So, w/ the Smoltz analogy in mind, can we seriously be claiming TJ surgery is a 'best case'?? I guess compared to an 'arthritic' condition?

If someone has the time, I'd love to see a comprehensive diary post objectively detailing the record of the cardinals medical staff. It seems to me that they've had a negative hand in the fall of Rolen, Mulder, and now Carp.

Perhaps, if Tony leaves, they can just leave right with him.....

I think flatly stating that Tony must leave is oversimplifying the situation.  There have obviously been some differences of opinions on how to address the needs of the team, but in reality it's been injuries and a lack of available free-agent talent and replacement veterans that's plagued the cardinals.  Even if Jocketty had addressed Tony's desires and acquired an expensive free-agent, where would we be?  Jason Schmidt & Carpenter on the DL?  Tony probably realizes this and Jocketty has got to be the voice of reason.  Just because TLR's frustrated doesnt mean he doesn't realize the lack of available options.  Give him time. TLR has shown himself to be innovative and adaptable over the years.

May drop a line on our blog brothers in green & yellow to get their take.

The Cardinals desperately need to figure out something different for a staff physician, I think.  The record of this group, led by Paletta, seems to be coming down firmly on the wrong side of the Hippocratic Oath.  I have very little idea if it has to do with the medical side, or if the organisation and management are the chief causes of many of the problems, (rushing players, pushing for non surgical treatments against doctor recommendations, etc.) but the asset management practices involved in the treatment of player injuries would get me, and I'm sure many others here, shown the door immediately at my job.  (And for the record, nothing in my work world is worth $80 million.)  

I'm even having a hard time getting excited about the Bryan Anderson stuff.  While this is the sort of player who normally sends me into absolute paroxysms of joy, I have the sneaking suspicion that the type of catcher this org likes is the same type they already have, and Anderson will quite likely get his shot somewhere else in a year or too.  Hope I'm wrong, though.  

Also, I hate Kip Wells.  I think I'm developing some variant of Stockholm Syndrome from watching him pitch.  

I agree with you on Tony big time, Larry.  I've felt the same way for quite a while now.  The time has come to move on.  

I'm sorry, Kip.  You seem like an awfully talented guy, and you sure are handsome.  Your fastball was beautiful last night.  Please don't ever leave us.  

See?  This sucks.  

In my opinion, with how much (or how little) we know about Carp's rehab after surgery, there is no reason to think that there was/is a ligament issue.  I find it hard to fathom that the UCL ligament wasn't seen in plain view by Paletta when he scoped out Carp's joint a few months back.  

Furthermore, if Paletta did see ligamentous issues (stretching/fraying, etc), there is absolutely no reason why the training staff would have proceeded full steam ahead with the aggressive throwing protocol that they put Carp on.

Could Carp have torn the UCL ligament when throwing off the mound during his rehab starts?  Maybe.  Is it likely?  I think not.  

That's all I got.  I really have no clue as to what his setback may be caused by.  I am skeptical about the Tommy John talk.  Take my opinion or leave it.

Bernie has been a JuanE backer for 2 years now.  This, from what I remember, is the first time that he's bashed him.  Juan is a good athlete and an above average player.  All the numbers confirm this.  My frustration with him is that he could probably be significantly better if he didn't rely on his God-given talent and worked harder.  

What a mess this season has turned out to be - on the field and off.  

The Cards medical staff seems to follow a step by step procedure that prolongs the eventual bottom line diagnosis and the medical procedure needed to deal with it....and therefore recovery. Is that the way of the sports world now?

Prior and Wood  should be pitching, if the Cubs surgeons and medical staff have as much control over the health of those arms as we think the cards medical staff should have with carp, Mulder, Edmunds, Rolen etc etc.

Or maybe, its the agents that control this process more so than we'll ever know...steps to protect high paid clients and prevent a rush to judgement that might further jeopardize their health. Millions at stake?

LaRussa's a win-now guy. He's a terrible choice to lead a long-term rebuilding project.

As for the ugliness that is 2007, I've seen damn few great teams whose decline was NOT ugly.  I'm going to try to look at the rest of this year, and probably next year, more clinically and less emotionally.

But it will be exciting to watch the NEXT great Cardinal team be built.

At the end of October I wondered why tlr wouldn't stop with the WS.  But it became clear that going out on top means riding the glow of champion through opening day and the asg.  But for tlr, and his years to gain acceptance in stl, it is also clear that he really wants the all time club record for w's that is presntly held by Red Schoendienst.  He needs another 22 wins to surpass, and I don't think anybody will keep that from happening, even if it takes to the end of september.

I happen to like many of the things tlr does as a field manager, in particular plays like the suicide squeeze, and use of the bench players via the double switch.  He's had a good run, like the MV3 and Carp.  Time to plan on turning the page, bringing on new talent, and new leadership.  

I think that if Rolen requires more surgery, Paletta should be fired.

Thoughts?

He said that as far as Jocketty, he has no idea where the rumors of him leaving are coming from.  He is not being forced out.  Lunhow was given duties that weren't Walt's.  DeWitt wanted somone to handle player development on the draft, international and all minor league levels.  He says 'one man can't do both'.  

As far as going to Cincy, Walt is under contract and he wouldn't believe that his close friends in Cincy would tamper with Walt while he is still with the Cardinals.  There is no friction between DeWitt and Jocketty and there is room to make the team better for this year while doing so for next year.  He will increase payroll for the right types of players.

When it comes to LaRussa, he says this year isn't Tony's fault and he won't be fired over it.  If Tony wants to come back next year, just like every year, the job is his.

Obviously, no one wants to see this happen, but I was curious as to what the organization's responsibility is.

http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/ten-things-i-didnt-know-last-week40/

someday we'll all be adept at the link abreviation thing.

Bernie well I'm not a big Bernie guy think he is imature at times(last yr with the Pujols stuff)

However I do agree with todays piece a bit. A manager does need to hold guys accoutnable, but does that mean calling them out in the media? Not sure about that one.

I agree that your star player needs to be the example, but dont think you can compare AP and Juan in the same sentence. Ap has made mistakes at times he is human, but Juan makes alot of dumb moves(that transend the ocassion mistake thing). I'll have to give him this he seems a lot better at the plate this year, but stil makes boneheaded moves in the field, and basepaths. For instance a few weeks ago Juan gets a base hit...thats great only to get picked off first.

Oh and someone mentioned AP no sliding into home...if its not close i could care less Ive seen him do it before and it made me squeemish...the franchise big and bulky and awkward sliding into a catcher ...no way

My first question is, why?  Not for the Cubs, because I don't really care.  But why for the Pirates?  They have Bautista as their 3B, Freddy Sanchez as their 2B.  Then they have a 3 man crew of MIF now with Jack Wilson, Jose Castillo and Cesar Isturiz.  All are above average defenders.  

Castillo is in the doghouse and Wilson can't hit.  Wilson has a huge contract, so maybe they are planning on trading him to someone who needs a SS.  Who that might be, I have no idea.

Dunn for Matt Wise, Gwynn Jr and PTBNL.

Well, he is sucking hard at Wrigley today.  Bengie Molina is apparently giving him signals he doesn't understand.

"Among the teams for whom Wilson might make sense: ...the Cardinals, who will lose David Eckstein to free agency after this season..."

The DBacks have been 1 big hit away each of these 4 games from sweeping the Brewers.  Instead, they only got 1 yesterday to spare themselves from being swept.

personally after this season of discontentment, i'm done with Tony. i've gone on record before, even as recently as this season as saying Tony should not leave and if he did, the Cardinals would stop losing. i no longer feel that. thanks for the wins, the ring, and all the good memories Tony, but its time to go. his act has gotten tired. he looks tired, he acts tired, and he' all over the place picking fights with FSN guys, Bernie and any one who dares question him. he's making himself look bad, and the Cards look bad. and as a manager, when you start making your team look bad, it's time to take a step back and check yourself. i think Tony's finally burnt out. the DUI, Josh Hancocks death, the losing, all the injuries. it's all finally to much for Tony to handle. the defending World Champs are not suspossed to have this bad of a season right after winning it all. and i dont think Tony can handle it any more.

Tony's had a wonderful career, not just with the Cardinals. i'm so grateful for every thing he's given us fans. but the times they are a changin. Tony's as old school as they come, and he's not a fan of change. the writings on the wall. owners want younger&cheaper players, fans want younger&cheaper players. the only one who does not is Tony. somethings got to give.

goodbye, and good luck Tony. thank you for everything.