Cardinals ***Offical 2012 STL Cardinals World Champions Thread *** - Page 14

**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

**BigRedChief** · 04-05-2012, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whoman69

I've heard reports that Westbrook lost weight and is looking much better. If he can improve, in the short term it could make up for Carpenter's loss. I don't think anyone wants to see Carpenter on the DL long term, but they shouldn't try to hurry him back before he's ready.

I was in Jupiter and watched Westbrook pitch his last spring training game about 4 rows behind home plate.

Westbrook was sharp and his balls, all of his pitches had good movement.

**BigRedChief** · 04-05-2012, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swanman

Actually his last two pitches were both 90+ mph sliders, and that is just unfair. He doesn't even need to throw that pitch for a strike most of the time, hitters will chase it. Also, his 99 mph letter high fastball to the previous batter was a thing of beauty.

If Motte can get hitters to chase that 90+ mph slider he has a very high ceiling. 98/99 mph fastball and a 91 mph slider....thats an all-star combination.

Marcellus · 04-05-2012, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

I was in Jupiter and watched Westbrook pitch his last spring training game about 4 rows behind home plate.

Westbrook was sharp and his balls, all of his pitches had good movement.

Frazod · 04-05-2012, 06:06 PM

One of my Cub fan friends posted a link on Facebook to the latest silly-ass One Day We'll Win! song, this one by Eddie Vedder. Says it's a new anthem for Cub fans.

I replied: "The Cardinals have an anthem. It's by Queen, called WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS. Can be played to actual footage of Going All The Way!"

I may be getting defriended soon.

veist · 04-05-2012, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frazod

One of my Cub fan friends posted a link on Facebook to the latest silly-ass One Day We'll Win! song, this one by Eddie Vedder. Says it's a new anthem for Cub fans.

I replied: "The Cardinals have an anthem. It's by Queen, called WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS. Can be played to actual footage of Going All The Way!"

I may be getting defriended soon.

Troll Level: Master

Mi_chief_fan · 04-06-2012, 05:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swanman

Actually his last two pitches were both 90+ mph sliders, and that is just unfair. He doesn't even need to throw that pitch for a strike most of the time, hitters will chase it. Also, his 99 mph letter high fastball to the previous batter was a thing of beauty. With Scrabble and Salas working the setup role, I am pretty damn confident about the bullpen. I am out of the loop, what's the deal with Sanchez? Last year he had perfect setup man stuff before he got hurt.

Here's a tweet from Brian Walton on Sanchez from last night's game in OKC:

Eduardo Sanchez' 9th inning for Memphis: 2 BB, HBP, 2B for 2 RBI, IBB, K, DP to end game. 2 R allowed, but gets ugly save. Mem 4, OKC 3.

Marcellus · 04-06-2012, 03:05 PM

Showing some pop today. 4 HR's through 3 innings.

DJ's left nut · 04-06-2012, 03:08 PM

They went HR, HR, BB, HR, BB to start the 3rd.

The top of the order - not too shabby.

Frazod · 04-06-2012, 03:23 PM

Anybody actually watching the game? I wonder what sort of reception they got from the Brewers fans.

I assume it wasn't overly cordial.

Scott Pilgrim · 04-06-2012, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frazod

Anybody actually watching the game? I wonder what sort of reception they got from the Brewers fans.

I assume it wasn't overly cordial.

They were loud at the start... not so much anymore

Marcellus · 04-06-2012, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frazod

Anybody actually watching the game? I wonder what sort of reception they got from the Brewers fans.

I assume it wasn't overly cordial.

Didn't hear many boos for the Cards but they gave Braun a 2 minute standing ovation.

Cheering a cheater is all they got now.

Frazod · 04-06-2012, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcellus

Didn't hear many boos for the Cards but they gave Braun a 2 minute standing ovation.

Cheering a cheater is all they got now.

Hey, a little respect - after all, they are defending NL Central Champions.

*snicker*

Jewish Rabbi · 04-06-2012, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frazod

Hey, a little respect - after all, they are defending NL Central Champions.

*snicker*

They gave him the MVP chants his second time up.

Jewish Rabbi · 04-06-2012, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

They went HR, HR, BB, HR, BB to start the 3rd.

The top of the order - not too shabby.

As Horton said... Falling into old habits of only scoring on home runs.

KC_Connection · 04-06-2012, 03:45 PM

All of those people cheering Braun were the same people booing Bonds for years.

01-04-2012, 10:08 PM
BigRedChief Has a particular set of skills Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: On the water Casino cash: $3239627 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: 78,931

04-05-2012, 06:06 PM	#199
Frazod WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $3225085	One of my Cub fan friends posted a link on Facebook to the latest silly-ass One Day We'll Win! song, this one by Eddie Vedder. Says it's a new anthem for Cub fans. I replied: "The Cardinals have an anthem. It's by Queen, called WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS. Can be played to actual footage of Going All The Way!" I may be getting defriended soon.
Posts: 119,480

04-06-2012, 03:05 PM	#202
Marcellus Diablo Negro Join Date: Sep 2003 Casino cash: $3182662	Showing some pop today. 4 HR's through 3 innings.
Posts: 69,131

04-06-2012, 03:08 PM	#203
DJ's left nut Sauntering Vaguely Downwards Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Columbia, Mo Casino cash: $3099099	They went HR, HR, BB, HR, BB to start the 3rd. The top of the order - not too shabby. __________________ "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: 60,071

04-06-2012, 03:23 PM	#204
Frazod WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $3225085	Anybody actually watching the game? I wonder what sort of reception they got from the Brewers fans. I assume it wasn't overly cordial.
Posts: 119,480

04-06-2012, 03:45 PM	#210
KC_Connection Perpetual Mediocrity Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $5472783	All of those people cheering Braun were the same people booing Bonds for years.
Posts: 48,583

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