Cardinals ***Offical 2012 STL Cardinals World Champions Thread *** - Page 138

**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** · 10-19-2012, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

Shocking that Boggs gives up a bomb.

Well to be fair, it was a well placed pitch. Up and in way off the plate.

**OnTheWarpath15** · 10-19-2012, 08:46 PM

We just got shut out by Eddie Harris from Major League.

**OnTheWarpath15** · 10-19-2012, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

Holliday going for the hat trick. Looks like he's swinging a garden hose.

Missed it by an AB.

There's the hat trick.

See y'all Sunday night.

**BigRedChief** · 10-19-2012, 08:54 PM

That last strike that Holliday swung at was over in the on deck circle.

**BigRedChief** · 10-19-2012, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

Missed it by an AB.

There's the hat trick.

See y'all Sunday night.

These guys just cant make anything easy.

**J Diddy** · 10-19-2012, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

That last strike that Holliday swung at was over in the on deck circle.

Not a big holliday fan. Seems like when something needs to happen and holliday is at the plate bad things happen.

Jewish Rabbi · 10-19-2012, 09:28 PM

What a game to go to. Jesus.

Section 151, row 16. Unreal seats. Right next to Carlos Beltran's family. The ass on his wife just doesn't quit.

**BigRedChief** · 10-20-2012, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jewish Rabbi

What a game to go to. Jesus.

Section 151, row 16. Unreal seats. Right next to Carlos Beltran's family. The ass on his wife just doesn't quit.

Where are the pics?

O.city · 10-20-2012, 09:58 AM

Yep, glad I dropped the coin to drive from KC to STL to watch that POS.

Holliday was awful, didn't have a good swing all night. Descalso striking out in the 2nd was killer as you could see that inning playing out.

On the E by Lynn, there is no way you throw the ball to second in the first place. Wasn't hit near hard enough to turn 2. Lynn btw, is a mental midget.

Beltran had good atbats, Molina is coming around, Freese is Freese in the playoffs.

Damn soft tossing leftie had us all over the place off balance last night. It really was like OTWP said and we were all punchin judie hitters.

Rosenthal is a stud, Mujica was good, Boggs had one bad pitch.

BIG_DADDY · 10-20-2012, 11:36 AM

Great game,looking forward to Voggie

Jewish Rabbi · 10-20-2012, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O.city

Yep, glad I dropped the coin to drive from KC to STL to watch that POS.

Holliday was awful, didn't have a good swing all night. Descalso striking out in the 2nd was killer as you could see that inning playing out.

On the E by Lynn, there is no way you throw the ball to second in the first place. Wasn't hit near hard enough to turn 2. Lynn btw, is a mental midget.

Beltran had good atbats, Molina is coming around, Freese is Freese in the playoffs.

Damn soft tossing leftie had us all over the place off balance last night. It really was like OTWP said and we were all punchin judie hitters.

Rosenthal is a stud, Mujica was good, Boggs had one bad pitch.

The crowd was out of it after we didn't score in the second. We've all seen how that plays out with this team all too often this year.

I really think we could have turned two on that play, but no one was ****ing covering second base. At that point, eat it and send the ball to first base. Get one out and you're out of the inning.

Anyway, it was a moot point since we couldn't hit our way out of a ****ing paper bag last night.

Lono · 10-21-2012, 03:01 PM

What's the thoughts on tonight?

Frazod · 10-21-2012, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lono

What's the thoughts on tonight?

I'm still pissed about Friday.

But sadly, I think they lose tonight and force a game 7. That's just the way this team rolls.

**chefsos** · 10-21-2012, 03:10 PM

That crowd in Frisco (yeah, they don't like that name but whatever) is going to be insane. You guys will need to shut 'em up early.

Lono · 10-21-2012, 03:21 PM

Really think the smart bet will be the Giants and under but the fan in me says lets close this thing out tonight. Taking cards and the over.... let's do it!

01-04-2012, 10:08 PM
BigRedChief Has a particular set of skills Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: On the water Casino cash: $3259627 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: 78,918

10-19-2012, 08:46 PM	#2057
OnTheWarpath15 MVP Join Date: Sep 2005 Casino cash: $4981115	We just got shut out by Eddie Harris from Major League.
Posts: 60,161

10-19-2012, 08:54 PM	#2059
BigRedChief Has a particular set of skills Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: On the water Casino cash: $3259627 VARSITY	That last strike that Holliday swung at was over in the on deck circle. __________________ Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering. -YODA
Posts: 78,918

10-19-2012, 09:28 PM	#2062
Jewish Rabbi What's up braj? Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Placencia, Belize Casino cash: $2238320	What a game to go to. Jesus. Section 151, row 16. Unreal seats. Right next to Carlos Beltran's family. The ass on his wife just doesn't quit.
Posts: 15,520

10-20-2012, 09:58 AM	#2064
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $2864064	Yep, glad I dropped the coin to drive from KC to STL to watch that POS. Holliday was awful, didn't have a good swing all night. Descalso striking out in the 2nd was killer as you could see that inning playing out. On the E by Lynn, there is no way you throw the ball to second in the first place. Wasn't hit near hard enough to turn 2. Lynn btw, is a mental midget. Beltran had good atbats, Molina is coming around, Freese is Freese in the playoffs. Damn soft tossing leftie had us all over the place off balance last night. It really was like OTWP said and we were all punchin judie hitters. Rosenthal is a stud, Mujica was good, Boggs had one bad pitch.
Posts: 81,154

10-20-2012, 11:36 AM	#2065
BIG_DADDY THE RED MENACE Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Texas Casino cash: $5178410	Great game,looking forward to Voggie __________________ The diabolical genius of Marxism-Socialism is that it provides the emotional and intellectual road map for autocrats to persuade millions of people to support their own enslavement to government. ~Mark Levin April 15, 2019
Posts: 32,382

10-21-2012, 03:01 PM	#2067
Lono Starter Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Mo Casino cash: $9933836	What's the thoughts on tonight?
Posts: 811

10-21-2012, 03:10 PM	#2069
chefsos Fifty eight sixty two... Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Felton, DE Casino cash: $8537676	That crowd in Frisco (yeah, they don't like that name but whatever) is going to be insane. You guys will need to shut 'em up early.
Posts: 9,449

10-21-2012, 03:21 PM	#2070
Lono Starter Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Mo Casino cash: $9933836	Really think the smart bet will be the Giants and under but the fan in me says lets close this thing out tonight. Taking cards and the over.... let's do it!
Posts: 811

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