The two-out-of-three thing and the Royals' rotation
by DanUpBaby on Jun 25, 2010 4:45 AM EDT
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PrintI offer as consolation that it will be difficult for the Cardinals to win the first two games of this weekend's series against the Royals and then lose the third one, which threatens of late to ossify from "it's good to win two out of three in every series!" to "we should only win two out of three in every series!" in the Tony La Russa Rulebook. The Cardinals are starting Jeff Suppan against Zack Greinke in game one, and Probably Blake Hawksworth in game two, so that strategy would require an outsized opinion of Dave Duncan's work. That is, a more outsized opinion of Dave Duncan's work.
The Cardinals lost today's game with or without La Russa's game three machinations; Brandon Morrow was pitching like a guy who gets taken ahead of Tim Lincecum ought to pitch, and Adam Wainwright was pitching like a guy who was briefly the third most-famous guy in a deal with Jason Marquis and Ray King ought to pitch. Wainwright had the kind of bad outing Chris Carpenter used to have—lots of strikeouts, an absolutely perfect curveball, but, and I think this is the right amount of reductiveness, just a ton of long home runs. To the Blue Jays' credit, that's what they do; Vernon Wells has settled into a kind of Reggie Sanders-inspired good year-bad year cycle, and he's having the same good year and the same bad year every time. Adam Lind is just having a bad year, but somebody has to keep that average over .200.
At the same time, La Russa's house money games are truly frustrating, but only because he's doing it in a way that maximizes frustration but doesn't maximize the kind of rest and bench-freshening that demands this sort of thing. Skip Schumaker isn't the kind of guy whose bat must be gotten into the lineup at all costs, even when he's sitting; Aaron Miles is absolutely not the kind of backup infielder who needs to be kept fresh with the occasional start at second base. The reasoning for La Russa's rationing of playing time, and of win expectancy, is sound, but the way in which he's doing it is all wrong. Compartmentalize it, because it's neither the most important thing La Russa does nor the reason the Cardinals couldn't put it together last night, and then be mad about it, because Aaron Miles just shouldn't be on the team, and if he's on the team he shouldn't be starting, ever.
So about this next series—
Zack Greinke vs. Jeff Suppan is a tough sell. Having seen only Greinke's worst starts on TV, and vaguely aware of his win-loss record, I was under the impression until yesterday that he was having a worse season than he really is; what 2-8 means, instead, is that rather than having a for-the-ages season, he's having a vintage-Carpenter-with-too-many-home-runs season, and the Royals should be sued for pitcher support. He'll probably be better from today forward; 1.2 home runs per nine innings seems like too many for a guy with his stuff, and that 2-8 record seems almost audaciously bad. So that's good news.
But the Cardinals' next two starts, currently listed as going to TBA and TBA on the mothership's probables page, are better bets than would seem immediately apparent. Blake Hawksworth and Starter B aren't great shakes, and I hear Starter B is a jerk, but the Royals are basically starting replacements already—we just know their names.
Going Saturday against Probably-Hawk is Kyle Davies, ERA 6.15, FIP 4.54. Davies is a former top Braves prospect from after being a former Braves pitching prospect stopped being the kiss of death, proof of Leo Mazzone and John Schuerholz's golden judgment on starters, who has nevertheless struggled anyway. A fastball-curveball cast-off like Wainwright, he's struck out plenty of batters in the majors, but his control hasn't held up and he allows too many fly balls. He's a fair enough fifth starter, with the old pedigree to wish on and the passable results to deal with, but the results are more or less what I imagine we'd get if Kyle McClellan were hurried into the rotation.
On Sunday is, somehow, a former top Braves prospect who helped create the legend of the Self-Destructing Braves Tradebait—Bruce Chen, who I am shocked to learn is still around. Chen is having a nice year, and in 1999 was, per Baseball America, the fourth best prospect in the land. Chen had a few serviceable years bouncing around after being traded for the likes of Andy Ashby, but he's also one of the most incredible powder kegs in recent baseball history—his career HR/9 rate is 1.7. He once allowed 28 home runs in 98 innings.
Chen is a replacement level pitcher, but a fun one—he has a reverse platoon split over 900 innings, he allows a ton of home runs but can still strike batters out with junk, and he was once traded for Turk Wendell. According to Wikipedia "he is perhaps best known for the 'Bruce Chen Joke of the Day', which airs sometimes during Royals home games at Kauffman Stadium", and which I can only hope to hear.
So if the Cardinals come into this series shorthanded, the Royals come into this series as reminders that other teams are also forced, in midseason, to replace their pitchers with the proverbial replacement-level talent.
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My prediction
we probably take two of three…losing the last.
check out VEB on facebook...just search groups for Viva El Birdos
TLR isn't that predictable
I think you’re right about the order, but just to be different, TLR will find a way to lose that third game to the Rockies.
He’ll be in full blow your mind TLR form this weekend.
They say sing while you slave but I just get bored
by Scarecrow7775 on Jun 25, 2010 7:04 AM EDT up reply actions
He'll start
Wainwright at DH, and Miles at catcher. And then we’ll have a 20-inning game on Sunday, and Yadier Molina will play shortstop.
None of this will be necessary, either.
by Michael_68_1999 on Jun 25, 2010 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions
a lot of win in this thread.
"How depressing is it being you? Would you equate it to being a lifelong Cubs fan?"
Isn't starting
Aaron Miles pretty much a rest day?
by Michael_68_1999 on Jun 25, 2010 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions
I once heard a Chen joke
It was on TWIB, I believe.
Q: What do you call a deer that can’t see?
A: No eye deer
Q: What do you call a deer that can’t see and never moves?
A: Still no eye deer
It has to be heard to be truly enjoyed.
They say sing while you slave but I just get bored
sounds like something Larry the Cable guy would say
Blaine Matthew Burns: Albert Pujols' biggest fan (his first words will for sure be "Albert Pujols is RIDICULOUS")
Larry the Cable Guy
once had a job as a lifeguard, ’til some blue kid got him fired.
by Michael_68_1999 on Jun 25, 2010 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions
If the Cards can't find a way to score a few runs
it’s going to be an embarrising weekend at “The K”. Normally a trip to KC is always a good one for the Cards because they have dominated there for many years…..but… Greinke is the kind of pitcher that can shut our offense down….if he has his usual good stuff. Davies and Chen can get lit up but our guys have to get runners in when the opportunities are there and quit striking out so damn much.
Let’s just hope Albert has his usual power surge in KC… Holliday stays hot and Luddy is at least healthy enough to DH because these Royals are capable of scoring many runs off guys like Suppan and Hawksworth. I would like to take 2 of 3….but my gut feeling is that we might be lucky to leave KC with 1 win with the starters we have set up for this series. One thing is for sure…the bullpen is going to get a workout.
Boy a frosty cold Budweiser would be great about now"…long pause…then an "aahhh". --Mike Shannon
that's why I'm a pessimist.
you’re either always right or pleasantly suprised.
"How depressing is it being you? Would you equate it to being a lifelong Cubs fan?"
I concur
Blaine Matthew Burns: Albert Pujols' biggest fan (his first words will for sure be "Albert Pujols is RIDICULOUS")
Except you're forgetting that optimists quickly forget losses
Up until the last out we think, “as long as we still have an out to give, we still have a chance.”
Then if we do lose, the next thought is, “oh well, we’ll win tomorrow.”
Also, wins represent joyous confirmation, not mere “pleasant surpise”.
ya, cubs fans have been saying that for +101 years now.
"How depressing is it being you? Would you equate it to being a lifelong Cubs fan?"
it becomes dementia
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
I am leaving for K.C. in a few hours.
I will be cheering for runs, runs, runs!
"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
It's going to be
bleedin’ hot in KC tomorrow. So maybe balls will be flying out of the park courtesy of Lego, Prince Albert, Thudwick and the Razzer.
by Michael_68_1999 on Jun 25, 2010 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Bleedin hot
is what I have been suffering this week. 40C, and then today, 8:30 am just wandering around a game farm, maybe temp only 32Cm, but so humid, sweating buckets.
by kkkkathmandubirdsview on Jun 25, 2010 1:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Sounds hot...
"I don't like to sound egotistical, but every time I stepped up to the plate with a bat in my hands, I couldn't help but feel sorry for the pitcher." Rogers hornsby.
it always takes me a few seconds
to do the conversion in my head
"He’s in his own world out there. He says he doesn’t cuss. I disagree." - Skip Schumaker on Jason Motte
Austin Wilson, please don't be a tease!
Seems, almost.....
like you put the zero runs scored last night on Skip and Miles. Pretty lame. Luddy is hurt. And we weren’t calling up Craig, whether you agree, or like it, or not.
Miles has started what, two games now? I’d say Tony is using him about as little as possible, which should make most of you happy as larks.
TLR also stated, before interleague play, that he was going to DH some regulars to get them a little rest. Can Skip not be a part of that? Who knows what Tony’s plan was before Luddy came up lame. Maybe it was to rest Holliday. Maybe Albert. Maybe Yadi. Injuries change things though.
two games in a row where the number 4 spot
came up completely empty. Only difference is in the first game Carpenter kept it close enough to allow someone to be a Hero. Wainwright got shell in his like he does once every 3 years.
Yes, and in those 2 games Miles has started, plus his other appearances
he’s amassed -.2 WAR. He is not some non-factor. He is actively hurting this team, even in what little time he does get.
Do you know what you get when you look up "addition by subtraction" on wiki?
the definition. Which is exactly what Aaron Miles would be.
"How depressing is it being you? Would you equate it to being a lifelong Cubs fan?"
to play devil's advocate (not sure if this is proper use of the phrase)
do what know what value is attached to giving the guy he’s replacing a night off? what if him playing for -.2 WAR allows the guy he’s spelling to produce an extra .5 WAR, which nets the team .3 WAR…
Blaine Matthew Burns: Albert Pujols' biggest fan (his first words will for sure be "Albert Pujols is RIDICULOUS")
interesting point
but that could be accomplished by resting the guy and playing in his place someone with 0 or positive WAR, which would net the team a bigger gain.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
but the grit...
Blaine Matthew Burns: Albert Pujols' biggest fan (his first words will for sure be "Albert Pujols is RIDICULOUS")
WAR is accumulative.
If the guy being replaced needs a day off, better he is spelled by Tyler Greene or Allen Craig, but in cases like yesterday, a better lineup of uninjured, rested players could have been constructed without Miles. If the regular player isn’t injured then they should be playing. Your conjecture is akin to saying “we should skip Wainwright’s next start and go with an extra Jeff Suppan appearance, that way Waino will be more rested.”
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
If Skip needs a rest,
then sit him. Ryan and Lopez in the middle with a DH that can hit a big helps the team on offense and defense more than Miles—who can’t field or hit—and Lopez. The Ludwick injury does change things. In response to it, they should have DFA’d Miles and called up Craig, because that move would have given us the best chance at sweeping both the Jays and the Royals.
"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
You simply can't excuse him batting Nick Stavinoha 4th.
Stavinoha is like the 6th or 7th best hitter on the team and he was batting 4th.
And if Aaron Miles is so bad that even Tony won’t start him, then he shouldn’t be on the team.
The point is that Tony has made some really stupid lineup decisions this weekend. His campaigning for Miles is open for valid criticism as well. You’re argument instead rests on, “Well, the team isn’t doing the right thing, so you might as well accept it.” Pretty lame.
Think; It's not illegal yet.
5 or 6 players better than Stav?
1. Pujols
2. Holliday
3. Rasmus
4. Ludwick
5. Freese
6. Molina
7. Lopez
8. Winn
9. Skip
10. Ryan
11. Larue
12. Wainwright
13. Garcia
Blaine Matthew Burns: Albert Pujols' biggest fan (his first words will for sure be "Albert Pujols is RIDICULOUS")
I'll take Winn over the infection
if nothing else, just because he switch hits. I also am documented as being very fond of skip, so I’ll concede that he is the 10th best hitter on the team
Blaine Matthew Burns: Albert Pujols' biggest fan (his first words will for sure be "Albert Pujols is RIDICULOUS")
Garcia?
*now with more veterany veteranness and a higher grit factor
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 25, 2010 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions
I think they were listing them as hitters
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
Oh, so we have to bat our guys in order of how good they are?
I assume then you’d hit Raz, Luddy, Holliday, and AP 1-4?
by SoonerfanTU on Jun 25, 2010 12:06 PM EDT up reply actions
well, stav should not bat cleanup. i mean, you certainly wouldn't bat a pitcher fourth
…oh, yeah, that has happened.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
No.
Given that, for whatever silly human reason, I’d defer to Rasmus’s desire to not hit 1st. I’m okay with hitting someone like Lopez or Skip first even if it isn’t quite optimal lineup construction.
Now that I’m done answering your deflection since you failed to actually ansewr the question. . . batting Stavinoha fourth though is undefendable. You’re really contending that 4th was the better position for him rather than Freese or Rasmus in that game?
Think; It's not illegal yet.
who are both easily better hitters...
*now with more veterany veteranness and a higher grit factor
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 25, 2010 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Tony likes to keep guys in certain positions in the lineup.....
I’m not going to argue with you if that is a good, bad, or indifferent thing, but Tony likes to set his regulars in the lineup, and let them hit there. If I remember right Luddy was a late scratch that day. A very late scratch I think. Was it really the end of the world to just drop Stav into the 4th spot? Again, I don’t think it really mattered much.
So no matter what Tony does it is right
Even if it includes batting an objectively bad hitter 4th. K.
Not afraid to nitpick
There is no right or wrong.....
Why don’t you guys understand that?
He could bat the pitcher first, and if he does that for 20 years, and has success, I don’t see the point in questioning it.
TLR does some off-beat ****. We know that. And we know he has a reason (whether you agree with that reason or not, doesn’t really matter) for doing those things. AND IT’S PROVEN!!!!!
If TLR retires after this year, and say, Oquendo is hired, and he starts doing off-beat things (not related to Tony’s), I’ll question the hell out of it, b/c there is no track record to prove that is works. TRACK RECORD!!!!! Means a lot to me.
Right
So no matter what TLR does, it is necessarily correct. He has no flaws, every decision he makes is correct. Including batting a bad hitter 4th and vouching for a guy now hitting .184 .220 .236 for 2009-2010. Those are correct decisions because he has had success in motivating players. That’s just unbelievable “logic” you have there.
Not afraid to nitpick
There is a right or wrong.
We know objectively that batting the pitcher first would be stupid. Period. Even if someone did it and it were successful, there’s no need to become biased by the results. Sometimes people do things wrong and it still works out – is that a reason to keep doing it wrong? Or should we learn the right way to do it anyway, since it seems to have worked out despite the method?
I don't give a fuck who you confuse me with.
Personal Experience?
In baseball the object is to go home! And to be safe! "I hope I'll be safe at home!"
-George Carlin (RIP)
tony has a proven track record
of putting bad hitters in the cleanup spot?
or you are saying that because tony has managed a lot of good teams and therefore won a lot of games he is above being questioned?
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
How postmodern of you.
I assume you think there is no right or wrong choice between my batting orders below as long as a manager with a “proven track record” makes the choice.
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
It's not off-beat.
It’s wrong. It’s like betting against the odds in poker. Sure I’ll win a hand with 2-7 unsuited on occasion, but I’d be pretty dumb if I actually played that way and I’d be broke.
And this nonsense about batting players in certain spots doesn’t apply. Colby’s batted in EVERY spot in the lineup this year. David Freese has batted in 7 out of 9 spots (excluding 2 & 3). So please stop shilling factually wrong information and this bulls**t about not questioning authority figures (TLR). It’s wrong.
Think; It's not illegal yet.
...you saw the game right?
because it mattered a lot
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
although i don't think any of the ones after stav did anything either
not that they wouldn’t have in a different situation, but we don’t know. regardless, stav shouldn’t bat cleanup, even just from a common-sense view. i think you are arguing with a wall.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
Did we win?
You act like we’d have scored 5 more runs with a more traditional lineup. The way our guys are hitting, that isn’t the case. It isn’t like Tony hit a red hot Freese or Yadi behind a slumping Stavi.
no
like everyone has been saying, this is a case of a couple, if that, marginal wins. the point being, those wins are IMPORTANT.
"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
I think you're close to violating every informed opinion about baseball there is.
This post contains the enviable appeal to players that are “hot” despite the fact that that theory has been statistically disproven. You should assemble your lineup based on the aggregate data for a player that applies to a situation, not their most recent 20-30 ABs.
Sooner, you would have locked up Galileo until satellite imaging showed a round planet because math and probabilities are never enough to prove anything to you.
Think; It's not illegal yet.
by azruavatar on Jun 25, 2010 4:37 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
A major league batting order of,
Lopez, Holliday, Pujols, Ludwick, Raz, Freeze, Molina, Pitcher, Boog
is going to be better than
Pagnozzi, Stavinoha, Kozma, Jones, Jay, Descalso, Hamilton, Miles, Pitcher
you can’t replace more talented players with less talented players and expect to have a better team.
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
it's amazing that this kind of thing needs to be explained
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
if your goal is to score the most runs possible
then yes, that would be a pretty good way to do it. Batting your 7th-best guy second, and your 8th-best guy 4th, and your 3rd-best guy 7th, just doesn’t make sense.
If someone asked you, “would you rather give Rasmus or Schumaker 50 extra PA’s per year”, what would you say?
Well the girls would turn the color of the avocado when he would drive down the street in his El Dorado... -the modern lovers
am i the only one annoyed how its accepted that stav is better than
skip, brendan ryan, and randy winnn.. come on now, we all know that they have proven to have a better average, stav doesn’t really have enough power to use that argument either, so what does stav have that’s better
Rasmus can hit lefties
cardinalred
St. Louis Sports blog
by stlcardsfan4 on Jun 25, 2010 4:35 PM EDT up reply actions
We have far too much space on our roster dedicated to players who should be "playing as little as possible."
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 Jun 25, 2010 10:17 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
This.
Maybe it’s related to Tony’s love of strays…
Cardinals Baseball 2010: Why have only one 25th man when you can have four?
by Bring Back Tommy Herr! on Jun 25, 2010 10:38 AM EDT up reply actions 8 recs
why is this not green yet?
"They're so stunned they didn't even boo!"
John Rooney 5/3/10 referring to Philly fans on Cards 5-run 7th inning
quote from 10@10
La Russa said he put Aaron Miles in the field because he “isn’t playing that much,” and Schumaker will play several games this weekend in Kansas City.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Jun 25, 2010 12:25 PM EDT up reply actions
what?
are they playing an 8 game series in KC this weekend?
I am pleasantly pleased, thankyouverymuch
by mattyfrommo on Jun 25, 2010 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions
they were misinformed about how the rivalry games counted
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Jun 25, 2010 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions
well he only made 3 errors in one inning
once
and it was at SS
"They're so stunned they didn't even boo!"
John Rooney 5/3/10 referring to Philly fans on Cards 5-run 7th inning
Oh sweet heavens
Aaron Miles is not a guy you find at bats for. Well, maybe you do if you’re an A+ Team or something. I’d bet he’d rake down there.
VivaElBirdos: Celebrating glorious mustaches since 2009
by redbirdnation8206 on Jun 25, 2010 7:05 PM EDT up reply actions
I know they have MLEs for prospects
Do they have something like that for shitty major league players to see how they would perform in the low minors?
by jd is legend on Jun 25, 2010 7:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Looks like .176/.176/.176 converts to .246/.246/.246 in the Midwest League
According to MinorLeagueSplits calculator.
Not afraid to nitpick
Hahaha sweet
He doesn’t even deserve to be on a AA roster
by jd is legend on Jun 25, 2010 7:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Even worse
It always confuses me that a team in Springfield, MO is in the Texas League
by jd is legend on Jun 25, 2010 7:31 PM EDT up reply actions
More fun
Miles 2009-2010 line converts to .258/.317/.341 in the Midwest League, which is worse than some 22 year old guy named Ryan Jackson’s .251/.345/.332 on Quad Cities. Ryan Jackson: you have hope to be a big leaguer!
Not afraid to nitpick
some guy?!
he was the cards 3rd pick in last year’s draft or close to it
i actually know what college he went to. he’s also and elite, like major league ready right frickin’ now shortstop
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
i'm completely incapable
of typing the word “an” without putting a ‘d’ on the end
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
and a team in memphis tennesse
is in the pacific coast league
fun fact: the dominican summer league is held in mississppi between august and november
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
That might trip me up too except my family lives in Memphis
So I know a little bit about the town and team.
At least my hometown Huntsville Stars play in the aptly named Southern League.
Also, the Big 10 has 12 teams, the Big 12 has 10 teams, and the Pac-10 has 12 teams. The SEC may be the most accurate conference name.
by jd is legend on Jun 25, 2010 8:03 PM EDT up reply actions
No it doesn't make me happy as larks
He is using up a spot where we could have someone who is better than a middling-in-AA caliber hitter like Greene, Gotay or Descalso. Please try to defend his presence on the roster now. You wanted shitty results before we could call it a bad move? You got em and now he’s down to a 17 OPS+ for 2009-2010.
Not afraid to nitpick
17 OPS+ for 2009-2010
I just wanted to repost that.
"How depressing is it being you? Would you equate it to being a lifelong Cubs fan?"
by rocKStark5 on Jun 25, 2010 10:42 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
next 20 inning game
put aaron miles out there on the mound. that sounds like something tony would..OH WAIT.
"He’s in his own world out there. He says he doesn’t cuss. I disagree." - Skip Schumaker on Jason Motte
Austin Wilson, please don't be a tease!
We've had this arguement before.....
There is no proof, not a ****ing ounce, that any of those guys would do better. Greene has struggled something fierce in his chances. Gotay is a career minor leaguer to almost everybody except a select few on this board, and Descalso is OPS’ing .750 (and trending downward) in AAA. Besides, while you could argue riding the pine wouldn’t hurt Greene or Gotay, Descalso needs to play everyday, and that will only happen in AAA.
You guys bitched last year because we were constantly shuffling guys up and down from AAA to the bench, and this year, when the club tries not to do that, you bitch about that.
by SoonerfanTU on Jun 25, 2010 10:46 AM EDT up reply actions
And for the record.....
I’d have NO problem cutting Miles. None at all. But two things…..first, I don’t think our ending record would be any different, or more than a game or two different, if we stuck Greene at the end of the bench in his place, and secondly, I don’t think management signed Miles to sit at the end of the bench for a month, then to be cut, regardless of how bad he might be playing. He’s had 17 AB’s…..hardly indicative of anything going forward, and hardly enough AB’s to make a difference, good or bad, on the team.
by SoonerfanTU on Jun 25, 2010 10:50 AM EDT up reply actions
"or more than a game or two different"
those can be marginal wins to a team like the cards. Teams pay out the ass to gain marginal wins.
"How depressing is it being you? Would you equate it to being a lifelong Cubs fan?"
yep, you can't just throw those games away
there’s even more than a division title to win – there’s home-field advantage. i hate throwing games away, not only by roster or lineup construction but also by tony’s other whim – throwing in the towel. you could make a case he does it sometimes before the game even starts, especially when sweeps are a possibility, but most times it’s like last night – maybe it was a good call to pull waino, and if one were in the dugout it might’ve been an obvious move, but tony has thrown in the towel so often this year that it rubbed me the wrong way last night, like we’d given up on the game prematurely, and i believe players sense when tony has conceded and just go flat – even buck martinez on the jays broadcast said tony had conceded.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
That is AT MOST.....
More than likely it will make ZERO difference, or one game. If we miss the playoffs by a game, I’ll stop posting here.
by SoonerfanTU on Jun 25, 2010 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions
what if we miss home-field advantage by a game?
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
i'm a pretty trusting guy
but i’d like a guarantee – maybe an IOU would be appropriate.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
I'll bite
Missed the playoffs by 2 or fewer games
2009: 1 – Tigers
2008: 2 – Twins, Dbacks (Boston made the wildcard but missed the division by a game)
2007: 3 – Mets, Brewers, Padres (Yanks miss division by 2 but make wild card)
2006: 1 – Astros (Tigers make wildcard but miss division by 1 win)
2005: 1 – Phillidephia (Yanks make wildcard but tied for record with Boston)
So please stop saying that 1 or 2 wins don’t matter. It’s a dumb stance to take and it’s factually wrong to say that teams don’t win the division by a couple wins in close seasons.
Think; It's not illegal yet.
so it's happened 100% of the time
the last 5 years. heh.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Also, Dave Concepcion.
the twins have played a game 163 two years straight
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
This is far too small of a sample...
I’m sure a race decided by fewer than 2 games never occurred prior to 2005.
DFA Miles, Call up Cox
For whatever it's worth
I went back and looked at the results of my pre-season sim using CHONE as an input. In the central 2 games mattered to the Cards ~17% of the time. I defined mattered as times where we finished <=2 games ahead of the second place team or within 2 games of the first place team.
This was preseason when we had a decided edge…
by stevesommer05 on Jun 25, 2010 3:24 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
So that number is probably in the 20% - 25% (WAG)
at this point in the season?
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Also, Dave Concepcion.
did that specify which team we were within 2 games either way of?
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
I'd have to look
besides like I said it was using preseason talent estimations, so it’d be more useful and telling to sim the rest of the season starting now.
I’d guess the Cubs and Brewers were the two most likely as CHONE had them as the 2nd and 3rd best teams
by stevesommer05 on Jun 25, 2010 3:38 PM EDT up reply actions
yeah
i’d have thought cubs and brewers preseason also – not that it being the reds instead matters for the sake of this discussion; i was just curious. thanks.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
So you are actively fine with the Cardinals pissing away a game or two???!?!?!?!?!?!
I can’t possibly put into words my opinion on this.
Not afraid to nitpick
You realize that we are a half-game up on Cincy.
1 or 2 wins could very likely determine whether we make the playoffs.
"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
Right, because a division has never been decided
by a game or less over the course of a season.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Also, Dave Concepcion.
That response has a very TLR-like tone to it, huh?
Media: “Tony, what was the thinking behind ?”
TLR: “Look, trust me. I’ve managed for a long time. Haven’t you read Three Nights in August?”
What percentage of division titles has been?
Less than 5%?
It’s called playing the odds. If you are going to give me, for example, a 95% chance of being right, I’ll “play” with you all day.
by SoonerfanTU on Jun 25, 2010 12:02 PM EDT up reply actions
PROVE
Exactly, so why get so bent out of shape? You guys that think everything, every decision can be quantified some how are the ones that act like asses when someone like me says there is SO MUCH that can’t be measured, it’s pointless.
by SoonerfanTU on Jun 25, 2010 12:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Haha
You are saying that the 1-2 games won’t make a difference because 95% of the time that’s not gonna matter at all. You are playing the probabilities.
The entirety of your complete misfit with any thinking here is that you attack us for using probabilities that say for example that Miles is and will be terrible and that we have 3 options at the very least that are better than him.
So probabilities count when you are using them, but are totally, completely worthless when trying to analyze what the best moves are going forward.
Not afraid to nitpick
How many AB's are you using for your probabilities?
Because I’m using 100 years, or 50 years, or 25 years (whatever you want to use) for mine.
Actually you aren't even using anything but half assed guessing if you'd read above
Missed the playoffs by 2 or fewer games
2009: 1 – Tigers
2008: 2 – Twins, Dbacks (Boston made the wildcard but missed the division by a game)
2007: 3 – Mets, Brewers, Padres (Yanks miss division by 2 but make wild card)
2006: 1 – Astros (Tigers make wildcard but miss division by 1 win)
2005: 1 – Phillidephia (Yanks make wildcard but tied for record with Boston)
Not afraid to nitpick
YOU DONT TELL HIM TO SHUT UP
"How depressing is it being you? Would you equate it to being a lifelong Cubs fan?"
Can't we all just get along!!!!
In baseball the object is to go home! And to be safe! "I hope I'll be safe at home!"
-George Carlin (RIP)
You're just being contrarian.
I won’t play all day long. Giving away games at this level is stupid.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Also, Dave Concepcion.
Oh, that settles it
VivaElBirdos: Celebrating glorious mustaches since 2009
by redbirdnation8206 on Jun 25, 2010 7:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Reds are playing well above their projected Pythagorean Record
Have a look at this link, if you don’t believe me.
Relax. Reds will semi-suck by season’s end. Cards will win the Central, my guess is by 5-6 games. No worries.
tbh pythathorean tells me they've been getting lucky
but its not like every team plays up to their pythag so i wouldn’t take that as a sign that they will suck
they could very easily pass their pythag
Rasmus can hit lefties
cardinalred
St. Louis Sports blog
by stlcardsfan4 on Jun 25, 2010 3:40 PM EDT up reply actions
so carry on with stav at cleanup your saying?
seriously though, if you look at their players, it’s not like they are all playing over their heads. and there’s room for improvement for a bruce or a stubbs, plus almost assuredly a trade of some sort by jocketty. i don’t want to get into the pythag part because last time it caused me to spend hours on run distribution, and with less than half the season played i still think that pythag’s can be skewed a bit – this might still be SSS area for pythag’s, although i’d guess about mid-season would give a rough idea.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
Tyler Greene. . .
I am one of his biggest anti-proponents on here, but he struggled his way to a 57 OPS+ last season and a 79 OPS+ this season. That’s practically Ruthian compare to Miles, in similar numbers of plate appearances at the major league level.
by SouthsideCardsFan on Jun 25, 2010 10:51 AM EDT up reply actions
Greene is better at running bases and on defense, too.
"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
To me.....
That just shows how stupid a stat that OPS+ is.
by SoonerfanTU on Jun 25, 2010 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions
So you're basically saying "I'm absolutely right, and any stat you use to disprove me must be stupid"?
by jd is legend on Jun 25, 2010 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions
No.....
I’m saying that stat inflates the difference beyond a reasonable amount.
I love you guys that pick the stat that best proves your point. It differs day to day.
by SoonerfanTU on Jun 25, 2010 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions
don't forget
NMR+
League Adjusted Nintendo Mario Resemblance
by mattyp on Jun 25, 2010 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Silver and James need to work on this one immediately.
>Pitcher Change: Felipe Lopez replaces Ryan Franklin, batting 7th, replacing third baseman Felipe Lopez
Outshines?
Exaggeration much? Neither does anything to impress me. Greene would have a lot more value if we needed a glove, but we have Ryan for that. Bat alone…..in a pinch hitting role…..Greene isn’t going to out-perform Miles enough at the ML level, this year, to be significant. That cannot be proven or disproven.
Yes it can
And in fact it has been proven. If you want to dig your head in the sand, then go for it.
Not afraid to nitpick
OH. MY. GOD.
That cannot be proven or disproven.
It does not matter if it can be proven or disproven. What matters when predicting the future is figuring out which player is more likely to perform at a higher level. It’s about using the available evidence to make the most logical inferences about what is likely to happen. Aaron Miles can do none of the following things well:
- Hit for power
- Hit for high average (not anymore anyway)
- Run with good speed
- Field well at any position
- Throw exceptionally
Tyler Greene is, in all likelihood, not very good either. But he can at least do the bottom three things and has a enough potential that he may sort of do the first thing. In a comparison of the two, Greene wins at everything but experience, which only means that people have kept giving Aaron Miles at bats and means jack when Aaron Miles can’t actually play baseball well. So, IMO, Greene is more likely to produce than Miles and as such should be on the ML team. If nothing else the FO would at least figure out if Greene could actually play and be a part of this organization going forward or if they just need to dump the guy and move on. There is no logical reason to keep Miles on this team.
VivaElBirdos: Celebrating glorious mustaches since 2009
by redbirdnation8206 on Jun 25, 2010 7:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Of course it's the stats fault.
"In 2035, 25 young men will be able to call themselves world champions. Some of those guys haven’t even been born yet. And some of them are Asian." -Mike Shannon
by Alxfritz on Jun 25, 2010 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
are you fucking kidding me?
this is ridiculous
*now with more veterany veteranness and a higher grit factor
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 25, 2010 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
so you actually think Miles is a better player than Greene?
I am pleasantly pleased, thankyouverymuch
by mattyfrommo on Jun 25, 2010 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions
He has a World Series ring!!! Of course he is better!!
Oh yeah, I hit a lot of bombs. Don’t kid yourself.
Never said that.....
I said at the role Miles or Greene would be used for, the difference is so insignificant, it’s not worth debating.
The debatable thing…..the only thing IMO, is do you think Greene can benefit from playing everyday in AAA, rather than getting the PT that Miles is getting? If you don’t think so, then sure, he should probably be on the ML roster. If you think he needs steady PT, then he has to be in AAA, b/c he isn’t going to play over Ryan, Skip, and Lopez right now.
It's not insignificant - see the good points that other people above have brought up, and which you have ignored because you had no arguments to refute.
Read them, and weep. Or, just give up.
I don't give a fuck who you confuse me with.
the latter is a fair debate
what’s your opinion on it?
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
Same thing I've said about Craig.....
I think Craig, Greene, and Descaslo need to be in AAA getting AB’s.
I like Mather as a more “ready” hitter when he is healthy, then Craig, RIGHT NOW.
I’m not a fan of bringing up prospects that have upside, and sitting them on the bench. I don’t see how that helps at all. It also isn’t always a very good way of managing your system/roster/payroll. I love how there is never ANY mention of that stuff. It plays a role, don’t kid yourself.
But yea, I think most of those guys need to spend more time in AAA. Maybe my opinion will change on that in a month or so, but I think Mather really hurt us when he wasn’t ready this year. It would have been huge having him on the bench.
i tend to agree with the getting at-bats in AAA
for sure with descalso, probably greene unless we will give him some steady play, which i think he deserves (but as just a ph’er i think his bat would suffer without steady play), and as for craig, he doesn’t need at-bats in AAA, imo, and could/should help us now, unless a trade involving him is on the horizon, and then i could see leaving him in AAA to rake. that said, then i would bring up mather right now, as the consistent at-bats in AAA may have righted the ship a bit, as he’s hitting pretty well and brings baserunning and versatility also. if they would just replace miles with mather i would be satisfied, and if any of our MIF’s sustains an injury then they could call up greene, as he would then be guaranteed some steady time.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
Plus, Mather can play some third
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
Er, you brought up that point, kind of
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
yeah, that's what i was referring to
and first – if albert takes a day off, i do not want to see stav at first, no way in hell.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
and i failed to mention gotay
i don’t think much of him, but he would also be a huge upgrade on miles if we insist on 4 MIF’s.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
The probelm is that Greene and Craig aren't young anymore and have no real "upside"
Greene’s and Craig’s overall benefit to the Cards is being lost as we type, because that beneft is being better bench players than Stav and MIles, both defensively and offensively. So, right now, the Cards are squandering small benefits, over each at-bat and each defensive chance, that could, in total or in isolation, make the difference between making the playoffs and not.
(And for this I blame Mo.)
by Willie McGee's Twin on Jun 25, 2010 2:54 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
Then go with Gotay or Descalso, who are both expected to be better than Miles by any rational person
Not afraid to nitpick
Better? Maybe.
Probably. Significantly better? I don’t think so. Maybe as an everyday player, but not getting 4 AB’s per week.
Sooooo they are better
Yet having Miles on the roster makes any sense?
Hell, I’d rather sign Mark Grudzielanek than Miles if you REALLY can’t let anyone ever get the bigs. Without hyperbole, Miles at this point in his career is one of the worst players to ever see big league time. Last year, he had the 4th worst OPS of >150 PAs for someone over 30 to ever receive another PA in the big leagues….and has gotten worse from that pace so far this year.
Not afraid to nitpick
You don't think either could do significantly better than .188/.188/.188?
I don't give a fuck who you confuse me with.
Wow man
You just don’t open your eyes. Tyler Greene struggled something fierce in his chances……and he’s STILL that much better than Miles as a hitter, AND can play quality defense. And that ignores the very real possibility that he puts together what he shows at AAA up here. There’s plenty of proof that he’s better than Miles, he’s already demonstrated that when he is playing at the low end of the expectations for him.
Gotay was going to be a Major Leaguer until Felipe Lopez fell into our laps. That’s a bullshit argument off the bat. Oh and just for fun, Gotay has outhit Miles in his time in the big leagues (even before he fell off a cliff). He outhit him while Miles was in the minors and continues to put up fairly impressive numbers at AAA, something Miles failed to do at AA.
Descalso is OPSing .750 in AAA yes, he is not a very good player. And yet he is still easily better than Miles. That’s how bad Miles is.
Yes, I will bitch about a guy with a SEVENTEEN OPS+ over 2009-2010, and comparably bad minor league stats to go with it, being on the roster over 3 clearly better options.
Not afraid to nitpick
You're choosing to be willfully ignorant once again
there’s plenty of evidence that for over two years now, Tyler Greene has been a better player than Aaron Miles. It’s out there in abundance and you either don’t understand it or don’t want to understand it. Either way, you’re flat out wrong in this instance.
That does not inherently make the Aaron Miles for bench argument wrong but don’t kid yourself about Aaron Miles being better than Tyler Greene.
Think; It's not illegal yet.
miles is literally the worst player in baseball
there is no proof that anyone would do better. thanks, captain obvious. but there is all the evidence in the world to suggest that they would do better by the sheer fact that they are better, more talented player of base ball
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
by prophetjohn on Jun 25, 2010 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
you mention descalso's OPS
gotay, who evaluate as a peaked player who won’t get any better and therefore wouldn’t benefit from more regular playing time in the minors, is OPSing .854. That sure as shit is better than Miles. 4 times better, in fact.
"He’s in his own world out there. He says he doesn’t cuss. I disagree." - Skip Schumaker on Jason Motte
Austin Wilson, please don't be a tease!
As long as Aaron Miles is on the roster, I will not be happy as a lark
Even if he never sees another PA, he’s wasting a roster spot.
by jd is legend on Jun 25, 2010 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions
total agreement
I watched the game when got called up, throw up in my mouth alil then. still queezy now
"Chuck Norris CAN divide by zero"
Dude. . .
From the post (emphasis added):
“Compartmentalize it, because it’s neither the most important thing La Russa does nor the reason the Cardinals couldn’t put it together last night, and then be mad about it, because Aaron Miles just shouldn’t be on the team, and if he’s on the team he shouldn’t be starting, ever.”
DanUp went out of his way to not blame the shutout on Miles or Skip. That’s not “almost like you put the zero runs scored last night on Skip and Miles.” In fact, it’s the exact opposite.
And yes, Miles has only started 3 games. The problem is that he is on the roster at all. He now has an OPS+ of negative 4, which shouldn’t come as a surprise since he had such a robust 20 OPS+ for the Cubs last season. He is not a major league player. It’s great that he likes cats and donates faithfully to ARF, or is TLR’s lucky charm, or personal valet, or whatever, but he has been DFA’d by the Reds, dumped for Wily Tavares, and traded along with $1 million dollars for three guys who have never played major league baseball.
As an aside, whenever I discuss Aaron Miles, why do I feel like the guy returning the dead parrot to the pet shop in the old Monty Python skit?
by SouthsideCardsFan on Jun 25, 2010 9:32 AM EDT reply actions
Miles the baseball player isn't pinin' for the fjords, he's passed on!
He is no more! He has ceased to be! He’s expired and gone to meet his maker! He’s a stiff! Bereft of life, he rests in peace! If you hadn’t nailed him to the dugout bench he’d be pushing up the daisies! His metabolic processes are now history! He’s off the twig! He’s kicked the
bucket, he’s shuffled off his mortal coil, run down the curtain and joined the bleedin’ choir invisible!! THIS IS AN EX-PLAYER!!
by mattyp on Jun 25, 2010 9:40 AM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
He's resting
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Also, Dave Concepcion.
by RiverRat on Jun 25, 2010 11:05 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Sorry if I've been nexdef'd:
Dustin Pedroia (after going 5-5 with 3HR, a double, and 5 RBI) on his performance last night:
Oh yeah, I hit a lot of bombs. Don’t kid yourself.
Between that and the laser show remark, he might be the best interview in baseball.
Have you ever read about when security wouldn't let him into Coors during the '07 World Series?
Security didn’t believe he was a player. I think he had hit a homer off of Francis, and replied, “Why don’t you ask Jeff F-ing Francis who I am?”
"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
reminds me of a Boog story I heard him tell in an interview
this was right after he had been called up. Was staying in a hotel in downtown St. Louis, so after a game against the Cubs at Busch he walked back. He just happened to be wearing a blue shirt. Anyway, Cards fans on the street were heckling and shouting at him, despite his repeated insisting that, “No, really guys. I play for the Cardinals!”
was that Boog? for some reason I thought that was a pitcher.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Jun 25, 2010 10:40 AM EDT up reply actions
and I thought that was in Chicago.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Jun 25, 2010 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions
that is awesome.
"He’s in his own world out there. He says he doesn’t cuss. I disagree." - Skip Schumaker on Jason Motte
Austin Wilson, please don't be a tease!
article on the STL-KC "rivalry"
all in all not a bad read…
starts out well
the Royals just aren’t good enough to have a rivalry with anything but a night at the movies.
but loses it at the end
baseball success won’t change Royals fans into the annoying kind in St. Louis that root for themselves more than their team.
Plus, our food is much better.
yikes...but it's true.
Most fans at busch stadium get off when they cheer for a double switch.
"How depressing is it being you? Would you equate it to being a lifelong Cubs fan?"
you should have read the comments - one guy let off some steam
OK… Now, the St. Louis Cardinals. Let’s just say that the self proclaimed “best fans in baseball” are NOT the best fans in baseball. Big surprise there huh? If anything, Cubs fans are the best in baseball. The fill Wrigley field game after game even though the Cubs suck… And always HAVE sucked, and probably always WILL suck… Now THAT is dedication! Cardinals fans are more like the WHINIEST fans in baseball. Case in point: A few years ago when the Cardinals were the reigning World Series Champions, what were Cards fans talking about? They were actually complaining about the Cards!! They were whining that the Cards were cheap and didn’t care about winning because they weren’t super aggresive in free agency. Well DUH!! If your team just won it all, they probably don’t need to be agressive in free agency because they’re already really good! And the Denkinger call in ‘85 might as well have happened yesterday, because St. Louis is NOT over it at all. I still hear about it ALL the time. Whenever an official in ANY sport makes a bad call, guess what gets brought up on TV and radio broadcasts as well as at the corner bar? Yup, you guessed it. After 10 years in StL, I’ve come to the conclusion that Cards fans are a bunch of whiney, obnoxious little girls. I call them Tardinals fans for a reason. One more thing. The new Busch stadium IS nice, but it’s nothing special. Kauffmann is STILL a better ballpark.
this is just really pathetic
Rasmus can hit lefties
cardinalred
St. Louis Sports blog
by stlcardsfan4 on Jun 25, 2010 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Haven't there been like at least 6 black baseball players who complained of racism in rigley?
by vivaelpujols on Jun 25, 2010 3:14 PM EDT up reply actions
please don't bring common sense into the equation
you’re ruining his argument here
Rasmus can hit lefties
cardinalred
St. Louis Sports blog
by stlcardsfan4 on Jun 25, 2010 3:24 PM EDT up reply actions
The team did suck after the world series. They weren't very good.
"How depressing is it being you? Would you equate it to being a lifelong Cubs fan?"
Yeah, that's a horrible argument right there.
The team in 2007 was pathetic.
I still am tired of the “best fans in baseball” thing though.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
Yet still a game out of first in Sep of 2007.
"In 2035, 25 young men will be able to call themselves world champions. Some of those guys haven’t even been born yet. And some of them are Asian." -Mike Shannon
Hrm... you've got a point.
The team division in [2006 and] 2007 was pathetic.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
What a terrible, terrible division that year
VivaElBirdos: Celebrating glorious mustaches since 2009
by redbirdnation8206 on Jun 25, 2010 7:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Aaron Miles, a/k/a Norwegian Blue
with apologies to Monty Python and John Cleese:
Mr. Mozeliak: ’Ello, I wish to register a complaint.
TLR: We’re closin’ for lunch.
Mr. Mozeliak: Never mind that, my lad. I wish to complain about this utility infielder what I purchased not two fortnights ago from the waiver wire.
TLR: Oh yes, the, uh, the Norwegian Blue…What’s,uh…What’s wrong with it?
Mr. Mozeliak: I’ll tell you what’s wrong with it, my lad. ’E’s bat is dead, that’s what’s wrong with it!
TLR: No, no, ’e’s uh,…he’s a resting. . . and besides, e’s a good clubhouse presence.
Mr. Mozeliak: Look, matey, I know a dead bat when I see one, and I’m looking at one right now.
TLR: No no he’s bat’s not dead, he’s, he’s slumpin’! Remarkable specimen, the Norwegian Blue, idn’it, ay? Beautiful range on the infield!
Mr. Mozeliak: The range don’t enter into it. It’s stone dead, too.
TLR: Nononono, no, no! ’E’s slumping!
Mr. Mozeliak: All right then, if he’s slumpin’, I’ll wake him up! (shouting at the cage) ‘Ello, Mister Miles! Here’s a plate appearance against Bruce Chen for you. . .
(TLR throws ball through plate glass window of shop)
TLR: There, he hit it!
Mr. Mozeliak: No, he didn’t, that was you throwing a ball through the plate glass window!
TLR: I never!!
Mr. Mozeliak: Yes, you did!
TLR: I never, never did anything…
Mr. Mozeliak: (hitting slow grounders two feet to either side of the Norwegian Blue, where they roll unabated past him to the wall) ‘ELLO MR MILES!!!!! Testing! Testing! Testing! Testing! This is your four o’clock alarm call!
(Sets ball on tee, watches as Miles hits a weak grounder that wouldn’t break the plate glass window.)
Mr. Mozeliak: Now that’s what I call a dead bat.
TLR: No, no…..No, ’e’s injured!
Mr. Mozeliak: INJURED?!?
TLR: Yeah! Injured, just as he was comin’ out of his slump! Norwegian Blues injure easily, major.
Mr. Mozeliak: Um…now look…now look, mate, I’ve definitely ‘ad enough of this. That bat is definitely deceased, and when I purchased it not two fortnights ago, you assured me that its total lack of movement was due to it bein’ tired and shagged out following a prolonged ARF fundraiser.
TLR: Well, he’s…he’s, ah…probably pining for 2008.
Mr. Mozeliak: PININ’ for 2008?!?!?!? What kind of talk is that? Look, why did he fall flat on his face the moment he signed with the Cubs?
TLR: The Norwegian Blue prefers St. Louis! Remarkable specimen, id’nit, squire? Lovely plumage, the best facial hair on the team, in fact!
Mr. Mozeliak: Look, I took the liberty of examining his bat when I got it home from Springfield, and I discovered the only reason that it had hit 279/363/344 there was because it was against double-A pitching.
(pause)
TLR: Well, o’course it was in AA! If it hadn’t been nailed down in double-A, it would have won the 2B job here immediately. VOOM! Feeweeweewee! Think of Skip, man. I ’ave a delicate balance of personalities to manage in this ’ere clubhouse.
Mr. Mozeliak: “VOOM”?!? Mate, this bat wouldn’t “voom” if you let it face Gibson Alba! ’E’s bleedin’ demised!
TLR: No no! ’E’s pining!
Mr. Mozeliak: ’E’s not pinin’! ’E’s passed on! This bat is no more! It has ceased to be! ’E’s expired and gone the same place as Mike Gallego’s bat! ’E’s a stiff! Bereft of life, ‘e should be a hitting coach! ’e’s OPS+ is negative!! ‘Is not as good a hitter as an average pitcher! ’E’s off the twig! ’E’s kicked the bucket, ’e’s shuffled off ‘is mortal coil, run down the curtain and joined the bleedin’ choir invisibile!! THIS IS AN EX-BAT!!
(pause)
TLR: Well, I’d better replace it, then. (he takes a quick peek behind the counter) Sorry squire, I’ve had a look ‘round the back of the shop, and uh, we’re right out of utility infielders.
Mr. Mozeliak: I see. I see, I get the picture.
TLR: I got Pete Kozma.
(pause)
Mr. Mozeliak: Pray, is he a good clubhouse presence?
TLR: Nnnnot really.
Mr. Mozeliak: WELL IT’S HARDLY A BLOODY REPLACEMENT, IS IT?!!???!!?
TLR: N-no, I guess not. (gets ashamed, looks at his feet)
Mr. Mozeliak: Well.
(pause)
TLR: (quietly) D’you…. d’you want to call up Allen Craig?
Mr. Mozeliak: (looks around) Yeah, all right, sure.
by SouthsideCardsFan on Jun 25, 2010 10:01 AM EDT reply actions 21 recs
oh, I see
you go and steal (…and improve) my bit. Well, Monty Python’s bit anyway. God, I love John Cleese. Think I’ll watch some Fawlty Towers when I get home today.
It's possible that the difference between Aaron Miles and Tyler Greene
in just 17 PAs is already cost us half a win on paper. I’m disgusted that he’s still on the team. It’s poor management from Mozeliak down to La Russa.
Think; It's not illegal yet.
by azruavatar on Jun 25, 2010 10:12 AM EDT reply actions 2 recs
Feast or famine could describe our offense,
but considering we could have six or more players above 4 WAR and six players on the 25 man below replacement level, it could also describe our roster construction
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
I think 90% of the battle in roster management going forward this season
should be to eliminate the number of negative contributors on the roster.
Think; It's not illegal yet.
It's incredible just how bad at playing baseball Aaron Miles is.
"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 really wonder if there are any posters on this board who are better at baseball than him.
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
I think a cardboard poster might be better at baseball than him
it would take a walk every now and then. a few HBPs, too
I am pleasantly pleased, thankyouverymuch
by mattyfrommo on Jun 25, 2010 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Excellent!
Baseball first, teams second, players third, agents last.
by Dave Pendleton on Jun 25, 2010 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions
yuniesky betancourt's baseball card is better at baseball than miles
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
by cardball on Jun 25, 2010 12:56 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
It probably has more range
Taller too.
VivaElBirdos: Celebrating glorious mustaches since 2009
by redbirdnation8206 on Jun 25, 2010 7:33 PM EDT up reply actions
It's not impossible
I mean, I could be Albert Pujols. This ruse I have going about being a middle-aged teacher is working! Uh, meng.
Did I convince anyone? Anyone?
VivaElBirdos: Celebrating glorious mustaches since 2009
by redbirdnation8206 on Jun 25, 2010 7:32 PM EDT up reply actions
Aaron Miles hasn't had a positive WPA season in his career
and that doesn’t include the effect that his very bad defensive play has on his team’s WP.
Well the girls would turn the color of the avocado when he would drive down the street in his El Dorado... -the modern lovers
the Cardinals so far are like a hot date who lives with their parents.
so many towels, and yet…
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
just gotta be creative, fearless and a lil bit exhibitionist in that situation :-D
"How depressing is it being you? Would you equate it to being a lifelong Cubs fan?"
Miles
because Aaron Miles just shouldn’t be on the team, and if he’s on the team he shouldn’t be starting, ever
Agreed that he should not be on the team, but I think that the second part of that statement is unnecessary. All players on the team will get at least an occasional start, so Miles should just not be on the team, period.
Why?
We have three other, and better, MIF options. Why should Aaron Miles ever start?
"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 think he's saying just over the haul of 162 and many variables
everybody on a 25 person roster is bound to get a start.
"How depressing is it being you? Would you equate it to being a lifelong Cubs fan?"
like when freeze was injured
which goes back to why miles should not be on the roster – it should be someone worthy of the inevitable occasional start.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
So, he is the floor of OPS+ for all of baseball, I assume?
"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
For perspective,
Kyle Lohse also has 17 PA’s…..his OPS+ is 42.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Also, Dave Concepcion.
and a hell of a uzr in left, too
let’s see miles do that!
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
tony said hawk will start tomorrow unless he's needed in relief tonight
that seems like a pretty good possibility, doesn’t it? so do they get otto on a plane the second hawk gets up in the pen to warm? anyone know where memphis is playing right now? must be why otto was scratched from his start the other day. do they just send salas down for a day (would he really even need to leave town, though), which would shorten the pen for the otto start, or does hawk have options (since he’d likely be burnt for the rest of the series anyway)?
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
I'm not up to speed with all the options conditions on moving players up or down
But I would much rather see Ottavino start than Hawksworth
As long as he's been down in AAA for 10 days, there are no real conditions
once a player has been called up in a season, that’s an option year.
"In 2035, 25 young men will be able to call themselves world champions. Some of those guys haven’t even been born yet. And some of them are Asian." -Mike Shannon
would it really matter?
I would not cry if Hawk was out of options. Outside of Miles, there is no one that I hate having on this team more than Blake Hawksworth.
I am pleasantly pleased, thankyouverymuch
by mattyfrommo on Jun 25, 2010 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions
yes, it would matter
because they couldn’t send him down instead of salas – that’s just the way it is. they are not going to dump hawk.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
so true
I don’t understand the team’s infatuation with hawk
I am pleasantly pleased, thankyouverymuch
salas would need to be down for 10 days
>>do they just send salas down for a day (would he really even need to leave town, though), which would shorten the pen for the otto start<<
They can bring up Otto for one day to start tomorrow but Salas has to stay down at Memphis for 10. I could see Otto up for one day then exchange him for Kinney for 9 days then back to Salas with Kinney returned to Memphis. Of course, the only thing necessitating all these moves is the Cards keeping Miles on the roster. Jettison Miles and we don’t have a problem adding Otto while keeping Salas.
forgot about the 10 days
maybe they are holding off on adding otto officially to see how tonite pans out, if hawk has to pitch or not, to avoid sending salas down unnecessarily.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
well, I bet Otto
gets activated tomorrow either way. Too many innings to eat from the pen without swapping out a reliever. Holding off on send Salas down today so he can pitch in today’s game before being swapped out for Otto. That’s what I expect to see but Tony sees a different world through those glasses so one never knows.
Hawk, Soup, Miles all starting...
Stavinoha batting cleanup. The Mang underperforming. Sooner running wild.
Bad times, bad times…
DFA Miles, Call up Cox
I must say that out of all those,
the Mang being the Mang again would really brighten things up. Hell, it has a way of making all those other things obsolete. Not that he’s having a bad season, and I realize he went 4-5 just a couple nights ago, but he hasn’t been as Mangly as usual this season.
even though he sucks
*now with more veterany veteranness and a higher grit factor
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 25, 2010 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Series totals so far
@CIN: W-W-L (WIN)
@MIL: W-W-L (WIN)
HOU: W-W-L (WIN)
NYM: W-L-W (WIN)
@ARI: W-L-W (WIN)
@SF: L-L-W (LOSS)
ATL: W-W-W-W (WIN, SWEEP)
CIN: L-W-W (WIN)
@PHI: W-L-L-L (LOSS)
@PIT: W-L-W (WIN)
HOU: L-L-L (LOSS, SWEEP)
@CIN: W-L-L (LOSS)
WSH: W-W (WIN, SWEEP)
FLA: L-W (PUSH)
LAA: W-L-W (WIN)
@SD: L-L-W (LOSS)
@CHC: W-L-W (WIN)
CIN: W-L-W (WIN)
MIL: W-W-L (WIN)
@LAD: L-L-L (LOSS, SWEEP)
@ARI: W-L-L (LOSS)
SEA: W-W-L (WIN)
OAK: W-W-L (WIN)
@TOR: W-W-L (WIN)
by astrostl on Jun 25, 2010 12:07 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
How the fuck did Houston sweep this team?
Thanks for dragging up bad memories.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Also, Dave Concepcion.
now, now.
this is where we drink.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Jun 25, 2010 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions
They call him...Bud.
>Pitcher Change: Felipe Lopez replaces Ryan Franklin, batting 7th, replacing third baseman Felipe Lopez
the Devourer of Cardinals Souls
Cardinals Baseball 2010: Why have only one 25th man when you can have four?
by Bring Back Tommy Herr! on Jun 25, 2010 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Per Goold
Change in stance got Holliday going
Holliday adjusted his stance at the plate, going to a more upright, square-to-the-plate position. “Basically,” he said, “I got out of my own way.”
Anyone notice anything different? I’m not really tuned in enough to catch stuff like that.
I'm out of champagna. How about some 7-Up and Mad Dog 20/20?
by The Continental on Jun 25, 2010 12:21 PM EDT reply actions
I saw that, but I wasn't sure what I was seeing.
I did note that it looked like Albert was the one coaching him through that.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Jun 25, 2010 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions
GOOLD STOLE OUR FTW!
damn that Good Reporter in the Truck.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Jun 25, 2010 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions
I prefer to think of it as a homage.
I'm out of champagna. How about some 7-Up and Mad Dog 20/20?
by The Continental on Jun 25, 2010 12:25 PM EDT up reply actions
I've actually noticed this about Colby
Much smaller leg kick, a little more crouched
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
Actually I'll do a fanpost on this
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
which Al hates, because players open up more when they get home run conscious
and we all know how much Al hates home runs
Blaine Matthew Burns: Albert Pujols' biggest fan (his first words will for sure be "Albert Pujols is RIDICULOUS")
he's stepping into the plate though, so fuck al
now i’d just like to see him take the outside pitches – because that’s what he’s getting due to his pull power – take them to left consistently (once he starts hitting them). when he does he hits a nice liner that direction.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
Indeed
The crouch really gives it away.
Big Mac needs to open that thing back up.
I am pleasantly pleased, thankyouverymuch
by mattyfrommo on Jun 25, 2010 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Those are different camera angles,
so it’s not as drastic as it looks.
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
he was tipping
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Jun 25, 2010 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Hide the tip
Past-mysterui hated that game
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
just for a second
Blaine Matthew Burns: Albert Pujols' biggest fan (his first words will for sure be "Albert Pujols is RIDICULOUS")
I noticed something seemed different on the second home run he hit on that two home run day
but I didn’t know what it was.
Starting Pitching
I think this plan for a bullpen start tomorrow is crazy. So WW only made it four innings yesterday, tonight we have Soup who likely won’t get past 5 and then tomorrow we are going to start one of our relievers who likely isn’t stretched out enough to go more than 4. So after we kill the bullpen and lose those games then I suppose we will ask Jaime to go 8 innings and throw 130 pitches?
I know no one is in love with PJ or Ott, but one of them really ought to be making the start tomorrow. I hate this roster management.
by OCCardsFan on Jun 25, 2010 12:24 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
And apparently once again we will start the reliever and use the starter to relieve
Adam Ottavino’s scheduled start Thursday night. David Kopp made the start in Ottavino’s place. Indications are that Ottavino could join the major-league team in Kansas City today to takeover for Salas and offer additional insurance for Jeff Suppan’s start tonight or the bullpen start tomorrow.
Why doesn’t Ottavino just start the game?
Because there is a chance
Suppan actually could pitch well and Hawksworth wouldn’t be needed.
… snort.
by Michael_68_1999 on Jun 25, 2010 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions
He actually has a better chance for a W if he relieves
because he doesn’t need to go 5. If they’re going to split 6-8 innings, the perceived “starter” might as well go second.
I'm out of champagna. How about some 7-Up and Mad Dog 20/20?
by The Continental on Jun 25, 2010 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions
effin MO
I am pleasantly pleased, thankyouverymuch
by mattyfrommo on Jun 25, 2010 12:40 PM EDT up reply actions
Apparently Saturday is now a day game,
1:15 start…right in the middle of the WC. Way to go KC.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Also, Dave Concepcion.
Sorry Crads
I’ve got better things to watch on Saturday
by jd is legend on Jun 25, 2010 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, not sure how that's even debatable.
"In 2035, 25 young men will be able to call themselves world champions. Some of those guys haven’t even been born yet. And some of them are Asian." -Mike Shannon
is that when the US plays - if so, why would they do that - won't it affect attendance?
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
And I think it would affect attendance,
KC is a huge soccer town.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Also, Dave Concepcion.
It's like a combo of awesome and asinine.
by Willie McGee's Twin on Jun 25, 2010 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions
which go together nicely at times
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
I am not going through last night's game thread
but did anyone else think that Boggs looked absolutely awesome last night?
More of THAT Boggs and VEB Night Motte, please?
I am pleasantly pleased, thankyouverymuch
boggs has been looking awesome for a while
at least his last three appearances – there was a week-long gap in there for some reason
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
I believe they may have been either thinking of starting him or resting him to prepare for a few innings of relief in a hawk / soup game.
I don't give a fuck who you confuse me with.
i can see the latter as entirely possible
but i don’t think they would consider starting him.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
boggs looks unbelievable right now
on pure stuff I don’t think I’ve seen any reliever more impressive this year, playing for any team. I can’t believe he’s the same guy as Boggs the starter-who-can’t-strike-anybody-out.
Somehow he's still not really striking people out now
Though the 56% GB% is cool
Not afraid to nitpick
it's been nice having two 98 mphers in the pen
Blaine Matthew Burns: Albert Pujols' biggest fan (his first words will for sure be "Albert Pujols is RIDICULOUS")
Esp. Boggs's 95-8 mph snake
VivaElBirdos: Celebrating glorious mustaches since 2009
by redbirdnation8206 on Jun 25, 2010 7:35 PM EDT up reply actions
This whole roster management fiasco rests solely on Penny's shoulders, IMO
You’ve got a FO that is quite content with treading water with the players they have, for as long as possible. They are waiting for their hand to be forced. They’re aware of the Reds and know what reinforcements they have available. They are just waiting for the Reds to utilize those reinforcements (Volquez and Chapman) before they decide what to do.
This is where Penny comes in. If Penny’s return is further delayed and the Reds make their move, then the Cards will be forced to make a move for a starter in order to keep up. If Penny returns soon, then I think you’ll see the Cards finally adjust the roster, with additions of Craig/Jay and Greene for Stav and Miles. The return of Penny coincides with when the Cards finally make their move to push forward. They’ll wait as long as they can and be content with treading water with the Reds, until the Reds either force them to make a move, or Penny finally returns, allowing them to force the Reds’ hand. It’s the NL Central Cold War!
RFL for GG!
Chapman isn't a reinforcement this year
He’s walking 5.5 per 9. As a lefty reliever maybe, but even then I don’t know that I really want to trust a guy with zero control when the game is on the line either.
Not afraid to nitpick
So you're thinking..
…that we’ll see a 90+ pitch relief appearance for Chapman before the season’s out?
chapman will be a reinforcement this year, and sooner than later
they are acclimating him to the pen now – he pitched in relief of volquez’s last start (volquez was hitting 98 and by all reports looked dominant)
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
I'm not saying he won't get the call
But he’s not going to be good unless he’s used basically as a typical lefty reliever. He doesn’t know where the ball is going and has 1.5 pitches.
Not afraid to nitpick
yeah, i don't know how he'll do
but it sounds like they will give it a try at some point as a LOOGY to replace the little guy, herrera. if they didn’t need him they should just leave him at AAA preparing to be a starter next year when harang and possibly arroyo are gone. i wouldn’t put it past walt to deal harang to a contender this year that needs a starter, actually, if they felt confident in volquez and the deal would bring them back something to help the club this year.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
If Volquez is hitting 98 I will eat my own face.
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
amazing what an off-season of PEDs will give you
amazed more guys who are injured don’t take that route. If you’re gonna miss half a season anyway for injury, and MLB lets you serve your suspension while rehabbing from injury and playing every day in the minors, why the hell not?
Well the girls would turn the color of the avocado when he would drive down the street in his El Dorado... -the modern lovers
Carpenter came back touching 97 and Volquez threw like 2 mph harder pre-TJ
And Volquez is younger with less arm problems…
Not afraid to nitpick
Volzquez barely touched 98 before surgery
by vivaelpujols on Jun 25, 2010 6:03 PM EDT up reply actions
well, we'll see when he gets up
all we know now is he hit 98 the other day. maybe it won’t last. greinke, on an extra day rest tonite, hit 100 on the stadium gun. quite a few guys throw harder after tj.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
Accuscore
says the Royals are favored tonight 66 to 34 percent. I think that’s the first time I’ve ever seen the spread so tilted in their favor against the Cardinals.
by Michael_68_1999 on Jun 25, 2010 12:48 PM EDT reply actions
and worse yet!
It’s fireworks night. people might show up.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Jun 25, 2010 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions
that's a huge spread for a baseball game
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
does this accuscore take bets?
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
After winning the marathon match at Wimbledon, Isner lost today in straigt sets
From the AP: “One day after winning the longest tennis match in history, John Isner lost the shortest men’s match at Wimbledon so far this year.”
by BTown Birds fan on Jun 25, 2010 1:02 PM EDT reply actions
They should turn it into a sudden-death dodgeball match...
once it hits 30-30
DFA Miles, Call up Cox
this is a great piece by pos on the marathon
interesting to note that mahut had to win three matches just to qualify for wimbledon, and in one of those matches he won the fifth set 24-22:
http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2010/06/24/70-to-68/
btw, wasn’t it fairly predictable isner would lose today? i think the first set may have taken 10 minutes to lose 6-0, or close to that.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
Yeah, I think it was very predictable too.
By Isner’s own admission he had virtually no energy, and how could he after the previous three days? Not that either one of them was likely to go too far, but that first match pretty much guaranteed they wouldn’t.
by BTown Birds fan on Jun 25, 2010 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions
not just physically either
he had to be drained mentally. a let-down was inevitable.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
Go figure
I’m impressed he got out of bed and played at all. I would have asked them to bring a wheelchair or something, put it at the baseline, and then give it a go.
VivaElBirdos: Celebrating glorious mustaches since 2009
by redbirdnation8206 on Jun 25, 2010 7:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Self Promotion
Fanpost on Colby’s stance, including a cameo by a Joe Strauss article. And not the one you’re thinking of!
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
ottavino is back with the team
http://twitter.com/Fox_Sports_MW/status/17032658289
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
WAKE UP RIVERRAT!!!
Internet, all-caps yelling is as good as a pinch to wake someone from a dream, right?
i wonder if they'll wait to see if hawk pitches tonite
and if not just fly him back to the AAA club without making any move.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
nice
did he do well when he was back down?
*now with more veterany veteranness and a higher grit factor
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 25, 2010 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions
his last start was scratched for this purpose
but the one before he pitched very well, and the one before that not so well, iirc
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
not sure what to make of the guy
he seems like he has a lot of potential one start and is lost the next start
*now with more veterany veteranness and a higher grit factor
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 25, 2010 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions
veb has been kinda dead lately
either we’ve been a more quiet bunch or people are actually out and about and enjoying the summer. or maybe we’re all just still shocked at Miles being on the team
*now with more veterany veteranness and a higher grit factor
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 25, 2010 2:01 PM EDT reply actions
there's also been a lot of Cradinal baseball
instead of Cardinal baseball, which is keeping me away a bit. plus the weather’s 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
yeah
I really need to buy new rims for my bike so I can go tool around by the lake. gotta wait 2 more weeks though, I’m going to drop a few hundred on them and get some kick ass wheels and tires. the schwinn I bought at wal mart for $230 is fine except they put cheap rims on it. other than that it has shimano shifters and a really good seat, shocks, etc. I’ve always liked Schwinns except this one the wheels are really bad.
*now with more veterany veteranness and a higher grit factor
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 25, 2010 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions
i used to have a Schwinn
spending more time longboarding these days though… anyone else?
"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
I wish I could have a bike or skateboard here
My ride to work is a STEEP hill all the way to the stadium, which isn’t so bad, except that the ride back is a STEEP hill all the way up
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
yeah that's a killer.
i’m lucky to have a nice long, wide, flat, and smooth path on my campus between where i live and the building i’m working in for the summer, which is perfect longboarding territory
"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
wow i used a lot of adjectives there for path, didn't i.
"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
Summer doldrums
>Pitcher Change: Felipe Lopez replaces Ryan Franklin, batting 7th, replacing third baseman Felipe Lopez
midseason blahs
*now with more veterany veteranness and a higher grit factor
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 25, 2010 3:14 PM EDT up reply actions
i've been away
the last couple days because my uncle is in town. have a golf league i go to on thursdays. should be back by tomorrow’s game. a little frustrated by the lack of offense in yesterday’s game (f’n no namers beating us!), but i thought for the most part that the blue jays series went well.
Albert's grand slam, 7/3/09
@zoomzoomj88
Boog's stache is back!
Jeff Passan is an asshat
Brandon Morrow was a great prospect for the Mariners
Has 97 mph heat and a sick 85 mph slider
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
so the losing the last game of the series thing
it seems like it might be pretty easy to peg on tony, since he always preaches just win the series, and he often puts out bad lineups in the third game (or maybe that part is just perception). not sure how much is his fault or just luck, and we will start winning lots of third games/sweeping teams
*now with more veterany veteranness and a higher grit factor
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 25, 2010 2:20 PM EDT reply actions
i probably saw the same game
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
could be
i know it was against the NL. first i was shocked he was still around, so i watched a few innings and he threw pretty well.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
holy shit
this deli club from jason’s deli is literally the best thing i have ever experienced
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
a philly cheese steak from penn station stoned is when i reach my culinary apex
I'm like a polygon, I'm edgy.
Resident malcontented betamale
Agreed.
I have yet to find a better Philly cheese steak outside of Philly (I have never been, and would never want to be in Philly)
In baseball the object is to go home! And to be safe! "I hope I'll be safe at home!"
-George Carlin (RIP)
Bacon?
VivaElBirdos: Celebrating glorious mustaches since 2009
by redbirdnation8206 on Jun 25, 2010 7:40 PM EDT up reply actions
standard
three slices of toasted bread, ham, turkey, bacon, swiss, cheddar, lettuce, mayo and tomato
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
Oh, well then...
…carry on, Deli Club eaters. I’m not a big sandwich guy. I don’t know why. I’m probably not American or something.
VivaElBirdos: Celebrating glorious mustaches since 2009
by redbirdnation8206 on Jun 25, 2010 7:58 PM EDT up reply actions
To get back to some OT:
My incredible won’t ship until 7/23.
Suck it Verizon.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Also, Dave Concepcion.
It was originally going to ship 6/14,
but I didn’t want it to sit on my porch for a week, so I figured I’d wait till I got home to order it. DOH!
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Also, Dave Concepcion.
I ordered a laptop and GPS from newegg yesterday morning at 8am
it showed up at noon today. I was shocked. I’ve never had an internet order move that fast via ground shipping.
Think; It's not illegal yet.
that's amazing
how fast it was and that people are actually awake at 8am
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
FYI the Amazon gold box deal of the day is MLB batting practice jerseys
The options on back are no name or Albert. I’m leaning towards an Albert one myself. Here’s the link.
I'm like a polygon, I'm edgy.
Resident malcontented betamale
Is that last years?
This years are pullovers with one button at the collar.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Also, Dave Concepcion.
i haven't a clue
and $40 at first seemed cheap and the i realized its still $40 for a skimpy all polyester button up….gonna have to think about this one.
I'm like a polygon, I'm edgy.
Resident malcontented betamale
Team store ran a promo
earlier this year for the new Dry-fits for $80. They’re pretty sweet.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Also, Dave Concepcion.
that's pretty good for $55
512 MB ofDDR5. 128-bit memory interface isn’t great, but for $55? yeah. good deal
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
what type of interface should I be looking for?
There were some in that range with more memmory, but DDR2 memory.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Also, Dave Concepcion.
you might want at least 256
they make ’em 512 and bigger, but those are pretty expensive
i guess it depends on what you’re going to be doing and how long you want it to last before it’s obsolete. i’m still rockin’ integrated graphics and i can play every game i’ve tried to (half life 2, fallout 3, mass effect), but i might need to get a discrete card for some of the new games i wanna get
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
Ya...I just wanna decent upgrade over
the integrated card. I think I’m gonna pull the trigger on it.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Also, Dave Concepcion.
and lousy ones at that
Albert's grand slam, 7/3/09
@zoomzoomj88
Boog's stache is back!
Jeff Passan is an asshat
conversation between my uncle and me
“So are you a Brendan Ryan guy?” – uncle
“Ummm I guess… why are you not a fan?” – me
“No I don’t like the guy…. he’s a wigger”
(blank stare)
“Yeh he uhh he has the high socks, and he wears bling and he has the cap tight over his head”:
“Are you serious?”
“Yeh and his defense ain’t that great. He makes a lot of errors and his arm isn’t that great”
“Are you kidding me? Have you watched a game? His arm is the greatest for the Cardinals since Rolen”
(Dad butts in listening to conversation)
“You do know he makes a lot of errors because he gets to balls other shortstops don’t”
“I still don’t think so… and his offense is bringing us down, i still don’t see what you see in his arm.”
(Dad and myself now laughing)
“I wonder what he thinks of David Eckstein?”
“Eckstein was solid, he didn’t make a lot of errors”
“Eckstein didn’t make a lot of errors because he didn’t get to many balls”
The rest of the time me and my Dad thought of players who qualified for wiggers and we came up with Colby Rasmus (hat over head), Anthony Reyes (hat, high socks), Brad Penny (high socks), the whole fucking team for their bling… its amazing how much my uncle doesn’t know about baseball
by the way, hearing my dad talk about UZR of Brendan Ryan and David Eckstein (indirectly of course) was ironic because he thinks Colby’s not that great of a defender even though UZR says otherwise
Rasmus can hit lefties
cardinalred
St. Louis Sports blog
UZR actually says Colby is below average this year
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
well UZR last year sorry
that’s wrong… im not necessarily under the opinion that Colby’s an elite defender like some, but my Dad has certainly pushed me into the Colby bandwagon much the same as it has brought some out of it for the Colby love on VEB
Rasmus can hit lefties
cardinalred
St. Louis Sports blog
by stlcardsfan4 on Jun 25, 2010 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions
i've never heard that term before
but it sounds like it could be pretty offensive, but maybe i’m putting 2 and 2 together wrong in trying to figure out what the hell it’s derived from.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
its a term used to accuse a white person of acting like a black person
a certain n word for white people
Rasmus can hit lefties
cardinalred
St. Louis Sports blog
by stlcardsfan4 on Jun 25, 2010 3:50 PM EDT up reply actions
then i'd probably expunge it from my vocabulary
and if nothing else, from veb. i hope you see that.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
yes
*now with more veterany veteranness and a higher grit factor
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 25, 2010 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions
sorry if i offended anybody with this comment
i just got issued a warning so i will definitely steer clear of using words like that
sorry again
Rasmus can hit lefties
cardinalred
St. Louis Sports blog
by stlcardsfan4 on Jun 25, 2010 4:58 PM EDT up reply actions
I don't think you offended anybody
You were making fun of your uncle, who said it. It’s understandable. But yeah, it’s probably safer not to use it in the future
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
Meh don't worry about it.
Not like you were going out trying to offend people.
In baseball the object is to go home! And to be safe! "I hope I'll be safe at home!"
-George Carlin (RIP)
Wait, high socks?
As opposed to baggy pants—wait, nevermind. I’m just gonna stop there and say your uncle is weird.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
yeh im as dumbfounded as you are
Rasmus can hit lefties
cardinalred
St. Louis Sports blog
by stlcardsfan4 on Jun 25, 2010 6:00 PM EDT up reply actions
My dad, bless his heart...
…is 72 years old. The man literally shoveled shit for a few years to make money. Literally, shoveled shit. He could kick my ass still, even though I’ve got three inches and 32 years on him. My dad would totally beat up… Ok, never mind that nonsense…
Anyway, he spent last year 100% convinced that Rick Ankiel was an infinately better player than Rasmus. And would always be too. He’d get all giddy over the diving plays and the spectacular throws, while ignoring the balls Colby would just be camped under and the balls Ank would launch into row DD, section 234. I even tried to explain the stats to him, thinking that he’s a bright guy who did chemical tests and stuff and would “get” stats. Well, that didn’t work. I think he still hates Rasmus for some reason, even though he’s only 23 and is hitting the holy poo out of the ball this year. At least he doesn’t drone on about Ankiel anymore.
VivaElBirdos: Celebrating glorious mustaches since 2009
by redbirdnation8206 on Jun 25, 2010 7:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Aaron Miles vs. David Eckstein vs. Bo Hart vs. Skip Schumaker
Winner gets the starting 2B. Ready, go!
Aaron Miles fought off an attacker in a hotel room
I think he may actually win. His wGRT+ is 109
VivaElBirdos: Celebrating glorious mustaches since 2009
by redbirdnation8206 on Jun 25, 2010 7:46 PM EDT up reply actions
per the official twitter
Ottavino up, Salas down, starter TBA. I guess this explains why Salas got the Blaine Boyer treatment last night.
i don't understand
why salas keeps getting sent down. i guess it’s just that hawk can be the long man. but if it’s because of hawksworth’s lack of options, i wouldn’t be horribly opposed to DFAing hawksworth. i don’t really even know if anyone would claim him
how the hell is he already out of options anyway?
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
I'm going to go see Ween tonight
excited
*now with more veterany veteranness and a higher grit factor
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 25, 2010 4:11 PM EDT reply actions
Gravity Kills for me
and a my fav local band of all time, Soulkiss.
"How depressing is it being you? Would you equate it to being a lifelong Cubs fan?"
I love the last minute going to see a big concert feeling
didn’t even plan on going, kind of a last minute thing
*now with more veterany veteranness and a higher grit factor
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 25, 2010 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions
i though that said 'wainwright' and i was like no you aren't
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
maybe if
Wain was his nickname
*now with more veterany veteranness and a higher grit factor
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 25, 2010 5:09 PM EDT up reply actions
uh oh
FSN Midwest: Lineup today-Skip 2b, Holliday LF, Pujols 1B, Rasmus CF, Lopez SS, Freese 3b, Winn RF, Larue C, Miles DH
Oh for crying out loud.
"In 2035, 25 young men will be able to call themselves world champions. Some of those guys haven’t even been born yet. And some of them are Asian." -Mike Shannon
by Alxfritz on Jun 25, 2010 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
awesome. he's got to be fucking with us.
"How depressing is it being you? Would you equate it to being a lifelong Cubs fan?"
more like LOL
has a DH ever batted ninth before? and wtf, luddy, stop cramping.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
ok, has a dh ever batted ninth for any team other than tony's?
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
haha
uh oh
i think tony is intentionally f’ing with VEB at this point
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
guys chill...
that .188 line is about even with AL DHs not named Vlad right now so he’s just evening the field….
(rocking back and forth)
Rasmus can hit lefties
cardinalred
St. Louis Sports blog
by stlcardsfan4 on Jun 25, 2010 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions
okay alt theory
maybe tony is just trying to show soonerfantu that we are right
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
maybe he is soonerfantu
the plot thickens!
Rasmus can hit lefties
cardinalred
St. Louis Sports blog
by stlcardsfan4 on Jun 25, 2010 4:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Unexcusable.
I would fire a manager if he put together a lineup like this. I’m not even kidding.
Think; It's not illegal yet.
Our designated "hitter" tonigh has a OPS+ of -4 and a WAR of -0.3
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
by jd is legend on Jun 25, 2010 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions
look below
and you will probably celebrate
Rasmus can hit lefties
cardinalred
St. Louis Sports blog
by stlcardsfan4 on Jun 25, 2010 4:46 PM EDT up reply actions
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAA
AHAHAHAAAAAAAA
OMFG
by vivaelpujols on Jun 25, 2010 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions
that is so stupid
he’s totally just fucking with us at this point
*now with more veterany veteranness and a higher grit factor
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 25, 2010 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions
you're a bit late to the party
scroll down for good news
I don't give a fuck who you confuse me with.
ha!
yeah, I guess I was right about that! lol
*now with more veterany veteranness and a higher grit factor
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 25, 2010 5:13 PM EDT up reply actions
I so knew this would happen
This is so ridiculous. There are so many better options in AAA.
Calling Miles a Designated “Hitter” is a joke. We might as well burn it and let the pitchers hit.
DGWHBOMIN?
Designated Guy Who Hits Because Our Manager is Nuts?
VivaElBirdos: Celebrating glorious mustaches since 2009
by redbirdnation8206 on Jun 25, 2010 7:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Ugh
If I typed anything other than UGH, I would have been cursing. I’ve cursed enough today, I think. My poor dog.
VivaElBirdos: Celebrating glorious mustaches since 2009
by redbirdnation8206 on Jun 25, 2010 7:47 PM EDT up reply actions
I've realized that this isn't actually the lineup
Just seeing it made me UGH. Just to clarify.
VivaElBirdos: Celebrating glorious mustaches since 2009
by redbirdnation8206 on Jun 25, 2010 7:50 PM EDT up reply actions
royals site has a series preview up
including some hot/cold-zone graphs for apu and holliday (and some interesting comments – poor ank):
http://www.royalsreview.com/2010/6/25/1536051/royals-vs-cardinals-series-preview#storyjump
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
one of the posters there has this line from a cricket commentator as his sig:
“The bowler’s Holding; the batsman’s Willey.”
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
Heh - Big Z in the first inning against the ChiSox - 4 hits, 4 ER.
by BTown Birds fan on Jun 25, 2010 4:26 PM EDT reply actions
chisox are rolling
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
holy shit
he is flipping out at derrek lee. what happened?
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
lou sent him home
gorzellany pitching the second inning.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
lee was playing pierre off the line
pierre pulled one down the line. z later gave up a bomb, and took it out on lee. pierre just batted again, and lee played him the same spot. pierre is not a pull hitter. z was just out of control.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
that's pretty weak
lee is about the only cub that doesn’t suck
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
soto is pretty good
but lou doesn’t give him enough PT
Rasmus can hit lefties
cardinalred
St. Louis Sports blog
by stlcardsfan4 on Jun 25, 2010 4:42 PM EDT up reply actions
i think he wanted to pound z
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
Was going to mention Ramirez, then I checked his numbers
I had no idea he was so absolutely atrocious this year.
by BTown Birds fan on Jun 25, 2010 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions
shoulder is not right
and now a thumb, too
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
Ha! He's out after one inning - he's back to pitching relief,
he’s just doing it at the start of the game. Meanwhile, Peavy has struck out 5 of the first 7 batters he’s faced.
by BTown Birds fan on Jun 25, 2010 4:42 PM EDT up reply actions
yeh im having a weird fantasy day
zambrano and peavy are both on it as is carlos quentin so because of big z, i get a homer and 3 RBIs outta Quetin and Peavy’s masterfulness
but Zambrano… fuck lou pineilla…..
Rasmus can hit lefties
cardinalred
St. Louis Sports blog
by stlcardsfan4 on Jun 25, 2010 4:44 PM EDT up reply actions
fuck lou pineilla
and fuck my fantasy team
Rasmus can hit lefties
cardinalred
St. Louis Sports blog
by stlcardsfan4 on Jun 25, 2010 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions
zambrano just had a meltdown
he went after lee in the dugout, they had to be separated – blaming lee for a double, apparently, even though he gave up a 3-run bomb to quentin.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
Just watched the video
First impression: ROFLMAOFUCKINGCUBS
Second: How long do the trade tumors fly before they die down?
check out VEB on facebook...just search groups for Viva El Birdos
z loves chicago
he plans to outlast lou, and now almost has to – nobody is going to trade for him.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
WTF? Go AWAY Miles!
Schumaker 2B
Holliday LF
Pujols 1B
Rasmus CF
Lopez SS
Freese 3B
Winn RF
LaRue C
Miles DH
Gag
....my quick smells like french toast...
Twitter: @mstreeter06
don't say Gag
he might get called up too.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
by cardball on Jun 25, 2010 4:36 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I believe you are correct sir. OMGOHSAOPDFDSGJKL
....my quick smells like french toast...
Twitter: @mstreeter06
It's funny
My thoughts upon reading the lineup:
“Alright…good…good… love seeing Rasmus hit 4th… Lopez 5? Interesting… Cool… Getting Molina a break… WHATTHEGODDAMNFUCKISGOINGONSLDKGJLKDSJGLSDJGLSDGJL”
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
yep, tony used miles like a punchline, with perfect timing and delivery
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
Damnit
I didn’t see Danup had posted the horrendous lineup. Apologies. SBN’d.
....my quick smells like french toast...
Twitter: @mstreeter06
seriously
is there another manager in baseball who wouldn’t get fired over a lineup like this?
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
I think there are several
weird lineups and players who are their “guys” are two of the most common manager foibles.
but we're talking about aaron miles, here
not rick ankiel or nick stavinoha. he’s putting the worst hitter in MLB in the DH spot
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
isn't tony always proving he can't get fired?
yost is probably envious.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
makes you want to kick a puppy
wait, im doing it wrong….
Rasmus can hit lefties
cardinalred
St. Louis Sports blog
by stlcardsfan4 on Jun 25, 2010 4:40 PM EDT up reply actions
Didn't we bring Otta up
to replace Miles?
"They're so stunned they didn't even boo!"
John Rooney 5/3/10 referring to Philly fans on Cards 5-run 7th inning
the lineup changed!
Lineup has been changed-Skip 2b, Holliday LF, Pujols 1b, Ludwick DH, Rasmus CF, Lopez SS, Freese 3B, Larue C, Winn RF
We do have a voice!
I'm not...
Yes I prefer the new one, but the fact that we have a manager who would even consider the old one means we have a problem.
DFA Miles, Call up Cox
Problem?
What problem would that be? Tony may do some crazy things sometimes, but overall I have no problem.
My problem with Tony is his lunatic fondness for Miles and his tendency to overfill the 25-man with guys I'd rather not see the light of day. Or playing time.
I don't give a fuck who you confuse me with.
Which is fine
If that’s what guayzimi meant, then ok. But I took the tone to mean that we have a problem with Tony being the manager instead of what you said here.
You have to deal with Tony's bullshit to have him be a good manager
But the bullshit is in fact absolutely maddening.
Not afraid to nitpick
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
This game officially sorta winnable now!
I don't give a fuck who you confuse me with.
way to man up luddy
he wasn’t going to let that lineup pass.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
RFL!!!
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Also, Dave Concepcion.
by RiverRat on Jun 25, 2010 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
REJOICE!!!!!
Lineup has been changed
Skip 2B
Holliday LF
Pujols 1B
Ludwick DH
Rasmus CF
Lopez SS
Freese 3B
Larue C
Winn RF
....my quick smells like french toast...
Twitter: @mstreeter06
you did it again.....
Rasmus can hit lefties
cardinalred
St. Louis Sports blog
by stlcardsfan4 on Jun 25, 2010 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions
a nice balance
sort of like miles slash line.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
it is a thing of beauty.
Any bets on when he’ll drop below the .300 OPS?
I don't give a fuck who you confuse me with.
if you look at players this year
with and OPS worse than his over at least 10 PAs, it’s pretty much just a list of the worst hitting pitchers in baseball
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
good point!
Rasmus can hit lefties
cardinalred
St. Louis Sports blog
by stlcardsfan4 on Jun 25, 2010 4:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah
Danup was alittle quicker than me today haha. But this news was definitely worth the double post!
....my quick smells like french toast...
Twitter: @mstreeter06
Whew
Though I’d still rather see Lopez (or Winn) at leadoff
by jd is legend on Jun 25, 2010 4:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Yadi for Larue and this is the best 9 hitters on our roster.
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
And there was much rejoicing!
In baseball the object is to go home! And to be safe! "I hope I'll be safe at home!"
-George Carlin (RIP)
been playing too much
he and waino both got pulled when tony conceded.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
Now I see why he initially wanted Miles in - he's batting .600 against Greinke!
Miles OWNS him (in 5 AB)! The KC probables listed at the mlb.com preview are collectively batting .379 (11/29) against Suppan.
by BTown Birds fan on Jun 25, 2010 4:51 PM EDT reply actions
hawk harrelson just called z an ass
well, he said z just made his all-derriere team.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
Part of me wishes that the old lineup would've been used, just for hilarity's sake
The other part of me actually wants to win
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
How much longer will this nightmare go on
Miles needs to be released. I feel bad for T Greene, Craig, Descalso, and even Gotay. Miles is the biggest waste of a roster spot ever. We’re playing with 24 players. /rant
....my quick smells like french toast...
Twitter: @mstreeter06
plz
someone kidnap Miles and put him on some small, anonymous desert island with a few good cds, a volleyball, and a bunch of bananas or something
*now with more veterany veteranness and a higher grit factor
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 25, 2010 5:11 PM EDT up reply actions
someone tried that once
it ended poorly for them
by YesWeOquendo on Jun 25, 2010 5:12 PM EDT up reply actions
well
they were trying to rob his teammates and he got back and saved the day
*now with more veterany veteranness and a higher grit factor
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 25, 2010 5:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Sounds like I have something to do tonight
If you hear of something along of the lines of “Miles goes missing in KC”… It wasn’t me…
....my quick smells like french toast...
Twitter: @mstreeter06
hahaahah!
*now with more veterany veteranness and a higher grit factor
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 25, 2010 5:16 PM EDT up reply actions
we will set up an anonymous account and send you payments
*now with more veterany veteranness and a higher grit factor
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 25, 2010 5:17 PM EDT up reply actions
I saw this movie
it did not bode well for the celtics
by DanUpBaby on Jun 25, 2010 6:37 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
RFLDH!
*now with more veterany veteranness and a higher grit factor
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 25, 2010 5:10 PM EDT reply actions
OT: But really awesome
If you haven’t seen this, watch it… The World’s Reaction to Landon Donovan’s Game Winning Goal #USA #WorldCup
....my quick smells like french toast...
Twitter: @mstreeter06
Also, hear the GOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!! guy, Andrés Cantor, call it
here.
by BTown Birds fan on Jun 25, 2010 5:23 PM EDT up reply actions
I'll never tire of watching those highlights
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
I still love watching Jay DeMerit flip onto the pile and almost kick that one dude in the face
by jd is legend on Jun 25, 2010 6:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Check out how much air Jozy gets when he jumps onto the pile
I don’t have a video handy, but it’s RIDICULOUS
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
Here it is
Check out Jozy’s frog jump at about :20
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
My favorite part
is the bench guy who looks like he’s about to go super saiyan or something.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
It also shouldn't be overlooked how great of a call that was from the PBP guy
by jd is legend on Jun 25, 2010 7:24 PM EDT up reply actions
I loved it!
It was perfect. The accent, the frantic description leading up to the goal, the Britishisms (no American announcer would just shout “certainly through!” like that).
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
I also liked "Go-go USA"
As though our country were one of Inspector Gadget’s, well, gadgets
by jd is legend on Jun 25, 2010 7:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Pretty good,
except the title is totally misleading.
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
Yeah somewhat
Still brings goosebumps and such though!
....my quick smells like french toast...
Twitter: @mstreeter06
My reaction was pretty much the same as the dude in Arkansas' reaction
I was in a hotel room by myself ducking out of meetings at a conference in Asheville, NC. I just kept screaming and jumping up and down. I pretty much didn’t know what to do with myself.
by jd is legend on Jun 25, 2010 5:54 PM EDT up reply actions
That was the exact reaction in the bar I was in
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
(high fives, jumping around)
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
U-S-A
U-S-A
U-S-A
I think their chances are pretty good this year
of immanentize the soccer eschaton.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
Cardball.......
Bouldin signed a FA contract with the Bulls.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Also, Dave Concepcion.
and they traded hinrich
he should get a legit look, have a good shot.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
Since Tony was on one TV show...
Maybe we can get him on that “Intervention” show, to keep him away from Miles?
Hey! Joe Pos gets to write about futbol!
"In 2035, 25 young men will be able to call themselves world champions. Some of those guys haven’t even been born yet. And some of them are Asian." -Mike Shannon
I like the first comment on the article from David:
They knew you were American because an Englishman would have let the ball slip through his hands.
by jd is legend on Jun 25, 2010 6:17 PM EDT up reply actions
Well, anyone want to talk some NBA draft :D
I would rather try to avoid anything Portland related if anyone is bored enough.
But yeah, this draft so far has been one of the most boring in recent memory. No big deals for veterans or anything of that. There was no big talent to get excited about or some kid who was really interesting except for a few (Wall, Cousins, Hayward), and most of these guys were underclassmen, and very few seniors were drafted high (Damion James was the first senior at #24?). It seems that the draft has gone from production-emphasis to potential-emphasis. Whereas a few years ago a guy like Adam Morrison could get a lot of money, people like Luke Harongody are lost in the wind nowadays. It’s an interesting shift anyway.
In baseball the object is to go home! And to be safe! "I hope I'll be safe at home!"
-George Carlin (RIP)
I'll just say that Hayward is a PERFECT fit for Utah
Big, can shoot, tough, and, y’know, white
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
Don't know about Gordon Hayward.
I like the guy, but I just don’t know about his potential. I think he will be a system player at least, but I don’t know if his ceiling will be that much higher.
In baseball the object is to go home! And to be safe! "I hope I'll be safe at home!"
-George Carlin (RIP)
Mmmm
Talk about a guy who lost NBA stock in staying in college. Didn’t he go from surefire lottery guy to a middle of the second round pick? Hell of a drop.
In baseball the object is to go home! And to be safe! "I hope I'll be safe at home!"
-George Carlin (RIP)
athletically, yes they are similar, though budinger has more hop
but hayward is more skilled and has a higher b-ball IQ, and by a wide margin
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
Pretty disappointed with the Hawks
They finally get good, and get wise enough to can Mike Woodson…then they hire a guy from his staff to replace him and have last night’s draft. No wonder they’ve always sucked.
by jd is legend on Jun 25, 2010 7:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Least Josh Smith is good at everything else :P.
In baseball the object is to go home! And to be safe! "I hope I'll be safe at home!"
-George Carlin (RIP)
Have fun with Jordan Crawford and his "me-first attitude".
:)
As an Indiana fan, you can understand why I don’t like him.
In baseball the object is to go home! And to be safe! "I hope I'll be safe at home!"
-George Carlin (RIP)
where did harongody go, anywhere?
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
52nd to the Celtics.
Good place for him to get some backup minutes and learn from some vets.
In baseball the object is to go home! And to be safe! "I hope I'll be safe at home!"
-George Carlin (RIP)
yeah, perfect
if big baby can play there, then big luke can. plus the whole shamrock/irish thing. maybe he’ll be the second coming of dave cowens, or maybe…oh, man, they’ve had so many white big men backups i can’t even begin to name them…can’t even think of the name of the guy with the mustache back in the bird days…began with an F i believe, and maybe they had robey, or klein or some other kentucky center…oh, rasheed retired, so there’s a spot for luke right there.
"Some days I feel like the hypotenuse in a love triangle; others as if my lucky number is pi."
He will play right behind Perkins if they don't sign anybody.
Which is a good spot for him imo. But yeah, the most recent white backup would be Brian Scalabrine.
In baseball the object is to go home! And to be safe! "I hope I'll be safe at home!"
-George Carlin (RIP)
FYI
I imagine you folks may already know, but I have on the road driving to K.C. Ottovino was shagging balls in the OF during BP. Is he starting tomorrow?
"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 Jun 25, 2010 7:46 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
DH.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Also, Dave Concepcion.
by RiverRat on Jun 25, 2010 7:47 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Good to know.
Why wouldn’t Otto start? I am watching Greinke warm up in the pen. He is much better than Suppan.
"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 Jun 25, 2010 7:58 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Good to know.
Why wouldn’t Otto start? I am watching Greinke warm up in the pen. He is much better than Suppan.
"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 Jun 25, 2010 7:58 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
but seriously,
with the team, not on the roster as of yet. It’s been tweeted I think that he is backing up Hawk.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Also, Dave Concepcion.
What, are you BJ Rains?
I should have an article interviewing Ryan Franklin’s last dog about how it was to be Franklin’s dog. Should be online shortly. 1 hour ago
So I talked to Franklin’s dog. Nice dog. Should be online shortly. 30 minutes ago
Check out Foxsportsmidwest.com for my latest article. 10 minutes ago
Hey guys, don’t know if you’re aware of this but I just posted an article online. http://bit.ly/cdPp0k one minute ago
RT: @FSN_SPORTS_MW Meet Ryan Franklin’s Dog. http://bit.ly/cdPp0k one minute ago
BGH tells us he’ll be in KC
BGH says we might know he’s headed to KC
PS – Have a great time in KC, bgh! I couldn’t help this comment and I hope you’ll forgive me!
Think; It's not illegal yet.
I resent the Rains comp
But, of course, I forgive the comment. I thought I may have a scoop, Lois Lane style. Have a good night!
"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 Jun 25, 2010 8:45 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Has anybody noticed how BJ Rains and bgh are never in the same place at the same time???
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
Anyone else watching Det @ Atl?
I’ve never heard the word change-up more in one half of one inning.
check out VEB on facebook...just search groups for Viva El Birdos
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