By JP
After a long delay during which I relocated to the great state of Texas, I am back and into the game again, so to speak. When last I left you, David Freese had been dealt to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (or some such bullshit) for Peter Borjous, a trade I think will be beneficial to the Cardinals. I couldn't give a shit if it helped the Angels. It probably won't. Signing Albert Pujols, Josh Hamilton, and C.J. Wilson hasn't done them a damn bit of good. But, whatever, the Cards I think are better off. Well, since then, the Cardinals have added a short stop, a position that they needed to fill. However, some people have been complaining about who the picked up:
Jhonny Peralta.
Why all the complaints about Peralta? Well, he was linked to Biogenesis, a company that allegedly supplied performances enhancing drugs to players such as Ryan Braun, Peralta, and Alex Rodriguez. I am not going to defend Peralta except to say that he was linked in 2012 and he had a slight dip in performance that year and that he wasn't linked to anything in 2013 and was (as far as we know anyway) clean in 2013 when he had a better season that in 2012. Take that for what you will.
Some MLB players are whining about the signing and some writers think that the signing is bad for baseball. I disagree with both of them. I will call bullshit when I see it, but people are entitled to their opinions (like, for instance, when I accuse certain MLB players of whining). But I also think that if people are entitled to their opinions, they are also entitled to second chances. To a certain extent, Peralta wasn't rewarded for "cheating" he was rewarded for his circumstance. Let me explain:
1) The St. Louis Cardinals needed a short stop. Peralta is a short stop
2) Detroit did NOT make a qualifying offer to Peralta (which means that any team that signs Peralta would NOT have to give up a draft pick)
3) The only other legitimate short stop on the market was Stephen Drew who has a history of injuries, something the Cardinals wanted to stay away from (the Red Sox also DID make a qualifying offer to Drew, which means the Cards would have had to given up a draft pick)
4) Cardinals GM John Mozeliak doesn't like to give up young talent, so a trade was probably a last resort option for Mo.
5) The Cardinals had some money to spend this off season and felt that spending on Peralta was a better business decision, despite the controversy, than giving away a chunk of their young talent for someone like, say, Troy Tulowitzki who seems to be injured all the time
So, before people start spouting off about Peralta being rewarded for cheating, they should think about it for a moment and realize that Peralta wasn't rewarded for cheating, he was rewarded for being in the right place at the right time.
-19-
Sunday, December 8, 2013
Friday, November 22, 2013
So Long David Freese, Thanks for 2011
By JP
David Freese and Fernando Salas were traded to the Los Angeles Angels for outfielder Peter Bourjos and minor leaguer Randal Grichuk on Friday. As usual with John Mozeliak, this deal helps the Cardinals.
Peter Bourjos is very good defensive outfielder and could win the everyday center fielder job during spring training over Jon Jay. The main problem is that Bourjos is very injury prone and comes with the possibility of missing significant time. But that's why John Mozeliak is such a smart GM; Bourjos is a defensive upgrade, but can platoon with Jon Jay and (maybe mid season if not sooner) top Cardinal prospect Oscar Taveres. Matt Holliday will still patrol left field and Allen Craig will presumably play right field.
As far as the infield goes, trading away David Freese opens 3rd base up, which will allow Matt Carpenter to slide over from 2nd which in turn opens up 2nd for Kolten Wong. Wong struggled at the plate in limited at bats in 2013, however he showed defensive brilliance during the World Series. He also made a base running gaffe during the World Series, however, he is young and has spent very little time at the Major League level, so his mental mistakes can be excused. More at bats in the Majors should allow him to improve his batting and if he can continue excelling on defense, he will be a very valuable player.
The St. Louis Cardinals would not have won the 2011 World Series if they did not have David Freese and for that, I will always be grateful. But, unfortunately, professional sports is all about "what have you done for me lately" and lately, it could be argued, Freese may have cost the Cards the 2013 WS. It seemed like every game, sometimes multiple times in a game, Freese would get up to bat against the Red Sox with the bases loaded, only to weakly pop out or strike out. As I have stated previously, I function on the smell test (that is, I am not Sabermetrics guy), so it's possible that Freese may not have been in that situation every game (and I think Pete Kozma is also guilty of the same baseball crime). But it sure felt like it to me.
Freese was an All-Star in 2012, but struggled in 2013. Why? Well, he did start the season on the Disabled List with back problems, so it is certainly possible that he was suffering through that all season. If that's the case, then I give him props for fighting through it.
Having said all that, I am going to miss Freese. I love the idea of a boyhood Cardinals fan growing up to play for his favorite team. There is something poetic about that. The fact of the matter is, however, that on paper this trade improves the Cardinals for 2014.
Now they just need to get a short stop.
-42-
David Freese and Fernando Salas were traded to the Los Angeles Angels for outfielder Peter Bourjos and minor leaguer Randal Grichuk on Friday. As usual with John Mozeliak, this deal helps the Cardinals.
Peter Bourjos is very good defensive outfielder and could win the everyday center fielder job during spring training over Jon Jay. The main problem is that Bourjos is very injury prone and comes with the possibility of missing significant time. But that's why John Mozeliak is such a smart GM; Bourjos is a defensive upgrade, but can platoon with Jon Jay and (maybe mid season if not sooner) top Cardinal prospect Oscar Taveres. Matt Holliday will still patrol left field and Allen Craig will presumably play right field.
As far as the infield goes, trading away David Freese opens 3rd base up, which will allow Matt Carpenter to slide over from 2nd which in turn opens up 2nd for Kolten Wong. Wong struggled at the plate in limited at bats in 2013, however he showed defensive brilliance during the World Series. He also made a base running gaffe during the World Series, however, he is young and has spent very little time at the Major League level, so his mental mistakes can be excused. More at bats in the Majors should allow him to improve his batting and if he can continue excelling on defense, he will be a very valuable player.
The St. Louis Cardinals would not have won the 2011 World Series if they did not have David Freese and for that, I will always be grateful. But, unfortunately, professional sports is all about "what have you done for me lately" and lately, it could be argued, Freese may have cost the Cards the 2013 WS. It seemed like every game, sometimes multiple times in a game, Freese would get up to bat against the Red Sox with the bases loaded, only to weakly pop out or strike out. As I have stated previously, I function on the smell test (that is, I am not Sabermetrics guy), so it's possible that Freese may not have been in that situation every game (and I think Pete Kozma is also guilty of the same baseball crime). But it sure felt like it to me.
Freese was an All-Star in 2012, but struggled in 2013. Why? Well, he did start the season on the Disabled List with back problems, so it is certainly possible that he was suffering through that all season. If that's the case, then I give him props for fighting through it.
Having said all that, I am going to miss Freese. I love the idea of a boyhood Cardinals fan growing up to play for his favorite team. There is something poetic about that. The fact of the matter is, however, that on paper this trade improves the Cardinals for 2014.
Now they just need to get a short stop.
-42-
Sunday, November 3, 2013
Well, There's Always Next Season...
By JP
It's been a few days since the St. Louis Cardinals lost the World Series in 6 games to the Boston Red Sox. Frustrating? Yep. But, unlike the Chicago Cubs, the Cardinals have a bright future ahead of them and will likely be right back in the thick of things next season.
The Cardinals lost the WS because they failed at the one thing they did better than anyone else all season and better than any team for the last 30 SEASONS; they failed to score with runners in scoring position. It seemed like almost every game the Cards, at least once, had the bases loaded with one out or no outs and failed to score. The Red Sox pitched well, but the Cards were not facing Greg Maddox, John Smoltz, and Tom Glavine (future Hall of Famers). Several times I saw David Freese get up to bat with runners in scoring position only to pop out on the infield or to strike out. Same with Pete Kozma and Kozma's defense cost the Cardinals several runs. Now, it was NOT their fault that the Cardinals lost the world series, but they certainly didn't help. At all.
So, what was the point of mentioning that about Freese and Kozma? Simply, I doubt they will be on the Cardinals Opening Day roster in 2014. Honestly, Freese hasn't done much of anything since the NLCS and WS in 2011 and Kozma hasn't lived up to the hype he had when he was in the Minor Leagues. I like David Freese and I appreciate what he did in 2011, but, unfortunately, professional sports is a "what have you done for me lately" business and Freese and Kozma haven't done anything for the Cardinals lately.
Now, the free agents are Carlos Beltran, Chris Carpenter, Rafael Furcal, and Edward Mujica. The Cards already decline their part of Jake Westbrook's mutual option making him a free agent as well. I suspect that Carp will retire and Furcal and Mujica are gone. I would love to see Beltran stay, but I don't think the Cardinals are going to want to pay him what he's going to want. He has been very healthy the last two seasons (something that he hadn't been previously and scared off many teams two seasons ago when he was previously a free agent) and he has been very productive. The Cards can offer him a one year qualifying offer of $14.1 million, but to be honest I think Beltran will seek more money elsewhere. He has had interest in the Yankees in the past and it could be mutual this off season. Also, the Cardinals could use Allen Craig in right and Matt Adams at first base.
With Furcal, Carp, and (possibly?) Beltran off the books, the Cardinals are going to have quite a bit of money coming off the books. If Freese and Kozma are both gone, then it's possible for Matt Carpenter to move back to 3rd base and the Cards could go after a free agent or make a trade for a short stop and a 2nd baseman.
The Cardinals will have Adam Wainwright, Michael Wacha, Shelby Miller, Joe Kelly, Lance Lynn and (maybe) Jaime Garcia. I know that's six names, so it's possible that Garcia could start in the bullpen coming off a season ending injury early in the 2013 season. So, Spring Training will have some stiff competition among the starting rotation.
This off season is going to be very interesting, but the Cardinals look to be in pretty good shape, save for a couple of holes to fill and decisions to make. I will keep you updated as I learn more.
It's been a few days since the St. Louis Cardinals lost the World Series in 6 games to the Boston Red Sox. Frustrating? Yep. But, unlike the Chicago Cubs, the Cardinals have a bright future ahead of them and will likely be right back in the thick of things next season.
The Cardinals lost the WS because they failed at the one thing they did better than anyone else all season and better than any team for the last 30 SEASONS; they failed to score with runners in scoring position. It seemed like almost every game the Cards, at least once, had the bases loaded with one out or no outs and failed to score. The Red Sox pitched well, but the Cards were not facing Greg Maddox, John Smoltz, and Tom Glavine (future Hall of Famers). Several times I saw David Freese get up to bat with runners in scoring position only to pop out on the infield or to strike out. Same with Pete Kozma and Kozma's defense cost the Cardinals several runs. Now, it was NOT their fault that the Cardinals lost the world series, but they certainly didn't help. At all.
So, what was the point of mentioning that about Freese and Kozma? Simply, I doubt they will be on the Cardinals Opening Day roster in 2014. Honestly, Freese hasn't done much of anything since the NLCS and WS in 2011 and Kozma hasn't lived up to the hype he had when he was in the Minor Leagues. I like David Freese and I appreciate what he did in 2011, but, unfortunately, professional sports is a "what have you done for me lately" business and Freese and Kozma haven't done anything for the Cardinals lately.
Now, the free agents are Carlos Beltran, Chris Carpenter, Rafael Furcal, and Edward Mujica. The Cards already decline their part of Jake Westbrook's mutual option making him a free agent as well. I suspect that Carp will retire and Furcal and Mujica are gone. I would love to see Beltran stay, but I don't think the Cardinals are going to want to pay him what he's going to want. He has been very healthy the last two seasons (something that he hadn't been previously and scared off many teams two seasons ago when he was previously a free agent) and he has been very productive. The Cards can offer him a one year qualifying offer of $14.1 million, but to be honest I think Beltran will seek more money elsewhere. He has had interest in the Yankees in the past and it could be mutual this off season. Also, the Cardinals could use Allen Craig in right and Matt Adams at first base.
With Furcal, Carp, and (possibly?) Beltran off the books, the Cardinals are going to have quite a bit of money coming off the books. If Freese and Kozma are both gone, then it's possible for Matt Carpenter to move back to 3rd base and the Cards could go after a free agent or make a trade for a short stop and a 2nd baseman.
The Cardinals will have Adam Wainwright, Michael Wacha, Shelby Miller, Joe Kelly, Lance Lynn and (maybe) Jaime Garcia. I know that's six names, so it's possible that Garcia could start in the bullpen coming off a season ending injury early in the 2013 season. So, Spring Training will have some stiff competition among the starting rotation.
This off season is going to be very interesting, but the Cardinals look to be in pretty good shape, save for a couple of holes to fill and decisions to make. I will keep you updated as I learn more.
Saturday, October 26, 2013
Um...What?
By JP
What the hell just happened? I watched game 3 of the 2013 World Series, watched the replays of how the game ended, rewound my DVR and watched it again. I get how the game ended, I understand why the call was made, but it still feels kind of...hollow? Is that the right word?
Bottom of the 9th, 1 out and Yadier Molina up to bat. He gets a single to bring in Allen Craig as a pinch hitter. Craig doubles to left field, putting Molina on 3rd, Craig on 2nd. Jon Jay comes up to bat and his right to Dustin Pedroia who throws the ball to home and throws Molina out by a mile. But then Craig heads for third and Boston catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia throws to Will Middlebrook at 3rd base. Craig was going to be safe, there was no way Salty was going to throw him out. However, the throw was wide and Craig ran home. Except, he tripped over Middlebrook (who may have been trying to get out of the way) as Middlebrook lifted his feet up. The throw from Johnny Gomes just barely beat Craig to home as it was, even with the unintentional trip, so Craig would have been safe and the game would have been over regardless. But the 3rd base umpire made the obstruction call. All the umpires conferred and agreed it was an obstruction. According to the rule, it was clearly obstruction and Craig should have been awarded home plate.
But as a Cardinal fan, I don't feel good about it. For several reasons. First, it feels like a tainted victory because Craig was "awarded" home plate. Had there been no obstruction, Craig probably would have scored and the game would have been over on a bad throw by Saltalamacchia. This will give Boston fans, Cubs fans, TBS, and others something to complain about and say that it wasn't a "real" victory or some such nonsense. At least Yankee fans are probably cheering. Secondly, This may give a fuel to Boston players to play even harder. Lance Lynn pitches Sunday and that scares the hell out of me. A Boston win on Sunday means going back to Boston on Wednesday.
The Cardinals DIDN'T DESERVE THIS WIN! Yes, I said it. The real kick in the ass is that, really, the Cardinals should have NEVER been in this position. Bases loaded no outs in the fourth inning and Jake Peavy strikes out Pete Kozma and gets Joe Kelly and Matt Carpenter to pop out to the infield. Inning over, no runs. I am guessing here (I don't feel like doing the research), but it seems like that was the millionth time this post-season that the Cardinals have had bases loaded and one or no outs and failed to score. A weak pop up or grounding into a double play and the inning is over. I don't know how the Cardinals are winning these games, but if they don't start getting hits with the bases loaded it WILL come back and bite them in the ass. This Boston team is to dangerous to play it close like this in a long series. I honestly feel like if the Cardinals don't close it out at home, Boston will win it all.
There are still two more games to win and some times it's extremely difficult to win one game. 1968, 1985, 1996, and 2012 are just a few examples. In all four of those post-season series, the Cardinals had a 3-1 series lead and lost.
I know I come across as negative in most of my blog posts, but it's, honestly, a defense mechanism. If I expect the Cardinals to lose and it happens I am less disappointed than if I didn't expect the loss. However, if I expect a loss and they win, then I am even happier. Maybe I should change my name from JP to Negative Nelly. We shall see.
Go Cards
What the hell just happened? I watched game 3 of the 2013 World Series, watched the replays of how the game ended, rewound my DVR and watched it again. I get how the game ended, I understand why the call was made, but it still feels kind of...hollow? Is that the right word?
Bottom of the 9th, 1 out and Yadier Molina up to bat. He gets a single to bring in Allen Craig as a pinch hitter. Craig doubles to left field, putting Molina on 3rd, Craig on 2nd. Jon Jay comes up to bat and his right to Dustin Pedroia who throws the ball to home and throws Molina out by a mile. But then Craig heads for third and Boston catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia throws to Will Middlebrook at 3rd base. Craig was going to be safe, there was no way Salty was going to throw him out. However, the throw was wide and Craig ran home. Except, he tripped over Middlebrook (who may have been trying to get out of the way) as Middlebrook lifted his feet up. The throw from Johnny Gomes just barely beat Craig to home as it was, even with the unintentional trip, so Craig would have been safe and the game would have been over regardless. But the 3rd base umpire made the obstruction call. All the umpires conferred and agreed it was an obstruction. According to the rule, it was clearly obstruction and Craig should have been awarded home plate.
But as a Cardinal fan, I don't feel good about it. For several reasons. First, it feels like a tainted victory because Craig was "awarded" home plate. Had there been no obstruction, Craig probably would have scored and the game would have been over on a bad throw by Saltalamacchia. This will give Boston fans, Cubs fans, TBS, and others something to complain about and say that it wasn't a "real" victory or some such nonsense. At least Yankee fans are probably cheering. Secondly, This may give a fuel to Boston players to play even harder. Lance Lynn pitches Sunday and that scares the hell out of me. A Boston win on Sunday means going back to Boston on Wednesday.
The Cardinals DIDN'T DESERVE THIS WIN! Yes, I said it. The real kick in the ass is that, really, the Cardinals should have NEVER been in this position. Bases loaded no outs in the fourth inning and Jake Peavy strikes out Pete Kozma and gets Joe Kelly and Matt Carpenter to pop out to the infield. Inning over, no runs. I am guessing here (I don't feel like doing the research), but it seems like that was the millionth time this post-season that the Cardinals have had bases loaded and one or no outs and failed to score. A weak pop up or grounding into a double play and the inning is over. I don't know how the Cardinals are winning these games, but if they don't start getting hits with the bases loaded it WILL come back and bite them in the ass. This Boston team is to dangerous to play it close like this in a long series. I honestly feel like if the Cardinals don't close it out at home, Boston will win it all.
There are still two more games to win and some times it's extremely difficult to win one game. 1968, 1985, 1996, and 2012 are just a few examples. In all four of those post-season series, the Cardinals had a 3-1 series lead and lost.
I know I come across as negative in most of my blog posts, but it's, honestly, a defense mechanism. If I expect the Cardinals to lose and it happens I am less disappointed than if I didn't expect the loss. However, if I expect a loss and they win, then I am even happier. Maybe I should change my name from JP to Negative Nelly. We shall see.
Go Cards
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
A Tale of Two Cities
By JP
I know, I know, my genius at creating titles for my posts is over whelming. I bet NO ONE has to use that title. Ever. Yeah, right. While it is decidedly NOT an original title, I do believe it is apropos given the fact that the two teams that will start battling for the World Series Wednesday night a so very similar this season.
Let's start with the obvious:
I know, I know, my genius at creating titles for my posts is over whelming. I bet NO ONE has to use that title. Ever. Yeah, right. While it is decidedly NOT an original title, I do believe it is apropos given the fact that the two teams that will start battling for the World Series Wednesday night a so very similar this season.
Let's start with the obvious:
- Both teams finished the season with a 97-65 record, tied for the best in baseball.
- Both teams have won two World Series championships the last ten years
- Both teams have a red based color scheme (that one is stretching, although true, but I needed a third thing)
Now for the slightly less obvious:
Saturday, October 19, 2013
MLB To Give Dodgers Mulligan on Game 6
By JP
In a stunning development, Major League Baseball, at the urging of TBS, has decided to give the Los Angeles Dodgers a mulligan on Game 6 and have it replayed Sunday afternoon. According to a source who wished to remain anonymous, "TBS felt that Clayton Kershaw wasn't feeling well during game 6 and therefore it wasn't a fair game."
Obviously the entire previous paragraph was bullshit. In watching most of the NLCS on TBS, I felt that the analysts and announcers really wanted the Dodgers to win. But that's not the fault of the Dodgers.
So, just for the hell of it, let me tell you about some observations that I made about the 2013 National League Championship Series. Follow me down the Yellow Brick Road and I will lead you to the Emerald City where we will meet the Wizard (NOT Ozzie Smith) and he will grant us three wishes. Sorry, I never really finished watching The Wizard of Oz, so that's how I assume it ended.
In a stunning development, Major League Baseball, at the urging of TBS, has decided to give the Los Angeles Dodgers a mulligan on Game 6 and have it replayed Sunday afternoon. According to a source who wished to remain anonymous, "TBS felt that Clayton Kershaw wasn't feeling well during game 6 and therefore it wasn't a fair game."
Obviously the entire previous paragraph was bullshit. In watching most of the NLCS on TBS, I felt that the analysts and announcers really wanted the Dodgers to win. But that's not the fault of the Dodgers.
So, just for the hell of it, let me tell you about some observations that I made about the 2013 National League Championship Series. Follow me down the Yellow Brick Road and I will lead you to the Emerald City where we will meet the Wizard (NOT Ozzie Smith) and he will grant us three wishes. Sorry, I never really finished watching The Wizard of Oz, so that's how I assume it ended.
Friday, October 18, 2013
Game 6 "Live" Blog
By JP
This will be a "live" blog in the sense that I will update the blog after each half inning.
Just a quick note: I am literally updating this as the game goes on. I changed tenses (sometimes past tense, sometimes present tense) throughout and I apologize for that. However, due to the extreme length of this post, I am not going to go back through and make changes. Again, I apologize for this.
Pre-game
The game hasn't even started yet, but I feel, outside of Pedro Martinez, the TBS crew has basically handed the game to LA. Hanley Ramirez is playing in the game now and Clayton Kershaw is pitching, so it's game over, LA wins.
They seem to be making a big deal about the Cardinals not liking Yasiel Puig acting like an immature rookie and Keith Olbermann made some ignorant comment about Cardinals fans revering Ozzie Smith and Smith did back flips when running onto the field. which is basically a celebration. Uh, no, Olbermann, it isn't the same thing. Smith didn't do a back flip after getting a big hit or hitting a home run. It was between innings.
This will be a "live" blog in the sense that I will update the blog after each half inning.
Just a quick note: I am literally updating this as the game goes on. I changed tenses (sometimes past tense, sometimes present tense) throughout and I apologize for that. However, due to the extreme length of this post, I am not going to go back through and make changes. Again, I apologize for this.
Pre-game
The game hasn't even started yet, but I feel, outside of Pedro Martinez, the TBS crew has basically handed the game to LA. Hanley Ramirez is playing in the game now and Clayton Kershaw is pitching, so it's game over, LA wins.
They seem to be making a big deal about the Cardinals not liking Yasiel Puig acting like an immature rookie and Keith Olbermann made some ignorant comment about Cardinals fans revering Ozzie Smith and Smith did back flips when running onto the field. which is basically a celebration. Uh, no, Olbermann, it isn't the same thing. Smith didn't do a back flip after getting a big hit or hitting a home run. It was between innings.
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Right Where They Want Them
By JP
That's right. LA has St. Louis right where LA wants them. According to MLB.com, LA is in very good shape to win the series. In fact, even in an article about Joe Kelly and the St. Louis Cardinals, MLB.com cannot help but reiterate that LA is in great shape. The aforementioned article, again may I remind you ostensibly about Kelly and the Cards, seems more like a piece trying to encourage the Dodgers than just report the news. Sure, it's just fine to write an article pointing out that LA has Zack Greinke going tonight in game 5 and Clayton Kershaw going game 6. But, if the article professes to be about the Cardinals (based on the title of the article), then please be about the Cardinals.
That's right. LA has St. Louis right where LA wants them. According to MLB.com, LA is in very good shape to win the series. In fact, even in an article about Joe Kelly and the St. Louis Cardinals, MLB.com cannot help but reiterate that LA is in great shape. The aforementioned article, again may I remind you ostensibly about Kelly and the Cards, seems more like a piece trying to encourage the Dodgers than just report the news. Sure, it's just fine to write an article pointing out that LA has Zack Greinke going tonight in game 5 and Clayton Kershaw going game 6. But, if the article professes to be about the Cardinals (based on the title of the article), then please be about the Cardinals.
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Self Admiration and a Fist Pump
By JP
Don Mattingly, manager of the LA Dodgers, recently responded to Carlos Beltran's assertion that Yasiel Puig was irksome in his celebration. Jayson Stark of ESPN basically said that it's OK for Yasiel Puig to celebrate like that because he's...just...that...good. With all due respect to Mr. Stark (since he makes a living talking a baseball and I do this blog in my spare time at midnight and often from the bathroom because that's the only place that I can get any peace and quiet), I disagree. To an extent.
I, too, will let Yasiel Puig off the hook. But based on logical reasons, not reasons that have to do with a players talent. I am not upset at Puig simply because he's young, immature, and has only been playing half a season at the Major League level. He got overly excited and made a dumb mistake. A mistake you ask? He hit a standup triple! That he did, that he did. Except, if Puig hadn't stood there admiring the ball, he could have had an inside the park home run. There is no doubt he has natural ability and will be a superstar within the next year or two.
Sunday, October 13, 2013
ALDS and Some NFL
By JP
It's Sunday so that means two things: NFL football and game 2 of the ALDS. Last night the Detroit Tigers beat the Boston Red Sox in game 1 in Boston for a 1-0 series lead. Anibal Sanchez, Al Alburquerque, Jose Veras, Drew Smyly, and Joaquin Benoit combined for a 1 hitter and took a no-hit bid into the bottom of the 9th. The final score was 1-0, just like game 2 of the Cardinals' series. It was the first time, if I remember the stat correctly, that two games ended 1-0 on the same day in LCS history. I could look it up, but I am not going to do that.
Game 2 is tonight as Max Scherzer vs. Clay Buchholz is what could be another pitcher's duel. So, do I watch the game or do I watch NFL football? It's like that old short story, The Lady or the Tiger. And if it's like that, then I guess I cannot tell you what I am going to choose.
Saturday, October 12, 2013
Halfway There, BUT...
By JP
Would you like to see my but? Allow me to be the Cardinals Nay-sayer for a few paragraphs. Yes, the Cardinals are 2-0 in the 2013 NCLS after a 13 inning 3-2 win in game 1 and a 1-0 win in game 2.
BUT...
That's only halfway there. The Cardinals still need to win two games. So, to all Cardinals fans DON'T GET COCKY AND PULL YOUR HEAD OUT OF YOUR ASS. Yes, Cardinals fans are among the most knowledgeable in baseball and Cardinal fans are some of the nicest in baseball. However, I know several fans that don't pay attention until the playoffs and then go around bragging to anyone who will listen about the win the Cardinals just had. To them I say, COOL IT!
Would you like to see my but? Allow me to be the Cardinals Nay-sayer for a few paragraphs. Yes, the Cardinals are 2-0 in the 2013 NCLS after a 13 inning 3-2 win in game 1 and a 1-0 win in game 2.
BUT...
That's only halfway there. The Cardinals still need to win two games. So, to all Cardinals fans DON'T GET COCKY AND PULL YOUR HEAD OUT OF YOUR ASS. Yes, Cardinals fans are among the most knowledgeable in baseball and Cardinal fans are some of the nicest in baseball. However, I know several fans that don't pay attention until the playoffs and then go around bragging to anyone who will listen about the win the Cardinals just had. To them I say, COOL IT!
Thursday, October 10, 2013
And the Winner Is...
Posted by JP
Dizzy Dean's Ghost recently visited me in the night and bestowed upon me the gift of prognostication, but with the caveat that it's based on the collective consciousness of all baseball pundits. So, I now have the ability to gaze into the future through the eyes of all baseball experts and I will grant you the insight to know all about the NLCS between your St. Louis Cardinals and the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Since I now have the combined expertise of every sports writer, talk show host, and former player please allow me to point out a few things about the teams that the hive-mind has told me, before the prediction:
Dizzy Dean's Ghost recently visited me in the night and bestowed upon me the gift of prognostication, but with the caveat that it's based on the collective consciousness of all baseball pundits. So, I now have the ability to gaze into the future through the eyes of all baseball experts and I will grant you the insight to know all about the NLCS between your St. Louis Cardinals and the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Since I now have the combined expertise of every sports writer, talk show host, and former player please allow me to point out a few things about the teams that the hive-mind has told me, before the prediction:
Monday, September 30, 2013
A Fool's Errand
By JP
Well, shit, another long season is over. That means several things:
Well, shit, another long season is over. That means several things:
- The post season is upon us and the Cardinals are in it (and the Cubs are, of course, sitting at home)
- The Cardinals have made a late season push and somehow managed to overtake the Atlanta Braves in some regard*
- Another St. Louis Cardinals themed blog will begin and will not be around by the start of next season**
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