Cardinals ***Offical 2012 STL Cardinals World Champions Thread *** - Page 45

**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** · 05-19-2012, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcellus

I suspected that to be the case, I was pissed too.

Me three. Seeing him eating sunflower seeds out in the outfield after the error and then you see the contrast in the pain of Ryan in the dugout.

But despite that one moment................. he has performed as what we thought he would be when we signed him. Not many high priced FA contracts produce like they were paid to perform. We are getting what we paid for, and with the new cable contracts escalating the salaries, his contract may actually be looking like a good deal in a year.

**BigRedChief** · 05-19-2012, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcpasco

Bullpen is absolutely horrible right now.
If they don't turn it around I'm afraid Craig might be traded for relief pitching.

We will see another trading deadline trade for bullpen pitching this year. But, I dont see Craig as the bait. He is entering Miller untouchable territory. Another team will offer a better deal than what we would ask for craig.

You have to pay a premium trading at this point in the year. Its a sellers market. Hard as hell to get a good deal. And most are rent a player free agents in a couple of months. Your only hope is that you have trade bait that everyone else values way above your evaluation of their value.

Mo has a fantastic track record of these trade deadline deals. Where is Wallace, Rasmus, Luddy? Whatever you think of Mo, he has earned the trust of Cardinal nation to make those trade dealine deals.

VAChief · 05-19-2012, 09:38 AM

Tuned into the home MLB last night...didn't realize Scully was still calling games...he has always been a homer, but he is becoming Harry Carry senile as well.

L.A. Chieffan · 05-19-2012, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VAChief

Tuned into the home MLB last night...didn't realize Scully was still calling games...he has always been a homer, but he is becoming Harry Carry senile as well.

VAChief · 05-19-2012, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by L.A.Chieffan

Yes, it would be so surprising that an 84 year old man might be losing it.

Frazod · 05-19-2012, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by L.A.Chieffan

Only a dumbass like frazhole would think that Holliday sucks.

Did you see that home run he hit tonight with a guy on to take the lead?

He probably didn't even know who Holliday was until he came to St. Louis.

Too bad we can't trade him to the Dodgers. Choke artist + team that hasn't done shit in decades seems like a perfect combination to me.

L.A. Chieffan · 05-19-2012, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VAChief

Yes, it would be so surprising that an 84 year old man might be losing it.

He's definitely not on his best days anymore but the Worst Vinny is better than the Best of anybody else.

And to call him a homer is just laughable, I have the MLB package and the other home team announcers make Vin look like a Giants fan.

L.A. Chieffan · 05-19-2012, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frazod

Too bad we can't trade him to the Dodgers. Choke artist + team that hasn't done shit in decades seems like a perfect combination to me.

I'd take him in a heartbeat. An OF of Holliday, Kemp, and Either..... JIMP

**BigRedChief** · 05-19-2012, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by L.A.Chieffan

He's definitely not on his best days anymore but the Worst Vinny is better than the Best of anybody else.

And to call him a homer is just laughable, I have the MLB package and the other home team announcers make Vin look like a Giants fan.

I hadn't heard Scully since the 80's until I heard him go way over the top in the movie "For love of the game". He's not so bad.

No one expects the home teams announcers to be impartial. I like watching the STL game on the MLB package even its not in HD instead of watching say the Giants broadcast of the same game in HD. You just get more info on your team.

VAChief · 05-19-2012, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

I hadn't heard Scully since the 80's until I heard him go way over the top in the movie "For love of the game". He's not so bad.

No one expects the home teams announcers to be impartial. I like watching the STL game on the MLB package even its not in HD instead of watching say the Giants broadcast of the same game in HD. You just get more info on your team.

One of my favorite memories is game 6 of the NLCS in 85 right after Clark hit his bomb...Garagiola and Scully were calling the game...Scully started in on how the Dodgers really missed Steve Howe and Garagiola countered with something like "yeah the Cardinals had to wonder who would replace Bruce Sutter." Scully

after that.

Last night Scully was obsessed with Lynn's velocity. He acted like he was some newcomer called up that no one had heard of (despite his post season last year). He throws a fastball for 94 and he says 89 or 90 then says "Lynn is far from an overpowering guy, they say he has touched 98 at times, but we haven't seen anything close tonight." He's always been the master of the subtle dig, but now he is just ignorant. He had a great career and has a great radio voice, but he appeared to be a dithering old has been last night.

**BigRedChief** · 05-19-2012, 11:28 PM

MLB.com: St. Louis to call up Matt Adams Posted on May 19, 2012 by Kary Booher

Matt Adams, the Texas League’s MVP last year when he hit 32 home runs and drove in 101 runs for Double-A Springfield, is joining the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday in Los Angeles, according to MLB.com’s Jennifer Langosh, who covers St. Louis for the website.

First baseman Lance Berkman was removed from Saturday’s game against the Los Angeles Dodgers after apparently injuring a knee.

Adams, who bats left, was hitting .338 (47-for-139) with nine home runs, nine doubles and 27 RBIs. He has had far more success against right-handers, hitting .379, compared to .222 (8-for-36) against left-handers in the Triple-A Pacific Coast League. Adams hit two home runs and drove in five Friday night in Las Vegas.

Dr. Johnny Fever · 05-20-2012, 07:14 PM

I kind of chuckled when you all hired Matheny but as I've seen more games and heard him more I'm starting to belive he's going to be a good manager, if he isn't already. I knew he was a bright guy... didn't laugh because of that... just seemed like quite a leap going from TLR to a guy with no experience. Plus losing Pujols... just figured Matheny would be in over his head. He doesn't appear to be. I like his cool, collected style/personality.

**BigRedChief** · 05-20-2012, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. noonanbeermefever

I kind of chuckled when you all hired Matheny but as I've seen more games and heard him more I'm starting to belive he's going to be a good manager, if he isn't already. I knew he was a bright guy... didn't laugh because of that... just seemed like quite a leap going from TLR to a guy with no experience. Plus losing Pujols... just figured Matheny would be in over his head. He doesn't appear to be. I like his cool, collected style/personality.

He's defintely a smart baseball mind. The cameras caught him mouthing "he's swinging" on the 3-0 count tonight that won the game for the Dodgers. He does have the look of a winner. His first test as a leader is occuring now. Whether is works out in the long run or not, you can see why Mo picked a guy with no experience as a manager.

Frazod · 05-20-2012, 10:15 PM

He may be a good manager, but good is the last word I'd use to describe our piece of shit bullpen right now. ****.

Frazod · 05-21-2012, 12:31 PM

Just heard on the radio (no link) that Berkman tore an ACL over the weekend and is probably done forever.

01-04-2012, 10:08 PM
BigRedChief Has a particular set of skills Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: On the water Casino cash: $3229627 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: 78,934

05-19-2012, 09:38 AM	#663
VAChief Comfortably Numb Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Virginia Casino cash: $5295842	Tuned into the home MLB last night...didn't realize Scully was still calling games...he has always been a homer, but he is becoming Harry Carry senile as well.
Posts: 5,525

05-19-2012, 11:28 PM	#671
BigRedChief Has a particular set of skills Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: On the water Casino cash: $3229627 VARSITY	MLB.com: St. Louis to call up Matt Adams Posted on May 19, 2012 by Kary Booher Matt Adams, the Texas League’s MVP last year when he hit 32 home runs and drove in 101 runs for Double-A Springfield, is joining the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday in Los Angeles, according to MLB.com’s Jennifer Langosh, who covers St. Louis for the website. First baseman Lance Berkman was removed from Saturday’s game against the Los Angeles Dodgers after apparently injuring a knee. Adams, who bats left, was hitting .338 (47-for-139) with nine home runs, nine doubles and 27 RBIs. He has had far more success against right-handers, hitting .379, compared to .222 (8-for-36) against left-handers in the Triple-A Pacific Coast League. Adams hit two home runs and drove in five Friday night in Las Vegas. __________________ Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering. -YODA
Posts: 78,934

05-20-2012, 07:14 PM	#672
Dr. Johnny Fever stax of wax Join Date: Feb 2004 Casino cash: $10004900	I kind of chuckled when you all hired Matheny but as I've seen more games and heard him more I'm starting to belive he's going to be a good manager, if he isn't already. I knew he was a bright guy... didn't laugh because of that... just seemed like quite a leap going from TLR to a guy with no experience. Plus losing Pujols... just figured Matheny would be in over his head. He doesn't appear to be. I like his cool, collected style/personality. __________________ courtesy of BoneKrusher "Baseball? It's just a game. As simple as a ball and bat, yet as complex as the American spirit it symbolizes. It's a sport, a business and sometimes a religion." Ernie Harwell
Posts: 34,865

05-20-2012, 10:15 PM	#674
Frazod WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $3215085	He may be a good manager, but good is the last word I'd use to describe our piece of shit bullpen right now. ****.
Posts: 119,482

05-21-2012, 12:31 PM	#675
Frazod WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $3215085	Just heard on the radio (no link) that Berkman tore an ACL over the weekend and is probably done forever.
Posts: 119,482