Viva El Birdos: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:

Sports blogs for fans, by fans.
Around SBN: Spencer Hall's College Football Week 12 Alphabetical

earn your pennant

Birdos_avatar_tiny by lboros on in News Comment 202 comments

three weeks ago they were gutless wonders, staggering around in a daze, perfectly helpless as the astros took game after game off their nl central lead. they were possessed by the spirit of the '64 phillies, choke artists for the ages. . . .

guess they do have some guts after all. just a little.

their courage rode on the arm of jeff suppan, who calmly preserved a 1-1 tie in the bottom of the 6th after Fate had seemingly gone all-in on the mets -- first guiding scott rolen's 6th-inning homer into endy chavez's glove and then, in the bottom half of the inning, wafting a rolen throw into the mezzanine of shea stadium to put the go-ahead run at 3d with 1 out. two game-changing plays in the span of 4 batters, both adverse to the underdog's hopes; Fate appeared not to be bluffing. but ol' supps calmly called the bet. in recent years we've seen many a cardinal pitcher go tiptoeing into make-or-break postseason at-bats -- nibbling at the corners, trying to make perfect pitches, above all trying to avoid mistakes. suppan did nothing such; he just tossed in his chips and showed his cards. threw a curveball down and inside to jose valentin, then a fastball up and away; curveball down, fastball up, curve down and in. four of the five pitches got part of the plate; suppan gave valentin his hacks. jose fouled the fastballs off and whiffed at the curves and struck out. supps then went straight after chavez -- whose halo was still glowing in the aftermath of his divine intervention of the previous half-inning -- and threw him a high fastball right down the middle. chavez took an anxious first-pitch swing and popped out to center.

perhaps the cardinals' greatest asset this postseason has been their license to lose; no expectations to uphold, no golden summer that demands to be redeemed with a championship. recall this observation from texbird, offered right before the series began:

playoff baseball seems to be an "approach goal" task--- you try to go out and achieve and win the series. the problem comes when the players get into an "avoidance" mindset-- this mismatch causes performance to suffer. it seems that the 2006 cards are in a "promotion focus"--- they've got nothing to lose, and they're striving for a goal (as opposed to past years when we were trying to "prevent" losing because we were expected to win).
the license to lose enabled suppan to make pitches with little regard for the consequences -- to say, in essence: "ah, what the hell -- here's a strike, jose valentin, let's see you earn your pennant." the same spirit carried the day in the 9th, when wainwright -- doing a suberb impression of a) jason isringhausen, and more disturbingly b) calvin schiraldi -- loaded the bases in front of carlos beltran. talk about a high-leverage at-bat . . . . . not just a game but a pennant hanging in the balance. but like supps, wainwright didn't nibble, didn't tiptoe. he strode right into the at-bat with an unflinching fastball on the outer half for strike one. adam dared to catch a decent chunk of the plate with it, too -- put it where carlos could reach it, possibly drive it the other way for a game-tying single or even (and no cardinal fan would have been shocked to see it) launch it into the alley for a series-winning double. what the hell; here's a strike, earn your pennant. beltran took the pitch, then foul-tipped the ensuing 0-1 curveball, which started right down the middle and broke inside. ahead 0-2, wainwright still didn't tiptoe; he bent another curve right over the plate and put the series away.

when i previewed the nlds, i thought the padres' great bullpen might give them a decisive advantage over the cardinals -- but i added "wouldn't it be funny -- wouldn't it be baseball -- if, when it mattered, the cardinals won because the other guy's bullpen screwed up?" that last remark came a series too soon; it was the mets who got betrayed by a superior (on paper) relief corps. what they lacked in starting pitching in this series, they were going to make up for with chad bradford and guillermo mota and aaron heilman and billy wagner. but those relievers couldn't hold a 6-4 lead with 7 outs to go in game 2, and they couldn't preserve a 1-1 tie in game 7 against the bottom of the st louis order. the game 2 loss was the pivotal one of the series -- the lone "giveaway" game, the only instance in which a team lost after they had already mostly won. st louis' win expectancy had dwindled to about 10 percent by the 7th inning of game 2; at no other point in the series did a team come back against those type of odds. (the cards' win expectancy had fallen to 28 percent when valentin batted with the sacks jammed last night.) new york hadn't lost a single game all season which they led after 6 innings, a rather incredible performance; the one such lead they did blow cost them the pennant. over the final 2 games, the cardinals mustered only 1 run in 11+ innings against john maine and oliver perez -- but they posted 4 runs in 6+ innings against the met bullpen. they got no wins from carpenter and only 1 ribbie from el hombre; they won the series because so taguchi and yadi molina and scott spiezio got big hits off the met relievers.

my only regret is that gary bennett didn't get in on the act.

as the innings dwindled away and the score remained tied, i'm sure i was not the only cardinal fan who recalled this series-ending ballgame, and/or this one -- 1-1 ties that slipped out of the cardinals' grip in the bottom of the 9th. has any team in history endured season-ending walkoff losses 3 times in a 6-year span? i can't believe it has ever happened. that's the spectre the cardinals confronted last night -- and they stared it down. but they'd already looked the ghost of the '64 phils right in the face without blinking. maybe there's nothing out there that can scare these guys anymore.

worthwhile readings:

i've seen surprisingly little conversation out there about randolph's decision not to bunt the runners over and get the tying run into scoring position after the two leadoff singles in the 9th inning. i thought it was the correct call; wainwright was really struggling, the lineup was about to turn over, and the mets had a real opportunity not just to tie but to win the game. when you've only got 3 outs left, you don't give one away.

i have seen plenty of discussion, however, about randolph's decision to let oliver perez pitch to rolen in the sixth after the one-out walk to edmonds. if not for chavez's great catch, randolph would be a goat for leaving perez in and not going to bradford, who had been warming up for, like, the whole game.

0 recs  |  Comment 202 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

"Fate" lb?
I am as impressed that you used the shift key as I am with the Cardinals.
Cheers

by Alxfritz on Oct 20, 2006 7:58 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

just had it installed
so that i could type YADI FRICKIN' MOLINA?

by lboros on Oct 20, 2006 8:05 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Jack...
If you got a good jack nicholson impression, try using it while saying YADI FRICKIN' MOLINA. I have been needling dejected Cubs fans (the ones that have nothing else but to root against the Cards) with that all morning.

Gawd, I gotten so annoying.  Its Great...

by BigJawnMize on Oct 20, 2006 9:40 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Ha
Whose gonna do it? You? You, Yadier Frickin Molina? I have a greater responsibility than you could possibly fathom.
Cheers

by Alxfritz on Oct 20, 2006 9:48 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

continuing theme
Yadi: You want pitches?

Beltran: I want the curve.

Yadi: You can't handle the curve!

by BigJawnMize on Oct 20, 2006 1:26 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

And...
9th inning
Molina: "I think he wants to throw the change-up"
Pujols: "That's the plan?  You're going to trick him into throwing the change-up?"
Molina: "I'm not going to trick him, I'm going to lead him right where he's dying to go, mang"
Pujols:"How you gonna do that, mang?"
Molina: "I have no idea. Where's my bat, mang? Where's my lucky bat.  I think better with my bat."
Pujols: "I just want to thank Lor...er, I put it in the closet, mang"
Molina: "Don't ever put my bat in the closet"
Molina: "Stay here, I'm going to the plate for awhile."

Molina hits HR.

Edwards: "Boy, he really does think better with that bat.     Where am I?"

Walk your dog, not Pujols.

by Hardcore Legend on Oct 20, 2006 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

poems
Sorry, this is a weak one, just wanted to inspire some better poets.   GO CARDS!  

We're heading to Detroit for 2
To do something they said we couldn't do
With Weave and the kid on the hill
It'll be quite a thrill
To steal one and get back to the Lou

by eglasier on Oct 20, 2006 8:20 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Nice
The picture was not very pretty
The experts all said we were shitty
But they're eating their words
And the Retreadbirds
Are now on a flight to Motor City
"He was a man, take him for all in all, I shall not look upon his like again."

by iron duke75 on Oct 20, 2006 8:43 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Bring back the limericks
First was the Pads, no way we could win,
Next up the Mets, beating them was a sin,
So lets all raise our beers,
Give the Cardinals three cheers,
We can win this thing to Fox's chagrin.

by Just Rope Ball on Oct 20, 2006 9:55 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Sweet
Alas for the poor Pond slime
They must think it's a terrible crime
But the gods made them pay
For that moment at Shea
When they played "Our Team, Our Time"
"He was a man, take him for all in all, I shall not look upon his like again."

by iron duke75 on Oct 20, 2006 10:05 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

limerick
Would you ever believe Yaddi and Soup
Would make up the MVP group
Soups arms been a crankin
And Yadis been a spankin
Now Phillips the one whos a dupe.

by eglasier on Oct 20, 2006 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

One more
It didn't turn out as some feared
And now that the smoke has all cleared
I am happy to say
I've put my razor away
One more week with this fine 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 20, 2006 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

as always
great post

i am still up from last night, tried to get to bed, could not sleep, got back up, and have been watching mike & mike in the morning on espn2, both agree that it was one of the best games they have ever seen, both were stunned by floyd batting instead of a bunter in the ninth, much praise for suppan, greenie chose detroit in 6, golic went st louis in 6, and they both gave good reasons for their picks, none of the just cause i feel that way, until golic brought it up, did not realize that mets over dodgers only series where home team advantage prevailed

as i have said throughout the playoffs, i have no expectations out of this team, and i have enjoyed this postseason more than normal, but i have to say last night had me nervous, when chavez caught that ball, i really thought we would never come back from that, and the thought was completely reinforced when rolen threw the ball in teh stands, however, suppan got out of it, and i was back to my calm, that is til the bottom of the ninth

by bigcardsfan5 on Oct 20, 2006 8:20 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I had to take sleeping pills last night..
only way I could fall asleep. and even then it was hard to do.
Miller sucks.

by Ankiels Missing Curveball on Oct 20, 2006 10:13 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

congratulatory words from a (Met fan) friend
First and foremost, a hearty congratulations - you're going to the World Series!  What on earth (in sports) is better than that?  Secondly, thank you, fan to fan, for that sensational ballgame.  My Metness must stand aside in awe of what baseball delivers - as much as I was hoping the boys would bust out tonight, as much as I was sure the Mets-Tigers was the Series' preordained matchup going back to June, as much as I was locked in on the Cards as the bad guys and envisioning the giddiness of seeing these summer-long companions lined up on the infield for the intros in Detroit - it couldn't be otherwise - and as much as I was pulling for my bride, a fledgling fan to whom I proposed on Opening Day, to have a sensational deliverance in her inaugural season - I am once agin compelled to tip a cap to the Other, and smile at the game's answer to the adage, "If you want to make God smile, tell him your plans."

Suppan, Suppan, Suppan.  Nobody's talking about the guy.  It's Carpenter, or the Weaver wild card, or (mostly) about whom the Mets don't have.  So who comes up huge?  I thought the game turned twice - in the sixth, after Chavez's catch, when we put guys on and a run would have built on that play and perhaps carried the day (must admit, however, that I'm glad for the sake of the quality of this great game that we didn't score there and tag the noble Rolen as a goat) - and in the ninth, for reasons going back to Game Two;  Wagner tanks there (huge swing), then quakes again in Game Six.  Willie's never used, as a rule, Heilman past one inning, and the fact that he was so wicked in the eighth, combined with Billy's previous tie game meltdown, set up the Cards' ninth.  And the only pitch he threw in those two innings which was remotely hittable proved the difference.  Jesus!

The ninth unfolded perfectly, for us, and the first pitch Beltran saw was the pennant winner.  But he took it, fouled off a nasty breaking ball, then could only observe as Wainwgight came back with an even wickeder bender for the game, set, match.

More, probably, later, but damn what a game, and good going, you mofos! And my wife, who couldn't understand what all the Met angst was all about, understands.

by Urban Pawnee on Oct 20, 2006 8:32 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

thanks for sharing that UP
that's an excellent friend you have, and an excellent baseball fan

by lboros on Oct 20, 2006 8:36 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

on the rare occasion ...
that I happen upon a turn of phrase that can match your extreme eloquence, I have no other choice but to share.

by Urban Pawnee on Oct 20, 2006 9:24 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

That's quite a post.
If the shoe had been on the other foot, I wouldn't have been able to type for a week.  You're a true baseball fan.

by Archaeopteryx on Oct 20, 2006 8:39 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

AWESOME game
I thought it was a Mets Tigers series after Rolen's HR was brought back.

I'm just sitting there in the 8th and 9th saying "Man I can't believe how tight this series turned out.  Every dang at bat."

Of coursee, a big part of that was that I kept expecting that Mets lineup to just explode for 4 runs every inning.  Wow.

by sdrone on Oct 20, 2006 10:27 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I hate
to jump the gun, but who pitches in game 1?  Weaver on short rest or the kid?

by eglasier on Oct 20, 2006 8:50 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Shannon said TLR told him
Reyes. The kid tries again.
Cheers

by Alxfritz on Oct 20, 2006 9:02 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

May he do to the Tigers
what he did to the White Sox earlier this year.

by calico30 on Oct 20, 2006 9:18 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

We have to go with Reyes in game 1
...and hope for a miracle.  Then we can get weaver/carp/soup all on full rest.  

Reyes's performance in game 1 will determine if he's the game 5 starter or we turn to Weaver on 3 days rest.

by redbird2006in on Oct 20, 2006 11:01 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Not a miracle...
...just for him to minimize the damage, as he did last time.  Tony gave him a bit of a quick hook, but I don't see that happening now..especially in Game 1.

Many were talking about how the long rest was going to do him good but for his change-up to be really good, he has to feel comfortable throwing it and having 8 days off, he's not going to have that arm angle or that grip 'just so' to where he can just grab the ball and throw it and everything works naturally.

Suppan is in an amazing grove right now, working faster than I've ever seen him work.

Walk your dog, not Pujols.

by Hardcore Legend on Oct 20, 2006 11:07 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah, La Russa told Fox
that he was tipping his pitches.
"If you don't have outstanding relief pitching, you might as well piss on the fire and call the dogs." -- Whitey Herzog

by vico on Oct 20, 2006 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Keith Law -- a very bitter review
Law absolutely slams the Cardinals in his article today on epsn.com.  Interestingly, it's the first article in quite a while that you don't need to be an "Insider" to read in its entirety.

Jayson Stark, on the other hand, has nothing but praise for our boys.

As I said in my post last night  "It's not about stats, it's not about history, it's not about what someone did his last 10 at-bats. . .it's about what you bring to the game today, what you bring to your pitch right now -- it's about performance at this moment, in life as well as in baseball.

"It ain't bragging if you can do it!" -- Dizzy Dean

by faninexile on Oct 20, 2006 9:00 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

So true
Oh how could we have foreseen
This feels so much like a dream
We're hot as a pistol
And the brain trust in Bristol
Has just gone 0 for 19
"He was a man, take him for all in all, I shall not look upon his like again."

by iron duke75 on Oct 20, 2006 9:25 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

hey
you just used my name and my earlier post in your poem - that's plagiarism - or something like that.

Never mind.  Nice poem.  What a glorious day.

I still can't believe we won.

by _pistol_ on Oct 20, 2006 10:52 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

They have a massive case of group-think there...
I think the memo went out like this:

From: Peter Gammons
To: Baseball Analysts
Subject: Playoff predictions

Guys, we need to get in our predictions on the series, so please send me your pick for number of games it will take Padres... err Mets... I mean Tigers to beat the Cardinals.

Thanks,
Petey

Seriously though, Suppan pitched an amazing game, carefully pitching around the dangerous lefties and leaving them standing around on base.   2 hits in 7 innings and he gets no credit from Law.

by redbird2006in on Oct 20, 2006 10:07 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

ESPN is trying
to get non-suscribers to buy their "Insider" package... but why in the world would anyone want to pay to read Keith Law's rip-fests and Rob Neyer's snarky comments???

I enjoy Stark's and Gammons' stuff... mainly because they write about the people playing the game.  Law and Neyer don't seem to realize that there are human beings out there in those funny-colored suits.

Law described Yadier Molina as a "weak" hitter... as in, "knock the bat out of his hands."  While it's undeniable that Yadi was a "bad" hitter during the regular season, he hit the ball hard much more often than one would expect from a .216 hitter.  During this post-season, Yadi's been hot!  Line drives that were caught during the regular season are finding holes, and some of Yadi's bloops are falling in.  Seems to me Law is watching the statistics only, and not paying attention to what's actually happening in the games.

To quote Nero Wolfe, "Pfui!"

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

by The Ol Goaler on Oct 20, 2006 10:43 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

nice to hear stark's comments
I heard him on the ESPN radio pregame show last night, and he was picking the Mets, straight up. Nice to see a guy give credit where it's due.

by effin fisk on Oct 20, 2006 10:52 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

GOOOOOOOD MORNING
Congrats to the CARDS. They played their hearts out and have something to show for it. Lets keep it up for the series. GO CARDS!!!!

On a side note, did anyone notice the Rolen interview as soon as the game was over. I think it was Buck who asked "I saw you hug Tony, and I know you two have not been talking lately......." Then Rolen just turned around and walked away. What kinda crappy question is that to ask a guy who just won the pennant? Have some class. Let the players enjoy the moment.

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

by Edmonds is baseball on Oct 20, 2006 9:05 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

No Buck...
That was the sideline reporter that asked about the LaRussa/Rolen relationship, not Buck.
"It takes pitching, hitting and defense. Any two can win. All three make you unbeatable". Joe Garagiola

by MRCARD on Oct 20, 2006 10:18 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Also, Rolen
said "yeah, yeah we are" when asked if he and TLR were talking now."

He didn't walk away - man, that was in the middle of the celebration.  He was celebrating.

by sdrone on Oct 20, 2006 10:29 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Uuuggghhhh...
my head. Man, I had the weirdest dream last night. YADI, of all people, hit a two-run homer and The Cardinals won the NL Pennant and were on their way to The World Series. Can ya imagine? Soop pitched 7+ innings of one-run ball, Flores put in a perfect appearance and then, get this, Adam Wainwright closed it out by whiffing Beltran with at least two guys on base in the bottom of the ninth. Ha. What a great dream. Made me so freaking happy. Guess I'll go back to bed and see if I can't get into it again. Damn, the Birds are always so good in my dreams. Why can't they do that stuff in real life? Night-night.  

by rockin redbird on Oct 20, 2006 9:12 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

The Cardinals saved my life last night
After showering and dressing for work, I sat back down in front of the comp to check Gameday before I left for work. I was just in time to see that El Hombrito had homered and put us up 3-1. I then had just enough time to see the top of the 9th end before I left for work.

About 5 minutes later, I am in my car coming up on the entrance ramp to the highway. I have my old man on the phone getting the play-by-play of the bottom half. After dad informs me that Wainwright has surrendered two hits without recording an out, I notice a police cruiser turning onto the roadway as I pass, and as I expect, he turns on the red and blues. Hastily telling the old man that I'll call him back, I pull over and wait for the officer. After being informed that I was going 60 in a 45, I hand over my license and an insurance verification that had expired on October 17th.

About 15 minutes later, I'm allowed to go on my way, with two brand new bills to pay, exactly one day after I spent almost 24 hours in the dark due to a ghastly accounting error on my wife's part, which had resulted in the TXU man paying a clandestine visit to my electric meter. (Sadly, the Cards game 6 loss was only the foul icing on the giant shit cake that I spent all of October 18th reluctantly munching on.)

With trembling hands, I hit re-dial on the phone and after a couple of rings the old man picks up.

"Well, what happened?"

"Well son, it was bad, but it ended up good."

God bless you pop, for being a great guy, and not the sort of asshole who might have told me they lost, just to torment me for a few minutes before coming clean. Because if I had thought they blew it in the bottom of the 9th, I am almost certain I would have driven my little Ford Focus into the path of an onrushing 18-wheeler...

Viva El Retreads! :-)

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

by iron duke75 on Oct 20, 2006 9:14 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

El Hombrito
I like the sound of that. Too bad that officer wasn't a Cards fan...

by effin fisk on Oct 20, 2006 10:54 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

tickets?
Anybody know a good website to get WS tickets for a reasonable price?  Stubhub and ebay are outrageous (as expected) right now.

by Minerball30 on Oct 20, 2006 9:17 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

So Happy
this morning.  Laughing fits, watching replay after replay, deciding whether to wear my Cards' hat to work--I live in NYC--not even thinking about Detroit yet, but planning my viewing schedule...it's a rainy, dark day here in New York, which will suit the mood of many a Mets' fan, but me--I'm 78 degrees and sunny outside.

Thank you, Birds...

by glennrwordman on Oct 20, 2006 9:25 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Piniella makes bold move
Lou Piniella's First Big Move As Cubs Manager Is To Resign  
Special to CBS SportsLine.com      

CHICAGO -- During his formal introduction as Cubs manager Tuesday, Lou Piniella announced that his first and only managerial decision will be to step down immediately and permanently from his new position-a bold, unexpected move that he successfully carried out just moments later.

"My time in Chicago has been great, and it feels like it was just yesterday that I started this job, but I truly believe that this move will give me a better opportunity to win," Piniella said at the press conference while ceremoniously removing a Cubs hat and jersey. "I'm very excited about leaving this team."

After the announcement, Cubs GM Jim Hendry praised Piniella's sound judgment and pure baseball instinct, saying that "his ability to make quick, smart decisions like this one is exactly why we hired him."

Walk your dog, not Pujols.

by Hardcore Legend on Oct 20, 2006 9:40 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Of the 19, only 1 even picked the cards
to beat the Padres.  And all 19 had the tigers losing to the Yanks.  Who was it on here, yesterday that said Yadi should be batting clean-up?  That damn guy's a genius(and no, it wasn't me).  I watched the game w/ a friend so I wasn't on here at all last night, so I am not sure how it ended, but how about that Edwards guy in center?  He made a few plays out there for us.  

by toris34 on Oct 20, 2006 10:04 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Your humble genius
I'm not really a stat guy. I understand ERA and AVG but not WISP or OPS or any of that. I mentioned Yadi in cleanup because he was getting hits. If they were going to walk Pujols (you can beat the Cards but you can't beat Pujols) I thought we needed the "hot bat" there. Juan Encarnacion IMHO was not suited for that "hitters" role. I think you need to have your line-up rotate around who's hot. You plug the spots with your "hot bats" and when that bat gets cold, hopefully someone else's bat gets hot and you fill that spot. Example: I thought Willie Randolph should have moved David Wright out of that 5 spot and given it to a hotter bat. Hell even a lukewarm one would have been better! Thank god he didn't cause now we're on to DETROIT!
I'm just here for the Bud Light...

by OKCardsfan on Oct 20, 2006 10:44 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

OPS
On base percentage Plus Slugging percentage.
Walk your dog, not Pujols.

by Hardcore Legend on Oct 20, 2006 10:46 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

No offense
I don't really care. If these "stats" are so accurate, we'd of packed our bags long ago. Everyone's saying on paper the Pads are better or the Mets are better or the Tiggers are better. Screw stats! Screw On Base Plus Slugging! GO CARDINALS!
I'm just here for the Bud Light...

by OKCardsfan on Oct 20, 2006 10:57 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

You asked what it meant
and I told you.  No need to get all upset about it.
Walk your dog, not Pujols.

by Hardcore Legend on Oct 20, 2006 11:08 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'm not upset
I'm just saying that stats don't mean a lick. There is a group out there that rely solely on stats to predict the outcome of a game. (See Keith Law) Matter of fact there is a pythagorean record for the Cardinals. Who gives a durn? Who cares about the what if's and the maybe so's? The fact is that the Cardinals just made the World Series when the stats said they shouldn't. This wasn't even my original point. I suggested Yadi bat 4th yesterday. I thought if the Mets were going to pitch around Pujols, you would need your hot bat behind him. I said that yesterday not looking at stats just thinking he had the hot bat. If I knew how to link up my comment I would.
I'm just here for the Bud Light...

by OKCardsfan on Oct 20, 2006 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Cut and Paste
3-days rest and Molina
We @ VEB had been throwing around stats of the outcome of pitchers in the postseason pitching on three days rest. I know it wasn't good but don't have exact #'s. Anyway that's another swing in our favor. Also, what about moving Yadi into the clean-up spot?

Eck
So
Pujols
Yadi
Belly
Enc
Edmonds
Rolen
Pitch

I know he's slow, but he's been a bit more reliable than rolen.

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

by OKCardsfan on Thu Oct 19, 2006 at 10:52:39 AM EST
[ Reply to This ]  

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

by OKCardsfan on Oct 20, 2006 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I told you so
I remember posting back in april, that to get to the world series we would need to rely on Suppan and Yadi.  Also if we could sign Weaver, Belly, and PW I thought they could make some impact down the stretch.  Also in that post I said Give Speez a start at 3b and rely heavily on rookie guys for your bullpen in the playoffs, and while you're at it make AW your closer.  I am a genius!!!

Here's to the improbable of improbables... the 2006 NL Pennant champs STL CARDINALS

viva el birdos

"The good Lord was good to me. He gave me a strong body, a good right arm, and a weak mind." -Dizzy Dean

by vince eating tarp on Oct 20, 2006 10:05 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Which of these statements is NOT true?
Suppan had as many RBIs as Pujols

Yadi had the highest BA of any starter - on EITHER team

The River City Rascals guy had more wins than Cy Young guy

Cards AVG 17 points higher than Muts,  w/ only Pujo and Yadi over .300

Molina had as many RBIs as Wilson, Pujo, Eck, Inky, and Belly COMBINED

Taguchi had has MORE RBIs than Green, Reyes, Wright, Chavez or Floyd

Eck has MORE stolen bases than Reyes

I love the Puppy Kicker MUTZ

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

by ITouchedMcGee on Oct 20, 2006 10:06 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Lack of sleep
Went to bed at 1:30, by 4:00, i still didn't fall asleep.

I'm not sure if it's because we are WS bound or not.

Redbirds Fun
The Kentucky Democrat

by cardsfan84 on Oct 20, 2006 10:13 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Rolen
Okay, I'll admit!  I was wrong about Rolen.  He went 1 for 3, with a single and a walk, and we were lucky to get it.   A near home-run and nearly disastrous wild throwing error, but a critical single in the 9th was the spark.

I think...(or I hope?)
Wilson's performance just shut him down for the rest of the year.

We proved in the Padres series we could ride our 2 big guys (Pujols/Carp) to a series win.  Then we proved in the Mets series that we can win without these guys.

So now for the Tigers series, let's put it all together and win with everyone! (Yes, even Rolen!)

LaRussa appears to have the magic touch this postseason.

by redbird2006in on Oct 20, 2006 10:14 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

We will need everyone...
They have to take a better approach to the plate.  They made Perez look amazing by swinging at stuff out of the zone.  Not to discount Perez, he battled and his stuff was electric, but he didn't have much control.  A lot of cardinals hitters made themselve easy outs.  Detroit doesn't have a cupcake pitcher.  These guys are nasty.  

Everyone on the team has to trust each other to get the job done.  These especially means Albert.  He has to keep his strikezone tight and trust Jimmy and Scott to punish the other team.  I think Jimmy is the best big game player I have had a chance to watch.  He looks bored a majority of the season, but put him on this stage he rises to the occasion.  Albert has to trust he will come through when we need him most, I trust Jimmy will.

by BigJawnMize on Oct 20, 2006 10:28 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

wilson
u know it seems everyone is forgetting that he was 1-11 coming in against perez, so how would you expect him to suddenly figure him out now? this was one move where tony didnt look good last night, and maybe the only one

by bigcardsfan5 on Oct 20, 2006 3:21 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

The World Series tickets
Got into the ticketing program about 10:04 and went to Game 4 and selected 2 Best Availible.  Then got about 20 minutes of 'high volume, can't process' so I just kept hitting continue.  Eventually, it started saying it was sold out, but wouldn't allow me to switch games.

Nice job, MLB.

Walk your dog, not Pujols.

by Hardcore Legend on Oct 20, 2006 10:23 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Anyone that is still in the waiting room...
...all games are sold out now.  (figured out how to go back to the schedule)
Walk your dog, not Pujols.

by Hardcore Legend on Oct 20, 2006 10:27 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

yeah
Talk about frustrating.  Staring at a little clock for 30+ minutes, watching it go down to zero over and over and over...

and then seeing the dreaded "Tickets for this onsale are sold out. Thank you for your support of the Cardinals."

sigh.

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

by SleepyCA on Oct 20, 2006 10:33 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Try being in the actual process
of BUYING the tickets and it not going through.  I had some friends who also won the 2nd lottery so I hope they had better luck, although I doubt they did.
Walk your dog, not Pujols.

by Hardcore Legend on Oct 20, 2006 10:36 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

happened to me
when the playoff tickets went on sale. I was stuck in the process of buying tickets for 20 minutes, then all of a sudden there were no more tickets to buy.

Today I didn't make it past the waiting room.

by effin fisk on Oct 20, 2006 10:58 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

nope
got the 2nd chance and got as far as pcking seats for the game and kicked back into the waiting room
All hail the green rally cap!

by tudor rooter on Oct 20, 2006 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Ok thanks and sorry about that
I was so excited after the game that all I caught was the tail end of the interview and couldn't get a glimpse of who the reporter was. That was just stupid.

And yes, that Edwards guy didn't do a whole lot at the plate, did score the first run, but he made a difference in the field. Who else would play that shallow and catch the Reyes line drive in center?

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

by Edmonds is baseball on Oct 20, 2006 10:30 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I was flying all day
yesterday...got to my parents' house in Indy at game time. I watched the game and kept believing they could win.

Soup was nails, as he always seems to be at this time of year. If Walt isn't already working on a new contract for this guy, something is seriously wrong in Baseball Heaven. Sign him. Now.

I kept believing after Rolen's home run was sno-coned back into the field of play by Endy Chavez' fantastic play...which according to ESPN is one of the greatest playoff catches ever. True, but where is Jimmy's Game 7 catch from 2004? Why no replay of that?

I kept believing after Rolen's error in the 6th and Soup gets out of the jam.

But I gotta admit, I lost heart after the top of the 8th. After Enc whiffed, I decided to call it a night. I went to bed. Que sera, sera.

I'm so sorry I did...what happened would've happened whether or not I watched the game, but I'm sad that I missed the 9th inning. ESPN replays don't seem to do it justice.

But after this team kept ripping the hearts out of its fans throughout this season, they keep coming back in the post-season and winning games they shouldn't win, and series they shouldn't take.

I believe again, as I probably haven't believed since I was a teenager in 1982...or maybe '85 or '87, before I understood the mechanics (and business) of baseball, but just believed because I was a fan of the St. Louis Cardinals.

No matter what the 2006 Cardinals do in the Series, I believe. They've helped me to re-capture the magic elixir of youth, and I just believe.

So when I'm at my 20th high school reunion on Saturday night, I'll be keeping a close eye on the TV (if there is one), or on my cell phone for game updates.

I believe, because this team makes me want to believe...and they've made being a St. Louis Cardinals fan fun again. Thanks, guys.

Now go get 'em! Hit 'em where they ain't!

by player2bnamedl8r on Oct 20, 2006 10:30 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Yeah, after Enc whiffed
I looked at my wife and said "I STILL don't like that guy.  Just so you know."

by sdrone on Oct 20, 2006 10:39 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

i'm glad
we can lay off Rolen for a bit. Enc is much more deserving of the doghouse IMO.

by effin fisk on Oct 20, 2006 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Agreed
Rolen could've been the hero...or the goat last night, but Soup picked him up.

Scotty is trying...and his AB's are looking better, so give him another cortisone shot and keep throwing him out there. He's gonna get a big hit in the Series.

by player2bnamedl8r on Oct 20, 2006 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

i stand by my pre-game 7 statement
Rolen is our guy and this is the World Series. I want his glove AND his bat ... most of all, I want his presence in the lineup and on the field.

The guy is a key cog on this team and we'll win or lose with him.

Let the Speezer keep hitting 2-out PH triples in the 8th!

Pujols For MVP!

by TheFranchise9 on Oct 20, 2006 2:52 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

how sweet it is....
i think it was the notorius 20th century poet, ice cube, who once said...."today is a really good day."  

what a game.  what a series.  what a performance by soup.  and then yadi coming up big.  unreal.  

we'll go into the show being the road dog.  everyone is picking the tigers.  guess that means we'll lose.  no....wait....most people picked the pads, and everyone picked the mets.

so maybe....just maybe.....

by busch league on Oct 20, 2006 10:34 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Great quote from Stark's article:
"I was praying to God," said Yadier Molina, "to keep that ball away from Endy Chavez."

by sdrone on Oct 20, 2006 10:39 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

line up change...
I really don't want to see Juan Encarnacion in the 4 hole ever again....

by Timbo02 on Oct 20, 2006 10:51 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Kruk's idea
of Rolen behind Pujols when facing Rogers, but Spiezio (or my preference, Jimmy) behind Albert when facing the young fastballers was interesting.

Not sure what TLR will do, but Enc in the 4 spot isn't working too well. For Albert or the team.

by player2bnamedl8r on Oct 20, 2006 11:09 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

i NEVER want to see...
P-Wilson and LEMONcion (yeah, I said it) sandwiching Pujols again. How can the best hitter in baseball NOT press and expand his zone when the hitters before and after him are going 0-10???

Please let me see Edmonds or Rolen in that 4 spot for the entire Series! Even while not close to 100%, they at least have potential to do something.

BTW,,,we just won the NL Pennant!!!

Pujols For MVP!

by TheFranchise9 on Oct 20, 2006 2:54 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Again Steve Phillips is my hero
I just can't get enough of this guy! I flipped over to BBTN and everyone is saying Tiggers in 6, or Tiggers in 5. I think everyone at VEB needs to send that guy a beautiful bouquet of red and white roses. Also when they have the parade downtown St. Louis after the WS they need to make him the Master of Ceremonies! I want to give that guy a hug!
I'm just here for the Bud Light...

by OKCardsfan on Oct 20, 2006 10:54 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

cheers
The Cards at night, are big and bright, deep in the heart of Texas

by texbird on Oct 20, 2006 11:07 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I've been on an emotional rollercoaster...
for the past two weeks. On Friday afternoon of the 6th, my 94-year-old maternal grandmother took a nap and woke up in Heaven. Like all my family, I dearly loved her... a woman described as having "twinkling eyes of silver, a heart of gold, and a foot of solid lead!" (She was noted for her... uh... "alacrity" as a driver; but never had an accident.) She gave all her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren unconditional love... and was the lone member of my family to immediately realize and accept the deep love I have for my wife. I'll miss her every day.That night, the high school football team I broadcast faced a one-point deficit with less than two minutes left and the ball 63 yards away from a win. They scored with 13.5 seconds left, and I properly "went crazy" on the air...Monday, we buried Ina Mae (Baker) Schmalz; which meant a nine-hour round trip to and from The Lou, which was physically taxing due to my handicaps.The Cardinals' rollarcoaster ride you're all familiar with... I reverted to my younger self, yelling encouragement, invective, and advice at the TV! "Get down, giddown, giddown, ball!" "SCORE 'IM!!!!" "GET TWO!" "Fer cryin' out loud, take 'im to right!""CATCH THAT ONE, ENDY!!!!""SEE YA!!! CARDS WIN! CARDS WIN!! CARDS WIN!!!"Tonight, Blytheville (Ark.) High travels to perennial power Batesville in "Pioneer Nation." (Says so, right on the pressbox!) Batesville's the favorite, but underdogs can (and do) win, at least sometimes! Should be a great game...GO CHICKASAWS!

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

by The Ol Goaler on Oct 20, 2006 11:09 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Reyes
The kid can do it. Just let him throw. Those socks have some mojo brewing in them, I swear. Go get em' kid.
Play hard, play to win, but make it fun!

by Edmonds is baseball on Oct 20, 2006 11:09 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Hey
If y'all haven't had enough great reading to make ya happy this morning, check out this sour grapes thread at BCB:

http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/story/2006/10/19/172958/10#commenttop

I truly thank the Gods Of Baseball that I wasn't born a Cub fan. GO BIRDS!!!

by rockin redbird on Oct 20, 2006 11:11 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Awesome sour grapes thread...
I should admit though I was the Marlins biggest fan in 2003.

by guayzimi on Oct 20, 2006 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

our 7th street muse
LB
your note today has mixed enough metaphors to make homer's (not simpson) head shpin. damon and ring are nervously adjusting their positions in our pantheon of sports writers and you have moved onto grantland's right hand (fist clenched). you are definitely st. louis'es answer to a.j.liebling.
we would like to plan a crowning ceremony for your laureate;
when are you intending to 'ride yor courage' or 'go all  in' on apollo's rosey fingers of dawn,  calling'fate's bluff' on your 'tiptoes' with your 'halo' over you so that you can 'nibble at the corners' of our feast until the cupid, valentin, can hack his way from the mezzanine to 'divinely intervene' to make the presentation.
(all said with great admiration and affection!)

any blogger who can have his followers writing doggerel and quoting shakespeare, deserves our cheers, ole's, and bravos
to misquote the great  cereal de bendyrback,  for LB, 'mere men are not enough, bring him GIANTS' (or tigers)

by dembitz on Oct 20, 2006 11:35 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Can we start another "meetup" thread?
I'd like to watch the World Series with other Cardinals fans in Boston. Anyone out there want to meet somewhere Saturday night? My sister and I are in. Just want to gauge interest first.

by bostoncardsfan on Oct 20, 2006 11:39 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I'm in boston
...but don't know of any Cards crazy bars at all.

by jroman on Oct 20, 2006 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

That's the point...
We need to find a place and make it a crazy Cards bar! But I don't know if there will be enough of us.

by bostoncardsfan on Oct 20, 2006 3:55 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

We also
have the juju of this being the 80th anniversary of the Birds' 1926 1st World Championship. Come on, boys--make it #10!!!!

by rockin redbird on Oct 20, 2006 11:51 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

This may be one of the best things
to come out of last night's win:

After the game, in an interview with Fox's Chris Myers, Rolen addressed the matter.

"We saw you hug Tony La Russa, I guess you guys are on speaking terms, are things over with?'' Myers asked.

"Yes, yep,'' Rolen said as he walked away.

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/columnists.nsf/dancaesar/story/8B1938659984A9268625720D00184 40A?OpenDocument

by player2bnamedl8r on Oct 20, 2006 11:51 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I interpreted that differently
I took it more as Scott Rolen not wanting to talk about his relationship with TLR, that he'd rather celebrate the win.

by Yellow Dog on Oct 20, 2006 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Key times in downloaded game...
1:50:00 Endy Chavez catch
2:02:30 Suppan wiggles out of bases loaded 1 out
3:01:30 Rolen AB in 9th. What an AB.
3:06:00 YADI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
3:12:20 Bottom of 9th
3:29:30 Wainwright freezes Beltran. Card win!

by Yellow Dog on Oct 20, 2006 12:40 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Thanks
I am going to convert this to Divx and put this on my Creative Zen Vision M.

by DimitroffVodka on Oct 20, 2006 2:01 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

You may not have to
I thought MPEG-4 was DivX

by dontEATnachos on Oct 20, 2006 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

If that Zen Vision is a portable media device
MLB files are supposed to be in the a format that they should play.
Walk your dog, not Pujols.

by Hardcore Legend on Oct 20, 2006 2:28 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

The decision by LaRussa...
that would have gotten him scalded if it hadn't worked out was leaving Flores in to pitch to Wright in the 8th.

Righties hit .329 off him this year. I know he wanted him to face Green, but he could have brought in Kinney or TJ for both hitters...

by guayzimi on Oct 20, 2006 12:22 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I have to admit...
I sorta thought TLR should pinch-hit for Yadier in the 9th with Duncan. But I understood the decision because I wanted Yadi in there for his defense in the bottom of the 9th and any extra frames.

Sure glad TLR doesn't listen to me!  

by Yellow Dog on Oct 20, 2006 12:28 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Extra frames, that's the key
I thought both TLR and Randolph were managing as though this game would hit extra innings. I wonder about the wisdom of that.
"If you don't have outstanding relief pitching, you might as well piss on the fire and call the dogs." -- Whitey Herzog

by vico on Oct 20, 2006 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

stuck in california ...
I agreed to come to the LA area for work for a couple of weeks towards the end of the season, when it appeared that the cardinals were going to quietly bow out of their season in the first round (if not earlier). Now I am here until friday the 27th, missing all of the fun downtown.

Are there any redbird fans out in SoCal that will be watching the series at a particular spot? My buddy lives out here and has been unsuccessful in finding a good cardinals bar.

by jeff abs on Oct 20, 2006 12:28 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I'm still floating...
This was an incredible game. One of the best NLCS games in history.

I enjoyed it with 25-30 of my Cards buddies in NY at Dewey's Flatiron. After the Yadi HR and the Wainer K, my red Viva El Birdos T-shirt was soaked with champagne as we all jumped, high fiving and hugging, in a huge screaming mass of crazy Cards fans.

Ok, I'm passing the hat to all VEB members. Chip in a buck or two. We need to re-sign Suppan and Weaver.

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

by jdubya on Oct 20, 2006 12:52 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

How bad does the ASG loss seem now?
If  Trevor hoffman could've saved it, or garner had put Rolen in at 3rd, we'd have Homefield for the WS.
Miller sucks.

by Ankiels Missing Curveball on Oct 20, 2006 1:01 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Mr. Grumpy...
what will cheer you?

by guayzimi on Oct 20, 2006 1:16 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Grumpy?
Hardly. I'm just pointing it out.
Miller sucks.

by Ankiels Missing Curveball on Oct 20, 2006 1:18 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I agree with you
I was there to witness it.  But hey, Miguel Cabrera made sure nothing got down the chalk line, exactly on the chalk line...
Walk your dog, not Pujols.

by Hardcore Legend on Oct 20, 2006 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I hate to bring it up

but I've heard speculation that Tony might actually consider pitching <gulp> um, .... God help me, I can't even utter the name! You know the one.. Instead of Reyes.

Please, please, someone, tell me this nightmare isn't true. Tony couldn't really consider placing someone they don't have confidence in on the roster for the World Series.

by glamberson on Oct 20, 2006 1:17 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

sorry....
...i posted something very similar below before i read your post.  

i've heard the same thing.  

it's just not possible, right?

by busch league on Oct 20, 2006 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

That's fine

I just wanted to hear the discussion. I don't care where it happens.

See you down below.

by glamberson on Oct 20, 2006 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

TLR Rolen Pujols
Not sure if you guys caught this, but AP went to Rolen first after the out...A white teamate not a latin guy(poor media) TLR in post game gave pros to Rolen for starting the rally, and at the same time made fun of Izzy saying that izzy told AW to make it exciting...

I have pointed out many times why this team excites me...Your big man hasnt been doint it all, but has had the big hits Game 2 in front of speez, and game 5 off glavine...The role players have stepped up huge something we didnt see in 04 or 05...Im hoping they win a few and avoid a sweep, and what a story if they win it all...but really glad they beat NY i soured on their fans when they booed every batter

by punchinjudy on Oct 20, 2006 1:17 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Well, Albert always goes to Rolen
first after Wainwright usually. (Or whatever pitcher closes).
Walk your dog, not Pujols.

by Hardcore Legend on Oct 20, 2006 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I just thought it was funny
because of all the drama, and they say he always talks to other teams and stuff which is true. I remeber when they played the stros he always tried to chat up berkman(not latin) and berkman most of the time lookedA)uninterested...B) couldnt understand a word

by punchinjudy on Oct 20, 2006 1:32 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Thank you
Just want to say thank you to lboros, erik & Valatan for their great work this season.  I may not have always agreed with what they say, and I know everyone hasn't always agreed with what I say, but after my first full season of VEB blogging, I can say I am a better, more intelligent fan of the game.
Here's to a great WS, regardless of the outcome.
"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 20, 2006 1:31 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

How scary is Leyland's knowledge?
Besides being the underdog, seems the Tigers have another pretty big advantage.  Leyland was still with the Cardinals as late as Spring Training.  Additionally, his close friendship with Tony is no secret.  I'm sure he knows TLR in and out.  I'm sure TLR has a pretty good idea about Leyland also.

But, how well does Leyland know our players?  Will he be able to capitalize on any insider info in regards to weaknesses?  

Buck Martinez was saying on BBTM (XM) two of our scouts have been watching the Tigers for at least 3 weeks, probably longer.  Squires and Jorgenson I think he said?  Don't know much about our scouting department.

I think Buck seems to know most everyone in baseball.  Even though I think he's a horrible manager and don't agree with him much, I assume he knows what he's talking about in regards to our scouts.  Then again, he also mentioned he thought Jason Marquis would step up big like Weaver and Suppan had.  

Hopefully, DD and TLR can construct a plan for the Detroit lineup as nice as our last one seemed.  

by RedbirdRay on Oct 20, 2006 1:34 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I hope...
it would be SOP to send scouts to watch all playoff teams.  
You do bring up a good point about Leyland, but I don't know if he knows any weakness that other teams hadn't figured out over the course of a 162 (161 actually) season.  
I think it will be a great series.
"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 20, 2006 1:37 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I still can't believe it.....
This team of all teams....it's crazy. Then again, it only makes sense in the context of this season. What a ride it's been!
Let's Go Yadi

by SHUCardinal on Oct 20, 2006 1:35 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Verlander v. Reyes?
Two rookies to start the World Series.  I'm all for it!

by wcheuk on Oct 20, 2006 1:42 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

sweet
They look like they've all been around a while, and yet I don't recognize any of the names.  Exactly as it should be!
You either get all the glory or all the... goat hair. -mike shannon

by SleepyCA on Oct 20, 2006 4:58 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Well, they posted
Verlander, Rogers, Robertson on the official site.  I would assume Bonderman in Game 4.

I'd like to see Reyes in game 1, then have Weav, Carp and Soup on proper rest for 2,3,4.  Game 5 may depend on who does better the first go round Reyes or Weaver.

by Just Rope Ball on Oct 20, 2006 1:44 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Carpenter in Game 2?
I'd use Carp in Game 2, get the best chance to get him on the mound twice. I know it'd be short rest for him, but he also got pulled after only 76 pitches Wednesday, so I gotta think he could bounce back pretty quickly. That creates a long wait for Weaver since Supp obviously gets the nod on normal rest for Game 3, but I think having Carp on the mound as often as possible is the way to go.
Luck O' The Redbirds

by stlnd on Oct 20, 2006 1:50 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

And if Tony's already said this, I apologize
I've been too excited to even really bother checking most of the news from today, so if Tony's already stated his rotation and Carp is going in Game 2, then I'm sorry for arguing a moot point.
Luck O' The Redbirds

by stlnd on Oct 20, 2006 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Agreement,
I agree.  I don't see how you can't.  That's the only way to get Soup and Carp 4 starts (unless you throw them both on short rest in 6&7).

I know the short rest and the road will be against Carp, but I think you have to throw him on short instead of Reyes or Weaver an extra time.

by OBPplusSLG on Oct 20, 2006 2:02 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Cards official website
now has Reyes up for game 1.  Games 2 & 3 TBD for now.

Somewhere else it was posted that Tony said Reyes, Weaver, Carp and Supp.  I guess we don't have a whole lot of choice, but I'd sure hate to see our (currently) best pitcher only pitch game 4.  Supp will be on regular rest for game 3, but you really can't start him over Carp either.

Maybe it WILL rain Sat. so we can repeat the NLCS rotation:  Weav, Carp, Supp, Reyes,

by ArkansasTravs on Oct 20, 2006 5:19 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Rain
Should we all be praying for rain again? 40% chance of rain on Saturday in Detroit.

If the game gets pushed back to Sunday for game 1 than this could happen

Sun - Game 1 - Weaver (full rest)
Mon - Game 2- Carpenter (full rest)
Tues- Game 3 - Suppan (full rest)
Wed - Game 4 - Reyes (full rest)

by DimitroffVodka on Oct 20, 2006 1:58 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Weather?...
Anyone in the Michigan area know about the weather forcast for tomorrow night?  I hear that rain is a good possibility?  Hey the rain is the Cards best friend so far this post season...and a rain out on Sat would set up the pitching MUCH better for us...

by Timbo02 on Oct 20, 2006 2:01 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

A few random thoughts...
  1. I thought our bench was an important advantage in this series compared to what the Mets had.  TLR gets credit for assembling the bench and keeping them sharp.  Compare Spiezio, Taguchi, and Miles vs. Tucker, Franco, and even Chavez/Floyd (save for Chavez's glove).  The Mets never had scary bats to bring off the bench.
  2. I was wearing my Molina shirt last night when he hit his HR (number 41, rookie season).  I was optimistic when he broke into the majors that he would be a defensive force with some offensive potential. It's been very satisfying to wear around today.
  3. Brian Gunn's article at Harball Times is balanced answer to Keith Law's scorn.  See lboros's link in this post.  

by ncgostl on Oct 20, 2006 2:01 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Did you see...
Kevin Goldstein's blog? He's normally quite good, though last night at 7:47 after Molina's first at bat he wrote this:

7:47 p.m.: I was writing something offhanded about how any team than moves Yadier Molina up in the order simply doesn't deserve to win. Then he goes and singles, creating a first-and-third situation with one out. Any player can make you look dumb in one at-bat.

Nice.

by guayzimi on Oct 20, 2006 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

marquis
i'm hearing that tlr is considering starting marquis for game one.  i've actually heard that from 3 different sources.  national sources, for sure, but still...

i beg any/all of you to reassure me that this has a snowball chance in hell of happening.

please.

no really....please.

by busch league on Oct 20, 2006 2:14 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Mindless Reyes man-love aside...
will he really be that much worse than the kid?

What we need is a rainout this weekend so we can see Reyes/Marquis/Narveson/God-knows-who just once.

by guayzimi on Oct 20, 2006 2:16 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Reyes is hyped too much
 he was one step away from danger the whole time in his start. Marquis is no that good, we will see.

by punchinjudy on Oct 20, 2006 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Reyes may be overhyped
but Marquis has an uncanny knack for not getting out of the 1st inning in big games for this team.

No way should he get the start.  If we are going down, might as well give Reyes the experience since he actually has a future with this team.

Walk your dog, not Pujols.

by Hardcore Legend on Oct 20, 2006 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

precisely
you don't know what you are going to get with reyes.  he may toss a one-hit gem and then again, he might give up 5 runs in 5 innings.  likely, it's somewhere in between....2 or 3 runs in 5 innings.

on the flip side, you know very well what you are getting with marquis.  if he's going good, he'll be just plain bad.  if he's off his game, he's going to single-handedly lose the game for you in the first two innings.  

oh....and his gutless performances in the last couple of playoffs makes me physically nauseous.

has to be reyes.  not saying he's going to be bob gibson or jeff suppan (i wanted to say both of those names in the same sentence), but he's not going to lose the game for you.

by busch league on Oct 20, 2006 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Marquis is pitching for a job next year...
So who knows, he may come up big. His stock is ridiculously low right now, but a good start in the World Series could land him a decent contract.
Miller sucks.

by Ankiels Missing Curveball on Oct 20, 2006 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah, but he's been pitching for his job
all year and that's gotten him to where he is now.

For better or worse, Reyes will atleast listen to Duncan/Molina.  Our pitchers have done a magnificent job so far this postseason sticking to the 'script' and pitching to Duncan/Molina's gameplan.  

I have no confidence Marquis would come close to doing any such thing.  He'll just throw whatever the hell he wants.

Walk your dog, not Pujols.

by Hardcore Legend on Oct 20, 2006 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I thought the key to success...
for Reyes was NOT listening to Duncan and sticking with the 4-seamer/change combo...

by guayzimi on Oct 20, 2006 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I think you're forgetting

he's pitching for a job next year because he pitched his way OUT of one this year.

Stick a fork in his butt. He's done as a Cardinal.

by glamberson on Oct 20, 2006 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Reyes could walk 15 straight batters
 and still be better than ... he whose name I refuse tyo utter.

The unnamed dud pitcher's cloud of failure could be fatal to the team. When he starts going bad, it permeates the team like water does a sponge.

Even if Reyes fails, the team can handle it. That other guy breeds about as much confidence as the Cubs do this offseason.

PLEASE, never again let that... person... climb the mound with the birds on the bats on his chest!

by glamberson on Oct 20, 2006 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Reyes better than Marquis
I just dont want the Reyes people to think hes the answer in the series, but I still hold out hope he'll prove me wrong...This is where people say"he shut down chicago" in music thats referd to as a one hit wonder...however his career is still very young and not over by far

by punchinjudy on Oct 20, 2006 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I think everyone knows

who did the pitching to get this team this far in the postseason. It wasn't Reyes.

Reyes may not be the end-all be-all, but he's also not a sure-fire recipe for disaster and failure in 2/3 of an inning.

by glamberson on Oct 20, 2006 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

true
I just think with reyes people never seem to be in the middle...Hes either a stud, or hes not...I havent ruled him out but havent drank his kool aid either

by punchinjudy on Oct 20, 2006 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

No-Brainer
Pitch Reyes, leave 'You know who' off the roster!
Pujols For MVP!

by TheFranchise9 on Oct 20, 2006 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

shannon's call
does anyone have an mp3 yet of yadi's hr and then at the end?
Redbirds Fun
The Kentucky Democrat

by cardsfan84 on Oct 20, 2006 2:19 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

No but
ESPN has been playing all 4 of the available voice calls with the video on both Sportscenter and Baseball Tonight. Try to catch those shows.

by glamberson on Oct 20, 2006 2:44 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

frustration/relief/amazed/extactic/bliss/respect
That was the order of emotions in last nights game. Frustration in the first inning when the mets immediatly put a run on the board. Relieved when the cardinals immediatly countered like they have done all series. Amazed by the catch that chavez made in the sixth inning. Pure Bliss to hear Joe Buck say "the Cardinals win the pennant", and a new found respect to hear Willie Randolph's post game comments...He was very classy in defeat. He talked about how the cardinals battled all series, and how great of an organization the cardinals are. It would have been very easy for him to be bitter that soon after a game 7 loss. I found myself disliking the mets fans much more than the players/coaches. The fans actually cheered when Edmonds and Wilson collided in left field and both came up limping. I really like to believe that would not have happened in STL.

This underdog thing is kind of cool. Heres to one more round of defying the "experts of the East Coast" on ESPN. Go Cardinals!!!!

"Forget about the curveball Ricky...Give him the heater!!"

by BleacherBum on Oct 20, 2006 2:27 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Lineup, etc.
I, for one, would like to see Rolen back in the #4 slot against lefties and Edwards against righties.

Rolen has been taking some good swings - last night's foul shot, almost HR and single as well as his double last night and a few more foul shots.

He looks to be coming around to his early season form.  Unfortunately, so does Encarnacion.  And Preston Wilson had an extremely poor game last night.

I like Duncan as a DH against righties in the series.  Spiezio against lefties?

Your lineup could be:

Eckstein
Duncan/Spiezio
Pujols
Rolen/Edwards
Edwards/Rolen
Encarnacion
Molina
Belliard
Taguchi - I want him in there for the ground he can cover in the OF.  And he will back off of balls to Edwards

Please no "he who shall not be named" stick with Reyes.  Please.  I beg and implore you.

I'm still on a high.  I was getting ready for work at an obscenely early hour and listening to Mike and Mike on the radio talk about the Cards clinching.  They played radio highlights of Yadi's hit.  I got chills.  This postseason has been so much fun.  The only other time i remember a team exceeding my expectations by so much was the '87 walking wounded team that somehow beat the Giants in the NLCS and took Minnesota to 7 games.

And I want to echo the Darrell Porter parallel to Yadi in this postseason.  Very fitting.

The '06 Cardinals - the new '87 Twins?

by BozCardsFanSF on Oct 20, 2006 2:39 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Why not run Rolen in the 2 slot?
Diminished power, presses in high-pressure playoff situations, but still gets on base half-decently.  Why not run Duncan at cleanup for one game and see how it goes?

by MdRedbirdFreak on Oct 20, 2006 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I might have agreed
up to a couple games ago, but the ABs I'm seeing Rolen take show hit putting some sting on the ball and getting some hits.  Were it not for Endy Chavez's all-timer of a catch, he would have a HR, double and single in the last couple of games.

Not bad.

And he has a good eye - but Dancan has as well.

I just see Rolen coming around from the slump while Duncan has been slumping as well (though the game 5 HR was sweet).

The '06 Cardinals - the new '87 Twins?

by BozCardsFanSF on Oct 20, 2006 5:35 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

My wife
This was the first time my wife was with me in a game 7 involving the Cardinals.

Her reaction: "I had no idea"

If I look at my behavior from an objective point of view, I'd be embarrassed at my behavior.  But I'm completely incapable of objectivity when it comes to anything regarding to the Cardinals.

She came down in the 9th inning - 2 on, LoDuca up.  I told her if he got on, she had to leave the room.  He gets on, I ask her to leave.  She asks me a question about the game, I can only respond: "I can't talk right now"

She goes upstairs and when Beltran strikes out, I yell, jump around, pound the couch cushions, and even tear up a little.

When she comes down: "Did they win or lose?  I couldn't tell be your reaction."

Get ready, baby.  It only gets worse from here...

The '06 Cardinals - the new '87 Twins?

by BozCardsFanSF on Oct 20, 2006 2:48 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I've been getting Fever Pitch quotes
Right now i'm "summer" evan, and not "winter" evan that the girl likes.

by effin fisk on Oct 20, 2006 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

It gets better . . .
After 15 years of marriage:

My wife, awakened by my screams when YOMO went deep, came down for the bottom of the 9th.  I said, sit down and watch with me.  After watching the first two reach, she said "That's it, I'm leaving.  They're not doing well with me here."

That's why I love her so.

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

by ITouchedMcGee on Oct 20, 2006 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'm asking
Please, please, will you guys tell me why you consistently (and this is several of you) refer to Jim EDMONDS as 'Edwards'?

by SirVLCIV on Oct 20, 2006 2:51 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Dude
read yesterday's afternoon post.  The one that preceded the game thread.

There was a post by jillinmo, or something close, that said she expected Edwards to make a great catch and hit a homer.

That was followed by someone suggesting we should root for Rollins.

A number of us were amused by the Edwards comment and so it stuck.

It's a wink to the early thread.

The '06 Cardinals - the new '87 Twins?

by BozCardsFanSF on Oct 20, 2006 2:55 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

And the Rollins poster
was aware of the error and was furthering the joke.
The '06 Cardinals - the new '87 Twins?

by BozCardsFanSF on Oct 20, 2006 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

ok...
Can the inside joke die now? Please? For my sanity?

by SirVLCIV on Oct 20, 2006 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

No way...
...I'll certainly never forget it.
Walk your dog, not Pujols.

by Hardcore Legend on Oct 20, 2006 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Absolutely not.
The '06 Cardinals - the new '87 Twins?

by BozCardsFanSF on Oct 20, 2006 3:07 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Jack Edwards....
oh yeah...I really hope they pick up his option next year...love the guy....

by Timbo02 on Oct 20, 2006 3:51 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

no way
it's good luck!  All hail Jim Edwards!

by DCRedbird on Oct 20, 2006 5:11 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah, well, it's magic

In puttering around here today and having gotten up about 3:45 AM after watching teh game, I've already watched the game AGAIN 3 times through.

Magical. Heroic. Indescribable.

Time for replay number 4.

by glamberson on Oct 20, 2006 2:51 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

The Cardinals score 28 runs this series
21 of those came in innings 1-8.  7 of those came in inning #9.  One quarter of the Cardinals runs came in their last at-bats of the game.

That's pretty dang good.

Walk your dog, not Pujols.

by Hardcore Legend on Oct 20, 2006 2:56 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

The World Series? Are You Serious?
Thomas Boswell, in the article below, refers to the St. Louis Cardinals as the worst team ever to play in the World Series.  He, like the pundits who called the Padres and Mets overwhelmingly superior to the Cardinals, makes the mistake of ignoring the considerable talent still left on this team after it lost two All-Star pitchers, starter Mark Mulder and closer Jason Isringhausen, and after suffering serious injuries to three other All-Star players who recovered sufficient health just in time to play in the baseball playoffs.  No other team in the Major Leagues this year suffered as many injuries or lost as many playing days from All-Star players as the Cardinals did.  The fact that they overcome such a bad series of injuries and still won the pennant  shows what an excellent team this is.  

Yes, the team was in a nosedive, like a single-engine plane with that engine stalled trying desperately to do repairs in the air; getting a rookie ready to be the emergency closer after the All-Star closer was lost for the season with a bad hip; getting the sore-footed All-Star center fielder out of his severe post-concussion fog; getting the All-Star shortstop healthy enough to play again after his own concussion and a torn torso muscle; getting the All-Star third baseman's surgically repaired shoulder recovered from late-season fatigue.  The Cardinals pulled out of their nosedive just as the playoffs began.  What was left of this exceptional team, still not back to full health even now, was a valiant group of players who outplayed two teams considered prohibitive favorites to put the Cardinals out of the late season misery that caused them to lose nine of their last twelve games in the regular season, as their bullpen was regrouping from the loss of their top-notch closer.  

This team, like an ace pilot who survived a dogfight and is still in the air despite tattered wings and a fuselage shot through with holes, deserves a much better label than "The Worst Team To Ever Play In the World Series".

How about "One of the Most Resilient, Valiant, Gutsy Teams to Ever Win a Pennant."

The World Series? Are You Serious?
By Thomas Boswell
Washington Post, Friday, October 20, 2006; Page E01

[Excerpts]

NEW YORK Stand up and salute the St. Louis Cardinals. Mere cheers aren't enough to celebrate the worst team ever to reach the World Series. After all, doesn't the least amount of talent, most injuries and largest adversity surmounted imply biggest heart?

If ever a pennant winner grabbed our affection with its grit and not its glorious stars, this is the one. So what if, with a National League Championship Series at stake, Albert Pujols had one RBI in seven games and Chris Carpenter botched both his starts. Who needs 'em? Not these awfully wonderful Cards. Why, they've got household names such as Yadier Molina, Jeff Suppan, Ronnie Belliard and Adam Wainwright to lead them to a 3-1 victory Thursday in one of the most thrilling Game 7's ever played.

Anybody can win with tons of talent. The Yankees have done it forever. What a bore....

What the Cards just pulled off, winning without visible means of support, is a vastly tougher and nobler trick than the standard October fare -- winning because you're just plain good.

After all, who's been carrying the banner for the Cards this entire month? Has it been all-stars or Hall of Fame candidates? Or journeymen and obscure gentlemen who earn their keep with their gloves? If the youngest of the three catching Molina brothers and the little-known Belliard drove in all the runs in this winner-take-all game, then that simply mirrors this entire October for the Cards. "We got here because we persevered," Suppan said....

Because the Cards have needed so much resilience all season, they were accustomed to the kind of body blows they had to overcome in this game. Above all, they had to forget the sixth-inning image of Mets left fielder Endy Chavez robbing Scott Rolen of a two-run homer. That preternatural grab, snagged at triceps height above the fence, ice cream cone style, was as great a fence-scaling grab as any in the history of postseason play....

Yet ignoring such adversity, and worse, is what the Cards do best. In this Series, Pujols had one RBI. But Molina had six and utility man Scott Spiezio added five. Even So Taguchi, who only batted three times, had a single, double, home run and three RBI. Rookie Chris Duncan, tiny David Eckstein and Suppan himself each contributed an unlikely solo homer in this series, duplicating Pujols's production. As for this game's save, it went to the rookie Wainwright who'd never saved a game in his short career until the last week of September. As a collective heart attack gripped the Midwest, he loaded the bases, bringing Cardinal killer Carlos Beltran, who has seven postseason homers against St. Louis, to the plate. With three pitches, the last a perfect, knee-locking curveball, the minimum-salary rookie Wainwright struck out Beltran, and his $119 million contract, looking....

Few grasp how depleted the Cards truly are compared to the '05 team....

If you don't think these five-games-over-.500 Cards are really the worst Series team ever, consider this. Only four other World Series teams have finished less than 15 games above .500. So it's a short list. The '00 Yanks and '87 Twins both won the World Series. The '97 Indians had Jim Thome, Manny Ramirez, David Justice and Matt Williams. Case closed.

How do the Cardinals win? With players such reliever Josh Kinney from the River City Rascals in the independent Pioneer (Nobody Wants You) League and Taguchi, a Punch-and-Judy hitter for 10 years for the Orix Blue Wave in Japan. So what else is new? Don't forget the best Cards pitcher so far in October -- Weaver, who flopped in the playoffs for the Yanks ('02) and Dodgers ('04) before getting salary-dumped in disgust in July by the Angels. At that time, he was the worst starting pitcher in the AL. Now this reclamation project, who's 2-1 in the postseason (a 2.08 ERA), will start Game 2 in Motown.

When it comes to these Cards, we're not talking supernatural. But it's getting pretty close....

After all, the distinction of Worst Team Ever to Win the World Series certainly has a ring to it.

_________________________

MLB.com, 10/20/2006
Cards overcome adversity, reach Series
Redbirds defy doubters with thrilling Game 7 win over
Mets

[Excerpts]

The central foursome of Pujols, Edmonds, Rolen and
David Eckstein missed 130 games....

They were further weighed down in the stretch by the
loss of sore-hipped closer Jason Isringhausen....

Mark Mulder, the lone left-hander in the rotation,
last won on June 15, then his shoulder gave out....

GM Walt Jocketty came to the rescue, gladly taking
Jeff Weaver off the Angels' hands....

Weaver, so retro-tough in the postseason, wasn't the
first or last reclamation project embraced in St.
Louis. Hancock, cut early in Spring Training by
manager Jerry Narron as a warning to other Reds to
stay in shape, became a valuable setup reliever. Three
days after being released -- by the rival Astros, of
all people -- Preston Wilson was in right field, going
2-for-5 with a home run in Wrigley Field.

And so it went, a midseason transformation that has
brought the Cardinals to this last stage, to National
League champion, from early-season fireball and
midseason meatball.

Chris Duncan joined up in late May. Josh Kinney alit
in the bullpen on July 3. Ronnie Belliard arrived on
July 31 from Cleveland, Jocketty's lone trade deadline
maneuver....

So it took a while to get the ingredients just right
but, now that it most matters, the batch is sizzling.

by CardsWin on Oct 20, 2006 3:05 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Sir Thomas Boswell's piece ...
is a brilliantly cock-eyed tribute to what's going on here. He's saying that, by being inferior/depleted/banged-up/inexperienced/chronically unwanted/underestimated, they have the unique chance to reach levels of greatness and notoriety that your garden-variety Yankee All Star squad (pick any year) could never hope for.

by Urban Pawnee on Oct 20, 2006 4:27 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Cards mocked the Jose Chant...
the Mets crowd do. During their celebration in the locker room they started singing "Jose Jose Jose Jose Joseeeeeee" or however it goes. Maybe a little bit of a cheapshot, but it makes me laugh. Screw Mets fans and Jose Reyes that dancing little elf.
Miller sucks.

by Ankiels Missing Curveball on Oct 20, 2006 3:32 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

If Mets fans complain
tell them next time not to gather in a group of over 100 in Busch Stadium and to do that chant.
Walk your dog, not Pujols.

by Hardcore Legend on Oct 20, 2006 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

or not to boo
every cardinal batter in games 6 and 7

by punchinjudy on Oct 20, 2006 3:35 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

That chant was annoying as hell
Of course, as much as I like Eck, I can't say I'd complain about seeing Reyes at the top of the Cards lineup
Luck O' The Redbirds

by stlnd on Oct 20, 2006 3:35 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'd rather hear that
Than the annoying buzzing bee sound from the Astros.

That sound still is like nails on the chalkboard.

by dontEATnachos on Oct 20, 2006 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I've heard that
they were doing that in reference to jose oquendo.

by jeff abs on Oct 20, 2006 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

2007 playoffs
Am I reading correctly that, starting in 2007, some baseball playoffs will be on TBS?

Dammit, TBS doesn't have a high def channel in my Comcast area.  That would blow.

by sdrone on Oct 20, 2006 3:36 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

TBS
Not just some playoff games - all of either the NLCS or ALCS (alternating years for the next several), plus coverage of an NLDS series, if not two.

That's right - if you don't have cable, you can't watch one of the two LCS' starting next year.  (I realize that's a small segment of the public, but dang that doesn't seem right.)

by Robb on Oct 20, 2006 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Lame...
I don't even have cable. Are you sure about that?

by guayzimi on Oct 20, 2006 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah, it's a positive on that one
I don't have cable at work and it's been a real treat being able to watch the postseason on FOX this year.  Last Friday getting the Tigers/As and then Cards/Mets was a blast.  Unfortunately, now it'll go to TBS and whatever lame broadcast crew they throw out there.

When asked about hi-def for TBS, the director of their sports department said "We may look into that".  Nice.

Walk your dog, not Pujols.

by Hardcore Legend on Oct 20, 2006 4:01 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Wow
Can you imagine how ridiculous it would be to not be able to get those games in HD.  I just finally saw a couple games in HD a week ago and it's so much better than watching it on my lame 24" TV.

I was planning on getting an HDTV sometime next year so it would really be unfortunate if they aren't showing the playoffs in HD.

by dontEATnachos on Oct 20, 2006 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I don't think they have an HD channel period
Which makes this even more of a dumb move for MLB: alienating both the people who don't have cable and casual baseball fans who have HD sets.

by bailorg on Oct 20, 2006 4:38 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Rotation for Det set
I'm sure everyone has seen that Leyland announced his rotation (the Cards is pure speculation):

Verlander vs. possibly Reyes
Rogers vs. Weaver
Robertson vs. Carpenter
Bonderman vs. Suppan

by bdief on Oct 20, 2006 3:46 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I'm still a big proponent of Carp in Game 2
If the Cards are gonna go down, I'd rather see them go down with their two best pitchers on the mound for the majority of the series
Luck O' The Redbirds

by stlnd on Oct 20, 2006 3:50 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Rain
Than you better start praying for Rain. Pray real hard that Game 1 gets rained out. Than we would be in hella of a lot better shape.

by DimitroffVodka on Oct 20, 2006 3:52 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Very true
But Carp on short rest doesn't scare me quite as much as normal since he threw so few pitches (relatively) in Game 6. I'd take my chances with him being able to bounce back strong even if the rain stays away.
Luck O' The Redbirds

by stlnd on Oct 20, 2006 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Go with the moment...
Carpenter had the worst start by a Cardinal in the Mets series...   Weaver has been great... easily our most consistent pitcher in Septmeber/October.  And great on the road in particular.  I'd rather have him on normal rest, and then get Carpenter in game 3 on normal rest.  

by redbird2006in on Oct 20, 2006 4:04 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Scouting Report
Anyone know a good place to get information on a scouting report for Detroit since we know so little about them.

I have already compiled a lot info that I will try to get out tonight.

I need more stuff than splits (left vs right) but what kind of pitchs they swing at and strike out on.

by DimitroffVodka on Oct 20, 2006 3:51 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Keith Law....
Does this guy have an axe to grind against St. Louis or am I hallucinating? It seems in every series he did all he could to point out every bad thing the Cardinals do, and while in the regular season that was true, he doesn't give the slightest credit for us beating the mets. As a matter of fact, no one does. Apparently to them the Mets or Padres didn't even try to win, when that hardly was the case. We outplayed both teams, simple as that.

by TNFan32 on Oct 20, 2006 3:54 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Fox...
what got me was I'm all hyped up after the win last night...and I'm waiting for them to go back to Jeanne "Go-Go" Zalasko and Kevin Kennedy and when they do?...what do they talk about right out of the gate ...and for about 5 straight min?...how good a team the Mets are...I just sat there shaking my head... The Cardinals win one of the greatest Game 7's in National League history....and they talk about the loser for most of the wrap-up..  

by Timbo02 on Oct 20, 2006 3:58 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Law is even
worse on radio...I was wanting Cardinals win or lose in series to beat NY just due to media...I told my wife I liked it when they got willie, and would root for them if it wasnt against cards, but man...

oh and last night i was hearing ESPN talk about $$$ of mets and thought wow, how different were the cards...wonder if heads will roll in NY after all those moves or just chalk it up to not having Dookie and Pedro

Mets next yr will be an aged team

by punchinjudy on Oct 20, 2006 4:07 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Nah...
I think Minaya is strong enough in his position and smart enough to keep things on an even keel... As far as being old, Reyes-Wright-Beltran is a nice core of young players. They've got the resources to patch up everywhere else. They'll win 95-100 next year.

by guayzimi on Oct 20, 2006 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

95-100 again is going to be tough
in the NL East with a YOUNGER and possibly more talented Phillies team.  The Mets starting rotation, if it includes Traschel, Pedro and Glavine is going to be very, very old.  There isn't much pitching out their on the market and what is out there is going to get gobbled up by the other New York team.

Unless they think Oliver Perez, Heilman and Maine are the future, they are going to have a tough time with a Phillies team that has a lot of talented youth.  Howard, Rollins, and Utley in the infield.  Hamels starting games for them along with Meyers.

I have faith that with their payroll, they can pull off some trades or some signings that could get them some help...but it's going to be tough.

Walk your dog, not Pujols.

by Hardcore Legend on Oct 20, 2006 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

You know who's got...
an awesome lineup is the Braves with Jones's and McCann, Frenchy, the ADD first baseman, Renteria, Giles...

As for the Phillies, they need to win one in order to be favored to win one. I say Howard drops back a bit too.

by guayzimi on Oct 20, 2006 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I almost wonder if this was their 2003
of the New York Yankees.  Great team assembled of some great talent that is in the middle of their career (minus Reyes and Wright) who may have hit their peak in this season only to see each of the next few season fall progressively further away.
Walk your dog, not Pujols.

by Hardcore Legend on Oct 20, 2006 4:15 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

that is closer to my thought
You have these players and Im not sure how old they are

Tucker
Hernandez
Oliver
Franco(2yr contract)
Glavine(may be solid for another yr or so)
Pedro(the contract becoming what people said 3&4 yr will be interesting)
Delgado still solid
good young core
Floyd

by punchinjudy on Oct 20, 2006 4:21 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Glavine has a funny...
player/team option. The team option will likely be declined leaving him with the choice to come back for $7mil. I've heard he's thinking about leaving.

That said, they could start their rotation with Pedro and Heilman, then add Maine or Mike Pelfrey to the back end. They can also sign one of the big two of Zito or Schmidt, and they can pick among the Suppans to round things out. That's not a bad situation to be in.

by guayzimi on Oct 20, 2006 4:32 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Fox Sports
Fox Sports has Reyes starting Game 1

by gdowdy3 on Oct 20, 2006 3:56 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Mets
At least the Mets can say what I said a year ago.

I meant to post this last night - but right before Pujols came up, I was explaining to my wife the similarity with Texas Hold 'em.  The only thing you can do in poker is to get your money into the pot with the best hand.  If you get beat by someone drawing out on you - there's nothing you can do about it - you did all you could.

When Edmonds walked, I just leaned back and said, "Well, we got our money in with the best hand - whatever happens, we can't ask for more than that."

by STLEdge on Oct 20, 2006 3:56 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Enjoyed every minute...
of the game last night even though the wife, our two little ones and I didn't sit for most of the night.  Way too amped!  

Last night was the first time I watched a game and VEB threads together.  Will be doing it again if at the computer.  Stumbled onto VEB about a month ago and have been thoroughly entertained since.  

Go Birds!!!

Just enjoyin' the ride...

by 4CardsFanz on Oct 20, 2006 4:18 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

TLR JUST ANNOUNCED
Anthony Reyes in Game 1, Weaver in game 2, then Carp, then Soup.

by Jhusk on Oct 20, 2006 4:56 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I think that ..
is the right call for sure... I'm personally not the bigest Reyes supporter...but I think the kid is going to do the job for us tomorrow....only 40% chance of rain I hear...so he's going to be the man..

by Timbo02 on Oct 20, 2006 5:04 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Let's hope for that 40% to come through
then we could repeat the NLCS rotation.  It definitely would be difficult to start both Weaver and Carp on short rest in 1 & 2, but the above rotation only give Suppan one turn unless you go with Weaver on short rest in game 5.

by ArkansasTravs on Oct 20, 2006 5:32 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Comments For This Post Are Closed

Search

User Tools

Welcome to the Internet's #1 St. Louis Cardinals blog.
Start posting about the Cardinals »

Join SB Nation and dive into communities focused on all your favorite teams.

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recommended FanPosts

Avatar_small
How to EASILY make tables for Fanposts

by FlimtotheFlam 2 days ago

13 comments | 8 recs

1753738656_110919ebe9_o_small
2010 Hot Stove Post #1: CHONE hitter projections

by vivaelpujols 8 days ago

427 comments | 8 recs

Recent FanPosts

Arch_small
Number 15

by shadetree 6 days ago

75 comments | 0 recs

Small
Some thoughts on Holliday (and potential replacements)

by BigMac545 13 days ago

78 comments | 1 recs

Small
Ok let me try this again...

by live6453 14 days ago

17 comments | 0 recs

Knights-09_small
Disenchanted Blue Jays Fan Looking For A New Team

by Jevant 15 days ago

204 comments | 1 recs

Painterlance_small
The Holliday Dilemma (Rocks Fan Perpsective)

by PinchHitLancePainter 15 days ago

17 comments | 0 recs

375830-r1-025-11_011_small
Anybody read Bob Gibson's new book yet?

by chicagojedi 15 days ago

12 comments | 0 recs

Flanders_small
Yadi2first

by BVHeck 15 days ago

20 comments | 8 recs

Small
40 Man Question..

by AdjustedExpectations 18 days ago

5 comments | 0 recs

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

Recent Posts

SBNation.com Recent Stories

St. Louis Cardinals' Albert Pujols (5) follows through on a three-run home run off Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Denny Bautista in the sixth inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh Sept. 4, 2009. The Cardinals won 14-7. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Albert Pujols Unanimously Wins Third N.L. MVP Award

Photo +2 updates

Joe Mauer Beats Yankees At Something, Wins 2009 A.L. MVP

Photo link

Diamondbacks Acquire Pitcher Aaron Heilman

AZ Snakepit

More from SBNation.com >

Managers

Jack_benny_small DanUpBaby

Editors

Bender1_small azruavatar

Adam1_small chuckb

Kid-a-bear_small the red baron