Cardinals Inch Closer to Postseason with New Closer
by azruavatar on Sep 18, 2011 6:00 AM EDT
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For the last two weeks, I had secretly written articles to spur the Cardinals onto continued success. It was all reverse psychology and now I'll nimbly jump on the band wagon!
Okay, okay. That's a fib on both accounts. The Cardinals statistically determined chances appear to be something between 8% and 9% at the time of this writing. So, yes, I'm saying there's a chance and the Cardinals appear determined to try and hit that razor thin margin as they continue to pursue the Braves. This tack in September is not the one I would have chosen for the team but it's the one that it's manager, Tony La Russa, who just won his 1400th game on Friday and number 2720 overall, has chosen to play for October baseball in his own bizarre way.
On Friday, that way included Corey Patterson getting some important late inning gametime. Shane Robinson at the plate during a critical at bat. Tyler Greene playing ... in left field. And none of Lance Berkman, Jon Jay, Allen Craig or David Freese in the game by the time it ended. Fortunately, Adron Chambers and Tyler Greene saved the day for the skipper as they drove in the go ahead and insurance runs during extra innings.
Since I'm writing this from Saturday morning, I can only guess at the hilarious hijinks that will ensue on Saturday's game. And the Cardinals will probably win it just to spite my belief in probability even further. Baseball writers everywhere, if they're able to hold back their collective orgasms, can begin to pen their thousand word submissions on the Cardinals team chemistry and the leadership of their #3 all time wins leading manager. I can almost taste my personal bile now.
The Cardinals continued defiance of the odds is puzzling and impressive. Friday's game at least had the added fun of watching some of the Memphis squad come through in big ways. Adron Chamber's after game interview with Jim Hayes was particularly entertaining with the ear to ear grin.
* * *
Commenter dronemc posted this excerpt in Friday's morning thread but I thought I'd explore it a little more. From Jayson Stark at ESPN:
Whitey Herzog once said the two things a guy needs to succeed in the managing biz were a sense of humor and a good bullpen. Well, here's the proof: If all games had ended after the eighth inning this year instead of the ninth, the Cardinals would be leading the Brewers by 4½ games instead of trailing by 5½.
That is a rough stat to read. The Cardinals early season woes with blowing games late was maddening. For a time, Fernando Salas calmed an unsteady bullpen with his excellent command and three pitch repertoire. Salas was never really pegged as a closer with somewhat middling stuff that played up with the command. Like virtually any closer, Salas hit a rough patch, and the bullpen faltered again. As the season has drug on, Jason Motte has been anointed the un-anointed closer in Tony La Russa's bullpen.
While Stark's comment is prima facie shocking, a step back reveals a very simple truth: Teams that don't blow leads late in games win more. Duh, right? Mostly, fans put a face to that rule in the form of a closer or a late inning reliever. For the Cardinals that face this season was undoubtedly Ryan Franklin and Miguel Bautista. (I'll leave someone with real photoshop skills to merge those two faces.) It's disingenuous to expect a closer or reliever to never blow a save but the Cardinals duo were particularly frustrating this year. Some of that was expected, some of that less so.
As the season comes to a close and the Cardinals trail the Braves, the standings have started to show the first of the playoff contenders with Detroit clinching this week to join Philadelphia. Nearly all of the contenders have featured a player with an impressive record of closing out games.
| Saves | Blown Saves | |
| Yankees (Mariano Rivera) | 41 | 5 |
| Tigers (Jose Valverde) | 45 | 0 |
| Rangers (Neftali Feliz) | 26 | 6 |
| Red Sox (Jonahtan Papelbon) | 30 | 1 |
| Phillies (Ryan Madson) | 31 | 2 |
| Brewers (John Axford) | 43 | 2 |
| D'Backs (J.J. Putz) | 40 | 4 |
| Braves (Craig Kimbrel) | 44 | 6 |
As a predictive device, the save statistic is awful. As a purely descriptive one, it is functional but my usage here is nothing more than a tacit endorsement of a very specific instance. Of these closers, only Feliz has had a mediocre year. The others have all been varying degrees of exceptional with continued incredible performances from Rivera and Papelbon to newcomers like the Braves Craig Kimbrel.
The Cardinals identity at the tail end of the bullpen for the last few years has been Ryan Franklin. A soft tossing right hander who worked with his command far more than his stuff. Slowly that has changed over the course of this season. The transition to Salas with his fastball/slider/changeup combo was a pitcher with better stuff but one who still excelled because of his command. As Motte has taken over the role, we approach something more closely resembling the pitchers on the list above.
There are other pitchers with more saves this season than some of the contenders. A closer is not a panacea to a season. It is not a golden ticket wrapped inside a candy bar. It's one element of a team. But if we look at the team's whose closers are having success, fastball velocity is important. Of the list above (excluding Rivera), the slowest average fastball speed is 93 (Putz). Three of these pitchers, Kimbrel, Axford and Feliz, have a fastball velocity that averages 96.
Maybe that is surprising but in much the same way that Stark's comment was hiding a relatively simple truth so is this analysis: fastball velocity is important. It is not the only factor but it is one that undeniably matters. When Ryan Franklin lost his control, he threw a 91 mph meatball. When Jason Motte loses his control, he's still throwing a 96 mph fastball.
The Cardinals may or may not make the playoffs this season. They may or may not look back at the early season failures of Ryan Franklin and Miguel Batista ruefully. Finding a new closer can become a fixation for clubs in the offseason. At times, it can be a monetary boondoggle. In this one aspect of the team, the Cardinals appear to be resolving an issue before the offseason. If you think that's too late for the post-season, I guess depends on how optimistic you are this morning.
* * *
Rules for a Velociraptor World: As fall approaches and the weather turns cooler, make sure to lock your doors at night. Velociraptors seek warmer habitats during the winter and the invention of modern heating has led them to seek that inside at times. The simplest way to achieve a velociraptor free house is to make it routine. Last thing before bed, check your locks. First thing in the morning, make sure there are no velociraptors napping near the fireplace.
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Craig Kimbrel
I wrote this up the day before we knocked Kimbrel for a blown save:
In Craig Kimbrel’s (the Atlanta Braves’ closer) last 37 games played he has finished 31 of the games. The team is 32-5 in those games. Kimbrel has 2 wins, 0 losses and is 24 for 24 in save opportunities in those games. Those aren’t the “good” numbers. In those 37 games, 36 2/3 innings pitched, Kimbrel has allowed just 13 hits and 11 walks (for a WHIP of 0.65), while striking out 65. That’s 1.77 men per inning. Per 9 innings, that’s 15.95 men. 16 men every nine innings pitched means that the fielders on his team need to make 11 plays in a 9 inning ball game. His OPS against in those 37 games is .295. Mario Mendoza (the Mendoza of the Mendoza line) makes those hitters look like shrimps. Mendoza is Babe Ruth compared to them. Oh, to top it all off, he’s doing it in the middle of a pennant race…and has not allowed a single run over those 36 2/3 innings.
So what you're saying is...
we need Heath Bell?
Is Jon Jay the next Willie McGee? Is Arthur Rhodes the next Arthur Rhodes?
...
Heath Bell 2.56 | 3.40 | 3.85
Jason Motte 1.55 | 2.28 | 3.35
Looks like we already had an elite closer. Tony just didn’t figure it out very quickly/quick enough
why the f is corey patterson on this team?
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Sep 18, 2011 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions
because he's really 2 closers. or 2 and a half. and neither are Jason Motte.
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
also
there is a glove
why the f is corey patterson on this team?
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Sep 18, 2011 2:55 PM EDT up reply actions
wow the robot wants a pic of franklinista
guess this isn’t a family blog
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
gotta have something to scare the kids with
"I still don’t understand what commercial is better than having me on tv" – Chris Carpenter
2011: Boog would've count 78
by d-dee on Sep 18, 2011 3:51 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I'm having some really sour grapes for breakfast this morning
That was a closer game than what the box score says. I couldn’t help wondering why not keep McClellan in since Westy was pulled so early – sure he gave up the dinger to Victorino, but otherwise looked good. Was it really necessary to pull Freese for Descalso? And why keep trotting Theriot and Patterson out there? Would it kill TLR to give Greene a start?
Hope the Crads do better today.
I'll have to disagree.
With Westie giving up 5 hits and 5 walks in 3.1 IP, it shouldn’t have been as close as it was by the 8th. It was a miracle that they weren’t buried by then.
Can’t disagree about the player swapping, though.
#FireTLR
by The Continental on Sep 18, 2011 10:32 AM EDT up reply actions
I agree about your disagreeing and your agreeing
Is Jon Jay the next Willie McGee? Is Arthur Rhodes the next Arthur Rhodes?
I've pretty much conceded the end of the season
(although I’ll be willing to reconsider if we win our next 3 games and Atlanta drops theirs). Which is to say, not go Crads, but GO RAYS!
would love to see Boston banished to non-playoff loserdom. Although I guess they’d be in good company since TLR, a true baseball genius and the greatest active manager, will once again not be making the playoffs.
My favorite words are goodbye, and my favorite color is red
At least Boston's fans care, and Boston is a baseball-first city that lives and dies with the Sox.
Tampa can’t even fill up it’s crappy stadium – instead it’s a smattering of retirees and medical sales reps. Yuck. Tampa is a worse baseball town than Houston, which is saying something. The Rays seem to get a lot of love around here, but I can’t figure out why I should like them other than Longoria being in a ‘cute’ commercial about a hat.
by Willie McGee's Twin on Sep 18, 2011 11:35 AM EDT up reply actions
professional wrestlers and carnies (circus folk, smell like cabbage) also make up a significant percentage of the TB fanbase
by peppermartin on Sep 18, 2011 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions
it's a good, well managed underdog team
by prophetjohn on Sep 18, 2011 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions
They're also a team that manipulates prospects' service time to the detriment of the major league club to save money.
by Willie McGee's Twin on Sep 18, 2011 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions
To take just a recent example...
To keep Jennings or Guyer from reaching Super 2, they gave far too many at bats to the likes of Fuld, Ruggiano, and Elliot Johnson. Draysbay complains about this practice a lot.
by Willie McGee's Twin on Sep 18, 2011 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions
eh, oh well
they were my AL team last season. this season, it looks like it’s the jays. but i dunno, all those prospects still gets me all hot and bothered
Are you really sure the benefit of getting Jennings during his age..
25-31 seasons (exactly when you want him), is over-shadowed by the cost of going with Fuld for half the season?
That's a lesser evil than BOS and NYY
Who overspend to the point where they undermine the competitiveness of their division, the AL, and to a certain extent all of baseball.
by bailorg on Sep 18, 2011 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Why was Westbrook pulled?
We were out for the evening and I didn’t get a chance to follow the game in real time. I get that he was walking too many people, but why? Was there an injury, or a problem with the ump, or he just didn’t have it, or what?
"That’s what a baseball player does: he uses the glove half of the time." -- Rick Horton regarding the DH.
by StanTheManFan on Sep 18, 2011 11:05 AM EDT up reply actions
He was terrible. I guess "just didn't have it." His last walk was on 5 pitches (I think?) with the bases loaded.
Is Jon Jay the next Willie McGee? Is Arthur Rhodes the next Arthur Rhodes?
Yeah, that
"That’s what a baseball player does: he uses the glove half of the time." -- Rick Horton regarding the DH.
by StanTheManFan on Sep 18, 2011 3:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Sorry.
That’ll get him pulled, all right. No injury excuse after the game?
"That’s what a baseball player does: he uses the glove half of the time." -- Rick Horton regarding the DH.
by StanTheManFan on Sep 18, 2011 3:22 PM EDT up reply actions
root beer of victory!
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Sep 18, 2011 10:36 AM EDT up reply actions
Just as long as they didn't hurt Rosenthal's arm, or Taveras' hamstring.
Congrats, QC! Two league titles in the farm system this year.
"That’s what a baseball player does: he uses the glove half of the time." -- Rick Horton regarding the DH.
by StanTheManFan on Sep 18, 2011 11:07 AM EDT up reply actions
DG does a nice little breakdown of the
minors for those that don’t follow too closely.
I thought this was interesting
Breakout: RHP Boone Whiting. Flaunting above-average command and a sinker, Whiting had more strikeouts (122) than hits and walks combined (106) in 1192/3 innings.
Johnny Gomes could not be reached for comment
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Sep 18, 2011 12:01 PM EDT reply actions
It is interesting
I try not to think too much about it, because I get the impression people think his stuff is such that he’ll need to start nibbling a lot more as he moves up, but you can’t ignore the season he just had.
by Merry CRasmus on Sep 18, 2011 12:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Nibbling shouldn't be that big of a deal
if he has that great of command. Somebody put up some videos of him pitching and that breaking ball, maybe the sinker but I didn’t think so, was almost whiffleballish.
Johnny Gomes could not be reached for comment
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Sep 18, 2011 12:12 PM EDT up reply actions
this freaking guy
also 1192 thirds? that is an odd way to track innings pitched
by prophetjohn on Sep 18, 2011 12:28 PM EDT up reply actions
I expect better from Goold than to tout Stav
And an .817 OPS in the offense-inflated PCL. This is below the likes of Shane Robinson, and well below Greene, Hamilton, Brown, and Carpenter.
by Willie McGee's Twin on Sep 18, 2011 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions
True dat.
Stav’s wOBA was lower than Luna’s, Adron’s, and Jose freaking Garcia’s as well. I was giving Goold a break for using OPS, just because of the audience.
by Willie McGee's Twin on Sep 18, 2011 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions
but his wAM is like 2.0
wAM being weighted Aaron Miles. It’s a measure of how close to Aaron Miles one player can be, with 1.0 being a perfect match. Since Stav looks so much like Miles and is double his size, he scores 2X perfect.
"Baseball is like Church, many attend, few understand" - Wes Westrum
by scoot on Sep 18, 2011 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Also, how was Carpenter not the "stand out"?
He had T. Greene as the “breakout” and that’ fine and all. But Carpenter was so much better than Stav.
Ceterum censeo La Russa ire necesse est.
I saw Stav and just skipped over that part.
Johnny Gomes could not be reached for comment
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Sep 18, 2011 1:16 PM EDT up reply actions
interesting MLBTR article
apparently the cards don’t want albert’s negotiations to go past early december. negotiating w/ berkman and furcal’s agents for short term deals.
FIRE TONY LARUSSA
twitter
hmmmm. so their source is that unicorn-loving asshat?
I wonder which towel boy told him about it?
Johnny Gomes could not be reached for comment
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Sep 18, 2011 1:37 PM EDT up reply actions
more or less.
somebody mentions something that they thought they heard somebody else say, and he takes it from there.
Johnny Gomes could not be reached for comment
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Sep 18, 2011 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Of course they don't.
The Series doesn’t end until, what Thanksgiving-ish this year? 5 days after that is when their exclusive window to negotiate expires.
More seriously, the longer it goes, the more opportunity some team has to say “Fuck it” I’m tired of negotiation, 9 years, 283 million it is!"
I love how traditional media folks can just use common sense and call it reporting. Of course the cards would prefer to wrap it up early – it’s the huge pile of uncertainty that’s hanging over everything. Sign Albert or don’t, and then either way, at least you’ve got a clearer picture of how you need to build your roster for 2012 and beyond.
all these 5+ yr contracts for 30+ y.o. players amaze me
the teams know that 20+M/yr aav for these contracts are just a series of large deferred payments for players whose performance will undoubtedly decline
so, bad financing overall combined with the player taking up a 25 man spot or dfa’ed, which loses any hope of any return in those yrs
i like apu now, but to think in any world he will be the starting 1st baseman and worth 20+M at age 40, much less 41, 42, is ludicrous
I may be in a rut, but at least I know where I'm going
...to DFA TLR
Unlikely, not ludicrious
If you look at the similar players at age 31 on his b-ref page (just a quick way to generate hall-caliber players), there looks to be about even odds that he’ll still be starting and league average or better at age 40. And like you said, the later years on these things are to finance the earlier years.
But, that aid, nine years is probably way too long.
They say that it's never too late, but you don't get any younger...
my memories of franklitista...
are pictures of fake dog poop okay to post here?
"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?"
channel flip stl
one channel: pappy’s
another channel: raids for afghan heroin
yeah!
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
Pappy's and poppies
Ceterum censeo La Russa ire necesse est.
by mattybobo on Sep 18, 2011 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
dunno if you were there, bobo but i caught a post-apocalypse Arch
in a playstation ad
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
my theory is it's still Too Soon to destroy landmarks in the east coast
and Chicagoans are just pansies.
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
If anyone wants to make their own Franklintista
this would probably a good site.
morphthing.com
kinda works like the If they Mated thing from Conan
by The Ghost of Todd Burns on Sep 18, 2011 1:54 PM EDT reply actions
Oh my god, It's an Abomination!
Manchester City: 12 points, 4-0, 1st in EPL, +12 GD
Sergio Aguero: 6 Gs, 1 A
Edin Dzeko: 6 Gs
by cardinalswsbound on Sep 18, 2011 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions
I see your Franklintista
and raise you a LaMorgan
by CarpIsMyManCrush on Sep 18, 2011 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
The baby one is definitely better, seems like they just overlayed the images.
Manchester City: 12 points, 4-0, 1st in EPL, +12 GD
Sergio Aguero: 6 Gs, 1 A
Edin Dzeko: 6 Gs
by cardinalswsbound on Sep 18, 2011 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions
So, Milwaukee has already dropped 7 runs on the Reds.
In case you were wondering.
#FireTLR
by The Continental on Sep 18, 2011 2:02 PM EDT reply actions
the Reds suck
why the f is corey patterson on this team?
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Sep 18, 2011 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions
Jason Motte is like the real deal version of Brian Wilson. Wilson’s is an act, Motte’s persona is just pure crazy awesome.
why the f is corey patterson on this team?
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Sep 18, 2011 2:06 PM EDT reply actions
this
Motte tries to sound normal when interviewed.
Johnny Gomes could not be reached for comment
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Sep 18, 2011 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions
no, no
he is normal when interviewed
that’s what’s scary
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Sep 18, 2011 7:18 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I didn't get to watch the game last night, as I was at the casino
but I hear that Tyler Greene once again did not make an appearance while Corey Patterson did.
I’d just like to say:
by CarpIsMyManCrush on Sep 18, 2011 2:13 PM EDT reply actions
how much did you lose?
"I still don’t understand what commercial is better than having me on tv" – Chris Carpenter
2011: Boog would've count 78
by d-dee on Sep 18, 2011 3:49 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I walked in with 65
And left with 162.
My friend played one spin on the penny slots and won 180 dollars.
My other friend, didn’t win a dime
by CarpIsMyManCrush on Sep 18, 2011 3:53 PM EDT up reply actions
hey so glowing cats fight AIDS
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
I'll just drop all my OT here so as not to clutter
I mentioned it in the other thread
anything Yoko Kanno does is awesome
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
Yeah, I don't think I'll go far wrong with any of the Cowboy Bebob soundtracks.
I’m slightly miffed that you can’t get the same edit of Tank! that they used for the opening credits without getting the 4CD set.
Hey, maybe Amazon has it as a download…
#FireTLR
by The Continental on Sep 18, 2011 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions
So, for the byrds to have any chance,
They pretty much need both of these against the phils. Atlanta still has 3 left against them, right?
Anyway, I need a book suggestion to download. Just read moneyball. I want it to be about baseball. Ball for and catcher in the wry are out.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Second base….I’ve played second base, how hard can it be? -TLR
Also, Dave Concepcion.
of course, it's about baseball in rural iowa
"I still don’t understand what commercial is better than having me on tv" – Chris Carpenter
2011: Boog would've count 78
by d-dee on Sep 18, 2011 3:58 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Eucker, not Salinger.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Second base….I’ve played second base, how hard can it be? -TLR
Also, Dave Concepcion.
oh i'm not familiar
i assumed you typo’d
you could read the one by salinger. it’s pretty good, but it’s not about baseball
I thought you had to be in high school to read that.
Also, pitching in the pinch, by Christy Matthe.wson is free on amazon
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Second base….I’ve played second base, how hard can it be? -TLR
Also, Dave Concepcion.
read it. hilarious.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Second base….I’ve played second base, how hard can it be? -TLR
Also, Dave Concepcion.
I prefer the Animals to the Byrds myself.
Johnny Gomes could not be reached for comment
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Sep 18, 2011 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions
My phone, it has a lot of tips after the last update.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Second base….I’ve played second base, how hard can it be? -TLR
Also, Dave Concepcion.
See, tips was supposed to be typos.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Second base….I’ve played second base, how hard can it be? -TLR
Also, Dave Concepcion.
Here are a few baseball-related books I've read recently that I'd recommend:
As They See ‘Em: A Fan’s Travels in the Land of Umpires by Bruce Weber
The Baseball Codes: Beanballs, Sign Stealing, and Bench-Clearing Brawls: The Unwritten Rules of America’s Pastime by Jason Turbow
Sixty Feet, Six Inches by Bob Gibson and Reggie Jackson
Of that group As They See ‘Em was probably the one I enjoyed the most, but they’re all worth a read.
by BTown Birds fan on Sep 18, 2011 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm thinking about
Baseball between the numbers, or joe pos’ the soul of baseball.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Second base….I’ve played second base, how hard can it be? -TLR
Also, Dave Concepcion.
I read Baseball Between the Numbers a couple months ago, but it didn't do a ton for me.
I think it was because it’s old enough (unless there’s a newer version/edition – the one I read was from 2005 I think) that I’d already been exposed to many of the arguments and a lot of those types of data online over the past few years. And I don’t consider myself to be particularly SABR-savvy, especially by VEB standards.
Haven’t read Soul of Baseball, although I hear it’s great.
by BTown Birds fan on Sep 18, 2011 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Ya, while reading moneyball,
I was thinking this is basic stuff. I’m leaning towards pos. Iirc, tom s. Highly rec’d it.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Second base….I’ve played second base, how hard can it be? -TLR
Also, Dave Concepcion.
it's excellent.
home isn't where it used to be. home is anywhere you hang your head. - macmanus
by tom s. on Sep 18, 2011 7:20 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Play at the plate I think
Plus, they’re the 2011 Mets.
by BTown Birds fan on Sep 18, 2011 4:27 PM EDT up reply actions
6-5
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Second base….I’ve played second base, how hard can it be? -TLR
Also, Dave Concepcion.
Go pond scum.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Second base….I’ve played second base, how hard can it be? -TLR
Also, Dave Concepcion.
Oh, god, and now we're going to be cheering for Izzy again.
They say that it's never too late, but you don't get any younger...
izzy of old?
Load the bases and get out of it?
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Second base….I’ve played second base, how hard can it be? -TLR
Also, Dave Concepcion.
Let's hope
I’d totally go for a 1-2-3 inning, though.
They say that it's never too late, but you don't get any younger...
We can always hope they'll score a bunch in the top of the 9th
Of course they may have to do it against Kimbrel even though it’s not a save situation for the Braves.
by BTown Birds fan on Sep 18, 2011 4:29 PM EDT up reply actions
As an OT, I wonder how atypical Chipper Jones's career arc is?
It’s how you abstractly think of a player, a promising rookie, to a big peak, and then a slow, gradual decline to an above average player. He hasn’t had the bottom fall out, and he hasn’t reproduced the ‘90s for a long time, either. It’s strange, I can’t think of another player like that.
They say that it's never too late, but you don't get any younger...
He OPS'd over 1.000 in his age 34-36 seasons.
Is Jon Jay the next Willie McGee? Is Arthur Rhodes the next Arthur Rhodes?
He's also played hurt for a couple of years.
The guys one hell of a ball player.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Second base….I’ve played second base, how hard can it be? -TLR
Also, Dave Concepcion.
clearly the secret is an awesome nickname
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
so, tonight I plan on making fidel proud.
Watch the game, and smoke a giant cuban cigar.
The game is on espn, right?
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Second base….I’ve played second base, how hard can it be? -TLR
Also, Dave Concepcion.
VEB needs to sen Manny Acosta some flowers or nice chocolates.
Is Jon Jay the next Willie McGee? Is Arthur Rhodes the next Arthur Rhodes?
He DID luck out with a mistake pitch, ATG
A first pitch changeup right down the middle scared the crap out of me.
They say that it's never too late, but you don't get any younger...
Those last two outs were both listed as "flied out to deep center" on the live box score I'm watching
Sounds like it could have been pretty ugly.
Kimbrel of course is mowing them down – already 2 out.
by BTown Birds fan on Sep 18, 2011 4:42 PM EDT up reply actions
winning run at plate for Atl
Don’t screw this up, Mets
They say that it's never too late, but you don't get any younger...
Time to bring in Izzy to put out this fire!!
(with gasoline)
by BTown Birds fan on Sep 18, 2011 4:52 PM EDT reply actions
Context?
The only Golden Key I know of is the old comic book publisher.
#FireTLR
by The Continental on Sep 18, 2011 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions
from what i remember about high school
golden key isn’t really that prestigious or worthwhile. they spend most of the money you pay for membership on paying their own people. it’s kind of a money making scheme that occasionally pays scholarships, but to get a chance for a scholarship, you’d have to get a bunch of people from your school to join it, which probably won’t happen.
by molina mo problems on Sep 18, 2011 4:58 PM EDT up reply actions
And the school is in on it?
Good grief.
#FireTLR
by The Continental on Sep 18, 2011 5:04 PM EDT up reply actions
But Bill Cosby is a member.
Must be legit.
#FireTLR
by The Continental on Sep 18, 2011 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions
i don't think the school's in on it
they just structure their organization into having regional or local chapters kinda like an academic pyramid scheme. my school’s counselors told everyone it was a scam, so i doubt they were in on it.
by molina mo problems on Sep 18, 2011 5:07 PM EDT up reply actions
looks like the email came from one of the school's professors who is a chapter advisor
not one of the professors from my department
huh weird, when they tried to get me, they sent a letter in the mail.
i could be wrong about the school being in on it but yeah, it’s not worth it.
by molina mo problems on Sep 18, 2011 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions
From what I understand, no. It's mostly a sham.
Is Jon Jay the next Willie McGee? Is Arthur Rhodes the next Arthur Rhodes?
I'm a member, because I got in for free
but it’s just a private organization that has set up a scholastic honors society, as far as I can tell mostly with the intent of roping you into buying yearbooks, or certificates, or other shitty merchandise they peddle. There are no real benefits I can think of, and I’m sure people reading resumes just gloss over by routine at this point. I don’t even put it on my resume.
My favorite words are goodbye, and my favorite color is red
the email i got doesn't mention having to pay for membership
it’s an invitation to a ceremony to “acknowledge my achievements”. i’m just not sure it’s even worth showing up for. i’m definitely not paying money for it
Way to go muts
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Second base….I’ve played second base, how hard can it be? -TLR
Also, Dave Concepcion.
Line 'em up:
CardsInsider St. Louis Cardinals
STL lineup at PHI (9/18): Theriot 4. Craig 9. Pujols 3. Freese 5. Berkman 7. Molina 2. Furcal 6. Jay 8. Carpenter 1.
Skip gives way to Theriot, otherwise same ol’, same ol’.
#FireTLR
by The Continental on Sep 18, 2011 5:13 PM EDT reply actions
Theriot haunts me.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Second base….I’ve played second base, how hard can it be? -TLR
Also, Dave Concepcion.
Is tonights game on espn.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Second base….I’ve played second base, how hard can it be? -TLR
Also, Dave Concepcion.
Nice. Ima gonna wear my carp jersey to the bar and watch it there.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Second base….I’ve played second base, how hard can it be? -TLR
Also, Dave Concepcion.
what if.
This team would be give up on the crew if it weren’t for that.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Second base….I’ve played second base, how hard can it be? -TLR
Also, Dave Concepcion.
Is tonights game on espn.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Second base….I’ve played second base, how hard can it be? -TLR
Also, Dave Concepcion.
Wow.
The Giants actually will move ahead of us if we lose tonight.
by The Ghost of Todd Burns on Sep 18, 2011 6:30 PM EDT reply actions
Also,
Tampa Bay is now only 2 games behind the Sox
by The Ghost of Todd Burns on Sep 18, 2011 6:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Dodgers have decided to take all of this season's frustrations out on the Pirates today.
15 – 1 in the 7th, 21 hits with 6 BB thrown in.
#FireTLR
by The Continental on Sep 18, 2011 7:12 PM EDT reply actions
LA plays SF next - hold on to that anger, Dodgers!!
by BTown Birds fan on Sep 18, 2011 7:15 PM EDT up reply actions
just not in the stands or parking lots
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
windows 8 allows you to login with an email address
so that if you login to any windows 8 PC with that email address, all of your settings, bookmarks, etc are saved like it were your own computer
pretty cool
sounds like a security risk....
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.
Microsoft is really pushing the Metro interface.
Apparently the next Office will have it too.
#FireTLR
by The Continental on Sep 18, 2011 8:13 PM EDT up reply actions
10 games left, 3 back in the loss column:
We get the Cubs, Mets, and Astros with one game against Philly.
The Braves get the Mets for one more and then the Marlins, Nats, and Philly in 3 game series.
The Giants are on the road for 6 games against the D-Backs (who eat their lunch for some reason) and Dodgers and have the Rockies at home for 4 games. I don’t think they can go 10-0 or 9-1 against that schedule, so I think they’re a non-factor.
Considering that those are now meaningless games for Philly isn’t reassuring. I would guess that neither Halladay, Lee, or Hamels throws any of those three games as they will be resting them for the playoffs. Unless, of course, they would rather the Giants or Cardinals make the playoffs instead of the Braves, but I don’t see why that would be the case.
I think we basically have to run the table and go 10-0 and pray that Atlanta somehow goes 7-3 or worse. Over their last 10 games, the Braves are 5-5. The 10 before that? 3-7. So it’s not like this isn’t possible. But they’ve gone 11-4 against Florida this season, and are 8-7 against the Nationals. I would put them no worse than .500 against the replacement level starters they’ll likely see in the Philly series.
Bottom line? Win every damn game and see what happens. Leave it all out there. If we come up short, hey, at least we gave it our best shot. Unfortunately, TLR will fuck us over and pinch hit Corey Patterson at least 7 times in this stretch, meaning that we WON’T be putting our best effort out there.
Pujols or not Pujols. That is the question.
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