In the aftermath of his devastating error with two out in the ninth inning in the Cardinals-Dodgers National League Division Series game two, the future of soon-to-be free agent outfielder Matt Holliday remains one of the hottest debate topics across Cardinal Nation.
Assertions have been made here and elsewhere that he should not be re-signed by the Cardinals, despite his many contributions after having been acquired from Oakland on July 24.
One reason cited is that Holliday was a failure in what has been viewed by some as his primary role – protection for Albert Pujols in the middle of the Cardinals lineup.
Certainly that was the case in the NLDS, as Dodgers manager Joe Torre made a cognizant and obvious decision to not pitch to Pujols in any run-producing situation. As a result, Albert was issued three intentional walks in games one and two.
The clear reason for it was that heading into the DS, Holliday was not hitting well. Despite hitting 24 home runs on the season, the outfielder had just one after September 8. Holliday did connect for a solo shot in game two, but that was his only RBI of the series.
He batted just 2-for-12 (.167) in the three losses, and did not immediately atone for his game two gaffe. In Saturday’s season-ending game three, Holliday went 0-for-4 with three left on base.
This occurred despite the fact that Holliday was already October-proven. In the Rockies’ 2007 run to the World Series, Holliday had a very good postseason. His line in 11 games was .289/.319/.622 and included five home runs and 10 RBI.
Interestingly, during the 2009 regular season, the Cardinals faced the Dodgers seven times in August and won five of those games. All occurred after the Holliday trade. In those games, Torre issued one free pass to Pujols, but had his pitchers intentionally walk Holliday twice.
Not surprisingly, all seven games occurred during Holliday’s first 24 contests with the Cardinals. During that honeymoon period, he was absolutely blistering the baseball and consequently, Torre had his pitchers treat Holliday with kid gloves.
Torre wasn’t alone, as the NL as a whole gave Pujols far more opportunities to hit after Holliday’s arrival than prior. Here are the specifics of Pujols’ regular season intentional bases on balls (IBB) before July 24 and after:
Pujols’ IBB before Holliday: 34 in 411 PA = 1 per 12.1 plate appearances
Pujols’ IBB with Holliday: 10 in 289 PA = 1 per 28.9 plate appearances
In other words, the rate of Pujols’ intentional walks was more than cut in half once Holliday was batting behind him. That clearly demonstrates that the league as a whole respected the presence of Holliday.
It is surely fair to wonder why Pujols couldn’t do more with his greater opportunities to hit the ball, but his second half of the 2009 season is a different question for a different day.
If Holliday returns to the Cardinals, there is no reason to suspect the behavior exhibited by opposing managers and pitchers in 2009 would not continue in 2010 – as long as he is more consistent with the bat than he showed in his first few months as a Cardinal.
NLCS Footnote: The walk-a-thon continued in the NLCS as the Dodgers issued seven free passes in their game one loss to the Phillies. Not surprisingly, the 2-3-4 hitters received four, including two to Philly’s version of Pujols, number three hitter Ryan Howard. How much of that was by design and how much was due to the Ankiel-like wildness of 21-year-old lefty Clayton Kershaw is a fair question.
The Phils received just one free pass in game two, but Howard went deep for their only run. As such, I would expect Torre to have his hurlers pitch to the slugger more carefully the rest of the way.
Holiday, amongst many other issues, took one of the few swing tips Hal offers to most. Raise your hands. It famously lead to two Hr’s by DeRosa before it became another liability for Mark to over come. Its like taking a swing tip from a 14 handicapper in golf. Freely offered, works great for 3 holes, and the there’s the fan and the s–t…………………. The Dodgers picked up on that so fast…………………..that I will spare you another clever analogy!!!!!!! They pitched him waist high on the hands and he couldn’t even pull the trigger. Watching everyone else hit in these playoffs reminds me of how serious the Hal issue is, and what it represents. Lets hope that its dealt with.
“It is surely fair to wonder why Pujols couldn’t do more with his greater opportunities to hit the ball, but his second half of the 2009 season is a different question for a different day.”
How many of Pujols first half numbers could be attributed to the unusual competitive circumstances surrounding being King of a weak team. He was walked, he was pitched around in a fashion………in a very predictable fashion, making pitch location much more predictable, especially in certain counts. That is where your 5 grand slams came from. These things are obvious.
The more subtle factors surround the mental state of Albert getting that much special attention. Clearly the introduction of a red hot Alpha male was disorienting to Pujols. The Dodgers in those famous early confrontations ate Albert alive by pitching him on the hands, a tactic he never adjusted to. All the scouts were on that. It turns out that self doubt, and inflexibility in his highly personalized hitting technique have us led to our current state wonderment..
One other though…………..Tony’s refusal to do a simple switch with Albert and Holiday during this crucial adjustment period, shows the depth of Tony’s understanding of Albert’s highly superstitious mental state. Even for one game. He is a ball player. It is a game.
Tony doesn’t try to manage Albert. Tony tries to manage Albert’s ego. He thinks that’s what his job is.
Albert’s ego size I think is desirable BB. Yes it needs to be managed. The problem here, the spiritual crisis, is Albert misidentifying parts of his ego as the gathering domain if God. Regardless of your religious indoctrination and or preferences, most traditions have their concept of God or Deity handling the ass kicking surrounding this ego trespass with a certain ease.
The resolution to this is a simple realization. No matter how veiled and manipulated your chosen dogma maybe, that you are God already Albert, as are all other live forms gathered around you, so don’t sweat it, just play ball.
Non-starter Westie. Spirituality without guilt is nothing but reality; neurons and biology and such. Albert’s into guilt based spirtuality, he can’t just not sweat it, they make sure of that at an early age.
Vincente Padillla showed his mastery of the Cards was no fluke by shutting down the Phils, who have lots of good lefty hitters in Howard, Utley, Victorino, Ibanez, and the SS. No surprise Padilla controlled Holliday.
Holliday was the only Redbird to hit a dinger and he almost won Game 2, until the Fateful loss of the white ball in the lights and white out. Like the rest of human activities, baseball outcomes are influenced by good luck and by bad.
Hal McRae was a terrific ML hitter, across many years. He knows what to do with the lumber.
Holliday has just 12 at bats in the playoffs. Trivial n. Nevertheless he poked the only HR the Cards obtained. Not surprising. Holliday is a stud athlete in his prime. This is why the Cards traded for him and why his market value is high.
Brian said:
“It is surely fair to wonder why Pujols couldn’t do more with his greater opportunities to hit the ball, but his second half of the 2009 season is a different question for a different day. ”
Although this topic has been chewed to pulp here and elsewhere, I don’t think BW’s official anaysis and conclusion(s) is on the record. Its a long winter, plenty of time, but I for one would be very interested in that. Hope he doesn’t try to weasel out:)
bb, I just counted my ever-changing list of pending article topics between here and the main site and it is currently at 15. That does not include my annual AFL trip that is just two weeks away nor a bunch of Player of the Year articles already scheduled. It may be encouraging (for you) but a bit depressing (for me). As a side point, I am amazed to read when bloggers explain a site absence by saying there was nothing to write about. Anyway, Albert is on the list.
Two hr meeting about coaching staff…………… and there was a few moments to talk about Freese being the presumptive 3rd baseman. Right……………….. Tony can’t respond because he is not the coach………………… smart. Albert trying to make the personal decision to move on by doing the surgery, thus starting the sequence of events that will make that possible with less friction for all. Smart……………….. Mo/BD gladly grasping at the scenario they attempted to implement last year.
Reduction……………… The untimely announcement about Freese can be added to the “Holiday negotiations on the shelf” statements by Mo. Arrows aimed at Boras and Tony/Albert behinds without question. The beauty of this is that they won’t be required to spend much money because they will still need to save for Albert’s return offer. They may get a retread left fielder as the market wains in February……………………… Albert wouldn’t be using a second opinion unless he planed to have the surgery, or threaten to anyway, using the “mended” status in future contract talks. Tony is just waiting to see what he decides. Albert is waiting for God to speak. Mo/BD are in position to make a brilliant financial play. Victims of a cruel market.
Can’t speak to all that other stuff, WC, but if last winter is any indication, some good veteran outfield talent may be available late. Both Adam Dunn ($10M) and Bobby Abreu ($5M) were solid late-winter bargains. That may not be Plan A or B, but it could be feasible.