The St. Louis Cardinals’ second-year outfielder went through some bumps and bruises on and off the field.
Since having been drafted in the first round of the 2005 draft out of high school, outfielder Colby Rasmus was the pride of the St. Louis Cardinals farm system. The now-24-year-old was twice the organization’s minor league Player of the Year and was our top-ranked prospect in the system for four years running.
In his 2009 major league debut season, Rasmus joined a post-Jim Edmonds outfield group that still included veterans Chris Duncan, Rick Ankiel and Ryan Ludwick, all of whom have since departed via trade or free agency. Rasmus competed most directly for playing time with long-time Cardinal and fan-favorite Ankiel, who struggled with injuries for much of the season.
Rasmus earned the team’s Rookie of the Year Award after ranking among first-year National League leaders in home runs (16) and RBI (52) and leading all first-year players in games played (147). Rasmus was just the sixth Cardinals rookie since 1954 to start 100 or more games in centerfield and was the team’s youngest opening day starter since Albert Pujols in 2001. He was also one of the club’s offensive leaders in their three-game post-season collapse.
In 2010, Rasmus reported to camp as the club’s clear starter in center. Once the season began, Rasmus moved from the second to the fifth spot in the batting order following David Freese’s injury. He missed time in July due to a hamstring injury and in August with a calf strain which created additional opportunity for rookie Jon Jay.
Rasmus had a good 2010 season. The centerfielder hit 23 home runs and posted an .859 OPS but needs to progress in other areas. For example, he fanned 148 times in 464 at-bats, just missing the “top” ten in the NL in that unenviable category. His defense was spotty and needs to improve with less mobile fielders set to flank him in 2011. Like the Cardinals offense overall, Rasmus lacked consistency in 2010 and as such, did not always start.
On September 5th, the Post-Dispatch summarized off-field questions concerning Rasmus while breaking some surprising news:
“The La Russa-Rasmus relationship remains a source of intrigue. During spring training Rasmus made clear the issues he confronted as a rookie. He and his father, Tony, then began a series of July hitting tutorials at a county high school that annoyed the manager. Club sources insist that Rasmus’ frustrations with La Russa led him to request a trade earlier this year and that his lengthy absence last month due to a right calf strain also resurrected concerns. The organization has long considered Rasmus untouchable in trade talks. Few dispute his talents and potential but there remains a question of toughness and willingness to accept criticism. There are those who share the same clubhouse who wonder if La Russa has “lost” Rasmus, or if Rasmus has permanently withdrawn from the taskmaster.”
In a subsequent report, the paper noted the trade request occurred on July 24 and mentioned a threat by the manager to return the player to Triple-A. La Russa confirmed the trade request and was quoted as saying Rasmus had asked out during his rookie season, as well. General Manager John Mozeliak said he was not approached about a trade and suggested they were heat of the battle discussions, the type that are common in every professional sports organization but often not reported externally.
In a widely-quoted reaction, Pujols responded sharply.
“If he doesn’t want to be here next year, we need to figure out a way to get him out of here and find somebody that wants to be here and play.”
A number of discussions occurred between the outfielder and Pujols, the manager, the general manager and likely others that reportedly led to a greater understanding of concerns from all sides. After previously having sat periodically as La Russa tinkered with his lineup, Rasmus played more regularly for the club during the final month.
At the time of the trade news, the Cardinals still fostered playoff hopes but were unable to mount a September charge to unseat Cincinnati in the Central Division or claim a Wild Card berth.
The flap generated considerable ongoing attention nationally, with some wondering if the young star and his manager could coexist. From this, trade speculation exploded across the baseball world.
Rumors of different clubs making a run at acquiring Rasmus ebbed and flowed through the remainder of the season and well into the fall, despite the club taking an on-the-record stance that Rasmus was not available. Among teams mentioned in mainstream media reports were Atlanta, Toronto, Arizona and the Chicago White Sox.
News of Rasmus selling his St. Louis area home in November was misinterpreted by some as a trade signal before it became clear that he was simply purchasing another that allowed room for his own batting cages.
With four more seasons before being eligible for free agency, Rasmus represents one of the most valuable commodities for the Cardinals, and any MLB organization – a cost-controlled player at a premium position whose productivity far outweighs his salary.
The reason he is so valuable is precisely the reason he has not and most likely will not be traded.
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[...] Mason’s firing 19. New farm director and minor league improvement 18. Big Mac’s return 17. Not trading Colby Rasmus 16. 15. 14. 13. 12. 11. 10. 9. 8. 7. 6. 5. 4. 3. 2. [...]
Here`s hoping Colby and TLR and then whoever manages after TLR can happily get along.I would like to see CR stick around and take over CF in the Edmonds mold.
TLR and Colby will never happily get along BW.
Same here, Bw52… hope they can get along and make it work. Young Rasmus has the tools to be an excellent part of this team for a long time to come.
It is a nice thought HB and in Voltaire’s world it would be like that. But unfortunately it won’t. I will leave it at that because I don’t want to start another fight. I’m sure Brian would like a respite.
I need that respite too!
Colby will be traded. Somewhere in the July time period would be my guess.
Albert said, “If he doesn’t want to be here next year, we need to figure out a way to get him out of here and find somebody that wants to be here and play.”
I’m still waiting for ALbert to be a man of his word and flex that muscle.
crdswmn-i hope not.All Colby has to do is make it thru a couple of more years then he can get his wish.
Wish for what BW?
Crdswmn-a TLR free environment.Since TLR probably will retire in a year or two.Colby is under team control for 4 more years.
Crdswmn-who knows for sure how Colby wil get al;ong with ANY manager.Didn`t his own dad say he has a stubborn streak? What about that? Come on RCW.what say you?
You don’t want to hear the truth BW so I’ll not waste your time in repeating it.
RCW- suit yourself.
BW, lets be real. If I tell you whats on my mind, what good would that do you?
You don’t want to hear it BW. Seriously.
RCW- which truth? The truth as you see it? The truth as i see it? Or the real truth somewhere in between?
I wrote this just the other day. I believe it to be a good thing for all of us to have hero’s and it doesn’t do anybody any good to know our hero’s are not saints or to hear all of their flaws.
This is my version of the truth written just for you BW.
The Cardinals Clubhouse is run by two supremely competitive personalities, Albert and Carp. It is my guestimation that TLR gives them absolute power when it comes to clubhouse matters. These two cats don’t even sniff any kind of tomfoolery which includes laughing, joking around, or even talking to any of the players in that locker room unless those players are older.
It is my guess that the young players that show up in that clubhouse don’t recognize anything that is going on so they wander around like lost souls searching for the light. But nobody is willing to show them that light for fear of the stern vengeance that would be dished out by the two supreme leaders.
So those young players form their own little group and do their own thing. It resembles getting your new car shipped to you in boxes of individual pieces and you have to put it together………..with absolutely no instructions.
Man that would be tough.
Remember the rules are set up to isolate them. You see they cannot ride the team bus to the field from the hotel or ride the team bus back until they have 3 years experience in the big leagues. They have to get a taxi. Sound silly? Does sound odd. There are more but you get my drift. This is called paying your dues. But in the end it causes them to splinter off to form their own group of misfits as they see it.
Tony doesn’t allow the hazing that the large majority of teams allow but that hazing makes the young player feel like he is part of the group. The way it works here is those guys are just tossed into that environment and left to figure it out on their own. I believe they call it paying their dues. And I feel sure it is but I’m not sure it makes for forming any kind of team chemistry.
i’ve heard a question or two this year from kids at camps about the cardinals, Carp, and Albert. Colby always says that Albert and Carp are two hard working and big time warriors on the field. He has been asked if it is fun to hang out with Albert to which he will respond with they don’t even speak much less hang out. Another question is about fun and the team and his answer is always sad sounding. He always tells those kids to enjoy their high school careers because that was the last time that his teammates and him cared for each other. He will say that pro ball is a group of individuals doing their own thing not really worrying about the guy next too them.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………$$$$$$$$
I believe the drill is to force them to grow up and learn to be responsible for their own actions. I just think it may take a little while for that to sink in. Each year I would guess that they would learn a little bit more until they are the veteran player that functions like they are supposed to.
Hopefully Colby will be better this year.
If you come out the other end of this you will be a much better player imo, tougher, and more consistent because you won’t be affected by the little things. So in other words TLR and this method are trying to toughen up the young guys and force them to take responsibility for their own actions.
I believe Colby is seeing a light at the end of the tunnel bling, hence his desire to change some things this off season in order to better help the group.
Some kids get paid $1M bonuses and $400K+ a year to play baseball for a living. If they’re lucky, they get to play for an historic, winning franchise like the St. Louis Cardinals
Some kids join the Army to serve their country and protect it from fanatics who fly airplanes into skyscrapers. They’re sent to Iraq or Afghanistan and maybe get their legs blown off driving a Humvee over an IED while out on patrol. And if they’re lucky enough to survive that, they get to spend the rest of their lives on prosthetic legs.
Come to think of it, maybe a little hazing and a few taxi rides isn’t so bad after all…
I think RC’s point was that hazing can be good for team chemistry but the Cardinals aren’t doing that. What they are doing instead is isolating the younger players from the older ones. How does that help team chemistry?
Like I said Crdswmn, you have to use 3 lined paper and color crayons sometimes.
At the risk of pulling the curtain back too far and revealing all the secrets of OZ, where does Holliday fit in all of this? I can see him sitting back and just observing the first year but I dont see him as the type that would continue to be totally passive. Does he start forming a 3rd click?
I had been thinking along those lines regarding Wainwright since he was mentioned earlier. It is an even more compelling thought with Holliday. Of course, he might be happy enough not giving a darn, just play ball and cash the checks.
There are some people that have the ability to get along with everybody. I suspect Waino and
Matt are that type.
But, if I follow the RC story line, there is an exceedingly fine line between getting along with the new guys and sympathizing. A line that Luddy, for examle, probably crossed. I really don’t see either of them being interested in walking that tightrope. Matt perhaps because he’s cashed in, and Wainy because he soon will.
Luddy didn’t get traded for sympathizing with anybody. He questioned TLR, which is a much worse sin.
There is always the possibility that when the dust settles, there will be a team built around Holliday, Wainy and Colby. Add in whatever the Albert money would buy and whatever the rotation challenged Yankees, for instance, would give for Carp. That could be a plausible plan B if this team craters. That would be far from the end of the world, and BDW thinking he’ll hold on to Colby for such a reason makes more sense to me than nobody was willing to give an arm and leg for Colby at the winter meetings..
Sometimes unplanned things happen Bling. There may be a Plan B or may not. Or the pot could still be simmering and it is going to take a while for it to boil over.
I’m betting Berkman and Theriot were brought in to secure that thought CC.
A buffer zone, as it were, hey RC?
Quick story for you CC to allow you to judge Matts power ranking.
Colby and I worked on hitting the other way last year during June, really hard. Colby needed a BP guy with the ability to work the outside of the plate during BP, which was what he and I did when we hit extra. You realize that all BP is not created equal. Colby said he couldn’t get the same BP that he and I had going at the Cardinals BP. I told him to go talk to Tony and get in a better group. Dave McKay is known for the best BP but Albert is in that Group. Matt is as well.
Well, I told Colby to tell Tony and Tony would probably agree that Colby is working hard on going the other way and would benefit from being in Dave’s group.. Colby said Albert wouldn’t allow that to ever happen. I told Colby to talk to Matt. Matt told Colby he would get him in McKays group. Colby said he told Matt that he didn’t have that kind of pull. Matt said watch. To date Colby hasn’t been in that group and the conversation between Matt and Colby happened in June.
I actually saw Stavinoha in that group many many times. Colby said a little later on he told Matt, don’t think you can come in here and overrule Albert, cause he is King of this joint. 
RCW-thanks for the reply.So pro ball is a business and not like pride of the Yankees with Gary Cooper.More like Jimmy Piersall story.
Big Business BW. And run like one, successfully I might add.
RCW I have no reason to doubt what you’re saying, but it leaves me scratching my head. I have followed baseball for several years, and have never heard of this practice. Is this common practice on other teams, or something uniquely Cardinals?
Doesn’t the fact that it is a “TEAM” bus indicate it’s for the team? I mean even the likes of the traveling secretary and equipment manager and the laundry attendant? It’s one thing when your at your home park and quite another if you are in Los Angeles, or Miami, or New York.
The Cardinals team bus is only for who Carpenter and Pujols say it’s for? I have never heard of that. Maybe THEY should take the cab if they don’t want to have to deal with who they don’t want to have to deal with. Frankly, I think this is wrong on all kinds of levels. Members of the team can’t ride the team bus until they are 3 years in the league? And this is okay with LaRussa, Mozeliak, and DeWitt?
This seems like a rather harsh way to pay your dues to me. I really want to know if other teams do this too. If they do, I think they should stop it. I’m just beside myself on this one. I really am because it stinks.
Ha Ha, I believe the first time I heard about it I said exactly what you wrote.
So should I take that as a no, other teams don’t do this.
I don’t like it. It reeks of a bullying tactic to me. It sends the message we don’t want you around, and we don’t have to have you around, and no one’s going to make me have you around, so get lost. Which probably some of them literally do-some cities are easier to find your way around than others.
I’m really having a hard time wrapping my mind around this one. I just can’t see it as anything but WRONG.
Welcome to the club. I don’t know about every clubs rules for sub 3 year players but the 5 or 6 I do know of don’t do anything like that.
Like I’ve stated many times, this place is tough in every way for the younger player. I could go on but you would really have a hard time wrapping your mind around the really tough stuff.
It’s kind of like high school don’t you think MM? Like the group of Senior guys giving the Freshman a wedgie in the locker room?
I would doubt this is a common practice among MLB teams. I guess it depends on the personalities of the players/manager.
JUst for you Cardswmn.
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1446570639095&set=a.1151862391573.24182.1078032747
I’ve never been to Wrigley myself, though I would like to go sometime. But I wouldn’t be caught dead in that shirt.
The atmosphere is unlike anywhere else you will go imo. I’ve never been to Fenway but I can only imagine that it would be just as awesome as Wrigley. Been to Yankee Stadium and it is killer fun as well. Milwaukee was pretty cool as well. It is really colorful with all of the lights blinking everywhere and when Trevor comes into the game with the hells bells the entire outfield wall is in sequence with the jumbotron with the animation.
I would rank Wrigley as number one and Yankee Stadium as number two with Milwaukee at number 3. But i have a feeling that Fenway would be either one or two if I ever get to go.
I have only been to Busch II and III and Kaufman Stadium.
I’ll tell you somewhere thats awesome is Springfield. When you leave that place you’ll say that you had the most fun you have ever had. I’m not a big organ fan so Busch seems like Church to me.
I plan to go to some games in Springfield next season. I lived there for a year in 85-86. The stadium is half a block from where I used to work.
You will love it Crdswmn.
crdswmn, if you ever do go to Wrigley, get there on the red line train full of Cubs fans. It lets off a block from the park. Guarantee there will be a few other Cards fans. It is part of the experience.
One of my favorite places to wach baseball is the park in Davenport, home of the River Bandits. My idea of baseball heaven.
I have a friend who lives 40 miles from Davenport. Been to Davenport myself but not the stadium.
I have refrained from posting for a long time until tonight, but this bus thing really got my blood boiling. No, it’s not the same as Senior guys giving a Freshman a wedgie. That is done as rough form of ribbing. You fix your underwear and laugh it off. You get to be the butt of the joke that day. It is a form of male bonding.
Excluding a member of the team from the team bus isn’t even close to the same thing. The new bullpen coach isn’t a three year veteran; maybe he shouldn’t be allowed on the bus either. If it’s a good idea for the players, it’s a good for the coaches too, no?
I’m really counting the days until LaRussa goes; I really am. He’s in charge, he could make it stop if he wanted to.
It’s frustrating I know. I have been a Cardinals fan since I was 6 years old and I can’t remember a time (even in the 70s) when I felt this way about the Cardinals organization. Gussie Busch had his issues, but you always knew he wanted what was best for the team. I don’t feel that way about the current ownership nor do I feel that way about the manager.
I plan to just ride it out and hope for better days.
Brian: “The reason he is so valuable is precisely the reason he has not and most likely will not be traded.”
Let us not be hasty to embrace that conclusion. Does anyone disagree that high value is only a reason not to trade if equal value could not be obtained in return? Colby’s value is universally recognized. It seems unlikely to me that a deal could not have been worked out. It is also known that Tony and Albert have had issues with Colby, and have or had, a desire to have him on the bench or in Memphis or off the team. It is also pretty clear that Mo, with the blessing of BDW, will give Tony/Albert what they want in terms of personel, without too much worry about what the baseball world will think.
So if Tony wants rid of Colby, he should be gone. Unless, of course, Albert has changed his mind and now disagrees. If Albert wants him gone, he should be gone, period. Colby’s value would not have been an insurmountable obstacle. There must be some reason, other than his value, why Colby is still here.
I think hr will end up gone before its all said and done bling.
So do I. TLR has not failed to get we wants yet. This one is just taking longer.
I don’t think that’s inevitable RC and crdswmn. The org is executing a plan this winter, one that most likely began with the Luddy trade. The plan, whatever it is, and however demented the minds that conceived it, might work out and might not. So, BDW, being a business man, knows that there has to be an exit strategy, or a plan B if you prefer.
I expect that exit, or plan b, involves Colby. That is why he is still here. Depending on what that plan B is, and what will trigger its execution, determines whether Colby serves his purpose by staying here or by getting moved. So he might stay or he might not, and I don’t see how we can say one is more likely than than the other at this point.
In any event, I don’t think he will inevitably be traded because Tony/Albert want him gone. He would already be gone if was the case. Brendan proves value in return is not paramount and Luddy proves addressing immediate needs is not paramount.
Bling, I think it is possible that MO is being stubborn on the Colby deal for now despite what Tony/Albert want. Eventually I think he will succumb to the pressure to trade Colby though.
You put somebody in a position of stress long enough and they will crack if you want them to. I believe you started seeing the cracks start occurring last year with regards to Colby.
I disagree RC. I think at some point late Colby found some peace. Maybe after the trade news thing and the talks with Tony and Albert. That would have been shortly before he decided to settle into his new house. Albert might have told him if he kicks some butt he can ride the bus and sit with the cool kids.
I think the peace was in what Albert told the media. And the numerous phone calls from teammates telling him that he said what they wished they could say. I believe it made him feel like he was more in line with the group than he thought.
They are reforming the team at this point. There is a great deal of wealth to be distributed. Things were sitting very good in 3 out of five scenarios…………. 3 favor CR…..one involves at trade if the values are raised a enough. The only negative scenarios seems to be a romantic notion here. I would avoid it for more reasons than lost gold……………
Stop stressing WC. If the boy plays good enough to get paid he will get paid, if he doesn’t he won’t. Pretty simple really. This year is the year to really amp it up and then he will have 3 shots in arbitration to turn a few dollars. Try to improve slightly every year leading up to free agency and then choose where you want to play your career out at.
They are reforming the team. He has to play on it, what ever its configuration. Let the old team die………….and maybe it will. I am not worried about the boy. He will be fine. Let that become true.
blingboy, I think you’re kidding, but I said before, I don’t think this bus thing is funny.
It’s not about being a “cool kid” it’s about TEAM bus. That means it’s for the team. Everyone on the team should be allowed on the TEAM bus. It’s outrageous. It’s wrong, wrong, wrong! I don’t know what else to say. Should I say it’s shameful? Because it’s that too!
I wouldn’t take the bus story to seriously. Security and logistics makes it s rare occurrence if it happens(ed)………………..
WC, Your commenting over your pay grade if you don’t know the bus deal to be fact.
He’s in denial.
Why the need to sugar coat it? Big deal, the young guys can’t ride the bus. Why the need to keep that a secret? Call it what it is, paying dues and move on.
Hey don’t ask me.
Now it does seem a bit ridiculous but meh. Like everybody says, the boss say do it so you do what he says cause he’s the boss.
Way over my pay grade……….. every city……….every time is it. Whats up?
I think it would be shamefull at the high school level. If the org or the veterans think it is a good way to make the rooks learn to be professional about responsibilities and not expect somebody to get them where they need to be when they need to be there like their mommy, well, I’m OK with that. Still, there is the possibility RC is pulling our leg.
But don’t get too carried away with the ‘team’ thing mm. It’s a job remember, family men trying to provide for their families, not kids wooping it up. Some 20 year old pimple faced jackass who can’t get out of bed by himself would get old real fast, team or no team.
They have done it BB………..to me, it would be pretty hard to criticize a player for being late. I’ve always seen two buses……why not segregate…….hell Tony my Taxi broke down….don’t trade me. If that happens, and they call it a custom or a tradition…………………no wonder their looser”s..
Sorry, bling, I totally disagree. If the team thinks it’s a good idea to provide a bus, everyone on the team needs to be free to ride it. Everyone. Like I said, the new bullpen coach hasn’t proved himself at this level. Perhaps he shouldn’t be allowed to ride the team bus either. Class my ass.
I love the concept of a “team” and I love teams that play that way. They win more than teams that are full of independent operators. Can you imagine this happening on a team managed by Joe Maddon or Ron Gardenhire? Bobby Cox or Ron Washington? I can’t.
The Cardinals have looked and played like a team of dead men walking. It’s because they are simply collecting a paycheck and could give a crap about anything or anyone else.
Cardinals new motto “I am the only one that matters. Me.”
I am really upset about this team, their direction, and with Greinke rumored to be headed to the Brewers, they are going to have to climb over not only the Reds, but the Brewers. It’s going to be a long unhappy season.
80 home games. Road game after home game……. two buses. Taxis are available for rookies in away cities, promoting unity amongst those having a similar experience……. thus encouraging their bonding and providing an opportunity to express their excitement and enthusiasm………..sound plausible????????
Westie, I have heard of teams with 2 buses – one for veterans and one for less experienced players. Lot’s of time to bond on that second bus one would seem without being made to feel totally like a 2nd class citizen.
Ha ha. WCW and CC thanks for trying to lower by blood pressure by trying to somehow justify this practice.
I can’t get passed the whole idea of this being the wrong way to treat teammates. Isolate them. Make sure they don’t feel comfortable, that they don’t belong, that you aren’t even going to try to deal with them, befriend them, or help them in any way, shape, or form. Just a big EFF U.
I didn’t like LaRussa much before I heard of this practice, and I like him even less now. (I didn’t think that was possible!) Best I step away from the keyboard before I stroke out.
Scheduling flexibility with the shared taxi’s………..mutual accountability for helping keep young players on time…………. BD going to veteran players is obviously just a cost saving mechanism………………trying to get it down to one bus…………. cheap *%&$*………….
My first major college game involved a long flight to the air force academy at Colorado Springs.
19yr old sophomore falls asleep and has coaches pounding on his door with two loaded buses ……..waiting…………………. not so good…………. 8 thousand cadets doing cheers onto the mountain across the field sounded a bit shrill that day…………a little tough to forget that one.
But WC what if there is a taxi driver strike in some city where they are playing?
Now, I’d like to know if Big Mac gets to ride the bus as a former big leaguer, or has to take a cab as a rookie coach. Who the hell would tell him he can’t ride the bus?
Travel secretary………. stimulating job. I’m doubting taxi’s are very often out of site of team bus. Loaded bus waiting for Brendan Ryan…………..somebody is on to something there.
Funny stuff WC, I actually heard Brendan say that he was jacked up about getting to ride the bus this next year instead of having to get a taxi to and fro the field. Then Bama slama ding dong he is gone. Can you hear Mo now, Sure we could use Brendan on defense Tony but Albert has said that he can’t envision Brendan riding the team bus in 2011. Our best move may be to trade him asap.
Everyone has a personal way of running things RC. I can’t fault them there rational. Its the anomalies that bug me. Its Pujols and Molina’s eccentricity’s that make this one oddity seem so excessive/prohibitive.
Maybe, but IMO more likely he follows orders.
what “he” wants. Oops.
Anyway, I can see a Ryan Ludwick type trade happening with Colby mid season.
Crdswmn- and if Colby was traded how would you feel then? Angry?
Negative BW, my guess is she would be happy for him like we are happy for Brendan.
That is about right RC although I would be sad for the Cardinals as I am sad for them that they traded Brendan. But TLR is not comfortable with Colby and when TLR is not comfortable the team must take the hit to make him so.