Cardinals ***OFFICIAL*** 2013 STL Cardinals Thread - Page 300

**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

DJ's left nut · 09-06-2013, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

I love that they PH Kozma to bunt. Like you couldn't get Westbrook to do that?

They were going to put him in for defense anyway.

Besides, it's like throwing a bone to the right fielder in little league - Matheny had to do something to make him feel useful.

He is truly awful.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 09-06-2013, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

I still don't like lefty closers.

I know, some of them prove me wrong, but most don't.

Besides, this organization will absolutely refuse to put Rosenthal in the rotation. They've never truly given him a look. In the end, Matheny isn't creative enough to make due without a setup man that throws 98 mph.

Matheny can only handle a 'smile and dial' bullpen. If you gave him a lefthanded closer, he would spontaneously combust. He'll hammer Rosenthal into the 9th until Motte comes back or he'll throw Axford out there citing his 'experience'. Then he'll continue to waste Rosenthal in the 8th until he throws his arm out. By 2016 Rosenthal will be throwing 93 having still not developed his offspeed stuff and without the velocity to thrive; it'll be great.

Matheny will also continue to use Seigrist as a situational reliever while hoping that Axford locks down the 7th when Motte returns or that Mozeliak picks him up another veteran RHed reliever.

Matheny sucks. At everything.

I know LaRussa drove us nuts, but he'd have had this team 5 games up on the Pirates by now. Matheny's the least creative manager I've ever seen and simply lacks a plan B.

You say all this to the choir.

However, Sam Freeman can perform the role Matheny mistakenly believes best fits Siegrist right now.

No reason why you can't have a pen with Siegrist, Freeman, Maness (as a fireman), Scroate, Kelly, Lee Stoppelman, and another RHer. Yes, I know that's four lefties, but all of those lefties, sans Scroate, should play fine on either side of the plate.

Miles · 09-06-2013, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

They were going to put him in for defense anyway.

Besides, it's like throwing a bone to the right fielder in little league - Matheny had to do something to make him feel useful.

He is truly awful.

That bunt was his first hit since August 11th.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 09-06-2013, 09:02 PM

**BigRedChief** · 09-06-2013, 09:11 PM

What a statement game. Everything going our way for the change.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 09-06-2013, 09:25 PM

Gets first hit in four weeks, throws tailor made DP ball into right field. Never change, Kozma.

**BigRedChief** · 09-06-2013, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

Gets first hit in four weeks, throws tailor made DP ball into right field. Never change, Kozma.

well we can't have him turning it around and then giving Mo or Matheny any ideas to keep him around.

**BigRedChief** · 09-06-2013, 09:34 PM

I hope this ends the idea of giving Westbrook another start.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 09-06-2013, 09:54 PM

In a game we led 12-1 in the 8th inning we are one batter away from this being a save situation.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 09-06-2013, 10:00 PM

Don't ever use Westbrook again, Matheny.

Jewish Rabbi · 09-06-2013, 10:01 PM

Christ. How the **** do we have to burn Mujica in this abomination?

DJ's left nut · 09-06-2013, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jewish Rabbi

Christ. How the **** do we have to burn Mujica in this abomination?

Jake Westbrook.

kcpasco · 09-06-2013, 10:06 PM

Wow just release Jake now.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 09-06-2013, 10:11 PM

What a cocked up mess those last two innings were. Matheny literally cannot do anything right.

Jewish Rabbi · 09-06-2013, 10:18 PM

It's a shame we won't even be able to get free agent compensation for Westbrook. You know that one who sucks the penis would take the qualifying offer.

01-25-2013, 05:27 PM
BigRedChief Has a particular set of skills Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: On the water Casino cash: $3189627 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: 78,957

09-06-2013, 09:02 PM	#4489
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8009572	__________________ "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: 74,825

09-06-2013, 09:11 PM	#4490
BigRedChief Has a particular set of skills Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: On the water Casino cash: $3189627 VARSITY	What a statement game. Everything going our way for the change. __________________ Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering. -YODA
Posts: 78,957

09-06-2013, 09:25 PM	#4491
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8009572	Gets first hit in four weeks, throws tailor made DP ball into right field. Never change, Kozma. __________________ "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: 74,825

09-06-2013, 09:34 PM	#4493
BigRedChief Has a particular set of skills Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: On the water Casino cash: $3189627 VARSITY	I hope this ends the idea of giving Westbrook another start. __________________ Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering. -YODA
Posts: 78,957

09-06-2013, 09:54 PM	#4494
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8009572	In a game we led 12-1 in the 8th inning we are one batter away from this being a save situation. __________________ "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: 74,825

09-06-2013, 10:00 PM	#4495
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8009572	Don't ever use Westbrook again, Matheny. __________________ "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: 74,825

09-06-2013, 10:01 PM	#4496
Jewish Rabbi What's up braj? Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Placencia, Belize Casino cash: $2168320	Christ. How the **** do we have to burn Mujica in this abomination?
Posts: 15,539

09-06-2013, 10:06 PM	#4498
kcpasco MVP Join Date: Sep 2007 Casino cash: $7733463	Wow just release Jake now.
Posts: 15,477

09-06-2013, 10:11 PM	#4499
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8009572	What a cocked up mess those last two innings were. Matheny literally cannot do anything right. __________________ "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: 74,825

09-06-2013, 10:18 PM	#4500
Jewish Rabbi What's up braj? Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Placencia, Belize Casino cash: $2168320	It's a shame we won't even be able to get free agent compensation for Westbrook. You know that one who sucks the penis would take the qualifying offer.
Posts: 15,539