Ihnen wrote:Q: Which comes first: A) Cards win the World Series, B) BPV is completed.
A:
Ouch. I hope you're being optimistic about the Cards.
Ouch. I hope you're being optimistic about the Cards.
1. Pujols should be the MVP. Why? If people are now saying the Cardinals had no business being in 1st place as they have been, then where would they be without the 25+ game winning RBI that Pujols has this season (leads MLB).
2. The Cardinals need to get a friggin clue and start building a team AROUND Pujols. Man, I love that Phillies lineup with Utley, Rollins, Howard, etc. Each of them brings something unique...avg, power, speed. Our lineup is good on paper but right now it just doesn't work. There is just something missing from the team. Maybe it's the clubhouse chemistry/fun like they had with Reggie Sanders (which was stupid to let him go) and Larry Walker. Hell, just find a really funny player that everyone loves and bring him in just for that sake.
3. Time for ownership to suck it up and build a team for the postseason. If the freakin' Florida Marlins can win two WS in the past 6 years then damnit, so should the Cardinals. The Cardinals have a large enough fan base to be able to spend some extra money and make it up through various revenue streams.
2. The Cardinals need to get a friggin clue and start building a team AROUND Pujols. Man, I love that Phillies lineup with Utley, Rollins, Howard, etc. Each of them brings something unique...avg, power, speed. Our lineup is good on paper but right now it just doesn't work. There is just something missing from the team. Maybe it's the clubhouse chemistry/fun like they had with Reggie Sanders (which was stupid to let him go) and Larry Walker. Hell, just find a really funny player that everyone loves and bring him in just for that sake.
3. Time for ownership to suck it up and build a team for the postseason. If the freakin' Florida Marlins can win two WS in the past 6 years then damnit, so should the Cardinals. The Cardinals have a large enough fan base to be able to spend some extra money and make it up through various revenue streams.
When I was at the game last night, I found myself wishing Reggie was on deck. I kind of surprised myself.
appraisalman,
You hoping that Howard gets the MVP over Pujols has no basis in fact. The only categories that Howard leads in are HRs and RBIs. Pujols is quite simply, the most valuable player is baseball because without him, the Cards would be well below .500, and not even considered for a wildcard spot.
The Phillies have a talented team. Their pitching has been going great during their 2nd half surge, which amplifies what Howard has done. But Pujols start, the tear that he went on during the first couple months, is single handedly going to catapult the Cards into the playoffs. Where the Phils have had Cole Hamels come around, the Cards are still pitching Jason Marquis who has an ERA over 6.
Look at ANY category matching up Pujols and Howard, and it's clear Pujols is the better player. Not to mention that Pujols has come up to bat about 50 times less with runners on base, yet has comparable RBI numbers.
The only challenger for Pujols is Lance Berkman. That guy can make a legit claim because his lineup might be worse than Pujols. Howard is a great story, and I couldn't be happier for the guy. But we've got to get over this fascination with HRs and RBIs and realize that when a guy is hitting 150 points higher with runners in scoring position, and nearly 200 points higher with RISP and two outs...that one player is clearly better and more valuable. Pujols is the guy ahead in those categories.
And the Cards are going to the playoffs, even though they totally suck. But you never know. They are starting to play pretty well. And if Carp can go twice, Supp twice, and Reyes and Weaver hold their own...we could win the NL. The NL is THAT bad this year.
You hoping that Howard gets the MVP over Pujols has no basis in fact. The only categories that Howard leads in are HRs and RBIs. Pujols is quite simply, the most valuable player is baseball because without him, the Cards would be well below .500, and not even considered for a wildcard spot.
The Phillies have a talented team. Their pitching has been going great during their 2nd half surge, which amplifies what Howard has done. But Pujols start, the tear that he went on during the first couple months, is single handedly going to catapult the Cards into the playoffs. Where the Phils have had Cole Hamels come around, the Cards are still pitching Jason Marquis who has an ERA over 6.
Look at ANY category matching up Pujols and Howard, and it's clear Pujols is the better player. Not to mention that Pujols has come up to bat about 50 times less with runners on base, yet has comparable RBI numbers.
The only challenger for Pujols is Lance Berkman. That guy can make a legit claim because his lineup might be worse than Pujols. Howard is a great story, and I couldn't be happier for the guy. But we've got to get over this fascination with HRs and RBIs and realize that when a guy is hitting 150 points higher with runners in scoring position, and nearly 200 points higher with RISP and two outs...that one player is clearly better and more valuable. Pujols is the guy ahead in those categories.
And the Cards are going to the playoffs, even though they totally suck. But you never know. They are starting to play pretty well. And if Carp can go twice, Supp twice, and Reyes and Weaver hold their own...we could win the NL. The NL is THAT bad this year.
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Unfortunately, RBI's and Homeruns are pretty important in the sport of baseball, especially when choosing an MVP. Just look at Barry Bonds and all of his MVP's. Baseball writers are an interesting bread, which is why I think they'll give the award to Howard.
^ Who they will give it too and who should win it are very different things. I too think that the writers are foolish and rarely look beyond the triple crown stats, which makes Howard the likely winner. At the same time, for all the reasons trent stated and a few more Pujols should win it.
JMedwick wrote:^ Who they will give it too and who should win it are very different things. I too think that the writers are foolish and rarely look beyond the triple crown stats, which makes Howard the likely winner. At the same time, for all the reasons trent stated and a few more Pujols should win it.
Howard did not deliver his team to the postseason. Andruw Jones had Albert beat in RBIs and HRs last season and also played in the postseason, but Albert won.
- 10K
There's apparently a pep rally today on Clark street by the stadium at 5.
- 5,433
Was anyone from here at the game yesterday? It's easily the most fun I've had during a losing effort by the Cardinals. (Can't say I've done the Tomahawk Chop before yesterday either.) At least the 9th inning home runs by Duncan, Pujols, and Spezio gave us a glimmer of hope for the upcoming playoffs. 
I hope the pep rally has a good turn out and is a good time for all involved. Glad to hear it's on Clark St as hopefully this is a step toward establishing this block as the fan epicenter of Cardinal baseball.
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Blzhrpmd2 wrote:I hope the pep rally has a good turn out and is a good time for all involved. Glad to hear it's on Clark St as hopefully this is a step toward establishing this block as the fan epicenter of Cardinal baseball.
going down after work..couldn't ask for better weather
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^ Yeah, like yesterday, it's more like mid-June than early October.
I found yesterday's game to be quite depressing (with the exception of one half inning at the end of the game)...
I wonder how many people appreciate the irony of doing the tomahawk chop... we are becoming the Atlanta Braves.
I wonder how many people appreciate the irony of doing the tomahawk chop... we are becoming the Atlanta Braves.
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^ Yes, I thought about the irony. And it's a scary thought, isn't it?
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seriously - is anyone legitimately afraid of any team left in the postseason? The mets aren't nearly as intimidating as they were in July, and yes Detroit beat the yankees, but the yankees weren't going anywhere when their best pitcher was Chien-Mien Wang. The A's look tough on paper until you realize Barry Zito could have a nuclear breakdown at any point. No team looks that unstoppable this year as in years past.
- 10K
This team is playing with house money right now. The pressure is entirely on the Mets since no one really expected us to make it past the Padres.
Could Yadier be the next Darrell Porter (82 World Series MVP)? Can Belliard continue to proudly represent fat men everywhere with his stellar play in the field and at the plate? With a worthless Scott Rolen out of the lineup, will Speizio add the production we need from our 3B? Let's hope so!
Could Yadier be the next Darrell Porter (82 World Series MVP)? Can Belliard continue to proudly represent fat men everywhere with his stellar play in the field and at the plate? With a worthless Scott Rolen out of the lineup, will Speizio add the production we need from our 3B? Let's hope so!
appraisalman wrote:Unfortunately, RBI's and Homeruns are pretty important in the sport of baseball, especially when choosing an MVP. Just look at Barry Bonds and all of his MVP's. Baseball writers are an interesting bread, which is why I think they'll give the award to Howard.
Barry Bonds won because he was the MVP. When Barry was all roided up during his MVP streak, the dude was crazy with the stats. In 2004 he had a .600+ OBP. That's just sick. And between 2001-4, he never had an OBP below .500. Pujols was great in those years, but Barry was sick.
I just hope Tony lets the team know that they are playing with house money so they can keep playing free and easy baseball. No presure at all, since no one thinks they are going to win.
^Good article today in the Toledo Blade about the Cards' underdog status as new territory for them. Players (AP), management (LaRussa), and ownership (Bill "BPV" DeWitt) all were hinting at it being more fun to win when no one expects you to. The overall tone of the article definitely painted a 'free and easy' mood to the Cards' clubhouse. Good to hear.
TIME TO "86" THE METS!!!
TIME TO "86" THE METS!!!
- 10K
I really wish Rolen was not scheduled to be in the lineup tonight.
^ I don't know. Given his walk rate vs. Glavine, he might be a good person for the 2 hole, where he doesn't need to drive in runs as much as simply get on base so the Mets have to pitch to Pujols. Besides, with Weaver on the mound, a solid defense is imperative to ensure as many balls in play are turned into outs as possible.
- 10K
And he has hit well against the Mets historically (or maybe the figures I saw were just against Glavine). I'm just worried that he's not healthy enough to go. He claims that he was ready to go on Sunday, but it was pretty obvious that he has not been 100% for a while now.
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As a person with chronic shoulder problems stemming from a rebuilt left shoulder and scoped right, I can say this: Cortisone is Amazing. When an ailing shoulder goes balky it affects your upper back, neck and end up totally tightening/overworking everything from your traps, blades, lumbar, gluts and even tighten your hamstrings after these muscles compensate for the weakened shoulder. Now Rolen has many advantages including 24/7 access to team doctors/training staff, work out/rehab facilities, etc. But when push comes to shove, especially over the long season, and a rehabbed muscle group gets worn down, it can negatively affect a lot of things. That said I am A) not suprised his shoulder is fatigued and B)Totally confident with a cortisone shot it will be much better.
He got one Sunday night. It should of had a tremendous positive affect by yesterday. It is a crutch for now, but long term Scott look strong until Sept. It'll get him through the post season, where he can go finish up his conditioning.
I say play him, because without him being scott rolen we're done.
He got one Sunday night. It should of had a tremendous positive affect by yesterday. It is a crutch for now, but long term Scott look strong until Sept. It'll get him through the post season, where he can go finish up his conditioning.
I say play him, because without him being scott rolen we're done.
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They need to bat him 6th or 7th in the lineup if he is going to play. He has been a black hole in the lineup for most of the season and is just not a clutch hitter. Regardless of his history vs Glavine it doesnt erase the fact he is playing hurt and is a big postseason disappointment since he came here.