"Official" 2011 St. Louis Cardinals Thread

[BigRedChief]

This is so unreal. We were dead. No hope. A season over. Somehow, someway we find some team chemistry and squeak into the playoffs on the last day of the season.

Only to find us facing one of the best pitching staffs assembled in years with home field advantage. We somehow, someway find a way to beat the best pitcher in baseball on the road in an elimination game.

We have to go on the road and beat the team with the best home record in baseball. A team who mortgaged their future to make this run .We somehow, someway find a way to beat them on the road and make our 18th World series trip.

We take game 1, we give away game 2 and home field advantage. Albert goes off for probably the best performance in World Series history and we take game 3 easily. Games 4 & 5 our bats fall asleep, Phone gate happens and its not looking too good.

Game 6, one of the best baseball games of all time and it takes place in a season ending go home game. Cardinals are down 2 runs in their final chance on the season, twice. They are down to their final strike of the season, twice. They give up a 2 run homer in extra innings. In the bottom of the inning their final 3 batters are a combined 3-26 in the Playoffs and a pitcher because the bench is empty. Somehow, someway they get some runners on and the comeback player of the year drives in the tying run. Mr. Freese hits the walk off home run. We will see you tommorrow night.

Game 7, With our bulldog on the mound pitching on 3 days rest he is able to give us 6 good innings and get us to within 9 outs of our 11 World series title. Texas meltsdown, probably left over from last nights game and its over.

The underdog, come back team who had no business even being in the playoffs wins a World championship. They make movies about events like this in life. Events that you remember even if your not a fan of the sport or team for the rest of your life.

When it is your team.......Priceless


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[Dr. Johnny Fever]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

it was just a factual point. We have more talent on the field than the Royals do in 2011. We should win those games.

Oh I know it's all good. The Cards are always competitive. It's been 26 years for us... but they're my team anyway. Grew up a Royals fan and will always be one.

I'll leave here now... didn't mean to hijack you're thread.

[Rams Fan]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

No drop off in defense and get his bat in the lineup. Gots to give props to Mo for making that deal.

I'm sorry dude, but Berkman is nowhere near as good defensively as Luddy is. There's nothing wrong with that, but you're crazy if you think he's better than Luddy on defense.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by Rams Fan

I'm sorry dude, but Berkman is nowhere near as good defensively as Luddy is. There's nothing wrong with that, but you're crazy if you think he's better than Luddy on defense.

Dudes. I was talking about the drop off of horendous defense that Berkman was suppose to bring with him if we put him in the outfield. He's no gold glover but I'd bet he's average at least and leads the league or near the top of every offensive catagory. I'll take that from a RF every year.

[Rams Fan]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

Dudes. I was talking about the drop off of horendous defense that Berkman was suppose to bring with him if we put him in the outfield. He's no gold glover but I'd bet he's average at least and leads the league or near the top of every offensive catagory. I'll take that from a RF every year.

I guess I can agree with that. The D is still bad, though. When Theriot is gone, it will be better.

[Jewish Rabbi]

God, the Padres just play fundamentally awful baseball.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by Jewish Rabbi

God, the Padres just play fundamentally awful baseball.

I thought DJ Nut said this was a good team?

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

I thought DJ Nut said this was a good team?

What?

They're lousy, but not quitters.

Yeah, I'd say 'lousy' is something similar to the opposite of good.

[Jewish Rabbi]

Why does Tony insist on leaving Carpenter in too long?

[Jewish Rabbi]

Originally Posted by Jewish Rabbi

Why does Tony insist on leaving Carpenter in too long?

[Frazod]

I think a better question is WHY DOES HE GET ABSOLUTELY NO RUN SUPPORT?

[Jewish Rabbi]

Originally Posted by frazod

I think a better question is WHY DOES HE GET ABSOLUTELY NO RUN SUPPORT?

He should have been pinch hit for in the 8th, who knows what that would have led to. He's getting old, you can only get 7 innings top out of him anymore.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by Jewish Rabbi

He should have been pinch hit for in the 8th, who knows what that would have led to. He's getting old, you can only get 7 innings top out of him anymore.

Or at least bunt the go ahead run into scoring position.

[BigRedChief]

Ohhhh well get smoked in cincinnati then win 8 out 9 including 6 of the games on the road and still up 2.5 games up in first place.

[BigRedChief]

Hamas and DJ is this just propaganda from the PD?


Tuesday was busy on the Cardinals' player development front. The machinery ground smoothly and more progress occurred.

• Rookie catcher Tony Cruz got three hits in his major league debut at San Diego. He hardly looked out of place while giving Yadier Molina day off.
• Memphis starting pitcher Lance Lynn struck out seven batters and allowed one run in 6 1/3 innings. His 8-2 victory kept him in contention for promotion should the Cards lose a starting pitcher.
• Hot-hitting third baseman Zack Cox graduated from “high A” ball to Double-A Springfield. The Cards first pick in 2010 is on the 40-man roster, as per his bargaining demands last summer. He is rising fast, as per the organization’s expectations.
• Palm Beach starting pitcher Joe Kelly worked into the eighth inning of his 3-1 victory, allowing one hit. He is 2-2 with a 2.91 ERA, living up to the high expectations he generated during spring training.
• Acrobatic Dominican shortstop Ronny Gil went 1 for 3 with a triple and three RBIs for Quad Cities. In four games since graduating from extended spring training, he is 7 for 14 with two stolen bases. Cards fans will get to see him play in person Thursday at Busch Stadium.

Days like Tuesday demonstrate how the Cards remain consistently competitive in the face of staggering injuries. Through various means, the organization has added proven college talent, raw Latin American talent and high-ceiling high school talent.

Since 2005, the Cards are 87 games over .500. They have gone to the playoffs three times and won a World Series championship.
At the same time, the organization converted a player development program that produced occasional stars into a system that built a self-renewing talent base.

They payoff this season has been tremendous:
When Adam Wainwright blew out his elbow and Chris Carpenter struggled unexpectedly this year, Jaime Garcia (680th overall pick in 2005) emerged as the new ace.

When closer Ryan Franklin imploded, Fernando Salas (free agent, Mexico) and Eduardo Sanchez (free agent, Venezuela) filled the void and stabilized the bullpen.

When luckless third baseman David Freese suffered a broken hand after being hit by the pitch, Daniel Descalso (112nd overall pick in 2007) provided “plus” defense at the hot corner and clutch hitting.

When outfielders Matt Holliday and Lance Berkman missed games due to various injuries and maladies, Jon Jay (47th overall pick in 2006) and Allen Craig (256th overall pick in 2006) picked up the offensive slack.

When utility infielder Nick Punto strained his forearm, Pete Kozma (18th overall pick in 2007) stepped in to give Tony La Russa another infielder who could play solid shortstop defense.

When back-up catcher Gerald Laird suffered a broken hand, Cruz (802nd overall pick, 2007) stepped in and immediately helped the Cards win a game. He is an intriguing prospect, a heavy hitter who made a big early splash at third base and then made a swift defensive transition to catcher.
Not all these players are destine for future stardom. Not all the call-ups have made seamless transitions to the big leagues.

Tyler Greene (30th overall pick in 2005) has alternated bad outings with his good outings. He has made head-scratching errors in the field, including two dropped pop-ups.

Mitchell Boggs (170th overall in 2005) went from fill-in closer to Memphis Redbirds starter in a hurry after losing command of his pitches.
Like Greene, he is a high-ceiling talent. Like Greene, he has had multiple chances to establish himself. Like Greene, he is still trying to do so. Like Greene, he will soon be “on the clock” as other prospects make their move up the ladder.

Overall, though, the Cards have gained significant support from the farm system. John Mozeliak was able to spend prospects to make the spectacular Holliday deal . . . as well as the disastrous trades for short-timers Mark DeRosa and Khalil Greene.

Despite losing blue-chip youngsters like Brett Wallace, Chris Perez and Luke Gregerson in those moves, the Cards never developed the sort of talent gaps that caused the Astros to collapse and kept the Brewers and Cubs from consistent contention.

Critics have pounded away at scouting czar Jeff Luhnow and the organization as a whole for years, blasting the Cards for drafting so many low-ceiling college players and failing to deliver impact players. Because his ascension upset then-GM Walt Jocketty and led to his exit, Luhnow will remain a villain to people inside and outside the organization.

Perhaps that explains the harsh evaluations the farm system received in recent years. As recently as last summer, some media types assured fans that these graduates wouldn’t make a difference. The critics insisted they were just “four-A” players incapable of becoming more than fill-ins.

Perhaps players like Salas, Jay, Craig and Descalso will never be prospects, but it’s pretty clear they are ballplayers. That’s the good news.
The better news: There are plenty more just like them (and better) on the way.

[Buck]

THATS RIGHT BITCHES