From Matty Mo:
Then, in a comment that could be perceived as a shot at manager Bruce Bochy and former manager Felipe Alou, Morris said, "It's almost been that you start to accept (losing) and I hate to say that, unfortunately. It was different. I was used to Tony La Russa in the past and he kind of runs the show, and there's a lot of structure. I went to the Giants where it was totally the opposite, a different, laid-back feeling."

May not mean anything to many of you, but I think it speaks volumes of what TLR expects compared to other teams.  Still the best manager in baseball, and the reason why I believe the Cardnals still can win this thing.  TLR is stubborn as hell and will never give up.  Can we not give the guy some props for that?
You think MattyMo would rather be in Pitt, SF or STL?

..I don't get it.  Why are so many people on this blog so quick to get rid of them?  I have been a Cardinal fan since my first game as a 5 year old in 1968.  I learned how to read so I could read Cardinal boxscores.  I am old and hardcore.  Why does everyone here want to get rid of the team that has brought 6 post seasoon births in 7 years?  Should we have signed Schmidt or Zito for their money?  How's that worked out?
I think WJ and TLR are doing the best they can with what they have and what they can smartly do.
They are the architects of the greatest run in the history of Cardinal baseball. You disagree?  Take a look at http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/STL/
The runs of the of the other decades and championships are nice, but nothing compares in the modern era.  
I have lived in TX for 11 years and follow the Rangers.  How's that for perspective?  You don't think the Ranger franchise would jump on the chance to get WJ, TLR and Dunc in a heartbeat?
Viva El Birdos, let's not let the best thing we've ever had go away if we can help it!

I think most here are in agreement we should trade Tex and get something decent back.  However, I think everyone's expectations should take a step back (along with the local media).   I think this has been linked previously, but Buster Olney blogged on this subject several days ago at (must be ESPN insider to view) http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?name=olney_buster&entryDate=20070601

To quote the upshot:
"What the Rangers will probably get, then, is some tepid offers. Maybe a couple of decent young players, but almost certainly no top-flight pitching prospects -- which is what Texas needs -- because teams just don't offer up their Garzas, their Lincecums, their Lesters any more. "The greater limitation on these trades is the value almost all organizations are beginning to place on young, controllable talent," one executive wrote in an e-mail. "There is a better understanding than ever among more clubs that you need to have a balanced roster with cost-effective talent mixed with veterans regardless of your market."

"If this happens, then -- if the Rangers get some very lukewarm interest -- what will they do? Would they be willing to trade Teixeira for a package that their fans will never believe is equal to the first baseman's talent or production? Or will they do what Bowden did, and just take the draft pick compensation and let Teixeira walk away? Tough call. Very, very tough situation."

Continue reading this post »

....check out the venom here.....

http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/story/2007/5/25/165639/758#commenttop

You have to go about halfway down to when the bullpen meltdown happens to get the gist.
Talk about a bunch ready to slit their wrists and looking for bullpen help!

I have no idea what they might have to offer, but surely they have something that would be worthwhile for the Rangers to part with a bullpen piece, maybe even a place to send Feldman?

I don't post often, so forgive me if I goof any procedures.  I just ran across this tonight and felt like I should share.  It is a link to an article from the Southpaw online.  It is about new Cub Don Cardwell no-hitting the Cardinals in his Cub debut, in 1960.  The beauty is the video of the Card at bats in the 9th and the accompanying play by play with, I believe, Jack Brickhouse.  Not a great Cardinal moment, but unbelievable video that is 47 years old.  Check it out at http://108mag.typepad.com/the_southpaw/2007/05/don_cardwells_n.html

Did anyone else notice Sammy standing so far from home plate in his at bats tonite that there was no way he was going to cover a pitch on the outside half?  He also seemed very anxious to swing and get it over with.  I didn't see every at bat, but did see a K and a couple of weak ground balls.
He stunk for several months after getting beaned in 2003.  I don't think this lineup can stand getting nothing from him in the 4 slot for very long.

I just read TR's blog from today.  Soccer analogies aside, he makes a great point that many of us at LSB are probably guilty of - it's not the failure of the minor players (Wilk, Cruz, McCarthy, Loe) that keeps the Ranger from winning.  It's the lack of the highly paid veteran players not stepping up.  Good read.  You can find it here:  http://trsullivan.mlblogs.com/
I think the word is "Leadership".  Thoughts?

Special to the St. Louis Post Dispatch
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/stories.nsf/cardinals/story/2EB9F780CE2A705D8625722E001A2C63 ?OpenDocument

I heard when Fraley left the DMN his wife had taken a top job at the Post-Dispatch.   Guess it was a combo deal.  Several Ranger quotes included

Walt's deals in off season and at the deadline over the last 10 years cannot be touched by any other GM.  That said, the Cardinal MLB backup and AAA ready for majors talent is now so thin, he's got very little to play with.  It's easy to do good deals when you have something to work with.  Unfortunately, I think the Cards system is so thin, it's only gonna be minor deals at best.  I don't know how to fix it, but to get good players, you have to give good prospects and the Cards are short.  I live in DFW, so I follow the Rangers and their MLB and AAA prospect talent is light years beyond what the Cards can offer.  They got Carlos Lee for guys that they'd given up on or were never gonna be's.  Their best Minor League pitching is still intact, as well as others on the MLB roster that are expendable.  I guess my point is, you can't make good trades unless you have something to offer.  I'm afraid the Cards prospects in the minors is so empty, we're gonna have to live with what we got for a couple of years.  And that sucks.  

he looked lost and disinterested at the plate and in the field today and for the last several times he's played.  When did he become such an outfield butcher?  If that's all he's got to offer, he can sit.
Has he let Buck's preference for DeRo get in his head?
What could he fetch in a trade?  Does he just need a change of scenery, or is this all he really is?