***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

[Frazod]

I heard on the radio earlier that Molina had resigned for five years, but I don't see anything online about it being official. Looking good, however. I was worried about losing him after Albert shit out on us.

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseb...a4bcf6878.html

Molina, Cards close to deal

The Cardinals and Gold Glove catcher Yadier Molina are close to agreement on a multi-year extension likely to make Molina the seventh catcher in the game's history to realize a deal with an average annual value exceeding $10 million.

The Cardinals remain engaged in talks with Molina's agent, Melvin Roman, who has remained in town for nearly a week. Roman arrived shortly after his client hinted at a breakdown in negotiations but "positive momentum" has since been achieved, according to a source familiar with talks.

Molina expressed a desire to remain in St. Louis shortly after arriving in camp more than 10 days before pitchers and catchers were scheduled to officially report. Entering the final installment of a five-year deal that pays him $7 million for the upcoming season, Molina last year led the Cardinals in hitting while also earning a Rawlings Platinum Glove awarded the league's top defender.

Team officials declined comment Monday regarding the status of talks except to deny a rumor that a deal was already in place. Roman did not return a phone message Monday afternoon but did confirm to Fox Sports that the sides are progressing toward an agreement. A source familiar with talks said the extension should be finalized no later than Friday.

Both sides prefer to have the matter resolved before the Cardinals begin exhibition play. Roman insisted last week that negotiations would cease should a deal remain elusive by Opening Day. Soon afterward, the sides began to narrow differences in length of contract and AAV. Molina, 29, is expected to receive a potential five-year deal.

[O.city]

Good Deal.

[BigRedChief]

Fantastic! Excellent backstop to give our future young pitchers the confidence to throw the curve, slider in the dirt.

Btw, the initial reports are 5 years $70 million.

[BigRedChief]

Done Deal, Print em!

The Cardinals finalized a five-year extension with Gold Glove-winning catcher Yadier Molina today and announced the deal this afternoon. The contract will guarantee Molina $75 million over the five seasons from 2013 to 2017.

It includes a mutual option for 2018 and other guarantees that could raise the value to $88 million, a source with knowledge of the deal confirmed to the Post-Dispatch." I grew up here," Molina said at the press conference to announce the deal. "It was my first choice to stay here, and I'm glad we did it."

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseb...9bb30f31a.html

[seclark]

i like it.
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[O.city]

Great news.



With the pitching we have and the pitching we have coming on in a few years, it will be great to have Yadi behind the plate.

Amazing what the tools of ignorance have gotten this young man. Thats a lot of money.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by seclark

i like it.
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Yep Miller, Martinez and all the rest of the young pitchers have a top quality game caller and defensive backstop to learn and gain confidence why they develop.

I think you are going to see a jump in catchers salaries soon. Its a good way to build a winner. Solid catcher and young under your control pitching.

[seclark]

wonder if they can put a catchers mask, chest protector and shin guards on that old pujols statue out in westport?
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[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by seclark

wonder if they can put a catchers mask, chest protector and shin guards on that old pujols statue out in westport?
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Some people dog him about not running out grounders but the last part of the year when he caught all those innnings in a row and he always catches the extra inning games and doesnt take the next day off. He's not a superior athlete. Far from it. But he's got some grit that a team needs. And besides his homer put us in the World Series in 2006. Thats some serious slack in the bank to be given to him by me.

[whoman69]

They probably paid too much, but that's what the market is. Kind of hamstrings them elsewhere. But the length of the deal is pretty good. He has caught nearly a 1000 games which is usually where catchers start grinding down, but he's still fairly young at 29.

[seclark]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

Some people dog him about not running out grounders but the last part of the year when he caught all those innnings in a row and he always catches the extra inning games and doesnt take the next day off. He's not a superior athlete. Far from it. But he's got some grit that a team needs. And besides his homer put us in the World Series in 2006. Thats some serious slack in the bank to be given to him by me.

yeah, i don't care to see it but don't hold it against him like i would other position players. don't know it it's right or wrong. i've never questioned his heart.
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[raybec 4]

Originally Posted by seclark

yeah, i don't care to see it but don't hold it against him like i would other position players. don't know it it's right or wrong. i've never questioned his heart.
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I always loved Yadi, watching him kick Brandon Phillips' bat after he tried his "It's all good" tap was awesome.

[seclark]

Originally Posted by raybec 4

I always loved Yadi, watching him kick Brandon Phillips' bat after he tried his "It's all good" tap was awesome.

i'll never forget it.
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[Frazod]

I'm glad we got him locked up. This will help mitigate the loss of Duncan.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by seclark

yeah, i don't care to see it but don't hold it against him like i would other position players. don't know it it's right or wrong. i've never questioned his heart.
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Yeah it just seems different. You know he cares and plays the game with passion. The fact he is a slow footed catcher who plays a shitload of innings gets him some slack.