Results tagged ‘ St. Louis Cardinals ’
HENDRY, PUJOLS AND MY CUB/CARDINAL RIVALRY
POWER OUTAGE!!!!
Okay, the Cubs faced Chris Carpenter and the St. Louis Cardinals last night. We pounded out 13 hit against the Cardinal ace. That sounds pretty good, right? Well, all of those 13 hits were singles. Not a single extra base hit. That’s not a good thing.
SPRING TRAINING STORY
I have to share a story with everyone that happened back in March. A friend of mine, a Cubs fan, decided to take his son, a Cardinals fan, to Florida to watch the Redbirds play in spring training. After arriving in Florida and taking in the first game of the week my friend and his son went out to eat dinner that night after the game. It just so happens, that they were seated by one of the Cardinals players. My friend thought it was Jason Motte, but wasn’t for certain so he asked his son who also thought that it was him. My friend asked him, “Aren’t you one of the Cardinal ballplayers?” and Motte confirmed he was and from there a conversation began. It was not your typical conversation with a fan pestering a player and asking for autographs and pictures. Instead, it was something different. The conversation included how good the food was, little league and high school baseball, family, what it’s like to face a 90+MPH fastball and more. Before Motte left the restaurant, he asked my friend if they were coming to the game the next day. He confirmed that he and his son would be there and Motte told him to find him once they got there. So, the next day, they arrived early to the game. As they were walking in, Motte saw my friend’s son and motioned for them to come his way. He then proceeded to introduce them to other players and my friend’s son was able to get several autographs and pictures of the players. Guys like Kyle Lohse and Jake Westbrook to name a couple. These players went out of their way to do this. My friend was able to shake some of the players hands and thank them for their generosity they displayed to his son.
CHANGE
All my life I have been pestered by Cardinal fans attempting to get me to switch my allegiance from the Cubs to the redbirds. Well, I’ve finally seen the light! I am going to root for the Cards all season long and hope and pray that Albert resigns with “us”.
RIVALRIES
As I sit here tonight about to watch the greatest rivalry in college basketball, North Carolina vs. Duke, it makes me think of the big 3 rivalries in baseball. There’s the Yankess/Red Sox, Giants/Dodgers and my favorite the Cubs/Cards.
First, let me talk about the UNC/Duke rivalry. The first game this year was great even if Duke won. And though I do not like Duke, I have a lot of respect for coach K, their players and their success. I also like how passionate their fans are. But the Tar Heels have been my team since I was a kid and a young Michael Jordan starred for Dean Smith. I’ve seen Roy Williams win two titles since becoming coach and I have a feeling he’ll win a few more before he’s finished coaching.
The Yankees/Red Sox rivalry definitely gets the most attention in baseball. I used to refer to ESPN’s Baseball Tonight as Red Sox Nation. And you can guarantee that these two teams will be televised nationally as much as possible when they play each other. Heck, the MLB Network aired their spring training game just a night ago. While I hear a lot of fans complain about these two teams, mainly Cardinal fans (remember, I live in Cardinal territory), I don’t mind watching these two teams clash.
I believe that the next rivalry, the Dodgers/Giants, is the most unique. It began on the east coast and has migrated to the west coast. WOW, MARSHALL JUST SCORED THE FIRST 2 POINTS OF THE GAME! GO TAR HEELS! Now, back to my post. I don’t know too many fans of either of these teams. Most of their fans I have met here on MLBlogs. I understand this is a fierce rivalry, but it is one that I have never experienced. I have experienced the Yankee/Red Sox rivalry in spring training a few years back for the record. Anyway, I still respect the Giants/Dodgers rivalry and definitely pay attention when these two teams play.
Finally, the rivalry I enjoy best in baseball, the Cubs and Cards. As a diehard Cub fan living in Cardinal territory it can be interesting to say the least. I imagine it would be the same for a Cardinal fan living in Cub territory. I have had total strangers approach me in stores and restaurants to talk trash to me when I’m wearing a Cub hat, shirt, jersey etc. Sometimes, it’s good natured ribbing between fans and other times people are just foolish. Every team has those fans including my Cubs so, I usually ignore these people. Anyway, I love watching the Cubs and Cards play. I’ve been on the metro in St. Lou wearing a Cubs jersey numerous times without any incidents and have had some great banter with Cardinal fans at games. I would venture to say this rivalry is the most peaceful of baseball’s big 3 rivalries.
When it’s all said and done, I think long lasting rivalries are great for their respective sports and the fans. For me, I’ve learned to respect the Duke Blue Devils and St. Louis Cardinals along with an overwhelming majority of their fans. GO TAR HEELS & GO CUBS GO!!!!
ALBERT PUJOLS
I know everyone in the world has an opinion on Albert Pujols and his contract situation with the Cardinals. Will he sign with the Cards, how much money and how many years seem to dominate the baseball news everyday. I have no problem with that because I want to know too. So, I have a couple of scenarios regarding Albert and his next contract. Hope you enjoy.
Scenario 1
Albert signs with St. Louis and Red Bird nation breathes a huge sigh of relief. He gets 7 years guaranteed at $28 million per year with a player option for an 8th year and a club option for a 9th year. This allows the Cards to be the favorite in the NL Central for another few years. However, the Cards may face some problems long term with this contract. The Cards already signed Matt Holliday for $17 million a year through 2016 and a team option for 2017 at the same price . Adam Wainwright has a $9 million team option for 2012 and $12 million team option for 2013. Wainwright will be a free agent after the 2013 season unless things change between now and then. Chris Carpenter has a $15 million team option for 2012 and will be a free agent after that season. Fortunately, they have young players in Colby Rasmus, Jaime Garcia and David Freese that will help offset the salaries of the Cards’ “Big 4″. At least until 2015. That’s the earliest year that Rasmus and Garcia can become free agents. So, I think the Cards will do great in the first few years of Albert’s contract, but it may hamper them financially in 2015 and beyond. I know resigning Wainwright won’t be cheap. He’s a great pitcher and a legitimate ace. If Rasmus, Garcia and Freese all continue to improve they should get substantial raises through arbitration or contract extensions. However, the Cards suffer more, in my opinion, by not signing Albert.
Scenario 2
The Cards don’t get a deal done with Albert this spring. He hits the free agent market and the bidding goes crazy! Eventually, he agrees to sign with the Cards for $30 million a year for 10 years. The Cards try to defer some of the contract, but it’s such a large deal that it still hampers them finacially beyond 2015 . I don’t see the Cardinals brass caving in to 10 years and $30 million.
Scenario 3
Pujols decides to give the Cardinals a break and sign for 7 years at $27.5 million a year. This is the best case scenario for the Cards. I can see this happening if the Cards work out some sort of vesting options for an additional 3 years potentially making it a 10 year contract. I can see something like Pujols having to play in a minumum number of games each year or driving in a certain number runs in order to guarantee years 8-10. If the Cards pull this off I think they will benefit greatly!
Scenario 4
The Cub scenario! The Cubs sign him for 10 years at $30 million a year. The ONLY way this would work for the Cubs, in my opinion, is to front load the deal. Ramirez, Silva, Fukudome and Pena are all free agents after this season (Ramirez and Silva each have options for next year with buyouts). That would free up around $40 million dollars for next season. That’s a lot of money to be used on Pujols. Soriano will become a free agent in 2015 clearing up another $18 million a year. Carlos Zambrano will become a free agent in 2013 or 2014. He has a vesting option for 2014 at $19.25 million. So between Soriano and Zambrano the Cubs have over $35 million coming off the books soon. I think the Cubs could make this work financially if we spend our money wisely. We have one of the largest payrolls in baseball and I know we could afford Pujols. The real question is, Do we want to? Do we really want to spend that type of money on the best hitter in the game who will be aging for the majority of his contract? Do we want to risk another Soriano type of contract? Do we want to add fuel to the fire in the Cubs/Cards rivalry? I don’t know! I do know this. I would like to see what Albert could do offensively playing 81 home games at Wrigley Field. But I don’t know if I would be willing to pay the price.
I know there will be a lot of teams willing to make an offer to Albert if he doesn’t sign with the Cards. The Angels, Cubs, Rangers and Nationals are the teams I have as frontrunners, outside of the Cardinals, to make a serious run at Pujols if he does become a free agent. Yet, I consider myself a baseball purist. And as a baseball purist I want to see Albert play his entire career in St. Louis. I also want the Cubs to beat the Cards with Albert still wearing a Cardinals jersey. That would be just fine with me.
CUBS WIN, CUBS WIN!!!
“CUBS WIN, CUBS WIN”!!! When Harry Caray was announcing Cubs games those are the two words he would shout immediately after a Cubs victory. In my mind I could hear him shouting those words after the Cubs thrilling victory yesterday. It was a classic back and forth slugfest between the Cubs and Cards with the home team edging out an 8-7 win thanks to a 2-run homer by Alfonso Soriano in bottom of the 8th. Lou Piniella allowed Carlos Zambrano to pitch 7 innings despite allowing 7 runs and 3 homers to the Red Birds. I think Lou did this in order to give the bullpen a break after 5 relief pitchers were used on Thursday. The Cubs have Ryan Dempster on the hill today and I look for him to pitch well. I would like to see the Cubs win the next 2 games in this series and to make an early season statement that they are the team to beat in the NL Central.
On another note, I had an interesting conversation with one of my friends yesterday who happens to be a Cubs fan. We were talking about the Cubs-Cards rivalry and some of the better players throughout the years. He then proceeded to tell me that Tommy Herr was a better player than Ryne Sandberg. At first I thought he was joking. But then I realized he was being serious.
I told him that Herr was a good player, but there was no way he had a better career than Ryno. Then he told me that Ryno did not deserve to be in the Hall of Fame and that he was overrated. At this point, I just brushed it off as another instance of a die hard Cards fan allowing his bias to take over common sense. I know that Cub fans are capable of doing this from time to time as well, but c’mon Herr better than Sandberg!?! Oh well, he’s entitled to his opinion and I am entitled to mine…..but mine’s right and his is wrong.
GO CUBS!!!!!
Cubs-Cardinals Rivalry 2009 Round 1
The rivalry between the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals is one of the best in baseball. It’s a very intense rivalry at times even though the Cardinals franchise has had more success than the Cubs over the last century by winning more World Series than any other National League team.
As a Cubs fan living in Cardinals’ territory I have had numerous experiences with the “enemy” that are sometimes filled with humor and other times filled with anger. I assume the same is true for a Cardinals fan living in Cubs’ territory.
However, instead of taking cheap shots at the Red Birds I am going to honor this rivalry by creating my own Cubs-Cardinals dream team featuring players from the late 70s, 80s and 90s. No current players though.
I will begin with Catcher. There are several good choices. Tom Pagnozzi, Tony Pena, Darrell Porter, Jody Davis, and Joe Girardi. I would have to choose Jody Davis and Tom Pagnozzi as my backstops.
Firstbase is easy for me. Mark Grace and Keith Hernandez! Sorry Leon Durham, but you killed me in the ’84 playoffs with your defense. Another guy I liked was Jack Clark from the Red Birds. But Hernandez was a stud just take a look at his stats from 1979.
Second Base is another easy choice. Ryne Sandberg and Tom Herr. Ryno is probably one of my all time favorite players.
Shortstop……hmmmm Ozzie Smith? Yes, I would take him and Shawon Dunston from my Cubbies. Dunston was one of the most frustrating players for me to ever watch. He had so much talent but never reached his potential.
Third Base. Terry Pendleton and Ron Cey. I loved the “Penguin” during his short stint with the Cubs.
In Leftfield I would put Gary Matthews, The Sarge from the Cubs. Vince Coleman from the Cards. Where else are you going to find a guy who could steal over 100 bases?
Centerfield. Willie McGee from the Cards and Jerome Walton. Don’t laugh! Jerome Walton did win the Rookie of the Year, but never did much after that.
Rightfield is simple. Andre Dawson and George Hendrick. The “Hawk” deserves to be in the Hall of Fame. He was the total package.
Starting Pitcher. Greg Maddux, for obvious reasons and one of my favorite’s in Joaquin Andujar.
My closer’s would be Lee Smith and Dennis Eckersley. Both players spent time with the Cubs and Cards so that’s an easy choice.
Here’s a quick breakdown of each position
C-Jody Davis/Tom Pagnozzi
1B-Mark Grace/Keith Hernandez
2B-Ryne Sandberg/Tom Herr
3B-Ron Cey/Terry Pendleton
SS-Shawon Dunston/Ozzie Smith
LF-Gary Matthews/Vince Coleman
CF-Jerome Walton/Willie McGee
RF-Andre Dawson/George Hendrick
SP-Greg Maddux/Joaquin Andujar
CL-Lee Smith and Dennis Eckersley
These are guys that I liked growing up regardless of the team they played for. If I didn’t mention one of your favorite players don’t think anything of it. There were too many players to even consider and I am focusing on players that I liked who contributed to this great rivalry during their careers.
And for all the Cardinal fans venturing their way to Wrigley Field this weekend I hope you make it back home safely and in one piece.
GO CUBS GO!!!
Jake Peavy and the Cubs
The San Diego Padres’ star pitcher, Jake Peavy, is wanting to be traded. He has mentioned the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals as two of the teams he would like to play for. It’s my understanding that he wants to stay in the National League and play for a contender. If all of this is true, and he does get traded, I hope he ends up with my beloved Cubs. Imagine a rotation featuring Carlos Zambrano, Rich Harden, Ryan Dempster, Ted Lilly and Jake Peavy. Take those 5 pitchers and put them in any order you want. You would have 5 guys capable of winning 15 games. It would be a tough rotation to beat. I hope Jim Hendry, at the least, contacts the Padres and tries to make an offer. If anyone can get it done I believe Hendry can.
Rich Harden Is Not Enough!
The Cubs are not off to a good start since the All Star break. Carlos Marmol has pitched a lot of innings in the first half of the season and needs some rest. Kerry Wood has a blister on his finger and hasn’t been able to pitch for a while now and who knows when he will be able to return. Bob Howry hasn’t look near as sharp this season compared to last year. Overall, the bullpen could use a quality veteran pitcher. I have read where the Cubs are interested in Colorado Rockies pitcher Brian Fuentes. I think that would be an excellent move. Jim Hendry has made some solid moves over that last few years. Acquiring Derek Lee and Aramis Ramirez were huge and have laid the foundation for this current team. I like the fact that he went out and traded for Harden after the Brewers got Sabathia. But I am concerned about the team’s bullpen. The Brewers are hot right now and keep finding ways to win. The Cardinals will be getting Adam Wainwright back soon and possibly Chris Carpenter. That’s two start of the rotation pitchers! The Cubs need to add a little more depth to this team in my opinion. Just enough to put them over the top. I am talking about role players. Guys that round out your team. We already have the big names in the right spots, but we desperately need to add those ever so important role players. Acquiring Brian Fuetes or someone like him would fill that need. Hopefully! I don’t think it would take too much to get him, but you never know. I think the offense will get out of its funk soon. With Soriano coming back it will change the lineup and hopefully help the entire team. I look for Hendry to make one or two more moves before the trading deadline.
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