Cardinals ***OFFICIAL*** 2013 STL Cardinals Thread - Page 178

**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

O.city · 07-11-2013, 07:48 PM

Heard someone say, in regards to Taveras, they weren't even going to think anything about bringing him back till post AS break.

Martinez or Wacha, like Hamas said, are going to have to come up and be good.

**BigRedChief** · 07-11-2013, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

I'm sure that Mozeliak is treating every pitch from Carpenter as a bonus, because that's exactly what it is.

As long as we don't depend on him, things will be fine.

I'm sure they got their eyes wide open. It would be nice if he had one last playoff memory for us fans

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

As far as Lee is concerned, there is no ****ing way the Cardinals should go after him. Dude is making 27 million per the next few years.

Why should we give up Martinez and Wong and take on that salary?

Why would we get rid of Pujols $20 million salary and turn around in two years and take on Lee's $27 million salary?

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

Shelby's not going to be nails all year. Lynn has always been a 3/4, and Westbrook's job is just to eat innings.

Yep, its unrealistic to expect that start to last all year.

O.city · 07-11-2013, 07:51 PM

With the new TV contracts, I don't think taking on that contract would be impossible, but it's not something hte Cardinals do. I don't think anyone would be against having Lee and Waino as a 1 2 punch in the playoffs, but I don't think it's plausible.

O.city · 07-11-2013, 07:53 PM

I also woudln't be upset if we did in fact move some of these prospects. They aren't all going to turn out to what we hope they will be or what they project as. I just don't know which ones.

Jenkins would be my first option to go, along with Pederson and Wacha.

However, they're cost controlled players so either way, we shall see.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 07-11-2013, 07:53 PM

Garza is available, but Epstein wants a ****ton for him, and he's not worth it.

Once Peavy comes back he may be worth taking a look at.

O.city · 07-11-2013, 07:55 PM

I doubt they'd deal Garza in the division, or they'd atleast want a shit ton for him. Peavy is interesting.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 07-11-2013, 07:56 PM

Christ. That ball was ****ing roasted. It's just not our night.

O.city · 07-11-2013, 07:57 PM

Is the wind blowing in tonight?

O.city · 07-11-2013, 07:58 PM

We've hit the ball extremely hard tonight to only have 3 hits. Christ.

O.city · 07-11-2013, 08:00 PM

Yadi rolls it over. What happened to this drive the ball up the box philosophy?

O.city · 07-11-2013, 08:02 PM

Swings at a ball that bounces in front of the plate.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 07-11-2013, 08:03 PM

Jesus, he wasn't even close to that.

O.city · 07-11-2013, 08:04 PM

I'd put 3rd base on the wish list as well. This whole Freese thing isn't going to end well.

O.city · 07-11-2013, 08:05 PM

It's not even a great breaking pitch. **** me man, it's almost a cement mixer.

O.city · 07-11-2013, 08:06 PM

I still don't know how the hell Adams ball doesnt' leave that bandbox. He mashed that thing.

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

07-11-2013, 07:48 PM	#2656
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $2774064	Heard someone say, in regards to Taveras, they weren't even going to think anything about bringing him back till post AS break. Martinez or Wacha, like Hamas said, are going to have to come up and be good.
Posts: 81,205

07-11-2013, 07:51 PM	#2658
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $2774064	With the new TV contracts, I don't think taking on that contract would be impossible, but it's not something hte Cardinals do. I don't think anyone would be against having Lee and Waino as a 1 2 punch in the playoffs, but I don't think it's plausible.
Posts: 81,205

07-11-2013, 07:53 PM	#2659
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $2774064	I also woudln't be upset if we did in fact move some of these prospects. They aren't all going to turn out to what we hope they will be or what they project as. I just don't know which ones. Jenkins would be my first option to go, along with Pederson and Wacha. However, they're cost controlled players so either way, we shall see.
Posts: 81,205

07-11-2013, 07:53 PM	#2660
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8009572	Garza is available, but Epstein wants a ****ton for him, and he's not worth it. Once Peavy comes back he may be worth taking a look at. __________________ "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

07-11-2013, 07:55 PM	#2661
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $2774064	I doubt they'd deal Garza in the division, or they'd atleast want a shit ton for him. Peavy is interesting.
Posts: 81,205

07-11-2013, 07:56 PM	#2662
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8009572	Christ. That ball was ****ing roasted. It's just not our night. __________________ "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

07-11-2013, 07:57 PM	#2663
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $2774064	Is the wind blowing in tonight?
Posts: 81,205

07-11-2013, 07:58 PM	#2664
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $2774064	We've hit the ball extremely hard tonight to only have 3 hits. Christ.
Posts: 81,205

07-11-2013, 08:00 PM	#2665
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $2774064	Yadi rolls it over. What happened to this drive the ball up the box philosophy?
Posts: 81,205

07-11-2013, 08:02 PM	#2666
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $2774064	Swings at a ball that bounces in front of the plate.
Posts: 81,205

07-11-2013, 08:03 PM	#2667
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8009572	Jesus, he wasn't even close to that. __________________ "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

07-11-2013, 08:04 PM	#2668
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $2774064	I'd put 3rd base on the wish list as well. This whole Freese thing isn't going to end well.
Posts: 81,205

07-11-2013, 08:05 PM	#2669
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $2774064	It's not even a great breaking pitch. **** me man, it's almost a cement mixer.
Posts: 81,205

07-11-2013, 08:06 PM	#2670
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $2774064	I still don't know how the hell Adams ball doesnt' leave that bandbox. He mashed that thing.
Posts: 81,205