What the Cardinals must deal with, what they inflict on themselves
The Cardinals must extract value from Jake Westbrook. He's not their only option at starter, but he's clearly one of their five best options, and the Cardinals have him signed to a three-year deal in which he is going to have to be average-or-close-to-it. So his poor game was necessary. The Cardinals had to play a backup outfielder because Matt Holliday was a late scratch, and they had to play another one eventually because Lance Berkman is a 35-year-old with bad knees.
They were perfectly fine throwing Marc Rzepczynski and Mitchell Boggs out there, though in spite of Rzepczynski's own poor game I wouldn't have minded seeing him out there in Octavio Dotel's spot last night, given Dotel's combustibility. And Ryan Theriot—he's been terrible, but with Craig in the outfield it makes sense to start him against a left-hander, and it makes even more sense to bat him seventh.
If they lose because Jake Westbrook walks five batters and Holliday is hurt and Berkman is old and Rzepczynski is wild—that's fine. The Brewers are a good team and their starting pitcher transplant seems to have gone off without a hitch. The Cardinals are a good team who've succeeded in spite of losing their best starter for the season and their best player, for large swaths of the season, to a terminal case of Jim Rice's Disease.
Where the Cardinals frustrate is how they insist on taking teams on with players tied behind their collective back. Whoever's making decisions in and around the front office—Tony La Russa, John Mozeliak, the Ghost of Walt Jocketty, Corey Patterson—has constructed a solid team, and since then he's done everything possible to inflict mediocrity on it by a thousand players who should be cut.
I can't blame the team because Jake Westbrook is having a so-so year and Adam Wainwright is hurt and Albert Pujols is only really good, but it's infuriating to see this team fumble the in-season questions—who's our questionably useful shortstop? Which reliever should we cut?—and almost maliciously muff the even smaller ones. Where should Corey Patterson hit, if he has to?
The answer, in case you last checked in on Corey Patterson's career after 2003 or are in the process of winning the most games anyone not named Connie Mack ever has, is eighth, if he has to. Corey Patterson has surprising power and runs the bases well, but he never gets on the bases. He should be positioned in such a way as to make as few outs as the team's roster will bear, which means ideally the bench and in yesterday's case way down the batting order near Jake Westbrook, the other guy without a .300 OBP.
All year the Cardinals have acted against their own best interest like this, in small ways—they've started Ryan Theriot too long and then dropped him entirely, carried three catchers, carried, somehow, too many relievers and not enough relievers, and now acquired and carried Corey Patterson specifically in spite of his skill-set being duplicated and bettered by their current starting center fielder. Among the suspects in their infield they seem unable to distinguish between Tyler Greene and Pete Kozma.
Acts of Gods of Baseball aren't the team's fault unless they failed to adequately prepare for a scenario, or imagine it, but that's not what's sinking this team here in August—it's their inability to maximize the potential of the team they've had all along.
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After watching our hitters flail around the first couple innings against Wolf
and once we fell behind 3-1, I knew there was no chance we would come back. I just felt it. This doesn’t actually qualify as “knowing” in a strict, epistemological sense. But I think we all know what I’m talking about. Sometimes you just can’t see the possibility of victory.
Ceterum censeo La Russa ire necesse est.
f* epistemology
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 11, 2011 8:34 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I had you beat
I knew a loss was coming mid-way through the top of the 1st. I did think that maybe I was wrong after they only scored one and we tied it in the bottom of the inning, but….
It was a very depressing game. The family of Brewers fans behind me, at least, didn’t cheer too excessively. I’m hoping for better tonight (and tomorrow, and Saturday).
by ArkansasTravs on Aug 11, 2011 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions
"I made it onto the VEB front page. So I win the face off!"
Theriot: [sad]
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 11, 2011 8:34 AM EDT reply actions 2 recs
I was going to do a comprehensive review on the troubles of this team, but I think my wife said it best:
this team is frickin’ pathetic!
They seem to lose the fire, more often than not.
Like… just switch to autopilot or going through the motions.
inability to hit looks like apathy
I don’t think this team is quitting or pathetic, but I do think the team might feel like they aren’t good enough to compete with the Brewers. Well, you’re probably right Cardinals, but you ARE capable of being wrong.
by infallibleopiniongenerator on Aug 11, 2011 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions
the more I read that title, the more I hear "Quit hitting yourself. Quit hitting yourself." "MOM." "Quit hitting yourself."
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 11, 2011 8:39 AM EDT reply actions 2 recs
It is that time of the year
when we must face the truth. As was the case with Reds last year, the Brewers are demonstrably better than the Cardinals. The case might have been different if Albert was 80% of the player he has been, if our personnel management was better, if our HOF manager was as effective as their rookie manager, or if we didn’t cling so desperately to marginal players like Patterson, Theriot and Schu. But, alas, all those things are true and that causes me to agree with pepper’s wife – this team is frickin’ pathetic.
The time has come for someone to put his foot down and that foot is me
What really sucks
is that, just now, the Brewers are catching up to our pythag record. So up to this point, by pure runs scored/against analysis, we’ve “played” like a team that is just as good as the Brewers. We are five games back of the Brewers in the standings.
What also really sucks is that we’ve come to this point after losing Wainwright and having something like half an Albert Pujols instead of a whole Albert Pujols playing first base. This is strictly back-of-the-envelope math here, but I’m guessing a “normal” Albert Pujols season plus a normal Wainwright-not-McClellan season would erase most if not all of that five-win deficit… at least in terms of theoretical wins.
I feel like, with all the stuff we spend most of our time complaining about (Theriot, Patterson, no Boog, lineup shenanigans, bullpen shenanigans, injuries injuries injuries, Franklin and B******, etc.) those two factors might still be the biggest reason we’re falling out of contention.
Ceterum censeo La Russa ire necesse est.
I am pretty sure giving back even half of those blown saves would do that, too.
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
I honestly dont' remember how many blown saves there are
I’ve been trying not to think about that part of the year.
Ceterum censeo La Russa ire necesse est.
do you think of it in asterisks as well?
with brief bursts of puma, of course.
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
I agree, Bobo. And don't forget that if Waino was healthy, KMac would be in the pen from the start.
Different season entirely. But that’s how it goes. The Brewers are playing fantastic and if they keep it up will deserve the division far more than the Reds did last year.
Is Jon Jay the new Willie McGee?
except the Reds were not demonstrably better than us
they were just better at picking on the weak teams. Their showing in the post season was more indicative of their true talent. Also, the Brewers are playing incredible baseball right now. They picked a good time to get hot.
"Baseball is like Church, many attend, few understand" - Wes Westrum
We were 12-6 against the Reds last season.
"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
we were better than the Reds last year
we just didn’t show it
by infallibleopiniongenerator on Aug 11, 2011 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions
+1, I still believe this, if we had Lance Berkman we would have made the playoffs and challenged the Giants and Phills, IMO
Someday when I'm old and have grandchildren, I'll sit them down and say, "I got to see Ryan Theriot play SS." And they'll reply, "Oh, I'm so sorry you had to experience that."
Currently residing on the Free Tyler Greene bandwagon
by cardinalswsbound on Aug 11, 2011 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions
the pre-trade and postseason 2010 Berkman, I thought he hit pretty well then
Someday when I'm old and have grandchildren, I'll sit them down and say, "I got to see Ryan Theriot play SS." And they'll reply, "Oh, I'm so sorry you had to experience that."
Currently residing on the Free Tyler Greene bandwagon
by cardinalswsbound on Aug 11, 2011 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions
the cards are better and they know it
clap your hands
the cards are better and they know it, clap your hands
the cards are better and they know it
but their record doesn’t show it
they’ll take an early lead and blow it, clap your hands
"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 Aug 11, 2011 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
This, screw the Reds
Secretary of WAR and defense (Tyler Greene Fanclub). PUT TYLER ON THE GREENE.
by vivaelpujols on Aug 11, 2011 3:53 PM EDT up reply actions
Trevor Rosenthal update
6 IP, 7 K, 2 BB (1 HBP), 7 H, 4 ER, 7:2 GO:FO
Full season stats below
"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 8/10/11)
107 1/3 IP, 121 K, 47 BB/HBP, 43 ER, 5 HR, 2.86 FIP
by VolsnCards5 on Aug 11, 2011 8:47 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
on a completely different thread of bitterness.
so wait. the umpire supervisors are present?
and this is still what we get?
by Yadi2Second on Aug 10, 2011 9:22 PM
are they former umps?
if so, don’t expect much super vision
by sportsman on Aug 11, 2011 2:10 AM
link
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 11, 2011 8:54 AM EDT reply actions 3 recs
I was listening to MLB radio last week
and they had Hunter Wendelstadt on discussing the supervision of the umpires. He said that every call from every game is reviewed and they have a secure website that they have to log in to every day to review their calls. When the supervisors are present, like last night, they often get immediate feedback from the supervisors following the game. He named a few of the supervisors and, yes, they are retired umps. The only name I remember was Ed Montague but he listed three or four of them.
"Baseball is like Church, many attend, few understand" - Wes Westrum
I'm pretty sure
Bruce Froemming is another. He seems to think they never make mistakes so i’m not sure what value he provides.
"Prince Fielder is too fat even for the Oakland A’s" - Billy Beane
I'm not going to count this team out yet
although it’s tempting to do so. The only thing that holds me back is that the end of the season can be a funny time. You recall that last year, we swept the Reds in early August and felt totally in command. And then we went on to lose 13 of 17, including being swept by the Astros and losing series to the Pirates and the Nationals.
But I will say this: after last night, we no longer deserve the win the Central, even if we somehow pull it off.
So says, Titus Pullo (formerly The Dude)
Was it over...
…when the Germans bomber Pearl Harbor?? Nothing’s over until WE say it is!
:=8O
GAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!
Corey Effin' Patterson!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
:=8O
by The MooCow on Aug 11, 2011 9:27 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
So MooCow is really Kent Dorfman
Niedermyer, dead. Marmalard, Dead. Braun, Dead! Makes me want to SHOUT!
SD
We
Will fight ‘em on the ground
We will fight ‘em in the air
We will fight ‘em with guns
We will fight ‘em with sticks
And if we have to
We will fight ‘em with our dicks
sir, they have air-dropped toasters
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 11, 2011 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
So I went to the Def Leppard concert last night
Couple of songs relate to this team.
1. Bringing on the Heartbreak
2. Two Steps (Five Games?) Behind
3. Love Bites
"It is easy to be brave from a safe distance." - Aesop
I was there too
Do you happen to know what the last song was that Heart played in the encore?
bollocks
by SecondHalfMatt on Aug 11, 2011 9:48 AM EDT up reply actions
BTW
Heart kicked ass. Ann Wilson can still bring it.
"It is easy to be brave from a safe distance." - Aesop
Try to understand mattybobo
they said I was a magic man who has magic hands.
"It is easy to be brave from a safe distance." - Aesop
I was more interested in seeing Heart
Although I did enjoy the billion solos that Def Leppard had
bollocks
by SecondHalfMatt on Aug 11, 2011 10:33 AM EDT up reply actions
Contributing Corey Patterson’s line with the #STLCards: .194/.219/.258 (33 PAs). Poor Performing Pete Kozma’s line: .176/.333/.235 (22 PAs)
"I kinda like the Wong" -Aranathor
THat looks like
something you would say on twitter or something.
"It is easy to be brave from a safe distance." - Aesop
by OKCardsfan on Aug 11, 2011 9:57 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
We need more Patterson nicknames
Inspired by "Hard Hittin’’ Mark Whiten, I’m going with “Walks Matter-son” Corey Patterson.
Ceterum censeo La Russa ire necesse est.
his real first name is Donald.
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 11, 2011 10:09 AM EDT up reply actions
Whoa, I never noticed that...
New nickname: Donald Suck?
Ceterum censeo La Russa ire necesse est.
by mattybobo on Aug 11, 2011 10:12 AM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
it took me a while to dig it out.
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 11, 2011 10:12 AM EDT up reply actions
he seems too handsome for such a thing.
Don Suck.
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 11, 2011 10:13 AM EDT up reply actions
Donald Suck is constantly jealous of the more famous and much, much better
Rickey “Mouse” Henderson.
Ceterum censeo La Russa ire necesse est.
by mattybobo on Aug 11, 2011 10:20 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Oasis Reference
What’s the Story? Morning Corey Patterson?
"It is easy to be brave from a safe distance." - Aesop
ANAGRAMS!
Procreates Tony
Attorney Corpse
A Potency Resort
Reenact Oops Try
Careers On Potty
"I kinda like the Wong" -Aranathor
Potency Roaster
Ceterum censeo La Russa ire necesse est.
by mattybobo on Aug 11, 2011 10:22 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
A Tony's Receptor
I should add that I’m cheating by using the Internet Anagram Server.
Ceterum censeo La Russa ire necesse est.
well, duh. i don't even think kids should have to go to school anymore. just use the internet.
"I kinda like the Wong" -Aranathor
Good point.
“Recreant Spot, yo” in honor of batting him second.
Ceterum censeo La Russa ire necesse est.
Careers On Potty is like the most apt anagram ever.
"I kinda like the Wong" -Aranathor
by Alxfritz on Aug 11, 2011 10:23 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
im partial to this one
PUT TYLER ON THE GREENE!!
Public Relations Officer of the Tyler Greene Fan Club.
by Stash Musial on Aug 11, 2011 11:11 AM EDT up reply actions
Yuniesky Betancourt anagram
Batter Nine You Sucky
by Andyfantastic on Aug 11, 2011 1:09 PM EDT up reply actions 11 recs
Fascinating
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
Full disclosure --- I found that somehwere else
Maybe a Deadspin commenter.
by Andyfantastic on Aug 11, 2011 1:12 PM EDT up reply actions
There's no genital aspect to that joke
so it can’t be from deadspin
Beware: Velociraptors may be present.
Personally, I like
Reenact Oops Try, It just seems to fit for the FO, becasue they keep reenacting their oops.
Or maybe Retrace Tony Ops
Someday when I'm old and have grandchildren, I'll sit them down and say, "I got to see Ryan Theriot play SS." And they'll reply, "Oh, I'm so sorry you had to experience that."
Currently residing on the Free Tyler Greene bandwagon
by cardinalswsbound on Aug 11, 2011 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Found the best one, the one that sums up Corey Patterson perfectly
Creates Porn Toy
Someday when I'm old and have grandchildren, I'll sit them down and say, "I got to see Ryan Theriot play SS." And they'll reply, "Oh, I'm so sorry you had to experience that."
Currently residing on the Free Tyler Greene bandwagon
by cardinalswsbound on Aug 11, 2011 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Corey No-Batter Patterson?
As in the little-league chant (or for me, Khoury league), “no-batter, no-batter, no-batter!”
Kumar: I don't know man, I lose my touch, man.
Dignan: Did you ever have a touch to lose, man?
Or
Corey Badderson
Kumar: I don't know man, I lose my touch, man.
Dignan: Did you ever have a touch to lose, man?
Corey Effin Patterson!
:=8O
GAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!
Corey Effin' Patterson!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
:=8O
He started for Jon Jay because Jay is "struggling."
Since the Rasmus trade on July 27 and heading into last night the “struggling” Jay was hitting:
.209/.244/.279/.524
As you note, since the Rasmus trade on July 27, the apparently not struggling Patterson is hitting:
.200/.200/.280/.480
Since Jay was actually hitting better than Patterson during Jay’s slump, that doesn’t seem to be the real reason TLR went with Patterson over Jay initially. I suppose then there were the head-to-head lines against the starter, which were totally predictive of last night’s performances.
"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
Jon Jay sucks at being a successor
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
TBF: Colby Rasmus isn't lighting the world on fire either
Hitting: .250/.280/.396/.676 with Toronto in 50 PA’s.
Which happens to be a good representation of the career line of one Corey Patterson.
So, I guess we’re winning this trade right now, since Jackson at least has two quality starts.
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
I saw that earlier today
Man, WTF is with Rasmus. I hope he doesn’t get caught in some Adam-Dunn-esque spiral.
He must have finally adjusted to that man they have in the CF seats
Someday when I'm old and have grandchildren, I'll sit them down and say, "I got to see Ryan Theriot play SS." And they'll reply, "Oh, I'm so sorry you had to experience that."
Currently residing on the Free Tyler Greene bandwagon
by cardinalswsbound on Aug 11, 2011 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
And Jon Jay has an OPS of .554 since the trade
Did people really expect Rasmus to become Babe Ruth in less than a month after moving to an entirely different league where he doesn’t know the pitchers? Some Cardinals fans have the patience of a gnat.
I don't want to play golf. When I hit a ball, I want someone else to go chase it. ~Rogers Hornsby
Is there any place where anyone in this thread makes this argument anywhere?
My point was that it was not fair to point to how Jay is struggling and not also point out that Rasmus hasn’t lit it up from the batter’s box either.
Rasmus is the better player in the long run, that’s without question.
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
He's hitting better than Jay and Jay has less excuse.
I like Jay but I think it is fair game to criticize Jay more under the circumstances
I don't want to play golf. When I hit a ball, I want someone else to go chase it. ~Rogers Hornsby
i don't see any reason to bring up Rasmus with anything that Jay does anymore.
Grit != flat out sucking.
Why not?
Tony made the choice of Rasmus over Jay, why shouldn’t we continue to rip on him for that?
Secretary of WAR and defense (Tyler Greene Fanclub). PUT TYLER ON THE GREENE.
by vivaelpujols on Aug 11, 2011 4:25 PM EDT up reply actions
I don't see any justification for this argument at all.
We made a trade, we should be evaluating whether that trade has helped our current ballclub, since this particular trade is geared specifically toward helping the ballclub this year versus years down the road.
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
I have a problem though
You cannot determine that his future production in Toronto would have equaled future production in St. Louis.
"It is easy to be brave from a safe distance." - Aesop
Yeah, I see that as a big problem
I’m not sure it’s an apples-oranges thing, but maybe it’s a Granny-Smith-to-Golden-Delicious comparison. A little hazy.
Ceterum censeo La Russa ire necesse est.
no, but if I were a hitter
I’d rather face the pitching staves of the NL central over those of the AL east half the year (although the short fences in NY & Bos would be nice)
"I wonder if I put on a uniform and told La Russa I wanted to play for him if I could be a big leaguer too?"
"that all depends. are you gritty?" "You would need a mediocre decade of MLB experience first" "do you have a goatee, are you short, and do you try really hard?" "Are you willing to play four positions terribly?"
Is it because you want to bring up Corey Patterson?
Apparently, he’s been Rasmus’s replacement, not Jay.
by Willie McGee's Twin on Aug 11, 2011 5:21 PM EDT up reply actions
I didn't want to resurrect the Rasmus trade.
I was pointing out that Rains and co. seem to be sharing TLR’s justification for benching Jay, that Jay is struggling, when struggling Jay is still hitting better than Patterson who is apparently not struggling.
"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
LD%: 23.8 %
GB%: 57.1 %
FB%: 19.0 %
If we didn’t hate Corey Patterson around here, we might point out that he’s been hitting into some rather terrible luck so far as a Cardinal.
If you believe the THT xBABIP calculator, his xBABIP over this ridiculously small sample size is .349.
I know it’s easy to point out that Patterson is sucky, but to my eye he’s actually been hitting fairly well and has had some rough luck. Not saying he should start going forward, just saying that it seems a little disingenuous to point out that his batting line looks like shit without noting that, well, it’s 33 PA. There could be all sorts of stuff going on behind that batting line.
Whatever argument you're making is generally irrelevant, I think
He’s a bad player. Has been. Will be. He’s been theoretically not-bad for a short stretch. Won’t continue.
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
by mysterui on Aug 11, 2011 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Of course he's a bad player
He’s a bad player who I think has been playing fairly well, from what I can tell. My point is that it’s unfair and stupid to point out Corey Patterson’s line over the last 33 AB, given that doing so is essentially crucifying him for hitting into bad luck.
it's like AA was playing Monopoly with Mo
by CarpIsMyManCrush on Aug 11, 2011 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions
but with enough hotels...!
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 11, 2011 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions
We can agree...
…that he should be dipped in Gravy Train and fed to a pack of crazed poodles on crack…
:=8/
GAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!
Corey Effin' Patterson!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
:=8O
Not as unfair as someone writing an article entitled
Patterson proving valuable off the bench when his line is much worse than guys who were sent away with even smaller a sample size.
"I kinda like the Wong" -Aranathor
Whoever Leach threw under the bus when the Cardinals asked for a positive article about Corey Patterson, I assume.
"I kinda like the Wong" -Aranathor
face off!
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 11, 2011 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Of course 33 PAs are disingenuous.
That doesn’t change the fact that he is a terrible, terrible baseball player and has been for seven years.
"I kinda like the Wong" -Aranathor
I didn't say it did
But I’m not the one who quoted his line over 33 PA and compared him to a shortstop who can’t even hit in the minors. All that line measures is the results of his last 33 PA, and my point is that the line is deceivingly bad given how he’s hit over that span. That’s all. I think there’s plenty of reasons to pick on Corey Patterson, but I don’t think his hitting since coming to the Cardinals is one of them.
I DON'T SEE YOU DEFENDING PETE KOZMA
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
Over that sample size,
“bad luck” is one BIP being caught instead of falling in (assuming .300 BABIP true talent) or two (assuming .350 true talent). So if he had been “lucky” (.350 BABIP) instead of “unlucky”, he’d have a ~.575 OPS instead of his real-world .477 OPS.
The big problem is his 1:7 B/K ratio. Tough to succeed with that kind of plate discipline.
"Now that they've come out with that great stat, 'innings pitched per inning'-- is there anything they don't have a stat for these days?" -Al Hraboski, 3 Jun 11
by SleepyCA on Aug 11, 2011 1:18 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
This
Secretary of WAR and defense (Tyler Greene Fanclub). PUT TYLER ON THE GREENE.
by vivaelpujols on Aug 11, 2011 4:07 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm not sure why you keep pointing this out.
This is now a batting record of 12 GO, 4 FB, and 5 LD. It’s a teeny-tiny sample size. To the extent that he’s actually hitting at a 23 percent LD rate (and not benefitting from a couple FB wrongly labeled LD), the line drive rate is almost certainly luck. I don’t see why we should give anybody credit for a SSS lucky streak of batted balls, anymore than we should give them credit for a SSS lucky streak on BA or SLG.
It’s not disingenuous to point out his performance in the last 33 PA’s because there’s nothing misleading about that: his hitting is historically atrocious. Disingenuous means to deliberatley mislead or create a false impression. I’m not sure what “stuff” you think is going on behind the line of a guy with a .291 OBP in 4000 PAs.
"the less I think of it, the more certain I am." beckett
by tom s. on Aug 11, 2011 2:16 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Sure, it's miseleading.
If Matt Holliday put forth the exact same stats and rates in the first couple weeks of a season and the media was jumping on him, we’d mention all the things Mojo did. Mojo is not saying that he thinks Patterson is a good player or that Patterson will be a good player. All he’s saying is that it’s disingenuous to pick on his poor performance thus far with the Cardinals since he has not “earned” it with his quality of play. I agree.
No, we shouldn’t “give him credit” for playing well, as it’s incredibly SSS, but neither should we throw out his crummy numbers with us as if they represented how he has played in the tiny sample size, because they don’t.
Sorry if I misrepresented you at all, Mojowo!
Is Jon Jay the new Willie McGee?
i think the point
is that the line doesn’t reflect the quality of play and there’s no historical data suggesting that it should
Exactly
I’m not saying Patterson should even be on this team. I’m just saying that I don’t think his results thus far are indicative of how he’s played. I’m not arguing with anyone who says he’s a bad player (he is clearly terrible) or suggests that acquiring him was a bad move, I just bristle when people say he hasn’t played well for us, because I don’t think that’s true. I’m basing that on what I’ve seen with my eyes, and yes, trying my best to back it up with stats because I know how much weight the eye test carries around here. I realize the sample sizes are small, I’m using what I’ve got here.
I expect nothing going forward, don’t get me wrong. He will likely be worthless or worse for the rest of the year. But when someone posts his batting line thus far as a Cardinal as evidence that he’s crappy, that seems ridiculous to me. It’s 33 AB and, to my eye, that line doesn’t fairly reflect how well he’s played. That’s all.
even if you adjust for BABIP
he’s been crappy. See above.
"Now that they've come out with that great stat, 'innings pitched per inning'-- is there anything they don't have a stat for these days?" -Al Hraboski, 3 Jun 11
I don't see how your stats tell us how he's performed.
If you’re suggesting a 33 PA sample of batted ball data. “fairly reflect how well he’s played,” then respectfully, you’re wrong.
"the less I think of it, the more certain I am." beckett
by tom s. on Aug 11, 2011 11:39 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
but there's a reason you're using matt holliday to illustrate this point
For holliday, it would be misleading.
If I said, Pj walters sucks, he’s got an ERA of 7 (whatever the number is) in his last 6 appearances, that might be dumb but not disingenuous. Because it’s NOT misleading.
Moreover, the answer to someone who cited 30 PA’s worth of bad BA/OBP/SLG for holliday would not be to cite his batted ball data over that sample. The right answer would be to cite his data over his career or the last 3 seasons. Citing a different SSS does not fix the original SSS error, it just compounds the error. The antidote for a SSS is a large sample size.
"the less I think of it, the more certain I am." beckett
by tom s. on Aug 11, 2011 11:29 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I mean those classifications don't mean much
He’s had, what, 20 balls in play? If a stringer marked one of his fly balls as a line drive, his percentage plummets.
Secretary of WAR and defense (Tyler Greene Fanclub). PUT TYLER ON THE GREENE.
by vivaelpujols on Aug 11, 2011 4:07 PM EDT up reply actions
Well like I said
This is based mostly on my own observation of the games — I’m just trying to use stats.
Hell, if a stringer marked one of his line drives as a fly ball, his percentage skyrockets.
and I heard someone say he was "really playing well for us"
ooooohhhhhhhh typical baseball fans
by infallibleopiniongenerator on Aug 11, 2011 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions
you misunderstood the inflection
“corey patterson is really playing? well…for us.”
"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 Aug 11, 2011 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Over under the Feliz line for Patterson?
Secretary of WAR and defense (Tyler Greene Fanclub). PUT TYLER ON THE GREENE.
by vivaelpujols on Aug 11, 2011 4:01 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm pretty sure responsibility for that is whoever decided to keep playing them.
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 11, 2011 10:12 AM EDT up reply actions
Da Slide
It was refreshing to see a restrained analysis by DanUp coming off these last two games. I’m not sure I could have been as balanced. But although I see the "death by a thousand cuts" idea, I have a slender objection. I’m pretty sure the Cardinals did not lose last nights game because Cory Patterson batted second. With Holliday and Berkman missing, and Pujols showing up small, the Cardinals were playing with at least one hand tied behind their back. Against an outfit like the Brewers, 5 to 1 seemed just about right.
That could turn on a dime today, and I hope it does; I’ve been a Birds fan for over fifty years and I ain’t backing off now…
"It's a good lineup"
-Tony LaRussa
"Baseball is like Church, many attend, few understand" - Wes Westrum
"I felt good"
- Todd Wellemeyer
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 11, 2011 10:41 AM EDT up reply actions
and what in the heck
is wrong with Albert against the Brewers this year? He’s been hitting, almost, like the real Albert since the break EXCEPT for in games against the Brewers. I can’t accept the explanation “they’re pitching him tough”, if that’s all it was, why wouldn’t every other team pitch him the same way? ‘course it could be that the Brewers have better pitchers, but it’s still frustrating as all heck.
by ArkansasTravs on Aug 11, 2011 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions
Random variables?
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
Ugh. Soccer's the worst for this
Everybody tries to draw narratives from single games, even though out of any sport, the outcome is least indicative of how a team actually played
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
Is soccer really the worst for that?
What’s the approx # of games required to prove true talent level? (http://www.insidethebook.com/ee/index.php/site/article/half_a_season_of_nba_great_idea/)
Or are you just showing a soccer bias?
Beware: Velociraptors may be present.
Well, there are no measures of true talent level, so nobody knows
Are you talking about as a team? As team, probably not that many. As an individual, I’d guess a LOT
But none of this was really my point and you took this in a different direction, so
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
That the general fan population tries to draw meaningful narratives out of single games,
more than the fan population of other sports?
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
I guess
I wasn’t trying to make a quantitative argument
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
Right.
But, there’s literally no way for me to argue that.
I guess I’d say baseball is worse since there are about 2,500 games a year and has a TV channel devoted to 24 hour coverage of what (and to a lesser extent why) happened the previous day.
But that’s just, like, my opinion man.
Beware: Velociraptors may be present.
Yeah, there's way more idiot TV and internet coverage of baseball
Soccer doesn’t have Harold Reynolds.
Secretary of WAR and defense (Tyler Greene Fanclub). PUT TYLER ON THE GREENE.
by vivaelpujols on Aug 11, 2011 4:27 PM EDT up reply actions
c'mon azru. are you a repliCAN or a repliCAN'T?
"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 Aug 11, 2011 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions
He's definitely not as pretty as Sean Young
Secretary of WAR and defense (Tyler Greene Fanclub). PUT TYLER ON THE GREENE.
by vivaelpujols on Aug 11, 2011 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions
she's so different. she's so perfect.
"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 Aug 11, 2011 4:57 PM EDT up reply actions
The Beatles suck
Secretary of WAR and defense (Tyler Greene Fanclub). PUT TYLER ON THE GREENE.
by vivaelpujols on Aug 11, 2011 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions
you can't do that
we can work it out. just let it be.
"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 Aug 11, 2011 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
The US beat Spain in the Confederations Cup a few years ago
How did that happen
Hit me up on Google+
by jd is legend on Aug 11, 2011 12:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Ah
Hadn’t heard about that
Hit me up on Google+
by jd is legend on Aug 11, 2011 12:05 PM EDT up reply actions
yep
kind of like how he’s torn up the Pirates over the years. Doesn’t help much with the frustration level when its the team your fighting with for first that he has the bad stats against (this year, at least).
by ArkansasTravs on Aug 11, 2011 11:35 AM EDT up reply actions
i wish the cardinals had a ticketing system like the white sox
it lets you choose the exact seat you want
only, online they don’t let you leave a seat stranded between other already purchased seats, which is pretty dumb, but if you call them and tell them exactly which one you want, they’ll let you purchase it no problem
with the cardinals i feel more or less blind when i buy tickets and they always end up farther back than you think. not that i ever sit in my sea, but still…
"I still don’t understand what commercial is better than having me on tv" – Chris Carpenter
2011: Boog would've count 77
agreed
I tend to buy from Stub Hub a lot since you can better pick seats. I have sometimes kept trying on the Card’s site or using multiple windows and lucked into better seats. I wish they at least had a 800 number.
by ArkansasTravs on Aug 11, 2011 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions
actually if you call ticket sales at 314 345 9000
they are really helpful and try to accommodate special requests (first row behind bullpen, corner seats, shade, etc) but it’s still a hassle. this stuff should be available online. not to mention, when there are high volumes of requests for opening day or postseason or promotions, their “virtual waiting room” and the concurrency control for purchase requests is so unspeakably bad, it’s shameful
"I still don’t understand what commercial is better than having me on tv" – Chris Carpenter
2011: Boog would've count 77
the san antonio missions have this technology figured out
no reason the st louis cardinals can’t
by prophetjohn on Aug 11, 2011 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions
I knew they would
I’m just cheap and don’t want to make the long distance call. ’Course, I guess I should be able to use my cell…. doh!
by ArkansasTravs on Aug 11, 2011 6:49 PM EDT up reply actions
I buy through stub hub
the regular site, groupon but thats through the site too and then lately I’ve gotten some tickets off craigslist.
bollocks
by SecondHalfMatt on Aug 11, 2011 12:14 PM EDT up reply actions
btw, check out our friend from the other night
he didn’t need to sneak through security like i had to, he just took the best seat
"I still don’t understand what commercial is better than having me on tv" – Chris Carpenter
2011: Boog would've count 77
this just in! the rally squirrel has abandoned us! Brewers bring in rally mantis! panic! alarm!
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
I know the way he got there was not pretty
But 8 innings of 3 run baseball against a lineup like the brewers have is a very solid start. Over his last 6 starts, he has a 3.23 ERA. Sure, his FIP us probably higher than that, but he’s ben pitching well. His season FIP is 4.28, not great, but not awful. Its about what I expected from him.
"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 8/10/11)
107 1/3 IP, 121 K, 47 BB/HBP, 43 ER, 5 HR, 2.86 FIP
by VolsnCards5 on Aug 11, 2011 10:54 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
He has been pretty OK lately
But I dunno yet about his season as a whole. By FIP- he’s at 115 so far this year. A higher FIP- is bad (right? I still wish they had just made it FIP+ intead, bah). By comparison, Pineiro’s bad year as a starter for us was 112. Part of this is due to the fact that a 3.9 FIP is now average. Dunno how much can really be said from all this. Also, I don’t know what the consensus is on how FIP might underrate groundball pitchers since GBs don’t go into the formula. By xFIP Westy’s only a little over 4, I think.
Ceterum censeo La Russa ire necesse est.
you know,
during the game last night I was cursing Westie under my breath, etc. But after thinking about it. He really didn’t do that badly. The walks and falling behind were his worst contributions last night. The offense was just so pathetic, it reflected badly on everything.
by ArkansasTravs on Aug 11, 2011 11:30 AM EDT up reply actions
Westbrook's start last night was ok, at least as far as actual runs allowed.
But he’s performed worse than expected so far this year. Part of this has to do with the fact that leaguewide offensive performance has gone down, making Westbrook’s performance comparatively worse.
For example, Westbrook’s tRA+ is 89 (scaled to 100, like wOBA+). To put that in context, he’s been about as good as Jeff Karstens (88 tRA+) or John Lannan (90). To put that in another context, know that Pete Kozma’s wOBA+ this year is also 89, and Gerald Laird’s in 91.
That’s not good. And it’s not like his numbers look better when you figure in the defense behind him.
by Willie McGee's Twin on Aug 11, 2011 11:37 AM EDT up reply actions
Aha, very similar posts!
But I think the idea that Westbrook’s pitching this year is as far from the average performance as Pete Kozma’s offensive performance is, really puts in perspective HOW BAD Westbrook has been.
/patting myself on back and making myself want to vomit at the same time
by Willie McGee's Twin on Aug 11, 2011 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, his season as a whole has not been good. VolsnCards5 was only saying that it hasn't been awful
But I don’t know how to define “awful” when we’re talking about a starting pitcher signed to a multi-year contract, whose defense-dependent pitching style makes it a little more difficult to analyse his performance.
Ceterum censeo La Russa ire necesse est.
If the offense is competent last night, it's a winner.
He kept us in the game. I’ll stand by it.
I said it was ugly.
Wut?
against a lineup like the brewers have
They have Fielder, Braun, Morgan and Hart. Every other hitter in their lineup is below average. The only club that can’t seem to get Casey McGeehee out on a regular basis is the fucking Cardinals. Betancourt sucks, Lucroy started well and has been terrible since, Felipe Lopez is awful.
Our offense is better than their offense. Yet their pitching staff shuts us down, while we give Westbrook an “atta boy” for walking 5 guys in 8 innings against a “tough lineup”. If we swapped lineups, this blog would be complaining about why half of these schlubs even get at-bats.
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
Yeah seriously
Betancourt alone drags their offense down considerably. He’s like, worse than Theriot.
Secretary of WAR and defense (Tyler Greene Fanclub). PUT TYLER ON THE GREENE.
by vivaelpujols on Aug 11, 2011 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions
After seeing the listless performance the past two nights Im not hopeful about this year.
And improving next year’s roster is going to be a challenge. Id like to see them start M. Carpenter and Tyler Greene on the left side with Craig at 2B and DD as the Utility. Dump Skip and Theriot. And see what they can get to bolster the rotation from a package including David Freese. If they offered Freese, Lohse and Brian Anderson could they get Wandy Rodriguez or something similar?
BTW after an 0-4 last night Tyler Greene’s slash line is now 341/429/629 ?!?!
Carpenter’s 307/432/463
Anderson 290/364/414
PUT TYLER ON THE GREENE!!
Public Relations Officer of the Tyler Greene Fan Club.
Lohse has a full no trade clause
bollocks
by SecondHalfMatt on Aug 11, 2011 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions
Seattle!
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 11, 2011 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Blow this motha up
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
Don't worry, we have Corey Patterson: starter
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
im just curious as to the communitys thoughts on improving the team
if we keep puma and albert, which i think is doable. Its either MIF or CF barring a trade. I think Carpenter and Cox make Freese a tradable commodity. And SP seems like a good way to improve if we can give TG an honest chance. Craig would replace Freeses defense at a less than typical defensive cost.
PUT TYLER ON THE GREENE!! update - .341/.429/.629 !!!!
Public Relations Officer of the Tyler Greene Fan Club.
by Stash Musial on Aug 11, 2011 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions
This is not a real sentence
Craig would replace Freeses defense at a less than typical defensive cost.
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
i meant offense.
PUT TYLER ON THE GREENE!! update - .341/.429/.629 !!!!
Public Relations Officer of the Tyler Greene Fan Club.
by Stash Musial on Aug 11, 2011 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions
no one wants tastee until he puts in a complete year
ie, no major dl stints
I may be in a rut, but at least I know where I'm going
...to DFA TLR
this a million times!
The present group isn’t working/hasn’t worked since ’06.
Time to start over and get younger!
and anyway, westbrook is on a 2-, not 3-year deal
you guys sometimes make me think i’m the only one who reads that front page posts
I read it, I just trusted him
Hit me up on Google+
by jd is legend on Aug 11, 2011 12:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Anybody have a Baseball America account? They're doing their "Best tools at each level" thing
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
Last year Descalso had the best plate discipline
over Matt Carpenter. I don’t much care for their best tools series.
Beware: Velociraptors may be present.
And this year they have a "Most Exciting" category
/takes out gun
//shoots self
Beware: Velociraptors may be present.
Awarded to the player who gets in the most high-speed car chases
What is Corey Patterson doing in Tyler Greene's spot on the 25-man roster?
by Robth on Aug 11, 2011 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
That was bizarre
But did they define “plate discipline” or just state it?
Ceterum censeo La Russa ire necesse est.
I think they have a REALLY hard time
separating out prospects who overall aren’t all that impressive but excel at one thing from prospects who would be rated higher on a prospect list. That seems like a difficult task to me for anyone.
Beware: Velociraptors may be present.
Contact, fastball, fastball?
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
Wong: Defense
Martinez: pitching prospect, fastball
Miller: fastball
Swagerty: breaking ball (missed this one)
Beware: Velociraptors may be present.
Really, Wong on defense?
Huh.
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
i thought wong's defense was supposed to be mediocre at best
what did you think of his defense?
by prophetjohn on Aug 11, 2011 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions
He didn't make any oustanding plays when I watched.
Looked average to me. In the minors though, there’s still a lot of SS who will eventually move to 2B so the quality of 2B in the minors isn’t necessarily that high.
Beware: Velociraptors may be present.
And who won best pitching prospect at AA?
Moore and Teheran are both at AAA now. Martin Perez?
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
Garrett Richards
And these are specific by League within each level.
Beware: Velociraptors may be present.
wat
There is literally no way Richards is a better pitching prospect than Shelby
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
Daniel Descalso has better plate discipline than Matt Carpenter
Beware: Velociraptors may be present.
That's at least somewhat defensible because nobody cares about those players
But Richards and Shelby are both Top-100 (50?) prospects
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
Is there anywhere I can listen to your radio spot?
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
i don't think so.
that guy doesn’t seem to have a webpage other than a live stream.
Beware: Velociraptors may be present.
Carlos Martinez won in both QC & PB categories
for fastball, and just QC for pitching prospect. Swag won in PB.
Beware: Velociraptors may be present.
REMINDER: We are 5 games behind the Brewers, with 7 games left against them
We need to start beating them if we intend on catching them, but there’s a whole lot of “OH GOD HAVE FUN IN THE PLAYOFFS RYAN BRAUN” defeatism going on around here (especially in game threads — and I do realize emotions run high in game threads).
It’s not going to be easy to catch them, but it’s still very possible. Tonight’s game is an important one; 6 games back with 6 games left against the Brewers is just that much harder.
It would also help if the Brewers would lose a game now and then.
by mojowo11 on Aug 11, 2011 11:41 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
I think the problem is
we have played so poorly against the Brewers head to head so far this year, especially recently, and have shown no signs of turning things around. We played like a team ready to get the game over with and get on the road last night. We look lifeless. Plus, as you say, the Brewers are playing out of their minds right now. Yuniesky Betancourt has an OBP around .400 for the last month. All of that combined makes it real difficult to remain optomistic about future chances to gain ground.
"Baseball is like Church, many attend, few understand" - Wes Westrum
I think we're conjuring up narratives based on 2 games
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
because the team played super inspiring the previous 110 games?
by prophetjohn on Aug 11, 2011 11:52 AM EDT up reply actions
I don't know what your point is
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
Point taken.
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
I don't even know what this means
The team looks flat right now because they aren’t winning. Pujols has looked bad this series, which makes the offense seem especially inept. When the team is winning, they look good.
the team swept the marlins
and i wouldn’t have described them as looking good in that series
by prophetjohn on Aug 11, 2011 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions
this
I thought the team was horrible looking in the marlins series, and had the marlins played adequate defense, the games could have looked quite different.
by CarpIsMyManCrush on Aug 11, 2011 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions
I don't know what this means either
The series was weirdly boring to watch because of the empty stadium and lack of enthusiasm from the announcers. But ultimately we played a decent Marlins team, the middle of our lineup raked for four straight days, the bullpen was nails, and we got some very good starting pitching. I thought they looked fine, even if the games had that distinct dog-days-of-August feeling to them.
Rick and Al should never be allowed to broadcast
Passionless, grumpy, old men belong on a lawn chair on their porch yelling at kids, not on tv.
by CarpIsMyManCrush on Aug 11, 2011 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions
I mean we've been about as good as the Brewers this year Pythag-wise
Secretary of WAR and defense (Tyler Greene Fanclub). PUT TYLER ON THE GREENE.
by vivaelpujols on Aug 11, 2011 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions
I think you're probably correct about this to an extent
But what about narratives based on the rest of the season so far? Baseball Prospectus puts our playoff odds at 18.4% right now. That does not make me jump for joy. The Brewers’ odds are 87.5. Also, the Braves’ odds are at 91.1% despite the Phillies’ odds literally being at 100%. So that tells me the wild card is not much to hope for either.
Ceterum censeo La Russa ire necesse est.
Those are not narratives based on two games
“They look lifeless”
“They look like they don’t care”
Those are.
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
yeah, those are narratives
based on perception. Unfortunately, matty is pointing out reality. It’s even more unfortunate that perception and reality are pointing in the same direction, thus it is very difficult to think positively about this team.
"Baseball is like Church, many attend, few understand" - Wes Westrum
Yes, we are behind
Yes, we will have to catch up, and catching up is harder than being ahead and holding on. Nobody’s suggesting coming back is going to easy, but frankly, playoff odds are just odds.
There are, what, 50 games left? 50 days ago the Cardinals were 0.5 games back from the Brewers. In 50 more games, we could be right back in it again.
I’m just tired of the complete lack of hope around here.
by mojowo11 on Aug 11, 2011 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
i think a lot of it
is how well the brewers are playing, which isn’t likely to be sustained. but the longer they keep fluking into consecutive wins, the more screwed our team becomes
by prophetjohn on Aug 11, 2011 12:02 PM EDT up reply actions
I getcha
A complete lack of hope is going to far, I agree. I am just at the point where I’m prepared for us not to win the division. I honestly was not at that point until this series. I still pretty much expected us to pull it out.
Ceterum censeo La Russa ire necesse est.
Unlike last year, we don't seem to play well against good teams
We are only in contention because we beat up on bad teams.
Our record against above .500 teams: 16-26
Our record against below .500 teams: 46-29
it would be advantageous to play our best 8 players each night
but tinkering tony will never do it
so we fail
I may be in a rut, but at least I know where I'm going
...to DFA TLR
All this is true.
But part of the pessimism is just facing the (unfortunate) reality that our chances of making the playoffs are going down significantly.
For example, Baseball Prospectus lists our playoff odds as less than 20% now.
by Willie McGee's Twin on Aug 11, 2011 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions
Um, we're 1-4 against them in the last 5 games against them
And they might have the easiest schedule in baseball the rest of the way. Go look — they could play .600 ball the rest of the way, just based on the shitty fucking teams they play against.
It’s hard not to have a defeatist attitude when Casey fucking McGeehee is carrying his club against us, when, if you remove his games against the Cardinals, he might barely be hitting .200.*
*This might be a bit hyperbolic, but I really can’t stand him, and we’re the only club that he seems to play well against.
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
by fourstick on Aug 11, 2011 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
he's hit .226/.274/.317 against not-cardinals this year
317/ .391/ .610 against us. Ridiculous.
"Now that they've come out with that great stat, 'innings pitched per inning'-- is there anything they don't have a stat for these days?" -Al Hraboski, 3 Jun 11
Jeebus
I knew it was a huge split, but even I didn’t think it was that high.
Perhaps our pitching coaches need to look at what other teams are doing to get him out, because whatever we’re doing clearly isn’t working.
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
He's the batter version of Bud Norris
Secretary of WAR and defense (Tyler Greene Fanclub). PUT TYLER ON THE GREENE.
by vivaelpujols on Aug 11, 2011 4:18 PM EDT up reply actions
his splits are hilarious
He kills us and the Pirates.
what about his secret twin
bud norris?
I may be in a rut, but at least I know where I'm going
...to DFA TLR
6-1 the rest of the season vs. the Brew Crew!
Then all we have to do is beat the rest of the schedule more than the Brewers beat the rest of theirs…
le sigh
looks like someone over at mlb.com left a tab open and broke the site
"I still don’t understand what commercial is better than having me on tv" – Chris Carpenter
2011: Boog would've count 77
As a corollary to the Tyler Greene Fan Club
I would like to start the DFA Corey Patterson Fan Club. Now filling all positions.
PUT TYLER ON THE GREENE!! update - .341/.429/.629 !!!!
Public Relations Officer of the Tyler Greene Fan Club.
Sounds like you have a lot of holes to fill...
;=8)
GAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!
Corey Effin' Patterson!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
:=8O
Three under through five
8 over on next 8 holes, then a birdie. Ouch.
Kind of like the Birdos … good through May, then mediocre at best till now. I think the pessimism here with the Birdos is that this is so familiar – like last year all over again. How can a team get to 12 games over 500, and then suck to the finish line? Has TLR all over it. All we need is Randy Winn to go along with Corey Manisdone, to experince Groundhog Day TLR style.
SD
+8 in 8 holes is not mediocre for Tiger
Tiger played like the Astros for those 8 holes
Hit me up on Google+
by jd is legend on Aug 11, 2011 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm going to chalk up the losses in the last two games to the team being depressed over the Colby trade
Hit me up on Google+
by jd is legend on Aug 11, 2011 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions
No, they were happy! Remeber how they laughed at his comedic music video?
"I kinda like the Wong" -Aranathor
chode
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
by mysterui on Aug 11, 2011 12:07 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
and just to be optimistic: the day we score 12 runs against the brewers 1
by CarpIsMyManCrush on Aug 11, 2011 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions
we have historically dominated gallardo, right?
by prophetjohn on Aug 11, 2011 12:54 PM EDT up reply actions
To say "dominated" that is.
I am taking whatever positive angles I can get for the rest of the day.
Ceterum censeo La Russa ire necesse est.
right
the sabermetric nerd in me rolled his eyes at me when i looked up that split, but it’s comforting
by prophetjohn on Aug 11, 2011 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions
Nertlerb?
GAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!
Corey Effin' Patterson!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
:=8O
by The MooCow on Aug 11, 2011 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
when the finally fully gestated alien explodes from Tony LaRussa's haircut
thereby ceasing the parasitic mind-control that forces us to have a minimum 3 wasted roster spots of suck (cause see the alien feeds on bad roster management)
Suddenly Theriot, Patterson, and Laird (sorry guy but you’re redundant) are cut and LaRussa breaks into tears at the realization that Colby’s gone and that he never should have accepted that alien-shaped gift Aaron Miles gave him back in 06.
by infallibleopiniongenerator on Aug 11, 2011 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
hello m'baby hello my honey hello my ragtime gal
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 11, 2011 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
larussa's post-alien realization
“who made that man a second baseman?”
“you did sir.”
“and the shortstop? the right fielder?”
“you did that, too.”
“i knew it…i surrounded myself with a’holes.”
"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 Aug 11, 2011 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions
it's his own fault for having no real independent thinkers besides Dunc
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
needs moar cross-eyed mozeliak

"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 Aug 11, 2011 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions
check please
A testy Pujols when asked by @JoeStrauss if he thinks this injury will affect his future "that’s a stupid question, Joe," then walks off.
by nota bene on Aug 11, 2011 4:02 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Seems to me like Allen Craig was historically underrated until he made the majors
too much focus on “no position” not enough focus on the bat.
Beware: Velociraptors may be present.
It's been an incredible year for the farm
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
Radish crop is a bit small, though
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
Bears. Beets. Battlestar Galactica.
"Pain is only in the mind. For me. Others, no." - Pornstache
"I also remember he threw the ball back to me harder then I threw it to the plate, so that was a little bit worrisome to me." - Boggs on Motte
by GasHouseMang on Aug 11, 2011 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions
I kinda agree with this....
although, David Freese never got a lot of run as a prospect either, and a big part of the issues with Craig stemmed from lack of plate discipline and that seems to have improved a bit the last 18 months.
He never topped an 8.5% walk rate prior to Memphis in 2010, and he’s got a 10.5% walk rate this year in limited PA’s with the Cardinals. If you look at his minor league numbers through mid-2010 though, he’s reasonably difficult to project because if his ISO drops at the MLB level (and most guys do) and he sees a small reduction in contact rate leading to a drop off in batting average, he’s a .270/.320/.430 hitter as an average fielding corner outfielder. I’m not a huge fan of MLE’s, but I think Craig, because of his lack of defensive intangibles, was a very tough guy to project without a stable position where that type of bat could still provide value.
That’s find if you play corner outfield in the Pacific Northwest, apparently, but it’s not much of a projecttion.
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
Craig wasn't ever really "too old for his level" though
Maybe in 2010, but never really before that.
I think his big issues were lack of a position (as Az pointed out), lack plate discipline, and difficulty projecting his ISO in the MLB.
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
Looks like we'll be 12-15 deep in A and B prospects on Sickels' list for 2012.
Miller will be a solid A, Martinez should be an A or A-, it’s possible that Taveras sneaks into A-/B+ range (Sickels apparently loves him, and he likes to give push grades to OF with this type of skill set. He was one guy who has been completely bullish in Trout the entire way), and I would guess that Wong ends up being a solid B or even a B+ if he continues to hit and hits well in the AFL, where he should play this fall.
If you go look at 2008, that’s a HUGE improvement in just a few years.
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
Rainsface tweeted he was throwing from 60 ft last night
before the game and that he had been throwing into a net the night before. He used something like “at a good clip” to describe the force he was throwing with.
"Baseball is like Church, many attend, few understand" - Wes Westrum
so i asked about the blue jays and gang affiliation
that robbery suspect in… cahokia, was it? was wearing a blue jays cap.
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
so VEB still does know everything. mostly.
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 11, 2011 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions
I haven't come across what affiliation the Cards hat has though
by CarpIsMyManCrush on Aug 11, 2011 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions
St Lunatics
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Rappers_from_St.Louis,Missouri
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 11, 2011 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions
speaking of hats
why do people keep the stickers on them. The hologram underneath the cap i could understand, but when you keep the stickers that are on the bill, I just don’t get it.
by CarpIsMyManCrush on Aug 11, 2011 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions
to prove they are real
Founding Member of the Ban Overused .GIFs Club
by Bowling_Guy25 on Aug 11, 2011 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions
This rant sums it up nice i think
That leaves us with one sticker left which is the small hologram sticker underneath the brim of the hat showing its authenticity. The only logical argument for having so many stickers on your hat is to prove to everyone that your hat is authentic. First of all if someone is going to make fun of you because your hat is not proven authentic they need to get punched in the face real quick, so do so when they bust your balls. If you want to prove to those select idiots (whom I have yet to meet ever) keep the hologram sticker on the bottom / underneath of the brim to show to them. That is the ONLY sticker you can get away with keeping on the hat in my book, and even then you still look like a tool for not pealing it off.
by CarpIsMyManCrush on Aug 11, 2011 12:40 PM EDT up reply actions
Pulling a page from my not too distant past as a 911 operator
The St. Louis Cardinals cap doesn’t have an affiliation that I’m aware of. You’re pretty safe wearing it no matter the location. A Blues hat on the other hand is back.
"Go crazy, folks, go crazy! It's a home run, and the Cardinals have won the game, by the score of 3 to 2, on a home run by the Wizard! Go crazy!" - Jack Buck (my earliest baseball memories)
https://plus.google.com/u/0/111459762327473828979/posts
by WizardofOz1982 on Aug 11, 2011 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions
i see a guy on the way to work every day
who wears a different hat daily professing his affiliation with numerous teams – giants, red sox, rockies, rangers, yankees, and yes the cards. i’d like to suggest that this gentleman’s headwear should incite violence.
"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 Aug 11, 2011 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions
that's my understanding
I have never once heard of Cards gear having any meaning in gang heraldry
A testy Pujols when asked by @JoeStrauss if he thinks this injury will affect his future "that’s a stupid question, Joe," then walks off.
Did you say "The Gang"?
We’ve even got our own Green Man!
Hit me up on Google+
by jd is legend on Aug 11, 2011 5:05 PM EDT up reply actions
This album is great, not as good as MBDTF, but still very very good.
Someday when I'm old and have grandchildren, I'll sit them down and say, "I got to see Ryan Theriot play SS." And they'll reply, "Oh, I'm so sorry you had to experience that."
Currently residing on the Free Tyler Greene bandwagon
by cardinalswsbound on Aug 11, 2011 2:28 PM EDT up reply actions
Yep
tracks 1 and 3 are excellent
What is Corey Patterson doing in Tyler Greene's spot on the 25-man roster?
Haha listening to 3 right now
Someday when I'm old and have grandchildren, I'll sit them down and say, "I got to see Ryan Theriot play SS." And they'll reply, "Oh, I'm so sorry you had to experience that."
Currently residing on the Free Tyler Greene bandwagon
by cardinalswsbound on Aug 11, 2011 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions
Love track 3
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
Had that lyric, "You are now watching the throne//Don't let me get in my zone"
Stuck in my head all day yesterday, actually starting singing it walking down the street without realizing it, pretty sure I looked and sounded like a crazy man.
Someday when I'm old and have grandchildren, I'll sit them down and say, "I got to see Ryan Theriot play SS." And they'll reply, "Oh, I'm so sorry you had to experience that."
Currently residing on the Free Tyler Greene bandwagon
by cardinalswsbound on Aug 11, 2011 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions
The intro is really good, but I still love Otis, if only because is has OR
Someday when I'm old and have grandchildren, I'll sit them down and say, "I got to see Ryan Theriot play SS." And they'll reply, "Oh, I'm so sorry you had to experience that."
Currently residing on the Free Tyler Greene bandwagon
by cardinalswsbound on Aug 11, 2011 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Likewise. Especially the beginning of the track
What is Corey Patterson doing in Tyler Greene's spot on the 25-man roster?
maybe beyonce deserves taylor's fame
"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 Aug 11, 2011 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
The album would be good if Kayne and Jay-Z could actually rap
The beats are pretty amazing, but if the rapper has no flow there’s just not much point.
Secretary of WAR and defense (Tyler Greene Fanclub). PUT TYLER ON THE GREENE.
by vivaelpujols on Aug 11, 2011 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions
yeah, sorry that was a dicky comment
Secretary of WAR and defense (Tyler Greene Fanclub). PUT TYLER ON THE GREENE.
by vivaelpujols on Aug 11, 2011 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions
But wouldn't this song from it be more appropriate for us, given what our team has been doing the last couple of days
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YTlc1s0a38
Someday when I'm old and have grandchildren, I'll sit them down and say, "I got to see Ryan Theriot play SS." And they'll reply, "Oh, I'm so sorry you had to experience that."
Currently residing on the Free Tyler Greene bandwagon
by cardinalswsbound on Aug 11, 2011 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions
elaborate, please.
"I don't know where Cueto learned to fight."-- Chris Carpenter
do not mess with yadi f. molina
This is the worst one IMO
“314 soldiers died in Iraq, 509 died in Chicago.” Comparing members of the American Armed Forces to “soldiers” aka gang members(at least thats how I interpreted it) is extremely disrespectful.
FREE TYLER GREENE!
The number refers to 509 violent deaths in Chicago
It doesn’t explicitly refer to gang activity. Nor does he explicitly call those 509 people soldiers.
Not worth arguing about, though. I think the comparison is slightly silly, I just don’t find it offensive.
Yeah your right not worth arguing about.
A lot of it just seems pretty black power oriented and that just kinda wears on me. But that’s just like my opinon, man.
FREE TYLER GREENE!
as one of the ghosts said to Scrooge, "my time grows short"
as the band plays, “who,who,who let the dogs out.”
Combined, what I’m feeling is there are too many instances to get them all in, and the indictment is that it is TONY who decides WHO plays when, where and how often.
There are many obvious ones (of LaRussa’s weird, questionable, or even ludicrous playing decisions) and I’d get plenty of assent and pile-on contributions from many of you, but I will risk the neck to add one of mine that will get little support but in my mind does fit in with the overall indictment.
Namely, why does ‘this year’s’ Albert Pujols continue to bat 3rd in the line-up, as if it were unthinkable to do otherwise. He’s been a 4 or 5 hole hitter this year, and would have been a very good one. But given the importance of the 3-hole, someone else batting there, this year, might have been a smart jiggle.
Yes, on paper, the great Albert is a terrific 3-hole man, in the past beyond question.
But on paper says that Theriot is a good enough SS and Franklin is an effective relief pitcher, etc. When the on paper isn’t working, you make a change; that’s what a manager can do.
Interesting question
I think it’s a little odd that they never tried putting Albert in a different spot for a while, since they have done this in the recent past. Wasn’t it last year where when Albert offered to switch spots with Holliday while Holliday was having a slump? The rationale being that it might take some pressure off of him or something?
Anyway, I sort of expected to see something like that given the year Albert is having. I hope this hasn’t actually happened already this year and I’m just forgetting…
Ceterum censeo La Russa ire necesse est.
So irritated right now
If this D.O. was standing in front of me right now I might kick him in the nuts.
Long post explaining details removed. Trust me, it’s good stuff, but not appropriate to share here.
"Baseball is like Church, many attend, few understand" - Wes Westrum
For people who didn't score well enough on the MCAT to get into Med School
DO School is a really, really good alternative. Basically no difference, right?
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
Male Cheerleaders are Terrifying?
What is Corey Patterson doing in Tyler Greene's spot on the 25-man roster?
by Robth on Aug 11, 2011 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Mad Cats Accept Tony?
I like VEB today, lots of wordplay… sort of
Someday when I'm old and have grandchildren, I'll sit them down and say, "I got to see Ryan Theriot play SS." And they'll reply, "Oh, I'm so sorry you had to experience that."
Currently residing on the Free Tyler Greene bandwagon
by cardinalswsbound on Aug 11, 2011 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
many concerned about tibet?
"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 Aug 11, 2011 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions
they perform basically the same role
especially in rural areas
"Baseball is like Church, many attend, few understand" - Wes Westrum
You're upset about the bill from your kid's
doctor of orthodontics?
disinterested outfielder?
"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 Aug 11, 2011 2:52 PM EDT up reply actions
ot IKEA is taking so long to get here
there’s a small business now exploiting it.
http://www.nexusstl.com/
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
they are robbing you blind
"I still don’t understand what commercial is better than having me on tv" – Chris Carpenter
2011: Boog would've count 77
how's it ikea's fault?
"I still don’t understand what commercial is better than having me on tv" – Chris Carpenter
2011: Boog would've count 77
Because ikea charges outrageous shipping prices
and hasn’t opened a store in brentwood.
Beware: Velociraptors may be present.
because missouri is exactly the right demographic for ikea...
but shit, if i could, i’d open an ikea store is st louis
"I still don’t understand what commercial is better than having me on tv" – Chris Carpenter
2011: Boog would've count 77
what about home decorators collection?
it may be more expensive, but it’s quality stuff. i’ve purchased from them before and their stuff looks great and is sturdy as hell. plus they have their customer service offices in hazelwood, so you know…hooray for local jobs and stuff.
"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 Aug 11, 2011 3:58 PM EDT up reply actions
i prefer european style furniture
and use ikea mostly for blankets, pillows, I love their sheets, shelves, kitchen organization
and the cafeteria
reminds me of home
"I still don’t understand what commercial is better than having me on tv" – Chris Carpenter
2011: Boog would've count 77
Really?
Brentwood isn’t a good place for an iKEA? It’s got a Crate&Barrel. There’s also been a rumored iKEA store in West St. Louis for like the last decade.
Beware: Velociraptors may be present.
i just wonder why they need two ikea stores in chicago that are like 25 miles apart
and have none between there and texas
"I still don’t understand what commercial is better than having me on tv" – Chris Carpenter
2011: Boog would've count 77
Consumer dynamics, baby
those are booming yuppie suburban areas.
the northern one of those 2 is the one I referred to; it’s about 10m from my house. The place is freaking packed. I can’t figure out what these people were doing before Ikea existed.
Ikea is a great place to browse
women in their 20s and 30s.
And my kids could wander that store for hours.
Aside from that I can’t really figure out why the parking lot is always packed.
any ensuing comment is probably political
so I’ll just blame the Knights Who Say Ni.
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
TLR said post game
that it may be more serious than initially thought.
he was initially thought to be day-to-day
to my knowledge, that’s all we know
Have there been any reports on Shelby?
Hit me up on Google+
by jd is legend on Aug 11, 2011 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions
LALALALALALALALALALALALALA
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
You really don't think you can s
"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 8/10/11)
107 1/3 IP, 121 K, 47 BB/HBP, 43 ER, 5 HR, 2.86 FIP
by VolsnCards5 on Aug 11, 2011 6:35 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Seriously dude your phone sucks
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
It has a mind of it's own
But seriously, you really think throwing 30+ 92mph pitches in 70 degree weather won’t make you sweat?
"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 8/10/11)
107 1/3 IP, 121 K, 47 BB/HBP, 43 ER, 5 HR, 2.86 FIP
by VolsnCards5 on Aug 11, 2011 6:42 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
So much so that you're shaking you hand prior to the completion of those 30 pitches?
No. I don’t.
How often do you see Chris Carpenter “shaking his hand” as opposed to going for the rosin bag? Shaking your hand is an odd action — it’s not the rosin, it’s not whiping your hand on your pants, none of that. I see people shake their hands in MMA all the time when something pops or they break their hand.
Beware: Velociraptors may be present.
CCDNGAFASOHH
Shelby does?
"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 8/10/11)
107 1/3 IP, 121 K, 47 BB/HBP, 43 ER, 5 HR, 2.86 FIP
by VolsnCards5 on Aug 11, 2011 6:51 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
there is more to the story. We will have to wait and see.
If it was just a blister, He would have been tweeting about it today. If he hurt his hand, it was doing something he was not supposed to be doing. I’m just going by body language here, but he looked like he was very upset after he left the game.
Who is TLR's next victim?
Ugh
This week has sucked
"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 8/10/11)
107 1/3 IP, 121 K, 47 BB/HBP, 43 ER, 5 HR, 2.86 FIP
by VolsnCards5 on Aug 11, 2011 7:16 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
giving up baseball to move to St. Louis area and sleep
with Cardinal Nation’z significant others on a full time basis.
by infallibleopiniongenerator on Aug 11, 2011 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions
he's getting into real estate?
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Aug 11, 2011 4:32 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Hey, not bad
Furcal, ss; Jay, cf; Pujols, 1b; Berkman, rf; Freese, 3b; Craig, lf; Molina, c; Theriot, 2b; Carpenter, rhp.
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
What a novel idea.
Approach an important game like an important game.
"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 wasn't going to take crap
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
Craig!!
This is basically a perfect lineup, sans Holliday.
Secretary of WAR and defense (Tyler Greene Fanclub). PUT TYLER ON THE GREENE.
by vivaelpujols on Aug 11, 2011 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, but I really doubt that will ever happen
By perfect, I mean perfect for Tony.
Secretary of WAR and defense (Tyler Greene Fanclub). PUT TYLER ON THE GREENE.
by vivaelpujols on Aug 11, 2011 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions
He's played him there like once, right?
I’m pretty sure people have been clamoring for Craig at second for awhile now.
Secretary of WAR and defense (Tyler Greene Fanclub). PUT TYLER ON THE GREENE.
by vivaelpujols on Aug 11, 2011 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, 8
Secretary of WAR and defense (Tyler Greene Fanclub). PUT TYLER ON THE GREENE.
by vivaelpujols on Aug 11, 2011 4:53 PM EDT up reply actions
I've been on that boat for more than a year now.
THE BATMAN|TOWEL BOY.|VP of TG Fanclub
Twitter|Google+|FREE TYLER GREENE!
I'm looking forward to the inevitable
lf Craig, cf Holliday, rf Berkman alignment
by infallibleopiniongenerator on Aug 11, 2011 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Theriot over Schumaker
I don’t know how much more of this I can take.
Why Theriot over Schumaker tonight? Could be because Theriot is hitting .385 (5-13) against Gallardo while Schumaker is at .214 (3-14).
Choosing a starter based on his performance over 13 AB’s (I assume?) as compared to another player’s performance over 14 AB’s against the starting pitcher is downright silly. Is Rains speculating or is this La Russa’s stated rationale?
"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
This is all Rains
But we know that LaRussa does play these tiny splits
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
it's only idiotic
so what’s new?
I may be in a rut, but at least I know where I'm going
...to DFA TLR
there are only two theriot/schumaker questions
- what hand does the pitcher throw with?
- why the hell don’t we have any better options?
"the less I think of it, the more certain I am." beckett
by tom s. on Aug 11, 2011 11:49 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Hah, "LoMo sux"
Secretary of WAR and defense (Tyler Greene Fanclub). PUT TYLER ON THE GREENE.
by vivaelpujols on Aug 11, 2011 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions
my job title includes the work engineer in it. I doubt anyone here has an engineering degree.
"I kinda like the Wong" -Aranathor
well now I feel a wee bit like an ass
i still don’t like this d-bag at work that calls himself our head engineer
I know you won't take offense because you don't really care
but, as someone who put a lot of time & money into their engineering degree, that bothers me greatly. When I was at AT&T they did that alot (i.e. non-engineers with engineering titles) but my current employer doesn’t.
Beware: Velociraptors may be present.
(hides subway nametag with the title "sandwich engineer")
"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 Aug 11, 2011 5:34 PM EDT up reply actions
this is gonna piss off a lot of art school graduates...
"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 Aug 11, 2011 5:35 PM EDT up reply actions
No no, sandwich artistry is definitely a real thing
Secretary of WAR and defense (Tyler Greene Fanclub). PUT TYLER ON THE GREENE.
by vivaelpujols on Aug 11, 2011 5:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Shit I don't know how to make a meatball sub
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
It's b/c I work in Network Engineering.
I’m a network implementer more than anything, but that’s not the official title.
"I kinda like the Wong" -Aranathor
An ABET acredited engineering degree
None of this “genetic engineers” shit from a science department. Or “Enviromental Engineers” that didn’t have to take anything past college algebra.
I am an engineering elitist.
Beware: Velociraptors may be present.
acronyms belong everywhere today?
"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 Aug 11, 2011 5:32 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
you think that's bad?
one of my friends went through a “democracy engineering” program.
"I don't know where Cueto learned to fight."-- Chris Carpenter
do not mess with yadi f. molina
i had to look up how to spell "engineer"
that’s how far I am from being one
this guy is just a total tool, i really wish the real engineers would kick his ass
As someone who has a comp sci minor
I know the hell you guys have to go through and there are usually extensive mathematics requirements even for a comp sci degree. I’m sympathetic toward calling, say, a Network Engineer with a Comp Sci degree an engineer.
Beware: Velociraptors may be present.
Can I be a word engineer?
Secretary of WAR and defense (Tyler Greene Fanclub). PUT TYLER ON THE GREENE.
by vivaelpujols on Aug 11, 2011 5:46 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm just doing what I can to help science
Secretary of WAR and defense (Tyler Greene Fanclub). PUT TYLER ON THE GREENE.
by vivaelpujols on Aug 11, 2011 6:00 PM EDT up reply actions
How about domestic engineer?
or Maintenance Engineer?
11 in '11
by I-Musial-ly-Am on Aug 11, 2011 7:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Sort of.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Controversies_over_the_term_Engineer#Title_usage
But there are all sorts of internal company titles that use engineer (Production Engineers, Test Engineers, Network Engineers), not to mention the guy who drives the locomotive, guys who breach obstacles in the military (combat engineers), etc.
by Willie McGee's Twin on Aug 11, 2011 5:32 PM EDT up reply actions
Dont have time to look back through the entire thread,
But any status on Holliday today?
by mick311 on Aug 11, 2011 5:19 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
not playing tonight
may be worse than first expected
by infallibleopiniongenerator on Aug 11, 2011 5:19 PM EDT up reply actions
TSUA?
"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 Aug 11, 2011 5:39 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
CDGAFAA
"I don't know where Cueto learned to fight."-- Chris Carpenter
do not mess with yadi f. molina
not another malicious, blatantly lewd acronym
"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 Aug 11, 2011 5:48 PM EDT up reply actions
looks like
the Brewers have decided to play nice guy tonight and even if up. We can’t play Hollididay
they won’t play Braun.
yeah, because that's the same
"I still don’t understand what commercial is better than having me on tv" – Chris Carpenter
2011: Boog would've count 77
Yea, Braun is better
"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 8/10/11)
107 1/3 IP, 121 K, 47 BB/HBP, 43 ER, 5 HR, 2.86 FIP
by VolsnCards5 on Aug 11, 2011 6:33 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Still boggles my brain how underrated Holliday is
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
He's third in fWAR since 2007
Agreed
THE BATMAN|TOWEL BOY.|VP of TG Fanclub
Twitter|Google+|FREE TYLER GREENE!
Holy shit 5.5 WAR this year
In 90 games. Jesus Christ.
Secretary of WAR and defense (Tyler Greene Fanclub). PUT TYLER ON THE GREENE.
by vivaelpujols on Aug 11, 2011 6:36 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm lovin me some Matt Holliday
when he’s not hurt
11 in '11
by I-Musial-ly-Am on Aug 11, 2011 6:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Hammock love
Secretary of WAR and defense (Tyler Greene Fanclub). PUT TYLER ON THE GREENE.
by vivaelpujols on Aug 11, 2011 6:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Heh
Twas a joke
"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 8/10/11)
107 1/3 IP, 121 K, 47 BB/HBP, 43 ER, 5 HR, 2.86 FIP
by VolsnCards5 on Aug 11, 2011 6:39 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
no way
their offense is close, Holliday has a slight edge by wOBA; but their defense isn’t close.
A testy Pujols when asked by @JoeStrauss if he thinks this injury will affect his future "that’s a stupid question, Joe," then walks off.
Was a joke
"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 8/10/11)
107 1/3 IP, 121 K, 47 BB/HBP, 43 ER, 5 HR, 2.86 FIP
by VolsnCards5 on Aug 11, 2011 6:43 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
No no, you're fucking wrong
Apologize jerkwad.
Secretary of WAR and defense (Tyler Greene Fanclub). PUT TYLER ON THE GREENE.
by vivaelpujols on Aug 11, 2011 6:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Jerkwad?
Are you a 1980’s high school student?
"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 8/10/11)
107 1/3 IP, 121 K, 47 BB/HBP, 43 ER, 5 HR, 2.86 FIP
by VolsnCards5 on Aug 11, 2011 6:48 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Yeah, I'm that one guy in the Breakfast Club
Secretary of WAR and defense (Tyler Greene Fanclub). PUT TYLER ON THE GREENE.
by vivaelpujols on Aug 11, 2011 6:50 PM EDT up reply actions
Molly ringwald?
"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 8/10/11)
107 1/3 IP, 121 K, 47 BB/HBP, 43 ER, 5 HR, 2.86 FIP
by VolsnCards5 on Aug 11, 2011 6:53 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Holliday isn't here for defense
although he’s improved i think
11 in '11
by I-Musial-ly-Am on Aug 11, 2011 7:20 PM EDT up reply actions
He's way way better than Braun defensively
Secretary of WAR and defense (Tyler Greene Fanclub). PUT TYLER ON THE GREENE.
by vivaelpujols on Aug 11, 2011 7:24 PM EDT up reply actions
off-topic alert: pretty great watch the throne review:
http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/6844020/let-eat-cake
(the double colon!)
"I don't know where Cueto learned to fight."-- Chris Carpenter
do not mess with yadi f. molina
It's a rap album
I really don’t see the need to elevate it to some grand statement about the current day culture of America.
Secretary of WAR and defense (Tyler Greene Fanclub). PUT TYLER ON THE GREENE.
by vivaelpujols on Aug 11, 2011 6:09 PM EDT up reply actions
That's awfully closed minded of you
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
by mysterui on Aug 11, 2011 6:11 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
vivaelpujols, defining what is allowed to be art since 1997
by prophetjohn on Aug 11, 2011 6:13 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Er, what?
I’m not saying the album can’t have a message, I’m saying it’s a little over the top for a critic to judge how the circumstances surrounding the album’s making and release comment on our culture. The way he talks about it, it’s as if Kayne and Jay-Z are iconic forces and their collaboration represents some kind of surrender.
Did you read the review?
Secretary of WAR and defense (Tyler Greene Fanclub). PUT TYLER ON THE GREENE.
by vivaelpujols on Aug 11, 2011 6:17 PM EDT up reply actions
art is a product of its culture
without american culture existing the way in which it does, the album would not exist.
without understanding american culture, the album becomes meaningless.
"I don't know where Cueto learned to fight."-- Chris Carpenter
do not mess with yadi f. molina
I just think the article was reaching way too far beyond the evidence at hand
Secretary of WAR and defense (Tyler Greene Fanclub). PUT TYLER ON THE GREENE.
by vivaelpujols on Aug 11, 2011 6:21 PM EDT up reply actions
You could make this argument about literally every album produced in this country.
Ceterum censeo La Russa ire necesse est.
If anyone cares
there were colby rasmus t-shirts on sale last night at the springfield cardinals team store for $7.00. The number is on the S- Cards website.
Who is TLR's next victim?
source
Joe Strauss
Cardinals reach agreement w/Arthur Rhodes. A-Train expected to join team Friday. For more, check @stltoday momentarily.
what is there really to “agree” to anyway? you wanna play for us? they’re paying you? okay, we’ll make a uniform
...
A-Train expected to join team Friday.
Interesting. I’ve been wondering what Anthony Thomas has been up to.
by Willie McGee's Twin on Aug 11, 2011 6:45 PM EDT up reply actions
I remembered Rhodes being good
But he has a ~5 xFIP this year. Still he was pretty fantastic last year, and in the years before that.
I’m a fan.
Secretary of WAR and defense (Tyler Greene Fanclub). PUT TYLER ON THE GREENE.
by vivaelpujols on Aug 11, 2011 6:19 PM EDT up reply actions
well, shit
Secretary of WAR and defense (Tyler Greene Fanclub). PUT TYLER ON THE GREENE.
by vivaelpujols on Aug 11, 2011 6:21 PM EDT up reply actions
He's a lefty
No fastball velocity needed
"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 8/10/11)
107 1/3 IP, 121 K, 47 BB/HBP, 43 ER, 5 HR, 2.86 FIP
by VolsnCards5 on Aug 11, 2011 6:46 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I guess we missed that feeling of suck in the bullpen
by CarpIsMyManCrush on Aug 11, 2011 6:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Everybody
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
whatever. I'm entering WMTDNGAF territory.
by Willie McGee's Twin on Aug 11, 2011 6:41 PM EDT up reply actions
well that's just fantastic
….If he’s the actual LOOGY instead of Scrabble I think I can live with this, especially if they let him make the trip from the bullpen to the mound in his Hoveround.
(Somehow I can’t shake the thought that Tony is going to let him pitch entire innings, and face righties, and bat for himself, &c.)
A testy Pujols when asked by @JoeStrauss if he thinks this injury will affect his future "that’s a stupid question, Joe," then walks off.
How in the world has TLR ever gotten the reputation that
he puts players in “positions to succeed”? He does the exact opposite all the f’n time.
by Willie McGee's Twin on Aug 11, 2011 6:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Well sometimes he makes bench players look really good by the selective playing time they receive.
But he also seems to get things wrong as much as he does right.
Who is TLR's next victim?
I guess I disagree.
To me, he makes guys who should be bench guys look bad by playing them too much, and he plays others too sporadically and haphazardly to allow them to succeed.
Tonight, he should be playing Skip against a RHP and should be sitting Theriot, who struggles against RHP.*
*this comment assumes that Skip and Theriot should be on this team, a position this author does not endorse
by Willie McGee's Twin on Aug 11, 2011 7:06 PM EDT up reply actions
The sad thing is...
Tony knows intellectually what a LOOGY is.
Just like I’ve heard him say that you want guys at the top of the lineup that get on base a lot.
But somehow he ignores all this and does the opposite
I've never ventured into commenting there
You are brave.
Secretary of WAR and defense (Tyler Greene Fanclub). PUT TYLER ON THE GREENE.
by vivaelpujols on Aug 11, 2011 6:43 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Agreed.
That’s the part of the map that reads, “Thar Be Monsters” and no one who has been there ever returns from.
Be safe.
Beware: Velociraptors may be present.
by azruavatar on Aug 11, 2011 6:53 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Sometimes the spam protection service goes nuts
I write for a website, sometimes my own comments have to be approved…by myself.
Milwaukee lineup
Hart 9
Morgan 8
Kotsay 7
Fielder 3
McG 5
Yuni 6
Flop 4
Lucroy 2
Yo 1
Bold predictions: McGehehehe will hit 9 homers and Kotsay will hit for the cycle….twice.
A testy Pujols when asked by @JoeStrauss if he thinks this injury will affect his future "that’s a stupid question, Joe," then walks off.
You guys really suck at linking to the next thread.
Colby in TOR: .231/.259/.365 1HR 9K/2BB 8/11
by The Continental on Aug 11, 2011 8:19 PM EDT reply actions
there's another one after that
Secretary of WAR and defense (Tyler Greene Fanclub). PUT TYLER ON THE GREENE.
by vivaelpujols on Aug 11, 2011 8:24 PM EDT up reply actions

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