It's Still All About Albert

Dave Pendleton — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 15:43:38 -0000

Being here in St. Louis I can see the frenzy about the latest moves up close.
It looks good on the surface...on the field...so far.
But underneath and behind the scenes and beyond this year, I wonder.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

On the field, today, right now, it's exciting, but only time will tell if the price was too high.
On the field, today, right now, my concern is Albert Pujols.
For this move to pay its proper dividends Albert must be Albert...and Albert hasn't been Albert since shortly before the All Star game.

I've seen Albert go into slumps before but this one has lasted longer than most and his frustration is more visible than usual.

It seemed to start just before the All Star game when he was universally being touted as the "Best player in baseball". I don't know if that's just coincidence or what but that's when it started. And he looked tired then and still does. He's had one day off since then and I can't remember when he last homered.

Now add Holliday!

Since arriving, he's been tearing the cover off the ball...since day one. Lot's of cheers and flashbulbs from the stands and all the talk has been about him. He's suppose to "protect Albert" but there's been little to protect.

I'm wondering how Albert is taking to all this. He's been the god here since Mark McGwire left and has pretty much lived up to that status. Is the shift in attention going to make him rise to the occasion or have a mental affect and deepen his slump?

Having said all that, here's a thought that hit me the other day. TLR has always said he tries to always give his team it's best chance to win. Today, right now, shouldn't Albert be protecting Holliday?

Since the beginning of the season Albert has hit third...period. Everybody else has been moved up and down in the lineup, even the pitchers. But not Albert. At the moment Albert is living on reputation (well deserved) and still has respect....but reality is reality.

On paper (lately) it seems that the 3rd and 4th slot should be Holliday and Pujols respectively. Would that be too big a blow to Pujols and make things worse for him...for the sake of your best chances to win? HMMMM? I don't know.

I watch the Cardinals every day and watch the Cubs in the standings, so I really can't speak from a knowledgeable point of view as far as the Cubs individual players stats and performance. I pick up bits and pieces here and there, but from what I see, even with the recent additions to the Cardinals, if the Cubs stay healthy it's going to be another rat race to the end. If The Cardinals don't make it then GO CUBS! I see your chances as good as ours....unless Albert returns and everybody else clicks on all cylinders for the rest of the season. If that happens they could be devastating. Maybe that's the hope...then TLR can exit in grand fashion and let the chips fall where they may after that.

TLR's contract is up after this year, Alberts is up the year after, They'd like to sign Holliday and DeRosa. Will TLR want to keep managing without them and will Albert want to play for someone else if TLR is gone or If he is no longer god? And do The Cardinals have that kind of money? I wonder what's the long range thought process is in the GM's head. Or, is there a long range plan at all? A lot depends on Albert.

Much food for thought....at least for me.

It was fun!

Dave Pendleton — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 16:39:00 -0000

For the most part.

AI only had to step on me once and I hope he doesn't step on me for this one...cause it's about me...and BCB.

I just want to say that as a Cardinal fan, new to this place, I was accepted pretty well and I appreciated that. It made it fun.

For those of you who gave me a hard time just because I'm a Cardinal fan and I can't spell...well...you're forgiven and I'll try to improve on my spelling for by next season, 'cause I'll be back. The fun outweighed the abuse.

To ALL of you here...man, I sure hated to see the Cubs fold up, just like you did.

Better luck next year!

Nothing more to say...

Dave Pendleton — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 16:14:10 -0000

or is there?

Yea, I've got a little more to say.........

I don't know how all the season numbers came out but to me the Cubs were/are the best team in the NL.

This is exactly why I hate the playoffs, and for those who say "if you can't win a playoff then you're not a champion" I say "BULL!"

I liked baseball much better when the two best teams went to the World Series, period. Otherwise, what's the point in playing a season? It's like hockey.

I haven't been here since before the playoffs started but have been watching what the cubs have been doing and my heart has been sinking right along with you guys.

I feel your pain...not as badly as you do, but it makes me sick none the less.

SB Nation User Blog: Dave Pendleton

It's Still All About Albert

It was fun!

Nothing more to say...