***OFFICIAL*** 2013 STL Cardinals Thread

[BigRedChief]

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

[Pepe Silvia]

Originally Posted by O.city

And I was trolling about sale guys, I swear I'm not THAT dumb

Thats what I was hoping..

[Rams Fan]

Originally Posted by O.city

What about when Holliday comes back? Beltran to 4 and move everyone down a notch?

I'll admit, I'm a Reyes true fan I've always loved te guy as a player. But damn if he wouldn't fit great with this team.

Reyes
Carp
Holliday
Craig
Beltran
Yadi
Freese
Jay
P

For the rest of the year? Sign me up.

Then plug Tavares into Cf next year and let him hit 7th.

At Reyes' salary, age, and injury history? **** no. I like him too, but it isn't worth it.

Alexei Ramirez? Count me in.

[O.city]

I would take on his salary, mainly because of what we'll be losing next year in terms of salary. But it would be a risk, with his health history.

But, IMO, it's a risk I'd take (already said, huge Reyes fan, knowmohomerstyle) in that the upside is so high.

[O.city]

Anyway, they have to almost go after a pitcher. Read today that they don't really think Baby Pedro is ready to start at this level quite yet.

[Rams Fan]

Originally Posted by O.city

Anyway, they have to almost go after a pitcher. Read today that they don't really think Baby Pedro is ready to start at this level quite yet.

Still don't understand why he isn't in Memphis.

Originally Posted by O.city

I would take on his salary, mainly because of what we'll be losing next year in terms of salary. But it would be a risk, with his health history.

But, IMO, it's a risk I'd take (already said, huge Reyes fan, knowmohomerstyle) in that the upside is so high.

It's a high risk, high reward move. I don't remember a trade since Jocketty was a GM that the Cardinals have given up a shit load for such a risky player.

[O.city]

I'm not sure it would take a SHIT LOAD, but like I said, If I were making that move, obviously Wong would be one to go along with Wacha.

[O.city]

Originally Posted by Rams Fan

Still don't understand why he isn't in Memphis.



It's a high risk, high reward move. I don't remember a trade since Jocketty was a GM that the Cardinals have given up a shit load for such a risky player.

I know he's missed time with injuries, but has he been dinged up THAT much?

[Rams Fan]

Originally Posted by O.city

I know he's missed time with injuries, but has he been dinged up THAT much?

He's played 130+ games in his career since I believe what was his first opportunity at playing a full season-2004- 6 times.

[O.city]

Originally Posted by Rams Fan

He's played 130+ games in his career since I believe what was his full season-2005-6 times.

So out of 7 seasons he's played 130 plus 6 times?

[Rams Fan]

And K-Rod was just shipped to the O's.

[Rams Fan]

Originally Posted by O.city

So out of 7 seasons he's played 130 plus 6 times?

I know this sounds bad, but I checked Wiki to see what his first opportunity at a full season was, which was 2004(he played 2B). He had an injury and missed time until June.

So in a 10 year career, 60% of the time he's played 130+ games. Is it worth it?

[O.city]

Originally Posted by Rams Fan

I know this sounds bad, but I checked Wiki to see what his first opportunity at a full season was, which was 2004(he played 2B). He had an injury and missed time until June.

So in a 10 year career, 60% of the time he's played 130+ games. Is it worth it?

I'm missing something. How do you get 10 years out of that?

It's 2013 (which he's already missed time this year IIRC) so wouldn't it only be 8 years?

[Rams Fan]

Originally Posted by O.city

I'm missing something. How do you get 10 years out of that?

It's 2013 (which he's already missed time this year IIRC) so wouldn't it only be 8 years?

I'm including 2013. Including that, he's had an opportunity to play a full season in '04, '05, '06, '07, '08, '09, '10, '11, '12, '13.

[O.city]

Somewhat like Hamas words on the WR from Mizzou who's name eludes me, wouldn't say 100-140 games of Reyes be worth more and be worth taking a flyer on than 162 games of Kozma and whoever else we have play there?

['Hamas' Jenkins]

My wife just said to one of my girls, "You know why daddy likes Matt Carpenter? Because he gets on base."

.

Originally Posted by O.city

Somewhat like Hamas words on the WR from Mizzou who's name eludes me, wouldn't say 100-140 games of Reyes be worth more and be worth taking a flyer on than 162 games of Kozma and whoever else we have play there?

Little different, but a similar principle.

In the case of Danario, you're paying him the league minimum compared to someone else who would make the same salary. In Reyes' case, you're paying him 15+ million in his decline years compared to someone else who would make 500k.