SB Nation User Blog: Oregonian Redbird

Proud to be a Cards' fan

Oregonian Redbird — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 03:28:57 -0000

I don't know about you folks, but after tonight's game, I'm almost prouder to be a St. Louis Cardinals' fan than I was 11 months ago. The reasons are many, but they include: a team that is out of the race but didn't wilt in a bullpen game in the national spotlight; the spontaneous ovations given to Biggio in the top of the 8th and Edmonds in the bottom of the 8th; 40,000 people still in the seats to watch Pujols' 99th RBI in the bottom of the 9th; the class with which LaRussa and Jocketty have and continue to show in their dealings with the team and the media; the respect the players show for LaRussa, regardless of how he is portrayed by outsiders. The Cardinals remain a proud franchise with incredible fans, and that will not change even if the makeup of the team changes. Tonight might mark the end of an era, and it's an era we'll remember fondly. As ugly as this year was, it can't diminish what this team has accomplished in the past 7 years.

The Secret Weapon at the helm?

Oregonian Redbird — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 18:47:52 -0000

I don't really post diaries, because I don't usually feel like I have much to say that other people aren't already talking about. However, since I don't think anyone has suggested the potential for Jose Oquendo to succeed Tony LaRussa as manager of the Cards, I think I'll do it.

I know the Cards' fan base is somewhat bipolar when it comes to LaRussa. I love him, and though I don't always agree with him, I think he's great for the club. Certainly, others feel quite differently, and there have been plenty of rumors suggesting he will leave after this year. If that happens, I'll be disappointed. But, for me, the silver lining on that dark cloud would be if management decided to interview and hire The Secret Weapon as the new manager. Oquendo managed Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic, and LaRussa and the players have commented on multiple occasions that he will make a great MLB manager someday. If LaRussa stays at the helm 3-4 more years, that's great, but we can't expect Oquendo to remain the 3rd base coach that long. Someone will nab him. So while I'm not hoping for LaRussa to leave St. Louis, if he does, I hope Walt and company give serious consideration to offering the position to The Secret Weapon. Am I crazy?

And the other added bonus is this: when our catcher's get hurt, instead of signing another Stinnett, we can just watch the manager put on the pads and get behind the plate!

WHEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oregonian Redbird — Sat, 28 Oct 2006 03:48:26 -0000

Hallelujah!!!

Ony the radio to listen to, but tonight, not even listening to Joe Morgan can steal away my joy.

The Cards are champs!!!

25 years old, grew up in St. Louis, and I've never before been able to cheer for a World Series champion. The near misses in '85, '87, and '05. The anticipation and then depressing end to '04. The heartbreaking walk-offs in '01 and '02. The lousy pitching staffs of the early '90s and '03.

All gone.

All wiped out.

Because my Cardinals - St. Louis' Cardinals - are World Series Champions.

No one can take that from them.

Wahoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Game 2: The Return of P-Dub

Oregonian Redbird — Sun, 22 Oct 2006 21:56:12 -0000

A bold prediction perhaps,

but I truly believe that this will be Preston Wilson's night. I say this not knowing for certain what the lineup is, but I presume Wilson will occupy the 2 hole in front of Pujols. Rogers can be a tricky lefthander, but he's not going to mess around with Wilson, who has not done much in the playoffs so far. That will tempt Rogers to come into the zone and try to get a strikeout, with Pujols and the suddenly-hot bats of Rolen and Emonds to follow. I'm looking for a line of 2-3 with a double, 2 RBI, and 2 runs scored from Preston.

Weaver will have to stick to his game plan against the Tigers. I'm a little worried that facing his old team in the series could result in him challening hitters a little bit too much. Hopefully Yadier helps Weaver remember what has gotten him through the postseason thus far - changing location and dropping the hook in for strikes.

What hasn't been talked about is how a cold rain could affect the game. (Or maybe it has and I missed it.) Both pitchers depend heavily on off-speed pitches (Rogers moreso), which could be affected by a wet ball and cold hands. I also would be more concerned about 41 year old joints than 30 year old joints, so advantage Weaver.

Final score? I think it's going to be close, and if I were a betting man I'd bet on Detroit 5-4. But since I'm not, I'll take St. Louis in a 4-3 back and forth affair.

Game 1: An Interesting Observation

Oregonian Redbird — Sat, 21 Oct 2006 21:51:48 -0000

Whoa, I get a blog? Sweet.

I didn't realize just by signing up for an account I'd be given a blog, so I guess I'd better use it.

My personal introduction? I'm a 25-year old lifelong baseball fan and a St. Louis-raised Cardinal fanatic. I live in Oregon, and one of the most painful things about the West Coast is not having seen my Cardinals play in person for over 3 years.

Game 1. Reyes vs. Verlander. Here's something worth chewing on that I haven't heard anyone talk about yet. Reyes' fastball versus Detroits big swingers. Mid-season, a big deal was made about La Russa and Duncan trying to get Reyes to change his pitching approach by using more low fastballs to "pitch to contact". Reyes was to use less high 4-seamers to induce ground balls and keep his pitch count down.

In this series, I think La Russa and Duncan would be wise to reexamine this philosophy with Reyes. The Tigers were not the most disciplined bunch during the season. They improved their pitch selection during the first two playoff rounds, but now that they've had a week layoff, there's reason to believe they will be itching to get those bats off their shoulders. If the Tigers are going to come out swinging on the first and second pitches, would it be better to have them swinging at 2-seamers or 4-seamers? I say, tell Reyes to let loose with some high-heaters. Especially on 0-1 and 0-2 counts, I think that would be a great way to try to take advantage of the Tigers' pension for swinging at fastballs. No other Cardinal with the possible exception of Carpenter has the capability of throwing fastballs by these guys, and I'd like to see the coaching staff allow Reyes to employ his full arsenal in this series.

Any thoughts?