Westbrook of Eden
by DanUpBaby on Sep 27, 2011 9:01 AM EDT
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PrintThe good news for the playoff odds guys, who must be really enjoying the daily traffic from every relevant team blog on SB Nation, is that the Braves had the decency to lose while the Cardinals were reenacting all our 2011 frustrations in public. Whether you successfully replace Ryan Theriot or not, your replacement can still hurt himself running the bases; no matter how many relief pitchers you put between a close game and replacement level, the last guy on the list—your aging but still useful ROOGY—might eventually be forced into a situation above his level of competence.
The Astros are a startlingly bad team, but they've beaten the other team 56 times, even with Carlos Lee serving as the focal point of an offense that's gone from bad to not really an offense anymore. There are times, mostly selfish, when I wish baseball were as skewed toward the favorite as, say, the NBA Playoffs, but overall I'm willing to trade the occasional brutal loss for a reason to actually watch baseball's regular season and the NLDS.
In a way this loss almost feels right, though—now we know exactly what the Cardinals have gotten themselves into. Now it's up to Jake Westbrook, the least consistent, least successful pitcher in the rotation, to outduel the apparently combustible Henry Sosa, who came to the Astros in the Jeff Keppinger trade. Sosa's strikeout and walk numbers are actually better in his nine Houston starts than they were in the minors—the seven home runs in 50 innings have been what kept him Astro-like to date—but superstitions about semi-competent, hard-throwing Astros right-handers aside he seems, at best, like an even match for Westbrook.
For me—and I don't blame yesterday's loss on Tony La Russa, for what that's worth—the Cardinals' most important weapon in a must-win game like this is their ability to pull Jake Westbrook if it looks as though he's lost command of his sinker again. This is a team with a weirdly deep bench and a series of relief pitchers who have recently been starters; for once, if the situation calls for it, I actually would like to see Tony La Russa act like it.
Kyle McClellan, likely La Russa's go-to long-man in a situation like that, went a laboring inning last night, but Marc Rzepczynski hasn't thrown more than four pitches in a game in a week, and Mitchell Boggs is probably more than prepared to throw sinkers and terrify us with his wavering control should the need arise for a second dose of Westbrook.
It's just that if the Cardinals lose today I'd just like to see them do it with everything at their disposal having been used—and not in the stereotypical Tony La Russa Defensive Replacement Extravaganza kind of All-Star Game way, or the way that insists that he bring Kyle Lohse in to pitch the fourth inning, because it's a playoff atmosphere and one must let it all hang out.
But this team has an excellent pinch hitter in Allen Craig and, even with Furcal out, Tyler Greene and Daniel Descalso ready to fill in averagely at any infield position; it has relievers who, for all their lapses, are prepared to go multiple innings. It even has pinch runners, as Greene has been incredibly eager to demonstrate. The season might end tomorrow, if the Braves win and the Cardinals can't; but I don't want the season to end with Jake Westbrook grinding out five innings like a true pitch-to-contact gamer and Nick Punto taking three pitches and then slapping a grounder to Chris Johnson. That's my only request.
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I'd rather have a game with a parade of relief pitchers
and ZERO position player replacements. Assuming the starting lineup isn’t idiotic.
so, with Furcal out, please tell me Punto will play SS
or at least Tyler Greene
if Tony puts Westy on the mound and Theriot behind his as SS, I will feel about our chances to win, just like Corey Patterson looks in this photo
"I still don’t understand what commercial is better than having me on tv" – Chris Carpenter
2011: Boog would've count 78
Over/Under on Greene getting the start at SS tonight
not should get the start, mind you… but actually gets the start
It'll be Punto and Skip against the righty.
#FireTLR
by The Continental on Sep 27, 2011 10:22 AM EDT up reply actions
Greene will not be starting
Not really a question there.
um, under?
i’m not sure how this works, so maybe over
by prophetjohn on Sep 27, 2011 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
Yeah, I was confused too.
It’s a he does or he doesn’t question, right?
Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid.
- John Wayne
Just so you know...I flagged you.
Didn’t mean to. Meant to rec it, but got all quick and in a hurry I flagged you and can’t figure out how to un-flag it.
Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid.
- John Wayne
click the flag button again.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Second base….I’ve played second base, how hard can it be? -TLR
Also, Dave Concepcion.
not working
it just brings up the window for me to type in why I’m flagging him. so I made something up…….he probably did something wrong no one caught a while ago anyway……
Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid.
- John Wayne
When the flag box pops up
Hit the X in the upper right corner.
The negative waves. Always with the negative waves...
I can't believe Carlos Lee is posting a bWAR of 4.5
Including 2.0 wins on defense, splitting time between 1B & LF. That’s an improvement of seven – SEVEN! – wins.
I was reading about how countless species are being pushed toward extinction by man's destruction of forests. Sometimes I think the surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that none of it has tried to contact us. - Calvin, Scientific Progress Goes "Boink", Watterson
TBender's non-game event recap from last night:
- Crowd of 20,000 was at least 50% Cardinals fans.
- It’s damn difficult to keep up with a scorecard, the scoreboard/At-Bat and VEB at the same time.
- A big FU to the Astros and their fans. A group of Cardinals fans were removed from a nearby section because (apparently) they were too loud in cheering for the visiting team.
The negative waves. Always with the negative waves...
Seriously?
A group of Cardinals fans were removed from a nearby section because (apparently) they were too loud in cheering for the visiting team.
They can do that? I mean, I guess they can, since it’s their park and all, but wtf? Did they get kicked out?
May depend on the language that was used in the cheering
bollocks
by SecondHalfMatt on Sep 27, 2011 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions
They started the cheer and got
(what seemed like) the whole visitors’ side of the stadium going.
They weren’t being rude or anything else that I noticed, and I was a section over from them (~80 feet). They could have been swearing like sailors when not cheering, but I didn’t see them act any different than other adult beverage drinkers.
Also, you can order Maker’s Mark from your seat at the Club level. (And I didn’t order one.)
The negative waves. Always with the negative waves...
A group of Cardinals fans were removed from a nearby section because (apparently) they were too loud in cheering for the visiting team.
what a true disgrace.
fire tony larussa
by stlcardinalsfang on Sep 27, 2011 10:26 AM EDT up reply actions
MMP was pretty empty last night, but there were a lot of red shirts. I sat across the aisle from Jaime's family.
Game was horribly frustrating to watch. Poor fielding by Yadi led to the first run, running into outs all over the place, sacrifice bunting (!!), terrible fielding, etc.
Anyone know why Albert wasn’t selling out on the bunt on the last play? Seemed like he was more concerned with holding the runner on, and yet, that runner was utterly irrelevant.
by Willie McGee's Twin on Sep 27, 2011 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions
I had the game on and wasn't always paying attention
(putting laundry away, making lunch for today, etc….)
there was more than one occasion I had to walk to the screen to see what happened since everything seemed to be getting cheered. I couldn’t tell if it was something good or bad (good for the Astros).
Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid.
- John Wayne
Everyone is speculating why this was done with 2 games to go
But Ozzie gets what he wants.
I just wonder if this turn of events has a factor in TLR's decision for next year
Probably not as much as many would like, though.
there was a lot of speculation on the radio here
that, reportedly, Jerry Reinsdorf has his favorite for the new Sox manager and it’s apparently someone who’s already employed as a manager of another team. They were speculating, although noting it’s a long shot, that it was LaRussa.
Reinsdorf and LaRussa have been friends a long time and Reinsdorf has always regretted firing him. Even though, I think that fell more on a decision by Hawk Harrelson than Reinsdorf.
Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid.
- John Wayne
Chicago radio has speculated that for years
TLR isn’t going from a winning team to a team that may lose for years due to bad contracts.
670 the score Joe Cowley
Reports that there is no way in hell Larussa is going to go to the Sox as he can’t stand Kenny Williams I guess.
I doubt he goes
just wondering aloud if it would get added to the laundry list of things TLR looks at in making his decision
that makes sense
there’s no way in hell TLR could push Kenny around.
Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid.
- John Wayne
Interesting note:
Williams says he put together the team Ozzie requested. Hahah.
I'm sensing a therapy call to Kenny Williams..
It’s a Mozeli…Mizolei….Mozeurl….it’s the Card’s GM on the line, sir.
by dronemc on Sep 27, 2011 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I'd like you all to know
that Valdes will be going to the playoffs.
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
that's right.
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Sep 27, 2011 10:29 AM EDT up reply actions
also, f you sbn
the subject line is not (optional)
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
Ask for an edit function, get pre-populated fields.
The negative waves. Always with the negative waves...
yeah, wtf is that
and are we encouraging membership for people who don’t know how to type in a field???
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Sep 27, 2011 10:27 AM EDT up reply actions
Subject... (optional)
Message…
The negative waves. Always with the negative waves...
by TBender on Sep 27, 2011 10:51 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
It posts without having to overwrite the descriptions.
The negative waves. Always with the negative waves...
oh man, the possibilities of drunk late night VEB
have just opened up
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Sep 27, 2011 11:17 AM EDT up reply actions
Cardiac Cardinals
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Sep 27, 2011 10:27 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
meanwhile, in the AL
the rays are actually trying to make this thing happen.
fire tony larussa
by stlcardinalsfang on Sep 27, 2011 10:27 AM EDT reply actions
The bullpen pitched really well last night.
McClellan looked bad but somehow managed to not give up any runs despite surrendering two hits and issuing one walk. Boggs was nails and so was Salas. Dotel pitched a clean ninth but was stretched a bit and it showed. As did his inability to field. Nonetheless, the ‘pen held the Astros scoreless for five innings, which allowed for the comeback that came up short. Dotel bungled things in the tenth but there wouldn’t have been a tenth without the bullpen’s five scoreless innings that led to it.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
THE MAFIA IS DEAD LONG LIVE THE MAFIA
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Sep 27, 2011 10:31 AM EDT up reply actions
I had these same thoughts.
After Mills didn’t send up a lefty at Dotel in the ninth, the pitcher’s spot allow Bogasevic to PH to leadoff the 10th. I thought Rzepczynski would be brought in (from where I sat I couldn’t see into the Cardinals bullpen), but I assume TLR felt Dotel was rolling and wanted to steal another inning out of him.
The negative waves. Always with the negative waves...
I don't blame TLR for sending Dotel back out there in the 10th and attempting to get another inning from him.
I thought he looked good in the 9th inning. However, Dotel was quickly exposed in the 10th. I was shocked that TLR did not walk the bases loaded in the 10th to create a force out at home.
"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.
that’s what i was screaming at him to do.
fire tony larussa
by stlcardinalsfang on Sep 27, 2011 10:48 AM EDT up reply actions
It makes a much easier play for the defense, that's for sure.
No tag required. You have to play the infield in anyway so why not make it as easy as possible to record an out?
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
i'm rec'ing everyone of these comments today.
fire tony larussa
by stlcardinalsfang on Sep 27, 2011 11:08 AM EDT up reply actions
exactly.
if they hit it over your head in either the infield or the outfield, the game is over. why not make it a force play at home that not eliminates the bunt, but also sets up the home to first double play on a chopper to the pitcher or something.
fire tony larussa
by stlcardinalsfang on Sep 27, 2011 11:07 AM EDT up reply actions
it addition....
the runs on second and first and at the plate mean jackshit.
fire tony larussa
by stlcardinalsfang on Sep 27, 2011 11:08 AM EDT up reply actions
I didn't watch Tony T.V.
I imagine someone did.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
I'm trying to think of when...
it’s ever a good idea not to load the bases in that situation. I suppose when the guy on deck is a really good hitter, but in this case it was Jordan Shafer and Carlos Lee.
The only focus of the defense in that situation is to get the out at home.
I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know but the entire strategy is to make that an easier task, especially for the infielders. That’s why I don’t think there is a situation where walking the bases loaded is a bad idea.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
I forgot that Shafer was before Lee
that makes it even more curious as to why they didn’t load the bases (although I still think it would be the proper play with Lee coming up).
by ArkansasTravs on Sep 27, 2011 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions
The only time I can think of
Would be when the on-deck hitter is an extreme fly ball hitter who doesn’t strike out often, or just a much better overall player (like walking Freese to get to Pujols doesn’t make sense).
I don’t know what the strategy was there, but it made little sense to me at all.
Pujols or not Pujols. That is the question.
Bullpen did well
Tony made (mostly) all the right moves, if the ding-dang ole offense could just get a sac fly every now and then, we’d have won. I lost track but was it three or four times we had a runner at 3rd w/ less than two outs and didn’t score him, damn bouncers back to the mound…(grumble, grumble)
by ArkansasTravs on Sep 27, 2011 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions
Plus
Albert thrown out at the plate, Yadi out going to third, both of them missed home runs by a few feet (Yadi – deeper, Albert had two long enough, one was too far right, one left).
by ArkansasTravs on Sep 27, 2011 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions
As we were talking about last night...
this game came down to one thing:
The Astros executed with runners on base. The Cardinals did not.
We had a runner in scoring position with less than two outs multiple times last night and left him stranded (12 hits and only 4 runs to show for it). The Astros put down two perfect bunts to move runners, executed a perfect squeeze play, and the Cardinals gave away at least two outs if not three. You can’t do that and expect to win, even against a weaker team like the Astros.
I don’t blame TLR’s use of the bullpen, but I certainly blame TLR’s use of the bench.
- Pinch hitting Descalso when he did was idiotic — David Freese is supposed to be our third baseman of the future, but we can’t trust him enough to not lift him for a platoon advantage and a weaker overall hitter?
- Pinch running Chambers and then bunting runners over anyway? WTF is the point of that? If you weren’t bunting, I could see the point, as Chambers would score on a single while Berkman would not. But if you’re going to move them with a sacrifice anyway, why not leave Berkman in the game? He’s the only guy who hit the ball hard every time up last night.
It’s like we have to use at least 15 players in every game or Tony gets docked pay or something.
Pujols or not Pujols. That is the question.
not just "nick punto slid . . . into first base"?
home isn't where it used to be. home is anywhere you hang your head. - macmanus
been hangin' around Shumaker too long
and Al tried to defend him saying the reason track runners don’t dive is “because it’s not dirt”, yeesh!
by ArkansasTravs on Sep 27, 2011 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Yep
both of those moves made no sense. If we were already ahead by a run and trying to get another, then, yes, I could, possibly, see the logic in Chambers for Berkman since we’d probably make the defensive replacement anyway, but when it was made, dumb, just dumb.
by ArkansasTravs on Sep 27, 2011 1:01 PM EDT up reply actions
completely agree on both points
having Chambers end up getting a PA that should’ve been Berkman’s just iced the cake, too
i would also like to add
using Laird as a PH. We should never be in a position with 40-man rosters where Laird is expected to PH.
I think I heard Al say on tv last night
that TLR told him Laird would be his first bat off the bench.
Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid.
- John Wayne
This, last night the bullpen pitched and was managed well
But we lost because of the offense not scoring for the BP enough, which was a combo of awful baserunning (aside from the double steal of course) and bad Tony decisions. The other one I have an issue with was the bunt period not just doubt it with Chambers thee. The pitcher was having trouble throwing strikes and hadn’t retired a batter, Theriot’s one saving grace is his batting eye, even if a bunt increases win probability an walk does more, and lo and behold we needed that out. Just frustrating
"IF CARDS CAN SIGN SUPPAN THEY CAN GIVE ME A HOME"
by Buddhasillegitimatechild38 on Sep 27, 2011 2:18 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I liked the bunt -- Theriot hits a ton of ground balls and he can be doubled up pretty easy for a guy with his speed.
Plus, you give Jay a chance to drive the winning run home with the infield in. Just because he popped out doesn’t mean that the play was bad — we were playing for one run, and we should have been, given how bad the Astros offense is.
Pujols or not Pujols. That is the question.
Rafael Furcal
I imagine someone posted this last night, but Fucal is out for today and tomorrow, per Leach on the official site:
The club initially called the condition “tightness,” but Furcal referred to it more as a pull. He is not expected to play in either of the team’s remaining two regular season games. Furcal first felt something amiss when he singled in the fifth inning, and noticed that it was worse as he ran toward second base on a subsequent double-play ball.
“I was running, I felt it, and I tried to go to second,” he said. “I felt it a little bit, and I thought, ‘OK, I can do it.’ And then when I tried to go hard …”
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
I hate the Astros.
That is all.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Second base….I’ve played second base, how hard can it be? -TLR
Also, Dave Concepcion.
by RiverRat on Sep 27, 2011 11:30 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
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"I kinda like the Wong" -Aranathor
by Alxfritz on Sep 27, 2011 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
also total joke of a team
do it for torty!
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Sep 27, 2011 7:34 PM EDT up reply actions
they are the worst!
do it for torty!
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Sep 27, 2011 7:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Mandatory preview?
"I kinda like the Wong" -Aranathor
by Alxfritz on Sep 27, 2011 11:33 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Are you asking for that to be added?
#FireTLR
by The Continental on Sep 27, 2011 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions
i don't see anything different
but there was text in my box telling me to type in here
by prophetjohn on Sep 27, 2011 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions
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The negative waves. Always with the negative waves...
by TBender on Sep 27, 2011 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
All Apologies
I had the Game Thread for last night compiled but I must have forgot to schedule it for publish. Sorry about that, folks.
"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
Subject... (optional)
Message…
by hangingfromatree on Sep 27, 2011 1:09 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Oooo. Testing preview thingie.
#FireTLR
by The Continental on Sep 27, 2011 11:41 AM EDT reply actions
Huh. Not happening for me.
#FireTLR
by The Continental on Sep 27, 2011 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions
We will win today
Braves will lose today.
I feel it to my very core.
by Hardcore Legend on Sep 27, 2011 11:42 AM EDT via mobile reply actions 3 recs
I like the cut of your jib.
#FireTLR
by The Continental on Sep 27, 2011 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions
stop staring at his jib
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Sep 27, 2011 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
This is the internet after all
Even if it’s much smaller in real life, you probably shouldn’t picture anything you read here.
Ceterum censeo La Russa ire necesse est.
Did you clear this
with our first base coach?
i mean, you've been sort of right through this process.
fire tony larussa
by stlcardinalsfang on Sep 27, 2011 12:28 PM EDT up reply actions
First the field descriptions and now my screen is orange and black.
I’m blaming Brian Wilson.
The negative waves. Always with the negative waves...
Sadly, I have class tonight
and won’t be able to watch the game. But this evening will be REDEMPTION in the name of lobsters and bad base running. I can feel it.
FIRE TLR
Speaking of bunting
you have a man on third, one out. Why we didn’t squeeze that run in? Scoring was not to RockStark levels last night. We should have small balled that run in. The bullpen was capable last night of saving the game…mostly.
We seem very averse to the squeeze play this year
When Carp pulled it off against the Cubs last Friday, they looked it up in the truck and said it was the first one since, iirc, 2009!
by ArkansasTravs on Sep 27, 2011 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions
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Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Second base….I’ve played second base, how hard can it be? -TLR
Also, Dave Concepcion.
by RiverRat on Sep 27, 2011 12:16 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
heh
How could I forget that. Maybe what they said was the last successful suicide squeeze, idk, but they did cite a date last year or year before..
by ArkansasTravs on Sep 27, 2011 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Hey all the Cards have had me on edge all month
but if you are going to be in this situation, you have to like the way the PHI or HOU thing played out
~ Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too ~
We are the Cardinals
This may sound conceited or arrogant but this is a proud organization full of talent with a rich history of success. While not impossible, I have a hard time believing they would make such a large charge towards the playoffs to only come up short.
What was nervous rationalization when I awoke this morning has grown into assured confidence in great players being great in times of great importance.
We will win.
by Hardcore Legend on Sep 27, 2011 12:17 PM EDT via mobile reply actions 6 recs
Slightly faster clap (optional)
What is Corey Patterson doing in Tyler Greene's spot on the 25-man roster?
Worst thing about the changes
I can no longer get my work machine to auto refresh comments and I can’t post. Thanks sbn!
"Baseball is like Church, many attend, few understand" - Wes Westrum
by scoot on Sep 27, 2011 12:42 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Worst thing about the changes
I can no longer get my work machine to auto refresh comments and I can’t post. Thanks sbn!
"Baseball is like Church, many attend, few understand" - Wes Westrum
by scoot on Sep 27, 2011 12:42 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Worst thing about the changes
I can no longer get my work machine to auto refresh comments and I can’t post. Thanks sbn!
fire tony larussa
by stlcardinalsfang on Sep 27, 2011 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Don't get him started on the double-posting when commenting via the mobile website.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
You can say that again
Jerk
"Baseball is like Church, many attend, few understand" - Wes Westrum
by scoot on Sep 27, 2011 12:44 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Subject . . .
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home isn't where it used to be. home is anywhere you hang your head. - macmanus
by tom s. on Sep 27, 2011 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
during lunch at work
I could only view a Workaholics sidebar advert and background
do it for torty!
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Sep 27, 2011 7:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Okay. It's my birthday, dammit!
So, I’m begging whomever of you it is that is going to the game tonite to get us a win. I’m not sure I can take another one of whatever that was last nite.
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 27, 2011 12:58 PM EDT reply actions
I'm really hoping that you're talking about a bar stool.
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 27, 2011 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions
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Beware: Velociraptors may be present.
by azruavatar on Sep 27, 2011 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Googled 'Cardinals Celebration'
hoping I’ll still see one in the next few days, and got this photo from 06. Adam showing some strength there.
not that i don't want to see it
but we can stand to wait a couple of days
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
What are we going to win?!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYtjpIwamos
Hit me up on Google+
FIRE TONY LA RUSSA
two "Avis: We Try Harder" moments last night that really hurt us
1- Pujols striking out on the way-outside fastball after the massive upper deck foul ball. He looked completely on tilt after jacking the foul ball, and was just too aggressive.
2- Molina running into an out at third for no good reason, except to make up for the lack of hustle during his PA. If he runs out of the box after launching the flyball, he might have been able to make it to third base, since it ricocheted pretty far away from the LF. Instead, he stood and watched it from the batter’s box, almost until it hit the wall.
Holliday singled home Pujols.
It was Berkman and Molina to follow.
(I agree with you though on the importance of that play.)
The negative waves. Always with the negative waves...
Pujols was thrown out at home
Following Freese, who scored. This was when we scored our first run in the top of the third.
Grit != flat out sucking.
Molina's double
The majority of players end up on second there.
That ball was a lazy fly out or a MMP home run.
The negative waves. Always with the negative waves...
i realize those are the most likely options
but Molina was visibly dejected at his own lack of hustle once the play was over. With how crucial a spot in the game it was, being an immobile onlooker was not a great choice.
Or was he dejected at the fact the ball was 5 feet short of being a MMP home run?
The negative waves. Always with the negative waves...
we may never know
anyway, my complaint was with his baserunning on the following play, since we don’t know if he could’ve made it to third either way.
I don't get how/why...
hitters at the major league level fail to run hard on all fly balls hit short of 450 feet. It’s just one of those things that can only cost the team, no upside in watching whatsoever, huge potential to embarrass the player, and easy to correct.
I don't get it either
Molina has been really bad this year about not running stuff out. He has turned into Alfonso Soriano.
At least kind of run so you can turn it on from a hard job vs. a complete stand still.
I don't believe that to be true
Most doubles this year than any other year in his career, tied for the most triples, he also has the highest BABip of his career. These are not things associated with a player who doesn’t run things out. Especially for the slowest player in the game.
Grit != flat out sucking.
I don't know
You can not run stuff out and still get a double. I would say 99% of the time Molina watches a ball it’s not like he would have gotten a triple. He might have to hustle into 2B a bit more than he would have had he run hard right away.
Last night was teh 1% where if he busted his butt out of the box right away I think he can get to 3rd. No since you can’t predict that type of thing in some games it pays to just hustle right away as you don’t want to be playing the what if game.
It's Molina
he’s not making 3rd on that play.
by sdrone on Sep 27, 2011 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
maybe,
that’s one time I thought he had a good chance. The ball was in the air forever and then bounced quite a ways away from the fielder. He would have had to sprint out of the box, but it seemed like enough time for him to make it. Can’t really blame him too much, though, 99% of players would have, as he did, assumed the ball was either going out, or going to be caught.
by ArkansasTravs on Sep 27, 2011 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions
I think Molina if running hard
Makes third base…. The ball was in the air a really long time and the LF had to go retrieve the ball him self.
I disagree with all 3 of you
Just take a few minutes and appreciate just how slow Molina runs. hahah.
Yea, but the ball ricocheted toward 3B, so it ultimately becomes a very short throw to third.
Maybe Molina could have made it, but I think the short throw is important to consider.
by Cardinals645 on Sep 27, 2011 6:49 PM EDT up reply actions
He didn't run into an out...
He got caught in no-mans-land because of the huge secondary lead that he gets from second base. Just like with Pujols, the majority of the time those big leads pay off with an extra base or a run scored or moving up on a sharply hit ground ball. But when a ball gets hit right to someone who is playing in, you end up getting thrown out at either third or on the way back to second base — best to try and move up to third base and make the defense put you out.
Pujols or not Pujols. That is the question.
I agree
I think he took the hard secondary lead and I think he believed the ball might be more to the left of the pitcher and get by him. The pitcher ended up reaching to his left and catching the ball. Somtimes the hard hit back to the pitcher can be a tough read and if you react a bit too quick you get hung out in no mans land.
add to those facts
the fact that the replay looked like the 3B never actually touched him with his glove…stupid automatic calls (I’m not really complaining about the call, I just would have laughed long and loud if the ump had said “Nope, you didn’t touch him”
by ArkansasTravs on Sep 27, 2011 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions
i just re-watched it to see this
The replay from behind home plate shows the play well. Molina dashes for third immediately upon contact. his secondary lead was big, but he was still just maybe 20 feet off the bag when the ball was fielded. his odds of returning to second have to be ten times higher than getting to third — he’s about as far away from second base as the nearest fielder when the ball is fielded. it was just way too aggressive of baserunning, IMO.
...
This is a moment prior to contact… Molina has slowed to nearly a stop upon taking his secondary lead.
Nice shot to prove the point
Yes, Molina f’d up twice in that sequence. He could’ve made 3rd base pretty easily if he were running hard out of the box, and he f’ed up by getting thrown out at 3B.
by Willie McGee's Twin on Sep 27, 2011 3:22 PM EDT up reply actions
These are much more matters of opinion than matters of fact.
I think you’re being overly critical of a situation in which most runners (even ones with better-than-Torty speed) are going to get hung up between bases.
Sometimes shit happens.
Pujols or not Pujols. That is the question.
The possible triple turned double was a huge mistake, with no possible excuse.
I don’t know if he would have made a triple, but by running hard there certainly would have been the possibility of it (and he always could have held up at 2nd anyway).
I doubt he gets credit from anybody for hustling 260 feet.
The negative waves. Always with the negative waves...
but he doesn't HAVE to try for third if he hustles out of the box
it just would’ve been pretty smart if he had given himself the opportunity.
He didn't even need to hustle.
He watched it hit the fence while barely getting out of the box. Even a half-hearted effort would’ve had him standing on third.
by Willie McGee's Twin on Sep 27, 2011 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions
I think it's awful hard to put him on third base.
Do you have footage showing that he just jogged down to first? Because this also now seems to be the “frustrated VEB” consensus when I’ve seen no proof of it whatsoever.
It’s like you’ve turned in Al Hrabosky or something.
Pujols or not Pujols. That is the question.
I was listening to the Astros broadcast
And for what its worth they said that Yadi was watching it and not running hard.
He was slow out of the box.
I was there. I saw it.
But I also saw a ball popped up like a everyday fly out, or in this case a MMP home run.
It ended up being neither and he ended up on second, just like every other player not named Bourn or Crawford, etc.
His lack of hustle cost the team nothing.
The negative waves. Always with the negative waves...
That was my take on it as well
I thought he was slow out of the box and then ran it out hard. I don’t think there’s any chance in hell he ends up on third base with the ball bouncing halfway back to the infield and the centerfielder doing a good job backing up in left field. There are a ton of other fundamental errors that went into that loss last night, this is least among them in my view.
Pujols or not Pujols. That is the question.
I disagree. I think he could have made it third pretty easily.
http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=19701917
Check out the link at about the 13 min mark. (I was also at the game watching and also saw what they showed on the big screen after the hit – i.e., Yadi wasn’t even to first base as the ball is caroming far from the LF’er)
by Willie McGee's Twin on Sep 27, 2011 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Hard to say from that...
I’m just pissed this guy doesn’t run hard when he hits the ball. I know it’s the norm in baseball now, but a manager could enforce a rule that everyone runs as hard as they can every time up and it would make a real difference.
I saw him watch it, run slow out of the box, and run slowly into second, looking for all the world like he hadn't been running all that hard.
I’m not saying he would have made third; I’m just saying he didn’t put himself into a position for that to be a possibility. He took that decision out of his and Oquendo’s hands.
You just admitted below that he was slow out of the box on a ball that ended up hitting the wall. You saw as well as I did that he was just sitting there watching the thing.
If you want to excuse that, fine, but don’t pretend I’m being unreasonable by asking him to run out a ball that hit the wall.
I love Yadi, but that was terrible baseball right there.
He definitely watched it quite a bit.
Still not convinced he could have gotten to third. Would have been a tough call to make for Yadi/Oquendo. Also the ball ricocheted toward third, iirc, giving the LF a short throw and somewhat mitigating the far bounce.
by Cardinals645 on Sep 27, 2011 6:54 PM EDT up reply actions
He broke on contact w/o regard to whether the ball made it past the pitcher
It was a poor baserunning decision at a critical time. Frankly, it should never have been an issue, because he should have been standing on 3B.
by Willie McGee's Twin on Sep 27, 2011 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Well, that's your opinion
I happen to think you are way off base an trying to find fault when there isn’t any. We’re talking about the slowest player in baseball here, and you’re just putting his ass on third base and then blaming him because he didn’t hustle. Unreal.
Pujols or not Pujols. That is the question.
Of course he broke on contact
The pitcher made a very good play. IT FUCKING HAPPENS.
Why is that YOU, and you in particular, are always armchair QBing decisions a day later that happen in a split second? He made a decision based on fundamentals and fraction of a second recognition, and you’re killing him for it.
What you SHOULD be doing is ripping Jon Jay for popping out to SS with a runner on third and less than two out when a simple sac fly would have brought the go ahead run home. If we want to talk about shitty fundamentals there are a million other cases from last night that should be ahead of this one.
Pujols or not Pujols. That is the question.
There's my little drama queen!
I don’t know that I’m “killing” Yadi for it. He made a baserunning mistake during a critical part of the game and I’m discussing it. Sure, other players made mistakes too – I don’t need to list every other player’s mistakes to point out Yadi’s.
Bottom line we disagree that Yadi was making a “decision based on fundamentals.” Indeed, my point is the opposite – he aggressively broke on contact in a non-force situation, instead of waiting until the ball was past the pitcher. Making the first out of the inning sliding into 3rd base is a mistake of baserunning fundamentals.
by Willie McGee's Twin on Sep 27, 2011 5:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Absolutely...
he learns this stuff from Pujols, another loafer out of the box who’s wildly reckless on the bases.
Now I'm imagining that old anti-drug ad where the dad bursts into his kid's room
to confront him about his pot smoking.
“I GOT IT FROM YOU, MANG! I LEARNED IT FROM WATCHING YOU!”
Fade out as Albert has a shocked, dejected look on his face.
by dronemc on Sep 27, 2011 5:20 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
That's a huge lead.
Not to mention, his weight is moving towards third base and he breaks for third when the ball is put in play in the ground, which is what you’re supposed to do, which means that he would have to stop, reverse course, and then get thrown out at second base instead of third.
Balls hit back to the pitcher almost always end up hanging a runner out to dry between second and third, especially if they are hit sharply.
If you want to rip Molina (and it seems that is your intent here, regardless of evidence or fundamentals) you should be ripping him for not freezing in the basepath and making the pitcher make a decision of where to throw the ball. Hopefully he could extend the run-down long enough to get Theriot to second base before getting tagged out. If there’s any fault in baserunning, it would be that, not breaking for third in a hard ground ball that the pitcher fielded.
Pujols or not Pujols. That is the question.
he's supposed to
react to how and where the ball is hit. there was no force play. it seems he immediately reacted to the ball being hit on the ground ‘behind’ him, so he ran. this is the right play if the ball is going to go past the mound. except Molina made up his mind before he could’ve known that, which is too aggressive, IMO.
but to your last point
(not the one where you suggested i’m baseless [hey, pun!] in ripping Molina), yes, Molina further gaffed by not just hanging himself up in the baseline. again, too aggressive.
As I said originally
he runs the bases aggressively, which means that you put up with these type of events occasionally while reaping the benefits of the occasional stolen base (like Albert stealing 3rd, which directly led to the game being tied up) or extra base taken. It’s risk/reward. You can’t have the reward without some of the risk.
You and WMT are trying to have your cake and eat it too. It just doesn’t work that way.
Pujols or not Pujols. That is the question.
The White Sox are now on their third manager in the last 16 hours.
The negative waves. Always with the negative waves...
Subject... (optional)
Message…
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
by mysterui on Sep 27, 2011 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
WAIT WHAT IS THIS BUSINESS
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
Most likely
they found out Cora was going to Florida with Ozzie.
Probably, but you'd think they would have wondered about that prior to letting Guillen go.
The negative waves. Always with the negative waves...
I'm guessing that there's a lot of drama going on behind the scenes
and the Ozzie is very busy burning his bridges. Cora may be as well (they’re very close).
Not Hamels tomorrow.
@magelb
Matt Gelb
Phillies will start Joe Blanton in Game 162.
Retweeted by dgoold and others
The negative waves. Always with the negative waves...
They're still phighting Atlanta...
@philaphillies
Phillies
Tonight’s 7:10 PM lineup at ATL: J Roll SS, Utley 2B, Pence RF, Howard 1B, Victorino CF, Ibanez LF, Polanco 3B, Ruiz C, Oswalt P
The negative waves. Always with the negative waves...
I'm going to be a nervous wreck Wednesday at about 7:30 ish
Cardinals in what will hopefully be their most meaningful game of the season
SKC in their most meaningful game of the season
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
We've got to win tonight (and tomorrow)
coupled with an Oswalt-led win over the Braves. If we’re still a game down going into tomorrow night, I can’t see Atlanta losing that last game.
by ArkansasTravs on Sep 27, 2011 3:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Would't it be funny...
if the Braves and Cardinals both got swept resulting in the Braves making it… That would be very prominent in baseball history – team swept by 105 loss team and misses playoffs by a game.
um, I wouldn't find that funny in the least.
for the record
"I have CDO. It's like OCD, but the letters are in alphabetical order. Like they should be."
ugh
why is Ibanez here?
Message…
"Nothing Motte does is quiet. It's mostly screamy and intense." - sheckiezx
by monkeysareblue on Sep 27, 2011 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Braves lineup
@mlbbowman
Mark Bowman
#Braves lineup: Bourn 8 Prado 7 Chipper 5 Uggla 4 Freeman 3 McCann 2 Gonzalez 6 Heyward 9 Lowe 1
The negative waves. Always with the negative waves...
I know it's not actually true
But Bourn seems like such a scarier player when he’s a complimentary piece rather than a team’s best hitter
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
the people in the stands who were close interviewed re: the Bartman thing
- They didn’t see Alou.
- They told Bartman he didn’t do anything wrong.
- The ball was clearly arcing foul, until a gust of wind pushed it a little over.
Conclusion: Yeah, they’re cursed. /notgonnamentionmarkpriorordusty
P.S. the guy who says “Where’s the asshole?” — “Have you ever been thrown out of a game before?” “…once. Once or twice.”
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Sep 27, 2011 3:12 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Damn I forgot to watch that
But on TV it sure looked like most of them were screaming at him, regardless of what they’re now saying.
i think it's still tonight
and i’m sure they’ll rerun it crazily
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
lol bob ley trying to get a cubs fan to admit their neuroses
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
Goold thinks Taveras starts at AA and Wong at A+. Interesting.
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
I think that may have as much to do with Starlin Rodriguez as with Wong.
Also, it’s easier to shoehorn a capable outfielder into 1 of 3 available slots than a 2B so there’s more potential positions for Taveras to play.
I’m not sure I like it though.
Beware: Velociraptors may be present.
I'd rather not see Wong held up because of Starlin
Also, if Taveras does well in in the AFL and shows himself “ready” for AA, there’s definitely room in SPR’s OF. Not much talent there to block him (Chris Swauger?), and what was there last year (DJ one-Tool, Castellenos) was traded or would seem to be headed to AAA, after (hopefully) the Stavs and Rappoports are jettisoned.
by Willie McGee's Twin on Sep 27, 2011 4:47 PM EDT up reply actions
More worried about maturity issues
than on the field baseball hitting issues for Taveras.
Beware: Velociraptors may be present.
Here's your sabermetric reading assignment for the day
Catcher framing, called strikes, and WOWY
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
Oh, and that article is obviously informed by Mike Fast's article on catcher framing
Found here
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
Over the last 5 seasons, Yadier Molina has been worth about 3.7 extra wins via framing, according to Mike Fast
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
I've not looked at the article or anything about the metrics of catcher framing,
but that seems like a lot.
Well, it's been found that a ball-called-strike (or vice versa, obvi) on a close pitch is worth about .13 runs
That’s pretty significant.
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
Definitely read the article when you get a chance though
One of the most interesting sabermetric articles I’ve read in years
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
To put this in perspective:
Molina framing pitches is worth more than Ryan Theriot.
Pujols or not Pujols. That is the question.
And, uh, Gerald Laird has been worth -55 runs over the past 5 seasons
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
Good stuff
Although I think MGL is a bit too excited about this: Seems like the last hurrah of the true saberists is going to be quantifying catcher defense.
Pujols or not Pujols. That is the question.
via The Onion: "Brewers Inform Nyjer Morgan Playoff Roster Only Has Room for 2 Alter Egos"
"Nothing Motte does is quiet. It's mostly screamy and intense." - sheckiezx
GO CARDINALS!
@FSMidwest
FOX Sports Midwest
#stlcards lineup: Jay-8, Freese-5 ,Pujols-3, Berkman-9, Holliday-7, Molina-2, Schumaker-4, Punto-6, Westbrook-1. #WCRace
The negative waves. Always with the negative waves...
Astros...
Shuck 8, Altuve 4, Bogusevic 9, Lee 7, Walrus 3, Paredes 5, Barmes 6, Towles 2, Sosa 1
The negative waves. Always with the negative waves...
wat
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
I swear, if we lose to this lineup...
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
I'll be getting a refund
Which will make me sad
bollocks
by SecondHalfMatt on Sep 27, 2011 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions
Behold the power of Jake Westbrook
to lower your win expectations.
Pujols or not Pujols. That is the question.
don't throw Carlos Lee a strike all night
0-0 with 4 BB and take your chances.
by Hardcore Legend on Sep 27, 2011 4:59 PM EDT up reply actions
Wow... I actually really like that lineup.
I’d switch Holliday and Freese, but… I like that lineup. Please, TLR, let this lineup be USED past the 2nd inning.
"Nothing Motte does is quiet. It's mostly screamy and intense." - sheckiezx
by monkeysareblue on Sep 27, 2011 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions
This is solid
Kumar: I don't know man, I lose my touch, man.
Dignan: Did you ever have a touch to lose, man?
Late inning switch for offense, potentially
At least I hope that’ll happen.
Kumar: I don't know man, I lose my touch, man.
Dignan: Did you ever have a touch to lose, man?
If needed...
Kumar: I don't know man, I lose my touch, man.
Dignan: Did you ever have a touch to lose, man?
i have a night class tonight, every time i consider skipping class to watch a game but end up going anyway they win
i’m going to class tonight even though i’d rather watch the game.
also, oddly enough, haven’t shaved since they picked up Furcal. if there are any other random superstitious things I can do to help get us the win tonight, tomorrow and whatever games may be after that, let me know.
something has to make it worth it because my beard really sucks.
by molina mo problems on Sep 27, 2011 4:13 PM EDT reply actions
Someone mentioned smoking helped them in an individual game a couple days ago, so start doing that.
Manchester City: 16 points, 5-0-1, 1st in EPL, +14 GD
Sergio Aguero: 8 Gs, 2 As
Edin Dzeko: 6 Gs
by cardinalswsbound on Sep 27, 2011 5:58 PM EDT up reply actions
The crowning touch to Pujols legacy would be
Carrying us these next 3 wins into the playoffs.
That said, is our unofficial magic number 4? Any combo of Braves losses or Cards wins that equal 4 get us into NLDS correct?
by Hardcore Legend on Sep 27, 2011 4:37 PM EDT via mobile reply actions 1 recs
hmmm...
well, if we win out and the braves go 1 and 1, that would equal 3 with a playoff game to play between the two.
If the cards won, the number would automatically jump to 5.
I think the only way the number gets to 4 is if we win the WC in the regular season with no one game playoff.
So, I suppose you’re right. But I had to think about it a while.
Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid.
- John Wayne
To make the playoffs
magic number is 4.
To force a regular season tiebreaker, magic number is 3.
by Hardcore Legend on Sep 27, 2011 5:12 PM EDT up reply actions
Right
but the Magic Number usually refers to making the postseason.
Game 163 is still regular season.
by Hardcore Legend on Sep 27, 2011 5:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Incidentally, the absolute FURTHEST out of the playoffs
that we can now finish is three games.
Is there anyone here at all who doubts that Tony’s management has cost us three games this season?
Relative to what?
Optimal managing? The managing of the average VEBer? The average manager?
I’m not convinced Tony has actually cost us anything relative to the average manager, infuriating though he may be.
by mojowo11 on Sep 27, 2011 5:14 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I'm not going to go for "optimal managing"
because I don’t think that would ever happen.
I think Tony’s probably cost us 3 wins against what could be considered simply “somewhat above par” managing. I’m specifically thinking of situations involving Miguel Batista, Ryan Frankling, and Arthur Rhodes. Do other managers stick with those guys? Maybe, but I think just about everyone agrees that they shouldn’t have been in there.
9-13 in extra inning games for a team that
Will prob end up winning 90 games is pretty bad. I blame Tony more for his mismanagement of the bullpen late in close games and ridiculous defensive substitutions than holding on to Franklin and Batista too long.
I don’t think we kept either of those guys longer than most clubs would have, especially with Franklins recent track record of success but TLR did wait too long before pulling him from high leverage, save situations, in my opinion. You could tell something wasn’t right after his first couple appearences, no way he should have been allowed to blow what, 6 saves? before being religated to mop up duties.
by mick311 on Sep 27, 2011 5:40 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I think you give other managers far too much credit
I think they’re just as apt to stick with over-the-hill veterans and make stupid decisions as Tony, generally speaking.
I suspect VEB will be very happy when Tony leaves, and then for many years after we will lament that the front office couldn’t find anyone better than Tony to replace him. And I suspect that that will be because there are few, if any, qualified major league managers that are better at the job than TLR.
by mojowo11 on Sep 27, 2011 5:44 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Relative to Franklin and Batista
BAM. That’s all you need to know.
No...
not convinced of that. The Ryan to Theriot move was a minus two move, but running Rasmus out of town was probably a plus one for this year.
Beyond that I think his pluses and minuses mostly cancel out, unless there’s something I’m forgetting.
Ryan Franklin
Miguel Bautista
VALDES!!!!!!
by Hardcore Legend on Sep 27, 2011 5:19 PM EDT up reply actions
There are washed up veterans in every bullpen...
La Russa pulls the plug on these guys as fast or faster than the average manager it seems…
I'm curious, guayzimi,
are you an actual person, or are you just VEB’s collective subconscious ombudsman avatar, taking the opposite stance just to keep us honest and make sure we don’t go too far off the deep end?
’Cause it would be awesome if some sort of quasi-spiritual entity was patrolling the boards, haunting us.
Have you met his grandmother?
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Second base….I’ve played second base, how hard can it be? -TLR
Also, Dave Concepcion.
Hey guys!
Hit me up on Google+
FIRE TONY LA RUSSA
by jd is legend on Sep 27, 2011 7:32 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
that's evilfrog you are thinking of.
Guayzimi has a point. All bullpens have washed up veterans. And Tony pulled Franklin way more than many managers would have.
Grit != flat out sucking.
ah so there will be a 1 game playoff
do it for torty!
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Sep 27, 2011 7:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Cardinals players as Pokemon go
Theriot = Magikarp for obvious reasons
Aaron Miles = Bulbasaur
Jeff Suppan = Ivysaur
Nick Stavinoha = Venusaur
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
by mysterui on Sep 27, 2011 5:24 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Theriot has been in the majors for a while now...
If he were really Magikarp he’d have evolved into HanleyRamyrados by now.
Ceterum censeo La Russa ire necesse est.
Also, Theriot evolving into a Gyarados makes no sense.
Aaron Miles should be a Zubat because he’s fucking annoying and we seem to encounter him far too often. Suppan could be a Golbat, considering he at one point was worth a nonnegative amount of value to us, and Stav as Crobat? Maybe thats too far.
by hr on Sep 27, 2011 5:29 PM EDT up reply actions
So there is another Pokemon nerd on here, yes!
Manchester City: 16 points, 5-0-1, 1st in EPL, +14 GD
Sergio Aguero: 8 Gs, 2 As
Edin Dzeko: 6 Gs
by cardinalswsbound on Sep 27, 2011 5:41 PM EDT up reply actions
Nerd
Hit me up on Google+
FIRE TONY LA RUSSA
by jd is legend on Sep 27, 2011 5:30 PM EDT up reply actions
151 4 lyfe
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
You should play Black/White, best since Silver, and only the new Pokemon on your first playthrough are available
So all the ones you see are new.
Manchester City: 16 points, 5-0-1, 1st in EPL, +14 GD
Sergio Aguero: 8 Gs, 2 As
Edin Dzeko: 6 Gs
by cardinalswsbound on Sep 27, 2011 6:06 PM EDT up reply actions
They're new, that's why I stopped playing pokemon
I don’t want to learn more names and abilities and etc. My brain can barely hold the names of the first 250 pokemon, let alone fifth generation.
by hr on Sep 27, 2011 7:37 PM EDT up reply actions
there are no badges in this thread
…why
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
what's this whole
pre-populated field shenanigans?
i’m not seeing it. it must be because my work computer is very old or something.
"I don't know where Cueto learned to fight."-- Chris Carpenter
do not mess with yadi f. molina
Oh it stopped I guess
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter | Gas House Graphs
That's my way of saying that it's still happening to me on replies
Not in the new comment box at the bottom of the page, though.
that's weird.
not here for me.
"I don't know where Cueto learned to fight."-- Chris Carpenter
do not mess with yadi f. molina
Subject... (optional)
Message…
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
Are you there, GOB? It's me, Brandon
I know you’re busy and all, but please, please, please let the Cards win this. That is all.
Manchester City: 16 points, 5-0-1, 1st in EPL, +14 GD
Sergio Aguero: 8 Gs, 2 As
Edin Dzeko: 6 Gs
by cardinalswsbound on Sep 27, 2011 5:57 PM EDT reply actions
now we know your name
we can commence sitting outside your–
oh, never mind. clank’s already here.
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
also fear not the GOB
curse them! they are bastard-coated bastards. there is no mercy in their hollow horsehide hearts.
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
with bastard sauce.
They look at your pleas and laugh.
SMOTE.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Second base….I’ve played second base, how hard can it be? -TLR
Also, Dave Concepcion.
Lots of high quality fan posts going up these days.
nice. job. lurkers.
by The Ghost of Todd Burns on Sep 27, 2011 6:37 PM EDT reply actions
i prefer this
to the “tons of shitty fanposts everyone complains about incessantly”.
"I don't know where Cueto learned to fight."-- Chris Carpenter
do not mess with yadi f. molina
I need a win tonight
"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 end of regular season)
120 1/3IP, 133 K, 52 BB/HBP, 55 ER, 7 HR, 3.04 FIP
Postseason: 2 Starts- 15 IP, 9 H, 10 K, 2 BB, 3 ER, 19:10 GO:AO
by VolsnCards5 on Sep 27, 2011 6:46 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Utley home run
1 – 0 Phillies.
#FireTLR
by The Continental on Sep 27, 2011 7:14 PM EDT reply actions
has anyone heard of these speakers before?
looks like a good deal, but i’m having trouble finding reviews (linky link).
"I don't know where Cueto learned to fight."-- Chris Carpenter
do not mess with yadi f. molina
If you can't find a review
the review is probably too good to be true. My college roomie got seriously scammed on speakers that looked too good to be true in college.
by hangingfromatree on Sep 27, 2011 7:30 PM EDT up reply actions
*the speakers are probably too good to be true
by hangingfromatree on Sep 27, 2011 7:30 PM EDT up reply actions
i found an amazon page
with customer reviews. it looks like they came out in 2007 so they’re hardly cutting edge any more.
"I don't know where Cueto learned to fight."-- Chris Carpenter
do not mess with yadi f. molina
type "jamo" as the search term into slickdeals.net
searching thread title only. Looks like there are some posts and deals about that line of speakers.
My favorite words are goodbye, and my favorite color is red
Keep ou up filles.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Second base….I’ve played second base, how hard can it be? -TLR
Also, Dave Concepcion.
Looks like the Braves are also down 1 shortstop with some pop.
Gonzalez just pinch hit for in the 2nd inning.
by The Ghost of Todd Burns on Sep 27, 2011 7:38 PM EDT reply actions
and 2 on nobody out
be nice if they blow it open here.
Time and again we see the reliance on a proven methodology... a methodology separate from human experience... built upon figures, not feelings... which encourages our dependence on the empirical world... a world with no room for ground-rule doubles... Inherited Runners Scored
COMMON FILLIES
DEW A THING
"I don't know where Cueto learned to fight."-- Chris Carpenter
do not mess with yadi f. molina
COMMON FILLIES
do it for torty!
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Sep 27, 2011 7:49 PM EDT up reply actions
whoa.
new avatar.
"I don't know where Cueto learned to fight."-- Chris Carpenter
do not mess with yadi f. molina
about a week old
do it for torty!
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Sep 27, 2011 7:56 PM EDT up reply actions
oh.
well then.
i just noticed it.
"I don't know where Cueto learned to fight."-- Chris Carpenter
do not mess with yadi f. molina
excellent
it was stealthy
do it for torty!
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Sep 27, 2011 8:07 PM EDT up reply actions
he is a pretty goofy looking person
but he is playing for the cardinals right now, so i love him and want him to do well.
"I don't know where Cueto learned to fight."-- Chris Carpenter
do not mess with yadi f. molina
yeah he is a goofy lookin dude
I still remember the look on his face after someone threw him out at the plate earlier in the season
do it for torty!
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Sep 27, 2011 7:57 PM EDT up reply actions
he is, by far, the most awkward player in baseball
from his swinging to his throwing to his fielding, he just looks like a 50 year old man using his non-dominant hand for everything
by hr on Sep 27, 2011 7:53 PM EDT up reply actions
that's why he's kinda cool
do it for torty!
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Sep 27, 2011 7:57 PM EDT up reply actions
how come TLR switched holliday and berkman? due soley to holliday's injury?
You teach me baseball and I'll teach you relativity. No, we must not. You will learn about relativity faster than I learn baseball. --Albert Einstein
Secretary of the (VEB) Tyler Greene Fan Club
In addition, IHeartFreesie
because he is...
do it for torty!
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Sep 27, 2011 7:57 PM EDT up reply actions
oh cmon don't boot that rollins
do it for torty!
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Sep 27, 2011 7:58 PM EDT reply actions
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