Cardinals ***Offical 2012 STL Cardinals World Champions Thread *** - Page 71

**BigRedChief** · 08:57 PM

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

Pasta Little Brioni · 07-30-2012, 09:24 PM

Were talking a bit about that on the broadcast the other day. Apparently they are pretty bad in tight games and have quite a number of blowouts over opponents. Shit pen.

DJ's left nut · 07-30-2012, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PGM

Were talking a bit about that on the broadcast the other day. Apparently they are pretty bad in tight games and have quite a number of blowouts over opponents. Shit pen.

And a bad manager.

He may improve, but he's not good right now. He's not a guy that's going to make chicken-salad out of a 'pen, that's for sure.

Give him 5 reliable relievers and he can manage a bullpen. Anything less than that and he's going to be lost out there. A good manager can do the job with 3 good relievers and using matchups with the rest. Matheny isn't a good manager so without a bulletproof bullpen, he can't put us over the top.

I feel like we'd be about 5 games further ahead right now with LaRussa on the bench. We'd still be behind the Reds, but clearly within striking distance.

This isn't to say that we should fire Matheny; he gets 2 years of OTJ training. That said, he absolutely has to improve because we can't win if he doesn't.

**OnTheWarpath15** · 07-31-2012, 04:59 PM

The best we could get out of Zack Cox was a year and a half of a 4+ ERA setup man?

Dear God.

**BigRedChief** · 07-31-2012, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

The best we could get out of Zack Cox was a year and a half of a 4+ ERA setup man?

Dear God.

for getting value, mid season trades suck. I didnt think we needed to trade out top prospects for a rental.I'm happy with the trade. Cox was going no where in our organization. I dont see him as an all star anytime soon. Looks like a guy that has potential to turn it around and be a valuable 6th- 7th inning guy.

**BigRedChief** · 08-05-2012, 12:51 PM

I never noticed this but we have no African Americans on our team. Until this article in the STL dispatch. I understand the African Americans not in the stands in large numbers. They, in general, dont care about baseball in large numbers. Thats true in every baseball stadium in the USA.

Does this make us racist because we never noticed? Does it matter? I dont see how the FO is making baseball decsions based on race? Hey, he's white, lets draft him orver a more telented black player?

http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/m...2c2d05e82.html

Frazod · 08-05-2012, 12:56 PM

Who cares? I don't give a shit if there are no blacks, if half of them are black of if they're all black. I just want them to play better.

Mi_chief_fan · 08-05-2012, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

I never noticed this but we have no African Americans on our team. Until this article in the STL dispatch. I understand the African Americans not in the stands in large numbers. They, in general, dont care about baseball in large numbers. Thats true in every baseball stadium in the USA.

Does this make us racist because we never noticed? Does it matter? I dont see how the FO is making baseball decsions based on race? Hey, he's white, lets draft him orver a more telented black player?

http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/m...2c2d05e82.html

Just out of curiosity, what is Jon Jays' ethnicity? He sure does look black.

**BigRedChief** · 08-05-2012, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mi_chief_fan

Just out of curiosity, what is Jon Jays' ethnicity? He sure does look black.

Cuban

Frazod · 08-05-2012, 01:27 PM

I guess Latinos don't count.

And as far as racism goes, I think you pretty much have to be one to write that article.

**BigRedChief** · 08-05-2012, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frazod

Who cares? I don't give a shit if there are no blacks, if half of them are black of if they're all black. I just want them to play better.

We are only 2.5 out of the wildcard lead with 2 wild cards this year. We are not going to catch the Reds. We will have to go for the one game, do or die playoff game. However, with Waino starting to look like his old self, I'll take waino in a a one game playoff against the Braves/Pirates/Dodgers.

Marcellus · 08-05-2012, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frazod

I guess Latinos don't count.

And as far as racism goes, I think you pretty much have to be one to write that article.

It is obvious you didn't read the article so I guess I am left wondering why you would bother commenting.

Frazod · 08-05-2012, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcellus

It is obvious you didn't read the article so I guess I am left wondering why you would bother commenting.

Shouldn't you be off sucking Holliday's dick?

O.city · 08-05-2012, 04:37 PM

So whats up with Shelby Miller?

Also read Taveras is raking shit right now and there are whispers he might make the September callup.

Mi_chief_fan · 08-05-2012, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

Cuban

Sounds about as Cuban as Aroldis Chapman.

VAChief · 08-05-2012, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

Cuban

Not that it matters, but I thought he was of Puerto Rican descent.

01-04-2012, 10:08 PM
BigRedChief Has a particular set of skills Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: On the water Casino cash: $-561038 VARSITY	*Offical 2012 STL Cardinals World Champions Thread * 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 Last edited by BigRedChief; 10-24-2012 at 08:57 PM..
Posts: 81,254

07-30-2012, 09:24 PM	#1051
Pasta Little Brioni Consuming CP souls Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: U.S.A. Casino cash: $398880	Were talking a bit about that on the broadcast the other day. Apparently they are pretty bad in tight games and have quite a number of blowouts over opponents. Shit pen. __________________ **Official TFWdemB Trivia Commisioner**
Posts: 72,919

07-31-2012, 04:59 PM	#1053
OnTheWarpath15 MVP Join Date: Sep 2005 Casino cash: $2231115	The best we could get out of Zack Cox was a year and a half of a 4+ ERA setup man? Dear God.
Posts: 60,746

08-05-2012, 12:51 PM	#1055
BigRedChief Has a particular set of skills Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: On the water Casino cash: $-561038 VARSITY	I never noticed this but we have no African Americans on our team. Until this article in the STL dispatch. I understand the African Americans not in the stands in large numbers. They, in general, dont care about baseball in large numbers. Thats true in every baseball stadium in the USA. Does this make us racist because we never noticed? Does it matter? I dont see how the FO is making baseball decsions based on race? Hey, he's white, lets draft him orver a more telented black player? http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/m...2c2d05e82.html __________________ Mahomes is not a game manager. Release the Kraken.
Posts: 81,254

08-05-2012, 12:56 PM	#1056
Frazod Did you hear what I said? Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $-556615	Who cares? I don't give a shit if there are no blacks, if half of them are black of if they're all black. I just want them to play better.
Posts: 121,707

08-05-2012, 01:27 PM	#1059
Frazod Did you hear what I said? Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $-556615	I guess Latinos don't count. And as far as racism goes, I think you pretty much have to be one to write that article.
Posts: 121,707

08-05-2012, 04:37 PM	#1063
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $-535936	So whats up with Shelby Miller? Also read Taveras is raking shit right now and there are whispers he might make the September callup.
Posts: 84,157