Cardinals ***Offical 2012 STL Cardinals World Champions Thread *** - Page 57

**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** · 06-30-2012, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whoman69

Sanchez and Freeman optioned to Triple A Memphis. Replaced by rookie lefty Barret Browning and right-hander Maikel Cleto. McClellan was moved to the 60 day DL to make room for Browning on the 40 man roster.

Freeman wasnt ready, not his fault. Either Sanchez starts to listen to his coaches or he is never going to be successful in the big leagues.

whoman69 · 06-30-2012, 07:54 PM

I don't get to watch as much of the Cardinals as I want. I was set to tape the Cardinals game against the Tigers on ESPN that was blacked out for me even though I'm 270 miles from KC and my cable company doesn't carry Fox Sports Midwest. How can they do that?

When I was with Direct TV they did the same thing. They said they could not make Fox Sports Midwest my local Fox sports regional network, even though Chicago is only marginally closer. Then every time the Cardinals played on ESPN it was blacked out. They have it both ways.

Pasta Little Brioni · 07-01-2012, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whoman69

Sanchez and Freeman optioned to Triple A Memphis. Replaced by rookie lefty Barret Browning and right-hander Maikel Cleto. McClellan was moved to the 60 day DL to make room for Browning on the 40 man roster.

So long sack of shit and worthless Beaker. Whoops never mind on sack of shit. I read it as Salas.

O.city · 07-02-2012, 06:38 PM

Coming to STL to catch the Friday game with my parents for my bday. Dad wants to eat at Mike Shannon's downtown.

Is it worth it?

**BigRedChief** · 07-02-2012, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O.city

Coming to STL to catch the Friday game with my parents for my bday. Dad wants to eat at Mike Shannon's downtown.

Is it worth it?

Overpriced but good steaks. Better places to eat downtown.

rico · 07-02-2012, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O.city

Coming to STL to catch the Friday game with my parents for my bday. Dad wants to eat at Mike Shannon's downtown.

Is it worth it?

I've always wanted to eat there, but haven't. My friends have told me good things about it though.

Marco Polo · 07-02-2012, 09:50 PM

Craig is a beast. Looking forward to getting Berkman back in a few weeks.

**BigRedChief** · 07-03-2012, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marco Polo

Craig is a beast. Looking forward to getting Berkman back in a few weeks.

The math says one of the three (Taveras, Craig, Adams) will be traded by next year. We will have those 3 vying for 2 spots in the line up.

Who will it be? Who in the hell wants to part with one of those three? But, the math says you have too.

DJ's left nut · 07-03-2012, 03:02 PM

Carp has opted for surgery, out for the year. All are hopeful he will be ready for ST next season

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseb...9bb30f31a.html

Bummer. You hate to see a gamer like Carpenter get laid low like this so often. Why couldn't slack-asses like Kip Wells get this kind of lingering crap?

Marcellus · 07-03-2012, 03:26 PM

So where is all the Matt Holiday hate at?

**BigRedChief** · 07-03-2012, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcellus

So where is all the Matt Holiday hate at?

It happens every year. Holliday starts slow every year and some fans cant forget the ball hitting him in the gut and blowing the game against LA his first year.

But, the facts are he has produced at the level he is being paid. How many of these off season big money FA contracts do you ever get your monies worth?

Marcellus · 07-03-2012, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

It happens every year. Holliday starts slow every year and some fans cant forget the ball hitting him in the gut and blowing the game against LA his first year.

But, the facts are he has produced at the level he is being paid. How many of these off season big money FA contracts do you ever get your monies worth?

According to statistics his contract is actually a bargain and it looks like he is on track to have at least typical output.

I will admit even I was a bit concerned for a while even though I thought he would have a big year.

whoman69 · 07-04-2012, 12:28 PM

Carpenter out for rest of year after deciding to undergo surgery to repair nerve damage to his shoulder. With Jaime Garcia also on the DL, its leaves little doubt the Cardinals will be in the hunt for starting pitching before the July 31 trade deadline.

O.city · 07-04-2012, 12:51 PM

If it were me, I'd look at Liriano, Hamels, or Grienke. Go for the top end guy.

**BigRedChief** · 07-04-2012, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O.city

If it were me, I'd look at Liriano, Hamels, or Grienke. Go for the top end guy.

Yeah lets give up 5-6 years of quality pitching, possibly CY young quality pitching for a possible rental player. No thanks.

Hamels will go for the big $'s. Grienke is a basketcase one step from a meltdown.

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: 78,937

07-02-2012, 06:38 PM	#844
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $2834064	Coming to STL to catch the Friday game with my parents for my bday. Dad wants to eat at Mike Shannon's downtown. Is it worth it?
Posts: 81,175

07-02-2012, 09:50 PM	#847
Marco Polo Veteran Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: 41°59.4′N 87°39.6'W Casino cash: $5838908	Craig is a beast. Looking forward to getting Berkman back in a few weeks.
Posts: 2,506

07-03-2012, 03:02 PM	#849
DJ's left nut Sauntering Vaguely Downwards Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Columbia, Mo Casino cash: $3089099	Carp has opted for surgery, out for the year. All are hopeful he will be ready for ST next season http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseb...9bb30f31a.html Bummer. You hate to see a gamer like Carpenter get laid low like this so often. Why couldn't slack-asses like Kip Wells get this kind of lingering crap? __________________ "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: 60,088

07-03-2012, 03:26 PM	#850
Marcellus Diablo Negro Join Date: Sep 2003 Casino cash: $3172662	So where is all the Matt Holiday hate at?
Posts: 69,135

07-04-2012, 12:51 PM	#854
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $2834064	If it were me, I'd look at Liriano, Hamels, or Grienke. Go for the top end guy.
Posts: 81,175