If the Cards win the division...

[Sammy Sofa]

The Cards just look good right now because they're beating up on two other pathetic NL Central teams. As soon as they start playing anyone else they'll look just as bed as the rest of us.

[Keener98]

The Cards just look good right now because they're beating up on two other pathetic NL Central teams. As soon as they start playing anyone else they'll look just as bed as the rest of us.

 

But what happens when we cant beat up those pathetic NL central teams?

[Cynosure]

The Cards just look good right now because they're beating up on two other pathetic NL Central teams. As soon as they start playing anyone else they'll look just as bed as the rest of us.

 

But what happens when we cant beat up those pathetic NL central teams?

 

We lose the division which seems inevitable at this point :(

[KyHen]

I just can't believe how lucky the Cards are, though. Everything they do turns to gold. Let's take a look:

 

- They sign a trash-heap starter and he turns into gold.

Kip Wells: 6-13, 82 ERA+

 

 

- They let their overpriced free agents walk and a prospect comes out of the woodwork and dominates:

Anthony Reyes: 2-11, 78 ERA+

 

 

Meanwhile, Jason Marquis -- fresh of a league-worst ERA in 2006 -- posts a 107 ERA+ for their rival ballclub; to put that in perspective, a 107 ERA+ is higher than any starter currently on the staff.

 

 

- Despite never starting a game in his major league career, a career reliever makes the transition and turns into an ace:

Braden Looper: 10-9, 84 ERA+

 

 

- In the tradition of Tony Womack and Mark Grudzielanek, yet another free agent second basemen comes in and has a career year:

Adam Kennedy: .219 / .282 / .290*

 

Of players with at least 250 plate appearances this year (there are 257 of them), that OPS is second worst in all of major league baseball (second to Nick Punto).

 

 

 

- After hitting rock bottom and being released by his former club, Chris Carpenter turns in yet another Cy-Young caliber season

Chris Carpenter: 1 start in 2007

 

 

- Walt Jocketty fleeces another GM in yet another lopsided trade

Mark Mulder: 0 starts in 2007

Dan Haren: 13-4, league-leading 171 ERA+

 

 

Being completely objective here, I think calling the Cardinals "lucky" is flat-out absurd. Its borderline delusional. Unless, of course, low-risk, high-reward, non-crippling deals are considered lucky. If they are, then make room on the bandwagon for me.

 

Did they forget to sprinkle the 'magic pixie dusty' on Junior Spivey last year? Why didn't it work on Sidney Ponson? Did using too much on Adam Kennedy injure him? Kip Wells must have not taken the right dosage.

 

Baseball players are humans. Going to a new environment can and sometimes does make a difference. Having a new pitching coach and a new approach can lead to different results. Playing under a manager that meticulously studies the game and places you into favorable situations in an effort to optimize your success is a good thing -- honest!

 

But hey, let's ignore that all of this happened. Lets factor out all of the intangible stuff. Luck is a convenient, quick and easy alibi.

 

 

And look: I understand that you can make cases like this against all organizations. I'm not seeing they've seen more than their fair share of bad luck or anything of that nature. All I'm saying is that oh-so-often selective amnesia rears its ugly head.

[wolf stansson]

Meanwhile, Jason Marquis -- fresh of a league-worst ERA in 2006 -- posts a 107 ERA+ for their rival ballclub; to put that in perspective, a 107 ERA+ is higher than any starter currently on the staff.

Wainwright's will be higher than that after today.

[UMFan83]

Stuff about Stupid Cardinals

 

Your completely missing the grand irony here. All of those things that you mention have happened, and yet the Cardinals sit 2.5 games out of first place in mid to late August

[KyHen]

Stuff about Stupid Cardinals

 

Your completely missing the grand irony here. All of those things that you mention have happened, and yet the Cardinals sit 2.5 games out of first place in mid to late August

 

You are drastically over-simplifying my rant.

[UMFan83]

Stuff about Stupid Cardinals

 

Your completely missing the grand irony here. All of those things that you mention have happened, and yet the Cardinals sit 2.5 games out of first place in mid to late August

 

You are drastically over-simplifying my rant.

 

Then why are the Cardinals 2.5 games out of first place in August?

 

Is it because of talent? Is it because of experience?

 

Is it not lucky that the Cardinals happen to be playing in a terrible division? Is it not lucky that despite being outscored by 63 runs this season, they are only 2 games under .500? Is it not lucky that their rotation is second worst in the NL, and their big bats are all having down years and they are still contending?

[KyHen]

Stuff about Stupid Cardinals

 

Your completely missing the grand irony here. All of those things that you mention have happened, and yet the Cardinals sit 2.5 games out of first place in mid to late August

 

You are drastically over-simplifying my rant.

 

Then why are the Cardinals 2.5 games out of first place in August?

 

Is it because of talent? Is it because of experience?

 

Is it not lucky that the Cardinals happen to be playing in a terrible division? Is it not lucky that despite being outscored by 63 runs this season, they are only 2 games under .500? Is it not lucky that their rotation is second worst in the NL, and their big bats are all having down years and they are still contending?

 

Don't get me wrong, I agree with you on all of those points. The only reason that they are playoff "contenders" at this point is because of what is clearly a very weak division.

 

But that's not what my rant is about. I'm namely talking about management and production. I'm trying to dismiss this ridiculous "midas touch" notion that people talk about.

 

And as a Cards fan, I can say this applies to a lot more than just this year. I've been coming to NSBB for 3-4 years now, and some fans persist on humming the same tune year in and year out (not to insinuate that you're one of them).

 

And while the points you make are spot-on, it's ridiculous for Cub fans to play that card when they're benefiting from the exact same thing. It's hypocrisy epitomized.

[Soul]

Stuff about Stupid Cardinals

 

Your completely missing the grand irony here. All of those things that you mention have happened, and yet the Cardinals sit 2.5 games out of first place in mid to late August

 

You are drastically over-simplifying my rant.

 

The whole point of the Cardinals' pixie dust theory is that no matter what they win, even when they shouldn't.

 

You basically just reinforced the entire point of the disdain for Cardinals luck that is seen around these parts.

[soccer10k]

- After hitting rock bottom and being released by his former club, Chris Carpenter turns in yet another Cy-Young caliber season

Chris Carpenter: 1 start in 2007

 

While I agree on most of your points, I think this one is out of place considering what Carpenter has done from 04-06.

 

- Walt Jocketty fleeces another GM in yet another lopsided trade

Mark Mulder: 0 starts in 2007

Dan Haren: 13-4, league-leading 171 ERA+

 

You forgot to mention that Daric Barton is one of the best hitters in the PCL at the age of 21. :wink:

[hardcorecubfan]

If they win it, it's at least as much because the Cubs & Brewers simply handed it to them as it is them winning anything.

 

Now you know how I felt in 69 when the cubs handed it to the Mets, tere wasn't any "miracle" about it

[inari]

The Cardinals are still being outscored significantly. I'm just finding it hard to believe they will win anything.

[KyHen]

- After hitting rock bottom and being released by his former club, Chris Carpenter turns in yet another Cy-Young caliber season

Chris Carpenter: 1 start in 2007

 

While I agree on most of your points, I think this one is out of place considering what Carpenter has done from 04-06.

 

- Walt Jocketty fleeces another GM in yet another lopsided trade

Mark Mulder: 0 starts in 2007

Dan Haren: 13-4, league-leading 171 ERA+

 

You forgot to mention that Daric Barton is one of the best hitters in the PCL at the age of 21. :wink:

 

Yeah, the only thing that really slightly eases the burden of losing Barton is the fact that we didn't have room for him. They converted him from a catcher for a reason, and he obviously was not going to supplant Pujols at first. I've heard varying opinions on his ability to play a corner outfield spot... but then again, defense didn't stop the Cards from playing Duncan there, now did it?

 

But then again, that's not really a legitimate excuse. He would have been a tremendous trading chip in the unlikely event that we didn't have a spot for him..

 

By the way: I don't know if you guys remember this, but when Barton was injured last year do you know who collided with him? Tony Womack. God we're lucky. Even when players leave we still benefit from them! :P