one-man team

by lboros on Apr 17, 2006 7:20 AM EDT in News Comment 44 comments

well, now we know just how much pujols it requires to overcome a little juan encarnacion.

my dad and younger brother were at the game yesterday with my nephews, ages 7 and 5. they headed for the ramp after the cards left the sacks full in the 8th inning (cut `em some slack, the boys are young and it was a long game), but a souvenir stand on the concourse hooked one of the kids and delayed their departure. the boys were slow to select their loot -- so many kinds o' crap to choose from!! -- and the reds were impatient to get through the 9th, so the crew were still in attendance for the ending in spite of themselves. kids being kids, they insisted on buying some shiny, plasticky red junk to commemorate their visit, even after albert had delivered (at no extra charge) his own, far more valuable memento of this day at the ballpark.

hope you all enjoyed it, because that may be pujols' last hurrah for 2006. he probably won't see another strike all season. why in god's name would you throw him one? just give the man his base, try to get past rolen, and you're out of trouble. i think that's the lesson opposing managers will take away from yesterday's game: you can beat the cardinals this year, but you still can't beat pujols.

here's how my SB Nation colleague at Red Reporter put it:

Teams need to start pitching to Pujols like they've pitched to Bonds in recent years. Why let him beat you when the Cardinals have a bunch of lightweights like Aaron Miles, John Rodriguez, Juan Encarnacion, Scott Spiezio, Yadier Molina, and Skip Schumaker in the lineup? The Cards have had exactly two hitters to be afraid of in their lineup for the past three games, and those two hitters hit a combined four home runs today. Maybe pitching around Pujols and Rolen would have been a good idea?

albert drew 13 walks in the cardinals' first dozen games; wouldn't shock me if he draws 20 walks in the next dozen.

sometimes a game like this will get a team going. st louis didn't pitch particularly well, didn't hit when it counted (mostly), and made fielding and baserunning mistakes that should have cost them the game -- but they won anyway, simply because one player was too stubborn or stupid to quit. such a win can have a cathartic effect -- a multitude of sins forgiven, souls purged, consciences wiped clean -- and settle things down, where a standard get-lead-hold-lead one-run win might simply keep ev'yone on edge. if the cards' play becomes a tad more crisp in the coming days, the talking heads will point to this game. they might also point to the schedule, which features 10 games against pittsburgh (off to a 4-10 start) and washington (4-9) in the next two weeks. in 2004-05 the cardinals methodically crushed this sort of opposition; a 9-4 or 10-3 run here might help the 2006 cardinals look a little less like some cheap, shiny, plasticky concession-stand toy.

before i go: hardball times links to a blogger who uses an old bill james formula to calculate pujols' chances of breaking the all-time hr record as well as the standards for hits, runs scored, rbis, and doubles. the formula gives albert an outside chance at hitting 900 home runs. and that's not even counting yesterday's game . . . .

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Rodriguez

As much as this guy drives everybody crazy with his bad fielding and baserunning, I think we have to find a way to get him 400 ABs this season. He looks like a flat-out good hitter to me, and we desperately need another one of those in the lineup. He had a good OBP last year, I think when everyone is healthy the most commonly used lineup should be:

Eckstein
Rodriguez
King Albert
Rolen
Edmonds
Juancion
Miles/Luna or maybe Marquis if we can teach him to play 2nd :)
Molina

by mikedallas23 on Apr 17, 2006 9:57 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I'd second that

I've always had an irrational weakness for this guy ... but we do need another lefty bat with some pop and J-Rod might be the answer. If Edmonds must miss the Pittsburgh series, TLR should let the Schumaker/Taguchi platoon handle center and get J-Rod some ABs in left field. B/w last year, winter ball, and the end of spring training, the guy has shown enough he's no fluke - when he's healthy, he can hit and get on base. He'd be a damn sight better in the #2 hole than Encarnacion. Time to let him show what he can do playing every day, while Bigbie re-habs in Memphis.

by DCRedbird on Apr 17, 2006 10:08 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

DAMMIT

Stupid new Cardinals radio network.

Visited my parents in Southern Illinois. Last year? I'd have listen to AM stations all the way through the state back to Chicago.

This year? Had the local FM station from my hometown. I listen to mostly static through the eighth and could BARELY hear that we left the bases loaded. Then I completely lost the signal and couldnt' find the game anywhere else.

Thanks, Dewitt.

by sdrone on Apr 17, 2006 10:00 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

AM

1470 Comes in crystal in almost all of Illinois and carries all weekend games and weeknight games (not day games during the week, though... stupid Rush Limbaugh.)

Cheers, Alex Fritz

by Alxfritz on Apr 17, 2006 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

XM radio

Get one. Every MLB game, from spring training to the World Series. Think about it.

plus there is tons of great music and other stuff.

Reverend Redbird

by erik on Apr 17, 2006 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not everyone

can afford XM, including me....

by cardsrul on Apr 17, 2006 4:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

mulder

The game was on tv where I live, with a jugs reading for every pitch. Mulder seemed never to go over 84; should this be a worry?

by kurt on Apr 17, 2006 10:45 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Radar Guns

For whatever reason, the "radar" used by Bud Productions (same crew, whether it's KPLR or FSN Midwest) seem to be a little slow to me. I almost never see a reading above 93, no matter who is on the mound, or for what team. I didn't think Mulder pitched all that badly... he got four strikeouts, but it took him 99 pitches (60 strikes) to get through five innings. Yep, ground balls are better... they stay in the yard, and keep your SP fresh!

by The Ol Goaler on Apr 17, 2006 11:05 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Radar Gun

Any guess on how much slower it is? FS Ohio had the same readings FWIW.

by Rob H on Apr 17, 2006 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was there

I took my nephews (age 2 and 4) for Kids T-Shirt Day. They were very ready to leave in the 8th, so I thought maybe if we got up and walked around for a while, they'd calm back down. They didn't, but I refused to leave the game early*, so my sister bought them some slushies or something, which kept them entertained while I watched the bottom of the 9th.

Last time I left early was this game (also attended with sister and her kids): http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/gameday_recap.jsp?ymd=20050807&content_id=11615 48&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=stl Luckily in that case we alteast *heard the big play on the radio as we were walking to the car.

by john vb on Apr 17, 2006 10:58 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

excessive bold

The bold got a little funky there... here's what it should've looked like:

*Last time I left early was this game (also attended with sister and her kids): http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/gameday_recap.jsp?ymd=20050807&content_id=11615 48&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=stl Luckily in that case we alteast heard the big play on the radio as we were walking to the car.

by john vb on Apr 17, 2006 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

you should take those kids

to more games . . . :]

by lboros on Apr 17, 2006 11:17 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hahha. SHould this be on a VEB t shirt?

From Bernie's column:

"tres lanzamientos de Pujols"

by sdrone on Apr 17, 2006 10:59 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

nice

lanzamientos = "launchings"

by lboros on Apr 17, 2006 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bernie's column

Bernie's column was awesome. I think it pretty much summed up the awe that all of us have in watching Mr. Pujols night in and night out.

by jroman on Apr 17, 2006 11:17 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Went to the

games both sat and sun, and wow!! My trepidations about the new ballpark are pretty much gone. There are a few kinks they need to work on--sound is bad, for one), but overall I'm pleased. Had two gloriously hot days of baseball. The openness of B3 is definately a plus--even during the hottest parts of the days, nice breezes were constantly enjoyed. The wide concourses are outstanding for quick bathroom/beer runs (as well as babe watching), and even though we were in Upper Terrace, the players did not look like ants. I see the games were well covered here as always, so I won't recap--except to say that Sir Sid looked damn fine on sat and Mulder looked awful on sun (thank god for APu!). JuanEnc--ugh. I've been trying hard to withold judgement on the guy, but the dropped ball sun finally snapped my more rational "give him some time" position. The dude is a dud and needs to go. If not for Marquis' timely hit and APu's walkoff, he would have single-handedly lost that game too. One thing of note: I heard more boos for hometown boys in those two games than I've heard in quite some time. The crowd had no mercy for Juan, who did everything to ask for more hatred, and on sat--I guess the announcer had it wrong--when Hancock came in, Izzy was mistakenly announced, and you'da thunk you had just witnessed Denkinger's '85 rotten call. The place erupted in boos at the mere mention of his name. This I do not like, and I think (I hope) can be attributed to a multitude of new bandwagon fans who watch too many Flub games. Izzy has me worried as well, but does anyone believe booing as his name is announced will help him pitch better? This is not the work of longtime Birdfans who consider themselves the best is baseball. All around though, I dig the new stadium and have fewer worries about this team than I had before the weekend. Something needs to done, and it will be done--but the sky is not falling. This team may not win 100 games (though with some shuffling and a midseason addition or two, they might), but I still think we'll be playing in october come hell or high water. My advice--do whatever is necessary to see the new team and its new home in person--it will calm many of your jitters.

by rockin redbird on Apr 17, 2006 11:41 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I know that that is will hardly make me popular

here, but Pujols is actually starting to worry me. His dominance is getting to the same absurd point that Bonds reached a couple of years back. He pretty much seems able to do whatever he needs to do, at will. Unlike bonds, there is no "historical" albert to be compared to. All we know is that he is outproducing pretty much every major leaguer ever through his age 26 season. I have to start at least asking myself whether or not he is doping. There are indications that he is not, because his single A Peoria baseball card picture looks pretty much identical to him today, but this insane ahistorical production has to at least leave us asking the question.

The problem with the doping scandal is exactly this--you don't know whether or not to trust Pujols' production as genuine or not. He is fun to watch, and it makes the game exciting, but this whole thing with bonds and giambi and sheff and mac leaves me with an odd feeling about the whole thing, the more and more I think about it.

Then again, there really is no evidence, but coming up with evidence for abscence of something is hard. And now I'm talking in ciricles

by Valatan on Apr 17, 2006 11:49 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Pujols doping...

[I know that that is will hardly make me popular
here, but Pujols is actually starting to worry me. His dominance is getting to the same absurd point that Bonds reached a couple of years back. He pretty much seems able to do whatever he needs to do, at will.

Pujols is doing what Dimaggio did through the first 5 or 6 years of his career. It isn't unheard of. Occasionally in baseball, you'll have that guy who 'breaks the mold' or 'sets the bar' for everyone else. Without it, we wouldn't have the Babe Ruths, Willie Mays, Ken Griffey Jr (pre-injuries) for that matter. If everyone stayed 'near the mean' then the mean would be much lower.

I understand what you are saying, but Pujols much like Lebron James in basketball is just a man-child. A physical specimen who is older than his age. Could Pujols actually BE OLDER than what we are being told? That's a possibility. However, I know people that saw him play in high school and they said he looked like a man among boys out there, towering over everyone. If he is doping now, he would have been doping since then. And if that were the case, we are talking about close to 10 years of doping. His body would begin to break down at this point, or we'd start to see signs.

Pujols' dominance so far is based on the fact that he's compartmentalized the strike zone. Middle in is what he is looking for with a strike on him. Out and away, he's looking to hit singles and stay alive, which he can do since he's able to stay back on balls. But he's looking middle-in, knees to nipples. The way he uses his hips to hit makes even balls that would ride in on most hitters perfect for him to poke over that left field wall. It's all about looking for the pitch you want and I am amazed at the fact that pitchers think they can keep coming inside on him, which is exactly what he wants.

If you want to get Albert out, stay away, away, away. Throw a first pitch fastball over the outside corner and then nothing but breaking stuff away, away, away. If you are lucky enough to catch the corner with it, you can get him out. Otherwise, put him on and move on.

by Hardcore Legend on Apr 17, 2006 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Pujols

has actually slimmed-down from his rookie season (one of the knocks against him as a prospect was that he was prone to being overweight). HGH, steroids, etc. would probably hurt more than help him.

He was probably that kid in 5th grade who already had a mustache and who the older girls liked. There's always at least one.

matty fred is a web log.

by matty fred on Apr 17, 2006 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes--

that would definately count as an unpopular notion. I would argue against it for many reasons, the foremost being that APu would have to be a complete idiot to ignore the new rules and laws regarding steroid use. He not only would put himself in a world of shit with the law and MLB, he knows his status as a hero to millions would transform overnight into scorn. What Mac and Sosa and Giambi, etc. did was done in different times--when steroid use was ignored (even outright accepted) by MLB, management, etc. That is no longer the case. Nobody wants that stigma now, and I believe Albert is smarter than that. I also believe he has enough character that he would view steroid use for what it is: cheating. Albert doesn't strike me as a guy who would participate in or condone cheating. He loves and respects the game too much for that. Now, since I don't know the man personally, I can't attest to whether that's a truth or a public pose, but until he gives me some reason to doubt it, it's gospel to me.

by rockin redbird on Apr 17, 2006 12:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't know about MLB's steroid policy,

really. I am very skeptical about Bud's willingness to deal with this problem. So far, the approach has been extremely reserved, and the publicly revealed cases seem almost intentionally chosen. I am really just trying to be skeptical, because the question really does seem to just be jumping out at us, and noone is really asking it.

For the reasons you stated, he is probably not, but it certainly seems within the realm of possibility to me.

by Valatan on Apr 17, 2006 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

fair enough

and I think that he most likely isn't, but it is something that has to at least be thought of. And it causes me to take pause when people start talking about his odds of reaching 900 home runs. That hitters' profile is very, very close to what I always heard about Jason Giambi during his days with the A's. Bonds as well, we constantly heard about how he just murdered the pitches he saw inside and in the zone with him.

He most likely isn't, but probababilities of seeing all of these superstars for the ages in a decade is quite low. It's a question that at least needs to be asked. And really, only time will tell if we have another Giambi or another Ted Williams. I really, really hope it's the latter. McGwire never bothered me that much, because I never really cared that much about him--I wanted him traded for pitching at the time. Pujols would make me very cynical about baseball.

by Valatan on Apr 17, 2006 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm with you

there--to find something like this to be true about Albert would hurt me deeply--I was no huge fan of Mac's either (even in his glory something about him never sat right with me). I have no problem with you bringing it up though--after the 90's the question will hover over all truly great players. I just don't see one iota of evidence to support any suspicions. Yet.

by rockin redbird on Apr 17, 2006 1:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

About Rodriguez...

atleast when that man makes an error, it's the groundcrews fault. When Encarnacion makes an error, he's only got himself to blame. Leave Miles in the 2-hole, as he'll atleast keep the team out of double plays before Albert and seems able enough to move Eckstein over to second should he reach. That'll atleast entice teams to put Albert on an open bag at first, giving Rolen two potential RBIs.

With N'acion, more than likely Pujols would be batting every inning either leadoff or with two outs.

So, I guess if you want Albert to keep seeing pitches, move N'acion back to the two hole. Bases empty or with two outs, he's likely to see more pitches to hit.

by Hardcore Legend on Apr 17, 2006 12:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

El Birdo has it right

While yesterday was a great day for Pujols, the lesson was learned by the rest of the league. Albert may not see very many strikes the rest of the way. I am really surprised it took the league this long to figure it out. But alas we can thank Walt "bandaid" Jocketty and the owners for not ponying up the money to get at least one more legit bat in the lineup or trading for another bat. I don't totally blame Jock but he could have done better than So, Bigbie, J-Rod in LF, Miles at 2B, and Juano in RF. I have been concerned from day 1 of winter/Spring training about LF/RF/2B. The Cards have major issues at those positions. And Juan is the new Tino no doubt. What a horrible signing that was last winter. And one last thing. Being in Texas at night I used to be able to pick up the games on KMOX. Now I can't get squat. Thanks Bill Dewitt.

by TexasCard on Apr 17, 2006 12:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

At least

Scotty's resurgence will make other teams think twice about the notion of passing on Albert every time. Rolen's only one guy, but so far he's looking pretty badass. If Jed ever gets over his shoulder or head or whatever his ailment is--that too will help keep pitchers throwing to Albert. I also think there will be a major midseason move that will bring another big bat, especially if Jed keeps on slumping. So while I agree it will certainly be tried now and again, it might seem a lost cause after awhile.

by rockin redbird on Apr 17, 2006 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

A high OBP guy batting in the 2-spot

really isn't too much to ask.

matty fred is a web log.

by matty fred on Apr 17, 2006 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd settle for one....

...that knows how to take a pitch.

by Hardcore Legend on Apr 17, 2006 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The real issue is Edmonds

Pujols has plenty of protection with a healthy Edmonds in the line up. If Pujols sees a lot of BBs, the fault lies with Edmond's absence (or his current slump) rather than with N'acion.

So says, The Dude

by Titus Pullo on Apr 17, 2006 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Speaking of steroids...

Matt Lawton is apparently available due to a glut of outfielders on the Seattle roster. $400K OBP guy. Not too good in the field, but we spent $15M on a guy just like that. Or does Walt wait until Bigbie comes back to make an OF move?

by bgh on Apr 17, 2006 12:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I forgot the link:

http://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/mariners/story/5666383p-5082076c.html

by bgh on Apr 17, 2006 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Albert

You can't walk him with runners on base. I think that's the key, is finding guys to bat 1-2 who get on base at a high rate. I don't know if we have those kinds of players on our team right now, but if management wants to give Albert a chance, that's as good a way to get him pitches as any. Make teams decide between loading the bases for Scott Rolen w/ no outs (or making it first and second w/ 1 out), and pitching to Albert. Neither of those options is favorable to the opposition. This is definitely the worst offensive team we've had in the last 3 years.

I wish we had Ryan Freel, whose major league totals give him an OBP of .369...not as a full time player, but his last two seasons have been at .371 and .375, and the guy can run (36, 37 stolen bases the last two years). I don't know if he's available or not, but I know the Reds have four second basemen right now (Phillips, Aurilia, and Womack). I would love to see him as our leadoff guy and drop Eck down to the 8 spot...and I would still want to acquire an outfielder to hit 2nd - but right now I would just settle for someone besides juan - bigbie when he gets healthy I guess, or even Edmonds when he gets healthy - but he needs to strike out less. Anyway, just my thoughts.

by Toddius396 on Apr 17, 2006 1:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Freel

Yeah, i was hoping WJ could snag Freel at the winter trades, what with his speed and being able to play 2B AND LF he seems to be a perfect fit. The Reds ended up resigning him for 3 or 4 years at (i think) 2-3 mil/yr. Still be a nice pickup if they could swing a trade but all in all i don't mind Miles at 2B and batting 2nd.

by moochavelli on Apr 17, 2006 4:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Off topic, but

I just got my VEB T-shirt. Pretty cool! Can't wait to show it off at Wrigley. :)

by cmat on Apr 17, 2006 1:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Just got

mine today too. The tranfers are a bit light, but I do love it!! Hopefully you'll be sitting by some of the BCB crowd ;-)

by rockin redbird on Apr 17, 2006 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

duh--

the word is "transfers" not "tranfers." Not a big problem with the shirt, though. Quite stylish in that "distressed look" way that is so popular these days.

by rockin redbird on Apr 17, 2006 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The shirt looks nice...

...but it'd be great if it had one of the old 'birdos' logos on it:

http://home.comcast.net/~glgrimm1/birdoavatar.BMP

by Hardcore Legend on Apr 17, 2006 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

pitching around pujols

larry, you wrote "albert drew 13 walks in the cardinals' first dozen games; wouldn't shock me if he draws 20 walks in the next dozen."

that's what happened to bonds in 2001. through the first quarter of the season, bonds had a very typical walk rate (for him), with an OBP of .426 by mid-may. then he smacked NINE home runs in six games (including six homers in one weekend, which got a huge amount of press coverage back then), and for the next three and a half years pitchers just stopped throwing strikes to him.

i think you have the same elements in place in st. louis -- a big splashy show by the game's best hitter, and a lopsided lineup which encourages pitchers to avoid the big men. (to continue the giants' parallel, pujols = bonds, rolen = kent, and encarnacion = calvin murray.) i've always feared that the cardinals were built like those 2001-2004 giants -- great core, but too weak around the edges to go over the top -- and thininking about albert as the new bonds (the guy who pops your eyes and draws 170 walks per year) is oddly discomfiting.

Brian Gunn

by briangunn on Apr 17, 2006 2:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Record paces

If Pujols and Rolen enjoy good health for the entire year, one of two records is likely to be threatened.

Walking Pujols, especially with men already on base, simply gives Rolen that many RBI chances. Look out, Hack Wilson!

Pitching to Pujols might move Bonds off the top of the HR list.

A healthy Edmonds could really make this an enjoyable season.

by DizzyDean17 on Apr 17, 2006 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If Rodriguez can hit then I guess

we should be playing him over Taguchi and Schumaker. We've gotta find out if he can play a major league outfield. And we've gotta find out if his defense can improve.

Maybe Skip is the future Taguchi - defensive sub for any outfield spot. I dunno. I just know I like defense.

When Bigbie comes back, of course, then we have the problem again. His defense is probably better than Rodriguez'. Which one of them can give us 20 homers and a smattering of RBI's?

As for Edmonds - bah. Give him some time. his streakiness is insane sometimes.

by sdrone on Apr 17, 2006 3:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Rodriguez

Many people have been questioning whether Rodriguez is for real due to the sample size and late blooming nature of his production. But they're also quick to label him a bad base runner. I recall two pretty bad baserunning gaffes last year, but yesterday he was heads up in taking 3rd when the throw was coming home.

The defense remains to be seen...

by planet pujolsian on Apr 17, 2006 3:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Does anyone here wonder

if a long stretch of uninterrupted playing time might be necessary for certain players to show their true selves? My fear is that TLR's endless shifting of lineups means guys like JRod or Luna or Gall won't get a chance to play more than 2-3 games at a time, i.e., they'll never get into an everyday rhythm that will allow us to really evaluate them. It's starting to remind me of the way Torre used to use Brian Jordan or Geronimo Pena ... they'd play for 3 days, do something Torre didn't like or take an 0-fer or whatever, then ride the pine the rest of the week.

by MdRedbirdFreak on Apr 17, 2006 4:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Well, sure, but

we don't have 12 positions to try players, right?

by sdrone on Apr 17, 2006 7:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Very true ...

But I'm really only talking about trying it for JRod (LF) and Luna (2B). And re Gall ... well, I think he's deserving of such a shot as well, but I have a feeling that TLR will NEVER give him a chance. If I were Gall I'd be asking for a trade every day now.

by MdRedbirdFreak on Apr 18, 2006 12:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs