Season at a glance!

Ok. Y’all, I have been terrible about writing blogs this last year or so, but you know what my first child (son) just turned 7 months old, so well there you have it.  I am going to try to get back in the habit of writing more as I enjoy the tweets back.

I have a few thoughts on the Cards tonight before we begin in my opinion the most boring home series of the year (royals).  I know my K.C. friends get a kick out of it and I used too as well, that was 2 or 3 World Series appearances ago however with a couple rings, but I digress.

1^st comments have to be about Matheny. Rookie guy at the helm and everyone got hurt and is staying hurt. Not his fault for the most part, however this is what makes or breaks managers.  He has handled the injuries well.  The rotation may have some fault there, but definitely some at John’s feet as well.  The bull-pen or bear-pen as I have referred to them a couple times on twitter is where I see some issues.  In reality if Mike calls their name they should be ready whoever it is.  I just want to know why, whoever always seem to be Boggs in the 8^th, again will digress.   Injuries in the pen have actually outside of Boggs in the 8^th taken me out of second guessing Mike, because I suck at rolling dice too.

2^nd Carlos Beltran I hated you in K.C. not because of K.C. but because their fans love minor league guys and I befriend them, and they annoy the crap out of me.  Then you had to go and get traded to Houston, then that Met thing worked out well.  I loved to hate on you, but wow such an amazing talent.  I am rooting for this guy to get a ring someway somehow.  This team is surviving because of you, thank you!

3^rd Furcal I don’t know if Mike was mad or not at him when spring training started.  Hard to be mad at someone that didn’t have control over that kind of a function.  None the less he has been what the cards have been missing for some time and I enjoy watching the guy play.  Not to mention he responded to me about my son so loving him for that.

4^th I miss Jon Jay.  Now last year right after Colby was traded I was not as high on Jon Jay that he proved to be.   I do not believe the scouts when they put a “ceiling” on someone as well.  My thought is pretty well in my opinion proven by Jon.  This guy raised his ability in October.  Jon stepped up to the challenge and remained calm and delivered.   This is the kind of guy that some “fans” will say told you so but honestly no one last year could have imagined Jay being so vital to this team.  In my mind winning the series is an easier stretch.  As a side note I in Springfield I did like Jay much more than Colby, he had some issues but fixed those as we see now.

5^th David effn Freese and Matt patch Adams.  These guys don’t have to hit .330 and win gold gloves, be nice if they did. I realize their numbers are low, more of a concern on Freese that Adams but he tried pulling too much.  I told my buddy @deckacards that if Adams hits .270 I’d love it.  I believe he agrees.  I’d like Big Mac to get David to really stay with his natural swing.  That right center swing makes him deadly, he can always pull the ball and that makes the D play him true and makes him lethal.  Matt just needs to hang on I like his talent and think he can help this team for a long time.  Not to mention by all reports he is a good kid.

6^th Holliday and Yadi.  So important those two.  Yadi is what a lot of cards fans knew the backbone of that pitching staff.  You don’t let that go and at this point I can honestly say I am happier to have Holliday and Yadi than Holliday and Albert.  I understand who Matt is and I am fine with that.  Yadi’s values exceed his paycheck into that of the rotation and bull-pen.  Best catcher in the game no one else comes close.  I love Matt in Left field.  Maybe not his defense every play, but he is respected on this team in the clubhouse that’s worth a lot y’all.

7^th Allen Craig.  I can’t figure out how to type out his importance.  This guy was almost the World Series MVP!  Again I will point out Kevin; we had a lot of discussions when we watched him here in Springfield.  You could as I did, get the feeling then this kid have that x-factor.  When the game was on the line and you needed that at-bat “send me in coach”.  His D at 3^rd was short but like that guy that used to play for us finds a way in the lineup.  I am so excited to see him succeed could never explain to you why he is just a guy I will cheer for.

In summary, this team has ticked me off with its pitching and errors last 5 weeks.  None the less this team is just as capable of making that run that happened last year.  Sometimes as fans that haven’t been in that locker room in a while you forget what it’s like adjusting to a new man in charge.  While I sometimes feel this is Tony 2 it’s really not.  The team is playing different, honestly I love his style.  I will forever respect and be annoyed by TLR ball.  At the end of the day he knew what he was doing and proved it for 33 years.  Mike learned a lot from Tony,  I believe John Moz did as well.  We may suffer awhile this season but we will have some fun too.  Long post but hope you enjoyed it!

Go Cards! Kick the crap out of the Royals!

Was Franklin right?

I have spent a few weeks thinking about Franklin and his comments regarding the cardinal fan base not being the best in baseball. Then it hit on a post game show. I didn’t see Baseball Heaven being stated all the time. So if Ryan is right and I am sad to say at this time I agree with him. Why are the fan’s of the Cards no longer the best.

I’m going to start with TLR. That may seem odd but let’s think about things for a minute. Before TLR we saw a lot of young guys get a real chance in Stl not that they haven’t since but he and Walt loved to trade those guys for vet’s that didn’t need to gain experience at the MLB level. Now after 16 year’s in town we have seen younger fan’s think that guys come up from memphis immediately ready to play at All-star and MVP level.

If you have watched the game longer than 10 year’s. You know that the leap from AAA to MLB is arguable one of the biggest in sports. We see guys in every other sport go from college to impact player’s in their respective sport much quicker than in baseball. So now after 16 years of seeing young guy’s traded we haven’t had to tolerate or watch young guys grow. We are used to seeing veteran’s polish up their skill’s or in a lot of cases come in and just maintain.

Younger Card’s fan’s do not understand or appreciate watching a player grow on the field. The frustrating part of that is a growing moment is usually a costly play/pitch or K.

I know there are exception’s to this but I think it is part of the frustration card’s fans expel towards the team that has lead to that way of thought.

The next is one of the hardest thoughts about it I could think of. We got very used to post season success through the first half of this decade. After going to two Series and winning one it’s hard to accept not winning the division or not making a run in the playoffs much less not even making them.

The cardinals have created a perfect storm with the average fan that is frustrated they want to win so badly that they overlook the type of things that got Stl to winning again. Few people remember the days of Joe Torre in Stl and the disappointing teams and season’s they had in the early 90’s. Now on any and all radio show’s that I can pick up in Stl or any other city. All I hear is Cards fan’s that can out tony tony. I’m not saying I agree with all his move’s but fan’s have become much more vocal in critizing the team than I can ever remember in my life.

This has spilled over to booing the team. Now I won’t say that you shouldn’t boo the cards when they fail. All I say is that I won’t and I won’t teach or say that I think it is acceptable. That does not mean I won’t yell at them to do better. IF you consider that the same then ok, I do not.

The Minor league team’s are much closer and more reported on. Growing up I rarely heard of the minor league team’s much less the players on those teams. ON FSN we get reports and rumor’s about the guys in the minor’s much more often. Granted this year it is because they keep going down to the minor’s to bring guys up. By the time they get there the folks that have not seen them have thoughts’ they will be a MVP or All Star right away. Then Jiame Garcia happens and it further fuel’s that fire.

I know that my friends that have kids in High School or right of or younger not a lot play baseball or ever have they grew up playing soccer. They have assumption’s that player’s can develop at rate’s that most cannot.

The final aspect that I think creates some issue’s is the reporter’s. Combine that with folks like me and probably you blogging about the cards and that creates more vocalized opinion’s about the game. There is a certain reporter that vocalizes his distaste for bloggers. In part because we take reader’s away from him and create job issue’s which all of us that were pre-internet remember the days’ of getting the paper as soon as we could to read about the cards. I remember looking over the box score in the paper the next morning now it’s online after the last out.

I don’t think everyone is effected by each one of these factor’s nor do I think these are the only factor’s. But after a few weeks closer to months. I think Franklin was right. Now that said the move that came yesterday was correct he is a great guy seems so via interview’s and his old twitter account. I wish him well in his future but he was not helping the team and the right baseball move was finally made.

Go Cards

Close it out

Well the cards sure would look different this part of the season with 4 more wins. This is a subject that has been a subject for far to long in St. Louis. Even giving the closing percentage Ryan has had in the past couple of years, the number everyone knew was his age. It has come to that point again where the TLR must start to look to someone else to close out games. I don’t know if the team (players) are still behind Franklin or not I would assume they are vocally but surely some of them in their own minds are wishing someone else would close so they could get those w’s.

So the big question is who? The cards sure looked to have traded one option. Chris Perez is now a Indian and closing games there. It appears the GM thought that Motte would be the guy. I think we all know he is not the guy. So the question is will the GM trade the next guy. We have little everyday needs. So trading a prospect in the pen for an everyday guy is unlikely, I hope. Can the cards find that guy that is already in the system?

There are a few options in the pen. I don’t think anyone person at this early point in the season should be named the “closer”. Instead I would rather TLR do what he does anyhow. Mix and match. Boggs appears to be the guy that has the first shot at loosing it. I don’t think he should be the only one though. K-chez (Sanchez) needs to get a few more appearances. He has the stuff to do it, he needs the confidence now in his stuff at the MLB level before giving him that chance.

As far as the mental make up of the closer and who has it and who doesn’t. I don’t know of anyone outside of the team that can make the call. It is so difficult of a situation, the crowd is louder there is more pressure. So from the outside looking in especially when because of the language barrier they may not talk to much, it is difficult to gage. So that being said, only time and experience will show if either of those can do it.

Who can help them adjust to that? Well I’m glad you asked. Is it franklin maybe, he has his own mental issues right now the blow to him has to be a issue. Wether he admits it to reporter or not he has been able to get MLB batters out for a long time now all the sudden that is gone. If he moves up to the 7th or 8th I think in a month yes he could help them adjust to it. For the home games though I would say Adam Wainwright. He no longer has to worry about his pen sessions or preparing for a game. That is extra time he can dedicate to the guys in the rotation and the pen helping them. While the Duncan and his staff will help sometimes a guy that has been there done that is worth their weight in gold.

I would love to see this start tonight don’t wait to let franky and his lack of whatever it is continue to turn an W into a L. I could see TLR using Miller to start some in the 9th as well to help lower the pressure on the young guys for the last out or two. It will be difficult to watch this season, if TLR does not make a move. Change is constant so someone please tell TLR its time for that change

Go Cards!

A new season

So I didn’t post anything after the first week of the season for doom in gloom. Now that is not to say I was happy or encouraged with the first week. I think Cards fans need to learn to not get to high with the a win or to low with a loss. That being said there are a couple thought’s I have after seeing a couple weeks of the season go by.

First off no one has a reason to truly doubt Albert. He is coming back in his form as usual no shocker. I have noticed that this season and last he has expanded the zone more than he has in the past. I don’t know if that is just coming with age or his desire to do more. I would prefer for him not to but if he is comfortable doing it and gets results I won’t argue.

Colby. So far this season he has been the most important part of the Offense and the most dangerous part of the Defense. I am not sure why some people think that in just a few season’s that he is going to be Jim Edmonds like or any of the other countless amazing veterans we have had in the past. The key word there is veteran Colby is adjusting very well at the plate and it will just take some time for him to get used to the range and dimensions of the major league outfields. The thing that he has to improve on quickly is that worm burner throw that showed up the other night. The plus on Colby that people are forgetting is he is historically a slow starter in april. What is in store for batting can be amazing even if he just keeps this kind of a year up.

Theriot. Now I know a lot of cards fans are mad or upset that Brendan is gone. I am not one of those for a few reasons. I will admit he has great ability yes. But he has many downsides. His attitude got him kicked off or to leave a college team. That is not a plus no matter if you want to admit it or not. He was a one year wonder at the plate he has not been a .290 hitter outside of just one season. The other issue that always drove me crazy was his throws to Albert always backed him up into the base path and Albert was jumping out of the way of the runner. No matter what Ryan is never going to be good enough to fill in for AP should he get injured. So moving on to Theriot his throws more often than not do not to that. He has the ability to get on base and has proven it over and over again at the MLB level. Theriot is not the player I would want for a long term deal but for a short stop gap I’m ok with him.

This team could be over achieving the last few days but I don’t think they are far from what they have been doing. This team with the lineup has no reason not to hit. The question marks will be the closer. I am not sure Franklin at his age can keep it up for what the season requires. The pen especially after the injuries is something that I expect to be exposed at some point. Now as long as the starters keep up what they have done this season they won’t be to bad. We all now at some point though the starters will have a ruff week, and when that happens, how will the pen hold up?

I am not going to go over each player or position tonight but I felt that some of these points need to be brought out. Let’s go get the Dodgers tonight.

Go Cards!

Baseball is a business!

We all know that players play for money in any sport. Sure we all start out as kids playing the game we love. Somewhere along the line the player knows this is his job and he needs to perform to make a living, a very nice living. There is a moment from time to time you get to see that kid that has his dream come true.

Last night we saw that. Now I’m sure most people didn’t think twice about Sanchez MLB first outing. Some may be excited to see his stuff. This outing was a perfect time to get him out in the mix. Mainly because he had a lot of runs to play with to get his feet wet. Now we don’t know that the Dbacks hadn’t quit, most likely yes. So 5 strikeouts may or may not be who he will be every two innings. Thats not the point I want to talk about today though.

Every kid playing in the back yard dreams about 2 different times in the big leagues. We always dream of bottom of the 9th 7th game of the World series and we hit or get the last person out on a full count. The other time I remember simulating the most was the first ever appearance. It’s a much more likely dream to come true than what Waino did.

Watching Sanchez last night was a blast I stayed up in hopes to see that first appearance for him. If you missed it you truly missed out. The expressions on his face on the bench not to mention the emotions pouring out showed just how much work he has put into baseball since signing and working through the academy. The part that stood out to me was the smile on his face while he was batting.

As fans we sometimes I think let business side of baseball effect the way we cheer for our team. We know that money buys players and managers and does affect how the team does. We cheer from a business side of it forgetting that the players have forgotten how much of a privilege it is to play this game on tv and in front of so many people.

If you saw Sanchez though you did see the purity of sports. That chance to make a childhood dream come true. Where stats don’t matter completely, when all that matters is you did it. Long boring bus rides hours of throwing a ball when nobody is watching or cares what you do or who you are. Time lifting weights, running watching your diet. All the little things seem today to be the best investment he has ever made.

It’s something so small a once in a lifetime chance he will never again not have played in the bigs. It has finally come and now gone. I am not saying that he is the closer of the future or anything else. I just was happy to see the expressions on his face and the joy he had that he had a chance given and did very well with it. I hope that others found the joy out of seeing that as well, if not I of course meant to bring it up to you today!

Go Cards!

Jimmy Ball!

While I don’t think this is a move that is a move you can say helps the team go deep into playoffs, although who really knows it could I suppose. I think this is more of a move to give Jimmy the chance to retire with the team he is definitely going to be known to play for when is career does come to an end.

I think the other significance of this signing is that it shows more than ever since Walt left that Moz may be signing the type of players that TLR wants. I am of the belief that TLR will remain with Stl as long as AP is dawning the birds on the bat. With that being said, I think this move along with puma shows that Moz is willing to sign the kind of vets that lets TLR do his thing as crazy as it is sometimes. I don’t know that the front office is willing to abandon the young guys they are/have drafted but I do think this is something that shows Moz and TLR can work together.

My hope now is that Moz does what all cards fans want him to do and sign AP. I know that Stl will still remain a player for him if he goes to FA. That being said I don’t get the vibe that AP cares that much for Moz. The “dinner” last year we all have heard about to me seemed strange why not at least set the table for this year? There are things about Moz I like i.e. bringing jimmy ball back. There are things I don’t like. This could be nothing of a indication as well. It could easily be Edmonds saying I want to retire and I want to do so not as a FA or from another team I want to go out as a Cardinal.

What is wrong Part 1

In talking about what is going wrong with the cards I can’t simply do it all in one post.  So the argument has still been disputed that Mac is a bad HC.  Let’s forget that he lost a silver slugger.  So we will simply address who is on the team.  A guy in Ryan who hit close to .300 last season is at .219 thus far this season and won’t raise his  career .259 avg.

Then there is Rasmus who raised his K level then there is Skip who also hit below avg.  Since we are in the NL pitcher’s BA is a wash or push depending on your viewpoint.  In the past and on every other team in the MLB there is a strategy at the plate.  These guys are swinging free much like the HC did and his .263 ba did.

IF you want to be so closed minded in thinking hey they team’s avg is what it was last year that is 1 very narrow over what the season actually is.  I can draw a real more accurate comparison based off of a those players listed above.  Not to mention how AP and Holliday did last year much better overall year.

The fact is these guys go up to the plate with the strategy of little leaguer’s here comes the ball I better swing.  The swing at the first pitch a lot and other team’s know it.  They hit and run with the power guys at the plate because they are desperate instead of patient.  They swing for the fences a team loaded with speed.  They try to live and die by the HR a team that truely isn’t built to hit it.  Granted I know AP and Holliday will but the rest of the lineup is based of off manufacturing runs.  Something they simply can’t do this year.  Now last year was saw that potential spoiled by bad bass running.  This year we see that chance ruined by bad bass running

Big Mac was a lot of fun to watch but has no place in the dug out he is not upgrading or helping this offense at all.  By saying they are no worse than they were last year simply show’s the change wasn’t needed.  If you can’t bring in anyone better don’t do anything at all.

We know exactly why TLR did this.  I think it’s impart because he thought if they don’t make that stride this is his last year and he wants mac in the HOF and this is his way to try to get him in there.  So what is wrong is today is a change wasn’t needed to upgrade a coach that wasn’t and isn’t an upgrade.  This isn’t about making the Cards better it’s about TLR and his ego.

Go Cards!

What will become?

Ok, so I’m not totally stupid nor am I totally into conspiracy.  It does somehow though seem a mixture of stupidity and Cardinals have mixed together this season.  So in this post instead of saying how I think the cards can increase their chances of post season play I’m going to predict something a little different.

I think the Cards will end with a Cy Young winner in Waino the MVP in Pujols’ The ROY in Jaime Garcia and Pujols I think has a legit shot to take home the Triple crown.  I also think they they will watch the entire post season from their respective homes as well.

It was mentioned today on a local radio show that they believe the cards have some clubhouse issues.  I can only say duh.  This team has had issues all season long.  I blame TLR this guy is no doubt headed to the HOF for his skills as a manager he wrote the book that he goes against.  Let’s face it though he seem’s out of touch and out of place in this system.

I think some major changes are coming at the end of the season.  No I am not saying we will have a new GM but I think TLR is gone as is his staff.  Now as to who comes in I don’t know.  I think at this point it’s been proven at least that Moz can’t help TLR win, or TLR can’t help Moz win.  However it is things have to change for the cards to have a shot.  I don’t think pretending to think that the guys that have been working their way up through the minor’s are not worth anything.  Simply look that not only memphis and springfield are in contention in their leagues for playoffs but so is STL.  You don’t draft and produce people through out all those level’s and not at least know how to do most of the process.

As far as the trade’s and the MLB level talent he has signed.  Well that part is not good.  Most all cards fans won’t want to say he overpaid matt but I think it’s safe to say he did since Matt was most decidedly not going anywhere else.  Let’s look at Lohse and Penny, bust and bust.   Neither one was a good deal.  At the time I felt that Lohse was but he has not simply worked out for the money that is locked up within him.  Dennys Reyes had a solid year last year and been horrible this year now the good thing is that Miller has been very good and is now locked up for next year.

He has failed to fix several glaring problems within the STL.  Yes Freese is a great prospect at 3b but he can’t stay healthy and for that matter neither can Colby.  We have no real 3b and no 2b.  I know there are people that love skip and how he plays the game but come on time is up and he is NOT a 2b and he needs to be moved off the team and allow a real 2b to come in.  This is it for B. Ryan and don’t give me his d.  His D is just as much of a liability as it is a advantage.  He drops his arm slot and put’s AP in to many bad positions.  He either steps up and does it or needs to go away.  Fact is he is only a career .260 ish hitter NO reason to keep someone that isn’t producing at that crucial of a position year round we have to be better there period.

Then let’s get to bad trade’s last year went for Matt trade worked out with his long term deal.  Derosa was a bust, not so much Moz fault at first because of the injury but you give up two prospects for a rental that can’t help and doesn’t stay with the team you downgraded the bull pen and hurt use in future trades that is a complete fail right there.  The risk of that trade is high the margin was high as well provided you keep your rental for more than 2 months.  Which we know he did not.  That brings us to team Studwick.  Well it’s easy to knock that trade, goodbye all-star silver slugger that can produce in this kind of a lineup.  Hello a number 4 at best most likely 5 guy that should have been traded two rookie ball prospects for.

My fear with the way this GM and owner is going is what we will become is a team that is always 2 years away.  In other words in two years every year we will have the talent to go all the way, but never get out of that first season.  How can we lock everyone up we need to make a series of runs if we trade those big pieces away?

Change has to be coming into Busch stadium this winter simply don’t see harmony with everyone and everything that is going on.  My random thoughts this late august.

GO CARDS!

Time is running out!

We are closing in on September 1st and the cards are still the cards of all season.  Can’t hit on a consistent basis nor run the bases.  This team has been more work to watch than enjoyment.  Let’s not fool ourselves this team is not as talented now as it was when the season started.  With Freese out and that insane trade of sending Ludwick out they are simply not as strong.  Then throw in the fact that Ryan has returned to his career averages and not to one great season he had.  Then add in Miles and Winn and I’m shocked we were even in contention this far or even at this chance to accidentally make the playoff’s.

This team making the playoffs will be an accident.  Let’s be honest about it.  A team that only get’s motivated over a 3 day stretch because of some comments then falls back into their tail spin is horrible.  I know they are several games over .500 but come on if they were in most every other division we wouldn’t have that record.  This team the FO has put out on the field now is a massive downgrade and there is no way the can improve a team this late in the year that has suffered so many losses.  Let’s be honest about a few things.  Signing Penny was a risk that the FO had NO back up plan for fail 1.  Lohse had several issues with health last year and while he did pitch well in 08 they knew they should at least look at a back up plan for AAA there fail 2.  Freese and Rasmus have shown the ability to have injuries over the last 18 months, fail for waiting so long for a plan at 3b.  Now let’s look at CF with Rasmus there.  The back up plan Jon Jay but you traded the RF.

I had started out a fan of Moz but I am quickly fading in favor with him.  I don’t know that he can’t produce a winner on the field but I highly doubt that he can work with Dave Duncan and TLR to produce a playoff winner.  With TLR’s recent comments I have to think that TLR is also thinking of calling it quit’s in STL.  Now I am not going to assume he won’t go manage somewhere else but I don’t think he will return to STL.

What is really scaring me is that this is the offseason they MUST resign Pujols.  While last year and this year they finish in contention within the division as well as getting Holliday locked up for a long term.  I think it’s safe that any and all cards fan’s worry that Pujols won’t stay.

This is a crucial off season coming up and  I can’t say that I think Stl will make the playoffs as I don’t.  I do think they are in position to regain some of the losses they have incurred.

Hoping for a miracle!

GO CARDS!

The most Red beat down in town!

So the comment’s were made.  Then Phillips went retarded.  In a showing of youth, it appears that Brandon felt that the words didn’t apply to the people he liked on the Cardinals or at least the one’s he didn’t think would come close to beating the crap out of him.  What I find so funny here,  it was Yadi that was being held back.  Now from my personal experience the guy being held back is the one people think most likely so will win the fight.  This apparently hasn’t come through in Phillips bad thinking.

We all saw what happened between TLR and the lizard.  I think it is hysterical that Baker wants MLB to not just view the tape.  Ok, please do look at what Phillips said unprovoked, then look at how he starts it up then looks how that piece of crap pitcher got away with kicking people in the head with steel cleats.  Baker is a piece of crap and there is a reason he can’t win.  He should have had some balls and done something about this from the start.

We know that Cueto should be suspended.  Now for how long he should get and what he will get is two different things.  I have no issue with what Rolen did as in trying to keep Carpenter out of things.  It’s hard to say what all was said on the field in the moment of heat.  I surely think that at some point in the next day or so we will see in my hope a 15 to 20 game suspension for Cueto if not more.  Saying that he was kicking to try to stop the fight and scared is completely bogus and show’s how much of  a worthless P.O.S. he is.

There seems to have been a message that was received by Stl throughout this.  They played with a fire I don’t think we have seen all season.  This is like the metaphor don’t wake the sleeping giant if you’re a midget, and you they did.  All season long Cards fans were waiting for a spark to see this team get going.  I think this was it.  It’s a shame that it took this kind of words to do so.  I hope that this continues on into the next couple of series.  It appears that the message the Cards sent back was we are the HAMMER and you are the NAIL.  I can’t remember a series outside of the Dodger series in the late 90’s where STL had two Grand Slams.

It appears that this while was a fire starter to a rivalry that appears to be going on forward now for sometime not just this season but beyond.  It looks like a great way to see STL take off for a good post season run.