FOXSportsMidwest.com will host live online chats during 16 St. Louis Cardinals games this season.
The live, in-game chats give fans a chance to interact with Cardinals experts and other fans. FOX Sports Midwest announcers and producers will participate along with other members of the local media.
The live chats will be accessible from a link at the top of the FOXSportsMidwest.com website and the live window will also be posted here at The Cardinal Nation Blog when I am participating.
The 16 live chat dates are as follows:
Thursday, April 29 vs. Braves
Thursday, May 6 at Phillies
Thursday, May 13 vs. Astros
Thursday, May 20 vs. Marlins
Friday, May 28 vs. Cubs
Wednesday, June 30 vs. Diamondbacks
Friday, July 2 vs. Brewers – special telecast recognizing U.S. troops in Afghanistan
Thursday, July 8 at Rockies
Friday, July 23 at Cubs
Thursday, July 29 at Mets
Wednesday, August 11 at Reds
Wednesday, August 18 vs. Brewers
Wednesday, September 1 at Astros
Monday, September 6 at Brewers
Friday, September 24 at Cubs
Wednesday, September 29 vs. Pirates
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Casey McGehee hit a game winning homer off McClellan back on Sunday night. He makes an interesting example, because McGehee was never claimed to be a top minor league prospect. So how did he become starting 3Bman for the Brewers?
He played three seasons for Fresno State Univ. He has a strong arm and soft hands for fielding. The Cubs made him a 10th round pick in the 2003 draft. Then McGehee got to play in the minors, collecting nearly 2,600 at bats, including two years each at AA and AAA. About 3,400 at bats, including college.
He was not a slugger for 3B. The Cubs thought he did not hit enough for 3B and wanted to turn him into a catcher, before letting him leave. The Brewers gave him a chance. He racked up an 859 OPS last summer, though his OPS at AAA was just 750.
McGehee just plugged away in college and minors, got useful training. When he got a chance, he was ready to contribute. He was “too old”. He has defensive skills to handle 3B. McGehee’s story is a bit like Freese, older guy, no flashy publicity and expectations, worked his way up.
http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/M/Casey-McGehee.shtml
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/SEC-accuses-Goldman-Sachs-of-apf-1523020722.html?x=0
Its actually so much richer than this. Just thought I would keep some readers abreast of the “conspiracies”.
The McGehee path to MLB offers possible lessons:
The value of being able to field a difficult position.
The value of training, 3,400 at bats above high school.
When a guy reaches the majors at age 26, he is probably not going to have many years there. This will limit earnings, a good thing for the Brewers in this case.
The value of system depth. If a team has capable players at AAA, one can step up to fill a ML gap.
Another unconventional path. Last June, the Cards chose a 5th year senior out of Texas Christian, Matt Carpenter. Coming out of high school, he was estimated 40th best amateur in Texas. He came to need a Tommy John op and decided to shape up, losing 45 pounds. He hit better after this. Some teams might pass on Carpenter on grounds of age. The Cards invested a 13th round pick, a reasonable idea because they do not have many in the minors. He is off to good start at Palm Beach.
http://www.magarchive.tcu.edu/articles/2008-01-RR4.asp
Should read: do not have many 3B in the minors.