Cardinals ***OFFICIAL*** 2013 STL Cardinals Thread - Page 265

**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 · 08-14-2013, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O.city

Tavares thing is about right, I don't think e was coming up this year anyway

I just hope it doesn't bait the FO into offering Beltran multiple years. That's a Berkman/Carpenter disaster waiting to happen.

What hurts about Taveras' injury is that it deprives the team of an amazing weapon. An elite, switch hitter late in the game is the best option you could have late.

Basically, it turns the PH options late in the game from Adams and Taveras to Adams and Shane Robinson.

The team really needs to be going after Jason Bay.

O.city · 08-14-2013, 07:04 PM

Konerko was an interesting idea.

**** we probably wot score a run tonight. Left handed pitching is this teams Voldemort

'Hamas' Jenkins · 08-14-2013, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O.city

Konerko was an interesting idea.

**** we probably wot score a run tonight. Left handed pitching is this teams Voldemort

Konerko doesn't even have power anymore. Bay has HR pop against lefties and righties and slugs better against lefties.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

And Freese is about goddamned worthless.

Welp...

kcpasco · 08-14-2013, 07:14 PM

Holliday was jogging on that first fly ball hit also.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 08-14-2013, 07:16 PM

This is just a bad baseball team.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 08-14-2013, 07:20 PM

Three runs thanks to defensive laziness and ineptitude.

kcpasco · 08-14-2013, 07:21 PM

Ya I kinda feel bad for Miller this inning.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 08-14-2013, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcpasco

Ya I kinda feel bad for Miller this inning.

He got ****ed over, no doubt. But it's not surprising. These slapdicks are just incompetent. This is the 2006 team without playing in a historically awful division, which means the collapse is going to relegate their ass out of the playoffs.

duncan_idaho · 08-14-2013, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

I just hope it doesn't bait the FO into offering Beltran multiple years. That's a Berkman/Carpenter disaster waiting to happen.

What hurts about Taveras' injury is that it deprives the team of an amazing weapon. An elite, switch hitter late in the game is the best option you could have late.

Basically, it turns the PH options late in the game from Adams and Taveras to Adams and Shane Robinson.

The team really needs to be going after Jason Bay.

Taveras is not a switch hitter. Majorly bummed about him not getting a September call-up... was excited to see what he could do.

Mi_chief_fan · 08-14-2013, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

What game are you watching? Seems to me this game that they are the Cardinals that we saw in the first of the year. They are playing hard and with passion.

There's no way, after this last half inning, that you can say either Freese or Holliday is playing hard. No way.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 08-14-2013, 07:31 PM

You gotta be ****ing kidding me. That's horrible luck and great defense.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 08-14-2013, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

Taveras is not a switch hitter. Majorly bummed about him not getting a September call-up... was excited to see what he could do.

Goddammit. I always think that.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 08-14-2013, 07:34 PM

It's like someone grew a team in a lab to destroy the Cardinals.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 08-14-2013, 07:48 PM

K-vid FreE5e.

**BigRedChief** · 08-14-2013, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

Not surprising. People just don't appreciate how ****ing bad of an injury that is. It's the worst named injury this side of turf toe.

yeah, it sounds like you just rolled an ankle. We have all rolled an ankle, whats up with that wimp?

and BTW, WTF did the FO rush him back?

Better to have him ready to replace Jay in CF in 2014.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

And Freese is about goddamned worthless.

DP killing innings, no power anymore. Making really bad defensive plays. Simple plays he just boots.

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

08-14-2013, 07:04 PM	#3962
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $2834064	Konerko was an interesting idea. **** we probably wot score a run tonight. Left handed pitching is this teams Voldemort
Posts: 81,176

08-14-2013, 07:14 PM	#3964
kcpasco MVP Join Date: Sep 2007 Casino cash: $7743463	Holliday was jogging on that first fly ball hit also.
Posts: 15,476

08-14-2013, 07:16 PM	#3965
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8019572	This is just a bad baseball team. __________________ "When the Know-Nothings get control, it will read 'all men are created equal, except negroes, and foreigners, and Catholics.' When it comes to this I should prefer emigrating to some country where they make no pretense of loving liberty – to Russia, for instance, where despotism can be taken pure, and without the base alloy of hypocrisy.”--Abraham Lincoln
Posts: 74,820

08-14-2013, 07:20 PM	#3966
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8019572	Three runs thanks to defensive laziness and ineptitude. __________________ "When the Know-Nothings get control, it will read 'all men are created equal, except negroes, and foreigners, and Catholics.' When it comes to this I should prefer emigrating to some country where they make no pretense of loving liberty – to Russia, for instance, where despotism can be taken pure, and without the base alloy of hypocrisy.”--Abraham Lincoln
Posts: 74,820

08-14-2013, 07:21 PM	#3967
kcpasco MVP Join Date: Sep 2007 Casino cash: $7743463	Ya I kinda feel bad for Miller this inning.
Posts: 15,476

08-14-2013, 07:31 PM	#3971
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8019572	You gotta be ****ing kidding me. That's horrible luck and great defense. __________________ "When the Know-Nothings get control, it will read 'all men are created equal, except negroes, and foreigners, and Catholics.' When it comes to this I should prefer emigrating to some country where they make no pretense of loving liberty – to Russia, for instance, where despotism can be taken pure, and without the base alloy of hypocrisy.”--Abraham Lincoln
Posts: 74,820

08-14-2013, 07:34 PM	#3973
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8019572	It's like someone grew a team in a lab to destroy the Cardinals. __________________ "When the Know-Nothings get control, it will read 'all men are created equal, except negroes, and foreigners, and Catholics.' When it comes to this I should prefer emigrating to some country where they make no pretense of loving liberty – to Russia, for instance, where despotism can be taken pure, and without the base alloy of hypocrisy.”--Abraham Lincoln
Posts: 74,820

08-14-2013, 07:48 PM	#3974
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8019572	K-vid FreE5e. __________________ "When the Know-Nothings get control, it will read 'all men are created equal, except negroes, and foreigners, and Catholics.' When it comes to this I should prefer emigrating to some country where they make no pretense of loving liberty – to Russia, for instance, where despotism can be taken pure, and without the base alloy of hypocrisy.”--Abraham Lincoln
Posts: 74,820