Results tagged ‘ Chris Carpenter ’
Spring Training Trip 2010
This week I made my first pilgrimage to the festival known as Spring Training. There is no better excuse to get out of town, find some sun and get a taste of things to come.
aig first caught my eye playing for AA Springfield two years ago. I liked him immediately, and I am pulling for him to make the club.
A Hot, Hot Time in Kansas City
Goin’ to Kansas City.
Kansas City, here I come.
They’ve got some crazy little
women there,
And you know I’m gonna go be one.
Off to See Some Inter-league Play
On my drive to Kansas
City, I listened to MLB Homeplate on XM Radio. There were endless debates over inter-league play. It’s bad. It’s good. Love it. Hate it. Love it, but let’s tweak it. Always use the DH. Never use the DH. Switch the use of the DH to the NL parks. Make the inter-league records determine the home field advantage for the World Series. And, on and on and on.
I could not care less about all of that. I am a fan of inter-league play for one reason and one
reason alone: The Cardinals play in Kansas City. Short of an inter-league game that would take them to Arlington, it is as close as the Cardinals ever get to me. Still, it’s a six-hour drive.
I lived in Kansas
City for a number of years and have friends and family
to visit, which makes the I-70 series weekend very special for me. I got to meet my brand week week-old nephew. I love hanging out with my fam.
The home of the Kansas City Royals, Kauffman Stadium or
“The K”, is a special place for me. I saw my first major league game there. I was probably nine or ten. I did not really know baseball back then. I do not remember who we played. I do not remember who won. I did know who George Brett was, and I knew when I walked into The K, that it was the biggest place I had ever been, and I liked being there.
I went with my sister her fiancé and some of his
family. We sat near right field. We played a game where each person drew an outfield position. Each time the Royal playing your position caught a fly ball, everybody else paid you a dollar. I had right-field and the other team must have been stacked with lefties because I made a killing.
It was poetic and special that I would be back at The K
with my sister on Friday. She does not understand my attraction to this game, but she is one person in my life that does not look at me like I am crazy when I take off cross-country to go see a game. And, I love that about her.
Welcome to the New K
The outside will always look a bit like a place the Jetsons’
would have gone to watch a game. It is a throwback to the early 70s when we were in love with astronauts, men walked on the moon and I drank Tang for breakfast.
The field area at The K has always been spectacularly
beautiful, with the signature outfield fountains. It was a gem in it’s day. However, as new parks are built, the old girl had been left in the dust. Little luster remained on the hunk of forty year old concrete.
No longer. Major
renovations were completed over the winter, and the old girl has a whole new look. The fan experience in this park is excellent.
The scoreboard seemed more fabulous that ever.
Before the renovations, there were no seats between the
foul poles. Unless a home run ball took some sort of funny hop, it could not be caught here. Now the outfield is full of seats and activity.
Although there were plenty o’ Cardinals fans in the seats,
I do believe I saw much more Royals blue than last year during the I-70 series. Good for you, Kansas City! However, the fans in blue (except for the ones in powder blue retro
Cardinals jerseys) would not have much to cheer about.
Game 1 Davies vs. Thompson
The Cardinals came out hitting the Royals well. Single, single, two-run single. But, in the
third, they broke out the cannons.
In the first, the Royals pitched to Pujols and were
punished with a 2-RBI single. This time they walked him. Enter the slumping Ryan Ludwick. Although the words “grand slam” were bouncing around in the back of my head, I quieted them and thought how nice it would be if Ludwick just got a nice simple base hit. And, he did 393 ft. into the brand new outfield seats.
The Cardinals weren’t finished handing out souvenirs to
that section. Rick Ankiel and Khalil Greeene went back to back with solo shots. All sluggers have had their issues at the plate lately. Nothing like a little long ball to get them going.
I like the move of Khalil Greene to third base. After seeing the athleticism that Brendan
Ryan and Tyler Greene can bring to the shortstop position, I think one of them should be playing that position. On a team with the pitching philosophy of “pitch to contact and let your defense do the work”, they need to play their best defenders.
Also, because of the philosophy, that puts extraordinary
pressure on the middle infielders to be practically perfect in every way. Perhaps, that is part of the pressure that was getting to Khalil Greene. Perhaps, he can relax a bit at third. It seemed to work in his rehab starts in Memphis. And, it seems to be working now.
I did not want to say this out loud too soon for fear of
jinxing it, but I think it is safe to say that Skip Schumaker has turned into a very fine second baseman. With Schumaker’s athletic ability and intense work ethic, I really believed the transition would work. I just did not know it would work so well. He looks
like he was born to it.
Davies was pulled in the third and Thompson pitched a
gem. Cardinals win!
Game 2 Bannister vs. Carpenter
With a rain delay of
about an hour and a half, it looked like it might be a long day at the ballpark. However, Bannister and Carpenter were like to pilots grooving in the jet stream trying to make up time on a cross-country flight. Length of game: 2:37.
Many might argue that Albert Pujols is the most intimidating
Cardinal. If I were a National League pitcher, I might agree. But, the Cardinal I find most intimidating is Chris Carpenter.
He is big. He is tall. His voice
is deep. He has amazing stuff, and he is all business, all the time. You often see Pujols smile or share a laugh. Not Carpenter. I am sure he has a light-hearted side, silly, fun-loving side. I have just never seen it, and that’s fine by me. If he scares the bejesus out of me
just sitting in the bleachers, I can only imagine the fear he inspires in those
who must stand in the batter’s box.
This was really the best game of the series. Although the Cardinals let the whole game, it
was close until the ninth. The Royals threatened to get the bats going in the 8th. Carpenter was pulled after a 2-out double. The third out was four batters, one walk, one error, one run and two pitchers away.
In the ninth, a string of base hits by Ludwick, Duncan,
and Molina, was topped off by a Khalil Greene home run. The four run inning turned the formerly 3-1 game into a rout.
Game 3 Meche vs. Wainwright
I enjoyed the game with family on Friday. Saturday was spent swapping baseball stories with friends. Both were great, but Sunday was for me. I walked up to the ticket booth and purchased
one of the last seats in outfield section 105. I wanted sit in one of the new seats. I wanted to sit where the home run balls landed.
The 1:00 pm start on the first day of summer was as hot as
they come. Despite application of sunscreen, I would leave with a souvenir sunburn. But, the weather was no hotter than Albert Pujols’ bat.
I have run out of words to describe El Hombre. Special.
Amazing. The best player in baseball. The words fall short. While he is capable of anything, he still
finds a way to exceed our expectations.
When Albert Pujols came to the plate in the 4th
with bases loaded, I tucked away my pencil and scorecard. I was ready to catch the ball. The grand slam ball. I thought, “Albert, hit it to me.”
But, he missed. The
grand slam ball landed about 15 feet to my left and 10 feet back. I expected a home run, but I did not expect the 423 feet monster shot. He’s such an over-achiever.
The game had been close, but the grand slam put the
Cardinals out of reach. In a continuation of that inning, the Cardinals sent 12 batters to the plate and
scored 8 runs. I began to feel sorry for the Royals. Especially, the catcher,
Olivo. I was drenched in sweat just sitting there. I could not imagine
working in the heat while wearing catcher’s gear.
In other news, Khalil Greene hit his third home run in
three days. He was rewarded by a plunking. Maybe, intentional. Maybe not. Either way, the Royals paid. The pinch runner, Thurston, was the first to score on the grand slam.
Random Images from the I-70 Series
Colby Rasmus at the plate. How much to we love our little Rookie of the Year Candidate?
On Friday, the Royals catcher, Olivo, hit a long fly ball to deep left field. I quickly tried to get a picture of Ankiel making a spectacular catch. Instead, I got a blurred image of his attempt and the very sad shot below of him looking at where the ball landed inside the Cardinals bullpen:
The Giant San Francisco Blog
Over the
weekend, I made a trip to the west coast to see some Cardinals-Giants
baseball. Being my first time in San Francisco, my weekend
was packed just trying to get it all in.
With so much to see and so many pictures to take, that can only lead to
one thing: A Giant San Francisco Blog.
The City by the Bay
I am a
meticulous travel researcher. Someday,
when I am less constrained by time and money, I might be one of those travelers
that packs a back and just goes where the road takes me. No real plan.
No itinerary. But, until then, I
plan and plot. I look for deals and know
my options. I know how to get where I am
going and do not waste time wondering around.
Unless, of course, wondering around is the plan.
Sometimes
in the research, I see things that seem like nice tidbits, but I only learn of
their significance latter when I am actually onsite. For example, all of the suggested walking
tours in the Fodor’s Guide to San Francisco, made a point to show the reader
where all the coffee shops were along the way.
This seemed simply to be a nice touch.
However, I did not understand how important coffee would be to me in San Francisco.
Every San Francisco travel tip
on the planet includes the advice to dress in layers because the temperature
can change quickly. I took this advice
to heart. I hate to be cold. So, layers I packed, and layers I wore. At Saturday night’s game, I wore two long-sleeved
t-shirts, a #4 Molina jersey, a thick hooded sweatshirt, a Cardinals therma
base jacket, two pairs of gloves and another rain coat that I wrapped around my
legs. Yet, it was not enough to ward off
the San Francisco
chill.
Enter
coffee, my new best friend. There were only three times I was not cold in San Francisco: the rare moments when the sun was out, when I
was walking (which was often) and when I was drinking coffee.
Forget
the beer and soda at the ballpark. Give
me a piping hot coffee that I can cradle in my hands and try to wrap my body
around. The highs were in the 60s and
lows in the 50s, but I will be darned if was not the coldest 50 or 60 degrees I
have ever experienced. I have spent
warmer days skiing.
Still,
the city is fabulous. The hills. The cable cars. The wharf.
The bay. The food. The people-watching is among the best in the
world. The city is a melting pot of
cultures and lifestyles. In San Francisco, you can
walk down the street and see every type of person you could imagine. And, probably a few that a Midwest
girl could not.
Here are
some scenes from San Francisco.
After getting checked in, I enjoyed lunch at Il Caffe at Union Square.
I felt very urban eating my lunch in the sunshine that I would find fleeting throughout the weekend.
There were modern dancers performing.
There were pigeons pillaging.
There were shopping opportunities…although probably not for me.
I would love a little something in the signature blue box, but once again, my disposable income was allocated to baseball. A girl has to stick to her priorities.
I rode the iconic Cable Cars:
And, took pictures along the way…
The Cable Car brought me to Fisherman’s Wharf, where I found sea lions lounging. They look quiet, but actually sound like a kennel of barking dogs. Actually, they reminded me of dogs, laying their “puppy piles” and playing with each other.
The birds seem to do pretty well on San Francisco Bay. This one looks very fat:
My first foggy glimpse of the Golden Gate Bridge:
My afternoon adventure was sailing on the Alma, a flat-bottomed schooner built in 1891 that has sailed the bay her whole life.
Here are the sails I helped hoist (one of the few times I was warm). They said the boat could be sailed with only a crew of three. All I can say is the three must be freakishly strong.
Here is a picture taken off the bow of the Alma of a sailboat cruising past Alcatraz:
I fully
meant to walk across the Golden
Gate Bridge,
but ran out of time. The closest I came
was a view from a point near Fisherman’s Wharf.
I saw a trail heading up a hill.
It looked like I could get above the wharf buildings for a better view
of the bridge. When I reached the
overlook, I was not high enough, so I trudged onward and upward.
When it
comes to hiking up hills I have learned it is always best to keep going. No matter how slow the pace must, just keep
putting one foot in front of the other, because if you stop, it is too hard to
start again. There is probably some life
lesson in that somewhere.
My effort
was rewarded by my body finally being warm and the following view:
The Ballpark on the Bay
Shuttling
into downtown from the airport, I got my first look at AT&T Park.
Banners lined the streets promoting this
year’s theme, “Let’s Play”. They were
fun:
Cy Young? Which one?
The banner says Molina. The motto is very much Sandoval. 
And, finally the closer…
I was
anxious to get to the ballpark on Friday.
I wanted to walk around the outside of the park and take pictures. I was greeted by Willie Mays:
Around
the backside, there are several bronze milestone markers imbedded in the
sidewalk near McCovey’s cove.
I expect
that soon they will by adding a new one for Randy Johnson’s 300th
career win.
That
brought me to the Marina Gate:
Where you
could enter after arriving in this:
How cool There Yes, the Garlic Fries Live Up to the Hype Besides the coffee necessary to ward off hypothermia, the ballpark has lots of great food. The first thing I searched for were the garlic fries. I found them here.
The fries were all they were cracked up to be…if you like garlic….a lot. I do, so I enjoyed. If do not like garlic, you may not like AT&T Park. Even if you do not order the garlic fries, the stadium reeks of the smell of garlic. No vampires here. At the second game, I had a hot dog that was pretty basic, but good. On Sunday, I treated myself to a Cha-Cha bowl, which includes black beans, rice and jerk chicken topped with pineapple salsa. It was my favorite! Giant Baseball Fans I like them. They were into the game. Loud, at times. They were knowledgeable and enjoyed the good close games. I wore my Cardinals gear. Took and gave some very good-natured ribbing, but never at any time did I feel uncomfortable. They told me stories of Candlestick Park and how much colder it was there (I cannot imagine.) There were stories of Barry Bonds homeruns, taking the ferry to the game and how much they hate the Dodgers. Of course, I am a respectful fan when I am visitor, and I know that helps. Once, I did cheer loudly and obnoxiously, punching my fist in a “you’re out” sign, when Yadier Molina caught Fred Lewis stealing 2nd. He was out by a mile. I yelled, “That’s my Molina!” However, the Giants fans were too busy groaning and yelling at Lewis and the umpire to notice. Then, there is always the non-fans at the game. People that just go because it’s something to do. Or, someone gave them tickets. On Saturday, a young couple sat next to me and spent seven innings cuddled-up discussing their relationship. Seriously? Two Cy Young pitchers are on the mound and this guy thinks this is a good time to talk about how he does not have a job, but was still looking for work here. He may have to go back to Michigan, but he really did like her. Maybe, they could find a way to make it work. Her body language said that she was all into him as he put his are around her and pulled her to him. Gag. Or, maybe, it was just cold. How could you be all into a loser without a job who (even worse) does not get baseball? What kind of man discusses his feelings during a baseball game? No real man, that’s for sure. She could do better. Anyone could. Secretly, I think she was hoping that his moving back to Michigan could be her out pitch. If she knew what an out pitch was, that is. I went to make a coffee run and thankfully they were gone when I came back. Warming Up It turns The Here I In In After the Watching Pablo Sandoval tags out an imaginary runner trying to get back to first base: Here …until The In the Barry Bengie And then, Oh, if we That Greene compares the condition to someone with a fear of heights suddenly perched “You become dizzy or feel ill. But you can pull
parking it here:
would that be?
were more nods to Giants history. A
statue of Orlando Cepada and plaques honoring Giants of the past. AT&T Ballpark does an excellent job of
honoring the team history and making it feel like the Giants have always played
here.
out on Friday’s they open the park an hour earlier than normal so that fans can
watch Giants batting practice. This was
my first view of the field.
starting pitchers were getting ready to take their BP. Here is a shot of Lincecum, Zito, Sanchez and
Johnson. Maybe, San Franciscans are used
to it by now, but how cool is it to be able to take a picture of three Cy Young
winners…all together…in the same uniform?
Randy Johnson practices laying down a bunt as Tim Lincecum looks on.
wondered how many times Randy Johnson has practiced bunting in his long
career. I wondered what Lincecum would
be doing at Johnson’s age.
talking with a local the next day, Randy Johnson’s name came up. The San Franciscan was complaining about the
acquisition. Things like, “paying him a
lot of money for what?…he’s not what he once was…grumble….grumble.”
thinking about it later, I wondered who the guy thought they should have in the
rotation instead of Johnson?
Seriously. He is not the pitcher
he once was, but he is still better than most.
In addition, he brings leadership and experience to a very young
talented pitching staff. And, he sells
tickets. This may be his last
season. He is chasing win #300. People will turn out to see him. I was disappointed that I would miss
him. Although, I did not want him to get
#300 against my Cardinals.
pitchers finished batting practice, the Giants did something that you do not
often witness in Major League Baseball, they took infield.
a major league team take infield is like watching a beautifully choreographed
ballet. The movement. The symmetry. The rhythm. The dance. The fun. 
Bengie Molina prepares for infield practice.
He wearing a very serious game face…
Pablo Sandoval comes along. I love watching
Sandoval. He plays like a big kid. Always full of energy and quick with a
smile. His joy is contagious, as you can
see here as he leans in for a fist bump, before heading to first.
Giants program contained a great article by Jeff Fletcher on the Venezuelan
native, Sandoval. He learned to hit with
his brother pitching a tape ball because they could not afford baseballs. A tape ball breaks crazily, but Sandoval
learned to hit it. This makes him a
challenge for pitchers now because he seems able to get the barrel of the bat
on most anything thrown somewhere in the vicinity of the plate.
article two players were quoted regarding Sandoval:
Zito: “He just goes out there and plays the game like a kid. He has a good time.”
Molina: “If you grew up where he grew
up, that’s pressure. When you get a bat
in your hand and step up to the plate and try to hit a ball, it’s not as much
pressure as you think. I think our lives
in general [in Latin America] gave us a lot of
pressure. This is just a game you try to
play. That’s how he sees it. It’s just a game, and he’s having a lot of
fun.”
there was Sandoval on Sandoval: “I love
this game. I just go play for fun. I just go on the field and help my teammates,
give 100 percent for the fans. We play
for the fans. I just want to be happy.”
all could approach our jobs with that attitude!
All this talk about having fun on the field reminds me of a Cardinal for
whom the field has become more of a mine field than a play ground.
would be the Cardinals’ shortstop, Khalil Greene, who was placed on the DL due
to what they are calling “anxiety”. Joe Strauss’ May 31st St. Louis Post Dispatch article says the following
on a 10th-story ledge.
yourself off the ledge and come inside,” Greene said. “When I’m in the game I
can’t get off the ledge. The feeling doesn’t go away.”
What a
contrast between the two infielders.
Sandoval, perhaps feeling like a kid skipping school to go play on the
sandlot, while Greene feels like he is standing on the edge of an abyss that
will swallow him if he fails.
I wish
that we could send Greene to hang out with Sandoval for a couple weeks. Perhaps, Sandoval could pitch him some tape
balls, and Greene could find within himself the pure joy that comes from
playing this game like a big kid.
What a Minute, I Thought this was a Cardinals Blog?
And, it is. Enough on the Giants.
During
the Giants batting practice, the Cardinals started to appear, then the media:
Former
Cardinals pitcher and Fox Sports commentator, Al Hrabosky (aka The Mad Hungarian chats with Cardinals
hitting coach, Hal McRae. Hrabosky and
McRae were teammates at Kansas City in 1978-1979.
Then,
good old Mike Shannon. Former Cardinals
third baseman and radio voice of the Cardinals on KTRS. It’s always fun to listen to Mike Shannon
call the game.
Then
there were interviews and such. So, many
distractions for players. Fan wanting
autographs. Reporters wanting a word. I wonder how players learn to tune out the
sound of their own name being shouted by fans trying to get their
attention. They have to or they would
only sign autographs and never be ready by game time.
Our Cy
Young is Better Than Your Cy Young pitcher
At least
one of them anyway. The Cardinals Chris
Carpenter faced off against the Giants Barry Zito in Saturdays game. It would be the one game the Cardinals would
win. It seemed like Carpenter might
leave the game with a loss or a no-decision, but the Cardinals rallied for some
runs in Carpenter’s last inning.
Here are pictures of Carpenter and Zito:
Pitching coach, Dave Duncan, watches with an eagle-eye as Chris Carpenter warms up:
It was such a treat to see Carpenter deal:
The
Return of the Cleanup Hitter
Ryan
Ludwick is finally off the DL.
His bat has been sorely missed both in term of production and protection. His return seemed to be all Albert Pujols needed
to get his bat going, homering twice in Saturday’s game.
Brendan
Ryan, Oh How I Underestimated You!
Brendan Ryan starts a double play:
Ryan takes a high one…
As I watched Brendan Ryan last year, I do not remember being overly impressed. Sure, I loved his enthusiasm. I loved his speed. I loved how hard he played. I just do not remember thinking, “Wow”, in the way I have this year.
Ryan has taken the opportunity to play every day by the horns. He has made stellar defensive plays. He has taken good at bats and hit very well during this series. I always saw him in the utility role, but perhaps his is an everyday player after all.
He has been effective and a real asset. However, occasionally, his speed and enthusiasm do get the best of him. A case in point is illustrated by the series of photos:
Brendan Ryan thinks about stealing second:
He goes and he is safe, just avoiding the tag…
….but his momentum takes him past the bag
…where he is tagged out, and he knows it…
I believe
I have written this before. I fell in
love with the St. Louis Cardinals the moment Yadier Molina hit that homerun
against the Mets scoring the runs that would bring home the 2006 National
League Pennant. It awakened in me a
passion for this game of baseball that I did even realize I possessed.
Subsequently,
I have come to appreciate the Cardinal catcher’s outstanding defense, which
was recognized last year by a long over-due Gold Glove. Guess you have to hit over .300 to get
recognized for your defense, huh?
I love
watching great catching, so Yadier Molina is a joy. One night last year, the Cardinals game was
over, but I needed more baseball. It was
late. West coast games to choose
from. Hmm….I wonder how Bengie Molina
compares to his brother? Giants game, it
is.
Thus, a
nightly ritual began of falling asleep to the Giants game. Not that they are boing. They just play really late. The Giants will be playing on the East coast
this weekend, which really screws up my world.
I have
come to appreciate Bengie Molina as I did his brother Yadier, and I should also
confess to sometimes catching a bit of a Yankees game when Jose Molina is
behind the plate. Three brothers. Three catchers. Three major league ballplayers. What are the odds?
I was
fascinated by the two brothers facing off this weekend. Especially because of the nature of the role
they play calling the pitches to get the other out. Surely, they have the best scouting report
ever on each other. You might think that
they would not want to be too hard on the other, being family and all. But, then again, they are brothers. Is there any relationship that is more
competitive?
I took
lots of pictures because it was just cool seeing one behind the plate and other
in the box.
Here Yadier watches Bengie take batting practice:
And, hang out around the cage in between turns…
They are joined by fellow countryman, Jose Oquendo…
…and watch Sandoval in the cage.
Others come up later and I start to realize what a fraternity major league baseball is. I suppose, it might bother some fans to see players so friendly with members of the opposing team. And I suppose, it was not always that way back in the days before free agency when more players played for the same team their whole career.
Now, players are connected by country, college, winter ball, the minor league days and former teams. Players move around, yet the friendships remain. The brotherhood I saw on the field went beyond blood.
Again, this might bother some who think hating the other team is critical to competing. But, really “hating to lose” is the only hate that is required. And, losing to your brother is the worst.
In the pre-game warmups the brothers were like mirrors. Bengie warming up Matt Cain on his side of the field…
…and Yadier warming up Joel Pineiro on his side.
I like the old school bull pen mounds at AT&T Park. It nice to really be able to watch pitchers warm up.
Later, the brothers met at the plate.
As Yadier stood in and Bengie laid down the fingers, I wondered if it is trickier calling a game against your brother. Do you get in each others head? Like, I would normally call a fast ball, but he knows that I would, so maybe I should call a slider, but what if he knows that I know that he knows….until your head hurts.
Or, is it really just the same as everything else: work to your pitcher’s strengths, mix your pitches and hope your pitcher does not leave anything too juicy over the plate.
Later, Bengie stood in the batter’s box, while Yadier figured out what to call.
Pineiro gets the sign and throws the ball….
….right at Bengie Molina’s leg.
It was the one time a batter was hit by a pitch that I was 99.9% sure it was unintentional. And, I was 100% sure that Bengie was not going to go charge the mound. But, I did wonder what Yadier would have done if he had. Typically, the catcher rushes to the pitchers defense, often tackling the batter. I wondered if Yadier would have let Bengie get in a couple of swings before going out to get him.
I am sure Bengie has a bruise to show for it. Just one of many that a catcher gets in a days work. Fortunately, he was able to stay in the game.
Sometimes when you are taking hundreds of random pictures, it is funny the ones you run across that capture similar moments.
Here are complimentary pictures of Yadier and Bengie with the umpire. In both, they seem to be taking an aggressive posture toward the umpire, which goes to prove that sometimes pictures lie.
Here Yadier looks toward second base. I wonder if he is thinking of stealing on his brother. Think of the ribbing for years to come. Whatever Bengie might throw at Yadier, the come back could be, “Yeah, but I stole second on you.” Which would like coax the response, “You stole it on the pitcher, not me.”
But, he did not go.
Sunday was a day game after a Saturday night game. After both Molinas caught on Saturday night, I knew it likely that one or both would get the day off. So, I was not surprised to see Bengie Molina’s name missing from the cleanup spot.
However, it is pretty much a given that Bengie never gets a whole game off. At some point there will be a pinch hit opportunity with runners in scoring position, and it will be likely that he will come through.
As he did here, hitting a sacrifice fly, scoring Sandoval.
Bengie stayed in the game. Yadier came up to bat in the bottom of the 9th with two outs. In Bengie’s at bat, he hit a pop up to the backstop. I think they might be discussing where it went here. Yadier did not have a play on it as he did when he put Bengie out on a P-2 the night before.
Yadier stands in as the last Cardinal hope.
Bengie is smiling here, as if perhaps he knows something Yadier does not….
Like how to entice his younger brother into a very rare strikeout
Sliding Home
You know
you have the baseball bug bad, when everything reminds you of baseball. As I passed through the Denver airport on my way home, I noticed the
cities that the other planes were headed to.
Chicago. Surely the Cubs or the White Sox are in
town. Kansas City.
I wonder if I will see Grienke on the mound there in a few weeks. Las
Vegas. Hmmm…no
MLB, but there is a Triple-A team there.
Seattle. A thought…never seen Griffey play in
person.
But the
hardest gate to walk past was the one that said “St. Louis”.
The Cardinals are at Busch tonight.
If I hopped the plane and took the link downtown, I could probably just
make it in time to see Wellemeyer take the mound. For all that I loved AT&T Park,
there is really nothing like a home game at Busch Stadium.
But, I
kept walking on to my Oklahoma City
gate, and I was not too sad. For
although I will not find the Cardinals there, the next best closest thing is
coming to town: The Memphis
Redbirds.
Those Sneaky Snakes
Coming
off a triumphant sweep of the Houston Astros, the St. Louis Cardinals traveled
to Arizona to go Diamondback hunting. The Snakes put up a pretty good fight, but the
Cardinals won the series 2-1. The Cardinals are
leading the Central, a full game ahead of the Cubs. Yet, with Carpenter injured again, it feels
like we are losing.
Chris
Carpenter
Chris
Carpenter, if you are reading this (which, of course, you are not), I want you
to stop now. Fans, continue on:
Chris
Carpenter needs to believe that he can comeback and have a full healthy
season. I want him to believe that. However, as fans, we need to be
realistic. The fragility of Carpenter has
been proven over and over. Injuries are
not a matter of “if”, but “when”, “how severe” and “how long”.
Yet, the
few innings he has taken the mound, both this year and last, have been
beautiful. The thing that amazes me most
is the man can be out for months and months, but when he comes back, he throws
a gem.
So,
fellow fans, we need to thing of Carpenter as gravy. Or, dessert.
Anything he does this year will be a bonus. A treat.
Something to be savored, but not counted on. The rest of the starting rotation has to be
the meat and potatoes. Fortunately, they
are proving that they can be.
Starter
#6 – I actually called it
Before
Chris Carpenter made it to the clubhouse at the top of the fourth on Tuesday,
speculation began about who would be called on to start in his spot. Names were tossed about: Kyle McClellan, Brad Thompson, Mitchell
Boggs. However, a different name came to
my mind, and I thought I must be wrong since no one seemed to be saying it.
In an
email to a friend this morning, I gave the name of the Memphis Redbird who I
thought would get the call–just to go on record. When I saw the Chris Perez and Mitchell Boggs
call ups today, I knew I had missed it.
But, maybe
not. Later, I checked St. Louis
Post-Dispatch website, and there he was:
P. J. Walters. Walters will be
joining the Cardinals rotation on Friday against the Cubs, which will give an
extra day of rest for Lohse, Wellemeyer and Pineiro.
I saw P.
J. Walters pitch in Chris Carpenter’s spot in one of the Cardinals’ exhibition
games in Memphis. And, he pitched well,
giving up only one run, which was unearned.
Walters also had a fine start against the Oklahoma City Redhawks, going
seven shutout innings, giving up only 2 hits and 1 walk.
Walters,
24, was drafted by the Cardinals in the 11th round in 2006. He spent most of 2008 in Triple-A
Memphis. He had a great Spring Training.
He will make his Major League debut at Wrigley Field going against Carlos
Zambrano. It does not get much bigger
than that. Welcome to the bigs, Mr.
Walters.
Notes
on the D-Backs Series
Despite the double loss in Tuesday’s game, there were many positives that came out of this series. Felipe Lopez was not one of them.
Felipe
Lopez
Late last
year, Felipe Lopez’s major league career was in the waste basket. The Nationals put him on waivers. How bad is your year going when possibly the
worst team in baseball kicks you out?
The
Cardinals picked him up, dusted him off and he became a new man. He hit like crazy in a Cardinals uniform. He seemed to earn a spot in St. Louis.
Yet, he did not get one. The
Diamondbacks picked him up.
During
this series, Lopez was very much the rattlesnake we turned our back on. He struck and struck and struck. Hitting the ball again and again. Making great defensive plays. He was a Cardinal killer.
Don’t get
me wrong, I like Lopez. I am glad he is
having success. I just wish he would go
have it against the other National League teams, and not so much mine.
Todd
Wellemeyer
In Monday’s
start, Todd Wellemeyer looked like, well, Todd Wellemeyer. That is the Todd Wellemeyer that was named
the National League’s Pitcher of the Month in May of last year. Not, the Todd Wellemeyer that has struggled
in Spring Training. The slight change in
his delivery seemed to do the trick.
Great to have him back on track!
His
outing rounded out a five game winning streak by Cardinals starting pitching. It
was five beautiful days where, in the best possible way, it was impossible to
tell which pitcher is the staff ace.
Brian
Barden
Wow. Game winning home run in his first game
against the team that originally drafted him and waivered him. In addition, he made contributions both
offensively and defensively to keep the Cardinals in Tuesday’s game. While we look rather longingly at Felipe
Lopez and wonder what might have been, D-Back fans are scratching their heads
trying to remember why they let Barden go.
Yadier
Molina
Even with
a day off on Monday, Molina got a workout behind the plate. In particular, catching seven different
pitchers on Tuesday when Carpenter left after the third.
On top of
that he was an offensive force, taking great at bats ending in clutch hits,
getting on base and even racking up a critical stolen base that put him in
position to score. In two games, he has
racked up two runs, four hits, four RBI’s and three walks. He was on base five out of five times in
Wednesday’s matinee with 3 hits and 2 walks.
Up
So far, The
Next
the Cardinals look like a great team, with a plethora of tools and moving
parts. As a whole, they have been sharp
and effective. Of course, the
competition has been the Pirates, Astros and Diamondbacks. Not to discount these talented clubs, but
they are not the cubs.
Cardinals go to Wrigley for a four-game series with the Chicago cubs. Their mettle will be tested. Come Monday, we will know.
A Mixed Bag
As my mind
awoke this morning from a good night’s sleep, three thoughts immediately
flashed by:
- It doesn’t matter that we
lost a tough one to the pirates because Chris Carpenter is pitching today. - I get to pick up my Oklahoma
City Redhawks season tickets at the season kickoff party. - Crap, I’m late.
I hit the
ground running. It was a throw and go
morning, where you basically throw on clothes and go. At work, I jumped on my tasks for the day, so
I could leave early to go to the ballpark.
I was hard at work at 10:23 when I glanced at a Tweet on my
phone:
AJRoxMyWhiteSox:
Totally in shock. Last night’s
starter for the Angels, Nick Adenhart, died in a car accident this morning. RIP Nick.
So wrapped
up in my work, the words did not sink in.
In fact, I was sure I had misread it.
Then came the other Tweets:
11:04
Birdbrained: seeing
more venues report on Adenhart….shocking and sad. Only 22.
Mlblogs: http://tinyurl.com/crn6p8
Redsoxgirl46: our
thoughts and prayers are with the Angels organization and Nick Adenhart’s
family. I would hope for a moment of
silence before each game.
11:15
Mlblogs:
Shocked. Sad. Angry.
This was our MLB.com Top 50 report on Nick
Adenhart, 22, and last night he was clearly on his way – http://is.gd/rCct
11:37
RSBS:Tragedy today. RIP, Nick. We’ll miss you: http://tinyurl.com/d5bbmr
Birdbrained: This
brings back Darryl Kile. I feel for the
Angels and their fans today.
Mlblogs: Angels
just now issued press release.
Mlblogs: Family
statement: “Thanks to all of Nick’s
loyal supporters and fans throughout his career. He will always be in everyone’s hearts
forever”
Mlblogs: Memorial
services are pending.
I think
it was the “family statement” that brought it home. I broke from the task at hand to go read of
this young pitcher who I had not heard of.
Sadly, this man, who seemed destined to make himself a household name by his
work on the mound, was suddenly famous in the most tragic way possible. Quickly,
I had to stop reading because I make it a point not to cry at work.
These
tragedies happen every day. To other people,
of course. And, this one did, too. Unless we have lost a child ourselves, we
could never comprehend the depth and breadth of his parent’s loss.
However,
I can comprehend the loss felt by his team, for over the years I have lost two
co-workers. Young people in their
twenties. Bright. Talented.
Good. Both had small
children. There was raging anger. There was despair and sadness. Then, there is the awkwardness in moving on. Almost expecting to see them. Strange that someone else is sitting at their
desk.
I can not
begin to imagine the conflicted emotions in the player called up to take Adenhart’s
roster spot. The opportunity of a lifetime,
at the cost of the life of a friend. It
makes whoever said, “life isn’t fair” seem like an optimist.
So, while
I celebrate Chris Carpenter’s triumphant return to the mound and enjoy the smell
of my freshly printed tickets, the pleasure is dulled by sadness of this life
cut too short. The lights that shine the
brightest often burn out too soon.
Godspeed,
young Nick, may your heaven be filled with well-groomed ballparks, sunny summer
days, worthy opponents, umpires who give you the corners and a light wind
blowing in. We will not forget you.
A Positive Spring and An Almost Perfect Game
SPRING TRAINING UPDATE
While taking a couple days off from the World Baseball Classic, I realized that I had been severely neglecting my Cardinals. It is an easy thing to do when only about half the games are broadcast on the radio, even fewer are televised and most all take place while I am at work.
Work is like a sacrifice fly. I do not get on base, but I score the funds to live in an enclosed space, eat ballpark hot dogs and wear clothes adorned with the birds on the bat.
Just because the opportunity to savor Spring Training games has been sadly lacking, do not think I have not been paying attention to my beloved Redbirds. Thanks to the fine beat writers at stlcardinals.com and stltoday.com, I get the daily scoop.
Blessedly, for the most part, I like what I hear. The starting rotation is shaping up. The headline is a healthy and sharp Chris Carpenter that has yet to give up a run. Kyle Lohse has pitched the most innings and has a 3-1 record. Joel Pineiro has a low 1.29 ERA. Adam Wainwright is has good command of his fast ball. Todd Wellemeyer has been burned by the long ball, but I know he will work that out. How do I know? Well, I will tell you in a bit.
Jason Motte has excelled in the bullpen going 4-4 in saves vs. save opportunities, with an ERA of 1.08. Josh Kinney is 2-2 in saves with a 1.29 ERA. Chris Perez has struggled with shoulder soreness, but he still has time to come around. Ryan Franklin, the bullpen veteran, is coming along nicely. As is lefty, Trevor Miller.
At the start of Spring Training, positional player questions were plentiful. (Try to say that 5 times fast). Now, it seems we have options. Many young players have made a strong case for themselves. Joe Mather seemed a lock for the temp job at third base. Now, Brian Barden, batting .419, is coming on strong.
The innovative idea to take one of the plenteous outfielders and turn put him in the open slot at second base is working out. Skip Schumaker is making a go of it at second. He had some errors, mostly on throws. He seemed to have a little too much arm for the position. But, he is turning double plays and getting the job done. All the extra work in the field has not taken away from his hitting. He is batting .345.
Also garnering attention as a possible utility infielder is Joe Thurston. He has some speed with two stolen bases. Brendan Ryan is another possibility. One more infielder worth mentioning is Craig Allen. Allen played at Double-A Springfield last year. I watched one Springfield game last year and Craig stood out. He is projected to be at Triple-A Memphis this year, which is rather sad since he is batting .444 and slugging .667. What more could a guy do in Spring Training?
The final question mark is tattooed on the forehead of one young highly touted prospect. Fine, Colby Rasmus’ forehead is tattoo free, but the question gets asked over and over and over: When will Rasmus get the call-up? The jury is still out. Rasmus got off to a slow start, but after a little sit down chat with the skipper, he is hitting very well.
Overall the Cardinals are 14-6, which puts them in second place in the Grapefruit League. I know, it means nothing. But, it is positive. Very positive. Which is the opposite of a negative like this one: Houston‘s 3-16 record. It makes for a happy, hopeful spring for Cardinals fans.
MLB 2K9
The hardest thing to do in baseball is hit that little round leather orb with the wooden stick. If that is true, then MLB 2K9 is very realistic. I had a little time to play today, and I finally figured out how to swing, but offensively, I stink. I have mastered the groundout to third, as well as the groundout to short. Through no fault of his own, Yadier Molina struck out more times today than he did all season last year. I am ridiculous.
My fielding is getting better. Of course, the only way to go is up when you start with 16 errors in one game.
However, I can really pitch. Todd Wellemeyer is going to be just fine this season. I know this because Welly and I pitched an amazing game today. Complete game, no-hitter, with 23 K’s. Yep, it is a new Major League record.
Our first pitch slider was un-hittable. Then a changeup would usually get strike two. Finally, the payoff pitch: a little high, inside fastball to finish the hitter off. We were dominant. We were efficient, finishing the game on 82 pitches.
But, we still lost. Our pinpoint control vanished just long enough to allow a walk, a stolen base and two wild pitches, which scored the runner. I think Molina could have blocked the wild pitches, but he was mad at me for making him look so ghastly at the plate. Pirates win 1-0. Maybe, we will get ‘em tomorrow.
World Baseball Classic
I enjoyed a couple days off, but I am excited for the finals. With no baseball on TV this afternoon (well, there was a cubs game, if that counts), I am embarrassed to admit I watched a Lifetime movie. I am a sucker for John Corbett, no matter how bad the movie. Baseball will be back on tonight to save me from myself!
I Have Good News and Bad News
I have good news and bad news. Let us start with the good news.
Good News from Cardinals Spring Training
The Cardinals played an exciting game yesterday in Jupiter, FL against the Boston Red Sox. The good news is Chris Carpenter pitched four scoreless innings. He is pitching strong and healthy. After his injuries, it is great to see him back to 2006 form, because we all know how 2006 went down.
In other good news, Josh Kinney came in a pitched a perfect ninth with two strikeouts. He picked up the win when Joe Mather hit a 2-run walk-off homer. Cardinals win 4-2.
Bad News from the World Baseball Classic
This is not the bad news: The World Baseball Classic has taken over my life. I loved the marathon of games last weekend. Baseball from before the crack of dawn in to late in the night is pretty cool. During the week, the games overlapped and I mastered the art of watching two games at once. However, last night, I did enjoy the fact that there was only one game to focus on, and I am going to enjoy the off day today. But, I will be anxious for the games to start again on Saturday.
In the one WBC game last night, Cuba faced Mexico. Although Cuba had pulled ahead 7-4, it was a game, until the 7th. The announcer might have said: “Now pitching for Mexico, newly signed Cardinals lefty, Dennys Reyes.” It would have been in Spanish, so I do not really know.
So, Reyes takes the mound. It was like a very sad song that goes something like this:
First Verse: First two batters hit hard up the middle.
Chorus: Wild pitch, both runners advance (the pitch was a foot over the umpire’s head)
Second Verse: Double to left, two runners score
Bridge: Reyes has been hit hard. Now he hits back. If a quarterback hits a guy in the numbers, it is a good thing. If a pitcher hits a guy in the numbers, it is a bad thing. Reyes nailed Leonys Martin right between the two and the six on his back. Ouch!
Chorus: Wild pitch, both runners advance (again over everyone’s head)
Repeat Chorus: Wild pitch, both runners advance. Lead runner scores. (this one was at the batter’s feet…just to mix things up)
Tag: The next batter walks.
Finally, Reyes is yanked, but the bleeding continues for Mexico. The inning ends due to the mercy rule when Cuba is up 16-4. Only one out was recorded.
I know, I know. It is only one inning. It is early and Reyes, newly signed, has not been in camp and is not in season form. He was pitching in dismal wet conditions. But still, it was not something an optimistic Cardinal fan needed to see.
Announcer, Charlie Steiner said it best, “Boy, Dennys Reyes has nothing. Not tonight.” And, he is all ours for two years.
Spring Training – Week One
Ah, spring! A time of hope and renewal, where anything is possible and the sky is the limit.
Good News
So much good news has filtered out of the St. Louis Cardinals camp in Jupiter, Florida! Adam Wainwright looked good in live batting practices. So, did a HEALTHY Chris Carpenter. Of course, when pitchers look too good in live BP, I worry that there’s something wrong with our hitting. It’s only the first week, so maybe, I worry too much.
The Cardinals also made it through the first week without a player logging a season ending injury. Woo-hoo! The two pitchers (Mitchell Boggs and Matthew Scherer) that experienced soreness early in the week are healing nicely.
Redbird Migratory Paths
Two former redbirds have roosted in the Tampa Bay Rays camp: Adam Kennedy and Jason Isringhausen. If the Rays repeat this year, they may both look at their last rocky days in St. Louis as a blessing in disguise. Seeing Izzy not in a Cardinals uniform is beyond weird. As the all-time Cardinals saves leader, he has earned his place in Cardinals history. It is “unfortunate” (a word Tony LaRussa used) that Izzy could not finish his career with a strong year in St. Louis.
Cooler Heads Did Not Prevail
The controversy of the week involved Jose Oquendo, Cardinals Third-Base Coach and Manager of Team Puerto Rico, not choosing Joel Pineiro for Team Puerto Rico’s starting rotation. For Team Puerto Rico, the starters will be Javier Vazquez (Braves), Ian Snell (Pirates) and Jonathan Sanchez (Giants). Looking at last year’s numbers, I could not see a clear cut reason why these pitchers, except for Vazquez, were picked over Pineiro:
Javier Vazquez 12-16, 4.67 ERA, 61 BB, 200 K’s 208.1 IP
Ian Snell 7-12, 5.42 ERA, 89 BB, 135 K’s 164.1 IP
Jonathan Sanchez, 9-12, 5.01 ERA, 75 BB, 157 K’s 158.0 IP
Joel Pineiro 7-7, 5.15 ERA, 35 BB, 81 K’s 148.2 IP
Joel Pineiro did pitch well in the 2006 WBC (2.08 ERA, 4 BB, 5 K’s, 8.2 IP). So, perhaps there is another reason. The manner in which Pineiro took the news, venting his displeasure to reporters, claiming he was “disrespected”, and giving in to his emotions made me wonder if Oquendo’s pick had more to do with temperament than performance. Pineiro is an emotional player, and when things start to go badly in a game, his emotions can get in the way.
Or, perhaps it was Pineiro’s mindset. Maybe because he and Oquendo are teammates and he started in the in the 2006 WBC, he thought he was a lock for the rotation. He already purchased tickets for his family to the WBC. He thought Oquendo was joking when he first suggested that Pineiro would be in the bullpen rather than the rotation. Did Pineiro take too much for granted?
Coaches typically do not appreciate players who assume too much. One of the few starts I got in all my years of playing basketball came when the coach overheard some of the starters use the word “indispensable” in regard to their value to the team. Of course, after about five minutes of my stinking up the court, they were in and I was back on the bench where I belonged. Still, we learned a valuable lesson. Work hard. Be ready. Assume nothing.
In the end, it is Jose Oquendo’s team and his decision. Pineiro has every right to feel “disrespected” or disappointed or upset, but it is not cool to unleash those emotions outside the clubhouse and express your displeasure with your coach to the media. If he wants to be respected, then he should know that his comments made him look like a spoiled, petulant child rather than a man worthy of respect that he insists he is due.
Crash Davis School of Clichés
This would not have been a controversy at all, if Pineiro had spent some time in Bull Durham’s “Crash Davis School of Clichés”.
You remember the scene that went something like this:
Crash Davis: It’s time to work on your interviews.
Ebby Calvin LaLoosh: My interviews? What do I gotta do?
Crash Davis: You’re gonna have to learn your clichés. You’re gonna have to study them, you’re gonna have to know them. They’re your friends. Write this down: “We gotta play it one day at a time.”
Ebby Calvin LaLoosh: Got to play… it’s pretty boring.
Crash Davis: ‘Course it’s boring, that’s the point. Write it down
Ebby Calvin LaLoosh: (Writing) …one day at a time
Crash Davis: I’m just happy to be here. Hope I can help the ballclub. I know. Write it down. I just want to give it my best shot and the good Lord willing, things will work out.
Following Crash’s guidelines of “boring is good”, I tried to rework Pineiro’s statements.
Original Statement: “[Oquendo] said if I went, it was going to be in the bullpen. Everybody knows that’s not my role. I was very disappointed, very heartbroken…I felt disrespected. I mean, everybody knows there’s only been two pitchers in Puerto Rico which has 8-10 years [as a] consistent starter, which is Javier Vasquez and myself….everybody knows if I go out there as a bullpen guy, I’m going to get setback here…if I would have been there as a starter, it would have been my normal exhibition game starts…But, after I was informed that I was not going to be a starter, I was not happy about that.“
Boring Statement: “Oquendo said he had a spot for me in the bullpen, but not as a starter. If I went as a starter, I could prepare for the season the same as I would here. Unfortunately, I can’t do that pitching out of the bullpen, so I made the tough decision to stay here, work hard and be ready to go in April. I am disappointed that I will not be representing my country in the WBC, but Puerto Rico has other great pitchers to take my place. And, I’m happy to be here. I hope I can help the ballclub. I want to give this season my best shot and the good Lord willing, things will work out. Instead of playing in big games this spring, we’ll be playing in big games in October.
Of course, if he said that, there would be no controversy, and what would I write about? This may all work out for the best for Pineiro. He was both injured last year and not particularly sharp. His hold on the fifth spot in the Cardinals rotation is tenuous at best. He should be hearing the footsteps of capable young arms gaining on him, ready to take his spot.
In one of his statements he said, “I felt, I’m a veteran guy. I’ve been around long enough to know that I should be there representing my country. I deserve that respect. That’s the way I look at it.” A sense of entitlement, does not typically get one the respect they feel they deserve. Actions do. If he wins a dozen games, gets his ERA under 4.0 and learns how to control his emotions so he can pitch himself out of a jam, then he will have my respect, the respect of his teammates, and, I dare say, Oquendo’s too.
At Last
The winter was long, dark and cold. The hotstove was not so hot. Some old friends moved on. Some new faces moved in.
We sat in the dark in anticipation of the dawn. The dawn that comes todoy. Finally… (cue the violin music)
At last….. my love has come along
my lonely days are over
and life is like a song
Oh yeah, at last
The skies above are blue
And here we are in heaven
For you are mine
At Last
-Mack Gordan/Harry Warren
While other girls are hoping for roses, chocolates or jewelry from their Valentines, I only want diamonds….baseball diamonds. So, this Valentine’s Day, My Love is coming through for me. Yes, my Cardinal pitchers and catchers are reporting to Spring Training today in Jupiter, Florida. The off-season is over. Winter is over. My lonely days are over….
There were many heralds of spring this week.
The deadly tornados that ripped through my state. (See photos here.)
The crocus in my mom’s yard….
(No, you are right. That is not a crocus, and it is not in my mom’s yard. That is last year’s daffodil from my yard. Mom’s crocuses did bloom this week, but they croaked before I could shoot a picture.)
The sandals that would not stay in my closet on a 70 degree day.
(Fine. I am busted. AGAIN. I wore sandals, but I could not find these in my closet. I might have accidentally left them at Neiman Marcus since they cost more than my house payment)
And, finally the words, “Pitchers and Catchers: Report Today”. And, the “card” telling me my Valentine’s gift had arrived. It is not “Play Ball”, but it is close.
Spring is here. Baseball is here. And, life is like a song.
Here is little overview of some of the guys reporting today.
Catchers
Yadier Molina (C) – Actually, he’s now Gold Glove Catcher, Yadier Molina. At only 26 years of age, he has 4 1/2 years of major league experience. He gets better every year. Last year, he had a break out year offensively, but did not throw out as many runners. The young and unfamiliar pitching staff may have contributed. What will be better this year? More pop in the bat? More runners caught stealing? I can’t wait to see.
Jason LaRue (C) – Most teams struggle to field one solid defensive catcher. The Cardinals have two. LaRue is everything a team could ask for in a backup catcher. He is a veteran who understands his role and is always ready to go. He does not hit for average, but he has a bit of power.
Pitchers
Adam Wainwright (RHSP) – In the absence of Chris Carpenter, Adam has been the staff ace. Oh, what 2008 might have been, if not for the “pop” in his finger that kept him out of the rotation for roughly two months. Having Waino healthy for the whole season is one of the keys to Cardinal success.
Kyle Lohse (RHSP) - Hopefully, “this year’s” Kyle Lohse will be as good as “last year’s”.
Todd Wellemeyer (RHSP) – Welly rounds out the rotation’s top three. However, he has stated that he would love to pitch in the All-Star game, so this pitcher is not satisfied to be part of the rotation. He wants to be the best.
Chris Carpenter (RHSP) – The big question mark. He proved last year in the few innings he pitched that he still has the stuff. Hopefully, his body is healed, rested and healthy enough to support that deadly arm. If he can return to his previous form and make his starts, he makes this rotation lethal.
Joel Piniero (RHSP) - Piniero had his ups and downs last year. When he pitched well, he got no run support. When he had run support, he sometimes self-destructed. The potential for greatness is there.
Brad Thompson (RHRP/RHSP) – Last year, Thompson was a valuable spot starter and long reliever. He is one of the few guys still around that was with the Championship 2006 team. (Pujols, Molina, Wainwright, Carpenter and are the others.)
Kyle McClellan (RHRP/RHSP) - The role of last year’s Cardinal Rookie of the Year is uncertain. If Carpenter is not healthy, he is likely to be in the rotation. If not, he will be in the bullpen.
Mitchell Boggs (RHSP/RHRP) - Boggs made six starts and two relief appearances for the Cardinals last year. He won three and got the crap beat out of him in two. I will probably be watching him pitch in Memphis next year. I challenge him to prove me wrong.
Ryan Franklin (RHRP) – Sometimes he closes. Sometimes he sets up. But, with Russ Springer gone, he is the veteran of the bullpen. I am thinking setup guy in 2009.
Jason Motte (RHRP) – This catcher turned pitcher came up in September 2008 throwing fire. Eleven innings, five hits, one earned run, .82 ERA. This guy has a legitimate shot at the 9th.
Chris Perez (RHRP) – Perez’s arm is another flame thrower. He got some very valuable experience last year in the closer role. He saved 7 out of 11, with a 3-3 record and a 3.46 ERA. Not bad for a rookie. He is another contender for the 9th
Josh Kinney (RHRP) - Kinney came back in September 2008 after Tommy John surgery. He pitched seven innings, walked one, struck out 8, gave up 3 hits and NO runs. People are not talking him up much as a closer, but he is in running.
Jaime Garcia (LHRP) – This young leftyspent some time in St. Louis last year. Got his first save. Got his first win. Got his first loss. Sixteen innings, 8 walks, 8 strikeouts and a final ERA of 5.63. Great potential. Tony will probably want two lefties. I am betting on Garcia and Miller.
Trever Miller (LHRP) - If the Cardinals had passed on Miller, Ryan Franklin would have no one in the bullpen that could discuss the 70s with him. Miller could sing the Johnny Cash song, “I’ve been everywhere, man.”, but his last tour of duty was with the AL Champion Tampa Bay Rays. His numbers do not give Cardinals fans a warm fuzzy feeling, but he will most likely be on the opening day roster.
Blake Hawksworth (RHP), Charlie Manning (LHP), Royce Ring (LHP) and Matthew Scherer (RHP) round out the 40-man roster. It will be interesting to learn about these guys. Also, on the guy to watch on the list of non-roster invitees is Jess Todd (RHP). Last year, He won the Cardinals Minor League Pitcher of the Year Award.
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