XZero771679666304

It's a hodge-podge offense. I don't see any predominant system there, it's just that the media like to label things. Lot's of bunts + aggressive baserunning = Smallball in their simple minds. People laud Podsednik, but his OBP was middle of the pack as far as leadoff man, and 59/82 is not a good SB/CS ratio. Statistically, Pods really was of little benefit to the team. The team OBP is .323, which is mediocre. They're in the lower half of the pack in runs, AVG, RC, BB/PA, BB/K, SB%, nearly every stst you would associate with a "smallball" team. They were near the top in HR, HR/AB, IsoP, and middle of the pack in SLG. So you have a team that hits a lot of homers but doesn't hit for AVG, doesn't take a lot of walks, steals bases at a low percentage, and doesn't score a lot of runs. That's "smartball"? I don't think so. The White Sox are a team that got by on their pitching and an ad-lib offense that barely won a lot of games.

A Sox fan at work today called the Cards the Buffalo Bills of the baseball world. Ouch! Yeah, yeah, we're the Atlanta Braves, the 2001 Mariners, the Bills, all creative ways of insulting good teams who don't get it done in the end. Pretty soon, they're going to be calling similar teams the St. Louis Cardinals, then I'll really be steamed! :x Man, the Braves have won 14 straight division titles, with only 1 WS title to show for it. There's 5 out of 6, then there's 14 freaking straight. The Cards, M's and Bills have nothing on the Braves when it comes to squandered opportunties.

Yeah, I think something broke when Albert hit that ball. That was a real crusher, and I think the Cards definitely have the upper hand now. The momentum shift was almost tangible. I agree. I am hoping like heck that the Astros will knock out the Cardinals, but I really sensed the shift when that happened. It was eerily reminiscent of the 2003 playoffs with the Cubs & Marlins. Oswalt or Clemens are capable of squelching it, but the Cardinals clearly seized the momentum and took the air outta that place. I remember in 2003 when Florida took the lead in the 8th of game 6, I knew it was over. Not just the game, but the series. I just knew it. I got that same feeling last night when Albert hit that HR.

I don't want them to trade Wood. I guess that makes me a yahoo huh? And Wood and C-Patt aren't even comparable. When healthy, Wood is a dominating ace (yes I know he hasn't been since Baker burned him out in 2003). When healthy, C-Patt is still just downright awful. And who would you get for C-Patt? A bag of balls? I'd rather try and get him back to some place of value and then trade him, rather than just giving him up for nothing. When healthy, Wood is WHAT? An overpaid 12 game winner? Wow, Hendry better sign him to a long term contract for about $12 million a year because we sure can't lose that kind of talent. Oh that's right..he already did. As far as CPatt, they got what they deserve. They should have adnitted he was a bust and traded him earlier in the year. Now you have nothing. Wow. Did WSCR give you your talking points? Is this one of the Johnny Interns there? For the 1 billionth time, wins and loses are the worst way to evaluate a pitcher. By that standard, Clemens in 2005 and Randy Johnson in 2004 sucked. Wood's 2003 was dominant, even though he won only 14 games. Yes, he gets hurt, and yes, that sucks, but at the time of the extension Wood had pitched in 3 straight seasons with total health. Patterson, yeah, he's done in Chicago. But a small part of the fact he's done has to do with the fact that nearly everyone in the media and fanbase have been on him for the better part of 2 years for mostly stupid reasons. "He can't be coached", "he has an atiitude problem", "he needs to bunt more". Mentally, he's shot. I don't expect him to ever be the star he was hyped to be, but I think, given a change of scenery, he could become Mike Cameron redux. Finally, if you think the Cubs could have gotten anything of value for Corey during the year, you're mad. Position player-even the ones who suck-always have more value in the offseason. This may mean he's sold for pennies on the dollar instead of a fungo bat, but it's still a smarter move. Finally, who are these "yahoos" that don't want to trade Wood and Corey? Not many peolpe here will admit to wanting Corey back unless the offense is bolstered to the point where you can bat him 8th and have his defense. Wood has a NTC, so that dampers alot of trade talk with him. Plus, you'd likely have to extend him to get him to waive it. What team will extend him coming off of an injury? Yeah, with a good consistent offense, Wood would have won 20 a couple of times. And as you pointed out, Kerry was coming off 3 consecutive healthy and highly effective seasons. And I too am beyond sick of people pointing to wins first when evaluating pitchers. It is ignorant. I have heard enough "he knows how to win" crap. A pitcher can shut teams down or he can't, but it is his offense that wins the games.

Andy got to celebrate his pennant after Game 4, and after Berkman's home run last night. I don't feel sorry for any of them. Did you see the Cardinals' reaction after the game last night? No celebrating. They simply shook hands and headed for the clubhouse. They know that they still have work to do, unlike the Astros after Game 4. That's why the Cards are the best team in baseball. At least Pujols' shot was a legit one, not a cheesy fly ball ala Berkman last night and Burke in the NLDS. And they say it was 412 feet. That shot was 450 if it was a foot.

Yeah, I think something broke when Albert hit that ball. That was a real crusher, and I think the Cards definitely have the upper hand now. The momentum shift was almost tangible.

I don't care much for Pujols walking to first on homers, or him being a Cardinal, but after reading about how he is off the field, I find it difficult to hate him, and I don't think he is a juicer like Mac and Sosa.

That might be testament to XZero's post; enough Astros fans/trolls don't post enough? Tough to hate a fan base that isn't there? That last sentence sums it up for me. Up until I moved down here, I felt the same way.

No, but the many Astros fans just disappear when they aren't doing well. That really irks me.

That's just due to exposure. Fairweather fans tend to only show their true colors when in their own element, and outside of the southwest, Astros fans don't act the same. Having had a good dose of both, I find Astros fans to be worse. Cards fans are consistent, even if painfully obnoxious. There is nothing worse, IMO, than a fan who is silent until his team has locked something up, and talks like he was into it the whole time. Fans who can't come close to consistently selling their stadium out. Fans who won't wear their colors unless they are winning. Fans who talk smack even though they have only the most rudimentary knowledge of the game, etc., etc. Screw 'em. If the Astros get eliminated, most of their "fans" will forget about it in a couple of weeks anyway.

I watched it too, and yes, it was unbelievable. :shock: Pujols is an awesome player. 450 may be an understatement on that homer. Fat Elvis shout take notice of what a real home run looks like.

My thoughts exactly. Sounds crazy, but I think I'd pulled a Bobby Cox a la playoffs in 1985 and maybe intentionally walked Pujols to keep that from happening. I'm shocked they pitched to him. I wouldn't let their best player beat me if I had a chance to clinch. I would have taken my chance with the next batter. I knew if Edmonds was going to get on base, that Pujols was somehow going to either tie up or hit the home run. And that being said, I would had pretty much give him a IBB and take my chances on a iffy Sanders. (his back injury that is, since I'm not sold that he's back to 100%) Pujols is the person you do not want to mess with during clutch situations. Albert's the guy you don't want to mess with in any situation.

Andy's got his rings. Astros fans don't deserve it anyway.

My thoughts exactly. Sounds crazy, but I think I'd pulled a Bobby Cox a la playoffs in 1985 and maybe intentionally walked Pujols to keep that from happening. I'm shocked they pitched to him. I wouldn't let their best player beat me if I had a chance to clinch. I would have taken my chance with the next batter. You just knew what was going to happen when Edmonds walked.

Agreed If you lived where I do, I doubt you would feel that way. And if you lived where I do, you probably would feel my way. Lots of Cardinal dislike here. I used to live less than an hour from where you are, and in Chicago, and was raised on hating the Cards. Astros fans are worse, and the few there are live around here. generally, they are the most ignorant, obnoxious, fairweather fans I have ever met. You've been to Busch? A couple dozen times. I am not even joking about Astros fans. I just cannot handle ignorant gloating by fans who don't even acknowldge their team until they are in the playoffs. There are exceptions to every rule, but after hating the Cards my whole life, my vitriol has shifted. I still hate the Cards, but at least I can respect most of their fans for their loyalty and support of their team.

Yes. I appears stupidity is contagious.

Agreed If you lived where I do, I doubt you would feel that way. And if you lived where I do, you probably would feel my way. Lots of Cardinal dislike here. I used to live less than an hour from where you are, and in Chicago, and was raised on hating the Cards. Astros fans are worse, and the few there are live around here. generally, they are the most ignorant, obnoxious, fairweather fans I have ever met.

Agreed If you lived where I do, I doubt you would feel that way.

God that was awesome. Take that you bastard fairweather fans! HA.

YYYEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!

For the first time ever I will jump for joy if Pujols jacks one.

Take Jimmy! Get Albert up there!

Please, eyeliner. Hit a HR.

Not as much as I am, I'll bet. The two teams I hate the most are going to meet in the WS.

3 outs from baseball armageddon. God this sucks.