***Offical 2012 STL Cardinals World Champions Thread ***

[BigRedChief]

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]

Originally Posted by O.city

If they can stay healthy, they very well could win 95 games.


If you could introduce Allen Craigs bat into that lineup, it's gets even tougher. I really wish like hell Shelby was ready to roll this year, but I get not rushing him.

And if we could add a healthy Carpenter for a stretch run and the playoffs........

[rico]

I couldn't watch the game for I had to work late. My friend told me Lohse looked real sharp. Great to hear. I like the note the Cardinals have started on. I am obviously really hoping that Pujols busts for the Angels.

[DeezNutz]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

Holliday was one of the 15 most valuable players in the national league based on WAR despite playing only 80% of his team's games last year. In other words - when he was on the field, he was fantastic. And for a guy that's taking so much heat for being a 'pussy'; he still played damn near 4 out of every 5 games his team played despite having appendicitis and tendon damage in his wrist.

If you can't respect Holliday's game, I'm not sure exactly who's you can.

If he continues to cry about every single strike he sees, he'll wear the pussy label whether he damn well wants to or not. Seriously, the guy was acting like a petulant little leaguer last night.

[Mi_chief_fan]

A lot to be encouraged by last night. Lohse pitched great, Furcal, Beltran got on base I think 5or 6 times,Berkman & Freese looked sharp, defense was flawless, and it should have been a shutout if not for the first-base ump going Don Denkinger.

Good way to start the season.

Was hoping to see an Ozzie rant.

[Marcellus]

Originally Posted by DeezNutz

If he continues to cry about every single strike he sees, he'll wear the pussy label whether he damn well wants to or not. Seriously, the guy was acting like a petulant little leaguer last night.

Yea, I know, it seems like some people like to bitch about everything............

[J Diddy]

Originally Posted by DeezNutz

If he continues to cry about every single strike he sees, he'll wear the pussy label whether he damn well wants to or not. Seriously, the guy was acting like a petulant little leaguer last night.

This.

However, I'm not a huge Holliday fan. Seems like every time there is a moment to shine, he does not come through.

[raybec 4]

I really like Matheny. Did anyone see the interview where Rooney asked him if he slept the night before- "Like a baby" that dude is super cool

[rico]

Originally Posted by raybec 4

I really like Matheny. Did anyone see the interview where Rooney asked him if he slept the night before- "Like a baby" that dude is super cool

Nice, I've been wondering about how he will do as our manager. Hopefully yesterday was a good indicator.

[Mi_chief_fan]

That last pitch that Motte threw to Stanton was just filthy. If he can mix in that pitch with his 100mph heater, it will easily be the best in the NL Central.

[Swanman]

Originally Posted by Mi_chief_fan

That last pitch that Motte threw to Stanton was just filthy. If he can mix in that pitch with his 100mph heater, it will easily be the best in the NL Central.

Actually his last two pitches were both 90+ mph sliders, and that is just unfair. He doesn't even need to throw that pitch for a strike most of the time, hitters will chase it. Also, his 99 mph letter high fastball to the previous batter was a thing of beauty. With Scrabble and Salas working the setup role, I am pretty damn confident about the bullpen. I am out of the loop, what's the deal with Sanchez? Last year he had perfect setup man stuff before he got hurt.

[DJ's left nut]

The heater to Ramirez was the most fun I had all night.

Dude has a freakin' cannon.

As to the rest of the 'pen; Salas is gonna start getting hit this year, IMO. His stuff is wildly mediocre, but I love the way he attacks hitters. In the end, he's probably best suited as your swing man, not your setup man. I'd love to see us go after Lannan now that he's asked to be traded and move Lynn to the 8th. Sanchez has great stuff but his delivery is incredibly violent; he's likely to get injured again. Scrabble is going to be a huge weapon for us, though I'm still a little disappointed that he's unlikely to get a chance to start.

[Jewish Rabbi]

Originally Posted by Swanman

Actually his last two pitches were both 90+ mph sliders, and that is just unfair. He doesn't even need to throw that pitch for a strike most of the time, hitters will chase it. Also, his 99 mph letter high fastball to the previous batter was a thing of beauty. With Scrabble and Salas working the setup role, I am pretty damn confident about the bullpen. I am out of the loop, what's the deal with Sanchez? Last year he had perfect setup man stuff before he got hurt.

Tons of strikeouts along with walks in Spring Training. The Post Dispatch kind of mentioned that he would have made the team most years (he didn't allow an earned run), but with as good as our bullpen is this year, they wanted him to hammer out his control issues in Memphis. Don't be surprised to see him up again this year.

[whoman69]

I've heard reports that Westbrook lost weight and is looking much better. If he can improve, in the short term it could make up for Carpenter's loss. I don't think anyone wants to see Carpenter on the DL long term, but they shouldn't try to hurry him back before he's ready.

[DJ's left nut]

Sanchez will be back; he had options left and the others didn't. Well that's not entirely true, Salas did as well, but Salas is an attacker and you know what you have with him. Sanchez still has some rough edges to polish up and ultimately, while he wasn't our worst pitcher in the spring, he was probably the worst one that we could send to Memphis without losing.

It was a numbers game and Sanchez lost it. Though with Linebrink evidently going to the DL, it's Marte that's getting called up and not Sanchez. So clearly there's something in Sanchez right now that the big club doesn't want to work out at the major league level.

We got Marte last year in a trade that happened right in advance of spring training. The cost? $1.

[veist]

Yeah, if they want to clean up his mechanics it makes sense to send him down to Memphis since he has options left and there is going to be less pressure for immediate results.