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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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