So I get this great email forwarded to me from Pat Breheny and he now finds himself responsible for a double posting in one day -- nice job!
I have to ask you all, what self respecting editor for Dyer Cardinal Nation could allow the season to start without some sweet quotes from Mr. Smooth Drinking Busch Beer Man himself? I can't think of a better way to wrap up Spring Training, so get ready and buckle up for a helluva "transition" year of Cardinal Baseball and so long for just awhile.
- andy
===
SHANNON-ISM: a collection of quotes from St. Louis Sportscaster Mike Shannon.
"A hit up the middle right now would be like a nice ham sandwich and a cold, frosty one."
"This big standing room only crowd is settling into their seats."
"It's raining like a Chinese fire drill!"
After Brian Jordan was hit by a pitch for the 4th time on a single road trip: "He must feel like a Ouija board."
(About former Cardinal Bernard Gilkey) "He was originally born in University City."
"He's faster than a chicken being chased by Ronald McDonald!"
(Referring to Mike Schmidt) "the longtime and soon-to-be Hall of Famer."
"He's madder than a pig caught under a barnyard gate."
(About a base stealer) "Sometimes when you feel the urge, you've just gotta go."
"This game is off to a rather conspicuous start, don't you think, Jack?"
"Well, folks, this game began as a tiny worm and is blossoming into a large cobra."
(About Hideo Nomo) "He's the biggest thing to hit Japan since they dropped that bomb on Nagashima!"
"That foul tip bounced up and caught him right in the groins...and that'll really clear your eyes out!"
"Back in the day when I played, a pitcher had 3 pitches: a fastball, a curveball, a slider, a changeup and a good sinker pitch."
(Broadcasting from New York under a full moon) "I wish you folks back in St. Louis could see this moon."
(On the day before Easter) "I just want to tell everyone Happy Easter and Happy Hanukkah."
(After a warning track fly ball) "A couple of strips of bacon at breakfast, and he'd a busted that baby outahere!"
"Things are not always as they appear to be as."
"I tell you, that same river flows the same way".
"Well, he did everything right to get ready for the throw, but if ya ain't got the hose, the water just won't come out."
"Like Spring makes the rains come, so does the edge of the plate grow."
"Our next home stand follows this road trip."
"I don't like that play. I've seen it go opposite more often than positive."
(Referring to a home run by Ted Simmons) "And that's the bread on Simmons' butter."
"The right-hander is throwing up in the bullpen."
During an Eli Marrero at bat, Mike Shannon makes mention that the Cardinals had a lot of Latin players on the team and that "they are a creditable people."
"If you're writing a thesis or something, you could finish it in a week or so if you were catching this guy."
"We'd like to say hello to all those folks listening in Monkey's Eyebrow, Kentucky."
"He ran to second faster than a cat in Chinatown."
"I wouldn't have seen it if I hadn't believed it."
Joe: "Mike, the Cardinals would like to welcome a group of 19 French foreign exchange students in section 382 today."
Mike: "Where they from Joe?"
Joe: "Uhhh... France... I think."
And Mike Shannon's classic: "Ol' Abner has done it again!"
"Oooh, that last pitch inside was a bit questionable and he'd like to say something to the umpire, but he won't say anything. At least not verbally."
"Boy, a frosty cold Budweiser would be great about now", long pause, then "aahhh".
"The wind has switched 360 degrees"
"The Dodgers are ahead by 5 runs or 3 runs or in between there somewhere."
"It was raining so hard I thought it was going to stop."
"This crowd on their feet for the Canadian Star Spangled Banner."
"Don't bite off your head to spite your nose."
"Horner's arguing, he wants an interference call against Cangeloni. Now Cangeloni's got something to say, but here comes Whitey to give a taste of his vocabulary, and it'll have extra mustard on it.
===
Friday, March 28, 2008
3/28: Ballpark Village, Cards Recap, Boom Goes the Dynamite
Ballpark Village is baseball fantasy
By Bill McClellan
03/28/2008
So the idea of a Village was a myth from the start. Originally, it was part of the Cardinal owners' plan to get as much public money as possible for the new stadium. They knew it would be a difficult sell for wealthy out-of-towners to ask the locals for public money for a new stadium when there was already a very nice stadium. Hence, the myth of a Ballpark Village with its fancy condos, bustling retail center, and flourishing restaurants. It would revitalize downtown.
Yes, just like St. Louis Centre did in 1985.
I think it's time to get our head out of the clouds and start thinking about what to do with that muddy mess that sits just north of the new stadium.
===
Cards wrap up their spring on positive swing
By Joe Strauss
03/28/2008
The Cardinals completed a remarkable Grapefruit League reversal Thursday at Roger Dean Stadium, defeating the Florida Marlins 2-0 on a combination five-hitter started by Lohse. A camp that appeared in chaos barely two weeks ago completed a 12-1-1 finishing kick that coincided exactly with general manager John Mozeliak's reaching terms March 13 with Lohse's agent, Scott Boras, on a one-year, $4.25 million deal.
"I don't think I've seen us lose since I got here," Lohse quipped after working five shutout innings. "I guess I'm a good luck charm. … Yeah, right."
For whatever it's worth, the Cardinals leave Florida with a 17-10-2 spring record. They did not allow more than five runs in any of the past 14 games, worked shutouts in two of the past three and outscored opponents 88-39 during the rush. Their 17 wins tie the record for most Grapefruit League victories since the club relocated to Roger Dean Stadium in 1998. The Redbirds have won 17 games four other springs at The Dean; each time, they reached the postseason.
===
Boom Goes the Dynamite
"I'm looking at a club that can win 90-plus games."
- Lou Piniella
My take: Oh Sweet Lou, you best pass after you puff, puff my friend...
ESPN.com reports San Francisco Giants team president Peter Magowan said the team wouldn't bring OF Barry Bonds back, even at a reduced rate. "No, not this team," Magowan said, standing along the first-base line of a ballpark where images of Bonds have been removed. "We're going in a new direction; that would not be going in a new direction. The time has come to turn the page."
My take: Hallelujah and so far my prayers of no team wanting to pick him up have been answered. I cannot even tell any of you how awesome it would be if all of MLB gave Barry the middle finger for 2008.
===
Y! experts peer into a crystal baseball
By Steve Henson, Tim Brown and Jeff Passan
PLAYOFFS
First round: Red Sox over Tigers; Indians over Mariners; Mets over Cubs; Brewers over Dodgers
ALCS: Indians over Red Sox
NLCS: Mets over Brewers
World Series: Mets over Indians
My take: These guys are calling for the year of the Met?! Good Lord have mercy on the free world if Pond Scum think they can take it all.
===
By Bill McClellan
03/28/2008
So the idea of a Village was a myth from the start. Originally, it was part of the Cardinal owners' plan to get as much public money as possible for the new stadium. They knew it would be a difficult sell for wealthy out-of-towners to ask the locals for public money for a new stadium when there was already a very nice stadium. Hence, the myth of a Ballpark Village with its fancy condos, bustling retail center, and flourishing restaurants. It would revitalize downtown.
Yes, just like St. Louis Centre did in 1985.
I think it's time to get our head out of the clouds and start thinking about what to do with that muddy mess that sits just north of the new stadium.
===
Cards wrap up their spring on positive swing
By Joe Strauss
03/28/2008
The Cardinals completed a remarkable Grapefruit League reversal Thursday at Roger Dean Stadium, defeating the Florida Marlins 2-0 on a combination five-hitter started by Lohse. A camp that appeared in chaos barely two weeks ago completed a 12-1-1 finishing kick that coincided exactly with general manager John Mozeliak's reaching terms March 13 with Lohse's agent, Scott Boras, on a one-year, $4.25 million deal.
"I don't think I've seen us lose since I got here," Lohse quipped after working five shutout innings. "I guess I'm a good luck charm. … Yeah, right."
For whatever it's worth, the Cardinals leave Florida with a 17-10-2 spring record. They did not allow more than five runs in any of the past 14 games, worked shutouts in two of the past three and outscored opponents 88-39 during the rush. Their 17 wins tie the record for most Grapefruit League victories since the club relocated to Roger Dean Stadium in 1998. The Redbirds have won 17 games four other springs at The Dean; each time, they reached the postseason.
===
Boom Goes the Dynamite
"I'm looking at a club that can win 90-plus games."
- Lou Piniella
My take: Oh Sweet Lou, you best pass after you puff, puff my friend...
ESPN.com reports San Francisco Giants team president Peter Magowan said the team wouldn't bring OF Barry Bonds back, even at a reduced rate. "No, not this team," Magowan said, standing along the first-base line of a ballpark where images of Bonds have been removed. "We're going in a new direction; that would not be going in a new direction. The time has come to turn the page."
My take: Hallelujah and so far my prayers of no team wanting to pick him up have been answered. I cannot even tell any of you how awesome it would be if all of MLB gave Barry the middle finger for 2008.
===
Y! experts peer into a crystal baseball
By Steve Henson, Tim Brown and Jeff Passan
PLAYOFFS
First round: Red Sox over Tigers; Indians over Mariners; Mets over Cubs; Brewers over Dodgers
ALCS: Indians over Red Sox
NLCS: Mets over Brewers
World Series: Mets over Indians
My take: These guys are calling for the year of the Met?! Good Lord have mercy on the free world if Pond Scum think they can take it all.
===
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
3/26: Reyes, Cards DL & Pitching
Reyes is likely to go to Memphis
By Joe Strauss
JUPITER, FLA. — If it was an audition for another club, Anthony Reyes' outing Tuesday against the Washington Nationals ranked as a success. If it was a last pitch for the Cardinals' season-opening rotation, better luck next time.
The only remaining question concerning Reyes is whether the Cardinals will option him to Class AAA Memphis or make him one of two long relievers, a move until now rejected by pitching coach Dave Duncan.
===
Cards DL seven, but not Ryan
By Derrick Goold
03/25/2008
JUPITER, Fla. — The Cardinals placed seven players Tuesday on the disabled list for the opening week of the regular season, but the list was noteworthy for who wasn’t on it as much as who was.
Brendan Ryan was not placed on the disabled list and the Cardinals believe that he could be ready for opening day despite the lost time because of soreness in his right rib cage.
“He’s feeling better,” GM John Mozeliak said. “Very encouraging.”
The seven players put on the disabled list were: RHP Chris Carpenter (elbow), LHP Mark Mulder (shoulder), RHP Matt Clement (shoulder), LHP Tyler Johnson (shoulder), RHP Joel Pineiro (shoulder), RHP Josh Kinney (elbow) and OF Juan Encarnacion (eye).
This afternoon offers our first clear understanding of when the injured pitchers are expected to return and in what order. The news: Mulder before Clement. “Oh there’s no doubt,” pitching coach Dave Duncan said today when that order of return was presented to him by reporters. “No doubt in my mind”
Both threw today and the results — or the opinion of the results — were difference enough that Mulder is showing he closer to the rotation than Clement.
* Pineiro — Needs about four/five more starts. Think of it as another spring training.
* Mulder — Soon to be scheduled for a game, then spring schedule and rehab assignment.
* Clement — Going to start year in extended spring. No target.
* Carpenter — Long ways from thinking hitters. No target.
My take: How is it possible that Clement is nowhere near starting? Wasn’t that part of the deal when the team brought him in, checked him out and put him on the roster to begin with –- to help the beginning of the season while we waited on Mulder and Carp?! This development really surprises me and is not cool at all.
===
By Joe Strauss
JUPITER, FLA. — If it was an audition for another club, Anthony Reyes' outing Tuesday against the Washington Nationals ranked as a success. If it was a last pitch for the Cardinals' season-opening rotation, better luck next time.
The only remaining question concerning Reyes is whether the Cardinals will option him to Class AAA Memphis or make him one of two long relievers, a move until now rejected by pitching coach Dave Duncan.
===
Cards DL seven, but not Ryan
By Derrick Goold
03/25/2008
JUPITER, Fla. — The Cardinals placed seven players Tuesday on the disabled list for the opening week of the regular season, but the list was noteworthy for who wasn’t on it as much as who was.
Brendan Ryan was not placed on the disabled list and the Cardinals believe that he could be ready for opening day despite the lost time because of soreness in his right rib cage.
“He’s feeling better,” GM John Mozeliak said. “Very encouraging.”
The seven players put on the disabled list were: RHP Chris Carpenter (elbow), LHP Mark Mulder (shoulder), RHP Matt Clement (shoulder), LHP Tyler Johnson (shoulder), RHP Joel Pineiro (shoulder), RHP Josh Kinney (elbow) and OF Juan Encarnacion (eye).
This afternoon offers our first clear understanding of when the injured pitchers are expected to return and in what order. The news: Mulder before Clement. “Oh there’s no doubt,” pitching coach Dave Duncan said today when that order of return was presented to him by reporters. “No doubt in my mind”
Both threw today and the results — or the opinion of the results — were difference enough that Mulder is showing he closer to the rotation than Clement.
* Pineiro — Needs about four/five more starts. Think of it as another spring training.
* Mulder — Soon to be scheduled for a game, then spring schedule and rehab assignment.
* Clement — Going to start year in extended spring. No target.
* Carpenter — Long ways from thinking hitters. No target.
My take: How is it possible that Clement is nowhere near starting? Wasn’t that part of the deal when the team brought him in, checked him out and put him on the roster to begin with –- to help the beginning of the season while we waited on Mulder and Carp?! This development really surprises me and is not cool at all.
===
Monday, March 24, 2008
3/24: Pujols, Izturis, McClellan, Mulder, Take 5
Pujols again is swinging a hot bat
By Rick Hummel
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
03/24/2008
PORT ST. LUCIE, FLA. — Albert Pujols is hitting .415, he has five home runs and he's slugging .830 this spring. This hardly is man bites dog material as Pujols does this sort of thing almost every spring and he's repeated it to a large degree in each of his previous seven big-league seasons.
"It wasn't my normal spring last spring, but I felt great," said Pujols. "The wind was blowing in a lot. But I think this is one of the best springs I've had in my career. I started seeing the ball good the first week of the spring, which is not normal. Now, I'm working on different things and I'm getting good results." Asked to amplify on those things, Pujols smiled and said, "Top secret. Can't tell you. Then the league is going to know what I'm working on."
===
Is Izturis solid, or isn't he?
By Derrick Goold
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
03/23/2008
JUPITER, Fla. — When it comes to his newest charge, shortstop Cesar Izturis, Cardinals coach Jose Oquendo sees more than an infielder caught awkwardly between when to charge and when to wait on a hop. Oquendo recognizes a player grappling with the role the Cardinals need him to play and the one he has been playing — an everyday infielder with an every-so-often routine.
That is what the Cardinals insist he will be.
Three seasons removed from a Gold Glove at the position, Izturis is still feeling for his footing at shortstop. Manager Tony La Russa vehemently insists Izturis has been strong defensively and the errors are not alarming. Izturis turns a double play better than any shortstop he has had in St. Louis, La Russa said. Izturis glides to the ball, has soft hands and a quick-draw release on his throws, La Russa said.
The shortstop has a more bottom-line view. Asked if he believes he has played well defensively, Izturis said: "No, not really."
===
McClellan appears to have made club
By Rick Hummel
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
03/24/2008
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — In October 2006, a young righthanded reliever made something of a name for himself by freezing New York Mets center fielder Carlos Beltran with a called third strike.
The locale Sunday was Tradition Field and not a league championship game in Shea Stadium, and the pitcher was not Adam Wainwright, but St. Louisan Kyle McClellan. The inning was the fifth and not the ninth, but the result was the same. McClellan froze Beltran with a called third strike to stop a Mets rally, and the Hazelwood West product took a giant step toward landing the final berth on the Cardinals' opening-day pitching staff.
===
St. Louis Cardinals starter Mark Mulder back to pitching after shoulder surgery
AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service
March 22, 2008
JUPITER, Fla. (AP) -Cardinals starter Mark Mulder took another positive step in his rehabilitation Saturday, facing hitters for the first time since undergoing shoulder surgery in September. Mulder threw batting practice to minor leaguers Oliver Marmol, Allen Craig and Daniel Descalso on a back field before the Cardinals game against the Twins. The left-hander threw 30 pitches.
"He made a bunch of big throws," manager Tony La Russa said. "Considering it's the first time out there against hitters it's even more impressive. "It's all coming together so far." Mulder was more pleased with the final 15 pitches.
"I came away very happy," he said. "If I would have thrown all of them the way I started I probably wouldn't have been real happy with it. The way I felt at the end, I was pleased with that."
The Cardinals remain hopeful Mulder can return to the rotation by early May.
===
Take 5: Why the Cards may not be as bad as feared
By Jeff Gordon
03/21/2008
...The Cardinals keep generating hints that they might not be nearly as bad as the general public fears. Here are Five Positive Signs from the last several days:
1. Against all odds, the temporary rotation is shaping up.
2. Adam Kennedy can hit! Kennedy seems to have relocated the stroke he had throughout his time with the Angels. After a slow start this spring, he pushed his batting average up to .349.
3. Rick Ankiel is going crazy. Ankiel’s spring training performance (.397, three homers, nine RBIs) has raised expectations. Could he fill the clean-up role against righthanded pitching, allowing newcomer Troy Glaus to hit in the more comfortable No. 5 slot?
4. Ron Villone is viable. In past springs, the Cards have seen an assortment of veteran lefties fail to impress Duncan. But Villone has posted a 1.17 ERA in six appearances, generating hope he could become a key bullpen component.
5. The organization finally has depth. The demise of Scott Spiezio and the inevitable breakdown of Juan Gonzalez chilled the competition for roster spots. In past springs, these unfortunate developments would have been major concerns. But this year the Cards will have plenty of help just a phone call away.
Will the Cards contend this season? Probably not. Will the Cards grow this season and become more solid as the year progresses? Probably so. This may not be one of the most exciting Cards teams ever, but it could become one of the more interesting.
===
By Rick Hummel
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
03/24/2008
PORT ST. LUCIE, FLA. — Albert Pujols is hitting .415, he has five home runs and he's slugging .830 this spring. This hardly is man bites dog material as Pujols does this sort of thing almost every spring and he's repeated it to a large degree in each of his previous seven big-league seasons.
"It wasn't my normal spring last spring, but I felt great," said Pujols. "The wind was blowing in a lot. But I think this is one of the best springs I've had in my career. I started seeing the ball good the first week of the spring, which is not normal. Now, I'm working on different things and I'm getting good results." Asked to amplify on those things, Pujols smiled and said, "Top secret. Can't tell you. Then the league is going to know what I'm working on."
===
Is Izturis solid, or isn't he?
By Derrick Goold
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
03/23/2008
JUPITER, Fla. — When it comes to his newest charge, shortstop Cesar Izturis, Cardinals coach Jose Oquendo sees more than an infielder caught awkwardly between when to charge and when to wait on a hop. Oquendo recognizes a player grappling with the role the Cardinals need him to play and the one he has been playing — an everyday infielder with an every-so-often routine.
That is what the Cardinals insist he will be.
Three seasons removed from a Gold Glove at the position, Izturis is still feeling for his footing at shortstop. Manager Tony La Russa vehemently insists Izturis has been strong defensively and the errors are not alarming. Izturis turns a double play better than any shortstop he has had in St. Louis, La Russa said. Izturis glides to the ball, has soft hands and a quick-draw release on his throws, La Russa said.
The shortstop has a more bottom-line view. Asked if he believes he has played well defensively, Izturis said: "No, not really."
===
McClellan appears to have made club
By Rick Hummel
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
03/24/2008
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — In October 2006, a young righthanded reliever made something of a name for himself by freezing New York Mets center fielder Carlos Beltran with a called third strike.
The locale Sunday was Tradition Field and not a league championship game in Shea Stadium, and the pitcher was not Adam Wainwright, but St. Louisan Kyle McClellan. The inning was the fifth and not the ninth, but the result was the same. McClellan froze Beltran with a called third strike to stop a Mets rally, and the Hazelwood West product took a giant step toward landing the final berth on the Cardinals' opening-day pitching staff.
===
St. Louis Cardinals starter Mark Mulder back to pitching after shoulder surgery
AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service
March 22, 2008
JUPITER, Fla. (AP) -Cardinals starter Mark Mulder took another positive step in his rehabilitation Saturday, facing hitters for the first time since undergoing shoulder surgery in September. Mulder threw batting practice to minor leaguers Oliver Marmol, Allen Craig and Daniel Descalso on a back field before the Cardinals game against the Twins. The left-hander threw 30 pitches.
"He made a bunch of big throws," manager Tony La Russa said. "Considering it's the first time out there against hitters it's even more impressive. "It's all coming together so far." Mulder was more pleased with the final 15 pitches.
"I came away very happy," he said. "If I would have thrown all of them the way I started I probably wouldn't have been real happy with it. The way I felt at the end, I was pleased with that."
The Cardinals remain hopeful Mulder can return to the rotation by early May.
===
Take 5: Why the Cards may not be as bad as feared
By Jeff Gordon
03/21/2008
...The Cardinals keep generating hints that they might not be nearly as bad as the general public fears. Here are Five Positive Signs from the last several days:
1. Against all odds, the temporary rotation is shaping up.
2. Adam Kennedy can hit! Kennedy seems to have relocated the stroke he had throughout his time with the Angels. After a slow start this spring, he pushed his batting average up to .349.
3. Rick Ankiel is going crazy. Ankiel’s spring training performance (.397, three homers, nine RBIs) has raised expectations. Could he fill the clean-up role against righthanded pitching, allowing newcomer Troy Glaus to hit in the more comfortable No. 5 slot?
4. Ron Villone is viable. In past springs, the Cards have seen an assortment of veteran lefties fail to impress Duncan. But Villone has posted a 1.17 ERA in six appearances, generating hope he could become a key bullpen component.
5. The organization finally has depth. The demise of Scott Spiezio and the inevitable breakdown of Juan Gonzalez chilled the competition for roster spots. In past springs, these unfortunate developments would have been major concerns. But this year the Cards will have plenty of help just a phone call away.
Will the Cards contend this season? Probably not. Will the Cards grow this season and become more solid as the year progresses? Probably so. This may not be one of the most exciting Cards teams ever, but it could become one of the more interesting.
===
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
3/18: Rasmus, Mather, Lohse, Ankiel, Editorial
Rasmus, Mather among 6 players sent to minors
By Derrick Goold
03/18/2008
JUPITER, FLA. — Top prospect Colby Rasmus and spring surprise Joe Mather were among six players sent to the Cardinals' minor leagues after Monday's game.
"All of these guys had real solid camps," general manager John Mozeliak said. "Not only did they open up a lot of eyes for our major-league staff, but I think they reinforced how a lot of us felt about them when we added them to the major-league roster.
"It wouldn't surprise me if I saw either one of them (this season) in St. Louis."
Rasmus, pitcher Clayton Mortensen and catcher Mark Johnson were reassigned to the minor-league spring training camp. Mather and pitchers Jason Motte and Mike Parisi were optioned to Class AAA. They will join the minors Wednesday.
===
Lohse's preparation pays off
By Derrick Goold
03/18/2008
JUPITER, FLA. — A man without a mound in early March, Kyle Lohse decided not to wait for spring training to come to him. He went to his own spring training.
In the weeks leading up to his signing with the Cardinals, Lohse replicated a spring schedule as best he could, and the results of his preparation were clear Monday. The newly acquired righthander threw 70 pitches and recorded 20 outs — the equivalent of 6 2/3 innings — in a simulated game.
"I was impressed," pitching coach Dave Duncan said. "(Monday) was a good test for him. He passed it as far as I'm concerned. It's obvious that he's been working."
===
Ankiel ready to provide protection?
By Joe Strauss
03/18/2008
On Monday, during prime time on the main field at Roger Dean Stadium, Rick Ankiel again suggested he is ready to provide protection rather than receive it.
More disciplined at the plate, and more comfortable addressing his station on the team, Ankiel extended his convincing spring with a two-run double in a 4-2 exhibition win over the Atlanta Braves.
"I'm doing pretty well, but I'm still eager to get more at-bats," said Ankiel, the Cardinals' leading hitter through 20 Grapefruit League games. "The more you get, the better your timing becomes. It's part of it."
===
Why we're not as bad as the pundits say
By Vic Amato
By Derrick Goold
03/18/2008
JUPITER, FLA. — Top prospect Colby Rasmus and spring surprise Joe Mather were among six players sent to the Cardinals' minor leagues after Monday's game.
"All of these guys had real solid camps," general manager John Mozeliak said. "Not only did they open up a lot of eyes for our major-league staff, but I think they reinforced how a lot of us felt about them when we added them to the major-league roster.
"It wouldn't surprise me if I saw either one of them (this season) in St. Louis."
Rasmus, pitcher Clayton Mortensen and catcher Mark Johnson were reassigned to the minor-league spring training camp. Mather and pitchers Jason Motte and Mike Parisi were optioned to Class AAA. They will join the minors Wednesday.
===
Lohse's preparation pays off
By Derrick Goold
03/18/2008
JUPITER, FLA. — A man without a mound in early March, Kyle Lohse decided not to wait for spring training to come to him. He went to his own spring training.
In the weeks leading up to his signing with the Cardinals, Lohse replicated a spring schedule as best he could, and the results of his preparation were clear Monday. The newly acquired righthander threw 70 pitches and recorded 20 outs — the equivalent of 6 2/3 innings — in a simulated game.
"I was impressed," pitching coach Dave Duncan said. "(Monday) was a good test for him. He passed it as far as I'm concerned. It's obvious that he's been working."
===
Ankiel ready to provide protection?
By Joe Strauss
03/18/2008
On Monday, during prime time on the main field at Roger Dean Stadium, Rick Ankiel again suggested he is ready to provide protection rather than receive it.
More disciplined at the plate, and more comfortable addressing his station on the team, Ankiel extended his convincing spring with a two-run double in a 4-2 exhibition win over the Atlanta Braves.
"I'm doing pretty well, but I'm still eager to get more at-bats," said Ankiel, the Cardinals' leading hitter through 20 Grapefruit League games. "The more you get, the better your timing becomes. It's part of it."
===
Why we're not as bad as the pundits say
By Vic Amato
- Iszturus is better defensively than Eck, even though he's rusty in the spring.
- Molina is a superior talent behind the plate and handles the pitchers well.
- Ankiel should be more at ease now that everyone but Elliot Spitzer was named in the Mitchell Report. He's a talent and he's at the prime hitting age.
- Colby Rasmus will make some impact this year when the time is right.
- Adam Kennedy was trying to adapt to a new league with a bum knee. He's a much better hitter than he displayed last year.
- Troy Glaus is a legitimate 5 hitter. Rolen and Fat Jimmy were no longer legitimate hitters in that spot.
- The bullpen is among the stronger in the game.
- Izzy is playing for his last contract.
- Lohse should take up at least 180 innings and be slightly over .500 -- just like Kip Wells was going to do. Just kidding... He'll be better than that. If they'd have signed Lohse in December, it would have gotten much better play in the press.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
3/13 : Mozeliak, Izturis, Pujo, Kinney, Carp, Jimenez
Cards Live with Mozeliak
Stltoday.com
3/12/08
A few decent questions from yesterday’s chat on stltoday.com:
Jeremy Landreth: I was really surprised when Larussa decided to sign another contract with us. The Cardinal's brass appear committed to developing players from within the organization. Larussa has always preferred veteran players. How were the two sides able to reconcile on these obvious differences in philosophy?
John Mozeliak: Tony is a HOF manager, but he does understand the direction we are going. You can become younger and still win, and I assure that's our goal to win. Honestly, Tony has been great to work with this off-season and I believe he is excited about our young players coming.
Brian B: With the shortage of reliable pitching available early, why the hesitation to sign someone like Kyle Lohse? I understand we are relying on Carpenter, Mulder, Clement, and now Piniero to get healthy. But wouldn't it be beneficial, as a team "in transition," to bulk up in this area and then trade for prospects with this surplus? And Aaron Miles? Really? Otherwise, I think everyone respects what you have done so far and everyone wishes you the best.
John Mozeliak: I feel everyone missed on the pitching market this year, as of today the only multi-year deal for a starter was Silva. The market was fluid and never reached what many believed would happen. As we sit here today teams are now looking to move their access pitching and there are still a few pitchers out there of interest. I will continue to explore both markets, based on the last few days we need to add depth.
With regard to Miles, he is well respected on this team and gives us great protection at SS/2B. He does have value!
B: Do you seriously think we can get to the playoffs this year with this rotation? Absolutely ridiculous....your the GM for the St. Louis Cardinals not the Kansas City Royals. Make something happen...ask DeWitt for more money. My summer is gonna be ruined.
John Mozeliak: Your summer will not be ruined, look at this way you get a chance to watch a rotation truly evolve. Consider the following addition each month. Clement, Mulder, and then finally Carpenter. But I get your point and will continue to look for ways to save your summer.
===
Will Izturis (or anybody) be the answer for the Cards?
By Jeff Gordon
03/13/2008
Cardinals manager Tony La Russa is encouraged by the progress Kennedy is making at the plate. And he remains a big Izturis fan, based largely on what he saw earlier in Cesar’s career.
So La Russa isn’t sweating Izturis’ poor offensive and defensive start this spring. “You just watch, he’s a real good looking fielder,” La Russa said. “He has great, quiet hands. He has an accurate arm. He’s very quick. Picks a ball up like it’s nothing. Very impressive.
“I liked him from the first time I saw him with the Dodgers. He is really fun to watch catch the ball. Offensively, he hasn’t had a big hitting spurt or anything like that, but he’s putting the ball in play. He’s working. He’s also shown, by the way, good legs. That’s an important part of the game.
My take: Well, well, well, I stand corrected. It appears that besides Adam, TLR loves Cesar. Zapple, not so sure about that All Star appearance though.
===
Cards Notes: Pujols excels with extra rest
By Derrick Goold
03/13/2008
JUPITER, FLA. — As planned, Albert Pujols has seen fewer at-bats in games this spring, but that hasn't slowed how he prepares his swing for the season.
Pujols is a believer that rest will tame the injury, which has been the same since 2003 but caused him discomfort late last season. "This is something that I will play by ear, and so far it's good," said Pujols, whose slugging percentage spiked to .926 after Wednesday's game. "I want to play the next 10, 15 years (without) needing surgery. I'm paid to play. If I can walk, I can run, and I'm going to go out there and play."
My take: Thanks Pujo, good to know that if you rest, you play better... I hear if you match Lotto numbers you win cash.
KINNEY'S ANNIVERSARY
Today is the one-year anniversary of Josh Kinney's elbow surgery, and he continues to grind steadily toward a return to games. Kinney threw 50 pitches from the mound Wednesday and said he "mixed in some breaking stuff. (But) didn't really let one loose." The standard recovery from Tommy John surgery like the procedure Kinney had is a year, but Kinney busted his elbow during rehab, setting him back a few months. He expects to throw a simulated game and face hitters before camp breaks.
"My arm feels good, strong," Kinney said. "There's still room to throw harder, but I don't feel like I'm throwing salad up there. For now, I'm where I want to be. A month from now, I hope to be better."
EXTRA BASES
Chris Carpenter continued progressing in his rehab from Tommy John surgery with a second light throwing session on the mound Wednesday. He said everything continues to "progress nicely" — his mantra this spring. … Clayton Mortensen, a 2007 draft pick, is confirmed as the starter for Friday's game against the LA Dodgers.
===
La Russa puts Jimenez on notice
By Derrick Goold
03/13/2008
JUPITER, Fla. -- Cardinals infielder D'Angelo Jimenez muffed a grounder and ended Wednesday's game by taking three strikes with runners on base.
He also drew the ire of Tony La Russa, who wants more from the veteran and nonroster infielder.
Jimenez, once a big-league starting shortstop, is hitting .077.
"He's a savvy player, but he needs to demonstrate it all the time, especially when he's trying to make an impression on an organization," the Cardinals' manager said.
"He has flashes of being a legitimate major leaguer and he shows flashes when he's struggling his (tail) off."
My take: He's still on the roster?!
Stltoday.com
3/12/08
A few decent questions from yesterday’s chat on stltoday.com:
Jeremy Landreth: I was really surprised when Larussa decided to sign another contract with us. The Cardinal's brass appear committed to developing players from within the organization. Larussa has always preferred veteran players. How were the two sides able to reconcile on these obvious differences in philosophy?
John Mozeliak: Tony is a HOF manager, but he does understand the direction we are going. You can become younger and still win, and I assure that's our goal to win. Honestly, Tony has been great to work with this off-season and I believe he is excited about our young players coming.
Brian B: With the shortage of reliable pitching available early, why the hesitation to sign someone like Kyle Lohse? I understand we are relying on Carpenter, Mulder, Clement, and now Piniero to get healthy. But wouldn't it be beneficial, as a team "in transition," to bulk up in this area and then trade for prospects with this surplus? And Aaron Miles? Really? Otherwise, I think everyone respects what you have done so far and everyone wishes you the best.
John Mozeliak: I feel everyone missed on the pitching market this year, as of today the only multi-year deal for a starter was Silva. The market was fluid and never reached what many believed would happen. As we sit here today teams are now looking to move their access pitching and there are still a few pitchers out there of interest. I will continue to explore both markets, based on the last few days we need to add depth.
With regard to Miles, he is well respected on this team and gives us great protection at SS/2B. He does have value!
B: Do you seriously think we can get to the playoffs this year with this rotation? Absolutely ridiculous....your the GM for the St. Louis Cardinals not the Kansas City Royals. Make something happen...ask DeWitt for more money. My summer is gonna be ruined.
John Mozeliak: Your summer will not be ruined, look at this way you get a chance to watch a rotation truly evolve. Consider the following addition each month. Clement, Mulder, and then finally Carpenter. But I get your point and will continue to look for ways to save your summer.
===
Will Izturis (or anybody) be the answer for the Cards?
By Jeff Gordon
03/13/2008
Cardinals manager Tony La Russa is encouraged by the progress Kennedy is making at the plate. And he remains a big Izturis fan, based largely on what he saw earlier in Cesar’s career.
So La Russa isn’t sweating Izturis’ poor offensive and defensive start this spring. “You just watch, he’s a real good looking fielder,” La Russa said. “He has great, quiet hands. He has an accurate arm. He’s very quick. Picks a ball up like it’s nothing. Very impressive.
“I liked him from the first time I saw him with the Dodgers. He is really fun to watch catch the ball. Offensively, he hasn’t had a big hitting spurt or anything like that, but he’s putting the ball in play. He’s working. He’s also shown, by the way, good legs. That’s an important part of the game.
My take: Well, well, well, I stand corrected. It appears that besides Adam, TLR loves Cesar. Zapple, not so sure about that All Star appearance though.
===
Cards Notes: Pujols excels with extra rest
By Derrick Goold
03/13/2008
JUPITER, FLA. — As planned, Albert Pujols has seen fewer at-bats in games this spring, but that hasn't slowed how he prepares his swing for the season.
Pujols is a believer that rest will tame the injury, which has been the same since 2003 but caused him discomfort late last season. "This is something that I will play by ear, and so far it's good," said Pujols, whose slugging percentage spiked to .926 after Wednesday's game. "I want to play the next 10, 15 years (without) needing surgery. I'm paid to play. If I can walk, I can run, and I'm going to go out there and play."
My take: Thanks Pujo, good to know that if you rest, you play better... I hear if you match Lotto numbers you win cash.
KINNEY'S ANNIVERSARY
Today is the one-year anniversary of Josh Kinney's elbow surgery, and he continues to grind steadily toward a return to games. Kinney threw 50 pitches from the mound Wednesday and said he "mixed in some breaking stuff. (But) didn't really let one loose." The standard recovery from Tommy John surgery like the procedure Kinney had is a year, but Kinney busted his elbow during rehab, setting him back a few months. He expects to throw a simulated game and face hitters before camp breaks.
"My arm feels good, strong," Kinney said. "There's still room to throw harder, but I don't feel like I'm throwing salad up there. For now, I'm where I want to be. A month from now, I hope to be better."
EXTRA BASES
Chris Carpenter continued progressing in his rehab from Tommy John surgery with a second light throwing session on the mound Wednesday. He said everything continues to "progress nicely" — his mantra this spring. … Clayton Mortensen, a 2007 draft pick, is confirmed as the starter for Friday's game against the LA Dodgers.
===
La Russa puts Jimenez on notice
By Derrick Goold
03/13/2008
JUPITER, Fla. -- Cardinals infielder D'Angelo Jimenez muffed a grounder and ended Wednesday's game by taking three strikes with runners on base.
He also drew the ire of Tony La Russa, who wants more from the veteran and nonroster infielder.
Jimenez, once a big-league starting shortstop, is hitting .077.
"He's a savvy player, but he needs to demonstrate it all the time, especially when he's trying to make an impression on an organization," the Cardinals' manager said.
"He has flashes of being a legitimate major leaguer and he shows flashes when he's struggling his (tail) off."
My take: He's still on the roster?!
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
3/12 : Lohse, Rasmus, Franklin, Edmonds
Cards seek help on the mound
By Joe Strauss
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
03/12/2008
Four days after Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak downplayed the club's search for additional starting pitching, the club reacted Tuesday to persistent questions about Joel Pineiro's right shoulder by inquiring about free agent Kyle Lohse.
My take: This guy is St. Louis Cardinal Prime Time Work In Progress™ material -- check out these '07 stats -- 192 innings pitched going 9-12 with a 4.62 ERA. With Scott Boras as his agent I can hardly wait to see what kind of $$$ he wants.
===
It's now or later for Rasmus
By Derrick Goold
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
03/12/2008
JUPITER, FLA. — Manager Tony La Russa said Colby Rasmus' batting average is only a small — and misleading — part of the numbers the outfielder has produced. Just like his numbers are only part of the decision whether he'll make the team.
Rasmus, the club's top prospect, is hitting .231, lagging behind the other outfielders vying for big-league jobs. But the real indicators of his spring are his .538 slugging percentage (fifth on the team) and .412 on-base percentage (third best among leadoff candidates).
===
Ryan Franklin displays his pitching resume
By Derrick Goold
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
03/12/2008
JUPITER, Fla.--Before he lets his throwing partner, Russ Springer, free to go about other business, Ryan Franklin has a ritual Springer could do without.
Franklin floats him a few knuckleballs.
"He throws me two or three every time," Springer said. "He's superstitious."
Good thing Franklin doesn't have the habit with all his pitches.
They'd be there awhile.
The Cardinals righthander reliever, who emerged as a shutdown setup man last season, came to the club primarily as a starter, one who had more than a half dozen pitches. Franklin has picked up a new pitch every few years or so, and he's working on another. Earlier this spring, Franklin talked about how he developed or used his unusually expansive array of pitches.
He has used all nine he has in a game. Even that knuckleball.
"It's mediocre at best," Springer said. "OK, he's got a good knuckleball, but why does he need it? He's already got seven pitches."
Or, something like that. But who's counting?
My take: That’s all well and good for 9 pitches but I’d settle for somebody that had 2 great pitches, about 200 innings in him and flirts in a low 3.0-ish ERA.
===
Padres CF : Jim Edmonds said his strained right calf felt "much better" on Saturday. He hurt it Thursday breaking out of the batter's box. "Yesterday I wasn't even able to walk straight ahead. So this is good news." Edmonds met Saturday with a team doctor, who confirmed that the 37-year-old player is expected to be out for 2-3 weeks. "We're just going to hope for the best," Edmonds said.
My take: This is an all time low for our former CF... You got hurt running out of the Batter’s Box? Dude, time to hang the cleats up if you get hurt running across a chalk line.
===
Welcome Back
A special Dyer Cardinal Nation shout out to my favorite beloved Cub-monkey fan Lori Peeples who's back in town from the Big Apple. In a questionable year of Cardinal baseball she will certainly provide entertainment value for those of us here at Switch:Liberate Your Brand.
By Joe Strauss
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
03/12/2008
Four days after Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak downplayed the club's search for additional starting pitching, the club reacted Tuesday to persistent questions about Joel Pineiro's right shoulder by inquiring about free agent Kyle Lohse.
My take: This guy is St. Louis Cardinal Prime Time Work In Progress™ material -- check out these '07 stats -- 192 innings pitched going 9-12 with a 4.62 ERA. With Scott Boras as his agent I can hardly wait to see what kind of $$$ he wants.
===
It's now or later for Rasmus
By Derrick Goold
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
03/12/2008
JUPITER, FLA. — Manager Tony La Russa said Colby Rasmus' batting average is only a small — and misleading — part of the numbers the outfielder has produced. Just like his numbers are only part of the decision whether he'll make the team.
Rasmus, the club's top prospect, is hitting .231, lagging behind the other outfielders vying for big-league jobs. But the real indicators of his spring are his .538 slugging percentage (fifth on the team) and .412 on-base percentage (third best among leadoff candidates).
===
Ryan Franklin displays his pitching resume
By Derrick Goold
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
03/12/2008
JUPITER, Fla.--Before he lets his throwing partner, Russ Springer, free to go about other business, Ryan Franklin has a ritual Springer could do without.
Franklin floats him a few knuckleballs.
"He throws me two or three every time," Springer said. "He's superstitious."
Good thing Franklin doesn't have the habit with all his pitches.
They'd be there awhile.
The Cardinals righthander reliever, who emerged as a shutdown setup man last season, came to the club primarily as a starter, one who had more than a half dozen pitches. Franklin has picked up a new pitch every few years or so, and he's working on another. Earlier this spring, Franklin talked about how he developed or used his unusually expansive array of pitches.
He has used all nine he has in a game. Even that knuckleball.
"It's mediocre at best," Springer said. "OK, he's got a good knuckleball, but why does he need it? He's already got seven pitches."
Or, something like that. But who's counting?
My take: That’s all well and good for 9 pitches but I’d settle for somebody that had 2 great pitches, about 200 innings in him and flirts in a low 3.0-ish ERA.
===
Padres CF : Jim Edmonds said his strained right calf felt "much better" on Saturday. He hurt it Thursday breaking out of the batter's box. "Yesterday I wasn't even able to walk straight ahead. So this is good news." Edmonds met Saturday with a team doctor, who confirmed that the 37-year-old player is expected to be out for 2-3 weeks. "We're just going to hope for the best," Edmonds said.
My take: This is an all time low for our former CF... You got hurt running out of the Batter’s Box? Dude, time to hang the cleats up if you get hurt running across a chalk line.
===
Welcome Back
A special Dyer Cardinal Nation shout out to my favorite beloved Cub-monkey fan Lori Peeples who's back in town from the Big Apple. In a questionable year of Cardinal baseball she will certainly provide entertainment value for those of us here at Switch:Liberate Your Brand.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
3/11 : Pineiro, Carp, Duncan, Barton, Misc
Pineiro delayed, return uncertain
By Derrick Goold
03/11/2008 9:13 am
JUPITER, Fla. — The Cardinals sent ailing righthander Joel Pineiro for a magnetic resonance imaging scan and the results showed no structural damage to his right shoulder. That answers one question for the Cardinals, but doesn’t put Pineiro back on the mound.
The Cardinals have taken Pineiro out of his scheduled start and do not know when he’ll next pitch, manager Tony La Russa said this morning. Anthony Reyes will start in Pineiro’s place Wednesday. They will continue to explore reasons and treatments for the recurring tightness in Pineiro’s shoulder.
My take: In a baseball world where you can never have enough pitching, why are we always so shallow on the mound?
===
As another pitcher falls, Carp climbs
By Derrick Goold
03/11/2008 1:59 pm
JUPITER, Fla. — Cardinals healing ace Chris Carpenter threw a light bullpen off the mound Monday, his first trip up the hill since his failed attempt to pitch through bone spurs last season.
Carpenter threw 20 pitches to a squatting catcher, and did so at slightly more than halfspeed. He joked this morning that he wasn’t lobbing the ball, but wasn’t really “firing it” either. Just as importantly, he came to the clubhouse Tuesday with no soreness or discomfort or swelling in the surgically repaired elbow.
“It was fun to get back out there,” Carpenter said. “I got the ball down real good. It had some pop at the end.”
My take: He can’t get back into this rotation fast enough as I don't think Miles can handle more than 25-30 innings of work this year.
===
Chris Duncan focuses on staying healthyBy Joe Strauss
03/11/2008
DUNCAN'S 2007 in Review
Chris Duncan opened last season on a tear but ended it hurt. A look at his production:
Before All-Star break
.288 avg 236 ab
16 hr 47 rbi
34 bb 68 so
After All-Star break
.209 avg 139 ab
5 hr 23 rbi
21 bb 55 so
Duncan, 26, figures as one of the Cardinals' primary production sources this season. As an important first step, he would love to go about his work uninterrupted.
Leaving him with intense discomfort in his lower left abdomen, a sports hernia and ensuing surgery abbreviated Duncan's '07 season.
My take: Stop screwing around as your time has come to buckle down and not look like a CYC 10 year old fielding the ball. We need you to focus as you'll probably be our starting First Baseman in early May for the rest of the 2008 season.
===
Record lags, but Cards see some encouraging signs
By Jeff Gordon
03/11/2008
...The Cards are pretty much on schedule, despite their 5-8 record in Grapefruit League play.
The spring hasn’t been totally smooth, of course. Albert Pujols is trying to play through a partially torn elbow ligament, an injury that may eventually require surgery. This is a big uncertainty hanging over the team. He believes he can manage the injury with treatment and additional rest, but . . .
The Scott Spiezio Fiasco punched a big hole into the Cards bench, since the club lost a switch-hitting infielder/outfielder with power. He was the team’s Troy Glaus insurance coming into the spring.
Shortstop Cesar Izturis has been the biggest disappointment. He has just two hits in 22 spring at-bats and his fielding has been dreadful. Second baseman Adam Kennedy started poorly as well, but he is starting to show a little life at the plate.
Tyler Johnson’s sore shoulder was another setback, since it compromised the team’s bullpen depth on the left side. The Cards were hoping he would take a step forward this spring, not a step back.
My take: Make sure your 6 point safety harness is buckled – this is a gonna be a helluva roller coaster ride this year.
===
Barton: Sudden impact
By Derrick Goold
03/10/2008
The Cardinals proclaimed surprise that they were able to snag Barton in the Rule 5 draft this winter. Cleveland left him off its 40-man roster less than a year after he was considered one of the Indians' elite prospects. The Cardinals were in search of youth and a righthanded bat and found both in Barton. His speed was just a bonus. It was also a question.
It's likely Barton slipped to the Cardinals in the Rule 5 draft because he was just coming off knee surgery to repair a condition that had caused him discomfort for several seasons.
In the dash for outfield playing time, Barton offers an element that few others do. Only two teams stole fewer bases than the Cardinals last season, and throughout the organization the Cardinals have a need for speed. At Class A and higher, they had only one player rank in his league's top 12 in steals — Rasmus. Barton's speed can change a game.
On Sunday, he drove a liner to the gap in right-center for a triple. Then he scored easily on a wild pitch that didn't leave the grass behind home plate. But La Russa lauded how he nearly beat out a grounder to third for an infield hit.
"That's one element of his game that is interesting to us," general manager John Mozeliak said.
Coder’s take: The Ronnie Belliard dreads are back in the house and he’s the new Twizzler.
===
Viva el Birdos author Larry Borowsky mines this nugget of gold from the history books:
In the last half-century, this franchise has recorded back-to-back losing seasons only once, in 1994-95 — the last year of Dal Maxvill’s reign as general manager, and the first year of Walt Jocketty’s.
My take: Ruh roh.
By Derrick Goold
03/11/2008 9:13 am
JUPITER, Fla. — The Cardinals sent ailing righthander Joel Pineiro for a magnetic resonance imaging scan and the results showed no structural damage to his right shoulder. That answers one question for the Cardinals, but doesn’t put Pineiro back on the mound.
The Cardinals have taken Pineiro out of his scheduled start and do not know when he’ll next pitch, manager Tony La Russa said this morning. Anthony Reyes will start in Pineiro’s place Wednesday. They will continue to explore reasons and treatments for the recurring tightness in Pineiro’s shoulder.
My take: In a baseball world where you can never have enough pitching, why are we always so shallow on the mound?
===
As another pitcher falls, Carp climbs
By Derrick Goold
03/11/2008 1:59 pm
JUPITER, Fla. — Cardinals healing ace Chris Carpenter threw a light bullpen off the mound Monday, his first trip up the hill since his failed attempt to pitch through bone spurs last season.
Carpenter threw 20 pitches to a squatting catcher, and did so at slightly more than halfspeed. He joked this morning that he wasn’t lobbing the ball, but wasn’t really “firing it” either. Just as importantly, he came to the clubhouse Tuesday with no soreness or discomfort or swelling in the surgically repaired elbow.
“It was fun to get back out there,” Carpenter said. “I got the ball down real good. It had some pop at the end.”
My take: He can’t get back into this rotation fast enough as I don't think Miles can handle more than 25-30 innings of work this year.
===
Chris Duncan focuses on staying healthy
03/11/2008
DUNCAN'S 2007 in Review
Chris Duncan opened last season on a tear but ended it hurt. A look at his production:
Before All-Star break
.288 avg 236 ab
16 hr 47 rbi
34 bb 68 so
After All-Star break
.209 avg 139 ab
5 hr 23 rbi
21 bb 55 so
Duncan, 26, figures as one of the Cardinals' primary production sources this season. As an important first step, he would love to go about his work uninterrupted.
Leaving him with intense discomfort in his lower left abdomen, a sports hernia and ensuing surgery abbreviated Duncan's '07 season.
My take: Stop screwing around as your time has come to buckle down and not look like a CYC 10 year old fielding the ball. We need you to focus as you'll probably be our starting First Baseman in early May for the rest of the 2008 season.
===
Record lags, but Cards see some encouraging signs
By Jeff Gordon
03/11/2008
...The Cards are pretty much on schedule, despite their 5-8 record in Grapefruit League play.
The spring hasn’t been totally smooth, of course. Albert Pujols is trying to play through a partially torn elbow ligament, an injury that may eventually require surgery. This is a big uncertainty hanging over the team. He believes he can manage the injury with treatment and additional rest, but . . .
The Scott Spiezio Fiasco punched a big hole into the Cards bench, since the club lost a switch-hitting infielder/outfielder with power. He was the team’s Troy Glaus insurance coming into the spring.
Shortstop Cesar Izturis has been the biggest disappointment. He has just two hits in 22 spring at-bats and his fielding has been dreadful. Second baseman Adam Kennedy started poorly as well, but he is starting to show a little life at the plate.
Tyler Johnson’s sore shoulder was another setback, since it compromised the team’s bullpen depth on the left side. The Cards were hoping he would take a step forward this spring, not a step back.
My take: Make sure your 6 point safety harness is buckled – this is a gonna be a helluva roller coaster ride this year.
===
Barton: Sudden impact
By Derrick Goold
03/10/2008
The Cardinals proclaimed surprise that they were able to snag Barton in the Rule 5 draft this winter. Cleveland left him off its 40-man roster less than a year after he was considered one of the Indians' elite prospects. The Cardinals were in search of youth and a righthanded bat and found both in Barton. His speed was just a bonus. It was also a question.
It's likely Barton slipped to the Cardinals in the Rule 5 draft because he was just coming off knee surgery to repair a condition that had caused him discomfort for several seasons.
In the dash for outfield playing time, Barton offers an element that few others do. Only two teams stole fewer bases than the Cardinals last season, and throughout the organization the Cardinals have a need for speed. At Class A and higher, they had only one player rank in his league's top 12 in steals — Rasmus. Barton's speed can change a game.
On Sunday, he drove a liner to the gap in right-center for a triple. Then he scored easily on a wild pitch that didn't leave the grass behind home plate. But La Russa lauded how he nearly beat out a grounder to third for an infield hit.
"That's one element of his game that is interesting to us," general manager John Mozeliak said.
Coder’s take: The Ronnie Belliard dreads are back in the house and he’s the new Twizzler.
===
Viva el Birdos author Larry Borowsky mines this nugget of gold from the history books:
In the last half-century, this franchise has recorded back-to-back losing seasons only once, in 1994-95 — the last year of Dal Maxvill’s reign as general manager, and the first year of Walt Jocketty’s.
My take: Ruh roh.
Thursday, March 06, 2008
3/6 : Schumaker, Johnson, TLR, Rolen
Quiet days in Cardinal Nation...
===
Leadoff spot is beckoning Schumaker
By Joe Strauss
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
03/06/2008
JUPITER, Fla. — Among the many job listings the new-look Cardinals posted entering spring training was for a leadoff hitter, a role long held by veteran infielders (Fernando Viña, Tony Womack, David Eckstein) but now thrown open in the aftermath of Eckstein's departure as a free agent.
One candidate is a 28-year-old outfielder with only 255 major-league at-bats but intimate familiarity with the role.
Schumaker's career has been one of purposeful advancement. He has never hit more than eight home runs in a professional season. The club never has rated him as one of its premium prospects, and his opportunities typically have arisen because of injuries to veteran outfielders. For perhaps the first time, Schumaker may be the right person in the right place at the right time.
"I've hit leadoff forever," he said. "I'm comfortable doing it. It's about getting on base ... pretty simple."
===
Johnson looks likely to start season on the disabled list
By Derrick Goold
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
03/06/2008
JUPITER, FLA. — Cardinals reliever Tyler Johnson is expected start the season on the disabled list, and he will have to be more diligent in his conditioning or risk a chronic shoulder problem, the team's doctor said.
===
La Russa resents focus on Cards named in report
By Joe Strauss
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
03/05/2008
JUPITER, Fla. -- Cardinals manager Tony La Russa reacted with some indignation to the focus placed on the five players in camp mentioned in last December’s Mitchell Report, including three acquired since its publication.
"There’s a lot of freshness here and a lot of opportunity in this camp," La Russa said. "And I do resent the implication that some of the guys on this club who were mentioned are not good guys.
"Overall, this is definitely not a haven for guys (who used performance-enhancing drugs). Just because somebody makes one mistake in their career doesn’t make them a bad guy or a bad teammate.
"If a guy demonstrates during his career that he’s a good competitor and a good teammate, I don’t think one mistake means he should be . . . ostracized. I believe the guys here are good competitors and good teammates."
La Russa expected his willingness to acquire controversial free agent slugger Barry Bonds to attract media blowback, but thought that the insinuations made about the club’s embrace of Rick Ankiel, Ryan Franklin Troy Glaus, Juan Gonzalez and Ron Villone — all of whom were cited by Mitchell’s investigation — bordered on self-serving.
Aware that some within the industry have taken a harder stance, even professing to have no interest in suspected users of HGH or steroids, La Russa alleged hypocrisy.
"Are you telling me that those people truly believe they have no one within their organization who may be involved?" said La Russa, very mindful of recent comments by Colorado Rockies GM Dan O’Dowd that he would never acquire a player linked to the scandal. "I have a real hard time with that one."
In Their Own Words...
"I actually don't feel like I have a problem playing for managers, [With my] history, people might think otherwise. I don't think I'm necessarily an overly difficult person to get along with. I want to show up and be accountable and do the job to the best of my ability." -- Scott Rolen
===
Leadoff spot is beckoning Schumaker
By Joe Strauss
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
03/06/2008
JUPITER, Fla. — Among the many job listings the new-look Cardinals posted entering spring training was for a leadoff hitter, a role long held by veteran infielders (Fernando Viña, Tony Womack, David Eckstein) but now thrown open in the aftermath of Eckstein's departure as a free agent.
One candidate is a 28-year-old outfielder with only 255 major-league at-bats but intimate familiarity with the role.
Schumaker's career has been one of purposeful advancement. He has never hit more than eight home runs in a professional season. The club never has rated him as one of its premium prospects, and his opportunities typically have arisen because of injuries to veteran outfielders. For perhaps the first time, Schumaker may be the right person in the right place at the right time.
"I've hit leadoff forever," he said. "I'm comfortable doing it. It's about getting on base ... pretty simple."
===
Johnson looks likely to start season on the disabled list
By Derrick Goold
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
03/06/2008
JUPITER, FLA. — Cardinals reliever Tyler Johnson is expected start the season on the disabled list, and he will have to be more diligent in his conditioning or risk a chronic shoulder problem, the team's doctor said.
===
La Russa resents focus on Cards named in report
By Joe Strauss
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
03/05/2008
JUPITER, Fla. -- Cardinals manager Tony La Russa reacted with some indignation to the focus placed on the five players in camp mentioned in last December’s Mitchell Report, including three acquired since its publication.
"There’s a lot of freshness here and a lot of opportunity in this camp," La Russa said. "And I do resent the implication that some of the guys on this club who were mentioned are not good guys.
"Overall, this is definitely not a haven for guys (who used performance-enhancing drugs). Just because somebody makes one mistake in their career doesn’t make them a bad guy or a bad teammate.
"If a guy demonstrates during his career that he’s a good competitor and a good teammate, I don’t think one mistake means he should be . . . ostracized. I believe the guys here are good competitors and good teammates."
La Russa expected his willingness to acquire controversial free agent slugger Barry Bonds to attract media blowback, but thought that the insinuations made about the club’s embrace of Rick Ankiel, Ryan Franklin Troy Glaus, Juan Gonzalez and Ron Villone — all of whom were cited by Mitchell’s investigation — bordered on self-serving.
Aware that some within the industry have taken a harder stance, even professing to have no interest in suspected users of HGH or steroids, La Russa alleged hypocrisy.
"Are you telling me that those people truly believe they have no one within their organization who may be involved?" said La Russa, very mindful of recent comments by Colorado Rockies GM Dan O’Dowd that he would never acquire a player linked to the scandal. "I have a real hard time with that one."
In Their Own Words...
"I actually don't feel like I have a problem playing for managers, [With my] history, people might think otherwise. I don't think I'm necessarily an overly difficult person to get along with. I want to show up and be accountable and do the job to the best of my ability." -- Scott Rolen
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
3/4: Buck, Looper, Selig, 'Roids in STL
Run of Bucks broadcasting Cardinals comes to an end
By Dan Caesar
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
03/04/2008
For the first time since 1960, there won't be a Buck in a Cardinals broadcast booth this year.
Joe Buck, who had been doing the play-by-play for a few Redbirds games on FSN Midwest in recent seasons, has decided not to return in order to enjoy himself at the ballpark in a nonworking capacity.
"It's nothing more than it feels like it's time to make that change and to concentrate on some other things and basically go to Cardinals games as a fan,'' he said Monday night. "I'm a fan, and I love to go down there with my wife and two daughters. The fun of that now is more appealing than anything to me.''
My take: Say it ‘aint so Joe!
===
Looper's sinker is solid in defeat
By Rick Hummel
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
03/04/2008
VIERA, Fla. — Righthander Braden Looper pitched more than effectively in his first outing of the spring, though he was the losing pitcher in a 3-2 setback Monday against the Washington Nationals. Looper, throwing his sinkerball an estimated 80 percent of the time, recorded seven ground-ball outs and gave up just three hits and one run in three innings.
Looper, one of the few assured of being in the Cardinals' rotation in the first week of the season, threw 24 strikes out of 36 pitches. But then, isn't Looper always good in the daytime?
Last year, his first as a starter, Looper, 33, was 7-1 with a National League-best 1.69 earned run average in 10 daytime starts. By contrast, he was 5-11 and 6.75 in 20 nighttime starts.
My take: Awesome. We'll have special daytime pitchers and special evening hurlers... that's swell.
===
Selig: There's no ban on Bonds
Also tells Astros it's up to them about Rocket in camp
Associated Press ©2008
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) -- Bud Selig says he isn't trying to keep Barry Bonds out of baseball, and the commissioner told the Houston Astros it's up to them whether to have Roger Clemens in their spring training camp.
Selig made the comments in an informal meeting Saturday with reporters at Scottsdale Stadium, where the San Francisco Giants played the Oakland Athletics.
"Every club is free to do whatever they want with whom," said Selig, adding that he had not read Bonds' grand jury testimony that was ordered released by a judge on Friday.
When asked if it was appropriate for Clemens to be in Astros camp, Selig said: "I have said to (owner) Drayton McLane and the Houston club that that's a decision they have to make."
My take: Holy shitake mushrooms, what’s this?! Selig being non committal? I’m so shocked I may go lie down.
===
Cardinals deny being lax on 'roids
By Joe Strauss
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
03/04/2008
This spring, the Cardinals are being examined, and in some cases criticized, for leading in another category: active players implicated in former Sen. George Mitchell's report in December to Major League Baseball. Cardinals chairman Bill DeWitt insists the organization is not "permissive" about the presence of performance-enhancing drugs within the game but is ready to "move ahead" rather than fixate on findings that may or may not have been independently corroborated.
My take: Remember this Cardinal Nation: TLR asked management less than a month ago -- for the second year in a row -- if we could pursue Bonds. To quote Forrest, Forrest Gump, that’s all I have to say about that.
By Dan Caesar
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
03/04/2008
For the first time since 1960, there won't be a Buck in a Cardinals broadcast booth this year.
Joe Buck, who had been doing the play-by-play for a few Redbirds games on FSN Midwest in recent seasons, has decided not to return in order to enjoy himself at the ballpark in a nonworking capacity.
"It's nothing more than it feels like it's time to make that change and to concentrate on some other things and basically go to Cardinals games as a fan,'' he said Monday night. "I'm a fan, and I love to go down there with my wife and two daughters. The fun of that now is more appealing than anything to me.''
My take: Say it ‘aint so Joe!
===
Looper's sinker is solid in defeat
By Rick Hummel
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
03/04/2008
VIERA, Fla. — Righthander Braden Looper pitched more than effectively in his first outing of the spring, though he was the losing pitcher in a 3-2 setback Monday against the Washington Nationals. Looper, throwing his sinkerball an estimated 80 percent of the time, recorded seven ground-ball outs and gave up just three hits and one run in three innings.
Looper, one of the few assured of being in the Cardinals' rotation in the first week of the season, threw 24 strikes out of 36 pitches. But then, isn't Looper always good in the daytime?
Last year, his first as a starter, Looper, 33, was 7-1 with a National League-best 1.69 earned run average in 10 daytime starts. By contrast, he was 5-11 and 6.75 in 20 nighttime starts.
My take: Awesome. We'll have special daytime pitchers and special evening hurlers... that's swell.
===
Selig: There's no ban on Bonds
Also tells Astros it's up to them about Rocket in camp
Associated Press ©2008
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) -- Bud Selig says he isn't trying to keep Barry Bonds out of baseball, and the commissioner told the Houston Astros it's up to them whether to have Roger Clemens in their spring training camp.
Selig made the comments in an informal meeting Saturday with reporters at Scottsdale Stadium, where the San Francisco Giants played the Oakland Athletics.
"Every club is free to do whatever they want with whom," said Selig, adding that he had not read Bonds' grand jury testimony that was ordered released by a judge on Friday.
When asked if it was appropriate for Clemens to be in Astros camp, Selig said: "I have said to (owner) Drayton McLane and the Houston club that that's a decision they have to make."
My take: Holy shitake mushrooms, what’s this?! Selig being non committal? I’m so shocked I may go lie down.
===
Cardinals deny being lax on 'roids
By Joe Strauss
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
03/04/2008
This spring, the Cardinals are being examined, and in some cases criticized, for leading in another category: active players implicated in former Sen. George Mitchell's report in December to Major League Baseball. Cardinals chairman Bill DeWitt insists the organization is not "permissive" about the presence of performance-enhancing drugs within the game but is ready to "move ahead" rather than fixate on findings that may or may not have been independently corroborated.
My take: Remember this Cardinal Nation: TLR asked management less than a month ago -- for the second year in a row -- if we could pursue Bonds. To quote Forrest, Forrest Gump, that’s all I have to say about that.
Monday, March 03, 2008
3/3: Pujols, Rasmus, Simmons, Ponson, Johnson
Pujols sounds off
By Joe Strauss
03/03/2008
"It's hard to walk in here and not see people like Jimmy, Eckstein and Rolen. But at the same time you get excited to see the young kids here who want to play the game and learn," Pujols said. "We don't have that many veteran guys even though we have a veteran bullpen. We have guys like myself, (nonroster outfielder Juan) Gonzalez and Molina. We'll help these guys like Mike Matheny, (Edgar) Renteria and (Mark) McGwire helped me in 2001.
"I still remember Darryl Kile saying, 'I'm doing this for you because you will do it for others.' That's what I'm doing."
My take: Nice nod to DK Pujo!
===
Cards Notebook: Rasmus reaches (again)
By Derrick Goold
02/29/2008
Colby Rasmus, the Cardinals' top prospect, entered Thursday's game as a pinch runner for Albert Pujols — not that he's had any trouble reaching base on his own.
Including the exhibition against St. Louis University, Rasmus has reached base in his first six plate appearances. He doubled and walked Thursday, and he's three for three with three walks and four runs scored.
"If spring training ended tomorrow," La Russa said, grinning, "he'd have a hell of a shot."
My take: I am anxious like you all to see how this kid plays. Thanks for the email on Friday Zapple, it's still newsworthy even this week.
===
After 20 years, Ted Simmons suits up one more time
By Rick Hummel
03/03/2008
MARYVALE, Ariz. — It's not that Ted Simmons, probably the Cardinals' greatest catcher of all time, had been away from baseball after he retired from the Atlanta Braves in 1988. In fact, he had done a little of everything.
But now, at age 58, he has taken the highly unusual step of putting on a uniform for the first time in 20 years. He signed on as the Milwaukee Brewers' bench coach, where he will assist manager Ned Yost, who was soaking up knowledge from Simmons 25 years ago as the backup catcher on a Milwaukee team where Simmons was a star.
My take: Say it ain’t so Simmons... The flippin’ Brewers?!
===
Notebook: Ponson reappears
By Derrick Goold
03/03/2008
JUPITER, Fla. -- The Cardinals will lend former pitcher Sidney Ponson a place and a mound to throw for scouts Thursday at lunchtime.
Ponson, who made 13 starts for the Cardinals in 2006, is said to have slimmed down to 245 pounds and cranked up his fastball to 91 mph.
Because he'll be on their spring-training campus, the Cardinals will have scouts in attendance, and they are interested is seeing what he has. "Just keep an open mind," manager Tony La Russa said.
My take: I swore I saw Ponson working at Taco Bell last week...
===
Concern for reliever Johnson
By Derrick Goold
03/03/2008
Lefthanded reliever Tyler Johnson will have an MRI taken of his left shoulder today to determine if there is an injury. Johnson stopped throwing during his warm-up for Saturday's game because of tightness and soreness in the shoulder.
Johnson came to spring training in good throwing shape, coaches say, but they were not as pleased with his overall conditioning. La Russa said the lefty had been ill. The manager said given those factors, a shoulder problem was "not a big surprise."
My take: Do we get a group discount for MRI’s or do we have a punch card that every 10th one is free?
By Joe Strauss
03/03/2008
"It's hard to walk in here and not see people like Jimmy, Eckstein and Rolen. But at the same time you get excited to see the young kids here who want to play the game and learn," Pujols said. "We don't have that many veteran guys even though we have a veteran bullpen. We have guys like myself, (nonroster outfielder Juan) Gonzalez and Molina. We'll help these guys like Mike Matheny, (Edgar) Renteria and (Mark) McGwire helped me in 2001.
"I still remember Darryl Kile saying, 'I'm doing this for you because you will do it for others.' That's what I'm doing."
My take: Nice nod to DK Pujo!
===
Cards Notebook: Rasmus reaches (again)
By Derrick Goold
02/29/2008
Colby Rasmus, the Cardinals' top prospect, entered Thursday's game as a pinch runner for Albert Pujols — not that he's had any trouble reaching base on his own.
Including the exhibition against St. Louis University, Rasmus has reached base in his first six plate appearances. He doubled and walked Thursday, and he's three for three with three walks and four runs scored.
"If spring training ended tomorrow," La Russa said, grinning, "he'd have a hell of a shot."
My take: I am anxious like you all to see how this kid plays. Thanks for the email on Friday Zapple, it's still newsworthy even this week.
===
After 20 years, Ted Simmons suits up one more time
By Rick Hummel
03/03/2008
MARYVALE, Ariz. — It's not that Ted Simmons, probably the Cardinals' greatest catcher of all time, had been away from baseball after he retired from the Atlanta Braves in 1988. In fact, he had done a little of everything.
But now, at age 58, he has taken the highly unusual step of putting on a uniform for the first time in 20 years. He signed on as the Milwaukee Brewers' bench coach, where he will assist manager Ned Yost, who was soaking up knowledge from Simmons 25 years ago as the backup catcher on a Milwaukee team where Simmons was a star.
My take: Say it ain’t so Simmons... The flippin’ Brewers?!
===
Notebook: Ponson reappears
By Derrick Goold
03/03/2008
JUPITER, Fla. -- The Cardinals will lend former pitcher Sidney Ponson a place and a mound to throw for scouts Thursday at lunchtime.
Ponson, who made 13 starts for the Cardinals in 2006, is said to have slimmed down to 245 pounds and cranked up his fastball to 91 mph.
Because he'll be on their spring-training campus, the Cardinals will have scouts in attendance, and they are interested is seeing what he has. "Just keep an open mind," manager Tony La Russa said.
My take: I swore I saw Ponson working at Taco Bell last week...
===
Concern for reliever Johnson
By Derrick Goold
03/03/2008
Lefthanded reliever Tyler Johnson will have an MRI taken of his left shoulder today to determine if there is an injury. Johnson stopped throwing during his warm-up for Saturday's game because of tightness and soreness in the shoulder.
Johnson came to spring training in good throwing shape, coaches say, but they were not as pleased with his overall conditioning. La Russa said the lefty had been ill. The manager said given those factors, a shoulder problem was "not a big surprise."
My take: Do we get a group discount for MRI’s or do we have a punch card that every 10th one is free?
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