Cardinals ***OFFICIAL*** 2013 STL Cardinals Thread - Page 93

**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

**BigRedChief** · 06-06-2013, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

6 years of Wong is worth quite a bit.

THIS, they had better not trade him for some scrub bullpen guy. We need someone thats reliable and cost controlled that will allow Rosenthal to become a starter next year.

Mi_chief_fan · 06-06-2013, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

Tilson plays OF, does he not? And Wisdom, despite his power, is struggling to hit .200 and is a long ways off. Kelly is in the same boat; we have a long time before we know if he'll play at this level.

We need Freese for at least the next 2 seasons; moving him to make room for Wong when Wong will almost certainly not be a better player is just bizarre.

Agree on Tilson, it was actually Piscotti I was thinking of, but he too has been converted to OF.

Jewish Rabbi · 06-06-2013, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mi_chief_fan

Maybe you should start following this guy:

I am. He's getting his shit pushed in at A ball right now.

Mi_chief_fan · 06-06-2013, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jewish Rabbi

I am. He's getting his shit pushed in at A ball right now.

Huh? He made the MWL ASG.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 06-06-2013, 05:25 PM

Holliday has already cost the Cardinals a run with an absolutely moronic relay throw that allowed Gregorius to take second.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 06-06-2013, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

If Wong ends up an above average defensive 2b with an .800 OPS, his value smokes Brett Cecil, especially since Cecil will only come with 3 years of team control (and be arb eligible for all of them).

If we're looking at relievers, I'd deal Wong for a wipeout RHRP with 3+ years of remaining service time that we could use as a closer while waiting to see which of the young arms can't transition to the starting rotation and/or waiting for Swagerty to make it back. The Royals likely wouldn't give up Kelvin Herrera for him (and probably wouldn't give up Holland either), but for 6 years of a guy that's a likely 2-3 WAR player, that's the kind of return I'm going to want.

6 years of Wong is worth quite a bit.

In a vacuum I agree, but almost anyone that we deal with is going to be doing so from a position of strength, which devalues Wong's absolute worth.

I'd like to be able to get a lights out reliever for him, but I don't think that's a reasonable expectation, even if it should be in a rational market.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 06-06-2013, 05:31 PM

I'll be glad to get Parra the **** out of town.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 06-06-2013, 05:32 PM

Rams Fan · 06-06-2013, 05:54 PM

'Hamas' Jenkins · 06-06-2013, 06:02 PM

I'm not saying I'd suck Matt Carpenter's dick, but I'm also not saying I wouldn't.

**OnTheWarpath15** · 06-06-2013, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

I'm not saying I'd suck Matt Carpenter's dick, but I'm also not saying I wouldn't.

So, who do we draft tonight?

'Hamas' Jenkins · 06-06-2013, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

So, who do we draft tonight?

I have no original clue of my own. This link is somewhat interesting/helpful:

http://www.vivaelbirdos.com/cardinal...ft-scuttlebutt

'Hamas' Jenkins · 06-06-2013, 06:15 PM

This strike zone is horrible.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 06-06-2013, 06:28 PM

We have absolutely crushed Kennedy tonight and still only have two runs to show for it. Jay and Shelby need to get Descalso in here.

O.city · 06-06-2013, 06:32 PM

There we go. My damn MLB tv that I had to pay for here in KC because of the black out bullshit, is down so I'm having to keep up with it on my damn phone instead of the big flatscreen thru my ps3.

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: 78,934

06-06-2013, 05:25 PM	#1385
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8019572	Holliday has already cost the Cardinals a run with an absolutely moronic relay throw that allowed Gregorius to take second. __________________ "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

06-06-2013, 05:31 PM	#1387
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8019572	I'll be glad to get Parra the **** out of town. __________________ "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

06-06-2013, 05:32 PM	#1388
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8019572	__________________ "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

06-06-2013, 05:54 PM	#1389
Rams Fan Greatest QB Duo of 2015 Join Date: Mar 2010 Casino cash: $2641133
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06-06-2013, 06:02 PM	#1390
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8019572	I'm not saying I'd suck Matt Carpenter's dick, but I'm also not saying I wouldn't. __________________ "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

06-06-2013, 06:15 PM	#1393
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8019572	This strike zone is horrible. __________________ "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

06-06-2013, 06:28 PM	#1394
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8019572	We have absolutely crushed Kennedy tonight and still only have two runs to show for it. Jay and Shelby need to get Descalso in here. __________________ "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

06-06-2013, 06:32 PM	#1395
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $2834064	There we go. My damn MLB tv that I had to pay for here in KC because of the black out bullshit, is down so I'm having to keep up with it on my damn phone instead of the big flatscreen thru my ps3.
Posts: 81,172