tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59033672011-04-21T15:22:17.748-04:00Obsessions of a Cardinal FanReaction, venting and general rambling about God's own baseball team, the St. Louis Cardinals. Also, fantasy baseball stuff and baseball news.Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15769662051224239320noreply@blogger.comBlogger281100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903367.post-1162877454159685062006-11-07T00:19:00.000-05:002006-11-07T00:30:54.173-05:00Offseason Talk:* Mulder, Suppan, Marquis, Belliard, Weaver, Edmonds, Wilson, Bennett, Spiezio and Vizcaino have all filed for free agency. It's anyone's guess as to who's coming back.* Padres are talking to Dusty Baker to replace Bochy; San Diego stops making plans for Padres postseason celebrations.Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15769662051224239320noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903367.post-1161650068615475982006-10-23T20:19:00.000-04:002006-10-23T20:34:28.643-04:00World Series Game 3 PreviewSince I probably won't have time before tomorrow's game, here's a preview of WS Game 3.Detroit (Nate Robertson) vs. St. Louis (Chris Carpenter)Robertson is a lefty with a 13-13 regular season record, and a 1-1 mark in the playoffs. He was the ALDS Game 1 starter for the Tigers, giving up 7 of the 8 Yankee runs in 5.2 IP, and threw 5 scoreless innings against the Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15769662051224239320noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903367.post-1161640839499309072006-10-23T17:54:00.000-04:002006-10-23T18:00:39.516-04:00So, about the new "Pine Tar Game."Obviously, we'll never know for sure that it was pine tar; that chance went out the window when the home plate umpire told him just to wash it off.This photo, from the 6th inning, seems to show that he still had it on the back of his hat. Looks to me like it would have been fairly easy to load his hand up with that hat dance he was doing between pitches.La Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15769662051224239320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903367.post-1161412564027815442006-10-21T02:25:00.000-04:002006-10-21T02:36:04.040-04:00WORLD SERIES POST!It's a rematch of 1968, when Mickey Lolich and Denny McLain beat Gibby and the Cards in a 7-game classic.I can actually enjoy this Series. 2004 was a Series of conflicted emotions, for reasons that some know and few care about now.Kid Reyes will start Game 1 against Tigers rookie Justin "Where the heck is Verland?" Verlander. Game 2 brings us Jeff "Dream" Weaver on short rest,Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15769662051224239320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903367.post-1161240260696927262006-10-19T02:37:00.000-04:002006-10-19T02:44:20.930-04:00I'm not going to devote a ton of time or effort to breaking down tonight's game; goodness knows I've done more than enough of that elsewhere tonight.Instead, I want to start looking forward to Game 7.My lineup for Game 7:Eck, SSP-Dub, LFEl Hombre, 1BInstant Breakfast, RFSpiezio, 3BJed, CFBelly, 2BYadi, CSoup, PP-Dub has had the most success of anyone in the #2 hole. No one's really set the worldBrianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15769662051224239320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903367.post-1157512715588759562006-09-05T23:16:00.000-04:002006-09-05T23:18:35.600-04:00So, the whole "updating this thing regularly" deal didn't pan out.Thoughts on events in Cardinal-land while I've been away:* Albert Pujols is still Baseball Jesus.* Jason Isringhausen is creeping ever closer to officially being Dead to Me.* We have no chance to survive make our time get to the World Series.Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15769662051224239320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903367.post-1151001231108054122006-06-22T14:29:00.000-04:002006-06-22T14:33:51.120-04:00June 22, 2002. Cards vs. Cubs, at Wrigley.Joe Girardi comes out before the game and announces that "due to a tragedy in the Cardinals' family, the commissioner has canceled today's game."It was only a few hours later that we would learn the tragedy was the death of Darryl Kile.Today is the 4th anniversary of that day, and considering how our pitching staff has looked the past 2 days, God knows Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15769662051224239320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903367.post-1146158232240551542006-04-27T13:09:00.000-04:002006-04-27T13:17:12.256-04:00Inspired by an argument I was in last night...Is using performance-enhancing drugs cheating more than a pitcher doctoring the baseball? Both are illegal under the rules.I maintain that doctoring the baseball is nowhere near the level of steroid use simply because no pitcher can successfully scuff every ball they throw to every hitter during every at-bat. A player who is on steroids has an Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15769662051224239320noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903367.post-1145891068745424292006-04-24T11:00:00.000-04:002006-04-24T11:04:28.770-04:00Fantasy baseball is a harsh mistress.Somehow, I lead the league in strikeouts, but am in the bottom half of every other pitching category. And let's not even get into how awful my offense has been (next to last in RBIs? What is that?)I really wish TLR and Dave Duncan would decide if Carp or Soup is starting today. Moonman and the Cards' site say it's Carp, but Yahoo is reporting that Soup willBrianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15769662051224239320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903367.post-1145581569821882042006-04-20T21:06:00.000-04:002006-04-20T21:06:09.833-04:00Which guys do you think have been on steroids, and why?- Kevin Millar: suddenly became a decent power hitter, but last season lost any ability to drive the ball (and wasn't injured.)- Eric Gagne: Failed starter who becomes a shutdown closer only to break down spectacularly when steroid testing started in earnest.- Brady Anderson: could be really juiced balls that one year, but guys don't come Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15769662051224239320noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903367.post-1144377032415718092006-04-06T22:21:00.000-04:002006-04-06T22:30:32.440-04:003 games, 3 wins. That's how you start a season.This weekend is the first meeting with the Flubs, at Juicy Fruit Field. Fortunately, Kerry Wood and Mark Prior won't be starting, so the Cards have a good chance of winning at least 2 games. Sunday night's game is on ESPN, which means we get graced with the dulcet tones of Jon Miller and the rage-inducing tones of Joe Morgan.Don't get me wrong: Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15769662051224239320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903367.post-1144015371723145172006-04-02T17:41:00.000-04:002006-04-02T18:02:51.776-04:00C - Yadi Molina has had a solid spring, and looks like he could start hitting a bit more this year, thanks to working with Albert Pujols on his swing. Gary Bennett will attempt to be a credible backup, and Michel Hernandez will get some seasoning at Memphis while he waits to see if he gets a backup role.1B - Albert Pujols is peaking at just the right time, and looks to be on his way to another Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15769662051224239320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903367.post-1143958291992089462006-04-02T01:03:00.000-05:002006-04-02T01:11:32.006-05:00Well, with a 2-1 loss to the Mets, the Cards' spring training is over. Final roster cuts have been made, and:* Josh Hancock is the last bullpen pitcher, beating out Alan Benes and Brian Falkenborg.* Aaron Miles will be the opening-day starter at 2B, meaning Junior Spivey's days in St. Louis could be numbered. He'll be on the bench right now because Hector Luna has options left, but I wouldn'tBrianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15769662051224239320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903367.post-1143827470980785032006-03-31T12:51:00.000-05:002006-03-31T12:51:10.990-05:00Junior Spivey hasn't been able to hit anything this spring. He's been a black hole of not hitting, which means that there's a good chance the Cardinals spent $1.2 million on nothing. The alternatives, however, aren't very exciting: Aaron Miles, who has hit but isn't a full-time option, or Hector Luna, who also hasn't been spectacular in Spring Training, to the point that he's made some outfieldBrianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15769662051224239320noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903367.post-1143826000309117542006-03-31T12:22:00.000-05:002006-03-31T12:26:40.336-05:00Here's my fantasy draft results:1. (1) A. Pujols 2. (36) J. Rollins 3. (37) J. Mauer 4. (72) C. Cordero 5. (73) T. Iguchi 6. (108) A. Béltre 7. (109) B. Zito 8. (144) J. Francoeur 9. (145) D. Haren 10. (180) W. Peña 11. (181) J. Duchscherer 12. (216) J. Jones 13. (217) E. Santana 14. (252) L. Castillo 15. (253) J. Seo 16. (288) K. Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15769662051224239320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903367.post-1142995287282461022006-03-21T21:39:00.000-05:002006-03-21T21:41:27.293-05:00The fantasy draft to end all fantasy drafts starts in 24 hours. 432 players will be selected to 18 teams, and then the fun begins.Right now, I'm waiting to find out what the draft order will be, so I can start formulating a draft strategy. After the draft, I'll recap my selections and post my Fantasy Drafting Manifesto.Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15769662051224239320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903367.post-1140231993961265912006-02-17T22:06:00.000-05:002006-02-17T22:06:33.973-05:00The contraction rumor has reared its head again. Apparently, there's a clause in the Collective Bargaining Agreement that allows MLB to contract two teams for the 2007 season as long as they're announced by July 1.The obvious candidates: Minnesota, Kansas City, Washington, Florida, Tampa Bay and Colorado.My guesses: Washington and Florida, but with a twist. Washington is the easy choice; MLB Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15769662051224239320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903367.post-1139871466389373782006-02-13T17:55:00.000-05:002006-02-13T17:57:46.400-05:00Yeah, so I haven't had time for that Cardinal season analysis. Maybe once Spring Training gets started.The WBC starts in less than one month, and as soon as the Olympics end I expect the ESPN promotion machine to swing into action and push the hell out of it.Fantasy baseball will be starting soon as well, so I'll be doing some sort of preview/draft recap of that as well. I might write out the Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15769662051224239320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903367.post-1137778864388751082006-01-20T12:40:00.000-05:002006-01-20T12:41:04.400-05:00All is right with the world, as Cuba has been approved to play in the WBC. Let the rejoicing begin.Look for a Cardinals preview early next week, and of course more WBC analysis.Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15769662051224239320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903367.post-1137714162926361652006-01-19T18:18:00.000-05:002006-01-19T18:44:34.963-05:00OK, here's the promised World Baseball Classic analysis:Pool A: Japan will win this pool handily, while the second spot will come down to the winner of the South Korea-Chinese Taipei (Taiwan) game. China might be competitive in the future, but this year will be a learning experience. My Picks: Japan and South KoreaPool B: The United States is obviously the favorite here, but again, the real Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15769662051224239320noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903367.post-1137525302288476082006-01-17T14:13:00.000-05:002006-01-17T14:15:02.300-05:00Wow, I'd almost forgotten about this thing.The World Baseball Classic is coming up in a couple of months, and the 60-man rosters have been announced. No major surprises on the US roster, at least so far.Clemens may pitch, but no one's sure (he will,) and Bonds will play. More when I can do a full analysis.Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15769662051224239320noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903367.post-1122256675721871662005-07-24T21:43:00.000-04:002005-07-24T21:57:55.726-04:00The injury bug has struck the Cardinals, with Scott Rolen's shoulder, Reggie Sanders' broken leg, Larry Walker's neck and Yadier Molina's broken hand pushing the bench to an increased role. Abraham Nunez, So Taguchi, Hector Luna and callups John Rodriguez and Mike Mahoney have seen sizable playing time over the past three weeks.With these injuries and the fast-approaching trade deadline, Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15769662051224239320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903367.post-1120672142811893292005-07-06T13:39:00.000-04:002005-07-06T13:49:02.816-04:00Trade rumors are swirling as the All-Star Break approaches. Discussion has centered on picking up another outfielder, and names include Adam Dunn, Wily Mo Pena, Austin Kearns and Aubrey Huff.Handicapping those names:Dunn - Average defense. Can hit the ball a mile, but is inconsistent. Might benefit from a change of scenery and working with Cardinal hitting coach Hal McRae.Pena - Impressed lastBrianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15769662051224239320noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903367.post-1119150733200011602005-06-18T23:08:00.000-04:002005-06-18T23:12:13.203-04:00An update from the heart of Cardinal Nation:* Scott Rolen is back, and it looks like he's gonna be fine as soon as he gets all the rust knocked off.* The powder-blue road unis died for a reason, guys. Let them stay dead. Also, how in the hell can the D-Rays have a Throwback Day when they're not even 10 years old yet? Wearing University of Tampa jerseys doesn't make it Throwback Day, it makes Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15769662051224239320noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903367.post-1118600935595337562005-06-12T14:22:00.000-04:002005-06-12T14:28:55.600-04:00Weekend Notes:Scott Rolen is beginning his rehab assignment tomorrow, and is expected back for next weekend's series against the Tampa Bay Devil Dogs. When he gets back, I think Tony should seriously consider keeping Grudzielanek and Walker where they are rather than going back to the old lineup, because Grudzie has hit pretty well in the 2 hole. Matt "Grizzly Adams" Morris is on the hill today.Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15769662051224239320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903367.post-1118525517412563572005-06-11T17:26:00.000-04:002005-06-11T17:31:57.416-04:00Random Thoughts: NYY vs. STL, June 11- Larry Walker is a career .380 hitter against Randy Johnson. Therefore, we should blindly stick to his "2 on, 1 off" playing schedule rather than giving him tomorrow off and letting him hit against Johnson.- If you want to give Edmonds a day off, don't do it the same day you're holding Walker out. Without at least one of those guys in there, we don't have Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15769662051224239320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903367.post-1118516925889546682005-06-11T15:04:00.000-04:002005-06-11T15:08:45.893-04:00So, Game 2 of the Yanks-Cards series. Mark Mulder goes up against the Large Penis, Randy Johnson.Should be an exciting game, and thanks to Fox, I'm getting to see it (sorry, those of you that wanted to see Cubs-Red Sox.)Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15769662051224239320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903367.post-1118472048066716482005-06-11T02:40:00.000-04:002005-06-11T02:54:45.013-04:00So, this is the new baseball blog I'm going to never update. This will be where my fantasy ranting, my baseball bullshitting and other stuff will happen.Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15769662051224239320noreply@blogger.com1