Cardinals ***OFFICIAL*** 2013 STL Cardinals Thread - Page 263

**BigRedChief** · 08:16 PM

From Bernie's column:

People have asked me why we’re not more emotional,” Matheny said in his office after Sunday’s game. “They say that we look subdued, always intense. That our actions are methodical, robotic at times. That’s what got us here. This isn’t the time to change it.”

It’s hard to argue with the manager’s assessment. The Cardinals finished with 97 victories, most by a Cards team since 2005, and tied with Boston for No. 1 in the majors this year.

Their 54-27 showing at Busch Stadium matches the 1985 team for the best single-season home winning percentage (.667) by the Cardinals since 1944.

A postseason theme has emerged, and it echoes the mantra that surfaced before the start of 2013: remember the fall of 2012. Remember falling to San Francisco in the NLCS.

The Cardinals’ veterans still haven’t forgotten. They still aren’t over it. It’s why Matheny resists GM John Mozeliak’s urgings to smile and put on a happier face.

Here's the most impressive aspect of the Cardinals' division championship: they prevailed over two other outstanding teams, Pittsburgh and Cincinnati.

The 97-win Cardinals were better this year (regular season) than they were in 2011, when they won 90 games, and 2012, when they won 88.
Here are a few numbers that help put the Cardinals' Central title and No. 1 NL seed in perspective:

* Since MLB switched to a three-division format in each league in 1994, this was only the sixth time that a division had three 90-plus win teams. St. Louis won 97, Pittsburgh 94, and Cincinnati 90.
* Since the format change, this was only the second time that an NL division had three 90-win teams. In 2002 the NL West had Arizona (98 wins), San Francisco (95) and Los Angeles (92).
* The 2013 Cardinals faced more esteemed and difficult competition at the top of the division than any of the division-winning teams managed by Tony La Russa.

The Pirates were hardly pushovers; the Cardinals had to work like mad and kick in with a strong finish to put the division away, and didn't clinch until Game No. 160.

The Cardinals went 9-10 against Pittsburgh this season and were 11-8 vs. Cincinnati.

The Cardinals won only three of 10 games at PNC Park in Pittsburgh and split the 10 games at Cincinnati. The Cardinals were 6-3 against both teams at Busch Stadium.

The Cardinals (1st), Pirates (3rd) and Reds (5th) ranked among the top five in wins in the NL. The three teams were among the top 11 in wins in MLB. All three teams finished in the top five in the majors for best overall ERA, and each were in the top five MLB for best starting-pitching ERA.

The original purpose to this piece was to point out that the Cardinals managed to finish with the league's best record while competing in a division that had three 90-win teams for only the second time in the last 19 years of National League baseball.

The Cardinals really earned this.
Thanks for reading ...
— Bernie

'Hamas' Jenkins · 08-13-2013, 10:50 PM

No way the Cardinals win this game.

Miles · 08-13-2013, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

They were. Carpenter taking that base ****s us because it ensures that our two best power hitters won't bat.

A just God would have Maness take a walk or a wild pitch.

Yep. That worked out perfectly for them. This RP at cleanup twice through the order hasn't worked so well.

NJChiefsFan · 08-13-2013, 10:54 PM

As an independent observer I have enjoyed this game since I turned on MLBN in the 8th. Been some interesting escapes by both teams, even if the other team helped them do it.

kcpasco · 08-13-2013, 10:56 PM

If MM was gonna take out Maness why in the hell didnt he pinch hit Westbrook. WTF is wrong with this guy?

'Hamas' Jenkins · 08-13-2013, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcpasco

If MM was gonna take out Maness why in the hell didnt he pinch hit Westbrook. WTF is wrong with this guy?

Westbrook is probably the last line of defense in the pen. Maness took some decent cuts there.

And holy ****ing shit, Freeman just nailed the black on two straight pitches, getting ****ed on both.

Time for a two run bomb from the antichrist, Neil Walker.

NJChiefsFan · 08-13-2013, 11:01 PM

The Pirates telecast said Maness was also a middle infielder in college. Maybe that went into it also.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 08-13-2013, 11:06 PM

I hate Rob Johnson more than Ty Wigginton.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 08-13-2013, 11:10 PM

It's about ****ing time we ran in a late game situation.

NJChiefsFan · 08-13-2013, 11:10 PM

Barmes boots a ball but then somehow picks that ball cleanly.

Miles · 08-13-2013, 11:12 PM

Can't believe they finally pulled that off.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 08-13-2013, 11:12 PM

OMFG.

He looked out.

Thank ****ing God.

Piss off and die Rob Johnson, Pete Kozma, and Mike Matheny. Thank you, Chambers.

NJChiefsFan · 08-13-2013, 11:13 PM

Marte almost made up for his terrible error.

Miles · 08-13-2013, 11:13 PM

Looks the throw was there in time but just far enough off target to cause Martin to miss on the swipe.

kcpasco · 08-13-2013, 11:14 PM

Dont forget Jon Jay.

Miles · 08-13-2013, 11:14 PM

We were also saved from watching Kozma bat for the 7th time.

01-25-2013, 05:27 PM
BigRedChief Has a particular set of skills Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: On the water Casino cash: $3169627 VARSITY	*OFFICIAL* 2013 STL Cardinals Thread From Bernie's column: People have asked me why we’re not more emotional,” Matheny said in his office after Sunday’s game. “They say that we look subdued, always intense. That our actions are methodical, robotic at times. That’s what got us here. This isn’t the time to change it.” It’s hard to argue with the manager’s assessment. The Cardinals finished with 97 victories, most by a Cards team since 2005, and tied with Boston for No. 1 in the majors this year. Their 54-27 showing at Busch Stadium matches the 1985 team for the best single-season home winning percentage (.667) by the Cardinals since 1944. A postseason theme has emerged, and it echoes the mantra that surfaced before the start of 2013: remember the fall of 2012. Remember falling to San Francisco in the NLCS. The Cardinals’ veterans still haven’t forgotten. They still aren’t over it. It’s why Matheny resists GM John Mozeliak’s urgings to smile and put on a happier face. Here's the most impressive aspect of the Cardinals' division championship: they prevailed over two other outstanding teams, Pittsburgh and Cincinnati. The 97-win Cardinals were better this year (regular season) than they were in 2011, when they won 90 games, and 2012, when they won 88. Here are a few numbers that help put the Cardinals' Central title and No. 1 NL seed in perspective: * Since MLB switched to a three-division format in each league in 1994, this was only the sixth time that a division had three 90-plus win teams. St. Louis won 97, Pittsburgh 94, and Cincinnati 90. * Since the format change, this was only the second time that an NL division had three 90-win teams. In 2002 the NL West had Arizona (98 wins), San Francisco (95) and Los Angeles (92). * The 2013 Cardinals faced more esteemed and difficult competition at the top of the division than any of the division-winning teams managed by Tony La Russa. The Pirates were hardly pushovers; the Cardinals had to work like mad and kick in with a strong finish to put the division away, and didn't clinch until Game No. 160. The Cardinals went 9-10 against Pittsburgh this season and were 11-8 vs. Cincinnati. The Cardinals won only three of 10 games at PNC Park in Pittsburgh and split the 10 games at Cincinnati. The Cardinals were 6-3 against both teams at Busch Stadium. The Cardinals (1st), Pirates (3rd) and Reds (5th) ranked among the top five in wins in the NL. The three teams were among the top 11 in wins in MLB. All three teams finished in the top five in the majors for best overall ERA, and each were in the top five MLB for best starting-pitching ERA. The original purpose to this piece was to point out that the Cardinals managed to finish with the league's best record while competing in a division that had three 90-win teams for only the second time in the last 19 years of National League baseball. The Cardinals really earned this. Thanks for reading ... — Bernie Last edited by BigRedChief; 10-02-2013 at 08:16 PM..
Posts: 78,982

08-13-2013, 10:50 PM	#3931
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8009572	No way the Cardinals win this game. __________________ "When the Know-Nothings get control, it will read 'all men are created equal, except negroes, and foreigners, and Catholics.' When it comes to this I should prefer emigrating to some country where they make no pretense of loving liberty – to Russia, for instance, where despotism can be taken pure, and without the base alloy of hypocrisy.”--Abraham Lincoln
Posts: 74,825

08-13-2013, 10:54 PM	#3933
NJChiefsFan I've Made a Huge Mistake Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: NJ Casino cash: $5770423	As an independent observer I have enjoyed this game since I turned on MLBN in the 8th. Been some interesting escapes by both teams, even if the other team helped them do it.
Posts: 12,235

08-13-2013, 10:56 PM	#3934
kcpasco MVP Join Date: Sep 2007 Casino cash: $7733463	If MM was gonna take out Maness why in the hell didnt he pinch hit Westbrook. WTF is wrong with this guy?
Posts: 15,477

08-13-2013, 11:01 PM	#3936
NJChiefsFan I've Made a Huge Mistake Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: NJ Casino cash: $5770423	The Pirates telecast said Maness was also a middle infielder in college. Maybe that went into it also.
Posts: 12,235

08-13-2013, 11:06 PM	#3937
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8009572	I hate Rob Johnson more than Ty Wigginton. __________________ "When the Know-Nothings get control, it will read 'all men are created equal, except negroes, and foreigners, and Catholics.' When it comes to this I should prefer emigrating to some country where they make no pretense of loving liberty – to Russia, for instance, where despotism can be taken pure, and without the base alloy of hypocrisy.”--Abraham Lincoln
Posts: 74,825

08-13-2013, 11:10 PM	#3938
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8009572	It's about ****ing time we ran in a late game situation. __________________ "When the Know-Nothings get control, it will read 'all men are created equal, except negroes, and foreigners, and Catholics.' When it comes to this I should prefer emigrating to some country where they make no pretense of loving liberty – to Russia, for instance, where despotism can be taken pure, and without the base alloy of hypocrisy.”--Abraham Lincoln
Posts: 74,825

08-13-2013, 11:10 PM	#3939
NJChiefsFan I've Made a Huge Mistake Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: NJ Casino cash: $5770423	Barmes boots a ball but then somehow picks that ball cleanly.
Posts: 12,235

08-13-2013, 11:12 PM	#3940
Miles MVP Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Dallas, TX Casino cash: $1692400	Can't believe they finally pulled that off.
Posts: 14,520

08-13-2013, 11:12 PM	#3941
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8009572	OMFG. He looked out. Thank ****ing God. Piss off and die Rob Johnson, Pete Kozma, and Mike Matheny. Thank you, Chambers. __________________ "When the Know-Nothings get control, it will read 'all men are created equal, except negroes, and foreigners, and Catholics.' When it comes to this I should prefer emigrating to some country where they make no pretense of loving liberty – to Russia, for instance, where despotism can be taken pure, and without the base alloy of hypocrisy.”--Abraham Lincoln
Posts: 74,825

08-13-2013, 11:13 PM	#3942
NJChiefsFan I've Made a Huge Mistake Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: NJ Casino cash: $5770423	Marte almost made up for his terrible error.
Posts: 12,235

08-13-2013, 11:13 PM	#3943
Miles MVP Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Dallas, TX Casino cash: $1692400	Looks the throw was there in time but just far enough off target to cause Martin to miss on the swipe.
Posts: 14,520

08-13-2013, 11:14 PM	#3944
kcpasco MVP Join Date: Sep 2007 Casino cash: $7733463	Dont forget Jon Jay.
Posts: 15,477

08-13-2013, 11:14 PM	#3945
Miles MVP Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Dallas, TX Casino cash: $1692400	We were also saved from watching Kozma bat for the 7th time.
Posts: 14,520