The Cardinal Nation blog

Brian Walton's news and commentary on the St. Louis Cardinals (TM) and their minor league system

Tag archive for ‘St. Louis Cardinals’

Cardinals spring training hitting and pitching in the last decade

Comparing St. Louis Cardinals spring vs. regular season batting average and ERA during the 2000-2009 period.

La Russa reacts to Pujols-Howard trade rumor

St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa didn’t mince words when asked about the Ryan Howard-Albert Pujols trade rumor.

Fleischer losing clients

The man behind the Mark McGwire media plan has lost a couple of high-profile gigs.

Joe Rigoli, Professional Scouts Hall of Famer

Long-time St. Louis Cardinals scout received his profession’s highest honor.

Miscellaneous Cardinals links: March 8, 2010

Offering up some links to interesting St. Louis Cardinals-related reading around the web.

A different kind of prospect list focused on 2010 impact

St. Louis Cardinals prospects stack up very differently when looking at potential contribution at the major league level this season.

A glance at St. Louis Cardinals 2010 betting odds

Just for fun, not for keeps, we’ll take a quick look at where the 2010 Cardinals line up with the gamblers.

Mozeliak ranks #18 in SI’s general manager rankings

The St. Louis Cardinals’ GM isn’t considered by a Sports Illustrated writer to be among the top half in his field.

Cardinals spring training records under La Russa

With Thursday’s first spring training game upon us, I looked at St. Louis Cardinals spring records during the La Russa era with an eye toward the regular season.

Walton on KXnO FOX Sports Radio Wednesday

Catch me talking St. Louis Cardinals spring training baseball news with Matt Perrault and Ken Miller on KXnO FOX Sports Radio 1460 in Des Moines today (Wednesday) at 5:45 p.m. Central.

Would La Russa and Torre have been the Yankees’ dream team?

Joe Torre recounts the story of how the Yankees wanted him as GM and Tony La Russa as manager back in October 1995. Imagine how the MLB landscape might have changed.

Mark Twain to replace Mark McGwire?

The name of the venerable author and humorist may be added to the highway currently honoring the former St. Louis Cardinals slugger.

Smoltz gives thumbs down to Congressional bid

Having last pitched for the St. Louis Cardinals in October, John Smoltz was in the news this weekend – on the political pages.

The McGwire family’s shortest book ever

In an odd twist, the wrong McGwire may turn out to be the family’s anti-steroid spokesman.

Hamilton: Fit and trim but is he a fit?

St. Louis Cardinals prospect Mark Hamilton may be just as blocked in the outfield as he is at his natural position, first base.

The Cardinal Nation Blog: FOXSports.com’s Blog of the Day again!

McGwire family story and association with Yardbarker leads to repeat national exposure for St. Louis Cardinals-oriented blog.

Mark, Jay and Dad

Jay McGwire’s book is coming out. Here is hoping his family members aren’t actually surprised.

The Cardinals organization roster matrix: Pre-camp update

The St. Louis Cardinals full system rosters are refreshed to reflect spring training camps, both major and minor league.

Baseball, guns and money

Reaction to MLB’s new weapons policy beyond St. Louis Cardinal Ryan Franklin’s widely-reported remarks.

A St. Louis Cardinals Twitter directory

One man’s view of those to consider following on Twitter for St. Louis Cardinals-major and minor league-related information.

Long-living former Cardinals

Stan Musial isn’t the oldest or even second-oldest former St. Louis Cardinals player living. The latter is the relatively-unknown Freddie Schmidt.

Is Cards Cash right for you?

The St. Louis Cardinals have announced a new program to add money to tickets for spending at the ballpark. Like anything, there are both benefits and risks.

Cardinals loaded up the middle – with coaches

The St. Louis Cardinals coaching staff is full of former middle infielders, starting with the manager.

Gotay and the goats

A look at St. Louis Cardinals second base non-roster invitees over the last five seasons.

Philly driver guilty in death of Cardinals fan

The drunken driver who killed a St. Louis Cardinals fan and seriously injured another in Philadelphia last summer accepts a pair of guilty pleas.

President’s Day Cardinals this and that

A series of short news items including a serious plea with a bit of self-promotion sprinkled in.

St. Louis Cardinals spring training radio and television schedules

Spring training television and radio plans for the 2010 St. Louis Cardinals.

Defending Cardinals Nation to the Cardinal Nation

A St. Louis Cardinals promotional program new to some has them strangely angry.

Random newspaper-related thoughts

A series of somewhat-related, somewhat non-related newspaper-oriented items in the news.

Bonds’ ex-media expert pans Cardinals McGwire plan

Former Giants media relations director labels any plan “naïve” that keeps Mark McGwire from answering further questions about his past.

Could the Cardinals have done better than Skip?

What might the St. Louis Cardinals have seen in the second base market next year had they not locked up Skip Schumaker for 2011?

Quad Cities River Bandits silence radio broadcasts

In addition to a change in personnel, the St. Louis Cardinals Midwest League affiliate’s games will no longer be on radio.

Cardinals-based Cubs commentary

A quick check of recent news items pertaining to the St. Louis Cardinals’ chief rivals from Chicago.

Will post-dugout La Russa return to Chicago?

Recent remarks by Tony La Russa rekindle questions about his post-managing future.

Kyle McClellan looks for a return to 2008 this spring

Trying to make the St. Louis Cardinals rotation in 2010, Kyle McClellan’s results in his first two major league camps were dramatically different.

Albert Pujols: On his contract

Wanting to set the record straight about his contract status, the Cardinals first baseman takes his story directly to the fans.

Cardinals to appear eight times on FOX Network in 2010

FOX Sports will carry eight St. Louis Cardinals Saturday afternoon games during the 2010 season.

Current Cardinals heritage spans eight decades

Those working for and around the St. Louis Cardinals today reach back to the 1940’s.

Projected Top Five St. Louis Cardinals Stories of 2010

A look ahead to the top projected stories across the Cardinal Nation in 2010.

Rochester group increases share of money-losing Batavia Muckdogs

Each year Rochester Community Baseball operates the Batavia Muckdogs, they pick up five percent ownership – but there is a catch.

Reviewing the predictions: TCN Blog’s top five Cardinals stories of 2009

A look back at the top projected stories across the Cardinal Nation in 2009 from one year ago.

The Cardinal Nation Blog top stories of 2009 #1: The big trades

The addition of Mark DeRosa, then Matt Holliday defined the 2009 St. Louis Cardinals season.

Counting down The Cardinal Nation Blog’s top 20 stories of 2009

It is once again time for my view of the top 20 stores across the St. Louis Cardinals Nation during this past year.

Descalso to get shot at third base?

One report has St. Louis Cardinals second base prospect Daniel Descalso joining the spring third base scrum, but it seems an isolated thought.

The Cardinal Nation Blog top stories of 2009 #2: The repeat MVP

The continued greatness of Albert Pujols was not taken for granted as he earned his third NL Most Valuable Player Award in 2009.

Cardinals spring training rosters and numerology

New and changed uniform numbers for players invited to St. Louis Cardinals major league spring training.

When Musial didn’t wear number 6

A search through baseball history is underway to identify a most unusual Stan Musial photo.

The Cardinal Nation Blog top stories of 2009 #3: Cy close and closer

Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright led the St. Louis Cardinals pitching staff all season long but fell short in individual recognition.

McGwire needs to separate coaching from the Hall

Diffusing the ongoing outrage over Mark McGwire may require a clarification of the end objective.

The Cardinal Nation Blog top stories of 2009 #4: Holliday’s free agent romp

For the ongoing services of outfielder Matt Holliday, the St. Louis Cardinals and agent Scott Boras carried out an intricate dance for months.

The Cardinal Nation Blog top stories of 2009 #5: The failed finish

The 2009 St. Louis Cardinals won their division handily, but carried a final-month slump into a quick post-season exit.

The Cardinal Nation Blog top stories of 2009 #6: The successful odd couple, Mo and TLR

Working together, the manager and GM brought great results for the 2009 St. Louis Cardinals.

Wainwright fires at sabermetric voters

St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright tells those who value baserunners more than runs scored where they can stick their views.

Can Edmonds follow Lankford’s sequel?

Just as his Cardinals centerfield predecessor Ray Lankford did, Jim Edmonds wants to return after a year out of the game.

Cardinals arbitration, spending and more dry powder

The St. Louis Cardinals wouldn’t have to wait until their arbitration cases are settled to make their next move, but they may have good reasons for doing so.

2010 Cardinals spring radio and television

Preliminary spring training television and radio plans for the 2010 St. Louis Cardinals.

The Cardinal Nation Blog top stories of 2009 #7: Penny for Pineiro

Will Brad Penny become the 2010 St. Louis Cardinals’ version of 2009’s Joel Pineiro, the unsung hero?

La Russa needed coaching, too

Just as when Mark McGwire spoke out, St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa is catching considerable heat for what he said and did not say.

The Cardinal Nation Blog top stories of 2009 #8: Franklin the finisher

A big question turned into a strength of the 2009 Cardinals as Ryan Franklin seized the closer’s job and solidified the bullpen.

The Cardinal Nation Blog top stories of 2009 #9: The return of Big Mac

In a major surprise, former slugger Mark McGwire was introduced in October as the club’s new hitting coach, and in early 2010, stepped out of the shadows.

Cardinals Winter Warm-Up autograph prices reflect economy

Autograph prices at the St. Louis Cardinals fan event, Winter Warm-Up, demonstrate an appreciation of the down economy.

The Cardinal Nation Blog top stories of 2009 #10: Kennedy’s final season Skip-ped

After the St. Louis Cardinals ate the final year of Adam Kennedy’s contract, they turned second base over to neophyte Skip Schumaker – and it worked!

What if Albert Pujols becomes Mark Teixeira?

If the Cardinals ever reach the point of considering the unthinkable, trading Albert Pujols, Mark Teixeira’s history provides an important lesson.

The Cardinal Nation Blog named FOXSports.com’s Blog of the Day

McGwire story and association with Yardbarker leads to national exposure for Cardinals-oriented blog.

La Russa dreams of activating McGwire (honest)

Cardinals manager Tony La Russa wants Mark McGwire to become a late-season pinch-hitter and expects him in St. Louis next weekend.

Time to act on the Holliday-Pujols contract FUD

Why the conditions may be right for the St. Louis Cardinals to move to lock up Albert Pujols.

Can the Matt Holliday trade be judged now?

Now that the Cardinals have agreed to terms with outfielder Matt Holliday on a record-setting new contract, is the jury in on the big trade that brought him to St. Louis in the first place?

The Cardinal Nation Blog top stories of 2009 #11: Third base turmoil

Eight different players had a piece of the St. Louis Cardinals’ starting third base job in 2009. None of them did much of anything with it.

The Cardinal Nation Blog top stories of 2009 #12: Duncan’s disc, discord and departure

Trying to return from disc replacement surgery in his neck proved to be too much for Chris Duncan, who was traded to Boston in late July for middle infielder Julio Lugo in a move that unearthed a number of issues.

The Cardinal Nation Blog top stories of 2009 #13: Memphis and Springfield success

The youngest Triple-A and Double-A clubs in baseball both made the playoffs, the first time that was accomplished by Cardinals’ clubs in a quarter of a century.

The Cardinal Nation Blog top stories of 2009 #14: Whitey to the Hall

Whitey Herzog, the leader of the 1980’s St. Louis Cardinals, was elected to Baseball’s Hall of Fame.

The Cardinal Nation Blog top stories of 2009 #15: Shortstop shuffle

No one could have predicted how the shortstop position would have evolved for the 2009 St. Louis Cardinals.

Cardinals rumor control getting out of control

Erroneous news on a supposed new Matt Holliday offer from the St. Louis Cardinals is amplified all over cyberspace before being pulled.

Would two years be better for Holliday and the Cardinals?

Why might both Scott Boras and the St. Louis Cardinals consider a shorter-term contact for free agent Matt Holliday?

Who just blinked: DeRosa or the Cardinals?

Is Mark DeRosa’s reported two year, $12 million deal with the San Francisco Giants out of line with the market? If not, why didn’t the St. Louis Cardinals jump in?

Cardinals minor league defense below average

Using unearned runs to measure fielding prowess, St. Louis Cardinals minor leaguers don’t measure up to par.

Busch Stadium debt may hurt players more than taxpayers

Some major league clubs have advantageous leases that offer flexibility but shackle their communities. Others carry stadium-related debt.

The Cardinal Nation Blog top stories of 2009 #16: Change in centerfield

The 2009 St. Louis Cardinals’ centerfield featured a transition from the veteran to the kid along with some interesting twists.

The Cardinal Nation Blog top stories of 2009 #17: John Smoltz

The St. Louis Cardinals again added a future Hall of Fame pitcher nearing the end of his career but it didn’t end like in 1926.

Theories for McGwire’s delay

Why has Mark McGwire’s coming out party remained in his most familiar place – limboland?

Bighames becomes sixth Cardinal suspended in 2009

St. Louis 2009-drafted outfielder Tyler Bighames tests positive for drug of abuse.

The Cardinal Nation Blog top stories of 2009 #18: Shelby Miller

The St. Louis Cardinals ventured into unfamiliar territory when making their first-round pick in the 2009 draft.

Duncan’s yo-yo agent

The agent of former Cardinals outfielder Chris Duncan is making some interesting claims.

Is Boras alone wearing the black hat?

The MLB Players Association plays a powerful, but almost-invisible role in placement of top free agents.

When chasing dollars lead to regretted outcomes

There may be something for Matt Holliday to learn from this week’s Johnny Damon saga and a similar story from over two decades ago.

The Cardinal Nation Blog top stories of 2009 #19: Minors coaching turnover

Major changes occurred among the Cardinals minor league coaching ranks following an uneven 2009 season.

Cardinals lessons from Teixeira, the Yankees and stealth mode

Can the St. Louis Cardinals learn anything from a dissection of the New York Yankees’ 2008 pursuit of Mark Teixeira?

The Cardinal Nation Blog top stories of 2009 #20: Wagner Mateo

The sweetest amateur free agent signing in St. Louis Cardinals team history quickly went sour.

It’s about time for Mo to channel his inner Theo

The St. Louis Cardinals are getting to the point where they need to force Scott Boras to declare his hand regarding Matt Holliday.

Elias Ranking the St. Louis Cardinals roster

Rankings for the entire Cardinals team, not just their free agents, offer some interesting comparisons.

An Atkins-Holliday comp

A pair of former big bats from the Colorado Rockies are now free agents. The St. Louis Cardinals are thinking about at least one of them.

Bay keeps Cardinals Holliday cooking cold while Mo stirs pot

The St. Louis Cardinals are experiencing some extra spice in their Holliday cooking due to an unwanted touch of Bay while the GM puts the heat on the super agent.

Walton joins Hadley and Claiborne on KTRS Friday evening

Brian Walton joins Friday “Sportsnight” on St. Louis’ KTRS 550 at 8:05 p.m. Central.

Cardinals spring training ticket prices this decade

The progression of St. Louis Cardinals spring training ticket prices since 2000.

Breadon outshines Busch and DeWitt as Cardinals owner

Passed over in the Hall of Fame veterans committee vote was the winningest St. Louis Cardinals owner ever, Sam Breadon.

Don’t retire Herzog’s number – a different approach

Rather than retiring the number of every new Hall of Famer, the St. Louis Cardinals need a two-tiered system.

Herzog follows top Cardinals managers to Cooperstown

Whitey Herzog and the other six most-winning St. Louis Cardinals managers in club history are either in or locks for the Hall of Fame.

Ballpark Village holding Cardinals Museum hostage

St. Louis Cardinals history remains in mothballs while development project flounders.

‘Tis the early Holliday season for Cardinals second-guessers

Why is the Matt Holliday contract situation causing heightened emotions across Cardinal Nation?

Segundo is “second” in line of Cardinals suspensions

St. Louis Cardinals minor leaguer Jefferson Segundo receives a 50-day suspension, the second from the organization since the season ended, fifth in 2009 and 16th in the last five years.