I guess I just dont understand the worry wart nature. Its not me. Thank God. I realize he hasn't been good in the early going. I'm only upset that he isn't given the same benefit of the doubt as the other 24 guys on the roster are.

I also feel the Birds win tonight. Ponson goes six, gives up three runs. Cards bats wake up. Then you are sitting at 4-2 after road trips to Philly and Chicago, two of the better teams in the NL.

I'll take that every day of the week and twice on Sunday.

The similarities ARE there: glaring hole to fill, mediocre veteran whose production is suspect, long-term contract for a lot of money.

In both cases, most fans were against the deal upon its inception---not because they "dislike" a player, but because they recognize what appears to be a really poor fit. At $2 mil a year as a fourth OF, Juanc is fine. And now the early results--almost all negative, to the point where he's been really the most blatantly bad cardinal at the plate, on the bases, and in the field---seem to so overwhelmingly confirm most fans' firts impressions... well, it's tough to not feel down about the guy.

But I can guarantee you that EVERY Cardinal fan is pulling for the guy and wants to see him do well.

(sung to the tune of the "Bob the Builder" theme)

I love the Card's, but I can just see it in them right now. Hopefully they can snap out of it and this series isn't a preview of things to come.. but man, they're giving up this game, just like that gave up last night. It's times like these where they're going to miss Sanders and Walker. I don't care if those guys are older and have lost a step, they wouldn't be sitting there quiet right now. They'd be getting on everybody, and the entire Cardinals team would be fired up right now.

I'm sorry, but even if new additions like Encarnacion manage to rebound and match the stats of last years departures, they're still going to cost the Card's some games.

This is a time where Pujols needs to become a great leader. I'm not saying he isn't a good leader, he is, but the last few years he's been surrounded by other guys that can fire up the team. He was a doing a good job during the Phil's series when everything was going the Card's way, lets see how he responds in times like this.

I lay it right at the feet of Jockety.   Great job shoring up the pitching staff.

Man I can't stand this.  

The good thing about Juan'cion's at bats?  It means Pujols is coming up next.

Rolen sure is a positive, though.  Home run, stolen base, defense.

We get every october.