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Page Three

September 05, 2004

Will Cards Still Be Hungry for ‘Stros?

by Paul Brown

Just like a number of other high-strung members of Cardinal Nation who have contributed to the Birdhouse recently, I have been fretting that the magic of 2004 will somehow dissipate. The bitter disappointments of losing the Y2K NLCS to the Mets & '85 WS to KC has caused a neuroses that only a tenth world title can cure. It has been said of the enigmatic Roger Maris that he could always hear the minority of boos above the much louder cheers. But as we close in on clinching this year’s NL Central title, perhaps we should consider something about the course of this 100+ win season.

Prior to the All-Star break, Baseball Tonight repeatedly labeled the Reds as MLB’s most surprising team, disregarding the fact that most of their dramatic early season come-from-behind victories were against the Brewers, Rockies, Expos, and Mets. Once they began to play .500+ teams {beginning with the carnivorous Cards on 06-18-04} they fell out of the race. The Cubs were then tagged as ready to make their expected surge to the top of NL Central, but the ravenous Redbirds lunched on them in 4 consecutive Jun/Jul series, damaging their psyche to the extent that they are now in danger of finishing a post-season ineligible 3rd in their division. As the defending world champs, FLA was deemed likely to resume their prominence before the Braves asserted their dominance NL East, but both dropped 4 of their 6 with StL and the Marlins are facing the brink of elimination. The Padres were red hot when the arrived in the Mound City last week but left as flat as cold pancakes. LA followed them in with a club that was likely—with a prescription of poisonous pitching and dominant defense--to tame the mighty StL offense, but left after a lethal dose of their own medicine which may have weakened them enough to be overtaken by SF syndrome. And the Giants supposedly have the dominant starting ace that will insure victory in any short post-season series, but El Birdos were apparently not very intimidated by Mr. Schmidt in that Sunday night ESPN game. This 2004 campaign has seen the Cardinals post .500 or better records against all possible post-season opponents against whom they have been matched {Texas, ATL, CHI, FLA, & all CA teams}.

This leaves only the Astros on the schedule, which presents an interesting scenario.

The last time this franchise ended a 15+ year WS drought was in 1982. After clinching the NL EAST that year, Whitey chose to play out the string with his reserves so his regulars could rest, & they dropped the last 3 games. At the time, I thought that was a bad tactic prior to entry into the NLCS against a balanced Braves team that had already beaten us 11 (out of 12) times. Before this 2004 steamroller completes its remaining 6 games against Houston this Sept, they will have surely clinched the NL Central. Will they continue the annihilation of formidable opponents or ease up? Should they? If they do, this just might let the Astros into the playoffs and jeopardize the quest for a club record 107 wins. Is the number of regular season wins important? Which is the more preferable possible post-season opponent: Houston {a franchise who has never won any post-season series} or the Chicubs {a franchise whose curse is only exceeded in cruelty by that of the Bosox and whose current roster cannot possibly disregard last October's collapse}? The rested and hungry ’82 Redbirds went on to sweep ATL in the NLCS, then won our last world championship. Will this remarkable 2004 regular season club be able to duplicate or exceed that feat? Should they continue to play all-out for the rest of the season in order to fine tune for Oct or rest up from the exhaustion that it must take to win 100 games?

September 4, 2004

Unbelievably, Cards May Be Saving Their Best for Last

by Rex "The Wonder Dog" Duncan

I give up. Trying to second-guess the stratospheric achievements of the 2004 Cardinals is beyond me. Just when I think this season can’t get any better, the Boys of the St. Louis Summer do it again. As a human being carrying the instinctual remnants of mankind, I am always attuned to bad news. Good news is fine, but I’m always on the look-out for bad news.

Every time the red flags go off in my head about the Cardinals, they prove me wrong. So wrong, in fact, to the point where now I’m seeing signs that the Redbirds may actually be starting to increase their level of play. At this writing, the Cardinal record is 90-44, an unheard of .672 winning percentage. At the All-Star Break, just over a month after this incredible storm surge of wins began, their record stood at an impressive 56-33, .629. In July, they ran that total up to 68-38, .641. Clearly, while their mid-summer run was in remarkable, the Cardinals seem to be getting even better.

During August, the Cardinals had a stretch of successful outings against the Reds and Pirates. Their records against these teams are brutally lop-sided in favor of the Cardinals. In fact, Cincinnati’s fall from NL Central competitiveness is almost wholly attributable to the Redbirds. The real test for this team, though, was to be the current one against the pride of the NL West, San Diego and Los Angeles. The red flags were going off in my hand at the prospect of facing these teams. So far, wrong again.

As the dawn breaks on the month of September, the Cardinals are declaring ownership of these formidable teams, in the process handily defeating the Padres’ best pitcher in talented young Jake Peavey. The Dodger’s Jose Lima, 11-4 before taking the mound in Busch, could only watch as Reggie Sanders and Mike Matheny showed again that at some point you have to pitch to somebody in the Cardinals line-up. How do you beat Greg Gagne? Leave him in the bullpen.

Incredibly, it seems that the individual play of the Cardinals is on an upswing. Edgar Renteria is showing more of the timely hitting that was missing earlier in the season. Reggie Sanders, streaky but solid, has been on an offensive upswing in the last couple of weeks that has raised his batting average 12 points and put him over 20 home runs for the season. Sanders has also shown that he is at home in left field, flashing some terrific leather on the defensive side. Larry Walker is picking up as the newness of Busch wears off.

Albert the Great is on a prodigious tear with the bat. His base running recently is that of a man possessed. The Cardinal catchers are showing staunch leadership and defense. Mike Matheny is hitting. Yadier Molina is being hit and hanging on. I don’t know what lies in the future for this young man, but that collision in Pittsburgh with Ty Wigginton is forever etched in my mind as one of the great catching plays of all time. Edmonds, Rolen, Womack all continue to play at very high levels. The bullpen has been lights out, and the starting pitching is getting even better.

The defense continues to improve. I don’t know how you improve on near perfection, but they are doing it. The Padres third base coach red-lighted fleet Kerry Robinson who was primed to go from second to home on a single to center. When it was clear that the ball was headed straight for the human cannon, Jim Edmonds in shallow center, Robinson was held up. The outfield is occupied by players of enormous skill that is being recognized and feared. There was no reason to hold up K-Rob other than FOE, the Fear Of Edmonds.

Tony LaRussa has said several times of late that his challenge at this point is to get the Cardinals to peak as they go into the play-offs. I don’t know if this recent surge is part of his way of addressing that challenge, but something is going on that should strike fear in the hearts of their opponents. David Wells chose recently to spout to the media about the Cardinals being “beatable”. Technically, he is right, but I sure wouldn’t want my quote and picture hanging in the Card’s locker room. Recall Gene Wilder’s wisdom from the classic Blazing Saddles when Sheriff Bart was getting ready to fire a pistol at Alex Karras’s Mongo. “Don’t shoot him,” Wilder’s character cautioned, “You’ll only make him mad.” My guess is that the Padres have bound and gagged Wells, stuffed him in a closet, and aren’t letting him near the media until after the Cards leave San Diego next week.

I don’t know where they are finding the ways to keep winning. I can’t imagine how deep the Cardinals players are reaching to improve their quality of play, but I am absolutely convinced that they are doing just that. Think the first five months of the season have been fun? You may not have seen anything yet.

Rex Duncan

rdunc221@yahoo.com

September 2, 2004

The Infatuation of Cardinal Nation

By Brandon Morgan

Rick Ankiel. The 25-year-old whose hype has already belittled what he has done on the field. Ever since he started his rehab assignment in Palm Beach, the speculation has not stopped. A new Ankiel article seems to pop up every day, usually applauding his latest performance or trying to determine what will happen once he gets to the big leagues.

This sort of treatment is not new to the young Cardinal hurler. Ever

since he was drafted by St. Louis in 1997, he has been watched closely by the organization as well as the media. His arrival to the major leagues was keenly observed, every pitch drawing more rave reviews.

It continued in his first full major league season in 2000, with Ankiel looking as dominant as everyone expected. Tony La Russa thought so much of him that he gave him the keys to the Cardinals playoff chances with a Game 1 start.

Then it all came crashing down. The pressure from all outside sources had finally come to an apex, and it finally got to Ankiel. Breaking a 110-year-old record by throwing five wild pitches in one inning is not the way any pitcher would like to start their postseason career.

This barrage of wildness seemed to come out of nowhere. Ankiel never showed much of a weakness in the minor leagues or in his first season as a Cardinal, but that day against Atlanta everything came unscrewed. No one really knows what caused the breakdown, but I doubt anyone will ever cease to wonder.

Rick Ankiel's return to the major leagues comes to a sort of conclusion with his call-up on September 1st. His days as a minor leaguer are over as he is out of options. The test of his resolve will continue, but now it is in the prime time spotlight. Every one of his appearances will be on SportsCenter and will be talked about thoroughly in the national and regional media.

All of Cardinal Nation will watch and wait to see if this is a new man. Every sign is there for a successful return, with Ankiel having a newfound confidence on the mound and not showing any traces of the wildness that nearly ended his career. It seems as if he's finally figured out who he is not only as a pitcher, but as a person.

The Cardinals will give this very talented young man every possible chance to show that he still has the talent that he showcased as a 21-year-old prodigy. La Russa has already left the door open concerning Ankiel pitching in the postseason as well. If he shows throughout September that he is a more mature, more confident pitcher, I say let the kid play in the postseason. I do not think, however, it should be at the cost of one of our other relievers.

As Peter Gammons said on ESPN a week ago today, "I cannot wait for his triumphant return."

September 1, 2004

Can Cubs fans break down and actually say, “Go Cards!”?

by Pete Khazen

Editor’s note: Our on-staff Cubs fan living in St. Louis clears his chest of a heavy matter. However, when referring to Cubbie lovers, note Pete’s seemingly detached use of “they” and “them” instead of “we” throughout the article, until the final sentence, that is. So, I am not sure if this confessional is totally binding for him personally. On the other hand, I have to give Pete credit for coming to grips with the obvious. - Brian

As the month of September falls on this 2004 baseball season, the home stretch for the National League Wild Card race begins to unfold. With 33 days left to go in a season that has been anything but predictable, Chicago Cubs fans are faced with an interesting dilemma: Do they cheer for the Cardinals in the final weeks of the baseball season?

One could argue that Cubs fans never concede a divisional title until the fat lady is singing and the leading team’s Magic Number has dwindled to zero. Cubs fans are loyal with constant hope and optimism, yet they are consistently plagued with hidden pessimism, doubt and frustration. It’s one of those things where they hope that if they don’t talk about it out loud or don’t write it on paper, there’s a chance the evil premonitions that enter their beleaguered minds may not actually come true. So they do everything in their power to remain upbeat and positive, at least in a public form. It may just be part of the superstitious lifestyle that baseball players, coaches, and fans alike share, but for Cubs fans it is something that is inherent in nature. They manage to convince themselves that there’s always a chance. There’s always reason to “believe” until the words, “mathematically eliminated,” tell them otherwise.

The Magic Number for the Cardinals going into Tuesday night’s action was a miniscule 18. Even if the Cubs manage to win the rest of their games in a glorious dash to the finish, the Redbirds need to win only 18 of their last 32 games to clinch the NL Central. So with this being an election year and the autumn colors starting to show, it’s about time for Cubs fans to humbly concede the division to their rivals. Even if they want to secretly hope for some kind of a miraculous Tony La Russa-led collapse.

A person has to get past the stage of denial before he or she can move on to new and better things. Now that the concession has been issued, the focus moves to the NL Wild Card. The Cubs are in a dogfight. They had a great stretch where they went from two games back to take the lead by two. But in losing three straight to the Astros this weekend, only 4 ½ games separate five teams in the Wild Card hunt. The Cubs, Padres and Giants have recently been joined in their race by two teams that are as dangerous as any other, the surging Astros and Marlins. It looks like the first Wild Card contending team reaching 91 wins, guaranteeing 20 games over .500, could very well take the crown.

The Cubs, with their starting pitching staff, control their own destiny. There is no other way to look at it as they focus on winning their own games. But while the players and coaches can try the “we just need to worry about ourselves” approach, you can’t expect the fans to not be scoreboard watching down the stretch. We enter into the time of the year where baseball television ratings and website hits go through the roof as information hungry fans in the middle of a pennant race seek out highlights, statistics, and stories like they’re cramming for a final exam. Just how many times can one person watch “Baseball Tonight” in a row?

Nothing is more telling of the inevitable scoreboard watching than when players in the middle of a game are interrupted by a strange roar from the crowd. Then they are forced to realize that the roar wasn’t for what they might have been doing, rather it was in response to the actions of the scoreboard operators as they make an update, putting a tally into a competing team’s loss column.

Enter the dilemma now staring the Cubs fans in the face. The Cardinals Tuesday night began a schedule span that has them playing the Padres in six of nine games. And with Houston looming, it should be noted that the Redbirds are faced with six games against the Astros before the season is over. Cubs fans couldn’t find 12 better games to cheer for the Cardinals to win on their road to a Magic Number equal to zero.

So that poses the question: Can Cubs fans break down and actually say, “Go Cards!”?

Seeing as how the Cardinals may be in line to surpass the White Sox as the team most hated by Cubs fans, it may not be possible for these fans to utter the words out loud. Some fans may find a way to force the words from their mouths. However, most will succumb to their still optimistic mathematical chance, choose not to publicly support the Cardinals, and be reduced to cheering for them in silence.

As for this Cubs fan… I’ll quietly murmur, “Go Cards!” But only against San Diego and Houston.

Sept 1, 2004

Starting and Winning via the Numbers

By Jerry Modene - Special Guest Columnist

It's one thing for a starting pitcher to win half or more of his decisions... it's quite another thing to win half or more of his *starts*.

Chris Carpenter has won 13 of 24 starts.

Jason Marquis has won 13 of 26 starts.

Matt Morris has won 14 of 27 starts.

Jeff Suppan has won 13 of 25 starts.

Dan Haren has won 2 of 3 starts.

Woody Williams has won 9 of 25 starts.

Woody's the only one who hasn't won at least half his starts... but he does have 9 no-decisions as well, tops on the team, and the Cards are 8-1 in those 9 games.

Which leads us to another tidbit:

The Cards have won 17 of Woody's 25 starts.

The Cards have won 18 of Suppan's 25 starts.

The Cards have won 17 of Morris' 27 starts.

The Cards have won 15 of Marquis' 26 starts.

The Cards have won 17 of Carpenter's 24 starts.

The Cards have won 2 of Haren's 3 starts.

Next tidbit: Run Support.

The Cards average 6.02 runs per game when Morris starts.

The Cards average 6.00 runs per game when Haren starts.

The Cards average 5.68 runs per game when Suppan starts.

The Cards average 5.65 runs per game when Marquis starts.

The Cards average 5.28 runs per game when Williams starts.

But...

The Cards average 3.96 runs per game when Carpenter starts.

If Carpenter was getting Morris' run support (an additional two runs per game), the Cards wouldn't be 17-7 in his 24 starts, they'd be 19-4 (with one tie).

If Morris was getting Carpenter's run support (two runs per game fewer), the Cards wouldn't be 17-10 in his 27 starts, they'd be 12-12 (with three ties).

Finally, Bullpen Support:

The bullpen has allowed 14 runs in 25 games in which Williams has started.

The bullpen has allowed 19 runs in 27 games in which Morris has started.

The bullpen has allowed 20 runs in 24 games in which Carpenter has started.

The bullpen has allowed 36 runs in 26 games in which Marquis has started.

The bullpen has allowed 36 runs in 25 games in which Suppan has started.

The bullpen has allowed 6 runs in 3 games in which Haren has started.

That works out to 0.56 runs per game for Williams, 0.70 runs per game for Morris, 0.83 runs per game for Carpenter, 1.38 runs per game for Marquis, 1.44 runs per game for Suppan, and 2.00 runs per game for Haren.

However - Williams is averaging 6.19 innings per start, Morris is averaging 6.48 innings per start, Carpenter is averaging 6.65 innings per start, Marquis is averaging 6.37 innings per start, Suppan is averaging 6.19 innings per start, and Haren is averaging 5.11 innings per start.

The team as a whole has pitched 1171 2/3 innings, so the average Cardinal game lasts 9.01 innings.

Thus, the bullpen averages 2.81 innings in relief of Woody, 2.52 innings in relief of Morris, 2.35 innings in relief of Carpenter, 2.63 innings in relief of Marquis, 2.81 innings in relief of Suppan, and 3.89 innings in relief of Haren.

So, that means the bullpen is averaging 0.20 runs per inning in relief of Woody, 0.28 runs per inning in relief of Morris, 0.35 runs per inning in relief of Carpenter, 0.52 runs per inning in relief of Marquis, 0.51 runs per inning in relief of Suppan, and 0.39 runs per inning in relief of Haren.

Of course, that doesn't include the inherited runners that the bullpen has allowed to score and be charged to the starters.

Still, it's pretty clear that Williams has actually gotten the best bullpen support - however, since he's gotten the second-worse run support (5.28 runs per game still ain't bad) that would probably explain why he has 9 wins and 9 no-decisions.

Carpenter, OTOH, gets only the third-best bullpen support of the starters, but the worst run support (3.96 runs per game), which explains why he has only 13 wins instead of the 16 or 17 he ought to have.

August 31, 2004

An Open Business Proposition to So Taguchi….

by Rex "the Wonder Dog" Duncan

Dear Mr. Taguchi:

As the parent of one child in college and another ready to start next year, I am always looking for ways to earn more money to defray those costs. I’ll do almost anything to this end short of crime and selling Cubs souvenirs, but I guess those are redundant endeavors. I digress.

Mr. Taguchi, (may I call you So, as it plays less havoc with my spell check software?), in my humble opinion, the quality of your play and your mastery of the fundamentals of baseball makes you an obvious candidate for an instructional video series for little leaguers everywhere who are committed to learning the right way to play. Young baseball players could learn so much by your examples of attitude, hustle, and hard work.

I foresee CD’s, videos, accompanying books, and summer camps devoted to the constant practice and improvement of developing baseball skills with attention to fundamentals. You would be the focal point, the star. Just look at everything you do well.

Your respect for this game is obvious. When you approach home plate, you make eye contact with the umpire and nod, a sign of respect that is common in Japan and refreshing to see here. Unfortunately, Americans learn the opposite, to display contempt for officials and beef about every call that goes against us. Young people could do well to learn from your higher example.

Your bunting technique is classic and worth teaching, not only in terms of stance, body positioning, and bat control, but also in your willingness to sacrifice. Fortunately, Cardinal fans are smart enough to recognize your unselfish team play and applaud it for the great value it lends to the 2004 Redbirds.

Your recent at-bats are textbook studies in discipline, control, knowledge of the strike zone, patience at the plate, and excellent decisions about handling tough pitches. As a result of two years in Memphis, your swing has authority and you are driving the ball to all fields. Again, young players would do well to learn from you. When you hit that game-tying home run at Wrigley Field, it showed how far you have come in learning to handle pitching at this level.

Your defense is superb. It was clear that when you were sent down to Memphis a few weeks ago that the Cardinal coaching staff was sweating BB’s at the thought of your absence. You and Jim Edmonds are the best defensive outfielders on this team, period. Had Edmonds gone down while you were visiting Graceland, there were no defensive replacements to equal your abilities. Your style of defensive play should be taught from day one.

My proposal, So, is contingent upon the Cardinals re-signing you for the 2005 campaign and beyond. Producing these videos would be cost-ineffective if you return to Japan. I know management will have some tough off-season decisions to make about a number of players, you included, but your contributions among the bench players have been dramatic this year. I hope that Walt Jocketty and the Cardinal owners recognize your continued value to this team.

I hope you will consider my proposal and the potential rewards it could bring. Just imagine, live infomercials at 3:00 AM on obscure cable channels. I probably won’t be able to be there, but I know you would be happy to fill in for me. With a World Series ring on your finger, we may be able to get a 5:00 AM slot. I hope you will consider my proposal and come to the rescue of this struggling middle class guy with kids in college.

Most Sincerely,

Rex Duncan

rdunc221@yahoo.com

August 31, 2004

Albert’s Home Runs vs. Strikeouts – A Historical Perspective

By Brian Walton

With 40 home runs and 41 strikeouts so far in 2004, Albert Pujols is having a tremendous season. But, is it unprecedented? A quick check of the history books using Lee Sinins’ amazing tool, the Sabermetric Baseball Encyclopedia, says clearly not.

I ran the data with the assumptions of 500 plate appearances and 20 home runs as the minimum and pulled the list by fewest strikeouts.

First, the overall MLB list (modern era):

STRIKEOUTS YEAR SO PA HR

1 Tommy Holmes 1945 9 713 28

2 Yogi Berra 1950 12 653 28

3 Joe DiMaggio 1941 13 621 30

4 Frank McCormick 1944 17 645 20

T5 Irish Meusel 1925 19 557 21

T5 Lefty O'Doul 1929 19 731 32

T7 Lefty O'Doul 1932 20 657 21

T7 Yogi Berra 1955 20 615 27

T7 Yogi Berra 1951 20 594 27

T7 Joe DiMaggio 1939 20 524 30

Tommy Holmes is not exactly a household name, and it was during war time. But, still, a ratio of 3.11 home runs per strikeout over a full season is simply amazing. Mr. Lawrence Peter Berra was pretty good, himself.

Now, for your St. Louis Cardinals. Note that in the long history of the team, only Stan Musial in 1948 had at least 500 PA, hit at least 20 home runs and had fewer strikeouts than homers. Not bad company for Albert to aspire to join.

STRIKEOUTS YEAR SO PA HR

1 Stan Musial 1952 29 676 21

T2 Stan Musial 1953 32 698 30

T2 Rogers Hornsby 1924 32 640 25

T4 Ted Simmons 1979 34 521 26

T4 Stan Musial 1948 34 694 39

T4 Stan Musial 1957 34 579 29

7 Ted Simmons 1974 35 662 20

T8 Stan Musial 1950 36 645 28

T8 Jim Bottomley 1925 36 681 21

10 Ted Simmons 1977 37 601 21

If you up the ante to 40 home runs and 500 plate appearances, the names become legendary.

STRIKEOUTS YEAR SO PA HR

1 Lou Gehrig 1934 31 690 49

2 Ted Kluszewski 1953 34 629 40

3 Ted Kluszewski 1954 35 659 49

T4 Johnny Mize 1948 37 658 40

T4 Joe DiMaggio 1937 37 692 46

6 Mel Ott 1929 38 674 42

7 Ted Kluszewski 1955 40 686 47

8 Johnny Mize 1947 42 664 51

9 Lou Gehrig 1936 46 719 49

T10 Barry Bonds 2002 47 612 46

T10 Hank Aaron 1969 47 639 44

The Cards have never had a 40-plus home run player with a lower strikeout total in that season. The closest three:

STRIKEOUTS YEAR SO PA HR

1 Johnny Mize 1940 49 666 43

2 Rogers Hornsby 1922 50 704 42

3 Albert Pujols 2003 65 685 43

Will Albert Pujols become the first here in 2004?

Note: Order the Sabermetric Baseball Encyclopedia here. http://www.baseball-encyclopedia.com/

August 30, 2004

Postseason Roster Rumblings

By Brian Walton

With call-ups coming over the next week, it isn’t too early to start speculation on who will get called up and who be playing in the postseason. As I already explained in an earlier article, anyone on the 40-man is game for inclusion on the Cardinals’ postseason roster. While anything can happen over the next five weeks or so, here are five roster spots that could be in play:

Left-handed reliever

Incumbent: Steve Kline

Contenders: Randy Flores, Rick Ankiel

If Kline’s injury is such that he is not ready for the playoffs, this becomes wide open. While most teams drop to a four-man starting rotation in the postseason, it doesn’t matter here, since all five starters are righthanded. So, another lefty to go with Ray King is mandatory.

Flores was called up, at least ostensibly, to get the first shot while Kline is disabled. As I noted in my other story, “Cards Offense Weakens Bullpen”, I have my doubts about whether Flores will get a real chance to prove himself in September.

That leaves Rick Ankiel. There is no subject that can divide the Cardinal nation any faster and deeper than the prospect of Ankiel pitching in the playoffs. So, I will stop there for now. After all, Ankiel has yet to throw a pitch for the Cards this season. Come to think of it, same from Flores! I’d call that wide open.

Backup middle infielder

Incumbents: Marlon Anderson, Hector Luna

Contender: Bo Hart

As a Rule 5 pickup, Luna was required to remain on the Cards’ 25-man roster all season or he would be lost to them. However, that is not a requirement for the playoffs. Certainly, that makes his roster spot vulnerable for the postseason.

Anderson started the season well, with a number of clutch hits, especially as a pinch-hitter. However, he went from hot to cool to cold to Antarctic cold. Anderson is hitting just .227 on the season and if you exclude April, he is a putrid 27-for-149, .181. That’s the price to pay for his “versatility”. Tell me why he remains on the team, again?

Cardinal watcher extraordinare Jerry Modene pointed out that none other than Bo Hart has been playing shortstop for Memphis recently and asserts that Hart is a lock for the Cards’ postseason roster. I am not there yet, but I can see his point.

For Memphis this season, Hart has hit .302 with 39 extra-base hits in 414 at-bats. He’s driven in 41, but shares the team lead with 13 errors.

Backup outfielders

Incumbents: So Taguchi, Roger Cedeno

Contenders: Ray Lankford, John Gall, Colin Porter

Current course and speed, I really don’t see this as much of a race. Taguchi has been delivering timely hits lately and is a perfect late-inning defensive replacement for Sanders. Cedeno is a switch-hitter with speed and would seem to offer more than Lankford or Gall.

Of the three contenders, only Porter could play center in a pinch to back up Edmonds. However, his season at Memphis has been nothing to brag about. So is a better choice.

On the corners, we have Lankford and Gall. We all know Lankford’s strengths and weaknesses. He’s batting .212 in his rehab assignment, and hit just .250 for the Cards after a hot start in April. Gall, while having a fine season with the bat, is the very darkest horse for postseason play. After all, La Russa wouldn’t use him in the regular season, so why would he in the playoffs, despite Gall’s .295 average and 22 home runs and 82 RBI for Memphis?

Right-handed reliever

Incumbent: Kiko Calero

Contenders: Jason Simontacchi, Al Reyes, Danny Haren

If Calero returns to health and form in September, he would seem to be the favorite. Reyes is included here only because he happens to hold the roster spot today (see Flores above). Haren is an intriguing possibility, but at least one of today’s five starters will also be available for long relief in the postseason.

Non-contenders – Other players who may get a September look, but would require an injury from another to get into the playoff picture:

Catcher Cody McKay

Third baseman Scott Seabol

Outfielder Kevin Witt

McKay is at least on the 40-man, but the other two are not, making their October chances basically non-existant.

Obviously, a further injury or two could change this picture dramatically. As it gets closer to October, I will update this as necessary.

August 30, 2004

Cards Offense Weakens Bullpen

By Brian Walton

OK, here’s my contention. The Cardinals are so good, their bullpen has been weakened as a result.

Here is what I mean. The Redbird offense is so strong that the team is never out of any game. Even when they are behind, we have become so accustomed to them coming back to win that we are genuinely surprised when they don’t. Clutch hits are so commonplace that last weekend in the home Pirates series, even members of the hardened press corps in the Busch press box just shook their heads in amazement over the Cards’ heroics.

Why does that hurt the pen, you ask? With Kiko Calero and Steve Kline on the disabled list, their spots are currently taken by journeymen Al Reyes and Randy Flores. Reyes joined the team last Friday, August 20. Since then, he has appeared in exactly one game, pitching one inning. Flores just joined the team, but odds are that he will see very limited action, too.

So, what, you say? Well, here’s the problem. Tony La Russa likely doesn’t want to use either of these unproven hurlers in a crucial situation. After all, they haven’t proven themselves yet in the big leagues. I understand completely.

The problem is the offense. They are so good that they are never out of a game, so a non-crucial situation rarely occurs where a Reyes or Flores could get some innings. In the last two months, the Cardinals have lost exactly two games by five runs or more. That is one blowout loss per month.

On the other hand, the offense hasn’t been so dominating lately that they have been blowing away the competition, either, making garbage time almost non-existent. In August, the Cardinals have exactly two wins of six runs or more.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m as pleased as everyone else that the Cards are winning close games that the 2003 bullpen would have lost. It’s just that the lack of laughers makes it more difficult for inexperienced pitchers to get game experience.

Look at what has happened since last Friday when Reyes joined the team. With a trusted arm, Calero, out, the rest of the trusted members of the pen have gotten more work. For example, Julian Tavarez has pitched in seven of those last ten games, the last nine with Reyes sitting there in the pen. Now, with lefty Kline out, expect fellow portsider Ray King’s already high workload to increase even higher. Can these few "sure thing" relievers hold up?

Carrying this thought process forward, to get the proven pen members some rest and to get the new guys some work, hope for some one-sided Cardinal wins (we’ll never hope for one-sided losses). And, of course, hope that Calero and Kline get well soon. If that doesn’t happen, the team may need one or more of these new guys to contribute in October.

After all, with the roster expansion this coming week, the Cardinal bullpen options will technically increase, but La Russa’s actions say his confidence level in his bullpen shrinks with every injury.

August 28, 2004

Scouting Report – Randy Flores

by Jerry Modene, St. Louis Sports Forum

I've seen Randy Flores pitch - he started game one of the four-game set here in Tucson - and he's actually pretty good. He pitched seven scoreless innings before being touched for two runs in the 8th (when he left, he still had the shutout going but the Memphis bullpen was completely ineffective that game). He mixed his pitches well, generally stayed ahead in the count, and on occasion popped the mitt pretty nicely; his 7 K's that night were his season high.

One thing I like about him is that he's been able to both start and relieve this season, which makes him a natural for long relief (with King becoming the primary lefty setup guy).

As a starter for Memphis, in 15 starts, he's pitched 90 innings, allowing 89 hits and 45 runs (38 earned) for an ERA of 3.80 (second best among the 14 guys who've started for Memphis this season; only Mark Nussbeck's 3.50 - in 3 starts - is better). 61 K's and 31 BB. Average Game Score 50.8; he hasn't had a sub-50 GS since July 29 and hasn't lost as a starter since July 24. His W-L record in those 15 starts is only 4-5 (he lost his first 4 decisions as a starter but is 4-1 as a starter since June 29) because Memphis is only averaging 3.53 runs when he starts.

As a reliever, Flores has appeared in 21 games, throwing 32 2/3 innings. He's allowed 26 hits and 15 runs (14 earned) for a 3.86 ERA, with 38 K's and 15 BB.

Note the K/IP rate - as a starter, he averages 6.10 K's per 9 IP, but as a reliever, he averages 10.47. Yes, I know it's a small sample, but it does kind of back up the theory that you don't have to pace yourself as much when you're pitching in relief instead of starting.

I've got no problem with their calling up Randy Flores. His major-league career hasn't been all that impressive, but then again, we're talking about the Colorado Rockies and the Texas Rangers - not exactly a couple of teams conducive to pitching when he was there.

Biographical: He just turned 29 on July 31 and was originally in the Yankees' chain, drafted in the 9th round in 1997. He went to the Rangers as a PTBNL in the Randy Velarde deal after the 2001 season (when he went 14-6, 2.78 for AA Norwich - isn't that the team that knocked our AA New Haven team out of the playoffs that year?) and pitched in 20 games of relief for the 2002 Rangers (after 15 relief appearances for AAA Oklahoma), then was released and went to the Rockies, who had him start 7 games for AAA Colorado Springs and then used in 8 games (2 starts) in the majors. He had a 4.50 ERA for the Rangers in those 20 games, but 9.53 for the Rox.

He spent all of 2003 at Colorado Springs, going 10-8, 4.98 in 28 games (24 starts) and signed with the Cards as a minor-league free agent last winter.

Flores last pitched on Tuesday, five innings after Kiko Calero started the game on his first rehab appearance and went 1 1/3 innings (major-league relievers on minor-league rehab almost always start the game - to get their work in early, I guess - and then the regularly-scheduled starter takes over; they did it again last night, too, when Calero pitched the first inning and then Alan Benes took over and pitched four more innings as last night's regularly-scheduled starter.

Anyway, Flores' next scheduled start for Memphis was going to be on Sunday (which means he's fresh and ready to pitch for *us* instead) - but with him being called up (and yes, we do have an open spot on the 40-man roster), that means he doesn't have to step aside for Ankiel, who's making *his* AAA rehab start on Sunday and (if he's not going to be allowed to make one more rehab appearance on Friday, September 3rd) would probably be activated and would join the team in St. Louis on Tuesday, August 31.

Mind you, I hate losing Kline for any period of time - but one figures that at least one of the two additions - Flores this weekend and Ankiel next week - can pick up the slack.

I'm just relieved that between Flores and Ankiel, we at least have some options - it's not like we're having to go out and make a panic deal for a lefty.

I fully expect Kline to be back in time for the final week of the regular season, and hopefully he'll be in form in time for postseason. But if not, then whoever does better - Flores or Ankiel - in September will at least help stabilize the middle of the game, with King being the primary setup lefty.

That's quite a load on King, who's been shaky the past few weeks, but he looked good last night, getting those two outs after Soup left the game, and maybe he's over that particular hump.

Losing Kline is not a good thing. Having Flores and Ankiel to help out until he comes back is OK, though.

August 29, 2004

Meet the Newest Cardinal, Randy Flores

By Brian Walton

Left-handed pitcher Randy Flores was called up from Memphis as Steve Kline went onto the disabled list after being injured in Friday’s game. With Memphis this season, the 29 year old Flores registered a 5-7 record with a 3.82 ERA in 122-2/3 innings pitched. He had 15 starts and 21 relief appearances. Flores’ strikeout to walk ratio is barely 2 to 1, as he gave 46 free passes this season. Walks have been a career-long problem area for Flores.

Like previous callup Al Reyes, Flores is a well-traveled player, having been drafted by the Yankees in 1997. In 2001, he moved on to the Rangers’ organization in a trade for infielder Randy Velarde. Flores made it to the bigs for the first time in 2002 for a 12 inning cup of coffee before being released. He moved on to Colorado when we again got a call up from Triple-A, this time for 17 innings, also in 2002. He stayed in Colorado Springs, the Rockies’ Triple-A affiliate all of 2003, where he went 10-8 with a 4.98 ERA in 142-2/3 innings. His career major league record is 0-2 with a 7.45 ERA.

The Cardinals signed Flores as a minor league free agent in November and invited him to Spring Training. However, he did not make the team and was assigned to Memphis, where’s he’s been all season until Saturday.

August 27, 2004

CARDS REMAIN AGGRESSIVE - IN THIS REMARKABLE SEASON

by Rex Duncan

In June 1942, American naval aviators flying torpedo planes and dive bombers were at the end of their fuel supply searching for a Japanese fleet poised to invade the island of Midway. In radio silence, they searched the Pacific Ocean until they spotted four enemy carriers reloading and refueling planes on their decks. The sighting was called in to the American fleet. Aboard the USS Enterprise, ever excitable and aggressive Captain Miles Browning, cried out shrilly on the radio words that spelled out the doom of the invasion and ultimately the end of World War II in the Pacific. “Attack! Attack immediately! I say again to all units, attack.”

I have no proof that educated, well-read Tony LaRussa has studied recounts of the Battle of Midway, but he and Miles Browning have employed the same tactical philosophy in defeating their opponents, occasionally losing battles, but ultimately winning the war. Spruance, Browning, and company left four sunken Japanese carriers and the hopes of an empire in their wake. LaRussa and company today stand 12 games up on their nearest rival and have the best record in major league baseball. The commonality is the aggressive spirit communicated throughout the organization.

The passion, the fire, and the aggressiveness displayed by the 2004 Cardinals is so antithetically different from recent previous versions that one wonders if General Jocketty didn’t sign Norman Schwartzkopf as the team psychologist. This Redbird edition has been on the attack since May and still hasn’t relented. It will be LaRussa’s challenge to maintain the attack when some are already saying that the war if over and won.

The Cardinals’ have dutifully and predictably employed the heavy artillery. The bombs falling into the hands of happy bleacher residents have been as numerous as November poll watchers in Florida. Pujols, Rolen, Edmonds, and Sanders have been a wrecking crew. Now comes Larry Walker, who has landed with both feet gunning and running.

Perhaps the most notable sign of LaRussa’s intent to maintain the high level of aggressive play is found not in the batter’s box, but on the base paths. The Redbirds aren’t necessarily stealing bases at a prodigious rate, although they are doing it when it makes sense. Even though he probably has a standing green light to run, Womack has clearly thought twice about the risks and rewards of a stolen base versus taking away RBI opportunities from the thunder that follows him in the batting order. That is smart, unselfish baseball.

The real aggressiveness has been found with superbly timed hit-and-runs, unexpected double steals, Albert Pujols bunting (ever think you would see that?), hard charges going from first to third on ordinary ground balls up the middle, and the human windmill, Jose Oquendo, urging runners home as if the bulls of Pamplona were charging the men in the red uniforms.

This aggressiveness on the base paths have put a lot of runs on the board and occasionally taken potential runs off. Larry Walker as the tying run was out at the plate in the final throes of a recent loss, but it took perfect execution and a bang-bang play to nail him. Credit goes to the opposition. Jim Edmonds tempted the fates recently while on second. He elected to charge third base on a ground ball to short. He would have made it, but seemingly forgot to slide. He was out, and left standing there with a sheepish look.

The home runs are a lot of fun. Shots down the left field line that rattle around in the corners of the outfield are scintillating. Smart, hard, aggressive base-running, though, is exciting, entertaining, intelligent baseball that has distinguished this team from their rivals.

The Cardinals haven’t clinched anything yet. They must keep their eye of the prize and continue what has gotten them where they are today. There are five burning carriers out there. The Houston, Cincy, Pittsburgh, and Milwaukee have pretty well sunk. The Chicago is in ruins, but remains afloat and dangerous. Attack, Cardinals! I say again, Attack!

Rex Duncan

rdunc221@yahoo.com

August 27, 2004

Here we go again....

by Nathanial Skinner

I may be overly optimistic most of the time, but I would like to point out something nobody seems to want to talk about. Redbird nation is humming at a slightly higher note this year and many pre-season prognosticators are now enjoying the taste that comes from sticking one's foot into the proverbial mouth by

counting us out. While raining on the parade is never popular I do think we should take into consideration there's always an outside chance of an injury to a key player spoiling our victory dance.

I'm quite sure I'll be highly unpopular among readers by recalling Mike Matheny trying to field dress himself, Matt Morris failing to qualify in men's hotel stairs gymnastics, or on a note that there's

absolutely no humor in DK going to the stadium in the sky.

Certainly the rest of the team did their best to pick up the slack and I applaud them for it (especially in the case of Kile) but there is no question any of these cases were a punch in the stomach to otherwise promising seasons.

Don't get me wrong, I have no "inside information" or anything of that nature to suggest a similar incident will happen this year. The Cardinals have been extremely fortunate this year to not lose any

clutch guys this year. I think Albert Pujols deserves our utmost appreciation for playing through his heel problems. The guy gets a base hit on a drag bunt running full bore in spite of the fact it feels like there's a rat in his shoe chewing on his foot. Rolen

has a bad knee and still steals bases. These guys deserve curtain calls just for walking onto the field in that shape.

The bench has been great--just a little bit streaky at times. Cedeno has torn the hide off the ball and made some solid plays in the field, but he has also looked at times like he forgot where home plate is. Mabry is a great story and a nice surprise, but he's

no Pujols. I love to see our guys making the amazing plays they always seem to pull off but my dinner rumbles in my stomach a bit when I see someone bounce off an outfield wall or dive headfirst into a bag. Playing hard is fantastic, no question about it, but

ask Bill Mueller if it doesn't bite you in the backside from time to time.

Again, I do not want to be spewing a prophecy of doom and gloom. The way the season has been going so far TLR may as well be walking around in a suit and sunglasses telling people he's on a mission from god. The atavistic realist in me is simply trying to speculate on any possible contingency that may arise.

The aforementioned sporting news that is currently enjoying eating their crow about the Cardinals has been using terms like "solid rotation" and "murderers row" for a few weeks now. That's a nice change from "overachieving" or any of the other early season monikers we were all forced to swallow until the last few weeks. However, we all need to realize that no amount of Rick Ankiel is going to replace a Woody Williams this year. I highly doubt Hector Luna is going to morph into Edgar Renteria overnight if the

need should arise. With all of that being said I'm going to continue crossing my fingers every time Jim Edmonds lays out to snag a bloop fly. I'll wholeheartedly stand by the Mileur plan for conferences on preventing pitchers from leaving various tendons on the mound. As far as I know there is no set decorum on bringing this kind of thing up like there is about saying no-hitter lest you jinx the pitcher.

And of course I will be cheering on the Cardinals as loudly and enthusiastically as anyone else. I'm sticking to my guns: It's the year of the Redbird.

So....

Continue hoping for the best

Continue making fun of Wrigley Field falling down

Continue sending me donations

Maybe I'll back off that last one a bit. Send your surplus income to a children's charity instead.

Instead....

Continue showing the rest of the world why we're the best fans in baseball.

August 26, 2004

The .600 Mark and Postseason Success –

Are they Compatible?

By Ryan Pastrovich

The Cardinals are about a month away from wrapping up what should be one of the most successful seasons in franchise history. But in St. Louis, making the playoffs isn’t good enough. With the franchise stuck on 15 pennants since 1987 and nine world titles since 1982, fans are clamoring for postseason results.

In the La Russa era, expectations have never been higher at the end of August. The 2004 Cardinal outfit has clearly been the superior team in the National League for most of the season, and the already-rabid St. Louis fans, seeing the prolonged dominance of the home team, have become even thirstier for a downtown victory parade.

But as we lurch toward October, a common mantra comes up in the conversations of the St. Louis faithful. We hear it again and again (well, I know I say it again and again): Anything can happen in a short series. So, does regular-season dominance equal postseason success?

To attempt to shed a little light on the question, I looked at the playoff results since the wild card era began in 1995. The past nine years have provided us with 36 playoff series, a fair amount of data. So let’s dive right in.

This season, only the Cardinals and Yankees are winning games at a .600 clip. Since 1995, 19 other teams have accomplished the same feat. Those 19 teams have combined to make seven World Series appearances, going 3-4 in the series (Twice, in 1995 and 1998, two .600 teams met in the Series).

Overall, those 19 teams have posted a 95-77 record in the postseason, which is excellent. They’ve won 21 of 37 series. Again, many of those series were contested against each other. Against sub-.600 teams, above-.600 teams have won 16 of 27 series. That’s good news for the Redbirds.

But recent history has not been as kind to .600 teams in the playoffs. Of the seven teams this century who have entered the playoffs playing at a .600 clip, an astounding five lost in the divisional series – all to sub-.600 teams. The 116-win 2001 Mariners won one series, and last year’s Yankees won the A.L. pennant before running into Josh Beckett and the Marlins.

In fact, over the past four years, .600 teams are 21-29 in the playoffs, winning only three of 10 series. In all 10 series, teams with sub-.600 records knocked them from the playoffs.

This year’s Cardinals, though, are treading in rare air. As I write prior to Thursday night’s game, they’re tearing through the regular season at a .659 rate. Since 1995, only three other teams (the ’95 Indians, ’98 Yankees and ’01 Mariners) have had a better winning percentage. Their results were mixed – the Indians lost to Atlanta (a .625 team) in the World Series. The Yankees tore through the playoffs, losing only two games on their way to a title, and the Mariners were knocked out in the second round.

So what does this all mean? In all honesty, I don’t think it means much. But here are two conclusions I don’t mind jumping to:

The best strategy for winning a championship is making the playoffs.It’s definitely better to be the better team. That still doesn’t mean a whole lot.

As we all know, playoff series can change faster than Midwest weather. At any moment, a fluke can flip an entire series on its head. A tarp can attempt to eat a human. An umpire can blow an obvious call at first base (#*@#%^$#@! Denkinger). A fan can reach where a fan shouldn’t reach. Bill Mazeroski can hit home runs. Carlton Fisk can control the wind. A routine ground ball can trickle unabated through a veteran first baseman’s legs. A utility player can plow into an unsuspecting All-Star third baseman. You get the point.

Regardless, by the time October finally rolls around, 22 teams will be eliminated from the playoffs. Barring a catastrophe, the Cardinals won’t be one of them. After that, our chances are as good as anybody else’s. And as fans, we can’t ask for much more than that.

August 26, 2004

Worst Cardinals Game Commercials -

2004 Awards

By Brian Walton

With a majority of the Cardinals’ 160 televised games this season in the history books, on tape, stored in TIVO or wherever, it is time to revisit a yearly feature of mine. Yes, it’s my long-awaited personal choices as the five worst Cardinals’ game commercials of the 2004 season, whether shown on Fox Sports Midwest or WB11.

There are many contenders, but here are the winners, each receiving an immediate and automatic punch of the mute button anytime they come on.

Dishonorable mention: Anything from Jack-In-The-Box. And, what about those baseballs all over the Schnucks grocery stores? What’s that all about? Now, here’s another good one: Brick – the Natural Choice. I am more into unnatural choices myself. And, here they are…

#5. Hot Shots. A repeat from last year. Hey, it’s a good enough place to go if you’re looking for some bar food, drink and entertainment. It’s just that using Cardinals’ broadcasting personalities as not completely sincere spokesmen leaves a lot to be desired. I will admit that Dan McLaughlin this year is better than Hungo last year.

#4. Auto Tire. I am sure John Ronsick is a very successful businessman. After all, he has a jillion stores all over the area. Assuming that is the case, why does he feel the need to be an amateur thespian and appear in his own commercials? His toothy grin really scares me. Another reason why I don’t go to Auto Tire. Also, a repeat winner.

#3. Steak and Shake. A new entrant. Let me apologize right up front, as one of their Arkansas francisees is a regular reader here. But, he isn’t responsible for their arrogant commercials. I am so tired of those smug youngsters in every single one of their spots that I purposely don’t eat there as a result. That and the fact there isn’t an S&S location in my town. But, you know what I mean, right?

#2. Dirt Cheap. Last year’s winner slips to #2 as the competition declined faster. Fred and his chicken are still so bad they are good. But, it is time to test out some new routines on the vaudeville circuit in the offseason. After all, the smokers aren’t the only persecuted ones around here. Seeing the same Dirt, Dirt Cheap, Cheap commercial over and over is really, really painful. Trust me; “the more I watch, the better you look” is not an accurate representation of what is going on here.

#1. Suntrup Auto Family. A new winner is crowned in 2004 and it is a well-deserved one, indeed. Actually, like Steak and Shake, this is a series of commercials, not a single spot. Now, I am sure the Suntrups are honest car dealers and I know Joe Buck is a fine baseball announcer. But, when you put the two of them together and throw in some twinkling piano music, you may as well scratch your fingernails on my chalkboard. I am so confident of this selection that I would put up the best of this series against the worst of the others and it would still be the clear winner. They are that bad.

August 25, 2004

“If you ain’t cheatin’, you ain’t tryin’…”

by Joe Mammy

You know, baseball is a funny game. For as much as it’s an escape from our day-to-day hustle and bustle, it’s also a reflection of that same absurd world most of us try to get away from. For example, let’s take a look at the whole current hat scandal with Julian Tavarez.

Now I’m not saying he was cheating and I’m not saying he wasn’t. When it all comes down to it, the whole guilt thing is pretty much unimportant. I’m also not sure at this point if I admire Lloyd McClendon or think he’s a punk. Frankly, after the little shouting match earlier in the season, I’m more inclined to go with the latter, but that’s immaterial. Tavarez has had a hygienically challenged hat for years—including during his tenure for McClendon last year in Pittsburgh. This automatically sends up flags for me. Why was ol’ Lloyd so sure he was cheating? Because his hat was dirty? Certainly Lloyd wasn’t privy to information about misconduct on his own team and failed to do anything about it, right? And certainly he wouldn’t be fool enough to expose such a thing by trying to suggest that player’s dirty cap (which he had defended the previous year) was cheating solely because it was dirty.

Long and the short of it is Lloyd is helming another season with the caboose of the NL Central and apparently it’s starting to take its toll. I’m sure it can’t be fun to lose four of five to the division leader—regardless of how far you may be out of it. So, in desperation, Lloyd took a lesson from the “Chicago Book of Dealing with Failure” and had his choice of melting down or playing little mind games. (Note to Lloyd: you might want to see how it worked for the Cubs before you employ that strategy.)

Now like I said, I’m not saying Tavarez was or wasn’t cheating. I just think it’s interesting that his hat has been checked no less than four other times this season and nothing was found. Either the modern umpire has absolutely no clue how players cheat, or maybe his hat is just dirty. What’s more interesting is that I doubt that it even matters anyway.

I know we like to think of baseball as a game of fair play and an honor system and all that, but it’s full of guys who do cheat, have cheated and guys that said they didn’t cheat and then as soon as they were out had a good laugh about the whole thing. What’s more, Major League Baseball either seems uninterested in taking care of the problem or is unable to police it. You really don’t have to look too much further than the NL MVP for the last few years to figure out that MLB as well as fans themselves don’t much care about it.

Now I’m sure there are going to be the instantaneous reactions of “steroids can’t make you hit.” However, they can take a great hitter and turn him into a long ball machine that can simply stand back and take his four balls a substantial part of the time and then trot down the first base line. Does anyone seriously believe that people would be walking Bonds at these ridiculous rates if he wasn’t able to mash the ball? He’d get walked like the other great hitters, but it’s the fear of the home run that has raised Barry Bonds to mythic proportions. A fear it would seem, that is as a direct result of illegal chemical use that baseball is unable to curtail—or even track, for that matter. Now normally I’d just be disgusted, but with the talk of Bonds surpassing Ruth and Aaron—two guys who have contributed greatly to the sport and their eras—it makes me think that MLB doesn’t really care what happens, as long as there’s a story to sell. This week it’s Tavarez’s cap. Next week, Bonds catches Ruth, after that who knows?

It’s a lot like our normal lives. People lie, cheat and steal. Those who have much, swindle to get more and in the middle of it, there are a bunch of guys who want to do a good job and work hard who are left to answer for the riff-raff. If Albert Belle (who supposedly frequently used a corked bat and was generally a miserable human being) can get the same suspension as Corky Sosa (who, in all honesty, probably did only have the one corked bat) and Tavarez can get three more games than each of them for potentially no greater crime than poor accessorizing, it makes you think about why you like baseball. Part of it for me is the escapism, but part of it is the fact that Pete Rose bet on baseball and got a life suspension or that Albert Belle and Jose Canseco’s careers ended just shy of statistical milestones that would give them a run at the Hall of Fame and that Barry can cheat until the cows come home and no one will say boo. It just makes you think about everything.

Including things we’d all just as soon forget.

You can e-mail Joe Mammy at Joe@Joe-Mammy.com

August 25, 2004

Say “No” to Ankiel in the Postseason

By Brian Walton

Before Rick Ankiel has thrown a single 2004 pitch in Triple-A, let alone the Major Leagues, the Cardinal nation is abuzz over whether or not he should be included on the postseason roster. Check your favorite message board (or even ones you dislike) and see how many of our faithful have stars in their eyes over the rehabbing lefty.

I continue to be amazed that as soon as the name "Rick Ankiel" is mentioned, all logic and common sense seems to go right out the window. Get real, folks.

Now, don’t get me wrong. As readers here know, I am watching Ankiel closely and am pulling for him, like most everyone else is. But, I am looking for small steps of improvement leading to 2005 Spring Training. Refer to my recent interview with John Mozeliak, Assistant GM, who made this point crystal clear. The team is getting him ready for 2005 and they do not expect Ankiel to play a prominent role in 2004. Said Mo, “He is throwing the ball very well, but I think anybody with expectations of him really being a huge factor in ’04 should probably curtail it. We’re looking at it more as to just getting him ready to go where he needs to be for ’05.”

I know some will not be satisfied with that. So, let's get specific here. Let's assume that it is early October and the post-season starts tomorrow. There are no pitching injuries to other players that would make a decision to add Ankiel to the post-season roster easier.

Precisely who would you tell that his regular season contributions were nice, but not good enough? Cal Eldred? Kiko Calero? Julian Tavarez? Or, would you bump one of the other two lefties, Ray King or Steve Kline?

Looking at it from the other side, why would Rick Ankiel DESERVE to be on the 2004 Cardinals' post-season roster? Who can envision how his September accomplishments could warrant such an honor when others have already fought and won 90 games, essentially locking up the post-season berth coming into the month?

I am not even going to get into Ankiel’s past and use that as a reason for or against his postseason participation. Though there are plenty of very strong arguments there, we don’t even need to take the discussion that far. Others have earned the opportunity to play in October. Ankiel has not and will not.

Some correctly point out that to be eligible for the postseason, a player must be on his team's 25-man roster as of August 31. Ankiel will not be, therefore this whole discussion is moot, right? Not so fast, as Lee Corso would say. MLB’s rules have a major loophole that teams have exploited for years. It essentially allows them to use whoever they want in the postseason. “Injured” players, real or imagined, can be replaced by anyone on the team's 40-man roster.

The most celebrated case of this was in 2002. On September 18, K-Rod, Francisco Rodriguez of the Angels, took the postseason spot of a player who had been put on the disabled list way back during Spring Training. Bottom line, if the Cards were to decide in September that they want Ankiel in the postseason, they can easily make it happen.

But, simply put, it shouldn’t happen. Rick Ankiel has not been a part of the 2004 Cardinals' success. Let him have a few mop-up appearances in September, maybe let him throw some innings in the instructional leagues and see what 2005 brings. Let’s keep pulling for Rick, but let’s not be stupid about it.

August 26, 2004

Worst Cardinals Game Commercials -

2004 Awards

By Brian Walton

There are many contenders, but here are the winners, each receiving an immediate and automatic punch of the mute button anytime they come on.

August 20, 2004

Meet the Newest Cardinal, Al Reyes

By Brian Walton

Reliever Al Reyes was recalled from Memphis as Danny Haren was sent down after starting Friday’s Game One. Reyes is 33 years old and has been closing for the Redbirds. With Memphis this season, he has 22 saves in 35 games, with a 2-2 record and a 3.11 ERA. Reyes has fanned 45 in 37-2/3 innings this season and his strikeout to walk ratio is slightly better than 3:1. Those 22 saves lead the Pacific Coast League. [more]

18 August 2004

NO STORM WARNINGS

by Rex Duncan

Here in Du Quoin, Illinois, we seem to demonstrate a dangerous and inexplicable meteorological behavior. I’ve never gotten a handle on it, but I sure join in. When a tornado warning is issued that covers my hometown, three-fourths of the population – young and old alike – are found standing outside looking to the southwest hoping to catch a glimpse of that powerful engine of destruction that will lay waste and havoc to our community. In 150 years, no tornado has touched our town, but it could and we want to be there to see it when it happens. What’s the matter with people who actually hope to see disaster strike? [more]

August 18, 2004

From Race Horse to Work Horse?

by Joe Mammy

I heard it. It was the 5th inning of Tuesday’s game against the Reds and Joe Buck was talking about the little tiff between Matt Morris and Dave Duncan. Al Hrabosky was explaining that it’s like a family, etc etc and Joe Buck was trying to put a positive spin on it. He was saying that it was the “competitive spirit” that motivates both Morris and Duncan. And then it happened. [more]

August 17, 2004

Who's in Left? Maybe Mabry?

by Ryan Pastrovich

With Larry Walker now firmly entrenched in right field, Tony Womack holding down second base, and Mike Matheny and Yadier Molina effectively splitting time behind home plate, a battle for everyday playing time remains only in left field. [more]

August 17, 2004

FORGET ALBERT

By Bill Chuck, www.billy-ball.com

Okay, everybody is talking about the remarkable Albert Pujols who homered for the fifth time in four games and tied his career high with five RBI as the Cardinals continued their decimation of the National League with a 10-5 victory over one of their favorite patsies the Cincinnati Reds. [more]

August 16, 2004

What Now?

by Joe Mammy joe@joe-mammy.com

Now, I don’t mean to take everything for granted, but we’re going to win it all. Sorry Cubs fans. Sorry Yankees fans. Sorry Expo fan. [more]

August 16, 2004

ROLEN, ROLEN, ROLEN, THE CARDINALS KEEP ON ROLLIN'

By Bill Chuck, www.billy-ball.com

This season Billy-Ball has extolled the virtues of the Braves, the Indians, the Rays, the Yanks, the Dodgers, even the Brewers, but I have not given the Cardinals their proper measure of respect. This team has been awesome. They have made a mockery and a sham of the NL Central race. Their domination has been so great, they have made a "shmockery" of the NL Central. [more]

August 16, 2004

The Results are In

the 2004 Fan Writers Contest

The votes have been counted and recounted and the results are in for the 2004 Fan Writers Contest. Read all the submissions and check out the winners. [more]

August 15, 2004

CARDINAL MAGIC…from Mother to Daughter

by Tracy Ramsey

One day in early January 2004, I pulled up the official Cardinal website (I didn’t know about this one yet) to checkout the latest news, if any, about my favorite team. Being a transplanted Cardinal fan (I live in Kansas City now), this is the easiest way for me to stay informed about the Redbirds, especially in the off-season. On this particular cold, mid-winter day, I learned that Cardinal pitchers and catcher were to report for spring training on what would have been my Mother’s 78th birthday, February 20, 2004. With that significant realization, I smiled and thought to myself, ‘This is a good sign. Maybe this will finally be that magical year for the Cardinals.’ Little did I know how magical the 2004 Cardinal season would be. [more]

August 15, 2004

Cardinals Waiver Shopping List

Reported by Brian Walton

In an email exchange last week, ESPN’s Jayson Stark told me he was going to find out which players have cleared waivers. He did and here they are.

The Cardinals are reportedly still looking for a pitcher out of the pen. While the players are not overly concerned about it, they seem to be expecting a deal to be done before the end of the month. [more]

August 14, 2004

Mike Shannon – The Forgotten Cardinal?

by Michael Roberts

Conversations about the most lopsided trades in baseball history invariably include the deal that brought Lou Brock to St. Louis from the Chicago Cubs for Ernie Broglio on June 15, 1964. Most Cardinal fans are familiar with the story of the 1964 pennant winning team. Common thought is that the Redbirds swung the deal for Brock, who led them on a second-half surge resulting in a pennant and eventual World Championship over the Yankees. The Cardinals did indeed catch fire the second half of the 1964 season, but another player’s contributions to that team are overlooked.

That player is Mike Shannon. [more]

August 12, 2004

Punditry 101

by Joe Mammy

Why are people still surprised about this team? If this were, say, September and the Cards were making a sudden lunge for the wild card or even the division, that would be surprising. But what do you call utter dominance since June? It’s amusing to see how little credit the Cardinals were given at the outset that even on the pace to win 105+ games with the best record in baseball and a 12 ½ game lead over the heavily-favored Cubs, that commentators and pundits still are left scratching there heads. It’s not that hard. Here’s a lesson in Punditry 101: [more]

August 10, 2004

On the Road Again – Music and Minor League Baseball

By Brian Walton

What better way to celebrate Americana on a warm, lazy summer evening than to attend a concert held in a minor league baseball stadium? That is exactly what tens of thousands of people are doing across the USA between now and Labor Day, as music legends Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan headline a late-summer concert series. [more]

August 9, 2004

Walker in Rolen’s Place

By Rob Rains

Scott Rolen knows what Larry Walker is feeling.

Rolen was in the Cardinals dugout Friday night when he heard final confirmation that General Manager Walt Jocketty had completed the trade bringing the former MVP, three-time batting champion and seven-time Gold Glover to St. Louis. [more]

Point

August 9, 2004

Why Nomar and the Cubs are Irrelevant

By Brian Walton

Mostly by Cubs fans, I’d been asked why I hadn’t commented further about their acquisition of shortstop Nomar Garciaparra. Simply put, Nomar is irrelevant. Now, with the Cardinals’ acquisition of Larry Walker, the noise will quiet down. [more]

Counterpoint

August 9, 2004

Larry Walker – Making the Softball Team Complete

By Pete Khazen, CREATiVESPORTS.com

Editor’s note: Our resident long-suffering Cubs fan from St. Louis offers a differing view of Walton’s Cubs-bashing and the recent trades.

The St. Louis Cardinals’ Friday deal for Larry Walker definitely got the adrenaline flowing in St. Louis much like the Nomar Garciaparra trade did in Chicago. [more]

August 10, 2004

Cardinal Nation Exceeds Mere Fandom

by Rex Duncan Gold Medal Winner FWC 1st Place

Tommy Lasorda was famous for saying that he “bled Dodger blue”. Fans of other teams also claim some sort of physical linkage with their respective boys of summer at some level or other. Nowhere in major league baseball, though, is that connection stronger, more binding, and more obvious than the relationship between the St. Louis Cardinals and theirs, the most intelligent, passionate, and warm-hearted group of fans any professional sports team could ask for. [more]

August 10, 2004

A Diamond is a Girl’s Best Friend

by Karan Eschweiler Silver Medal Winner FWC - 1st Runner Up

It has been said that “a diamond is a girl’s best friend.” I won’t say that statement to be false, but I think a lot of women may have a little bit of a different spin. Give me season tickets, nice weather and a great baseball game over a piece of jewelry any day. [more]

August 10, 2004

This is what I call a TEAM

by R Hudolin Bronze Medal Winner FWC - 2nd Runner UP

You almost have to feel sorry for Mr. Steinbrenner. Nahhhh! Granted the Yankees didn't go on their annual multi-million dollar shopping spree, stripping the rest of the league of the "obvious" free agent talent. [more]

August 8, 2004

Answering Nomar - Larry Walker is a Cardinal

By Brian Walton

Is there a doubt in anyone’s mind that the St. Louis Cardinals’ Friday’s acquisition of outfielder Larry Walker from the Colorado Rockies was a response to the Chicago Cubs’ trade for Nomar Garciaparra just last week? Of course, no one will ever admit it, even if it is true. But, the fact remains that the Cardinals have answered, and answered resoundingly. [more]

August 6, 2004

Cardinals: Best “Worst” Starting Pitching

By Ryan Pastrovich

It’s obvious to even the casual observer that one of the biggest differences between the 2003 and 2004

Cardinals – if not the biggest difference – is the starting pitching. [more]

August 4, 2004

Grading the GMs

By Jody Madron, SportsBlurb.com -

Boston, Massachusetts - Saturday, October 23, 2004:

JOE BUCK – “Good evening ladies and gentlemen and welcome to the World Series that baseball fans in Boston and Chicago have been dreaming about for decades. Some time within the next eight days, one of these two teams – either the Red Sox or the Cubs – will finally put an end to decades’ worth of misery.” [more]

August 4, 2004

What to do with Morris in the Postseason?

By Pete Khazen, CREATiVESPORTS.com

The St. Louis Cardinals have an interesting dilemma on their hands. Some may argue that it is a good problem for a team to deal with. Most teams would enjoy trying to find a solution to this problem. If the playoffs were to begin today, the Cardinals would have the best record in the National League and be the team to beat in the playoffs. So, what’s the problem? The problem comes in with their starting pitching staff. Tony La Russa and Dave Duncan would have to decide which of their five starting pitchers they would choose to put in the bullpen or leave off the 25-man playoff roster. Who is it going to be? Woody Williams? Jason Marquis? Chris Carpenter? Jeff Suppan? Or, hmmm, maybe Matt Morris? [more]

August 3, 2004

Nomar Deal Good for Cards?

By Brian Walton

During Tuesday night’s Fox Sports Midwest Cardinal game coverage, Al and Dan readily agreed on an interesting, but shockingly shallow assertion. They have convinced themselves that Nomar Garciaparra joining the Cubs and Orlando Cabrera going to the Red Sox is good for the Cardinals. [more]

WAY BACK

Odds n' Ends

by Joe Mammy

The Empire Strikes Back

by Ray Mileur

Cardinal Slump = April Hitting + May Pitching

By Ryan Pastrovich

2004 Amateur Draft Update – The Top 20

By Brian Walton

Angel Trade in Works

by Brian Walton

Behold a pale horse