That's right, 162 games. We have 93 games left. I'm sick and tired of hearing "we need this player, we need a bat, we need a starting pitcher". Last fall, everyone was thrilled that we signed Kyle Lohse to a deal, before free agency started. Last year, we all were ecstatic over Ludwick challenging Pujols for the team lead in HR's and RBI's. Last year, Duncan was hurt and we had Ankiel and Ludwick making plays. AND, last year, we had injuries too.

Baseball is like farming, boys and girls - it's a long season. You plant your crop and you take the best care of it that you can. You hope for the rain, but not too much - if you get a drought, you got a problem too. You use fertilizer and pesticides and try and turn out the best harvest you can under the conditions. Why do you think they call them 'Farm Clubs" people.

You want to trade for Mark DeRosa and Jake Peavey? Or, Miguel Tejeda? Sign Alfonso Soriano before the Cubs do? (His tor y) Let's make a play for Roy Oswalt at the same time. WHO do you trade for them? Seriously, WHO? I'd like to hear your scenarios, because there's more to making a trade than just a couple of GM's signing off on a deal> SEE Jake Peavey. Quality, top line, "impact" players have to also WANT TO go where you're trying to send them (Anyone remember Curt Flood?? Anyone, ANYONE?) Many players, if not all, have lifelong dreams of playing for the Cards, (See> Scott Rolen / Jason Isringhausen) or the Cubs, or the Yankees or Dodgers. Even the Pirates!

When Rolen wasn't injured, when Izzy wasn't injured, we were crazy about them, too! Baseball is about your TEAM, and that teams' legacy and winning tradition. What I am starting to hear is more of a "whining" tradition here in St. Louis. I love the Cardinals, when they're good and when they're not. We are the most fortunate fans in baseball, not necessarily the 'best' fans. We are second only to the New York Yankees in terms of success. We are also the ONLY team with a winning record against the Yankees in Post-Season play. What I'm saying is, we're spoiled, kinda like Atlanta was after 11 seasons. Or, the Yanks.

So, who has heard of Jack Wilson? Danny Haren? Ring a bell? Pittsburgh shortstop, Arizona (via Oakland) starting pitcher? Wouldn't you like to have either one now? We used to, so before you start calling our kids one-year wonders, let's give them a chance to shine, not just a couple hundred at-bats, or 50-100 innings. After all, we are in first place, again. If you don't believe that TLR has a lot to do with that, then you're not the "savvy" St. Louis baseball fan you think you are - you're just lookin for a scapegoat!