Results tagged ‘ Cardinals ’

No Treasure For The Pirates

Skip Shumaker 6:5:09.png

Like I said before, todays game was interesting. I kept changing to ESPN to see what they were saying about Manny during the commercials. Today was a good game. It all starts with defense, and Todd Wellemeyer pitched a great game. He was good for the redbirds for seven innings, had four strikeouts, allowing four hits that pushed in two runs. Jason LaRue gave us a 2-1 lead to begin the fifth inning, starting a team effort that would bring in two more runs and make the game easier for those that suffer of a weak heart or high blood pressure. Skip Schumaker tripled off Ross Ohlendorf to make a great play. The Cards used Schumaker’s versatility switching him from second base to left field during the game.
I do not know if other teams are angry at us or what, but we are getting drilled. Albert Pujols got hit in the ribs by Ohlendorf in the fifth inning. He went down after the impact and one could clearly see he was in pain. The Cards staff looked at the hit while he was in first base. He said after the game, “It’s just sore, it’s probably going to be uncomfortable because it’s right on the ribcage.” After Pujols, Ryan Ludwick got hit to bring in a run. We also went under fire against the Phillies. Either the rest of the league does not like us, or there is just bad pitching going on. “I think they’re throwing in a little bit more,” said Schumaker after the game.
Tomorrow we are going up against the Cincinnati Reds at the Great American Ballpark in Ohio. On the mound for the redbirds is Joel Piñeiro (4-1 E.R.A. 3.24) matching up against Johnny Cueto (2-1 E.R.A. 1.65). Rick Ankiel was placed today in the 15-day disabled list. He said he was still sore on wednesday and he did not attend batting practice that day. Fortunately, his frightening collapse into the centerfield wall did not turn out to be something dangerous. If there is anyone that can come back at the end of May and play like a Cardinal, its Ankiel. That is why,
With these Cards, I’ll go all in.
- Andy

Manny Being Manny

Today was interesting. Watching the Cardinals game, while watching everything that was to be said about Manny Ramírez  during commercials. Does the phrase Manny being Manny ring a bell? I do not know the guy, but I do know that there were some kids in Los Angeles who viewed him as their hero, now what? What is the lesson they will learn? When the going gets tuff, cheat? I still believe in baseball’s integrity and that performance enhancing drugs have not ruined the game. I will say that if your caught cheating, a 50 game suspension is a good start. People deserve a second chance, though it will never be the same. The player looses all integrity, all respect, all trust from a fan.

I believe that if someone cheats there should be strong consequences. A 50 game suspension is good in my opinion for the first offense. To that one may add that the player is banned from All Star Games. For a second time caught cheating it should be at least a year, leaving the player’s contract on hold, that means no pay, he still owes the team a year, and the player should be banned from the Hall Of Fame. If the player is stupid to not only do it once and feel bad, but do it again, TWICE, he should be banned from the MLB for good.
Manny Being Manny.jpg
Thinking about it, does this really surprise anyone? Again, I do not know this guy, but we all saw his attitudes towards the Red Sox and how he acts. He thinks about number one and number one is him. Something like this is expected of a guy like that. I mean he is good, and a performance enhancing drug does not magically turn a person into one of the greatest players to ever step on that field, but it has some effect. Sadly as it is, it is true, and the truth is disappointing.
I am glad Manny does not play for the Cardinals, I don’t know how to explain it, but he just does not seem like he would fit in with the team. That is why I like the Cardinals. I know Ankiel’s name was thrown in the steroids discussion, but like anything in this country, we are all innocent until proven guilty. And Pujols is bigs, but I look at him and there no way that I could picture him on steroids. He is a great player, a great person, and a real hard worker. Thats why,
With these Cards, I’ll go all in.

Getting Back On Track

Finally! It has been too long since the Cards put a W in their win column. Now think with me a second. Imagine if, if just maybe, if by the slightest chance the baseball gods provide us with the blessing to not go more then three games without loosing for the rest of the season. It is just a thought, only a speculation on what would be a great season, but is not that what Baseball is all about? Being part of something larger than you? Believing in the impossible, that a game is a game in which any team might win. That even the mighty evil empire that has spent more money on their payroll then some countries can fall down to a team that has less than half their payroll.

Mitcchel Boggs 5:6:09.png

Getting back to our Cardinals, I believe this season we can do it. We are off to a great start, 18-10, and our rookies or second year sensations are coming through when they need to. Sure, we have lost 10 games, but to win ‘em all is asking for too much. Tonight’s game was a 
good one to watch. Pujol’s first inning bomb out to center field was glorious, giving the Cards the early lead and giving him his 11th home run of the season. He kept playing like a Cardinal finishing with four hits and two runs. Even though Mitchell Boggs started the game, he got removed after 4 1/3 innings, walking five batters striking out four and ending the night with an E.R.A. of 3.50, and did not get the win. The win was given to Kyle McClellan (2-1 E.R.A. 2.70). A notable play (displayed in the image below) that caught my eye was when Card’s catcher Yadier Molina effectively blocked the plate as he caught the ball to get out Pirates’ Jason Jaramillo as he tried to get one for the Bucs.
Molina blocks plate 5:6:09
Remember what I wrote about the curse? It still might be there, but I had a long conversation with a friend of mine today. He is a Red Sox fan, and after a long speech, I reached the conclusion that we did not have a curse. And as true fans, we know always that,
With these Cards, I’ll go all in.

- Andy

DOCTOR! DOCTOR!

Well, to whomever saw the game yesterday was as hurt and scared as I was, and thats not thinking about the score. Rick Ankiel went straight into the out field wall running after a eight inning ball by Pedro Feliz. He was released this morning from the hospital. Thank God, all his X-Rays and CT scan turned out negative and he is fine. Thats the only good news I have.

Ankiel in the bed.pngLast nights score, not too happy about it. Piñeiro’s lost against the Nationals, not too happy about it. Hopefully news of Ankiel will drive today our Cardinals against Phillies to start of the series with the Pirates (12-13) off a win. Right now I’m feeling the Obama campaign, HOPE.
I do not really have time to write about the Cardinals, but I will after tomorrow. Even though our latest string of bad happenings,
With these Cards, I’ll go all in.

- Andy

Piñeiros HOT Start

Being Puerto Rican myself, I am proud to say that Joel Piñeiro is earning his salary and a little more so far in this season. Right now with 4-0 with E.R.A. 3.76 and six strikeouts, Card’s number 35 is looking to continue the zero in the loss column against John Lanan (0-3 E.R.A. 4.61) and the Washington Nationals.

JoelPiñeiro01.jpegAlthough at first I was sad and confused to see José ‘Cheito’ Oquendo, Cards third base coach and the Puerto Rico national team Manager, choose controversially Pirates pitcher Ian Snell over Joel Piñeiro for the Puerto Rican team explaining that Piñeiro needed to participate in Spring Training and play at the level he should be playing. It was sad since I could not see my favorite pitcher play for my team and it was confusing since Ian Snell connection to Puerto Rico is his step-dad. After seeing the beginning of the harvest of Piñeiro’s participation in training camp over the World Baseball Classic (WBC), I am happy to say that he was not picked for the WBC. 

Now, all we have left to do is pray that Piñeiro keeps his hot streak alive. Pay attention this saturday May 2nd as Piñeiro takes the mound at mid-day to keep up the changes in the win column and the perfect zero in the loss column.

With these Cards, I’ll go all in.

- Andy

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