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In his article on 101Sports.com Thursday morning, Bernie Miklasz discussed the Cardinals new-found (ish) home run hitting prowess:
Between 2012 and 2015 the Cardinals averaged 0.81 homers per game, ranking 26th among the 30 MLB teams. And their home-run muscle was even weaker from 2013 and 2015, with an average of 0.76 homers per game. That ranked 28th. Those Cardinals didn't punch. They jabbed...
In 2016... the Cardinals are averaging 1.39 homers per game in 2016. That figure tops the National League and is fourth in the majors.
He goes on to speculate on what caused such a dramatic increase. A different ball, bat speed, [gasp] cheating?
But I know the secret. The reason the Cardinals are mashing more dingers is because this:
The water cups!
See, I have traced back the first known water cup throw to this moment:
See the date on that - August 8, 2015. Remember that date. Because since that fateful day (according to my very haphazard calculations) the Birdos have belted 179 home runs, hitting forty-eight of the team's 2015 total 137 after that date and going on to mash 131 so far in the 2016 season.
Carlos Martinez has inspired his teammates to hit dingers by promising the reward that they can partake in the water cup celebration that follows - even Yadier Molina, said to be one to shy away from the water splash, seems to be really into it in the photo above.
Carlos is a genius.
Jedd Gyorko and the Cardinals Are Going Home-Run Crazy!!! | 101Sports.com
what else is going on in baseball...
- Hanley Ramirez hits three home runs vs. Giants | redsox.com
- Rank the best throwback uniforms MLB teams were wearing Wednesday for Turn Back the Clock | MLB.com
- Kelsie Whitmore makes history as she collects her first hit with the Sonoma Stompers | MLB.com
- Kelsie Whitmore gets 1st professional hit for Independent League team | SBNation.com
- 12 players who could be surprises on the MLB trade market. | Sports on Earth
- Drew Pomeranz and Beating BABIP | FanGraphs Baseball
- Every important 2016 MLB trade rumor in one place | SBNation.com
- Dave Roberts says surgery 'more of a possibility' for Clayton Kershaw | True Blue LA
- Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts not ruling out surgery for ace Clayton Kershaw | ESPN
- Man breaks four baseball bats with his foot | ESPN Video
- Maintenance is critical issue for urban baseball fields | STLhighschoolSPORTS.com | stltoday.com
what the cardinals are up to...
- The Cardinals Have Had Historically Horrible Timing | FanGraphs Baseball
- Hochman: Gyorko is feasting on his former team | Benjamin Hochman | stltoday.com
- Jedd Gyorko and the Cardinals Are Going Home-Run Crazy!!! | 101Sports.com
KNOW THINE ENEMY...
the san diego padres
- Padres drop a double header BUT keep their HR streak alive | Gaslamp Ball
- Unlocking the secret to Wil Myers' breakout | Beyond the Box Score
- A San Diego Padres Community | Gaslamp Ball
the nl central
- Cubs get Mike Montgomery in 4-player trade | cubs.com
- Chicago Cubs acquire Mike Montgomery from Seattle Mariners | ESPN
- Cubs Get an Arm That Wasn’t On the Radar | FanGraphs Baseball
- Scouting Dan Vogelbach and Co. | FanGraphs Baseball
- Here’s why the Cubs might trade Kyle Schwarber for Andrew Miller | SBNation.com
- Pokemon Go craze hits Chicago Cubs clubhouse -- sort of | Chicago Cubs Blog | ESPN
- MLB rumor roundup | MLB.com
- Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Jameson Taillon 'doing well' after line drive to back of head | ESPN
- Trade Rumors: Brewers, Indians "In Talks" for Jonathan Lucroy | Brew Crew Ball
- Cleveland Indians have interest in catcher Jonathan Lucroy | ESPN