Post Game Thread: The Rasmus-LaRussa Connection
by azruavatar on Aug 29, 2010 7:56 PM EDT
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PrintAfter another uninspiring game from the Cardinals, we're treated with this quote from Tony La Russa regarding Colby Rasmus who was unexpectedly benched minutes prior to game time:
I just wanted to take a minute and try and have some kind of more sober analysis of the quote. My initial reaction to this was intensely visceral dislike. Colby Rasmus has been an extremely important component of the club this year and is by virtually any advanced statistical measure, the third best position player on the team. Jon Jay has been quite good to date and he's also been lucky. But there's just not a lot of evidence or opinion that Jay is the better player."He's had all the work," La Russa said. "He's never backed off the work, taking batting practice. I think it all has to do with what his concentration is, and what his focus is. I do believe that, you just watch his swings in batting practice and in the game, I think he is convinced that he helps us more if he just yanks the ball out of the park. That normally is not the case, because you're limiting yourself to a side of the park and you're vulnerable to too many pitches. We really push, 'Just play the game.' That's what Jon [Jay] does. He plays the game. take a single, take a walk, let the home runs come."
This quote almost certainly isn't based on Fangraphs wOBA or another set of numbers. It's about a feel for the game and La Russa is of the opinion that Jon Jay exceeds Colby in that area. Let's say for a moment that that is true. Jon Jay can do all the little things right. He can hit to all fields. He's willing to "take what he's given" be it a single or a walk or a home run. Let's just accept that premise as 100% accurate. Does it matter? It's an argument that seems to advocate for players who have a varied set of skills rather than a good set of skills. Is there evidence that we should prefer that kind of player?
I'm inclined to say no. Looking at the totality of a player's contributions and capabilities, it seems patently absurd to ignore the things that Colby is really good at in order for him to correct flaws that haven't, as far as I can tell, seriously inhibited his game to date. There's good evidence that shows Colby is, predominantly, a pull hitter. So is Chase Utley. Would anyone argue that he needs to work on hitting the ball to all fields?
So let me try and move past this a little more. Maybe Colby is really even better than what we've seen to date and TLR knows that and thinks the only way for him to understand that is to get a little extra time off to relax. Colby needs more time to process the instruction he's received (and La Russa does praise his work ethic) in order to achieve the potential that's there. Ignore the stats; ignore the idea that baseball is a collection of independent events rather than a complex mental game. Does Tony's statement become more palatable there?
For me, the answer is no. I'd even go so far as to say that we've been cleverly distracted by the issue at hand. This is not a Jon Jay versus Colby Rasmus argument. The answer is BOTH. They should both be playing. Instead, we see Colby Rasmus benched in favor of . . . Skip Schumaker? Aaron Miles? I can't see a valid reason why you can't play Jon Jay and Colby Rasmus at the same time. Wasn't that the point made when Ryan Ludwick was traded? So Tony is pulling a bait and switch when he draws the Jon Jay comparison. Don't accept it -- it's not the crux of the decision.
So l find myself in a situation where I can accept that, yes, perhaps Jon Jay is more "consistent" than Colby. I don't find that to be mutually exclusive with the idea that Rasmus is still the better player. But none of this offers me a good explanation as to why Colby Rasmus was pulled moments before the game started on Sunday afternoon.
While I don't consider myself to be a conspiracy theorist, there's just too much to this ongoing saga between Rasmus and La Russa that seems difficult to rationally explain away. If this was an isolated incident, I'd be more inclined to let it go. Instead, it has the feeling of something more distressing. It's starting to feel like the Dave Duncan and Anthony Reyes rift of a few years ago. (I'm hesitant to even mention that situation give the outcome.)
I sincerely hope I'm wrong about this. The "#intrigue" hastags and tweets from Bernie like:
I have no idea what's going on between La Russa and Rasmus, but this is very strange, and it must end.
do little to assuage my concern over the relationship between Colby and Tony. It increasingly difficult for me to set aside these suspicions as the circumstantial evidence and hearsay continues to accumulate. Colby Rasmus is the best product of the minor league system in the last 5 years outside of Adam Wainwright. He's vitally important to the teams' financial health and ability to win during the next 4-6 years. If, and I don't know for a fact that there is, but if there is a disconnect between Colby Rasmus and Tony La Russa, it' needs to be fixed. It needs to be mended. It's simply crucial to all parties involved with the organization that those two find a way to cohabitate that includes Rasmus being on the field as often as possible.
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to me it appears that Rasmus has more raw talent but Jay has his "head in the game" more
that’s the general vibe I get
"Nah….He’s an infielder. Second base…..I played second base, how hard can it be?"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Aug 29, 2010 8:01 PM EDT reply actions
I can't disagree with that
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
It's the dark flip-side of Tony's bro-mance with Aaron Miles.
He sometimes seems irrationally down on particular players. The whole Rolen thing from several years ago where Tony went bananas because Rolen was playing hurt and not telling the team. If Aaron Miles or Bo Hart does that, Tony would admire his guts and dedication to “playing the game the right way”. The kick in the nuts he administered to Jim Edmonds the year after he was traded left a bad taste in my mouth as well. The plain fact is that the Cardinals have been much less than the sum of their parts this year and some of that is bad luck, but after the last six games, I think the coach has to man up and take some responsibility for that as well.
by Plowboy on Aug 29, 2010 10:22 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Tony seems to not like players for whom the game comes easy.
JD, Rasmus, Edmonds, …
Rolen by all accounts worked hard, never got that one.
But like Azru said
This shouldn’t be a Colby vs. Jay thing. They should BOTH play… Having them both in the OF puts the best team on the field
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
I agree
but the mysterious injury. hmmm
"Nah….He’s an infielder. Second base…..I played second base, how hard can it be?"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Aug 29, 2010 8:45 PM EDT up reply actions
well, now that we traded ludwick, sure.
Well the girls would turn the color of the avocado when he would drive down the street in his El Dorado... -the modern lovers
[weep]
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
There is no crying in baseball.
Blogging, maybe, but not baseball.
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Aug 29, 2010 8:49 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm bloggin heah!
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
the cardinals can cry
they are whiny bitches, after all.
Well the girls would turn the color of the avocado when he would drive down the street in his El Dorado... -the modern lovers
That is one of the funniest scenes I have ever seen.
It cracks me up everytime.
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Aug 29, 2010 10:01 PM EDT up reply actions
That really was an indefensible move from a competitive standpoint
And the only way to like it is to rationalize it away….like most of us did here. This team needed another stick, we didn’t get one, and now we’re having trouble scoring runs on the two worst pitching staffs in the National League. We can’t expect Pujols and Holliday to carry our offense every night — sometimes the other guys have to do things too, and Ludwick was one of those guys.
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
I don't think LaRussa is saying they're battling each other for playing time,
I think he’s just giving and example of a young player that plays the game “right”
by infallibleopiniongenerator on Aug 29, 2010 9:29 PM EDT up reply actions
I have no comment for that
"Nah….He’s an infielder. Second base…..I played second base, how hard can it be?"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Aug 29, 2010 10:59 PM EDT up reply actions
Whofuckingthecares?
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 29, 2010 11:07 PM EDT up reply actions
awaiting the comment
Cards Fan in Chitown is likely to have for this
by infallibleopiniongenerator on Aug 29, 2010 11:11 PM EDT up reply actions
who cares, the fucking?
"Nah….He’s an infielder. Second base…..I played second base, how hard can it be?"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Aug 29, 2010 11:19 PM EDT up reply actions
yoda style.
"When a pitcher's throwing a spitball, don't worry and don't complain, just hit the dry side like I do." - Stan Musial
"When I knocked a guy down, there was no second part to the story." - Bob Gibson
"Son, what kind of pitch would you like to miss." - Dizzy Dean
Can somebody explain to me
Just what the hell an “umpire matchup” is? It sounds like, I dunno, another TLR bs comment.
by CarpIsMyManCrush on Aug 29, 2010 8:04 PM EDT reply actions
If it means that a particular umpire squeezes the zone (which he did some today, or does so against young players,
or against Rasmus in particular, it might make sense IF the umpire rotation was changed. But even in those unlikely circumstances, it still doesn’t make sense to let that out into the public conversation. But maybe it wasn’t intended to be; maybe Strauss’ “source” was just continuing to talk out of turn.
"He was fun to be behind." -- Boog on Jaime, 8/22/10
so if we did meld Colby's tracking ability with Jay's arm
what would we call it?
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
Jolby
Do you remember that spelling bee you won in the first grade? Rock? "R-O-K"?
by jd is legend on Aug 29, 2010 8:31 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
hmm.
I understand everything except the pair of … legs?
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 29, 2010 10:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Jaymus?
"Nah….He’s an infielder. Second base…..I played second base, how hard can it be?"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Aug 29, 2010 8:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Jick Edkiel.
"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
Good thoughts
It might have been a Jay vs. Rasmus argument before the trade, but that’s not the argument now. Until today I just thought Rasmus was hurt.
TLR
Does TLR have such a hold on the organization that they are afraid to let him go? I’ve heard the whole “Oh, how will Albert react, blah, blah blah” and I can’t stand it. Surely the players have to see what TLR is doing to this club.
How anyone can defend TLR is beyond me. The most common reason is “He has all these wins and he didn’t get them by being a crappy manager.” All I’m saying is TLR was a great manager, but his micro-managing, favorite-playing, gRIT loving mind is so far removed from the actual game it’s not even funny.
I say let TLR go, find someone in-house to be suitable to be the interim manager, and then look for someone that appreciates the level of talent that exists on this club to take over next year.
by CarpIsMyManCrush on Aug 29, 2010 8:12 PM EDT reply actions
I think inside the clubhouse and front office, it might be a different story.
don’t underestimate the power of groupthink
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
I think you make a good point.
I’ve defended Tony for years from all comers, but it’s getting harder and harder to say that he’s putting our guys in the best position to succeed. Sometimes, you need a Whitey Herzog who will just come in and say: “You aren’t playing Frank White? That’s nuts!”
It would hang a bad rep on the FO if a legendary manager were cut loose in what is still, barely,
a pennant race. Baseball wouldn’t like it, and it might have an impact on who might be interested in a managerial or GM position.
After the season, TLR ought to retire on his own.
"He was fun to be behind." -- Boog on Jaime, 8/22/10
i doubt there would be a shortage of people
jumping at an open managerial position. especially on managing waino/carp and pujols/holliday
other points are valid, though
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
twatter
by prophetjohn on Aug 29, 2010 8:27 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Yeah, you're right. Who could resist a shot at managing the Cards.
Hell, if they asked me, even I probably couldn’t resist, despite knowing what a disaster it would be.
"He was fun to be behind." -- Boog on Jaime, 8/22/10
Potential Candidates for next year?
by CarpIsMyManCrush on Aug 29, 2010 8:38 PM EDT up reply actions
im not discussing this until after the season (or mathematically out)
because its not even worth it if they make the playoffs…tlr will be back
by guillermozeliak on Aug 29, 2010 8:45 PM EDT up reply actions
If we somehow make the playoffs and win the WS, maybe TLR will retire on top
Do you remember that spelling bee you won in the first grade? Rock? "R-O-K"?
by jd is legend on Aug 29, 2010 9:09 PM EDT up reply actions
That's what a lot wished in 2006.
"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 have a few names in mind, but I'm gonna go along with guillermo
"He was fun to be behind." -- Boog on Jaime, 8/22/10
not me
my running theory is that LaRussa goes to Seattle (nearer home, the challenge) and WE get (don’t barf now): Joe Torre.
What I WANT, and have for the last two years, is Mike Matheny.
bay area, i thought
definitely somewhere in california
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
twatter
Doubt Torre comes back
Do you remember that spelling bee you won in the first grade? Rock? "R-O-K"?
by jd is legend on Aug 30, 2010 1:44 AM EDT up reply actions
I don't think Torre would come back to the organization
that dumped him after giving him nothing to work with….then blamed him for all the poor teams during his tenure.
He seems likely to retire anyway.
I’d love to see them get someone like Ron Gardenhire, who’s done more with less and been adept at developing farm players.
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
I agree with Ron
Also Matheny, or Danup or someone.
Fire Tony La Russa
by vivaelpujols on Aug 30, 2010 11:01 AM EDT up reply actions
DanUp
That would be interesting. He could manage from his basement, get into texting disputes with the umps, get thrown out of a game and never have to leave his house. The first all sabermetric baseball team. HFS, Batman!
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Aug 30, 2010 11:21 AM EDT up reply actions
I still like LaRussa but..
I really wish for Mike Socia if Tony is gone.. too bad the Angels locked him up through 2012
"When a pitcher's throwing a spitball, don't worry and don't complain, just hit the dry side like I do." - Stan Musial
"When I knocked a guy down, there was no second part to the story." - Bob Gibson
"Son, what kind of pitch would you like to miss." - Dizzy Dean
I disagree.
I think that most people in baseball outside of St. Louis have had a bellyful of TLR and would applaud his defenestration.
Adam Kennedy in the outfield is where he lost me
"Nah….He’s an infielder. Second base…..I played second base, how hard can it be?"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Aug 29, 2010 8:47 PM EDT up reply actions
ha
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Aug 29, 2010 9:00 PM EDT up reply actions
The problem with dumping LaRussa on his ass
is that you’ll likely lose Dave Duncan too, and he’s been instrumental to this club’s success for TLR’s entire tenure here, perhaps even more than TLR has been himself. If Tony is going into the HOF, Duncan should go in with him or, perhaps, BEFORE him.
Think about it. Carpenter wasn’t a good pitcher before he came to St. Louis. Sure, having TJ surgery may have helped, but I think it’s plain to see that Duncan had a major effect on how he approaches things. He resurrected Woody Williams’ and Joel Pineiro’s careers with his pitch to ground ball contact approach. Think of the last 15 years without Duncan.
We could live without TLR and probably be ok — I’m not sure you can say the same thing about Dave Duncan.
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
I agree
But I’m question if we wouldn’t be better off without Duncan and La Russa then with them.
Rasmus is benching – indefinitely – one of the best young players in the game. Rasmus is a legitimately good bet to put up 5 WAR next season, and Tony apparently isn’t happy with that because Rasmus’ approach isn’t good. Not to mention all the other shit Tony puts us through. I would not be surprised if Tony cost us 5 wins next year. I’m not sure Duncan is worth that.
Fire Tony La Russa
by vivaelpujols on Aug 30, 2010 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions
tell Duncan he can be the manager too if he wants
"Nah….He’s an infielder. Second base…..I played second base, how hard can it be?"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Aug 30, 2010 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions
He wouldn't want that. He doesn't want anything to do with position players that aren't catchers
If you’ve ever been to spring training you’d totally know what I’m talking about.
And if we kept him, we’d probably promote Pettini or someone from bench coach to manager, and he’s not going to be a lot different from TLR, plus we’d have bad blood between the FO and the team coaches.
If you fire TLR (or don’t renew his contract), then you’re better off cleaning house and starting fresh.
The interesting sidebar would be if the Cubs throw a shitload of money at Girardi and see if he takes it. That would open up a TLR —→ Yankees move for all kinds of cash for the next 2-3 years before he retires, and then we could go get a top minor league manager or promote from within to fill our vacancy.
Just not sure this is the best discussion to have when the focus should be on extending the best player alive and ensure he retires a Cardinal.
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
I agree
If TLR goes, we probably need to clean house
Do you remember that spelling bee you won in the first grade? Rock? "R-O-K"?
by jd is legend on Aug 30, 2010 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Tony and Dunc have both been quoted as saying they'll make their decisions independent of each other.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
on the intangibles side of the ledger
what makes this disturbing is that like Adam Wainwright, Colby is apparently a leader in the clubhouse.
if we’re imagining worst case scenarios, can’t discount the potential ripple effects.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
Really?
Colby is apparently a leader in the clubhouse
I’ve never heard that before.
Silly humans, this world is for robots.
yep.
one article. it’s buried somewhere, hang on a sec.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
i remember the conversation that followed it
“how is colby ‘quietly’ becoming a ‘vocal’ leader in the clubhouse?”
i don’t know that i buy it, though
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
twatter
I only buy it because the clubhouse
is full of guys who appreciate the terse forms of encouragement. “justhitthecoveroffthedingdangoleball.”
and I have confirmed that the P-D is impossible to search now, instead of merely annoying.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
I'm pretty sure it was a Birdland article
Fire John Mozeliak up a nice steak, or stake ( haven't decided)
except the new site... well.
good luck searching the “blogs”. you can’t sort by month anymore (that I can see)
i’ve no patience to find a cheat for it, and i’ve already tried google.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
Not only is the search terrible
but the links change to boot.
Silly humans, this world is for robots.
do i have to do everything around here?
http://twitter.com/JimBowdenXMFOX/status/13089448705
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
twatter
merit badge
but that’s still not the BirdLand.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
i just serched VEB and found that
it was your post
i don’t think there ever was a birdland
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
twatter
there was
I distinctly remember it was at the very end of the article. plus, matty remembers it.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
yeah, there was definitely a birdland
I saved it and everything! Of course it did me no good, cuz it links right back to a blank PD page
Fire John Mozeliak up a nice steak, or stake ( haven't decided)
I wonder if the wayback machine will work on dead links.
I think I tried it once, but that was months ago.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
I've been wrong before
it’ll probably happen in the future, as well
Fire John Mozeliak up a nice steak, or stake ( haven't decided)
worst website ever designed...and its only gotten worse
by guillermozeliak on Aug 29, 2010 8:46 PM EDT up reply actions
i blame bernie.
Well the girls would turn the color of the avocado when he would drive down the street in his El Dorado... -the modern lovers
new excuse in the Tony LaRussa lineup generator
Rasmus not a good fit with the UMPIRE
"Baseball is like Church, many attend, few understand" - Wes Westrum
yeah, what does that even mean
i thought strauss was trying to be funny
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
twatter
I told y'all.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
maybe the guy speaks jibberish
and actually understands what Colby is saying
"Baseball is like Church, many attend, few understand" - Wes Westrum
I'm also tired of the TLR
if you don’t have command to where a ball gets away from you like that, you don’t belong in the league, bullshit
Fire John Mozeliak up a nice steak, or stake ( haven't decided)
I got tired of that
the moment Andy Cavazos nailed a Red in the head, and continued pitching the rest of the year. I think what made that worse for me, was that Cavazos clearly really was not a pitcher that belonged in the league. So it made the whole argument completely dishonest. He kept playing the guy who clearly did not have MLB control, but if one gets away from a legitimate pitcher he doesn’t see any hypocrisy there. Not at all.
by Merry CRasmus on Aug 29, 2010 8:41 PM EDT up reply actions
But that's just Strauss repeating his tweet.
Maybe can Strauss can say what his source was, and whether he thinks his source might just be dicking him.
"He was fun to be behind." -- Boog on Jaime, 8/22/10
whether he thinks his source might just be dicking him.
You would think no reporters gonna have a source that "dicks"them. lol.
The player I would like least at #9 would be my sister’s cat, Captain Creamsicle. She does have a great work ethic and agility, but I’m really concerned that at 9 lbs., she’s too small to play safety in the NFL. She also bites way too often on play action and is easily distracted by someone waving string in the crowd. Lastly, her wonderlic score was pretty awful, answering "meow meow meow" for most of the questions- Dr. Brackish Okun
I don't think the real truth of this situation will come out for a long time...
I am of the opinion that there is a problem but Tony is trying to absorb all of the attention from what ever the problem may be. He might actually be protecting Rasmus. Until we have someone actually on the inside, we just don’t know. What I have seen is that Rasmus is one of those players who can be damaged by bad press and sometimes needs to be handled carfully.. I really want to see Colby as a big part of the future of this club.
"When a pitcher's throwing a spitball, don't worry and don't complain, just hit the dry side like I do." - Stan Musial
"When I knocked a guy down, there was no second part to the story." - Bob Gibson
"Son, what kind of pitch would you like to miss." - Dizzy Dean
what we can see is pretty disturbing, though.
the switch was announced when most of the media was already on the air / filing. that’s a pretty fancy way of protecting him.
maybe he’s got a vampire stillborn parasite acting up…
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
I love Colby and he is an amazing talent...
but something just isn’t quite right with him.. and I think it is mental… Whatever it is I think that they are trying to get it sorted out without it getting out to the press or anything like that. So if a problem came up Tony would have to say something that laid the blame on him to keep the attention away from Colby and have it be more of a “oh that bastard Tony LaRusa is at it again” kind of thing… I honestly think there is a big underlying problem here and they are protecting him.
"When a pitcher's throwing a spitball, don't worry and don't complain, just hit the dry side like I do." - Stan Musial
"When I knocked a guy down, there was no second part to the story." - Bob Gibson
"Son, what kind of pitch would you like to miss." - Dizzy Dean
at the same time, his numbers are so incredibly good that any mental lapses should not be an issue.
this is a team that values Brendan Ryan.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
don't forget that Brendan had missed signifigant time and had to "grow up" a little.
I don’t think Boog is quite the same situation.. He is great and fun to watch but.. he is not a cornerstone for the future of the organization like Colby is.
"When a pitcher's throwing a spitball, don't worry and don't complain, just hit the dry side like I do." - Stan Musial
"When I knocked a guy down, there was no second part to the story." - Bob Gibson
"Son, what kind of pitch would you like to miss." - Dizzy Dean
but that's my point. he's a cornerstone.
we’re in an offensive spiral of death. we effin’ need him. either Colby is in some kind of bizarre dangerous situation, or there are molehills being fashioned into mountains.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
the cardinals needed ankiel in october 2000, when the alternatives were the tattered remains of pat hentgen and britt f. reames. i have no idea if the two situations are comparable, but there’s always a bigger picture.
St. Louis Cardinals -- 2006 World Champions
by greenback06 on Aug 29, 2010 9:00 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Britt Reames
There’s a name I haven’t heard in a long time
Do you remember that spelling bee you won in the first grade? Rock? "R-O-K"?
by jd is legend on Aug 29, 2010 9:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Either one is a good possibilty...
but if there is a situation I would rather get it worked out and not ruin the kid for the future just so we have a little more offense this year. the GOB know that everything seems to be working against us this year now.
"When a pitcher's throwing a spitball, don't worry and don't complain, just hit the dry side like I do." - Stan Musial
"When I knocked a guy down, there was no second part to the story." - Bob Gibson
"Son, what kind of pitch would you like to miss." - Dizzy Dean
by shadetree on Aug 29, 2010 9:01 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
regardless of how I feel about TLR
I do look forward to the book that someone will ghost/co-write w/ TLR
by infallibleopiniongenerator on Aug 29, 2010 9:34 PM EDT up reply actions
I don't think there is any question
that Rasmus isn’t the most consistent player at the plate. Not his hitting, but his approach at the plate – sometimes he will walk a lot, sometimes he swings at everything.
A good hitter sometimes might not hit due to luck, but will still walk. But Rasmus will sometimes not do either, which is frustrating. Sometimes he’s Ray Lankford, sometimes he’s Craig Paquette.
Still, the answer to his problem isn’t being benched though. The opposite, he needs to play more, I think.
was anyone able to hear the TLR show this morning on KTRS?
i wonder if anyone asked him about the ignorant double switch for the extra innings game against the Nats
also i have channeled my anger to compiling a list of the worst umpire calls this season, instead of getting frustrated over the cardinals…and now this rasmus bs
…it sorta works because there are a lot of bad umpires this year
by guillermozeliak on Aug 29, 2010 8:24 PM EDT reply actions
omg
Manny gets tossed in his last AB as a dodger….w…..t…..f
manny has one of the best eyes in baseball and to toss a guy out on the 1st pitch….i have never seen it
by guillermozeliak on Aug 29, 2010 10:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Regarding Rasmus and TLR
There’s obviously something going on, perhaps Rasmus Sr. is still yapping about something.
After all, remember his?
by CarpIsMyManCrush on Aug 29, 2010 8:28 PM EDT reply actions
sorry
That should be this….obviously
by CarpIsMyManCrush on Aug 29, 2010 8:28 PM EDT up reply actions
colby
seems like a kid who knows himself very very well…understands the game very well…and can handle the media well
if there is a problem with hitting McGwire should deal with him…Big Mac and Colby evidently are appreciative of each other’s view..they are the one’s who should work out hitting problems……also i hope ur right shadetree
by guillermozeliak on Aug 29, 2010 8:41 PM EDT up reply actions
eh
colby seems like a pretty dumb kid who can hit the ball a really long way if they throw it low and inside. This is a very valuable player. at least league average, maybe a 3-4 WAR player assuming the opposition keeps throwing “gimme HR” pitches to the LHB, like what idiot franklin threw to bernadina the other night. But… how likely is that?
I have to be at the airport in 2 hours and don’t have time to do math, but think about it- he has a .269 BA with a .341 BABIP- he’s probably been lucky, to have the WAR he has, right now- he should be better than this. if you are willing to accept that as his “upside”, then, yay! Otherwise, TLR might just have a point. he could probably learn to be a 5-6 WAR player if he could figure out how to take pitches the other way, etc.
Well the girls would turn the color of the avocado when he would drive down the street in his El Dorado... -the modern lovers
His adjusted wOBA is only .011 lower than his listed wOBA.
That translates to 3.8 runs over 400 PAs. So you could dock him 3.8 “lucky” runs.
Silly humans, this world is for robots.
assuming they thorw him the same pitches going forward, that they have.
and even his projected numbers going forward (.780 OPS) aren’t great.
Well the girls would turn the color of the avocado when he would drive down the street in his El Dorado... -the modern lovers
Sure, and Skip could replace him and Miles replaces Skip.
b/c Rasmus’ BP’s suck.
"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
we're arguing different things
I’m not saying jay should replace Rasmus- I don’t think he’s even successfully replaced Luddy, who is still not back from whatever minor league team he went to in July, to rehab, or something, and Luddy was no rasmus.
OTOH, I’m saying TLR does need the freedom to do what we can, now, to make sure that Rasmus is the 5+ WAR player he has the potential to be, rather than the 2-3 WAR player he seems like he wants to be.
Well the girls would turn the color of the avocado when he would drive down the street in his El Dorado... -the modern lovers
Rasmus is the best prospect TLR has had since probably Pujols.
And for all of the “Tony hates young players!” nonsense, he has played the most talented prospects he has had, from Canseco, McGwire, Weiss, Morris, Ankiel, Drew, Pujols, Molina, Wainwright, now Garcia, and etc. Rasmus is the most talented rookie he has not given either the benefit of the doubt or unlimited playing time to.
Tony doesn’t hate rookies/young players, in fact he loves uber-talented rookies/young players and give most talented young position players a lot of chances to fail and provides them with positive reinforcement.
But he does not do the same with Rasmus. I think it is clear that there is a personally conflict and it is effecting the team’s record at this point.
"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 Aug 29, 2010 9:19 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
Agreed...
I hope management is enraged over this and it pushes them to get rid of TLR – the alternative is taking 70 cents on the dollar for Rasmus, which would be a really dumb thing to do.
Fire La Russa!
I've seen no instance where Mo has been strong enough to displease TLR, really...
Other than the Chris Duncan thing, I suppose
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
Yeah...
it would have to come from above Mo, presumably. First he goes to a controversial rally exactly when the team is circling the drain, then he benches the team’s third best player in favor of a lineup that has Miles hitting 2nd and Feliz hitting 5th.
If that doesn’t raise eyebrows I fear for the future.
Fire La Russa!
by guayzimi on Aug 29, 2010 9:50 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
The people above Mo probably
think of the “controversial” rally as far from controversial.
Not to bring any sort of politics into the equation, but I REALLY doubt DeWitt & Co have a problem with anyone, let alone their leaders, attending that particular rally.
"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
Not the politics...
just the sideshow distraction of it all. It would be one thing if the team were doing well, this is crunch time… I wonder if DeWitt forgives them b/c the politics match his, or if he’s just pissed his two main guys are screwing around while the season tanks.
Fire La Russa!
Do we really want
LaRussa looking up players splits vs. umpires in the afternoon?
by Merry CRasmus on Aug 29, 2010 10:04 PM EDT up reply actions
i have seen no evidence of it being a sideshow distraction
Out of the crooked timber of humanity, no straight thing can be made
Maybe not politically...
but it’s definitely a timing issue, considering where we are in the playoff hunt. We’re 5 games out of the division with a month to go, and you’re attending POLITICAL RALLIES? Seems like taking the eye off the ball a bit, don’t you think?
I’m all for players and managers doing what they want to do on their own time, but you have to be smarter than being seen at THAT rally and not understanding that was going to be newsworthy.
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
Especially considering
that the same fucking guy keeps benching our 3rd best position player because he “doesn’t like his approach”. Well, Tony, I don’t like your approach, so maybe we should just take the keys away from you making your own decisions for the rest of the season eh?
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
totally agree
plus it is going to cause drama because not all your players are going to see eye to eye with that kind of thing.
"Nah….He’s an infielder. Second base…..I played second base, how hard can it be?"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Aug 30, 2010 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions
If we didn't have to sell low on Drew
We certainly wouldn’t have to on Raz. We could get a lot for Raz if we wanted to go that route.
Presumably...
if the team brings TLR back and everyone knows TLR and CR can’t co-exist, then that will lead to getting less than we otherwise would. There aren’t many comps. The Twins got tired of Garza and got back Delmon Young. I’m sure they’d take that back if they could.
Drew isn’t a real good comp b/c he was in his final year before free agency and with Boras representing him everyone knew he was gone…
Fire La Russa!
I don't think him not getting along with TLR
would drive the price down that much. Maybe I’m wrong, but it shouldn’t become a situation where we HAVE to move him, just to move him. That should keep the price up.
Yeah I don't know...
another problem is a severe shortage of trading partners. We don’t want three pretty good prospects – we would need another potential superstar. Are there teams out there with potential superstars looking to move them? No. Pedro Alvarez, Posey, Justin Upton, Heyward… Their teams have no need to move these guys at all.
Fire La Russa!
i'd rather we move Tony...
But I’d really hate to see a situation where we move Tony and the next manager has an issue with Tony.
I didn’t get on base. One time I did (Wednesday) and we scored a run. That shows if I get on base, things can happen - Oilspill
u honestly thought rasmus was a 5+ WAR
player in ’10…if he started ..say 135 games?….that wouldve waaaay exceeded my expectations
a success wouldve been battin 270…25 hrs 90 rbis…850 ops…anything more and it wouldve been a blessing
i dont think rasmus “seems” like he wants to underachieve
by guillermozeliak on Aug 29, 2010 9:54 PM EDT up reply actions
Some good points
But to think any team that gives Aaron Miles AB’s, because he is hitting surprisingly well, is thinking along these lines doesn’t pass the sniff test.
by Merry CRasmus on Aug 29, 2010 9:13 PM EDT up reply actions
I wonder if TLR has the FO telling him to play Rasmus more
And him removing him from the lineup tonight was an F-U to them.
The player I would like least at #9 would be my sister’s cat, Captain Creamsicle. She does have a great work ethic and agility, but I’m really concerned that at 9 lbs., she’s too small to play safety in the NFL. She also bites way too often on play action and is easily distracted by someone waving string in the crowd. Lastly, her wonderlic score was pretty awful, answering "meow meow meow" for most of the questions- Dr. Brackish Okun
if the trust between tony and mo is that bad,
(and i dont think it is) tony is getting fired/not being retained after the season. that is just unacceptable.
"I throw him four wide ones then try to pick him off first base." - Preacher Roe on Stan Musial
I think it's unlikely
But still could be a possibility.
The player I would like least at #9 would be my sister’s cat, Captain Creamsicle. She does have a great work ethic and agility, but I’m really concerned that at 9 lbs., she’s too small to play safety in the NFL. She also bites way too often on play action and is easily distracted by someone waving string in the crowd. Lastly, her wonderlic score was pretty awful, answering "meow meow meow" for most of the questions- Dr. Brackish Okun
if this is the case
relieve him of his duties now
"Albert hits good pitches hard and bad pitches even harder. And when he gets in the batter's box, if you pray, then you start praying. And if you don't pray, you think about starting."--Brian Bannister
That guy we gave a lot of money in the offseason to protect albert is dead to me...DEAD TO ME
by VolsnCards5 on Aug 29, 2010 10:22 PM EDT up reply actions
ya if DeWitt & Co said to play the kid & TLR did this he would be gone
he’d have to be otherwise DeWitt & Co have no credibility
Out of the crooked timber of humanity, no straight thing can be made
Except we have DeWitt and Co, LaRussa, AND Mozeliak/FO
God only knows what the current power dynamics are between the three.
what makes you guys
think that they are against TLR in this situation at all?
I didn’t get on base. One time I did (Wednesday) and we scored a run. That shows if I get on base, things can happen - Oilspill
There does seem to be some sort of disconnect between Mo and TLR
Mo seems to publicly minimize the roles that mid-season acquisitions, such as Miles and Feliz, will have, while Tony turns around and turns them into everyday players. So I think it’s safe to assume that there is some sort of tension between them.
i can't find the article,
but isn’t it true that duncan would consider staying here if tony left? to be fair, i assume that quote was assuming that tony retired or felt like moving on. if tlr is forced out, perhaps duncan’s loyalty would cause him to leave as well.
regardless of the probability of occurrence, i’d like to keep duncan and replace tlr. dont really care who replaces him, i just want someone else.
"I throw him four wide ones then try to pick him off first base." - Preacher Roe on Stan Musial
interviews, yes.
maybe we should really focus our attentions on trying to keep Dunc, instead of new and nefarious ways to fire TLR.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
Just get him a whole stable of GB pitchers.
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Aug 29, 2010 9:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Last OOTP pitch
Finally got some time to get a site up and running. The league is called the American Federation Baseball League (AFBL). Check out the FanPost and/or the league’s site. I highly recommend OOTP for those you havent checked it out.
Also ending today OOTP is 50% off (down to $20) so jump on that.
....my quick smells like french toast...
Twitter: @mstreeter06
i bought it yesterday
not sure if i care to spend the time it seems to take, to play. Funny that y ou have to give your manager’s name, birthday, etc.
Well the girls would turn the color of the avocado when he would drive down the street in his El Dorado... -the modern lovers
Awesome. You'll love it.
Would you be interested in joining my online league then? I’d be nice to have more VEBers.
....my quick smells like french toast...
Twitter: @mstreeter06
Manny will be acquired by White Sox Monday
via ESPN text alert
....my quick smells like french toast...
Twitter: @mstreeter06
interesting
"Nah….He’s an infielder. Second base…..I played second base, how hard can it be?"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Aug 29, 2010 8:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Buzz Bissinger is an angry dude.
wow.
anyway, on-topic:
http://twitter.com/buzzbissinger/status/22479774848
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
hot diggity damn.
fire stoked.
"I throw him four wide ones then try to pick him off first base." - Preacher Roe on Stan Musial
I had to stop following him awhile back
He’s just unbearable and a moron.
....my quick smells like french toast...
Twitter: @mstreeter06
if he isn't, most of the press corps have bought into a sham.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
I think it's a gag.
Does Bissinger seem like the kind of guy to embrace Twitter?
It’s funny either way.
Tony has a twitter.
[shrugs]
FWIW, they’ve been quoting him periodically for half the summer. didn’t seem like they were joking.
also, his bio has his actual resume on there. the real Buzz would have sued by now.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
not to mention Twitter policies.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
Buzz is a pretty unhinged guy
His tweets do seem to fit the persona
by Merry CRasmus on Aug 29, 2010 8:54 PM EDT up reply actions
He said the form is not worth his time.
Which sounds legit for a manic depressive!!
"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
Yes.
He’s completely unhinged.
He dedicates months to write serious, very detailed books. When he’s not working he is literally off his meds.
"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
This sounds like someone describing VEB.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
*cough* VEP *cough*
"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
LEARN TO TAKE A JOKE, MATH BOY.
"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'm too pissed
I just got TLR’d a half hour ago.
Fire Tony La Russa
by vivaelpujols on Aug 29, 2010 9:43 PM EDT up reply actions
the math guy is funny, too!
Fire John Mozeliak up a nice steak, or stake ( haven't decided)
by mattyfrommo on Aug 29, 2010 11:03 PM EDT up reply actions
apparently he & i need to see the same shrink
Out of the crooked timber of humanity, no straight thing can be made
Yes.
He’s completely bi-polar in real life. Twitter is his easy vent.
"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
He has quite a screed going on right now over the rally thing in DC.
It’s the Twitter account linked from his office web site.
You're Walgreen's sunglasses, Aaron Miles, you son of a bitch.
by The Continental on Aug 29, 2010 8:59 PM EDT up reply actions
^official
You're Walgreen's sunglasses, Aaron Miles, you son of a bitch.
by The Continental on Aug 29, 2010 8:59 PM EDT up reply actions
Yes, it is
and he’s proud of not being a sissy about his tweets.
Said as much on Bill Simmons’ podcast when he was on last month. Somehow The Sports Guy was able to defend him as being “honest”. I think he’s just a cranky old fucker who wants things to go back to the way they used to be.
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
That said
Buzz probably knows TLR better than any of us here due to his book Three Nights in August, and I think his assessment here is SPOT ON. I think Tony has lost some interest in baseball, which is why you’re seeing political quotes and rallies attended during the season, things he’s never done before because of his focus on the game.
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
not moronic here
just spot on
"Albert hits good pitches hard and bad pitches even harder. And when he gets in the batter's box, if you pray, then you start praying. And if you don't pray, you think about starting."--Brian Bannister
That guy we gave a lot of money in the offseason to protect albert is dead to me...DEAD TO ME
by VolsnCards5 on Aug 29, 2010 10:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Wow
Wonder if anyone is gonna tell TLR what Buzz said.
The player I would like least at #9 would be my sister’s cat, Captain Creamsicle. She does have a great work ethic and agility, but I’m really concerned that at 9 lbs., she’s too small to play safety in the NFL. She also bites way too often on play action and is easily distracted by someone waving string in the crowd. Lastly, her wonderlic score was pretty awful, answering "meow meow meow" for most of the questions- Dr. Brackish Okun
In all seriousness
Is he really that far off?
by CarpIsMyManCrush on Aug 29, 2010 8:49 PM EDT up reply actions
you should post it
twitter is blocked here and i don’t want to have to tinyURL it and then bring it up on my phone
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
twatter
TLR doesn’t like Rasmus. Thinks he is lazy. But Tony has lost interest in baseball. And his team reflects it. No one lasts forever.
Buzz tweet.
The player I would like least at #9 would be my sister’s cat, Captain Creamsicle. She does have a great work ethic and agility, but I’m really concerned that at 9 lbs., she’s too small to play safety in the NFL. She also bites way too often on play action and is easily distracted by someone waving string in the crowd. Lastly, her wonderlic score was pretty awful, answering "meow meow meow" for most of the questions- Dr. Brackish Okun
Anyhow thats the tweet.
The player I would like least at #9 would be my sister’s cat, Captain Creamsicle. She does have a great work ethic and agility, but I’m really concerned that at 9 lbs., she’s too small to play safety in the NFL. She also bites way too often on play action and is easily distracted by someone waving string in the crowd. Lastly, her wonderlic score was pretty awful, answering "meow meow meow" for most of the questions- Dr. Brackish Okun
Well I don't know if this is legit.
But TLR seems as angry and intense as every but there is something missing. If he has given up on baseball, that would explain it. It seems like there have been a lot of games this year, where he looks like he gave up the moment he filled out the lineup.
If TLR is still here next year, I hope they trade Colby. He’s young. He’s not perfect personality-wise. There has been a lot of friction building up over the years.
Maybe I will eat my words later, but I do hope that TLR leaves and Colby stays. We need a manager who can handle young players cause that is a cornerstone of the teams strategy for the future.
"I'll be in the conversation at the end of the year." Adam Wainwright
wait what?
If TLR is still here next year, I hope they trade Colby. He’s young. He’s not perfect personality-wise. There has been a lot of friction building up over the years.
by stlcardsfan4 on Aug 29, 2010 11:05 PM EDT up reply actions
all I was trying to say about colby and his personality is..
some guys are just naturally strong willed and all the shenanigans are not going to get them down. Adam Wainwright comes to mind. Colby seems (from the outside looking in) to be a little more fragile than that.
If TLR is still around, I hope for Colby’s sake he is traded. I’m sure there are many managers in MLB where Colby will thrive.
If we could trade TLR instead that would be great.
"I'll be in the conversation at the end of the year." Adam Wainwright
i for one can't wait for the cards to field the all perfect personality team!!
but seriously, i don’t hope trade they Colby regardless of who’s managing. but i do agree with you last paragraph. I hope TLR is gone and not Colby
Colby: "There's been a whole lot of riff-raff going on"
Shot at me out of NOWHERE
@bcopeland75 smells that way. Of course JD most disappointing player in baseball perhaps given hype.
Do you remember that spelling bee you won in the first grade? Rock? "R-O-K"?
by jd is legend on Aug 29, 2010 9:14 PM EDT up reply actions
There's no one I love/hate more than Buzz...
the anti-LaRussa, anti-Pujols screed over the last few hours has been priceless.
Fire La Russa!
is this guy for real? anyway...i did not like this one:
WHY AREN’T LARUSSA AND PUJOLS WORRYING ABOUT THEIR TEAM PLAYING LIKE SHIT. Their attitude is like LeBron after the fifth game vs. Celtics.——-buzz
im new to this buzz guy on twitter…and this cant be him…….but i loved Friday Night Lights
by guillermozeliak on Aug 30, 2010 3:28 AM EDT up reply actions
wow...thx for the link
i might catch the lebron if i could borrow the book…honestly i was never really interested in the 3 nights in august..
but friday night lights is the greatest sports movie of all time still….the soundtrack by Explosions in the Sky alone is worth it
by guillermozeliak on Aug 30, 2010 3:37 AM EDT up reply actions
When I first read Buzz's twitter the other day I was angered
but then I was told he is usually drunk off his butt when he writes, then it became hilarious
by jealousblues on Aug 30, 2010 5:40 AM EDT up reply actions
Colby, Schmolby...
How bout that Bruce Springsteen impersonation by Jon Hamm!?!
"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 wonder if there is some kind of insubordination issue?
maybe Colby doesn’t like Tony and vice versa?
"Nah….He’s an infielder. Second base…..I played second base, how hard can it be?"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Aug 29, 2010 8:51 PM EDT reply actions
you know i speculated something like that too
the whole thing smells like the aftermath of some immature pissing match
by YesWeOquendo on Aug 29, 2010 9:40 PM EDT up reply actions
That's the problem.
We have a manager who engages in immature pissing matches in his own club house.
he's had that behavior the last 5 years or so
it’s been getting worse too
"Nah….He’s an infielder. Second base…..I played second base, how hard can it be?"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Aug 29, 2010 11:05 PM EDT up reply actions
cantankerous old fart
I guess we all get that way when we’re senior citizens
"Baseball is like Church, many attend, few understand" - Wes Westrum
the guy who snaps at Albert Pujols in the dugout, in view of cameras, about how he knows how to do his job
uh yeah. granted, we’re only imagining what happens behind closed doors.
but one can only imagine…
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 29, 2010 11:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Pujols snapped at him first.
But that’s baseball. Later they went to the the Glenn Beck rally together.
Carpenter has snapped at Boog. (and also calmly talked to him in the tunnel.) And by our accounts Carpenter has been in a fist fight with ludwick. It’s a bunch of testosterone filled over grown, over paid men playing a sport. Tempers fly. Not to worried about a shouting match in a dugout.
I didn’t get on base. One time I did (Wednesday) and we scored a run. That shows if I get on base, things can happen - Oilspill
this is a logical post
but I still suffered when this tussle occurred. Be happy Pujols! Be happy Cardinals!
by infallibleopiniongenerator on Aug 29, 2010 11:15 PM EDT up reply actions
not in view of the cameras.
there’s a difference between a bar fight and a baseball—
waaaait.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 29, 2010 11:21 PM EDT up reply actions
It's mostly hearsay from someone on VEB (forget who)
Anyway, sometime last season, Luddy had a black eye. They said that he tripped and fell onto some luggage, but some VEB’er said that they had heard that it was actually a fight and that Carp gave Luddy that shiner. The story took a life of its own, so whenever you see someone on VEB mention Carp “luggaging” someone, that’s the reference.
Do you remember that spelling bee you won in the first grade? Rock? "R-O-K"?
by jd is legend on Aug 29, 2010 11:42 PM EDT up reply actions
this is utterly unconfirmed, by the way
it only explains the in-joke.
(in case passing persons decide to ask Carp at an autograph session or something…)
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 29, 2010 11:52 PM EDT up reply actions
i'm gonna do that one of these days
i hope to get a black eye cause i really love this meme
..i miss ludriguez-wick..
it might get him all upset and rattled, though.
i gather Carp’s like … that Bruce guy when he’s not the Incredible Hulk, most of the time
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 29, 2010 11:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Don't make him angry.
You wouldn’t like him when he’s angry.
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Aug 30, 2010 2:32 AM EDT up reply actions
Sure
But tell me the last time we got inklings of this stuff going on prior to 2007? Ludwick was a guy who said and did all the right things, but even he admitted that something has been different the last couple of years. I think there’s a lack of professionalism and professional courtesy in our clubhouse, something that Tony has exemplified in all his years as a manager. Obviously some of that has to do with our ballclub being really frustrated with their level of play, but it’s not like we haven’t struggled before. This is the first time we’re seeing public outbursts though, and that’s a problem.
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
when did Ludwick say this?
when did anybody say anything about professionalism?
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
wait
was there an incident in the dugout today that i missed?
by guillermozeliak on Aug 29, 2010 11:29 PM EDT up reply actions
closer to three months ago
than today
I didn’t get on base. One time I did (Wednesday) and we scored a run. That shows if I get on base, things can happen - Oilspill
ages and ages ago
it was a non-issue. mostly citing it because if he has a short fuse with, uh, Albert F. Pujols, well.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 29, 2010 11:30 PM EDT up reply actions
yeah
personality conflicts happen all the time
"Nah….He’s an infielder. Second base…..I played second base, how hard can it be?"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Aug 29, 2010 11:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Joss Whedon has a brother?!
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
Two, I think.
You're Walgreen's sunglasses, Aaron Miles, you son of a bitch.
by The Continental on Aug 29, 2010 9:09 PM EDT up reply actions
this one is writing something. that I am watching.
egads.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
They were all in on Dr. Horrible.
Bored during the writer’s strike.
You're Walgreen's sunglasses, Aaron Miles, you son of a bitch.
by The Continental on Aug 29, 2010 9:11 PM EDT up reply actions
they handed him a giant cliffhanger episode. of course.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
oh, of course he turned it into a tragic love story.
I pronounce them all the same.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
I don't know what to say
We have a 23 year old center fielder putting up a .350 OBP, .500 slugging and who also happens to be a + defender and a + baserunner. Such a player would almost universally be regarded as one of the best young players in baseball and a future star.
AND OUR MOTHERFUCKING MANANGER IS SITTING THIS GUY BECAUSE HE DOESN’T LIKE HOW HE PLAYS THE GAME?!? Go fuck yourself Tony. You have officially gone senile and are dragging the team down with you.
by vivaelpujols on Aug 29, 2010 9:06 PM EDT reply actions 4 recs
Doesn't like how he takes batting practice, really.
I’ve been a TLR fan and defender for a long time, but it’s time to go. This has been an incredibly poorly managed season all around.
"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
it really has
"Nah….He’s an infielder. Second base…..I played second base, how hard can it be?"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Aug 29, 2010 11:05 PM EDT up reply actions
I usually defend TLR as well
Usually there are high points and low points to his managing…but I am having trouble finding the high points this season.
yeah.
but we have aaron miles.
Well the girls would turn the color of the avocado when he would drive down the street in his El Dorado... -the modern lovers
wholeheartedly agree
I actually think we should fire his ass right now…there is no reason this team should miss the playoffs, and its going to….i’m so done with his shit
"Albert hits good pitches hard and bad pitches even harder. And when he gets in the batter's box, if you pray, then you start praying. And if you don't pray, you think about starting."--Brian Bannister
That guy we gave a lot of money in the offseason to protect albert is dead to me...DEAD TO ME
by VolsnCards5 on Aug 29, 2010 10:16 PM EDT up reply actions
You fire him, Duncan goes too.
So I think you have to put up with one to keep the genius of the other.
It’s a bad bargain, but firing TLR right now really doesn’t solve anything. That’s just your emotions talking.
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
Slow down....
Rasmus (Since ASB): .218/.300/.368/.668
That’s putrid. Granted, he’s only gotten 100 PA’s and the walk rate is still very good, but it’s not like he’s been setting the world on fire the last 8 weeks either.
I still think he needs to play every day and work out the kinks, and playing both him and Jay (in RF) gives us the best chance to win, but let’s not pretend that he hasn’t been terrible offensively for the last two months of the season.
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
And that putrid line since the ASB is offset by his amazing line before the break
Players go through hot and cold streaks all the time. There is no reason to believe his recent cold streak is predictive at all.
He’s got a .850 ops on the season. That’s excellent for a player of his age and defensive abilities. It’s a huge upgrade over last year. There is just no coceivable reason to sit such a player.
Fire Tony La Russa
by vivaelpujols on Aug 30, 2010 12:18 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Like I said
I think he should play every day, but your black and white analysis makes you look like a “Rasmus lover” because you’re refusing to acknowledge that he’s been that bad for 2 straight months, and when you do you’re just rationalizing his good months to explain why his bad one’s “don’t matter”. Keep in mind, the most recent results should be weighed the highest, and he’s been awful the last two months. Take away the slam against Cincy and his OPS is below .650 since the ASB. That’s pathetic.
If Holliday was that bad for two straight months, I’d guess you wouldn’t be as kind as you’re being to Colby for not producing over that time, and he’s got a far better track record than Colby does of being an above average major league hitter.
Objectively, you could state that he’s really only had 3 solid months out of 11 big league months that have been above average as a whole. I know it’s arbitrary to use months as a timeframe, but you can see the argument, can you not?
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
...
Keep in mind, the most recent results should be weighed the highest, and he’s been awful the last two months
For single season numbers? Barely. I don’t have data to prove this (although I could if I did enough digging), but I suspect you would weigh August at 1.1, July at 1.0, June at .9, May at .8 and April at .7 – or something like that. You might improve your accuracy a little bit by splitting season numbers up by month and weighting, but nothing major.
Keep in mind that the best fit weights (used in Marcels) are 5-4-3. So 2010 would only be weighted 1.25 more than 2009 when making a projection. And that’s when using entire years. That index would be much smaller if you split it up by months. And I think you know I’m right on this one fourstick. There is simply very little accuracy to be gained by weighting recent months more heavily – not nearly enough to put a dent in his overall seasonal numbers (maybe it would drop his OPS down to .830 or something).
If Holliday was that bad for two straight months, I’d guess you wouldn’t be as kind as you’re being to Colby for not producing over that time, and he’s got a far better track record than Colby does of being an above average major league hitter.
Not true, when Holliday was struggling early on – especially w/RISP – I was consistently defending him. Read through my comments and see if there is anything that I said that suggested I thought he wasn’t worth the deal we gave him.
Objectively, you could state that he’s really only had 3 solid months out of 11 big league months that have been above average as a whole. I know it’s arbitrary to use months as a timeframe, but you can see the argument, can you not?
I can see the argument, I just think it’s complete crap. Colby’s been inconsistent – sure I get that. That does not mean he’s been any less valuable or that he projects to be any less good in the future. I would gladly take 3 amazing months and 3 terrible ones if overall, it lead up to a .850 OPS season.
Fire Tony La Russa
by vivaelpujols on Aug 31, 2010 1:52 AM EDT up reply actions
You did defend Holliday
but he didn’t have a .650 OPS.
I get your point, and I don’t necessarily disagree with it, but you’ve yet to acknowledge that there is a counter argument that has some merit here:
- He’s been hurt, allegedly.
- He just hasn’t been very good the last two months.
I don’t disagree with you at all actually, I’m just pointing out that other people do in fact have a point that he hasn’t been very good. TLR’s point is ludicrous, because it’s clear that one player is more talented than the other and the facts bear that out, but you can make an intelligent and fact based argument for not playing Colby the last month or so due to his struggles. You don’t have to agree with it, but you have to at least acknowledge it.
BTW — where is this late season tanking by the Reds you predicted? We could sure use some of that “regression” right now!!! (Now I’m just trying to rile you up….lol)
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
Mo needs to step in
There is just no way he can allow Tony to start Skip and Winn in favor of Rasmus for the rest of the season.
Fire Tony La Russa
My impression is that Tony's managing style ("No bull, baseball is your JOB") is stifling to players like Boog and Colby
Who can become unhappy, which reflects in their play or how they take BP or whatever
Which causes TLR to bench them
Which makes them more unhappy
It’s a huge cycle, and I want a manager who can embrace the energy that a team has and channel it into a winning ballclub
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
by mysterui on Aug 29, 2010 9:19 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
it's more than that i think
it’s do it my way
as tlr ages, like most people, he gets more rigid
not always the best approach
contrast with riggleman’s approach to bernadina
he talked about how the staff was trying to help him do this and that better as he goes along
tlr is more a stick guy than a carrot guy
I may be in a rut, but at least I know where I'm going
...to DFA TLR
Totally agree...
I’ve been worried about TLR for a while. There seems to be a trend amongst leaders as they age – the quirks tend get amplified, behavior is erratic, stubbornness increases. I watched it happen with Lute Olson, though he actually was having mini-strokes that were affecting his decision-making. It’s worse when the guy is a legend and is considered beyond criticism. Tony should be canned for what he’s done this year, but more to avoid worse stuff to come.
Fire La Russa!
by guayzimi on Aug 29, 2010 9:55 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Not to mention the post-game interviews
They’re getting to be down-right brutal
by CarpIsMyManCrush on Aug 29, 2010 9:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Oh, then it's cool.
"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
yeah, but there’s a lot of weirdness behind that decision. the present OFFICIAL EXPLANATION is that they wanted to give rasmus another day of rest before getting him back on the field. that’s reasonable, even if the whole milieu is not so reasonable.
St. Louis Cardinals -- 2006 World Champions
it's like they conceded the game again today
I guess they still shoulda beat the Nats but what are you gonna do. this team is becoming more familiar with losing right now than winning.
"Nah….He’s an infielder. Second base…..I played second base, how hard can it be?"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Aug 29, 2010 11:07 PM EDT up reply actions
conceded the game?
Even with Miles we should have been able to beat the Nats. Its not Tony’s fault that the players didnt perform
by jealousblues on Aug 30, 2010 5:48 AM EDT up reply actions
This just in...
Winn is outhitting Rasmus the last 8 weeks, albeit in limited PA’s. Let’s keep things in perspective here. You could make the case that playing Jay in CF and Winn in RF gives us a better opportunity to win on certain days due to how bad Rasmus has been on offense since the break.
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
What?!
You know that there is almost zero predictive value of how well a player has hit the last month. Are you seriously trying to justify the notion that skip/Winn are anywhere near as good as rasmus?
Fire Tony La Russa
by vivaelpujols on Aug 30, 2010 12:21 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I'm not making a predictive statement
I’m simply doing the same level of rationalization that you’re doing with Rasmus. I’m not justifying anything, actually, I’m merely pointing out that Randy Winn and Skip Schumaker have hit BETTER than Colby has since the ASB.
You’re stating we should “keep playing Colby” because he’s “shown to be more talented”. But he hasn’t in the last two months. That’s a fact. He probably will be going forward, but he’s had at least 5 months of his big league career where he’s OPS’d under .700. Is he the best bet to be an .850 OPS player the rest of the way? Absolutely, that’s why he should be playing. But you simply can’t ignore how horrible he’s been since the break.
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
Over 5 months,
he’s been an .850 OPS guy. Over 6 weeks of those 5 months, he’s been an under .700 OPS guy. You can ignore the low OPS b/c it’s a small sample and part of the 5 months of very good offensive baseball. It doesn’t matter that Winn and Schumaker have hit better than Colby since the break. Those 6 weeks — probably less than 100 PAs — tell you next to nothing about what kind of hitter he is or what kind of hitter he’s likely to be going forward.
I’m not even sure what point you’re endeavoring to make. You seem to be trying to have it both ways. Colby shouldn’t be playing b/c he hasn’t played well of late but he should play b/c he’s the best bet going forward. The fact that he hasn’t played well of late is irrelevant b/c of its small sample. Moreover, the fact that he has hit poorly over those 6 weeks only serves to make the rest of his season appear that much better. Should we focus on the 1.000+ OPS he had earlier in the year? No…too small a sample.
by chuckb on Aug 30, 2010 5:05 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
My point is that you have to acknowledge that he's been really, really bad for 8 weeks.
You can’t just brush that aside and focus on his numbers from earlier in the season and completely ignore the last two months — that’s poor analysis, and I think it’s what some folks here are driving at. The numbers aren’t ALWAYS right on stuff like this, sometimes there are extenuating circumstances (injuries, approach, faulty swing mechanics) that you simply can’t predict that cause a player to really struggle. I don’t know if that’s the case with Rasmus, but it could be, so ignoring his replacement level offense the last two months is a mistake, imo.
That has NOTHING to do with whether or not I think he should play. I’ve said all year long I think he should play CF every single day because he’s the best CF we have and his defense is worth playing even if his offense is struggling. I’m not trying to “have it both ways” Chuck. I’m simply pointing out that ignoring his last two months due to “sampling error” is a bullshit argument because those last two months did, in fact, happen.
Do you think Mac is sitting in the dugout thinking to himself: “Well, these things generally work themselves out over time, and this is a small sample of PA’s, so we really don’t need to work on anything with him”. I sure hope that’s not the case, and that seems to be the argument that both you and VEP are trying to make. Something isn’t working for him because he hasn’t been “unlucky” to a great extent, and his K’s are up the last two months. he’s struggling, and that can’t be ignored.
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
Why not?
In terms of predictive value, just looking at his line after the break and not considering his amazing pre-break numbers is worthless.
It honestly sounds like you are justifying Tony playing players based on SSS. Do you really believe there is any (significant) value in looking at “since the all star break” stats?
Fire Tony La Russa
by vivaelpujols on Aug 31, 2010 1:54 AM EDT up reply actions
No
Read:
Is he the best bet to be an .850 OPS player the rest of the way? Absolutely, that’s why he should be playing. But you simply can’t ignore how horrible he’s been since the break.
I should also point out that he’s only worth playing if he’s at least 95% healthy, because he doesn’t play well banged up as we’ve seen the last couple of seasons, and I also think that part of his struggles are due to injuries.
HE SHOULD BE PLAYING. But ignoring his last 8 weeks because of “sampling error” while bringing up 8 weeks from the first 3 months of the season where he was a 1.000 OPS guy is just poor analysis, and you know it. I’m not sure we have any idea what his “true talent level” is yet, because he’s been hurt quite a bit his first two seasons and he’s been really streaky with the bat.
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
I'm sorry
but this is utterly absurd.
Gregatron is not responsible for any of the crap he just wrote.
St. Louis vegetarian blog
Absurd?
Absurd is rationalizing an 8 week stretch of replacement level play and acting like it didn’t happen because his season OPS is .850. If he’d hit like that and gotten 250 PA’s it would be below .800 right now.
The extent of rationalizing reasons for his poor play because you like the guy and think he’s a great player when he hasn’t been for two months is much more absurd than stating FACTUAL INFORMATION.
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
speculation is all we have
so here is mine
colby isn’t too bright
tlr really thinks maximizing your ability is important
colby does not do that
swinging as he does, for the fences a lot (likes the long ball more than he should maybe)
aggravates father tony (tlr)
stubborn vs stubborn
I may be in a rut, but at least I know where I'm going
...to DFA TLR
So you are complaining about Colby's offense this year?
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
sort of
he has had good spurts
but doesn’t seem to be adjusting very fast as the opposition changes their approach
the contrast with jay is interesting because a successful outcome for jay is less than the successful outcome for cloby
i may be crazy, but i see cloby as being a lot like holly in trying to do more with a pitch than can reasonably be expected
taking the low percentage approach
I may be in a rut, but at least I know where I'm going
...to DFA TLR
my main problem with him is that he strikes out too much
but he’s still worth playing, a lot of good players strike out a lot
"Nah….He’s an infielder. Second base…..I played second base, how hard can it be?"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Aug 29, 2010 11:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Only Dunn and Reynolds are striking out more this year
Reynolds: 41.5% (!)
Dunn: 35.6%
Colbtronic: 32.8%
Stubbs: 32.5%
Pena: 31.4%
Good lord, that strikeout rate for Reynolds is bananas, b-a-n-a-n-a-s.
by mojowo11 on Aug 30, 2010 5:48 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
About as high as Marmol's K Rate
Fire Tony La Russa
by vivaelpujols on Aug 31, 2010 1:55 AM EDT up reply actions
I would take Mark Reynolds in a heartbeat
His walk rate has gone up every year (currently at 13.5%) and 20% of his fly balls are homers.
I don’t much care that he strikes out 2 out of every 5 trips to the plate. He’s clearly an effective hitter even though he does strike out that much.
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
He's always going to be streaky as a hitter
Most guys who strike out at a rate greater than 25% are streaky hitters. But with his power, patience, and walk rate, coupled with his defense, he’s got to be an everyday player.
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
but isn't this something they can work on in the off season
Spring training maybe. Not when the Cards are struggling to keep their chin above the water.
Maybe what you are saying is true, TLR wants the best for Colby. It doesn’t seem that putting him down in the press is a good way to do that. Of course we don’t know the whole story.
"I'll be in the conversation at the end of the year." Adam Wainwright
he didn't really put him down in the press
i mean, it’s criticism, yeah. Who cares? Would you rather him lie about stuff? It’s not like it was a personal attack or anything. He didn’t say, “Colby is stupid. He is a bad player.” It was a professional answer to a questions that I assume was directly related to why he pulled Colby.
I didn’t get on base. One time I did (Wednesday) and we scored a run. That shows if I get on base, things can happen - Oilspill
by Evilfrog on Aug 29, 2010 10:26 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
He also didn't mention how fucking awful he's been on offense the last 2 months.
His OPS is under .700 since the break — that’s horribly bad considering it was above .900 before the break even with his awful 3 weeks in May. If he was going to throw him under the bus, mentioning his performance would be a good way to do that, and it wasn’t done.
Still, I think there’s too much rationalizing done by Tony to protect players. Just play the kid or don’t play the kid, but preferably I’d like our best team out there, and he’s one of the guys that should be on the field when that happens, whether you like him enough to have him over for dinner or not. Mind games don’t work on him, so why keep playing them?
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
Two words:
Sample size
Gregatron is not responsible for any of the crap he just wrote.
St. Louis vegetarian blog
This isn't a sample size argument....
Goodness — do we need to have a refresher course on what analysis requires an adequate sample size again? The SSS argument gets thrown out there for anything related to less than a season’s worth of data and 90% of the time is completely irrelevant to the subject being discussed in the post, which would include the above post.
I’m not predicting anything, and I think Rasmus should play every day. I think I’ve said that in just about every fucking post in this thread.
Sample size arguments apply to PREDICTING FUTURE PERFORMANCE. If Randy Winn went 2-4 with a dinger yesterday and Rasmus struck out 4 times, I can state factually that Randy Winn played better than Colby Rasmus, YESTERDAY. What I CAN’T do is state that Winn will continue to play better based on that sample size. This is what LaRussa does, it’s not what I’m doing. If you can’t understand the difference, then you shouldn’t be refuting arguments based on sample sizes.
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
by fourstick on Aug 30, 2010 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Why then
do you keep bringing up Colby’s poor July? If you, as you seem to be here, believe that it’s irrelevant why do you continue trying to make it relevant? It doesn’t matter.
Anybody ever take the other viewpoint
that Colby had a hot April-June of 2010 and in 2009 and July-August of 2010 are closer to real talent level?
Apparently Tony has
Of course you could just as easliy take the other side. I say we split the difference!
Fire Tony La Russa
by vivaelpujols on Aug 31, 2010 1:56 AM EDT up reply actions
Because other people keep bringing up his awesomeness early in the season
as a reason that he should be playing now, while ignoring how much he’s sucked for the last two months. That’s why. If people would stop doing that I could stop pointing out his shitty July and August, and we could get on our merry way.
BOTH OF THE TIME PERIODS BEING USED ARE IRRELEVANT CHUCK. BOTH. THEY ARE BOTH SMALL SAMPLES OF PERFORMANCE AND NEITHER SHOULD BE USED TO PREDICT FUTURE PERFORMANCE.
So, if you’re going to continue to use his good small sample to state that he should play every day, I feel compelled to bring up his bad small sample to refute that point.
Why do you keep chastising me about my point when you could easily chastise everyone who is making their case using his play from April and June?
I think he should be playing because I believe his true talent level to be better on both sides of the baseball than the other options that we have. That’s my opinion though, and it really hasn’t been proven out so far due to Colby’s knack for long stretches of poor performance with the bat over the last two seasons. I can only speculate why he’s struggling so much (TLR, work ethic, injuries, mental block, etc.), all I know is that when he’s bad, he’s Kerry Robinson, and when he’s good he looks like Jim Edmonds from 2002.
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
Reading the linked article
certainly makes it easy to see why there might be a fued. If Colby’s father is really telling Colby to ignore TLR and in turn Mac, how in the world can that work? It cannot. If the team is trying to get Colby to change things so that, lets say, he can hit the outside pitch better, or hit lefties better, and his father is trying not to change him, no wonder Tony would be mad.
can you quote and relink?
I don’t see that anywhere.
I didn’t get on base. One time I did (Wednesday) and we scored a run. That shows if I get on base, things can happen - Oilspill
I couldn't find it....
It should be here, unless it got deleted, but I went to reply, couldn’t find it, and said screw it. Linked to an old story about Colby and his dad. Anybody help me out here?
http://busleagues.wordpress.com/2008/05/28/wacky-doings-in-the-rasmus-family/
by guillermozeliak on Aug 29, 2010 11:38 PM EDT up reply actions
i was looking for something
a little more recent than 2008.
I didn’t get on base. One time I did (Wednesday) and we scored a run. That shows if I get on base, things can happen - Oilspill
Sorry
Didn’t mean to imply there was a recent article or comment. I just don’t see Colby’s dad “changing” though, two years or not. If he felt that strongly back then, he probably feels the same way.
i doubt if he has changed too
Colby did also have a falling out with his dad last year. So while T. Rasmus might not have changed, Colby might have stopped listening to him as much.
I just wanted to make sure. At this point if Rasmus isn’t listening to Tony and Mac that would be a huge issue.
I didn’t get on base. One time I did (Wednesday) and we scored a run. That shows if I get on base, things can happen - Oilspill
I don't see why not
In two years, Colby has gone from a young kid prospect to (semi-)established major league center fielder, not to mention that now he’s a father. Colby has probably changed a lot over the last two years, and I think that just assuming that his father’s role in his life hasn’t changed is a bit presumptuous.
I especially think this because
I’m Colby’s age, and it’s easy for me to look back two years and see how much I’ve changed, and how much my relationship with my parents has changed.
Do other teams go through this?
Are there other talents out there the caliber of a Rasmus that are benched for likes of Skippy and Miles? Do we have the craziest manager in baseball are is he just run-of-the-mill?
I know Pinella took a lot of crap for not playing Tyler Colvin, but that just seems to pale in comparison to this. If Rasmus hit like Skip Schumaker, he would still be worthy of starting everyday b/c of the defense.
Fire La Russa!
seems jay bruce and adam jones were on a par or above cloby
both have had their teething problems
i think some guys have bigger adjustments than others and/or take long to make whatever adjustments they need to/should make
a real issue to me is if you are good enough to be good
a lot of guys settle for that
not all driven to be “the best they can be”
needs a shot apu genes
I may be in a rut, but at least I know where I'm going
...to DFA TLR
Pinella started Koye Hill over Soto for awhile
Fire Tony La Russa
by vivaelpujols on Aug 29, 2010 9:35 PM EDT up reply actions
And Torre batted Matt Kemp 8th for a long time...
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
WHILE WINNING A DIVISION
JOKES ON YOU!!!
"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
that's where tlr got the idea of hitting craig there no doubt
interesting they don’t seem as concerned about craig’s approach
which hasn’t been as successful as they would like i’m sure
the difference is this is cloby’s second year and they expected more i guess
I may be in a rut, but at least I know where I'm going
...to DFA TLR
when does Jaba Chamberlin start next?
I didn’t get on base. One time I did (Wednesday) and we scored a run. That shows if I get on base, things can happen - Oilspill
And we've seen instances where Colby
really would’ve.
"He was fun to be behind." -- Boog on Jaime, 8/22/10
Mike Scioscia
Scioscia hates the way Napoli calls a game, so he benches Napoli — one of the best-hitting catchers in the game — half the time so that he can play Jeff Mathis, who is historically bad at baseball.
It’s working out better now that Napoli is playing 1B in Morales’ absence — and by “better,” I mean that now the Angels play their historically bad catcher pretty much all the time.
Next year, I imagine Napoli will be back to sharing time, if he isn’t jettisoned.
I guess it just goes to show that while Tony is infuriating, pretty much every manager is just as infuriating.
good news ev—
BJRains Looks like the Reds will be calling up Mr. 105 MPH fastball for the Cardinals series next week. 5 minutes ago via Twitter for iPhone
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
Good
I hope Albert welcomes him properly to the big leagues
See: Clayton Kershaw
by CarpIsMyManCrush on Aug 29, 2010 10:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Only one move left:
BRING UP MARTI.
"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 Aug 29, 2010 10:04 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
it is the only way to counter
105mph baseball + MARTI’s swing = dingers landing in the rockies
by infallibleopiniongenerator on Aug 29, 2010 10:07 PM EDT up reply actions
Ooh Ooh let's start a pool
How long before Dusty ruins Chapman?
by CarpIsMyManCrush on Aug 29, 2010 10:09 PM EDT up reply actions
He won't this year...
or next b/c Chapman won’t start.
I suppose he could overwork him out of the pen.
Fire La Russa!
Dusty Baker: *speaking to the soggy remains off thousands of toothpicks mashed into a vaguely baseball bat-ish shape*
but given that there’s 30-some-odd games left, Chapman can’t make more than 30-some-odd MLB appearances…takes old toothpick from mouth mashes it into the bat, removes toothpick from beaker of absynthe and inserts it in his face-hole He can pitch every game!
by infallibleopiniongenerator on Aug 29, 2010 10:16 PM EDT up reply actions
He's got a young arm!
He can handle it.
by Merry CRasmus on Aug 29, 2010 10:27 PM EDT up reply actions
plus it's the left arm! *cackles*
(Dusty swallows toothpick, Miguel Cairo rushes to his side with the toothpick-from-throat-plucking apparatus MLB long ago commissioned a master craftsman to conjure)
by infallibleopiniongenerator on Aug 29, 2010 10:34 PM EDT up reply actions
let me help
105mph baseball + MARTI’s swing = dingers landing in the rockies
there will be no landing
by YesWeOquendo on Aug 29, 2010 10:09 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I'm not going to say your absolutely wrong,
but I am of the opinion that you are being a tad unrealistic.
by infallibleopiniongenerator on Aug 29, 2010 10:11 PM EDT up reply actions
it would be a fun gradeschool science experiement to figure out how hard a baseball would have to be hit to escape the earth's gravity well
by YesWeOquendo on Aug 29, 2010 10:14 PM EDT up reply actions
listen up kiddies
you’ve got your blue ribbon science fair project right above this comment. Now that crush you’ve been pining for for ages will take notice!
by infallibleopiniongenerator on Aug 29, 2010 10:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Adam Wainwright's curveball will finally notice me???
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 29, 2010 10:20 PM EDT up reply actions
if you can bring home a blue ribbon at this year's science fair
then absolutely. Can you?
by infallibleopiniongenerator on Aug 29, 2010 10:25 PM EDT up reply actions
oh god, I suck at math.
frozen at the plate again. sigh.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 29, 2010 10:25 PM EDT up reply actions
there there
everything will be fine as long as you’re wildly wealthy.
You are wildly wealthy, aren’t you?
by infallibleopiniongenerator on Aug 29, 2010 10:37 PM EDT up reply actions
ffffuuuuuuu
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 29, 2010 10:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Well you're a delight on this here dang ol' internet
that’s gotta count for a lot with the person(s) you are interested in coupling with.
by infallibleopiniongenerator on Aug 29, 2010 10:53 PM EDT up reply actions
well thank you
I’m not sure what genes that throws into the pool, but at least there’s some hope
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 29, 2010 10:56 PM EDT up reply actions
well, if we ignore air resistance,
escape velocity is v = sqrt(2 g r) = 11.2 km/s = 25,000 mph. since a bat is about 6 times heavier than a ball (30 oz to 5 oz), the bat speed at point of contact has to be about 4,000 mph. marti has had his bat speed recorded at well over 5,000 mph, so this is quite doable.
"I throw him four wide ones then try to pick him off first base." - Preacher Roe on Stan Musial
by Shi on Aug 29, 2010 10:28 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
I'm guessing that's related to how he bends time-space.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 29, 2010 10:36 PM EDT up reply actions
so,
for a ball traveling about 25,000 mph, it would contract by only about 5 nanometers. thus marti, in his infinite awesomeness, can still only sort of bend spacetime.
if he hit the ball so that it went about 350 million mph (about half the speed of light), then the ball would contract by about 13%!! so, according to my calculations, marti must become about only 14,000 times more awesome than he already is for us to see him bend spacetime. naturally, he can already see himself bend it, but were are but mere mortals in his presence.
"I throw him four wide ones then try to pick him off first base." - Preacher Roe on Stan Musial
by Shi on Aug 29, 2010 10:47 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
You're assuming physics even apply to Amauri Marti
I do not believe this to be the case.
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
Those would be some impressive foul balls...
Both GAB and Busch III face east I believe.
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
This is it for LaRussa
It has to be his last season in St. Louis. We have the best player in baseball and two of the best pitchers, and we have not won playoff game since 2006…we consistenly have late season swoons and this year is just another example…his inability to use good players over mediocre is just the straw that breaks this camel’s back…i will be supremely disappointed in Mo/DeWitt if this isn’t the last year we see Tony…and yes, i realize that probably means we lose Duncan
"Albert hits good pitches hard and bad pitches even harder. And when he gets in the batter's box, if you pray, then you start praying. And if you don't pray, you think about starting."--Brian Bannister
That guy we gave a lot of money in the offseason to protect albert is dead to me...DEAD TO ME
by VolsnCards5 on Aug 29, 2010 10:13 PM EDT reply actions 3 recs
And maybe Pujols
But Duncan would be the worst loss. One thing we’ve gotten use to is being able to sign free agent SP at below market value, and get, in a lot of cases, very good return. What happens if that goes away? What happens when guys like Penny and Westbrook and the others we signed or traded for, don’t want to come to STL on a discount to pitch for Duncan?
I’d say that Duncan is going to be a bigger loss than TLR in a lot of ways. And you know guys like Carp and Waino aren’t going to want Duncan gone.
TLR will not be a loss, losing him will be huge improvement for this org
Losing Duncan will be a big loss.
Fire Tony La Russa
by vivaelpujols on Aug 29, 2010 10:23 PM EDT up reply actions
TLR will be a loss
he isn’t the best manager. But he sure isn’t the worse. But hey, Lou just became available.
I didn’t get on base. One time I did (Wednesday) and we scored a run. That shows if I get on base, things can happen - Oilspill
I think Tony is one of the worst managers in baseball
Fire Tony La Russa
by vivaelpujols on Aug 29, 2010 10:49 PM EDT up reply actions
well then
nothing I say is going to be too convincing otherwise. So I’ll just say that if you think it can’t get worse, it can.
I didn’t get on base. One time I did (Wednesday) and we scored a run. That shows if I get on base, things can happen - Oilspill
off the top of my head,
the only other manager i would without a doubt prefer tony over is lou. otherwise, i could easily be convinced to replace tony with just about anyone else.
"I throw him four wide ones then try to pick him off first base." - Preacher Roe on Stan Musial
So...
Two of the winningest managers in the last 30 years, who both have World Series appearances and titles, and one presided over the most successful regular season team in the history of the game, and you’d take Jim Riggleman over both of them?
Give me a fucking break. Cut down the hyperbole a bit would ya? The Cubs being shitty is not Lou’s fault, it’s Jim Hendry’s and the God’s of Baseball who lit that team up with tons of injuries the last couple of years. They’re old and overpaid, but they have a pretty good core of young players to build around too (Castro, Colvin, Wells)
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
similarly
the yankees being good isn’t to torre’s credit
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
twatter
by prophetjohn on Aug 30, 2010 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions
Agreed
Although I do think that his personality and the way he ran a clubhouse fit in very well with the Yankees organization. I would give him credit for that. I think he got a lot of undue criticism in the early 00’s when George was bringing in a bunch of guys (like Giambi) who didn’t understand how to behave in that clubhouse setting.
He was at his best when he had the teams of consummate professional veterans like Brosius, O’Neill, Tino, Bernie Williams, Knoblauch, Boggs, etc.
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
I don't reall know wnough about that
to make much of a judgment. All I’m saying is you could put a drunk chimpanzee in the Yankee dugout most years and have the team perform pretty well.
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
twatter
a couple things.
first, i should clarify why i feel the way i do. a few years ago, i was a pretty big piniella fan. i felt he was very encouraging to his players and was a positive voice in the clubhouse. these past few seasons however, i feel he definitely lost interest and became much more outward with his blame on why the team wasn’t doing well. to wit:
“I do the best I can every day; I can’t do any more,” said Piniella.
“I let the players play,” he said. "It’s their game. It’s not my game, it’s not the coaches’ game, it’s not anybody else’s game. It’s the players’ game. All we can do is encourage them and give them an opportunity.
“I do care about wins and losses. I get hired to win baseball games. That’s my batting average, that’s my ERA. But … there are only so many things that I can do as a manager, and the rest of it is certainly not in my full control.”
“It hasn’t been one of our better mixes,” Piniella said. "Winning has a lot to do with chemistry. It makes the team come together a lot quicker. Remember, I told you all this spring we had a big turnover. Sometimes it takes a while. It doesn’t necessarily just fall in your lap.
“But yeah, this hasn’t been … one of my better-chemistry teams.”
for completeness, he also stated in the same article
“Invariably, when things don’t go right, it’s always the manager’s fault,” Piniella said before Thursday’s game against the Washington Nationals. “You want to blame me? Take your shots. It doesn’t bother me one bit, OK?”
but it is clear that he really feels that the actual blame is all on the players. now obviously this is one recent anecdote, but I feel that the mood he set there was very poor and that he is no longer fit to be aa mlb manager. maybe some time off would recharge him, but i don’t want anyone like that near my team.
i similarly feel that tlr is bad for the clubhouse. he CLEARLY has his favorites and plays them over better players, to the detriment of the team. obviously every manager does this to some degree or another, but it has just increased as time goes by with tlr.
my conclusion is that tlr and lou just arent as good as they once were, and are in fact now very bad at what they do. is that hard to imagine? cant it be the case that they are well past their primes in relating to players as they have aged and the culture inside of mlb clubhouses has evolved? you give torre praise with managing personalities in new york; why cant you consider that tlr deserves blame for not doing the same in st louis? we should at least consider that as a possibility.
so no, i wont give you a fucking break because i dont feel that i am at all being hyperbolic. you can disagree with my above reasoning, but it is far from being some empty headed rant.
"I throw him four wide ones then try to pick him off first base." - Preacher Roe on Stan Musial
It is an empty headed rant,
because you clearly would not hire Jim Riggleman over either of those two guys, and if you would, you would be making a poor decision. I’ll take a manager who’s had some success over a guy who’s never had any success at the big league level.
Lou’s is absolutely right — players win and lose games. Managers are responsible for putting the players in situations where they can succeed, but that doesn’t always mean they’ll do so.
Your conclusions are unsubstantiated by evidence and are completely subjective. If you’d hire Jim Riggleman over Tony LaRussa, I’m really, really glad you aren’t our GM.
BTW — any statement that is an “all or nothing” like “I’d take any other guy over these two guys” is hyperbolic by it’s very nature. You wouldn’t, and you know you wouldn’t, so stating that is simply trying to demonstrate a point by grandstanding.
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
it seems you missed my main point.
i am not arguing that tony hasnt been successful. i just think that he is no longer nearly as good as he once was. and why would i, or anyone else, clearly not hire riggleman? imo, a manager’s main job is to keep the clubhouse in a positive mood and balance all of the personalities that are in it. generally, lineup construction and bullpen management is pretty straightforward, though i dont care for tlr’s recent approach. his decisions this year, especially with the lineup, are pretty hard to defend. cleary he has been unbelievably great in his career. his emphasis on stats and bullpen management in his earlier years (regardless of if you fully agree with his method) were trailblazing. my real point is, i dont find a manager’s tinkering to have much of an effect on anything at all, so i dont really care if the manager over- or under-manages his team. just keep the players from hating each other, and diffuse any such issues when they arise. i think tony is quite poor at this, and i feel its due to his personality type. i may be way off base with this, as i dont know him or any players on a personal level, but its how i feel based on his comments regarding many players over the years, and with colby the past season in particular.
of course the players win the games. my idea with including that quote was because i felt that, in context with the other quotes from the same article, it showed he was avoiding blame and instead putting it on his players. this is exactly the type of thing i dont like to see in a manager. im a fan of the “players manager” type. since lou’s recent style is not this, i dont like lou.
the hiring of ANY manager is subjective. there is no good analytical method to determine who is or isnt a good manager. that is why its hard to find a good manager. and a good manager for one team may not work for another as every team and manager has a different idea about how things should run. so to state that tlr is clearly superior to riggleman is silly; obviously tlr has had MUCH more success, but that doesnt mean that riggleman wouldnt fit our current team better than tlr would.
also, you seem to have somewhat misread what i wrote. i said
i could easily be convinced to replace tony with just about anyone else.
by this, i meant by another baseball mind. obviously paris hilton is not someone i would consider. seriously though, i think tlr is too often a toxic presence, and i want it gone. “just about anyone else” would be, imo, an improvement over him because i think tlr’s problem is he is too damn arrogant about how he does things and thus tries to fit everyone into a neat little box of his design. it all goes back to the what i find most important in a manager, which you, and the rest of the world, may disagree with.
also, when you state
I’ll take a manager who’s had some success over a guy who’s never had any success at the big league level
you clearly dont really mean that. would you take cito gaston over manny acta? i really doubt it. and gaston has twice as many rings as tlr! isnt your position there as “empty headed” and “hyperbolic” as mine, if not more so?
"I throw him four wide ones then try to pick him off first base." - Preacher Roe on Stan Musial
gah, damn facts.
gaston has as many, not twice as many, rings as tlr. my point stands, though.
"I throw him four wide ones then try to pick him off first base." - Preacher Roe on Stan Musial
I don't know about Gaston vs. Acta
Cito’s been a pretty good manager over the course of his career. It’s not like that Toronto team is playing horrible baseball — they just happen to play in the toughest division in baseball. They have the same winning percentage as the Cardinals do, and they don’t have the player of the decade or two pitchers with FIP’s below 3.00 on their team either.
You’re saying Manny Acta hasn’t had any success at the big league level? I’d disagree with that. I think that his teams have tended to be well prepared but just haven’t had any talent or any luck when it comes to winning. Jim Riggleman has taken over good ball clubs and run them into the ground. There’s a big difference there.
I’m not misunderstanding your point — you seem to think that what you say is gospel, but it’s really just subjective opinion masquerading as truth:
i just think that he is no longer nearly as good as he once was.
Well, I don’t have to agree with you do I? And I would guess that most baseball people would agree with me on the subject of Tony LaRussa. That doesn’t mean I’m right, but it certainly doesn’t mean you are either.
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
youre definitely right that we dont have to agree.
i was not really trying to convince you that my opinion was the “correct” one, and i think youre right that most would agree with you on this one. i didnt mean my point to come across as heavy handed as it apparently has, and i tried to make that clear with using terms such as “i think” and “i feel” instead of “i know.” i get on my own nerves really because when i write a blurb i feel that is has a certain tone associated with it, yet it is often the case where other readers feel differently. in real life, im actually very easy going, haha.
"I throw him four wide ones then try to pick him off first base." - Preacher Roe on Stan Musial
Nick Punto = Brendan Ryan
He’s a very valuable utility player because he can play every position save catcher at a high level, he’s a pretty good pinch hitter, and his career walk rate is 9.9%.
Per Fangraphs he’s been worth nearly 2 WAR this year even though his wOBA is .292.
When you have a DH like Thome that can supplant your lineup, you can afford to play a guy like Punto for defensive purposes.
Mike Napoli has never had an offensive season worse the Yadi Molina’s BEST season, and he’s supposedly a pretty decent backstop as well. He’s gotten the majority of the playing time even though Mathis was the uber-prospect a few years ago. Mathis is the backup, and he’s a bad one, but he’s no worse than our backup catcher and he’s half the cost of LaRue.
I guess I really don’t see your point.
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
Bruce Bochy and Jerry Manuel are pretty awful
Dusty maybe?
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Aug 31, 2010 6:32 PM EDT up reply actions
Worse than Miles/Skip over Rasmus?
It would almost take a conscious act of sabotage to get much worse.
Fire La Russa!
by guayzimi on Aug 29, 2010 10:55 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
yep
we could have an even worse roster if they sign apu
whatever holes can’t be filled internally will be filled by senor happy and similar, and tlr will interchange them like it can make them better to put them in situations most others would not
I may be in a rut, but at least I know where I'm going
...to DFA TLR
I'm sorry, but that is a plus
If you are going to have to fill spots with bit players, it’s better to have a manager like Tony that will put them in spots to succeed, rather than somebody that will trot out the same below average player every day.
...
a manager … that will put them in spots to succeed, rather than somebody that will trot out the same below average player every day.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 29, 2010 11:40 PM EDT up reply actions
i said the opposite
ahead by 2
subbing miles at second or short in a pointless double switch
is what i’m talking about
I may be in a rut, but at least I know where I'm going
...to DFA TLR
The problem with saying you put players in spots to succeed is that it's results-oriented
Success is by definition a results-based analysis. It’s bullshit logic. I’d love to heard TLR define what a “spot to succeed” is. If Aaron Miles gets a hit, people say “he put him in a spot to succeed.” If he strikes out with the bases loaded in the bottom of the 9th and we lose, what spot would that be? A spot to fail?
Do you remember that spelling bee you won in the first grade? Rock? "R-O-K"?
by jd is legend on Aug 29, 2010 11:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Spot to succeed
Examples:
- A platoon of two guys that have 1 sided splits
- Using a guy, like say, Lopez or Miles in a limited role, to not over expose them
- Giving a guy like Miles AB’s against hard throwers, which he prefers
- Giving guys with slow bats AB’s against soft tossers
Stuff like that. I’m afraid that most managers wouldn’t be very good at managing a situation where there isn’t one player that should be getting all starts at a certain position. JMO though.
well
- Giving a guy like Miles AB’s against hard throwers, which he prefers
lolwut?
by stlcardsfan4 on Aug 30, 2010 12:01 AM EDT up reply actions
Aaron Miles Vs. Power pitchers
This year:
.400 /.423 /.440 / .863
Disappears with his career though:
.260 / .303 /.328 / .631
I didn’t get on base. One time I did (Wednesday) and we scored a run. That shows if I get on base, things can happen - Oilspill
i didn't know the stats
but just from watching him, i have no idea where he’d think aaron miles would hit power pitchers better…
by stlcardsfan4 on Aug 30, 2010 12:09 AM EDT up reply actions
There was a piece of info earlier this year
Talking about how Tony used Miles and Kennedy when they were both on the team — Miles got starts against hard throwers because he could slap that pitch around the field and get some hits, whereas Kennedy and his longer uppercut swing got starts against junkballers and low-ball pitchers.
I think there’s some merit to that kind of matchmaking by a manager, but I’m not sure how much.
honestly, the more likely scenario in my mind
is miles whiffing on high heat than slapping it….
by stlcardsfan4 on Aug 30, 2010 7:08 PM EDT up reply actions
what's the sample size for this year?
And power pitches != hard throwers. power pitchers are generally guys who throw a lot more breaking balls.
Fire Tony La Russa
by vivaelpujols on Aug 30, 2010 8:54 AM EDT up reply actions
When's the last time TLR actually employed a splits-based platoon?
Jay and Craig were supposed to be a platoon, but Jay’s getting the lion’s share of PAs despite his hard regression.
Lopez and Miles have been in the league forever. They’ve been exposed.
I can see your logic behind each of these, but I don’t actually believe that TLR is consistent with his rationalizations of this kind of thing. It feels like these are all things he can pull out on a moment’s notice when people question why someone is in the lineup.
Do you remember that spelling bee you won in the first grade? Rock? "R-O-K"?
by jd is legend on Aug 30, 2010 12:10 AM EDT up reply actions
The stuff you have pointed out here is not rocket science.
Ignoring the specific examples of Miles, if someone hits better against hard throwers you have them play against hard throwers. Surely TLR is not the only manager smart enough to figure that out. sheesh.
"I'll be in the conversation at the end of the year." Adam Wainwright
It's impossible to prove
But can you think of another manager with as much player preferences as him who also exerts as much influence on management?
Can you think of another manager who would play crappy washed up veterans in favor of young superstars (oversimplifying a bit here, but still)? Lou Pinella maybe, but I can’t think of anyone else.
Fire Tony La Russa
by vivaelpujols on Aug 30, 2010 8:34 AM EDT up reply actions
I seem to remember Hanley Rameriz
sitting for a few games
I didn’t get on base. One time I did (Wednesday) and we scored a run. That shows if I get on base, things can happen - Oilspill
This was punishment for a specific act...
and the manager acknowledged it as such…. What La Russa is saying is that Rasmus will have his playing time reduced for the indefinite future because… he doesn’t practice/prepare properly (or something).
Fire La Russa!
I seem to remember Starlin Castro
going straight into the starting lineup from AA, tearing shit up, and never coming back out. Come to think of it, the same thing happened with Randy Wells, Tyler Colvin, and Geo Soto in the last three years.
I think the case for Tony with the Cardinals, and playing young players, has been made again and again.
I don’t necessarily disagree with you, VEP, just that the evidence doesn’t necessarily back up your case.
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
Lou has sat Soto in favor of Koye Hill for a good part of the year
That’s what I’m referring to
Fire Tony La Russa
by vivaelpujols on Aug 30, 2010 12:28 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Well
going straight into the starting lineup from AA, tearing shit up, and never coming back out. Come to think of it, the same thing happened with Randy Wells, Tyler Colvin, and Geo Soto in the last three years.
That’s not really true with Colvin. He languished on the bench for a long, long time while Lou mostly played Fuku, Byrd, and Soriano in the OF.
Colvin is on pace for 450 AB's
and I’m guessing he’d be playing every day if the Cubs could figure out how to move Fukudome or Soriano off the team without eating their entire contracts. I’d guess that the reason those guys still play is because you can’t sit them and their big contracts, and there’s no reason to when your club isn’t going anywhere.
I don’t know why Soto isn’t playing. He’s been pretty awful, but Koyie Hill is worse, and Hill isn’t a future backstop for a MLB team. Speculation is that he’s been dinged up all year.
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
be careful what you wish for
I remember when everyone wanted Martz gone and how Linehan (and Spags, still to be seen) would be the savior
by jealousblues on Aug 30, 2010 6:03 AM EDT up reply actions
thankfully, a coach in football has much more influence than in baseball
so hiring a linehan wouldn’t be as bad as hiring linehan for the rams if you catch my drift
by stlcardsfan4 on Aug 30, 2010 7:10 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree with you here
Pitching is utterly unpredictable. I’m of the mindset that you cannot give long term deals to these guys unless you have a very real possibility of ace stuff. I think it gets a little overblown in some circles, but Duncan has shown a very real ability to extract decent performances out of marginal talent. It may not last long term with the guys he works with, but if your management casts a wide net in spring training and doesn’t get too attached to anyone it seems like a winning formula.
And then we signed Kyle Lohse for 4 years….after he fell into your laps a few months prior.
by Merry CRasmus on Aug 29, 2010 10:35 PM EDT up reply actions
wonder if klohse
thinks his rehab is done and he is ready to pitch in mlb?
I may be in a rut, but at least I know where I'm going
...to DFA TLR
yeah
a pitching coach is a bigger loss than the best player in the game
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
twatter
by prophetjohn on Aug 29, 2010 10:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Doesn't it depend
On how much Pujols needs to stay, and for how many years, going forward? I mean, we probably have to give him what he wants, because fans won’t stand for it, but isn’t it arguable whether Pujols is worth it at any cost?
by Merry CRasmus on Aug 29, 2010 10:46 PM EDT up reply actions
i guess if you bring the financial perspective into it
it’s a valid argument. but just based on the team on the field, pujols is the most valuable person to wear the uniform
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
twatter
by prophetjohn on Aug 29, 2010 10:47 PM EDT up reply actions
well...
I don’t think TLR leaving means that Pujols won’t be back. I don’t think it will help, But I can see Pujols sticking around even without TLR.
I didn’t get on base. One time I did (Wednesday) and we scored a run. That shows if I get on base, things can happen - Oilspill
not to mention a loss in revenue from people paying $ to see Pujols play
"Nah….He’s an infielder. Second base…..I played second base, how hard can it be?"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Aug 29, 2010 11:12 PM EDT up reply actions
also needed to end
While the Colby/TLR rift needs to end, the Luhnow/Jocketty rift needed to end to, but instead the GM got the boot. I still don’t understand why the owner didn’t just say “get along” instead of canning Walter. I’m tired of the soap opera that is this organization.
....tony started it
but i wholeheartedly agree about walt
by guillermozeliak on Aug 29, 2010 11:08 PM EDT up reply actions
tony started what?
I didn’t get on base. One time I did (Wednesday) and we scored a run. That shows if I get on base, things can happen - Oilspill
Do we really know that?
I mean I want Tony to play Colby, don’t get me wrong, but it’s possible Clobby called Tony a motherfucker or something.
just because I went on vaccation
doesn’t mean the cardinals should too. How about a few wins here and ther?
I didn’t get on base. One time I did (Wednesday) and we scored a run. That shows if I get on base, things can happen - Oilspill
no yardwork, no yardwork!
so it’s you
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 29, 2010 10:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Dusty Baker is outmanaging LaRussa this year*
thats how bad it is
*No statistical analysis to back this up, but i dont need it…i’m right
"Albert hits good pitches hard and bad pitches even harder. And when he gets in the batter's box, if you pray, then you start praying. And if you don't pray, you think about starting."--Brian Bannister
That guy we gave a lot of money in the offseason to protect albert is dead to me...DEAD TO ME
by VolsnCards5 on Aug 29, 2010 10:30 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
Let's not fall into the trap of pretending
That a team doing well — even better than expected — is conclusive evidence of good managing. Nor the flipside for a team that’s doing poorly or worse than expected.
I still have some shred (like 2outs 2 strikes nobody on down by one in the 9th w/ a decent hitter on deck)
that LaRussa is geniusing up the Rasmus sitation: as in he’s perfectly calibrating Rasmus for a monster September/October/early November run. But there isn’t much of a reason for me to believe this.
Sportswriters have given me the impression that Rasmus and TLR don’t get along. Are there many instances were there is reconciliation between TLR and an enemy? At this point, and I’ve felt this way for weeks now, I’d be surprised if they are both Cardinals next year.
by infallibleopiniongenerator on Aug 29, 2010 10:30 PM EDT reply actions
in that 9th inning situation:
the current batter is someone who sports a <.310 OBP.
by infallibleopiniongenerator on Aug 29, 2010 10:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Boog would be so sad.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 29, 2010 10:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Poor Boog
I wish TLR wouldn’t make him hide that little light of his.
by infallibleopiniongenerator on Aug 29, 2010 10:39 PM EDT up reply actions
unless they replaced him with Mather
I didn’t get on base. One time I did (Wednesday) and we scored a run. That shows if I get on base, things can happen - Oilspill
oh Joey Bones
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 29, 2010 10:47 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm so silly:
that now-you-got-me-now-you-don’t-slide of his still makes me titter like a school girl. Not to mention the sweet catches he’s made in the OF, and the potential (however presently remote) for 4 pretty nice tools.
by infallibleopiniongenerator on Aug 29, 2010 10:50 PM EDT up reply actions
JOEY SLIDES!
are you also charmed by his aw-shucks smile?
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 29, 2010 10:51 PM EDT up reply actions
this seems to imply that it is possible
not to be…
Sorry, I’m a little shaken right now.
by infallibleopiniongenerator on Aug 29, 2010 10:55 PM EDT up reply actions
I heard rumors
that there are some people who are not.
but it’s just a rumor. no further news at midnight, or anything.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 29, 2010 10:57 PM EDT up reply actions
also can someone just instant message one of Rasmus's siblings/parents/rabbis
and see what exactly is going on? I find this clubhouse stuff too fascinating for my own good.
…
(Considering repelling into the Cardinals clubhouse dressed as a Black Eyed Pea or Bob Knight so that I might discover the sordid truth.)
…
So VEB, repelling is easy right?
by infallibleopiniongenerator on Aug 29, 2010 10:45 PM EDT up reply actions
the Rasmus clan is rather rife with its own personal politicking
not untoward unless you count the whispering but not exactly a reliable version of the truth, imo
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 29, 2010 10:48 PM EDT up reply actions
I bet Jon Jay is an honest fellow.
Let’s get some truth serum and woo him with some kinda government thingy that he will like.
by infallibleopiniongenerator on Aug 29, 2010 10:51 PM EDT up reply actions
I want the truth serum for myself
because that junk is delicious!
by infallibleopiniongenerator on Aug 29, 2010 10:52 PM EDT up reply actions
and then find out the truth from Jon Jay at some sorta government thingy that he will like
by infallibleopiniongenerator on Aug 29, 2010 10:52 PM EDT up reply actions
he would probably also be too classy to gossip
you have to find the gossipers.
and oddly it’s not Brendan Ryan; he’s learned the art of talking a lot and not saying much … unless he’s talking about himself, in which case it turns into TMI.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 29, 2010 10:54 PM EDT up reply actions
well I guess he can have a drink of the truth serum too then, but not too much
by infallibleopiniongenerator on Aug 29, 2010 10:56 PM EDT up reply actions
cloby had a crappy at bat
flailing wildly at ball 4
I may be in a rut, but at least I know where I'm going
...to DFA TLR
I'm going off of pure memory here
but that last pitch, though high and inside, was not an really an egregious swing with 2 strikes when you’re in protect the plate mode. Also, the first strike called on Colby was probably a ball, that he properly took.
Well that's all fine and good
except that him fucking around in August is going to have us playing meaningless baseball in September and watching from home in October. With a top 4 pitching staff in the big leagues mind you.
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
This is silly
When you take into account his skills combined with the years of team control left Colby Rasmus has to be one of the most valuable properties in major league baseball. The Cardinals should be bending over backward to do everything they can to make Rasmus happy. He should be absolutely untouchable.
by thefordhamflash on Aug 29, 2010 10:37 PM EDT reply actions
negative ghost rider
no one is above the game.
I didn’t get on base. One time I did (Wednesday) and we scored a run. That shows if I get on base, things can happen - Oilspill
that doesn't even mean anything
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
twatter
by prophetjohn on Aug 29, 2010 10:42 PM EDT up reply actions
it does too
just because someone has talent doesn’t mean he doesn’t have to listen to managers and couches.
I didn’t get on base. One time I did (Wednesday) and we scored a run. That shows if I get on base, things can happen - Oilspill
oh
i didn’t get that out of that
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
twatter
by prophetjohn on Aug 29, 2010 10:48 PM EDT up reply actions
my couch just tells me
to get off of it and do something. I never listen. I am above this couch.
"Baseball is like Church, many attend, few understand" - Wes Westrum
by scoot on Aug 29, 2010 11:15 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
my couch says the opposite
and i obey
I may be in a rut, but at least I know where I'm going
...to DFA TLR
by sportsman on Aug 29, 2010 11:34 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
why do you think i sit in a lay z boy?
Out of the crooked timber of humanity, no straight thing can be made
I just don't see it that way.....
There is no way Colby turns into a worthless player, but I don’t see the star that a lot of folks do. As has been mentioned above, I get the feeling he isn’t all that bright. If you couple that with a laid back attitude and perhaps not the greatest work ethic, or maybe just not a guy that is uber-competitive, there is room for him to never reach his potential.
I mentioned this earlier today, but if you take away the June HR’s…..or at least put them in more in line with the other months of his professional career, I think there is room for regression even this year in that category. He’s already had two months where he was playing all the time, and by all accounts was healthy, that he hit only 1 HR in each month. Based on last year, and pretty much every month but June, I’m inclined to think June might have been the outlier, no?
when Colby is healthy he should play every day unless he's been
healthy for so long and there have been no days off for a while and it’s really hot. Or he has a baby or other stuff of that ilk.
by infallibleopiniongenerator on Aug 29, 2010 10:46 PM EDT up reply actions
I don't think we can question his work ethic
Even Tony mentioned he has put in the work in the quote above. It’s more of a not listening. (if we take what TLR is complaining about in the quote.)
I didn’t get on base. One time I did (Wednesday) and we scored a run. That shows if I get on base, things can happen - Oilspill
i can cherry pick stats, too
how bout i take away his worst offensive month. how do his stats look then?
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
twatter
by prophetjohn on Aug 29, 2010 10:49 PM EDT up reply actions
I just don't see where
He doesn’t care, isn’t competitive, whatever you want to call it. I think he does care a lot more than most people think he does. I can get on board with him not taking the best approach every time and having some tough lessons to learn at times. The thing is, I think that he’s a better player even while he is learning those lessons than all but a few of the guys we have on the roster.
by Merry CRasmus on Aug 29, 2010 10:53 PM EDT up reply actions
what does intelligence have to do with work ethic, or more directly, with playing good baseball?
I don’t really see it relating that much to those
"Nah….He’s an infielder. Second base…..I played second base, how hard can it be?"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Aug 29, 2010 11:15 PM EDT up reply actions
Sigh
I’m not sure whether to defend NBA players or trash MLB players. Both leagues have their share of smart and dumb players.
Do you remember that spelling bee you won in the first grade? Rock? "R-O-K"?
by jd is legend on Aug 29, 2010 11:47 PM EDT up reply actions
unless the mlb gains about 5 more b phillips
than nba is waaaay ahead
by guillermozeliak on Aug 29, 2010 11:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Really
If your hand-eye coordination lets you hit .280 or so, you’re in. Baseball is a sport where you have to have something. And if you don’t have that, you CANNOT, no matter how hard you work, play at the major league level.
Brian Barton was really smart but not really a major league level ballplayer
for example
"Nah….He’s an infielder. Second base…..I played second base, how hard can it be?"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Aug 30, 2010 1:26 AM EDT up reply actions
rocket maaaaaaaaaaaaaannnnnnnnn!
Out of the crooked timber of humanity, no straight thing can be made
does his dad tell him
dingers are the way to fame and fortune
the rest is bs?
I may be in a rut, but at least I know where I'm going
...to DFA TLR
His walk rate
Doesn’t square at all with a guy who is just hacking away for home runs.
by Merry CRasmus on Aug 29, 2010 11:46 PM EDT up reply actions
but is k rate kind of does
i don’t recall him doing the k thing trying to take the ball to left
I may be in a rut, but at least I know where I'm going
...to DFA TLR
his walk rate
has been falling pretty fast. still above league average at 11.8% But has his K rate has started rising his walk rate has started falling.
I didn’t get on base. One time I did (Wednesday) and we scored a run. That shows if I get on base, things can happen - Oilspill
He has work to do on his approach
I hope I make that clear. Still, 11.8% on the year is pretty damn good and shows it’s not just a matter of him having no plate discipline. I do think he will always K a lot, though hopefully not this much. I still think he’s still our best bet to help us rally into a playoff spot, even with his warts, because he draws a good enough number of walks to sustain an OBP and he has a lot of power. Especially for a premium defensive position.
Let him develop while he plays, because he can still help the team while he develops. I don’t want to teach him lessons that will help in 2011 and beyond by sitting him, because this team isn’t positioned near as well to compete after next year.
by Merry CRasmus on Aug 30, 2010 12:06 AM EDT up reply actions
but are those walks skill or noise?
April – 17
May – 11
Jun – 7
July – 4
aug – 7 (with one amazing 4 walk game)
Now I’m not saying it isn’t skill. But one of the things Tony was complaining about in the above quote.
He plays the game. take a single, take a walk, let the home runs come.
is that Rasmus isn’t taking walks. And he hasn’t been talking walks for the last few months. It does appear that his approach has changed and Tony isn’t happy about it.
I didn’t get on base. One time I did (Wednesday) and we scored a run. That shows if I get on base, things can happen - Oilspill
and again
differential treatment. We’ve got a lot of players that don’t take walks. Completely understandable if that’s a trend Tony wants to change, but why single Rasmus out and ignore the others.
which other players?
Really I only see pujols not take walks from time to time. (who leads the league in OBP, second in BB, and second in BB%) I’m not sure if that counts as “not taking walks”
Who else do you see not taking walks?
I didn’t get on base. One time I did (Wednesday) and we scored a run. That shows if I get on base, things can happen - Oilspill
Miles sucks
why would a pitcher walk him? Not taking a walk is different then not walking.
I didn’t get on base. One time I did (Wednesday) and we scored a run. That shows if I get on base, things can happen - Oilspill
not sure how you're defining "not taking a walk"
seems pretty general to me… how exactly can you prove this? i don’t think you can
by stlcardsfan4 on Aug 30, 2010 12:47 AM EDT up reply actions
if a pitcher throws
nothing but strikes, a player isn’t going to walk. Not taking the walk is when you are swinging at balls you shouldn’t be swinging at. Jay and Miles are not going to be walked a lot because pitchers aren’t afraid of them. Worse they can do to you is hit a single. They are not going to get many balls outside the strike zone.
I didn’t get on base. One time I did (Wednesday) and we scored a run. That shows if I get on base, things can happen - Oilspill
Jon Jay currently has a .153 ISO
That’s not the biggest sample size but in a full season in Memphis last year, his ISO was .113. He’s more than a singles hitter. He won’t hit a ton of HRs but he’ll hit his share of doubles (and his speed makes him a threat for a few triples).
Do you remember that spelling bee you won in the first grade? Rock? "R-O-K"?
by jd is legend on Aug 30, 2010 1:48 AM EDT up reply actions
This year
Miles has seen 47.1% of pitches in the zone, and has a 4.4% walk rate.
Rasmus has seen 43.5% of pitches in the zone, and has an 11.4% walk rate.
Molina has seen 49.0% of pitches in the zone, and has an 8.4% walk rate.
The reason Miles doesn’t walk more isn’t because pitchers are grooving the ball to him, it’s because he sucks.
And I suspect that the Zone% measurements on FanGraphs are going to be biased against lefties
Because it’s been shown that lefties have “pushed over” zones called by the umpires, where righties have standard zones. I’m not sure if FanGraphs accounts for the right lefty difference, but I would suspect they don’t.
A quick check on the numbers:
http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=y&type=5&season=2010&month=0
Out of the top 20 in lowest Zone%, 17 are either lefty or switch hitters (meaning they bat lefty the majority of the time). So I think I’m right on this one. That makes Miles’ numbers artificial deflated as well.
Fire Tony La Russa
by vivaelpujols on Aug 31, 2010 2:01 AM EDT up reply actions
again
you are comparing walk rates with not taking a walk.
Jon Jay can’t be Tony’s golden boy. Because Tony hates young players, and he hates rookies. And Jon jay is both.
I didn’t get on base. One time I did (Wednesday) and we scored a run. That shows if I get on base, things can happen - Oilspill
well he hates guys who challenge him more
that’s why we don’t have Luddy anymore
Out of the crooked timber of humanity, no straight thing can be made
that's BS and you know it
Ludwick wasn’t traded for challenging LaRussa at all. He was traded because or pitching staff included Suppan and Hawksworth.
I didn’t get on base. One time I did (Wednesday) and we scored a run. That shows if I get on base, things can happen - Oilspill
and because you were not doing enough yardwork
to help those two guys succeed
..i miss ludriguez-wick..
that is true
I didn’t get on base. One time I did (Wednesday) and we scored a run. That shows if I get on base, things can happen - Oilspill
is it?
MO wanted to shock the clubhouse. TLR & Luddy just had it out over TLR sitting him. next day Luddy’s gone, clubhouse shocked.
there are no such things as coincidences
Out of the crooked timber of humanity, no straight thing can be made
by gdm426 on Aug 30, 2010 1:10 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Ludwick was the "moveable" player
He had legit value, was going to cost more next year, and Jay was producing enough.
Assigning that trade as TLR’s revenge is letting your opinion of him overrule the other evidence.
nevermind the fact
that it was San Diego calling Mo once they had secured Westbrook to see if they could get Ludwick.
I didn’t get on base. One time I did (Wednesday) and we scored a run. That shows if I get on base, things can happen - Oilspill
what are you talking about?
Ctown wouldn’t take anyone in the Cards org, that’s why SD was included
Out of the crooked timber of humanity, no straight thing can be made
to be more clear
what I read from the quote is that Tony doesn’t think Rasmus does what he should do with some of the pitches that he is getting. He should be either laying off them or trying taking them the other way. Not swinging for the HR. He isn’t saying that hitting HRs is bad. (like Al would) He is saying that trying to hit a pull a ball for HR on some pitches, or swinging at stuff that you should be taking is bad. And he doesn’t like what he is seeing from Colby in that regard.
He isn’t asking him to stop hitting HRs. He isn’t trying to turn him into a slap hitter. He just doesn’t like what he saw from that BP that he was quoted on.
I didn’t get on base. One time I did (Wednesday) and we scored a run. That shows if I get on base, things can happen - Oilspill
by Evilfrog on Aug 30, 2010 12:42 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
How would you suggest analyzing how he's not taking a walk?
I’m not an expert, but it seems like O-Swing% might be the best way to do this. His current O-Swing% is 28.6%. The league average for last season (per this) was 25.1% (around where Colby was last season…25.6%). I’m not going to research this further. Maybe someone who knows this stuff better than I can help. Seems to me that he isn’t much worse than average (at worst) at laying off pitches out of the zone.
Do you remember that spelling bee you won in the first grade? Rock? "R-O-K"?
by jd is legend on Aug 30, 2010 1:53 AM EDT up reply actions
The league average O-Swing this year is 29.1%
I’ve written a lot of comments about how the zone has changed and how you can’t compare year to year O-Swing without normalizing by league average.
Fire Tony La Russa
by vivaelpujols on Aug 30, 2010 8:42 AM EDT up reply actions
I figured it might be higher this year, since it is the YEAR OF THE PITCHER and all
Do you remember that spelling bee you won in the first grade? Rock? "R-O-K"?
by jd is legend on Aug 30, 2010 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, but it's mostly just differences in the data for some reason
Fire Tony La Russa
by vivaelpujols on Aug 31, 2010 2:01 AM EDT up reply actions
What are you talking about here seriously?
Rasmus has the second highest walk rate on our team, minimum 50 PA. He’s in the top 30 in walk rate among qualified players in all of baseball!
Are you trying to say that Rasmus is not taking walks even though he’s been in the top 15% in baseball in terms of taking walks?
Fire Tony La Russa
by vivaelpujols on Aug 30, 2010 8:40 AM EDT up reply actions
I'm talking about what you do with the pitches you get
Rasmus is not taking walks now. He is in the top 15%, mainly because of his April. There is a trend of him striking out more and taking less walks since then.
I didn’t get on base. One time I did (Wednesday) and we scored a run. That shows if I get on base, things can happen - Oilspill
There's variation wrt walk rate....
Monthly walk rates (April-May-June-July-August)
Rasmus
20.5
11.3
7.7
5.1
13.2
Pujols
13
20
14.3
9.6
11.8
Holliday
4.2
11
12.6
11.7
5.8
Fire La Russa!
Trends are not more predictive than the overall season, and besides, Colby's been walking plenty this last month
You know that. What are you Tony La Russa’s spy on this board, or are you just playing devil’s advocate?
Rasmus is not taking walks now.
There is ZERO evidence of that. Actually, there is counter-evidence. The fact that he has the second highest walk rate on our team!
Fire Tony La Russa
by vivaelpujols on Aug 30, 2010 10:54 AM EDT up reply actions
he's not talking about walk rate
he’s talking about taking walks
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
twatter
by prophetjohn on Aug 30, 2010 12:06 PM EDT up reply actions
And he's still wrong...
The one thing he has done since the break is take walks. His isolated patience is about .090 since the break.
He just hasn’t done anything else of note except the grand slam against the Reds.
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
What are you talking about?
In the second half he has 11 walks in 100 PA’s, 11%.
In the first half he had 35 walks in 303 PA’s, which is a half a point better, around 11.5%.
What is the difference between “walk rate” and “taking walks”? I hope this is sarcasm.
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
definitely sarcasm,
but that’s the argument that was being made as i understood it
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
twatter
I'm guessing sarchasm here
Fire Tony La Russa
by vivaelpujols on Aug 31, 2010 2:01 AM EDT up reply actions
more worried about OBP than walk rate
"Nah….He’s an infielder. Second base…..I played second base, how hard can it be?"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Aug 30, 2010 1:26 AM EDT up reply actions
17 walks a month
Isn’t sustainable for many. 7 walks a month, with the number of his AB’s, isn’t disastrous. But all this isn’t really the argument I am making. I’m conceding that there are development opportunities for Rasmus. Particularly with his approach. I’m arguing that, despite all that, he is one of our better hitters. He belongs in the lineup, if healthy, and we do not currently have the luxury of developing a 128 OPS+ bat on the bench in this situation.
by Merry CRasmus on Aug 30, 2010 12:30 AM EDT up reply actions
the team is better with Rasmus in the lineup
he is the only guy (besides craig, but I don’t think craig is there yet.) that can be a 5fth hitter.
I didn’t get on base. One time I did (Wednesday) and we scored a run. That shows if I get on base, things can happen - Oilspill
That's all I am saying
This better be much ado about nothing. And it may be.
We want him to take the outside pitch to left, so keep coaching him on it. When he doesn’t do it (in a game), tell him he lost an opportunity. Hammer it home that way. I don’t care. I actually agree with it.
He’s a good enough player on the field , despite it all, that we don’t have a choice. I really don’t think this is a situation where he is willingly defiant. It’s a split second reactionary motion and it’s not as simple as saying it and making it so. Doesn’t mean you don’t reinforce the message, but we have to let him learn it on the field through experience. We’re 5 games back, he’s clearly one of the best 8 to put in the field as it is, and we put a lot of eggs in the 2010 basket.
by Merry CRasmus on Aug 30, 2010 12:44 AM EDT up reply actions
right
also, Tony stated the reason he wasn’t in the line up was to give him extra rest. Not because he didn’t like what he was doing in BP. He did say he didn’t like what he saw in BP. But that doesn’t mean the two are linked.
I didn’t get on base. One time I did (Wednesday) and we scored a run. That shows if I get on base, things can happen - Oilspill
We'll see where it goes from here
He gave mixed signals, but his initial comments were troubling to me. He needs to play every day during the stretch run, if health allows.
by Merry CRasmus on Aug 30, 2010 1:04 AM EDT up reply actions
You can't just take away a players best month
Fire Tony La Russa
by vivaelpujols on Aug 30, 2010 8:16 AM EDT up reply actions
You also can't rationalize his two worst month's away
by focusing on just his good month’s.
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
I'm not
I’m focusing on his entire season.
Fire Tony La Russa
by vivaelpujols on Aug 30, 2010 12:33 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
If that's the case...
then his two worst months being the last two months should weigh more heavily. It seems to me like you’re ignoring them and looking back at April and June as to reasons why he should play. It opens you up to criticism from people who look at how bad he’s stunk for the better part of the last 2 months.
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
None of it matters unless you're looking at the full picture
You can’t bias the data to satisfy what you want it to show.
Now, as I pointed out earlier, I think you do have to be a bit more biased by what he’s done recently, if only because there may be an issue with his mechanics or approach that is causing him to struggle so much at the plate. His approach looks similar to the beginning of the season, because his walk rates and P/PA are about the same and his K% has been floating between 30-35% all season. The difference for me is that he’s not hitting the ball hard as his LD% and HR/FB% and ISO have been down the last two months as a whole vs. the rest of the season. His BABIP is above average, so he’s not getting “unlucky”, but he’s not been as “lucky” as he was in April when his BABIP was .405. He was due to regress, I just didn’t think it would be this much.
I think his June is a pretty good indication of what kind of player he can be. He’s not going to hit a ton of line drive, but he’s going to hit a ton of flyballs and a lot of them (20%+) are going to leave the yard. But that’s also going to lead to some really lean stretches where he’s not squaring the ball up and he’s striking out a lot.
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
it's time for tony to go.
that is all.
follow me on twitter @nickg105, @Rams_Fan_Voice
by stlcardinalsfang on Aug 29, 2010 10:52 PM EDT reply actions
it would be nice to start out a new decade in Cardinal baseball in '11 with a new manager
"Nah….He’s an infielder. Second base…..I played second base, how hard can it be?"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Aug 29, 2010 11:16 PM EDT up reply actions
there's a lot about this team & this season i don't understand
but this TLR v Colby thing tops the list. it’s JD Drew all over again. Drew for all his bad qualities was just a quiet southern boy who was an uber talented baseball player who didn’t show a lot of emotion & just wanted to play. the fact that he was made of glass & didn’t act liked he cared if he hit a home run to win the game or stuck out to end the game with a loss aggravated & pissed off TLR probably more than any player he had ever managed. sound familiar?
and now we have history repeating itself with Colby. i just hope DeWitt & Co step in before TLR runs Colby out of town. TLR learned nothing from his experience with Drew. and now he’s doing the exact same thing to Colby. there’s no way to end this well for any of u s. TLR has dug his heels in & is convinced Colby must be beaten into submission. Colby doesn’t get why TLR is picking on him. this is doing nothing but alienating Colby & making TLR the bag guy in a year where most fans who really pay attention are already sick of him. no good can come from this.
Out of the crooked timber of humanity, no straight thing can be made
to be fair
Colby doesn’t get a lot of things. but he just keeps drinking his protein shake and hitting the ball when he can.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 29, 2010 10:56 PM EDT up reply actions
it takes two
TLR has a history of butting heads with players, but Tony Rasmus made negative public comments about the Cardinals origination while Colby was still in the minors.
I didn’t get on base. One time I did (Wednesday) and we scored a run. That shows if I get on base, things can happen - Oilspill
of course Colby isn't without blame & neither was Drew
the similarities to the two situation are shocking. and the fact that TLR is repeating his mistakes with Drew are as well. like i said, i don’t see how this can end well for anyone
Out of the crooked timber of humanity, no straight thing can be made
Yeah dad hasn't been much help
in the past. Haven’t heard much lately. I guess it’s like bitching to your parents about your spouse. Bad idea. You’d like to think dad would have the good sense not to vent in public about it, but that didn’t happen a few years ago.
For all we know (at least all I know), it’s been a case where Rasmus has been hurting up to now. Maybe Tony just gave a quick response today to move on to the next question. It’s not like that would be unusual. I’m hoping we’re making more of this than we need to, but when it moves from him hurting to critiquing his approach today in BP, I get a little concerned. I don’t think we can afford to piss away any cost controlled production beyond 2011. And even if Rasmus tries to pull the ball too much, has holes in his swing he could fix, etc….he’s been productive on the whole.
by Merry CRasmus on Aug 29, 2010 11:08 PM EDT up reply actions
the last public thing I saw from Sr was he was glad Big Mac was taking over the coaching duties.
this was pre-consultation, of course. he seemed content to play grandpa.
I’m not sure if he offered any quotes about the consultation itself, but there have been regular sessions. maybe someone can dig that out.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 29, 2010 11:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Tony Rasmus was quoted in Strauss June 2010 article
I honestly don’t remember this issue between Colby & TLR back in June.
Colby's dad's name is Tony too?
holy shit, I think I know what is going on. Colby is totally being torn down the middle by the two Tonys
"Nah….He’s an infielder. Second base…..I played second base, how hard can it be?"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Aug 29, 2010 11:17 PM EDT up reply actions
Jungian shadow!!
…wait.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 29, 2010 11:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Colby probably wants to move to the other side of the planet from the two Tonys by now
micromanaging!
"Nah….He’s an infielder. Second base…..I played second base, how hard can it be?"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Aug 29, 2010 11:21 PM EDT up reply actions
why I have never thought of this!?
(commences self-flagellation)
by infallibleopiniongenerator on Aug 29, 2010 11:21 PM EDT up reply actions
I wonder which one is more annoying
Tony Rasmus or Tony Larussa
"Nah….He’s an infielder. Second base…..I played second base, how hard can it be?"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Aug 29, 2010 11:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Tony LaRasmus
I didn’t get on base. One time I did (Wednesday) and we scored a run. That shows if I get on base, things can happen - Oilspill
heh!
"Nah….He’s an infielder. Second base…..I played second base, how hard can it be?"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Aug 30, 2010 1:27 AM EDT up reply actions
are you actually skip schumaker
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 29, 2010 11:22 PM EDT up reply actions
There has to be a third Tony in his life
Tony Toni Tone!
Do you remember that spelling bee you won in the first grade? Rock? "R-O-K"?
by jd is legend on Aug 29, 2010 11:22 PM EDT up reply actions
lol!
a tony triumvirate
"Nah….He’s an infielder. Second base…..I played second base, how hard can it be?"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Aug 29, 2010 11:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Does he really?
I’d think any manager that has been around as long as Tony has would have run ins with players. I actually consider the amount Tony has had pretty low, all things considered.
i disagree with that.
tony has had run ins with many players, even some of his best ones. rolen, edmonds, drew, and colby right off the top of my head. and that is just the past few years. its possible in oakland and chicago was was easier going, but he sure isnt now.
"I throw him four wide ones then try to pick him off first base." - Preacher Roe on Stan Musial
4 players in how many years?
is a lot?
And one of those, Edmonds, I wouldn’t even count. The guy wasn’t even on the team, and they made up pretty darn fast. That is like saying Baker and Carpenter have issues b/c of the last series.
Rolen had issues with his manager in Philly too.
That’s why we were able to trade for him.
"When a pitcher's throwing a spitball, don't worry and don't complain, just hit the dry side like I do." - Stan Musial
"When I knocked a guy down, there was no second part to the story." - Bob Gibson
"Son, what kind of pitch would you like to miss." - Dizzy Dean
JD Drew....
He had talent to be one of the best… but he never wanted to be. He sat on his talent and did nothing to better himself. Look at where he has gone since leaving town.. A great ball player gifted with uber talent that has done nothing of note in his career. And he doesn’t care. Drew’s problem is Drew. He doesn’t think it’s a problem because he doesn’t care about his preformance. He is happy being mediocre. That is all.
"When a pitcher's throwing a spitball, don't worry and don't complain, just hit the dry side like I do." - Stan Musial
"When I knocked a guy down, there was no second part to the story." - Bob Gibson
"Son, what kind of pitch would you like to miss." - Dizzy Dean
correct me if i'm wrong, but that's all speculation right?
i mean, can’t we say the same about Colby right now? the similarities between he & Drew are striking
Out of the crooked timber of humanity, no straight thing can be made
I don't think Colby is like Drew...
1 I think Colby wants to be better.
2 I think that Colby’s real problem is not indifference but he seems to be uncomfortable around people.
I hate to say it but I think Colby has a mild case of what messed up K-bot. and I think that they are using kid gloves with him because of it… note the key words I THINK.
"When a pitcher's throwing a spitball, don't worry and don't complain, just hit the dry side like I do." - Stan Musial
"When I knocked a guy down, there was no second part to the story." - Bob Gibson
"Son, what kind of pitch would you like to miss." - Dizzy Dean
ya we've all read Colby's really, really shy, especially around the vets
i don’t think it’s anything like Kbot tho or even a mild case of social anxiety. i think the dude’s just shy & respectful of elders & doesn’t know the best way to interact around them.
Out of the crooked timber of humanity, no straight thing can be made
that might be it...
I also think Colby really respects TRL and looks up to him… I don’t think there is any tension between them and I really think Tony protects him at the expense of making himself look bad. Tony takes a lot of flack and has since day one back in 96. Sometimes it is deserved but a lot of it is from being the guy who takes the blame for his players. I think he is protective of everyone in that clubhouse. That is why they respect him. That is why most of all Albert respects him.
"When a pitcher's throwing a spitball, don't worry and don't complain, just hit the dry side like I do." - Stan Musial
"When I knocked a guy down, there was no second part to the story." - Bob Gibson
"Son, what kind of pitch would you like to miss." - Dizzy Dean
pulling him from the lineup
2 minutes from the first pitch is protecting him in what way?
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
twatter
If anything it amped up the scrutiny.
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Aug 30, 2010 2:38 AM EDT up reply actions
i don't know what happened
but it wasn’t any of the reasons that were stated. it wasn’t for matchup reasons (with either lannan or the umpire) and it wasn’t because he wanted to give colby an extra day.
something happened between the time tony made the lineup card and the first pitch
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
twatter
J.D. Drew has a career wOBA of .383 and a career OPS of .888
What more do you want?
Do you remember that spelling bee you won in the first grade? Rock? "R-O-K"?
by jd is legend on Aug 30, 2010 1:55 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
I was going to go there
then I passed it up. I think the fact we got Wainwright for Drew allows us to be a lot more flippant about him than we ought to be. He hasn’t been a bad player at all.
by Merry CRasmus on Aug 30, 2010 1:58 AM EDT up reply actions
A lot more from a guy who was born with more talent than Albert was born with.
Seeing what Albert has done (becoming the greatest ever) imagine what JD could have been.
"When a pitcher's throwing a spitball, don't worry and don't complain, just hit the dry side like I do." - Stan Musial
"When I knocked a guy down, there was no second part to the story." - Bob Gibson
"Son, what kind of pitch would you like to miss." - Dizzy Dean
how is he born with more talent?
I’d say Albert is one of the most talented ballplayers to ever play the game
"Nah….He’s an infielder. Second base…..I played second base, how hard can it be?"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Aug 30, 2010 2:04 AM EDT up reply actions
Albert worked for his talent..
and still does. His work ethic is unbelievable. He is as good as he is because he never stops trying to be better.
"When a pitcher's throwing a spitball, don't worry and don't complain, just hit the dry side like I do." - Stan Musial
"When I knocked a guy down, there was no second part to the story." - Bob Gibson
"Son, what kind of pitch would you like to miss." - Dizzy Dean
You are passing off pure opinion as fact
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
by mysterui on Aug 30, 2010 2:09 AM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
Albert has been tested by scientists and his reaction time is quicker than normal humans
not saying that JD is slower for sure, but I’d doubt he’s as fast as Pujols. Pujols uses this both on offense and defense. plus he’s been more durable but it’s hard to say exactly what effect all the training has.
"Nah….He’s an infielder. Second base…..I played second base, how hard can it be?"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Aug 30, 2010 2:15 AM EDT up reply actions
other than it can't hurt probably
"Nah….He’s an infielder. Second base…..I played second base, how hard can it be?"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Aug 30, 2010 2:15 AM EDT up reply actions
Alright I retract my statement about Drew being born with more talent...
this is a damn good read.
http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/albert-pujols-revisiting-the-early-years/
"When a pitcher's throwing a spitball, don't worry and don't complain, just hit the dry side like I do." - Stan Musial
"When I knocked a guy down, there was no second part to the story." - Bob Gibson
"Son, what kind of pitch would you like to miss." - Dizzy Dean
cool, thanks!
"Nah….He’s an infielder. Second base…..I played second base, how hard can it be?"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Aug 30, 2010 2:31 AM EDT up reply actions
basically Pujols is pretty much the perfect combination of power and finesse
"Nah….He’s an infielder. Second base…..I played second base, how hard can it be?"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Aug 30, 2010 2:33 AM EDT up reply actions
Basically, he was a bad mo-fo straight out of the womb.
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Aug 30, 2010 2:36 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
is anyone else ready to put the big Pujols statue nest to the Musial one.
I think it might be time… I don’t care if he plays another 10 years.. He has already earned it.
"When a pitcher's throwing a spitball, don't worry and don't complain, just hit the dry side like I do." - Stan Musial
"When I knocked a guy down, there was no second part to the story." - Bob Gibson
"Son, what kind of pitch would you like to miss." - Dizzy Dean
Let him pass Stan on the HRs list.
Then no one can say that you’re jumping the gun.
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Aug 30, 2010 2:41 AM EDT up reply actions
they need to get a new Stan statue first
Out of the crooked timber of humanity, no straight thing can be made
yeah stan isn't too fond of that one.
“(He) made me all bulky. I tried to get him to change it,” he told the Post-Dispatch in 2004. “I tried to get him to change it, but he just never would. So finally I told him, ‘Well, just go on and get it done.’ He never did get it right.” – Stan Musial
"When a pitcher's throwing a spitball, don't worry and don't complain, just hit the dry side like I do." - Stan Musial
"When I knocked a guy down, there was no second part to the story." - Bob Gibson
"Son, what kind of pitch would you like to miss." - Dizzy Dean
why are the referencing 9/11/2001 as a checkpoint for citizenship
validation and heightened crackdown…when he was already in hs well before that happened? does anyone have a legit answer?
good read but i thought i was getting the “scientist article” cards fan!
by guillermozeliak on Aug 30, 2010 3:09 AM EDT up reply actions
I think a lot of dominican players were caught with phony birthdates
due to the crackdown post-9/11, even if they’d already been in the country.
We traded him
Just as we lost cost control over him, and we managed to get Wainwight for him. Good for Jocketty on that one. If we’re going to compare Drew to Rasmus, though, I guess that means you want to give Rasmus 3 more years to develop before you trade him for prospects.
by Merry CRasmus on Aug 30, 2010 2:09 AM EDT up reply actions
Pujols was a fluke
A .383 wOBA is about as good as it gets for stars over a 10 year period.
Fire Tony La Russa
by vivaelpujols on Aug 30, 2010 8:44 AM EDT up reply actions
Drew isn't now
and never has been mediocre. He’s been a consistent 4-5 win player for years. Cards’ fans have a problem with him b/c they expected him to be Mickey Mantle and he never was. But he has been a very good player for many years. He is about as far from mediocre as one can get.
by chuckb on Aug 30, 2010 8:09 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Dude...go look at JD Drews 2 best seasons
2001 he was one of the best hitters in the National League and was worth 5.9 WAR in 109 games. 6 WAR IN 109 GAMES? ARE YOU SERIOUS?
In 2004 he was worth 7.5 WAR in 145 games, the only season of his career with fewer than 20 missed games due to injury. If he could have stayed healthy, he might have been Bondsian. He had all the tools, he just got hurt a lot.
It’s all perception when regarding JD Drew. He doesn’t show desire, so he’s perceived to be un-caring.
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
What the fuck was Chip Caray doing stealing Shannon's HR call?
Fire John Mozeliak up a nice steak, or stake ( haven't decided)
if there's one thing we're good at here
it’s speculating..
..and overanalyzing
After i sat on this for half the day this is what i came up with:
Is it possible we’re misinterpreting the whole thing?
What about this:
“I’ve done it for years,” La Russa said. “When a guy’s ready, you give him one more day just to have that peace of mind. We felt like a day game would be a push. You start sweating, dehydrating. He’ll be in there tomorrow.”
The late switch was odd, especially from La Russa, who typically would rather post a lineup late than have to make a change to an already-posted card. Both player and manager painted it as a matter of caution and nothing more.
“They’re just giving me another day,” Rasmus said. “Talked about it and that’s what we came up with. I’m good.”
Maybe the media is writing it up this odd way to build up some suspense, it’s not like losing over and over again makes for compelling articles. Maybe they took it personally (and it seemed like they really did) because they were not told about this last minute move. Strauss sure seemed very insulted
TLR is still employed by DeWitt and Co and he has to answer to them. This is still a business. If someone DeWitt employs repeatedly jeopardizes profit, ownership would have said something. I think in his mind TLR’s doing the best he can to put the team in a position to win with what he has to work with. If Miles at 2B makes sense to him than that’s just a matter of different interpretation of “best position to win”.
In all fairness, Colby really has struck out a lot this year. It’s normal, it was expected. But if Tony felt like this matchup would have been won only by small steps, singles, doubles, sac flies, and Colby swings for the fences and can’t bunt, then i can see why he’d sit him. If there’s bad blood between Raz and the umpire and he would have been squeezed and made an auto out, than what would be the point to play him? I am sure he had a reason that made sense to him, even if it’s really stupid
Tony has made many many overly micromanaged moves that led to disasters, but don’t say he doesn’t care. While everyone is laughing in the dugout even if we’re losing, TLR is the one who looks like he’s about to have a stroke every game. He also can’t go out and hit and take more pitches for the guys or affect their luck so that Albert and Jay and Lego aren’t short a couple feet of HR’s most of the time or Craig doesn’t hit line drives directly into people’s gloves.
Fact is, lately we’ve sucked. The defense has sucked, pitching has sucked, we’ve had bad ump, bad luck, bad AB’s, haven’t hit when we needed to, FO has made some questionable roster moves, manager has made some really bad calls, the Reds just won’t stop winning. Everyone is pressing, which makes us suck even more. But I would put this on everyone.
With that being said, I am far from the thought LaRussa likes everyone an everyone likes LaRussa. But not doing everything on both sides to get over stuff like that and be professional is childish. However guys, don’t forget that this is all really just speculation and we won’t know the truth. So stop overreacting.
I just wrote all that and I sure am not reading it all so you don’t have to either
..i miss ludriguez-wick..
by d-dee on Aug 29, 2010 11:15 PM EDT reply actions 7 recs
below is my first reply fail, I think
if you’re skimming for short comments: go ahead and read the above post. It’s good.
by infallibleopiniongenerator on Aug 29, 2010 11:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Good post
We don’t really know. We’ll see where it goes from here. All I know if that if Rasmus is healthy, he needs to be playing. Which is not to say he doesn’t have flaws he needs to work through.
by Merry CRasmus on Aug 29, 2010 11:22 PM EDT up reply actions
i think colby
wouldve struck out 190 times this year
by guillermozeliak on Aug 29, 2010 11:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Possibly
But I’m a big Ray Lankford fan too. He had a lot of people that thought little of him because of the K’s, but I’ll take that tradeoff if they’re punishing the ball when they hit it. Especially if they can hang at CF.
by Merry CRasmus on Aug 29, 2010 11:27 PM EDT up reply actions
I think that's part of Rasmus's trouble...
His potential is to be another Ray Lankford. That’s a good thing, as Ray is probably one of the all time great Cardinals, obviously not in the Hall of Fame class, but in the rung below that, guys who are very very good.
But because for whatever reason, so much emphasis is placed on strikeouts and batting average in the St. Louis media (including broadcasts) and the appearance of how you play, well, he doesn’t appear to be as good as he is.
And of course, when he doesn’t look like Ray Lankford (strikes out a lot but also walks a lot), he’s more like Cory Patterson (strikes out a lot and doesn’t walk)
of course it's speculation
but in the context of 1) past actions, 2) what happened today, 3) how what happened to day was disseminated, there’s plenty of smoke here. I don’t think it’s out of bounds to wonder if there’s fire.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 29, 2010 11:26 PM EDT up reply actions
I don't think anyone's slitting their wrists
except maybe the … is there a Trade Colby camp now?
I’m so behind the times.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 29, 2010 11:31 PM EDT up reply actions
well...
I could get into a trade Colby camp if we can get something for him. But I can get into a trade anyone not-named-wainwright camp if it will actually help the team.
I didn’t get on base. One time I did (Wednesday) and we scored a run. That shows if I get on base, things can happen - Oilspill
I can't think of any package that would be a fair trade, really.
not for the Cards, anyway. maybe in a few years, when the draft classes behind him start coming up.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 29, 2010 11:35 PM EDT up reply actions
me neither
but I couldn’t think of anything before we traded Scotty, And I got to say Glaus was a pretty even trade at the time.
I didn’t get on base. One time I did (Wednesday) and we scored a run. That shows if I get on base, things can happen - Oilspill
that was kind of tricky, though
we lucked out that the injury-time matched up, more or less. that’s like… futures trading or something.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 29, 2010 11:41 PM EDT up reply actions
the only way I trade Colby is if we're getting another Waino out of it
Colby: "There's been a whole lot of riff-raff going on"
that's pretty much futures trading too
TINSTAAPP
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 30, 2010 12:26 AM EDT up reply actions
oh, wait
anyone have a band-aid?
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
twatter
by prophetjohn on Aug 30, 2010 12:53 AM EDT up reply actions
remember which way!
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 30, 2010 12:55 AM EDT up reply actions
if he has done it for years,
why the late switch to the lineup? i hope you are right, but there is more to this i’m afraid. i read the above quotes as a way for the org to try to cover up what has happened. perhaps i’m being too cynical, but i’m tired of tlr fighting with his players. it’s possible that colby is immature and childish and has a bit of growing up to do, but it is tony’s JOB to deal with that kind of thing. a manager has to be able deal with all types of personalities, and if you can’t do that, you shouldn’t manage a mlb team, period.
"I throw him four wide ones then try to pick him off first base." - Preacher Roe on Stan Musial
remember when they (strauss) blew it out of proportion
whenever albert and tony had words?
i think this might be one of these things too
..i miss ludriguez-wick..
hopefully.
but tony and pujols have always gotten along in the past, so i believe that was a one time thing. colby and tony have history though. also, i hate strauss.
"I throw him four wide ones then try to pick him off first base." - Preacher Roe on Stan Musial
except as I said, over and over
100% of the media outlets made notice of it.
Strauss did his Straussy thing, but this time it wasn’t just him raising eyebrows.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 29, 2010 11:32 PM EDT up reply actions
the carp and boog in the tunnel thing
even espn rode that thing for days
the media should not be your proof for anything
..i miss ludriguez-wick..
if it was just words things would be different
by YesWeOquendo on Aug 29, 2010 11:36 PM EDT up reply actions
he's pushed carp back and taken him out when carp didn't want to be taken out
albert has sat too but that is different, people pay to watch albert and albert has enough weight to say i play, end of story.
i do agree that tony treats youngsters differently – boog and cheese in particular. i don’t like it. but maybe he thinks that’s how he keeps them in check, maybe he thinks he’s doing a good thing.
i’m just not jumping off a bridge over this one thing, especially given that colby was recovering from injury directly before this.
and i also want to know the colby and ump story
otherwise we’re all drawing conclusions from half info
..i miss ludriguez-wick..
he doesn't treat boog too different this year
Boog stayed in until his defense suffered as well as his bat. I don’t think many of managers would have stuck with Boog that long.
I didn’t get on base. One time I did (Wednesday) and we scored a run. That shows if I get on base, things can happen - Oilspill
I'm not saying it's a proof for anything!
I’m just saying we’re not blowing it out of proportion.
let us speculate, geez. the sane ones know we are speculating. we’re not freaking out over anything less than the known facts. if that bothers you, then shoot, don’t speculate.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 29, 2010 11:37 PM EDT up reply actions
overreact much?
taken this a little too personally?
i thought i was allowed to express an opinion and argue my side?…
..i miss ludriguez-wick..
I get to argue back, haha
I don’t see any evidence that 90% of the posters here don’t understand that we are operating with limited information. so when you say “So stop overreacting”, and then say it over and over again, I’m trying to tell you. this post doesn’t have much overreacting in it.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 29, 2010 11:45 PM EDT up reply actions
I mean, it's a little ironic when you tell us to cut that out.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 29, 2010 11:46 PM EDT up reply actions
it's as much directed at veb as it is at muself
i am freaking the fuck out
..i miss ludriguez-wick..
well calm down, sister
like I said, and that probably did come out wrong, if it’s not serving you to speculate, then don’t do it.
let the rest of us stick our heads over the edge like a bunch of curious monkeys.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 29, 2010 11:48 PM EDT up reply actions
just because we are free to speculate
doesnt mean that others cant disagree with our speculation. d-dee never said, ‘quit speculating,’ but rather that she felt the speculation wasn’t necessarily correct. speculation is of course by definition not fully based on fact, but it is fun and i feel awesome doing it. that said, if someone thinks im overreacting, thats fine. its their opinion. i dont see how that is ironic. its how they feel.
a blog, of all places, is no place to stifle conversation.
"I throw him four wide ones then try to pick him off first base." - Preacher Roe on Stan Musial
sorry, dude...
So stop overreacting.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 30, 2010 12:03 AM EDT up reply actions
and I said
I’m just saying we’re not blowing it out of proportion.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 30, 2010 12:05 AM EDT up reply actions
I'm saying, we know it's a hypothesis. we don't need to be told that it's not the confirmed, utterly god's honest truth facts-trufax.
(at least, I hope we do).
the thing is, there’s a lot of work going into this speculation and hypothesizing, and to just say “hey, quit overreacting” is rather stifling all of that digging.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 30, 2010 12:08 AM EDT up reply actions
the other thing is, it's really hard to get groupthink out of a bunch of reporters on the fly.
it’s highly unlikely that all the cats got herded in the same direction unless there was a can opener running.
do I think that perhaps there wasn’t a can opener going? yes. do I think it’s probable? no.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 30, 2010 12:15 AM EDT up reply actions
dude those guys tweet to each other all. day. long.
they steal each other’s stories
it’s like watching them measure who has the longest
if one brings sth controversial up, they’ll all jump on it just so that they don’t miss out on the action
to me, most of these guys have zero credibility
and btw, i do think that some people here today especially right after the game needed to be told to stop freaking out. irrationality was flying high.
i’m not trying to be the school principal to discipline everyone but i do tend to get bossy
so pardon me for saying something that seemed to have hurt your pride – exclude yourself from whatever group you thought i was addressing
..i miss ludriguez-wick..
i'm not sure where you get that I'm taking this personally
and by all media outlets
I meant
radio
television
newspaper.
not just twitter.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 30, 2010 12:27 AM EDT up reply actions
as... I've been trying to tell you.
I’m just trying to say that we’re not doing this on nothing.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 30, 2010 12:28 AM EDT up reply actions
as it happened. live.
and as it continued to happen. or in this case, not-happen.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 30, 2010 12:29 AM EDT up reply actions
the local guys all follow what the others are doing
so everyone is jumping on board
regardless of the outlet, they’ll write/talk/tweet about this till they beat it to death or someone proves they’re wrong
just because a bunch of people are preaching the same thing, it doesn’t make it right
especially with journalists – you see a reason to make something a big story, you run with it
albert and tony yelling at each other → they hate each other
floppy scratched last minute from lineup with cubs → personality problems
luddy not getting playing time → problems between him and larussa
carp and boog in the tunnel → carp’s an ass and hates boog
now this
doesn’t surprise me one bit
and i don’t believe it. not yet anyway
..i miss ludriguez-wick..
but we're not talking about what they're speculating.
we’re just not. lol. we’re speculating, based on what we know. there are not many people here who are taking it at face value. we’re looking at the bare facts and going from there.
the thing is, I’m not stopping you from arguing. I’m just saying if you’re going to argue this, bring more to the table than “they always do this.”
yeah, I know that. but where’s the evidence? we know for sure that the lineup changed at the last minute and that no explanation was given. that’s … fact.
in any case, if you were referring to the people overreacting right after the game, well yeah. it was a game thread. that wasn’t really apparent from your original comment — esp. with the time stamp. if I thought you were talking to us in this post, and you weren’t, then I apologize for the misunderstanding.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 30, 2010 12:38 AM EDT up reply actions
on the other side of the coin
all of these “journalists” are a pool similar to veb, given that they interact constantly and they also have … wait for it… no proof
so technically, we’re all speculating
..i miss ludriguez-wick..
I'm trying to say we know there is no proof.
and we know we are speculating.
but that does not mean we are overreacting, because we started from the facts of the situation.
if you’re going to dispute those facts, it would help to dispute them with moar facts.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 30, 2010 12:48 AM EDT up reply actions
...those are backed up by facts.
where are yours?
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 30, 2010 12:50 AM EDT up reply actions
i mean, haha, that's kind of terse, sorry.
but for the most part, people are backing it up. they’re bringin’ it. some of it is rather crappy back-up, but hey.
that’s just the healthy discourse of VEB.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 30, 2010 12:55 AM EDT up reply actions
what my facts why tlr shouldn't be fired
or why calling for his head is unreasonable?
or why i think veb as a whole is overreacting?
because firing a manager with a winning record like larussa’s in the last part of the season, from a team still in postseason contention is irrational
..i miss ludriguez-wick..
if you're gonna start out saying the other side is irrational and overreacting?
that’s the part I really have issue with. it allows for no one to argue against you. and at the time of your posting, it pretty much negated most of the comments in the thread.
of course that’s a valid argument. go out and argue it, if you wish. but y’know, give the other side room to move? particularly when half the people here are just tossing around ideas, and not really running around leaping off buildings.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
i am going back and forth on the letting go/retiring of larussa
i am more prone to give the guy the benefit of the doubt before i go for his throat. i just think it’s premature.
although he’s not exactly making it easy to side with him
i expressed an opinion and by no means do i want to say it’s the ultimate truth but in my eyes it’s still irrational to call for his head, especially given the timing but i do understand why people will be quick to pull the trigger like that. i do believe though that frustration is a bad foundation to make decision of off
yes tony has made bad decisions, they’ve all broken my heart watching the consequences. but you let him go now, who replaces him, how does he fit in with the pitching philosophy, how does that sit with the team, how does that affect dunc staying, albert resigning? we did win 69 games, didn’t we? we’re still in contention. we’ve had many one run losses. mostly close games when we lost. tony does not hold a bat or field groundballs so he can only do so much. it’s not a cut and dry decision and just saying fire him and we see what happens is overreacting and irrational because it doesn’t account for all the information an all the question marks and possible fallout.
it is my feeling we’re collectively jumping the gun somewhat but i am not saying everyone is completely unreasonable, so why are you trying to back me into a corner where i have to provide you with proof for something i am not even insisting is completely right/completely wrong?
bottom line – i only assume ownership knows what they’re doing and there is a reason why larussa will stay/go after this season is said and done, and we have no part in the decision making
..i miss ludriguez-wick..
i want to add,
i dont mean this as an attack on you or anything, just as a general truth here. a lot of us have strong opinions, and i really like that about this place.
"I throw him four wide ones then try to pick him off first base." - Preacher Roe on Stan Musial
agreed
I also enjoy the strong opinions,.
"When a pitcher's throwing a spitball, don't worry and don't complain, just hit the dry side like I do." - Stan Musial
"When I knocked a guy down, there was no second part to the story." - Bob Gibson
"Son, what kind of pitch would you like to miss." - Dizzy Dean
wtf
since when did you become the voice of reason and perspective?
nice post
by YesWeOquendo on Aug 29, 2010 11:33 PM EDT up reply actions
2 things
tlr preaches aggressive at bats, which has consistently jibed with the cards being towards the bottom of pitches per at bat rankings
having a stroke about losing is what contributes to the tightness/listlessness of the playing environement
I may be in a rut, but at least I know where I'm going
...to DFA TLR
if there is one thing i hate
its aggressive at bats.
"Sorry about him, he's dealing with being an inker. " - Chasing Amy
for me
it’s unsuccessful at bats
and letting the opponents off with 69 pitches through 6, like today, with 5 hits
I may be in a rut, but at least I know where I'm going
...to DFA TLR
imo aggressive at bats
lead to more unsuccessful at-bats. its been awhile since i looked at the numbers but they have been run around here previously and what i remember from them is greater pitches per at bat = more successful at bats on average.
"Sorry about him, he's dealing with being an inker. " - Chasing Amy
When i think of aggressive batters i think
holliday, carlos gonzalez, soriano
but then if u look at yadi’s p/pa….its pretty low too..but yadi is not an aggressive batter
by guillermozeliak on Aug 30, 2010 12:24 AM EDT up reply actions
when i think of aggressive batters
i think of tony larussa and his swing at the first pitch you like because you might not see another one mantra.
we are definitely in the bottom half of the league in p/pa and last year we were second worst according to baseball reference.
two different hitting coaches with the same result and one common factor.
"Sorry about him, he's dealing with being an inker. " - Chasing Amy
The thing is
I kinda get what he is saying. You have to swing at the first good pitch you get many times because you cannot just let people lay one over the middle to get ahead 0-1. You have to be ready to swing enough to make a professional pitcher respect the fact they have to take you seriously.
So I think he’s on to something, but IMO it is taken to the extreme too often.
by Merry CRasmus on Aug 30, 2010 1:00 AM EDT up reply actions
that's just horrid
p/pa needs to go up, it’s like we are helping the other team’s pitchers by not making them work
"Nah….He’s an infielder. Second base…..I played second base, how hard can it be?"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Aug 30, 2010 1:29 AM EDT up reply actions
true true true
bp’s are staffed by lesser pitchers in general, so the sooner we see them the better. people in the best of times make an out >2/3 of the time
don’t do it on one pitch
plus for many cards, the first pitch ain’t all that great, but they swing anyway. holly seems the worst at predetermined swing at the first pitch itis.
I may be in a rut, but at least I know where I'm going
...to DFA TLR
this is tied to our main problem on offense
"Nah….He’s an infielder. Second base…..I played second base, how hard can it be?"
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Aug 30, 2010 7:06 PM EDT up reply actions
Damn d-dee
F’n brilliant… I really liked your post.
"When a pitcher's throwing a spitball, don't worry and don't complain, just hit the dry side like I do." - Stan Musial
"When I knocked a guy down, there was no second part to the story." - Bob Gibson
"Son, what kind of pitch would you like to miss." - Dizzy Dean
Am I missing something here?
Didn’t Tony expressly say that Rasmus will have to earn his plate appearances the rest of the season? That’s what I’m pissed at, not that he sat out 1 game.
Fire Tony La Russa
by vivaelpujols on Aug 30, 2010 8:49 AM EDT up reply actions
the only people on the team that don't have to do that are
albert cause he’s the star
yadi cause we really don’t have a backup and he’s awesome
lego cause he’s getting paid a shitton
carp and waino cause they’re badass and the closest thing we have to a guaranteed win
everyone else, i think, will have to earn it. it’s made more difficult for some than it is for others but that’s another story
..i miss ludriguez-wick..
Rasmus has already earned his plate appearances this year by having a .850 OPS
And being one of the most highly regarded young players by scouts and stats a like.
It’s not like it’s Jay vs. Rasmus, in which case you could argue that Jay has played better (despite the unsustainable BABIP and far worse minor league track record and prospect status), it’s Rasmus vs. Skip/Winn. Rasmus has already earned playing time over those guys by playing so much fucking better than them over the course of the season.
Fire Tony La Russa
by vivaelpujols on Aug 30, 2010 9:36 AM EDT up reply actions
not in tlr's book apparently
i’m not saying it’s not wrong to make him work for it harder than others
cause we all know colby is awesome. and so is jay and so is craig. and there is/should be room for all three of them
..i miss ludriguez-wick..
I just don't get it
The Ludwick trade worked out so beautifully because we had 2 all star caliber players under team control for the next 5 years in left field and center field. We we’re going into right field with two good prospects, Jay and Craig, and giving them a shot to prove there worth. Even Randy Winn was a solid backup.
The whole thing was so beautiful and Tony is fucking it up. Why is he doing this? It just doesn’t make sense.
Fire Tony La Russa
by vivaelpujols on Aug 30, 2010 10:57 AM EDT up reply actions
um, it's pretty obvious - because tlr
i think someone needs to publish a book on tlr logic
kinda like a user manual for the fans
..i miss ludriguez-wick..
It obviously didn't "work out so beautifully"
Because the Cardinals have flat out sucked compared to their talent level since the trades have occurred. The trade may have been able to have a positive spin, but in my mind the trades have really detracted from this club. They have given more opportunity (along with injuries) for players like Winn and Miles to become mainstays – which I’m sure is what LaRussa wanted because of his love affair with playing veterans.
I think this is just a bad stretch
And it would be palatable if we were putting out our best lineup on the field every single day.
But we’re not. Miles has gotten starts, Winn has gotten starts, Felipe Lopez has played shortstop. I don’t know how hard it is to just put your best players out on the field most fo the time.
Fire Tony La Russa
by vivaelpujols on Aug 31, 2010 2:03 AM EDT up reply actions
should have put "tlr logic" tags around this entire post
caus.ei sure don’t see it tha.t way
..i miss ludriguez-wick..
by d-dee on Aug 30, 2010 10:02 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
but your not pissed about Lohse having to earn his starting spot?
I didn’t get on base. One time I did (Wednesday) and we scored a run. That shows if I get on base, things can happen - Oilspill
No, because Lohse has pitched like shit - his ERA is over 7 and his peripherals aren't much better
Rasmus, on the other hand, has had a excellent season. He has a fucking .850 OPS! As a 23 year old! As a centerfielder! He also happens to be a good baserunner and fielder.
THIS DOESN’T MAKE ANY SENSE!!!!!
Fire Tony La Russa
by vivaelpujols on Aug 30, 2010 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
if you're skimming for short comments:
go ahead and read the above post. It’s good.
by infallibleopiniongenerator on Aug 29, 2010 11:18 PM EDT reply actions
where are my unicorns?
As stated in Wed. chat, it’s fair guess either TLR or Raz’ is gone from STL before ‘11 season. Wouldn’t go all in w/it but would raise w/it
Out of the crooked timber of humanity, no straight thing can be made
was going to post this
but couldn’t remember how to post individual tweet. Could this be any more non-newsy?
"Baseball is like Church, many attend, few understand" - Wes Westrum
ah
sorry! I didn’t see your post already. apologies.
by HailKingAlbert on Aug 29, 2010 11:27 PM EDT up reply actions
now, Joe Strauss — *he* is overreacting.
inasmuch as it’s his business to report facts and not spin speculation.
and also, totally stealing from this post.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 29, 2010 11:28 PM EDT up reply actions
what a dumbass
can’t create the news strauss
this is not fox news or cnn, you’re a sports reporter, stick to reporting, not guessing
..i miss ludriguez-wick..
it's his personal twitter account
he’s allowed
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
twatter
by prophetjohn on Aug 30, 2010 12:57 AM EDT up reply actions
it's not really his personal twitter account
he’s using it in his capacity as Joe Strauss, Beloved Sports Personality.
you did not just type that.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
i was so shocked
I had to forgo my “BSP” one-liner.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
but he's not saying this on behalf of the P-D
and either way, he does kind of get paid for his opinion. i happen to enjoy reading the opinions of people closer to the action than i
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
twatter
maybe in general
but in this particular case I’d rather hear b.j. rains talk about catching up on lost.
his girlfriend wants sam bradford
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
please tell me that fat fuck doesn't have a girlfriend?
Out of the crooked timber of humanity, no straight thing can be made
.................I won't tell you, then?
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
good because i'd need some bandages if you did
Out of the crooked timber of humanity, no straight thing can be made
i mean honestly, how can he get a gf & i can't?
Out of the crooked timber of humanity, no straight thing can be made
ya but i have access to Dan, Red & Az
i mean come on! that’s the trinity of blogdom!
Out of the crooked timber of humanity, no straight thing can be made
hey guys!
i totally heard something. what i heard seems like it might make sense, so it may be true. i wouldn’t bet on it though. at least, i wouldn’t bet the house. might raise, would definitely check. anyway, i’m smarter than you and have inside knowledge. pass the zima.
~ drunk frat boy strauss
"I throw him four wide ones then try to pick him off first base." - Preacher Roe on Stan Musial
cue al, dan, ricky and bjrains
jumping on the same bandwaggon and riding it till it breaks starting tomorrow
..i miss ludriguez-wick..
Poker metaphor
Cool
Do you remember that spelling bee you won in the first grade? Rock? "R-O-K"?
by jd is legend on Aug 29, 2010 11:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Hi I’m new here guys. I love Colby as much as anybody on here, and its ridiculous that TLR is driving him away.
Joe Strauss on twitter:
As stated in Wed. chat, it’s fair guess either TLR or Raz’ is gone from STL before ‘11 season. Wouldn’t go all in w/it but would raise w/it. 2 minutes ago
by HailKingAlbert on Aug 29, 2010 11:27 PM EDT reply actions
ok... I officially cannot tell any of you apart.
sorry.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 29, 2010 11:28 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
don't we already have an stlcardsfan?
stlcardsfan4?
by YesWeOquendo on Aug 29, 2010 11:38 PM EDT up reply actions
i mean really
there are like, four or five of me. I’m havin’ trouble with this.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 29, 2010 11:39 PM EDT up reply actions
i
didn’t know there was another one! well..i guess i should of figured. but is there any way to change it to something different?
by HailKingAlbert on Aug 29, 2010 11:40 PM EDT up reply actions
i changed my username once
just emailed sbn support and asked them if they could change my avatar to yesweoquendo. about two days later they emailed me back saying it was done. no problem
but there’s also value in confusing the hell out of yadi2
whatever floats your boat
by YesWeOquendo on Aug 29, 2010 11:46 PM EDT up reply actions
thanks
I just sent an email. So, hopefully they’ll get to that soon. :)
by HailKingAlbert on Aug 29, 2010 11:53 PM EDT up reply actions
heh
funny transposition there. Explains how you post so much.
"Baseball is like Church, many attend, few understand" - Wes Westrum
nothing explains that.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 29, 2010 11:41 PM EDT up reply actions
i honestly thought u had macros set up or some shit
by guillermozeliak on Aug 29, 2010 11:43 PM EDT up reply actions
it could be done
but that’s not me.
I don’t think.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 29, 2010 11:50 PM EDT up reply actions
stlcardsfan4, stxcardsfan, stlcardinalsfang
Do you remember that spelling bee you won in the first grade? Rock? "R-O-K"?
by jd is legend on Aug 29, 2010 11:51 PM EDT up reply actions
since you are in fact brand new,
you may want to become brand new again. unique handles are much easier to remember, and your current one is quite similar to many others, in particular stlcardsfan4. so that is very confusing to the rest of us. of course, its entirely up to you, but your personality will definitely come across better if we can remember which comments are yours and not that other fan with a similar name. my 2 cents anyway.
"I throw him four wide ones then try to pick him off first base." - Preacher Roe on Stan Musial
also if you do get a new username aviod anything with "matty" in it
we got a matty infestation up in here
by YesWeOquendo on Aug 29, 2010 11:50 PM EDT up reply actions
an infestation, is that what they call it now
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 29, 2010 11:53 PM EDT up reply actions
There used to be a MattyI (or something like that) around here
Do you remember that spelling bee you won in the first grade? Rock? "R-O-K"?
by jd is legend on Aug 30, 2010 12:11 AM EDT up reply actions
mattisnotfrench
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 30, 2010 12:15 AM EDT up reply actions
yeah
but you people don’t have any problem telling us apart
Fire John Mozeliak up a nice steak, or stake ( haven't decided)
how come...
no one was up in arms about when Tony went to the Public and told them that Lohse needed more rehab even though Kyle said he didnt? Also, we don’t seem to be angery at Tony saying Lohse (proven Veteran!) will have to earn his spot in the rotation, and sited Hawksworth, Suppan or someone in Memphis as other possible starters.
I didn’t get on base. One time I did (Wednesday) and we scored a run. That shows if I get on base, things can happen - Oilspill
since when did Lohse have proveyness?
he’s been treated like a 4th or 5th starter by everyone but the FO.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 29, 2010 11:34 PM EDT up reply actions
to be fair,
he dismissed hawksworth and the memphis five as possibilities. so really, he is just saying that lohse isnt as gritty and veterany as suppan, which we all knew already.
"I throw him four wide ones then try to pick him off first base." - Preacher Roe on Stan Musial
quite simply
cause Lohse, despite what he’s paid, isn’t a valuable commodity, nor is there any danger to the organization in trading him since he’s essentially impossible to trade. there’s real risk with this with Colby IF all the drama is factual
Colby: "There's been a whole lot of riff-raff going on"
Am I missing someothing here?
People aren’t up in arms because Tony sat out Rasmus one more game, people are up in arms because Tony said that Rasmus’ approach at the plate will dictate how much he starters. In other words, Rasmus has to prove he’s better (read: Tony likes his approach more) or else he’ll be riding the pine in favor of Skip Schumaker and Randy Winn.
Fire Tony La Russa
by vivaelpujols on Aug 30, 2010 8:24 AM EDT up reply actions
Lohse' is a complte strawman
Fire Tony La Russa
by vivaelpujols on Aug 30, 2010 8:24 AM EDT up reply actions
my driving point is that people are saying Tony is treating Rasmus differently than everyone else
when that is in fact not true.
I didn’t get on base. One time I did (Wednesday) and we scored a run. That shows if I get on base, things can happen - Oilspill
You're point is incorrect
Lohse is having to earn his starts because he is terrible. Rasmus has been amazing.
Name another time where Tony has made a guy with a .850 OPS “earn his starts”.
Fire Tony La Russa
by vivaelpujols on Aug 30, 2010 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions
You spelled compote wrong
Do you remember that spelling bee you won in the first grade? Rock? "R-O-K"?
by jd is legend on Aug 30, 2010 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions
rasmus fits our model
going forward our model is young cheap talent that can offset the cost of pujols/holiday/wainer/yadi/etc.. rasmus fits that and in no way should he be traded unless we are overwhelmed and even in that case maybe not. pujols and holiday are in their prime and we need as much major league ready talent as we can get our hands on and i don’t think rasmus would bring that.
the benefits that we get from Tony at the helm would seem to be benefits that can be replaced by other managers. The only thing that he seems to bring to the table that can’t be replaced would be experience and that “respect” factor that a lot of players have. now there is value there that sometimes gets discounted but there are also negatives that come with both of those.
"Sorry about him, he's dealing with being an inker. " - Chasing Amy
model could easily change
if we don’t sign Pujols
I didn’t get on base. One time I did (Wednesday) and we scored a run. That shows if I get on base, things can happen - Oilspill
do you honestly believe thats going to happen?
"Sorry about him, he's dealing with being an inker. " - Chasing Amy
Pujols seems like a quiet man with very strong opinions and seemingly little sentimentality
I have no idea what he wants or who he likes, but if the Cards do something in the near future that he doesn’t like, I could easily see him walking without giving it a second thought.
that family, though...
family already swings his decision-making, from what little we know, shows up in his NTC … uh, clauses. whatever that noun is.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
Even there we have no idea how that factors in
He may stay due to family roots, or he might depart for some other city where there is a bigger Dominican community where he and his family might be more comfortable, or he might want to go someplace that is less of a baseball town where his wife and kids aren’t instant celebrities.
There is nowhere he isn't a celebrity
I could see where he’d end up somewhere else, but that won’t be why.
by Merry CRasmus on Aug 30, 2010 1:25 AM EDT up reply actions
But he won't be the biggest star in town in other places
Yes, he’ll still be a star, but If he goes to NYC or LA, he’s not going to be the biggest star in town because there will be many, many people, who already get more of the limelight than he would. That goes double for his family.
Here, however, he is almost undoubtedly the biggest star in town. Anywhere he goes he is instantly the center of attention. In places like NYC or LA , where there are plenty of internationally renowned stars, he would be more of a minor figure, at least relative to his position in St. Louis, unless he purposely chooses to inject himself into the limelight.
he would still fit a post-Pujols model, though.
the vacuum in offense would have to be filled by Holliday annnnnd who else?
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 29, 2010 11:42 PM EDT up reply actions
the two other 15 million dollar players
that we could get for instead of Pujols’ 30 million.
I didn’t get on base. One time I did (Wednesday) and we scored a run. That shows if I get on base, things can happen - Oilspill
we should start a short list
it’s a weird time to try it though, because a lot of the up-side kids are galloping up their hills. some of them might have Longoria contracts… some of them might have nuttier ones.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 29, 2010 11:51 PM EDT up reply actions
we are better with Rasmus
but if the Club doesn’t sign Pujols they better be spending a good amount of money on bringing someone else in.
I didn’t get on base. One time I did (Wednesday) and we scored a run. That shows if I get on base, things can happen - Oilspill
agreed
but no sense removing a known quantity on offense. especially since David Freese is suddenly a very, very unknown quantity on just about anything.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 29, 2010 11:59 PM EDT up reply actions
...wick
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 30, 2010 12:00 AM EDT up reply actions
sorry. hiccup.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 30, 2010 12:00 AM EDT up reply actions
hiccupwick
I didn’t get on base. One time I did (Wednesday) and we scored a run. That shows if I get on base, things can happen - Oilspill
it probably wouldn't work exactly in a 1:1 unfortunately
i expect the org would have to cut payroll if pujols ever moved to a different team
by YesWeOquendo on Aug 29, 2010 11:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Pujols A) won't cause 30 million a year
And B) is more valuable by himself than two other players are seperately. You can’t just find 3.5 – 4 WAR players on the market, and if you did, they generally cost more than 15 million a year.
Fire Tony La Russa
by vivaelpujols on Aug 30, 2010 8:27 AM EDT up reply actions
whatever
point still stands. If Pujols leaves the Cardinals will have to adjust their strategy.
I didn’t get on base. One time I did (Wednesday) and we scored a run. That shows if I get on base, things can happen - Oilspill
No shit
And Rasmus would be an excellent player to have around regardless.
Fire Tony La Russa
by vivaelpujols on Aug 30, 2010 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions
There are other cheap, young players in MLB
I’d think we might match up with TB, or any number of teams. We could use MI help. We could use a 3B. We could use another OF if we move Raz. We could use a SP. We could use Lohse not being here.
hahah
“Hey, why win with a $30m payroll when we can possibly win less with a $60m payroll?”
isn't it a bad time to change gears, too?
cubs: getting younger.
astros: getting younger.
reds: built to win the division.
not sure if the brewers can get over their dysfunction, and the pirates are being looted, but still.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 29, 2010 11:58 PM EDT up reply actions
hmmmm
We could use Lohse not being here.
Someone has to fill the Wellenmeyer role every season
"When a pitcher's throwing a spitball, don't worry and don't complain, just hit the dry side like I do." - Stan Musial
"When I knocked a guy down, there was no second part to the story." - Bob Gibson
"Son, what kind of pitch would you like to miss." - Dizzy Dean
ok ... round up your unicorns, because Strauss is really, really reaching for pot-stirrers now.
reaching so far, he may even be able to see out of his tonsils.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
kind of a crazy day eh?
it’s like some levee broke
by YesWeOquendo on Aug 30, 2010 12:04 AM EDT up reply actions
bored Sunday night is my guess.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 30, 2010 12:16 AM EDT up reply actions
so to sum up
JoeStrauss: Press box notified of Raz’ scratch at 1:33 p.m. First pitch: 1:35 p.m. #stlcards about 10 hours ago via Echofon
JoeStrauss: @JohnMarecek Heard #happytalk got a little tense today. about 10 hours ago via Echofon in reply to JohnMarecek
JohnMarecek: @JoeStrauss #BanHim told TLR he needs to settle on a lineup. TLR said ok, who do you want? Didn’t go well after that. about 10 hours ago via TweetDeck in reply to JoeStrauss
JoeStrauss: Now hearing switch w/Raz’ made for “matchup reasons.” Would’ve been nice to know when talking to mgr 45 minutes before game. #intrigue about 10 hours ago via Echofon
JoeStrauss: Now I’m hearing “matchup issue” has more to do w/plate umpire Rob Drake than LHP Lannan. I can’t make this stuff up. #intrigue about 10 hours ago via Echofon
JohnMarecek: @JoeStrauss No scouting reports about 10 hours ago via TweetDeck in reply to JoeStrauss
JoeStrauss: For the Kool-Aid set, Cards clubhouse confirms Rasmus scratched for non-medical reasons. #intrigue about 9 hours ago via Echofon
JoeStrauss: Look forward to reading that on FSM website. #not RT @BJRains: Matt Holliday seems like the king of getting hits with nobody on base. about 9 hours ago via Echofon
JoeStrauss: As stated in Wed. chat, it’s fair guess either TLR or Raz’ is gone from STL before ‘11 season. Wouldn’t go all in w/it but would raise w/it. about 1 hour ago via Echofon
JoeStrauss: # Tidbit: A day after P-D story detailed Raz’ and dad working out at local HS, the HS denied them access. #JustSayin’ 10 minutes ago via Echofon
dude, give it up and go to bed already, you’re not an investigative journalist
..i miss ludriguez-wick..
of course not
you have to be a journalist before you can be an investigative one
by mattyp on Aug 30, 2010 12:20 AM EDT up reply actions 6 recs
badumching
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 30, 2010 12:20 AM EDT up reply actions
local high school?
in washington? Or Rasmus local highschool. you know what, I do not care.
I didn’t get on base. One time I did (Wednesday) and we scored a run. That shows if I get on base, things can happen - Oilspill
I want to say Lindbergh
but now I’m not sure.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 30, 2010 12:22 AM EDT up reply actions
Colby had a big slump earlier this year, so his dad came in town to work on his swing
they worked out at one of the local high schools (parkway something?) and then Colby got red hot. The club said it was thanks to new contacts, which apparently stopped working two weeks later.
"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
The high school thing would not surprise me
You don’t want unauthorized high profile people getting hurt on your property.
Joe Strauss = King of Douchbagia
What an ass.
"When a pitcher's throwing a spitball, don't worry and don't complain, just hit the dry side like I do." - Stan Musial
"When I knocked a guy down, there was no second part to the story." - Bob Gibson
"Son, what kind of pitch would you like to miss." - Dizzy Dean
so we do know that
Rasmus still takes batting practice with his dad.
I didn’t get on base. One time I did (Wednesday) and we scored a run. That shows if I get on base, things can happen - Oilspill
At least, they still get along.
Tony might be pissed that Colby doesn’t call him Papa.
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Aug 30, 2010 10:07 AM EDT up reply actions
I'm not on Twitter
But it seems to me like Joe Strauss has the dumbest hashtags of all time
Do you remember that spelling bee you won in the first grade? Rock? "R-O-K"?
by jd is legend on Aug 30, 2010 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Great title for a weekly blog post or something
“Unicorn Roundup”
1st post: I’ve heard a rumor TB covets Aaron Miles, considers Longoria expendable."
nothing to pull VEB together during a late season slide
like TLR hate
you guys are some posting machines tonight
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
twatter
i'm out now
first time this trip I’ve made it back to the hotel room before midnight. Getting out a weeks worth of posting.
I didn’t get on base. One time I did (Wednesday) and we scored a run. That shows if I get on base, things can happen - Oilspill
a bunny.
no rainbows. deal with it.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
it's past midnight.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
besides, gdm just found out bj rains isn't single.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
Double Rainbow power!!!
"When a pitcher's throwing a spitball, don't worry and don't complain, just hit the dry side like I do." - Stan Musial
"When I knocked a guy down, there was no second part to the story." - Bob Gibson
"Son, what kind of pitch would you like to miss." - Dizzy Dean
everybody loves puppies
Out of the crooked timber of humanity, no straight thing can be made
by gdm426 on Aug 30, 2010 1:56 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
I'd just like to comment
I was very impressed with Matt crushing a 414ft HR on Friday just one night removed from taking a 95 mph pitch off his left hand…he is a beast
at the same time i was greatly disappointed to know that Dan and Al are NOW finally realizing Matt is a line drive hitter *these guys are STL announcers for FSMW…and from the replay commentary on MLB you’d think they were fill-in announcers…its not like Matt was a career american leaguer before signing with us
by guillermozeliak on Aug 30, 2010 2:01 AM EDT reply actions
taking a break from the TLR vs Colby
in the new WWL It’s Sports Commercial, is VEB the jocks sitting at the table talking about WHIP, or are we the nerds who walk up to the jocks & call them nerds?
Out of the crooked timber of humanity, no straight thing can be made
just saw all the buzz bissinger tweets. wow!
Who knew that he would go so far to prove all those negative things he said about bloggers right?
okay first time ive heard of this guy now...and that was hilarious...but disturbing
has this guy alwasy been a baseball fan? card follower?
and btw I think FNL is the greatest sports of all time
by guillermozeliak on Aug 30, 2010 3:20 AM EDT up reply actions
He wrote "Three Nights in August"
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
no shit really
thats not on his wikipiedia…unless i missed it
by guillermozeliak on Aug 30, 2010 3:29 AM EDT up reply actions
Only two years since the throwdown on Costas...
and Buzz is who he hates. His stuff is phenomenal.
Fire La Russa!
It's all about the cake!
TLR has a weekly cake making competition, with all players on the 40 man roster obliged to make an entry.
The number of at bats a player gets in the following week is awarded depending on how the entrants cake is rated.
An insider says that TLR has a motto, “if you can’t make a cake, how the hell you gonna play pro baseball?”
Apparently Colby has been turning in some half assed effort lately, including a victoria sponge that left much to be desired.
Aaron Miles on the other hand, is producing some of his best work, and has secured his place in the lineup for the forthcoming series against the Reds.
In AAA news, Nick Stavinhoa is preparing a cheesecake his grandma taught him how to make, ready for when rosters expand.
When asked what he thought of this, Chris Carpenter didn’t give a fuck.
by NoWayMan! on Aug 30, 2010 9:49 AM EDT reply actions 4 recs
that's pretty damn funny.
I make a helluva German chocolate, myself. i wonder if that would get me at least a try-out?
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Aug 30, 2010 9:59 AM EDT up reply actions
Forget the glove.
I’ll play bare-handed.
You're the fail to my win?
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Aug 30, 2010 10:03 AM EDT up reply actions
that's some damn grit if i've ever seen it
"Moneyball: It's kind of like communism."
twatter
by prophetjohn on Aug 30, 2010 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Giving up his glove so Randy Winn can have two in the outfield
Do you remember that spelling bee you won in the first grade? Rock? "R-O-K"?
by jd is legend on Aug 30, 2010 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions
I hope TLR retires after the season
But I doubt it will happen, I cant see him walking away with at least one more year of Pujols.
I hope theres a chance the FO just doesnt ask him to come back but like someone said earlier I think the FO would be too afraid of negative backlash from MLB.
by mick311 on Aug 30, 2010 10:41 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
Let it play out like how Joe Torre left New York
The Cardinals ownership offers him an “insulting” contract, and then he stalks off to Seattle or the Royals, or Atlanta.
Repeal The LaRussa Tax.
by Michael_68_1999 on Aug 30, 2010 10:44 AM EDT up reply actions
then he can sit Jason Heyward
twice a week for some ridiculous reason like, “he wanted a better umpire matchup!”
by chuckb on Aug 30, 2010 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Looking forward to next year....
What IFs are going to be available. With the uncertainty around Freese I would hope the team would go with someone over Lopez to provide some security at third, or give Carpenter a shot.
Do we bring Lopez, Penny or Westbrook back? I actually wouldnt mind seeing us give Penny a one year, all incentive deal if we can get him for cheap, or we could really save some money if we let Westy, Penny walk and throw KMac in the rotation, then use whats left over to get a real second baseman (kelly johnson)?
by mick311 on Aug 30, 2010 10:46 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
I would like to keep Westbrook
"When a pitcher's throwing a spitball, don't worry and don't complain, just hit the dry side like I do." - Stan Musial
"When I knocked a guy down, there was no second part to the story." - Bob Gibson
"Son, what kind of pitch would you like to miss." - Dizzy Dean
Looking forward to next year....
What IFs are going to be available. With the uncertainty around Freese I would hope the team would go with someone over Lopez to provide some security at third, or give Carpenter a shot.
Do we bring Lopez, Penny or Westbrook back? I actually wouldnt mind seeing us give Penny a one year, all incentive deal if we can get him for cheap, or we could really save some money if we let Westy, Penny walk and throw KMac in the rotation, then use whats left over to get a real second baseman (kelly johnson)?
by mick311 on Aug 30, 2010 10:52 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
you got SBN'd
"When a pitcher's throwing a spitball, don't worry and don't complain, just hit the dry side like I do." - Stan Musial
"When I knocked a guy down, there was no second part to the story." - Bob Gibson
"Son, what kind of pitch would you like to miss." - Dizzy Dean
looks like bernie and jeff
read a lot of veb over the weekend
I may be in a rut, but at least I know where I'm going
...to DFA TLR
just color me puzzled
motte returns
craig goes to memphis so
winn can start in right and
macky-d stays on as 13th? pitcher
skip starts against lefthander, and leads off
I may be in a rut, but at least I know where I'm going
...to DFA TLR
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