Cardinals ***Offical 2012 STL Cardinals World Champions Thread *** - Page 146

**BigRedChief** · 08:57 PM

St. Louis Cardinals: 7 reasons fans should feel good about 2012

Posted Wednesday, October 24, 2012, at 9:26 PM

St. Louis Cardinals fans are likely feeling deflated after the collapse that put an end to the team's dreams of a World Series repeat, but there is good reason to be excited.

With all of the odds against them, the Cardinals managed to push their 2012 season beyond any anticipated boundary.

Given all of the season's changes and the adversity the team had to fight through, the fact that they played in October at all was an anomaly in itself. On paper, it made sense for the Cardinals to be in the playoffs, but few saw them as a true threat.
As the season continued, even fans began to doubt as they watched the team seemingly crumble in June and July. When the Cardinals finally came to life in September they went 11-5 in the last 16 games of the season to lock up the second Wild Card position in its inaugural year.

That run, despite it's crushing end in Cincinnati in Game 7 of the National League Championship Series, lots of good came from the Cardinals' season and playoff run.
Following in no particular order are 10 reasons Cardinals fans have to be excited about the 2013 season.

Trevor Rosenthal
When rookie fireballer Trevor Rosenthal made his first trip to St. Louis, it was obvious almost instantly that he was something special.
Between his 100 mph fastball and the general inability for almost anyone to hit off of him, he became a huge part of the Cardinals playoff run.

He pitched in a total of 19 regular season games before the 22-year-old rookie from Lee's Summit, Mo. got his first taste of postseason baseball and he put on quite a show.
In 8.2 IP over seven postseason appearances, Rosenthal held opponents to only two hits and no runs.
It's possible that down the stretch he may have already earned his spot in the rotation for 2013.

Shelby Miller
The long-coveted fastball pitching prospect Shelby Miller also made his first trip to St. Louis in 2012 and put on a good show.
In 13.2 IP over six regular season games, Miller surrendered only two runs on nine hits. His postseason performance was more of the same with two runs on four hits in 3.2 IP.

Despite a dismal first half of the season in Memphis, Miller got himself together and still managed to make one major league start before the end of the season -- a very impressive start at that.
Against the Cincinnati Reds in the final game of the regular season, Miller posted 5.2 hitless innings. He gave up no runs and collected his first major league win.

Expect to see a lot more of Miller in St. Louis early in 2013.

Joe Kelly
When Joe Kelly made his major league debut on June 10, few could have guessed the importance he would play throughout the remainder of the 2012 season.
Kelly started 16 games for the Cardinals this season filling in for Jaime Garcia and Lance Lynn, but it was the postseason when he really came through for his teammates.

When starting pitchers struggled time and again in October, it was Kelly who came to their rescue.
In seven postseason appearances, Kelly threw 7.2 innings and surrendered only two runs on six hits. Kelly came through for the Cardinals from the bullpen.
There's a good chance that could be his home in the future.

Mike Matheny
When the Cardinals hired Mike Matheny to take over for Tony LaRussa, many question bringing in a manager with no experience to such a storied franchise.

He had a few hiccups and growing pains along the way, but for a rookie manager to get his team where Matheny did this year speaks volumes.
His players have a strong respect for Matheny and credit his positive style with being a driving force behind their 2012 success.
True, he didn't get them through the NLCS, but the team made it to an all or nothing Game 7. That's good experience for the players obviously, but also for Matheny. Not only did he learn a lot about managing in the media pressure cooker that is postseason baseball, he also got a taste of what it felt like to win as a manager.

NLCS loss means more drive to win
While the NLCS loss was a good lesson for a young manager, it's an even more important lesson for a young player.
The 2011 championship lit a fire under young players like Lance Lynn and Jon Jay. That fire helped drive them to extremely successful sophomore seasons.

What happened in 2012 will likely do the same for Rosenthal, Miller and Kelly. Their 2013 season may not be like Jay or Lynn's 2012, but now they've gotten a little taste of what it feels like to be a winner.

Both the excitement and the public humbling can be a great experience for any young player.

The run was without several key components
In a season riddled with injuries, none were as crucial as those late in the season.
The loss of Lance Berkman and Rafael Furcal significantly weakened the team's bench. Instead of having Pete Kozma, Allen Craig and Matt Carpenter to pinch hit, the team wound up having to use them in the lineup.

The loss of Jaime Garcia and Jake Westbrook also rocked the Cardinals. Instead of having Lynn and Westbrook also available from the bullpen, Lynn was pushed back into the rotation after a very successful NLDS bullpen stint.

Having gotten as deep into the playoffs as the Cardinals did in spite of the injuries is quite the accomplishment.

They did it without Pujols, LaRussa and Duncan
Few in the world of sports gave the Cardinals a fighting chance when Albert Pujols left the team to play on the west coast. Surely this team couldn't be as good as they were?

Few gave them a chance after longtime manager Tony LaRussa decided it was time to retire.
Few gave them a chance after pitching coach Dave Duncan left the team.
The Cardinals did it despite all of that. That's something any fan should be proud of.

No, they didn't hoist a trophy. There will be no parade or tickertape.
What there is, though, is hope for next year and that will come sooner than you may think.
After all, pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training in just four short months.

From a blog I was sent on twitter: http://www.dailystatesman.com/blogs/...es/entry/50051

BIG_DADDY · 10-22-2012, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rico

I've never been there, so honestly, I probably shouldn't run my trap.... My perception has been molded by the first things I think of when I hear about SF which are; Full House, hippies, Kenny Powers's prejudiced comments about SF at the first part of the first episode, the South Park "smug" episode and how everything we covered in an Alternative Lifestyles course in college was always somehow connected to San Francisco.

Yea well you probably don't want to hang out in the Castro but there are some really great places there. I hope I get the office suite I am working on right now. It's a rocks throw away from AT&T park.

rico · 10-22-2012, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pestilence

I jumped on when I was 8.

I jumped on when I was about 8 also...right at the end of the Mirer era. My grandma has 14 sisters and 2 brothers and one of her sister's grand kids (my distant cousin) married Lou Holtz's son. I used to come to school bragging about how I was related to Holtz (although I'm not). I've never met Holtz...or his son or my cousin that he married. Hell, I don't even know which son she married, could be Skip for all I know.... I just took what my Grandma told me, confirmed it with my mom and dad and ran with it....been an Irish fan ever since.

DJ's left nut · 10-22-2012, 04:22 PM

Mike Matheny is tougher than me:

DomerNKC · 10-22-2012, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mi_chief_fan

Well, the bandwagon is crowded these days.

i noticed that.

DomerNKC · 10-22-2012, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rico

I jumped on when I was about 8 also...right at the end of the Mirer era. My grandma has 14 sisters and 2 brothers and one of her sister's grand kids (my distant cousin) married Lou Holtz's son. I used to come to school bragging about how I was related to Holtz (although I'm not). I've never met Holtz...or his son or my cousin that he married. Hell, I don't even know which son she married, could be Skip for all I know.... I just took what my Grandma told me, confirmed it with my mom and dad and ran with it....been an Irish fan ever since.

I have been a fan for as long as i can remember. Go Irish!

**chefsos** · 10-22-2012, 05:07 PM

RIP Dave May, 68.

One of the very few native Delawareans to play big league ball; he had a 12 year career. His son Derrick also played for ten years, and is apparently a Cardinals minor league hitting coach, which is why I felt relatively safe trolling the thread with this post.

Marcellus · 10-22-2012, 05:18 PM

**** I hope this rain delay doesn't last long.

Marcellus · 10-22-2012, 05:26 PM

They are saying its going to start on time now.

**BigRedChief** · 10-22-2012, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chefsos

RIP Dave May, 68.

One of the very few native Delawareans to play big league ball; he had a 12 year career. His son Derrick also played for ten years, and is apparently a Cardinals minor league hitting coach, which is why I felt relatively safe trolling the thread with this post.

Everyone is always welcome in here. We will talk a lot of baseball realted issues in here over the year because its usually the only baseball thread on the front page.

We rarely have an issue with trolls anymore so everyone is usally pretty welcoming.

Did you know Dave or his son? Or just some state pride?

**SAUTO** · 10-22-2012, 05:58 PM

Brc the royals thread is on the front page quite a bit too.

not a cards fan here but I will be rooting for them tonight.

Father in law had a severe stroke and is in the hospital. Huge fan.

Told us all he has a box for the world series and was going to surprise us. So I guess most of us will get to go. But not him. Sad panda here.
Posted via Mobile Device

**chefsos** · 10-22-2012, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

Everyone is always welcome in here. We will talk a lot of baseball realted issues in here over the year because its usually the only baseball thread on the front page.

We rarely have an issue with trolls anymore so everyone is usally pretty welcoming.

Did you know Dave or his son? Or just some state pride?

Nah, didn't know them. State pride, as you've already guessed.

and...

GAME SEVEN. Don't those words alone just get the butterflies going? This is good stuff.

rico · 10-22-2012, 06:01 PM

I have the most difficult time finding freaking streams for baseball games. I end up searching for 30 minutes every damn time. I am pinching a penny due to going through some financial woes, so don't have any TV that the bunny ears don't pick up on. Can anyone help? Thanks in advance.

Btw, firstrowsports.eu says I need to download this stream app to get the game...I am not taking that route.

**BigRedChief** · 10-22-2012, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JASONSAUTO

Brc the royals thread is on the front page quite a bit too.

not a cards fan here but I will be rooting for them tonight.

Father in law had a severe stroke and is in the hospital. Huge fan.

Told us all he has a box for the world series and was going to surprise us. So I guess most of us will get to go. But not him. Sad panda here.
Posted via Mobile Device

Sorry to hear about your father in law. Hope the cards can pull this out and in some minor way help cheer him up.

rico · 10-22-2012, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DomerNKC

I have been a fan for as long as i can remember. Go Irish!

Right on, bruh!

**BigRedChief** · 10-22-2012, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rico

I have the most difficult time finding freaking streams for baseball games. I end up searching for 30 minutes every damn time. I am pinching a penny due to going through some financial woes, so don't have any TV that the bunny ears don't pick up on. Can anyone help? Thanks in advance.

Btw, firstrowsports.eu says I need to download this stream app to get the game...I am not taking that route.

Its on FOX?

01-04-2012, 10:08 PM
BigRedChief Has a particular set of skills Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: On the water Casino cash: $1228962 VARSITY	*Offical 2012 STL Cardinals World Champions Thread * St. Louis Cardinals: 7 reasons fans should feel good about 2012 Posted Wednesday, October 24, 2012, at 9:26 PM St. Louis Cardinals fans are likely feeling deflated after the collapse that put an end to the team's dreams of a World Series repeat, but there is good reason to be excited. With all of the odds against them, the Cardinals managed to push their 2012 season beyond any anticipated boundary. Given all of the season's changes and the adversity the team had to fight through, the fact that they played in October at all was an anomaly in itself. On paper, it made sense for the Cardinals to be in the playoffs, but few saw them as a true threat. As the season continued, even fans began to doubt as they watched the team seemingly crumble in June and July. When the Cardinals finally came to life in September they went 11-5 in the last 16 games of the season to lock up the second Wild Card position in its inaugural year. That run, despite it's crushing end in Cincinnati in Game 7 of the National League Championship Series, lots of good came from the Cardinals' season and playoff run. Following in no particular order are 10 reasons Cardinals fans have to be excited about the 2013 season. Trevor Rosenthal When rookie fireballer Trevor Rosenthal made his first trip to St. Louis, it was obvious almost instantly that he was something special. Between his 100 mph fastball and the general inability for almost anyone to hit off of him, he became a huge part of the Cardinals playoff run. He pitched in a total of 19 regular season games before the 22-year-old rookie from Lee's Summit, Mo. got his first taste of postseason baseball and he put on quite a show. In 8.2 IP over seven postseason appearances, Rosenthal held opponents to only two hits and no runs. It's possible that down the stretch he may have already earned his spot in the rotation for 2013. Shelby Miller The long-coveted fastball pitching prospect Shelby Miller also made his first trip to St. Louis in 2012 and put on a good show. In 13.2 IP over six regular season games, Miller surrendered only two runs on nine hits. His postseason performance was more of the same with two runs on four hits in 3.2 IP. Despite a dismal first half of the season in Memphis, Miller got himself together and still managed to make one major league start before the end of the season -- a very impressive start at that. Against the Cincinnati Reds in the final game of the regular season, Miller posted 5.2 hitless innings. He gave up no runs and collected his first major league win. Expect to see a lot more of Miller in St. Louis early in 2013. Joe Kelly When Joe Kelly made his major league debut on June 10, few could have guessed the importance he would play throughout the remainder of the 2012 season. Kelly started 16 games for the Cardinals this season filling in for Jaime Garcia and Lance Lynn, but it was the postseason when he really came through for his teammates. When starting pitchers struggled time and again in October, it was Kelly who came to their rescue. In seven postseason appearances, Kelly threw 7.2 innings and surrendered only two runs on six hits. Kelly came through for the Cardinals from the bullpen. There's a good chance that could be his home in the future. Mike Matheny When the Cardinals hired Mike Matheny to take over for Tony LaRussa, many question bringing in a manager with no experience to such a storied franchise. He had a few hiccups and growing pains along the way, but for a rookie manager to get his team where Matheny did this year speaks volumes. His players have a strong respect for Matheny and credit his positive style with being a driving force behind their 2012 success. True, he didn't get them through the NLCS, but the team made it to an all or nothing Game 7. That's good experience for the players obviously, but also for Matheny. Not only did he learn a lot about managing in the media pressure cooker that is postseason baseball, he also got a taste of what it felt like to win as a manager. NLCS loss means more drive to win While the NLCS loss was a good lesson for a young manager, it's an even more important lesson for a young player. The 2011 championship lit a fire under young players like Lance Lynn and Jon Jay. That fire helped drive them to extremely successful sophomore seasons. What happened in 2012 will likely do the same for Rosenthal, Miller and Kelly. Their 2013 season may not be like Jay or Lynn's 2012, but now they've gotten a little taste of what it feels like to be a winner. Both the excitement and the public humbling can be a great experience for any young player. The run was without several key components In a season riddled with injuries, none were as crucial as those late in the season. The loss of Lance Berkman and Rafael Furcal significantly weakened the team's bench. Instead of having Pete Kozma, Allen Craig and Matt Carpenter to pinch hit, the team wound up having to use them in the lineup. The loss of Jaime Garcia and Jake Westbrook also rocked the Cardinals. Instead of having Lynn and Westbrook also available from the bullpen, Lynn was pushed back into the rotation after a very successful NLDS bullpen stint. Having gotten as deep into the playoffs as the Cardinals did in spite of the injuries is quite the accomplishment. They did it without Pujols, LaRussa and Duncan Few in the world of sports gave the Cardinals a fighting chance when Albert Pujols left the team to play on the west coast. Surely this team couldn't be as good as they were? Few gave them a chance after longtime manager Tony LaRussa decided it was time to retire. Few gave them a chance after pitching coach Dave Duncan left the team. The Cardinals did it despite all of that. That's something any fan should be proud of. No, they didn't hoist a trophy. There will be no parade or tickertape. What there is, though, is hope for next year and that will come sooner than you may think. After all, pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training in just four short months. From a blog I was sent on twitter: http://www.dailystatesman.com/blogs/...es/entry/50051 Last edited by BigRedChief; 10-24-2012 at 08:57 PM..
Posts: 80,122

10-22-2012, 04:22 PM	#2178
DJ's left nut Sauntering Vaguely Downwards Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Columbia, Mo Casino cash: $1179099	Mike Matheny is tougher than me: Your browser does not support iframes. __________________ "If there's a god, he's laughing at us.....and our football team..." "When you look at something through rose colored glasses, all the red flags just look like flags."
Posts: 63,171

10-22-2012, 05:07 PM	#2181
chefsos Fifty eight sixty two... Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Felton, DE Casino cash: $8367676	RIP Dave May, 68. One of the very few native Delawareans to play big league ball; he had a 12 year career. His son Derrick also played for ten years, and is apparently a Cardinals minor league hitting coach, which is why I felt relatively safe trolling the thread with this post.
Posts: 9,451

10-22-2012, 05:18 PM	#2182
Marcellus Diablo Negro Join Date: Sep 2003 Casino cash: $1352662	**** I hope this rain delay doesn't last long.
Posts: 72,284

10-22-2012, 05:26 PM	#2183
Marcellus Diablo Negro Join Date: Sep 2003 Casino cash: $1352662	They are saying its going to start on time now.
Posts: 72,284

10-22-2012, 05:58 PM	#2185
SAUTO Shit Join Date: Jun 2008 Casino cash: $10039067	Brc the royals thread is on the front page quite a bit too. not a cards fan here but I will be rooting for them tonight. Father in law had a severe stroke and is in the hospital. Huge fan. Told us all he has a box for the world series and was going to surprise us. So I guess most of us will get to go. But not him. Sad panda here. Posted via Mobile Device
Posts: 55,715

10-22-2012, 06:01 PM	#2187
rico ON CP YOU’RE SOMEBODY’S BITCH! Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Da SEI Casino cash: $3544809	I have the most difficult time finding freaking streams for baseball games. I end up searching for 30 minutes every damn time. I am pinching a penny due to going through some financial woes, so don't have any TV that the bunny ears don't pick up on. Can anyone help? Thanks in advance. Btw, firstrowsports.eu says I need to download this stream app to get the game...I am not taking that route.
Posts: 13,270