During Tuesday night’s fifth inning at Milwaukee’s Miller Park, Brendan Ryan shot a ball into the left field corner and ran hard right out of the box. Taking advantage of below-average defender Ryan Braun, the Cardinals shortstop slid into third base ahead of the throw.
It was Ryan’s team-leading seventh three-base hit this season and the Cardinals’ 24th as a team in 2009.
The National League co-leaders in triples this season are Michael Bourn of Houston and Shane Victorino of Philadelphia with 11 each. The Colorado Rockies lead the Senior Circuit with 43 three-base hits.
Ryan’s total is just one off the Cardinals team best this decade. Fernando Vina had eight triples in 2001. The top basestealer in the Tony La Russa years in St. Louis was Delino Deshields, who collected 14 triples back in 1997.
As a team, both the 2001 and 2003 Cardinals amassed the highest total of triples this decade with 32. Led by Deshields, the 1997 Redbirds’ sum of 39 three-base hits is La Russa’s St. Louis best.
Team total and individual leader, triples, Cardinals by season, 1996-2009
| Year | Team | Leader | # |
| 2009 | 24 | Brendan Ryan | 7 |
| 2008 | 27 | Skip Schumaker | 5 |
| 2007 | 13 | Edmonds, Rolen | 2 |
| Schumaker, Cairo | 2 | ||
| 2006 | 27 | Aaron Miles | 5 |
| Juan Encarnacion | 5 | ||
| 2005 | 26 | David Eckstein | 7 |
| 2004 | 24 | Scott Rolen | 4 |
| 2003 | 32 | Bo Hart | 5 |
| 2002 | 26 | Fernando Vina | 5 |
| 2001 | 32 | Fernando Vina | 8 |
| 2000 | 25 | Fernando Vina | 6 |
| 1999 | 27 | J.D. Drew | 6 |
| 1998 | 30 | Delino DeShields | 8 |
| 1997 | 39 | Delino DeShields | 14 |
| 1996 | 31 | Ray Lankford | 8 |
Most triples in a season, Cardinals, 1996-2009
| # | Player | Year | ||||
| 14 | Delino DeShields | 1997 | ||||
| 8 | Fernando Vina | 2001 | Delino DeShields | 1998 | Ray Lankford | 1996 |
| 7 | Brendan Ryan | 2009 | David Eckstein | 2005 | Brian Jordan | 1998 |
| 6 | Fernando Vina | 2000 | J.D. Drew | 1999 | ||
| 5 | Skip Schumaker | 2008 | Juan Encarnacion | 2006 | Aaron Miles | 2006 |
| Bo Hart | 2003 | Fernando Vina | 2002 | |||
| J.D. Drew | 2001 | Royce Clayton | 1997 | |||
| 4 | Joe Thurston | 2009 | Adam Kennedy | 2008 | Scott Spiezio | 2006 |
| Scott Rolen | 2004 | Fernando Vina | 2003 | |||
| Scott Rolen | 2002 | Kerry Robinson | 2002 | |||
| Albert Pujols | 2001 | Placido Polanco | 2001 | |||
| Joe McEwing | 1999 | Ron Gant | 1997 | |||
| Willie McGee | 1997 | Royce Clayton | 1996 | |||
| Gary Gaetti | 1996 | |||||
| 3 | Julio Lugo | 2009 | Ryan Ludwick | 2008 | Cesar Izturis | 2008 |
| John Rodriguez | 2006 | Chris Duncan | 2006 | |||
| Mark Grudzielanek | 2005 | Jim Edmonds | 2004 | |||
| Tony Womack | 2004 | Reggie Sanders | 2004 | |||
| J.D. Drew | 2003 | Kerry Robinson | 2003 | |||
| Eli Marrero | 2001 | Ray Lankford | 2001 | |||
| Edgar Renteria | 2001 | Ray Lankford | 2000 | |||
| Placido Polanco | 2000 | Placido Polanco | 1999 | |||
| Ray Lankford | 1997 | Dmitri Young | 1997 | |||
| Danny Sheaffer | 1996 | Luis Alicea | 1996 |
If a guy collects enough at bats, unless he is Yadier Molina, he should collect a few triples. John Rodriguez, not a fast man, got 3 in 2006. Danny Sheaffer was a catcher, IIRC.
Six or more triples in a season likely reflects some good baserunning. Major league triples seem harder to earn than those routinely compiled by left swinging hitters for the Palm Beach Cards.
If Brendan keeps this up, Tony may just finally warm up to him.
I am not sure if I would go that far, Axcion. Just last night, Ryan stole second with a 2-0 count on Albert and TLR appeared to be visibly angry in the dugout.
Niether Albert with the stare-downs, nor Tony, seem willing to give Ryan a pass on mental lapses or failure to focus. They see the physical talent and are pushing the rookie hard to step up the mental part of the game. Albert was not happy with the poor throws last night with the game on the line. I wonder if Brendan returned the stare-down after Albert’s high toss to Hawksworth, probably not.
I know what you mean, but was stealing second, getting into scoring position, a mental breakdown? With Holliday behind Pujols, I like getting a runner at second myself. Of course, we don’t know if Ryan ignored a no-steal sign.
Ryan’s “poor throws” are better than any Cards shortstop I have seen in recent years. I do agree that everyone should try to get better but I think Albert and Tony should do their coaching behind closed doors.
Immediate feedback is a powerful teaching method, if Brendan’s skin is thick enough
Colby Rasmus added team triple number 25 on Wednesday.
In the big picture, TLR is happy enough with Brendan Ryan. If he were not satisfied, Ryan would be at Memphis. Instead, he gets a lot of at bats, so Brendan is doing somethings right.
If Brendan were too thin skinned to hear feedback, then he would not be tough enough for the majors. He probably is a person, who wants to improve and wants to hear criticism. Just so long as he is playing, Brendan is not bruised. Its worse to sit on the bench and not get any negative feedback.
Ryan has as much baserunning ability as anyone on this team. So its interesting he has a stop sign with Pujols and Holliday coming up. Meanwhile slower Pujols and Molina must not get held on by other teams so are allowed to run. Its an irony, but TLR knows how to play the odds, so its probably justified.
Hey Brian, with Albert on deck shouldn’t the hitter in the batters box be considered a runner in scoring position??? Just kidding! Normally I would tend to side with you about having that runner in scoring position and especially now with Holliday hitting behind Albert. TLR probably was peeved that Brenday stole second, but I don’t understand why considering Tony’s clearly stated preference for someone who can “do damage” in the 2 hole. My take on Larussa’s meaning of “do damage’ is someone who can hit for power and therefore getting many extra base hits. So herein lies the contradiction. What the heck is the difference if the batters in front of Albert hit doubles/triples or singles and steal second base? Was TLR also angry that Brendan hit the triple the other night? Should he and Schumaker stop at first on every hit ball? For Tony to say one thing and critisize the other, which is the same thing only different, then that is pure double (no pun intended) speak. Which is it Tony? Do you want someone on second or third when Albert comes up, thanks to the ‘damage’ players or do you want the 1 & 2 hitters going station to station so Pujols doesn’t get walked?
Can someone please have Mr. Larussa clarify. It seems that it would be okay if Rasmus hits a double, but if Ryan singles and steals its not okay.
Everyone should keep in mind too that Brendan has ADHD (Attention Deficite Hyperactivity Disorder), which, although it can be controled with medication, can still cloud his judgment ever so slightly. However, he plays the game hard and to win so I’m willing to cut him some slack.
Brian, as for missing a no-steal sign, I doubt that happened. If it’s taboo to open up first base with Albert coming to the plate, then it’s like that ALWAYS. I’m sure there is a general understanding between Schu, Ryan and Rasmus that they are not to leave first base until the ball is crushed off of Albert’s bat.
As for Albert giving Brendan stare-downs for poor throws well I guess I would call that hypocracy since our SS has only 6 error on the year compared to our 1B who has 9. And yes, I know Albert probably saved him a bunch, but on the other hand people are talking about Ryan and a Gold Glove in the same sentence and it’s in no way an oxymoron.
Did anyone think Brendan would field this great? Did anyone think he’d hit this well? The answer to both questions is NO! So imo Tony needs to give the kid a break. He’s earned it!!!
Good take Ax………………. I think that if Albert doesn’t want to be walked, he should bat 4th. The pre Holiday strategies aren’t sound any more. This should all be predicated on the pitcher and catcher of the moment of course but be honest, no is looking for us to steal there, thats why we should.
About Albert staring. That may be on agreement with Tony in an attempt to keep Ryan within boundaries…………I would bet on that.
There is a campaign under way to woo Holiday. Its actually working. He must come up with a realistic number on his own though. Scott Boras will use any and all influences to discourage any dialog between Mo and Holiday that include numbers. Mo’s comment that ” all talks are informal” is an attempt to keep Scottie in SoCal and away from St. Loey. Here is what I recommend Matt.
6yrs………100 million..payout differed over a 10yr period
Ask for a conditional no trade, with an opt out after 3 three years for comfort.
The differed will sell Billy D, and encourage Albert to be more flexible. This is the type of contract that would save some face for Scottie B. If the offer is formal, Boras has to notify his client. Thats when you say Matt, ” I’ll take it” lets sign this week. Scottie will tell you he can get more years for you. Tell him you only play one game at a time. That always works.
Of course there must be a campaign to sign Holliday to a long term deal.
Holliday was recommended by Mark McGwire. He works out with Skip, in the off-season. He comes from Oklahoma (Cards country). His agent is ex-Cardinals (Boras).
It will have to be a market price and it will be high, but the Cards will pay the piper. Boras and Mo will work it out, just like they did on Lohse. $100MM is unlikely to get it done. $120MM or $140 over 7 years might. An opt out seems plausible, though this is not something the Cards have ever done.
The Cards are not going behind Boras’ back and only working with Holliday, so speculation that Mo is trying to keep Scott in California is nonsense. “All talks are informal” is to try to keep the fan base from going crazy.
If a deal gets done, Boras will still be quoted about how this is what his client, Holliday, wanted. He, the super agent, will shake his head and say he could have gotten Matt Holliday a lot more money in free agency. This is what he Scottie B wanted and advised his client.
It is necessary for Boras to spin such fables, to maintain his public image, because he does not want the teams or public to think he is a patsy. And this needs to be said, to conform to the views of the players union. Its the party line. In free agency, the moral duty of stars is to seek top dollar, on behalf of smaller fry, who then also benefit via the trickle down effect via the pay scale used for arbitration.
This future script is boringly predictable.
Regarding Brendan Ryan, success in baseball can be hard to find, because there are many more athletes than opportunities. Ryan would probably not have gotten a chance to show consistency at a ML level, unless Khalil had experienced morale difficulties.
The Cards shipped two players to San Diego so as to get a strong hitting SS at a prime age. The Cards took a gamble Khalil could bounce back from a down 2008 season. It turned out that his difficulties were complicated. Khalil had doubts that he could field SS well enough and these doubts fed inward and his coping mechanisms were not sound, so he knocked himself out of action for a while.
This misfortune to Greene opened a door for Ryan, giving him enough at bats to show he could play well on a consistent basis. Ryan has been able to stay healthy, though he has suffered injuries in the past, perhaps from playing too hard and out of his safe operating envelope.
One of the strange things about baseball is that Ryan’s progress owes not only to his commitment and hard work, but to the misfortunes of K. Greene.