Comments on: Duncan a student of swing doctor McGwire http://thecardinalnationblog.com/2009/03/13/duncan-a-student-of-swing-doctor-mcgwire/ Brian Walton's news and commentary on the St. Louis Cardinals (TM) and their minor league system Thu, 24 May 2012 12:32:47 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: JumboShrimp http://thecardinalnationblog.com/2009/03/13/duncan-a-student-of-swing-doctor-mcgwire/#comment-1546 JumboShrimp Mon, 16 Mar 2009 10:27:59 +0000 http://thecardinalnation.com/?p=2234#comment-1546 Brian: Thanks for the linked article with McGwire. He seems content focused on things that matter to him in life: being a father; imparting knowledge to colleagues within the game. "No bitterness" he says. Good for him. Brian: Thanks for the linked article with McGwire. He seems content focused on things that matter to him in life: being a father; imparting knowledge to colleagues within the game. “No bitterness” he says. Good for him.

]]> By: WestCoastbirdWatcher http://thecardinalnationblog.com/2009/03/13/duncan-a-student-of-swing-doctor-mcgwire/#comment-1541 WestCoastbirdWatcher Sun, 15 Mar 2009 02:25:47 +0000 http://thecardinalnation.com/?p=2234#comment-1541 I wonder what Oquendo really thinks of Lopez. I wonder what Oquendo really thinks of Lopez.

]]> By: WestCoastbirdWatcher http://thecardinalnationblog.com/2009/03/13/duncan-a-student-of-swing-doctor-mcgwire/#comment-1540 WestCoastbirdWatcher Sat, 14 Mar 2009 16:25:45 +0000 http://thecardinalnation.com/?p=2234#comment-1540 Todays lineup is very interesting, pertaining to above topics. 2B Skip Schumaker DH Rick Ankiel 1B Albert Pujols LF Chris Duncan RF Ryan Ludwick SS Tyler Greene 3B Joe Mather C Jason La Rue CF Colby Rasmus Todays lineup is very interesting, pertaining to above topics.

2B Skip Schumaker

DH Rick Ankiel

1B Albert Pujols

LF Chris Duncan

RF Ryan Ludwick

SS Tyler Greene

3B Joe Mather

C Jason La Rue

CF Colby Rasmus

]]> By: WestCoastbirdWatcher http://thecardinalnationblog.com/2009/03/13/duncan-a-student-of-swing-doctor-mcgwire/#comment-1539 WestCoastbirdWatcher Sat, 14 Mar 2009 16:08:15 +0000 http://thecardinalnation.com/?p=2234#comment-1539 If Duncan keeps raking Sooner, or even just takes responsible "situational at bats", I'm a fan. He would be a fine platoon player, off the bench. The problem is this, he is one the pawns in this contest, along with Shu and Ludwick and Thurston, all about Colby, who is DeWitts "Flagship of the new Era", between Tony and BD. Anything might happen, surrounding these guys. When Mo suggested trying Shu at second base, to relieve the log jam for Colby in the outfield, Tony explained that he wouldn't have a chance in a competition with Kennedy. He said they would have to release Kennedy to even have a chance for that to work. I think, to Tony's surprise, and everyone else's, they did. They left it to no ones imagination who's idea it was. Tony cops to it because he is game, and see that he actually might get another second baseman out of it. Thats where we are today. Tony has leverage in his grooming, Mo/BD can move bodies, and make bodies. Colby is the shuttlecock. The fall guy here could be Shu, or any of the above mentioned. If Colby keeps limping around, nothing good comes of this. If Duncan keeps raking Sooner, or even just takes responsible “situational at bats”, I’m a fan. He would be a fine platoon player, off the bench. The problem is this, he is one the pawns in this contest, along with Shu and Ludwick and Thurston, all about Colby, who is DeWitts “Flagship of the new Era”, between Tony and BD. Anything might happen, surrounding these guys.
When Mo suggested trying Shu at second base, to relieve the log jam for Colby in the outfield, Tony explained that he wouldn’t have a chance in a competition with Kennedy. He said they would have to release Kennedy to even have a chance for that to work. I think, to Tony’s surprise, and everyone else’s, they did. They left it to no ones imagination who’s idea it was. Tony cops to it because he is game, and see that he actually might get another second baseman out of it. Thats where we are today. Tony has leverage in his grooming, Mo/BD can move bodies, and make bodies. Colby is the shuttlecock. The fall guy here could be Shu, or any of the above mentioned. If Colby keeps limping around, nothing good comes of this.

]]> By: DizzyDean17 http://thecardinalnationblog.com/2009/03/13/duncan-a-student-of-swing-doctor-mcgwire/#comment-1536 DizzyDean17 Sat, 14 Mar 2009 06:14:42 +0000 http://thecardinalnation.com/?p=2234#comment-1536 Sooner, I agree with you on both of your observations. Mather seems like the classic example of a guy that has figured it out. Just look at his progression since 2006 when he started to turn it around. His numbers at Memphis last year were comparable to Ludwick's 2007 numbers there. Duncan did the same thing, but was derailed by injuries. Yeah, I'm a glass half full kind of guy but (IMO) we have a couple of studs in those two guys. Sooner, I agree with you on both of your observations. Mather seems like the classic example of a guy that has figured it out. Just look at his progression since 2006 when he started to turn it around. His numbers at Memphis last year were comparable to Ludwick’s 2007 numbers there. Duncan did the same thing, but was derailed by injuries.

Yeah, I’m a glass half full kind of guy but (IMO) we have a couple of studs in those two guys.

]]> By: SoonerinNC http://thecardinalnationblog.com/2009/03/13/duncan-a-student-of-swing-doctor-mcgwire/#comment-1535 SoonerinNC Sat, 14 Mar 2009 05:42:51 +0000 http://thecardinalnation.com/?p=2234#comment-1535 It is easy to forget that when Duncan was healthy he was hitting home runs at an Albert like pace. If he stays healthy there is little logic to the thought that his spring performance so far is something beyond the norm. Tony is very good at keeping players sharp so I expect him to get a lot out of Duncan and even enhance his performance by using someone like Mather to reduce his exposure to tough lefties and late inning defensive situations while keeping both of them sharp. Also I think Mather is going to create pressure on the Cardinals to find him another place to play once Glaus is returned. From what I can glean from the broadcasts, not only is his production higher than last year but his approach at the plate is significantly better. It is easy to forget that when Duncan was healthy he was hitting home runs at an Albert like pace. If he stays healthy there is little logic to the thought that his spring performance so far is something beyond the norm.

Tony is very good at keeping players sharp so I expect him to get a lot out of Duncan and even enhance his performance by using someone like Mather to reduce his exposure to tough lefties and late inning defensive situations while keeping both of them sharp.

Also I think Mather is going to create pressure on the Cardinals to find him another place to play once Glaus is returned. From what I can glean from the broadcasts, not only is his production higher than last year but his approach at the plate is significantly better.

]]> By: WestCoastbirdWatcher http://thecardinalnationblog.com/2009/03/13/duncan-a-student-of-swing-doctor-mcgwire/#comment-1524 WestCoastbirdWatcher Fri, 13 Mar 2009 16:47:04 +0000 http://thecardinalnation.com/?p=2234#comment-1524 I've always thought Duncan had the best swing on the team. Problem is, this crap about a dangerous hitter in front of Pujols. It would be so much healthier for the team if he could hit 4th, start hitting off field and embellish Albert's at bats. Tony knows he isn't that type of hitter, mentally. Ankiel, once the scouts zone in, and he fatigues a bit, isn't a good 4th either. Like last year, arriving at the truth of this, you delay Ludwick filling the roll or maybe encouraging Glaus to step up. Tactically, to create a positive environment for Chris, and ignoring the need to have Albert lead in solving this problem, by hitting 4th, we will again arrive at the 08 stalemate. Rick is still over swinging, Duncan's cover will be blown as soon as the money is down. We really haven't solved this problem yet. Someone upstairs is going to shake this up, one way or another. Red, Joel has pitched once, light out. Let out a little slack until he augers. I’ve always thought Duncan had the best swing on the team. Problem is, this crap about a dangerous hitter in front of Pujols. It would be so much healthier for the team if he could hit 4th, start hitting off field and embellish Albert’s at bats. Tony knows he isn’t that type of hitter, mentally. Ankiel, once the scouts zone in, and he fatigues a bit, isn’t a good 4th either. Like last year, arriving at the truth of this, you delay Ludwick filling the roll or maybe encouraging Glaus to step up. Tactically, to create a positive environment for Chris, and ignoring the need to have Albert lead in solving this problem, by hitting 4th, we will again arrive at the 08 stalemate. Rick is still over swinging, Duncan’s cover will be blown as soon as the money is down. We really haven’t solved this problem yet. Someone upstairs is going to shake this up, one way or another.

Red, Joel has pitched once, light out. Let out a little slack until he augers.

]]> By: RedC http://thecardinalnationblog.com/2009/03/13/duncan-a-student-of-swing-doctor-mcgwire/#comment-1522 RedC Fri, 13 Mar 2009 14:38:55 +0000 http://thecardinalnation.com/?p=2234#comment-1522 Duncan also narrowly missed two more home runs that were blown back during the first week. What a turnaround. Okay, Boss, what now? Lots of outfielders who look like major leaguers. I think Rasmus will really have to clobber the ball the next two weeks to put his name back in the conversation. Meantime, Mo better get cracking and find us a trade partner. Besides second, though, honestly the only weakness the team has right now is at No. 5 pitcher. Duncan also narrowly missed two more home runs that were blown back during the first week. What a turnaround. Okay, Boss, what now? Lots of outfielders who look like major leaguers. I think Rasmus will really have to clobber the ball the next two weeks to put his name back in the conversation. Meantime, Mo better get cracking and find us a trade partner. Besides second, though, honestly the only weakness the team has right now is at No. 5 pitcher.

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