MLB 2017

The Cardinals are in trouble, no doubt about it. Hurtling back down to .500, just optioned Grichuk to high Class A (third time he's been sent down to "fix" things), and still playing poor defense and making baserunning mistakes. Oh, and losing. I'm normally optimistic about their ability to turn things around, but the writing's on the wall this season. Too many veterans past their prime, too many retreads, not enough young talent properly seasoned. It's past time for an overhaul, and some tough choices must be made now to prevent a lengthy spell out of contention. But I really can't complain. It's been a great ride for the better part of two decades. Just hope there's not a reciprocating era. I don't think there will be.
The owners know what they're doing and management is still very strong. But the times, they are a changin.'

 

The Giants are a trainwreck. The brawl was indicative of a season off the rails - 11 games sub-.500 at this point and I don't see a lifeboat on the horizon for this year's campaign. On another note, Mr. Met flipped off the fans in Queens yesterday - classic.

 

Except, technically, he really can't flip anyone off, can he? Right up there with "what do they call sprouts in Brussels?"

 

I'm very sympathetic for Mr. Met. I was "Kool Kat" a mascot for a "Goodtime Oldies" radio station back in the 90's. One time I was at the mall and heading toward the men's bathroom to take a break. Two tween boys were behind me kicking my tail saying "What are you gonna do Kool Kat?" I just turned around and gave them a gentle finger wagging, but they persisted. This mall had a very long hallway to the bathroom that took a turn that put us out of sight from the main hallway. As I made the turn and got out of view I spun around, grabbed them by their shirts and jerked them toward me. I said "Listen you little shits! I'll tell you what I'll do! Keep kicking my tail and I'm going to kick your ass!" Then I shoved them away and they ran off. Later, while back in character, I saw them coming toward me with their Mom. I thought that I was about to be fired. But instead they gave me sidelong glances and kept as much distance from me as possible. Today I'm sure they'd be live streaming it and I'd be arrested for assault.

 

Voted for the all star game. I always complain about some of the starters and their credentials or status. Yet I still voted for Trout. I'd rather a deserving, but injured player get voted in other than a big name voted in on history alone.

I did submit to some homerism by voting for George Springer. He doesn't have the greatest stats but I like him.

Oh well. Can't win them all.

 

@encorespanish Twinkies and Halos battling it out atop the standings for the 2nd wildcard? Of course there are 4 or 5 other teams right there as well, but at least we can pay attention. It was great to be at the Big A last night as Albert Pujols hit HR #610, making him the leader all-time for a foreign born player. Props to The Machine.

 

Great respect to Pujols - still chuggin' along and rakin' the ball. On another note, the Dodgers are out of their minds. It may be the steam roller that generates the desired Red Sox v. Dodgers world series. Baseball heads would explode (in New Eng. / LA and...Bristol, CT)

 

@SoCalJoe yes, it's been nice to see the latest run the Twins are on! But anytime Bartolo Colon is prominently involved in your rotation, you know it's only a matter of time before the implosion.

 

Was going to wait until Sept. 1st, but why? My guys, the Cardinals, are having what can only generously be described as an uneven season. Today the lost to the Brewers and traded Mike Leake, a starting pitcher who can barely move the radar gun, to Seattle. For some reason, known only to them, they thought he was worth a five year, $80 million contract before last season. Although the club sits third in the NL Central at .500 (66-66), they are still only 5-1/2 games behind the Cubs, 3 behind Milwaukee. I've learned never to count them out, but they have more cons than pros, so I'm not as optimistic as usual that they can find a way into the post season. As I've said before, we're spoiled, given the long playoff run we had before last season, contending almost every year. That run looks all but dead now. The holdovers are getting long in the tooth and less and less effective. Molina's still performing well, but Adam Wainwright, Michel Wacha, Randal Grichuk, Stepehen Piscotty, Seung Hwan Oh, Kevin Siegrist, Aledmys Diaz, Trevor Rosenthal, and Dexter Fowler have all underperformed this season. That's too many key players not holding up their end of the log. This season's only saving grace has been the emergence of two career minor leaguers: Tommy Pham and Jose Martinez. The latter cooled a bit after a torrid start, but still has very good numbers and has acquitted himself well enough to continue in the big leagues next season, whether or not it's with St. Louis. Pham has come on gradually over the course of the season, especially since his last call up from Memphis on May 5th, he's been a big reason why we're not completely out of contention at the moment. He really is playing like a guy who doesn't want to get sent back down again...ever. Hope he sticks too. Spent 8 years in the minors before his 1st call up in 2014, and he's been up and down, mostly due to injuries, every since. He's 29. Martinez is also 29, and spent even more time in the minors and in Venezuela. He made the opening day roster this season, got hurt in May, came back, then was sent back down before staying for good July 14th. Two great stories of perseverance.

 

It's September 15th, and the Cardinals are STILL alive, somehow, although the dropped the first of seven remaining with the small bears this afternoon at Wrigley. I don't know if we'll make into the post season or not, but I do know this...the Cubs are still very good, and could very well repeat, even without Aroldis.
Going to be a very interesting final two weeks of the regular season. Although we've got more holes than a piece of Swiss cheese, anything can and often does happen in the post season.

 

Aaannnndd...swept at Wrigley. See y'all next season!

 

I'm watching a race to 100 losses for the Giants - unexpected, but given the roster and injuries, predictable.

 

On the plus side, the AAA affiliate of St. Louis, the Memphis Redbirds, won the Pacific Coast League last night, with the wonderfully named Stubby Clapp at the helm!

http://www.commercialappeal.com/sto...ampionship-over-el-paso-chihuahuas/675904001/

 

Dude, "Stubby Clapp" has to be one of the best baseball names I've ever heard.

 

@HatterDon Is this one of your boys?

http://m.mlb.com/cutfour/2017/09/20/255320562/rocky-gales-first-career-home-run

 

A comprehensive, well written breakdown of the league MVP races from the Post-Dispatch's HOF baseball writer Rick Hummel (AKA, The Commish).

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/base...cle_e6112b84-2e38-5269-b455-5525a693ec16.html