Cardinals news and notes: Quintana, Wong, Brewers

Tom Pagnozzi threw out the ceremonial first pitch for last night’s win against the Brewers. You’re likely familiar with Pagnozzi’s work at catcher, but for those who don’t know, he was a staple on the Cardinals’ roster from 1987 to 1998. He also won three Gold Gloves (1991, 1992, and 1994) and made the 1992 All-Star Game.

Regarding that last fact, Baseball Reference’s Play Index tells us that Pagnozzi is one of only 51 players in the history of this sport to log at least 3,000 plate appearances, make an All-Star Game, and have an OPS+ at or below 80. The best player by bWAR on the list is Mark Belanger (40.8 bWAR), and the only other Cardinals are Julian Javier and Del Rice. So there. Let’s give it up for Tom.

Here’s what you may have missed yesterday at VEB:

• Ben Markham looks at what it might take to acquire Jose Quintana. Given their solid pitching so far, I’d be fine with the Cardinals staying away on this one.
• As Craig Edwards notes, Kolten Wong received a lot of blame for Monday’s loss but baseball is a team game and it was hardly his fault entirely.
• Cool note from Lil Scooter, on yesterday’s date in 1939 Lou Gehrig said goodbye to baseball and his games-played streak.
• Here’s the farm report. Paul DeJong is still hitting.

That should do it. Enjoy your Wednesday, everyone.