early season offensive check-in
by tom s. on Apr 24, 2010 5:34 AM EDT
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Printa lot of angst flows in the gamethreads on the number of players we have left on-base this season so far. while three weeks in is too soon to worry about . . . well, almost anything, i think it makes sense to take a look at how we're doing and what offensive trends are sustainable and what aren't (hint: most are not).
as a caveat, take all these stats with a big grain of salt, given the early, early stages of the season. still, i am trying to focus on some luck and discipline stats to try to discern the trends which require the smallest of sample sizes.
batting luck
our team BABIP is .281 right now, notwithstanding a 20.4% LD rate. the BABIP is in the lower third or so for teams, while the LD rate is in the top third. that looks an awful lot like a team that's going regress to a more productive mean.
on the other hand, the team also enjoys a 14.4% HR/FB rate, which is likely to regress in favor of fewer HR and more FB outs. so, going forward, expect fewer dingers and more singles and doubles, from the sheer force of regression to the mean.
team patience
maybe the most startling stat i've run across for the team is the team swing rate. we swing at 48.2% of all pitches, which makes us the most aggressive team in the majors by almost a full percentage point. the conventional - if erroneous - wisdom has been that in the post-hal mcrae era we are more patient. our walk rate (9.3%) is fine but unimpressive, and only a modest improvement on last year's 8.6%.
weirder still, we fit just fine with the norm for swinging at pitches outside the zone (27.2%). our problem is instead that we swing at 70% of pitches in the zone, the highest rate in the majors. now, sure, swinging at pitches in the zone sounds like a good plan - and it is, in small doses. but lots of pitches in the zone are not pitches that are going to go for a hit. dave duncan teaches pitchers to throw in the zone - just down in the zone. basically, we are swinging at a lot of crap pitches that we either miss (with a 10th-worst 86.8% zone contact rate) or hit for outs (with a fairly high 11.3% IFFB rate).
next, below the fold, let's take a look at the heroes and culprits for these trends
individual performances
colby rasmus has set the world on fire this month, making albert pujols the second best hitter on the team so far. is he going to continue to hit at a .454 wOBA level all season? i sure hope so, but i'm not putting anybody's college fund on it.
his walk rate: 18.2%. he walks so much because his plate discipline is outstanding - swinging at a paltry 15.4% of out of zone pitches, for a 40.5% swing rate generally.
on the other hand, his BABIP, while it comes in at a surprisingly low .280, is a product of a shockingly low LD rate (9.8%) and his slugging is driven by an extreme 29.4% HR/FB rate.
i love the discipline, but i worry that we'll see some sudden regression from colby. unless muscle is behind the extreme home run rate, i would suspect that in the near future we'll see him start making a lot more fly ball outs and a lot fewer homers.
on the other hand, we are seeing a lot of players hitting the ball hard, some of them not getting justly rewarded for their outcomes. check out the following LD rates: allen craig (36.4%); skip schumaker (32.0%); david freese (30.3%); yadier molina (22.9%); ryan ludwick (21.7%); brendan ryan (19.4%). of those six, only ludwick and freese have BABIPs of more than .300. either something else is going on, or allen craig has suffered a preposterous string of bad luck (.091 BABIP). skippy and brendan both have a lot of line drive karma coming their way (.255 and .243 BABIPs respectively), while molina is only being somewhat slighted by luck (.283 BABIP).
FYI - nick stavinoha's LD rate? 0.00%. his BABIP? .400. he is also the second least disciplined position player on the team after jason larue, with a 58.1% swing rate and without a walk to date. granted, he's had 10 PA's so far, but his history also shows him to be a free-swinging fellow who rarely walks or hits line drives. he's shown no reason to think he's improved in the off-season.
albert pujols continues to quietly morph his plate approach from a line drive-heavy output to a player who muscles fly balls over the wall. his LD rate continues to putter along at ~15%, like last season, with an even more extreme FB rate - 51.9%. his home run rate is 22.2% HR/FB. probably not sustainable for a mere mortal, but only a tick above where albert has been the last two seasons. if he is really able to hit 52% of all balls in play for flyballs, and 22% of those flyballs for home runs . . . . he could manage a 60 HR season (for those of you doing math at home: 700 PA - 65 K - 110 BB = 525 balls in play; 525 * .52 * .22 = 60). neither of those rates are necessarily sustainable, and both would be above his career norms (he did hit 22% of his FB for HR in 2003, but has never had a 52% FB rate; last year he peaked at 45.7% FB).
ryan ludwick looks very nice this year, with the high line drive rate mentioned above. his BABIP is high and more than is sustainable, but i suspect not too much more than sustainable. his patience is tremendous, with the lowest o-swing of his career and an 11.3% walk rate. expect some recession from these heights, but not too much.
skip schumaker looks better than his AVG/OBP/SLG line this early in the season. he's shown decent discipline, and also shows that, when he does swing, he can do great things. as stated above, his current numbers likely far understate what we will see of him in the near future. he's made himself into an extreme contact hitter, reaching 81.8% of all pitches he swings at outside the strike zone, and more than 90% of those he swings at inside the zone. his line drive rate is sky high, his fly ball rate low. expect great stuff from skippy this year.
i'm a little worried about holliday. his walk rate is poor. his LD rate is down. he's done well so far, but he looks like he might be in line for some regression. meanwhile, felipe lopez seems to be coming out of his early-season funk and playing basically as well as anyone could ask, with no strong chance of regression either in a positive or negative sense. yadi also looks good, with a real chance of positive results from regression. he's heard our cries about double plays and is hitting a lot more balls in the air. brendan ryan has shown great stuff at the plate, getting a lot of walks and line drives, although luck has not cooperated with that last part.
in conclusion, i want to further emphasize that the worm will turn, and the cardinals will once again score a man from second this season. there are too many guys making really solid contact for these outs not to turn into hits in the future.
second, our concerns of last year have only really been half answered in terms of discipline; we need more walks from our club and better consideration of which pitches to swing at in the zone to really address the continuing weaknesses in the lineup.
third, a molina stole a base off a molina and the universe did NOT collapse into a singularity. so, we've got that going for us.
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question is
when do you look at putting him at third or at second as an everyday player. This is purely hypothetical because I don’t think Tony would even entertain the notion, nor do I think its a good idea to take pt away from Freese if we see him sticking at third, but what about skip? With Descalso coming up, we know Skip is probably not a long term fixture in STL. Absolute best case scenario, Skip ends up in the 2 WAR league averageish range. Lopez, meanwhile, was a 4+ win player last year. While I don’t think he can repeat that, so far he’s impressed me on D (surprisingly) and he’s coming around with the bat. Should we be thinking about making him more of an everyday guy, rather than a platoon type?
we're paying skip more than felipe, though.
sometimes that factors into the equation.
and we’ve got him signed through next season.
"Did you just grow a mustache?"
"While SPINNING."
i don't see skip losing his gig
but i really don’t think in this case money is any factor. worst case for skip is probably getting traded, but if that’s even a thought then probably even more reason to keep playing him. anyway, he’s been consistent in what he provides, and i’d expect the same sort of numbers from him again this year. his present .633 OPS isn’t pretty, but at least he’s not kaz matsui, who is at .214 and makes more than skip and lopex combined.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
I'm still not impressed with Skip's D at second
and that’s just not about last night. I think Lopez might have more range.
I wish we could trade Skip for a good rhrp
I DON'T GIVE A FUCK!
i could see that happening
and i agree with you, if it’s even a debate, that lopex has superior range.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
but
floppy will cost more than skip next year
I may be in a rut, but at least I know where I'm going
but descalso will cost less
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
true, but
i seriously doubt they will give the starting job to him next year regardless (except tlr steps down)
I may be in a rut, but at least I know where I'm going
what if they had both lopex and descalso
for the same price as lopex and schu this year?
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
Great post, Tom.
It is only three weeks into the season, and Holliday’s seven-year deal, so I shouldn’t even be batting an eye at it, but we will need a ~10% walk rate from him for the next seven years for him to a age well.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
by bgh on Apr 24, 2010 9:54 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
felipe's tattoos
Red Hot Mama still has the best collection of pictures.
Then tucked away in this long, long blog:
Felipe: “My father would not let me do anything. He was very strict. After we got marred, I got one tattoo as a symbol for my oldest daughter. Then it just got kind of addictive (laughing). I don’t plan of getting anymore.”pics of Felipe and Jen: one, two, three
Did you know: Felipe Lopez wears a special tattoo, designed by his wife Jen—on the right portion of his neck. It means “always and forever.”
What does Felipe Lopez do during the off season? Jen says: “Felipe has a big huge sledgehammer and a big monster truck tire in the garage. And he goes out and swings, and swings and swings all day long. He does that and cleans his car.” Felipe adding in: "And the garden too." (Everyone cracking up)
By the way, someone keep an eye out for Carp’s second tattoo. He said he’d show it to the prying eyes of the FSM guys once the color was done.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
I presume that's "married"
sic!
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
Workout
I would like to his how exactly his sledgehammer and monster truck tire workout goes exactly.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
by bgh on Apr 24, 2010 10:39 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
it's certainly intriguing.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Apr 24, 2010 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions
...exactly...
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
by bgh on Apr 24, 2010 11:28 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
does he work out only on
Sundays Sundays Sundays ?
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Apr 24, 2010 12:02 PM EDT up reply actions 8 recs
Easily the funniest thing I've read in a long time.
by Tom_Lawless_Bat_Flip on Apr 24, 2010 12:06 PM EDT up reply actions
I can't imagine
It’s too different from Fedor’s workouts. And if it works for the possibly the baddest man on the planet, it might be good.
Not afraid to nitpick
That's a pretty standard workout for guys that want to get huge.
The sledgehammer is a great core rotational workout — stabilizes all those hard to activate muscles.
Think; It's not illegal yet.
i like him even more now!
i didnt know that was possible
"Did you just grow a mustache?"
"While SPINNING."
Me too.
The Cardinals are such a fun team.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
"If I do it wrong just break another toe. Three's my lucky number anyway." -Evan Lysacek: 2010 Olympic Gold Medalist ♥
third point
however, their mom did take Yadier to task for stealing. then she gave Bengie the business for that crap throw.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
.091 babip is insane......
time for regression to help our man Craig out.
Good stuff tom.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Also, Dave Concepcion.
true
So far in the 5 or 6 games I’ve been able to watch, he’s hit two foul balls that missed extra bases by inches, and last night he hit a ball into the bay off lincecum, foul by maybe 10 feet. I think he’s going to be fine.
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, it's clearly a function of luck, which is not
Surprising in the sample size. But it’s worth looking at for people who think he’s struggling.
"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 Apr 24, 2010 5:47 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Lots of data to go over here - good stuff
What I’ve wondered is how long it really takes for a new hitting coach to have an effect.
I would guess that he’d immediately start to work mostly with guys who have big problems. But we traded Ankiel away (har har). So I’m assuming we’d only see gradual improvements over the season.
guessing most of the work in done in ST
and that once the season starts, it’s minor tweaks. Seems like the team had excellent walk rates the first month or so of ’08 and ’09, and then fell off a cliff once the season was in full swing.
Well the girls would turn the color of the avocado when he would drive down the street in his El Dorado... -the modern lovers
i'm tempted to reply to all of these... well, it's a long day. Allen Craig
seemed to be really unlucky until he got his first hit. then… I dunno. but that’s like a SSS of a SSS.
4/8 B Arroyo 2-T 2 ___ A. Craig lined out to third (Liner). 4/8 B Arroyo 5-T 0 ___ A. Craig grounded out to shortstop (Grounder). 4/8 F Cordero 9-T 2 ___ A. Craig struck out looking. 4/8 B Arroyo 7-T 1 1__ A. Craig flied out to right (Fly). 4/11 C Villanueva 8-T 0 ___ A. Craig singled to center (Liner). 4/11 T Hoffman 9-T 2 ___ A. Craig flied out to left (Fly). 4/15 C Sampson 7-B 1 ___ A. Craig flied out to center (Fliner (Liner)). 4/16 O Perez 1-B 0 _2_ A. Craig walked. 4/16 R Valdes 7-B 1 ___ A. Craig struck out looking. 4/16 O Perez 3-B 1 ___ A. Craig grounded out to second (Grounder). 4/16 O Perez 5-B 2 1__ A. Craig flied out to center (Fly). 4/17 H Takahashi 13-B 1 ___ A. Craig walked. 4/17 R Valdes 17-B 1 ___ A. Craig lined out to shortstop (Liner). 4/17 J Mejia 15-B 1 ___ A. Craig grounded out to second (Grounder). 4/17 F Nieve 11-B 1 ___ A. Craig struck out swinging. (4/17 H Takahashi 13-B 2 1__ A. Craig was caught stealing.) 4/17 F Rodriguez 19-B 2 1__ A. Craig struck out swinging. 4/23 T Lincecum 7-T 0 1__ A. Craig grounded out to first (Grounder). Brendan Ryan advanced to 2B.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
ugh, the classic blunder! I should not trust fangraphs to sort things. stupid 20 innings.
4/8 B Arroyo 2-T 2 ___ A. Craig lined out to third (Liner). 4/8 B Arroyo 5-T 0 ___ A. Craig grounded out to shortstop (Grounder). 4/8 B Arroyo 7-T 1 1__ A. Craig flied out to right (Fly). 4/8 F Cordero 9-T 2 ___ A. Craig struck out looking. 4/11CVillanueva 8-T 0 ___ A. Craig singled to center (Liner). 4/11 T Hoffman 9-T 2 ___ A. Craig flied out to left (Fly). 4/15 C Sampson 7-B 1 ___ A. Craig flied out to center (Fliner (Liner)). 4/16 O Perez 1-B 0 _2_ A. Craig walked. 4/16 O Perez 3-B 1 ___ A. Craig grounded out to second (Grounder). 4/16 O Perez 5-B 2 1__ A. Craig flied out to center (Fly). 4/16 R Valdes 7-B 1 ___ A. Craig struck out looking. 4/17 F Nieve 11-B 1 ___ A. Craig struck out swinging. 4/17 HTakahashi 13-B 1 ___ A. Craig walked. (4/17HTakahashi 13-B 2 1__ A. Craig was caught stealing.) 4/17 J Mejia 15-B 1 ___ A. Craig grounded out to second (Grounder). 4/17 R Valdes 17-B 1 ___ A. Craig lined out to shortstop (Liner). 4/17 FRodriguez 19-B 2 1__ A. Craig struck out swinging. 4/23 T Lincecum 7-T 0 1__ A. Craig grounded out to first (Grounder). Brendan Ryan advanced to 2B.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Apr 24, 2010 10:32 AM EDT up reply actions
there are more than one classic blunders.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Apr 24, 2010 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions
10% of the season is played
(how time flies when the Cards are doing OK) – anyway, our record of 10-6 in the first 16 games translates to around 100 wins for the season – the pitching probably won’t remain as good as it’s been, but the hitting should improve, as tom says in his fine post
.625 Winning %
On-pace for 100 wins because we have won every series in which we’ve played…
Forgive me CRay, but I would say the first 10% has gone better than merely “okay.” Sure, there is room for improvement by individual players, but the good ship St. Louis is steaming toward the port of October.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
by bgh on Apr 24, 2010 11:54 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
nothing to forgive, bgh
I agree “okay” is a little soft, but having watched almost every game, the Cards could have done even better had the hitters showed up more often. And one of the reasons we’re all happy at the moment is that the rest of the division is pretty bad, with no one else above .500. If some other central team was playing better and pressing us, I think many folks would be more worried with some of the early-season trends. Hopefully, the negative trends will not continue.
I'd agree with CRay, that the Cards as a whole are doing OK
compared to what the on-paper projections say. We may have a .625 win %, but how have we accumulated those wins? against average-below average teams. If we had been playing better teams, our offensive troubles would show a bit more and our pitching may not look as good. It’s hard to be upset about the record, but there is a lot of room for improvement. As we close in on a tougher portion of the schedule, starting now with the Giants, we will learn more about this team and its true ability to succeed.
the cardinals (take away last night)
have a .667 winning percentage. i don’t care who you’re playing, that’s getting it done. and it’s damn good.
follow me on twitter @nickg105
by stlcardinalsfang on Apr 24, 2010 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Why take away last night?
While we’re at it, let’s take out the couple walk-off loses and the 20 inning fiaso and look at the winning percentage then….
i'm taking away last night because:
a) prior to last night, the cardinals had earned their percentages by winning every series they had played, something they still have a chance to do this series.
b) it was tim lincecum. i know this is a lame reason but it really just ties in to the fact that i’m trying to point out the cardinals still have a very good chance of winning today and tomorrow and taking the series to go 12-6.
but hey, if you want to play your game, a .625 winning percentage still equates to101 wins. which would still (likely) be the best team in the nl.
follow me on twitter @nickg105
by stlcardinalsfang on Apr 24, 2010 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions
you left out C
C) it was the first game that we didn’t “Play like a Cardinal”
"Baseball is like Church, many attend, few understand" - Wes Westrum
Nothing lame about
blaming Lincecum for this. He’s reason #1 for last night’s result. And did the Cards look bad at the plate last night? Yes. And do 2-time Cy winners routinely make teams look bad? All. The. Time.
by MdRedbirdFreak on Apr 24, 2010 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree that a .667 or .625 win % is great
and it shows that this team can get it done against lesser talent (as all contenders should). I’m just anxious to see how this team, mostly the offense, responds to equal or better teams/pitching staffs. That is what will guage our success. yeah, this team is on pace to win 101 games this season, but that pace has been set while playing poorer teams. I want to see a truer measure of success, which involves playing equal or better teams.
This team looks like it could and should be an elite team, I just want to see if they can get everything clicking and prove, against contenders, that they are elite.
okay, i agree with all those points
but then say the team is doing well so far instead of just okay.
follow me on twitter @nickg105
by stlcardinalsfang on Apr 24, 2010 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions
I think I'm still alowed to say they are just playing okay.
They are winning against the teams they should. That’s great but they have had their fair share of troubles. They are playing okay and winning. I’d like to see them consistantly play better, and they’ll have to against better teams. Many of the performances they’ve had thus far won’t get the job done against contenders. Last night is a great example. Your D can’t give away runs, and you can’t leave so many lobsters, Lincecum or not, if you want to beat good teams. I want to see this team get hitting on all cylinders and living up to their potential.
i just hope we don't average 5 runs a game
via the 10 and 0 formula – some consistency there would be nice. however, if in a 3-game series we score 10, 0, and 5, chances are pretty good that we take 2 of 3.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
Jaime last night, showed poise
A tough botch by Skip, a lost foot race by APu + control problems. And he still kept damage to the minimum. I was very impressed with Hi’-ee-may.
born Dodger blue, now dyed Cardinals red
I forgot to mention Yadi's stab at the ball in the dirt that led to the wild pitch
Yadi keeps that ball in front 99% of the time. Jaime’s ability to stay away from crooked innings speaks volumes. I am sure we have all blocked from our minds the implosions by Kip Wells, the Colonel, etc…
born Dodger blue, now dyed Cardinals red
Jaime was robotic out there.
Didn’t even acknowledge the errors, let alone allow them to affect his pitching. It was amazing, really.
I'm one of those "I don't care how you killed the cow; just serve me a great steak" guys. If the results are logical and easy to understand, I'm pouring some A1 sauce on that formula and eating it. UZR qualifies. -Bill Simmons
let's hope
that Jaime’s success doesn’t cause the Cards to overextend him by the end of the year. All of us would like this Jaime around for a long time.
i was at the game
and i was REALLY impressed by his poise. He didn’t show any emotion after either error, and really seemed to be squeezed by the ump and didn’t seem to let it affect him. And he pitched out of some really tough jams.
Well the girls would turn the color of the avocado when he would drive down the street in his El Dorado... -the modern lovers
I prefer to read EvilFrog's play when reviewing the snafus.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
it's scattered throughout yesterday's game threads
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
Gotcha
I missed it since I taped the game, but it looks like I will be doing a game thread rewind. He he.
born Dodger blue, now dyed Cardinals red
Don't forget that bases-loaded
play by Freese when he elected to get the lead runner instead of going for the 5-4-3 DP. With Bengie Molina the hitter, he clearly should have gone for the DP and it would have ended the inning. (But we still would have lost.)
by MdRedbirdFreak on Apr 24, 2010 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions
there were 0 outs
it would not have ended the inning and panda would have scored
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
Duh.
You’re right, my bad. I thought there was 1 out at the time, which is why the play mystified me.
by MdRedbirdFreak on Apr 24, 2010 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Either way, most people concede the run in order to get 2 outs.
You can read it in any tone you like.
against lincecum, conceding a run is often conceding the game
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
by prophetjohn on Apr 24, 2010 4:25 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
i'd think this was tony's decision
and relayed to the field.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
what inning was that?
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
But most people are the reason Nickleback is popular!
by Mister Eff on Apr 24, 2010 4:25 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
it was SICK man!!!!!!1!!!
/sarcasm
follow me on twitter @nickg105
by stlcardinalsfang on Apr 24, 2010 4:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Nah, I caught 'em like twenty times last year, so I was like whatevs.
Really psyched for Godsmack to come through town this year, though.
bases werent loaded
1st and 3rd. If the bases were loaded he couldve stepped on the bag, got panda in a run-down, and still got the 2 outs
"Baseball is like Church, many attend, few understand" - Wes Westrum
there was no shot at a DP.
In fact, it’s not a sure thing that he’d have gotten the guy at first. That ball was hit really slowly.
Well the girls would turn the color of the avocado when he would drive down the street in his El Dorado... -the modern lovers
In as much as I enjoy listening to the B52s
I do not want any more lob-sters. I want ribs instead.
born Dodger blue, now dyed Cardinals red
anybody hear about this?
- The Twins, according to sources, had what they viewed as a workable deal to acquire Padres closer Heath Bell after Joe Nathan was hurt this spring but veered away because they were nervous over character issues. Bell’s outspoken manner at times can grate on teammates.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
dang. character issues?
I thought all closers were *s. in fact Frankie is not *y enough. that must be bad.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
he's an old dog. if there's any crazy left in 'em, Izzy took it long ago.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
Motte for closer
Note: Above comment may contain gratuitous amounts of sarcasm.
BOYCOTT HASS AVOCADOS
Hey Houston,
Suck it; you suck
that is a man who could accurately be described as an asterisk
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
Heath Bell kind of reminded me of Swisher when they showed him talking to his teammates.
I'm one of those "I don't care how you killed the cow; just serve me a great steak" guys. If the results are logical and easy to understand, I'm pouring some A1 sauce on that formula and eating it. UZR qualifies. -Bill Simmons
In my opinion
The guys took a bunch of great at bats last night. The problem is that we were facing Lincecum, Romo and Wilson – three guys who you are not going to score more than 2-3 runs off of on a good night. We got 8 hits and 3 walks, which is more than those guys on the mound usually give up. We had a ton of good at bats and worked a lot of pitches.
I’m not worried about the offense based on that night.
i completely agree
once the giants got it up to 3-0, i basically knew the game was over but it was nice to see the team continue to fight and actually manage to push a run across against lincecum.
follow me on twitter @nickg105
by stlcardinalsfang on Apr 24, 2010 2:50 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm not worried about the offense based on last night, vep, but
a number of things do give me some concern – Albert’s loss of the strike zone, Holliday’s inability to hit with men on base, heck anyone’s inability to hit with men on base. Also remember how, even after Holliday arrived last year, too many times the Cards offense was shut down. Now will this change? I think it should as AP and Matt have fine track records over many years, Raz seems to be much improved over last year, Freese looks like he will hit reasonably well this year (as compared to last year’s third basemen), and Boog shows some signs of (eventually) being better. And, even in games the Cards don’t score many runs, they have shown the ability to run up the pitch count. But, I will be much happier when at least some of the offensive problems disappear.
your first mistake
was to worry about albert pujols
"You’ve got to play every game like it’s your last because it’s definitely survive-and-advance or don’t survive and school," Tiller said.
by stlcardsfan4 on Apr 24, 2010 3:22 PM EDT up reply actions
yeah, I know
it’s just that AP seems to be in a real funk. I figured it was time I began saying something about it. In the past, that seems to have worked to get him out of it – )-:
April funks from AP
I can take. Let’s try to avoid October funks.
by MdRedbirdFreak on Apr 24, 2010 4:15 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree.
I hope this is the opposite of last season. Last season he started strong and finished a bit weak. Let’s hope this season that if he’s going to go through an extended funk, it will be earlier than later
This is about a year old, but I hadn't seen it before
“Dave Duncan Will Heal You,” written by Joe Poz
Apologies if this is nexdef’d, but I figured not everybody here has read it
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
soriano is underpaid
http://andcounting.adamkellogg.com/2010/04/zambrano-and-soriano-vastly-underpaid.html
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
the ending was confusing
“They both gave the Cubs a great shot at a World Series and could do so again. You’d think the world’s greatest fans would appreciate that.”
i thought we were the world’s greatest fans?
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
also, reason number...well, i'm not doing all that math
but another reason we are damn fortunate not to be cub fans:
http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2010/4/22/1437199/the-internet-s-respond-to-lou-jims
after the opening salvos were fired, when the argument of a supporter of the move to the pen was pointed out to be illogical, Al defended the supporter by saying logic has nothing to do with it, it’s all about winning.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
Nice analysis tom. A few observations/questions.....
so, going forward, expect fewer dingers and more singles and doubles, from the sheer force of regression to the mean.
I think this is pretty much what our eyeballs are telling us as well. They’re getting on base, they’ve got sluggers and contact hitters up and down the lineup, and don’t really have any easy outs.
Re: team plate discipline/patience….are we swinging less on the first pitch than we were last year? Cause they seem more patient, as a group.
albert pujols continues to quietly morph his plate approach from a line drive-heavy output to a player who muscles fly balls over the wall.
Maybe I’m reading this wrong, but do you think Pujols is deliberately trying to hit the ball in the air more?
If something is happening on the baseball field
Albert is deliberately making it happen.
Not afraid to nitpick
HOF eligible?
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
If you are suggesting APu is altering his swing
then no. But I agree, if you are saying he is chasing more balls outside the zone or poorer pitches inside as evidenced by the stats.
born Dodger blue, now dyed Cardinals red
he has definitely changed his stance.
bat head now points to third base instead of towards the press box. Not sure if that has been a factor.
Well the girls would turn the color of the avocado when he would drive down the street in his El Dorado... -the modern lovers
on the last question, i do think that's alberrt
"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 Apr 24, 2010 2:18 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
albert's plan. in fact, i think he has confirmed
In interviews that he’s adjusted his approach.
"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 Apr 24, 2010 2:20 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I feel like unleashing some conspiracy theories. go go buster olney!
- Albert has all this shiny new protection, and he’s just going to goof around with his swing for a while until Dee Dee gets wise to it.
- Albert needs an eye checkup.
- Albert is going after some offensive records before the team really needs to buckle down. And/or when Dee Dee gets wise to it.
- Albert’s back is not actually getting better.
- Albert really wants to stay in St. Louis, but he has calculated that the hometown discount will be too rich for the owners. So he is generously lowering his stats just a tad so the Cardinals will end up paying him more deferred money without anyone losing face. That is, until Dee Dee gets wise to it.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Apr 24, 2010 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
and of course
he K’s on occasion just to share in the blame – ultimate team player.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
he doesn't want the other guys to feel bad and stuff.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
so according to that theory
when the bad luck falls away and regression sets in, Albert’s Ks will fall away. right?
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
of course
and i’m sure the team understands they must perform better so albert needn’t make these K sacrifices – i just hope it’s not putting too much pressure on them.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
Another bit of analysis:
The Cardinals plate discipline rates have remained very close to the same as last season team-wide, but certain players have posted plate discipline numbers that are very different than last season.
Colby, Boog, and Ludwick have all cut their O-swing and swing rates in addition to increasing their contact percentages. They’re all seeing more pitches and mostly getting better results (f’in Boog).
Holliday is an odd case as his rates are very similar, and he’s actually seeing fewer strikes than ever before and swinging and missing at a lower rate than ever, yet he’s popping up like crazy and scarcely walking at all. He’s making more contact with pitches out of the zone, but it’s probably weaker contact, leading to these popups and such. His BABIP should rise once he starts squaring up on the ball again. This seems like a blip.
Pujols and Molina have both gone from among the highest levels of discipline to Nick Stavinoha territory. Both have been swinging more often and swinging out of the zone more often. This has manifested in increases in swinging strike and K rate as well as drops in BB rate.
I'm one of those "I don't care how you killed the cow; just serve me a great steak" guys. If the results are logical and easy to understand, I'm pouring some A1 sauce on that formula and eating it. UZR qualifies. -Bill Simmons
by hazel on Apr 24, 2010 2:42 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
give me boog while your at it
the one that can hit
"You’ve got to play every game like it’s your last because it’s definitely survive-and-advance or don’t survive and school," Tiller said.
by stlcardsfan4 on Apr 24, 2010 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions
i'm not worried about boog
with is .243 BABIP and 20% LD rate
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
but boog's failure to hit is mostly bad luck.
Without changing his approach, he should start hitting.
"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 Apr 24, 2010 2:54 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
so you're saying we need the 'stache back.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
according to those stats, boog should improve
…so long as he doesn’t get overanxious. I’m glad TLR busted him down in the line up for a bit. I get worried when I see him fidget in the batter’s box, and it does seem like he hasn’t been able to keep as still as he was late last season or ST. But that’s just an impression, it may not be the case. On a related note, I’m thinking that some of Luddy’s LD rate might be the result of seeing some better pitches from the 2 hole.
nick stavinoha = trade bait
I dunno, he seems markedly less anxious in the box.
the fidget’s not in the fidgeting, but in the deviation from the scripted fidgeting. kind of like when Skip adds the sigh and the extra long glove snap to his usual routine. (or, actually, when Skip abbreviates it. first games of the season his routine got sped up…. and he was chasing.)
for Boog, you don’t want to see the leaning out of the box during the swing. pretty much nothing he does in the box before the swing is really worrisome (unlike Luddy’s constant movement). the swing and the follow-through is where I watch him.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
not to mention
worrying whenever Brendan Ryan can’t keep still is the quick road to madness.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Apr 24, 2010 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I assume wherever he is
he is in motion. like matter that is also energy.
or when dogs dream.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
when dogs dream
i think you nailed it there.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
I have seen him not-in-motion, though. it was from a long distance, but it was an odd moment.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
what's the word on david freese
is his start sustainable, or has he been lucky/unlucky
wondering because i remembering reading he was lucky so far, but he’s had a few games now where he hasn’t been that good statistically
"You’ve got to play every game like it’s your last because it’s definitely survive-and-advance or don’t survive and school," Tiller said.
His BABIP is pretty high at .394, but he's also hitting 30% line drives
I don’t think either of those are sustainable, though
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
no way either of those are sustainable
his BABIP will probably round out at about .320 or so and his ld rate will probably dip all the way back down to about 20%. i would say he’s overproducing so far.
follow me on twitter @nickg105
by stlcardinalsfang on Apr 24, 2010 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions
if some of those line drives
turn into fly balls, and his HR/FB rate gets above zero, then maybe things will sort of even out for the best.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
yeah
i could see him hitting .289/.340 the rest of the year.
he’s probably even a little unlucky on BIP considering how high his LD rate is
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
this is true.
but his increase in HR/FB rate is in no way going to offset the lower ld rate. but yes, it would help offset some of the difference.
follow me on twitter @nickg105
by stlcardinalsfang on Apr 24, 2010 4:27 PM EDT up reply actions
He's also taking very few walks and hasn't hit any home runs.
So as his BIP luck regresses, his other peripheral stats should get better.
I'm one of those "I don't care how you killed the cow; just serve me a great steak" guys. If the results are logical and easy to understand, I'm pouring some A1 sauce on that formula and eating it. UZR qualifies. -Bill Simmons
when's the foot-race with Yadi?
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
It started last night
they should be making it to first any minute now
"Baseball is like Church, many attend, few understand" - Wes Westrum
my money's on Yadi.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
i just want freeze to hit a dinger
so we can find out who has the faster trot.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
oh I think his trot is fine
someone was saying it was his speed out of the box, but I wasn’t so sure. do we have any other accounts?
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
this sounds like a good read:
http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2010/04/24/unwritten-rules-get-written-in-entertaining-book/
(there’s a quote from rogers hornsby cited at the end of the article. also, love the photo they chose)
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
My fantasy team is
like the Cardinals this year, not sweeping anyone away, and winning every series. Hope the Cards keep it up this week.
"Baseball is like Church, many attend, few understand" - Wes Westrum
or mine either?
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
it's bizarre to see a tornado warning on the top left of the screen, and Joel Piñeiro on the bottom right.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
yes I know, Joel. Boog would've had that.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
ohhhh kick save fail
but then! Yankees fail. hahaha. I’m glad it’s not just Luddy. poor Luddy.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
i got my wish at the expense of colby
lopez – 4
luddy – 8
pujols – 3
holliday – 7
yadi – 2
freese – 5
craig – 9
boog – 6
waino – 1
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
colby can sit against zito
i don’t have a problem with that. except that ludwick is in center. yuck.
follow me on twitter @nickg105
by stlcardinalsfang on Apr 24, 2010 5:25 PM EDT up reply actions
I don't like Ludwick in center.
There I said it.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
"If I do it wrong just break another toe. Three's my lucky number anyway." -Evan Lysacek: 2010 Olympic Gold Medalist ♥
if only there was someone else who could play center...
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
but who, cardball
who could play center in a suitably impressive way both in real time and slow motion?
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
ideally, this mythical being would be a strapping young lad
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
so how tall are we talkin'?
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
like 3rd baseman tall
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
isn't he an infinitely worse fielder in center than right
"You’ve got to play every game like it’s your last because it’s definitely survive-and-advance or don’t survive and school," Tiller said.
by stlcardsfan4 on Apr 24, 2010 5:28 PM EDT up reply actions
However, your last line. . .
TWSS
"Baseball is like Church, many attend, few understand" - Wes Westrum
by scoot on Apr 24, 2010 5:44 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
i saw no complaints about that
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
by cardball on Apr 24, 2010 5:59 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I expected a larger melt down VEB.
It seems it was the first night of crazy Tony, and I was watching the game AFK. I told my GF that the internet probably just exploded, when I saw that RFL was in center. Nice to see it still works.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Also, Dave Concepcion.
i think the 20-inning affair numbed everyone to crazy tony for a little while
you know the more you question the longer it will go on, and although it will eventually turn into fun and games…well, it always is until somebody gets hurt, right?
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
regression either in a positive or negative sense
Positive regression = progression. Slur it.
it's still regression
even if the mean toward which your are regressing is better than your current
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
as in apropos of nothing?
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
i live in south county st. louis
and it is raining ridiculously hard here…..
"You’ve got to play every game like it’s your last because it’s definitely survive-and-advance or don’t survive and school," Tiller said.
It's been raining in Clemson for almost 6 hours.
With off and on Thunderstorms.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
"If I do it wrong just break another toe. Three's my lucky number anyway." -Evan Lysacek: 2010 Olympic Gold Medalist ♥
webster is getting DESTROYED right now.
that radar is uglyyyyy.
http://www.weather.com/outlook/map/interactive/63119?zoom=8&interactiveMapLayer=radar
follow me on twitter @nickg105
by stlcardinalsfang on Apr 24, 2010 5:32 PM EDT up reply actions
my basketball hoop outside literally almost just fell over
due to just the rain
"You’ve got to play every game like it’s your last because it’s definitely survive-and-advance or don’t survive and school," Tiller said.
by stlcardsfan4 on Apr 24, 2010 5:33 PM EDT up reply actions
That would suck if your parents had to buy you a new one
"There's a new sheriff in town." - Brendan Ryan
by jd is legend on Apr 24, 2010 5:52 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
yes it would
its good now…. i just had to drive in that horrendous weather for about 5 minutes.. couldn’t really see, heck im glad im alive
"You’ve got to play every game like it’s your last because it’s definitely survive-and-advance or don’t survive and school," Tiller said.
by stlcardsfan4 on Apr 24, 2010 5:58 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm just as happy about the basketball hoop.
by Mister Eff on Apr 24, 2010 5:59 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
i ran over my old basketball hoop on accident
by FlimtotheFlam on Apr 24, 2010 6:24 PM EDT up reply actions
a step and a half at a time -
or was it an nba hoop?
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
I heard a strange noise over my music and went outside
and the tornado sirens were going off here in St Peters…and it was sunny with no wind or rain. I was a little confused about that one.
I crawled the earth, but now I'm higher, 2010 watch it go to fire!
by First mammal to wear pants on Apr 24, 2010 6:49 PM EDT up reply actions
where?
"You’ve got to play every game like it’s your last because it’s definitely survive-and-advance or don’t survive and school," Tiller said.
by stlcardsfan4 on Apr 24, 2010 6:29 PM EDT up reply actions
he's in austin
i can provide his address if you like.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
not what i meant
so no im good
"You’ve got to play every game like it’s your last because it’s definitely survive-and-advance or don’t survive and school," Tiller said.
by stlcardsfan4 on Apr 24, 2010 7:02 PM EDT up reply actions
sorry, it was a joke and wasn't directed at you at all
just one of those you-had-to-be-there things.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
Here's to S. TX weather
It’s about the same here near Corpus, but humid as hell. I hate the constant high humidity near the coast, but the sea breeze is nice..
almost no humidity here
way less than mid mo and houston at least
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
I agree
Do you travel to Houston often to catch Cards/Stros series? I have yet to make it up to Houston for a game. Hopefully later this summer my fiance and I can go catch a game or two.
never been to minute maid
i always wanted to go, but it’s hard to find anyone to go to a game 4 hours away when the astros suck
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
probably gonna go this year, though
even if i have to go alone
didn’t see the cards a single time last year
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
it's been 3 years for me.
When I’m home in June, I plan on catching a game. I’d like to go to minute maid, but as a grad student living 4 hours from Houston, it’s kind of out of my budget. I’m trying to save money for a trip, so we’ll see if I make it this summer.
humid as hell in new orleans
the salt in the shaker keeps solidifying.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
ha, good idea
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
Fox2 has this... Star Trek klaxon ... in their weather station
it’s a red alert
every time I hear it, I crack up
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
tornado may have touched down on West County Mall
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
They don't have one of those there.
However, they do have an Apple store.
You can read it in any tone you like.
they actually have a decent bar called prime bar
yes, you’ll have to sit next to insufferable west county business people talk about things like portfolios and the capital gains tax, but it won’t matter because you’ll be hammered on $3 deliriums (happy hour is $3 beers, including delirium)
i'll move to wherever this for 3$ elephants
mmmmmmm
"...and pujols has given st louis the lead"
The Best Defensive Play I Have Seen in Person
follow me on teh twitterz @greenfieldt
Belgian strong ales + happy hours = Happy mysterui
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
briefly.
probably not a doorbuster.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
Thank God.
I mean, if Orange Julius closes then what’s this all been about? What have I been working toward?
There's always Cinnabon
"There's a new sheriff in town." - Brendan Ryan
by jd is legend on Apr 24, 2010 6:01 PM EDT up reply actions
forget about it, JD. It's Cinnabon
I DON'T GIVE A FUCK!
by mattyfrommo on Apr 24, 2010 6:19 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Are you serious?
That’s my second favorite mall! Disaster!
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
"If I do it wrong just break another toe. Three's my lucky number anyway." -Evan Lysacek: 2010 Olympic Gold Medalist ♥
I don't joke about malls, ClemsonGirl.
where else would I get my douchey t-shirts
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
funnel cloud over Collinsville, and in further mall threatening - high winds in Brentwood
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
NOOOOOOOO!
Not the Galleria!
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
"If I do it wrong just break another toe. Three's my lucky number anyway." -Evan Lysacek: 2010 Olympic Gold Medalist ♥
galleria is sketch.
follow me on twitter @nickg105
by stlcardinalsfang on Apr 24, 2010 5:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Not really.
It’s my favorite. It has a J. Crew and Banana Republic and Urban Outfitters.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
"If I do it wrong just break another toe. Three's my lucky number anyway." -Evan Lysacek: 2010 Olympic Gold Medalist ♥
ugh
i HATE j crew. makes me want to barf.
follow me on twitter @nickg105
by stlcardinalsfang on Apr 24, 2010 6:07 PM EDT up reply actions
if the MOA ever blew down
i would cry for days.
"...and pujols has given st louis the lead"
The Best Defensive Play I Have Seen in Person
follow me on teh twitterz @greenfieldt
it seems unfair for one metro area to have all three of these attractions:
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/2922
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/5966
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/7418
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
mall of america.
i was being slightly sarcastic
"...and pujols has given st louis the lead"
The Best Defensive Play I Have Seen in Person
follow me on teh twitterz @greenfieldt
I would be very upset if the Mall of America blew down.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
"If I do it wrong just break another toe. Three's my lucky number anyway." -Evan Lysacek: 2010 Olympic Gold Medalist ♥
it would take quite the tornado
have you been there before?
"...and pujols has given st louis the lead"
The Best Defensive Play I Have Seen in Person
follow me on teh twitterz @greenfieldt
it's apparently much larger than oswalt's family home?
http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2010/04/24/oswalt-leaves-astros-after-tornado-strikes-childhood-home/
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
Yes.
I loved it. And no sales tax on clothing… heaven!
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
"If I do it wrong just break another toe. Three's my lucky number anyway." -Evan Lysacek: 2010 Olympic Gold Medalist ♥
haha so true.
since it is my ‘childhood’ mall, i only go there for like ikea or the nike store. i’m pathetic.
"...and pujols has given st louis the lead"
The Best Defensive Play I Have Seen in Person
follow me on teh twitterz @greenfieldt
zito hasn't given up a dinger yet
i guess that means we’ll hit a handful tonight.
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/whats-different-about-barry-zito
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
he's due to give up one
and we are due to hit one….wait…. freese… its perfect
"You’ve got to play every game like it’s your last because it’s definitely survive-and-advance or don’t survive and school," Tiller said.
by stlcardsfan4 on Apr 24, 2010 5:58 PM EDT up reply actions
what are the odds that freeze, craig, mather and stav all homer in the same game?
because that’s what i’m going with tonight. stav, of course, will deposit one in the cove from one knee.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
if he can accomplish this
i will become his most ardent supporter (or only supporter, i guess). i will start a fan club and a write-in campaign for the all-star game.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
big mac's giving his boys a pep talk
which probably consists of repeating “dingers!” over and over until everyone joins in the chant.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
done
but i thought they knew i was joking when i said craig, mather, freeze and stav would all homer – i was only serious about stav. (but then, the GOBs are a humorless lot)
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
I hope those of you of the gambling persuasion
Made sure to wager heavily that the Yankees would start regressing La Pinata back to his AL mean in their second go-round against him.
was that you who predicted it on here after he shut them down?
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
Beer people
Just discovered BevMo here in CA.
Just bought a pint of Unibroue’s Maudite (8%!) and Red Rocket Ale. I… will be spending too high of a proportion of my disposable income at BevMo
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
some fans of unibroue here at veb
so far i’ve only found la fin du monde – believe it’s 9%. will definitely put you on your butt.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
Those of you who have issues with threads lagging
one of the mods at niners nation has some tips for you!
No, I’m not trying to direct you to a handegg discussion. Its all tech stuff.
"Baseball is like Church, many attend, few understand" - Wes Westrum
was reading mccovery chronicles
and they were talking about an epic slugfest on the niners site between two mods over the niners’ sixth round pick. did you come across it?
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
no, i usually avoid
reading the comments much over there. I have seen 2 of them get pretty personal in their attacks against each other. One is a big draft/prospects guy and the other isn’t. The prospects guy seems to get offended pretty easily.
"Baseball is like Church, many attend, few understand" - Wes Westrum
that must be the two
it was mentioned there’s a history.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
am I blocked out
right now, from watching a game on MLB-tv because the Yankees are on national TV at the moment? I hope so, otherwise why can’t I see the Seattle game. I live in Indiana.
You should only be blacked from the Yankees game.
Are they playing Seattle? I feel like they are.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
"If I do it wrong just break another toe. Three's my lucky number anyway." -Evan Lysacek: 2010 Olympic Gold Medalist ♥
Are the Mariners the other game?
I seem to remember them being a national game.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
"If I do it wrong just break another toe. Three's my lucky number anyway." -Evan Lysacek: 2010 Olympic Gold Medalist ♥
If the game started after 4 and before 6 it's blacked out everywhere in the US.
The Indians game was blacked out for example and not even shown on the indians or A’s network because it started at 4:05 eastern time.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
"If I do it wrong just break another toe. Three's my lucky number anyway." -Evan Lysacek: 2010 Olympic Gold Medalist ♥
saturday blackout window because of fox
you can see early games via mlb.tv, and late games, but nothing during that window – forget the exact hours it covers.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
a Pirate pitcher
really got hit bad in the face. I feel sick, Line drive by Berkman right at his head.
Oh dear.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
"If I do it wrong just break another toe. Three's my lucky number anyway." -Evan Lysacek: 2010 Olympic Gold Medalist ♥
jakobauski or something like that
just called up to make an emergency start I think. 1st inning he gets a golf cart right off the field
Jakubauskas
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
google is in the tweets
- RoccoDeMaro: #Pirates starter Chris Jakubauskas hit in the head with comebacker in the 1st inning.
Twitter – 5 minutes ago - RobBiertempfel: #Pirates rhp Chris Jakubauskas hit in head by line drive — sitting up after few tense minutes on ground Twitter – 5 minutes ago
- heydannyv: Holy crap, that’s just awful. Good luck Chris Jakubauskas. What a sick sound. Twitter – 4 minutes ago
- BernardoFallas: Complete silence at MMP after Pirates starter Chris Jakubauskas hits the ground after being clobbered by a Berkman line drive. #hounews Twitter – 3 minutes ago
- BernardoFallas: Pirates RHP Chris Jakubauskas gets up and is assisted to cart. He’s out. Looks like the ball got him in the nose. Standing ovation. #hounews Twitter – 1 minute ago
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
Poor guy.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
"If I do it wrong just break another toe. Three's my lucky number anyway." -Evan Lysacek: 2010 Olympic Gold Medalist ♥
Doug Davis vs. Ted Lilly on WGN
This is literally the slowest game I’ve ever watched. These two are so methodical and slow to the plate…
Why can’t every pitcher be Mark Buehrle!?
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
I sat through a Trachsel v Suppan matchup in 2005.
In fact, I might still be at that game. It’s probably like the fifth inning by now.
big Z hasn't appeared out of the pen yet, has he?
this could well be the night.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
i didn't expect this from the title
but this is rEELy funny:
http://www.azsnakepit.com/2010/4/22/1437453/a-call-for-reason
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
non-proeelferation
interesting.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
it's funny that they don't fear lobsters.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
it was hard on me last night
having to listen to Jon Miller on TV; I kept thinking Joe Morgan was going to break in.
But in the 3,4,7 and 8 innings I have to mute KTRS because John Rooney bores me.
Guess who?
And, after last night’s games, the entire National League is within four games — 10-6 (Phillies and Cardinals) to 6-10 (Astros), all of the 16 teams having played either 16 or 17 games. Even the supposedly powerful teams in Philadelphia and St. Louis are off to pedestrian starts, and the Phillies have lost four of their last six; think they’re panicking there? I think not. Way too early to draw any conclusions about where the 2010 season is headed.
asshat mcdoucherton?
"...and pujols has given st louis the lead"
The Best Defensive Play I Have Seen in Person
follow me on teh twitterz @greenfieldt
'who', I think.
unless it’s inherently accusative.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
The esteemed Al Yellon...
Sorry, I thought it would be more obvious.
Didn’t mean to sound all vague and douchey.
Vague-o el Birdos
"There's a new sheriff in town." - Brendan Ryan
by jd is legend on Apr 24, 2010 8:48 PM EDT up reply actions
he keeps his head when all around him have lost theirs
classic example of the exception proving the rule.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
If I were a Cubs fan, I would
"There's a new sheriff in town." - Brendan Ryan
by jd is legend on Apr 24, 2010 8:56 PM EDT up reply actions
that's not what i call him
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
Advice needed
I’m getting a baseball video game hankering but I have a 360. Therefore, my only option is MLB 2K10, which is (supposedly) far inferior to The Show. Should I just get it anyway? Is it an okay game?
"There's a new sheriff in town." - Brendan Ryan
save your money.
and buy fifa10 instead
"...and pujols has given st louis the lead"
The Best Defensive Play I Have Seen in Person
follow me on teh twitterz @greenfieldt
Well I'm gonna buy that for sure
Just trying to decide about MLB 2K10
"There's a new sheriff in town." - Brendan Ryan
by jd is legend on Apr 24, 2010 8:49 PM EDT up reply actions
I rented it, JD...
I tinkered with the hitting and pitching controls so that it was playable.
I would buy it if I had a real job.
It’s not great but I have that same desire for just any baseball game.
But I've been through 3 PS2's in like a year (before I got the 360)
They always seem to be sunk costs for me.
2010 St. Louis Cardinals - Sinkers and Dingers
by jd is legend on Apr 25, 2010 12:30 AM EDT up reply actions
That sucks.
They have them new. Saw some at Target last night.
You can read it in any tone you like.
Umpires taking the field
Boog was doing his hacky sack routine just now.
by mojowo11 on Apr 24, 2010 9:03 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
zambrano loosening up
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
evening folks
i was pretty hungover this morning.
"The outfield is deep and playing him straight-away, and the infield is the same, except first, second, third, and short are playing him to pull."
-Mike Shannon
wouldn't that be nice?
"The outfield is deep and playing him straight-away, and the infield is the same, except first, second, third, and short are playing him to pull."
-Mike Shannon
nice man
"The outfield is deep and playing him straight-away, and the infield is the same, except first, second, third, and short are playing him to pull."
-Mike Shannon
taking matters into my own hands
http://www.vivaelbirdos.com/2010/4/24/1442610/zito-v-wainer-open-thread
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
larue off the dl on tues?
will we ever see anderson again – maybe monday?
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
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