The good news is that none of the notorious umpires with whom I am familiar are part of the 2009 Cardinals-Dodgers NLDS. The six are crew chief Dana DeMuth, Brian O’Nora, Mike Everitt, Jeff Nelson, Ed Rapuano and Tony Randazzo.

DeMuth is no stranger to Busch Stadium as he was given the honor of serving as home plate umpire for the MLB All-Star Game in St. Louis on July 14.

In looking into these umpires further, I ran across a specialized website like no other. “The Left Field Corner” documented every one of the 168 umpire ejections that occurred across MLB this season. Each situation is explained, the umpire call is reviewed, pitch f/x data is included and even video is provided.

Though none of this crew’s ejections were of the Cardinals this season, here are their totals:

Rapuano: 4

Everitt: 3

O’Nora, Nelson: 2

Randazzo, DeMuth: 0

Most of the tossings were of the garden-variety – balls and strikes, the zone and the like. O’Nora’s ejections were as a result of fisticuffs between Red Sox third baseman Kevin Youkilis and Tigers pitcher Rick Porcello on August 11.

On July 11, Nelson had one of the stranger calls when he waved then-Oakland A’s outfielder Matt Holliday from second to third on a pitched ball. The problem was in that Tampa Bay’s catcher had used his facemask to stop and pick up the baseball. That’s a no-no. Even so, Rays manager Joe Maddon was incensed.

Here’s the video.

But the oddest umpire play this season anywhere in MLB starred Rapuano. On August 9, he ejected Phillies centerfielder Shane Victorino for arguing a ball call to an opposing Florida Marlins hitter. Victorino gestured and yelled in protest from his defensive position way out in center field and was tossed by home plate ump Rapuano.

Here’s the video.

If you’re interested in fan voting for the best and worst MLB umpires this season, make sure you check out “The Left Field Corner”.

Here’s hoping this is the last time we discuss the NLDS umpires.

For reference, I pulled the official bios of the crew. They follow.

Dana DeMuth – Crew Chief – 32

MLB service time: 25 Years

Became a member of the Major League staff in 1985…has worked the All-Star Game (1990 and 2001), Division Series (1996, 97, 99, 2001, 08), League Championship Series (1991, 95, 2000, 02, 07) and World Series (1993, 98, 2001)…served as crew chief for the National League Division Series between the Brewers and Phillies in 2008…worked the Tokyo round of the 2009 World Baseball Classic…previously umpired in the Arizona Instructional League, California League, Texas League, Pacific Coast League, Colombia Winter League and Dominican Winter League.

Brian O’Nora – 7

MLB service time: 12 Years

Joined the Major League staff in 1999…has worked the Division Series (2004, 06), the 2008 American League Championship Series and the 2000 All-Star Game in Atlanta…worked the Dodgers-Mets Division Series in 2006…attended the Joe Brinkman Umpire School in 1985…previously umpired in the Appalachian League (1985), Midwest League (1986-87), Eastern League (1988-89), Pacific Coast League (1990), American Association (1991), International League, Florida Instructional League (1985-89) and Puerto Rican Winter League (1990-92).

Mike Everitt – 57

MLB service time: 10 Years

Joined the Major League staff in 1999…worked the Division Series (2001, 04-07), League Championship Series (2002-03, 08), the 2007 World Series and the 2006 All-Star Game…officiated the 2008 NLCS…attended the Harry Wendelstedt Umpire School (1987)…previously umpired in the Gulf Coast League (1987), Midwest League (1988, 90-91), Eastern League (1992), Texas League (1993-94), Venezuelan Winter League (1994-95) and Pacific Coast League (1995-99)…was the home plate umpire for Kevin Millwood’s no-hitter on April 27, 2003.

Jeff Nelson – 45

MLB service time: 11 Years

Became a member of the Major League staff in 1999…worked the Division Series (2000, 01, 05, 08), the League Championship Series (2002, 04), the 2005 World Series and the 2006 All-Star Game…worked the 2008 National League Division Series between the Dodgers and Cubs…was behind the plate when Mark McGwire hit his 500th career home run…worked the game in which Rickey Henderson collected his 3,000th hit…was an instructor at MLB’s inaugural Umpire Camps (MLBUC.com), held at MLB’s Urban Youth Academy in Compton, California, in November 2006…attended the Joe Brinkman Umpire School in 1989…previously umpired in the Pioneer League (1989), Arizona Instructional League (1989), Florida State League (1990-91), Eastern League (1992-93), American Association (1997), Pacific Coast League (1994-96, 98), Florida State Instructional League (1990-93) and Arizona Fall League (1996).

Ed Rapuano – 19

MLB service time: 18.5 Years

Became a member of the Major League staff in 1991…has worked the All-Star Game (1995, 2008), Division Series (1997, 98, 2001, 03, 06, 08), League Championship Series (1999, 2000, 02, 04-05) and World Series (2001, 03)…worked the Miami round of the 2009 World Baseball Classic…worked the 1990 Hall of Fame Game in Cooperstown, NY…attended the Harry Wendelstedt Umpire School in 1985…previously umpired in the New York-Penn League (1985), Florida State League (1986-87), Southern League (1988) and Triple-A Alliance (1989).

Tony Randazzo – 59

MLB service time: 9.5 Years

Joined the Major League staff in 1999…worked the 2001 Midsummer Classic and the Division Series in 2004 and 2006…was part of the crew that worked the Twins-A’s Division Series in 2006…previously umpired in the New York-Penn League (1989), Florida State League (1990-91), Texas League (1992-93), Arizona Fall League (1993), American Association (1994-95) and Pacific Coast League (1996-99).

Who should one believe? From this, I get that more people saw the game than any ASG in the last seven years. No, the ratings are down from 2008. No, the number of viewers was nearly identical to last year. No, they’re up…

From Major League Baseball:

“The All-Star Game on FOX was seen by a total audience of 33.6 million viewers (those who saw all or part of the broadcast) marking the largest audience for an All-Star Game on that measure since 1999, according to Nielsen Media Research.  In terms of average viewership, the game drew 14.61 million viewers, which marks the largest audience for the game since the 2002 MLB All-Star Game.”

From the Associated Press:

“The All-Star Game’s television ratings are down slightly from last year.

“Fox said Wednesday that the American League’s 4-3 win Tuesday night earned a 8.9 fast national rating and 15 share. That’s down 4 percent from the 9.3/16 for the first nine innings of the 15-inning marathon in 2008.

“Ratings were up 3 percent for the pregame show, which included President Barack Obama throwing out the first pitch.”

From Entertainment Weekly:

“America’s national pastime defeated America’s amateur talent pool Tuesday night, as 14.6 million viewers tuned in for the Major League Baseball All-Star Game on Fox. (Sports fans are certainly consistent: That’s nearly identical to last year’s audience.)”

From the New York Times:

“The Fox network’s time-zone adjusted estimates for the All Star Game last night show it drew an average of 14.6 million viewers, the most for the game in seven years.”

Words from FOX Sports broadcaster Joe Buck have never rung as true as they did during the All-Star Game pre-game festivities when he announced the arrival of Hall of Famer, number 6, Stan “The Man” Musial.

Stan Musial (Getty Images/Elsa)

The 88-year-old living legend triumphantly rode onto the Busch Stadium turf on a cart carrying the baseball to be used by President of the United States Barack Obama in delivering the ceremonial first pitch to Albert Pujols.

In doing so, Musial carried out my most-anticipated event of the entire All-Star week before an official out had even been recorded. While his Tuesday participation had been planned for some time, Stan’s health made his appearance less than a sure thing.

Barack Obama and Stan Musial (Getty Images/Jamie Squire)

In an interview during Monday’s All-Star Home Run Derby, Pujols said he didn’t mind being called any nickname given him except for one. The current “best Cardinals player” said that the label “El Hombre” made him angry because there can be only one “Man” in St. Louis, Musial.

Stan Musial (AP/Jeff Roberson)

Seemingly knowing their opportunities to see the greatest Cardinals player of all-time are dwindling with each passing year and Stan’s declining health, the 46,760 in attendance Tuesday evening gave the 24-time All-Star a thunderous welcome.

In fact, it may have been Musial’s first visit back to Busch since the club honored him by proclaiming Stan Musial Day to coincide with the Cardinals game against the Tampa Bay Rays on May 18, 2008.

Stan Musial (AP/Jeff Roberson)

With all due respect to The President, Sheryl Crow, the 2009 All-Stars and the five other Cardinals Hall of Famers in attendance – Bob Gibson, Bruce Sutter, Ozzie Smith, Red Schoendienst and Lou Brock – with this post, I simply want to acknowledge and celebrate the greatness of Musial one more time.

Thank you, Stan.

The hometown favorite had to participate in a “bat off” just to make it past the first round. In an event that seemed to lack the drama and entertainment value of recent years’ competitions, the 2009 event was eventually won by Milwaukee’s Prince Fielder over Texas’ Nelson Cruz.

Pujols wasn’t involved in the finals, having been eliminated in the second round.

The reason? Though some may suggest ESPN and national attention as well as local pressure, I suspect another factor did Pujols in. Though Albert would never admit it, I think he may have lost due to unfamiliarity with his batting practice pitcher.

Regular Cardinals batting practice pitcher Dave McKay, who has pitched to Pujols pretty much every day for the last nine seasons, was unavailable for Home Run Derby duty this year so Pujols invited Pittsburgh Pirates bullpen coach Luis Dorante to do the honors instead.

Dorante was the manager of a Dominican Winter League club for which Pujols had planned to play in the past before backing out due to injury. Pujols watched Dorante throw batting practice at a recent Cards-Bucs series and popped the question, “Would Dorante pitch to him in the Home Run Derby?”

Nothing against Dorante. It wasn’t his fault that Pujols struggled. He didn’t swing the bat for Albert. Yet it was very clear to me watching that the hometown slugger was uneasy with the offerings presented to him.

Even before ESPN commentator Joe Morgan noted it during the second round, I was repeating over and over that Dorante’s pitches to Pujols seemed too high, too far up in the zone. Obviously uncomfortable with the offerings, Pujols seemed to lay off a majority of them and he appeared to have trouble squaring up on the ones he did go after.

While the winner of an All-Star exhibition has no lasting meaning, it seemed a missed opportunity in that Pujols was not in the best position to excel in the spotlight.

Yet another all-star contest will be held the next evening in Portland, Oregon as the Pacific Coast League All-Stars take on the top players from the International League counterparts in the 2009 Triple-A All-Star Game.

There has been some grousing on the Scout.com message board over the fact that the Memphis Redbirds have just one representative on the team, reliever Jess Todd. The fact is that with a 25-man All-Star roster and 16 PCL clubs each getting one representative, typically as many clubs will have only player taken as those with two.

In fact, the Redbirds have had a single All-Star Game representative in each of the last four seasons. One has to go back to 2005 before finding multiple players selected. That year, pitchers Kevin Jarvis and Chris Gissell along with outfielder Raul Gonzalez made the team.

Gonzalez was a three-time participant in the game, though he was with Louisville (Cincinnati) in his first two appearances, in 2001 and 2002.

In the now-22-year history of the Triple-A All-Star Game, there has been only one multiple-game participant while a member of the Cardinals organization. Left-handed pitcher Steve Dixon was on the 1993 and 1994 teams when the Cards’ Triple-A affiliate was in Louisville. The former 31^st-round draft pick pitched a total of two innings and allowed one earned run for a 4.50 ERA.

In terms of top performers, former Cardinals second baseman Adam Kennedy had the best single game by a St. Louis hitting prospect. In the 1999 contest, the second baseman had a single and a double and scored twice in three All-Star at-bats.

The Cardinals have had coaching involvement in the game three times. Current Cardinals bench coach and then-Louisville manager Joe Pettini was invited in 1994 and former Redbirds pitching coach and current Minor League Pitching Coordinator Dyar Miller participated representing both Louisville (1996) and Memphis (2003).

Though no St. Louis-affiliated manager has played that role in a Triple-A All-Star Game, current Springfield skipper Ron “Pop” Warner appeared in the 1998 contest as a player.

Following is the log of all Cardinals’ Triple-A All-Star Game participants since the game was first played in 1988. ERAs and batting averages are cumulative of all player appearances in the game. When those results include all-star outings representing another organization, those clubs are noted. (DNP=did not play)

(One can read a recap of the Cardinals Triple-A history since 1977 here.)

Louisville			ERA	BA	Other teams
Dave	Rajsich	1988	DNP
Todd	Zeile	1989		0.000
Bernard	Gilkey	1990		0.333
Ken	Hill	1990	DNP
Mike	Perez	1990	0.00
Tim	Sherrill	1991	0.00
Ray	Stephens	1991		0.000
Rene	Arocha	1992	4.50
Rod	Brewer	1992		0.333
Steve	Dixon	1993, 1994	4.50
Keith	Lockhart	1993		0.333
Allen	Battle	1994		0.500	Ottawa
Gary	Buckels	1994	0.00
Scott	Coolbaugh	1994		0.500	OKC
Cory	Bailey	1995	20.25		Fresno
Matt	Arrandale	1996	DNP
Dmitri	Young	1996		0.500
Eli	Marrero	1997		0.000
Memphis
Ron	Warner	1998		0.000
Adam	Kennedy	1999		0.667
Larry	Luebbers	1999	4.50
Mark	Nussbeck	2000	0.00
Chris	Richard	2000		0.400	Durham
Gene	Stechschulte	2000	0.00
Bud	Smith	2001	0.00
Les	Walrond	2002	0.00
Jason	Bowers	2003		0.000
Matt	Duff	2003	9.00
Jason	Ryan	2003	27.00
John	Gall	2004		0.200	Albuquerque
Dan	Haren	2004	0.00
Chris	Gissell	2005	9.00
Raul	Gonzalez	2005		0.143	Louisville (2)
Kevin	Jarvis	2005	0.00
Andy	Cavazos	2006	DNP
Mark	Worrell	2007	0.00
Nick	Stavinoha	2008		0.500
Jess	Todd	2009	TBD
Coaches
Joe	Pettini	1994
Dyar	Miller	1996, 2003
Manager
none

The first reader that responds with the correct answer to the question below, related to the St. Louis Cardinals and the All-Star Game, will receive two tickets to the MLB All-Star FanFest, a $60. value, courtesy of Wilson Sporting Goods and The Cardinal Nation.

Please read the rules BEFORE RESPONDING to ensure you qualify.

Trivia Question #11

Of the 98 Cardinals players named to the National League All-Star Game since 1933, only one collected a three-base-hit in the game. Who was he and in what year did he motor around the bases for a triple?

The first reader that responds with the correct answer to the question below, related to the St. Louis Cardinals and the All-Star Game, will receive two tickets to the MLB All-Star FanFest, a $60. value, courtesy of Wilson Sporting Goods and The Cardinal Nation.

Please read the rules BEFORE RESPONDING to ensure you qualify.

Trivia Question #10

What Cardinal scored the winning All-Star Game run in walk-off fashion in extra innings on a day in which the temperature reached 105 degrees?

Name the player and the year.

The first reader that responds with the correct answer to the question below, related to the St. Louis Cardinals and the All-Star Game, will receive two tickets to the MLB All-Star FanFest, a $60. value, courtesy of Wilson Sporting Goods and The Cardinal Nation.

Please read the rules BEFORE RESPONDING to ensure you qualify.

Trivia Question #9

Chris Carpenter was the last Cardinals pitcher to start an All-Star Game, in 2005. Prior to Carp, who was the most recent St. Louis starting pitcher and in what year did he get the All-Star Game assignment?

The first reader that responds with the correct answer to the question below, related to the St. Louis Cardinals and the All-Star Game, will receive two tickets to the MLB All-Star FanFest, a $60. value, courtesy of Wilson Sporting Goods and The Cardinal Nation.

Please read the rules BEFORE RESPONDING to ensure you qualify.

Trivia Question #8

In what year did the Cardinals supply the entire starting infield for the NL All-Stars and who were the four players?

Again, please read the rules BEFORE RESPONDING to ensure you qualify.

Trivia Question #7

What was the most significant injury ever suffered by a Cardinal in an All-Star Game, to whom and what year did it occur?

I have been provided a supply of tickets from Wilson Sporting Goods, an official sponsor of Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball All-Star FanFest event. The All-Star FanFest will be held this upcoming weekend (July 10–14, 2009) at Americas Center in St. Louis.

Major League Baseball All-Star FanFest is an interactive baseball theme park and the largest baseball fan event in the world. It will feature interactive exhibits and attractions, Major League clinics and seminars, free autograph sessions with Cardinals legends and Hall of Famers, memorabilia and much more.

For more information about MLB All-Star FanFest, including its hours of operation, the schedule of appearances and more please visit: http://mlb.com/stl/fan_forum/asg/fanfest_index.jsp

Many of you may already be planning to attend Tuesday’s MLB All-Star Game and/or the Futures Game and Home Run Derby that precede it, so winning free tickets to the MLB All-Star FanFest should make your experience that much more exciting.

Here is what you need to do to win a pair of MLB All-Star FanFest tickets, a $60 value:

1. First and foremost, you must be available to pick up your tickets IN PERSON at a special location near Americas Center in St. Louis on Saturday, July 11 between Noon and 3 p.m. CST. NO EXCEPTIONS. While the tickets are good anytime during the FanFest hours on Saturday, Sunday, Monday or Tuesday, they MUST be picked up on Saturday during the allotted time. If you cannot meet this requirement, do not enter the contest and spoil it for others – PLEASE!
2. Be the first to correctly and completely answer a Cardinals-related All-Star trivia question to be posted here at The Cardinal Nation. The questions will appear at random times at my discretion between now and Thursday evening or when the tickets are exhausted, whichever comes first. Only one winning post per reader will be accepted.
3. Post your answer on the thread following the question to qualify. Emails will not be accepted. Partial answers will not be accepted. I will be the only and final arbiter on which answers are the winners and will post the winner’s handle on the same thread in which the question was posed.
4. To be approved to post at The Cardinal Nation, you must first register on the site. Then make at least one (edited for clarity) approved post before entering. I highly recommend you complete that process BEFORE you want to answer a question. Otherwise, the built-in approval delay will likely keep your post from being first, even if correct. If you have never registered to post before, here is the link to the TCN registration instructions.
5. Once winners have been confirmed on each Q&A thread, they MUST contact me via email at brian@thecardinalnation.com no later than 8 a.m. Central on Friday for additional specifics on claiming the tickets. Winners that do not contact me in time will forfeit their tickets.

If you have any questions about the contest rules, ask them here, but DO NOT POST TRIVIA ANSWERS HERE. This is also a good place to make your first post (which is moderated) so your subsequent posts will appear immediately and without approval.

Again, these tickets are being made available through the generosity of Wilson Sporting Goods. Here are some factoids about them:

- Wilson is the Official Ball Glove of Major League Baseball
- Wilson is the Official Catchers’ Protective Gear of Major League Baseball
- ATEC (a Wilson brand) is the Official Training Equipment of Major League Baseball
- Wilson is the Official Umpire Gear of Major League Baseball

For a complete list of Wilson’s cutting edge baseball products, please visit: http://www.wilson.com/wilson/baseball/index.jsp

Whether or not you are able to enter and win, thank you for reading “The Cardinal Nation”.

Again, please read the rules BEFORE RESPONDING to ensure you qualify.

Trivia Question #6

Which Cardinal set an All-Star Game record with four hits in one game and in what year did he do it?

Again, please read the rules BEFORE RESPONDING to ensure you qualify.

Trivia Question #5

In the answer to Question #1, we learned that Stan Musial set the record for the most All-Star home runs with six. Which Cardinals player most recently went deep in an All-Star Game and in what year did he do it?

Again, please read the rules BEFORE RESPONDING to ensure you qualify.

Trivia Question #4

In 2009, the Cardinals have three players in the All-Star Game, closer Ryan Franklin, first baseman Albert Pujols and catcher Yadier Molina (pictured). For which All-Star Game did the Cards have the largest number of players selected and what was the number? (The correct year and number of All-Stars are both needed to win. The individual names are not required.)

This is the third in a series of posts with questions related to the St. Louis Cardinals and the All-Star Game. The first reader that responds with the correct answer WHEN FOLLOWING THE PUBLISHED RULES will receive two tickets to the MLB All-Star FanFest, a $60. value, courtesy of Wilson Sporting Goods and The Cardinal Nation.

Again, please read the rules BEFORE RESPONDING to ensure you qualify.

Trivia Question #3

Prior to 2009, how many times has the city of St. Louis hosted the MLB All-Star Game and in what years?

Again, please read the rules BEFORE RESPONDING to ensure you qualify.

Trivia Question #2

Including 2009, how many different St. Louis Cardinals players have been selected for MLB All-Star Games since the very first game back in 1933?

Again, please read the rules BEFORE RESPONDING to ensure you qualify.

Trivia Question #1

Name the five career All-Star Game records that Stan “The Man” Musial either owns or shares and the associated number for each of these five records (for example: eight strikeouts, 13 stolen bases, etc…).

As most probably know, fans are encouraged to punch out players’ names on as many paper ballots as they choose to grab at ballparks all over the country. As such, it is almost expected that the masses of unknowledgeable fans will first opt for the home team players without regard to their current stats or even availability. In case there is any confusion, helpful public address and scoreboard announcements remind fans which players should receive their votes.

Otherwise how can one explain Rick Ankiel getting over 1.2 million votes despite having a terrible season and suspended Manny Ramirez receiving over 1.3 million votes? The two were ranked eighth and seventh respectively in the most recent NL outfield voting results.

To top it off, these “fans” then fill in the rest of the ballot with well-known names from the past. To wit, I would imagine that Babe Ruth would be voted in as a 2009 American League outfield starter if only he was listed on the ballot.

To make matters worse, fans can submit up to 25 additional ballots online – 25 times each email address one has, that is. The internet ballot held additional selections, enabling MLB capture more email addresses upon which to push their marketing initiatives. A total of 17.8 million ballots were cast this year – a new record.

Last week, I heard a television promotion for the following contest. It was worded in such a way that it was implied that voting for Cardinals players at least 20 times would automatically qualify one for the “Ultimate Cardinals Fan All-Star Summer Package.

It is worth paying attention to as the winner will receive a very good award: Two tickets to the 2009 MLB All-Star FanFest, two tickets to All-Star Sunday at Busch Stadium (including the Futures Game), two tickets to the All-Star Workout Day on Monday (including the Home Run Derby) and two tickets to the MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday, July 14.

Turns out that deep in the fine print, it states that one only had to select the Cardinals as their “favorite” or “other favorite” club 20 different times.

Of course, you and I know that anyone willing to do that is much more likely to blindly vote for a boatload of non-deserving Cardinals players.

I find the very concept of this kind of sweepstakes a very questionable pile-on to a totally flawed All-Star selection process.

During FOX Sports Midwest’s live chat this week, the question of the All-Star vote was thrown out for discussion after everyone shot holes in the ridiculous “This Time it Counts” rule that awards the World Series home field advantage to the winning league in the All-Star Game. No one supported that or the current voting process.

One poster, “philskill” from the Scout.com message board, suggested that the fan vote be limited to four starters only, thereby limiting the chance of a Kosuke Fukudome being voted in as an all-star starter, as happened last season.

I would put my support behind an idea posed by FSM’s Pat Parris and seconded by former Cardinals hurler Cal Eldred. Parris suggested MLB adopt the approach followed by the NFL for their Pro Bowl. In that format, fan votes count for a third, with coaches and players making up the rest.

As long as they don’t have contests to try to influence the vote!

(Note: For those who care, the American and National League All-Star teams will be unveiled on the 2009 MLB All-Star Selection Show, on Sunday on TBS at 1 p.m. ET.)

Following is the most current St. Louis Cardinals system roster matrix, including the initial 2009 rosters of the Batavia Muckdogs of the New York-Penn League, Johnson City Cardinals of the Appalachian League and the Gulf Coast League Cardinals.

I apologize for the delay in posting, but I needed to get an accurate GCL roster. There are still unassigned players noted below. When I get a read on their status, this matrix will be updated and the changes listed.

Hopefully, you have been here to the site previously and know what the Cardinals organization roster matrix is all about. If not, here is quick summary:

At the time of this posting, the St. Louis Cardinals have 318 players under contract – 280 previous players augmented by 38 signed members of the 2009 draft class. The matrix places each one at his current assigned level in the system as well as by position. It is kept updated throughout the season. Nowhere else will you find this comprehensive information in one place.

You will also note that I separated the pitchers on the short-season rosters between 2009 draftees and returning pitchers. At this point, starting and relieving roles are unclear and fluid.

This should be the version of the roster matrix I will be updating the rest of the summer, so remember how to find this page. Type “Roster Matrix” in the dark blue search box at the upper right or use the dropdown menu at the top of the page “Players/Staff” > “Depth Charts/Roster Matrix”.

For details behind the format used in the matrix as well as 2009 transactions to date, check out the earlier versions of the Cardinals organization roster matrix as follows:

Link to previous matrices: Jan–March 2009, April 2009, May 2009, June 2009

Transactions

June 23 updates: Mem 1B Javier Brito released. RHP Oneli Perez assigned to Mem. Mem LHR Kat Maekawa onto temporary inactive list.

June 24 updates: 2B Jaime Landin to Bat restricted list. P Edouard Estalis from EST to DSL. Ps Jose Arredondo and Matt North plus OF Joey Hage on JC DL.

June 25 updates: IF Jason Stidham (8th rd) to QC. IF Alex Castellanos to QC DL. New total 319.

June 26 updates: C Brandon Yarbrough off Mem DL. IF Allen Craig (retro to 6/25) and C Bryan Anderson onto Mem DL.

June 27 updates: 1B Mark Hamilton from Spr DL to Mem. RHR Chris Perez traded from StL to Cle for IF/OF Mark DeRosa. LHP Jonny Bravo from QC DL to GCL (rehab only).

June 29 updates: RHP Clayton Mortensen onto 40-man, from Mem to StL. IF Khalil Greene onto StL DL. LHR Kat Maekawa to Mem active roster from temp inactive list.

Earlier moves missed: OF Edwin Gomez Bat to GCL on 6/23. IF Hector Alvarez Bat to JC on 6/25. RHS David Kopp to Spr DL on 6/10.

June 30 updates: IF Alex Castellanos act from QC DL. IF Guillermo Toribio from QC to Bat.

July 1 updates: IF Brett Lilley and OF Paul Cruz released (QC). RHR Andres Rosales QC to Bat. 3B Matt Carpenter Bat to QC. OF Kyle Conley (7th rd) and RHP Nick McCully (9th rd) to QC. RHP Clayton Mortensen StL to Mem and 2B Jarrett Hoffpauir from Mem to StL. RHP Joe Kelly (3rd rd) to Bat.

July 2 update: OF Wagner Mateo signed (Dominican). New total 320.

July 3 updates: OF Daryl Jones to Spr DL, IF Daniel Descalso from Spr to Mem. OF Shane Peterson and IF Colt Sedbrook from PB to Spr. OF Andres Beras off susp (DSL). RHP Scott Bittle (4th rd) signed. New total 321.

July 4 updates: 1B/OF Andrew Brown off Spr DL, assigned to PB. LHR Ian Ostlund onto Mem DL.

July 6 updates: IF Tyler Greene from StL to Mem. IF Brian Barden from Mem to StL. C Juan Castillo back on restricted list (GCL).

July 7 updates: IF Mark DeRosa to StL DL. OF Nick Stavinoha from Mem to StL. C Paul Vazquez to PB DL. C Charles Cutler from QC to PB. C Jack Cawley from Bat to QC. OF Joey Hage from JC DL to GCL. IF Allen Craig act from Mem DL.

July 8 update: 1B Matt Arburr from Spr to PB.

July 9 updates: LHP Brad Furnish from Spr to PB. RHS Scott Gorgen from PB to Spr. RHR Fernando Salas from Mem DL to Spr. 1B/OF Andrew Brown from PB to Spr. RHP Trevor Rosenthal (21st rd) signed and assigned to GCL. RHP John Folino NOT signed, removed from Bat roster.

July 10 updates: OF Daryl Jones activated off Spr DL. RHR Eddie Degerman onto Spr DL.

July 11 updates: RHP P.J. Walters from Mem to StL. IF Brian Barden StL to Mem. RHP David Kopp activated from Spr DL.

July 12 updates: RHS Kyle Lohse activated from StL DL. RHP Blake Hawksworth StL to Mem.

July 13 updates: OF Daryl Jones returned to Spr DL. RHP Kenny Maiques from Spr susp list to Spr DL.

July 15 updates: RHP Jared Bradford from QC to GCL. C Jesus Montero from DSL to VSL. LHP Jonny Bravo from QC DL (via GCL rehab) to Bat. RHP Jorge Rondon PB to QC. RHS Brett Zawacki to QC DL. RHP Jose Arredondo from JC to GCL. 1B Mark Hamilton to Mem DL.

July 16 update: C Juan Castillo from GCL suspended list to DSL.

July 17 updates: IF Wilfred Vivas off VSL suspended list. RHP Eddie Degerman off Spr DL. RHP Brian Broderick from Spr to PB. LHP Kristhiam Linares off PB DL (GCL rehab).

July 18 updates: IF Mark DeRosa activated from StL DL. 2B Jarrett Hoffpauir from StL to Mem.

July 19 update: RHP Fermin Montanez signed, assigned to VSL. New total 322.

July 20 updates: IF Donovan Solano from Mem to Spr. RHP David Kopp from Spr to PB. RHP Cale Johnson from GCL to JC.

July 21 update: OF Chris Duncan from StL to Mem. IF Brian Barden from Mem to StL.

July 22 update: OF Chris Duncan traded to BOS for SS Julio Lugo.

July 23 updates: RHP P.J. Walters from StL to Mem. RHP Jose Pasen from DSL to GCL. P Scott Bittle from unassigned to PB DL.

July 24 updates: IF Brian Barden from StL to Mem. OF Matt Holliday from Oak for Brett Wallace (Mem), Clayton Mortensen (Mem), Shane Peterson (Spr). LHP Ian Ostlund off Mem DL. New total 320.

July 25 update: 3B David Freese from Mem DL to Spr (via 4G GCL rehab).

July 26 updates: RHP Josh Kinney from StL to Mem. RHP Blake Hawksworth from Mem to StL. RHP Jess Todd from Mem to CLE to complete Mark DeRosa trade. 1B Mark Hamilton off Mem DL. New total 319.

July 28 updates: RHP Trey Hearne from Spr to Mem. LHP Nick Additon from PB to Spr. RHR Eddie Degerman released (Spr). LHR Kat Maekawa to Mem DL.

July 30 updates: RHP Chuckie Fick from PB to Spr. LHS Hector Cardenas onto QC DL.

July 31 updates: 3B David Freese from Spr to Mem. LHP Samuel Freeman onto Spr DL. RHP Kenny Maiques released (Spr DL). LHP Justin Fiske from Spr DL to GCL. RHP Jared Bradford from GCL to PB. RHS Mitchell Boggs from Mem to StL. OF Nick Stavinoha from StL to Mem. RHP Yonathan Gonzalez from PB to QC. New total 317.

August 1 updates: LHP Justin Fiske from GCL rehab to Spr. RHS Mitchell Boggs from StL to Mem. IF Khalil Greene activated off StL DL. UT Casey Rowlett released from Mem. New total 316.

August 2 update: C Kevin Moscatel from GCL to PB.

August 3 updates: RHR Casey Mulligan from PB to Spr. 1B Osvaldo Morales, 3B Matt Carpenter, IF Jose Garcia, RHP Arquimedes Nieto from QC to PB. 3B Jermaine Curtis, IF Domnit Bolivar from PB to QC. 1B Xavier Scruggs, OF Ryde Rodriguez, OF D’Marcus Ingram, OF Kyle Conley from QC to Bat. RHP Justin Smith, 1B Matt Adams, OF Michael Swinson, RHP Jesse Simpson from JC to Bat. 3B Rich Racobaldo from JC to QC. RHP Daniel Richardson, OF Jairo Martinez released from Bat. New total 314.

August 4 updates: 2B Aaron Luna from PB to Spr. LHP Jaime Garcia from GCL to PB (rehab). From GCL to JC: RHPs Angel De Jesus and Zach Russell, 1B Jonathan Rodriguez, 3B Kleininger Teran, OF Joey Hage. OF Mark Shorey to Mem DL. RHP Fernando Salas from Spr to Mem. LHP Kat Maekawa off Mem DL and released. New total 313.

August 5 update: LHR Ian Ostlund onto Mem DL.

August 7 updates: IF Alex Castellanos from QC to PB. IF Guillermo Toribio from Bat to QC. IF Brian Barden outrighted off 40-man roster. LHP Pat Daugherty from GCL to JC. C Blake Murphy onto PB DL (retro 8/5).

August 9 update: RHP Javier Avendano from VSL to GCL.

August 10 updates: RHPs Jose Arredondo and Omar Javier released from GCL. 1B Matt Arburr onto PB DL. New total 311.

August 11 update: RHS Scott Schneider from Bat to QC. RHR Joel Pichardo to QC DL. RHP Mitchell Boggs from Mem to StL. RHP Todd Wellemeyer to StL DL.

August 12 update: LHR Ian Ostlund activated from Mem DL.

August 16 updates: C Blake Murphy off PB DL. C Kevin Moscatel from PB to GCL.

August 17 updates: IF Juan Cabrera from DSL to GCL. RHP Joel Pichardo off QC DL. RHP Miguel Tapia onto QC DL. 1st rd pick RHP Shelby Miller signed. New total 312.

August 18 updates: RHP Gary Daley from QC to Spr. RHP Mark Diapoules from PB DL to QC. LHR Tyler Norrick from Spr to Mem. OF Antone DeJesus onto Spr DL.

August 19 update: RHP John Smoltz signed. RHP Mitchell Boggs from StL to Mem. LHR Ian Ostlund onto Mem DL (retro 8/17). New total 312.

August 20 update: LHS Jaime Garcia off StL DL and optioned to Mem.

August 21 updates: RHS Trey Hearne from Mem to Spr. LHR Charlie Manning onto Mem DL. 1B Matt Arburr off PB DL.

August 22 updates: RHS Kyle Lohse onto StL DL. RHS Mitchell Boggs from Mem to StL. OF Mark Shorey off Mem DL. LHR Justin Fiske onto Spr DL.

August 24 updates: OF Daryl Jones off Spr DL. C Nick Derba onto Spr DL. OF Beau Riportella released (Bat). OF Edwin Gomez from GCL to Bat. New total 311.

August 25 updates: OF Mark Shorey onto Mem DL. LHR Ian Ostlund off Mem DL.

August 27 updates: RHP Keith Butler from GCL to JC. RHP Mark Diapoules from QC to PB. RHR Francisco Samuel to Spr DL. RHR Blake King from PB to Spr. OF Nick Stavinoha onto Mem DL. LHR Charlie Manning off Mem DL.

August 28 updates: RHR Elvis Hernandez off PB DL. RHP Pablo Ortiz from JC to GCL.

August 30 update: C Robert Stock from JC to QC.

September 1 updates: RHP David Kopp onto PB DL sometime after 8/22. 3B Troy Glaus activated off StL DL. OF Mark Shorey activated off Mem DL. 2B Daniel Descalso to inactive list for Team USA.

September 2 updates: RHPs Andrew Moss and Aaron Terry from JC to Bat.

September 3 updates: RHR Todd Wellemeyer off StL DL. RHP Shelby Miller activated by QC. C Roberto Espinoza onto QC DL. LHP Ryan Kulik onto Spr DL. LHP Justin Fiske off Spr DL

September 4 updates: LHS Jaime Garcia onto Mem temp inactive list. RHS Lance Lynn from Spr to Mem. RHP Scott McGregor onto QC DL. RHP Miguel Tapia off QC DL. C Paul Vazquez off PB DL. LHP George Brown onto PB DL.

September 5 updates: RHP Lance Lynn from Mem to Spr. 1B Curt Smith onto PB temp inactive list. 1B Matt Arburr onto PB DL.

September 6 update: RHP Kyle Lohse activated from StL DL.

September 8 updates: LHR Ian Ostlund onto Mem DL (retro 9/7), IF Donovan Solano from Spr to Mem. LHS Jaime Garcia off Mem temp inactive list. IF Jose Garcia from PB to Spr.

September 9 updates: LHP Ryan Kulik off Spr DL. RHR Blake King onto Spr DL.

September 22 update: Contract of July 2 signee OF Wagner Mateo is voided. New total 310.

September 23 updates: IFs Tyler Greene and David Freese, RHR Josh Kinney and C Matt Pagnozzi from Mem to StL. Pagnozzi added to 40-man roster.

October 6 update: IF Alan Ahmady (Bat) suspended 50 games, starting 2010 season.

October update: IF Brian Barden and LHR Royce Ring (both Mem) elected free agency. New total 308

October 17 update: RHP Elvis Hernandez (PB), C Jack Cawley (QC), 2b Guillermo Toribio (QC), RHP Tyler Leach (Bat), 1B Matt Rigoli (JC) released. New total 303.

October 19 update: RHR Fabian Marquez, IF Moises Marquez. OF Jose Cortez, SS Carlos Yeguez, RHR Gregorio Ramos. LHR Ruben Alvarado (all VSL) released. 2B Michael Avila (DSL) released. New total 296.

October 21 update: Signed RHP Kevin Cueto, 3B Ronnierd Garcia, RHP Jhonatan Escudero (VSL). New total 299.

October 29 update: Signed RHP Pedro Rodriguez. Released LHP Jonny Bravo.

November 3 updates: 2B Jarrett Hoffpauir claimed by Toronto. RHP Brad Thompson released. RHR Matt Scherer and IF Joe Thurston outrighted to minors. New total 297.

November 11 updates: RHP Angel Cruz and SS Juan Mosquera (GCL) released. New total 295. C/3B Wilmer Alvarado reinstated from inactive list and released.

November updates: Nine major leaguers declare free agency: John Smoltz, Todd Wellemeyer, Joel Pineiro, Jason LaRue, Mark DeRosa, Rick Ankiel, Troy Glaus, Khalil Greene, Matt Holliday. Seven minor leaguers declare: Kristhiam Linares, Julio Castellano, Brandon Yarbrough, Oneli Perez, Evan MacLane, Ian Ostlund, Charlie Manning. New total 279.

November 18 updates: Eight added to 40-man roster: Allen Craig, Daryl Jones, Jon Jay, Bryan Anderson, Adam Ottavino, Mark Hamilton, Francisco Samuel, Tyler Norrick.

November 20 updates: 2B Joe Thurston declared free agency. RHR Omar Diaz released. New total 277.

November 30 updates: C Jason LaRue re-signs. IF Ruben Gotay signed to minor league deal with spring invite. New total 279.

December 4 update: DSL RHP Jefferson Segundo suspended 50 games.

December 8 update: Free agent RHS Brad Penny signs. New total 280.

December 10 updates: RHP Mike Parisi to ChC, LHP Ben Jukich to StL and LHP Matt Meyer to Mem in Rule 5. New total 281

December 11 update: RHP Mark McCormick released. New total 280.

December 21 update: GCL OF Tyler Bighames suspended 50 games.

January 5 update: Free agent OF Matt Holliday re-signs. New total 281.

January 14 updates: GCL RHP Geney Rios and IF Juan Cabrera released. Mem RHS Charlie Zink signed. New total 28.

January 20 updates: RHP Oneli Perez and LHP Evan MacLane re-signed (Mem). RHP Pablo Ortiz (GCL) to restricted list. New total 282.

January 26 updates: 17 non-roster invitees in italics. LHP Rich Hill signed to minor league deal with MLB camp invite. Minor league pitchers Rich Rundles, Yoffri Martinez and Houston Summers and IF Kevin Howard signed. New total 287.

February 22 updates: RHP Shelby Miller and LHP Samuel Freeman added to major league camp.

The St. Louis Cardinals Roster Matrix (effective 2/22/10)

Codes:

(#): My Cardinals prospect ranking from over the winter at Scout.com

(i): injured – on the disabled list

(t): temporary inactive list

(susp): suspended list

(L) left-handed pitcher

Bold: on the Cardinals’ 40-man roster

(#+#) number of active players on the roster plus number of inactive (i+t+susp) players

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This is an area of increasing interest to fans, especially given an off-season of reduced spending on players.

As if they were DeWitt’s talking points, I have extracted the key bullets from the article without editorial comment in the areas of 2008 and 2009 payroll, roster implications, expense/revenue last year with this year’s forecast along with ticket sales information.

2008 payroll

• The 2008 season-opening player payroll total was $101.8 million, but included $26 million paid to players that didn’t contribute materially last season.
• (As another reference point, USA Today ranked the Cardinals at number 11 in MLB at the start of 2008 with an opening player budget of $99.6 million.)
• The club reasserts all 2008 in-season trades considered were not made were due to prospects demanded, not because of money limitations.
• The 2008 end-of-season payroll was over $110 million.

2009 payroll

• The team has committed an estimated $93.2 million to the 2009 opening-day roster. (link to P-D‘s player-by-player figures behind the total)
  
• Ownership forecasts the Cardinals will rank among the top 10 or 11 payrolls in MLB.
• DeWitt reiterated his commitment “to have a payroll commensurate with revenue”.

2009 roster

• The two-year/$18 million offer spurned by closer Brian Fuentes was heavily backloaded. The expense assumed would probably have driven a salary dump trade of either Ryan Ludwick or Rick Ankiel.
• Despite the uncertainty at second base, after eating the $4 million contract of Adam Kennedy, the club could not pursue free agent Orlando Hudson for financial reasons.
• Yet the recent signing of reliever Dennys Reyes is cited as an example of the club’s financial flexibility.
  

2008 expense/revenue

• Overall revenue in 2008 exceeded $200 million.
• Expenses exceeded $150 million.
• Operating profit was $23 to $25 million prior to servicing $17 million of stadium debt.
• DeWitt states that any “excess” money the past few years has been re-invested in the operation.

2009 expense/revenue

• The club is not assured of a 2009 operating profit beyond its ongoing debt service on the stadium.
• The Cardinals are “very sensitive” to attendance due to broadcast contracts that are much smaller than large-market clubs.

Ticket sales

• 2.7 million tickets have already been sold for the 2009 season.
• The club will not sell 3 million tickets prior to opening day for the first time in the four years since moving into the new ballpark.
• The worst-case scenario in which attendance only reaches 2.8 million in 2009 will be exceeded.
• Sales are down for all-inclusive and premium-seating areas typically bought by corporations and community groups.
• The club is projecting 3 million in attendance (which would be down 14% from the 3.43 million achieved in 2008).

All-Star Game impact

• The Cardinals will receive no direct revenue from the All-Star week activities.
• The 90 percent renewal rate among season-ticket holders to date is expected to grow to 92-93% based on fan interest in All-Star Game tickets.

OK, folks. There you have it. The Cliff’s Notes version of the Post-Dispatch article.

I am going to withhold my comments as I am interested in what you think. Does it make sense? Does the story hold together or is it just a shell game?

Does it matter what the team makes or spends as long as they are competitive? Should the owners have to disclose their finances in an attempt to maintain/restore the confidence of their fan base? How much profit is fair?

What do you think?

ST. LOUIS, March 18, 2009 – The St. Louis Cardinals today announced that groundbreaking will begin soon on a softball field and expansion of a paved parking lot on the future site of Ballpark Village in advance of this summer’s Major League Baseball All-Star Game at Busch Stadium in July.

The softball field and parking lot are temporary but fan-friendly enhancements to the property as the process for approval and financing for construction of Phase 1 of Ballpark Village continues.  Both the softball field and parking lot will be available during at least the first half of the regular 2009 season, and through the All-Star Game on Tuesday, July 14.  Once the bonds for the larger Ballpark Village project are sold, the softball field and parking lot will be taken over by the construction of the larger project.

“The softball field and parking lot are temporary but welcomed improvements designed to provide additional amenities to our fans as we wait for final approvals on the larger Ballpark Village plan,” said Bill DeWitt, president of the St. Louis Cardinals.  “The softball field will be a great draw for groups and charities and the new paved area will accommodate the All-Star Gala tent and Sponsorship Village during All-Star week.

“A food and beverage area designed by SportService will also serve the entire area with a ‘taste of the ballpark.’  These amenities will showcase downtown St. Louis in the best possible light and create anticipation for the exciting future plans for Ballpark Village.”

The regulation-size softball field will be on the west side of the site – on roughly the same location as the old Busch Stadium playing field.  It will be available for groups to rent for special events on both game-days and non-game days.  Completion of the softball field and parking lot expansion is expected by Opening Day or shortly thereafter.

For information on how to rent the field, please call the Cardinals Special Events department at 314-345-9357.

Speaking to USAToday, Selig was asked about the rekindled steroids furor.

“This is breaking my heart, I don’t mind telling you that,” the commissioner said.

Asked if he would consider reinstating Hank Aaron as the all-time home run king and adding an asterisk or some other notation to the statistics of Barry Bonds, Rodriguez and others involved in baseball’s steroid controversy, Selig offered faint hope.

“Once you start tinkering, you can create more problems. But I’m not dismissing it. I’m concerned. I’d like to get some more evidence,” Selig said.

That suggestion caused a furor all over the game as foxholes were dug even deeper over the wide-ranging potential impact of re-writing the record books. Among the reactions was from Aaron himself. Secure in his legacy and always graceful even as there is turmoil all around, Hammerin’ Hank simply said that Bonds can keep his record.

Selig was also asked what he might do about A-Rod.

“It was against the law, so I would have to think about that,” Selig said of possible action against Rodriguez. “It’s very hard. I’ve got to think about all that kind of stuff.”

Of course, there seems no chance A-Rod will be punished any more than any of the other players named in previous steroid cases did. Selig knows any action would be akin to declaring war against the Players Union, something that just isn’t going to happen.

He knows that. We all know that. So why not be open and honest about it?

Instead, the master of the “I’ll have to study this” continues to feed his personal brand of pablum to the hungry masses. I, for one, am not eating it up.

Selig has a long and consistent history in terms of dealing with controversial matters, using time-tested techniques of conflict avoidance.

Step one: Express deep-felt personal concern.

Step two: Make vague comments suggesting the matter might be resolved.

Step three: Vow to study the issue.

Step four: If at all possible, avoid ever discussing it again.

Step five: If pressed, state progress is being made.

Step six: Repeat steps one through five as necessary.

Step seven: Finally take action only if absolutely forced to do so, preferably by appointing a study committee. Rinse and repeat.

Without going anywhere near the Mitchell Report or any further into other steroids-related subjects, here is a look at some key topics in recent times and Selig’s responses.

May 2006 – Fans nationwide are outraged over complicated and illogical MLB television blackout rules.

“I don’t understand (blackouts) myself,” Selig said at a luncheon with the Baseball Writers Association of America. “I get blacked out from some games.”

“Right now,” he said, “I don’t know what to do about it. We’ll figure it out.”

“I hear more about people who can’t get the game,” Selig said, “and, yes, I’ve already told our people we have to do something about it.”

Almost three years later, despite being “spurred on by thousands of letters from angry fans”, according to Yahoo Sports, the blackout policy has been tabled in multiple ownership meetings over the last several years and is not on track to be resolved for 2009.

Result: No resolution

November 2007 – GMs endorse instant replay by 25-5 vote.

For years an outspoken opponent of instant replay in any form, Selig was seemingly finally outgunned by the clubs when in November 2007, general managers voted 25-5 in favor of exploring the use of instant replay on a limited basis.

Still dragging his feet despite the clear mandate, as recently as a July 15 “Town Hall Meeting” on MLB.com, Selig was asked directly if he was going to institute instant replay in 2008.

“I am not,” Selig said flatly.

While acknowledging the matter was under study, his comments remained guarded and non-committal.

Selig finally caved after several embarrassing high-profile blown calls on home runs affected game outcomes. On September 3, instant replay was used for the first time in MLB history. Most ironically, the first call was to reaffirm an Alex Rodriguez home run in Tampa.

Result: Stall until being forced into action

July 2008 – 15 inning All-Star Game exposes rosters with too few players – again.

Stung by his embarrassing decision to have to declare the 2002 All-Star Game in his own Miller Park in Milwaukee a tie (remember the unfortunately timed “This time it really counts” marketing slogan?), Selig had a flashback this past summer, as both teams nearly ran out of pitchers during the 15-inning All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium.

Selig told the AP that he was considering expanding All-Star rosters by two pitchers to ensure that position players wouldn’t have to take the mound if the game again goes well into extra innings.

In a positive, the commissioner did rule out gimmicky alterations of the rules to conclude an extra-inning All-Star game more quickly such as the approach tested at the Beijing Olympics. There, each team’s at-bat starting in the 11th inning began with runners on first and second.

“It’s meant to be played to completion,” Selig said. “I thought we had forever solved the problem, and we had. Everything we did worked, but we may put an additional safeguard in.”

Result: No resolution

August 2008 – Manny Ramirez dogs his way out of Boston so he and agent Scott Boras can hit the free agent market.

The Boston Red Sox held club options at $20 million per season for the services of outfielder Manny Ramirez in both 2009 and 2010. His new agent Scott Boras would not receive commission on those options if exercised. Both agent and player likely saw the opportunity to make more on the open market.

Allegations included Boras telling the Sox that Manny would play hard for the rest of the 2008 season if they would agree to not to pick up the options, a claim Boras of course denied.

When the Sox were forced to trade Manny, a condition of the deal with the Dodgers was to decline the two option years. Ramirez and Boras are reportedly asking for $25 million per season over three years, but as of now, Manny is unsigned.

From the Boston Globe last August:

“…Bud Selig directed Major League Baseball executive vice president Rob Manfred to contact all parties for an explanation of how things unfolded around last week’s trading deadline.”

Result: No action

My final example epitomizes the “no-decision” reign of Selig.

January 1973 – Owners vote in the use of the designated hitter in the American League for a three-year trial.

Sort of like Gilligan and the Skipper on their seemingly-endless three-hour cruise, the issue of the designated hitter remains lost at sea after 36 years.

I am not here to debate the merits of or concerns about the DH, though I admit that I do have strong personal opinions. Instead, my point is that an entire generation of fans has grown up with a rule that is inconsistent across the two leagues, something that is clearly unique in sports.

There have been many resulting complications, including artificial interleague and post-season play advantages received as a result of the lack of standardization.

Instead of getting to the bottom of the inequity, in 2005, Selig made the ridiculous suggestion of using AL rules in NL parks during interleague play and vice-versa, as if that would solve anything. Needless to say, that generated little to no support from anyone.

In the same “Town Hall Meeting” this past July noted above, Selig re-affirmed the non-status status of the DH. He doesn’t even call this issue a back-burner one.

“(The DH) Hasn’t been debated for at least 25 to 30 years,” Selig concluded.

“So other than some catalytic event occurring, I think that’s the way it’s going to stay. I think, look, the game has grown like it never has. We’re going to set another attendance record. So I guess I have to say our fans accepted it pretty well.”

Result: No action planned

There you have it. Whether broken or not, the game has been making gobs of money, so that tells Selig and the owners that fans are accepting of pretty much everything.

I could go on, but you get the idea. These issues and many more that have been festering for months and in some cases, years, will soon be pushed back into the headlines as the 2009 season approaches.

For those currently worried that Selig will seriously try to change baseball records or discipline A-Rod. Forget it.

If the pressure gets really strong, expect a committee to nowhere to be assigned. Add in generous amounts of additional time to deal with owners or the Players Union or the umpires association or Congress or whoever else has an opinion.

In the meantime, be prepared for more concerned quotes being generated with precious little results to follow.