Cardinals ***OFFICIAL*** 2013 STL Cardinals Thread - Page 302

**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

'Hamas' Jenkins · 09-10-2013, 10:34 PM

I was out of town this weekend and missed both Pirate games. I also couldn't catch the Milwaukee game tonight, either. My ass is staying away from the television until further notice.

Pepe Silvia · 09-10-2013, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

That was my point when we looked like shit. Get in the tournament and if you get hot.... you can win a WS.

In our case, in 2011 and 2012 that's exactly what happened. Backs against the wall and we put the wins together. Just collapsed one game short of another WS trip last year.

Yup, lets just stay positive and hope that we can head into the playoffs on a good note instead of a limp, recent history has taught us this. Once post season starts then we will all worry.

Marcellus · 09-11-2013, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

I was out of town this weekend and missed both Pirate games. I also couldn't catch the Milwaukee game tonight, either. My ass is staying away from the television until further notice.

Good idea, I knew something was up, and they thought it was Matheny's pep talk.

**BigRedChief** · 09-11-2013, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

I was out of town this weekend and missed both Pirate games. I also couldn't catch the Milwaukee game tonight, either. My ass is staying away from the television until further notice.

Good idea.

And with Holliday picking up his game, we need Frazod to come in here and have a good rant about his suckage to balance out the karma and Lynn pitching tonight.

BTW, big article out today in USA Today about the Cardinal way.

VAChief · 09-11-2013, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

Good idea.

And with Holliday picking up his game, we need Frazod to come in here and have a good rant about his suckage to balance out the karma and Lynn pitching tonight.

BTW, big article out today in USA Today about the Cardinal way.

No kidding, now if I can just find a road game to see before the playoffs we should be set. The last two times I caught the Cardinals on the road was opening day in Philly 2006 and a July sauna fest in Cincy 2011.

DJ's left nut · 09-11-2013, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

Good idea.

And with Holliday picking up his game, we need Frazod to come in here and have a good rant about his suckage to balance out the karma and Lynn pitching tonight.

BTW, big article out today in USA Today about the Cardinal way.

Can I point out how much I hate Pete Kozma? Would that do any good?

Because I really really hate Pete Kozma and think that letting him wear the BOTB is similar to letting your dog piss on Musial's headstone.

**BigRedChief** · 09-11-2013, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

Can I point out how much I hate Pete Kozma? Would that do any good?

Because I really really hate Pete Kozma and think that letting him wear the BOTB is similar to letting your dog piss on Musial's headstone.

I think everyone hates Kozma. Don't know if there is any karma to be had in that feeling.

DJ's left nut · 09-11-2013, 06:05 PM

There is a great deal of truth to that.

Frazod · 09-11-2013, 06:54 PM

**** Lynn. He's beyond any sort of reverse karma I could muster. We should trade him to the Cubs for a case of Old Style. And I hate Old Style.

**BigRedChief** · 09-11-2013, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frazod

**** Lynn. He's beyond any sort of reverse karma I could muster. We should trade him to the Cubs for a case of Old Style. And I hate Old Style.

Lynn at least didn't suck tonight. No earned runs through 6 innings and he's out of the game.

They had a no hitter through 5 innings last night. Now we are being no hit almost through 6 innings.

Frazod · 09-11-2013, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

Lynn at least didn't suck tonight. No earned runs through 6 innings and he's out of the game.

They had a no hitter through 5 innings last night. Now we are being no hit almost through 6 innings.

Seems like he either sucks, or he infects the rest of the team with suck. I won't even watch games he plays in anymore.

**BigRedChief** · 09-11-2013, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frazod

Seems like he either sucks, or he infects the rest of the team with suck. I won't even watch games he plays in anymore.

Read in the Gold chat off of STL today website that Lynn is on the trade market this off season. Lynn/Freese/Adams to pull in a SS.

O.city · 09-11-2013, 09:19 PM

I think Adams is the everyday first baseman next year, with Craig playing some there too

**BigRedChief** · 09-11-2013, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O.city

I think Adams is the everyday first baseman next year, with Craig playing some there too

that only works if Taveras can play CF. They were saying on the broadcast that the Cardinals are going to start Taveras right out of spring training.

I'm okay with this lineup next year.

Carpenter
Taveras
Holliday
Craig
Molina
Adams
Freese
New SS

O.city · 09-11-2013, 09:32 PM

Depends on Beltran and what he wants. I'd prolly just make the qualifying offer and take the pick. Platoon Craig, jay, Holliday, otav in the outfield and Craig and Adams at first, with Wong, carp and freese at 2nd and 3rd.

Although I'm not really sure freese is a cardinal next year anyway.

If that happens, and he takes to the major league level pitching better, I'd rather see Wong lead off and carp hit in the 2 hole

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

09-10-2013, 10:34 PM	#4516
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8019572	I was out of town this weekend and missed both Pirate games. I also couldn't catch the Milwaukee game tonight, either. My ass is staying away from the television until further notice. __________________ "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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09-11-2013, 06:05 PM	#4523
DJ's left nut Sauntering Vaguely Downwards Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Columbia, Mo Casino cash: $3089099	There is a great deal of truth to that. __________________ "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."
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09-11-2013, 06:54 PM	#4524
Frazod WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $3215085	**** Lynn. He's beyond any sort of reverse karma I could muster. We should trade him to the Cubs for a case of Old Style. And I hate Old Style.
Posts: 119,482

09-11-2013, 09:19 PM	#4528
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $2834064	I think Adams is the everyday first baseman next year, with Craig playing some there too
Posts: 81,176

09-11-2013, 09:32 PM	#4530
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $2834064	Depends on Beltran and what he wants. I'd prolly just make the qualifying offer and take the pick. Platoon Craig, jay, Holliday, otav in the outfield and Craig and Adams at first, with Wong, carp and freese at 2nd and 3rd. Although I'm not really sure freese is a cardinal next year anyway. If that happens, and he takes to the major league level pitching better, I'd rather see Wong lead off and carp hit in the 2 hole
Posts: 81,176