Cardinals ***OFFICIAL*** 2013 STL Cardinals Thread

**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

Pasta Little Brioni · 01-25-2013, 05:32 PM

Cool. We are definately spoiled.

Mi_chief_fan · 01-25-2013, 06:02 PM

I've been hearing that Tavares has been tearing up winterball pitching in the Dominican Republic. I'm just glad Mo hasn't traded him, hopefully he'll be a cornerstone for a decade or so.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 01-25-2013, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mi_chief_fan

I've been hearing that Tavares has been tearing up winterball pitching in the Dominican Republic. I'm just glad Mo hasn't traded him, hopefully he'll be a cornerstone for a decade or so.

Unless he's moving him as part of a deal for Verlander the guy is about as untouchable as it gets.

Mi_chief_fan · 01-25-2013, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

Unless he's moving him as part of a deal for Verlander the guy is about as untouchable as it gets.

You mean, you wouldn't trade a top-notch prospect for James Shields?

Pasta Little Brioni · 01-25-2013, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mi_chief_fan

You mean, you wouldn't trade a top-notch prospect for James Shields?

Our Time

'Hamas' Jenkins · 01-25-2013, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mi_chief_fan

You mean, you wouldn't trade a top-notch prospect for James Shields?

I was stropping a straight razor to cut myself, then remembered I'm not a Royals fan.

****, if it weren't for the Cardinals I would have probably driven a fertilizer bomb into the Chiefs or Missouri sports complexes by now.

Mi_chief_fan · 01-25-2013, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

I was stropping a straight razor to cut myself, then remembered I'm not a Royals fan.

****, if it weren't for the Cardinals I would have probably driven a fertilizer bomb into the Chiefs or Missouri sports complexes by now.

**BigRedChief** · 01-25-2013, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

I was stropping a straight razor to cut myself, then remembered I'm not a Royals fan.

****, if it weren't for the Cardinals I would have probably driven a fertilizer bomb into the Chiefs or Missouri sports complexes by now.

We missed you.

**BigRedChief** · 01-25-2013, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mi_chief_fan

I've been hearing that Tavares has been tearing up winterball pitching in the Dominican Republic. I'm just glad Mo hasn't traded him, hopefully he'll be a cornerstone for a decade or so.

Scouts (not cardinals people) are saying he has an ALL-Star ceiling but could also have a HOF ceiling.

Mi_chief_fan · 01-25-2013, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

Scouts (not cardinals people) are saying he has an ALL-Star ceiling but could also have a HOF ceiling.

Man, that sounds......awesome.

**BigRedChief** · 01-25-2013, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mi_chief_fan

Man, that sounds......awesome.

People have compared him to Roberto Clemente. That ain't too shabby.

**BigRedChief** · 01-25-2013, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mi_chief_fan

I've been hearing that Tavares has been tearing up winterball pitching in the Dominican Republic. I'm just glad Mo hasn't traded him, hopefully he'll be a cornerstone for a decade or so.

Well we will have him for at least 6 years on the cheap. And no one on the Caridinals FO is saying Taveras is going down to the minors. If he makes the team out of spring training, he stays with the team all year. He could fill in for Beltran and Jay and pinch hit. Beltrans knee gives out, he's some damn good insurance.

Mi_chief_fan · 01-25-2013, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

People have compared him to Roberto Clemente. That ain't too shabby.

Clemente? That is high praise. Does he have that kind of power & arm?

**BigRedChief** · 01-25-2013, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mi_chief_fan

Clemente? That is high praise. Does he have that kind of power & arm?

He has speed, power and hits for average. Don't know about the arm. I'm sure someone here does.

01-25-2013, 05:27 PM
BigRedChief Has a particular set of skills Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: On the water Casino cash: $1128962 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..
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01-25-2013, 05:32 PM	#2
Pasta Little Brioni Consuming CP souls Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: U.S.A. Casino cash: $2058880	Cool. We are definately spoiled. __________________ **Official TFWdemB Trivia Commisioner**
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01-25-2013, 06:02 PM	#3
Mi_chief_fan There was an idea..... Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Murfreesboro,TN Casino cash: $9942966	I've been hearing that Tavares has been tearing up winterball pitching in the Dominican Republic. I'm just glad Mo hasn't traded him, hopefully he'll be a cornerstone for a decade or so. __________________ Bandwagon Predators Fan!
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