In best Dr Nick voice:  "Hi Everybody!"

Just read this in the StL P-D: http://www.stltoday.com/blogzone/bird-land/bird-land/2008/04/the-search-for-the-mans-lost-homer/

Basically, to summarize - Stan hit one in '48 in a rainout that didn't count.  He would have won the Triple Crown that year.  Goold is looking for verification of it so that it can go here: http://www.retrosheet.org/losthr.htm

From Goold's blog:    "It’s been about six months since I spent time digging into the past looking for the information, and the trail has gone cold. But it shouldn’t. So, I’m asking for help. Join the Musial Lost Homer Project. Email me suggestions or clues at dgoold@post-dispatch.com. There’s got to be somebody out there who heard the game, scored the game, can help find the exact date, identify the pitcher and lead us in the direction of getting Musial’s 40th home run on the Retrosheet list.

The purpose is not to rewrite history, just to log a lost homer — for context."

So let's help find it...this is the Cardinal site on the web, and we all know Cardinal fans all over the country.  Wouldn't it be nice if we did something for "Baseball's Perfect Warrior, Baseball's Perfect Knight"?

Kids and Goats,

I write this “fanpost” to solicit your opening day memories, and to share my favorite…

We, as Cardinal fans, had a somewhat rough winter.  Jocketty leaving.  Eckstein leaving. Mo on board.  Rolen vs. LaRussa.  The resigning of Miles.  The signing of Izturis.  Paletta’s pitchers.  Juan Gonzalez (arf).  The pitching sta(ph infection.). 

Spring Training was somewhat better.  Some nice surprises, and we learned that Colby hype may be worth believing.  The important thing about Spring Training is that it provides us, as fans, with glimmers hope and allows us to get know our local 9 again.  Storylines that become reality – and baseball is back.

So now it’s almost here…the unofficial national holiday known as Opening Day.  (I exclude for the purpose of this fanpost the recent games in Tokyo – that was MLB Marketing Day, and while a nice gesture, a bit on the goofy side).  The one day when we shouldn’t gripe about LaRussa, debate Reyes, or question the resigning of Miles.  Although we do have to stare at the biggest mud puddle in eastern Missouri (don’t get me started).

Damn, I love Opening Day.  It’s my favorite day of the year.  It’s that day when all is right with the world and your team is in 1st place.  The sun shines and the crack of the bat is louder than you remember it.  The fans are excited, the players have smiles on their faces, and the patience of winter is rewarded with the smell of hotdogs, peanuts, and beer.  Summer yawns out before you.  The flags and pennants snap in the breeze a bit tighter, and for one day of the year – just one mind you – everything seems likes it’s going to be ok.  

So anyway - my favorite Opening Day Memory:  I returned from “a desert vacation at government expense” in early April 2006.  We bought standing room only tickets for Opening Day  – the first game at the new stadium - and wheeled the stroller right behind the bleachers in right center.  We shared a pretzel, he fell asleep in the 3rd and we left in the 5th (slight case of “overstimulation” in the 1yr old).  Pujols hit a homer that we saw – but I don’t remember much of the game.  Too busy staring at my little boy at his first ballgame.  That’s it.  No autographs, no miraculous plays.  Just my family at a ballgame.  Last year, he made it through the 6th, sitting on our laps. And we shared a pretzel.  This year, I have the distinct pleasure of taking my 3yr old son to his 3rd Opening Day and listening to him laugh every time someone says “Poo-holes.” Next year, his brother will join us, and we’ll have to split the pretzel three ways.

Damn, I’m looking forward to Monday.

This diary springs from a piece of the conversation in today's main thread. There are a variety of options for your sports dollar in StL, and in other cities (since this is one of those worldwide web blog things). It would be interesting to know, of the VEB, community, which you would spend your sports dollar on. Please vote for only two. You can rank them in your comments if you wish. I apologize if I left any out - I know there are a lot of fans of professional curling and luge out here.

Just got done watching Clemens be interviewed by Mike Wallace. I think he brought up some good points, but there are still some serious doubts in my mind. And yes, in my mind, you're innocent until proven guilty. There remains reasonable doubt on Clemens. Even though Clemens waffled hard on the question about a lie detector, and probably wasn't giving the whole answer when asked about Pettite. I do think Wallace through him some soft-toss...but then again, he's like 89. CBS went way deep in the pen on this one. With that, the first bukowski poll...

Dear Diary,

So I'm driving today and I turn the station to Commerce, er, I mean, Christmas music because the insane traffic in and out of Wal-Mart infused me with thoughts of peppermint sticks, hot cocoa, and fat elves in black leather rocking out to the best carol ever ) http://video.aol.com/video/music-run-dmc-christmas-in-hollis/1116412).

I love Christmas.  The giving.  The getting.  The guy ringing the bell 2 inches from your ear and giving you a dirty look when you don't put anything in the kettle.  I especially like the consideration others give as they hip check you in line with their Belliard-like buttocks, or flash you that oh-so-sexy armpit as they reach for the peppermint bark on the top shelf.  The Cardinal's plan to sell their ticket packages over the holiday season (http://www.stubhub.com/st-louis-cardinals-tickets/?event_id=516242).

That got me thinking.  What should we, as the Viva El Birdo's nation, get our favorite Cardinals and sports figures for Christmas?  

Here's my thoughts:

1.    Tony LaRussa:  Too many to list.  Leave that up to you. I'll take the obvious "mean" one though - "A breathalyzer"  bah duh bump.
2.    Stan the Man:  Another 15 years Opening Days in the sun.
3.    Mozeliak:  Something he could use to stand up to Tony...oh, yeah - Balls.
4.    Czar Izturis: A bat without a hole in it.
5.    Albert Pujols:  A supporting cast.
6.    The Card's medical staff:  http://www.amazon.com/Hasbro-4545-Operation/dp/B00000DMFM
7.    Yadier Molina:  http://www.amazon.com/Faster-Higher-Springbak-Athletic-Speedsoles/dp/B00078VZQ8

I leave the rest up to you kind hearted elves (wearing leather, perhaps?) of the VEB nation... apologize b/c I can't do the "cool guy" links...

Dear Diary,

 So I'm watching Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer with my son, and my wife channel flips (ugh)- stopping at a commercial for a "year in review" special or something.  That got me thinking.  There are always going to be the "Best of" and "Worst of" lists at year end.  But no list that is a spleen cleaning, over-the-top, bile spewing manifestation of hatred.

I'm out to fix that.  But I just thought that now, (with every swinging Richard posting rumors about how the Cards will only trade Rolen to the Brewers if they give up 4 ambidexterous pitchers with .425 OBA  and a extra large frozen Charleston Chew (uncracked) by next Tuesday at 3:01pm), it might be good to get some things off our chests.  

Of course, Dear Diary, if this flies, we'll have to do an opposite of hatred list...I hope others feel free to let loose with their hate lists, keeping it clean and generally on the subject of baseball and sports - things we never hope to see again that we saw in 2007.  So here's my 5 (in no particular order...)

1. The media speculation around George Steinbrenner's health and mental agility. There should have been a simple statement of facts, and then moving on.
   
2. Bernie's use of the term "Don Tony". Every time I read that, it's the literary equivalent of nails on a chalkboard.
   
3. The term "Young Musial".  He's not.  
   
4. Incessant coverage of relationships between sports figures and their coaches. Reyes was 2-14 last year.  I don't care if TLR/Dunc like him.  HE WAS 2-14.
   
5. The NBA. Unwatchable.
   

Dear Diary,

If I were king, this is what I would do.

1. Buh-bye DH.
   
2. Ticket prices would only be increased after winning seasons, regardless of fan base.
   
3. Buh-bye Crawford boxes and stupid hill in center field
   
4. Turn "Ballpark Village" into "greenspace," much like outside Camden Yards (the best ball park I have ever been in).
   
5. Send Joe Morgan and Bernie to spend 6 mos on a deserted island with only each other to talk to - and make a reality show about it.
   
6. C-ya Paletta.
   
7. Show the *^&#$%!@& replays on the big screen in Busch.
   
8. Have Vin Scully cloned and call all the games.

Dear Diary,

On a long drive over the weekend, I had the privilege of listening to Cubs and Brewer fans bemoan their fate on sportstalk radio.  Which got me thinking...

1. Why was Albert cemented in the 3 hole when the bats behind him didn't really scare anyone? Don't we want to protect Albert?
2. Like the Brewers, did our bullpen wear down as much as one may think?  They brought up the point of 2nd half ERAs being a lot higher than 1st half.
3. Kerry Wood and Mark Prior are free agents.  I don't think we'd want them, but Prior may be worth a minor league contract.
4. Who agrees with me that Rolen should hit in the 2 hole or at least in front of Albert, especially if there is an expected power decrease upon his return?
5. Is the National League Central going to be that bad again?  Methinks the Brewers, especially if they can get better defensively in the OF, get one starting pitcher (Capuano blew), and better output from the catcher, are going to be miles ahead of the rest.  Big ifs, but they have the potential to be better next season with a minimal amount of fixing compared to what else I see in the NL Central.

Dear Diary,

So the Braves won't be resigning Andruw Jones. I wonder what it would take for the Cardinals to sign him, and what impact that would make to our current crop of outfielders?

Dunc in left, Jones in CF, and Jimmy in RF.  
Trade Ank for a starter or a glove shortstop who can hit .250 with some legs.

Would make an interesting lineup.

1. SS?
   
2. Rolen
   
3. Pujols
   
4. Duncan
   
5. Jones
   
6. Edmonds
   
7. Yadi
   
8. the pitcher
   
9. Kennedy, or the next stiff to play 2nd?

You know as soon as you saw the report that some schmuck would have to ask here.  I am that Schmuck.

Dear Diary,

In one word, describe the Cardinals 2007 campaign.
Explain if you wish.

Mine:  Subpar.

Explanation:  While I never expected the Cards to win the WS again, I did expect them to put together a decent season - .500 baseball, etc.  They didn't.  I didn't hate this season - it just was subpar based on the talent I thought they had to start the season.