Andrew Brown watches Albert Pujols and Tony La Russa fight
by DanUpBaby on Jun 16, 2011 8:01 AM EDT
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PrintAlbert Pujols: Andrew, 'e nod aboud you, mang. We jes wahng you to know that. Wait—Is 'e press gahng?
Matt Holliday: Colby just started doing his I-don't-care-about-baseball-or-do-I routine, you guys should have 20 minutes.
Albert Pujols: Thanks, Matt. I appreciate it. Andrew, we just want you to know this fight we're having isn't about your playing time in the outfield. We all think you had a great few months at Memphis—.351/.449/.625, wow!—and with Allen out for a while you could spend more time here than anybody thinks. It's just sometimes Stars and Managers disagree about how to get other bats into the lineup.
Danup: And bloggers! Albert, it's really selfless what you're doing but I think you're totally—
Albert Pujols: Shut it. Andrew, it's just that sometimes when those disagreements happen they turn into fights, and we know those kinds of fights can be scary.
Tony La Russa: Albert's right, Andrew. Personally I'm so excited about your promotion that I look forward to the day I can start you at third base and Albert Pujols in right field. But sometimes Stars—
Danup: And fans!
Tony La Russa: Sometimes Stars think it doesn't make sense to slide the defense out of alignment, even when they say they're totally all right with it, like maybe they just said that to impress other people.
Albert Pujols: And sometimes they don't think it makes sense when it's done not for the sake of resting another player or dealing with injuries but to keep the hot hand in the lineup, when all the hot hand did was get a single. Which is great, of course!
Tony La Russa: Super great!
Albert Pujols: Really wonderful.
Danup: Awesome, dude!
Tony La Russa: Look, don't be patronizing about it, okay? He's a grown man. Now, Andy, Albert's going to go pack his third-base glove up, but how about you and I go out for some Ted Drewes! Yeah? That sound good?
So now we know about every last flaw The Fun Team has, right? Kyle McClellan has been a competent starting pitcher but wasn't there; Albert Pujols plays third base, but sometimes he's bad at it; the part of the bullpen that isn't great is startlingly awful. Taking these backward:
Bullpen
At this point I'm not sure we can blame Tony La Russa for the state of the bullpen, unless he's personally attempting to veto pulling the veterans' plugs; he's done everything he can to signal his reluctance to use Ryan Franklin and more recently Brian Tallet in close situations, and if I had to guess he's on his way to the same behavior with Miguel Batista. Franklin's aLI since vanishing from the bullpen is 0.61; Tallet's since coming back is an incredible 0.21; even Batista's has fallen as his ERA rises.
His usage, in aggregate, doesn't strike me as a lot different from what it would be if VEB controlled the bullpen through a series of sliders below the fan confidence poll, only with less swearing: La Russa is clearly uncomfortable with his bullpen, and with Eduardo Sanchez laid up with a case of what doctors call "SHOULDER OH GOD PANIC" it's only going to get worse.
Without Sanchez the Cardinals are left with Mitchell Boggs, Fernando Salas, and Jason Motte clearly ahead of replacement level in the bullpen; Raul Valdes could help the left-handed side of the bullpen, though that might involve cutting bait on one of the other southpaws, and if La Russa wanted to go Full La Russa on this season and Sanchez misses significant time he could move Kyle McClellan back to the bullpen and call up Lance Lynn for good, but aside from that there's just not much help left in the system.
Outside the system—well, here there be trading for relief pitchers. In free agency you might be able to find, say, an aging closer who got hammered up and down his last season in the big leagues but isn't willing to retire, if you like that sort of reclamation project.
Defense
I'm not sure we underestimated how bad the defense could be in the middle infield this season so much as they've begun the year by exceeding our wildest expectations. Without Nick Punto this team lacks the ability to get its head above water up the middle; Tyler Greene's defensive reputation, like his offense, seems grounded in tools that don't consistently manifest themselves over the din of his weaknesses, and Daniel Descalso is only one man. When the team puts Pujols in at third base, then, they cut the only consistently strong parts of their infield defense out all at once, and sometimes whatever that was happens.
Honestly, I think the Pujols-at-third thing has its merits beyond being fun to watch, most of the time, but one of them is not getting Andrew Brown's bat in the lineup. It's a little like putting Allen Craig in at second so you can spot-start Skip Schumaker in the outfield.
Kyle McClellan
I'm no more or less worried than I ever was about his trip to the starting rotation, because if he washes out of the rotation it won't be because he looked like that. That said, as each reliever goes down in turn he has to be at least a little worried about the Full La Russa.
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disappoint.
So this is what TLR had to say about McClellan's pitching last night:
“He did his job,” manager Tony La Russa said. “It was pitching. He changed speeds, moved the ball around. Ball down, ball up, in, out. It was a masterful job of pitching.”
Now I know that he’s now offically living in upside-down world.
Tony, that's not what she said.
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
What was wrong with McClellan's pitching last night?
77 pitches through 5 innings, gave up 3 earned runs and walked no one. It could have been better yes, and without the errors it could have well been a 3 run 6 inning performance.
What else do you expect from the 5th starter?
Grit != flat out sucking.
Exactly, I'm not always a fan of hearing Tony stand up for his guys
But some of that is just publicly standing up for his players in general which he kind of has to do no one wants to play for a coach who goes into press conferences ripping them, and in this case hr’s right. I personally didnt sit through what might be a nearly suicide enducing event but McClellan wasn’t that bad as Evilfrog said. In fact e’s been a decent 5th starter which is all he has to be, in fact everyone here wants to jump off a bridge because of his lack of strikeouts but he’s alsonot walking many. His FIP isn’t far from his ERA, the only thing set to regress badly is his W-L and being the 5th starter on our team means that when he pitches a thunderous offense that doesn’t usually commit 4 errors on defense will true to beat up on the bottom of another teams rotation for him, he very likely will spend all year being a decent fifth starter who’s getting too much love from counting stats guys as being a “winner” and I’m not sure why that’s so catastrophically bad.
"IF CARDS CAN SIGN SUPPAN THEY CAN GIVE ME A HOME"
by Buddhasillegitimatechild38 on Jun 16, 2011 9:53 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
He's right, as in Tony, not hr's right, my phone always corrects the possessive for he
To hr’s, I’m not sure why but it’s annoying, noone is alway Boone too, it sucks
"IF CARDS CAN SIGN SUPPAN THEY CAN GIVE ME A HOME"
by Buddhasillegitimatechild38 on Jun 16, 2011 9:58 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Agreed
It’s also not his fault that our offense couldn’t muster a single run against Livan “Beer League” Hernandez. What is it about crafty soft tossers that give our team such fits? If I was the Nats, I’d throw the BP pitcher out there tonight just to see if anyone in the BotB can hit him.
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
Worth a try
"...Or we could make L.A.N.C.E. into a recursive acronym, like, 'Lance: Adam Needs Cartilage from your Elbow." -- Quote by our very own DanUpBaby
by redbirdnation8206 on Jun 16, 2011 5:32 PM EDT up reply actions
McClellan isn't masterful.
But he is okay. It’s difficult for any pitcher to get out of trouble when the defense gives up extra outs. Just ask Jaime Garcia, Chris Carpenter, Kyle Lohse, and Jake Westbrook. That being said, it’s even more difficult for a pitcher who is incapable of striking out batters to get out of defense-produced trouble. And that’s what did the Cardinals in last night. Pujols played third base like he hasn’t played a lot of third base and the pitcher didn’t have the stuff to wriggle out of the jam. We as fans shouldn’t expect a replacement-level pitcher to be able to do that, but that doesn’t make his so-so pitching “masterful.”
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
I ignore the word masterful
It’s just Tony trying to hard to stick up for his guy
"IF CARDS CAN SIGN SUPPAN THEY CAN GIVE ME A HOME"
by Buddhasillegitimatechild38 on Jun 16, 2011 10:32 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
This.
If this team is planning to run pitchers out who rely so heavily on ground balls and good defense, then they have to be willing to support those pitchers not just to the media, but on the roster, with a decent IF defense to take care of the outs when they are there to be had.
http://fuckyeahnouns.com/alex%20fritz
this is what Tony said about
Livan Hernandez NOT McClellan
"I still don’t understand what commercial is better than having me on tv" – Chris Carpenter
2011: Boog would've count 54
Well, this news changes everything.
In support of TLR’s description of Hernandez as “masterful,” I’ll post this tweet from Tristan H. Cockcroft:
Wow. Livan Hernandez 3-hit shutout of STL, 87 game score. He only has one start ever with a higher game score: 90 — 1997 NLCS Game 5.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
It wasn't talked about much in the gamethread last night,
as most people (myself included) were complaining about our futility, but Livan was really, really good. Good movement, smart pitching, and hitting his spots.
A place to discuss the future of the Roger Dean Project is here.
and also remember who was on the other end of his pitches
quiet effectiveness for the win
"I still don’t understand what commercial is better than having me on tv" – Chris Carpenter
2011: Boog would've count 54
Yep. First ballot HOF for that guy.
A place to discuss the future of the Roger Dean Project is here.
he continued
they wear hats on their feet and hamburgers eat people.
"Miller came in from the bullpen with a gan of casoline." - Mike Shannon
Lol
Let your children run wild and free or as the old saying goes “let your children run wild and free”
"IF CARDS CAN SIGN SUPPAN THEY CAN GIVE ME A HOME"
by Buddhasillegitimatechild38 on Jun 16, 2011 2:17 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
last night
That was as sad as I’ve felt about my favorite team in a long time. Weird to say as they still sit near the top of the Central. But beyond the pitching and the errors, to look so helpless against Livan was more than I could take.
Is today the day Franklin is released?
I would be willing to bet Franklin sticks around for another few weeks even at this rate.
http://fuckyeahnouns.com/alex%20fritz
i think we still have franklin in september
beyond that, hopefully not
"I still don’t understand what commercial is better than having me on tv" – Chris Carpenter
2011: Boog would've count 54
I thought the same thing
except if Sanchez can’t pitch, we sort of need Franklin right now, no? what else we got? Broderick? Todd?
Unless they add someone to the 40 man
Lynn and Reifer are the only realistic options. Perhaps Cleto again, for a bit.
reifer is out for the season.
"chipper jones grounds out, third baseman albert pujols to first baseman mark hamilton." 5.1.11 "carlos pena grounds into double play, second baseman allen craig to shortstop tyler greene to first baseman albert pujols." 5.12.11
well, poop.
Samuel’s hurt too, correct? I guess they’re avoiding adding them to the 60 day DL so they don’t have to pay them more.
samuel hurt, and last time he pitched he walked 18 people in 11 and 2 thirds innings.
Aaron Rowand reaches on a fielder's choice out, left fielder Allen Craig to catcher Yadier Molina to third baseman Daniel Descalso. Andres Torres out at home. Aaron Rowand to 2nd on the throw. Two out.
wow that was a long game
"Bud Norris shoves it up our rear end every time he starts"
—Skip Schumaker
I can't believe they let him stay in that long
even with a no-hitter going, that’s way too fucking many walks
At best this team is flawed but incredibly exciting to watch, the way a surprise 90-win team is
at worst its just flawed in the way that a perennial wild card contender is flawed, always SOMETHING that fucks the team over in the end. But hey, its a long season. Other teams are going to lose games too right… right?!?!
totes babes
my theory is our fatal flaw
is that Matt Holliday is the first place team in the NL Central. we were fools to think otherwise.
appendix.
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
I believe that injuries have taken us from a surprise 90-win caliber (calibre?) club to a Wild Card contender.
Our season’s fortunes will hinge on our health.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
I know this is a dumb thing to dwell on
But can you imagine how much this team improves just by getting even a half-season of healthy Waino?
It's something that I have tried to put out of mind.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
Shelby has another great start.
Miller did not disappoint as he rewarded Springfield with a season high eight shutout innings allowing just four singles while striking out eight earning his second win of the season.
Bring him up, kmac to bullpen
PROBLEM SOLVED YAY
WANTED: A new signature. Please feel free to suggest something to go here because I'm bad at creativity.
"Hunter Pence out at home, catcher Gerald Laird. Three out." STL @ HOU, 4/28/11
by hr on Jun 16, 2011 9:44 AM EDT up reply actions
Honestly?
If you believe in TINSTAAPP at all, this should happen in August if he continues to blow away hitters at AA. He has a 95 mph heater, good control, and two plus offspeed pitches — what more do you need to be successful at the big league level? He’s probably the third best healthy starter in the organization right now behind Garcia and Carp.
After the whole Ankiel saga from last decade, however, I don’t think there’s any chance in hell that Tony does that again. I really don’t.
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
no, not honestly
all caps was supposed to imply sarcasm, sorry for unclarity
WANTED: A new signature. Please feel free to suggest something to go here because I'm bad at creativity.
"Hunter Pence out at home, catcher Gerald Laird. Three out." STL @ HOU, 4/28/11
I thought itallics was sarcasm, but I figured you were at least half-joking
and when is his expected MLB debut? Next year?
"Bud Norris shoves it up our rear end every time he starts"
—Skip Schumaker
Yeah, try next week!
/sarcasm
"IF CARDS CAN SIGN SUPPAN THEY CAN GIVE ME A HOME"
by Buddhasillegitimatechild38 on Jun 16, 2011 10:05 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
right after thread-collapse and a less dumb archive system
SBN needs a sarcasm button.
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Jun 16, 2011 10:07 AM EDT up reply actions
actually a feed that shows Most Recent Recs would be cool too.
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Jun 16, 2011 10:07 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
how about Top Recs of All Time too
"Bud Norris shoves it up our rear end every time he starts"
—Skip Schumaker
not fair. it's the glossary.
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
doesn't count
"I still don’t understand what commercial is better than having me on tv" – Chris Carpenter
2011: Boog would've count 54
look who's second
get a patsy next time
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
wait, what?
also, what’s a patsy?
"I still don’t understand what commercial is better than having me on tv" – Chris Carpenter
2011: Boog would've count 54
on the test
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patsy#Historical_usage
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/patsy
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=patsy
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
agh, SBN isn't sorting for me.
math fail. sbn’d.
time for lunch. I need some bacon.
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
I was thinking Top Rec'd Posts
like that one about the dude who will never get laid.
"Bud Norris shoves it up our rear end every time he starts"
—Skip Schumaker
I think so. i didn't want to guess wrong and insult someone.
that post got rec’s for 3 days
"Bud Norris shoves it up our rear end every time he starts"
—Skip Schumaker
found it
oh yeah.
i’ve been single all but two months of my life.
The post itself isn’t that funny, but the response was hilarious.
"Bud Norris shoves it up our rear end every time he starts"
—Skip Schumaker
recs above replacement commenter please
"on gameday it says duke loves to face the four seamer and hates to face the four seamer" -VolsnCards5
"perhaps it's a computer joke about the duality of man." -tom s.
by Tudor's Electric Fan on Jun 16, 2011 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions
actually
I didn’t want to look like a self-aggrandizing bastard, especially since I don’t even have a block of time cleared for glossary work
but the completist in me can’t take it.
here: http://www.vivaelbirdos.com/fanposts/popular/all_time
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
sure, the glossary leads the blog in recs
but what about posting the right way? inclusion of useful tags, appropriateness of content, doesn’t annoy the robot, you know the kinds of stuff that you won’t see on the rec count?
"on gameday it says duke loves to face the four seamer and hates to face the four seamer" -VolsnCards5
"perhaps it's a computer joke about the duality of man." -tom s.
by Tudor's Electric Fan on Jun 16, 2011 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
oh well then, i'm already out
"I still don’t understand what commercial is better than having me on tv" – Chris Carpenter
2011: Boog would've count 54
do a search for "merit badge"
of course, this is the year I haven’t read enough to give many out.
other people can give them out, of course, but use it wisely.
I’m not going to even think about doing anything formal, much less debate whether it’s necessary, until I actually finish a post about tagging.
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
heh
Lance Berkman. A class act, but VEB’s not into “Big Puma”.
"Baseball is like Church, many attend, few understand" - Wes Westrum
that refers to the nickname.
and at the time, that was accurate. Puma didn’t catch on this year till late, even.
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
a propos
is “fit elvis” going to make it into the glossary
if it ever gets updated that is
"I still don’t understand what commercial is better than having me on tv" – Chris Carpenter
2011: Boog would've count 54
crippled lynx is probably a frontrunner
I may have to just list them all, and go “here. look at that face. whatever moves you.”
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
get in line
danup is working on edit functionality right now
Tried it once and they liked it, then tried to hide it
twatter
Yes, but I'm being honest:
If he throws 5 more starts like this for Springfield, what more does he have to prove? I don’t think AAA hitters are going to do much better against him than hitters in the Texas League, and every time he goes out there it’s more time on the elbow/shoulder/labrum.
He’s not a prospect, he’s already a pitcher. So why not have him pitching in the big leagues?
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
I agree with this.
He only has so many innings in that arm. If the innings are good enough for the majors, why not throw them in the majors?
http://fuckyeahnouns.com/alex%20fritz
That's really completely beside the point.
Being in the majors doesn’t mean you automatically throw a ton of innings. They’re also trying to limit Ryan Franklin’s innings, yet he is on the roster for some reason.
http://fuckyeahnouns.com/alex%20fritz
I understand your point and am not challenging it
I’m just saying as a practical matter, I assume they will limit Shelby’s innings this year. He already has thrown 75 innings, I would think they will cap him at 150 or so and thus he only has about 75 innings left to pitch.
right. and if we give him 5 more starts at AA
that’s half of those remaining innings. 5 starts in the majors and we start his arb clock? The wins gained in that move have to be less than 1.
If Kyle McClellan is the pumpkin from last night,
Shelby would be more than a 1 win upgrade over him even for five starts.
http://fuckyeahnouns.com/alex%20fritz
obviously Miller has a ton of upside
but his results are far from guaranteed to be good. KMac’s FIP is around 4.50 for the season. If KMac is awful going forward and Miller were very good upon arrival, yes, 1+ wins is possible. I just don’t see how that would be the median in the range of likely outcomes.
yes but KMAC would replace Batista
so the real question is “Would Shelbyville be better than Batista?” If that answer isn’t yes, than GOB help us all.
"Bud Norris shoves it up our rear end every time he starts"
—Skip Schumaker
this is an important point
KMac would almost certainly slot into high-leverage innings in the bullpen, which Batista is no longer getting. So evaluating the actual wins gained becomes a difficult exercise, if you believe in crediting a reliever for leverage.
Bring Miller up to the major-league bullpen
would effectively limit his innings. He would go from starting (he totaled 8 IP last night) to relieving, where he might total 8 IP in ten days.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
yes, this would limit his innings.
which would limit his contribution. the wins gained in this move would be around 0.
Because nobody would let him pitch to his full potential. I can’t imagine the coaches letting shelby go 100+ pitches per start or etc. I think that if something happens in the next few weeks that is bad enough to warrant a promotion of a pitcher, lance lynn would be brought up before shelby just because he’s shown the capability to pitch in the majors.
WANTED: A new signature. Please feel free to suggest something to go here because I'm bad at creativity.
"Hunter Pence out at home, catcher Gerald Laird. Three out." STL @ HOU, 4/28/11
What is the difference between "being able to pitch in the majors" and "being really really good at pitching"?
http://fuckyeahnouns.com/alex%20fritz
I don't know, ask the coaches
The problem is that people become paranoid about a guy like Shelby and if he got hurt in the majors, DD and TLR would get a lot of shit for it (especially after Rick Ankiel). While I’m not advocating keeping him in the minors, it would be the safest thing to do, not for his arm, but politics-wise.
WANTED: A new signature. Please feel free to suggest something to go here because I'm bad at creativity.
"Hunter Pence out at home, catcher Gerald Laird. Three out." STL @ HOU, 4/28/11
by hr on Jun 16, 2011 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Also, something about the 40 man roster complicates stuff
But anyway, what I’m saying is that if shelby was promoted, he would get a light workload whether anybody liked it or not because of injury paranoia. So it wouldn’t be in the team’s best interest to bring him up asap
WANTED: A new signature. Please feel free to suggest something to go here because I'm bad at creativity.
"Hunter Pence out at home, catcher Gerald Laird. Three out." STL @ HOU, 4/28/11
by hr on Jun 16, 2011 3:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Give me a sharpie and five minutes and I'll fix these stupid 40 man issues.
"Miller came in from the bullpen with a gan of casoline." - Mike Shannon
Brian Wilson, is that you?
"I still don’t understand what commercial is better than having me on tv" – Chris Carpenter
2011: Boog would've count 54
God Only Knows
"Miller came in from the bullpen with a gan of casoline." - Mike Shannon
by Alxfritz on Jun 16, 2011 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
How many pitches is Shelby throwing now?
"Miller came in from the bullpen with a gan of casoline." - Mike Shannon
108 AA pitches, not Major League Pitches
"Baseball is like Church, many attend, few understand" - Wes Westrum
They use a lighter ball.
MLB ball is like a tiny medicine ball!
"Miller came in from the bullpen with a gan of casoline." - Mike Shannon
by Alxfritz on Jun 16, 2011 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
and it barely has any seams
you’ve got to have real Major League experience to make that thing move
"Baseball is like Church, many attend, few understand" - Wes Westrum
the university of illinois team used one unwittingly for four innings
and were playing pretty well before the oversight was discovered and they had to switch back to regulation size.
/basketball joke
//fritzbait
"on gameday it says duke loves to face the four seamer and hates to face the four seamer" -VolsnCards5
"perhaps it's a computer joke about the duality of man." -tom s.
by Tudor's Electric Fan on Jun 16, 2011 12:40 PM EDT up reply actions
This makes sense considering half the Illini team can't bench 185 pounds.
"Miller came in from the bullpen with a gan of casoline." - Mike Shannon
so if we knew shelby is not majors ready
even though he’s been awesome in the minors and been in the system for quite some time
what made tlr think cleto was ready to blow a game in the bigs?
"I still don’t understand what commercial is better than having me on tv" – Chris Carpenter
2011: Boog would've count 54
Is this true?
I have never heard this. If true, that is stupid.
by SouthsideCardsFan on Jun 16, 2011 2:52 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
This
Yes, yes, yes, a million times yes. Each arm has only so many pitches in it. No need to waste them in the minors.
by SouthsideCardsFan on Jun 16, 2011 10:36 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
This makes me giddy
"IF CARDS CAN SIGN SUPPAN THEY CAN GIVE ME A HOME"
by Buddhasillegitimatechild38 on Jun 16, 2011 9:56 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
towels
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Jun 16, 2011 10:07 AM EDT up reply actions
Hey guys and gals.
I wrote an article about Moneyball. Let me know what you think. Or just click so I can get the page views. My self-promotion is shameless.
"I got to get Dr. Freeze off my twig right now."-Nyjer Morgan
shameless self promotion is typically frowned upon
standard protocol is for you to put links to your blog in your signature.
"Baseball is like Church, many attend, few understand" - Wes Westrum
so wait, when i post links to pictures from games
is that shameless too?
"I still don’t understand what commercial is better than having me on tv" – Chris Carpenter
2011: Boog would've count 54
it's not a fanpost so meh
I honestly don’t mind so much
WANTED: A new signature. Please feel free to suggest something to go here because I'm bad at creativity.
"Hunter Pence out at home, catcher Gerald Laird. Three out." STL @ HOU, 4/28/11
Good article
But one thing I would note is that Moneyball is more about finding market inefficiencies that it is about any particular statistics. I think Beane noticed that players with high OBP and high SLG were undervalued for what they provided if they didn’t hit for high AVG or were bad defensive players with no real position (Matt Stairs, Scott Hatteberg).
There’s also plenty of Moneyball strategy in Beane’s farm system methods. He knows he can’t afford the big contracts, so he trades for players in a walk year (Holliday) or trades an asset before it gets expensive (Haren) to get the best possible return. His biggest issue, to me, has been that while he’s done a good job procuring a lot of good talent, that talent hasn’t really panned out at the major league level with regards to position players (Barton, Crosby, Eric Patterson, Ryan Sweeney) and he’s made a couple of really bad trades: CarGo and Huston Street for Holliday being the big one.
Look at their pitching staff right now though — by ERA+ every starter they have is above league average. It’s just that they have a lineup literally filled with Brendan Ryan’s and Aaron Miles’
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
Thanks!
And yeah I hadn’t even looked at how awesome their pitching has been this season. But they can’t win if they can’t score runs I suppose. Looks like trading Wallace and keeping Barton may end up being a bad one as well, though Michael Taylor is putting up some really good AAA numbers, so, jury is still out.
"I got to get Dr. Freeze off my twig right now."-Nyjer Morgan
by flipthebird15 on Jun 16, 2011 10:44 AM EDT up reply actions
Speaking of Oakland first basemen
What the hell happened to Chris Carter? Wasn’t he about to dominate the big leagues?
He just returned to AAA from an injury
Oakland has first base and DH covered, and their outfield is crowded. Depending what they do leading up to the trade deadline, there may be a spot cleared for him by August.
I'll bite -
Beane wasn’t just about OBP and SLG – that was only for hitters. He also thought college pitchers with a track record were undervalued, which is why the A’s drafted Hudson, Mulder, and Zito. While OBP might not have contributed as much to the A’s success as many would believe, “Moneyball” (aka identify market inefficiency and profit) led to their draft success (and ridiculous staff).
actually, saying "he" probably gives him too much credit -
paul depodesta obviously had a ton to do with it. timely post of the day – athletics nation has a post on this very subject today.
Wow... good timing I suppose
But yeah “his” philosophy with pitching seems to be paying dividends now as their staff is crazy good. But they’re not winning in a very winnable division anymore. The best hitter they’ve drafted, developed, and actually used at the ML level over the past few years is who… Kurt Suzuki? Swisher for awhile. They had Nelson Cruz. Cliff Pennington, Bobby Crosby, Travis Buck, these guys aren’t very good at baseball.
"I got to get Dr. Freeze off my twig right now."-Nyjer Morgan
by flipthebird15 on Jun 16, 2011 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah
The next market inefficiency (after the league caught on re OBP) that beans tried to exploit was defense. That didn’t work nearly as well.
To me the most interesting question was why OBP was ever undervalued. Any kid who has had half a brain and played strat-o-matic knows that OBP is life, life is OBP (to channel Joe Sheehan).
How did the principles that had previously been embraced by Branch Rickey and later Whitey Herzog (look at the unpopular at the time Darrell Porter acquisition) ever get ignored?
by SouthsideCardsFan on Jun 16, 2011 10:43 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
For those of us who can't watch the games
Was there some sort of dust-up in the dugout? I assume this is just a made-up scenario, since no one is talking about an actual confrontation.
Are we still on schedule for the return of our Holliday?
"Baseball is like Church, many attend, few understand" - Wes Westrum
It will be so nice!
"IF CARDS CAN SIGN SUPPAN THEY CAN GIVE ME A HOME"
by Buddhasillegitimatechild38 on Jun 16, 2011 10:35 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions 3 recs
oh, how i've missed you, Lego!
"I still don’t understand what commercial is better than having me on tv" – Chris Carpenter
2011: Boog would've count 54
i hope he's healthy.
You teach me baseball and I'll teach you relativity. No, we must not. You will learn about relativity faster than I learn baseball. --Albert Einstein
swimf@n
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
I guess I should change it to that,
your mom really loved my breast stroke.
by swmofan on Jun 16, 2011 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions 13 recs
greeen
Aaron Rowand reaches on a fielder's choice out, left fielder Allen Craig to catcher Yadier Molina to third baseman Daniel Descalso. Andres Torres out at home. Aaron Rowand to 2nd on the throw. Two out.
Midseason slumps suck
Yet here we are, only 1 game back
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
THE END IS NIGH!
And Holliday doesn’t get off the DL until…TODAY!
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
andrew brown wet his bed that evening, even though he'd been wearing big boy pajamas for several years.
albert asked him today if he wanted to go on a special outing to chuck e. cheese, just the two of them. andrew shouted, “no! i hate you!” and locked himself in his room until it was time to report to the stadium.
"chipper jones grounds out, third baseman albert pujols to first baseman mark hamilton." 5.1.11 "carlos pena grounds into double play, second baseman allen craig to shortstop tyler greene to first baseman albert pujols." 5.12.11
by tom s. on Jun 16, 2011 11:47 AM EDT reply actions 2 recs
Ackley called up by the M's
Could mean Jack Wilson is available. Seems like a guy we would like, since, well, we drafted him 300 years ago.
"I got to get Dr. Freeze off my twig right now."-Nyjer Morgan
also someone just left a couch on the corner of my neighborhood
a little shampoo, maybe patch that hole, and it’s a perfectly good couch! how could someone just throw it out?
"on gameday it says duke loves to face the four seamer and hates to face the four seamer" -VolsnCards5
"perhaps it's a computer joke about the duality of man." -tom s.
by Tudor's Electric Fan on Jun 16, 2011 12:16 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
an enzyme shampoo and a week in a plastic bag should fix that
"I still don’t understand what commercial is better than having me on tv" – Chris Carpenter
2011: Boog would've count 54
Any suggestions on how to fix up this nice Ryan Franklin that I got at a garage sale?
http://fuckyeahnouns.com/alex%20fritz
vivaelbirdos.com/baby-you're-a-lost-cause
Tried it once and they liked it, then tried to hide it
twatter
by prophetjohn on Jun 16, 2011 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions
i have a theme song
"chipper jones grounds out, third baseman albert pujols to first baseman mark hamilton." 5.1.11 "carlos pena grounds into double play, second baseman allen craig to shortstop tyler greene to first baseman albert pujols." 5.12.11
but he's a handsome man.
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
maybe it's broken on the inside
cause it had to split time with another, older couch
"I still don’t understand what commercial is better than having me on tv" – Chris Carpenter
2011: Boog would've count 54
tough night at Nats Park last night
I was there w/ 5 friends that are Nats fans. Ugh. Defensively, it was really painful to watch. It says something that one of best defensive plays of the night was made by Skip (not that it was that tough of a play). McClellan didn’t look that bad to me, but the error and unearned run at the end of that inning were a killer (also, i think the throw by Pujols was catchable; it just seems to pop out of Berkman’s glove). it was also frustating to watch Livo throw what looked like Little League pitches and see our guys waving at them.
youneverknow
how do you even know 5 nats' fans?
Tried it once and they liked it, then tried to hide it
twatter
by prophetjohn on Jun 16, 2011 12:25 PM EDT up reply actions
stephen strasburg turned a lot of people
"I still don’t understand what commercial is better than having me on tv" – Chris Carpenter
2011: Boog would've count 54
ever seen him pitch?
Johnny Gomes could not be reached for comment
"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 Jun 16, 2011 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions
I watched most of his starts last year.
He’ll be special if he can get back to where he was and stay healthy.
A place to discuss the future of the Roger Dean Project is here.
I live here, they're around
some used to be fans of other teams. Some were Senator fans have just been waiting it out. And like d-dee says below, Strasburg (and Harper) are getting more people interested. Also, they are not as atrocious as they used to be (DC loves a winner).
youneverknow
by floodOfLove on Jun 16, 2011 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Um
some used to be fans of other teams
Look, man, I don’t know how to say this…
…your friends. They’re turncoats.
i thought you were going to say
witches
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
Wow
You’re friends with Bob Dole, John McCain, and Milliard Fillmore? There haven’t been Washington Senators for 40 years.
by SouthsideCardsFan on Jun 16, 2011 2:58 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Holliday will be activated...
Corresponding move:
A) Demote Mark Hamilton
B) Demote Andrew Brown
C) Eduardo Sanchez to 15-day DL
D) Ryan Franklin released
Cast your votes now
by The Ghost of Todd Burns on Jun 16, 2011 12:31 PM EDT reply actions
I'm going with A...
but I want it to be D
by The Ghost of Todd Burns on Jun 16, 2011 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions
hamilton
Tried it once and they liked it, then tried to hide it
twatter
by prophetjohn on Jun 16, 2011 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions
what we want to happen or what we think will happen
"I still don’t understand what commercial is better than having me on tv" – Chris Carpenter
2011: Boog would've count 54
it should be d
i have a hunch it will be c
so they can delay both a and b
"I still don’t understand what commercial is better than having me on tv" – Chris Carpenter
2011: Boog would've count 54
i have hunch about C as well
but that leaves us with a short pen
You teach me baseball and I'll teach you relativity. No, we must not. You will learn about relativity faster than I learn baseball. --Albert Einstein
nah
he’ll be day-to-day for a week and then he’ll have his arm amputated
Tried it once and they liked it, then tried to hide it
twatter
by prophetjohn on Jun 16, 2011 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions
I also see this as a likely scenario
..basically the excuse for keeping Franky around a little longer
by The Ghost of Todd Burns on Jun 16, 2011 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Want:D/Will Be:A
Then C will happen and Lance Lynn will be recalled
"Miller came in from the bullpen with a gan of casoline." - Mike Shannon
I was thinking possibly Marte...but that'd require a 40-man move...
that can’t possibly be too concerned about David Kopp, can they?
by The Ghost of Todd Burns on Jun 16, 2011 12:40 PM EDT up reply actions
It's going to be chaos. THE PLANE HAS CRASHED INTO THE MOUNTAIN.
"Miller came in from the bullpen with a gan of casoline." - Mike Shannon
the graph of punto's return from the DL is an asymptote.
"chipper jones grounds out, third baseman albert pujols to first baseman mark hamilton." 5.1.11 "carlos pena grounds into double play, second baseman allen craig to shortstop tyler greene to first baseman albert pujols." 5.12.11
by tom s. on Jun 16, 2011 1:18 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
this is a family blog
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Jun 16, 2011 1:19 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
what? you rebel!
THIS IS REVOLUTIONARY
TREASON TREASON
"I still don’t understand what commercial is better than having me on tv" – Chris Carpenter
2011: Boog would've count 54
λ
"on gameday it says duke loves to face the four seamer and hates to face the four seamer" -VolsnCards5
"perhaps it's a computer joke about the duality of man." -tom s.
by Tudor's Electric Fan on Jun 16, 2011 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions
µ
"I still don’t understand what commercial is better than having me on tv" – Chris Carpenter
2011: Boog would've count 54
careful
the moocow hates when we steal his bit
"on gameday it says duke loves to face the four seamer and hates to face the four seamer" -VolsnCards5
"perhaps it's a computer joke about the duality of man." -tom s.
by Tudor's Electric Fan on Jun 16, 2011 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions
heh, φ the moocow
"I still don’t understand what commercial is better than having me on tv" – Chris Carpenter
2011: Boog would've count 54
똥
WANTED: A new signature. Please feel free to suggest something to go here because I'm bad at creativity.
"Hunter Pence out at home, catcher Gerald Laird. Three out." STL @ HOU, 4/28/11
by hr on Jun 16, 2011 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions
overachiever
"I still don’t understand what commercial is better than having me on tv" – Chris Carpenter
2011: Boog would've count 54
you're such a character.
"chipper jones grounds out, third baseman albert pujols to first baseman mark hamilton." 5.1.11 "carlos pena grounds into double play, second baseman allen craig to shortstop tyler greene to first baseman albert pujols." 5.12.11
by tom s. on Jun 16, 2011 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
usa. characters welcome
"I still don’t understand what commercial is better than having me on tv" – Chris Carpenter
2011: Boog would've count 54
by the way, 똥 means shit
WANTED: A new signature. Please feel free to suggest something to go here because I'm bad at creativity.
"Hunter Pence out at home, catcher Gerald Laird. Three out." STL @ HOU, 4/28/11
by hr on Jun 16, 2011 2:28 PM EDT up reply actions
Listen man
I think you spend too much time on reddit. First the downvote post, now the LOD. I think…
…I think you’ve gone mad.
well, it hasn't gone down in a while
so I haven’t been able to take any breaks
WANTED: A new signature. Please feel free to suggest something to go here because I'm bad at creativity.
"Hunter Pence out at home, catcher Gerald Laird. Three out." STL @ HOU, 4/28/11
by hr on Jun 16, 2011 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions
OT: unemployment rate is 9.1%
yet this guy continues to be paid to write stuff like this:
This was a hard-nosed, old-school championship effort.
and this
The Bruins banged away at the more talented Canucks and scored a bunch of blue-collar goals.
oh god it doesn’t stop
There was nothing fancy about, just a lot of grit and perseverance.
damn you kevorkian you died at the most inopportune time oh christ it just keeps going
Young guys stepped up, old guys stepped up and extra guys stepped up.
inscrutable analysis in the form of every white athlete cliche crammed into three small paragraphs preceding five paragraphs of quotes from more talented scribes. another job well done, jeff gordon.
"on gameday it says duke loves to face the four seamer and hates to face the four seamer" -VolsnCards5
"perhaps it's a computer joke about the duality of man." -tom s.
by Tudor's Electric Fan on Jun 16, 2011 12:50 PM EDT reply actions
those blue-collar goals built this country!
"Miller came in from the bullpen with a gan of casoline." - Mike Shannon
even though history books will have you believe it was rock n' roll
"on gameday it says duke loves to face the four seamer and hates to face the four seamer" -VolsnCards5
"perhaps it's a computer joke about the duality of man." -tom s.
by Tudor's Electric Fan on Jun 16, 2011 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions
blue collar rockn'roll
Johnny Gomes could not be reached for comment
"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 Jun 16, 2011 12:54 PM EDT up reply actions
The only thing rock n roll ever built was this city.
"Miller came in from the bullpen with a gan of casoline." - Mike Shannon
marconi stepped up and played a blue collar mamba
"on gameday it says duke loves to face the four seamer and hates to face the four seamer" -VolsnCards5
"perhaps it's a computer joke about the duality of man." -tom s.
by Tudor's Electric Fan on Jun 16, 2011 1:01 PM EDT up reply actions
There's no skill whatsoever about scoring 4 goals in the Stanley Cup Finals.
All grit and perseverance. Although, goal #3 WAS all grit and perseverance.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
The three are not mutually exclusive of one another.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
they were clearly the less talented team, to boot
you know, despite the fact that they had a vezina trophy winner sitting in front of their goal.
"on gameday it says duke loves to face the four seamer and hates to face the four seamer" -VolsnCards5
"perhaps it's a computer joke about the duality of man." -tom s.
by Tudor's Electric Fan on Jun 16, 2011 1:50 PM EDT up reply actions
Right. And that Patrice Bergeron is a talentless hack, but tries hard like some sort of American-made pickup truck.
A place to discuss the future of the Roger Dean Project is here.
linked without f'n comment
http://www.lettersofnote.com/2011/06/special-instructions-to-players.html
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
no, wait, one comment
I propose the newest euphemism be [unmailable]
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
I question the authenticity.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
The original note sold for like $30K a few years back.
"Miller came in from the bullpen with a gan of casoline." - Mike Shannon
is there a white or black bar over the word "f**kface"?
"on gameday it says duke loves to face the four seamer and hates to face the four seamer" -VolsnCards5
"perhaps it's a computer joke about the duality of man." -tom s.
by Tudor's Electric Fan on Jun 16, 2011 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions
Did they prove whether it was from the League or player satire?
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
Carp would've been in so much trouble back then.
Johnny Gomes could not be reached for comment
"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 Jun 16, 2011 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions
OT But I found this quite funny
Dbacks fans have an interesting ritual
2011 WAR watch: Theriot = 0.5, Boog = 1.0 as of Jun 14
Bilingual Twitter
you could do that at Busch II
I miss Busch II
"Bud Norris shoves it up our rear end every time he starts"
—Skip Schumaker
the winner is...
St. Louis Cardinals
Today’s transaction: Matt Holliday activated from the DL, Sanchez to DL w/ mild right shoulder strain
https://twitter.com/#!/CardsInsider/status/81423840672092161
Tried it once and they liked it, then tried to hide it
twatter
But our bullpens still all cracked and broken!
"Miller came in from the bullpen with a gan of casoline." - Mike Shannon
by Alxfritz on Jun 16, 2011 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Sorry Fritz, the mob has spoken.
by Andyfantastic on Jun 16, 2011 2:44 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Monorail!
"Bud Norris shoves it up our rear end every time he starts"
—Skip Schumaker
by Hootie Who on Jun 16, 2011 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
should just go ahead and schedule the rotator cuff repair now?
"chipper jones grounds out, third baseman albert pujols to first baseman mark hamilton." 5.1.11 "carlos pena grounds into double play, second baseman allen craig to shortstop tyler greene to first baseman albert pujols." 5.12.11
you mean his sad decline followed by retirement?
probably
Tried it once and they liked it, then tried to hide it
twatter
And yet
Ryan Franklin and Miguel Batista remain as strong as bulls.
It’s never the incompetent who are struck down with injury. Baseball is such a Greek tragedy.
Repeal The LaRussa Tax.
by Michael_68_1999 on Jun 16, 2011 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions
those guys know how to condition themselves
"Baseball is like Church, many attend, few understand" - Wes Westrum
another in the long list of things that annoy me
calling an injury a strain to a joint. Especially the shoulder. Tons of things that it actually could be, but none of them are “shoulder strain”. Use of the word strain indicates that it is muscular, so it’s likely that it is the rotator cuff.
"Baseball is like Church, many attend, few understand" - Wes Westrum
I don't know
the only information I have is “shoulder strain.” I’d be guessing just as much as anyone else. If it is the rotator cuff, then yes, a strain is a tear. But mild doesn’t tell me how much or to which muscle/tendon. Could be no big deal, or it could be something that is going to require surgery. I’m glad they are going ahead and putting him on the DL though, unlike Holliday*. Hopefully with a couple of weeks of rest the inflammation subsides and he is able to return.
- I believe the Holliday situation was handled appropriately and have previously stated so.
"Baseball is like Church, many attend, few understand" - Wes Westrum
Did you see Craig's quote regarding his knee yesterday?
Made me cringe. I seriously want to pummel the cards medical team. I say you and me take that shut over
"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
Trevor Rosenthal Update (as of 6/3/2011):
51 IP, 63 K, 22 BB/HBP, 21 ER, 2 HR, 2.41 FIP
by VolsnCards5 on Jun 16, 2011 6:25 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Shit
Not shut
"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
Trevor Rosenthal Update (as of 6/3/2011):
51 IP, 63 K, 22 BB/HBP, 21 ER, 2 HR, 2.41 FIP
by VolsnCards5 on Jun 16, 2011 6:27 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
"oh hey, apparently his kneecap's been broken for a week!"
“maybe we should have done an x-ray?”
“naw. but i sure hope that all the PT we did on it where we made it bend crazy ways didn’t cause permanent damage.”
/tom s. cromits
"chipper jones grounds out, third baseman albert pujols to first baseman mark hamilton." 5.1.11 "carlos pena grounds into double play, second baseman allen craig to shortstop tyler greene to first baseman albert pujols." 5.12.11
I don't know if they did an X-ray immediately or not
but fractures are often missed in the first set of X-rays. Inflammation will mask the fracture, either through approximating the two fractured sides, or through improperly exposed films. Sucks, but it happens, more frequently than anyone would like to admit.
"Baseball is like Church, many attend, few understand" - Wes Westrum
The club initially believed Craig had suffered nothing more severe than a deep gash to the knee that required three stitches. Craig returned to St. Louis last weekend and had an X-ray Tuesday that confirmed a more severe diagnosis.
"chipper jones grounds out, third baseman albert pujols to first baseman mark hamilton." 5.1.11 "carlos pena grounds into double play, second baseman allen craig to shortstop tyler greene to first baseman albert pujols." 5.12.11
"carry on with the cromiting" would be a great name for an album.
"chipper jones grounds out, third baseman albert pujols to first baseman mark hamilton." 5.1.11 "carlos pena grounds into double play, second baseman allen craig to shortstop tyler greene to first baseman albert pujols." 5.12.11
all over but the cromiting
"on gameday it says duke loves to face the four seamer and hates to face the four seamer" -VolsnCards5
"perhaps it's a computer joke about the duality of man." -tom s.
by Tudor's Electric Fan on Jun 16, 2011 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Seriously, this year has been brutal with injuries.
Now, I now we in VEB never wish for the injury of a player, but don’t you wish Batista got one of those phantom injuries that Izzy had in ‘06? A hand appendicitis? A burst molar tooth? A broken widow’s peak?
2011 WAR watch: Theriot = 0.5, Boog = 1.0 as of Jun 14
Bilingual Twitter
I used up
all my “wish for injury” power back in 2009 with Wellemeyer.
Repeal The LaRussa Tax.
by Michael_68_1999 on Jun 16, 2011 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions
i just wish he'd get dfa'd while he's as healthy as can be
"I still don’t understand what commercial is better than having me on tv" – Chris Carpenter
2011: Boog would've count 54
awesome
cue the fucking MASH theme.
"You made me live a lie, Tony," Paquette says, "and it ends this morning. Not everybody can play second base."
it's depressing, but not that depressing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OCLc3KME7g
Grit != flat out sucking.
there is no way in hell I'm listening to that
"You made me live a lie, Tony," Paquette says, "and it ends this morning. Not everybody can play second base."
Oh why don't I have photoshop on my work laptop?
"Miller came in from the bullpen with a gan of casoline." - Mike Shannon
the maniac threw a teddy bear through that window
Tried it once and they liked it, then tried to hide it
twatter
What the hell was that all about
Damages from that bout of rioting downtown was estimated at $1.1 million.
It’s a HOCKEY game, for chrissakes.
WANTED: A new signature. Please feel free to suggest something to go here because I'm bad at creativity.
"Hunter Pence out at home, catcher Gerald Laird. Three out." STL @ HOU, 4/28/11
by hr on Jun 16, 2011 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions
embarrassing moment for humans
“i’m so proud of my home team winning that i’m going to violently destroy the city they play in”
what.
Tried it once and they liked it, then tried to hide it
twatter
Well in that case....
"...Or we could make L.A.N.C.E. into a recursive acronym, like, 'Lance: Adam Needs Cartilage from your Elbow." -- Quote by our very own DanUpBaby
by redbirdnation8206 on Jun 16, 2011 5:38 PM EDT up reply actions
normal people just post pictures of cats with eel whiskers on the internet.
get with the fucking program, canadians!
"chipper jones grounds out, third baseman albert pujols to first baseman mark hamilton." 5.1.11 "carlos pena grounds into double play, second baseman allen craig to shortstop tyler greene to first baseman albert pujols." 5.12.11
HAHAHAHA ALL ASIANS LOOK ALIKE THATS HILARIOUS
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
I thought
maybe you could help us figure out which martial art he was practicing? And where did he get Casey Jones’ hockey stick? Are the turtles ok?
by STLRegalia on Jun 16, 2011 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
i'll call you REChaelangelo
"on gameday it says duke loves to face the four seamer and hates to face the four seamer" -VolsnCards5
"perhaps it's a computer joke about the duality of man." -tom s.
by Tudor's Electric Fan on Jun 16, 2011 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions
But that facial expression is hilarious. I rec'd it despite the racism.
Good stuff.
A place to discuss the future of the Roger Dean Project is here.
I think you meant
‘rook arike’ but I’d need fritz to verify my racist asian speak for me.
Proud member of the Sports Injury Industrial Complex: We feel your pain and it feels good.
by azruavatar on Jun 16, 2011 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
there are to may L's in his sentence.
It’d cross the line from casual Asian racism to perhaps real Asian racism.
"Miller came in from the bullpen with a gan of casoline." - Mike Shannon
Question
If a riot started in St. Louis would anyone here join it?
Proud member of the Sports Injury Industrial Complex: We feel your pain and it feels good.
about that...
"I still don’t understand what commercial is better than having me on tv" – Chris Carpenter
2011: Boog would've count 54
No, they've met our demands. LINEUP!
Greene SS, Rasmus 8, Pujols 1B, Holliday 7, Berkman RF, Molina 2, Schumaker 2B, Descalso 5, Lohse P
"Miller came in from the bullpen with a gan of casoline." - Mike Shannon
there will still be failure at short
but they get to keep their lexuses in one piece
FOR NOW
"I still don’t understand what commercial is better than having me on tv" – Chris Carpenter
2011: Boog would've count 54
Ugh so much wasted potential
Replace schumaker and descalso with theriot and mcarp
WANTED: A new signature. Please feel free to suggest something to go here because I'm bad at creativity.
"Hunter Pence out at home, catcher Gerald Laird. Three out." STL @ HOU, 4/28/11
by hr on Jun 16, 2011 3:30 PM EDT up reply actions
but thank goodness holliday in cleanup is a welcoming sign
WANTED: A new signature. Please feel free to suggest something to go here because I'm bad at creativity.
"Hunter Pence out at home, catcher Gerald Laird. Three out." STL @ HOU, 4/28/11
by hr on Jun 16, 2011 3:30 PM EDT up reply actions
I really need to start writing more cohesive thoughts
WANTED: A new signature. Please feel free to suggest something to go here because I'm bad at creativity.
"Hunter Pence out at home, catcher Gerald Laird. Three out." STL @ HOU, 4/28/11
by hr on Jun 16, 2011 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions
hooray a real lineup again
You teach me baseball and I'll teach you relativity. No, we must not. You will learn about relativity faster than I learn baseball. --Albert Einstein
is axl rose involved?
"on gameday it says duke loves to face the four seamer and hates to face the four seamer" -VolsnCards5
"perhaps it's a computer joke about the duality of man." -tom s.
by Tudor's Electric Fan on Jun 16, 2011 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
can't, DHS sees everything
"I still don’t understand what commercial is better than having me on tv" – Chris Carpenter
2011: Boog would've count 54
would take too long to figure out which municipal area to have it in.
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
For the record
I would probably not riot (I’m afraid of being knifed) but I would be strongly inclined to view from a semi-safe distance.
Unless the riot is in North STL City in which case that just means it is a Monday.
Proud member of the Sports Injury Industrial Complex: We feel your pain and it feels good.
I THOUGHT YOU WERE MADE OF METAL
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
(stabbed with a magnet)
totes babes
by Aranathor on Jun 16, 2011 3:56 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Oh, you'll have your first Soulard Mardi Gras in your own home next year!
"Miller came in from the bullpen with a gan of casoline." - Mike Shannon
they tore down the stadium after we lost in 2005!
"You made me live a lie, Tony," Paquette says, "and it ends this morning. Not everybody can play second base."
NERD RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGE
"You made me live a lie, Tony," Paquette says, "and it ends this morning. Not everybody can play second base."
I think I may have missed the joke
Because I don’t know who the hell Andrew Brown is. Does anyone know? Any idea who the hell this guy is?
Didn't he win a grammy?
Or was that someone else that no one recognized…
http://fuckyeahnouns.com/alex%20fritz
it appears he is the
left-handed batsman and a right-arm off-break bowler who played first-class cricket for Derbyshire between 1985 and 1992. But he was never the same after and hand injury.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Brown_%28cricketer%29
Grit != flat out sucking.
Lil' Carp
Matt Carpenter hits a 2R homer in his first start back with the Redbirds. Memphis leads 5-1! #LetsGoRedbirds
Carpenter hits a grand slam in his next at-bat, welcome back to AutoZone Park, sir. Redbirds are up 9-1 after the 6th. #LetsGoRedbirds
2011 WAR watch: Theriot = 0.5, Boog = 1.0 as of Jun 14
Bilingual Twitter
He'd have to be played regularly
for that to happen.
Repeal The LaRussa Tax.
by Michael_68_1999 on Jun 16, 2011 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions
so now that he has had his first start in memphis
he’s played regularly up down there?
Grit != flat out sucking.
I'm so glad we still have Daniel Descalso and his sub-.300 OBP around.
Fun fact: Daniel Descalso was a below average hitter relative to the league during his 700 PAs in Memphis. Matt Carpenter, however, is above average relative to league.
Fun fact: Daniel Descalso posted a 150 wRC+ at Springfield in 2009. Matt Carpenter posted a 154 wRC+ at Springfield.
Proud member of the Sports Injury Industrial Complex: We feel your pain and it feels good.
But
MCarp didn’t storm the beaches at Normandy like Descalso, so there’s that.
by SouthsideCardsFan on Jun 16, 2011 3:08 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
I thought Descalso was involved in the Allied invasion of Italy at Salerno?
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
Pretty sure he was passed over,
for the role of Luigi in the live action Mario brothers movie for looking too much like a dirty Italian plumber.
http://fuckyeahnouns.com/alex%20fritz
by hazel on Jun 16, 2011 7:10 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
grit factor high with Dirty Dan
did you include that in your analysis?
by Handsome B Wonderful on Jun 16, 2011 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions
Descalso is proven!
Wait…
"...Or we could make L.A.N.C.E. into a recursive acronym, like, 'Lance: Adam Needs Cartilage from your Elbow." -- Quote by our very own DanUpBaby
by redbirdnation8206 on Jun 16, 2011 5:40 PM EDT up reply actions
rui, are you here?
You teach me baseball and I'll teach you relativity. No, we must not. You will learn about relativity faster than I learn baseball. --Albert Einstein
Yes
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
remember that one website that i went to (its really popular) and i was blown away by it and you were surprised i had never been there and said you could spend days on that site?
You teach me baseball and I'll teach you relativity. No, we must not. You will learn about relativity faster than I learn baseball. --Albert Einstein
Yes. Cracked?
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
thats the one!
i couldn’t remember the name of it. thanks.
You teach me baseball and I'll teach you relativity. No, we must not. You will learn about relativity faster than I learn baseball. --Albert Einstein
Bored at work, eh?
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
i've been busting my ass for like 3 weeks straight...i need a little mind numbness during lunch
You teach me baseball and I'll teach you relativity. No, we must not. You will learn about relativity faster than I learn baseball. --Albert Einstein
its not as awesome as i remember it
You teach me baseball and I'll teach you relativity. No, we must not. You will learn about relativity faster than I learn baseball. --Albert Einstein
the world we grew up in is gone.
"Miller came in from the bullpen with a gan of casoline." - Mike Shannon
by Alxfritz on Jun 16, 2011 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
They used to have a "Greatest Hits" section
But I can’t find it anymore. But browse through their history section
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
Odd, I'd have sworn
Cracked was a 90s thing. I haven’t seen a reference to it in years and years.
how can you spend days on that site unless you...
WANTED: A new signature. Please feel free to suggest something to go here because I'm bad at creativity.
"Hunter Pence out at home, catcher Gerald Laird. Three out." STL @ HOU, 4/28/11
by hr on Jun 16, 2011 3:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Google "The Best Page In The Universe"
So many laughs.
Proud member of the Sports Injury Industrial Complex: We feel your pain and it feels good.
Maddox?
Maddox sucks
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
I love it.
My work filter, however, blocks it under the grouping of ‘tasteless’ so your opinion may have merit.
Proud member of the Sports Injury Industrial Complex: We feel your pain and it feels good.
yet you can still get on VEB?
"chipper jones grounds out, third baseman albert pujols to first baseman mark hamilton." 5.1.11 "carlos pena grounds into double play, second baseman allen craig to shortstop tyler greene to first baseman albert pujols." 5.12.11
I find the age divide in internet humor to be fascinating.
"Miller came in from the bullpen with a gan of casoline." - Mike Shannon
Is Maddox for "older" internet users?
Proud member of the Sports Injury Industrial Complex: We feel your pain and it feels good.
he's the poor man's drew magary
"on gameday it says duke loves to face the four seamer and hates to face the four seamer" -VolsnCards5
"perhaps it's a computer joke about the duality of man." -tom s.
by Tudor's Electric Fan on Jun 16, 2011 3:53 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm going to guess that rich people don't read drew magary
Proud member of the Sports Injury Industrial Complex: We feel your pain and it feels good.
while you're hear do you remember betting me stuff that the Red Sox wouldn't make the postseason?
it was early in the season and they lost a couple of games and you proclaimed their season over
by infallibleopiniongenerator on Jun 16, 2011 5:42 PM EDT up reply actions
I thought it was like 50/50
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
yet they're only up 6-5
gah
WANTED: A new signature. Please feel free to suggest something to go here because I'm bad at creativity.
"Hunter Pence out at home, catcher Gerald Laird. Three out." STL @ HOU, 4/28/11
by hr on Jun 16, 2011 3:40 PM EDT up reply actions
Zack Greinke
Through three innings at Phil’s Corner Tap this afternoon: six runs, four earned, six hits, a homer and a walk. But hey, seven strikeouts.
Repeal The LaRussa Tax.
by Michael_68_1999 on Jun 16, 2011 3:38 PM EDT reply actions
searching for an old post
I found this gem from d-dee.
"Bud Norris shoves it up our rear end every time he starts"
—Skip Schumaker
ahaha yeah that thing took a full day
and my sanity
"I still don’t understand what commercial is better than having me on tv" – Chris Carpenter
2011: Boog would've count 54
glossary bookmark
b/c I’m g’f’nlazy.
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
this is a really cool picture which i will link because it's very mildly NSFW
from the riot
Tried it once and they liked it, then tried to hide it
twatter
Aftermath:
WARNING. THIS PICTURE IS NSFW.
WANTED: A new signature. Please feel free to suggest something to go here because I'm bad at creativity.
"Hunter Pence out at home, catcher Gerald Laird. Three out." STL @ HOU, 4/28/11
by hr on Jun 16, 2011 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions
My suggestion
Lance Lynn to the rotation, Kyle McClellan bumped to bullpen.
He had a very good outing last night in AAA, I think he’ll do fine as a fifth starter. Kyle McClellan’s stuff will play way up from the bullpen and give it a much needed boost. I don’t think McClellan is much better than Lynn as a starter, if at all.
I'm sorry I impugned your cocksmanship.
I agree with this.
Need, if not talent, dictates this.
A place to discuss the future of the Roger Dean Project is here.
Lynn to the bullpen
I don’t think you’ll see any noticeable improvement by having Lynn over K-Mac as the starter. And I don’t think Tony will take away the starter roll from someone who worked for several years to get it and hasn’t done anything to lose it yet.
Grit != flat out sucking.
exactly!
Lynn is the low man on the totem pole. I’d guess Tony & Mo are much more likely to keep KM in the rotation and move LL to the bullpen than the other way around.
Now if you want to get conspiratorial, you could argue the reason they wanted to stretch Boggs @ AAA is because they think KM isn’t capable of lasting the whole year in the rotation, and Lynn has more stamina over 6 months. If Lynn goes to the rotation and KM goes back to the pen, I’m sure it’ll be because La Mozeliak believe this to be the case.
"You made me live a lie, Tony," Paquette says, "and it ends this morning. Not everybody can play second base."
I think the idea is...
that K-Mac vs. Lynn in rotation = not much difference
K-Mac vs. Lynn in bullpen = big advantage K-Mac.
by The Ghost of Todd Burns on Jun 16, 2011 5:12 PM EDT up reply actions
JC Romero DFA'd by the Phillies
potential LOOGY target.
Aaron Rowand reaches on a fielder's choice out, left fielder Allen Craig to catcher Yadier Molina to third baseman Daniel Descalso. Andres Torres out at home. Aaron Rowand to 2nd on the throw. Two out.
Raul Valdes, brah
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
I'd kick those tires.
Decent splits against lefties even this year. Too many walks, but better than Miller.
A place to discuss the future of the Roger Dean Project is here.
yeah, i don't see the harm
he’s been very good against lefties historically and it just seems like he’s been misused recently, pitching as much against righties… not sure he has the stuff to get righties out anymore but who cares, right?
Aaron Rowand reaches on a fielder's choice out, left fielder Allen Craig to catcher Yadier Molina to third baseman Daniel Descalso. Andres Torres out at home. Aaron Rowand to 2nd on the throw. Two out.
if he can reliably get lefties out
he’s an improvement.
"You made me live a lie, Tony," Paquette says, "and it ends this morning. Not everybody can play second base."
With all these injuries how does Cox not get a call up yet?
If you like baseball...you'll love my ROKU !!!
A .719 OPS
in the hitter-friendly Texas League, maybe?
Repeal The LaRussa Tax.
by Michael_68_1999 on Jun 16, 2011 5:06 PM EDT up reply actions
maybe azru or someone who knows more about prospects can answer this,
But Nick Greenwood has been pitching out of the BP in Springfield this year and has been extremely effective against left-handers…yesterday when I checked lefties were hitting .116 off him.
How does his stuff project to the big leagues and could he be effective as a LOOGY for us anytime soon?
by mick311 on Jun 16, 2011 5:18 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
the interest in greenwood and other lefties in the system (additon, e.g.) is pretty tepid.
valdes may be legit; sam freeman is probably legit, but still recovering from surgery. i would say those two are the most likely internal candidates to serve as LOOGYs.
"chipper jones grounds out, third baseman albert pujols to first baseman mark hamilton." 5.1.11 "carlos pena grounds into double play, second baseman allen craig to shortstop tyler greene to first baseman albert pujols." 5.12.11
I'm actually encouraged by greenwood's year
He is pitching primarily in a park (and league for that matter) that makes LH Hitters look better than they actually are, and he has been dominant against them.
I say why not…he cannot be worse than miller has been…still, valdes should be up
"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
Trevor Rosenthal Update (as of 6/3/2011):
51 IP, 63 K, 22 BB/HBP, 21 ER, 2 HR, 2.41 FIP
by VolsnCards5 on Jun 16, 2011 6:12 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
that's what I was thinking....
Its not like he is a really young, top prospect that needs to be taken along slow…he was a throw in from the Ludwick trade last year…why not give him a shot and see what he can do. It would be really hard to do worse than Miller right now.
by mick311 on Jun 16, 2011 6:23 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Sounds good to me.
I’m one of the more conservative people on here with regard to the axe, but I think it’s time to hand a copy of “When bad things happen to good people” to: Miller, Batista, Franklin and Tallet.
This starts with finding replacements. Boggs (already up), Lynn/KMac, Valdes, Greenwood.
We can keep Frankie or Batista until Sanchez is back. If Sanchez will be out longer, FIND SOMEONE ELSE!
The Roger Dean Project was swell while it lasted.
I've yet to see a lefty in the system whose stuff I like.
Greenwood left me very ambivalent when I saw him in the minors. Same with Freeman — I think Freeman has actually lost a tick on his fastball. Nick Additon is starting in Memphis with a modicum of success but, again, tepid stuff and a weird delivery.
If there’s a major league caliber lefty in the system, I’ve not seen them yet.
Proud member of the Sports Injury Industrial Complex: We feel your pain and it feels good.
So Tim Dierkes lists Tyler Clippard as a possible trade target...
then goes on to say he isn’t sure why Clippard’s name is mentioned in the rumor mill. WTF, Tim? Am I missing something? Has there been any other sources that list Clippard as available?
by The Ghost of Todd Burns on Jun 16, 2011 5:26 PM EDT reply actions
some stuff on Federal Baseball.
doesn’t look like anything legitimate though. just talking about IF he is available.
Aaron Rowand reaches on a fielder's choice out, left fielder Allen Craig to catcher Yadier Molina to third baseman Daniel Descalso. Andres Torres out at home. Aaron Rowand to 2nd on the throw. Two out.
ah...Rosenthal.
Yeah…I guess if they are trying to land a CF that makes sense.
by The Ghost of Todd Burns on Jun 16, 2011 5:49 PM EDT up reply actions
just in case anyone was wondering
Cardinals run differential is down to +330 -301 = +29. 4.8 RS/G, 4.4 RA/G. Pythag is 37-32, so we’re slightly on the lucky side of the ledger.
Opponents in STL: .222/.286/.334 (.260 babip)
Opponents on the road: .288/.348/.442 (.326 babip)
B-R is listing Busch III park factor as 87/88 for this season, so I’m assuming that explains most of the variance.
"You made me live a lie, Tony," Paquette says, "and it ends this morning. Not everybody can play second base."
where did you see that park factor number?
i see 94/95…
Aaron Rowand reaches on a fielder's choice out, left fielder Allen Craig to catcher Yadier Molina to third baseman Daniel Descalso. Andres Torres out at home. Aaron Rowand to 2nd on the throw. Two out.
Park Factors Over 100 favors batters, under 100 favors pitchers.
multi-year: Batting – 95, Pitching – 94 · one-year: Batting – 88, Pitching – 87
"You made me live a lie, Tony," Paquette says, "and it ends this morning. Not everybody can play second base."
got it. thanks!
Aaron Rowand reaches on a fielder's choice out, left fielder Allen Craig to catcher Yadier Molina to third baseman Daniel Descalso. Andres Torres out at home. Aaron Rowand to 2nd on the throw. Two out.
guys, i really really like Shelby Miller.
and i would be really sad if he made it to the majors with any other team. He reminds me of Roger Clemens. That’s not a comp, I don’t think Shelby Miller will be Roger Clemens but they’re both thick-middled (but not fat) fireballers with outstanding mound presence.
I'm sorry I impugned your cocksmanship.
OMG Shelby Miller with a SPLITTY!
Towel
"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
Trevor Rosenthal Update (as of 6/3/2011):
51 IP, 63 K, 22 BB/HBP, 21 ER, 2 HR, 2.41 FIP
by VolsnCards5 on Jun 16, 2011 6:55 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
here's an Ed Sanchez tweet
Nothing bad with me shoulder will be back soon..
I'm sorry I impugned your cocksmanship.
some good news
Brewers lose 12-7 to Cubs. Greinke yields 8 runs on 106 pitches, 5.1 IP. Brewers drop 3 of 4 to Chi-fucking-cago. Good job, Small Bears.
So, to recap: St. Louis sweeps Chicago, Milwaukee sweeps St. Louis, Chicago takes 3 of 4 from Milwaukee. Paper, rock, scissors.
If we win today, we’re back into a tie for first.
"You made me live a lie, Tony," Paquette says, "and it ends this morning. Not everybody can play second base."
Oh thanks goodness....
Dan is back
"Skipper, we're losing the crowd. Put it our new novelty act."
"Darn it! I already put in the circus clown!"
"Yeah, but he bunted. Clowns are only funny when they swing away!"
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