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NLCS Game 5 postgame

they're a win away . . . . .

la russa continues to amaze me. bottom 8th, jose valentin at the plate with the tying runs on base. flores was already in the game, and seemingly the right guy to pitch to valentin, who has always been helpless vs left-handed pitchers. this season he's got a .644 OPS vs lhp, but an .879 OPS vs rhp; over the last 3 years combined he's got a .676 OPS vs lefties, but an .817 OPS vs righties. and with the left-handed chavez on deck and another lefty, cliff floyd, waiting to pinch-hit for the pitcher, you'd seemingly want a left-hander all the way down the line.

so what does la russa do? he removes the left-handed flores and brings in a right-hander, wainwright --- seemingly playing into valentin's hands. why in god's name? . . . . the curveball, apparently. the scouting reports must have said that valentin can't handle a hook, because that's what wainwright fed him -- a 1st-pitch fastball for strike 1, then 4 curves in 5 pitches. valentin swung through one, took another for strike 3.

fun game to watch, great win. they can win the pennant tomorrow.

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Unflipping
believable.
I'm just here for the Bud Light...

by OKCardsfan on Oct 17, 2006 11:47 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Okay...
that was a sweet game!

C'mon Carp! Let's close it out!

by player2bnamedl8r on Oct 17, 2006 11:47 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I love Adam Wainwright.
I love him. I love him. This kid is something special, and be it the power of the playoff beard or simply the fact that he's just amazing, I don't ever want us to let him go.

King Albert goes deep. So does Baby Dunc. Weaver turns in stellar work. The bullpen is nails. Off we go to Shea with Chris Carpenter bringing the pain.

LET'S GO RED-BIRDS!!!!!!!!

I have a serious, serious Adam Wainwright addiction. Is there a 12-step group for loving 6'7" rookie relievers to death?

by Scarlet the Cardinal on Oct 17, 2006 11:48 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Weaver and AW
both get a game ball. I'm good with that.

by player2bnamedl8r on Oct 17, 2006 11:51 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

i enjoy the cardinals
The Cards at night, are big and bright, deep in the heart of Texas

by texbird on Oct 17, 2006 11:48 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

WOOT
BED TIME - I have 5 1/2 hours to sleep then wake up and do it again. Thank goodness the World Series is over before November - I have two big exams on the 7th and 8th, and I need some sleep ;)

See you all tomorrow!!!

by SirVLCIV on Oct 17, 2006 11:48 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

this celebration brought to you by
Myplayoffbeard.com

C'mon. Do you honestly think we'd be a win away from the World Series with all the facial hair by Cardinal Nation? I think not.

by effin fisk on Oct 17, 2006 11:48 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I think
I have a job interview tommorow. I think I might have to shave my beard. If we lose, blame me.

by DimitroffVodka on Oct 17, 2006 11:50 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Don't SHAVE THE BEARD!
It's your duty, Judy!
Walk your dog, not Pujols.

by Hardcore Legend on Oct 17, 2006 11:55 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

It's OK....
the Ol' Goaler has 30 years worth of "playoff beard" to compensate... <fuzzy grin>
"A man should live forever, or die trying." -- Mike Callahan

by The Ol Goaler on Oct 18, 2006 12:15 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

what's the matter?
is the interviewer a Mets fan? I think team loyalty and passion are traits that an employer would appreciate in a potential worker.

by effin fisk on Oct 17, 2006 11:57 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

you know...
if you email that picture to me you're automatically entered into a drawing for a free year supply of grooming products. Plus I'll pst it on my site

And that goes for the rest of you and your beards, too.

by effin fisk on Oct 18, 2006 12:32 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'm becoming a believer
in the playoff beard...even though it is killing me (scratching)...

Oh, if only it had been an option for me last year...

"He was a man, take him for all in all, I shall not look upon his like again."

by iron duke75 on Oct 18, 2006 12:45 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

my beard
I had to shave in between the NLDS and NLCS due to important functions.  But I'm not shaving til we win the WS

by cardsfan84 on Oct 18, 2006 12:54 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

bearoreeno
haven't shaved since before the padres I think...

by mdarshan on Oct 18, 2006 11:12 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'd thought that
I might shave mine if we lost last night.  My wife thinks I'm crazy but it's going strong.  Hopefully for another week or 10 days!

by chuckb on Oct 18, 2006 9:28 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I already have a beard...
but if the Cards make it to the WS I'm going with the Imperial in honor of Speezer.  The wife has threatened no sex if that happens...but the Imperial has magical powers over baseball and sexiness.  C'mon, have you seen Speezer's girlfriend?  Enough said.
"Baseball is the only field of endeavor where a man can succeed three times out of ten and be considered a good performer." - Ted Williams

by WiscCard on Oct 18, 2006 10:53 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Last time Shea hosted a Game 6...
we witnessed this:

"Little roller up along first, BEHIND THE BAG!  IT GETS THROUGH BUCKNER, AND THE METS WIN IT!"

Fortunately for us, we're not the Boston Red Sox.

Eat 'em up, Carp.

by Quietude on Oct 17, 2006 11:48 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

And we've got Mookie 'relations' on this team..
...Where was this flippin team in August/September when I was losing my mind, not eating, crying myself to sleep, etc...?
Walk your dog, not Pujols.

by Hardcore Legend on Oct 17, 2006 11:50 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I don't care where they were...
as long as they show up in Queens tomorrow night.

Did Buck give us a "We'll see you tomorrow night!" after the game?  I don't remember hearing it.

by Quietude on Oct 17, 2006 11:52 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I posted in the morning thread
(or early in the first game thread, can't remember) that this game was more of a must-win for the Mets than us.  Look at it in their shoes: they have to win two games started by John Maine and Darren Oliver/Oliver Perez/Steve Trachsel...they have to be crushed right now!
In Albert we trust.

by Mr Redbird on Oct 17, 2006 11:49 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Too much adrenaline to sleep!!!!!!!
I've got to be up in 7 hrs to round on 27 leukemia patients. Hope I can fall asleep tonight.
Too exciting

by Podlol on Oct 17, 2006 11:49 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Mets tempt karma
by dancing in the dugout before the game is over.

by player2bnamedl8r on Oct 17, 2006 11:50 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

FOX is now saying that Glavine was getting squeeze
and that was what lead to his downfall.

Get off it, Kennedy.  He had nothing and the only times he was 'good' was when they were giving him a wide zone.

Walk your dog, not Pujols.

by Hardcore Legend on Oct 17, 2006 11:52 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

yeah
weaver had the same strike zone, he came out okay

by erik on Oct 17, 2006 11:55 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

that's been glavine's MO for a long time
Sometimes the strike zone extends 3 inches past the black.  Sometimes it doesn't.  If that's your game, it's the risk you take.
8/13/79- Lou Brock 3000 hits

by lb3000 on Oct 18, 2006 12:06 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

how did the cards
get out of the 8th?  i'm not sure i'll ever know.  it was a well played...well managed game!  hated to see the runners stranded but every team does that...the cards just seem to do it a bit more.  hey...we got a win though.  who would've thought they'd make it this far?!  Honestly, I didn't...but i am freaking happy i was wrong.

by jose smokeindo on Oct 17, 2006 11:52 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Wasn't Weavah a Tiger at one point?
That would be a nice 'what goes around, comes around'.

by player2bnamedl8r on Oct 17, 2006 11:52 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

peculiar decisions by LaRussa
that worked tonight.  Of course, Dunc's homer.  But I was surprised he went to Flores rather than Johnson.  Then surprised he didn't stick w/ Flores against Valentin.  If I remember correctly, Valentin's absolutely abysmal vs. lefties so I thought that bringing the lefty in to pitch to Green and then Wainwright for Valentin was strange.  Obviously, it worked out great!  Tony's pushing all the right buttons -- seems like some of the decisions are as unusual as those he's made in years past, it's just that they're working right now!

by chuckb on Oct 17, 2006 11:53 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

you're absolutely right
about valentin. see above

by lboros on Oct 18, 2006 12:03 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

My brother's a Dodger fan
and he told me that when they had Valentin, he gave up switch-hitting and kept hitting lefty vs. lefties he was so bad.  I guess you're right about the curveball.  The splits weren't so important as Wainwright's curve was.  But I was wondering what LaRussa was doing.  Still, he got it right.

by chuckb on Oct 18, 2006 12:07 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Odd thought...
surely this wasn't one of those type decisions Tony makes in the regular season to ensure "stats" for somebody?  That is, Wainer comes in to get the last out of the eighth so that if we score a couple runs in the bottom of the inning he's still in line for a save.

I can't believe Tony'd do that, it just popped into my head.

by ArkansasTravs on Oct 18, 2006 12:12 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

He's done this four out thing
with Wainwright before.  If you asked him, he'd probably just say it was a high leverage situation, and you have to go with your best bullpen guy, regardless of the lefty/righty matchup.

by Valatan on Oct 18, 2006 12:13 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

i don't know though val
the batter before that, ie shawn green, was just as high leverage, yet la russa let flores pitch to him. and if wainer happens to lose valentin, then he's got three straight left-handers -- chavez floyd and reyes. i think he took a big chance, but it paid off --- yet again

by lboros on Oct 18, 2006 12:18 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Solid point
but the whole thing seems very la russaesque to me--in the last week of september, tony decided that wainwright's job was to 'close out the win,' and using whatever tea leaves he is normally apt to use, he decided the win was in jeopardy, and in need of being closed out, and thus, in came wainwright.

I am equally sure that, had wainwright coughed up three runs, he still would have started the ninth, and kept on going until the game was over, or it was painfully obvious that he could physically go on no longer.  Because that's Adam's job, and, by damn, he's going to do it.

by Valatan on Oct 18, 2006 12:25 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

you might be right
i sure hope not, though. i was wondering --- suppose chavez leads off the 9th with a hit, and a few more guys get on and the inning drags on and you end up with two outs and the sacks jammed . . . . and delgado at the plate. would ty johnson have come in to face him?

i would certainly hope so. . . . .

by lboros on Oct 18, 2006 12:34 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I fully agree with you
but I really believe that, in that situation, La Russa would let Wainwright pitch to Delgado.  

Certainly, if you replace the name 'Isringhausen' for the name 'Wainwright', Tony's would let Izzy pitch to Delgado in that situation.  Perhaps he doesn't trust AW to the same extent, but I think TLR has chosen his closer, and will live or die with him.

by Valatan on Oct 18, 2006 12:38 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

i'm glad we didn't
have to find out . . . . .

by lboros on Oct 18, 2006 12:41 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Is it possible Tony
was afraid the Mets would PH for Valentin, and would NOT go to Floyd if he kept a lefty on the mound?

by MdRedbirdFreak on Oct 18, 2006 1:07 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

that's what i was thinking...
... we may have seen Woodward thrown in there somewhere.

but if that were TLR's line of logic, why wouldn't he have waited until Woodard was announced?

by kindred on Oct 18, 2006 9:06 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I guess it's the same
bizarro-logic gnome that told TLR to send up Lil' Dunc to PH against a lefty.  Here's hoping that little guy sticks around the rest of the postseason.

by MdRedbirdFreak on Oct 18, 2006 10:36 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

u r right
TLR will make some odd moves, but warming someone up behind his "closer" is something he will NEVER do.  When he gives the ball top da man, he wants the other team to know the game is over, he wants his team to know the game is over, and he wants da man to know the game is over - and not be looking over his shoulder to see if help is coming.  Doesn't matter if the batter hits LH or RH or swings it between his legs like a croquet mallet.  There's matchups, but then there's DA MAN, and right now that man is AWesome!
"Feel my ears, Mike!" -- Jack Buck

by ITouchedMcGee on Oct 18, 2006 4:08 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Don't you guys realize...
that Tony is a genius?!

Actually, the players are making him look like a genius; Duncan, Wainwright for 4 outs against lefties.

Yes, he made some head scratching moves but they worked. Thank God.

"Don't fail to miss tomorrow's game!" - Dizzy Dean

by jdubya on Oct 18, 2006 12:27 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

righty vs. lefty
It's because Flores can't get righties out.

It's obvious Tony doesn't trust his lefties to get righties out.  That's why we haven't seen Beltran get turned around.  Tony would rather Wainwright/Kinney/Thompson/Hancock against a lefty than Flores/Johnson against a righty; any righty, it appears.

Against righties this year:

Flores - 2.18 WHIP, .982 OPS
Johnson - 1.89 WHIP, .838 OPS

by Speedy G on Oct 18, 2006 12:44 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Interesting point
even if the righty is Valentin.  Maybe he didn't go w/ Valentin's #'s, he went w/ Flores'.  Great point!

by chuckb on Oct 18, 2006 9:31 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Pujols is complimenting Glavine
in the post game. Talking about how he is a 290 game winner on his way to the HOF
Miller sucks.

by Ankiels Missing Curveball on Oct 17, 2006 11:53 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Albert props Glavine tonight
Good call, Albert. Stay humble, kid.

by player2bnamedl8r on Oct 17, 2006 11:53 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Apparently
Albert's success has a direct correlation with the performance level of his opponent

by Nate811 on Oct 18, 2006 12:07 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

no kidding
mets do tempt karma...what was that dance they were doing?  they are so freaking cocky.  I just love seeing that smirk wiped off the face of Reyes.  he's  a great player but such a cocky mug.

by jose smokeindo on Oct 17, 2006 11:54 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I'd love Reyes (Jose)
on the Cardinals, and I'm sure he's just a fun-loving kid, but all the dancing around is a bit much.

But people said the same thing about Andujar blowing on his finger after striking batters out. Depends on what team you're rooting for I guess.

by player2bnamedl8r on Oct 17, 2006 11:56 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I like to see guys having fun playing ball........
but tommorrow night, I hope Reyes cries.........

by fuegophil on Oct 17, 2006 11:58 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

just dropped
$450 on plane tickets, LAX to STL, tuesday morning.  woooot!

Now lets hope I can scalp some tickets on the street...

You either get all the glory or all the... goat hair. -mike shannon

by SleepyCA on Oct 17, 2006 11:55 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Thanks
for the jinx...

by birdjam on Oct 17, 2006 11:59 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

shoosh
no such thing!
You either get all the glory or all the... goat hair. -mike shannon

by SleepyCA on Oct 18, 2006 12:09 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Everybody go buy some bubbly
Hopefully we'll get a chance to pop the cork tomorrow night.

by chuckb on Oct 17, 2006 11:55 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Tough to wrap my mind around
the fact that we're a win away from the pennant

by Nate811 on Oct 17, 2006 11:56 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

It's pretty mind-boggling, isn't it?
So much for Weaver's inability to pitch well at home

by Yellow Dog on Oct 17, 2006 11:57 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Weaver and Suppan
have impressed me immensely during September and now October.  They are our best two starting pitchers right now.  No knock on Carp, but they've both been more consistent than Carp the last 6-7 weeks.  I wouldn't mind signing both of them for next year if they don't cost too much.

by ArkansasTravs on Oct 18, 2006 12:15 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I stick
I stick by my ORIGINAL prediction that Cards will win in 6.

by DimitroffVodka on Oct 17, 2006 11:56 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

i'm praying
that Carp has his curveball tomorrow night. this feels like a dream, 1 w away and carp going next. :D

by erik on Oct 17, 2006 11:57 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Interviews
on ESPNEWS and MLB.com's Baseballchannel.tv's Press   Room

by El Hombre on Oct 17, 2006 11:58 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Proud to be a fan of this team right now
Warts and all, they've shown up to win.  I'm not sure they'll get there, but I am sure they want it bad

by tdawg on Oct 17, 2006 11:59 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

i'm with ya
they are winning at the right time...almost as if they've learned something from the past couple of postseasons.  it's such a different team now though...i'm just stunned at what they've been able to do

by jose smokeindo on Oct 18, 2006 12:02 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

why can't cards...
just get a team to walk all over during the LCS series?!  we've always got to go to the extreme limits.  you can't tell me that doesn't have something to do with the last two sweeps in the WS.  pending a cards win...let's just hope the tigers get a little stale waiting.  I'm praying for a roughing up of Maine tomorrow so we can get some more confidence.

by jose smokeindo on Oct 17, 2006 11:59 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

what?
You don't remember when cards went to the 2005 world series?!  
I'M TALKING ABOUT THE LAST 2 NL TEAMS TO GO TO THE WORLD SERIES PRIOR TO 2006...MORON!  next time I'll try to make my posts much clearer.

by jose smokeindo on Nov 17, 2006 11:59 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

dude, 83-win teams
don't walk all over anybody . . . .

by lboros on Oct 18, 2006 12:20 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah,
This year, we're the team everyone thought they'd be able to walk all over...

by Nate811 on Oct 18, 2006 12:24 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I know what you mean though
Since '82, it's always been a struggle

by Nate811 on Oct 18, 2006 12:26 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

it's always a struggle
the white sox even struggled last year in sweeping the astros -- had to come from behind in game 2, then blew the save and needed a walkoff from podsednik; then needed 14 innings to win game 3, and won game 4 1-0, with the tying run on 2d base in the bottom of the 9th.

look at how the '86 mets struggled --- after 108 wins in the reg season. look at how the '75 reds struggled.

it's almost never easy. it's not supposed to be easy.

by lboros on Oct 18, 2006 12:31 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

And it AIN'T
been easy... it ain't gonna get easy!

Fox has one thing right, though... you really can't script October!  Lookit the stars tonight... Jeff (DFA) Weaver?  Preston (DFA) Wilson? The "Brat Pack" of Young Dunc, Josh "Gateway Grizzlies" Kinney, and AW???

WHERE DID THESE GUYS COMES FROM?????

(Pujols... yeah, I've heard of that guy...)

"A man should live forever, or die trying." -- Mike Callahan

by The Ol Goaler on Oct 18, 2006 12:54 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Oh yeah...
What would you say now after seeing what cards did to the Tigers in the '06 series?  I was talking about games that are down to the wire every game of the series anyway...  The White Sox didn't go down to the wire with the stros...did they?

Even if you read this...I know I'm a loser going back and commenting on something that was on my reply list from so long ago.  I have my boring job to blame!

by jose smokeindo on Nov 17, 2006 12:01 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Random Cardinals notes
Cardinals teams since 1982 that didn't go to the playoffs that had a better record than this one:

1984
1989
1991
1992 (same)
1993
1998 (same)
2003

Can you believe this?

Where have you gone, Kurt Kepshire?

by mattvernon1985 on Oct 18, 2006 12:01 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

good night...
and God bless all you card fans!

by jose smokeindo on Oct 18, 2006 12:04 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

wooowoooo
go cards

1 outta two shoul be good

by martin on Oct 18, 2006 12:04 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Scarecrow
Walk your dog, not Pujols.

by Hardcore Legend on Oct 18, 2006 12:04 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

The name Malachi
comes to mind looking at the picture...

by player2bnamedl8r on Oct 18, 2006 12:06 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Am I wrong...
or do we bring Weaver and Wilson back next year?

by Quietude on Oct 18, 2006 12:06 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Definitely Weaver
for the right price. Wilson is still under contract, with a significant amount of money owed to him. I don't see him coming back.

by player2bnamedl8r on Oct 18, 2006 12:07 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah, I didn't know...
Wilson's option was 3 years at $24 million.  That's a bit rich for a guy who would be a platoon outfielder with Baby Dunc.

by Quietude on Oct 18, 2006 12:10 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Agreed
much too much for a strikeout waiting to happen.  He can't lay off the high fastball.  Swung at ball three on a 2-0 count his first time up tonight, swung at ball 4 in his eyes in an earlier game.  Why does Tony insist on batting him 2nd?

by ArkansasTravs on Oct 18, 2006 12:19 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

would we be on the hook for that?
Wasn't he released by houston?  If that's the case, his contract should be void.  We should be able to get him for whatever we can negotiate.
You either get all the glory or all the... goat hair. -mike shannon

by SleepyCA on Oct 18, 2006 12:44 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I forget whether we claimed him off of waivers
or if he cleared and we then picked him up.  If the former, then his contract is still valid.  If the latter, not so much.

by Valatan on Oct 18, 2006 12:47 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

he cleared waivers
they didnt trade for him

by punchinjudy on Oct 18, 2006 2:00 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Scary scarecrow.
Very, very scary scarecrow.

If he keeps pitching like he did tonight, I won't complain at all.

I have a serious, serious Adam Wainwright addiction. Is there a 12-step group for loving 6'7" rookie relievers to death?

by Scarlet the Cardinal on Oct 18, 2006 12:07 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I saw "Walk your dog, not Pujols"
on a sign in the crowd on TV last night. hahahah.

by sdrone on Oct 18, 2006 10:16 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Hey...
where's "I told you so" Ryan?

Awesome job by Weava and the bullpen.

Pujols breaks through and starts the barrage. Dunc hits a huge HR.

Wainwright is a stud.

I'm tellin ya. This team has guts.

"Don't fail to miss tomorrow's game!" - Dizzy Dean

by jdubya on Oct 18, 2006 12:06 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Just saw Ozzie Smith
on Quite Frankly predicting a Mets/Tigers WS...

How recently was that show taped?

"He was a man, take him for all in all, I shall not look upon his like again."

by iron duke75 on Oct 18, 2006 12:06 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Ozzie...
probably just doesn't want to admit that TLR can manage a team to the Series.

So sad, that he's still that bitter.  Of course, if I'd been replaced by Royce Clayton, I might be bitter too, who knows.

by Quietude on Oct 18, 2006 12:07 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Probably today.
And quite frankly, I don't care what Ozzie thinks.

by Nate811 on Oct 18, 2006 12:08 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

This is completely nuts.
I don't even know what to say; everything seems to have broken our way, and it wouldn't surprise me to see them lose tomorrow, given how hard this year has been. I'm not sure it will happen though, but tomorrow night is going to be very hard.

All I know is that Chris Carpenter has a chance to pitch himself into Redbird legend status with a gem tomorrow night.

It's going to be a long night.

GO CARDS!

by matt reeder on Oct 18, 2006 12:09 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

LOL@Mets Fans
they are calling for Pujols head for "showing up" cliff floyd by going to the bag instead of tossing it to AW. What a bunch of morons. Why risk an errant throw when he knew he had all the time in the world to tag the bag?
Miller sucks.

by Ankiels Missing Curveball on Oct 18, 2006 12:11 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

You're right
but who cares?  When people are down on their team, they look for all sorts of things to complain about that are just silly.  We did it when we were struggling.  It doesn't matter 1 bit.  When we win tomorrow night, they can complain about anything they want to.

by chuckb on Oct 18, 2006 12:13 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

If they'd been watching Albert much
they'd know he goes to the bag alot...even if he has to slide...
"He was a man, take him for all in all, I shall not look upon his like again."

by iron duke75 on Oct 18, 2006 12:47 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Pardon my French
But how can the Mets be complaining about showing up the other team?  Do they not watch their team dance and sing and high five and low five and exploding five and dance and sing and dance and shake and high five and dance after EVERY FUCKING RUN?  And they have the balls to say that taking the easy play and running to 1st is showing someone up?

Shut.  The.  Hell.  Up.

Pujols > God

by joker24 on Oct 18, 2006 1:48 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

trust me on this, living in nyc...
mets fans are horrible, horrible people. not all of them, of course. but as a group - just awful, wretched human beings. worse than yankee fans. seriously.

by nycbirdo on Oct 18, 2006 11:30 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I thought about that too
when I saw it.  But then I thought "fuckin right."  If you are going to put a gimp pinch hitter in, then I have no problem with Pujols running to the base -- besides, it's good baseball: why risk a throw when you can outrun a limping runner to the bag?  In fact, I wish we would have put down a few bunts against Schilling in the World Series in 04 -- why give him a break simply b/c he's hurt?  That's not being mean-spirited; that's exploiting an advantage.  I like Pujols' attitude -- including the Glavine comments.  It shows he's not afraid of anything, and I think the team takes their cues from him.  

On a side note, I wondered what Bob Gibson would have done if he fielded that ball -- my version goes like this: Gibson fields the grounder and then stares at Floyd as he hobbles down the line before casually walking toward the bag and casually flipping the ball to first base.  

by Ray Lankford on Oct 18, 2006 11:15 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I can't help but remember
just a couple of weeks ago when so many of us were really concerned about being caught by the 'stros.  Some Cards "fans" were saying that they hoped we didn't get to the playoffs b/c they'd just get killed.  Others said in the playoffs anything can happen.  I wanted to believe it but in all honesty, I was just happy winning the division.  To be 1 game from the WS, considering the roller coaster season, it's unimaginable!  I can't help but believe that Carp will be money tomorrow night!

by chuckb on Oct 18, 2006 12:11 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Suppan the Mickey Lolich of 2006?
In the 68 Series Mclain was the big gun for the Tigers with his 31 wins, but Lolich was the quite sleeper that won three games. If we win tomorrow, then Suppan pitches game 1 and (rain enabling) could ptich 4 and 7. I'm hoping that  2006 is the opposite result of 1968.

by Podlol on Oct 18, 2006 12:11 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Love Soup...
but I can't imagine Soup pitching 3 games. Maybe if there is a ton of rain or snow but I doubt that happens.

Pitching on short rest is a recipe for disaster.

"Don't fail to miss tomorrow's game!" - Dizzy Dean

by jdubya on Oct 18, 2006 12:19 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Crazy.
The team to score first has lost 4 of 6 games.

by Yellow Dog on Oct 18, 2006 12:11 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

G'night everyone
It's a pleasure to hang with all of you and enjoy the playoffs.

Larry, thanks for the hard work on this site and making it a place that knowledgable baseball fans can come and enjoy the Redbirds.

by player2bnamedl8r on Oct 18, 2006 12:13 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

In LCS play, only 4 times has a team
had a 3-2 lead and lost it going on the road for Games 6 and 7.  The Cardinals have been involved in 3 of those 4.

2004 vs Astros (W)
1996 vs Braves (L)
1987 vs Giants (W)

Walk your dog, not Pujols.

by Hardcore Legend on Oct 18, 2006 12:16 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

first pitch?
hey, i might have missed this before as i haven't had a chance to read the 1000+ posts every day but who all has thrown out a first pitch so far this postseason?

then, who do we think would be next?

by lookit55 on Oct 18, 2006 12:20 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

The White Rat

For game 4 it was 'Lou'.  That little bugger went out there and came back in so quick, the crowd couldn't even get a good 'Loooooouuuuu' chant going.

Walk your dog, not Pujols.

by Hardcore Legend on Oct 18, 2006 12:47 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

In case you all missed it (ESPN2)...
Ozzie Smith, being interviewed by STephen "Quite Frankly" Smith just picked the Mets to BEAT the Cards and go to the WS.

That is one $#@#$# stupid feud he's having with Tony.

Ozzie! Get over it dude. Life's too short!

by Urban Pawnee on Oct 18, 2006 12:20 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Could you imagine
a reporter asking Brock or Gibson that question and getting a similar reply? (Actually, I bet a reporter would be too scared to ask Gibson.) :-)

Of course, Brock and Gibson are usually at the ballpark supporting the team instead of sulking in self-imposed exile...

"He was a man, take him for all in all, I shall not look upon his like again."

by iron duke75 on Oct 18, 2006 12:59 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Ozzie -
hopes SOMEDAY to return to Busch and rightly assume the Mantle of Greatness that awaits him there.

(that day would be the day that Tony packs his bag, no doubt)

by Urban Pawnee on Oct 18, 2006 9:23 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Looking forward to Carp
I'll be wearing the Red VEB shirt tomorrow during the game.  Thanks for the the great readings all year Larry.

I really enjoyed the game tonight---so many Larussa decisions worked out for the best.

by KY BirdsonBat on Oct 18, 2006 12:21 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Goodbye
Terry Evans for Weaver sure seems like a pretty damn good deal. I have never seen a team turn it up as much as this team has in the playoffs. It is simply an amazing time to be a true Cardinal fan.

by DimitroffVodka on Oct 18, 2006 12:21 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

just back from the bar...
... thoughts.

Weaver's got GUTS. more guts than Mulder, more than Marquis. a coming out party for him. he worked out of the jams that he got in to ('cept the 4th), but he had balls tonight.

by kindred on Oct 18, 2006 12:27 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Wow, just wow
What a game.  What an effort by Weaver.  Lots of crazy, against the book moves by TLR that all turned out right.  PH'ing Duncan against a lefty, leaving Kinney in against the leftys then pulling Flores against Valentin.  I sure hope his magic keeps up for another 10 days!

Weaver put in another great performance.  If Valentin's hit had been pulled six more inches, we might have had another shutout.

Let's hope Carp in on his game tomorrow.  Someone above mentioned his curve.  That is the key.  If the curve is working, I feel that we are in pretty good shape.

GO CARDS!!!!

by ArkansasTravs on Oct 18, 2006 12:27 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

If i can hear
Cardinals win! tomororow will be so happy

by birdsonthehat on Oct 18, 2006 12:28 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Let's hear it for Jock
As much as we could and should credit this win to LaRussa or El Hombre or Weaver or Wainer, let's take a minute to credit Walt Jocketty. He took a limited budget and pulled some incredible gamers off the scrap heap: Weaver, P-Dub and Belly stand out tonight (hell, he even turned J.D. Drew in to Wainwright--forget Ray "Burger" King and The Pitcher Who Must Not Be Named were ever involved and it was STILL a steal). We can ride ownership all we want, but Jocketty pulls the strings. We might not have gotten immediate returns from these guys, but they are all coming up huge now...because they're gamers, and our vets have had a positive influence apparently.

Here's to a pennant! And here's to clinching in Game 6, since my wedding anniversary is Thursday! (Please, Carp, keep me out of a marital pickle!) What I was doing getting married in October, I'll never know.

Thanks to VEB community for helping make this most enjoyable postseason yet (I was two in 1982).

"I don't believe what I just saw!" ~ Jack Buck

by itsalemmon1019 on Oct 18, 2006 12:32 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Respectfully, I disagree.
I hate to say it but it weren't for some dumb luck, the Cardinals' season would have been over several weeks ago.  Jock deserves a lot of credit on a lot of teams, but I am not sure this team is his best work.
The '06 Cardinals- The New '96 Cardinals? (Sorry, but I have to be real about our chances)

by Zubin on Oct 18, 2006 10:52 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

What I'm saying
is that if we were trotting Marquis out there instead of Weaver, or giving Miles four ABs every night instead of Belly, we wouldn't be where we are right now. You don't think the great Jocketty teams relied on a bit of this same luck? A good year from Ray King in 04? A good year from Womack in 04? A good year from Al Reyes in 05? To some extent, the fate of any team in a given year/series depends on luck (ask the Cubs)...the trick is putting yourself in position to tap into it with the right players, and Jock has done this as well this season as any other, imho. Sure we'd be criticizing him like mad if our season was already over and we had watched Weaver tank and Belly flop (sorry, couldn't resist). But they didn't because they have something that Marquis and Miles don't have, and I'm just giving Jock a bit of (rambling) credit for bringing them on.

I really need to work now.

"I don't believe what I just saw!" ~ Jack Buck

by itsalemmon1019 on Oct 18, 2006 11:05 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Definitely a good debate
About how much credit actually goes to Jock/LaDunca vs. the Baseball Gods
"I don't believe what I just saw!" ~ Jack Buck

by itsalemmon1019 on Oct 18, 2006 11:17 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Watching the recap now
When the stands are packed with fans wearing red who are jumping up and down and celebrating, new busch finally feels more like home.

And the crowd sounded louder tonight, too.

by effin fisk on Oct 18, 2006 12:34 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Hearing the Mets fans boo tomorrow...
during a Cardinals celebration at 2nd base, would be wonderful.
Miller sucks.

by Ankiels Missing Curveball on Oct 18, 2006 12:38 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

AP gave credit to
weaver in post game comments...wait hes not latin...Im glad with all the crap today they went out and won, and after the gaem on the mound ap and AW all smiles...course maybe AW didnt understand a word hombre was saying...but all good

oh and even Gonzo defended APs comments about glavine

by punchinjudy on Oct 18, 2006 12:39 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

dunc
big dunc that is, deserves a ton of credit for putting together a great plan on facing the mets. great adjustments made

by erik on Oct 18, 2006 12:47 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I really do
want Weaver on this team next year.  He's got about a million different pitches he throws, he can bring it, and I love how he drops down and throws sidearm-just one more thing for the hitter to worry about!  Talk about a transformation-I swear, the first couple of games he pitched for us, I thought he looked like he needed to be on suicide watch.  Physically he looked like Nick Nolte's mug shot.  But what he NEVER did was give up.  He plugged away, and seems like he learned something about being a pitcher...like it's more than just throwing the ball. I admire that....and he's pitched really well the last six weeks or so.  The doubles he gave up were not really that well hit-just well placed-and he just kept coming back at them.  This was an exciting game-the Mets have such a threatening line-up, that I can't even leave the room.  I will say, Glavine didn't seem to have his best stuff, and the umpire at home plate was awful.  And he was equally awful for Weaver.  Did you see the "Fox Box" where they show the strike zone?  Several of balls and strikes were called incorrectly.  Anyway, it was fun....I'll never get to sleep.

by jillsinmo on Oct 18, 2006 12:48 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I know the cards
would love to have weaver back... (There was talk that they wanted him in his detroit days)

It all come down to money though. His agent is Boras.. a guy known to get the most out of his players.

Weaver might look like an attractive player to teams looking for pitching. (Particularly NL teams)

Looks like TLR and Dunc have had a huge impact on Weavers sucsess. If he plays this game to win I think he would want to stay in STL. Carp, Soup, Weaver, Mulder, Reyes with WW as closer would be Ideal.

by El Hombre on Oct 18, 2006 12:59 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Someone asked
where the "I told you so" guy was, and I'm right here, very willing to admit that I was wrong about the Cardinals in the NLCS. I said the Mets in 5, but I still think they're going to pull out the pennant, even with Carpenter and Suppan going.

It just seems that the Mets back in the comfort of Shea will be fired up, and they clearly know how to get to Carpenter.

by ryanisforever on Oct 18, 2006 12:54 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I think
"clearly" is a bit too smug. Carp had a bad game--he's had a few. But he always comes back with a vengeance his next time up. And then there's Soop. Didn't appear that your boys "clearly" knew anything about getting to him. It aint over yet, but this team is "clearly" full of surprises. We'll see. Yowsa!

by rockin redbird on Oct 18, 2006 1:07 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Are you a Cards fan?
I think if we make it to the WS, you'll say "Detroit will win in 4."

If we win a couple of games, you'll say "I still think Detroit wins."

If we win the WS, you'll say "The Cards should not have won the WS."

Look, I'm as realistic as the next guy. This series is NOT OVER but the Cards definitely have the upper hand. We have our best pitcher (maybe the Cy Young winner) going in the clinching game. What more can you ask for?!

And if we go to the WS, the Cards will be heavy underdogs. But as we have seen, ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN! You have to be in it to win it. The Cards can do this.

Why don't you take your negativity somewhere else, like the Mets blogs. I'm sure you'll fit right in over there.

"Don't fail to miss tomorrow's game!" - Dizzy Dean

by jdubya on Oct 18, 2006 8:23 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Sorry to be a contrarian ...
but fully a third of those taking the prediction poll here believed the Cards would lose to the Mets. Does that mean all of us should "take our negativity somewhere else, like the Mets blogs" and clear the way for pom-pom waving cheerleaders (like you?)

It's not an act of treason to believe that the Mets, on paper (97 wins vs. Cards 83 wins), should be favored. It's an act of faith to believe the Cards can upset the Metropolitans. And that's OK too. Both can exist side by side.

by Urban Pawnee on Oct 18, 2006 9:42 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I have no problem with realistic people...
My "take your negativity somewhere else" comment was over the top.

I was responding to Ryan out of frustration. If you've read his posts, he is a person of maddening negativity. He never seems to have ANYTHING positive to say about the Cards.

I am not a cheerleader. In fact, I did say that the series is far from over. I believe that if we do not win game 6, we probably will NOT win game 7. Too much to overcome. The Mets will have the momentum.

You are right. People have a right to air their opinion, whether it's positive or negative.

"Don't fail to miss tomorrow's game!" - Dizzy Dean

by jdubya on Oct 18, 2006 5:00 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Well
I'll be damned. What a game. I am still absolutely verklempt. After the 8th at my ole Watering Hole, even all the Cub fans gave up the ghost on the Scum. Acourse, they'll all become overnight Detroit fans when we win this thing, but for one night their silence was deafening. Thank you, Cardinals. One more, boys. One more...

by rockin redbird on Oct 18, 2006 1:01 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

TLR amazed me this night
I was expecting Weaver to be pulled when the birds loaded the bases in the 4th, but he stuck with his guy.  In fact he stuck with him to seemingly perfect timing.  Then in the 6th or 7th he matched up lefty dunc against a lefty and home run.

My only complaint from tonight was not managing to get Miles home with one out in the eighth

The '06 Cardinals- The New '96 Cardinals? (Sorry, but I have to be real about our chances)

by Zubin on Oct 18, 2006 1:08 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

A Word Of Warning
I live in Orange County and had the "pleasure" of watching Jeff Weaver the past few years with the Dodgers and Angels.
He has always had immense talent, but he is an absolute basketcase. I would not mind seeing him back the Birds... but it better be for a 1-year deal for no more than $4-5 million.
As great as Weaver's been in the playoffs... remember this... he is not to be trusted. He could implode at any time. I just hope Duncan can keep him focused for a few more weeks.

by nzach54 on Oct 18, 2006 1:12 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

its not just the playoffs
he has been steadily improving since he got there. dont let 6-5 fool you...he had 4 no decisions..last i checked. There were gaems they should have won and dropped for him(like game one)...All of his starts except his firts one against the braves where better than all of marquis second half starts IMO

by punchinjudy on Oct 18, 2006 1:23 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

That's fine
All I'm saying is that it would behoove the Cardinals to be cautious and not jump at the chance to make a long-term committment to Weaver.

by nzach54 on Oct 18, 2006 1:32 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

agree with that totally
id give a low ball incentive laden deal

by punchinjudy on Oct 18, 2006 1:38 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I don't belive what I am watching
I honestly can't belive we are up 3-2 on the mets. this is crazy stuff people. crazy stuff.

Tony goes complelty nuts and is ignoring the book he so religiously has followed his whole career. he is trusting the young kids in key game winning or loosing spots. he is letting Jimmy bat aginst lefites. taking Scotty out in game two for the hot bat of Speizer. all the Tony haters out there got to give the man major props. he is doing what it takes to win. and good for him, his players are making the plays that they need to.

I was really afraid that team chemistry would be dissrupted because of Tony and Scottys fight, Alberts bad mood and worse hammy. and its looks like I was wrong. shows what I know.

I hope everyone knows a win tomorrow is not automatic. Carp has a 9.00 ERA in this LCS people. 9.00!!that freaks me out. he wasn't sharp in one of his starts of the DLS. and in game 2 he could not get out of the 5th inning. and we didn't hit main as hard as we should have. seams like we never get all the runs that we should have this season. I too think Carps curve is a key. if its working, the mets are in for a long night. if not, then we are in for a long night. I hope Carp comes out Cy Youngs those ponds scums butts right out of the playoffs. I too feel they are way to cocky, smug and rub it in everyones faces. Like the good book says, "Pride cometh before a fall." Here's hoping they fall hard and fast.

Great win tonight. just freakin great. I dont know how they are getting it done after the way they played all year. but whatever they are doing they need to keep it up. Weaver was just awesome. I was not a beliver in him, but after two fantastic games aginst the lefty heavy mets, I am coming over. I am not there yet. But I am close. Dunc has once again done a great job with a pitcher who's career was all but over just 3 short months ago.

It is the playoffs, and anything can and will happen. we are witnessing something special people. Here's to talking the baseball world by storm and going all the way. great job boys. just a great job all around. everyone is stepping up and playing big. its awesome to see.

Go get'em boys. Game 6 is yours for the taking. Reach out, and take your destiny.

You are making us all so very proud.

Keep making us all proud.

Go down swinging.

GO CARDINALS

From THE MAN, to Gibby, to The Wizard, to Albert the Great. Cardinal Tradition lives on.

by gdm426 on Oct 18, 2006 1:37 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

nothing is automatic
nad i thnk this team is closer knit than the media want us to believe...I hate to be anit media, but even our own(STL) doesnt seem like they want them to win, im sure there will be good press tommorrow, but with an underlining tone...It amazes me

by punchinjudy on Oct 18, 2006 1:40 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Steve phillips
must be eating alot of crow, i hope the cards who wouldnt win the central go all the way...So he can go wow im an idiot...If i was a cards fan and was going to shea tommorrow or thursday I make a giant Hey steve hows MO poster

by punchinjudy on Oct 18, 2006 1:42 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Phillips
is a cardinal hater. All post-season he has been jocking everything but players who wear the birds on the bat.  

He just doesn't want to admit that he has been completely wrong about everything this whole series.

2006 Birds.....silencing the critics....love it

Milt Thompson

by Milt Thompson on Oct 18, 2006 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

This is a big deal for a broke college kid
Just got a ton of Kahlua, Skyy (that has now been run through a Brita water filter 4 times which makes it so much better) and light whipping cream.

For you non-alcoholics out there, that means White Russians baby.  Lots and lots of Caucasians hopefully in celebration.

I was thinking of going red food coloring in honor of the Birdos, but I cannot blasphemy The Dude.  Plus who could drink something opaque red.

Go Cardinals!!!

Pujols > God

by joker24 on Oct 18, 2006 2:05 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

How many
triples do we have?

by tnek5 on Oct 18, 2006 2:10 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Love this quote
fom TLR on the Official Site:

(regarding Carp):
"If he goes out there wednesday and is his normal self as far as command of his four pitches, they will see the greatest of the great."

Right on, Tony. GO CARP!!

by rockin redbird on Oct 18, 2006 2:10 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Weaver for Evans
Yep... what a horribly dumb, bad trade.

Outfuckingstanding, gents. One more at Shea... Come on Carp, bring it on home.

What...just...wow... unbelievable...

I love October.

Cheers

by Alxfritz on Oct 18, 2006 2:20 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

good game
as i have said the entire postseason, i am having no ups or downs with this team. if they win big or lose big, or have a close game that goes either way, i am not really affected either way, just happy to still be playing

that being said, weaver again had a game that could never have been expected when we got him from LAAA, and yes, he has pitched with guts and guile, but much of the praise should go to duncan, for making weaver realize what he was capable of, and for setting up a game plan that worked, i know one thing about weaver, he has worked much faster lately than i had seen him in the past

pujols came out of his slump, and brought the other hitters with him, and after the game he gave credit to glavine, calling him a HOF, and as willie randolph said after the game, he didnt notice anything different in the way glavine pitched, neither better or worse, he just got hit a bit more

so now we go to game 6, if somebody had told me before the playoffs began that we would be up 3-2 going back to new york, with us having carp and sup in 6 & 7, and they would have maine and who knows (most likely darren oliver), i would have been ecstatic, i would have also said you were a damn liar, but this is the case, and we have to like our chances

if we can get one of the next two, great, if somehow we cant, i will still be proud of this team, because they have played in the playoffs the way the astros played for their last 12 games, by playing their asses off, and leaving it on the field every game

by bigcardsfan5 on Oct 18, 2006 3:16 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

On SportsCenter's coverage of
Game 5, they keep showing Albert's "He wasn't good" comment from Game 1 on the screen in big, bold letters...but they have yet to show (or even mention) his "Glavine is a HOF'er" comments from last night.

Wonder if Bernie heard it...

"He was a man, take him for all in all, I shall not look upon his like again."

by iron duke75 on Oct 18, 2006 7:24 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

At the game....
drinking a ton afterwords... Busch III was rocking' for most of the game. I had to tell the people behind me I wasn't sitting down for the last 3 innnings but it was a hell of a good atmosphere. Weaver has found his home as far as I am concerned, pitched a hell of a game, would love to see him back next year. Keep Wainwright in the pen as long as we can lock up Soups and Weaver and grab a #2 (healthy Mulder). Reyes can be fifth as long as he learns how to pitch the 6th inning plus. I love Cardinals baseball. Oh...Duncan crushed that ball.

by newguy on Oct 18, 2006 3:25 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Kosh Jinney
I made up a shot tonight in Josh Kinney's honor:

Gin, Grenadine, and 7-Up.

Kosh Jinney.

by liam on Oct 18, 2006 3:34 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Finally home from LCS#5!!!!!!
Man what a game!  The whole place was crazy from the Anthem on.  Never sat dawn, never saw more than 1/3 sitting at one time.  SCREAMING on every 2 strike count and every Card AB.

Can NOT say enough about my DREAM Weava!  Man, the guy is tough.  Hero of the game, no question, Kinney.  The guy is fearless.  El Hombre got around on one, but I (and my 40,000 new best friends) will take credit for that one 'cause we WILLED that sucker over the wall.  And Piccoto Hombre jumps ALL OVER his pitch - patience and power - WOW.  Tony worked his LOOGY to perfection, with one to spare.  Belly with a HUGE 2-out RBI, and PW with a laser beam to RCF.  Watching Car Doors go 1st to home is like watching a thoroughbred Dauchsund - his feet move REALLY fast but after a (long) while you notice that the ground isn't going by very fast!  I timed it live, it took 1 1/2 hours for him to score, and 40,000 let go their collective breath when he made it.  (Just not gonna mention the R guy, though I wish him the best - with another team; and there was not ONE boo, which is why we ARE the greatest fans in baseball.)

And, best of all, 40,000 crazy people just gettin' a big ol' warm & cozy feeling when AW comes in for the final 4 outs.  After living (and dying) with (d)Izzy over the last 2 yrs, I've really had a little AW coming to me!!!). He's just so damn AWesome.

By the way, to the Puppy Kickers and their fans in the media, it looked to me like AW was a tiny bit slow getting over to 1st, and by the time Bert was sure AW would make it, Bert was already at top speed - and nothings harder than to make a perfect soft toss when running flat out.  I was THRILLED to see him keep and not risk a boo-boo (actually, I wept!). And if Bert was playing a little hammy on hammy - TOUGH.

Saddest man in America?  Carp, sitting all by his lonesome in NYC, waiting for the circus to arrive.  We've been saving our blowout til NLCS#6.  Carps gonna struggle early (as per norm lately) and cruise thru an easy 8, and let the Kid bring 'er home in the 9th - 8 to 2.

Been tellin' ya:  Cards in SIX.  Bank it.  My momma don't raise no dummies!  You gotta BELIEVE.

ps:  I absofreaking LOVE to beat the Puppy Kickers - I mean man I LOVE IT.  They haven't had their backs to the wall all year until the 5th in this game, and when they felt that ol' wall creepin' up on 'em - THEY HAD NOTHIN!!!!!

"Feel my ears, Mike!" -- Jack Buck

by ITouchedMcGee on Oct 18, 2006 3:41 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

someone had one too many Kosh Jinneys
which is what baseball is all about, eh?

The crowd seemed so much more into this game. Congrats on getting to be part of it.

by effin fisk on Oct 18, 2006 4:17 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Revenge For the Massacre of 2000 ...
 MUST HAPPEN! Who among us doesn't remember that awful series, and the screeching, dimwits at Shea.

Edmonds remembers ...

by Urban Pawnee on Oct 18, 2006 9:46 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

What game were you at?
In my section and the ones surrounding me at least 90% of the people were sitting on their hands the entire time.

by Just Rope Ball on Oct 18, 2006 11:36 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Sure didn't look like that on TV.
the crowd seemed very into the game, lots of noise, lots of standing, cheering.  The only times it seemed to be a bit quiet were during the first three innings.

by ArkansasTravs on Oct 18, 2006 6:03 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

hooya for the red underwear!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
well just to let all of Cardinal Nation know you can thank my wife for buying me a pair of red boxers for the game!! she made me wear em and they aint comming off till we win the series!!!

by CCERUTTI on Oct 18, 2006 5:58 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I've been wearing the exact same clothes
for every game of the playoffs, except for 2, games we both lost.  It's my red cards pujols batting practice t-shirt and a pair of beat-up white shorts I wouldn't wear in public.  I washed the underwear I was wearing during last night's game so I can put them on tonight.  I sit on the exact same couch and watch the entire game from that spot.  And, as I mention below, I have exactly 1 beer prior to the game.  I've got it down now.  We can't lose tonight!

by chuckb on Oct 18, 2006 9:38 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

and of course
I have my playoff beard going.  My wife thinks I'm insane!  (She's right, of course, but it's working!)

by chuckb on Oct 18, 2006 9:40 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Although probably more comfortable
than this playoff beard... :-)
"He was a man, take him for all in all, I shall not look upon his like again."

by iron duke75 on Oct 18, 2006 7:48 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Come on Valatan!
Now is not the day to pull your sleepy grad school stuff!
Cheers

by Alxfritz on Oct 18, 2006 9:26 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Each game that we've won this series
I've had one, and exactly one, beer before the game.  I need to the store tonight...for more beer, but also for a little champagne to wash it down 3 hours later!

by chuckb on Oct 18, 2006 9:36 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

i was praying
that something like this would happen, and the death threats from everybody on the streets of NYC directed at me in my cardinal red tshirt would start...what a postseason so far!

food for thought: 2005 white sox slumped right before the playoffs, barely got in, won the WS...2004 red sox slumped right before the playoffs, barely got in, won the WS...2003 marlins, you get the idea.  is it finally cardinal time in 2006?

by MarcGldstn on Oct 18, 2006 9:37 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Well ... yeah, but
the 2006 Tigers also slumped in a big way to end the season.  I guess that theory can't be disproven if it's a STL-DET series.

by MdRedbirdFreak on Oct 18, 2006 10:39 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Question
I am glad we didn't do it, but why wasn't Weaver pinch hit for when we had bases loaded and could have blown away the game. The last game with did it with Reyes and it was only the 4th and he was pitching pretty good in my mind. Reyes was going to have plenty of rest before his next start, so why pinch hit for him and not the Dream?

Granted I did not want a pinch hitter to come in for either situation, I am just wondering why the difference?

Play hard, play to win, but make it fun!

by Edmonds is baseball on Oct 18, 2006 9:43 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Reyes
had thrown a ton of pitches and wasn't being all that effective.
Cheers

by Alxfritz on Oct 18, 2006 10:07 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

my prediction
was after game one...if we managed to win game two we would win in six
if we lost carps start the sky might have fallen in
im looking like a water cooler genius today
is that what they look like? psychos? let me tell you something...pyschos dont explode whhen sunlight hits them, no matter how crazy they are

by benstl on Oct 18, 2006 9:45 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

um wait just one minute
before you annoint your self my water cooler, they need to win game 6

by punchinjudy on Oct 18, 2006 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I thought it was weird that Weaver hit too
And he got one out the next inninng. I was saying to myself what would have been better...get the speez in there to hit or have weaver pitch to one batter..

by birdsonthehat on Oct 18, 2006 10:07 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

j-rod
"The atmosphere and the chemistry of this team is unbelievable. I've never seen anything like it."

by cardsfaninmass on Oct 18, 2006 10:31 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

j rod
thats b/c he's been stuck in the minors his whole career.  sorry, but jrod might be the only player besides marquis that i don't like on the cards
Milt Thompson

by Milt Thompson on Oct 18, 2006 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Does anybody miss ...
Isringhausen - all nervous and sweaty in the 9th, walking batters, giving up hits ????

Dare I say, addition by subtraction. (courtesy of Mr. A. Wainright, of course)

by Urban Pawnee on Oct 18, 2006 10:35 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Isringhausen?
Who's that? Never heard of him.

by rockin redbird on Oct 18, 2006 10:42 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

As your
attorney, I advise you to drink heavily :-)  

by rockin redbird on Oct 18, 2006 10:43 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I also advise drinking heavily.
But first, come rescue me from my job and I will join you. GO CARDS!!!
Play hard, play to win, but make it fun!

by Edmonds is baseball on Oct 18, 2006 10:48 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Don't need to drink right now..
still got plenty of whiskey in me from last night

by birdsonthehat on Oct 18, 2006 10:51 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

All this talk of drinking...
reminds me of how boring my life is during the offseason...
And how my liver suffers.

by _pistol_ on Oct 18, 2006 11:21 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Just
canceled a writer's group meeting that was scheduled for tonight.  GF (a Red Sox fan who, throughout these playoffs has s l o w l y begun to see why I am a Cards' fan; she was hollering "come on guys!" in the 8th last night) in Dallas for work.  I'm going to settle in around 7:45 with a nice Capt. & Coke, and hopefully watch the clincher.

How I'm going to focus on work for the next 7 hours?  Not too sure.  Keep typing stuff and hope it relates to business (not this, obviously).

And--Carp will be killer tonight.  A CY winner with something to prove?  Me likes...

by glennrwordman on Oct 18, 2006 11:35 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I am eatin' crow!!!
What is up with TLR?  He actually trusted a starting pitcher!  I was beggin' for him to leave Weaver in there.  His stuff was electric last night.  He threw every pitch in his arsenal for strikes.  I even loved the pitches he threw when he walked Delgado.  Nothin' but chin music the whole time.  I bet he thinks twice about diving over the plate again this series.  What a well-managed game!  I know that the players made him look like a genius, but I would not have 2nd-guessed any moves he made last night, no matter what the outcome.  There was nothing to lose by putting BabyDunc out there in his situation.  I know there was a lefty out there, but I thought the situation called for a good all-or-nothing type hitter.  I didn't think a walk or a single in that spot would have helped us much at all.  Hey, AW is your closer, and that means he gets the outs when the game is on the line.  I was praying that he got put in there in the 8th.  I mean, seriously, unlike a traditional closer, he can handle that two-inning work well.  

Congrats on managing a game the right way, Tony!  My hat is off.  You recognized that the Dream still had his best stuff in the 6th and left him out there.  Great job!  I think that decision will pay dividends well into the future with Weav!

Man, I never thought I would say that.  I haven't liked TLR since he got here, but he was the un-Tony tonight.  

Hey, Larry!  We have crazy Tony, we have genius Tony, so who is this Tony?  Dare I say, confident Tony?

I'm a man, a manly, manly, man. Unknown

by Eckstreem on Oct 18, 2006 11:45 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

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