Cardinals ***OFFICIAL*** 2013 STL Cardinals Thread - Page 59

**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

'Hamas' Jenkins · 05-21-2013, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rams Fan

Harvey ain't got shit to say since he technically isn't a rookie.

I'll be goddamned. Didn't know he went over 50 last year.

**Buck** · 05-21-2013, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

Buck,

What do you think you guys should do with Quentin and Maybin? Are you ready to write them off as lost causes?

To be honest I don't follow them close enough anymore to tell you a good enough answer.

Cam Maybin is always injured, he seems like he might end up as a career pinch runner by the time we're through with him.

Quentin might have a little value for a team in desperate need of a DH come the trade deadline, however we just gave him more money than any other team would, so I don't know.

I would say that we should at least let Quentin play out this season before we write him off. It's only May for Christ's sake.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 05-21-2013, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rams Fan

He can go off himself on the DL for 2 months until a judgment is made on Ryan Jackson after he receives ample playing time.

I understand, but this isn't a TLR situation where players get intentionally doghoused for bullshit reasons. Jackson should be up, but Descalso's also not Miles or ****ing Skip.

Wigginton is the buffoon stealing a roster spot right now.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 05-21-2013, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buck

To be honest I don't follow them close enough anymore to tell you a good enough answer.

Cam Maybin is always injured, he seems like he might end up as a career pinch runner by the time we're through with him.

Quentin might have a little value for a team in desperate need of a DH come the trade deadline, however we just gave him more money than any other team would, so I don't know.

I would say that we should at least let Quentin play out this season before we write him off. It's only May for Christ's sake.

Why'd you stop following them? Disgruntled or lack of time?

Rams Fan · 05-21-2013, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

I understand, but this isn't a TLR situation where players get intentionally doghoused for bullshit reasons. Jackson should be up, but Descalso's also not Miles or ****ing Skip.

Wigginton is the buffoon stealing a roster spot right now.

While I agree that it should be Wigginton who should be gone and not DD, it's still stupid that they keep ****ing running DD out there when Jackson has more potential offensively and an above average glove.

The Cards haven't developed a legit SS since Jack Wilson(and I'm not counting Brendan Ryan, as his D is great, but his O is horrendous).

**Buck** · 05-21-2013, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

Why'd you stop following them? Disgruntled or lack of time?

Our ownership situation was in shambles for the longest time.

Our old owner sold to a new ownership group who didn't get approved my the other MLB owners, so basically no money was being put into the team for 3 years or so. It really pissed me off and I stopped attending games. That ownership group was eventually ousted.

Finally we got new owners this year, but I cut the cable in February and can't watch them anymore, and I have to hope that whatever team we're playing has a big enough fan base that one of their fans streams the games so I can pirate it.

Lastly, I work from 9 am - 7:30 pm and get home at 8, so by the time I'm settled in and ready to watch, it's usually 9 pm, and most of the game is over with.

I want to be a bigger fan again and I've considered doing some kind of virtual IP address to sign up for MLB.tv saying I'm in a foreign country so I can get all the games, but I just can't afford it right now.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 05-21-2013, 10:35 PM

@ Denorfia.

**Buck** · 05-21-2013, 10:39 PM

Denorfia once hit a routine grounder to 3rd (more like a Baltimore Chop) that ended in an Inside The Park Home Run.

Sometimes he plays dumb, but he's a ****ing hustler. We all love him.

**Buck** · 05-21-2013, 10:40 PM

'Hamas' Jenkins · 05-21-2013, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buck

Denorfia once hit a routine grounder to 3rd (more like a Baltimore Chop) that ended in an Inside The Park Home Run.

Sometimes he plays dumb, but he's a ****ing hustler. We all love him.

One of the greatest days of my life was in Little League:

My first time up the pitcher walks me. Fourth ball is a WP, so I can steal. I sprint around first and the catcher airmails the throw to second. Centerfielder then airmails the throw to third.

I scored from home on a walk.

Same game I was pitching. I just about broke the first dude's face with a fastball. After that I threw a no-hitter with like 11 Ks in a five inning game. Almost took another kid's head off with a pitch, and when he ducked the ball glanced off his bat and came right back to the mound.

I don't believe Powerball was available in Missouri til the following year. Otherwise, I would have bought a ticket.

**Buck** · 05-21-2013, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

One of the greatest days of my life was in Little League:

My first time up the pitcher walks me. Fourth ball is a WP, so I can steal. I sprint around first and the catcher airmails the throw to second. Centerfielder then airmails the throw to third.

I scored from home on a walk.

Same game I was pitching. I just about broke the first dude's face with a fastball. After that I threw a no-hitter with like 11 Ks in a five inning game. Almost took another kid's head off with a pitch, and when he ducked the ball glanced off his bat and came right back to the mound.

I don't believe Powerball was available in Missouri til the following year. Otherwise, I would have bought a ticket.

LOL. Typical Little League 4 bagger right there.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 05-21-2013, 10:46 PM

If my FBB update is correct, Trout just hit for the cycle.

**Buck** · 05-21-2013, 10:47 PM

ESPN says he has 4 hits, including a double, triple, and homer.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 05-21-2013, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buck

ESPN says he has 4 hits, including a double, triple, and homer.

10 TB for my FBB team.

**Buck** · 05-21-2013, 10:49 PM

There you go. Kid is nails.

01-25-2013, 05:27 PM
BigRedChief Has a particular set of skills Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: On the water Casino cash: $3219627 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: 78,938

05-21-2013, 10:35 PM	#877
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8019572	@ Denorfia. __________________ "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: 74,821

05-21-2013, 10:39 PM	#878
Buck Take a Chill Pill Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: South Carolina Casino cash: $8329900	Denorfia once hit a routine grounder to 3rd (more like a Baltimore Chop) that ended in an Inside The Park Home Run. Sometimes he plays dumb, but he's a ****ing hustler. We all love him.
Posts: 44,562

05-21-2013, 10:40 PM	#879
Buck Take a Chill Pill Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: South Carolina Casino cash: $8329900	Your browser does not support iframes.
Posts: 44,562

05-21-2013, 10:46 PM	#882
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8019572	If my FBB update is correct, Trout just hit for the cycle. __________________ "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: 74,821

05-21-2013, 10:47 PM	#883
Buck Take a Chill Pill Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: South Carolina Casino cash: $8329900	ESPN says he has 4 hits, including a double, triple, and homer.
Posts: 44,562

05-21-2013, 10:49 PM	#885
Buck Take a Chill Pill Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: South Carolina Casino cash: $8329900	There you go. Kid is nails.
Posts: 44,562