Sigh...

What a great year. The Cardinals played a great season. Its too bad things didn't end on a high note. I want to say that I was plesntly surprised by the class of the Red Sox. I have always seen Pedro and Manny is pretty arrogant guys, but I was impressed.

I was deeply dissappointed with the Cardinal "faithful" in game 7. When a pitch hit Umpire Merryweather (SP?) in the shin and hopped in pain a very large cheer erupted from the crowd. I thought we had more class than that-- Dispite his bizzare strike zone.

Red Sox won't be back next year.

We will. But there will be several changes.

Not that our bats where any better 9at least after game 1, but it was a case where our pitching sure let us down in the long haul--Carpenter's injury aside. Man I hate being right.

"I want to be wrong. Please let me be wrong. But Cardinal pitching is overachieving and it seems to be only a matter of time before we all come crashing back to this planet we call "Earth." " -CJ July 10,2004

-CJ

In the 6 or the 7

Its all in the number. 1986 or 1987.

-CJ

Almost Pure Bliss!

Been a while, 1987. Here's to better than you. I was smiling like a 5 year old on Christmas morning.

-CJ

Tell No One

If anyone who reads this blog (all 4 of you) lets this get back to my wife that I put this up here, I will take you down. I will take you down to Chinatown. That said, here goes: True story, I couldn't make this up if I tried.

My wife was being her normal wonderful self during the post season and was watching all the games with me. Game 7 ALCS 8th inning. All of a sudden while looking at the TV screen, she says, "Ahhh! I get it." Wondering exactly what this epiphany was all about I asked her. Her quick short reply was, "Nothing." I pressed her about it--curiosity peaked. "No! " she answered, "You'll just laugh at me." Figuring this ought to be good, I quickly lied and reassured her I wouldn't laugh. Being quasi-convinced this was the case she said, "You know that swastika looking thing on the Yankees' hats? Its a 'N' and a 'Y!'"

We need to get to Clemens early. This Rocket is getting old. Haren should be ready to go if Suppan can't keep the ball down. Haren looked mighty impressive in relief of Suppan last time. If you have time stop by your local parish and light a couple for our Redbirds. And, "No!" Camels don't count.

Have you ever heard a louder positive cheer for an intentional walk as Beltran's in game 6?

"Baseball is dull only to dull minds." -Red Barber

-CJ

"I doubt the series will go past game 6."

I sure hope that I'm wrong. Holy monkey! A dual 1 hitter through 6! I'm glad I'm not a betting man. My only question is: With two strikes to Berkman...why walk him. Talking to my friend Peter White from , Mariner Musings, he simply replied, "It's Berkman." Point taken. But we walked him to get to Kent? Lose lose situation. And don't give me that Kent hits into a lot of double plays if the only time you have watched him play was in the division series. Wow did Lidge make Pujols look silly on that last at-bat! That doesn't happen too many times. From a man who doesn't have cable--I was pretty steamed with the Red Sox. In the time the Cardinals finished their game, it took the Red Sox and Yankees 14 innings. Why am I only mad at the Red Sox, you ask. Well I'll tell you. (Back ground singers) *He's going to tell! He's going to tell! etc.* "Stop that! Stop that! No singing!" Because David "fat man" Ortiz was stealing! What in tarnation!?!!? Sure you can argue that he was safe (though called out), sure you can argue that it caught everyone surprised, but the fact of the matter is its David Ortiz stealing!!!!!! Do the Red Sox want to go home early? But there was an even more inept play. Earlier Damon has a lead off broken bat single.....and what does he do? He steals while Cabreara is trying to bunt. WITH NO OUTS!!!!! It must have been a missed sign or something. This does not appear to be a normal Damon. Maybe he's the anti-Sampson! He SHOULD cut his hair and he'll be back to normal.

"Baseball is the only field of endeavor where a man can succeed three times out of ten and be considered a good performer."-Ted Williams
-CJ

Bah!

To all those out there who have started putting up your Christmas decorations I say, "Bah Humbug!"

Only thing more annoying than a "two fingered Texan" is a "two-pitcher ball club." That is why I sincerely doubt this series will go past game 6. It still doesn't make me happy that the series is now tied up.

Will someone like the Mariners please sign Beltran? If the Cardinals can't have him, please let him sign with the equivalent of Siberia.

Was that not the ugliest homerun you have ever seen?

Would like to face the Schillingless Red Sox. That's why I'm keeping an eye on the impossible. Every team has their token jerk. Some have more than their fair share. The Red Sox have Manny and Pedro. The Yankees have Steinbrenner (by popular opinion). The Astros have Clemens. We have Tavarez and Kline. While these boys aren't the face of the team as the other said players/owner, they have been very productive this year. That being said I feel that LaRussa made the move to the bullpen too early yesterday. Marquis had plenty left in the tank, and I believe that LaRussa may be a tad overconfident in said jerks. As I heard a man talk about his Oklahoman senator, "Yeah he's an SOB but he's our SOB."

"To me momentum is nothing more than tomorrow's starting pitcher."
-Brian at RedBird Nation

"If a woman has to choose between catching a fly ball and saving an infant's life, she will choose to save the infant's life without even considering if there are men on base." -Dave Barry

-CJ

Keep Rolen Rolen

After an 0-14 start to the post season it wouldn't be a stretch to say that Rolen was due. Once again the Cardinals eventually broke through againt the Astros' suspect pitching. 4 Homeruns, 2 from Scotty. So here it is, before the World Series starts--my prediction: Cardianls in 5 over the Yankees. Look for Mussina to bring them a win, but the Redbird lineup is too dangerous. "Wait!!" you yell, "What about Clemens and Oswalt?" Look, the fact of the matter is the Cardinals will get through on at least one of them if not both. This would leave the Astros 4-0 or 3-1.

"Rooting for the Yankees is like rooting for U.S. Steel." -Red Smith

-CJ

Just a Matter of Time

At the risk of sounding really over-confident: Its just a matter of time. All a matter of the Hot team vs. The Good team. After witnessing the Astros take a 4-2 lead I quickly thought to myself, "They're going to need more than a 2 run lead to stave off this offense." The real question is just a matter of how many games. Clemens and Oswalt might slow down the 'Stros' bleeding, but they have encountered a fatal disease in the Redbirds. The potent poison of choice last night was not the long-ball as the Cardinals often use (Pujols' being the exception). This just demonstrates that the Cardinals' weapon of choice is more a weapon of "Okay, we had a bad night and we still posted 10 runs." All in all most would like to see a better productive start from their number 1. ( I use that title carefully). Hopefully Woody is getting the chinks out now. We'll need his "A" game come Brooklyn time. Yes, that's right the Red Sox will get lucky to force a game 5. For our sake I will be cheering for the Red Sox to wear out Yankee pitching as much as possible. I would love for Mussina to have to make a game 5 start to clinch it. Then again, he'd still have enough time to rest up--probably. If a true miracle would occur I would love to face the Schillingless Sox. There is something creepy about the Yankee's post-season mystique. If you have time stop by the Basilica and throw up a novena for Carpenter. Jesus was a carpenter so there should be some bias there. HA!
-CJ

Was it just me?

Was it just me or

• were the Fox anchors miserable as usual? Especially after the handshakes between the two clubs when they commented, "the Dodgers came out to acknowledge the fans and probably got caught up in shaking the Cardinals' hands." Is it so hard to believe that this was done out of charity and goodness of heart? In just about EVERY sport except Baseball, on the professional level, there are congratulations between opposing teams. Why shouldn't this be the case here?
  
• were the Dodger fans horrible? I wasn't at the game so I might not have a perfect idea of all that went on, but 1) they seemed to boo every pitch that was called a ball...even those that seemed a foot or more off the plate (at least through the first 4 innings) what do they want from the ump?! 2) several fans were cheering and applauding the moment Edgar got beaned between the shoulder blades! This was not applause for him shaking it off. These were cheers for the beaning. While I did hear distinct cheers in favor of it, it wasn't as loud as other cheers so I know that their were plenty of LA fans who are not like this. But I was still shocked at the amount of fans that would cheer for something like this. Its not like we are Yanks in Boston.
  
• was Pujols' homerun a mistake? I'll take it. But it sure looks like he hit pitch out of the strikezone. It looked a lot like a long fly ball. I know of the theory that Homeruns are mistakes. Blah Blah Blah But this was a mistake. Tip your hat to Pujols because it was hit pure strength that put the ball out of reach.
  
• was the Cardinal defense amazing?
  
• was Jeff Suppan a class act?
  

-CJ

Game 2

Wow I hate blogger! I have lost so many posts.

• Fox was pretty annoying with their "Dodge Dakota Pre-Game Show" with that constant "Hit It!" (Insert annoying jingle here).
• Haren looked great! Glad to know that their is hope despite the free-agency of ... errr...let's talk about happier things.
• U-G-L-Y turns out we got an alibi! We UGLY hey hey We UGLY! Doesn't matter though we won. Was that not the closest 8-3 match you have ever seen? I was pulling my hair out in the 4th.
• Will the real best bullpen in the majors please stand up? Its way overdue for the Redbirds' Relievers to get some serious props. "No Cal, you can stay seated."
• Marquis gave up some monster-mashes! (What was up with that really lame monster-movie teaser?) Hopefully he's just getting that out of his system. The league has officially run out of tape measure!
• WOW am I looking forward to Staurday. It is HEAVEN REALIZED through sports for one day! At least for me. "This will be a day long remembered. It will see the end of the Longhorns and will soon see the end of the Dodgers."

-CV (Cardinal Vader)

Astros and Dodgers of the twenty-fourth and a half century!!!

Those looking for a non-early exit from the playoffs should cheer for Astros and Dodgers. Dodgers rotation looks like it took a nose-dive off the ugly tree and hit every branch on the way down. Cheering for the Astros is cheering against the Cubs. Despite its health problems the Cubs' rotation is the one of been cringing about all season. With the Cardinals getting a well needed medical rest they should be primed for the post season.

In other news I went 3-4 with 4 RBI's and two runs scored in our 12-11 loss in my first Seminary League softball game. I think my 3 errors (or was it 4) had something to do with us losing. Oh well that's why its Seminary league.

-CJ

Mints on the Pillow and Seasonal Cliches

The quality of a mattress and the softness of the sheets do not rely on the mint that is on your pillow. But you still want the mint. I'd sure like to see the Cardinals close out the rest of the regular season strong. It would give me something to savor as I slowly wake up from the "dream regular season" and arise into what will be a new day of Cardinal sunrise.

Cliches

• I hope LaRussa uses this time to rest all those nagging injuries.
  
• I hope LaRussa doesn't blow it and let his stars get cold on the bench.
  
• Why don't they play Ankiel more?
  
• They are coasting now. It will cost 'em come post-season.
  
• They aren't going to let up.
  

Not sure which ones if any I agree with. Anyone got any other ones?

-CJ

Perspective

Desepite a hurried comeback our Redbirds drop another! What gives? Many Cardinal faithful would like to see more dominance than mere .500 baseball. This SHOULD happen against the Astros and we better take the D-Backs.

That said, I want to ask anyone who reads this to pray for the people in the South in the way of Ivan. Florida and the surrounding areas have had it tough.

"Lord have mercy."
-CJ

A Glitch

I feel like the kid named "Mouse" in the first Matrix movie right after Neo fell during the building jumping scene. "He didn't make it...What does that mean?" I want to be one of the other crew members who says, "Nobody makes the first jump." But this ain't the "first jump." The Cardinals have just lost 3 in a row to possible post season teams. Just a few posts ago I was celebrating how we swept the Dodgers and the Padres. What gives?
Here is the conversation between Mouse and lets say Cypher, talking about the chosen one, namely the 2004 St. Louis Cards.

Mouse: They fell 3 times in a row.
Cypher: Nobody makes it the first time.
Mouse: First time?!?! We're in the middle of bloody September!
Cypher: Maybe they aren't the chosen one.
Mouse: What does this mean?
Cypher: It means that the Cardinals are vulnerable.
Mouse: They might win 110 games and you say vulnerable?!
Cypher: Anything can happen in a Sho...
Mouse: If you give me any of that Short-Series-my-diction-crap, you can cram it up your...
Cypher: Calm down. I'm only telling you this 'cause you need to be prepared. I'm trying to free your mind.
Mouse: Free my mind? Aren't you the bad guy?
Cypher: Shut up and listen! All it takes is the Bad Morris to show up. You know the one who tosses break-less breaking-balls while yelling, "Stop trying to hit me and HIT ME!"
Mouse: So what if he's streaky. Suppan, Marquis, Carpenter, and Williams. 'Nough said.
Cypher: As this season has proven the offense goes limp for a few games, and by chance the defense has saved them.
Mouse: So what are the odds that both fail at the same time? Better they get it out of their system now. They have been strong enough to pull this kind of record off, I doubt they will fall prey to what has happened on this most recent road trip. It would be like Deja Vu.
Cypher: You don't mean?
Mouse: Yes, for the Cardinals to lose in the post-season, it would take a glitch in the Matrix!
-CJ

Annnnnnd We're Back...So Listen Up!

First week of grad school is the excuse for my MIA bit. So I've missed the opportunity to post on a great 9 game winning streak that included sweeps of the Dodgers and the Padres. "Nay," I say! What an exciting time to be a Cardinal fan! Great posts on many weblogs lately! Here is a sampling of some great stuff:

• http://redbirdnation.blogspot.com/

"Cards record through May 26th 23-22

Cards record since May 26th 69-22"

Brian has some great posts lately especially his second most recent on what the Cardinals SHOULD be making.

• http://redbirdreasoning.blogspot.com/

Robb is on a roll! This is some of the best stuff I've read so far and is very refreshing.

"Interesting to note that out of those 5 teams (that have won 110+ games) only 2 won the World Series with 2 others losing the World Series, and 1 not making it there at all. As a matter of fact...the odds of winning the World Series may not be as high as you would expect."

• I could go on but we don't need another Cardinals' links site: http://cardinalslinkblog.blogspot.com/
• On the subject of a dream season, which many of my better counter-parts have pointed out, I would like to address satisfaction. My greatest fear is the 2001 Mariners. I believe that most Cardinal fans would agree that anything less than a World Series Championship would be less than preferable. The Cardinals, to this point, have exceeded EVERYONE'S expectations this year--if anyone disagrees they are lying. Such being the case they have set new expectations in the hearts of the Cardinals' faithful. So we arrive at the impass of hope and faith. I hope that the Cardinals win the Series versus I believe that they will win it all. In the end most fans will grant that the post-season is a completely different animal. However, post-season hopes are directly proportional to regular season performance. Few would admit that they had a strong faith that the Marlins would win it all last year. A good majority will predict happy October tidings for our Redbirds. I will be satisfied with an amazing season regardless of the outcome. Many of you know that I am also an Oklahoma Sooners football fan. The end of last season was disaterous beyond any of the Sooner Nation's expectations, yet it was an amazing season which I am, for lack of a better word, grateful for. It is a dream season. Now it is a dream season. Cardinal fans--Relax! Enjoy the dream season, and enjoy the dream post-season that might come--when it gets here.
• Sweeps of two possible post-season opponents! (Less likely now for the Padres) What great tidings! "Visions of sugar-plumbs" eat your hearts out! Be clear, in light of my last bullet point, that I am not eating the dessert the same time as my other course. I am enjoying it now. But the sweep of the Dodgers gave me goose-bumps! Hmmm I think I should go eat lunch now.
• Bummer about last night, but we were due for a beat down. 10-5 stinks no matter how you spin it. Morris proving once again with his $12 Million contract (I'm sure that the Cardinals are paying this one) he is expendable.

-CJ

Annnnnnd We're Back...So Listen Up!

RUINED! I had a wonderful post which apparently has been lost! I tried to publish it and it simply erased my post! Sorry about that all!
-CJ

Wild Cards, Ankiel, and Others

• Gosh, Obviously I want the Cardinals to win every game, but is it Possible that A Devoted fan of the Cardinals could Really cheer for the other team, simply because of the Ever-present looming possiblity of a Scary Chicago team in the postseason? ......NAH!
  
• Possiblity of 6 men added to the rosters as soon as Wednesday. LaRussa has already mentioned worries about the roster being "overcrowded." Here are the ones mentioned to be brought up from Memphis and who I think should be brought up and who should stay home (not counting that will come off the DL:
  
  

1. Ankiel-He's baaaaack. With the popular motif of strengthening a "tired" bullpen Ankiel is a likely candidate to join the Cardinals at expansion. Not only is he a Southpaw (much needed in the Cardinal's sea of righties), but he has been outstanding in his last few starts.
2. Danny Haren, Simo-man, and Evan Rust-These guys are in the same boat--as their chances of being recalled are the same. At that point only one of thse three will prolly get out of said boat. The post-season will push one of the starting five to the bullpen, which will lessen the need for another righty in the pen. Look for Jason to get the nod.
3. John Gall-scary hitting and suspect fielding is this kids story so far. With an already deep outfield I don't see the real motive to bring him up. However, Gall will be a Redbird...a Memphis Redbird that is.
4. Scott Seabol-The 29 year old 3rd baseman has been unbelievable this year hitting .299 and 32 roundtrippers. He has better hitting stats across the board compared to Gall. "Magic 8 Ball, will Seabol make the team?" "Sources say 'Yes'."
5. Bo Hart-You can't not like this guy. Hart has a ton of experience from last year and has huge upside. His experience and charisma is a plus. Outlook: On the bubble. Look for LaRussa to add him in case of late season injury.
6. Colin Porter-Porter got a call up earlier this season, but does not have impressive numbers this year. A reliable outfielder and known for his speed on the basepaths, he would be useful as a defensive sub and pinch runner. However, that position is pretty much filled by So Taguchi. On the other hand he would be a lefty coming off the bench. Magic 8 Ball: Outlook doubtful.
7. Cody McKay-Always nice to have a third catcher. Things can get ugly after just a few hard hits at home. Just ask Molina after Saturday's game. McKay impressed in Spring training, but what have you done for me lately? More than likely he'll make the cut.
   

-CJ

Great American Ballpark Bummer

I had a great time at the Great American Ballpark. I think that I might be able to say I had a good time. In the end though, I have to say I was bummed. Cardinals were snubbed by great pitching and super defending. Here are some of the highlights and some other thoughts:

• I didn't know that Cincinnati was Central Time. The Reds' home is just an hour and a half from my home near Lexington--which is Eastern Time. I was thrilled thinking I might catch some BP, but LaRussa cancelled it because of the evening flight. My wife had a huge headache--Lord bless her for coming. Did ever mention she is a Cubs fan? No? Well while we were in engaged I was flying home through Chicago and thought it would be funny if I got her a Cubs hat to wear while I wear all my Cardinals hats. Boy was that a mistake. She goes out of her way now to catch Cubs games on TV. I fear I may be sent to Purgatory a little longer for that one.
• If you told me before yesterday's game that the Cardinals would not reach second base all game I would have told you to shut up. Then I would probably have said something about how you know nothing of baseball. Then after the game I would have apologized to you. The Cardinals were dominated by the Reds. I guess they were due. We really have taken it to them this year. I am not pleased with the amount of close games lately. If Carpenter hdan't pitched so well himself I would have started ranting about how we need better pitching. But it has been our skinny hitting that has got me concerned as of late.
• Wow is that a beautiful stadium. Great view of the Ohio river. I was extremely dissapointed that the scoreboard was out for the entire game. Apparently a computer virus had accessed the system and they were attempting to fix it for the entire game. I feel for the slob who was downloading MP3's that got them in to that situation. Players kept wondering what inning it was.
• Shout out to the great Reds' fans of section 521, who tolerated having this outsider among them. Really great people there who were friendly and helpful. They cheered me on when I put on my rally cap in the ninth. Actually I think they were mocking me. That's what the problem was I waited till the 9th to put it on. I have never seen so many people go to the game and actually not watch the game. I think the scoreboard being out had something to do with it. 19,000 people at the game. A fourth of them were prolly Card's fans. 3,000 of the Reds' fans prolly left after the 7th. Otherwise the people of Cinci were great and I had a great time...except.
• Beer. $6 a pop. Not quite as pricey as our St. Louis brews but I witnessed one couple drop over $50 on booze. Can vendors tell someone, "You've had enough?" Might have been my imagination but there seemed to be more drinking than usual. I guess I might even drink a few if my team was 5 games below 500 and 3.3 Million games out of first.

-CJ

Pujols' Third Hit

• Fortunetly I don't have as much time as usually to spend on my post-- I get to spend the evening at the Great American Ballpark. I've never been to Cincinnati so I am quite excited.
• After a two-run homer and a double, Pujols lays down a great bunt to catch the Reds on their heels. I would love to see Barry Bonds lay down a bunt these days. Pujols' bunt single was the difference. At what point do you say, "Bonds gets a whole lot of walks, Pujols wins games." I think we are getting closer.
• Sanders should be back in the lineup, as he had padding on his elbow. Womack should be back as well.
• Looking closer at Cedendo's contract, the Mets might be picking up part of it. Anyone know where I might be able to track down this information?

-CJ

One of these Things is not Like the Other!

Ladies and Gentlemen! Here are some players and their salaries with less than 150 ABs for the 2004 season. (Players with significant injury time are excluded)

J. Macias-CHC-$75oK
T. Hollandsworth-CHC-$1M
A. Nunez-PIT-$625K
J. Offerman-MIN-$500K
J. Grabowski-LA-$301K
M. Sweeney-COL-$400K
Q. McCracken-ARI-$1.75M
T. Perez-PHI-$750K
V. Wilson-NYM-$715K
D. Berg-TOR-$800K
J. Carroll-MON-$310K
A. Nunez-KC-$300K
R. Gload-CHW-$302K
D. Brown-KC-$309.5K
J. McEwing-NYM-$500K
D. McCarty-BOS-$500K
D. Glanville-PHI-$550K
M. Ojeda-SD-$305K
R. Cedeno-STL-$5.375Million!!!

What are the Cardinals thinking?!?! Something has got to be done!
For a great article concerning Cedeno, go to: http://www.go-cardinals.org/ and check out the August 20 entry.

-CJ
Salaries from USAToday.com; Stats as of 8/25/2004