Cardinals ***OFFICIAL*** 2013 STL Cardinals Thread - Page 212

**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

**BigRedChief** · 07-24-2013, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

Damn, Gast needs shoulder surgery. Well, it was nice knowing you, John.

He got his cup of coffee. Thats more than most who ever play the game.

Wacha/Miller/Martinez/Rosenthal blow out a shoulder.......... meltdown time.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 07-24-2013, 06:35 PM

Gast actually healthcare for life. If he can manage to accrue 43 days in the bigs he'll get a 34k/year pension, too.

O.city · 07-24-2013, 06:45 PM

Big hit for Adams, although I'd have much rather seen him drive that hanger in the upper deck rather than a seeing eye single, but runs are runs.

Mother****erJones · 07-24-2013, 06:50 PM

The whole White Sox team have played like shit this entire year. We had 70 errors all of last year..this year we have 68 already and have 14 multi-error games. Alexei can field with the best of them though at times. This year he really trained hard to hit the ball. That may have turned his focus off his defense.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 07-24-2013, 06:55 PM

I really wonder if Freese is battling another issue in his lower half (aside from the arthritic ankles). He has no power, and he was slow as hell to the plate when Young gunned him down.

O.city · 07-24-2013, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

I really wonder if Freese is battling another issue in his lower half (aside from the arthritic ankles). He has no power, and he was slow as hell to the plate when Young gunned him down.

He doesn't seem to have the bat speed or something. He isnt' powerful, and he isn't centering pitches that he should, in counts where he's actually guessing right.

Pepe Silvia · 07-24-2013, 06:58 PM

Gotta love Adams. I hope Westbrook doesn't have much trouble with the shitty Phils.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 07-24-2013, 07:04 PM

Jesus, we've gotten lucky tonight

. A weak chopper scores the first two runs, then Yadi hits that duck snort that drops.

Aside: has the team hit a HR since the ASB?

O.city · 07-24-2013, 07:05 PM

No dingers, but quite a few XBH's, IIRC.

Freese is ****ing worthless right now.

Jewish Rabbi · 07-24-2013, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

Jesus, we've gotten lucky tonight

. A weak chopper scores the first two runs, then Yadi hits that duck snort that drops.

Aside: has the team hit a HR since the ASB?

I know we have a lack of power, but 4 games without a homer isn't terribly uncommon.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 07-24-2013, 07:22 PM

Who needs Reyes when you have Westbrook?

Jewish Rabbi · 07-24-2013, 07:23 PM

Jake ****ing Westbrook everybody. So glad one of the teams I root for is on the good side of shit like that.

O.city · 07-24-2013, 07:27 PM

Time for a killshot Carlos

'Hamas' Jenkins · 07-24-2013, 07:49 PM

He centered that one.

Simply Red · 07-24-2013, 07:56 PM

Tim Hudson out for the season, i'm guessing. Trampled top of foot/ankle region at 1st base. Stretchered off. Good thing we ball like mike at the Pitcher position.

01-25-2013, 05:27 PM
BigRedChief Has a particular set of skills Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: On the water Casino cash: $3219627 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: 78,938

07-24-2013, 06:35 PM	#3167
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8019572	Gast actually healthcare for life. If he can manage to accrue 43 days in the bigs he'll get a 34k/year pension, too. __________________ "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: 74,821

07-24-2013, 06:45 PM	#3168
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $2824064	Big hit for Adams, although I'd have much rather seen him drive that hanger in the upper deck rather than a seeing eye single, but runs are runs.
Posts: 81,176

07-24-2013, 06:55 PM	#3170
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8019572	I really wonder if Freese is battling another issue in his lower half (aside from the arthritic ankles). He has no power, and he was slow as hell to the plate when Young gunned him down. __________________ "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: 74,821

07-24-2013, 06:58 PM	#3172
Pepe Silvia MVP Join Date: Oct 2012 Casino cash: $1984664	Gotta love Adams. I hope Westbrook doesn't have much trouble with the shitty Phils.
Posts: 16,532

07-24-2013, 07:04 PM	#3173
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8019572	Jesus, we've gotten lucky tonight . A weak chopper scores the first two runs, then Yadi hits that duck snort that drops. Aside: has the team hit a HR since the ASB? __________________ "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: 74,821

07-24-2013, 07:05 PM	#3174
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $2824064	No dingers, but quite a few XBH's, IIRC. Freese is ****ing worthless right now.
Posts: 81,176

07-24-2013, 07:22 PM	#3176
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8019572	Who needs Reyes when you have Westbrook? __________________ "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: 74,821

07-24-2013, 07:23 PM	#3177
Jewish Rabbi What's up braj? Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Placencia, Belize Casino cash: $2198320	Jake ****ing Westbrook everybody. So glad one of the teams I root for is on the good side of shit like that.
Posts: 15,531

07-24-2013, 07:27 PM	#3178
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $2824064	Time for a killshot Carlos
Posts: 81,176

07-24-2013, 07:49 PM	#3179
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8019572	He centered that one. __________________ "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: 74,821

07-24-2013, 07:56 PM	#3180
Simply Red You Sweetie! Join Date: Sep 2005 Casino cash: $2021206219 VARSITY	Tim Hudson out for the season, i'm guessing. Trampled top of foot/ankle region at 1st base. Stretchered off. Good thing we ball like mike at the Pitcher position.
Posts: 71,691