end up in the toilet." - Chris Carpenter, 2009.
In addition
I think they could sign Smoltz now with the agreement that he doesn’t pitch till July or so.
"I learned a long time ago if you keep checking your stats all year, you're going to end up in the toilet." - Chris Carpenter, 2009.
Y'know. . .
I’m not all that upset about them not signing Mr. Smoltz. I know his FIP was good and all, last season, mainly because of high K-rates, but look at who he K’d:
He had 74 Ks in 78 IP, but of his 74 Ks, 27 (in 21 IP) were against the horrid Nationals (20/32 in MLB in scoring), Royals (13/14 in AL scoring), and Padres (dead last in NL in scoring). Take those three teams out, and he K’d 47 in 57 IP, which isn’t nearly as impressive.
In fact, of his 15 starts, only 3 came against teams with winning records: 1 vs. Texas, 1 vs. NYY, and 1 vs. the Cubs. And only 5 of his 15 starts came against teams with above-average offenses (NYY (1st), TEX (12th), OAK, 2 vs. MIL).
I realize that this is fun with small sample sizes, but he was pretty clearly protected in the teams against whom he started (intentionally or not), and he didn’t do well against the above-average offensive teams that he faced:
vs. NYY: 3.1 IP. . . 8 ER
vs. TEX: 5.2 IP. . . 6 ER
vs. OAK: 6 IP. . . . 5 ER
vs. MIL: 6 IP. . . . . 4 ER
vs. MIL: 5 IP. . . . . 3 ER
That looks like a pretty run of the mill 5th starter to me.
Now maybe he’s better as a reliever; he’s certainly had success there in the past. But he’ll turn 43 years old in May, so he’s unlikely to find a new skill IMHO.
by SouthsideCardsFan on Feb 26, 2010 1:51 PM EST up reply actions
I think that Smoltz's stats mean very little last year, any way you break them down
Because of the extremely small sample size.
I think the fact that his velocity was good, his movement was good and his swing strike rate was good (catually great for a starter) implies that he is still a major league pitcher.
Maybe I should do a Pitch f/x of Smoltz – I’ll put it on my pile.
by vivaelpujols on Feb 26, 2010 2:02 PM EST up reply actions
I'm obviously an unabashed Smoltz Kool-Aid drinker
But his fastball was by far his weakest pitch last year, to the point that it’s basically impossible for a 91 mph fastball to actually be as bad as that…..-3.13 wRC/C. Watching him, he had to pitch off of his slider and that doesn’t work so well in setting up a splitter….and he was still effective because his slider command is dirty!
If he’s able to pick up even a tick of velo or movement or something to re-kindle that from being “horrific” to even just “bad” (yes he’s getting older, but he was coming directly off of shoulder surgery and certainly not able to work out like he’d be able to this year in getting ready), I think he becomes a pretty damn good pitcher. Maybe that means he has to be converted to a reliever to get that extra tick, but where’s the harm in that even for what he’d cost?
I think if we tell him we’ll give him the opportunity to start he’d take it, and if he makes it through the season great. Get to protect Jaime and given the fragility of the rotation, it’s not like he wouldn’t get a shot sometime. If not, I think he’s undoubtedly a pretty good reliever.
Not afraid to nitpick
That wRC value could be misleading.
Many good pitchers use the fastball as a sacrificial lamb to set up their offspeed stuff (Waino). Also, he was unlucky in boston and that could have a residual impact on the stat.
"What's your favorite Chuck Palahniuk book?"
"I like the one about the alienated character who finds the socially unacceptable way of coping with modernity."
I know I know
But when it’s THAT bad you can say something.
Aside from that, watching him it really was a weakness. He had to set up his fb with his slider.
Not afraid to nitpick
I saw it the other way around.
His FB did look crappy. He almost never got anyone to swing at miss with it, and it had that Jason Motte-ish sense of inevitiability that it just wasn’t going to get over the plate without the batter putting some good wood on it. The slider just looks like a pitch from a completely different league in comparison, however, so I wonder if some of Smoltz’s fastball mediocrity might have just been intentional.
"What's your favorite Chuck Palahniuk book?"
"I like the one about the alienated character who finds the socially unacceptable way of coping with modernity."
that's a good point
if the batter’s not picking up the slider well, thinking here’s another fat one…he is a wily vet after all.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
Pitch values are 100% dependent on actual outcomes and not independent of eachother
The whole point is that 50 innings it way to small of a sample size to make inferences from outcomes. That’s why we need Pitch f/x or scouting to see how he really “pitched”.
by vivaelpujols on Feb 26, 2010 11:42 PM EST up reply actions
what is this pitch f/x of which you speak?
otherwise, how do you yourself think he really pitched, offhand?
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
I thought he looked great with the Cardinals
I didn’t see much of him in Boston.
by vivaelpujols on Feb 27, 2010 1:52 AM EST up reply actions
I saw one of his games with Boston
against the Nationals, he was hitting 95 with his fastball. Bad results, though, lots of balls getting through the infield and a few liners. I was sitting too far away to judge his breaking pitches by anything but result.
Guys like Bradley are exactly why we can't have a pumpkin patch anymore.
Extrememly small Smoltzie sample sizes
I would question throwing out last years data entirely (not that you are doing that, you just said mean very little). Sample sizes are a function of variability, error tolerance, and significance level. Because the variability in a player’s career changes significantly. It is highly variable as a player first transitions to the big leagues and both the player and the league are adjusting to the player. Then the player enters a steady phase. The decline phase starts where the player’s body just break down physical and again there is great variability. Or in another sense, one could argue that at these separate phases should be considered different “populations”, so we are actually making inference on different populations. Of course, any injuries (including mental) also could introduce variability.
In summary, this is why I am conflicted about Smoltzie’s data from last year. On the one hand, the decline phase means much variability thus the need for lots of data. On the other, the decline phase means that previous data is less relevant thus the little data we have could be important.
Anyone else have any suggestions on this issue?
born Dodger blue, now dyed Cardinals red
i'm going with
the smaller the sample size, the more you rely on scouting – smoltz looked pretty good in st louis, and should have been brought in when franky was imploding in la.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
Stats are a fuction of 3 things
1) True talent level
2) Variability around that true talent level
3) Luck
In 50 innings or whatever he had last year, the latter 2 are very present. Since pitcher’s deal with a whole bunch of luck or things outside of their control (the batter, the umpire, the fielders, the ballpark), luck is very, very rampant in a small sample size. As is variability around true talent level. Thus we can infer very little about his true talent level based off of his stats last year.
Scouting, on the other hand, in theory, should eliminate luck (although it increases measurement error). It also allows us to make inferences about interconnecting relationships that stats don’t. Thus, in 50 or so innings, I would say it should be 80% scouting (or Pitch f/x) and 20% stats, depending on the quality of each of course.
by vivaelpujols on Feb 28, 2010 2:09 AM EST up reply actions
Oops missed the reply
Yes, I pretty much agree. But my point (poorly stated) was that the “population” that we are trying to make inference is not static. The true talent level is constantly changing as a player transitions through different period of his career. So the variability also changes (i.e. is not homoscedastic). So there is a trade off between:
the previous years small sample but it being the most recent sample from a person that is in transition, and the many previous years large sample but is from a different phase of a player. I guess I don’t see this data issue as black and white.
born Dodger blue, now dyed Cardinals red
yeah
I agree
I'm gonna need a whole lot more franklins if Franklin is our closer this year
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Feb 26, 2010 2:06 PM EST up reply actions
larussa
i’m wondering if Mo understands his manager and is saving him from himself. if lopez and smoltz were on this roster i have no doubt that tony would have them penciled in at 3rd and 5th starter despite good spring performances from jaime or freese.
i don’t think anyone is in a hurry to sign either and teams are waiting for the same thing we are. by the team we are ready to sign either i think they will still be there.
"Sorry about him, he's dealing with being an inker. " - Chasing Amy
good chance smoltz will be, anyway
as for garcia, i don’t think he can win the 5th spot in spring because i think he is preordained to begin the year in AAA (my opinion of “the plan”) – because of that, the 5th starter question is a sort of strawman to me, because whoever “wins” it will only be keeping the seat warm for garcia (unless he rocks, and then hey, who’s complaining)
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
good point
maybe they really are hoping k-mac will fill that spot for now
"Sorry about him, he's dealing with being an inker. " - Chasing Amy
Duncan's preference...
Ever since he first saw McClellan two Spring Trainings ago, Duncan’s been wanting to convert him to a starter. He hasn’t had the opportunity, because K-Mac, for a while at least, was too valuable for the bullpen.
I think one of the reasons why they’re doing it now is that Duncan has essentially replaced McClellan with Boggs in the bullpen after Boggs’ surprising success there late last season (so much so that Duncan’s talking about Mitchell being a candidate to spell Franklin as a closer). That frees up McClellan for the open fifth starter role, which really was never filled last year. If McClellan succeeds, then Garcia can make his transition to the majors next season after having his innings built back up this year in Memphis.
Honestly, I think McClellan as Starter is a Duncan pet-project, and even if the Cardinals resigned Smoltz, K-Mac probably would still get that opportunity.
Also Garci is
bound to get MLB starts in 2010. The reality is that one of our starters inevitably will go on the DL. I’m fine with Garcia making 3-4 starts with the Cards in 2010 and spending the rest of the year in Memphis.
I don't know how you can say Boggs was successful in th ebellpen last year
he pitched 9 innings and in those 9 innings he walked 8 allowed 8 hits and five runs.
On returning rosters
one other note, and then i gotta run. assuming that freese sticks, all 8 of the cards’ 2010 regulars will be under club control again for 2011. when’s the last time they returned all 8 starters two years in a row? it happened in 2003 with matheny, tino, vina, renteria, rolen, pujols, edmonds, and drew. it also happened in 1994, when they returned pags, jeffereies, alicea, ozzie, zeile, gilkey, lankford, and whiten; and in 1983, when they returned their series-winning lineup of porter, hernandez, herr, ozzie, obie, lonnie, willie, and silent george. it happens about once a decade, in other words — and they’re about due.
- Let’s hope this current version is more 2003 and 1983 rather than 1994….
- ….although, offensively, that 1994 team wasn’t really that bad (just above league average) — they just had no pitching (next to last). Can anyone name the members of the rotation not named Tewksbury from that year? GOOD LUCK!
- Did you just mention 1994 when there is a CBA negotiation coming up? You’re really going to tempt fate like that?
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
Holy crap...was Donovan Osborne pitching for us in 1994?
I’m trying to do this without looking…and if he wasn’t, I’ve got nothing.
"But I’m still hungry. I’ve got 10 fingers. There’s one that’s busy and I need nine more."
- Albert Pujols
No
But Donovan Osborne would have been an improvement in 1994. Yes, we were that bad.
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
here was that lovely pitching staff:
it’s like that old bull durham quote:
“what’s our record larry?”
“53-61.”
“53 and 61. how’d we ever win 53?”
“it’s a miracle!”
“it’s a miracle!”
VivaElBirdos: Celebrating glorious mustaches since 2009
by redbirdnation8206 on Feb 26, 2010 11:40 AM EST up reply actions
For some reason
I was sad until I saw Rheal Cormier…then I had to laugh.
I need your discipline / I need your help / I need your discipline / You know once I start I cannot stop myself...
now that's a blast from the past
I'm gonna need a whole lot more franklins if Franklin is our closer this year
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Feb 26, 2010 2:07 PM EST up reply actions
That was a horrible staff
Maybe that’s why I don’t remember much about it. Tewks two year year run of good pitching came to an end that year as well. Nothing positive about that staff.
"They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time."
yeah
it says something when Bob Tewksberry is undoubtedly your ace pitcher and Rheal Courmier is your future star
I'm gonna need a whole lot more franklins if Franklin is our closer this year
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Feb 26, 2010 3:11 PM EST up reply actions
Actually...
Allen Watson was your future star. Him and Omar were about the only guys I remembered from that rotation (I stopped watching baseball for a long while shortly thereafter…for obvious reasons).
oh yeah
Olivares was pretty good
I'm gonna need a whole lot more franklins if Franklin is our closer this year
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Feb 26, 2010 4:52 PM EST up reply actions
Our bullpen is also largely returning
…and “largely” wasn’t intended as a reference to The Diner.
Is this also the first time in recent memory that we’ve counted on so many pitchers in the bullpen to repeat their performances?
Imerman Angels 1on1 Cancer Support - ask me more if someone you know is fighting cancer.
by airhad on Feb 26, 2010 11:22 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Vincente Palacios
I share the same last name with him, so when I was young I went on a tour of the locker room and got my picture taken in front of his locker. I thought I was so cool…turns out I was a really crappy pitcher. Which btw in my baseball league, i was a really crappy pitcher so I guess it turned out right in the end.
"It is easy to be brave from a safe distance." - Aesop
I am giving it a try ( I'll click on it later)
but was Arocha around in 94?
Lighten up, Francis - Sergeant Hulka
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
by mattyfrommo on Feb 26, 2010 11:50 AM EST up reply actions
i checked for ya
the answer is yes
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
Man, I just realized how much I love February and March.
The hope, the anticipation, the early dissections and predictions. Pubs like the Maple Street annual, the BP annual (which I contemplated purchasing last night at the store, held in my hands, felt its weight, its heft, its phonebookness, and then realized I was already spending the same amount on pre-planned purchases, one of which was the Gibby/Mr. October book for a gift, so the annual was placed back on the shelf), the roto guides (though me and the Suspects are probably sitting this year out) … the daily capsules from Goold and Strauss and Leach and the rest of the luckiest bastards on earth … in fact, the only reason I wished I worked for the daily in town was that there would be an outside chance I’d be assigned to cover S-Cards training …
@aaronjscott
by musialsuspects on Feb 26, 2010 11:08 AM EST reply actions
A very enjoyable post, LB.
"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
done in all lowercase, per mr. leitch's suggestion, in honor of the all seeing eye of lboros
freese is an average player and should be treated as such. average does not mean bad, it means average. typical. neither above nor below par. it is par. if he goes out and puts 2-2.5 war season, that’s nothing to be too upset about in my book.
however… if he flops and this team has no safety net in mind then they will have a problem on their hands. i guess the backup plan should be craig, but it’s clear he has about as much of a shot of playing third for the b.o.b. as i do. tyler greene is an option, i guess, but he’s all tools and no results. they could swing another panic trade, but those never work well for the panicker and the upper system is depleted anyway.
so here’s hoping for an average season from you, iceman!
another thing, lb. i love seeing you writing around here and all, but please don’t bring this up:
it also happened in 1994, when they returned pags, jeffereies, alicea, ozzie, zeile, gilkey, lankford, and whiten
that was a truly deflating team to watch. the strike sucked and all, but it was at least a mercy kill to that army of champions. the next season wasn’t much better. those were the pre-jocketty/larussa/duncan teams that seemed trapped in that awful no-mans land of baseball where they were neither good nor building towards goodness. it chills my heart, or something.
VivaElBirdos: Celebrating glorious mustaches since 2009
by redbirdnation8206 on Feb 26, 2010 11:33 AM EST reply actions
Don't feorget
mather – the one and only joey bombs (if healthy) imho has a better shot of playing the hot corner and fulfilling the tony utility role. remember he can play both corners and the entire outfield. /he also apparently came into the system as a short stop, (albeit destined to move to the outfield). though that’s not my endorsement of playing him there. but if tony wants to put a shortstop/second baseman into left why not put a of in at short./
/sarcasm
i'm hoping to see monsieur bombs have a role with this squad
but i’m not optimistic. wrist injuries are rough on hitters, historically. they seem to take a long time to bounce back from, and i’m sure that was part of the reason mark of-the-rose was allowed to waltz away.
VivaElBirdos: Celebrating glorious mustaches since 2009
by redbirdnation8206 on Feb 26, 2010 11:59 AM EST up reply actions
oh... well in that case
6 war season here we come!
VivaElBirdos: Celebrating glorious mustaches since 2009
by redbirdnation8206 on Feb 26, 2010 12:08 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
agreed
it sounds like the back-up will be mather. i was listening to Mo on 101 the other day and he said that craig will get most of his looks in LF. when asked about his 3rd base defense Mo said it wasn’t necessarily his glove but his arm that was the problem. apparently he doesn’t through with confidence over to 1st.
i’ve always heard his defense was below average but i guess i never realized his arm was the real issue.
"Sorry about him, he's dealing with being an inker. " - Chasing Amy
The '94 Cardinals.
All of this negativity about the 1994 Cardinals is really bringing me down. My memory of that team has been twisted by World Series Baseball for Sega Genesis. I DESTROYED THE NATIONAL LEAGUE WITH THAT TEAM AND WON MULTIPLE WORLD SERIES TITLES! Whiten, Jefferies, and Lankford could hit 495-foot bombs! I threw a 27-strikeout game with Bob Tewksbury and had multiple no-hitters with both Tewksbury and Allen Watson (believe it or not). Please, no one tell me what their real-life record was. I don’t know if I could take it.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
did tewk strike out that many in his career?
i kid, i kid. tewk was really quite good for about four years with the cardinals, but 1994 was a rough year. he had a 4.18 fip, but a high-fives era and left town after that season. he hung on and had some thoroughly respectable seasons after that, but has faded into obscurity for most folks, i’m sure. he was a good artist too, which i always found interesting. he’s also heavily involved with philanthropic efforts and is the sports psychologist for the red sox. according to wikipedia his manager in texas said he was a, “true professional on and off the field, and a pleasure to have in the clubhouse.” i’m not sure there’s a bigger compliment than being called a good human being, and it sounds like that’s exactly what he is. hats off to you, bob tewksbury!
VivaElBirdos: Celebrating glorious mustaches since 2009
by redbirdnation8206 on Feb 26, 2010 11:57 AM EST up reply actions
As I said above
that 1994 team on offense wasn’t hideous — they finished right about league average, and that’s before they brought the fences in at Busch II, where hitting 30 homers in a season was a real feat. The pitching was fucking awful, no doubt about it.
If you pull Pujols/Jefferies out of the equation, because that team simply didn’t have a transcendental offensive player like Albert, that team probably stacks up better than the one we currently have going into next season. Lankford was a similar hitter to Holliday at that point in his career, Whiten and Gilkey were either spot on or better than Ludwick and Rasmus, Zeile is a huge upgrade over Freese at 3B, while Alicea/Ozzie is probably a push with Boog/Skip in the middle infield. Molina is probably better than Pags. All in all, not a lot of difference there, and Jefferies was an above average hitter for those teams.
Let’s put it this way. You put the ‘93/’94 offensive team with the ‘09/’10 team’s pitching, they probably win 90-95 games in that era. Hell, you could give them the pitching from 1997 and it would be a vast improvement over what they had that season.
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
all that is true
…but the pitching staff was so god-awful that they, as a team, were unwatchable. on top of all that, they were listless. i don’t mean to bash them, not really… if i were lankford or jeffries and knew the front office had done absolutely nothing to shore up the pitching staff, and knew that we had to pile up 10 runs per game to win, i would probably look like a dead man walking too. those were the dying days of busch ownership and they were basically running out the clock until they had a buyer. as few reminders of that team as we can get, the better. that’s all i was trying to say.
VivaElBirdos: Celebrating glorious mustaches since 2009
by redbirdnation8206 on Feb 26, 2010 2:25 PM EST up reply actions
i have been thinking
about how much better off the Cards are in ST this year than last year. less carp worry, better middle infield, better and more set outfield. but lb’s comment is even better – the comparison with 2 years ago is really something.
I had the same thought the other day ...
The last couple years, the Cards entered spring training with a bevy of questions – Skip at second? What platoon where? Who closes what?
But this year – third base? Fifth starter? McGwirepalooza? These all have easy answers – not necessarily the best or likely outcome, but at least there is some general idea about it already. Much less uncertainty going into April.
@aaronjscott
by musialsuspects on Feb 26, 2010 11:44 AM EST up reply actions
pimping ain't easy, i hear.
"We were men - flesh and blood - and we played baseball in the sunshine. We hit doubles off the wall, slid hard into second base. We had fights, and we made love. We sang songs and prayed on Sundays. . . . We felt pain. And we felt joy. There was a lot wrong with the world. But we weren't sad, man. We had the times of our lives." Buck O'Neil, from "The Soul of Baseball: A Road Trip Through Buck O'Neil's America."
by tom s. on Feb 26, 2010 11:38 AM EST via mobile reply actions 1 recs
but it's necessary
You know what they call a quarter pounder with cheese in France?
by jd is legend on Feb 26, 2010 11:44 AM EST up reply actions
nothing like
The smell of new hundred dollar bills and watching a cloud of baby powder explode in attempt to extort those hundred dollar bills.
by FlimtotheFlam on Feb 26, 2010 12:13 PM EST up reply actions
I consider myself to be of the medium pimpin' variety.
Note: Above comment may contain gratuitous amounts of sarcasm.
BOYCOTT HASS AVOCADOS
Pimp'd
pimpin is easy when lboros writing is the pimpee. i made my purchase. nice to see you back for the day.
so where did larry go, anyway?
/everyone can tell i haven’t been active in a while.
glad to see you still haven’t given in to the capital letters, my friend. i am typing my comment with no caps in your honor (and it’s really hard…i’ve had to backspace several times).
"I was a victim of a series of accidents, as are we all."
by sirensofsilence on Feb 26, 2010 11:49 AM EST reply actions
i imagine running VEB every day
could be quite tiresome. Thought it was better to pass the torch than simply hang up the gloves.
by FlimtotheFlam on Feb 26, 2010 12:15 PM EST up reply actions
Kids, family, etc.
I tried a (lame) blog for a while and coming up with posts every day is very difficult. Let alone coming up with posts that are interesting, fact based (no opinion) and filled with useful statistics and analysis.
i'm with you
i ran a blog for a short amount of time, and i have done a couple others every now & then. hard for me to get readers first off, then hard to want to write stuff everyday. it’s nice every now and then (something like this), but every day’s a little tiring. guess i ought to prepare myself better since i want to be a sports journalist, but for now i’m takin’ it easy.
Check out my sports blog!
Best moment I've ever seen at a Cards game in person
Follow me on Twitter: @zoomzoomj88
SIGN FELIPE LOPEZ & JOHN SMOLTZ!
I was asked to write for another Cardinals blog
It would of just been once a week but I didn’t like the idea of all the work for it. And for what
by FlimtotheFlam on Feb 26, 2010 2:53 PM EST up reply actions
Every day most definitely does suck.
Trust me.
Make way for the Homo Superior.
by the red baron on Feb 26, 2010 2:55 PM EST up reply actions
I've been reading my MSA
And I must say, it’s tremendous. The only thing that I’d prefer is if lboros would cut it out with the proper capitalization in his articles. It just ain’t right.
I need your discipline / I need your help / I need your discipline / You know once I start I cannot stop myself...
good state of the program
it definitely puts the change in leadership into perspective.
welcome back
even though i wasn’t around the first time you posted here. i’ve heard that you were ‘the man’ (apologies to stan & albert) around here for a while.
Check out my sports blog!
Best moment I've ever seen at a Cards game in person
Follow me on Twitter: @zoomzoomj88
SIGN FELIPE LOPEZ & JOHN SMOLTZ!
Trust me,
it’s a shame you missed it.
Make way for the Homo Superior.
by the red baron on Feb 26, 2010 12:52 PM EST up reply actions
I just changed my desktop at work ...
… getting pumped for 2010.
That’s the first pitch of the 2009 season, courtesy of Señor Waino. Best birthday present ever, until Motte came in for the ninth …
@aaronjscott
by musialsuspects on Feb 26, 2010 11:58 AM EST reply actions
i know it was a day game and all...
…but so many empty seats. what a shame. at least they were red to add to the red sea effect.
VivaElBirdos: Celebrating glorious mustaches since 2009
by redbirdnation8206 on Feb 26, 2010 12:00 PM EST up reply actions
I thought the weather was really crappy that day also
by FlimtotheFlam on Feb 26, 2010 12:16 PM EST up reply actions
the weather was awful
it snowed that morning.
"He ran hard, but he didn't run fast. He runs like he's mad at the ground." - opposing broadcaster describing Yadi's speed.
I was there
and the weather was dreadful. It was in the high 20’s/low 30’s with flurries. Many fans missed the first pitch because they were in the bars outside the stadium where it was warm.
"I learned a long time ago if you keep checking your stats all year, you're going to end up in the toilet." - Chris Carpenter, 2009.
I was there too
with my 4 y/o niece. She was the only one in our group who never once complained about the cold. She was just so happy to be at the baseball game. (I need to remember to be that way more often… just happy to be watching the Cardinals)
"He ran hard, but he didn't run fast. He runs like he's mad at the ground." - opposing broadcaster describing Yadi's speed.
I drove 4 hours there
and then back to go to that game. It was FREEZING. Lots of people also left way early because they couldn’t handle the cold.
You can imagine how pissed I was at Motte at the end of that one.
"I was a victim of a series of accidents, as are we all."
by sirensofsilence on Feb 26, 2010 3:32 PM EST up reply actions
Hell, I was sitting in my living room
and I was screaming obscenities at him. I can’t imagine actually travelling to see that travesty.
We all have ways of coping. I use sex and awesomeness.
by the red baron on Feb 26, 2010 3:37 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah, I've pretty much held a grudge
against Motte since that day.
"I was a victim of a series of accidents, as are we all."
by sirensofsilence on Feb 26, 2010 4:33 PM EST up reply actions
Me too
That day I got the first of 50-ish “its only a game, why are you mad?” speeches for the season
I crawled the earth, but now I'm higher, 2010 watch it go to fire!
by First mammal to wear pants on Feb 26, 2010 8:38 PM EST up reply actions
tell your dad to shut up
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
It was the GF
not my dad. Dad was at the game freezing his nuts off and was probably more angry than I was.
I crawled the earth, but now I'm higher, 2010 watch it go to fire!
by First mammal to wear pants on Feb 26, 2010 9:00 PM EST up reply actions
kidding
i knew it was a gf or wife
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
i like how you think
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
was waino in line for the win?
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
Yep, I believe he was
"I was a victim of a series of accidents, as are we all."
by sirensofsilence on Feb 26, 2010 4:32 PM EST up reply actions
Likewise
Drove 3 hours down with some friends for SRO. Found a decent spot down the left field foul line behind a pillar that offered decent wind protection, but it still sucked ass. It was the quiestest I’ve ever heard Busch, but I think that’s because 85% of the people there had gloves on so there was no clapping.
That is great.
Did you take it?
Also, I don’t know how I missed your nom de plume until now, but it’s very enjoyable. It makes me picture 1942 St. Louis Cardinals in front of the mug shot height background.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
I'm in that picture!
I can see my blob in the stands!
I need your discipline / I need your help / I need your discipline / You know once I start I cannot stop myself...
my background is still mizzou for at least another month
"Sorry about him, he's dealing with being an inker. " - Chasing Amy
Mine, too
Hey, JC buddy
"I was a victim of a series of accidents, as are we all."
by sirensofsilence on Feb 26, 2010 3:34 PM EST up reply actions
good to talk to you over here on the red side
"Sorry about him, he's dealing with being an inker. " - Chasing Amy
In Cardinals Nation's defense ...
… if there were a thermometer visible in the shot, it’d read somewhere around one or two degrees above Kelvin. It filled out eventually; however, it never warmed up. Even spat snow.
Yes, I took that. There’s also some photos from the first Cards/Cubs game of 2008 in my Flickr stream that I just uploaded.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/aaronjscott/4390266306/in/photostream/
Yeah, the Musial Suspects is probably the most clever thing I’ve thought up in my entire life. I want to get a personalized jersey with SUSPECTS over a big red 6.
@aaronjscott
by musialsuspects on Feb 26, 2010 12:05 PM EST reply actions
absolutely love the colors in that entire photo stream
what camera took the pictures (not trying to say your ability’s not important)?
I shoot with a Canon 40D now ...
though the pre-2008 stuff would have been a 20D. And then there’s some ooooold stuff I shot with a Holga.
That’s From Carp’s CY year. Complete game, four-hit SO against the Pirates.
@aaronjscott
by musialsuspects on Feb 26, 2010 12:35 PM EST up reply actions
Whoops ...
BBCode fail. Here’s the Carp image.
<img src=" http://farm1.static.flickr.com/53/164999424_dffad148c2_o.jpg"/>
@aaronjscott
by musialsuspects on Feb 26, 2010 12:36 PM EST up reply actions
FUDDDGGGGGGE
Fail x2
@aaronjscott
by musialsuspects on Feb 26, 2010 12:37 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Old Busch vs. New Busch
@aaronjscott
by musialsuspects on Feb 26, 2010 12:39 PM EST up reply actions
Well ...
… I had this Tamron 17-50 f2.8 that I really liked but I wore it out. Seriously. I don’t know how much of it was my fault and how much of it was build quality. For a zoom lens under $500, it was bees knees. Sharp as a tack, good close-focus, constant aperture. I’d recommend it as a primary lens for any amateur/hobbyist/pro-am.
Since breaking it, I’ve been using the regular zoom at work, a Canon 17-85 IS and I think it’s a total POS. I hate using it. No constant aperture, crappy image quality for the price, and the IS sucks up juice. And horrible barrel distortion. Ugh. It makes me made just talking about it.
I’m saving up now to move over to prime lenses. I’ll probably start with the Canon 20mm f2.8, then the Canon 50mm f1.4, then the Canon 28mm f1.8.
I also have a Canon 70-200mm f4L that is superb, though I had a back-focusing issue when I first got it (which explains the test samples in the photo stream … need to delete those). It’s a fantastic lens, but I don’t use it nearly as often as I do the regular zoom.
@aaronjscott
by musialsuspects on Feb 26, 2010 12:48 PM EST up reply actions
Sigma
makes outstanding lenses. My personal faves. Here’s the site, in case you’re interested.
Make way for the Homo Superior.
by the red baron on Feb 26, 2010 12:55 PM EST up reply actions
'Tis true.
I strongly considered a Sigma before getting the Tamron. The 3rd-party stuff is actually pretty top-notch. You can get a bum copy every once in a while, but don’t not consider them just because of the name plate.
What I REALLY want is a 5D … a full-frame digital would make a huge difference for me.
@aaronjscott
by musialsuspects on Feb 26, 2010 1:12 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah, me too.
Especially considering that I work as a photog.
@aaronjscott
by musialsuspects on Feb 26, 2010 1:18 PM EST up reply actions
Nice vignetting.
Note: Above comment may contain gratuitous amounts of sarcasm.
BOYCOTT HASS AVOCADOS
Thanks ...
I’m totally a sucker for vignetting. Probably to a fault sometimes.
@aaronjscott
by musialsuspects on Feb 26, 2010 4:32 PM EST up reply actions
It's a simple way to bring a focal point to a photo.
I do a lot of post-processing on anything I take, but I never think to vignette anything.
Note: Above comment may contain gratuitous amounts of sarcasm.
BOYCOTT HASS AVOCADOS
I finally upgraded to CS4 at home
and was glad they included a post-crop vignetting feature in the RAW processing. That was the one main reason I preferred Aperture 2 for RAW processing.
@aaronjscott
by musialsuspects on Feb 26, 2010 4:58 PM EST up reply actions
in a comment above
you said “me and the suspects” – is that what you call your kids? if so, i like that.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
Ha.
Nope, no kids. My fantasy team, though I do consider them my children.
@aaronjscott
by musialsuspects on Feb 26, 2010 1:42 PM EST up reply actions
ot: side note
i enjoy mlbtraderumors for their convenience but i really despise one of their writers for what is often his pure conjecture.
tell me how this is news is really cardinals relevant.
they're probably just trying to have something to put up
not a busy season for the trade rumors
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
by prophetjohn on Feb 26, 2010 12:19 PM EST up reply actions
yeah
i get that… but it seems like that guy is always doing that sort of thing. just randomly tossing out the names of high profile teams to get people to read. quite frankly they regularly clog up my rss feed for non-relevant info, and he’s almost always the one doing it.
plus a hyphenated last name
What’s up with that
by FlimtotheFlam on Feb 26, 2010 12:24 PM EST up reply actions
Great Job on the Annual
I’ve already read some of both the Cardinals annual and the Cubs annual edited by Al Yellon. I was very interested in the article on the Mad Men of the 1974 Cardinals. I had no idea that the Cubs blew a game against the Pirates on the last scheduled day of the regular season that knocked the Cards out of the race. Steve Swisher, the Cubs catcher, let a third strike get away from him that would have ended the game.
Harry Pavlidis has a great article comparing Carp and Wainwright. If you Cards fans are interested in checking on the enemy, the Cubs annual edited by Al Yellon has a lot of useful information in it as well.
"The big possums walk late." - Harry Caray
Isn't it the "Cubs An...al"?
Given the clever cover design usage of D-Lee.
"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
Resisting urge to make obvious joke...
"But I’m still hungry. I’ve got 10 fingers. There’s one that’s busy and I need nine more."
- Albert Pujols
Link to Discussion on BCB
Link to discussion of “anal” cover at BCB
"The big possums walk late." - Harry Caray
Hey, make fun of it all you want...
…. but buy it to see it for yourself!
Seriously, I know lboros and I know he did a great job on the MSP Cardinals annual. All of us who edit team annuals for MSP try to bring together great writers to give stats, team previews and history.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
if anything, the cover just draws more buzz to help the issue sell
i am sure it’s a good book and it took a lot of work
i like the old bcb fanpost
“soto to rehab with smokies”
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
One of the unintentionally best fanpost titles in BCB history.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
heh
I'm gonna need a whole lot more franklins if Franklin is our closer this year
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Feb 26, 2010 2:10 PM EST up reply actions
excellent work
but unintentional – really?
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
Dark horse 3B candidate...
http://stltoday.mycapture.com/mycapture/enlarge.asp?image=28199145&event=952134&CategoryID=38580
@aaronjscott
by musialsuspects on Feb 26, 2010 12:24 PM EST up reply actions
From this angle ...
Jo-Bos kind of looks like that Jacob guy on Lost.
@aaronjscott
by musialsuspects on Feb 26, 2010 12:27 PM EST up reply actions
and in an ironic twist
he’s now a candidate
by brackenthebox on Feb 26, 2010 12:37 PM EST up reply actions
Good god he even does the face puff thing
I like how he’s let the ball travel deep and isn’t getting to extended. Looks like he’s lost a bit of connection between hips and hands though.
Not afraid to nitpick
the entire cards coaching staff...
needs to be working with him now. have oquendo get him taking balls at third. he should be our next big international signing immeadiately.
if you're talking about aj
he’s a lefty
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
I like how a kid born in St. Louis to parents who went to hs in Kansas City
is suddenly ‘international.’
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
He needs to get naturalized in Andorra,
STAT.
"What's your favorite Chuck Palahniuk book?"
"I like the one about the alienated character who finds the socially unacceptable way of coping with modernity."
albert just needs to buy a little house in belize
and the kid will be granted citizenship.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
he has the right to
i really wanna see what the new baby is capable of – bring him to spring training now!
thought it was a girl
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
isn't she still a pujols?
hell dede fixes albert’s swing at times. over/under on her being the first female to play in the bigs? our own little jackie robinson breaking down the gender barrier!
WTF? was i straussed?
JUPITER, Fla. — Albert and Deidre Pujols welcomed their fourth child and second son, Ezra, into the world last Friday (2/5/10). Ezra’s three siblings are Isabella, Alberto Jr. and Sophia.
i believe sophia is the new baby
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
uh, no.
Ezra is the new baby. Isabella is Dee Dee’s when she met Albert. Then AJ and Sophia.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
#14 says it's Descalso, but that doesn't seem right
Doesn’t look nearly Italian enough. Who is that?
I need your discipline / I need your help / I need your discipline / You know once I start I cannot stop myself...
yeah, I think it's the Kozmanaut.
RELEASE THE CENTIQUID!!!!
by Felonius_Monk on Mar 1, 2010 8:03 AM EST up reply actions
Can we photoshop some helmets onto these guys when they're hitting in the batting cages?
Could give some junior high kid a really bad idea…
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
You don't really need a helmet if you're hitting off a tee
(Assuming the cage is built correctly.)
I need your discipline / I need your help / I need your discipline / You know once I start I cannot stop myself...
I was mostly referring to Luddy
Studwick seems to be hitting off a tee.
I need your discipline / I need your help / I need your discipline / You know once I start I cannot stop myself...
maybe from a machine
i saw el presidente loading one.
i guarantee they’ll wear helmets hitting live against a couple of these pitchers.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
They should be wearing helmets even if they're hitting off a machine
pitching machines can catch a seam wrong and whip one at your head too, I’ve seen it happen.
I’m just saying that I hope kids aren’t out there with no helmets on in the batting cage because that “isn’t how the pros do it”.
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
hey, i coach kids, so i'm not arguing against you
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
They might be hitting soft-toss.
Not exactly dangerous. Unless you’re Albert Pujols and A.J. Pujols is swinging.
Forget it, spants. It's Chinatown. - tom s.
looks like he's posing
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
I'm no expert but
does Mather have to beat the women off with a stick? Damn.
I would imagine so.
Hell, he’d have to beat me off if we ever met.
Wait, that doesn’t sound right…
Make way for the Homo Superior.
by the red baron on Feb 26, 2010 2:35 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Dude
Think about the wrist!
You know what they call a quarter pounder with cheese in France?
by jd is legend on Feb 26, 2010 2:38 PM EST up reply actions 4 recs
Are you trying to warn me off
or seduce me by proxy? I can’t quite tell.
Make way for the Homo Superior.
by the red baron on Feb 26, 2010 2:39 PM EST up reply actions
I'm saying
The thought of being responsible for Mather re-injuring his wrist may weigh heavily on you
You know what they call a quarter pounder with cheese in France?
by jd is legend on Feb 26, 2010 2:40 PM EST up reply actions
Alright.
I got you now. I was a little worried you were actually telling me to imagine his big, strong wrist, just-
I’m going to stop now. Let us never speak of this again.
Make way for the Homo Superior.
by the red baron on Feb 26, 2010 2:42 PM EST up reply actions
Agreed.
You know what they call a quarter pounder with cheese in France?
by jd is legend on Feb 26, 2010 2:46 PM EST up reply actions
are you in meg ryan mode again
damn baron, it’s broad daylight!
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
Sigh.
You’re right. I shall banish the memories of this day into the darkness of my nighttime self.
Make way for the Homo Superior.
by the red baron on Feb 26, 2010 2:56 PM EST up reply actions
don't some girls like that?
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
guys like it (in girls)
i always thought that’s where “dreamy” came from
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
well, i can only speak for myself
but i have – guess it sort of depends on the girl
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
It can be slightly adorable
But it’s typically not a great look.
I need your discipline / I need your help / I need your discipline / You know once I start I cannot stop myself...
I think a lot of guys get it confused with the suggestively-tousled-hair look
There’s a fine line between suggestively-tousled-hair and straight up bedhead.
I need your discipline / I need your help / I need your discipline / You know once I start I cannot stop myself...
That gets a rec from me
I need your discipline / I need your help / I need your discipline / You know once I start I cannot stop myself...
i know some girls
Are completely different looking in the morning without makeup.
by FlimtotheFlam on Feb 26, 2010 9:05 PM EST up reply actions
I didn't say he was waking up.
I said getting out of bed.
Forget it, spants. It's Chinatown. - tom s.
i dunno
if i were a straight girl, i would imagine that i would think joe mather is a good looking fellow
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
Methinks thou dost qualifyeth too much.
"What's your favorite Chuck Palahniuk book?"
"I like the one about the alienated character who finds the socially unacceptable way of coping with modernity."
i mean
not in a gay way or anything, but he’s totally fine. and i say that being like totally really fresking straight
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
apparently his shoulder sucks
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
by prophetjohn on Feb 26, 2010 12:43 PM EST up reply actions
CHONE has him being only +4 runs over replacement
by FlimtotheFlam on Feb 26, 2010 12:50 PM EST up reply actions
I don't think CHONE factors in leverage to his projections
CHONE projects a 3.72 ERA. With, say, 1.5 leverage, which is typical of the average setup man, he’d be worth .8 WAR per 60 innings pitched.
by vivaelpujols on Feb 26, 2010 12:54 PM EST up reply actions
I think a lot of us
have been beating that tambourine for a while now.
Dots Miller for HOF. 'cuz a name means everything!
Shoulder issues...
Don’t we have enough of those on the team already?
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
yeah
I think we would have signed him by now (or someone would have) if they aren’t seeing something wrong with his shoulder
I'm gonna need a whole lot more franklins if Franklin is our closer this year
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Feb 26, 2010 2:12 PM EST up reply actions
O/T: Need a good laugh?
"But I’m still hungry. I’ve got 10 fingers. There’s one that’s busy and I need nine more."
- Albert Pujols
You know, from an environmental standpoint ...
this would actually make a lot of sense. Grouping the teams into tighter geographic divisions would reduce the carbon footprint of travel.
Sorry. I’m an environmentalist at heart.
@aaronjscott
by musialsuspects on Feb 26, 2010 1:17 PM EST up reply actions
i think it would be crazy to have teams from the same city in the same division
by FlimtotheFlam on Feb 26, 2010 1:21 PM EST up reply actions
True.
That would get pretty old. Of course, there goes the need for half the interleague games (which is not necessarily a bad thing).
@aaronjscott
by musialsuspects on Feb 26, 2010 1:24 PM EST up reply actions
i like inter league play when we are not playing the Royals or the Tigers
by FlimtotheFlam on Feb 26, 2010 1:27 PM EST up reply actions
I like interleague play as a whole
but even after 12(?) seasons there are still some weird quirks…Haven’t the Cards not been to Camden Yards yet?
I crawled the earth, but now I'm higher, 2010 watch it go to fire!
by First mammal to wear pants on Feb 26, 2010 8:46 PM EST up reply actions
I don't see Scutaro solving a lot of defensive problems at SS.
Although his bat will be better than Nick Green’s.
Adding Cameron and moving Ellsbury to left should really help, and having Beltre at 3B is a huge upgrade over Lowell, who can’t really move much anymore.
He seems to think that Ellsbury is going to be an outstanding CF. I don’t see that when I watch him play, and UZR doesn’t show it either. I would guess that he really doesn’t feel this way, but knows that Ellsbury has less value as a corner outfield guy, and that he might want to trade him at some point in the next couple of years.
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
Most defensive metrics see Ellsbury as a guy who has been very good in the past, but was very bad last year
Epstein, however, implied that the Red Sox own proprietary metrics had Ellsbury above average last year. The Red Sox employ Tom Tippet, who is on par with Tango and MGL in terms of saber ability, and given that he likely has access to better data as a member of the Sox, his defensive metrics might very well be better than UZR/plusminus/PMR/WOWY etc.
Also, did you read the entire interview? There was some amazing information in there about how he and the Sox operate.
by vivaelpujols on Feb 26, 2010 2:00 PM EST up reply actions
I read the whole thing
I think he’s right on about Ellsbury needing some improvements, I guess maybe I’m not as optimistic that he’ll get there as Theo is. By UZR he’s a -10 run CF in almost 2000 innings. Most of those came last year, clearly, but if he’s “getting better”, then we should see that the more he plays. Schumaker’s UZR got better and better last year as he learned his new position, Ellsbury went the other direction. That’s not a good sign. If his problem is getting a good jump, he should improve that the more he plays he sees from CF. It’s pretty clear that isn’t happening for him, at least last year.
I think that center fielders are born, not made. You’re either going to be an average to above average CF or you’re not. I don’t think you can “learn” how to be an elite player out there, and especially not at age 26. Fast guys don’t always make great centerfielders. Vince Coleman and Rickey Henderson were two of the fastest guys in the 80’s and weren’t worth a shit defensively in CF. They were great left fielders though. I think a similar thing can be said about Carl Crawford and Jacoby Ellsbury.
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
ellsbury doesn't have much of an arm, does he?
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
It's better
than Juan Pierre’s and worse than Rick Ankiel’s, if that helps any.
Closer to the former, though.
Make way for the Homo Superior.
by the red baron on Feb 26, 2010 2:31 PM EST up reply actions
nope!
i think that’s the entire possible range of outfield arms.
VivaElBirdos: Celebrating glorious mustaches since 2009
by redbirdnation8206 on Feb 26, 2010 2:38 PM EST up reply actions
damon?
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
Better than Pierre.
Not by a lot, but still.
Make way for the Homo Superior.
by the red baron on Feb 26, 2010 2:56 PM EST up reply actions
If you had Pierre in LF
and Aaron Miles playing shortstop, would you need a second cut-off man? Interesting to consider…
RELEASE THE CENTIQUID!!!!
by Felonius_Monk on Mar 1, 2010 8:07 AM EST up reply actions
It seemed evident in several of his comments,
that he is walking on eggshells to be diplomatic about everything. Ellsbury could easily be the same. Coming out to say your CF of the future can’t play defense is not something a smart person would do. It’s not the patented Mo line, but RBIs aren’t a useless stat? Come on now, Theo.
"What's your favorite Chuck Palahniuk book?"
"I like the one about the alienated character who finds the socially unacceptable way of coping with modernity."
the editing of that article wasn't great....
I think Theo said “irrelevant” there.
by Willie McGee's Twin on Feb 26, 2010 3:37 PM EST up reply actions
It was a radio interview that was trascripted
by vivaelpujols on Feb 26, 2010 11:48 PM EST up reply actions
yes, the transcript sucked or he misspoke; i bet he said/meant irrelevant given the context
by Willie McGee's Twin on Feb 27, 2010 12:01 AM EST up reply actions
he talks about drew alot
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
by that, i mean often
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
I'll again wager quite a bit that team's proprietary stuff is better than the public stuff
Not afraid to nitpick
It probably is
I watched quite a few Red Sox games last year before Cardinals games came on, and he just doesn’t look like a CF. If he didn’t have great speed, he’d be REALLY fucking bad out there. He gets terrible jumps on the ball and he doesn’t go straight back on balls hit over his head very well. These are things that you don’t have to do as much in a corner as in the CF spot.
I don’t buy that they brought in Cameron to play a corner OF spot. They’ll move Ellsbury to LF and have a great defensive outfield of him, Cameron in CF, and Drew in RF. That outfield is going to catch a LOT of fly balls.
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
yeah, ells never really looked good in cf
another one is granderson – don’t know what the numbers say, but he’s overrated by many. victorino too.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
Why do you think that?
The ONLY possible way that would be the case is if the team had access to better batted ball data. I know Hit f/x has been released to teams this year, but I’m not sure if it’s available in all parks yet.
The methodology behind UZR or +/- is very good, and I doubt that anyone could come up with better. It’s the data that’s the problem
by vivaelpujols on Feb 26, 2010 11:48 PM EST up reply actions
Did something happen to Papelbon?
Why would Bard be considered? Odd.
Bard's the next guy in line.
They’re looking to move Papelbon at some point in the near future, from what I understand. And a sound thought process it be, says I.
Make way for the Homo Superior.
by the red baron on Feb 26, 2010 3:02 PM EST up reply actions
most definitely
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
Bard's stuff is nuclear
Not sure if he has the command though. Walks aside, he seems like he could have a bad case of homeritis.
Not afraid to nitpick
The only really bad HR number
I see is with Boston last year. I’m willing to give him a pass on the longball in his first taste of the majors.
Make way for the Homo Superior.
by the red baron on Feb 26, 2010 3:08 PM EST up reply actions
Oh, you're talking
scouting wise. That’s possible. I haven’t seen him nearly enough to make a judgement like that. I’ll defer to you.
Make way for the Homo Superior.
by the red baron on Feb 26, 2010 3:10 PM EST up reply actions
Oh, Dontrell ...
what happened? I had such high hopes for you.
@aaronjscott
by musialsuspects on Feb 26, 2010 3:20 PM EST up reply actions
dude can hit
and has a great arm. hey, here’s an idea…
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
Hey, Duncan doesn't really have a big project this year.
He’ll need something to do. Dontrelle could be just the thing!
Of course, we saw how well KBot did last year with rehabbing from anxiety issues…
@aaronjscott
by musialsuspects on Feb 26, 2010 3:24 PM EST up reply actions
lefty bench bat
5th of’er – he’s a tony project, not a dunc
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
Yeah, I just liked seeing him pitch
three or four years ago.
@aaronjscott
by musialsuspects on Feb 26, 2010 3:26 PM EST up reply actions
is that rick ankiel's real name?
/kidding, but i seriously don’t know any brooks but robinson, though i do perhaps recall your mention of this name before.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
Former Brewer
In 2003/2004, he was a left-handed reliever while also playing left field and DH’ing some during interleague. Pretty cool. Looks like he retired in 2006.
I need your discipline / I need your help / I need your discipline / You know once I start I cannot stop myself...
all these maladies are greek
homeritis, dontrelleitis…hey, kind of like tonsilitis, hepatitis, bursitis, tendinitis…ok, now i get it.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
I disagree.
I think he looks every day of twelve.
Make way for the Homo Superior.
by the red baron on Feb 26, 2010 3:04 PM EST up reply actions
No surgery for now
It always seems to start this way and eventually it ends with surgery after months of rehab
by FlimtotheFlam on Feb 26, 2010 2:00 PM EST up reply actions
I'll be shocked if he ever throws a pitch for the big club
His shoulder just doesn’t seem to be strong enough for the pitches he throws.
"I learned a long time ago if you keep checking your stats all year, you're going to end up in the toilet." - Chris Carpenter, 2009.
He throws a cutter
That’s about it. I think his shoulder problems are just from throwing in general, not from any one pitch.
The Yanks thought so much of his cutter that one of their scouts compared it to Rivera’s cutter. If he makes it to the big leagues, my guess is that it will be as a reliever, and that he’ll feature just a couple of pitches: that cutter and another pitch to mix things up.
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
I've sought out video of Bittle pitching in the past,
and while I certainly hesitate to toss around comparisons to Mariano Rivera, I also wouldn’t argue with someone who wanted to. Bittle’s cutter is absolutely ridiculous. I don’t know that I’ve ever seen a pitch just sort of disappear the way his cutter does. It almost looks like a splitter and a cutter at the same time.
Make way for the Homo Superior.
by the red baron on Feb 26, 2010 2:30 PM EST up reply actions
It really does
It’s crazy. I watched him pitch against Mizzou and to call it a cutter is misleading. That’s a pitch I’ve never seen before and have no idea how he does it.
Not afraid to nitpick
Agreed.
That’s what I kept thinking all the while I was watching scouting vids and the like. Yeah, you can call it a cutter, but I really don’t know what the hell that thing is.
Make way for the Homo Superior.
by the red baron on Feb 26, 2010 2:36 PM EST up reply actions
Haha for sure I kept switching what I was calling it
At first it was a changeup, but it was at like 86-88, so I was thinking “backup cutter”?
Not afraid to nitpick
Backup cutter.
Hmm. That’s not bad, actually.
Make way for the Homo Superior.
by the red baron on Feb 26, 2010 2:39 PM EST up reply actions
Wouldn't a backup cutter
Be a screwball?
"I learned a long time ago if you keep checking your stats all year, you're going to end up in the toilet." - Chris Carpenter, 2009.
Not really
Guys throw “backup sliders” all the time unintentionally. You kinda come down shallow on the ball and it doesn’t break nearly as much as you want, but relative to your FB it still breaks away from a RHB…..but it just kinda “sits down”. If it’s in the middle of the plate it’s a hanger but if you miss so badly that it ends up inner half (to a RHB) it’s actually a good pitch.
Not afraid to nitpick
It was one of Bob Gibson's favorites.
"What's your favorite Chuck Palahniuk book?"
"I like the one about the alienated character who finds the socially unacceptable way of coping with modernity."
I think you're thinking "backdoor"
I’ve only had the chance to see one game’s worth of video of Gibson (and the countless highlights obviously), but I doubt he was regularly throwing backup sliders. It’s really hard to do intentionally for some reason and I don’t know of any big leaguers now who do that.
On that note though, I’ve never, ever seen anyone throw as many backdoor sliders as Smoltz did last year.
Not afraid to nitpick
The subject line of this post
makes me laugh. That is all.
Make way for the Homo Superior.
by the red baron on Feb 26, 2010 3:01 PM EST up reply actions
I disagree.
I think it’s perfect.
We all have ways of coping. I use sex and awesomeness.
by the red baron on Feb 26, 2010 3:16 PM EST up reply actions
who is that masked man?
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
Yeah,
I had never switched mid-convo before; thought I’d try it out and see how it worked.
We all have ways of coping. I use sex and awesomeness.
by the red baron on Feb 26, 2010 3:25 PM EST up reply actions
Hey,
you name-checked Haruhi Suzumiya in an email to me once. You know Melancholy Of, you know more than you let on, buddy.
We all have ways of coping. I use sex and awesomeness.
by the red baron on Feb 26, 2010 3:28 PM EST up reply actions
it's a recent phenomenon
haruhi (which is awesome, can’t wait for the season 2 dub [I realize I’m a philistine]) turned out to be the gateway anime to clogging up my netflix with all the stuff I’ve heard about since I stopped watching anime when I was fourteen.
Did you say DUB?
You son of a bitch! I trusted you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Seriously, though, Melancholy is wicked amazing.
You should check out Asura Cryin’. Somehow I think you would really like it. (Not sure if they have a dub of it yet, though.
We all have ways of coping. I use sex and awesomeness.
by the red baron on Feb 26, 2010 3:33 PM EST up reply actions
I got in so many arguments about that in eighth grade
Asura Cryin’ isn’t even on netflix, but the wikipedia entry intrigues me. I’ll give it a shot.
Actually,
there are a few series I prefer the dubs of. Deathnote in particular is much, much better in English, mostly because the voice actor who play L just knocks it right the fuck out of the park. Brilliant.
Oh, and also: go and find one episode of Bakemonogatari. I guarantee you of all people would love it.
We all have ways of coping. I use sex and awesomeness.
by the red baron on Feb 26, 2010 3:39 PM EST up reply actions
i have been preaching the choir for awhile
But Hajime no Ippo is my favorite anime of all time. It is also the longest running manga in Japan.
by FlimtotheFlam on Feb 26, 2010 3:43 PM EST up reply actions
I recently started watching that.
It is really good so far. Only about five episodes in, though; I have tons of other stuff to watch as well.
We all have ways of coping. I use sex and awesomeness.
by the red baron on Feb 26, 2010 3:45 PM EST up reply actions
The old one or the new one
The new one is Hajime no ippo new challenger
by FlimtotheFlam on Feb 26, 2010 3:52 PM EST up reply actions
New one.
We all have ways of coping. I use sex and awesomeness.
by the red baron on Feb 26, 2010 3:58 PM EST up reply actions
you should really watch the old one first
Because new one starts after the old one
by FlimtotheFlam on Feb 26, 2010 3:59 PM EST up reply actions
True.
But a friend of mine had the new one on at his house one day when I was over there, and I enjoyed it. (Also, you’ll be proud to know I said to him, “You know, there’s this dude on VEB always trying to get me to watch this.”) So I just downloaded a half-dozen of the new series to see how they were.
I’ll probabaly go back and watch the original first if I decide to give it a concerted all the way through viewing.
We all have ways of coping. I use sex and awesomeness.
by the red baron on Feb 26, 2010 4:01 PM EST up reply actions
I have been on a Cowboy Bebop kick
Such a great show to only last one season
by FlimtotheFlam on Feb 26, 2010 3:29 PM EST up reply actions
there were two seasons, plus the movie
I mean, in the end [is killed by the spoiler ninja]
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
just one season of 26 episodes
unless you count 2 seasons of 13. The movie was not as good as the show
by FlimtotheFlam on Feb 26, 2010 3:31 PM EST up reply actions
Movie sucked.
That’s the problem with trying to make more money off a series like that, though. You have to try and tell a story that fits in between the actual storyline somehow, and it just almost never works.
We all have ways of coping. I use sex and awesomeness.
by the red baron on Feb 26, 2010 3:34 PM EST up reply actions
i liked the show so much
Because it had such good music
by FlimtotheFlam on Feb 26, 2010 3:35 PM EST up reply actions
True.
It was also freakishly beautiful. Episode 20, Pierrot Le Fou, is probably the most gorgeous animation I’ve ever seen produced for television, east or west. It rivals Metropolis and the first Ghost in the Shell movie, quite honestly.
We all have ways of coping. I use sex and awesomeness.
by the red baron on Feb 26, 2010 3:40 PM EST up reply actions
I liked ghost in the shell
The TV show so much more
by FlimtotheFlam on Feb 26, 2010 3:44 PM EST up reply actions
Really?
I didn’t like the show at all. Liked the movie. Really, though, the cyberpunk thing isn’t my favourite oeuvre anyway.
We all have ways of coping. I use sex and awesomeness.
by the red baron on Feb 26, 2010 3:46 PM EST up reply actions
i loved the show
Both seasons were great
by FlimtotheFlam on Feb 26, 2010 3:53 PM EST up reply actions
Well,
to be fair, it isn’t as if it only lasted one season. That’s just all the story there was. Probably close to half of anime series are set length. They just don’t make everything open-ended like American television.
We all have ways of coping. I use sex and awesomeness.
by the red baron on Feb 26, 2010 3:31 PM EST up reply actions
I'll just throw in my .02,
Cowboy Bebop is amazingly well-done. The storyline, music, atmosphere, everything.
"What's your favorite Chuck Palahniuk book?"
"I like the one about the alienated character who finds the socially unacceptable way of coping with modernity."
eventually they all shift back
it’s a little disheartening when SBN catches up with you.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
Do they really?
Oh, that sucks.
We all have ways of coping. I use sex and awesomeness.
by the red baron on Feb 26, 2010 3:29 PM EST up reply actions
There's a quote of Gibson,
where he says his best pitch is his backup slider because the batter thinks it’s going to hit him. Anyone else know the one?
"What's your favorite Chuck Palahniuk book?"
"I like the one about the alienated character who finds the socially unacceptable way of coping with modernity."
I was just trying to name what they described
I wasn’t actually trying to classify the pitch.
"I learned a long time ago if you keep checking your stats all year, you're going to end up in the toilet." - Chris Carpenter, 2009.
that is why I liked the pick so much
plus it cost us only $75K
by FlimtotheFlam on Feb 26, 2010 2:35 PM EST up reply actions
I was a big fan of the pick too,
and still am. If he can get past these issues, he’ll fly through the minors. So what if his arm self-destructs in a few years? If he can give you value at league minimum even for a couple years, that’s an outstanding use of a draft pick.
I’m really hoping they can get him on a shoulder strengthening program and see some results.
Make way for the Homo Superior.
by the red baron on Feb 26, 2010 2:37 PM EST up reply actions
I think that was/is the plan
I doubt they expect to get more than 1-3 years out of him before his shoulder explodes for good. I just don’t believe the team will actually get any use out of him.
"I learned a long time ago if you keep checking your stats all year, you're going to end up in the toilet." - Chris Carpenter, 2009.
That's a fair opinion to hold.
I’m a bit more hopeful, but I’m also not holding my breath. Regardless, I think even if he never pitches for the Cards it was a good risk to take with a mid round draft pick.
Make way for the Homo Superior.
by the red baron on Feb 26, 2010 2:40 PM EST up reply actions
Agreed
$75K is pocket change in baseball terms. I bet they thought they could get him through the minors in a year or less and get something out of him before this type of thing happened.
"I learned a long time ago if you keep checking your stats all year, you're going to end up in the toilet." - Chris Carpenter, 2009.
If he comes up and goes Josh Kinney for one postseason it would make the pick an gigantic win.
Making yourself worth $75,000 wouldn’t talk more than a handful of innings.
"What's your favorite Chuck Palahniuk book?"
"I like the one about the alienated character who finds the socially unacceptable way of coping with modernity."
Anyone have this sort of video on hand?
"What's your favorite Chuck Palahniuk book?"
"I like the one about the alienated character who finds the socially unacceptable way of coping with modernity."
I'll take a look around
and see if I can find any. They were a bitch to find even going into the draft last year, I’ll tell you that much. Give me a bit of time.
Make way for the Homo Superior.
by the red baron on Feb 26, 2010 2:41 PM EST up reply actions
ESPN shows two of em. That doesn’t really do it justice because he’d throw it inside to RHers too and it would…..back up? I dunno it’s a weird pitch.
Not afraid to nitpick
by joker24 on Feb 26, 2010 2:44 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Yeah, you beat me to that one.
Hazel-
He’s right, it doesn’t really do the pitch proper justice, as the camera angle is that funky low one you see in college baseball all the time, but just watch what the second pitch in the clip does. It’s enough to get a bit of an idea.
Make way for the Homo Superior.
by the red baron on Feb 26, 2010 2:46 PM EST up reply actions
Thanks.
"What's your favorite Chuck Palahniuk book?"
"I like the one about the alienated character who finds the socially unacceptable way of coping with modernity."
Here.
Try the MLB draft video. Click on the 400K next to Joseph Bittle.
Make way for the Homo Superior.
by the red baron on Feb 26, 2010 2:53 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
True.
Probably why his shoulder’s a mess.
Make way for the Homo Superior.
by the red baron on Feb 26, 2010 3:06 PM EST up reply actions
He also opens his front shoulder up early...
which looks like it is causing a timing problem. His arm is clearly out in front of legs on a lot of these clips.
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
I heard another scout somewhere
describe it as similar to Kevin Appier’s “thing”. After seeing video, I can see both arguments.
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
Yeah
the video I saw of him, it looked utterly ridonkulous for a college pitcher. I think it looks good enough to trouble major league hitters now, and I reckon he could’ve moved quickly through the system if they took the route of least resistance (bullpen) and he showed reasonable command. Really such a shame that he’s hurt, but I suppose that’s the risk you take on a guy who has major health issues.
RELEASE THE CENTIQUID!!!!
by Felonius_Monk on Mar 1, 2010 8:11 AM EST up reply actions
I agree with all you said
But apparently his shoulder doesn’t. Regardless of what he throws his body doesn’t seem to be able to take it.
"I learned a long time ago if you keep checking your stats all year, you're going to end up in the toilet." - Chris Carpenter, 2009.
3 Pitches
Although he was known for his cutter and threw it far more, Bittle actually has (had?) 2 other pitches—a 90-94 mph four-seam fastball and a change-up. That’s how he was able to move from closer to the rotation at Ole Miss last season.
The Changeup is for the lefties to set them up for the cutter
by FlimtotheFlam on Feb 26, 2010 4:50 PM EST up reply actions
I really enjoyed this post
and was thinking to myself that I wish this guy would post more frequently, no disrespect of course to our current contributors as they do a fine job as well. Then I see that it was Senor Boros who posted and I had a flashback to my lurker days.
Great post as always.
NorCal CARDS FAN
I can't wait!
The Wainwright/Carp one sounds pretty epic
You know what they call a quarter pounder with cheese in France?
by jd is legend on Feb 26, 2010 2:45 PM EST up reply actions
I'm gonna go ahead and say it
I hate those commercials. They’re like what a group of moms would come up with if asked for their idea of a funny commercial.
‘Course, it doesn’t help that pro ballplayers aren’t exactly adept at comic delivery. I’m holding out hope that Boog can bring the funny.
by Andyfantastic on Feb 26, 2010 3:26 PM EST up reply actions
blasphemy
for one thing, prophetjohn got his wish
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
was that colby speaking?
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
i can't wait.
there’s one that justifies my screen name too.
of course, i am now horribly spoiled, but I’m still grinning.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
I like them.
They’re not Hamlet, but they’re more entertaining than generic team-centric ticket advertisements.
"What's your favorite Chuck Palahniuk book?"
"I like the one about the alienated character who finds the socially unacceptable way of coping with modernity."
please larry
don’t keep the pimpness to yourself, you’re the best baseball writer i’ve read. and you don’t even need to use capitalization! the force would be too great
my favorite part was, the reminder that we will have a returning roster. it’s very exciting to see this many players becoming regulars on the team, after they sorted things out since the last world series win. kudos to mozeliak, he’s been a great gm so far, despite a couple of missteps (derosa didn’t exactly pan out very well and lohse is probably going to be overpaid, unless he turns into the new christie mathewson)
I'm gonna need a whole lot more franklins if Franklin is our closer this year
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Feb 26, 2010 2:16 PM EST reply actions
i wonder what lboros' take is on firing mcrae and hiring mcgwire...
I'm gonna need a whole lot more franklins if Franklin is our closer this year
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Feb 26, 2010 2:18 PM EST reply actions
You should buy the MSA!
You could find out!
I need your discipline / I need your help / I need your discipline / You know once I start I cannot stop myself...
I would if I could
lol
I'm gonna need a whole lot more franklins if Franklin is our closer this year
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Feb 26, 2010 2:24 PM EST up reply actions
You could always order one online
and the post office will deliver it right to your mail box. :) That’s what I did. And it is wonderful. Another great job, lboros. I am just speaking to you as one Cards fan living in enemy territory to another.
I can barely afford food
stupid student loans
I'm gonna need a whole lot more franklins if Franklin is our closer this year
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Feb 26, 2010 2:48 PM EST up reply actions
although next month I might be able to get one
I'm gonna need a whole lot more franklins if Franklin is our closer this year
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Feb 26, 2010 2:58 PM EST up reply actions
the quick n dirty
i thought mcrae got a bit of a bad rap - he wasn’t a terrible hitting coach, but it was probably time for him to move on. w/ mcgwire, i think he’ll be very good at relationship-building -— he was almost universally liked as a teammate, and i think these players will bond with him. whether or not he can teach hitting is something we’ll just have to find out.
we've been calling that
sbn’d. you got sbn’d, larry!
I'm gonna need a whole lot more franklins if Franklin is our closer this year
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Feb 26, 2010 6:52 PM EST up reply actions
great observation
that second to last paragraph, how ankiel broke the chain – definitely a “pretty stark dividing line”. i guess for every action there’s an equal and opposite reaction.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
pujols name
per rotoworld, Albert doesnt want to be referred to as “El Hombre” so now what am i supposed to call him?
a rose is a rose
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
he's in san francisco
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Feb 26, 2010 3:17 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I like how a kid born in St. Louis to parents who went to hs in Kansas City
is suddenly ‘international’.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
that is some kind of SBN.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
You call him
he who is called Him.
Make way for the Homo Superior.
by the red baron on Feb 26, 2010 2:32 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
In my mind
Albert has transcended nicknames and now can go by just “Albert.”
I need your discipline / I need your help / I need your discipline / You know once I start I cannot stop myself...
Whenever I say hi to him
I say “Hey, Albert!” and he gives me a dirty look, because he thinks I’m referencing Cosby’s “Fat Albert”. I’ve told him a couple of times that I’m not, but he doesn’t believe me.
"Have you ever thrown a ball 100 miles an hour? Everything hurts. Even your ass hurts. I see pictures of my face and say, 'Holy shit', but that's the strain you feel when you throw. I had one of those faces you look at it, man, and say, 'Man he's an ass-hole.' Could be, depends on if you pissed me off or not." - Bob Gibson
by ISawGodInGibby'sRightArm on Feb 26, 2010 11:57 PM EST up reply actions
You call him Pujols.
it’s understoo . All around baseball. I talk to Cub fans all the time, and it cracks me up.
Them: Yap yap yap Derrek Lee yap yap.
Me: “Pujols”
Them: “F you, jerk.”
not to mention
how many times they pull out the “Pooholes” joke and still think its funny
I crawled the earth, but now I'm higher, 2010 watch it go to fire!
by First mammal to wear pants on Feb 26, 2010 8:54 PM EST up reply actions
'Jols of Fame?
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
don't call him hombre
I'm gonna need a whole lot more franklins if Franklin is our closer this year
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Feb 26, 2010 2:48 PM EST up reply actions
Seriously, though,
As many times as I’ve now heard Albert say this, it never fails to make me incredibly happy that he has that much respect (and rightly so) for Stan.
"But I’m still hungry. I’ve got 10 fingers. There’s one that’s busy and I need nine more."
- Albert Pujols
I vote for "The Machine" or "La Maquina"
1. ESPN commercial is great
2. How cool would it be to have our two best players ever known as The Man and The Machine??
Free Melodi Dushane
nice ring to it
my nephews call him the machine and have those posters up – i think he’s pretty commonly known as the machine to the youngsters
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
Oh, I get it
It’s a John Henry analogy, right?
@aaronjscott
by musialsuspects on Feb 26, 2010 5:39 PM EST up reply actions
Good news everyone!
I need your discipline / I need your help / I need your discipline / You know once I start I cannot stop myself...
WWL FAIL
You know what they call a quarter pounder with cheese in France?
by jd is legend on Feb 26, 2010 2:43 PM EST up reply actions
too bad it ain't true
and i ain’t gonna lie, you had me going there for a sec.
/F’N zoomzoom
Check out my sports blog!
Best moment I've ever seen at a Cards game in person
Follow me on Twitter: @zoomzoomj88
SIGN FELIPE LOPEZ & JOHN SMOLTZ!
that's what i said this a.m.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
they had the first name right
along with former team
Blaine Matthew Burns: Albert Pujols' biggest fan (his first words will for sure be "Albert Pujols is RIDICULOUS")
DAYN PERRY
sucks…wont read because of that
Pujols takes out "I" in BIG and "A" in MAC, previously considered to be an unyielding, consonant threat
Don't do that.
That’s your one and only warning.
Make way for the Homo Superior.
by the red baron on Feb 26, 2010 3:00 PM EST up reply actions
fuck, is hockey today?!
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
It is
Kiprusoff horribly misplayed a puck and was rushed by Kessel into a turnover for an empty net goal, and Parise just put home a PP goal.
Not afraid to nitpick
And then our boy EJ puts home a goal
Seeing him with talent around him: he’s a franchise type guy. And that knee is only getting stronger.
Not afraid to nitpick
My God
4-0 midway through the 1st
You know what they call a quarter pounder with cheese in France?
by jd is legend on Feb 26, 2010 3:29 PM EST up reply actions
I'm in a meeting
I saw the first 3 goals on my laptop. Paid attention for a bit, came back, missed the 4th goal. Came over here, posted the score, paid attention a little bit longer. 6-0. Canada, you’ve been put on notice.
You know what they call a quarter pounder with cheese in France?
by jd is legend on Feb 26, 2010 3:32 PM EST up reply actions
I'm really, really enjoying this whole hockey drama between the U.S. and Canada.
We all have ways of coping. I use sex and awesomeness.
by the red baron on Feb 26, 2010 3:35 PM EST up reply actions
I'd kill for Slovakia to upset them too
Hossa and Gaborik would have to have the games of their lives, but that’d be sooooo funny.
Not afraid to nitpick
will the american men avenge the honor of their women?
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
I really don't enjoy the olympics
But I’ve been watching the hockey team, for sure
You know what they call a quarter pounder with cheese in France?
by jd is legend on Feb 26, 2010 3:37 PM EST up reply actions
Check out this pic
of the women Canadian team celebrating
by FlimtotheFlam on Feb 26, 2010 3:40 PM EST up reply actions
Didn't know there were switch hitters in hockey
Not afraid to nitpick
by joker24 on Feb 26, 2010 3:41 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
yeah but they already infiltrated the ruski's hindquarters
it should be a good game regardless
I'm like a polygon, I'm edgy.
Resident malcontented betamale
Ruski's!
Slim Pickens for the win.
We all have ways of coping. I use sex and awesomeness.
by the red baron on Feb 26, 2010 3:41 PM EST up reply actions
Surprised this hasn't been mentioned yet
Bernie did a great interview with The Baseball Analysts. He comes off much more sabermetrically inclined than he does in his P-D stuff, and in general, super intelligent
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
That impression is largely true.
He’s also one of the sweetest men you’ll ever meet in your life in person. His writing for the P-D is literally the very worst of him.
We all have ways of coping. I use sex and awesomeness.
by the red baron on Feb 26, 2010 3:27 PM EST up reply actions
This sounds lame
But I’ve had a few Twitter conversations with him, and he seems genuinely interested about me, and I assume that applies to everybody else he deals with, as well. He asks about my school, what I’m studying, my long-distance relationship, etc.
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
He bought me a Blue Moon once.
Nice fellow.
We all have ways of coping. I use sex and awesomeness.
by the red baron on Feb 26, 2010 3:35 PM EST up reply actions
offered me a snickers
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
well, to be honest, he had a whole bag
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
please tell me you didn't get in his van
Well the girls would turn the color of the avocado when he would drive down the street in his El Dorado... -the modern lovers
no, i made him retrieve the snickers from said van
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
by cardball on Feb 26, 2010 8:22 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
he drowned my cat.
RELEASE THE CENTIQUID!!!!
by Felonius_Monk on Mar 1, 2010 8:19 AM EST up reply actions
i think that is what his editors want
So that is what he delivers. Because I like him a lot more on his radio show.
by FlimtotheFlam on Feb 26, 2010 3:30 PM EST up reply actions
I'm not a big fan of his on the pressbox either
but moderating a message board would get to the best of us
by DanUpBaby on Feb 26, 2010 3:33 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
A message board I post at just went KaBluey
The moderator went crazy and deleted everything. Wasn’t even the owner of the site. Just couldn’t take it anymore.
by FlimtotheFlam on Feb 26, 2010 3:34 PM EST up reply actions
well he deleted all the posts from the site
So nothing was left
by FlimtotheFlam on Feb 26, 2010 4:40 PM EST up reply actions
He would never.
He would be more likely to just drop the ban-hammer on, well, anyone that irked him.
Forget it, spants. It's Chinatown. - tom s.
look down one
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
You guys are totally right.
I’m a huge jerk that doesn’t let people post pictures of bacon everyday. Who doesn’t let people go off on religious rants or political rants. Stupid me for not letting the trolls continue to bait or the profanity escalate. In fact, I just randomly ban people all the time to satiate my need for blood.
Think; It's not illegal yet.
by azruavatar on Feb 26, 2010 9:45 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
at least you can recognize your flaws
the first step to recovery is adm —
(USER WAS BANNED WHILE TYPING THIS POST)
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
by prophetjohn on Feb 26, 2010 9:47 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
I did want to come back and say
I thought it was kind of a cheap shot on azruavatar. I have always thought the moderation on VEB was top notch. I have dealt with so many horrible mods over the years from various communities. VEB mods are the best. They tend to just let things play out and just give a gentle nudge in the right direction when things start to get out of hand.
by FlimtotheFlam on Feb 27, 2010 1:39 AM EST up reply actions
i've experienced cool mods before
and the mods here are cool. i don’t really even think of them as mods because their modding styles are so non-intrusive
i think it was all in jest, though, and i’d imagine he knows that
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
I said three hours ago that I was teasing and that I appreciate him.
What part of that didn’t you understand?
Forget it, spants. It's Chinatown. - tom s.
was directed at you
just throwing it out there.
sorry
by FlimtotheFlam on Feb 27, 2010 2:20 AM EST up reply actions
Um, yes?
You do know what it is you do every day, right?
We all have ways of coping. I use sex and awesomeness.
by the red baron on Feb 26, 2010 3:36 PM EST up reply actions
Heh.
We all have ways of coping. I use sex and awesomeness.
by the red baron on Feb 26, 2010 3:41 PM EST up reply actions
haven't you noticed DanUp becoming cold and cynical
he’ll never be a power ranger now
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
That doesn't explain Strauss.
"What's your favorite Chuck Palahniuk book?"
"I like the one about the alienated character who finds the socially unacceptable way of coping with modernity."
Strauss really is a douchebag.
In fact, he might actually be more unpleasant in person than he is in print. Just a miserable human being.
We all have ways of coping. I use sex and awesomeness.
by the red baron on Feb 26, 2010 3:42 PM EST up reply actions
i've gotten in twitter battles with him
basically because he likes baiting both HPGF and Mizzou fans. it’s just totally unprofessional. i’ve finally given up on getting him to sound reasonable. ass hats will be ass hats i suppose.
I'm like a polygon, I'm edgy.
Resident malcontented betamale
Yeah.
Like I said, he’s even worse in person.
We all have ways of coping. I use sex and awesomeness.
by the red baron on Feb 26, 2010 3:46 PM EST up reply actions
problem might be
people are wishing when they should be willing.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
i cannot be willing until i get an american passport
after that, it’s open season, bring on the strauss
i’ll backhand him like a girl
nothing is more American
Than a girl backhanding a bad beat reporter
by FlimtotheFlam on Feb 26, 2010 4:57 PM EST up reply actions
over baseball
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
CO: "What is your purpose for entering the United States today?"
DD: “I’m gonna go slap the shit out of Joe Strauss.”
CO: “Ma’am, I am a Cardinals fan. God speed and stay as long as you’d like.”
I need your discipline / I need your help / I need your discipline / You know once I start I cannot stop myself...
by mojowo11 on Feb 26, 2010 5:23 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Wow.
Should I be incensed or impressed that he could be worse in person?
"What's your favorite Chuck Palahniuk book?"
"I like the one about the alienated character who finds the socially unacceptable way of coping with modernity."
Probably a little of both.
We all have ways of coping. I use sex and awesomeness.
by the red baron on Feb 26, 2010 3:52 PM EST up reply actions
Perhaps I'll let you know what I decide,
Sometime around midnight tonight on Twitter.
"What's your favorite Chuck Palahniuk book?"
"I like the one about the alienated character who finds the socially unacceptable way of coping with modernity."
by hazel on Feb 26, 2010 4:00 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
I think Bernie is a great writer
However much of his writing over at the P-D has to be dumbed down because the audience is mostly idiots. He is also a genuinely nice guy. He might also be the hardest working reporter around. Just think about it…he writes a 2-3 times/week column, writes on his blog 5 days/week, does a 3 hour radio show everyday, and still has time to work his sources. You can tell that he really loves sports and his job.
"I learned a long time ago if you keep checking your stats all year, you're going to end up in the toilet." - Chris Carpenter, 2009.
bernie deserves all the credit in the world for adopting to new media too
He was one of the first columnists to start a blog and is probably still only one of a couple that posts on and moderates a forum. along with his adoption of sabermetrics you can just tell he’s a guy that “gets it.”
I'm like a polygon, I'm edgy.
Resident malcontented betamale
I'd love to see what Bernie could do if he was allowed to post somewhere like VEB
once a month or so. I bet he would knock our socks off.
I am a bit biased though, I’ve loved reading Bernie for most of my life.
Lighten up, Francis - Sergeant Hulka
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
waino pitches to albert and lego
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=af5ZhdPGV7I&feature=youtu.be&a
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
man, did apu look bad on that last hack
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
He's just setting Adam up for the next time they face off.
Forget it, spants. It's Chinatown. - tom s.
jammie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDnP309-KzM&feature=youtu.be&a
and penny
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEYQreNyhXs&feature=youtu.be&a
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
Who is John Marecek?
"What's your favorite Chuck Palahniuk book?"
"I like the one about the alienated character who finds the socially unacceptable way of coping with modernity."
The only good KTRS radio guy.
Fixed.
We all have ways of coping. I use sex and awesomeness.
by the red baron on Feb 26, 2010 4:35 PM EST up reply actions
Oh, Bernie
Something I agree with wholeheartedly, from today’s blog:
… my favorite new album is by Surfer Blood (title "Astro Coast.") If nothing else, check out the song, "Swim," …
"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
Full Pujols Article from ESPN Mag
http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/insider/news/story?id=4939889
It’s a great read. (sorry if already posted, I searched and didn’t see it)
It’s an insider article, but is fully available for free right now.
Albert Pujols is ridiculous.
Sorry all
I guess they put the paywall between when I read it and posted. It’s a nice article, but nothing really earth-shattering.
Albert Pujols is ridiculous.
Hooooolio discussing being in STL and passes a message from TLR
Note: Above comment may contain gratuitous amounts of sarcasm.
BOYCOTT HASS AVOCADOS
How prescient:
I come home for lunch, and there in the mail box is this shiny looking publication called the Maple Street Press.
* is an Asshat
Also, Dave Concepcion.
Colby discussing changes from last year
Note: Above comment may contain gratuitous amounts of sarcasm.
BOYCOTT HASS AVOCADOS
Slightly OT, but ...
how does one pronounce the stat-cronym CHONE?
Because for a long time I (lacking Sportscenter) thought it was Choan Figgins. 6ly.
@aaronjscott
I always call it "Choan"...
Then again, I also purposely call Chone Figgins “Choan”…
But in a very high-pitched child-like tone. Whenever he pops up on TV, I always find myself saying “CHOAN!!!”
Note: Above comment may contain gratuitous amounts of sarcasm.
BOYCOTT HASS AVOCADOS
me too
it sounds cooler than shawn anyway
I'm gonna need a whole lot more franklins if Franklin is our closer this year
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Feb 26, 2010 5:39 PM EST up reply actions
choan!
I'm gonna need a whole lot more franklins if Franklin is our closer this year
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Feb 27, 2010 1:32 PM EST up reply actions
So I just took apart my sonicare toothbrush with a dremel
What is the odds I can get it working again
Mine stopped working 3 days ago
whatever you do, don’t throw it against the wall hoping that will fix it.
Lighten up, Francis - Sergeant Hulka
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
i am going to try replacing the batteries
by FlimtotheFlam on Feb 26, 2010 5:29 PM EST up reply actions
Mine wouldn't even hint at recharging anymore
I guess 4 years is a pretty good run for a Sonicare.
Lighten up, Francis - Sergeant Hulka
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
It probably just needs it's battery's replaced
You know how to solder?
by FlimtotheFlam on Feb 26, 2010 5:37 PM EST up reply actions
A dremel seemed like a good idea
Till I melted the plastic while doing it. Regardless if this works or not. It will be an ugly toothbrush afterwards
by FlimtotheFlam on Feb 26, 2010 5:38 PM EST up reply actions
Your mouth will never feel as good as it does after using one of those
Okay, that didn’t sound exactly RIGHT, but I am sticking by the statement.
Lighten up, Francis - Sergeant Hulka
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
you ever get those lock picks, mr. tinkerman?
or is that what you took the brush apart with?
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
i have not got them yet
They take a long time to get from China. I cut the toothbrush open with a dremel
by FlimtotheFlam on Feb 26, 2010 5:42 PM EST up reply actions
seems a worthy endeavor
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
Bahaha
Boog’s mustache in the new ads is great!
Note: Above comment may contain gratuitous amounts of sarcasm.
BOYCOTT HASS AVOCADOS
pictures from yesterday
it looked a few days old
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
you are disturbingly anti-stache.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
More Stuff from the *...er Heyman
talkin to DeWitt about the Pujols contract. He is still tossin around that 30M figure, and I am still fine with that.
Lighten up, Francis - Sergeant Hulka
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
just read a headline that says Brendan Ryan is doing everything to stay active
chill out, boog
I'm gonna need a whole lot more franklins if Franklin is our closer this year
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Feb 26, 2010 5:58 PM EST reply actions
unpossible
foregoing regular exercise leads to late-night crazies and chewing
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
I don't want him to chew his shoulder off!
I'm gonna need a whole lot more franklins if Franklin is our closer this year
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Feb 26, 2010 6:46 PM EST up reply actions
then he's got to do something besides fetch
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
hopefully not "roll over"
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
link
But it’s also important that he not get lazy or distracted during his rehab. Ryan’s focus was long a concern of the club’s, though he seemed to do a lot of growing up in 2009. It would not behoove him to take a step backward.
There’s definitely guys on your heels, and I don’t want to crack the door at all," Ryan said.
“His legs feel good and he’s moving,” La Russa said. “I’m sure he’s bored, frustrated. That’s part of being hurt. He’s not in a position where he can afford to lose points. That’s been mentioned to him. Plus, for his own good, he needs to keep it going so he doesn’t have as far to go [when he returns].”
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Feb 27, 2010 10:40 AM EST up reply actions
you mean the bone-shaped treats
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Feb 27, 2010 11:26 AM EST up reply actions
would brendan ryan be
better as scooby doo, or scrappy doo?
I mean the old school cartoon doos, not the movies, of course.
Well the girls would turn the color of the avocado when he would drive down the street in his El Dorado... -the modern lovers
scooby makes me think of buffy
and i watched the original scooby doos, with all the crazy guests
i suspect skip is scrappy… who’s shaggy?
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Feb 27, 2010 11:47 PM EST up reply actions
buffy makes me think of sarah michelle gellar
Which, given the incredibly strange career she has had, makes me think of Felipe Lopez. And that kind of worries me.
Well the girls would turn the color of the avocado when he would drive down the street in his El Dorado... -the modern lovers
Sarah Michelle Gellar was in the live-action Scooby Doo movie. (Movies?)
Scooby → live-action Scooby Doo → SMG → Buffy
Forget it, spants. It's Chinatown. - tom s.
so the real flow chart is:
Scooby → live-action Scooby Doo → SMG → Buffy → SMG → FLoppy → Aaargh?
Well the girls would turn the color of the avocado when he would drive down the street in his El Dorado... -the modern lovers
by SleepyCA on Feb 28, 2010 2:45 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
i'd like to see tony's scorecard sometime
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
so I saw an lboros post had 5 recs
and I just had to sign in long enough to make it 6. My day is now complete.
now we just need a hardcore legend appearance
I'm gonna need a whole lot more franklins if Franklin is our closer this year
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Feb 26, 2010 6:02 PM EST up reply actions
dgoold twit
Holliday and Ludwick knock homers off Wainwright in his first live BP. Righty has asked to hit off them next time
I'm gonna need a whole lot more franklins if Franklin is our closer this year
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Feb 26, 2010 6:25 PM EST reply actions
that would be awesome
I bet he takes them deep
I'm gonna need a whole lot more franklins if Franklin is our closer this year
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Feb 26, 2010 6:33 PM EST up reply actions
Strauss reporting Floppy to sign <$2M
Sorry, forgot how to post link …
ceterum censeo, delendo est Joe Strauss
with?
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
i hope you are serious.
and he knows what he’s talking about.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
1 out of 2 ain't bad
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
HFS
what a steal that would be. Signing a player coming off a 4.6 WAR season at that price. I mean, I know it’s almost a guarantee he will regress, I know there are some incentives mentioned, and I know pitching might be the more urgent need…but at that price, who cares. How do you not sign him for that?
this is certainly big, and welcome (for most), news
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
somewhere, Brendan Ryan has a nightmare of being perennially injured,
sitting on a guaranteed job, and then watching the Cards sign Felipe Lopez.
waaaaait.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
well. I'll amdit
the only thing in that article that disturbed me was the mention of Lopez adding depth at SS. Just say no to Floppy at SS.
This never caught your eye?
The Cardinals also retain Julio Lugo, a righthanded hitter who is most adept at second base and shortstop.
I don’t know that adept is the right word there.
* is an Asshat
Also, Dave Concepcion.
most able to wear a uniform whilst standing at
I need your discipline / I need your help / I need your discipline / You know once I start I cannot stop myself...
by mojowo11 on Feb 26, 2010 7:59 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
The way I see it
Lopez and Lugo are a lot like Ludwick. In the sense that those 2 can play SS and he can play CF.
by FlimtotheFlam on Feb 26, 2010 8:09 PM EST up reply actions
No way!
Ludwick is a passable CF – probably around average. Lugo would be one of the worst starting SS defenders in the league. Lopez is also below average. They’re like Matt Holliday in CF.
"What's your favorite Chuck Palahniuk book?"
"I like the one about the alienated character who finds the socially unacceptable way of coping with modernity."
mark my words!
…actually y’all can check my profile. click on the ellipses.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
yeah, it's mostly the deja vu
I am still looking for that article where Boog professes a tinge of bitter self-doubt about being ready post-Eckstein, then having Lopez show up, then getting injured*.
different situation now, but he’s gotta be twitching a little.
*not nec. in that order
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
boog?
what about gotay?
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
he's the new guy
at the time, Boog had been hitting the wall for about the second season going.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
i will be gosh damned
i would have bet a lot of money that he didn;t sign with the cards
<$2MM is just f’ing peachy
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
well, at least this makes the dd debate moot
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
why didn't you say you wanted to part with your money earlier
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
I know i shouldn't feel bad for baseball players because they get paid millions
to do something they love, while a lot of people get paid jack sh#t to do something they loathe, but Floppy is getting reamed. Upped his WAR last year by almost 4 whole wins over the previous season and gets rewarded with something like a $3 million pay cut in base salary. Although some of that could be of his own making I guess, with the alleged attitude problems.
carp's around
for attitude adjustments
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
by cardball on Feb 26, 2010 7:29 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
me either
I think Felipe has gotten a bad rap in all this.
I hope this signing goes through. I have already gotten my Fe-LIPE chant ready.
And can we please come up with a better nickname than Floppy?
Lighten up, Francis - Sergeant Hulka
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
he doesn't have
nearly as bad a rap as bradley
and i would have taken bradley on the cheap
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
his problem wasn't attitude
in was effort – even an exec with either the d’backs or brewers said this, and it’s because he likes to party late, so is apparently tired/hung over. that same exec said he’d take him back, that he was good in the clubhouse with the young players.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
I keep hearing different stories
I don’t believe any of them will be an issue in St Louie.
Lighten up, Francis - Sergeant Hulka
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
I agree
I hate that nickname. even Flopez is better than that
I'm gonna need a whole lot more franklins if Franklin is our closer this year
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Feb 27, 2010 1:34 PM EST up reply actions
Either it's attitude problems
or he was just god-awful in Washington. Either way his 2009 has to be looked at with a certain suspicion.
and the later half of his 2008
and his .943 BABIP, for sure
hard to not like him for under $2MM, though
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
not much to pick through that Goold didn't cover, so far.
odds and ends like DReyes looking at bats, Colby talking to The Cat
there’s this:
FSM Finding out theres some backlash to the new flat screens; carp says it gives the media an excuse to loiter in the clubhouse about 10 hours ago via TweetDeck
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
Per Joe Strauss:
Cardinals are close to deal with Lopez
by The Ghost of Todd Burns on Feb 26, 2010 7:13 PM EST reply actions
albert likes it
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
i don't get it...
I’m sure its absolutely hilarious though…
by The Ghost of Todd Burns on Feb 26, 2010 7:16 PM EST up reply actions
quick memesplanation
unicorns mitigate the strauss effect.
albert, being on the side of good, can call on unicorns.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
that's gotta hit the scoreboard at busch
after his blasts
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
sorry
the Clydesdales union objected
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Feb 26, 2010 7:22 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
could we change the hooves?
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
unicorns don't unionize, it seems.
it’s their free-lancing which helps them do their job. and something about virgins, but let’s not get into politics.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
when did virgins become political?
and….nope I can’t be that mean.
Lighten up, Francis - Sergeant Hulka
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
by mattyfrommo on Feb 26, 2010 8:22 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
right around 9-11 i think
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
by cardball on Feb 26, 2010 8:26 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
well we just need to keep all the virgins here away from the clydacorns.
oh hell, that’s way too big of a job. VEB is DOOMED!!!!
Lighten up, Francis - Sergeant Hulka
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
what do we call it?
clunicorn?
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
More importantly, what do we call it when it grows wings?
"What's your favorite Chuck Palahniuk book?"
"I like the one about the alienated character who finds the socially unacceptable way of coping with modernity."
red bull
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Feb 26, 2010 9:19 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
In my mind
Mo read VeB this morning and said, ever so sassily, “You don’t know me!”
Then called up Beverly Hills Sports Management.
Guys like Bradley are exactly why we can't have a pumpkin patch anymore.
he tore his high collar to make a point?
nah…. he’s eating a slice of pizza now?
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
Hello Floppy.....
Mr. #2 batter. I personally feel better knowing that we have a little more battle tested lefty bat in our arsenal.
by One Flew Over The Cardinals Nest on Feb 26, 2010 7:18 PM EST reply actions
Ruben Gotay and Tyler Greene
must be pretty bummed today.
Guys like Bradley are exactly why we can't have a pumpkin patch anymore.
yeah
I'm gonna need a whole lot more franklins if Franklin is our closer this year
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Feb 27, 2010 1:35 PM EST up reply actions
Is anyone else now having a hard time
picturing Lugo in a Cardinals uniform next season?
by The Ghost of Todd Burns on Feb 26, 2010 7:20 PM EST reply actions
well..before lopez it seemed he'd be a lock...whether we liked it or not
now I see absolutely no need for him
by The Ghost of Todd Burns on Feb 26, 2010 7:21 PM EST up reply actions
uhh he was probably not going to be around next year anyway
T.Greene doing most of what he could do for cheaper
man...T. Greene must really be getting screwed
by The Ghost of Todd Burns on Feb 26, 2010 7:22 PM EST up reply actions
poor Greene Tea.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
don't kid yourself
LaRussa takes lugo over green all day every day
by The Ghost of Todd Burns on Feb 26, 2010 7:23 PM EST up reply actions
you talking about this year or next?
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
well, yeah
we have lugo free this year. there was no doubt he was making the team, was there? greene wasn’t exactly competing with him for that. there was also no doubt he would not be back next year – see greene.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
it would be a mistake to not try really hard to trade him before the end of ST.
he’s just not a good player anymore – projects as basically league average.
i would much rather see tyler greene at SS than either lugo or lopez.
"We were men - flesh and blood - and we played baseball in the sunshine. We hit doubles off the wall, slid hard into second base. We had fights, and we made love. We sang songs and prayed on Sundays. . . . We felt pain. And we felt joy. There was a lot wrong with the world. But we weren't sad, man. We had the times of our lives." Buck O'Neil, from "The Soul of Baseball: A Road Trip Through Buck O'Neil's America."
this team is gonna be f'ing good
skip
flop
mang
lego
lud
colby
oh my!
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
that said, i hope freese still gets a fair chance
and that craig makes the team
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
allllll we are sayinggggg is give
—who?
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
and lopez
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
I know its not what you mean by bench, but add Skippy to that list
at least against lefties, thank god (assuming we sign Lopez)
does lopez hurt skip's role though
he is a plus glove at second and assuming skip is the same as last year, would it be worth more to the team to run lopez out to second more than skip?
he would be the short side of a 2B platoon at best
and get the rest of his ABs in LF, 3B and maybe SS
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
Holliday will play 150 games, Boog should start at least 130, Freese’s role would be severely affected by a signing.
true
but at worst, i see freese being the short side of a platoon and getting ~450 PAs
which is probably sufficient for his rookie season. if he absolutely mashes, i’m sure we could trade floppy for a good return
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
yeah, I was wondering that
I think the answer is yes
I'm gonna need a whole lot more franklins if Franklin is our closer this year
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Feb 27, 2010 1:36 PM EST up reply actions
Beautiful
You can't sit on a lead and run a few plays into the line and just kill the clock. You've got to throw the ball over the goddamn plate and give the other man his chance. That's why baseball is the greatest game of them all.
-- Earl Weaver
by Smokin Turkeys on Feb 26, 2010 8:25 PM EST up reply actions
individually, for the money... probably
as a pattern of Tony telling a basket of adopted kittens, “John Mozeliak is my bitch!”, I’m beginning to harbor seeds of doubt.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
I am not using that
Lighten up, Francis - Sergeant Hulka
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
TWTLRTABOAK
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
there's incentives
i suppose based on PA’s?
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
and like leyland didn't for ordonez
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
i dunno
i’m just joshin’
though, i’d imagine if it turns out to be close by the end of the season, they might
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
not for an extra 50 grand
not heading into the playoffs
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
i would imagine
his incentives add up to more than $50K
if not, ouch. poor floppy
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
of course they do
but it’s usually say 500,000 if he reaches 450 PA, and then x amount every y PA’s thereafter. i think the big number, whatever it is, will be something he easily reaches, and after that we are not going to nitpick about another 50,000 or whatever per z amount of PA’s
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
i don't see it being worth it
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
no harm in dangling him
dunno what kind of value he has, though
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
I don't know about that
freese is a C prospect, if we could trade for someone that has his ceiling I would.
other c prospects
Kam Mickolio,
Ian Desmond
Jacob Mcgee
i don't think freese is a c prospect
a c prospect to me is, uh, evan maclane? walters?
borderline useful MLBers. not near locks to be league average MLBers
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
Yeah,
Freese two years ago was a C or even less than a C prospect.
"What's your favorite Chuck Palahniuk book?"
"I like the one about the alienated character who finds the socially unacceptable way of coping with modernity."
always remember with freeze and age
he gave up baseball after high school, then decided to get back into it. so it is a little deceiving.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
i'm probably the only one
but i like lugo on the bench (YOU KNOW YOU WANT HIM THERE), and definitely more than a c prospect
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
he's an okay hitter
i have no qualms with him on the bench for league min
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
lopez will play SS before lugo
so bitch about floppy
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
you kidding cody?
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
No since I see floppy playing mostly second and third, SS seems like a stretch to me.
but they’re both horrible at ss, floppy is at least above average at second.
i guess
See how well Gotay takes some walk in spring
by FlimtotheFlam on Feb 26, 2010 8:25 PM EST up reply actions
umm, forget craig at second
about 20 lbs. ago
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
i think some numbers are inflated
and some deflated.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
Skip is really muscular, while Allen Craig lost a lot of weight then he was an orphaned runaway.
"What's your favorite Chuck Palahniuk book?"
"I like the one about the alienated character who finds the socially unacceptable way of coping with modernity."
by hazel on Feb 26, 2010 9:01 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
i have a soft spot for orphans
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
+1
I am so excited now!
You can't sit on a lead and run a few plays into the line and just kill the clock. You've got to throw the ball over the goddamn plate and give the other man his chance. That's why baseball is the greatest game of them all.
-- Earl Weaver
by Smokin Turkeys on Feb 26, 2010 8:22 PM EST up reply actions
WHERE CAN I PURCHASE THESE SO CALLED CARDINALS
I WOULD LIKE TO ACQUIRE AT LEAST ONE AND POSSIBLY AS MANY AS 25
I need your discipline / I need your help / I need your discipline / You know once I start I cannot stop myself...
by mojowo11 on Feb 26, 2010 8:24 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
seriously
this is one of the best teams I can think of
I'm gonna need a whole lot more franklins if Franklin is our closer this year
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Feb 27, 2010 1:38 PM EST up reply actions
for reference
Cards set to sign Lopez
Versatile switch-hitter to get 1-year deal for base salary under $2 million.
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
for the cubs, but that was 2-yr.
and i bet they aren’t so excited at bcb – well, not the same as we are here.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
I never would slip you Mickey! It is merely rhinoceros horn. This makes the champagna bubble.
by The Continental on Feb 26, 2010 8:59 PM EST up reply actions
29 and a 9 year vet
not many can say that
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
It just makes sense for the Cards to bring him back....
I still have the feeling that the bullpen will be addressed soon. My gut tells me Calero!
by One Flew Over The Cardinals Nest on Feb 26, 2010 8:52 PM EST reply actions
the braves (furcal) disagree
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
the other *
says it’s a 1.75M deal
Wowzers
Lighten up, Francis - Sergeant Hulka
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
"plus performance bonuses"
i thought that was against the CBA?
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
PA's aren't
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
just semantics i think
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
that's ok too
neither of those say you have to do it well, just do it
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
I think we get an overflow
when we get a Penny pitch f/x post
Lighten up, Francis - Sergeant Hulka
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
instantrimshot.com?
In football, the object is for the quarterback, otherwise known as the field general, to be on target with his aerial assault, riddling the defense by hitting his recievers with deadly accuracy in spite of the blitz, even if he has to use the shotgun. With short bullet passes and long bombs, he marches his troops into enemy territory, balancing this aerial assault with a sustained ground attack that punches holes in the forward wall of the enemy's defensive line.
In baseball the object is to go home! And to be safe! "I hope I'll be safe at home!"
-George Carlin (RIP)
So #2 is the general consensus as to where he would hit?
He’s better than any other options yeah?
In football, the object is for the quarterback, otherwise known as the field general, to be on target with his aerial assault, riddling the defense by hitting his recievers with deadly accuracy in spite of the blitz, even if he has to use the shotgun. With short bullet passes and long bombs, he marches his troops into enemy territory, balancing this aerial assault with a sustained ground attack that punches holes in the forward wall of the enemy's defensive line.
In baseball the object is to go home! And to be safe! "I hope I'll be safe at home!"
-George Carlin (RIP)
gotta be in the #2 hole against lefties
Lighten up, Francis - Sergeant Hulka
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
i think so
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
Vs Righties: Schu and Flip
Vs Lefties: Ryan and Flip
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
if he can put up anything close
to that .385 OBP, hellz yeah
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
You know why I really like this move
If we have no major injury’s half way into the season. We can use Lopez as trade bait. Trade him if another hole presents itself mid season.
felipe lopez for chris perez and jess todd
by DanUpBaby on Feb 26, 2010 9:13 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
"Hey Chris?"
“Yeah Jess?”
“Why do we always get traded for guys with really hot wives?”
“I dunno.”
“Think it has anything to do with our looks, Chris?”
“I doubt it, Jess. Go to sleep.”
I need your discipline / I need your help / I need your discipline / You know once I start I cannot stop myself...
by mojowo11 on Feb 26, 2010 9:15 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
the walrus?
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
Well, Lopez also hedges against major injuries at 2B, 3B, and in a pinch, SS
Though I’d rather see Greene start if it’s a long injury
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
well if boog went DL
they’d call up greene
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
i'll be radical
and say under
maybe if we fall out of contention or just absolutely run away with the division a la ’09
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
when he was here
the article mentions he played every position except cf and c (p is assumed)
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
someone who puts Adam Kennedy on the OF
cannot surprise us if he puts Lopez in CF at least one.
Did T Greene play CF before his stint there last summer? I kinda think he might have in the minors, no?
Lighten up, Francis - Sergeant Hulka
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
he already starts in center.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
I...don't think that's how over/under works
I guess I’ll take the push!
I need your discipline / I need your help / I need your discipline / You know once I start I cannot stop myself...
yeah
don’t you have to have a number to be over or under? I am not a gambler, so I might be mistaken.
Lighten up, Francis - Sergeant Hulka
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
yeah, like over 50 percent chance
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
odds that lopez plays CF better than lugo?
"We were men - flesh and blood - and we played baseball in the sunshine. We hit doubles off the wall, slid hard into second base. We had fights, and we made love. We sang songs and prayed on Sundays. . . . We felt pain. And we felt joy. There was a lot wrong with the world. But we weren't sad, man. We had the times of our lives." Buck O'Neil, from "The Soul of Baseball: A Road Trip Through Buck O'Neil's America."
let's hope that is an EXTREMELY small sample size
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
I know everyone was wondering
No, Felipe’s old #22 is not available…Joe Mather has snatched it up this spring.
I need your discipline / I need your help / I need your discipline / You know once I start I cannot stop myself...
I WAS wondering that
as I just went through the retired and current team numbers yesterday…I note that last year, he was #2 with the D-backs, and #3 with the Douchebags, err, Brewers. Looking at our available numbers, 0, 00, 3 and 8 seem to be available (not sure why there’s no famous #3 for the Cards)…other relatively low numbers include 15, 16, 24, 30…I assume no one will be given #32 or #57 in the near future. And I assume McGwire will be given his old #25 back, as well.
"I actually used about nine pitches--two different fastballs, two sliders, a curve, a changeup, knockdown, brushback, and hit-batsman" - Bob Gibson
by ISawGodInGibby'sRightArm on Feb 27, 2010 12:50 AM EST up reply actions
you guys remember the whole
“we’ll trade for MIF before we sign one”?
oh, mo
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
Mo just says stuff so the media will go away and write their stories
“We’re going to wait til further into spring to assess our needs.”
“We would trade before we signed a middle infield option.”
“Yes, I did pop this collar on purpose.”
I need your discipline / I need your help / I need your discipline / You know once I start I cannot stop myself...
by mojowo11 on Feb 26, 2010 9:22 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
things also change
as the money involved changes
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
he popped the collar on purpose?!!
I should have known. It was perfectly symmetrical and everything.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
No offense to any others, but ...
it sure is good to hear from you lboros. I learn something of value to me from every one of your assessments. Thanks for writing.
I was thinking maybe Tatis as a young guy that was relied on that heavily, but he wasn’t really a rookie. We got him in the middle of his 2nd year. I can’t think of too many that we have relied on that heavily at that age, either.
I don’t think it really dawned on me just how far this team has come by developing not only draftees but other teams’ castoffs. I am really impressed with the speed at which Mozeliak has been able to change the organizational philosophy, and also with his ability to stand his ground against such strong, established field management. Sure, he’s overpayed for a free agent or two, but he can afford it by not having to go to that well very often. I think I’ve heard some here make the statement that it isn’t overpaying a little for the likes of Holliday that cripples a team, but it is overpaying for the role players that really handcuffs a rotation. So far, Mozeliak has been able to avoid that situation.
the lineup gets deep though
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
who wants some skip! getcher red hot skip here
http://www.flickr.com/photos/markhalski/4379580034/
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
it was a nice photo
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
canada up 1-0
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
we have
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Feb 26, 2010 9:58 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
read the new cards maple street.
just in case no one has posted a review, received the annual in the mail and neglected my wife and kids for the next 12 hours (I am a careful reader). Great stuff for the second year in a row…the description of the cubs/cardinals fight in ’74 is priceless.
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