On the Cardinals
September 25th, 2006A friend of mine and fellow Cardinals fan sent me an e-mail earlier today:
You going to put a post up on the sweep of the Cardinals? I mean, how low can they go? Are they going to pull this off?
Just wondering…
My response:
I am so STINKING SICK of the Cardinals that I may not post about them again this year. Seriously, I’m tired of talking about them. I don’t know what it is about this team, but I simply have not enjoyed watching them play this year. They are playing uninspired baseball and they’re boring. Sometimes, I think I’d rather watch NASCAR.
OK, so maybe that’s going too far, but you get the picture.
Will they pull this off? I honestly have no idea. My inclination is that they’ll win the division and lose in the first round of the playoffs. Of course, since I think that, they’ll probably end up catching fire and winning it all.
I also wouldn’t be a bit surprised if the Astros manage to come back and take the division title.
I agree completely. Their winning the division will only postpone the inevitable. It’s not like they’re going anywhere in the postseason.
NASCAR? The Cardinals have NEVER fielded a team that’s that bad. NASCAR…..I don’t even know you anymore, Tim.
Tony —
“OK, so maybe that’s going too far …”
Give me a little credit, my man.
Okay, you’re right. But I thought I was having that recurring dream I have after the combo plate at El Cheapo Mexicana (the one with the green taco meat).
And can anybody tell me the last time Scott Rolen got a clutch hit?
Anybody?
Bueller?
It was back when Marquis had two good starts in a row and Izzy had two saved games in a row and when Larussa went a week without bonehead pitching or pinching decisions. Yea.
If it makes you feel any better, those of us in the land of the Braves feel pretty much the same way. Maybe that’s why I was so excited for football season.
It makes you wonder if it’s time for a completely new coaching staff in STL. Not to mention it’s time for Bill DeWitt and the other owners to decide if they are going to be players for the World Series every year, or if they are content with mediocrity, because that’s where they are at the present time.
Cut the cords now. LaRussa and staff must go. Then you have players who either will leave as free agents, or must go by trade or release. Such as:
*Edmonds
*Belliard
*Marquis
*Suppan
*Isringhausen
*take your pick of most of the bullpen
It’s just sad that the building of a new ballpark in STL is going the same way that similar projects in Milwaukee and Pittsburgh did. Gleaming new stadium, bad/mediocre team. And never forget, DeWitt & Co. are responsible for $340 million as their financial obligation for the new stadium. So they sign 4th & 5th tier free agents, the farm system is at a low point, and we see that a $94 million payroll, even in STL, doesn’t guarantee a great ballclub.
At this writing the Cards are 80-75. I really wonder whether they will finish at or above .500 on October 1. It is also interesting to wonder if the recent rainout with the Giants will, indeed, need to be made up if it has playoff repercussions.
Welcome to my world.
Zoner
Lot of spoiled people here.
I remember shuddering during the off-season when the Cardinals let Matt Morris go. He’s never going to be a No. 1 or even 2 starter again, but I think he provided a lot of the heart and soul of the Cardinals for a number of years.
They don’t have anyone now that comes close to Morris’ leadership in the clubhouse, i.e., the simmering anger and fierce determination that every team needs. Pujols is obviously great, but he’s not a leader, nor are Rolen, Edmonds, or Izzy. That’s why they’re so uninspired: they have no soul.
Tactically, they’re weak up the middle, too. Letting Gruz go was another mistake, Molina is an adequate catcher but can’t hit his weight, and the human-highlight-reel - Edmonds - spends too much time on the DL. Duncan maybe be a leader one day, but’s he’s not there now.
Firing the coaches is always appealing as a quick fix but, given the personnel Tony’s had this year, it’s amazing that the Cardinals even have a chance at winning the division. He’s made bad decisions, of course, but he’s still considered one of the best minds in baseball and one of the premier managers.
(Obviously, I’m not sick of talking about the Cardinals.)
Regardless of what happens in the postseason - even if they win it all - there needs to be a major overhaul during the off-season. Jockety will pull it off, I hope, but maybe we shouldn’t shoot the wounded - this year’s team - just yet.
BTW & FWIW, I’ve been a Cardinal fan for 45 years. I’ve seen bad teams and bad years. This team is not bad and this is not a bad year. This team just doesn’t have a winning personality (read: killer instinct) yet.
Go ‘Stros!!! at least if the ’stros make the playoffs, Lidge won’t have to worry ’bout Uncle Albert
NASCAR racin’ has been good of late, I might add. Lots of down to the wire, surprise victories in the race to this year’s Chase for the Cup.
And the Detroit Tigers are going all the way this year. Unless, of course, they get beat.
Laz says:
“Go ‘Stros!!!”
Now there’s a horrible thought.
I like the personnel of Houston - well, except for Morgan Ensberg, who I just want to smack - but the fans in Houston are fans of winning, not baseball. I’ve been to more than a few games, both in the ‘Dome and EnronMaid Park, and it has amazed me that future Hall of Fame players on the opposing team get booed when they come to bat. Houston fans don’t understand baseball, have no sense of history, and just don’t appreciate greatness wherever it is found.
When Tony Gwynn got his 3,000th hit at old Busch Stadium in 1998 - which put the Padres ahead by two at the time - what did the St. Louis Cardinal fans do? They gave him a standing ovation and the game was stopped for 10-15 minutes to celebrate his achievement. Do you honestly think the fans in Houston would have done the same? No way. Ask Billy Wagner.
It is hard for me, loving baseball as I do and living in the shadows of Houston, to sit next to people who don’t respect the game. I like most of the players, as I said, but who wants to be identified as an Astros fan?
Not me. Nothing personal towards you, Laz, for you may be a rare exception. But I’m not joining that baseball-challenged, football-jersey-wearing party anytime soon.
dr. mike, totally with you man… every game I’ve been to at minute maid has been in exercise in patience and self-control, towards who? towards the scores and flocks of soccer moms yakking it up on their cell phones during the stinkin’ game!
you would be correct in saying that houston sports fans are about as fairweather as they come, and will jump off the wagon before you can say “is it off or on the wagon”?
but I don’t root for the ’stros because of the fans I root because of the team, my mlb team since ‘86 regardless of how crappy they are, they’re still my team. I can’t get with the texans yet (some of their decisions haven’t helped i’m sure), i’m still sad about the oilers leaving (i know i have issues)…
First, to make this comment, I am having to pause in my long groan. As soon as I hit “Submit Comment” I will resume my groan.
A few points:
1) The Cardinals have been at the top of the Central Division almost the entire year. That is a good year. It shows how high our expectations have become that we are calling it a down year if we don’t run away with the division and win 100+ games. Zoner would LOVE to trade places with us.
2) LaRussa, as frustrated as I get with him at times, has done a remarkable job to manage the hand he’s been dealt to stay at the top of the division so long. If the Cards had the Houston starting rotation, we would have run away with the division. Period. Managers are like the sound guy at church. No one notices you much about you unless a mistake (and in baseball that is examined almost always after a loss only).
3) One stud hitter (Pujols) and one stud pitcher (Carpenter) a World Series will not win. If they limp into the playoffs, expect an early exit. The Cards just don’t have the horses.
4) I blame the ownership, not the management. DeWitt and Co. are geniuses so far. A new stadium, a declining payroll. Perhaps the most loyal fanbase. We’re in the money!
Amen Brett. To endure a season the Cardinals have had this year and still be in position to win the division says a lot. I am glad that Cardinal fans have such high expectations though. Once we lower them then we’ll be the Cubs.