Cardinals ***OFFICIAL*** 2013 STL Cardinals Thread - Page 48

**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 · 05-12-2013, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rams Fan

Mo only expects him to miss two starts.

That's good, but any time I hear elbow anything I assume done.

Rams Fan · 05-12-2013, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

That's good, but any time I hear elbow anything I assume done.

Nah. When I think of shoulder + pitcher, I think done.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 05-12-2013, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rams Fan

Nah. When I think of shoulder + pitcher, I think done.

Not done DONE, but done in the sense that he'll likely be ineffective or injured for the rest of the season.

When guys struggle with elbow irritation they generally suck for the rest of the year or end up on the table.

Pepe Silvia · 05-12-2013, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

It's not just the front office; it's the entire organization. The Cardinals are essentially the polar opposite of the Chiefs. They draft and develop elite, cost-controlled talent, they make serious maneuvers to compete deep into the post-season, they have an engaged owner who is neither aloof nor meddlesome, and they have a consistent organizational narrative that the fans, coaches, and players all believe in.

I'd also like to thank God that we don't have the Royals ownership as well.

**BigRedChief** · 05-12-2013, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PackerinMo

I'd also like to thank God that we don't have the Royals ownership as well.

Yeah, sucks for them. They are good fans and deserve to root for a winner.

duncan_idaho · 05-13-2013, 08:15 AM

Just wanted to say...

Thank you for helping me decide to keep Shelby Miller in my auction/keeper league.

I have him for $4 in a $300 cap/24 player league. I can keep him next year for $8 (along with Chris Sale).

I was waivering a bit at the start of the season, but I'm glad I kept him.

Pepe Silvia · 05-13-2013, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

Yeah, sucks for them. They are good fans and deserve to root for a winner.

Absolutely. I feel awful for them, their owner doesn't allow them a chance for success sadly. I have several friends who are Royals fans but have grown tired of the losing and I don't blame them.

**BigRedChief** · 05-13-2013, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

Just wanted to say...

Thank you for helping me decide to keep Shelby Miller in my auction/keeper league.

I have him for $4 in a $300 cap/24 player league. I can keep him next year for $8 (along with Chris Sale).

I was waivering a bit at the start of the season, but I'm glad I kept him.

Told ya.

Marcellus · 05-13-2013, 08:07 PM

Winner. I think the closer situation has been corrected.

Odd Ankiel shows up with the Mets, didn't even know he was dumped by the Astro's.

Jewish Rabbi · 05-13-2013, 08:32 PM

Great game tonight. Ended up with my first ball!

**BigRedChief** · 05-13-2013, 08:53 PM

This team is looking pretty damn good right at this moment. Pretty fun to watch.

**BigRedChief** · 05-13-2013, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcellus the True

Winner. I think the closer situation has been corrected.

Odd Ankiel shows up with the Mets, didn't even know he was dumped by the Astro's.

Rosenthal with a 90mph change up? WTF?

'Hamas' Jenkins · 05-13-2013, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

Rosenthal with a 90mph change up? WTF?

He's always had that pitch, but it's not worth much of a damn.

Prison Bitch · 05-13-2013, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PackerinMo

I'd also like to thank God that we don't have the Royals ownership as well.

We don't have the market STL does. Cards owners couldn't support that payroll here. Cards fans pay a lot to be good every year. Players like playing there too

'Hamas' Jenkins · 05-13-2013, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prison Bitch

We don't have the market STL does. Cards owners couldn't support that payroll here. Cards fans pay a lot to be good every year.

Literally one of the most ignorant baseball posts ever.

Go look at the Royals' payroll when they were competitive. Look at the size of the KC MSA compared to St. Louis.

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

05-13-2013, 08:15 AM	#711
duncan_idaho M-I-Z-Z-O-U Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $1840308	Just wanted to say... Thank you for helping me decide to keep Shelby Miller in my auction/keeper league. I have him for $4 in a $300 cap/24 player league. I can keep him next year for $8 (along with Chris Sale). I was waivering a bit at the start of the season, but I'm glad I kept him. __________________ "You gotta love livin', cause dying is a pain in the ass." ---- Sinatra
Posts: 21,053

05-13-2013, 08:07 PM	#714
Marcellus Diablo Negro Join Date: Sep 2003 Casino cash: $3172662	Winner. I think the closer situation has been corrected. Odd Ankiel shows up with the Mets, didn't even know he was dumped by the Astro's.
Posts: 69,145

05-13-2013, 08:32 PM	#715
Jewish Rabbi What's up braj? Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Placencia, Belize Casino cash: $2208320	Great game tonight. Ended up with my first ball!
Posts: 15,531

05-13-2013, 08:53 PM	#716
BigRedChief Has a particular set of skills Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: On the water Casino cash: $3229627 VARSITY	This team is looking pretty damn good right at this moment. Pretty fun to watch. __________________ Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering. -YODA
Posts: 78,937