December 8, 2004
Jocketty's Magic Is In His Patience
By Rex "The Wonder Dog" Duncan
Ever watch “The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show”? Of course you did. Come on. Fess up. You liked it then and you still watch reruns on the Cartoon Channel when no one is looking. Remember in the opening of the cartoons when Bullwinkle tells Rocky “Watch me pull a rabbit out my hat.” Rocky wisely says “Oh, no, not again.” Bullwinkle pulls out a roaring lion instead of a meek bunny. That, my friends, was Walt Jocketty last year.
The pre-season Cardinals were predicted to be docile third-place finishers in the National League Central division, well behind the World-Series-Winners-In-Their-Own-Minds Chicago Cubs and the Houston Astros. Through his off-season and pre-trade deadline machinations, Jocketty fielded a World Series team that produced the second best team in terms of wins in Cardinal history. It was an amazing season, but Walt, what have you done for us lately?
First, what he has done is what he hasn’t done. Convoluted, sure, but thankfully he didn’t make a bid for Pedro Martinez. This east coast fixture is almost sure to land with a team susceptible to Nor’ Easters, either back with the Red Sox or those darned Yankees. Can you image a Cardinal team that could have included Martinez, Julian Tavarez, and Steve Kline? The warm-up jackets would have featured sleeves long enough to tie behind their backs.
Speaking of Kline, it is clear that his service with the Redbirds has ended. I understand the business necessity, but will miss his unique personality and love for the fans. Kline’s gesture (no, not THAT gesture) when the man fell on the little kid in Arlington, Texas chasing a foul ball is legendary. While everyone else was heaping gifts on the kid, Kline sent a shirt to the ruffian inscribed with the words “Tough Guy – Ball Stealer”. You’ve gotta love this guy, and I wish him well.
Jocketty has also made the decision not to retain the services of the venerable Woody Williams. Since coming to the Cardinals from San Diego, Woody has been a capable starting pitcher. It seemed, though, that in 2004 the 38 year old right hander’s skills might be starting to diminish. With a couple of younger pitchers waiting in the wings who have the potential to become starters, Woody became expendable. He will be missed, but again Jocketty has made the tough but right decision.
Walt also let Tony Womack take a hike. The newest Yankee had a career year in 2004 but it would be difficult to imagine him maintaining that level of play at his age. Also, Womack’s second half was far less impressive than the first half of the season. Jocketty was again correct to let the mercenary Womack ply his skills in the House that Ruth Built. Could this be Hector Luna’s big opportunity?
What has he done so far? Well, he signed Matt Morris. I may be completely wrong and will eat my words when the time comes, but I still believe in Matty Mo. I believe that he could be the Chris Carpenter of the team in 2005. Remember, too, though that Morris won 15 games last year. With a cleaned-up shoulder and built-in contractual performance incentives, I think Morris will surprise some folks. I’m glad he will wear the birds-on-bat in 2005.
Jocketty’s decisions to offer arbitration to Edgar Renteria and Mike Matheny are significant also. I believe Edgar should be and will be a Cardinal in 2005 and for several years thereafter. Edgar is simply tortured by the business of baseball. His unresolved contract issues in his walk year visibly bothered him. With a multi-year contract in hand, we should see the same old Edgar fielding cleanly and driving in those runners in scoring position as he did in previous years.
Matheny’s presence in the locker room is every bit as important as his presence on the field. He will be as much a coach to Yadier Molina and young Cardinal pitchers as he will be a regular starting catcher. Molina will get more time behind the plate, and he will be better at it for having Matheny there as a back-up and mentor.
What’s next is like asking when the next coronal mass ejection is going to explode from the surface of the sun. Who knows? I will venture though that somewhere in the near future is the potential for another big trade on the magnitude of the JD Drew-Eli Marrero shindig that brought Ray King and Adam Wainwright into the red fold. That trade didn’t happen until later in the off-season though, so don’t hold your breath during the upcoming winter meetings. Patience may Jocketty’s greatest off-season virtue.
The problem Jocketty has created for himself is that he had a stellar off-season last year coupled with, arguably, a little luck during the regular season. Walt Jocketty has created a monster named Walt Jocketty and everyone will expect a similar off-season this year. That kind of performance gets tougher to duplicate every year, but who knows? Walt might just reach in to his hat and pull out another roaring lion in the form of the 2005 St. Louis Cardinals.
Rex Duncan
rdunc221@yahoo.com
