Streaky Ryan Ludwick is in the midst of one of his hottest runs as a St. Louis Cardinal.
With three hits in the St. Louis Cardinals 4-3 road victory over Cincinnati on Friday night, Ryan Ludwick did something the notoriously-streaky outfielder has never done before with the club – collect three hits three times in the span of four games. (He also is in the midst of a seven-game hit streak.)
It was the 11th time a Cardinal has had a similar stretch of three-hit games since 2000. As a further demonstration of his remarkable consistency, Albert Pujols has accomplished it just three times, and only once since 2003. Of course, that is still more than any other Cardinal during the past decade – two more than Bo Hart!
Cardinals Three 3-Hit Games in a 3 or 4-Game Span (2000-2010)
| Player | Date | Tm-G | Opp | Rslt | PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI |
| Ryan Ludwick | 5/14/2010 | 36 | CIN | W 4-3 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Ryan Ludwick | 5/12/2010 | 34 | HOU | L 6-9 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ryan Ludwick | 5/11/2010 | 33 | HOU | L 3-6 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Albert Pujols | 9/9/2009 | 141 | MIL | W 5-1 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Albert Pujols | 9/7/2009 | 139 | MIL | W 3-0 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Albert Pujols | 9/6/2009 | 138 | PIT | L 5-6 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Matt Holliday | 8/14/2009 | 117 | SDP | W 9-2 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Matt Holliday | 8/12/2009 | 116 | CIN | W 5-2 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Matt Holliday | 8/11/2009 | 115 | CIN | L 4-5 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Felipe Lopez | 9/28/2008 | 162 | CIN | W 11-4 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Felipe Lopez | 9/26/2008 | 160 | CIN | W 7-6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Felipe Lopez | 9/25/2008 | 159 | ARI | W 12-3 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Felipe Lopez | 9/23/2008 | 157 | ARI | W 7-4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Felipe Lopez | 9/22/2008 | 156 | ARI | L 2-4 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Troy Glaus | 7/13/2008 | 96 | PIT | W 11-6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Troy Glaus | 7/12/2008 | 95 | PIT | L 11-12 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Troy Glaus | 7/11/2008 | 94 | PIT | W 6-0 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Chris Duncan | 8/17/2006 | 120 | CIN | W 2-1 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Chris Duncan | 8/16/2006 | 119 | CIN | L 2-7 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Chris Duncan | 8/15/2006 | 118 | CIN | W 5-0 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| David Eckstein | 5/12/2005 | 34 | LAD | W 10-3 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| David Eckstein | 5/11/2005 | 33 | LAD | W 9-3 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| David Eckstein | 5/10/2005 | 32 | LAD | L 8-9 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| David Eckstein | 5/8/2005 | 30 | SDP | W 15-5 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Albert Pujols | 6/26/2003 | 77 | CIN | W 11-7 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Albert Pujols | 6/24/2003 | 75 | CIN | L 4-7 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Albert Pujols | 6/22/2003 | 74 | KCR | L 2-5 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Albert Pujols | 6/21/2003 | 73 | KCR | W 8-1 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| Albert Pujols | 6/6/2003 | 59 | BAL | W 8-6 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Albert Pujols | 6/5/2003 | 58 | TOR | W 13-5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Albert Pujols | 6/3/2003 | 56 | TOR | W 11-5 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bo Hart | 6/28/2003 | 79 | KCR | W 13-9 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bo Hart | 6/26/2003 | 77 | CIN | W 11-7 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Bo Hart | 6/25/2003 | 76 | CIN | W 9-6 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Bo Hart | 6/24/2003 | 75 | CIN | L 4-7 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bo Hart | 6/21/2003 | 73 | KCR | W 8-1 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Edgar Renteria | 7/17/2002 | 91 | SFG | L 4-5 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Edgar Renteria | 7/16/2002 | 90 | LAD | W 9-2 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Edgar Renteria | 7/14/2002 | 88 | SDP | W 4-1 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Thanks to researcher Tom Orf for the data.
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Streaky??????????? Call it what you want. He has scaled down his swing aspiratios. By not over swinging, he contributes more…………with the home run still there as a result of a careless pitch or a well read location. I hope it stays fashionable. We will need 5 tomorrow and at least that much on Sunday.
5? Are we expecting Wainwright to give up 4 runs? When he hasn’t done that all season?
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.cgi?n1=wainwad01&t=p&year=2010
His “worst” game was 3 runs in 6 innings against Atlanta on April 29, and he posted a Game Score of “only” 50.
Run support has been Wainwright’s only problem; overall, the Cards have scored 38 runs in his 7 starts, which looks fine (5.4 runs per game) until you realize that 21 of those runs came in two of the starts, meaning we’ve scored only 17 runs in his other five, or 3.4 RPG.
We can expect Wainy to give up less than 4, but we can’t expect him to pitch a complete game. So I’d say yes, we better get five.
Looking forward to the retro uniforms. Stirrups too?? Love to see that. Too bad they don’t have to use period gloves, remember those photos we had on the blog a while back.
On the topic of the article. Would anyone be surprised if Tony decided to sit Luddy today.
Nice read BB. We don’t win yesterday if the Reds had any reason to expect Franklin would hang some of the sliders he framed………..they were so shocked, they double clutched.
Another issue that is becoming apparent. Garcia has game. He is creating some very difficult angles to solve. As long as he is in command of his tactic, he is the toughest Cardinal Pitcher. I don’t see half the risk in his release that was apparent for Santana or Liriano. That said, he has already had the surgery, so maybe he has modified his motion.
Wainwright, if made to throw strikes can be hit. If there is a wind blowing out there, anything can happen…………. If we give Wainwright a lead, and keep adding to it, his aggressiveness becomes an asset that is very hard to overcome……..that being said, Votto and Bruce can both hit the breaking pitch. I look for a tough game.
If it’s a tough game, it’ll be because we might find ourselves unable to hit Leake, the rookie. Not enough video on the kid-pitchers, apparently.
That Chapman guy lasted 3 innings last night in AAA. 8 runs. Ha Ha.
That’s always the case with this team Jm….
Bling, 100mph doesn’t mean a thing if you know its coming? His whole issue is polish. He was a clever investment by Walter J……… Alla Billy Bean. He may make it pay off.
Nice AB by Shu. Takes a ball on the inside 3rd and cuts it out to left for the Sac Fly. If his role is clear he’s fine. He avoided pulling that ball that likely is ground ball to the right side.
Looks like jm was right about this guy. Hope he doesn’t last much longer.
Appreciate Wainy sporting the socks, and Brendan of course.
Like I was saying, Wainy will probably give up 4. Hope Westy didn’t underestimate what we’ll need.
Its going to get interesting now BB.
2/2 to Votto……..and Tony calls a pitch out? I think that blew Hawksworth’s mind………..
Top of 8th, Luddy, AP, MH. Time for the money guys to step up.
Clutch guys. Nice.
That was a perfect representation of all there weaknesses BB. I’m going to suggest at this point that Albert will never recover his stance. His weight shifts are completely out of phase. He can’t stay back because he is already committed forward. Holiday isn’t making the simplest adjustments. Rasmus is back to character. Occasional power. 250 average.
Mather….Jay????????
Good stroke by Mather. He started it when he left the dugout……………
Shu was out by three steps. Normally I would have challenged, but Shumaker is deceptively slow.
A plodder in many ways. It was a good game. Jay instead of Stava is a match up cop-out.
Stavi had already batted.
Missed a few innings.
I haven’t seen the replay…….did Shu really “AP” the stop sign from Oquendo?
No Oquendo was just being Oquendo.
Post-game Tony said he likes the offense. Well, what is he supposed to say? ‘Gimme Dunc and Rick back’ ?
As often as not its the rooks stepping up and the ‘leaders’ not. That has to make clubhouse leadership an awkward affair, wouldn’t it?
Somebody needs to shove Holliday in his locker and lock it.
I looked at the replay a few times, the throw beat him by three steps but was off-line. The tag had him by less than a foot. Clearly out though.
Sounds a little like discipline is breaking down BB. Be honest. Penny has been under a lot of pressure. Arroyo is just the kind of pitcher we don’t need to see. We are going to have to pressure this team somehow. If they front run tomorrow, they’re going to kick our asses.
Holiday appears lost. Albert is disoriented. Colby has reverted back to his old swing plane. Molina is grinding into slow motion again. Ryan is fried even in low profile. Lohse want his mom. Freese is thriving on his feelings of “competency” in relationship to the rabble.
Ludwick has played up to expectations. Waino hit the wall at 80 pitches. The last 24 kicked his butt. As pointed out here…often…starting pitching will wear down with these 1 run games.
Pujols troubles are deep. Give credit to ML pitching, Holiday is seeing the same combination from everyone. Molina is seeing money pitches on the hands now. They won’t let him stroke to right as easy. That’s trouble because his double play percentage leaps back up………… We need somebody to play with Freese.
Brian,
A friend of mine works for the Braves and called me yesterday and told me there is a rumor going around Turner Field that the Braves and Cardinals have been discussing a possible trade. Brendan Ryan and Colby Rasmus for Nate McLouth and Yunel Escobar.
Have you heard of such in your travelings? It is interesting to say the least. I guess you could consider all four having their struggles to this point in the 2010 season and maybe the thought is a change of scenery could benefit everyone. I don’t know, Colby just bought a house in St. Louis….Hopefully he could get Yunel or Nate to buy it if that thing every went down
I know Yunel has been in hot water a few times for not hustling so maybe the Braves are shopping him. What do you think Brian?
Next time I get a flat tire, I’ll change the other three and see if it helps.
I was off by one day on Tony sitting Luddy. Be nice to see Jay though, and Greene. I like the two lefties at the top against Arroyo, but too bad Freese isn’t behind them.
With Arroyo’s leg kick and Penny’s socks, I’ll especially enjoy watching the game today. I know that doesnt make sense.
No, I had not heard rumors of such a trade.
Escobar and Ryan are at the same point regarding arb eligibility next year but Escobar will fetch far more in $ due to his offense. Rasmus still has two years of cost control remaining before even being eligible while McLouth is due $11 millon over the next two years with a huge option for the third year. Can’t see why StL would take on the additional payroll even if McLouth wasn’t struggling.
Sounds like a “rumor” that would elicit excitement at the Rasmus dinner table and/or the hallways of Russell County High, though, and would help explain a public airing like was done here. Hoping RC’s id wasn’t commandeered again by those pesky mischief-makers with an agenda…
I wouldn’t blame somebody if somebody wanted to see a relative get off the crazy train come on back closer to home.
On another note, Maybe a miracle will happen and Tony will address the actual problem, so Mo won’t have to step in like last year. Maybe the Braves could use a manager.
Somebody can want whatever they want, but I am not going to be a party to any manipulation without calling it as I see it, same as before.
For those lacking historical background, please refer to my very first post on this blog, from December 12, 2008, entitled “Tony La Russa Still Loves Colby Rasmus”. Don’t miss the comments that follow.
You have to take that bobber off your line RC if you’re going to fancy fish, western style.
That ’08 article and the comments was a fun read. Nobody has taken me up on the season ticket deal.
Time to get out back and see if my pile of wood has burned down, I’m doing a bar-b-q, have a quarter barrel on ice. Nice little tailgate party in the back yard. A few sprinkles never hurt anyone. I hear we are going to have two guitar players, a harmonica and a trumpet. And five dogs altogether plus a couple little guys. My mom and dad will come by for a while, so we will have four generations. We’ll have to see how much game gets watched.
Have fun BB.
There is your ceremonial walk.
Dusty has a plan.
I wouldn’t wait too long to back Penny in this one. It would be a shame if he lost focus at this point.
I’m not just talking about today’s game.
I don’t think anyone wanted to see Friar Penny being dragged along behind his donkey. The good news is, Lohse likely rebounds with all the other whipping boys a crying.. That’s who he is. Now that is far short of a win prediction, believe me.
Brian wrote, “Sounds like a “rumor” that would elicit excitement at the Rasmus dinner table and/or the hallways of Russell County High, though, and would help explain a public airing like was done here. Hoping RC’s id wasn’t commandeered again by those pesky mischief-makers with an agenda… ”
The Braves might be looking for a salary bails RC. They might have made a call, playing on the Ryan debacle. It does suggest your friend if very high up. Isn’t a way in hell BD is picking up an outfield contract., even to fill another position. He has other problems right now.
RC, I don’t mean to offend, but given your past, including admitting planting rumors, I find it hard to believe a public post here was intended primarily to solicit my personal opinion. You could have done that via email. You know as well as I the same people read this site as Scout. Now the “rumor” is in print.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704635204575242250446750616.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_MIDDLENexttoWhatsNewsThird
This is a good one.
Brian, I think RC is fishing for WC steel head. He will catch some when he is ready.
Come on now Brian, Seriously, how could one benefit from asking about if anyone heard of a trade rumor? Delete the post if you think it is some kind of fishing expedition.
I thought it was a curious proposal given that all four players have struggled and was also curious what WC had heard. But you are the resident media guy and I really wondered if you had heard anything about it. No biggie, delete all my posts regarding it if it bothers you. There is a difference in asking if you heard this and advocating it. At least in my mind.
Not knowing the wisdom of benching Ludwick during one of the most crucial games of the year, I’m looking at the bright side of today’s relinquishment of first place; Schumaker finally appears to be springing-back, LaRue looked great and Boggs mowed ‘em down (I couldn’t help, but notice how he had pitched to Votto’s weakness – down and away)!
RC, since the rumor was told to you by an Atlanta Braves employee, that is probably a more credible source than you will find here. I don’t think the deal makes sense from the Cardinals perspective, but perhaps I am wearing “cop hair” these days…
My thoughts would be that it would take a lot more than Colby and Brendan to get Yunel, but if the cards take on the contract of McLouth it would make more sense. For the record the text in regards to said rumor came from a groundkeeper for the Braves, not a high up official
Us regular joes never would hear about a rumor from a highly placed guy with a team. Media guys, including Brian, have a propensity to soak up tidbits and not pass them on. Professional responsibility, ethics, curtesy, whatever. No problem with that at all. Appreciate RC asking his question in this forum, where fans like me can enjoy some banter about it, rather than in a private email, where it would stay forever. I never would have heard about the rumored clubhouse atmosphere stuff last season if left up to only what media types thought was fit to print. Brian has set up a really unique and enjoyable venue here. I guess it shouldn’t be surprising that its been bringing him some success.
That game sucked. Didn’t mind missing it. If Tony doesn’t address the issue of the middle of the lineup not producing tomorrow when Flip comes back, he’s not going to. Then, like last year, Mo will have to step in. Pathetic.
Wouldn’t have heard stuff from a groundskeeper either.
Bling wrote, “That game sucked. Didn’t mind missing it. If Tony doesn’t address the issue of the middle of the lineup not producing tomorrow when Flip comes back, he’s not going to. Then, like last year, Mo will have to step in. Pathetic.”
There is just not much TLR can do IMO. He wanted Holliday, he got him. He likes Albert in the 3 hole. Those two spots are static so nothing can change there. Skip needs to be in the leadoff spot and flip in the two hole. Ludwick in the 5 spot, freese in 6. Let Colby bat 7 and Yadi 8, pitcher 9. I’m not sure what else can be done.
What would you do Bling if you were manager for a day?
Lopez
Rasmus
Freese
Pujols
Ludwig
Holliday
Molina
Pitcher
Schumaker
Schumaker
Lopez
Pujols
Holliday
Ludwig
Rasmus
Molina
Pitcher
Freese
There’s Tony calling himself 57, or might as well be.
Difference of opinion aside, glad to see you back here 57. Hope you stick around.
Thank you, blingboy! I’ll stick around as long as my improved health remains stable (the aging process definitely has it’s downside!). Cincinatti’s joy will certainly be short-lived, the Pujol-Holliday tandem will get fired-up, murderer’s row will be as terrifying as it should be and Albert’s prophecy will ultimately be fulfilled (“…it will get scary”).
I believe you 57. The rest of the boys too. My idea about shuffling the middle of the lineup isn’t meant to be permanant. Just to shake things up. Get some guys out of pressure situations and others into them. Maybe create a couple of attitude adjustments. I’d like nothing better than to see your lineup in everyday use, churning out 5 or 6 every day. More some days.
May good health stay with you 57.
57………Boggs sat down there quit a while knowing that he was going to have “mop up” duties in a very “dung rich” environment. He wants to stay in the big leagues. The last guy “giving it up” who is paid the minimum, is always going to be abused. He said no way. He needs an attitude to survive in this climate.
If everyone just stands back a little and examines this situation, there isn’t a way BD/MO gets involved in this mess. They have exactly what they want. Leverage……… It was talked about on this forum, of the likelihood of our current situation. LaRusa is a fall guy. Add MM. And most importantly AP is in big trouble……..everything appears related to “on field” matters. Payroll is where you want it. Everything is beautiful.
What I find interesting, is the assumption by some here that this can’t get a whole lot worse. You would be wrong about that. Albert is playing poorly. It isn’t centered in him completely at this point. His problems fall within the tactical parameters of the competition now. Teams will exploit. Dusty did today. They know whats going on here. Will we lose a starter to stress related injury?……..that is likely. How long can Holiday stay down? As long as the precedent for being above coaches influences continues I’d guess…….
I like MM. The team has trained with him all spring. Because of the struggles, factions will (have) developed. Ryan is fried…….it has nothing to do with his wrist. He would be a more productive hitter if it were bothering him……………. Tony is very deep into team psychology. He is using the hit and run and various other tactics to influence and effect negative hitting rhythms….. and this, a 2/2 pitch out with Hawksworth on the mound???? He is showing signs of ” intuitive delusions” at this point. He has way to much on his mind.
As long as AP stays in his current state, the turbulence will drown MH, and this state of affairs will continue. It will eventual inundate the pitching core I fear. They are starting to show signs of stress………………… Think of what it would be like if Holiday were on fire. Pujols would be buried. Very timely if your BD. That would have been is first choice.
I look for a Cardinal win tomorrow I think with Holiday going yard. Lohse gives up 2/3 and lasts 7 innings.
“We’re still in second place. It’s better than being in last place,” mused first baseman Albert Pujols. “If we would’ve been in last place we’d be a little bit more concerned. There’s no pressure. We need to pick each other up. That’s the key.”
Added Pujols: “I wish we could have a switch and turn it on and off. But this is no switch. It’s reality. It’s the big leagues. You need to make adjustments to the way people are pitching you.”
Pujols appeared more concerned about losing the series than losing a grip on the division lead. For the second time this season the Cardinals lost a series after winning its opener. Of course, it followed their first series sweep of the season.
“We came here to win a series. We had a chance. And that chance slipped away,” Pujols said. “We don’t care about first place now. Because first place is a long way away. It’s a long season. The idea is to try to win series.”
Albert sounds like the robot on “Hitcher Hikers Guide to the Galaxy”.
WCBW, I would much rather that Albert should expertly delve into the mechanics of cognitive dissonance than to cut his wrists.
Here’s to good health for all….
Here! Here!
I was scanning one of the comment boards and found out Albert’s ‘a gamer’. Dang, it all makes sense now. I’ll bet Westy feels foolish. I sure do.
Interesting point about what if MH was on fire, carrying the team. E-gad.
I could live with that.
I am expecting one to catch fire and then the other… and then, it will get “scary”!
Last spring, Matt Holliday did not excel for the Athletics. A year later, he is paid more money, but not excelling for the Cards, so its the same. Its a long season. Holliday should heat up.
The Cards need to bench Brendan Ryan, no ifs ands or buts. He can’t be a regular, because his post-op wrist is not allowing him to hit to his normal abilities.
The Cards need to play less of Ryan and Schumaker, and more of Greene and Lopez. When they do that, they will become more competitive.
Lohse has stunk. He needs to improve. If he cannot, its time for P J Walters to get some starts.
Aside: The Indians released lefty Scott Lewis who was with there AAA team this year. If he’s healthy he’s worth a look. DD project.
You are so right, JumboShrimp. However, I believe that Schumaker is finally regaining his stroke. While Garcia should definitely be our number 4 starter, Lohse needs to be bullpenned and someone like P.J. Walters needs to become our number 5 (anyone, but McClellan).
I wish it were that simple 57. What he needs to do is possible, but not with the pressure to maintain a negotiating posture. What he needs is a 15 day vacation. But he would be threatened by a team succeeding with out him……….which it would. He is in a bind. Tony has been on this as a handler since February. MM is waiting. They can’t get him to let down his guard. That line above about adjusting……is just a mimic. I would feel less guilty………if I didn’t no the solution.
The league is exploiting this situation…….and will continue. The Albert Pujols “legend” campaign will continue because that’s about ticket sales and revenue for all teams. I’m sure that the 2 or 3 three teams that would create a market, are watching his ability to adjust or adapt with their full scouting capacity. They can’t be impressed. There will be a point when Albert breaks down. Or front office will find a reason to shut him down. They want control, not a collapse.
PJ is not going to be ready yet. According to that article Westy linked earlier, Lohse is doing about what he’s always done. Not his fault the Cards decided to pay him $40M because he had one pretty good year. He is way better as a #5 than what we’ve had.
PJ looks pretty ready to me, bb. Nothing will happen without an injury, though. My main article at The Cardinal Nation Monday will be about Lohse.
Jumbo, I agree with most of your post. However, your continued assertion that Ryan has a wrist problem has not been substantiated. Just present it as a theory instead of fact and I will have no issue.
Whether you are an insightful visionary of reality or a sly cynic of the most cunning and devilish degree, I thoroughly enjoy your knowledge and intellect – enough to seriously ponder every point you make.
(I was speaking to WCBW…)
RC also thinks Ryan has a continuing wrist problem.
Brian, when you persuade Colby’s Dad not to question Ryan’s wrist, I will consider a re-think. Ryan is a good contact hitter, so its hard to believe his wrist is A-ok. I do not always passively accept all the stories issued by the Cards.
Clearly something is not right with Ryan. He had wrist surgery this spring. I can see why people suspect the two are connected. Having said that, I stayed at a different Holiday Inn Express than the two of you last night.
57, I doubt he is a cynic. Obviously he is a bit of a rascal.
Ryan’s trouble could also be that opponents have figured out how to pitch him and he hasn’t been able to make the adjustment.
Whatever is wrong with Ryan, assuming that he is an unselfish team-player and “company man”, I doubt that he would argue against being benched for a while or sent down to Memphis until he is able to regain his form.
Jumbo – Far be it from me to belabor the obvious!
Could be, bb. CFS57, Ryan has used all of his minor league options.
Everything about his hitting adjustments and swing attitude suggest not BB…………if he were smart, he would start complaining about it and take the time off they would likely be happy to give him. Its better to be hurt, than lose all your value.
I’m just practicing contemplating a set of variables 57. X-sir-size……… I have complex motivations.
Brian, pay full attention to the relevance and significant of a Scott Boras “no trade clause” It also may serve you well to contemplate the irrelevance of 41 after 15 has past before it. Ownership would never cripple itself by devaluing a player in any way. Especially if you owe him a bundle. There is always a market. Don’t put up a sign unless you’ve got some lemonade I always say.
If the Cards released Lohse today. He would be signed before Tuesday. And much richer.
Since Ryan “…has used all of his minor league options” and if his problem is not surgery-related, the best construction to be placed on the predicament is blingboy’s idea that the league may have figured him out. If so, it is incumbent upon Brendan to make adjustments very quickly, before Lopez takes his job permanently.
WC, I never suggested Lohse should be released nor do I plan to in my article. That would be foolish.
However, since you brought it up, if he was released and he re-signed elsewhere, he would not be richer. His contract would remain in place and the new team would only be required to pay the MLB minimum salary with the Cardinals remaining on the hook to pay the rest. Lohse’s take would be the same.
I don’t buy the ‘opponents have figured out to pitch to Ryan’ theory. When Ryan was healthy in the minors, he hit for a solid average. I could see Ryan hitting .220 in a slump, not .170.
I will believe Felipe is healthy, when playing, not a minute before. If and when Lopez is healthy, he should play everyday.
57, in my opinion a young player like Ryan with about a year of MLB experience can’t be expectd to figure out what opposing organizations are doing to him, much less how to respond. That would be what McGwire is there for. Since Mac’s experience as a hitting coach has been only during the off season, who knows if he is any good at that sort of thing. If I had to say right now, I’d say he stinks at it, but its early.
It’s worth remembering that signing MH and bringing in Big Mac, a couple of A list alpha dogs changed the whole dynamic. Add to that all the rookies holding down jobs more important than holding down the end of the bench where they can be ignored. Maybe it just takes time.
Ryan is 28 years old. He broke into the majors during 07 and has had 872 ML at bats.
OK Jumbo. Brendan is a muture and contemplative veteran. Did he ever get rid of that yellow POS car that he and Joey Bombs cruised around in at ST.
I guess 872 is about 1.4 seasons, but I’m not counting look-sees in 07-08.
Not true Brian. Study up on no trade. He can’t be waved. Just released. Free agency.
But that is irrelevant. He likely found a pacifier. He will be showing a little emotion I would guess.
Ryan came up during 2007, probably because of an injury to Eckstein. He hit well.
However, this did not impress TLR. Mo signed lousy free agent vet Mitey Cesar Izturis. Ryan spent a lot of time on the bench.
For 2009, Mo splurged $6.5MM on Greene from the Padres. It turned out, this Greene had morale problems. It was only because he went nutso that Brendan got playing time. Ryan defended and hit well. TLR learned that even though Ryan has a colorful personality, he could still play seriously.
Its now 2010. TLR like Ryan’s defense, but something is wrong with his swing. His wrist muscles may have been weakened a little by a surgery; at this level, there is a fine line between success and less than success.
I am not optimistic. If Felipe returns to health, he should take over at SS. Ryan can be DL’d for a few weeks, then take a couple of weeks rehabbing in the minors. Maybe he can return as a reserve during July.
The problem is its dog eats dog in the majors. Its too bad if a good guy is slumping for whatever reason. A successful team needs contributions from many players. The Cards need more from SS and 2B.
Westie, in this particular instance, Brian happens to be right. Lohse is in year 2 of a 4 year deal. If he were released, he could head home and lay around the house and collect the checks. But if he decides to keep playing, then he will not make any more money. If another team signs him, they will only have to pay him minimum salary and the Cards will bay the rest of what they owe him.
Mo is not going to be releasing Lohse anytime soon. Daddy Dunc will get on his case and squeeze and squeeze until Lohse pitches better.
Westy, I’m no expert, My understanding is he would be DFA’d, and if he got claimed the Cards would be on the hook for the contract except for the minimum.
Whether Ryan is a “mature and contemplative veteran” or a snot-nosed novice, he will soon be on the bench, watching Lopez in his place and worrying about the future…
Brian, I saw your comment over at scout………I cringed when I saw Colby’s comment about Bronson’s stuff as well. Not because its untrue but because people will not know what he is talking about when he says “doo doo, and slop”. That refers to a pitcher who throws mainly junk. Jamie Moyer is another who is a slop thrower.
We’ve used both of those terms for years on my high school team when the other team trots out a soft tossing lefty who can’t bust a window with his best fast ball. We have labeled our softest throwers those same names as well over the years on my high school team. Our kids have even awarded team shirts each year to our soft tossers with those names across the back. They wear them as a badge of honor. That being said I would rather Colby gave a little more information in regards to those terms when speaking with Joe S about them.
But I will also say that I get the impression that the cardinals don’t care much for Bronson and take pot shots at him when they can. The best pot shots are made with the bats though not the mouth. But that being said this team needs to find someone to hate so they can play with a little emotion. But I’ve said that for a few years now that the business like approach does not breed much fun or emotion.
In regards to Brendan, He should be put on the DL for an extended period of time in order and strengthen the wrist IMO.
Lohse on the other hand has me scratching my head. Two years ago I marveled at how he could put the ball exactly where he wanted to. Now he can’t seem to do that. I wonder if there is some injury that he has that he doesn’t want to acknowledge. I’m expecting him to improve in the next few starts.
I’m kinda curious to see what happens Carp’s next start. Seems like he’s had about enough of this. Maybe he’ll have a word with some guys. Take the mound with a bad attitude and carry it into the dugout between innings. Right now, we don’t have a position player fit to sit the same bench with him. Might be a lot of guys standing that day.
Bling, My understanding is that you are not allowed to show emotion if you play for the cardinals………….so they don’t. Carp is trying to show some fight and the cardinals fans have blasted him all week since he did what he did.
I personally don’t like the businesslike approach and have said as much for a while but it is what it is and this is TLR’s style and he has won with it. I believe it to be why he has preferred veteran players over young kids.
The young kids of today are more emotional and I don’t think you get the maximum out of them when you put a governor on their emotions. Not everyone can play the game like it is not a game. I used to have my kids sit around like they were in church for years until these last 4 years or so and that seemed to promote a lot of emotionless play. I wanted our teams to play the game with a professional approach. It began to work out like a lead balloon. You sometimes have to make adjustments and be able to change with the times…..at least in the high school game. The ML’s may be different, I don’t know..
Not exactly how it works BB. The Cardinals can’t do anything with a player with unconditional no trade without the players consent. That’s why it never happens. The agent has complete control. That is what ever the market will bear. An unconditional release is the only move a team has to free up room on its 40 man. It’s called FA…………..it never happens. They can ask a player to ok a particular move, which would then be contingent on Player/Agent consent. They have all the leverage. Glaus got a 12 milion dollar extension for agreeing to the move to Toronto.
We got Lugo for the minimum because we dealt with Boston before their rights expired. In 5 days he could have signed where ever he wanted, for what ever he wanted. Competitive money can always be paid with extensions or bonus money. That’s standard player protocol.
But you can believe this, this team will start hitting and then all of these issues we speak of will be gone by the way side. The team is just struggling right at the moment and they are too talented for this to continue for much longer.
I know about the all business thing RC. I just don’t think Carp gives a damn right about now. He’s tough, he’s a winner and he’s pissed.
I’ll take your word for it Westy. I’d guess he’ll do better too. Boras is really something with contracts. When Blalock finally signed he had a provision that he could opt out if he wasn’t called up in a week. The Rays had to jump through roster hoops to make it happen. Jeesh, he should have been happy to have a job. No wonder he sat around so long.
RC anything can happen. Will Pujols make changes? Will Colby figure out his problems that have been so beautifully summarized and illuminated here? Will Ludwick fill a roll, instead of trying to advance his own career earnings potential? Will Holiday find any fun in playing baseball here. He is desperate right now. Molina is tired. Pitching has adjusted to him.
We have pitching. We have depth. Our problem is discipline and accountability. There is none. The down side of Pujols is really down. We are the worst hitting team in the league, save for Freese. He is doing it right. Lopez is a good hitter. Skip wants the big league dream. MM has Skip and Brendan over swinging…………..they are well drilled in dreams of power.
No sooner than you say it here it is. Blazing…….
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/stories.nsf/cardinals/story/BE9C1B6CBB9C131A862577260004CE28?OpenDocument
RC, I am aware of the slop, junk, etc. terms and what they mean, as do most folks, I suspect. No matter how they are couched, they are not positive terms, especially coming from a second-year player who just went 0-for-4 for a team that was swept. Better left unsaid, IMHO.
What do you make of Bronson’s statements about AP then Brian. Looks like Strauss was stirring the pot with whom ever would chat. Albert’s statements “exactly fit” resent projections by me. He is in serious denial for a reason.
Arroyo’s comments didn’t seem out of line to me as he gave Pujols kudos in addition to noting he looked uncomfortable at the plate on Sunday.
Sunday??????????????? In Joe’s brief time at the press conference, he asks Bronson how AP “seemed”?
AP muscles an out of position popup for a HR, and gets a miss hit end of the bat base hit in the whole series. No one will talk straight……….so Joe asks the free wheeling Arroyo…and he prints it……..come on. And if Colby says…….”Bronson throws slop, but I love him” that works? Cards aren’t talking, and Joe wants someones opinion on what he is thinking.
Holliday and Lohse each need to step up and contribute. The reason veterans get paid big bucks is to produce. If Lohse can’t find the “feel” for his sinker, he can go on the DL and Walters can audition for the 5th starter role. Its time to make whatever adjustments are needed to win.
The Cards haven’t used the DL to park guys that aren’t hurt. They had a chance at the end of last year if you remember.
Colby wasn’t trying to dis Aroyo, he was just using baseball lingo.
Lopez will be up at the top of the order, maybe not tonight but soon. Colby might go to second, where he was ineffective last year, or drop back to 5 or 6. Flip gives Tony another two weeks worth of ways to dance around the problem. Meanwhile, Freese is cooling off, adapting himself to the environment, not surprisingly, before overtaking Albert in RBI’s. Eventually, no one will be allowed to drive in a run.
Brian, “RC, I am aware of the slop, junk, etc. terms and what they mean, as do most folks, I suspect. No matter how they are couched, they are not positive terms, especially coming from a second-year player who just went 0-for-4 for a team that was swept. Better left unsaid, IMHO.”
Timmy Hudson, who happens to be a friend of mine has made this statement a number of times in front of me, “When Greg Maddox started throwing that doo doo, he became unhittable. The straight 92 mph stuff he had when he came up couldn’t get me out.” He would go on to say that Greg never threw anything that was straight. Colby would have been better suited to have said he was throwing whiffle balls, which is the same as doo doo but something non baseball people can understand.
Its neither here nor there, I agree with your assessment that one shouldn’t make any kind of statement to that affect when you were held hitless. But it goes back to why you shouldn’t use baseball jargon in front of people who never played the game. They don’t get it!!
WC wrote, ”
RC anything can happen. Will Pujols make changes? Will Colby figure out his problems that have been so beautifully summarized and illuminated here? Will Ludwick fill a roll, instead of trying to advance his own career earnings potential? Will Holiday find any fun in playing baseball here. He is desperate right now. Molina is tired. Pitching has adjusted to him. ”
I’ll take a shot at a few of these.
1) There is no doubt Pujols will make changes, he is having to feel his way through this new pecking order, and he is having a hard time finding his way. He is too proud to not find his way out of this minor funk though.
2) Colby’s key to having any future success is to stay consistent, which he does not. Someone who knows him can get him to the promise land with regards to his swing, and then as soon as you step away from him he will slowly slip out of the honey hole and then he needs someone to step back in a fix his problem. It is enough to drive you crazy. 4 hours in a cage and you can fix him, if you know what you are doing with regards to his swing. Colby’s brother arrived in St. Louis yesterday so I’m hoping he will be receptive to some hitting tips
3) Ludwick is going to bust his butt every day to put up big numbers. If I’ve learned one thing from watching the cardinals over these last 3 or 4 years its that they game is treated like a business from all angles. Its not supposed to be fun because its supposed to be work. Its not supposed to look fun because that looks unprofessional. If we are to treat the game like a business then why should I do anything other than try to make as much money as I can because thats what businesses do. Does it effect my bottom line if my teammates struggle with their game ? No, so why should I care what everyone else does, thats not any of my business.
4) Can Holliday have fun? Holliday knew the drill when he signed on with the cardinals. This is not Colorado, Milwaukee, or Tampa Bay, where the game is played like a game and you see people having fun playing. St. Louis is a mental grind where everyones favorite word in professionalism, not fun. So the answer is no he can’t have fun playing here, but he will have more success than he is having now as the year gets rolling.
WC wrote, “We have pitching. We have depth. Our problem is discipline and accountability. There is none. The down side of Pujols is really down. We are the worst hitting team in the league, save for Freese. He is doing it right. Lopez is a good hitter. Skip wants the big league dream. MM has Skip and Brendan over swinging…………..they are well drilled in dreams of power.”
I agree on the pitching part WC, I’m not sure I believe this team has quality depth though.
The discipline and accountability part I’m a little fuzzy on as well so you will have to elaborate in order for me to be able to follow.
I think we all felt Albert could respond to the Holliday signing in this way so thats no surprise, but he will rebound when he gets his head around all of it.
Lopez is a professional hitter and he will put a little offense into the lineup.
We are the worst hitting team in the league today, and before long everyone is gonna pitch Freese inside like they are doing Holliday and we’ll see if David can make the adjustment to that.
Skip is coming around, and Brendan is not healthy IMO.
Furthermore WC, I’m not sure cardinal fans could tolerate a team that showed a little emotion in the way Carp showed the other day. Cardinal fans want to love the other team and want the other team to love them so it turns into a 70′s flower child love fest.
My favorite place to watch a ML game is Wrigley, because their fans absolutely loathe the cardinals. One of my kids had a Zambrano mows my lawn T shirt on a we had to darn near fight our way out of there. I loved it. Its what competition is supposed to be about. I’m supposed to hate you and you’re supposed to hate me. We are not supposed to cuddle and give each other tongue when we are playing. Playing in St. Louis has that feel of playing a church softball game, you know where we all join hands and sing amazing grace after you kicked my butt
Cardinals fans are classy and good to a fault IMO.
It wouldn’t hurt this team to play with a little hatred in their guts but I’m not sure cardinals fans could handle it. You know we are supposed to turn the other cheek back and forth until both sides of our face has no meat left on it if you play in St. Louis. Carp has been villified in the media and on the message boards by cards fans since his outburst which causes me to laugh. Carp is trying to pump this group up but he was shot down by his own fans.
Lets drop the I’m trying to win the MLB’s man of the year award and get pissed off and go off on somebody, don’t be afraid to storm out of the dugout Tony, and break bad on one of the umpires that couldn’t call a high school baseball game(cause I would scratch them they are so bad). Or we can stay sweet and nice and professional and keep losing all the while singing cum ba ya as we hold hands and hug each other
RC, your sweeping generalizations may not be on target. I admit that I only frequent one message board and wouldn’t listen to sports talk radio unless absolutely forced, but where I go, here and there, there was little talk about Carpenter out of the ordinary. Those who happen to scream loudest don’t generally speak for the masses, in my view.
Regarding game experience, some just like to take their families to the ballpark and enjoy the game for the game’s sake. One can dislike the Cubs without having to resort to fisticuffs to prove it. Fan behavior is an increasing problem in all sports, not just baseball, as we were most recently reminded in Philly two weeks ago.
Brian, I’m not saying I’m right, I’m just saying that is my opinion from this side of the aisle. Its wrong for the masses but right for me.
And I’m not saying anyone should literally have to fist fight at a baseball game as that would be a might bit ridiculous. We didn’t have to fight our way out of Chicago but they had fun ribbing us and we ribbed them back. Its just different strokes for different folks is what I’m saying. Its not the fans fault but I just feel like the team caters to how they feel the fans want to see the game played. I may very well be wrong its just my opinion.
I had a few old coaches who live in Cincy who came out to watch the cards/reds series this past weekend and they called me and said the cardinals are the only team in the big leagues who look like they hate playing the game of baseball. Said sunday the team acted like they would just as soon forfeit and get on out of town. Said they half assed it in warmups before the game And they played like it from what I saw.
People running on the field has been going on for a long time all the way back to the flag burner and Rick Monday, fans chasing Hank around the bases, and Morganna. Now tasing them is a new addition but that stuff has went on forever.
That didn’t make Tom Gamboa feel any better about getting mugged in the first base coaching box. Sometimes can’t sort out the idiots from the really dangerous “fans” until it is too late.
The discipline and accountability part I’m a little fuzzy on as well so you will have to elaborate in order for me to be able to follow.
I’m having a busy day so I will get around to this eventually.
Accountability…… A responsibility to your teammates to share the competitive opportunities for self expression in a way that enhances your chances of a shared success. ( hoping for a green light 3/0…getting it…and then swinging at a pitch out of the strike zone is not it ) This means excepting the idea of creating an enhanced leverage by playing your part in helping create it. That discipline has to be shared and lauded by everyone on a team. (a good sacrifice or a walk excepted) etc;
http://interact.stltoday.com/blogzone/commishs-hot-stove/commishs-hot-stove/2010/05/la-russa-on-batting-holliday-third-pujols-fourth/
Stunning news………………………… This is a huge statement for Albert. This is bound to bring good news.
Yeah, I prefer to see Holliday hitting in front of Pujols regardless.
I thought TLR would move Holliday to #2 and leave Pujols #3 but this will do.
Lohse is stalling out in his windup……telegraphing…….overthrowing………… He is blanking out at his release which means he is just throwing up prayers. That means we need runs. Don’t see how he would make five innings unless we have a cushion.
I’m happy about this…………were going to need those runs.
All the first inning damage done after 2 outs. That shows this team still has some fight in them.
Lohse picked up his tempo. When he cycles through the first part of his wind up faster. He gets to his release point a little earlier. Better movement. More deception.
An equipment malfunction and a Squibb………….. He can’t lose it anyway. I don’t like our chances now without scoring a couple more.
I like that…….Moliana say “were not giving in”. And then he get adam upstairs……… they had a hitter on deck, but after watching the 99′s, he had to gamble…………….
Tony wants Mott to pitch against their middle order guys????? Stupid……..
Is K-Mac sick? Just when I thought we were going to see a no personality game. …just a team effort with everyone doing their job…………Tony starts coaching…………
Tony chicken out?????????
I finally figured out the MoTT bunts and then doesn’t pitch ploy……….. It was a Tony “mind bomb”
aimed at disorienting there bench……………….. from the 60′s……..
TLR was trying to disorient WCBW. Zero chance of that ever happenning.
No Jumbo……… it worked. He blew my mind………. Papelboum gives up to HR and 4 runs to lose to NY……….
That was one of the better played games recently. Everyone contributed something. Lohse avoids his release to pitch another day.
Lohse has had an offer to play for the Cambell’s soup slow pitch all-stars but the Cards are reluctant to move him.
Was that Holiday sporting a beard?
When I heard the lineup I had to get down there and snag a ticket. First game this year. What a game. Middle of the order lighting it up in the first and again in the eighth. I bashed my kneecap on the seat back jumping up and down, my voice is gone, a guy spilled a beer on my foot and filled up my brand new sneaker with beer. I went out of there limping on one side and squishing on the other. I’m telling you guys, it was glorious.
At-ta boy BB. I knew something must have changed for the devils.
The Cards are closer to releasing Ludwick than letting Lohse walk at this point. Of course neither or going to happen any time soon except in Westie’s mind.