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dead men walking (UPDATE: ankiel to be called up)

i'd like to think that the cardinals are simply too tough to die. but the truth is probably more along these lines:

you can't kill something that's already dead.

these guys are zombies. shoot 'em, stab 'em, hack off their limbs, beat 'em 15 to 1; doesn't matter. they keep lurching forward. some of 'em are already half-decomposed, their crude mortician's stitches long since withered. there goes one without a shoulder; that one's missing a hip; here's one with his bones jutting out; and look at that one, almost all of his flesh has rotted away. disgusting. they're all gnarled and unsteady of gait; for several innings each game, and at least two entire games a week, they exhibit the frozen, unblinking visages of cadavers. and their careers? how many of these guys have been pronounced dead as professional ballplayers? gotta be 15 or 20. free-agents nobody else wanted, dessicated bodies exhumed from DFA graves, guys who are impossible to trade, failed prospects; there's even one guy who announced his retirement two years ago.

you'll have to forgive me for applying this metaphor during a season in which a cardinal player actually died. it's in poor taste, i concede --- but it fits so perfectly i can't help myself. the cardinals are dead and have been for most of a month, and yet they do not die. they defy nature. the terrified cubs and brewers run away and, being alive, quickly put distance between themselves and the lifeless monsters. but in their panic they inevitably trip over a rock or stumble over their own feet; when they look up here come the undead, staggering toward them with arms outstretched, fingers curled, hideous nails jutting out. a chilling spectacle. puts me in mind of what the local sheriff tells the tv reporter in Night of the Living Dead:

Reporter: Are they slow-moving, chief?
Sheriff: Yeah, they're dead, they're . . . . all messed up.
all messed up, to be sure --- feeble and plodding and stupid, beyond sensation, beyond reason. they departed the green realm of postseason contention weeks ago, yet here they are still, the dead walking among the living. they won't rest; they can't be stopped. no wound can inflict any damage beyond what they've already sustained.

creepy, but kind of cool to watch. for summer entertainment, it'll do.

Update [2007-8-9 11:23:0 by lboros]: another zombie joins the mix: per deadspin, rick ankiel is getting called up to the big leagues. he was left for dead in 2001 and has died a thousand times since, and yet he's still here . . . . they can't kill him. i'm not very sentimental about this guy, but i hope he'll do well. if nothing else they'll find out how much of an option he is for next season; he certainly can't hurt anything in the short term. however it turns out, this is a storyline that needed to be closed.

go crazy, folks, go crazy.

* * * * * * * * *

apropos of nothing: who do you suppose the PTBNLs are for maroth and piniero? not an important subject, but with piniero starting tonight i got to wondering. various sources have suggested these are not important prospects. for some perspective, recall that when the cardinals traded for terrible pitchers last year they gave up rich scalamandre (for jorge sosa) and terry evans (for weaver). the guy headed to the tigers is supposedly a relief pitcher, so i'm gonna take a wild guess that the candidates for that PTBNL might include:
  • mark worrell: he's got great stats, and has throughout his minor-league career --- 10 strikeouts per 9, and more strikeouts than baseruners allowed. but if the organization didn't give him a look this year, while granting serial promotions to the likes of jimenez, cavazos, and dove, i have the feeling that he is not in their plans. worrell's success is thought to result less from raw stuff than from a gimmick delivery; he is prone to the longball and vulnerable to left-handers. he is not, and never has been, on the 40-man roster.
  • matt scherer: large, hard-throwing right-hander, but the organization already has several of those ahead of scherer (dove, perez, motte) and coming up behind him (todd, gregerson, maiques). he posted impressive numbers last season and has been pretty good in 2007, but he's expendable.
  • nick webber: high draft pick (2d round in 2005, the 78th player chosen), but he hasn't shown anything so far. he's built like looper (6'7", skinny) and supposedly throws a hard sinker, but the results ain't even close to being there.
  • hugo castellanos: 27 years old, has bounced back n forth between the mexican league and various mlb organizations . . . . don't know why you would trade for the guy, since a) he's not very good, and b) he's a free-agent every other year and can be had for nothing.
  • donnie smith: selected in the 4th round in 2004, has battled injuries ever since; 24 years old and still in A ball.
in piniero's case, we don't know what position the guy plays. in addition to the above-named, the possibilities might include:
  • sean danielson: something's got to be done about the outfield glut at double A / triple A. he's had a good year, but he's 25 (just turned two days ago; happy birthday, sean), still in double A, and about 10th on the AA/AAA depth chart.
  • michael ferris: 2d-rounder in 2004, got to memphis last month despite wretched stats all the way up the chain; plays first base. still only 24 years old, and 25 seems to be the magic breakout age for some of these guys (evans and mather, to name two). but with hamilton, buckman, steve hill, and other 1bmen in the pipeline, the cards can't afford to wait around on this guy.

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Wow!
Your cheery demeanor brings me back to this blog day after day!  

Heh. Just joking.   I'm still trying to believe a little bit.  Not necessarily because we're good, but because it's just barely possible we could have a streak (our pitching looks less crappy) and neither the Brewers nor the Cubs want this thing.

by sdrone on Aug 9, 2007 9:59 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

less crappy
Well said.  I can't say I expect them to make the playoffs by any means, but I'm eternally hopeful (it's my nature as an optimist), and lately I've been drawing my hope from the pitching efforts turned in by Wells and Reyes.  It's too early to pronounce them good, but they're definitely less crappy.

Wells since June 20th: 3-2, 2.72 ERA 36/18 K/BB (49.2 IP)
Reyes since June 27th: 1-2, 3.13 ERA 13/7 K/BB (23 IP)

by john vb on Aug 9, 2007 10:34 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

the math is there
when you consider that Wells and Reyes are/were public enemy # 1 and 2... in terms of getting us IN this hole.  Kinda fitting it would be THEM to (maybe) pull us out of it.
Neither appear to have injuries...and I have said before, even tho they brought much of the troubles they had on themselves, both of them also had some crappy luck, at times.

by CurtFlood on Aug 9, 2007 6:14 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

ehh
"you'll have to forgive me for applying this metaphor during a season in which a cardinal player actually died. it's in poor taste, i concede"

Ya think?

The central is terrible. We've know that since April. The Brewers and Cubs have shown bursts where they are as good as anyone but have not had that prolonged stretch of Joe Morgan-like consistency.

But even so, the birds just don't have the pitching to get closer. I'm just enjoying the season one game at a time now.

by paCardsFan on Aug 9, 2007 10:05 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

True.
The Cubs and Brewers may not have played like Morgan's playing career, but they have had stretches like his broadcasting career.  

(cue slide whistle sound effect)  

To hell with your spoiled baby! I need those shoes!

by the red baron on Aug 9, 2007 10:13 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

.....I can...
.....hear the slide whistle guy playing with extra zest for Joe, tho I was surprised to see seven .250 or sub .250 years at the plate and a couple more barely above .250...I had never looked at Joe's lifetime stats before, over 1000 SOs! I would not have guessed that..
Wait a minute...I can see La Russa in pinstripes, and there's still TWO Duncans in the dugout!

by cardschinmusic on Aug 10, 2007 5:40 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I like the
Night of the Living Dead metaphor.  It really is quite apt for the way this team has handled itself this year.  The other teams try to get away, but every time they turn around, they just haven't quite managed to lose the pursuit.  

If the PTBNL is Worrell, for either one of those guys, I'm going to be pissed.  Why the Cardinals wouldn't see any future in the guy is beyond me; he does have an effed up delivery, but he also breaks 90mph on a regular basis, with a great slider and a pretty serviceable changeup.  His stuff is way better than most any other sidearmer you're going to see, and if the braintrust doesn't think he could be a big time reliever, I'm afraid they may not be paying attention.  

To hell with your spoiled baby! I need those shoes!

by the red baron on Aug 9, 2007 10:07 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

He's a ROOGy
he should never face a left handed batter ever.  He's really not the kind of player to get upset about being moved.

by azruavatar on Aug 9, 2007 10:50 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I gotta say, Larry...
your quite vivid "Night of the Living Dead" descriptions don't help my appetite reading this at breakfast time...LOL...but the metaphors are very appropriate for this team...given the plight of the Cubs and Brewers right now, I have to slap myself on the side of the head to clear out all the "what ifs..." what you and others have been saying about the '07 Cardinals is spot on: this was a flawed team from the starting blocks.

by tbell61 on Aug 9, 2007 10:08 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Maybe
the braintrust has an aversion to sidearmers?  The curious ST trade of Mike Myers comes to mind...  
youneverknow

by meat on Aug 9, 2007 10:21 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Oops
this should be "up" one comment, re: Worrell.
youneverknow

by meat on Aug 9, 2007 10:22 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Oh, and Lb,
forgive me for quibbling, or if I'm wrong, but I thought Maiques was actually kind of a little guy?  I was thinking he barely topped 6', but I could be wrong.  Anybody else know?  
To hell with your spoiled baby! I need those shoes!

by the red baron on Aug 9, 2007 10:09 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Not sure but...
I saw on the scoreboard at Busch yesterday where they show the minor league news that he was one save away from tying the all time Quad Cities save record.
- Y. Molina stole third

by TriplePlay on Aug 9, 2007 10:13 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

evans
if i recall correctly, evans wasnt traded for weaver.  evans was traded for weaver and a boatload of cash.  the cards assumed all of maroth's contract, although it was less than what weaver was owed.  that has me hopeful that no one of consequence will be the ptbnl.  i think they got some cash along with pinhead though.

by dmb60614 on Aug 9, 2007 10:11 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

As an avid fan of cheesy zombie movies....
I love the reference larry. TLR is like the mad necromancer type that has brought forth his undead minions.
- Y. Molina stole third

by TriplePlay on Aug 9, 2007 10:11 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I agree
Looking at the rest of season as if it's a zombie B-movie will make it much more entertaining for me, to be sure.

by roebirds on Aug 9, 2007 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I have thought that if this team were a band
They could be called "Mighty Albert and the DFA's"

"Mighty Albert and the Zombies" or "The Undead (feauturing Albert Pujols)" also work

by tdawg on Aug 9, 2007 10:12 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I'll go with
Albert and the Replacement Level's

by mikedallas23 on Aug 9, 2007 11:12 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Is it possible????
Is it possible to overcome 6 games? absolutely Brewers and Cubs look like crap right now.

You know I don't know if we will overcome them but I hope we do. a lot of people on here counted the Cardinals out last year when we had two eight game losing streaks and a seven game losing streak
then the Cards won...

After last year it`s kinda hard for me to count them out i`m just gonna sit back and enjoy the ride.

by Calhoun on Aug 9, 2007 10:16 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Having seen the three games in Washington
last weekend, I would have to say this team offers very little to enjoy, and even when they win, one never has the impression that they are good.  When it comes to crap, they are more than equal to the Cubs and Brewers.  Even if they were to somehow once again luck their way into the postseason, it would only provide another excuse for management to be complacent and passive over the offseason.  It's time to face the reality of this decaying ballclub and begin the drastic overhaul that should have started a lot sooner.  That will be the sort of ride I will enjoy.

by MikeG on Aug 9, 2007 1:00 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

About the dead
I think the Kipper embodies your metaphor for the dead. This guy was toast, but he never went away, thanks to LaDuncan. Now look at him. He is still a little painful to watch (could he take any longer between pitches?) and yet he is winning or at least not giving up 11 runs per inning anymore. This zombie just might pitch well enough to get resigned. It is the same for AR. He's been up and down from Memphis so much I think I might have whiplash. Yet, despite the huge number of losses, he pitches well most of the time (I think he has finally turned he corner is a learning to pitch rather than throw). I think the only two guys who aren't dead is Dunc and Izzy. They have been the bright spots for me. I would love to see more of Dunc, but with Lud doing well the platoon works for me.
http://welcometojohnsonville.blogspot.com

by arthropodtodd on Aug 9, 2007 10:17 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

love it
the zombie reference is great: A few more for you

c*ck teases- they get to 6 games get us excited and all warm feeling then disappear leaving us with our pants around our ankles.

horrible car accident- this is a team and a season that you dont want to watch and try your hardest to not pay attention and look forward (hockey football season) but cant stop yourself from looking.

another suggestion of their play is that the number of alcoholics is on a decline and our deadbirds decided that their play this summer could steer a few back in the right direction.

by Milfy McMilf on Aug 9, 2007 10:18 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Not good...
I can handle comparing them to zombies but comparing them to a horrible car accident after what happened to Josh is in very bad taste.............

by Calhoun on Aug 9, 2007 10:25 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Larry
I didn't think your post was offensive or too crass.   But, I guess it was close enough to the line to encourage other's to cross it.  

I think thinly veiled profanity and references to deadbirds/alcoholics/car crashes is a little much.

by RedbirdRay on Aug 9, 2007 10:26 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Pardon me, "Milfy",
but, you do realise it's 9:30 in the morning, right?  Shouldn't you be in remedial shop class?  Or is eighth grade summer school already out for the year?  

Come on.  

To hell with your spoiled baby! I need those shoes!

by the red baron on Aug 9, 2007 10:32 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

re: come on
Sorry, I didnt meant to offend or disrespect.

by Milfy McMilf on Aug 9, 2007 11:11 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

'Course, 'cause I'm ...
the Ol' Goaler, this team reminds me of an earlier band (The Zombies) and their song...

"But it's too late to say you're sorry...
How should I know; why should I care?
Please don't bother trying to find her...
She's Not There!!!"

This team has been "not there" most of the season; they've gotten some "jolts" from guys like Ludwick and Ryan just trying to make The Show... here's hoping Rick Ankiel does the same!

"In this game, don't nobody know nuthin' about nuthin'." -- attributed to Lawrence Peter "Yogi" Berra

by The Ol Goaler on Aug 9, 2007 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Dang you LB!
For some stupid reason, I have a vision of Michael Jackson's Thriller video in my head. El Hombre is featured with a jherri curl, multi-zippered jacket while moon dancing the night away as a zombie. Please make the madness stop!
Nuthin'....I got nuthin'over here.

by Handsome Jimmy on Aug 9, 2007 10:35 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Dove
I keep thinking the 40 man roster PTBNL for Maroth is Dove.  He just fits the Detroit profile.

by StLHugo on Aug 9, 2007 10:43 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Russell
Gordo had this to say this morning:

* University of Texas slugger Kyle Russell, arguably the most exciting prospect drafted by the Cards this summer, appears likely to leave school to sign with the club. Last season he had 26 homers and an .877 slugging percentage.

He fell to 142nd overall in the draft due to his financial demands, but the Cards apparently are bucking up to get a deal done. Given the poor offensive start by top overall pick Pete Kozma, Russell's signing would make this draft look a whole lot better.

So at least one observer sees them getting a deal done.

by OCCardsFan on Aug 9, 2007 10:51 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Better odds
The guchi getting DFA and bringing up skip or ankiel

Rolen shutting it down

Duncan playing vs. lefties

or my favorite. DFA Kennedy and moving Eck to 2nd

by Milfy McMilf on Aug 9, 2007 11:28 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

do people understand
when they suggest DFA-ing Kennedy, Enc, or anyone else, that we are still responsible for paying them millions of dollars regardless of whether they are sitting in the dugout?

by tdawg on Aug 9, 2007 11:30 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I doubt it
Sometimes it appears people don't understand it.  Taguchi being DFAed wouldn't be a big deal, his contract is small.  But Spiezio being DLed, Carp moved to 60 day DL and Ankiel being brought up is what I am  banking on happening right now.

by StLHugo on Aug 9, 2007 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

i think those comments are made
after very sober reflection and analysis . . . .

</sarcasm>

by lboros on Aug 9, 2007 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Dang it
who's our backup 3rd baseman?  Miles?

I think somehow we have to drop an outfielder.  Not sure how.

by sdrone on Aug 9, 2007 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Send someone to the DL
until rosters expand with a fake injury.

Problem solved.

by azruavatar on Aug 9, 2007 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

my english is not very well
Send someone to the DL with a fake injury until rosters expand.  Obviously rosters' can't have injuries.

(I'm having flashbacks to gradeschool where we had to disect sentences with some sort of chart/tree.)

by azruavatar on Aug 9, 2007 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

"One morning I shot an elephant in my pajamas
...how he got into my pajamas I'll never know."

If you keep dangling those modifiers out there, they might get cut off!

There are 10 types of people in the world. Those who understand binary, and those who don't.

by Mr Clean on Aug 9, 2007 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Ryan?
He played a few games at third while he was up, and from what I remember performed admirably.

by cardzfanbub on Aug 9, 2007 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

re: doubt it
I get alright:

Pay a guy millions to sit bench and do nothing

or

pay a guy millions to hit .220 bat 9th and have an average glove.

pick your poison wise guy

by Milfy McMilf on Aug 9, 2007 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yes, we do. Are you assuming
that paying a player not to play is necessarily a bad thing?  Just as a hypothetical, what if we DFA'd AK, gave the 2B job to Ryan, and he puts up an .810 OPS next year, while earning the ML minimum, while AK stinks it up with some other team?  Yes, we're paying a guy to play for some other team (IOW, wasting the $$$), but we're wasting Kennedy's salary NOW, whether he's in the lineup or on the bench. I wish more teams understood the concept of sunk costs.

by MdRedbirdFreak on Aug 9, 2007 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Kennedy
He has been surprisingly bad this year, but some of that is a function of a very low .240 BABIP, despite a respectable 16% line drive percentage. His K rate is down and his BB rate is up over last year. It's entirely possible that he will bounce back given these numbers once his BABIP reverts back to his historical averages. So yes, I think DFA'ing the guy would be a bit hasty.

by mikedallas23 on Aug 9, 2007 12:05 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

You do some to understand the money issue
Which is much more than I can say for most you recommend the DFAs, and who seem to think that once we get rid of a guy, we can go out and spend that money on someone else.

I agree that Kennedy has totally sucked, and his signing is one of the reasons I won't be weepy if Walt does leave next year.  The problem with DFA-ing him is that, given the sunk costs, it will be nearly impossible to get another second baseman who earns anything other than the league minimum.  Ryan will make the league mininum, but, given his minor league numbers, I'm not at all convinced that he will do much better than AK has done this year -- and given Kennedy's major league numbers prior to this year, I'm wiling to take a chance that he will improve next year.  If he is still sucking next year, DFA-ing him and replacing him with a league-minimum Ryan or Edgar Gonzales type might begin to make more sense to me.

The frequent suggestion to DFA Encarnacion makes absolutely no sense at all.

by tdawg on Aug 9, 2007 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

this is the crux of it
"given Kennedy's major league numbers prior to this year, I'm willing to take a chance that he will improve next year."

there is a very real chance that kennedy will earn his paycheck in 2008. the other options within the system (ryan, hoffpauir, and gonzalez) are all pretty iffy; their ceiling is likely no better than kennedy's career norms, and the odds of their achieving that ceiling is prbably no better than the chance that kennedy returns to (or toward) the mean.

the one virtue they have is that they are cheaper --- but unless the cardinals can find someone to take on kennedy's salary, they don't save a penny by just cutting him loose. i think hoffpauir should get a chance to win the job next spring, and if he does then maybe the tean should think about dumping kennedy and swallowing the cost. but until it is crystal clear that they have a better option, they might as well hang onto him.

by lboros on Aug 9, 2007 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Mike Lowell comes to mind
He has a pretty bad 2005 in his last year in Florida, only to rebound to some more career like numbers.

Kennedy is bad but it is amazing what an off-season can do for someone's offense.

Call up PJ Walters!

by Hardcore Legend on Aug 9, 2007 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I know it's...
too much to hope for, but I'm rather fond of the idea that Maroth and Piniero's PTBNL's are each other.

<sigh>

by bkwelker on Aug 9, 2007 11:31 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Love it
It would serve Detroit and Boston right for trading with Walt, wouldn't it?

TSF

by TedSimmonsFan on Aug 9, 2007 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Active Roster
Who's spot is Ankiel taking?  My guess is either Thompson - going with 11 pitchers now - or Spiezio to the DL.  Any guesses, or actual confirmation?

by Handsome B Wonderful on Aug 9, 2007 11:32 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Sorry
didn't see the above post before I submitted...

by Handsome B Wonderful on Aug 9, 2007 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

My post was in response...
to someone making a stupid post yours is actually fairly legit place to talk about it.

by StLHugo on Aug 9, 2007 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Pardon me if I go all Will Leitch on you
but I'm as giddy as a little school girl the Rick Ankiel has been called up.  I literally have the biggest 'possum eating shit' grin on my face right now.

All hail the cutoff throw going into the 3rd base box seats!

Call up PJ Walters!

by Hardcore Legend on Aug 9, 2007 11:45 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

let's make some t-shirts
like it or not, we're going to remember this 2007 season for a long time, if only because it came on the heels of the World Series victory.  Let's make some Zombiebirds t-shirts immediately and at least make something fun out of this year's team.

by age3in82 on Aug 9, 2007 11:49 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Hmm
I think I'd go with Viva el Zombirdos, if only for the irony.

by dontEATnachos on Aug 9, 2007 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Snarf
...you owe me a new keyboard.

by glennrwordman on Aug 9, 2007 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Im in for a Shirt
Get it going and I'll take three. Maybe we can rally around the metaphor and get this team going. Go Zombies!!!
The Red Blazer

by Red Blazer on Aug 9, 2007 12:10 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

With all the talk about
this topic being in bad taste, which perhaps it is, maybe this thread is enough and T-shirts would be a bit too much.

by lawman3842 on Aug 9, 2007 12:22 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Ankiel...
I'm with Larry on this matter; it gets a big "eh" from me. While I wish him nothing but the best, I personally don't think he'll ever be anything more than a serviceable bench player for the rest of his career, however long that may be.
Oh, and most of the people who are just beside themselves about this will be the same ones screaming for him to be DFA'd or traded when he has his first 0-20 slump and/or makes couple of errors(or a la Juan, perceived errors). It's the nature of the beast...

by cardsrul on Aug 9, 2007 12:23 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Don't know that I agree
A good number of cards fans have a huge man crush on Ankiel.  Regardless of his performance I think he'll get more leeway with the fans than anyone not named Albert.

by Handsome B Wonderful on Aug 9, 2007 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

It has nothing to do with how good he can be
it has everything to do with the fact that he was left for dead as far as baseball is concerned, busted his ass and made it back to the big leagues in a completely different manner.

You can't write this shit.

Call up PJ Walters!

by Hardcore Legend on Aug 9, 2007 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Agreed. It's curiosity more than
anything else that excites me.  Sports is supposed to be entertainment, is it not?  This is a great show!

And believe me, I have NO expectations of how he'll play.  

by MdRedbirdFreak on Aug 9, 2007 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

and there's always the fantasy
that he'll get frustrated watching the worst pitching staff in cardinals history and decide to do something about it.  I picture him one day just walking out to the mound instead of CF and saying "gimme the ball, skip".
"This is a ball club with issues." -Nats announcers (talking about the Cardinals)

by SleepyCA on Aug 9, 2007 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I can't deny I have often daydreamed about
Slick Rick being asked to pull a 'Miles/Speezer' and eat an inning or two for us.

Then watch the hitters shreik in fear not knowing if it is going to the backstop or dropping 5 feet 12-6.

Call up PJ Walters!

by Hardcore Legend on Aug 9, 2007 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I still think
the past couple years he's been "hurt" he's actually been working out on a back mound somewhere, in order to turn himself into a Tony La Russa wet dream:

Power-hitting left-handed relief pitching outfielder.

by Jhusk on Aug 9, 2007 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Dude.
That is the best post I've read all week.  Bravo!
I'm a man, a manly, manly, man. Unknown

by Eckstreem on Aug 9, 2007 2:35 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Don't defend Encarnacion...
Encarnacion Eqa = .270 for 5 mil
Taguchi Eqa = .268 for ~1 mil
Ludwick Eqa =.266 for league minimum.

Ankiel is new, fresh, untested, and cheap... Even if he fails miserably it's an inexpensive failure. He has nothing but upside. (this is in general, the beauty of raising your own players...)
Plus... his EORP (excitement over replacement player) is through the roof!!!

by duncansarmy on Aug 9, 2007 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

The Zombie Metaphor
You've outdone yourself, lboros! That was SO funny and SO apt for this season. And how fitting that you would then post an update about Ankiel being called up. Talk about a guy the baseball gods "can't kill"! I personally am anxious to see if he might fit in our future plans, and we may get an idea pretty quickly. I was in favor of his getting as much AAA seasoning as possible, but at this point he may be as ready as he'll ever be.

And I didn't find the post to be in bad taste at all. Zombie movies to me are like cartoon violence, with no real connection to anything serious. I probably wouldn't even have thought of the Hancock issue if you hadn't mentioned it explicitly.

"Players like Pujols don't come along once in a lifetime. They never come along." -Buzz Bissinger

by PujolsFor President on Aug 9, 2007 12:24 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

"To the book depository!"
(brandishing a shotgun)
"Players like Pujols don't come along once in a lifetime. They never come along." -Buzz Bissinger

by PujolsFor President on Aug 9, 2007 12:55 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Must ... See ... Ankiel
A little help?

I'm in Minneapolis and need to find a place to go watch the second coming.  Does anyone know if there is a cardinals bar in the Twin Cities area?

by MSP to STL to MSP on Aug 9, 2007 12:37 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Do you have a computer with internet access?
You should be able to watch on mlb.tv if nothing else works out.

by sweet number 5 on Aug 9, 2007 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

That is, if you have bought access!
$100...

You just need to find a sports bar that has subscribed to the baseball 'extra innings' package...shouldn't be hard in a big city like Minneapolis

by cardsfaninmass on Aug 9, 2007 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Can't you buy a 1 day pass
for like $3.00?
Call up PJ Walters!

by Hardcore Legend on Aug 9, 2007 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

That is what I am thinking.
You can pay to watch one game...fairly sure of this.

by sweet number 5 on Aug 9, 2007 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

You can buy a monthly pass...
I do it all the time. Go on-line to MLB and click on a months subscription with a valid card in hand and you will be watching "The Ricker" in no time flat.
The Red Blazer

by Red Blazer on Aug 9, 2007 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

lboros
though i recognize the metaphor may be apt, i'm seriously offended by the 'death' references.  in fact, i'd like to file a complaint.  who would i talk to about that?

by _pistol_ on Aug 9, 2007 12:41 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

yourself.
Call up PJ Walters!

by Hardcore Legend on Aug 9, 2007 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

pistol, your complaint is duly noted
you can send me an e-mail if you want to elaborate; i'll listen.

by lboros on Aug 9, 2007 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

not really offended
just trying to be funny...

by _pistol_ on Aug 9, 2007 12:55 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

ok, i wasn't sure
just playing it safe . . . . you never know

by lboros on Aug 9, 2007 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

um gotcha?
  damnit. you ruined it.

by _pistol_ on Aug 9, 2007 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I give myself a feather
for this one.  I caught it in the first place.  But I also appreciate lboros' caution and sensitivity.

by the way, VERY nice piece, lb.

by CurtFlood on Aug 10, 2007 1:15 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

As per the Pop copy employee video
If anyone asks to speak to the manager reply by saying. "You're talking to him."

by Harknights on Aug 9, 2007 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Ankiel is the phoenix
From each death, only new life arises.  I wonder how long before we see him in a game.

by Valatan on Aug 9, 2007 12:45 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Chris Young has same # ABs vs LHB/RHB
LHB are hitting him a tad better.

Lineup for tonight should be:

Cardinals
Kennedy 2B
Ankiel RF
Pujols 1B
Edmonds CF
Rolen 3B
Duncan LF
Molina C
Pineiro P
Miles SS

But that is just me.

Call up PJ Walters!

by Hardcore Legend on Aug 9, 2007 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

i hope he starts right away
i've been skeptical that he is ready, but now that the decision has been made the team should commit to it. no point in bringing him up just to sit on the bench.

by lboros on Aug 9, 2007 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I completely agree
not to mention that giving him a bunch of time on the roster to develop jitters is probably not the best idea given his history.

Not to mention that I want to see this tremendous outfield defense that he supposedly has.

by Valatan on Aug 9, 2007 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

ugh
I don't even wanna THINK about him having another meltdown. Hopefully whatever was going on psychologically was strictly linked to pitching in the bigs, and not about the pressure of being in "the show" per se.

Regarding his defense, didn't somebody say he was playing CF in Memphis?

"Players like Pujols don't come along once in a lifetime. They never come along." -Buzz Bissinger

by PujolsFor President on Aug 9, 2007 1:01 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yes he was
and apparently he impressed at CF

by Valatan on Aug 9, 2007 1:09 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

And Springfield
when he was here last season.

by saladdays on Aug 9, 2007 3:06 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

He has nothing to lose!
Nobody expected him to make it so he shouldn't have the jitters.

by sweet number 5 on Aug 9, 2007 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

What if
Ankiel has a line of .300/.310/.550 for the rest of the year with say 2 or three really good games but has a Branyan like 1 million strikeouts? Then what? Say

AB 100
H 30
K 30
HR 10

Yes a lot of HR's but a just plain stupid Ball in play average. Given that this might be the worst thing that could happen because it tells us nothing. I expect this to happen. This performance will push us to within games of 1st place (mainly because of how bad the teams ahead of us are) and we as an organization learn nothing this year.

by Harknights on Aug 9, 2007 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I would think
that would tell us EVERYTHING.  In fact, that's just about the best-case results.  I expect more along the lines of .250/.280/.500, and the at bats will look like a left-handed ludwick.
"This is a ball club with issues." -Nats announcers (talking about the Cardinals)

by SleepyCA on Aug 9, 2007 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Bernie says
LaRussa wanted Ankiel with the team for the upcoming road trip, but Speezer's illness bumped it up.

Also, Tony and JED got into it 2 nights ago, a big heated confrontation apparently.

Call up PJ Walters!

by Hardcore Legend on Aug 9, 2007 12:54 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I can't get enough
Of the JEd vs. TLR fights. If this doesn't scream reality TV. I can just imagine every Tuesday at 9:00 on Fox.

This week on CardFight

TLR makes a new rule about hair color and JEd gets highlights. Reyes gets a new supply of hats but the guys have hidden the iron. Pujols goes to Chuck E. Cheese.

by Harknights on Aug 9, 2007 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

And Juan Encarnacion
still doesn't care!

by Jhusk on Aug 9, 2007 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I am pretty sure
you could kick juan in the shin and tell him his mother is easy and he wouldn't care.

But he'd keep on batting .280!

Boooo-urns.

by Alxfritz on Aug 10, 2007 2:49 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

It worked for the Cubs
and kind of worked for the Brewers.  It needs to happen in the dugout, on TV...otherwise, it still doesn't count.  ;o)

by cardsgirlinAR on Aug 9, 2007 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

....reality TV, or...??
Soap opera?....Darn...I now have a new "fun" perspective on Harknights, thats good, real good! And all this time, I thought you were only a rules type guy!

People will be scouring Chuckie Cheeses all across the midwest hoping to get Alberts autograph!

Wait a minute...I can see La Russa in pinstripes, and there's still TWO Duncans in the dugout!

by cardschinmusic on Aug 10, 2007 5:59 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

LOL!
The NL's hasslin'est, rasslin'est, underachievin'est soap opera.

by MdRedbirdFreak on Aug 9, 2007 1:09 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

zombies? just soft.
The zombie metaphor may be a little overdrawn, but is apt. I just wonder who is responsible for weight training and conditioning for this team. The team seems like a country club group. Needs to be leaner and a little meaner both physically and mentally. fwiw

by kucardinal on Aug 9, 2007 1:10 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Another way to look at the
early recall of Ank is that while they might be allowing him to leave a year earlier by doing so, we should remember that Rick is BLOCKING other outfielders in our system.  So there's pressure both ways.  I guess they've decided they just wanna find out what he is, already.  A LOT of other moves in the next year hinge on the answer to that question.

by MdRedbirdFreak on Aug 9, 2007 1:13 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

If Ankiel still has the yips
about big-time situations (playoff pitching, I read somewhere on here awhile back that he couldn't hit in AAA w/the bases loaded because of the pressure) then if he starts tonight, wouldn't we expect an 0-for-4 night with 4 K's and an error in the field?

by Mr Redbird on Aug 9, 2007 1:14 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

here's his splits
here.

It doesn't break it down to "bases loaded" but it does have:

 "men on base" (he gets a lot better)
 "RISP" (he gets a little better)
 "close+late" (he's awful)

he murders starters and doesn't do so well against relievers, it seems.  There's also not a whole lot of difference in his performance with his team leading, trailing, or behind.

"This is a ball club with issues." -Nats announcers (talking about the Cardinals)

by SleepyCA on Aug 9, 2007 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Lefty Righty
.275/.310/.596 vs Left
.264/.316/.557 vs Right

by StLHugo on Aug 9, 2007 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

He looks to be consistent
Good to see he isn't really being manhandle by one paticular side of the mound.
The Red Blazer

by Red Blazer on Aug 9, 2007 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

at one point this season
he had massive reverse platoon splits.  It was like 850 OPS vs right and 1.2 OPS vs left, or something equally absurd.

Looks like it has fixed itself over the course of the season...

"This is a ball club with issues." -Nats announcers (talking about the Cardinals)

by SleepyCA on Aug 9, 2007 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

rick!
this is the best news i've heard...well all season. suddenly, this team is watchable again.

by erik on Aug 9, 2007 1:18 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Seriously...
Today suddenly feels like a freaky holliday...
I hope he starts (or is at least used) tonight, because I'm out of town and can't see this weekend at all....

by joeyart on Aug 9, 2007 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I with you Erik.
But I'd rather be with Leather.

by paCardsFan on Aug 9, 2007 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

The team
may or may not be watchable. But a move like this at least makes me want to watch them.

by player2bnamedl8r on Aug 9, 2007 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Ankiel Call-up
Joe Strauss has a story up, but no mention of who's going off the roster to make room. If Spiezio were DL'd retroactive to the sixth, we'd be without a backup 3B until after the Cubs series.

by liam on Aug 9, 2007 1:33 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

No backup 3B?
What are you talking about, we've got future HOFer Aaron Miles, baby!

by mikedallas23 on Aug 9, 2007 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Didn't you hear?
Aaron Miles can play 3b, along with any other position you want.  Also, I once saw him scissor kick Angela Landsbury.

by Handsome B Wonderful on Aug 9, 2007 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Uh, per the ASG
Albert Pujols will be sitting out the next 10 games so that Tony can use him off the bench to fill in any position needed (sans pitcher).
Call up PJ Walters!

by Hardcore Legend on Aug 9, 2007 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Wow
Late one last night, so I'm just seeing the morning post. One of the best yet, LB. Made me laugh through a punishing hangover. And y'know, it may be more apt than some here believe. Let's hope our zombies keep plodding forward and, just as in the movies, end up lunching on the entrails of the survivors (Cubs, Brewers) through sheer tenacity. Last man (or zombie) standing wins.

by rockin redbird on Aug 9, 2007 2:01 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Ankiel will start
bat 2nd, play RF.

Yay!

Call up PJ Walters!

by Hardcore Legend on Aug 9, 2007 2:07 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Got it from Joe Strauss' article today
about the move.

Manager Tony La Russa is putting him right to work: Ankiel will start in right field tonight and bat second against Padres righthander Chris Young.

Call up PJ Walters!

by Hardcore Legend on Aug 9, 2007 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

What's with this "Young Musial" crap?
Dude's 28 or something.  There isn't any poetry in that stuff - just makes the writer sound stupid.

  It's hard work, brute force and ignorance that got him back, and I applaud Ankiel on making it back to the show.

But I also say, "let's see why we kept you around, buddy."

It's a business - tonight we get a peak at the ROI on "not-quite 30 yr old Musial."  Good luck dude.

Good pitching will beat good hitting any time, and vice versa. ~Bob Veale, 1966

by bukowski on Aug 9, 2007 2:08 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Stan Musial was a top shelf pitcher
Signed as a pitcher when he was seventeen, Musial was 15-8 in two seasons with Williamson, West Virginia, but the scouting report filed on the young southpaw recommended his release because he was wild and inconsistent. Despite the report, he was sent to Daytona Beach as a pitcher for the 1940 season and, under the tutelage of former White Sox great Dickie Kerr, he compiled an 18-5 record. Kerr, who often had as few as 15 players on his roster, also played Musial in the outfield. Stan responded by batting .352. Late in the season, he made a diving catch in the outfield, crashing on his left shoulder, and the consequent injury finished him as a pitcher. Musial was convinced by Kerr to remain in baseball as an outfielder. The next year he ripped through Class C and the International League before hitting .426 in a September call-up with the Cardinals.

http://www.baseballlibrary.com/ballplayers/player.php?name=Stan_Musial_1920

And Rick would have been in St. Louis a year sooner if not for his lost season due to injury.

That is why the reference is made.

Call up PJ Walters!

by Hardcore Legend on Aug 9, 2007 2:12 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Young Musial
And how many batting titles had Musial won by the time he was 28 or even 27?

by Bob K on Aug 9, 2007 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

3
Call up PJ Walters!

by Hardcore Legend on Aug 9, 2007 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Wow.
I stand corrected.  Nice job.
Good pitching will beat good hitting any time, and vice versa. ~Bob Veale, 1966

by bukowski on Aug 9, 2007 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Wer'e make the playoffs...
I just know it.
Boy a frosty cold Budweiser would be great about now.

by theguuch99 on Aug 9, 2007 2:13 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

WOW
I was watching the Braves game and the anouncers said Ankiel had been called up I thought they were crazy or something.
WOW give Jimmy a day off start Ankiel second hole of the lineup and in centerfield I CANT WAIT FOR TONIGHT`S GAME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by Calhoun on Aug 9, 2007 2:15 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Close...
Ankiel is hitting 2nd, but he is playing Rightfield.
- Y. Molina stole third

by TriplePlay on Aug 9, 2007 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

September 8th
What effect does the fact that we are calling Ankiel up prior to September 8th have on his contract status?

by tdawg on Aug 9, 2007 2:16 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I *think* it means he has to be on
the 40 man roster next spring or we lose him?  

by sdrone on Aug 9, 2007 3:28 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Service time...
Someone posted the other day that as of right now his ML service time won't allow him to be a free agent till after the 2009 season, and if he didn't play till after 9/8/2007 that would remain the case.  With the call up today he can be a free agent after next season.

Don't hold me to this.

by cardzfanbub on Aug 9, 2007 4:53 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Spezio...
i'm kinda worried about him, Bernie made it sound as though his illness may be something serious. Hoping and Praying for the best for the imperial.
- Y. Molina stole third

by TriplePlay on Aug 9, 2007 2:31 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I agree...
...Hummel's article this morning sounded ominous...

"It's been a weird year," said Spiezio, who seemed uncomfortable before the game in talking about his illness, which apparently is non-baseball related.

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/stories.nsf/cardinals/story/421244D68E4CFF7486257332001F5761 ?OpenDocument

by cardsfaninmass on Aug 9, 2007 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Maybe
he got some exotic new STD from his wife.

by 26thMan on Aug 9, 2007 3:46 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Demotion??
I'm pretty excited about the whole Ankiel call-up, but does anyone know who got demoted, or has that not been announced yet?

by 2x41z2tu on Aug 9, 2007 2:33 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

# 49
Ankiel will wear # 49.  rushes to Cardinals team shop

Also, the irony if the zombie reference on day that Ankiel gets called up after being left for dead by the baseball community and Speezer goes back on the DL after a season of a seemingly flesh eating disease.

Call up PJ Walters!

by Hardcore Legend on Aug 9, 2007 2:41 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Cards Apparel
Being on the East Coast makes it might difficult to come across Cards apparel.  Funny though, because once I saw the announcement, first thing I did was go check out the MLB site for anything Ankiel.

While I'm at it, if anyone on this site knows where to get a white t-shirt, similar to the home jersey, i'd about pay anything for one of those at this point.

by UNCDubya on Aug 9, 2007 3:30 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

That's my number biotch
What I would wear if I played for the Cardinals, seeing as #5 and #16 are taken already...

And just for the record, 16 and 5 were my two favorite numbers long before I knew who Albert Pujols or Chris Duncan were.

by Mr Redbird on Aug 9, 2007 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

49 now 24
According to MLB game notes:
name is pronounced ANK-ee-ul and he will wear uniform #24...bench cocah Joe Pettini will now wear #49.

http://presspass.mlb.com/dbdocs/77/129/3700_1673.pdf

by dralexp on Aug 9, 2007 4:35 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

In other news
The Chicago Cubs are searching for a 3B on the waiver wire.  Aramis Ramirez will see a specialist today and the Cubs expect the news to be of the worst kind.

Looks like it may end up being the Brewers, Cards and Astros making a run for the unwinnable title.

Call up PJ Walters!

by Hardcore Legend on Aug 9, 2007 2:45 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Where did you
get this info from?

by El Schweenador on Aug 9, 2007 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

What's wrong with Aramis?
- Y. Molina stole third

by TriplePlay on Aug 9, 2007 3:33 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Wrist.
From BCB:

"You heard it here first

I know someone who's got "ins" on the Cubs and the rumor is that Ramirez is out for the year. Ligament issues with his wrist. I hope to god it isn't true, but I guess we'll see. I wouldn't post this if I didn't trust the person I heard it from.

by SouthsideCub on Thursday, August 9, 2007 at 2:23 PM CT "

"We're too talented to let this season go down the drain." - Adam Wainwright

by stltrav09 on Aug 9, 2007 3:33 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

OUCH
Today is a good day.

by jeff abs on Aug 9, 2007 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

It's never a good day....
when someone gets hurt. Enjoying someone else's misfortune is bad karma.
- Y. Molina stole third

by TriplePlay on Aug 9, 2007 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Seriously?
I don't think I'll ever feel bad for a multi-millionaire who has a wrist ouchy.

by jeff abs on Aug 9, 2007 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I guess you need to grow up a bit then
- Y. Molina stole third

by TriplePlay on Aug 9, 2007 4:07 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

give me a break
I have much more important things to feel shitty about than a professional athlete who has a hurt wrist.

by jeff abs on Aug 9, 2007 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

fair enough...
sorry for preaching
- Y. Molina stole third

by TriplePlay on Aug 9, 2007 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I must disagree
When Sosa hurt his back while sneezing, I had a very  large party.  

by sdrone on Aug 9, 2007 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

i'm absolutlely amazed
by the chipper, upbeat attitudes in here today.  is it the fact that the cubs and brewers seem to be slipping? or do people truly think ankiel will be a boon to this lineup?  
if it's the latter, then i'd say the optimism is unfounded. the guys hitting .267 with an obp of .314.  that sounds like the second coming of  russel branyan to me.  

by _pistol_ on Aug 9, 2007 4:04 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

who pee'd in your cheerios?
Seriously man, why not have some fun? It's a game, and a player that many of us have rooted for for quite some time is finally getting another chance at making an impact in the major leagues.

God forbid people be upbeat, I guess we should all just be mopy whiners?

- Y. Molina stole third

by TriplePlay on Aug 9, 2007 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

heh
who pee'd in your cheerios?
you made me laugh with that one.  
please don't get me wrong.  I'd be tickled pink if ankiel ends up being a productive member of the team...  and maybe his rags-to-riches story can bring some spark to the team.  I was just looking at the numbers and trying to be realistic.
And for the record, i dislike mopy whiners.

by _pistol_ on Aug 9, 2007 4:36 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

On this team, Branyan would be an improvement
In all honesty, it has little to do with what Ankiel 'will' do, just that he is getting that chance to do it.

I'd rather watch Ankiel boot balls in RF and get thrown out at homeplate than Juan.

Call up PJ Walters!

by Hardcore Legend on Aug 9, 2007 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Simply, its an unknown
And by definition, potential.

All our existing RF options are knowns, which also happen to suck.

This may be an improvement, or it may not.  We are excited for the possibility.

by DriverZn on Aug 9, 2007 4:27 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

The fact of the matter
is that while going 4-6 over the last 10, the Cardinals have gained one game on the Brewers and Cubs.  Is the winner of the Central going to have a losing record?  It's possible at this rate.  The Cardinals have to gain a little more than 1 every 10 the rest of the way, but until they have to gain 2 out of 10 the rest of the way, they're still in it.  The Brewers and Cubs are imploding.  The Cardinals already imploded, and yet, like Tony Montana, "they're still standing, they're still standing . . . "

Is Ankiel going to be the savior of this season?  Probably not.  But in a season where almost nothing has gone according to our expectations, him getting called up as an OF after his "can't miss prospect" status as a SP went away is the proverbial "feel-good hit of the summer".

TSF

by TedSimmonsFan on Aug 9, 2007 4:56 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

interesting that:
mlb.com reports that:

Cleveland Indians
Traded INF Russell Branyan to the Philadelphia Phillies for cash considerations

by sdesserman on Aug 9, 2007 7:40 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Remember pistol,
hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies.
Boooo-urns.

by Alxfritz on Aug 10, 2007 2:59 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Been a great afternoon
I was on the sauce a little heavily last night, and overheard someone at the bar relay last night's score, 2-1.  I was thinking, "Jesus, Kip Wells only gives up two runs and we still friggin' lose."  

Lo and behold, Kip "I'm Starting to Pitch Kinda" Wells outdueled Greg Maddux, and now Rick Ankiel has gotten the call.  And while it sucks when ball players get hurt, regardless of what team they play for, it's nice to see the Cubs collapsing.  I'm as giddy as a schoolgirl.

by stl tyler on Aug 9, 2007 4:10 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Speezer put on the restricted list
not the DL.  Something is up.
Call up PJ Walters!

by Hardcore Legend on Aug 9, 2007 4:35 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

restricted list ?
what precisely does that mean?

by _pistol_ on Aug 9, 2007 4:38 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

The he isn't injured, but can't play baseball
usually put on this list because of family issues, personal issues, team punishment, etc.
Call up PJ Walters!

by Hardcore Legend on Aug 9, 2007 4:40 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Players also don't get paid
while on restricted list.
Call up PJ Walters!

by Hardcore Legend on Aug 9, 2007 4:41 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

according to my research
the RL is related to a non-baseball issue, and usually punitive in nature - perhaps without pay.

by _pistol_ on Aug 9, 2007 4:42 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

It is in the Press Pass notes
says he was moved to restricted list.  Carp is now on the 60-day DL.
Call up PJ Walters!

by Hardcore Legend on Aug 9, 2007 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Team has closed the clubhouse
will not open at their usual 3 hours early, but rather will not be open until 'TBA'.

They are apparently having a 'closed door' meeting.

Call up PJ Walters!

by Hardcore Legend on Aug 9, 2007 4:49 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Could be discussing Spiezio...
Whether it's him being on the restricted list (as possibly mentioned) or his mysterious illness.

by DiscoJer on Aug 9, 2007 5:06 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Huh
Sounds like some weird stuff is going down with Speez.

by mikedallas23 on Aug 9, 2007 5:06 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Speezer, closed doors, etc
Me thinks something strange is going on!

by roebirds on Aug 9, 2007 5:07 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Jesus
I hope everything's OK w/ Spiezio.  That's gotta be what the closed clubhouse is about.  I can't help but wonder what his "unspecified illness" is.  I really don't want to speculate, especially in a public forum such as this, lest I run down a good man w/ absolutely no evidence whatsoever.  But it sounds to me like it's worse than an injury would be, from a personal point of view.  I hope he gets whatever help he needs.

by chuckb on Aug 9, 2007 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Substance Abuse problem
It is being reported on 1380 that the Speez is having a substance abuse problem.  Not sure the validity.

by gonzostl on Aug 9, 2007 5:16 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

if that's the case
I wish him the best, and hope he can get help. Substance abuse problems are absolutely horrible.

by jeff abs on Aug 9, 2007 5:19 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

that's what I was afraid of
I hope and pray he gets the treatment he needs.  He's been a great Cardinal and I hope to see him back in uniform next year, but it's far more important that he gets his life straightened out.  Good luck, Speezer!  I'll be thinking of you.

by chuckb on Aug 9, 2007 5:23 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

calm down guys
It could just be that they don't want Ankiel bombarded by media on his first day back.

by john vb on Aug 9, 2007 5:21 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Tonight's lineup
St. Louis Cardinals
Eckstein SS
Ankiel RF
Pujols 1B
Edmonds CF
Rolen 3B
Duncan LF
Molina C
Pineiro P
Kennedy 2B
Call up PJ Walters!

by Hardcore Legend on Aug 9, 2007 4:59 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

if all those guys were clicking
that lineup could be retarded good.

by jeff abs on Aug 9, 2007 5:01 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Expectations
I just hope for RA's sake tonight goes well, so much expectation on someone who has had to deal with failed expectations before.... I wish him the best and will try to keep my excitement contained

by Allez31 on Aug 9, 2007 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

lost in all this...
is the fact that with Ankiel's call-up today, he faces the pitcher with the lowest ERA in the N.L., or is it entire MLB?  As if there wasn't enought pressure.

by Handsome B Wonderful on Aug 9, 2007 5:26 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Interesting Day
The Ankiel news makes me want to skip around the house giggling, which is probably what Will Leitch is doing right now.  I can't wait for the ovation he gets tonight.

The Spiezio situation is really strange, but I get the feeling it'll be one of those times when they don't tell the media anything.  I thought it was fishy this morning when I read that he was uncomfortable talking about it.  

Viva el Zombies!

by hannah_in_va on Aug 9, 2007 5:08 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I will put my guess out there...
Maybe Speez has been nailed with some steroid charges.

by JMedwick on Aug 9, 2007 5:10 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I don't think
you go on the restricted list for steroids.  I could be wrong, but I think there's a suspended list or something else, but it's not the restricted list.

by chuckb on Aug 9, 2007 5:15 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Spezio
Bernie just said it's a substance abuse problem.

by mikedallas23 on Aug 9, 2007 5:17 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

He was hit hardest by the Hancock situation
perhaps he is an alcholic.  Perhaps he is addicted to something he has been taking because of his strange infection problems.

Heck, perhaps he has hepititis because of using a dirty needle while shooting up.  Who knows.

Very strange.

Call up PJ Walters!

by Hardcore Legend on Aug 9, 2007 5:25 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I don't think it really matters
I just hope he gets the treatment he needs.  I don't care what the substance is and there's no reason I need to know, either.

by chuckb on Aug 9, 2007 5:28 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

If it is steroids
I need to know.

If it is alcohol, then there is a serious issue that the Cardinals need to address.

Call up PJ Walters!

by Hardcore Legend on Aug 9, 2007 5:31 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I really don't think
That they'd classify steroids as a substance abuse problem.  I think they'd say it's a steroids problem.

Wishing Speez the best, hope he gets the help he needs.

by stl tyler on Aug 9, 2007 5:44 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

This made me chuckle
despite the seriousness of the situation.  Blankety-blank Neil Allen and Rick Ownbey.  Didn't want 'em, didn't need 'em.  Hernandez goes on to become a TV star.

Echoing other comments -- hope that Spiezio gets himself straightened out, hope that Cardinals management addresses whatever problems exist in that clubhouse, if Hancock, Spiezio, whoever are the rule and not the exception.

TSF

by TedSimmonsFan on Aug 9, 2007 6:01 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Had to laugh as well
My first thought was, "Don't worry guys, he's just a chocoholic."

But like most here, I hope he deals with whatever issues he has and can enjoy the rest of his life.  He seems like he's a decent sort of guy and no one wants someone to have to struggle with those kinds of problems.

by dontEATnachos on Aug 9, 2007 6:04 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

oh lord
..

by Pujols on Aug 9, 2007 5:19 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Randy Carriker on 1380
Just got a call from a friend that is listening to Randy Carriker on 1380 (Bernie is off today) and he said that Andy Strickland just called in saying it was "substance abuse" related. They didn't say what substance or if it was steroids, but it's something that he's dealing with.

by bsutherland on Aug 9, 2007 5:20 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Wish
nothing but the best for Spezio in his attempt to leave this problem behind.

by cards13 on Aug 9, 2007 5:39 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Good Luck
to him and hopefully twhatever the problem is isn't widespread in the clubhouse.

On a lighter note, this sure takes some of the pressure off of the Ricker.

by hannah_in_va on Aug 9, 2007 5:50 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

BTW...
whoever it was earlier in the comments that made the crack about Speezer maybe contracting an STD from his wife should be ashamed of himself. It was uncalled for.

by cardsrul on Aug 9, 2007 6:02 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Joe Buck? Is that you?
That was me who made the crack, and I'm not ashamed in the least. This actually was the reaction I was hoping for.

Lighten up, bro. Dark humor makes life, with all its associated yucky stuff, tolerable.

by 26thMan on Aug 9, 2007 6:41 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Wait...
>This actually was the reaction I was hoping for.

So, by your own admission, you posted your STD wisecrack with the intention of offending some of VEB's readers?  Why be intentionally boorish?  So you would get the "hoped for" responses and then be well-positioned to tell them to "lighten up"?

That strikes me as somewhat...ill-advised.

There are 10 types of people in the world. Those who understand binary, and those who don't.

by Mr Clean on Aug 9, 2007 6:59 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Dancin' at the Zombie Zoo
Wouldn't have guessed that so much sadness and  disappointment could be overshadowed by the callup of Rick Ankiel. But for me, it is.

In the words of Tom Petty:

    Dancin' at the zombie zoo,
    dancin' at the zombie zoo
    Painted in a corner
    and all you wanna do
    Is dance down at the zombie zoo

Let's dance.

by madridbend on Aug 9, 2007 6:16 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

How's this
for the 2-3 hitters for the next couple years?

by Jhusk on Aug 10, 2007 12:19 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Well...
Given his low OBP but his tremendous power, I would consider him a more ideal 4th or 5th hitter than a #2.  But there is definitely a case to be made for having him bat with Pujols behind him...

Ideally, here's the lineup I'd like to see:

  1. Brendan Ryan (SS)
  2. Jimmy "Career .380 OBP" Ballgame (CF)
  3. Albert (1B)
  4. Chris Duncan (LF)
  5. Rick "The Natural" Ankiel (RF)
  6. Scott Rolen (3B)
  7. Yadier Molasses (C)
  8. Adam Kennedy (2B)
  9. One of our excellent-hitting pitchers (P)
With Ank's slight reverse platoon split, having him hit behind Dunc would be fine, and wouldn't expost the lineup to LOOGY concerns.

I'd also keep our pitchers at #9 most of the time, because as long as Kennedy is our 2B, the higher OBP guy will likely be either Wainwright, Wells, Looper, etc.

There are 10 types of people in the world. Those who understand binary, and those who don't.

by Mr Clean on Aug 10, 2007 5:02 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

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