Cardinals ***OFFICIAL*** 2013 STL Cardinals Thread - Page 279

**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 · 08-22-2013, 08:36 PM

Couple things here Red, not to call you out, just a pet peeve of mine.

1). It's Busch Stadium, not Bush

2). It's Kevin Siegrist, not Brian

P.S. I kid I kid.

**BigRedChief** · 08-22-2013, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O.city

Couple things here Red, not to call you out, just a pet peeve of mine.

1). It's Busch Stadium, not Bush

2). It's Kevin Siegrist, not Brian

P.S. I kid I kid.

Mi_chief_fan · 08-22-2013, 09:13 PM

Really solid win over a good (if beaten up) Braves team tonight; now if the Giants would quit sucking for the next 4 days.

O.city · 08-22-2013, 09:19 PM

I'm just giving simply red a hard time, no hard feelings

**BigRedChief** · 08-22-2013, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mi_chief_fan

Really solid win over a good (if beaten up) Braves team tonight; now if the Giants would quit sucking for the next 4 days.

The Braves are a damn good team. They threw a soft tossing lefty against us. No Molina. Only 5 "real" batters in the lineup.

That was a quality win.

whoman69 · 08-22-2013, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O.city

It's never been a real hitters park, atleast the way I remember the old Busch being.

By old Busch, do you mean Sportsman's Park? The Busch from 1966-2005 was for most of its history a big pitchers park. It was a bit more hitter friendly after they remodeled it in the 90s. There was one 30 HR Cardinal in the first 20 years there. Many season they wouldn't even have a guy hit 20.

VAChief · 08-23-2013, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whoman69

By old Busch, do you mean Sportsman's Park? The Busch from 1966-2005 was for most of its history a big pitchers park. It was a bit more hitter friendly after they remodeled it in the 90s. There was one 30 HR Cardinal in the first 20 years there. Many season they wouldn't even have a guy hit 20.

Case in point the 1982 World Champs were led in HR's by "Silent" George Hendrick with 19. Darrell Porter was the only other Card with double digit dingers (12). They only had 67 as a team (dead last in the NL). They were 5th in runs scored (aided no doubt by being first in SB's).

O.city · 08-23-2013, 07:52 PM

We cannot hit Chris Medlen.

And yes, I mean Busch #2. Once we actually had guys who could hit hrs, it seemed there were more there

O.city · 08-23-2013, 07:55 PM

So?

Who's playing the video?

'Hamas' Jenkins · 08-23-2013, 08:25 PM

Can't believe that Matheny left in Waino to hit there and he's rolling him back for the 8th when he's over 100 pitches.

Frazod · 08-23-2013, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

Can't believe that Matheny left in Waino to hit there and he's rolling him back for the 8th when he's over 100 pitches.

I'd rather have Waino hitting than Kozma.

O.city · 08-23-2013, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

Can't believe that Matheny left in Waino to hit there and he's rolling him back for the 8th when he's over 100 pitches.

Surprised, I was.

Wondering if he's trying to get the pen some rest

Frazod · 08-23-2013, 08:28 PM

And it seems to be working.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 08-23-2013, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frazod

I'd rather have Waino hitting than Kozma.

Agreed, and it worked, but I think you have to go with Adams there, even though he is a lefty.

That sequence shows why this team needs a right-handed bench bat so badly. Pick up Jason Bay, plz.

Frazod · 08-23-2013, 08:34 PM

That was a funky hop.

01-25-2013, 05:27 PM
BigRedChief Has a particular set of skills Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: On the water Casino cash: $3229627 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: 78,937

08-22-2013, 08:36 PM	#4171
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $2834064	Couple things here Red, not to call you out, just a pet peeve of mine. 1). It's Busch Stadium, not Bush 2). It's Kevin Siegrist, not Brian P.S. I kid I kid.
Posts: 81,176

08-22-2013, 09:13 PM	#4173
Mi_chief_fan There was an idea..... Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Murfreesboro,TN Casino cash: $9942966	Really solid win over a good (if beaten up) Braves team tonight; now if the Giants would quit sucking for the next 4 days. __________________ Bandwagon Predators Fan!
Posts: 3,517

08-22-2013, 09:19 PM	#4174
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $2834064	I'm just giving simply red a hard time, no hard feelings
Posts: 81,176

08-23-2013, 07:52 PM	#4178
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $2834064	We cannot hit Chris Medlen. And yes, I mean Busch #2. Once we actually had guys who could hit hrs, it seemed there were more there
Posts: 81,176

08-23-2013, 07:55 PM	#4179
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $2834064	So? Who's playing the video?
Posts: 81,176

08-23-2013, 08:25 PM	#4180
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8019572	Can't believe that Matheny left in Waino to hit there and he's rolling him back for the 8th when he's over 100 pitches. __________________ "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
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08-23-2013, 08:28 PM	#4183
Frazod WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $3215085	And it seems to be working.
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08-23-2013, 08:34 PM	#4185
Frazod WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $3215085	That was a funky hop.
Posts: 119,482