It's not beyond the realm of possibility that the Washington Nationals won't win the NL East again in 2015. They've already had several key players go down with injuries, and four of them are questionable for service by the time they open their season on April 6 against the New York Mets (Jason Werth, Nate McLouth, Casey Janssen & Anthony Rendon). Another, Denard Span, is out indefinitely after undergoing abdominal surgery a couple of weeks ago.
Although they can survive without a few key players in the lineup from time to time, they can ill-afford to lose guys like Bryce Harper or Ryan Zimmerman (both with a history of injuries) for prolonged stretches again this season and hope to take the much more competitive NL East by storm.
Washington's starting pitching is probably good enough to carry them to the title again this season, even with a makeshift lineup behind them. That's barring any major injuries to their starters, of course.
Both the Miami Marlins and New York Mets will be much better than last season, but the only way either team could win that division would be an unlikely combination of further Nats' injuries while keeping their rosters almost completely out of harm's way for an entire season.
As far as the Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies are concerned, 2015 will be another forgettable season, as both former powerhouses are in a definite rebuilding mode. Just three years ago, the Phillies were coming off a 102-win season. But an aging core of players has made them perhaps the worst team in baseball - highly capable of losing 102 games in 2015. It won't be pretty.
Here's what's in store for the NL East for 2015:
Washington 95-67
Miami 85-77
New York 84-78
Atlanta 70-92
Philadelphia 64-98
With all their talent in recent years, the Nats have failed to advance past the NLDS in two tries - losing to St Louis in 2012 and losing to San Francisco last season. Still, they're the odds on favorite to win the World Series. So in all likelihood, they'd have to beat the Cardinals to reach the Fall Classic. Don't bet on it.
Showing posts with label atlanta braves. Show all posts
Showing posts with label atlanta braves. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Thursday, October 9, 2014
October 9, 1982 - Game 2 NLCS 4-3 Walk-Off Winner Over Braves
Saturday, October 9, 1982 - Game 2 NLCS - At Busch Stadium II (John Stuper - Starting Pitcher) - Opponent: Atlanta Braves (Phil Niekro - Starting Pitcher) - Attendance: 53,408
After scoring an eighth-inning run to tie the game, the Cardinals got the walk-off win in the ninth - by the slimmest of margins - to steal Game Two of the National League Championship Series vs the Atlanta Braves - by a score of 4-3. St Louis also won Game One, so now have a commanding two games to none lead in this best-of-five championship showdown.
As we all know, baseball is a game of inches. For Braves' manager Joe Torre, his defensive maneuvers late in this game sacrificed some precious inches - and probably cost his team a chance to avoid the ninth-inning calamity which turned a line drive off the bat of Ken Oberkfell into the walk-off game-winning hit.
Before all that unfolded, pitching from both sides did a nice job of keeping the opposing lineups from doing much damage. Sloppy defense cost the Cardinals an early run, while Niekro's erratic knuckle ball cost his team an early run, as well.
After Cards starter John Stuper made it through the first-inning unscathed, Niekro wasn't quite as lucky. With two out and Lonnie Smith on second and Oberkfell on third - Niekro uncorked a wild pitch with Darrell Porter at the plate - allowing Oberkfell to race home with the game's first run - and that was the extent of the scoring for the Cardinals until the sixth-inning.
By that time, the Braves had scored three runs - with one very costly unearned run added to the mix. Bruce Benedict started a third-inning rally by drawing a lead-off walk. After Niekro advanced him to second with a sacrifice bunt, it appeared Stuper might be able to navigate through a scoreless inning when he struck out Claudell Washington. But disaster struck when Rafael Ramirez singled to center. Willie McGee, in his haste to prevent Benedict from scoring from second, charged the ball aggressively, but missed it completely - allowing Ramirez to zip all the way around the bases to give the Braves a shocking 2-1 lead.
Atlanta tacked on another run in the fifth when Niekro batted with runners on second and third and nobody out. He helped his own cause with a sacrifice fly - scoring Glenn Hubbard from third - but the runner on second - Benedict - would eventually be stranded. Atlanta would also squander another scoring opportunity later in the game, which further killed their chances of pulling this one out of the fire.
The Redbirds finally got another run home in the sixth, but probably should have scored more. Keith Hernandez started the rally with a base hit to right - then scored on Porter's double down the right field line. Porter himself would be thrown out at the plate, trying to score on an Ozzie Smith single to right. An unusual 9-6-5 assist nailed Porter - so despite collecting four hits in the inning, the Cards had just one run to show for it.
After Atlanta had runners on first and second and nobody out in the eighth, manager Whitey Herzog brought in Bruce Sutter from the bullpen to work his magic. Stuper had pitched well enough, but was on the hook for the loss already - and the situation looked grim with the two runners on base being his responsibility, as well (Chris Chambliss on first and Dale Murphy on second).
Sutter struck out the first batter - Bob Horner - then with Jerry Royster batting - Murphy tried to steal third - but was nailed on a great throw from Porter to Oberkfell. Royster then bounced out to end the threat and shift the momentum in favor of the home team.
The Cardinals immediately cashed in on the opportunity, off reliever Gene Garber. With one out in the eighth, Porter walked. George Hendrick - quiet in the game to this point - let his bat do the talking with a singe to right - advancing Porter to third. McGee then hit a slow roller to the shortstop who got the force out at second - unassisted - but McGee easily beat the relay to first, as Porter scored the tying run.
By that time, in a series of lineup changes and manuevers, center fielder Dale Murphy moved over to left field, as Brett Butler became the new center fielder. As it would play out, that move cost the Braves the game, although probably nobody thought much about it at the time. Thirty-two years later, it seems obvious.
The fateful ninth-inning rally began with a single off the bat of David Green, who was immediately pushed to second on Herr's sacrifice bunt. Next up - Ken Oberkfell - hit a line drive to center field which 5' 10" Brett Butler couldn't quite reach. Cardinal play-by-play broadcaster Jack Buck's description of the play: "Butler came within an eyelash - within an eyelash - of catching that ball!"
Meanwhile, out in left field, 6' 4" Dale Murphy - who probably would have caught that ball had he remained in center field - could only helplessly watch the ball land safely, as a jubilant Green dashed home with the winning run.
Heading back to Atlanta down two games to none was too much to overcome. Putting Butler in center field - simply because he was speedy - was a routine practice throughout his seventeen-year major league career. Defensive metrics tell a different story, however. He was a far better left fielder, so really, he had no business playing center field. Murphy, on the other hand, was a far better center fielder who had no business playing left field.
Especially in the most important game of his career, when a game of inches - six to be exact - proved to be the difference between a game-winning hit or a routine putout.
The opportunistic Cardinals, were of course, very glad to put this one in the postseason win column. They'd find a way to win five more games in October - good for another World Series trophy.
After scoring an eighth-inning run to tie the game, the Cardinals got the walk-off win in the ninth - by the slimmest of margins - to steal Game Two of the National League Championship Series vs the Atlanta Braves - by a score of 4-3. St Louis also won Game One, so now have a commanding two games to none lead in this best-of-five championship showdown.
As we all know, baseball is a game of inches. For Braves' manager Joe Torre, his defensive maneuvers late in this game sacrificed some precious inches - and probably cost his team a chance to avoid the ninth-inning calamity which turned a line drive off the bat of Ken Oberkfell into the walk-off game-winning hit.
Before all that unfolded, pitching from both sides did a nice job of keeping the opposing lineups from doing much damage. Sloppy defense cost the Cardinals an early run, while Niekro's erratic knuckle ball cost his team an early run, as well.
After Cards starter John Stuper made it through the first-inning unscathed, Niekro wasn't quite as lucky. With two out and Lonnie Smith on second and Oberkfell on third - Niekro uncorked a wild pitch with Darrell Porter at the plate - allowing Oberkfell to race home with the game's first run - and that was the extent of the scoring for the Cardinals until the sixth-inning.
By that time, the Braves had scored three runs - with one very costly unearned run added to the mix. Bruce Benedict started a third-inning rally by drawing a lead-off walk. After Niekro advanced him to second with a sacrifice bunt, it appeared Stuper might be able to navigate through a scoreless inning when he struck out Claudell Washington. But disaster struck when Rafael Ramirez singled to center. Willie McGee, in his haste to prevent Benedict from scoring from second, charged the ball aggressively, but missed it completely - allowing Ramirez to zip all the way around the bases to give the Braves a shocking 2-1 lead.
Atlanta tacked on another run in the fifth when Niekro batted with runners on second and third and nobody out. He helped his own cause with a sacrifice fly - scoring Glenn Hubbard from third - but the runner on second - Benedict - would eventually be stranded. Atlanta would also squander another scoring opportunity later in the game, which further killed their chances of pulling this one out of the fire.
The Redbirds finally got another run home in the sixth, but probably should have scored more. Keith Hernandez started the rally with a base hit to right - then scored on Porter's double down the right field line. Porter himself would be thrown out at the plate, trying to score on an Ozzie Smith single to right. An unusual 9-6-5 assist nailed Porter - so despite collecting four hits in the inning, the Cards had just one run to show for it.
After Atlanta had runners on first and second and nobody out in the eighth, manager Whitey Herzog brought in Bruce Sutter from the bullpen to work his magic. Stuper had pitched well enough, but was on the hook for the loss already - and the situation looked grim with the two runners on base being his responsibility, as well (Chris Chambliss on first and Dale Murphy on second).
Sutter struck out the first batter - Bob Horner - then with Jerry Royster batting - Murphy tried to steal third - but was nailed on a great throw from Porter to Oberkfell. Royster then bounced out to end the threat and shift the momentum in favor of the home team.
The Cardinals immediately cashed in on the opportunity, off reliever Gene Garber. With one out in the eighth, Porter walked. George Hendrick - quiet in the game to this point - let his bat do the talking with a singe to right - advancing Porter to third. McGee then hit a slow roller to the shortstop who got the force out at second - unassisted - but McGee easily beat the relay to first, as Porter scored the tying run.
By that time, in a series of lineup changes and manuevers, center fielder Dale Murphy moved over to left field, as Brett Butler became the new center fielder. As it would play out, that move cost the Braves the game, although probably nobody thought much about it at the time. Thirty-two years later, it seems obvious.
The fateful ninth-inning rally began with a single off the bat of David Green, who was immediately pushed to second on Herr's sacrifice bunt. Next up - Ken Oberkfell - hit a line drive to center field which 5' 10" Brett Butler couldn't quite reach. Cardinal play-by-play broadcaster Jack Buck's description of the play: "Butler came within an eyelash - within an eyelash - of catching that ball!"
Meanwhile, out in left field, 6' 4" Dale Murphy - who probably would have caught that ball had he remained in center field - could only helplessly watch the ball land safely, as a jubilant Green dashed home with the winning run.
Heading back to Atlanta down two games to none was too much to overcome. Putting Butler in center field - simply because he was speedy - was a routine practice throughout his seventeen-year major league career. Defensive metrics tell a different story, however. He was a far better left fielder, so really, he had no business playing center field. Murphy, on the other hand, was a far better center fielder who had no business playing left field.
Especially in the most important game of his career, when a game of inches - six to be exact - proved to be the difference between a game-winning hit or a routine putout.
The opportunistic Cardinals, were of course, very glad to put this one in the postseason win column. They'd find a way to win five more games in October - good for another World Series trophy.
Sunday, September 28, 2014
September 28, 2011 - Carpenter's 2-Hit Shutout Punches Wild Cards' Ticket to Postseason Party
Wednesday, September 28, 2011 - At Minute Maid Park (Chris Carpenter - Starting Pitcher) - Opponent: Houston Astros (Brett Meyers - Starting Pitcher) - Attendance: 24,358
The Cardinals completed their most improbable quest for postseason play since 1964, with an 8-0 win over the Houston Astros. Chris Carpenter had his most dominant outing of the season - a complete game two-hit shutout, which also included eleven strikeouts and just one base on balls. Clearly, he was primed for postseason play.
The Cardinals took command of this game from the outset - scoring five first-inning runs on seven hits. The Redbirds tacked on another third-inning run when Carpenter got into the act with an RBI single to score David Freese - who also scored a fifth-inning run (his third of the game) on Skip Schumaker's second RBI of the game - on a run-scoring ground out.
Allen Craig added a ninth-inning solo home run to round out the scoring - for the game - and the regular season for the National League's most dominant offensive attack.
With Carpenter anchoring the starting rotation and a vastly improved bullpen, this team seemed to have all the pieces required to go all the way. And of course, they did.
In the meantime, after this game concluded, St Louis now held a one-half game advantage over the Braves for the coveted wild card berth in the National League. The game between the Braves and Phillies - which began an hour before this one - was still in progress - tied at three runs apiece.
As the Cardinal players gathered in the visitor's clubhouse to watch the conclusion of that game - the Phillies scored a thirteenth-inning run to take the lead. When Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman grounded into a season-ending 3-6-3 double-play - one hour and fifteen minutes after their win in Game 162 - the Cardinals were in - and the first of four wild champagne celebrations had begun.
Three years later, the Cardinals clinched their second straight NL Central title after Reds pitcher Johnny Cueto avenged last season's embarrassing wild card loss to the Pirates - and at least for a day - was not the most despised opposing player in Cardinal Nation.
The Cardinals completed their most improbable quest for postseason play since 1964, with an 8-0 win over the Houston Astros. Chris Carpenter had his most dominant outing of the season - a complete game two-hit shutout, which also included eleven strikeouts and just one base on balls. Clearly, he was primed for postseason play.
The Cardinals took command of this game from the outset - scoring five first-inning runs on seven hits. The Redbirds tacked on another third-inning run when Carpenter got into the act with an RBI single to score David Freese - who also scored a fifth-inning run (his third of the game) on Skip Schumaker's second RBI of the game - on a run-scoring ground out.
Allen Craig added a ninth-inning solo home run to round out the scoring - for the game - and the regular season for the National League's most dominant offensive attack.
With Carpenter anchoring the starting rotation and a vastly improved bullpen, this team seemed to have all the pieces required to go all the way. And of course, they did.
In the meantime, after this game concluded, St Louis now held a one-half game advantage over the Braves for the coveted wild card berth in the National League. The game between the Braves and Phillies - which began an hour before this one - was still in progress - tied at three runs apiece.
As the Cardinal players gathered in the visitor's clubhouse to watch the conclusion of that game - the Phillies scored a thirteenth-inning run to take the lead. When Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman grounded into a season-ending 3-6-3 double-play - one hour and fifteen minutes after their win in Game 162 - the Cardinals were in - and the first of four wild champagne celebrations had begun.
Three years later, the Cardinals clinched their second straight NL Central title after Reds pitcher Johnny Cueto avenged last season's embarrassing wild card loss to the Pirates - and at least for a day - was not the most despised opposing player in Cardinal Nation.
Sunday, September 21, 2014
September 21, 2011 - Freese Burns Mets: 2-Run Triple, 3-Run HR in 6-5 Comeback Win
Wednesday, September 21, 2011 - At Busch Stadium III (Jaime Garcia - Starting Pitcher) - Opponent: New York Mets (Chris Schwinden - Starting Pitcher) - Attendance: 40,658
David Freese gave fans a postseason preview tonight - his two-out two-run first-inning triple to right field - which scored Albert Pujols and Lance Berkman - was eerily similar to what happened in Game Six - when the Cardinals were one strike away from World Series defeat. Freese later won that game with, arguably, the most dramatic home run in franchise history.
In this particular game, with the Cardinals down 4-3 in the seventh-inning to the New York Mets - with two out and two on (Pujols and Berkman - naturally), Freese smacked an opposite-field home deep to right field off Mets reliever Danny Herrera - to provide just enough cushion for an eventual 6-5 win.
Meanwhile, down in Miami, the Marlins had already beaten the suddenly hapless Braves, 4-0 - whose lead over the Cardinals for the one and only wild card spot in the postseason had shrunk to 1.5 games. They were doomed - and they probably knew it.
The Cardinals were red hot - by far the best offensive team in the National League all season long - on the verge of taking it up another notch - just in time for the postseason.
Defensively, however, the Cardinals were well below average - and it was some bad glove work that nearly cost them this game.
After Freese had staked Jaime Garcia to that early 2-0 lead, Allen Craig added a second-inning run -scoring Yadier Molina from third with a single off Mets starter Chris Schwinden.
That 3-0 lead immediately evaporated as the Mets took their turn at bat in a nightmarish third-inning for Garcia - and especially for shortstop Rafael Furcal. After retiring the first two batters on strikes, Garcia couldn't put his mound rival away. Schwinden grounded one up the middle, just off second baseman Skip Schumaker's glove for an infield single - then all hell broke loose.
Jose Reyes doubled down the left field line - advancing Schwinden to third. Next up - Angel Pagan - hit a routine grounder to Furcal at shortstop, which should have ended the inning. Instead, the ball squirted under his glove and through his legs into shallow left center field - as two unearned runs crossed the plate.
Next up - David Wright advanced Pagan to second with a legitimate infield single off Furcal's glove.
Mets manager Terry Collins then sent Josh Satin in to pinch hit for Lucas Duda - and the strategy paid off, as Satin laced one down the left field line - scoring both runners - to give the Mets a 4-3 lead.
That's where the score remained until the Cardinals displayed their own brand of two-out-nobody-on magic. After reliever Miguel Batista - who briefly toiled for St Louis earlier in this season - retired the first two batters in the seventh, Pujols kept the inning alive with a base hit to center.
Exit Batista - enter Danny Herrera - who immediately served up a Lance Berkman single to left field.
Up to this point in the season, Freese had been a good - but far from great - hitter. He was most effective when he didn't try to pull every pitch - when he would drive the ball to dead center - or to the opposite field - as he did in this game. His blast into the Cardinals' bullpen suddenly turned a 4-3 deficit into a 6-4 lead.
The postseason dream, which seemed to be a complete fantasy at the beginning of the month, had come alive - as the crowd came alive - with one swing of the bat.
The Mets made things interesting in the ninth-inning - when the unofficial closer - Jason Motte - yielded a two-out solo home run to Willie Harris. Motte then sent the crowd into a frenzy by striking out Josh Thole to earn his eighth save of the season - preserving the 6-5 win for Jaime Garcia (7.2 IP - 6 H - 4 R - 0 ER - 0 BB - 5 SO), who improved to 13-7 on the season.
David Freese - in what had been his finest performance in any game during his brief career - was just getting started.
David Freese gave fans a postseason preview tonight - his two-out two-run first-inning triple to right field - which scored Albert Pujols and Lance Berkman - was eerily similar to what happened in Game Six - when the Cardinals were one strike away from World Series defeat. Freese later won that game with, arguably, the most dramatic home run in franchise history.
In this particular game, with the Cardinals down 4-3 in the seventh-inning to the New York Mets - with two out and two on (Pujols and Berkman - naturally), Freese smacked an opposite-field home deep to right field off Mets reliever Danny Herrera - to provide just enough cushion for an eventual 6-5 win.
Meanwhile, down in Miami, the Marlins had already beaten the suddenly hapless Braves, 4-0 - whose lead over the Cardinals for the one and only wild card spot in the postseason had shrunk to 1.5 games. They were doomed - and they probably knew it.
The Cardinals were red hot - by far the best offensive team in the National League all season long - on the verge of taking it up another notch - just in time for the postseason.
Defensively, however, the Cardinals were well below average - and it was some bad glove work that nearly cost them this game.
After Freese had staked Jaime Garcia to that early 2-0 lead, Allen Craig added a second-inning run -scoring Yadier Molina from third with a single off Mets starter Chris Schwinden.
That 3-0 lead immediately evaporated as the Mets took their turn at bat in a nightmarish third-inning for Garcia - and especially for shortstop Rafael Furcal. After retiring the first two batters on strikes, Garcia couldn't put his mound rival away. Schwinden grounded one up the middle, just off second baseman Skip Schumaker's glove for an infield single - then all hell broke loose.
Jose Reyes doubled down the left field line - advancing Schwinden to third. Next up - Angel Pagan - hit a routine grounder to Furcal at shortstop, which should have ended the inning. Instead, the ball squirted under his glove and through his legs into shallow left center field - as two unearned runs crossed the plate.
Next up - David Wright advanced Pagan to second with a legitimate infield single off Furcal's glove.
Mets manager Terry Collins then sent Josh Satin in to pinch hit for Lucas Duda - and the strategy paid off, as Satin laced one down the left field line - scoring both runners - to give the Mets a 4-3 lead.
That's where the score remained until the Cardinals displayed their own brand of two-out-nobody-on magic. After reliever Miguel Batista - who briefly toiled for St Louis earlier in this season - retired the first two batters in the seventh, Pujols kept the inning alive with a base hit to center.
Exit Batista - enter Danny Herrera - who immediately served up a Lance Berkman single to left field.
Up to this point in the season, Freese had been a good - but far from great - hitter. He was most effective when he didn't try to pull every pitch - when he would drive the ball to dead center - or to the opposite field - as he did in this game. His blast into the Cardinals' bullpen suddenly turned a 4-3 deficit into a 6-4 lead.
The postseason dream, which seemed to be a complete fantasy at the beginning of the month, had come alive - as the crowd came alive - with one swing of the bat.
The Mets made things interesting in the ninth-inning - when the unofficial closer - Jason Motte - yielded a two-out solo home run to Willie Harris. Motte then sent the crowd into a frenzy by striking out Josh Thole to earn his eighth save of the season - preserving the 6-5 win for Jaime Garcia (7.2 IP - 6 H - 4 R - 0 ER - 0 BB - 5 SO), who improved to 13-7 on the season.
David Freese - in what had been his finest performance in any game during his brief career - was just getting started.
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
September 16, 2011 - 2-Run 11th-Inning Give Cards Crucial 4-2 Win Over Phillies
Friday, September 16, 2011 - At Citizens Bank Park (Jaime Garcia - Starting Pitcher) - Opponent: Philadelphia Phillies (Vance Worley - Starting Pitcher) - Attendance: 45,572
Cardinals' rookie Adron Chambers picked a good time to get his first major league hit. Batting with two runners on in a 2-2 tie with the Phillies - Chambers - in only his second major league at bat - lined a single to right, scoring Rafael Furcal from second base with the go-ahead run. The Cardinals added an insurance run when the much-maligned Tyler Greene scored Albert Pujols from second with a double high off the wall in left - which missed going in the seats for a three-run homer by a couple of feet.
Chambers almost scored as well, but was out on a close play at the plate. It didn't matter, as a smiling Adron received a well-deserved hero's welcome in the Cardinals' dugout - while Fernando Salas was busy working an uneventful inning of relief for his 24th save of the season - giving Kyle McClellan (12-6) the win after pitching a perfect tenth-inning of relief.
The Cardinals had great pitching all throughout this game - and if not for a dropped fly ball by right fielder Corey Patterson - they would've walked away with a 2-1 win in regulation. But that would've been too boring - something the '11 Redbirds definitely were not.
Phillies starter Vance Worley pitched quite well in his six-inning stint - allowing just one run on six hits and three walks. But his control problems cost him in the second-inning, when he issued all three of those walks - the last one to Rafael Furcal with the bases loaded forced in the first run of the game - staking Jaime Garcia to an early 1-0 lead.
However, that lead was short-lived, as Garcia yielded back-to-back doubles to Polanco and Mayberry in the bottom half of the second to tie the game at one run apiece. That would be the only run Philadelphia would score on Garcia in his seven innings of work.
In the eighth-inning, with reliever Bastardo pitching for the Phillies, Yadier Molina lined a one-out solo home run off the left field foul pole - staking Garcia to a 2-1 lead.
After Rzepczynski and Dotel collaborated on a scoreless eighth-inning, Jason Motte was called on to nail it down in the ninth - but Ryan Howard's two-out pinch hit double kept the inning alive for Carlos Ruiz. Then Cardinals right fielder Corey Patterson kept the inning - and the game - alive for Philadelphia when he dropped Ruiz' fly ball for a very costly run-scoring error.
Had the Phillies gone on to win this game, they would have clinched the NL East title. That explains why a grinning Phillies center fielder Shane Victorino was busy getting Ruiz' attention on second base - popping an imaginary bottle of champagne, then guzzling an imaginary glass of bubbly - while his chortling teammates joined in on the mock celebration.
It was quite a show, and it's unlikely the Cardinals on the field and in the dugout failed to miss their little vaudeville act. "Not tonight" became the unofficial mantra for the Redbirds - who could ill-afford to lose this one in their hunt for that all-important wild card slot.
Arthur Rhodes then came out of the bullpen to relieve a distraught Motte - striking out his man to end the threat - and send the game into overtime.
After McClellan did his job in the tenth, Phillies reliever Michael Schwimer was summoned to face the Cardinals in the eleventh. Furcal greeted him with a lead-off double down the right field line. Patterson then laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance the runner to third. Predictably, Albert Pujols was intentionally walked - bringing Adron Chambers - who had entered the game a bit earlier after a series of pitching changes created lineup changes - such as the one which removed cleanup hitter Lance Berkman from the game.
As the Citizens Bank Park crowd watched in horror, Berkman's replacement - Chambers of all people - got the biggest hit of the year for St Louis - driving in the go-ahead run in a game the Cards could ill-afford to lose.
Fernando Salas officially put the Phillies' champagne celebration on hold when he struck out Marberry to preserve the 4-2 win.
Meanwhile, in New York, the Mets were doing their part in aiding and abetting the dreaded Redbirds by knocking off the Braves, 12-2.
St Louis (82-68) now trailed wild card-leader Atlanta (86-65) by 3.5 games. Somehow, that lead didn't seem like such a big deal.
Cardinals' rookie Adron Chambers picked a good time to get his first major league hit. Batting with two runners on in a 2-2 tie with the Phillies - Chambers - in only his second major league at bat - lined a single to right, scoring Rafael Furcal from second base with the go-ahead run. The Cardinals added an insurance run when the much-maligned Tyler Greene scored Albert Pujols from second with a double high off the wall in left - which missed going in the seats for a three-run homer by a couple of feet.
Chambers almost scored as well, but was out on a close play at the plate. It didn't matter, as a smiling Adron received a well-deserved hero's welcome in the Cardinals' dugout - while Fernando Salas was busy working an uneventful inning of relief for his 24th save of the season - giving Kyle McClellan (12-6) the win after pitching a perfect tenth-inning of relief.
The Cardinals had great pitching all throughout this game - and if not for a dropped fly ball by right fielder Corey Patterson - they would've walked away with a 2-1 win in regulation. But that would've been too boring - something the '11 Redbirds definitely were not.
Phillies starter Vance Worley pitched quite well in his six-inning stint - allowing just one run on six hits and three walks. But his control problems cost him in the second-inning, when he issued all three of those walks - the last one to Rafael Furcal with the bases loaded forced in the first run of the game - staking Jaime Garcia to an early 1-0 lead.
However, that lead was short-lived, as Garcia yielded back-to-back doubles to Polanco and Mayberry in the bottom half of the second to tie the game at one run apiece. That would be the only run Philadelphia would score on Garcia in his seven innings of work.
In the eighth-inning, with reliever Bastardo pitching for the Phillies, Yadier Molina lined a one-out solo home run off the left field foul pole - staking Garcia to a 2-1 lead.
After Rzepczynski and Dotel collaborated on a scoreless eighth-inning, Jason Motte was called on to nail it down in the ninth - but Ryan Howard's two-out pinch hit double kept the inning alive for Carlos Ruiz. Then Cardinals right fielder Corey Patterson kept the inning - and the game - alive for Philadelphia when he dropped Ruiz' fly ball for a very costly run-scoring error.
Had the Phillies gone on to win this game, they would have clinched the NL East title. That explains why a grinning Phillies center fielder Shane Victorino was busy getting Ruiz' attention on second base - popping an imaginary bottle of champagne, then guzzling an imaginary glass of bubbly - while his chortling teammates joined in on the mock celebration.
It was quite a show, and it's unlikely the Cardinals on the field and in the dugout failed to miss their little vaudeville act. "Not tonight" became the unofficial mantra for the Redbirds - who could ill-afford to lose this one in their hunt for that all-important wild card slot.
Arthur Rhodes then came out of the bullpen to relieve a distraught Motte - striking out his man to end the threat - and send the game into overtime.
After McClellan did his job in the tenth, Phillies reliever Michael Schwimer was summoned to face the Cardinals in the eleventh. Furcal greeted him with a lead-off double down the right field line. Patterson then laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance the runner to third. Predictably, Albert Pujols was intentionally walked - bringing Adron Chambers - who had entered the game a bit earlier after a series of pitching changes created lineup changes - such as the one which removed cleanup hitter Lance Berkman from the game.
As the Citizens Bank Park crowd watched in horror, Berkman's replacement - Chambers of all people - got the biggest hit of the year for St Louis - driving in the go-ahead run in a game the Cards could ill-afford to lose.
Fernando Salas officially put the Phillies' champagne celebration on hold when he struck out Marberry to preserve the 4-2 win.
Meanwhile, in New York, the Mets were doing their part in aiding and abetting the dreaded Redbirds by knocking off the Braves, 12-2.
St Louis (82-68) now trailed wild card-leader Atlanta (86-65) by 3.5 games. Somehow, that lead didn't seem like such a big deal.
Tuesday, September 9, 2014
September 10, 2011 - Bullpen Nails Down 4-3 Win Over Braves
Saturday, September 10, 2011 - At Busch Stadium III (Jaime Garcia - Starting Pitcher) - Opponent: Atlanta Braves (Derek Lowe - Starting Pitcher) - Attendance: 40,689
In the second game of a crucial three-game series with the Braves - the Cardinals jumped out to an early 4-0 lead, then held on for a 4-3 win, thanks to three solid innings of relief from the back-end of a now very formidable bullpen.
Jaime Garcia (12-7) allowed three runs in six innings for the win, which was preserved by one inning of scoreless relief from each of three relievers: Marc Rzepczynski (1 H - 1 SO), Fernando Salas (0 H - 2 SO) and Jason Motte (0 H - 1 BB). Motte, who had unofficially become the Cards' closer - earned his 4th save of 2011.
Atlanta starter Derek Lowe (9-14) gave up an RBI single to Albert Pujols and an RBI double to David Freese in the first-inning - to stake Garcia to a quick 2-0 lead.
Then in the third, back-to-back doubles by Matt Holliday and Lance Berkman - plus an RBI single off the bat of Yadier Molina gave the Redbirds a 4-0 lead. That was just enough tonight.
Freddie Freeman made things interesting with a fourth-inning two-run home run - then Brian McCann made things even more interesting with a fifth-inning RBI single - to make it a 4-3 game - and that's where it stayed.
After Garcia pitched a scoreless sixth-inning, manager Tony LaRussa went to the bullpen to nail this one down - a formula he used to eventually earn the Cardinals a World Series championship.
Certainly, the Cardinals knew they needed to sweep the Braves in this three-game series if they were to have any chance of overtaking Atlanta in the wild card race. They won the first game on Friday night, after a rare blown save by closer Craig Kimbrell kept the Cardinals alive - en route to a ten-inning walk-off win. They would also take the final game on Sunday, to move within 4.5 games of the Braves - with sixteen left to play.
The wildest finish since 1964 was well under way. Nothing would be decided until Game 162 - aka Wild Card Wednesday. You know what happened. Nearly three years later, it's still hard to believe.
In the second game of a crucial three-game series with the Braves - the Cardinals jumped out to an early 4-0 lead, then held on for a 4-3 win, thanks to three solid innings of relief from the back-end of a now very formidable bullpen.
Jaime Garcia (12-7) allowed three runs in six innings for the win, which was preserved by one inning of scoreless relief from each of three relievers: Marc Rzepczynski (1 H - 1 SO), Fernando Salas (0 H - 2 SO) and Jason Motte (0 H - 1 BB). Motte, who had unofficially become the Cards' closer - earned his 4th save of 2011.
Atlanta starter Derek Lowe (9-14) gave up an RBI single to Albert Pujols and an RBI double to David Freese in the first-inning - to stake Garcia to a quick 2-0 lead.
Then in the third, back-to-back doubles by Matt Holliday and Lance Berkman - plus an RBI single off the bat of Yadier Molina gave the Redbirds a 4-0 lead. That was just enough tonight.
Freddie Freeman made things interesting with a fourth-inning two-run home run - then Brian McCann made things even more interesting with a fifth-inning RBI single - to make it a 4-3 game - and that's where it stayed.
After Garcia pitched a scoreless sixth-inning, manager Tony LaRussa went to the bullpen to nail this one down - a formula he used to eventually earn the Cardinals a World Series championship.
Certainly, the Cardinals knew they needed to sweep the Braves in this three-game series if they were to have any chance of overtaking Atlanta in the wild card race. They won the first game on Friday night, after a rare blown save by closer Craig Kimbrell kept the Cardinals alive - en route to a ten-inning walk-off win. They would also take the final game on Sunday, to move within 4.5 games of the Braves - with sixteen left to play.
The wildest finish since 1964 was well under way. Nothing would be decided until Game 162 - aka Wild Card Wednesday. You know what happened. Nearly three years later, it's still hard to believe.
Saturday, August 30, 2014
August 30, 2011 - Cards Nip Error-Prone Brewers, 2-1
Tuesday, August 30, 2011 - At Miller Park (Edwin Jackson - Starting Pitcher) - Opponent: Milwaukee Brewers (Shaun Marcum - Starting Pitcher) - Attendance: 42,384
In the first game of a three-game series, newly acquired Cardinal starting pitcher Edwin Jackson had a strong outing - limiting the Brewers to one run on six hits in seven innings of work. However, if not for two costly errors by the right side of the Milwaukee infield, Jackson would have exited this game on the wrong side of a 1-0 score - and more importantly, the Cardinals would have lost this game to remain 9.5 games behind the Atlanta Braves - the team they were chasing for that postseason wild card berth. Instead, thanks to a pair of unearned runs, the Redbirds kept their postseason hopes alive with a 2-1 win over the Brew Crew.
Brewers starting pitcher Shaun Marcum pitched admirably, but defensive lapses in the sixth-inning gave the Cardinals a golden opportunity to break a scoreless tie - and they cashed in.
The inning began with Skip Schumaker hitting a routine ground ball to first baseman Prince Fielder, which went under his glove and through his legs to right fielder Corey Hart - as Schumaker skipped to first base. Next up - Rafael Furcal bounced one - with a lot of topspin - to second baseman Jerry Hairston - who misjudged the effect the topspin would have on the ball when he tried to field it. He got in front of it, but the ball hit the heel of his glove for an error. Three inches lower, and he would have at least gotten the force out at second - perhaps a double play.
Instead, with runners on first and second, Yadier Molina lined a single to center to load the bases for Edwin Jackson - who drove in the first run of the game with base hit to right - as the bases remained loaded for Jon Jay - who drove in the second run of the game with a sacrifice fly. That was it: Two runs, two hits, two errors and two runners left on base.
The Brewers began the sixth-inning with back-to-back doubles by Corey Hart and Nyjer Morgan to cut the St Louis lead in half. But Jackson was able to prevent any further scoring - first, by striking out Prince Fielder with one out and the runner on third - for out number two. Then he got Casey McGehee on a fly ball to center to retire the side.
After working a scoreless seventh-inning, Jackson's night was over. The bullpen's night was just beginning. Reliever Arthur Rhodes got the first out in the eighth-inning, then turned the ball over to Jason Motte, who gave up a hit - but no runs - in his two-out stint.
Newly acquired reliever Marc Rzepczynski faced one batter in the bottom of the ninth - Prince Fielder - but the designated lefty specialist failed to get his man. Fielder walked.
LaRussa then brought in Fernando Salas to face Casey McGehee - who also walked. Betancourt was the next batter - who was up there bunting, trying to advance the runners to second and third. Instead, a hard charging Albert Pujols fielded the bunt and fired a strike to third base for a crucial force out of Fielder. The game ended when pinch hitter Mark Kotsay (replacing Hairston) grounded into a 4-6-3 double play.
And yes, the Braves lost tonight - at home - to the Washington Nationals - who pounded out four home runs in a 9-2 Atlanta beat down. The fun was just beginning.
In the first game of a three-game series, newly acquired Cardinal starting pitcher Edwin Jackson had a strong outing - limiting the Brewers to one run on six hits in seven innings of work. However, if not for two costly errors by the right side of the Milwaukee infield, Jackson would have exited this game on the wrong side of a 1-0 score - and more importantly, the Cardinals would have lost this game to remain 9.5 games behind the Atlanta Braves - the team they were chasing for that postseason wild card berth. Instead, thanks to a pair of unearned runs, the Redbirds kept their postseason hopes alive with a 2-1 win over the Brew Crew.
Brewers starting pitcher Shaun Marcum pitched admirably, but defensive lapses in the sixth-inning gave the Cardinals a golden opportunity to break a scoreless tie - and they cashed in.
The inning began with Skip Schumaker hitting a routine ground ball to first baseman Prince Fielder, which went under his glove and through his legs to right fielder Corey Hart - as Schumaker skipped to first base. Next up - Rafael Furcal bounced one - with a lot of topspin - to second baseman Jerry Hairston - who misjudged the effect the topspin would have on the ball when he tried to field it. He got in front of it, but the ball hit the heel of his glove for an error. Three inches lower, and he would have at least gotten the force out at second - perhaps a double play.
Instead, with runners on first and second, Yadier Molina lined a single to center to load the bases for Edwin Jackson - who drove in the first run of the game with base hit to right - as the bases remained loaded for Jon Jay - who drove in the second run of the game with a sacrifice fly. That was it: Two runs, two hits, two errors and two runners left on base.
The Brewers began the sixth-inning with back-to-back doubles by Corey Hart and Nyjer Morgan to cut the St Louis lead in half. But Jackson was able to prevent any further scoring - first, by striking out Prince Fielder with one out and the runner on third - for out number two. Then he got Casey McGehee on a fly ball to center to retire the side.
After working a scoreless seventh-inning, Jackson's night was over. The bullpen's night was just beginning. Reliever Arthur Rhodes got the first out in the eighth-inning, then turned the ball over to Jason Motte, who gave up a hit - but no runs - in his two-out stint.
Newly acquired reliever Marc Rzepczynski faced one batter in the bottom of the ninth - Prince Fielder - but the designated lefty specialist failed to get his man. Fielder walked.
LaRussa then brought in Fernando Salas to face Casey McGehee - who also walked. Betancourt was the next batter - who was up there bunting, trying to advance the runners to second and third. Instead, a hard charging Albert Pujols fielded the bunt and fired a strike to third base for a crucial force out of Fielder. The game ended when pinch hitter Mark Kotsay (replacing Hairston) grounded into a 4-6-3 double play.
And yes, the Braves lost tonight - at home - to the Washington Nationals - who pounded out four home runs in a 9-2 Atlanta beat down. The fun was just beginning.
Monday, August 25, 2014
August 26, 2011 - Molina, Berkman Power Cards to 5-4 Win Over Pirates
Friday, August 26, 2011 - At Busch Stadium III (Jake Westbrook - Starting Pitcher) - Opponent: Pittsburgh Pirates (James McDonald - Starting Pitcher) - Attendance: 40,480
After being swept at home in a three-game series with the Dodgers, manager Tony LaRussa held a brief team meeting with his players prior to the four-game series with the Pirates. In essence, the message imparted by TLR was simply: Don't quit.
After winning the first game on Thursday, the Cardinals had to perform some come-from-behind magic to take the second game from Pittsburgh - and they did, thanks to home runs by Yadier Molina and Lance Berkman.
Berkman's thirtieth home run of the season - a two-run eighth-inning blast - lifted the Cardinals to a 5-4 win - but it was Molina's three-run homer earlier in the game which made the game winner possible.
Things didn't start out well for St Louis starter - Jake Westbrook. One walk, three hits and a sacrifice fly quickly put the Cardinals in a 3-0 hole after the first-inning.
The Redbirds evened the score in the third-inning. Matt Holliday led off with a base on balls. One out later, David Freese singled. With two on and one out, Yadier Molina blasted a James McDonald letter-high fastball into the left field seats to suddenly make it a 3-3 game - while giving a lucky fan a souvenir.
The Pirates quickly regained the lead in the fourth-inning. Jose Tabatha's two-out double scored Ronnie Cedeno from second - but that would be the last run Pittsburgh would score.
Westbrook's night was over after six innings. He had yielded seven hits and walked five - but limited the damage to four runs. The final three innings of flawless relief - Arthur Rhodes' perfect seventh - followed by Kyle McClellan's (10-6) two perfect innings - allowed Berkman's home run into the Cardinals' bullpen off Pirates reliever Jose Veras (2-4) to have significance. Looking back on the 2011 season, the home run meant the difference between a trip to the postseason and going home after Game 162.
After winning Game 132 - the Cardinals (69-63) were 9.5 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers (79-54) - who also won tonight. Strangely enough, they were also 9.5 games behind the Atlanta Braves - who lost tonight.
The Cardinals would take three of four from the Pirates before sweeping a three-game series in Milwaukee. Clearly, they weren't quitting.
After being swept at home in a three-game series with the Dodgers, manager Tony LaRussa held a brief team meeting with his players prior to the four-game series with the Pirates. In essence, the message imparted by TLR was simply: Don't quit.
After winning the first game on Thursday, the Cardinals had to perform some come-from-behind magic to take the second game from Pittsburgh - and they did, thanks to home runs by Yadier Molina and Lance Berkman.
Berkman's thirtieth home run of the season - a two-run eighth-inning blast - lifted the Cardinals to a 5-4 win - but it was Molina's three-run homer earlier in the game which made the game winner possible.
Things didn't start out well for St Louis starter - Jake Westbrook. One walk, three hits and a sacrifice fly quickly put the Cardinals in a 3-0 hole after the first-inning.
The Redbirds evened the score in the third-inning. Matt Holliday led off with a base on balls. One out later, David Freese singled. With two on and one out, Yadier Molina blasted a James McDonald letter-high fastball into the left field seats to suddenly make it a 3-3 game - while giving a lucky fan a souvenir.
The Pirates quickly regained the lead in the fourth-inning. Jose Tabatha's two-out double scored Ronnie Cedeno from second - but that would be the last run Pittsburgh would score.
Westbrook's night was over after six innings. He had yielded seven hits and walked five - but limited the damage to four runs. The final three innings of flawless relief - Arthur Rhodes' perfect seventh - followed by Kyle McClellan's (10-6) two perfect innings - allowed Berkman's home run into the Cardinals' bullpen off Pirates reliever Jose Veras (2-4) to have significance. Looking back on the 2011 season, the home run meant the difference between a trip to the postseason and going home after Game 162.
After winning Game 132 - the Cardinals (69-63) were 9.5 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers (79-54) - who also won tonight. Strangely enough, they were also 9.5 games behind the Atlanta Braves - who lost tonight.
The Cardinals would take three of four from the Pirates before sweeping a three-game series in Milwaukee. Clearly, they weren't quitting.
Thursday, August 7, 2014
August 7, 2005 - Eckstein Walks-Off Braves in Grand Style
Sunday, August 7, 2005 - At Busch Stadium II (Chris Carpenter - Starting Pitcher) - Opponent: Atlanta Braves (Jorge Sosa - Starting Pitcher) - Attendance: 47,714
David Eckstein's ninth-inning grand slam home run turned a 3-1 deficit into a thrilling 5-3 walk-off win over the Atlanta Braves. It was an unexpected ending to a game that began as a pitcher's duel - at least through the first seven innings.
Both starting pitchers - Chris Carpenter and Jorge Sosa - had only given up four hits apiece - but for Carpenter, two of the hits left the yard. Kelly Johnson's solo home run in the first inning staked Sosa to a 1-0 lead - then Jeff Francoeur added another solo blast in the second-inning.
Meanwhile, Sosa breezed through the St Louis lineup with such ease, it seemed likely Carpenter's effort would go down in the books as a tough loss. The Cardinal ace - on his way to capturing the NL Cy Young Award - settled down after yielding that second home run - striking out ten batters along the way.
But then, questionable managerial decisions on the part of Bobby Cox ultimately facilitated the Cardinals' comeback. It all started when Cox decided to pinch hit for Sosa - who was scheduled to lead-off the eighth-inning for Atlanta. Pinch hitter Pete Orr was retired, along with the next two batters, as the score remained 2-0, in favor of the Braves.
With Sosa out of the game, the Cardinals' offense began to stir. After reliever Kyle Farnsworth recorded the first two outs in the bottom of the eighth, he quickly got ahead in the count - 0-2 - to Albert Pujols. His next pitch - which should have been a foot outside - instead caught too much of the strike zone to the world's best hitter. Pujols blasted the pitch deep to left center field to put the Cardinals on the board for the first time in the game. As manager Bobby Cox fumed in the Braves' dugout, he quickly made another hasty pitching change - bringing in John Foster to pitch to Jim Edmonds. Foster couldn't find the strike zone, as Edmonds took the free pass. At this point, Cox went to his trump card - at least he thought it was his trump card - bringing Chris Reitsma in from the bullpen to restore order. He induced Mark Grudzielanek to ground out to the third baseman to preserve the 2-1 lead.
Then manager Tony LaRussa brought Jason Isringhausen in from the bullpen to begin the top of the ninth-inning - in a non-save situation. Marcus Giles greeted Izzy with a single to right field - then promptly stole second with Andruw Jones batting. Jones then walked. When the next batter - Adam LaRoche - grounded into a 4-6-3 double play, it appeared Isringhausen might be able to wriggle out of this predicament, unscathed. However, Francoeur - who homered earlier in the game - drove in another run with a double to right field. At this point, Ray King was summoned from the Cardinals' bullpen to clean up the mess.
Things got messier when King plunked the first batter - Brian McCann - with a pitch. Then he walked the next batter - Wilson Betemt - to load the bases. The next scheduled batter - relief pitcher Chris Reitsma - was allowed to hit for himself. Cox had lifted Sosa an inning earlier - when he was pitching brilliantly - with a two-run lead. But he let Reitsma bat in this situation - with the bases loaded - when another hit could have put the game on ice for Atlanta. Instead, Reitsma grounded out to end the threat - then went back to the mound to face the Redbirds in the bottom of the ninth.
Abraham Nunez singled - as did So Taguchi - to put runners on first and second. The next batter - Hector Luna - reached base on an infield hit off the second baseman's glove. The bases were now loaded. Nobody out. Nobody stirring in the Braves' bullpen. Cox was going to keep Reitsma in there, no matter what. Then Scott Seabol - pinch hitting for Ray King - lined one hard - but right at the third baseman for the first out of the inning.
Next up - the Cardinals' gritty lead-off hitter - David Eckstein - hardly a serious power threat. The first pitch to Eckstein missed - for ball one. Eckstein decided to sit on a fastball, realizing that Reitsma didn't want to walk in a run - not with this little guy at the plate. The next pitch was right where David wanted it - inner half - belt high. He got all of it - lining it hard - and just high enough to get over the left field wall - for a walk-off grand slam home run.
Just like that, the game was over. The Cardinals had won by a score of 5-3 - after being shut out for the first seven innings on just four hits. Five hits and two innings later, they had notched another dramatic win - as the shell-shocked Braves retreated to the somber atmosphere of the visitors' clubhouse.
For Chris Reitsma - his career was suddenly in a downward spiral. Prior to this game, he had pitched well - posting an ERA of 3.04 - with 15 saves. Just the night before, he had wrapped up an 8-1 Atlanta victory with a scoreless ninth-inning - allowing just one hit. On August 4, he had preserved a 7-4 win over the Cincinnati Reds to record that 15th save. However, he wouldn't save another game all season. In this one nightmare outing, his ERA had moved up to 3.67. It would move up to 3.93 by season's end.
The following season, his ERA would balloon to 8.68, although he somehow managed to save eight games.
By 2007, he would be exiled to Seattle - and in 23.2 IP, Reitsma would fail to record a single save. He would lose two - win none - with an ERA of 7.61. And that would be the end of his major league career.
It's hard to explain why major league careers suddenly take a sudden dive into the abyss. However, it seems that Reitsma never recovered from this crushing performance in St Louis - when David Eckstein took him deep - in the ninth-inning - with the bases loaded.
David Eckstein's ninth-inning grand slam home run turned a 3-1 deficit into a thrilling 5-3 walk-off win over the Atlanta Braves. It was an unexpected ending to a game that began as a pitcher's duel - at least through the first seven innings.
Both starting pitchers - Chris Carpenter and Jorge Sosa - had only given up four hits apiece - but for Carpenter, two of the hits left the yard. Kelly Johnson's solo home run in the first inning staked Sosa to a 1-0 lead - then Jeff Francoeur added another solo blast in the second-inning.
Meanwhile, Sosa breezed through the St Louis lineup with such ease, it seemed likely Carpenter's effort would go down in the books as a tough loss. The Cardinal ace - on his way to capturing the NL Cy Young Award - settled down after yielding that second home run - striking out ten batters along the way.
But then, questionable managerial decisions on the part of Bobby Cox ultimately facilitated the Cardinals' comeback. It all started when Cox decided to pinch hit for Sosa - who was scheduled to lead-off the eighth-inning for Atlanta. Pinch hitter Pete Orr was retired, along with the next two batters, as the score remained 2-0, in favor of the Braves.
With Sosa out of the game, the Cardinals' offense began to stir. After reliever Kyle Farnsworth recorded the first two outs in the bottom of the eighth, he quickly got ahead in the count - 0-2 - to Albert Pujols. His next pitch - which should have been a foot outside - instead caught too much of the strike zone to the world's best hitter. Pujols blasted the pitch deep to left center field to put the Cardinals on the board for the first time in the game. As manager Bobby Cox fumed in the Braves' dugout, he quickly made another hasty pitching change - bringing in John Foster to pitch to Jim Edmonds. Foster couldn't find the strike zone, as Edmonds took the free pass. At this point, Cox went to his trump card - at least he thought it was his trump card - bringing Chris Reitsma in from the bullpen to restore order. He induced Mark Grudzielanek to ground out to the third baseman to preserve the 2-1 lead.
Then manager Tony LaRussa brought Jason Isringhausen in from the bullpen to begin the top of the ninth-inning - in a non-save situation. Marcus Giles greeted Izzy with a single to right field - then promptly stole second with Andruw Jones batting. Jones then walked. When the next batter - Adam LaRoche - grounded into a 4-6-3 double play, it appeared Isringhausen might be able to wriggle out of this predicament, unscathed. However, Francoeur - who homered earlier in the game - drove in another run with a double to right field. At this point, Ray King was summoned from the Cardinals' bullpen to clean up the mess.
Things got messier when King plunked the first batter - Brian McCann - with a pitch. Then he walked the next batter - Wilson Betemt - to load the bases. The next scheduled batter - relief pitcher Chris Reitsma - was allowed to hit for himself. Cox had lifted Sosa an inning earlier - when he was pitching brilliantly - with a two-run lead. But he let Reitsma bat in this situation - with the bases loaded - when another hit could have put the game on ice for Atlanta. Instead, Reitsma grounded out to end the threat - then went back to the mound to face the Redbirds in the bottom of the ninth.
Abraham Nunez singled - as did So Taguchi - to put runners on first and second. The next batter - Hector Luna - reached base on an infield hit off the second baseman's glove. The bases were now loaded. Nobody out. Nobody stirring in the Braves' bullpen. Cox was going to keep Reitsma in there, no matter what. Then Scott Seabol - pinch hitting for Ray King - lined one hard - but right at the third baseman for the first out of the inning.
Next up - the Cardinals' gritty lead-off hitter - David Eckstein - hardly a serious power threat. The first pitch to Eckstein missed - for ball one. Eckstein decided to sit on a fastball, realizing that Reitsma didn't want to walk in a run - not with this little guy at the plate. The next pitch was right where David wanted it - inner half - belt high. He got all of it - lining it hard - and just high enough to get over the left field wall - for a walk-off grand slam home run.
Just like that, the game was over. The Cardinals had won by a score of 5-3 - after being shut out for the first seven innings on just four hits. Five hits and two innings later, they had notched another dramatic win - as the shell-shocked Braves retreated to the somber atmosphere of the visitors' clubhouse.
For Chris Reitsma - his career was suddenly in a downward spiral. Prior to this game, he had pitched well - posting an ERA of 3.04 - with 15 saves. Just the night before, he had wrapped up an 8-1 Atlanta victory with a scoreless ninth-inning - allowing just one hit. On August 4, he had preserved a 7-4 win over the Cincinnati Reds to record that 15th save. However, he wouldn't save another game all season. In this one nightmare outing, his ERA had moved up to 3.67. It would move up to 3.93 by season's end.
The following season, his ERA would balloon to 8.68, although he somehow managed to save eight games.
By 2007, he would be exiled to Seattle - and in 23.2 IP, Reitsma would fail to record a single save. He would lose two - win none - with an ERA of 7.61. And that would be the end of his major league career.
It's hard to explain why major league careers suddenly take a sudden dive into the abyss. However, it seems that Reitsma never recovered from this crushing performance in St Louis - when David Eckstein took him deep - in the ninth-inning - with the bases loaded.
Sunday, June 1, 2014
June 1, 1967 - Come-From-Behind-Walk-Off-Extra-Inning Thriller
Thursday, June 1, 1967 - The Cardinals were home to host the Atlanta Braves, trying to recover from an excruciating, rain-delayed Tuesday night loss in Cincinnati; a game rookie pitcher Dick Hughes had been perfect through seven innings, but ended up losing, 2-1. But it was the painfully bizarre ending that put Cardinal Nation in a temporary funk. Down by that 2-1 score, leading off the ninth-inning, Orlando Cepeda singled, then took third on Tim McCarver's single to right. The rally ended as suddenly as it had begun, when Phil Gagliano grounded into a 6-4-3 double play, which turned into a 6-4-3-2 triple play when Cepeda unwisely tried to score on the play. He was out by a mile.
The Redbirds had an off day on Wednesday to lick their wounds, but it was back to work with Henry Aaron and company in town - with a modest gathering of 11,988 at Busch Stadium II, hoping the Redbirds could get back on track.
Things didn't start out so well, when with two out, Aaron launched a Ray Washburn fastball over the center field wall for a quick 1-0 Atlanta lead. The Braves got something started again in the second-inning with two out - Clete Boyer doubled, Dennis Menke walked, and pitcher Denny Lemaster helped his own cause by lining a single to center, scoring Boyer. Just like that, it was 2-0.
The Cardinals tried to get something going in the third-inning, but came up empty - loading the bases with one out, only to have Alex Johnson strike out and Tim McCarver pop out. The natives were getting restless.
With the Cardinals still trailing 2-0, batting in the fifth-inning - Curt Flood drew a two-out walk, then Cepeda belted a double down the left-field line, but Flood had to stop at third. This brought the much-maligned Alex Johnson up to bat again, but this time he lined a single to center scoring both runners to tie the game, 2-2.
The Braves grabbed the lead again in the seventh-inning, when Felipe Alou lined a one-out double to right center field, followed by a Boyer infield hit which Javier couldn't get to in time to retire the not-so-speedy Boyer at first. With runners at first and third, Charlie Lau hit a slow roller to Maxvill at short, whose only play was a force out at second. Lau beat the relay to first, while Alou scored the go-ahead run.
The score was still 3-2, in favor of Atlanta, as they batted in the top of the ninth. With Larry Jaster now pitching for the Cardinals, Joe Torre dribbled one down the third base line for a rare infield hit. After Alou flew out to center, Jaster lost his control, walking the next two batters - Boyer and Martinez - to load the bases. Ron Willis relieved Jaster and got Lemaster (allowed to hit for himself) out on a pop fly to Javier at second. But Willis couldn't find the strike zone to Woodward, walking him to force in another run. A new pitcher, Joe Hoerner, struck out Geiger to stop the bleeding. But things didn't seem so promising with Lemaster heading back to the mound in the bottom of the ninth with a 4-2 lead.
The first batter for St Louis was pinch hitter Johnny Romano, who was on his way to hitting .121 in his tenth and final major league season - his first with the Cardinals. He failed to get a hit, but did the next best thing - he grounded one to Boyer at third, who booted it for an error, then inexplicably threw it wildly in the direction of first, which allowed Romano to amble into second base on the double-error. Dick Hughes was now the pinch runner for Johnny at second base.
Lemaster's night was suddenly over, as knuckle-ball specialist Phil Niekro was brought in from the Atlanta bullpen to face Lou Brock. A wild pitch moved Hughes up to third, then Brock's sacrifice fly to center scored him. It was now 4-3 with one out and nobody on. That changed quickly, as Niekro walked Julian Javier. Then with Curt Flood batting, Niekro's knuckle-ball was impossible for Torre to catch. His first passed ball allowed Javier to move up to second base.
An excited Harry Caray in the broadcast booth, sensed the inevitable: "If Flood can stay alive long enough, I just know he'll be able to take third! Torre just can't handle that knuckle-ball! There it is! Another passed ball! Hoolie's on his way to third! Safe! Holy cow!"
Flood then delivered the game tying hit - a single to center. With that, Niekro's night was over, as Clay Carroll took over, retiring Cepeda on strikes, then Maris on a fly ball to left.
With the game tied, 4-4, Al Jackson - the new pitcher for the Cardinals - retired the Braves in order in the tenth, as the Redbirds tried to win it in the bottom half. Clay Carroll went back to the mound, retiring McCarver on a routine ground out; but then Phil Gagliano beat out a slow roller down the third base line, as a beleaguered Clete Boyer couldn't make a play. Eddie Bressound then popped out to second, as the small crowd groaned, anticipating a momentum shift back to the Braves.
Not tonight. Bobby Tolan then ripped a fastball in the right center field gap, just out of the outstretched reach of Aaron, all the way to the wall. Tolan reached third even before Gagliano slid in safely with the winning run. It was over - a come-from-behind 5-4 extra-inning winner. Fortune had smiled down on the Redbirds tonight; but after what happened on Tuesday night in Cincy, they probably deserved it.
The Redbirds had an off day on Wednesday to lick their wounds, but it was back to work with Henry Aaron and company in town - with a modest gathering of 11,988 at Busch Stadium II, hoping the Redbirds could get back on track.
Things didn't start out so well, when with two out, Aaron launched a Ray Washburn fastball over the center field wall for a quick 1-0 Atlanta lead. The Braves got something started again in the second-inning with two out - Clete Boyer doubled, Dennis Menke walked, and pitcher Denny Lemaster helped his own cause by lining a single to center, scoring Boyer. Just like that, it was 2-0.
The Cardinals tried to get something going in the third-inning, but came up empty - loading the bases with one out, only to have Alex Johnson strike out and Tim McCarver pop out. The natives were getting restless.
With the Cardinals still trailing 2-0, batting in the fifth-inning - Curt Flood drew a two-out walk, then Cepeda belted a double down the left-field line, but Flood had to stop at third. This brought the much-maligned Alex Johnson up to bat again, but this time he lined a single to center scoring both runners to tie the game, 2-2.
The Braves grabbed the lead again in the seventh-inning, when Felipe Alou lined a one-out double to right center field, followed by a Boyer infield hit which Javier couldn't get to in time to retire the not-so-speedy Boyer at first. With runners at first and third, Charlie Lau hit a slow roller to Maxvill at short, whose only play was a force out at second. Lau beat the relay to first, while Alou scored the go-ahead run.
The score was still 3-2, in favor of Atlanta, as they batted in the top of the ninth. With Larry Jaster now pitching for the Cardinals, Joe Torre dribbled one down the third base line for a rare infield hit. After Alou flew out to center, Jaster lost his control, walking the next two batters - Boyer and Martinez - to load the bases. Ron Willis relieved Jaster and got Lemaster (allowed to hit for himself) out on a pop fly to Javier at second. But Willis couldn't find the strike zone to Woodward, walking him to force in another run. A new pitcher, Joe Hoerner, struck out Geiger to stop the bleeding. But things didn't seem so promising with Lemaster heading back to the mound in the bottom of the ninth with a 4-2 lead.
The first batter for St Louis was pinch hitter Johnny Romano, who was on his way to hitting .121 in his tenth and final major league season - his first with the Cardinals. He failed to get a hit, but did the next best thing - he grounded one to Boyer at third, who booted it for an error, then inexplicably threw it wildly in the direction of first, which allowed Romano to amble into second base on the double-error. Dick Hughes was now the pinch runner for Johnny at second base.
Lemaster's night was suddenly over, as knuckle-ball specialist Phil Niekro was brought in from the Atlanta bullpen to face Lou Brock. A wild pitch moved Hughes up to third, then Brock's sacrifice fly to center scored him. It was now 4-3 with one out and nobody on. That changed quickly, as Niekro walked Julian Javier. Then with Curt Flood batting, Niekro's knuckle-ball was impossible for Torre to catch. His first passed ball allowed Javier to move up to second base.
An excited Harry Caray in the broadcast booth, sensed the inevitable: "If Flood can stay alive long enough, I just know he'll be able to take third! Torre just can't handle that knuckle-ball! There it is! Another passed ball! Hoolie's on his way to third! Safe! Holy cow!"
Flood then delivered the game tying hit - a single to center. With that, Niekro's night was over, as Clay Carroll took over, retiring Cepeda on strikes, then Maris on a fly ball to left.
With the game tied, 4-4, Al Jackson - the new pitcher for the Cardinals - retired the Braves in order in the tenth, as the Redbirds tried to win it in the bottom half. Clay Carroll went back to the mound, retiring McCarver on a routine ground out; but then Phil Gagliano beat out a slow roller down the third base line, as a beleaguered Clete Boyer couldn't make a play. Eddie Bressound then popped out to second, as the small crowd groaned, anticipating a momentum shift back to the Braves.
Not tonight. Bobby Tolan then ripped a fastball in the right center field gap, just out of the outstretched reach of Aaron, all the way to the wall. Tolan reached third even before Gagliano slid in safely with the winning run. It was over - a come-from-behind 5-4 extra-inning winner. Fortune had smiled down on the Redbirds tonight; but after what happened on Tuesday night in Cincy, they probably deserved it.
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
May 24 - 25 - 26 - 27 - 2 Great Pitching Performances - The Pete Kozma LA Game - HR Derby at Busch
Tuesday, May 24, 2011 - With 19,426 well-tanned fans on hand at Petco Park in beautiful San Diego, the Cardinals and Padres were set to play the second game of a low-scoring three-game series. St Louis had won the night before, by a 3-1 score. They would lose by that same score in the series finale on Wednesday. What was in store for tonight? Hint: Very few runs.
The starting pitchers for tonight's game: Aaron Harang for the Padres - Kyle McClellan for the Cardinals. Both pitched well; but neither figured in the decision. The Cardinals scored an unearned run in the first-inning when Jon Jay scored from second on a combination Lance Berkman infield single/throwing error by the first baseman.
The Padres came back and scored two unearned runs of their own in the bottom of the first. With two out, ex-Redbird Ryan Ludwick reached safely on shortstop Ryan Theriot's throwing error. Instead of retiring the side, McClellan had to face Brad Hawpe, who showed no mercy, blasting a two-run home run deep to left field. That would be all the scoring for San Diego in this game; but for now, they held a 2-1 lead over the Cardinals. Until the seventh-inning.
Harang was still hanging in there as the seventh-inning began with Tony Cruz doubling to right field. Daniel Descalso then laid down a perfect bunt, not only moving Cruz up to third, but reaching safely himself. The next batter, Colby Rasmus, grounded one to the first baseman; Cruz first broke for home, but realizing he couldn't make it, tried to scamper back to third; but he was too far away from the bag - in no man's land. The first baseman quickly fired the ball over to third, as Cruz headed in the direction of home. The third baseman fired a strike to the catcher, as Cruz abruptly stopped and started back towards third; by this time, the catcher was halfway to third trying to catch the elusive runner, but gave up and thew it back to the third baseman. Now home plate was exposed, so the pitcher had to get involved, catching the throw from the third baseman as Cruz tried to score. He didn't make it, but stayed in the rundown long enough to get Descalso all the way over to third, as Rasmus hustled into second. Ryan Theriot, whose first-inning throwing error led to two unearned runs, atoned for that with a ground ball to second, which scored Descalso with the tying run.
In the meantime, as this game progressed, McClellan settled down nicely after giving up the first-inning home run. The only other hit he allowed in six innings of work was a two-out fourth-inning double by Chase Headley. In fact, that was the only other hit for the Padres in the entire game, as the St Louis bullpen - Miller, Motte, Batista, and Sanchez - would no-hit the Padres for five innings (they walked three).
The San Diego bullpen, which took over in the eighth-inning, was almost as dominant; at least through the first ten innings (one hit). But their luck ran out in the eleventh-inning, with a new pitcher - Ernesto Frieri. Allen Craig led off with a walk, then stole second as Skip Schumaker struck out. Cruz also struck out. But Descalso bounced an infield hit the shortstop couldn't corral. Craig - acting like Enos Slaughter - never stopped running as the ball trickled out towards center field. He scored what proved to be the winning run, giving aging reliever Miguel Batista (3-1) the win, as Frieri (1-2) got the loss.
Eduardo Sanchez pitched a perfect eleventh-inning for his fifth - and final - save of the season. Sanchez was one of many unsung heroes for the Cardinals in 2011. In 30 IP he had an ERA of 1.80, striking out 35 batters, while compiling a 3-1 record. A nice contribution, indeed.
In fact, several of the unsung heroes starred in this game; manufacturing the runs needed to get this one in the win column. For the time being, the Cardinals (30-20) occupied first-place in the NL Central. Although they cooled off while Milwaukee got hot, the Cards still grabbed the wild card; and when the postseason began, they were hotter than ever.
Thursday, May 25, 1967 - He looked more like a high school chemistry teacher than a major league pitcher. But Dick Hughes, as a 29-year old crew-cut rookie with the St Louis Cardinals, started the season in the bullpen, got his first starting assignment on May 5, and went on to compile some very impressive numbers: 16-6 - 2.67 ERA - 27 games started - 222.1 IP - a NL-best 0.954 WHIP. He even saved three games. Unfortunately, his career would be cut short the very next season after just 60+ innings of work. Tommy John Surgery hadn't been invented yet.
Hughes got the starting assignment in Atlanta's Fulton County Stadium on this particular night, with 18,375 in attendance to watch a truly masterful performance. In this start, Hughes would record his first complete game, his first win as a starting pitcher, as well as his first shutout (he had three in '67 - and in his short-lived career). Final score: St Louis 5 - Atlanta 0. Another Dick (Kelly) took the loss for Atlanta.
The Braves could only muster two hits off Hughes (2-1) all night long. No walks. Nine strikeouts. The game was over in 2:06. It lasted that long because the Cardinals were spending so much time on offense.
The Redbirds scored the only run Hughes would need in the second-inning. With Alex Johnson on first and Ed Spezio on third with one out, the pair executed a perfect double steal, as Spezio slid in ahead of the relay throw from a befuddled second baseman. (Hard for me to believe Lou Brock never stole home in his entire career. Mike Shannon has done it. So has Tim McCarver. Glenn Brummer in '82. Just to name a few.)
Hughes also got some home run support from the top of the order. Lou Brock connected with one out in the third (no runners on base). Then Curt Flood put the icing on the cake with a two-out three-run blast in the fifth-inning. That was it.
By the way, Hughes finished second in the National League Rookie of the Year voting. Tom Seaver - who had already become a celebrity by the All Star break, pitching for the New York Mets - edged him out.
Sunday, May 26, 2013 - This was the rubber game of a three-game series between the St Louis Cardinals and Los Angeles Dodgers at beautiful Dodger Stadium in Chavez Ravine. The Dodgers had their ace, Clayton Kershaw on the mound; the Cardinals countered with rookie Shelby Miller.
In the end, the final score: Pete Kozma 5 - Adrian Gonzalez 3.
Kozma was 4 for 4 (3 doubles) - 2 runs scored - 3 runs batted in - His first double in the second-inning came with the bases loaded and turned a 2-0 deficit into a 3-2 Cardinal lead. He doubled again in the seventh and scored on a Matt Carpenter base hit, which put the Cardinals in the lead again, 4-3. Then he capped off his day with his third double in the ninth-inning, and came in to score the final run of the game on a Matt Adams base hit.
Miller, who was victimized by Gonzalez with a two-run first-inning home run and a fifth-inning run-scoring single, left the game after getting one out in the sixth-inning, with the game tied, Kozma 3 - Gonzalez 3.
Kershaw pitched seven full innings; just long enough for Kozma to score the go-ahead run, which meant he stayed in the game long enough to take the loss. A well-timed relief appearance by Seth Maness (4-1) got him the win. Seth's pitching line: 1 IP - 2 H - 0 R - 2 BB - 0 SO - In other words, after bailing Miller out in the sixth-inning, he had to be bailed out in the seventh, with runners on first and third - one out.
Enter Trevor Rosenthal from the St Louis bullpen. After plunking Andre Ethier to load the bases, Rosenthal blew some 98 mph gas past Mark Ellis and Skip Schumaker to end the Dodger threat. He also worked a scoreless eighth-inning, before turning the ball over to closer Edward Mujica who got his 14th save of the season.
By season's end, Rosenthal had taken over the closer's role in the St Louis bullpen, and Pete Kozma had stopped hitting. But on this late May Sunday afternoon in LA, 43,244 Dodger fans had to be impressed with the Cardinal shortstop's uncanny hitting prowess. Against Clayton Kershaw, no less.
Sunday, May 27, 2012 - It was a sunny, hot and muggy Sunday afternoon in St Louis. Perfect weather for launching a few home runs at Busch Stadium III. Attempting to prevent such activity was Roy Halladay for the Philadelphia Phillies and Adam Wainwright for the home team.
Halladay immediately put himself into a bases loaded, two-out jam in the first-inning, with Yadier Molina stepping into the batter's box - and then stepping into a belt-high fastball that sailed over the wall for a grand slam home run. Halladay's day was going to be a short one - 2 IP - 4 H - 4 R - 1 BB - 0 SO - 1 HR
Wainwright fared a bit better. After missing the entire 2011 season from Tommy John Surgery, Waino struggled through 2012, trying to regain his arm strength and stamina. Staked to that nice 4-0 lead, he was able to make it through six innings with minimal damage - just one run on seven hits.
In the meantime, the Cardinals were still playing long ball. In the fifth-inning, Carlos Beltran hit one out deep to right center field with two runners on, then Matt Adams led off the sixth with a moon shot out to right field. That would be all the scoring for St Louis - 8 runs - all coming via the home run.
The Phillies scored a couple of meaningless runs late in the game, but this one had essentially ended with Molina's first-inning grand salami. Final score: St Louis 8 - Philadelphia 3
Halladay (4-5) took the loss, as his career was rapidly winding down. Wainwright (4-5) got the win, but he knew he still had his work cut out for him to get back to where he needed to be. It's safe to say he was heading in the right direction.
The starting pitchers for tonight's game: Aaron Harang for the Padres - Kyle McClellan for the Cardinals. Both pitched well; but neither figured in the decision. The Cardinals scored an unearned run in the first-inning when Jon Jay scored from second on a combination Lance Berkman infield single/throwing error by the first baseman.
The Padres came back and scored two unearned runs of their own in the bottom of the first. With two out, ex-Redbird Ryan Ludwick reached safely on shortstop Ryan Theriot's throwing error. Instead of retiring the side, McClellan had to face Brad Hawpe, who showed no mercy, blasting a two-run home run deep to left field. That would be all the scoring for San Diego in this game; but for now, they held a 2-1 lead over the Cardinals. Until the seventh-inning.
Harang was still hanging in there as the seventh-inning began with Tony Cruz doubling to right field. Daniel Descalso then laid down a perfect bunt, not only moving Cruz up to third, but reaching safely himself. The next batter, Colby Rasmus, grounded one to the first baseman; Cruz first broke for home, but realizing he couldn't make it, tried to scamper back to third; but he was too far away from the bag - in no man's land. The first baseman quickly fired the ball over to third, as Cruz headed in the direction of home. The third baseman fired a strike to the catcher, as Cruz abruptly stopped and started back towards third; by this time, the catcher was halfway to third trying to catch the elusive runner, but gave up and thew it back to the third baseman. Now home plate was exposed, so the pitcher had to get involved, catching the throw from the third baseman as Cruz tried to score. He didn't make it, but stayed in the rundown long enough to get Descalso all the way over to third, as Rasmus hustled into second. Ryan Theriot, whose first-inning throwing error led to two unearned runs, atoned for that with a ground ball to second, which scored Descalso with the tying run.
In the meantime, as this game progressed, McClellan settled down nicely after giving up the first-inning home run. The only other hit he allowed in six innings of work was a two-out fourth-inning double by Chase Headley. In fact, that was the only other hit for the Padres in the entire game, as the St Louis bullpen - Miller, Motte, Batista, and Sanchez - would no-hit the Padres for five innings (they walked three).
The San Diego bullpen, which took over in the eighth-inning, was almost as dominant; at least through the first ten innings (one hit). But their luck ran out in the eleventh-inning, with a new pitcher - Ernesto Frieri. Allen Craig led off with a walk, then stole second as Skip Schumaker struck out. Cruz also struck out. But Descalso bounced an infield hit the shortstop couldn't corral. Craig - acting like Enos Slaughter - never stopped running as the ball trickled out towards center field. He scored what proved to be the winning run, giving aging reliever Miguel Batista (3-1) the win, as Frieri (1-2) got the loss.
Eduardo Sanchez pitched a perfect eleventh-inning for his fifth - and final - save of the season. Sanchez was one of many unsung heroes for the Cardinals in 2011. In 30 IP he had an ERA of 1.80, striking out 35 batters, while compiling a 3-1 record. A nice contribution, indeed.
In fact, several of the unsung heroes starred in this game; manufacturing the runs needed to get this one in the win column. For the time being, the Cardinals (30-20) occupied first-place in the NL Central. Although they cooled off while Milwaukee got hot, the Cards still grabbed the wild card; and when the postseason began, they were hotter than ever.
Thursday, May 25, 1967 - He looked more like a high school chemistry teacher than a major league pitcher. But Dick Hughes, as a 29-year old crew-cut rookie with the St Louis Cardinals, started the season in the bullpen, got his first starting assignment on May 5, and went on to compile some very impressive numbers: 16-6 - 2.67 ERA - 27 games started - 222.1 IP - a NL-best 0.954 WHIP. He even saved three games. Unfortunately, his career would be cut short the very next season after just 60+ innings of work. Tommy John Surgery hadn't been invented yet.
Hughes got the starting assignment in Atlanta's Fulton County Stadium on this particular night, with 18,375 in attendance to watch a truly masterful performance. In this start, Hughes would record his first complete game, his first win as a starting pitcher, as well as his first shutout (he had three in '67 - and in his short-lived career). Final score: St Louis 5 - Atlanta 0. Another Dick (Kelly) took the loss for Atlanta.
The Braves could only muster two hits off Hughes (2-1) all night long. No walks. Nine strikeouts. The game was over in 2:06. It lasted that long because the Cardinals were spending so much time on offense.
The Redbirds scored the only run Hughes would need in the second-inning. With Alex Johnson on first and Ed Spezio on third with one out, the pair executed a perfect double steal, as Spezio slid in ahead of the relay throw from a befuddled second baseman. (Hard for me to believe Lou Brock never stole home in his entire career. Mike Shannon has done it. So has Tim McCarver. Glenn Brummer in '82. Just to name a few.)
Hughes also got some home run support from the top of the order. Lou Brock connected with one out in the third (no runners on base). Then Curt Flood put the icing on the cake with a two-out three-run blast in the fifth-inning. That was it.
By the way, Hughes finished second in the National League Rookie of the Year voting. Tom Seaver - who had already become a celebrity by the All Star break, pitching for the New York Mets - edged him out.
Sunday, May 26, 2013 - This was the rubber game of a three-game series between the St Louis Cardinals and Los Angeles Dodgers at beautiful Dodger Stadium in Chavez Ravine. The Dodgers had their ace, Clayton Kershaw on the mound; the Cardinals countered with rookie Shelby Miller.
In the end, the final score: Pete Kozma 5 - Adrian Gonzalez 3.
Kozma was 4 for 4 (3 doubles) - 2 runs scored - 3 runs batted in - His first double in the second-inning came with the bases loaded and turned a 2-0 deficit into a 3-2 Cardinal lead. He doubled again in the seventh and scored on a Matt Carpenter base hit, which put the Cardinals in the lead again, 4-3. Then he capped off his day with his third double in the ninth-inning, and came in to score the final run of the game on a Matt Adams base hit.
Miller, who was victimized by Gonzalez with a two-run first-inning home run and a fifth-inning run-scoring single, left the game after getting one out in the sixth-inning, with the game tied, Kozma 3 - Gonzalez 3.
Kershaw pitched seven full innings; just long enough for Kozma to score the go-ahead run, which meant he stayed in the game long enough to take the loss. A well-timed relief appearance by Seth Maness (4-1) got him the win. Seth's pitching line: 1 IP - 2 H - 0 R - 2 BB - 0 SO - In other words, after bailing Miller out in the sixth-inning, he had to be bailed out in the seventh, with runners on first and third - one out.
Enter Trevor Rosenthal from the St Louis bullpen. After plunking Andre Ethier to load the bases, Rosenthal blew some 98 mph gas past Mark Ellis and Skip Schumaker to end the Dodger threat. He also worked a scoreless eighth-inning, before turning the ball over to closer Edward Mujica who got his 14th save of the season.
By season's end, Rosenthal had taken over the closer's role in the St Louis bullpen, and Pete Kozma had stopped hitting. But on this late May Sunday afternoon in LA, 43,244 Dodger fans had to be impressed with the Cardinal shortstop's uncanny hitting prowess. Against Clayton Kershaw, no less.
Sunday, May 27, 2012 - It was a sunny, hot and muggy Sunday afternoon in St Louis. Perfect weather for launching a few home runs at Busch Stadium III. Attempting to prevent such activity was Roy Halladay for the Philadelphia Phillies and Adam Wainwright for the home team.
Halladay immediately put himself into a bases loaded, two-out jam in the first-inning, with Yadier Molina stepping into the batter's box - and then stepping into a belt-high fastball that sailed over the wall for a grand slam home run. Halladay's day was going to be a short one - 2 IP - 4 H - 4 R - 1 BB - 0 SO - 1 HR
Wainwright fared a bit better. After missing the entire 2011 season from Tommy John Surgery, Waino struggled through 2012, trying to regain his arm strength and stamina. Staked to that nice 4-0 lead, he was able to make it through six innings with minimal damage - just one run on seven hits.
In the meantime, the Cardinals were still playing long ball. In the fifth-inning, Carlos Beltran hit one out deep to right center field with two runners on, then Matt Adams led off the sixth with a moon shot out to right field. That would be all the scoring for St Louis - 8 runs - all coming via the home run.
The Phillies scored a couple of meaningless runs late in the game, but this one had essentially ended with Molina's first-inning grand salami. Final score: St Louis 8 - Philadelphia 3
Halladay (4-5) took the loss, as his career was rapidly winding down. Wainwright (4-5) got the win, but he knew he still had his work cut out for him to get back to where he needed to be. It's safe to say he was heading in the right direction.
Monday, May 26, 2014
This Day in St Louis Cardinals History - May 20, 1985 - May 21, 1988 - The Best & Worst of Joaquin Andujar
Monday, May 20, 1985 - After winning the 1982 World Series, the St Louis Cardinals had fallen on hard times. After fading miserably in September of '83, the Cardinals never regained consciousness in '84; then, after losing relief ace Bruce Sutter to free agency prior to the '85 season, it was a widely held notion that the comatose Cardinals were on life support - on their way to a dead-last finish in the NL East. To this point in the season, St Louis had done little to dispel that notion, playing sub-.500 ball since Opening Day.
The journey up to .500 and above began in earnest on this night, with the Atlanta Braves - Sutter's new employer - in town for the first time this season. A paid crowd of 25,112 at Busch Stadium II had little time to ponder their reaction if the likable World Series hero from '82 happened to make an appearance in this game. By the third-inning, the Braves were already down 5-0 with Cards' ace Joaquin Andujar in complete control. A save situation wouldn't be happening tonight, for either side.
The Redbirds were anything but dead birds tonight, pounding out 16 hits in scoring a season-high 14 runs for the second time in the last five days. Leading the assault on Braves pitching was Willie McGee with three hits - including a home run - five RBI and three runs scored; Terry Pendleton with three more RBI and two runs scored; and Andy Van Slyke who also had a home run and three RBI. In fact, every position player had at least one hit tonight. But this team's forte was the stolen base. On this particular night, the Runnin' Redbirds stole five bags, including two by the rookie left fielder, Vince Coleman - on his way to 110.
In the meantime, Joaquin Andujar continued his superb pitching with a complete game six-hit shutout, improving to 7-1 on the young season. The Braves used four pitchers in this debacle, starting with Zane Smith (2-3) who gave up those five quick runs to get an early exit. His replacement actually fared even worse (Craig McMurtry), yielding a half dozen runs before being relieved of duty.
After this win, the Cardinals were still two games under .500 (17-19), but they'd complete a momentum-building three-game sweep of Atlanta to start them on the road to the top of the division; and beyond.
Saturday, May 21, 1988 - In the world of major league baseball, three seasons can bring about dramatic change. Just three years and one day after shutting out the Atlanta Braves, Joaquin Andujar was back with his original team - the Houston Astros - relegated to bullpen duty, with rapidly diminishing skills. This would be his final big league season, as well as his final mound appearance in St Louis - the town that embraced his zany antics during his five-year stint with the Cardinals. This farewell didn't go so well for the self-proclaimed "tough Dominican".
The defending National League champion St Louis Cardinals still drew large crowds, as 47,320 packed into Busch Stadium II to see the action between the Cards and Astros. The pitching match-up - Randy O'Neal for St Louis and Danny Darwin for Houston - didn't exactly bring evoke memories of Gibson vs Seaver from twenty years ago (May 6, 1968, to be exact). Except for some reason, this game drew 35,000 more fans out to the old ballpark. Maybe it was Bob Horner Bobble Head Night? Ouch.
Once again, Jack Clark's replacement at first base for the Cardinals did nothing to help his team win. And the fans would soon be getting restless over the oft-injured Horner's continued lack of production; especially since the guy that walked away - Clark - was healthy and still hitting a lot of home runs for his new team - the New York Yankees.
This game itself had a vintage feel to it initially, with Vince Coleman scoring a run in his first two plate appearances to stake the Cards to a quick 2-0 lead. The Astros cut the deficit in half on a fourth-inning Alan Ashby run-scoring double. Houston would then take the lead in the top of the sixth-inning in a bizarre way. So bizarre in fact, it may not have ever happened in major league history - before or since.
Here's the scenario: Houston has runners on first and second with two out. The batter - Allan Ashby - swings and misses on strike three. But it's a wild pitch. Everybody's safe, as the bases are now loaded. The next batter - Jim Pankovits - scores all three runners with a double. Astros now lead 4-2, as the 47,320 fans are wondering if anybody's ever hit a three-run double immediately following a wild pitch strikeout of the previous batter that loaded the bases to begin with.
Undaunted, with Ozzie Smith on base in the bottom of the sixth, Tom Brunansky hits one into the left field bleachers to tie the game, 4-4. Darwin pitched one more inning for the Astros, giving up just the four runs on six hits. O'Neal survived long enough to record one out in the eighth-inning before his exit. He too, yielded just the four runs, but on eleven hits and that crazy wild pitch strikeout (one of just two strikeouts) that he wishes he had back.
This game was to be decided by the bullpens. Ken Dayley relieved O'Neal with one out in the eighth, avoided trouble, then worked a scoreless ninth-inning. Veteran mainstay Bob Forsch would take care of the Astros for the next two innings.
For Houston, three relievers - Agosto, Anderson, and Smith - allowed nary a hit for their three combined innings of work, setting the stage for Andujar's farewell appearance in the Gateway City.
McGee started his old teammate's demise by reaching safely when second baseman Jim Pankovits - previously a hero for Houston - booted his grounder. Obviously distracted by this unfortunate situation, Andujar pays little attention to the speedy McGee at first, who immediately steals second. Andujar then retires Brunansky on a come-backer to the mound, as Willie has to stay at second . The next hitter - Curt Ford - is intentionally walked to set up a potential double play with Tony Pena coming up to the plate. That strategy is quickly foiled when McGee and Ford execute a successful double steal.
Now, with runners on second and third and just one out, Andujar elects to pitch to Pena with first base open. That didn't work out so well, either. Pena blasts a three-run home run to left field, ending the game, just like that. Cardinals 7 - Astros 4 (11 innings).
The pitchers of record, Bob Forsch (4-3) and Joaquin Andujar (0-1) - teammates on that World Championship Cardinal team of '82 - were both nearing the end of the road. On August 31, 1988, Forsch would be dealt to these same Houston Astros, ending his 15-year tenure with St Louis - a one-time 20-game winner with two no-hitters to his credit. He'd retire the following season. For Andujar - a two-time 20-game winner with the Cardinals - 1988 would be his final season.
The journey up to .500 and above began in earnest on this night, with the Atlanta Braves - Sutter's new employer - in town for the first time this season. A paid crowd of 25,112 at Busch Stadium II had little time to ponder their reaction if the likable World Series hero from '82 happened to make an appearance in this game. By the third-inning, the Braves were already down 5-0 with Cards' ace Joaquin Andujar in complete control. A save situation wouldn't be happening tonight, for either side.
The Redbirds were anything but dead birds tonight, pounding out 16 hits in scoring a season-high 14 runs for the second time in the last five days. Leading the assault on Braves pitching was Willie McGee with three hits - including a home run - five RBI and three runs scored; Terry Pendleton with three more RBI and two runs scored; and Andy Van Slyke who also had a home run and three RBI. In fact, every position player had at least one hit tonight. But this team's forte was the stolen base. On this particular night, the Runnin' Redbirds stole five bags, including two by the rookie left fielder, Vince Coleman - on his way to 110.
In the meantime, Joaquin Andujar continued his superb pitching with a complete game six-hit shutout, improving to 7-1 on the young season. The Braves used four pitchers in this debacle, starting with Zane Smith (2-3) who gave up those five quick runs to get an early exit. His replacement actually fared even worse (Craig McMurtry), yielding a half dozen runs before being relieved of duty.
After this win, the Cardinals were still two games under .500 (17-19), but they'd complete a momentum-building three-game sweep of Atlanta to start them on the road to the top of the division; and beyond.
Saturday, May 21, 1988 - In the world of major league baseball, three seasons can bring about dramatic change. Just three years and one day after shutting out the Atlanta Braves, Joaquin Andujar was back with his original team - the Houston Astros - relegated to bullpen duty, with rapidly diminishing skills. This would be his final big league season, as well as his final mound appearance in St Louis - the town that embraced his zany antics during his five-year stint with the Cardinals. This farewell didn't go so well for the self-proclaimed "tough Dominican".
The defending National League champion St Louis Cardinals still drew large crowds, as 47,320 packed into Busch Stadium II to see the action between the Cards and Astros. The pitching match-up - Randy O'Neal for St Louis and Danny Darwin for Houston - didn't exactly bring evoke memories of Gibson vs Seaver from twenty years ago (May 6, 1968, to be exact). Except for some reason, this game drew 35,000 more fans out to the old ballpark. Maybe it was Bob Horner Bobble Head Night? Ouch.
Once again, Jack Clark's replacement at first base for the Cardinals did nothing to help his team win. And the fans would soon be getting restless over the oft-injured Horner's continued lack of production; especially since the guy that walked away - Clark - was healthy and still hitting a lot of home runs for his new team - the New York Yankees.
This game itself had a vintage feel to it initially, with Vince Coleman scoring a run in his first two plate appearances to stake the Cards to a quick 2-0 lead. The Astros cut the deficit in half on a fourth-inning Alan Ashby run-scoring double. Houston would then take the lead in the top of the sixth-inning in a bizarre way. So bizarre in fact, it may not have ever happened in major league history - before or since.
Here's the scenario: Houston has runners on first and second with two out. The batter - Allan Ashby - swings and misses on strike three. But it's a wild pitch. Everybody's safe, as the bases are now loaded. The next batter - Jim Pankovits - scores all three runners with a double. Astros now lead 4-2, as the 47,320 fans are wondering if anybody's ever hit a three-run double immediately following a wild pitch strikeout of the previous batter that loaded the bases to begin with.
Undaunted, with Ozzie Smith on base in the bottom of the sixth, Tom Brunansky hits one into the left field bleachers to tie the game, 4-4. Darwin pitched one more inning for the Astros, giving up just the four runs on six hits. O'Neal survived long enough to record one out in the eighth-inning before his exit. He too, yielded just the four runs, but on eleven hits and that crazy wild pitch strikeout (one of just two strikeouts) that he wishes he had back.
This game was to be decided by the bullpens. Ken Dayley relieved O'Neal with one out in the eighth, avoided trouble, then worked a scoreless ninth-inning. Veteran mainstay Bob Forsch would take care of the Astros for the next two innings.
For Houston, three relievers - Agosto, Anderson, and Smith - allowed nary a hit for their three combined innings of work, setting the stage for Andujar's farewell appearance in the Gateway City.
McGee started his old teammate's demise by reaching safely when second baseman Jim Pankovits - previously a hero for Houston - booted his grounder. Obviously distracted by this unfortunate situation, Andujar pays little attention to the speedy McGee at first, who immediately steals second. Andujar then retires Brunansky on a come-backer to the mound, as Willie has to stay at second . The next hitter - Curt Ford - is intentionally walked to set up a potential double play with Tony Pena coming up to the plate. That strategy is quickly foiled when McGee and Ford execute a successful double steal.
Now, with runners on second and third and just one out, Andujar elects to pitch to Pena with first base open. That didn't work out so well, either. Pena blasts a three-run home run to left field, ending the game, just like that. Cardinals 7 - Astros 4 (11 innings).
The pitchers of record, Bob Forsch (4-3) and Joaquin Andujar (0-1) - teammates on that World Championship Cardinal team of '82 - were both nearing the end of the road. On August 31, 1988, Forsch would be dealt to these same Houston Astros, ending his 15-year tenure with St Louis - a one-time 20-game winner with two no-hitters to his credit. He'd retire the following season. For Andujar - a two-time 20-game winner with the Cardinals - 1988 would be his final season.
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
St Louis Cardinals History - May 12, 1987 - May 13, 1982 - 2 Games That Almost Got Away
May 12, 1987 - In a game featuring the two teams that would be slugging it out in the '87 NLCS, the San Francisco Giants played host to the St Louis Cardinals on a cold and windy evening at beautiful Candlestick Park; a venue that has had its fair share of weird moments. Probably half of the original crowd of 14,318 had bailed out of this one before the ninth-inning rolled around. Too bad; they missed all the fun. Luckily for the Redbirds, they managed to hold on by the slimmest of margins; no doubt giving manager Whitey Herzog a few more white hairs as a souvenir.
Rookie southpaw Joe Magrane got the start for St Louis, and quickly ran into some trouble in the very first inning - a walk, a balk, and a single gave the Giants a very brief 1-0 lead.
In the second-inning, Willie McGee drew a lead-off walk off Giants starter, Mark Davis. One out later, Steve Lake's double to right field moved McGee over to third; then both runners came home on Curt Ford's single off first baseman Will Clark's glove, which trickled into no man's land in short right field.
Meanwhile, Magrane settled down, keeping San Francisco scoreless over the next seven innings of work. The Cardinals added two more runs in the third-inning, on a Willie McGee two-out two-run home run, giving the flaky Magrane a comfortable three run lead. When the Cardinals tacked on two more runs in the ninth-inning on back-to-back one-out triples from Rod Booker (the only triple he'd hit all season) and Curt Ford, followed by a successful squeeze-play bunt by Magrane which plated Ford - the game seemed out of reach. St Louis 6, San Francisco 1.
With a five-run lead and Joe pitching so well, Whitey thought this would be a good opportunity to give the bullpen a break, and give his young lefty a chance to finish this one off. Not so fast. After a Bob Melvin double and a Chris Speier infield hit suddenly had runners on the corners with nobody out, Herzog brought in the usually reliable Ricky Horton to take care of business. Not so fast. The first hitter Horton faced - Will Clark - immediately brought in a run with a base hit to right. Now it's 6-2, with the tying run in the on-deck circle. After Horton induced Matt Williams to fly out to McGee in center, that sigh of relief in the Cardinals dugout would soon turn into a gasp of astonishment.
Pinch hitter Bob Brenly whacked a Horton hanging slider over the left field fence for a three-run bomb, cutting the deficit to a single run. Time to bring in Todd Worrell to close this one out; and close it out he did, striking out pinch hitter Harry Spilman on a high fastball, then getting the dangerous Chili Davis looking at a fastball on the outside corner for strike three, to finally restore order and put this one in the "win" column - Cards 6 - Giants 5.
Looking back on the top half of the ninth-inning, had Magrane failed to get that squeeze bunt down successfully, there's no telling how this game would've ended; or when it would've ended, for that matter.
May 13, 1982 - In a game featuring the two teams that would be playing in the '82 NLCS, the Atlanta Braves played host to the St Louis Cardinals on a warm and humid evening at Fulton County Stadium, with 16,244 on hand to witness a high-scoring affair, featuring yet another near-comeback by the home team in the ninth-inning. What a coincidence.
This also happened to be Atlanta Braves' rookie Ken Dayley's major league debut. Dayley would later be a mainstay in the Cardinals' bullpen in the mid '80's, but on this night he was a starter; although he only lasted 1.1 innings (5 H - 4 R - 1 BB - 0 SO - 1 HR); leaving the game with an ERA of 27.00. He'd also be tagged with the loss, although his teammates nearly got him off the hook. However, this was a game the Cardinals led from the first inning on, eventually scoring 10 runs; and they needed every one of those runs to win this one.
Starting for St Louis was old reliable Bob Forsch who didn't fare much better than the rookie (3.2 IP - 7 H - 5 R - 0 BB - 1 SO - 1 HR). In fact, Preston Hanna, the Braves' second pitcher of the game didn't fare so well on the mound, either (3 IP - 6 H - 5 R - 2 BB - 1 SO), although did quite all right with a bat in his hands - two hits in two ABs with an RBI.
"Hitting" was definitely the theme for tonight's game. After the Cardinals scored two runs in each of the first three innings, Atlanta countered with a two-run second, then scored a single run in the third, and two more in the fourth to close the gap to a 6-5 deficit; but they just couldn't quite catch the Redbirds, who tacked on three more runs in the fifth. With the bases loaded and one out, Herzog mysteriously brought in rookie Willie McGee to pinch hit for Tito Landrum - who had already homered in the game and had driven in three. On the mound for the Braves was former Cardinal madman Al Hrabosky. McGee, who had gotten off to a terrible start, promptly lined a run-scoring single to center - the first RBI in his career! Ozzie immediately got another hit, driving in two more runs. St Louis 9 - Atlanta 5.
After the Braves started roughing up Redbird reliever Andy Rincon in the seventh-inning, Herzog brought in Bruce Sutter to restore order. He got out of the jam with just one run scored (St Louis 9 - Atlanta 6), but he still had to get through the precarious eighth and ninth-innings. When the Redbirds scored their tenth and final run in the ninth, Sutter, who had no trouble in handling the Braves in the eighth, now had a four-run cushion as he took the mound in the bottom of the ninth. He needed all of that cushion.
Claudell Washington took Sutter deep to lead off the inning, making it a 10-7 game. Then, with one on and one out, Dale Murphy hit his second home run of the game, while Herzog pretended to remain calm in the Cardinals' dugout. Sutter, who had been stretched as far as he could realistically go (2.2 IP), hung on to record his eleventh save of the season. It was pretty, but it worked.
As for the shy rookie, Willie McGee, who finally got the first run batted in of his career; all the weight of the world seemed to be lifted off his slouched shoulders. His batting average, which had been hovering around .150 at this point in the season, would start climbing - all the way to .296 by season's end. But it would be the postseason that would make him an instant celebrity, and endear him to Cardinal Nation for life.
Rookie southpaw Joe Magrane got the start for St Louis, and quickly ran into some trouble in the very first inning - a walk, a balk, and a single gave the Giants a very brief 1-0 lead.
In the second-inning, Willie McGee drew a lead-off walk off Giants starter, Mark Davis. One out later, Steve Lake's double to right field moved McGee over to third; then both runners came home on Curt Ford's single off first baseman Will Clark's glove, which trickled into no man's land in short right field.
Meanwhile, Magrane settled down, keeping San Francisco scoreless over the next seven innings of work. The Cardinals added two more runs in the third-inning, on a Willie McGee two-out two-run home run, giving the flaky Magrane a comfortable three run lead. When the Cardinals tacked on two more runs in the ninth-inning on back-to-back one-out triples from Rod Booker (the only triple he'd hit all season) and Curt Ford, followed by a successful squeeze-play bunt by Magrane which plated Ford - the game seemed out of reach. St Louis 6, San Francisco 1.
With a five-run lead and Joe pitching so well, Whitey thought this would be a good opportunity to give the bullpen a break, and give his young lefty a chance to finish this one off. Not so fast. After a Bob Melvin double and a Chris Speier infield hit suddenly had runners on the corners with nobody out, Herzog brought in the usually reliable Ricky Horton to take care of business. Not so fast. The first hitter Horton faced - Will Clark - immediately brought in a run with a base hit to right. Now it's 6-2, with the tying run in the on-deck circle. After Horton induced Matt Williams to fly out to McGee in center, that sigh of relief in the Cardinals dugout would soon turn into a gasp of astonishment.
Pinch hitter Bob Brenly whacked a Horton hanging slider over the left field fence for a three-run bomb, cutting the deficit to a single run. Time to bring in Todd Worrell to close this one out; and close it out he did, striking out pinch hitter Harry Spilman on a high fastball, then getting the dangerous Chili Davis looking at a fastball on the outside corner for strike three, to finally restore order and put this one in the "win" column - Cards 6 - Giants 5.
Looking back on the top half of the ninth-inning, had Magrane failed to get that squeeze bunt down successfully, there's no telling how this game would've ended; or when it would've ended, for that matter.
May 13, 1982 - In a game featuring the two teams that would be playing in the '82 NLCS, the Atlanta Braves played host to the St Louis Cardinals on a warm and humid evening at Fulton County Stadium, with 16,244 on hand to witness a high-scoring affair, featuring yet another near-comeback by the home team in the ninth-inning. What a coincidence.
This also happened to be Atlanta Braves' rookie Ken Dayley's major league debut. Dayley would later be a mainstay in the Cardinals' bullpen in the mid '80's, but on this night he was a starter; although he only lasted 1.1 innings (5 H - 4 R - 1 BB - 0 SO - 1 HR); leaving the game with an ERA of 27.00. He'd also be tagged with the loss, although his teammates nearly got him off the hook. However, this was a game the Cardinals led from the first inning on, eventually scoring 10 runs; and they needed every one of those runs to win this one.
Starting for St Louis was old reliable Bob Forsch who didn't fare much better than the rookie (3.2 IP - 7 H - 5 R - 0 BB - 1 SO - 1 HR). In fact, Preston Hanna, the Braves' second pitcher of the game didn't fare so well on the mound, either (3 IP - 6 H - 5 R - 2 BB - 1 SO), although did quite all right with a bat in his hands - two hits in two ABs with an RBI.
"Hitting" was definitely the theme for tonight's game. After the Cardinals scored two runs in each of the first three innings, Atlanta countered with a two-run second, then scored a single run in the third, and two more in the fourth to close the gap to a 6-5 deficit; but they just couldn't quite catch the Redbirds, who tacked on three more runs in the fifth. With the bases loaded and one out, Herzog mysteriously brought in rookie Willie McGee to pinch hit for Tito Landrum - who had already homered in the game and had driven in three. On the mound for the Braves was former Cardinal madman Al Hrabosky. McGee, who had gotten off to a terrible start, promptly lined a run-scoring single to center - the first RBI in his career! Ozzie immediately got another hit, driving in two more runs. St Louis 9 - Atlanta 5.
After the Braves started roughing up Redbird reliever Andy Rincon in the seventh-inning, Herzog brought in Bruce Sutter to restore order. He got out of the jam with just one run scored (St Louis 9 - Atlanta 6), but he still had to get through the precarious eighth and ninth-innings. When the Redbirds scored their tenth and final run in the ninth, Sutter, who had no trouble in handling the Braves in the eighth, now had a four-run cushion as he took the mound in the bottom of the ninth. He needed all of that cushion.
Claudell Washington took Sutter deep to lead off the inning, making it a 10-7 game. Then, with one on and one out, Dale Murphy hit his second home run of the game, while Herzog pretended to remain calm in the Cardinals' dugout. Sutter, who had been stretched as far as he could realistically go (2.2 IP), hung on to record his eleventh save of the season. It was pretty, but it worked.
As for the shy rookie, Willie McGee, who finally got the first run batted in of his career; all the weight of the world seemed to be lifted off his slouched shoulders. His batting average, which had been hovering around .150 at this point in the season, would start climbing - all the way to .296 by season's end. But it would be the postseason that would make him an instant celebrity, and endear him to Cardinal Nation for life.
Thursday, April 24, 2014
4 Pitching Gems in St Louis Cardinals History (April 9 - 12)
April 9, 1983 - The defending World Series champion St Louis Cardinals opened the new season with a 5-0 win over the New York Mets at Shea Stadium, before a wary gathering of 11,511 New Yorkers. Joaquin Andujar, who started and won Game 7 of the '82 World Series over the heavy hitting Milwaukee Brewers, had no trouble dispatching an anemic Mets lineup today, going the distance in holding New York to just four hits, walking none, while striking out nine. The Cardinals broke a scoreless tie in the 7th-inning when the first six batters reached base, and four of them scored on a pair of bases loaded singles - by George Hendrick, then David Green, who was quickly picked off first base for the first out of the inning. Mike Ramsey closed out the scoring with a sacrifice fly, which was more than enough run support for the ace right hander on this day.
This was not a good day for attempting anything daring on the bases. In addition to Green's mishap, the Redbirds lost two other runners attempting to steal - Hendrick and Lonnie Smith. The Mets' Mookie Wilson attempted to steal second base on two separate occasions and was nailed both times.
As hapless as the Mets were on this particular day, their fortunes would be greatly improved just prior to the June trading deadline after Cardinals first baseman Keith Hernandez was shipped to New York for pitchers Neil Allen and Rick Ownby - neither of whom did much to help St Louis win. Strangely enough, as the Mets' resurgence manifested itself in the mid to late '80s, so too did the Cardinals, almost in spite of this trade; and a fierce rivalry was born.
April 10, 1968 - The defending World Series champion St Louis Cardinals hosted the Atlanta Braves on Opening Night before a crowd of 34,740, fully anticipating Cards' ace Bob Gibson to pitch the home team to victory. Instead, Gibson was removed from the game after working seven innings, trailing 1-0. Naturally, the run the Braves scored came in the second-inning, and was unearned - the result of a Lou Brock dropped fly ball. In a way, this game typified the season Gibson compiled, posting an amazing 1.12 ERA, but only winning 22 games. Here was just another no decision for Gibby, who was taken out of the game when it was his turn at bat in the bottom of the seventh, with runners on first and second and two out. Pinch hitter Bobby Tolan lined out to end the threat, while Gibson seethed in the Cardinals dugout (he had one hit in two ABs, previously).
Although Gibson allowed just three hits, plus one walk in the seven innings, he didn't strikeout a single batter; the deepest he's ever pitched in a game with no punch-outs. His replacement, Ray Washburn kept Atlanta hitless for two innings, walking one, while striking out two. St Louis finally broke through in the eighth-inning, as last season's NL MVP Orlando Cepeda delivered a clutch two-out double to score Curt Flood from first base to tie the game. The Redbirds won it in the ninth when light-hitting Dal Maxvill doubled with one out, and pinch runner Dick Simpson sprinted home from second on pinch hitter Dave Ricketts' base hit to center, giving Washburn the win.
April 11, 1967 - Opening Night in St Louis, as the Cardinals hosted the San Francisco Giants in front of 38,117 Cards' fans expecting a pitchers' duel between the two of the best in the game - Bob Gibson and Juan Marichal. On this night, it was no contest; Gibson threw a five-hit complete game shutout, walking none while striking out 13. On the other hand, Marichal yielded six runs on fourteen hits in seven innings - the big blow coming in the second inning with Lou Brock at the plate with two runners on. Harry Caray's call: "He got the first hit; will he drive in the first run? (crack of the bat) There she goes! It might be outta here, it could be, it is a home run! Holy cow!"
Brock was one of five Cardinals players with two hits in the game - Curt Flood, newly acquired Roger Maris (playing with peace of mind now), Tim McCarver, and Julian Javier were the others. Dal Maxvill, who would go on to hit a paltry .227 for the season, led the team with three hits on Opening Night; proving that on any given day (or night), anything can happen.
The final score of 6-0 was a fitting way to start what would prove to be a championship season for St Louis - as the Cardinals would go on to win their first six games in '67.
April 12, 2005 - The Cardinals played host to the Cincinnati Reds in front of 33,617 fans, dressed mostly in Red, as one might suspect with these two red-clad NL Central rivals hooking up. On this night, Cardinals starting pitcher Jason Marquis was sharp - 6 IP - 5 hits - 1 earned run - 2 BB - 6 SO - and helped his own cause with the bat, delivering a second-inning one-out bases loaded triple to erase an early 1-0 Cincinnati advantage, en route to a final 5-1 win. Solo home runs in the sixth-inning by Jim Edmonds and Reggie Sanders accounted for the last pair of runs. The bullpen shut down the Reds over the final three innings, as somebody named Carmen Cali pitched a perfect ninth for the Redbirds to end it. All told, in parts of three seasons with St Louis and Minnesota, Cali appeared in 40 major league games, had won none and lost one, had no saves, and sported a 6.55 ERA. Reminding us once again, how difficult it is to be a successful big league ballplayer for any length of time.
It's interesting to note, the losing pitcher for Cincinnati that night was the erstwhile Aaron Harang, who nine years later, pitching for the Atlanta Braves is the hottest hurler on the planet right now with an ERA at 0.85 as I type this. Harang's career ERA is 4.22.
This was not a good day for attempting anything daring on the bases. In addition to Green's mishap, the Redbirds lost two other runners attempting to steal - Hendrick and Lonnie Smith. The Mets' Mookie Wilson attempted to steal second base on two separate occasions and was nailed both times.
As hapless as the Mets were on this particular day, their fortunes would be greatly improved just prior to the June trading deadline after Cardinals first baseman Keith Hernandez was shipped to New York for pitchers Neil Allen and Rick Ownby - neither of whom did much to help St Louis win. Strangely enough, as the Mets' resurgence manifested itself in the mid to late '80s, so too did the Cardinals, almost in spite of this trade; and a fierce rivalry was born.
April 10, 1968 - The defending World Series champion St Louis Cardinals hosted the Atlanta Braves on Opening Night before a crowd of 34,740, fully anticipating Cards' ace Bob Gibson to pitch the home team to victory. Instead, Gibson was removed from the game after working seven innings, trailing 1-0. Naturally, the run the Braves scored came in the second-inning, and was unearned - the result of a Lou Brock dropped fly ball. In a way, this game typified the season Gibson compiled, posting an amazing 1.12 ERA, but only winning 22 games. Here was just another no decision for Gibby, who was taken out of the game when it was his turn at bat in the bottom of the seventh, with runners on first and second and two out. Pinch hitter Bobby Tolan lined out to end the threat, while Gibson seethed in the Cardinals dugout (he had one hit in two ABs, previously).
Although Gibson allowed just three hits, plus one walk in the seven innings, he didn't strikeout a single batter; the deepest he's ever pitched in a game with no punch-outs. His replacement, Ray Washburn kept Atlanta hitless for two innings, walking one, while striking out two. St Louis finally broke through in the eighth-inning, as last season's NL MVP Orlando Cepeda delivered a clutch two-out double to score Curt Flood from first base to tie the game. The Redbirds won it in the ninth when light-hitting Dal Maxvill doubled with one out, and pinch runner Dick Simpson sprinted home from second on pinch hitter Dave Ricketts' base hit to center, giving Washburn the win.
April 11, 1967 - Opening Night in St Louis, as the Cardinals hosted the San Francisco Giants in front of 38,117 Cards' fans expecting a pitchers' duel between the two of the best in the game - Bob Gibson and Juan Marichal. On this night, it was no contest; Gibson threw a five-hit complete game shutout, walking none while striking out 13. On the other hand, Marichal yielded six runs on fourteen hits in seven innings - the big blow coming in the second inning with Lou Brock at the plate with two runners on. Harry Caray's call: "He got the first hit; will he drive in the first run? (crack of the bat) There she goes! It might be outta here, it could be, it is a home run! Holy cow!"
Brock was one of five Cardinals players with two hits in the game - Curt Flood, newly acquired Roger Maris (playing with peace of mind now), Tim McCarver, and Julian Javier were the others. Dal Maxvill, who would go on to hit a paltry .227 for the season, led the team with three hits on Opening Night; proving that on any given day (or night), anything can happen.
The final score of 6-0 was a fitting way to start what would prove to be a championship season for St Louis - as the Cardinals would go on to win their first six games in '67.
April 12, 2005 - The Cardinals played host to the Cincinnati Reds in front of 33,617 fans, dressed mostly in Red, as one might suspect with these two red-clad NL Central rivals hooking up. On this night, Cardinals starting pitcher Jason Marquis was sharp - 6 IP - 5 hits - 1 earned run - 2 BB - 6 SO - and helped his own cause with the bat, delivering a second-inning one-out bases loaded triple to erase an early 1-0 Cincinnati advantage, en route to a final 5-1 win. Solo home runs in the sixth-inning by Jim Edmonds and Reggie Sanders accounted for the last pair of runs. The bullpen shut down the Reds over the final three innings, as somebody named Carmen Cali pitched a perfect ninth for the Redbirds to end it. All told, in parts of three seasons with St Louis and Minnesota, Cali appeared in 40 major league games, had won none and lost one, had no saves, and sported a 6.55 ERA. Reminding us once again, how difficult it is to be a successful big league ballplayer for any length of time.
It's interesting to note, the losing pitcher for Cincinnati that night was the erstwhile Aaron Harang, who nine years later, pitching for the Atlanta Braves is the hottest hurler on the planet right now with an ERA at 0.85 as I type this. Harang's career ERA is 4.22.
Friday, August 23, 2013
August 23, 1982: This Date in St Louis Cardinals Championship History
August 23, 1982: In the first game of a three-game series between the host St Louis Cardinals and the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Redbirds used timely hitting and capitalized on four Dodgers errors to cruise to an easy 11-3 victory. Every St Louis position player had at least one hit in the game, and with the exception of Tommy Herr and Ken Oberkfell, drove in at least one run. Reserve catcher Gene Tenace led the attack with four RBIs, while his battery mate, Bob Forsch (13-7) pitched 7.1 innings - was charged with three runs on seven hits; didn't walk any batters, and struck out two. In other words, a typical Bob Forsch game.
After the Cardinals jumped on Dodgers starter Jerry Reuss (12-10) for four runs in the third-inning, Forsch kept LA at bay through seven innings, holding a 5-1 lead entering the eighth. After yielding a run on two hits while retiring one batter, manager Whitey Herzog brought in relief specialist Bruce Sutter to nail the win down. Although an inherited runner scored on a two-base hit, making the score 5-3, Sutter was able to retire the next two batters to end the threat. The Cardinals made things easy for Bruce by plating six runs of their own in the bottom half of the eighth-inning, aided by more sloppy Dodgers defense.
Preserving an 11-3 win for the Cards may have been the easiest save (27) of Sutter's career. Still, by today's standards, a five-out save is considered almost heroic; perhaps even a bit desperate. Nowadays, most teams have specialists to nail down the final three innings. Herzog used Sutter in the highest leverage situations, and more often than not, the National League's premier closer and his remarkable split-fingered fastball delivered the save. In this particular outing, the future Hall of Fame relief ace struck out four batters in 1.2 innings of work. He allowed two hits (both doubles), walked none, and was charged with no runs. The Dodgers managed nine hits in the game, but with no free passes and no fielding miscues to capitalize on, they were unable to muster enough offense to threaten the future World Series champions.
The Redbirds dropped the final two games of the series at Busch Stadium to the Dodgers; the season series went LA's way as well in 1982, with the Cards winning five games, while losing seven. As it played out, the Atlanta Braves barely slipped past the Dodgers by a single game in the NL West that year, so it would be Atlanta - not LA - advancing to the NLCS to face the Cardinals. The Braves had to feel confident squaring off against the Redbirds, as they also held the edge in the season series - winning seven of the eleven games; however, the postseason is a different animal, and the Cards became beasts in sweeping Atlanta out of the postseason in three exciting NLCS games.
Whether or not the Cardinals would have whipped the Dodgers in a postseason showdown, as well, is anybody's guess. The showdown between the two iconic franchises would have to wait three years to become a reality. That one went decisively in favor of the Cards, four games to two. Many considered the 1985 edition of the Cardinals to be even better than the World Champions of 1982. Maybe Herzog's '82 squad got a bit lucky in the postseason; maybe not so lucky in '85.
Thanks to this shellacking administered by St Louis to Los Angeles on this date in 1982, the possibility of a Cardinals - Dodgers NLCS ultimately never materialized. That one may or may not have turned out so well for the Redbirds.
We'll never know, but it's always fun to consider the possibilities.
After the Cardinals jumped on Dodgers starter Jerry Reuss (12-10) for four runs in the third-inning, Forsch kept LA at bay through seven innings, holding a 5-1 lead entering the eighth. After yielding a run on two hits while retiring one batter, manager Whitey Herzog brought in relief specialist Bruce Sutter to nail the win down. Although an inherited runner scored on a two-base hit, making the score 5-3, Sutter was able to retire the next two batters to end the threat. The Cardinals made things easy for Bruce by plating six runs of their own in the bottom half of the eighth-inning, aided by more sloppy Dodgers defense.
Preserving an 11-3 win for the Cards may have been the easiest save (27) of Sutter's career. Still, by today's standards, a five-out save is considered almost heroic; perhaps even a bit desperate. Nowadays, most teams have specialists to nail down the final three innings. Herzog used Sutter in the highest leverage situations, and more often than not, the National League's premier closer and his remarkable split-fingered fastball delivered the save. In this particular outing, the future Hall of Fame relief ace struck out four batters in 1.2 innings of work. He allowed two hits (both doubles), walked none, and was charged with no runs. The Dodgers managed nine hits in the game, but with no free passes and no fielding miscues to capitalize on, they were unable to muster enough offense to threaten the future World Series champions.
The Redbirds dropped the final two games of the series at Busch Stadium to the Dodgers; the season series went LA's way as well in 1982, with the Cards winning five games, while losing seven. As it played out, the Atlanta Braves barely slipped past the Dodgers by a single game in the NL West that year, so it would be Atlanta - not LA - advancing to the NLCS to face the Cardinals. The Braves had to feel confident squaring off against the Redbirds, as they also held the edge in the season series - winning seven of the eleven games; however, the postseason is a different animal, and the Cards became beasts in sweeping Atlanta out of the postseason in three exciting NLCS games.
Whether or not the Cardinals would have whipped the Dodgers in a postseason showdown, as well, is anybody's guess. The showdown between the two iconic franchises would have to wait three years to become a reality. That one went decisively in favor of the Cards, four games to two. Many considered the 1985 edition of the Cardinals to be even better than the World Champions of 1982. Maybe Herzog's '82 squad got a bit lucky in the postseason; maybe not so lucky in '85.
Thanks to this shellacking administered by St Louis to Los Angeles on this date in 1982, the possibility of a Cardinals - Dodgers NLCS ultimately never materialized. That one may or may not have turned out so well for the Redbirds.
We'll never know, but it's always fun to consider the possibilities.
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
April 30, 2011: This Date in St Louis Cardinals Championship History - Comeback Win in Atlanta
April 30, 2011: In addition to a strong finish by the Cardinals in the 2011 season, an epic collapse on the part of the Atlanta Braves was required if the Redbirds were to have any chance of catching them in the NL Wild Card race. Of course, the Braves did their part - capped off by a three-game sweep at the hands of the Phillies at home to close out the season. Earlier in the evening of MLB Game 162, Chris Carpenter had no trouble dispatching the Houston Astros, giving his team a chance to relax in the visitor's clubhouse to watch Freddy Freeman's double-play grounder abruptly end Atlanta's frustrating season.
However, what enabled that Happy Flight can be directly linked to a late April three-game series at Turner Field when the Cardinals won two out of three from Atlanta, including the unlikely comeback they were able to pull off on this particular Saturday afternoon against one of the best bullpens in baseball. In the end, the Braves' closer, Greg Kimbrell, would be knocked out of the game after recording only one out in the ninth-inning.
This unlikely comeback happened in a game when Albert Pujols went hitless, and Lance Berkman failed to deliver a crucial hit coming off the bench late in the game. It also happened on a day Yadier Molina was rested, but his replacement delivered the game winning hit. Go figure.
In the end, both teams would only muster six hits apiece, but it was St Louis getting the maximum reward for those hits by scoring one more run than Atlanta, in comeback fashion; with only a 10% "win probability" as late as the eighth-inning of this game (according to BaseballReference.com). Defying the odds would become a trend for the Redbirds. They were just getting warmed up.
The starting pitchers - Jake Westbrook for St Louis and Brandon Beachy for Atlanta - both pitched well, but neither one figured in the decision. Westbrook went six innings, allowing two runs on five hits and three walks. A two-run fifth-inning double by Atlanta's Martin Prado broke a scoreless tie.
Meanwhile, Beachy pitched seven complete innings, allowing the Cardinals just one hit and no runs until he took the mound in the eighth-inning, when the only two batters he faced - Daniel Descalso, who doubled, and Tyler Greene, who drew a base on balls - both scored.
Beachy was replaced by Johnny Venters, who appeared to be on his way to getting out of the jam after Nick Punto bunted both runners over (one out), he struck out Lance Berkman, who was pinch-hitting for Jon Jay (two out). However, David Freese came through with the big two-out hit to tie the game - a single to right field. It was the type of hitting that would earn Freese both the NLCS and World Series MVP honors a few months down the road.
LaRussa's bullpen took care of business after Westbrook was lifted; Mitchell Boggs pitched a scoreless seventh-inning, followed by the veteran Miguel Batista's scoreless eighth. The stage was set for Fernando Salas to record his second save of the season which would give Miguel Batista his second win of the season. All the Redbirds needed to do was score a ninth-inning run off the nearly invincible Craig Kimbrell.
Matt Holliday promptly greeted Kimbrell with a single to right field. Colby Rasmus then struck out. The next hitter was Gerald Laird, who seemed like a good candidate to either srike out or hit into a double play. Perhaps Kimbrell was trying to get the double play ball; instead, his catcher couldn't handle a hard slider- ruled a passed ball - which allowed Holliday to take second base.
First base was now open, but Kimbrell challenged Laird with a fastball which was ripped into the left-center field gap, easily scoring Holliday. By the time the ball could be retrieved, Laird was standing on third base. It would be the only triple he'd hit all season. The Cardinals would eventually load the bases with two out, but Lance Berkman struck out for the second time in two innings to end the threat - stranding a total of five baserunners in two plate appearances for the game.
But the damage had been done. The comeback the Cardinals were able to pull off against the Braves pales in comparison to what they would do in Game Six vs the Rangers. However, without this game in the "win column", Chris Carpenter's 8-0 shutout of the Astros on the last day of the season would have been meaningless.
However, what enabled that Happy Flight can be directly linked to a late April three-game series at Turner Field when the Cardinals won two out of three from Atlanta, including the unlikely comeback they were able to pull off on this particular Saturday afternoon against one of the best bullpens in baseball. In the end, the Braves' closer, Greg Kimbrell, would be knocked out of the game after recording only one out in the ninth-inning.
This unlikely comeback happened in a game when Albert Pujols went hitless, and Lance Berkman failed to deliver a crucial hit coming off the bench late in the game. It also happened on a day Yadier Molina was rested, but his replacement delivered the game winning hit. Go figure.
In the end, both teams would only muster six hits apiece, but it was St Louis getting the maximum reward for those hits by scoring one more run than Atlanta, in comeback fashion; with only a 10% "win probability" as late as the eighth-inning of this game (according to BaseballReference.com). Defying the odds would become a trend for the Redbirds. They were just getting warmed up.
The starting pitchers - Jake Westbrook for St Louis and Brandon Beachy for Atlanta - both pitched well, but neither one figured in the decision. Westbrook went six innings, allowing two runs on five hits and three walks. A two-run fifth-inning double by Atlanta's Martin Prado broke a scoreless tie.
Meanwhile, Beachy pitched seven complete innings, allowing the Cardinals just one hit and no runs until he took the mound in the eighth-inning, when the only two batters he faced - Daniel Descalso, who doubled, and Tyler Greene, who drew a base on balls - both scored.
Beachy was replaced by Johnny Venters, who appeared to be on his way to getting out of the jam after Nick Punto bunted both runners over (one out), he struck out Lance Berkman, who was pinch-hitting for Jon Jay (two out). However, David Freese came through with the big two-out hit to tie the game - a single to right field. It was the type of hitting that would earn Freese both the NLCS and World Series MVP honors a few months down the road.
LaRussa's bullpen took care of business after Westbrook was lifted; Mitchell Boggs pitched a scoreless seventh-inning, followed by the veteran Miguel Batista's scoreless eighth. The stage was set for Fernando Salas to record his second save of the season which would give Miguel Batista his second win of the season. All the Redbirds needed to do was score a ninth-inning run off the nearly invincible Craig Kimbrell.
Matt Holliday promptly greeted Kimbrell with a single to right field. Colby Rasmus then struck out. The next hitter was Gerald Laird, who seemed like a good candidate to either srike out or hit into a double play. Perhaps Kimbrell was trying to get the double play ball; instead, his catcher couldn't handle a hard slider- ruled a passed ball - which allowed Holliday to take second base.
First base was now open, but Kimbrell challenged Laird with a fastball which was ripped into the left-center field gap, easily scoring Holliday. By the time the ball could be retrieved, Laird was standing on third base. It would be the only triple he'd hit all season. The Cardinals would eventually load the bases with two out, but Lance Berkman struck out for the second time in two innings to end the threat - stranding a total of five baserunners in two plate appearances for the game.
But the damage had been done. The comeback the Cardinals were able to pull off against the Braves pales in comparison to what they would do in Game Six vs the Rangers. However, without this game in the "win column", Chris Carpenter's 8-0 shutout of the Astros on the last day of the season would have been meaningless.
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Shocking MLB Power Rankings - 2013
Remember when the American League East used to be the best division in baseball? Heading into the 2013 MLB season, it may actually be the weakest, as former heavyweights - the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox - appear likely to fight it out for last place. I'll give the edge to the Yankees to reign supreme in futility, although the Red Sox could mount another epic late-season meltdown to retain their hold on last place in the East. The Toronto Blue Jays will be vastly improved, but still not quite playoff caliber, as they will likely battle the Baltimore Orioles for second place this time around. If the Tampa Bay Rays can keep Evan Longoria in the lineup for 150 games in 2013, they should be able to take the top spot in that once mighty division.
Remember when the National League East used to be owned by the Philadelphia Phillies and their great pitching staff and potent lineup? After winning a franchise-record 102 games in 2011, Philadelphia showed signs of age last year, barely playing .500 ball, while the upstart Washington Nationals and a very good Atlanta Braves team dominated that division - and seem poised for a repeat performance in 2013. If Philly can keep their big guns on the field for most of the season, they may still find their way to the top, but they'll need some major catastrophes to hit Atlanta and DC to get past those two powerhouses.
Remember when the American League West used to be totally dominated by the Texas Rangers for the better part of three seasons? Those days are long gone, as the teams actually located on the West Coast - LA Angels of Anaheim, Oakland A's, and even the Seattle Mariners - are poised to battle for the top spot this season. That's right; even the once-lowly Mariners could very well make a postseason run in 2013, while the two Texas teams (remember the Astros?) should be bringing up the rear.
Over in the revamped National League West, the World Champion San Francisco Giants seem content to bring back the same team that won it all last year, while the free-spending LA Dodgers have gathered an expensive and under-achieving core of players who were the stars of their previous (last place) teams and may not be much better in 2013. If they're able to challenge San Fran for the top spot in the West, they'll have to do it with their pitching - which should be significantly better with the addition of Zack Greinke to the rotation; assuming he doesn't experience some sort of weird psychological issues pitching half his games in front of those skeptical fans in Lala Land.
Over in the American League Central, the Detroit Tigers have a formidable team "on paper" but can they go all the way with a questionable closer, two overweight corner infielders, and MLB's greatest pitcher who serves up nothing but meatballs to National League hitters, who love feasting on his servings? The Kansas City Royals, who haven't made a return trip to the postseason since their shocking World Series Championship in 1985, seem poised to break that drought in 2013, after acquiring a couple of Tampa's reliable pitchers - James Shields and Wade Davis - assuming the offense can generate enough firepower. Even the Cleveland Indians spent a bunch of money to make a Swish-alicious run this year, led by former Red Sox skipper and best-selling author Terry Francona. They may grab a wildcard, but that's a stretch. Speaking of the White Sox, they're a decent team who could sneak in there, too; but don't count on it, Hawk.
Saving the best for last, the Cincinnati Reds ran away with the National League Central last year, but mysteriously failed to get past the Giants in the NLDS. They seem to have great pitching, but with a questionable offense, I don't think they'll get past the St Louis Cardinals this year - a team that is historically under-rated every season, but usually finds a way to win when they need to. Don't be fooled by last year's mediocre won-loss record; they had the second best run differential in the NL, and with their offensive firepower, should cruise to a division title - despite middle infield question marks. Look for the Milwaukee Brewers to suck, as a possible 50-game suspension looms large over Ryan Braun's fat head. Pittsburgh? I hope they can win more than 81 games, but don't count on it. The Cubbies? I have a strange feeling they won't finish in last place this year, despite losing Houston to the American League. Milwaukee should've been shipped back there instead, but their inevitable futility will be satisfying for the vast majority of Cardinal Nation. Yes, I hate them.
Without further adieu, here's Uncle Larry's Shocking 2013 MLB Pre-Season Power Rankings:
30 - Miami Marlins - You thought they were bad last year?
29 - Houston Astros - They have some young talent; just not enough of it.
28 - Minnesota Twins - Probably the worst team in the American League, again.
27 - Colorado Rockies - No pitching in a hitter's park spells disaster again.
26 - Chicago Cubs - No doubt under-rated here; maybe they'll avoid the cellar?
25 - New York Mets - Need more pitching and outfield help, to say the least.
24 - New York Yankees - 2013 about as bad as 1966 in the Big Apple? Very possible.
23 - Boston Red Sox - A change in culture may keep them out of the cellar?
22 - Texas Rangers - No Josh Hamilton; no chance for this team.
21 - Seattle Mariners - Improved, but will need some miracles to reach postseason.
20 - Pittsburgh Pirates - See above.
19 - Cleveland Indians - May hang in there; spent tons of money.
18 - Kansas City Royals - Maybe enough pitching this year? Probably not.
17 - Milwaukee Brewers - Last year's strong finish was a fluke. They suck.
16 - Chicago White Sox - A winning record is about all they can hope for.
15 - Arizona Diamondbacks - Trading Justin Upton accomplished what? We'll see.
14 - Baltimore Orioles - Did it with smoke and mirrors last year. Not sure about this year.
13 - Toronto Blue Jays - Expected to make a run this year, but I doubt it.
12 - San Diego Padres - Still under-rated, but not by me. They could get a wild card berth.
11 - Philadelphia Phillies - Aging but still dangerous.
10 - LA Dodgers - Like the Mets of the '90s, spent a lot of money, but that doesn't always work.
09 - Oakland Athletics - Love what they did last year; tough to repeat it, though.
08 - Tampa Bay Rays - Best team in a weak division; success depends on Longo's health.
07 - Cincinnati Reds - Great pitching; questionable offense. Always over-rated.
06 - St Louis Cardinals - Questionable defense; great offense. Always under-rated.
05 - LA Angels of Anaheim - Adding Josh Hamilton will help, as Albert continues to regress.
04 - San Francisco Giants - Marco Scutaro expected to carry the team again? Marco Scutaro?
03 - Detroit Tigers - Better win before weight issues attack the corner infielders.
02 - Atlanta Braves - Great defensive outfield; great bullpen; no Chipper, no problem.
01 - Washington Nationals - '12 NLDS meltdown motivated GM Mike Rizzo to use overkill in acquiring more bullpen help in Rafael Soriano (42 saves in '12); starting pitching should be even better with full season of Stephen Strasburg.
Remember when the National League East used to be owned by the Philadelphia Phillies and their great pitching staff and potent lineup? After winning a franchise-record 102 games in 2011, Philadelphia showed signs of age last year, barely playing .500 ball, while the upstart Washington Nationals and a very good Atlanta Braves team dominated that division - and seem poised for a repeat performance in 2013. If Philly can keep their big guns on the field for most of the season, they may still find their way to the top, but they'll need some major catastrophes to hit Atlanta and DC to get past those two powerhouses.
Remember when the American League West used to be totally dominated by the Texas Rangers for the better part of three seasons? Those days are long gone, as the teams actually located on the West Coast - LA Angels of Anaheim, Oakland A's, and even the Seattle Mariners - are poised to battle for the top spot this season. That's right; even the once-lowly Mariners could very well make a postseason run in 2013, while the two Texas teams (remember the Astros?) should be bringing up the rear.
Over in the revamped National League West, the World Champion San Francisco Giants seem content to bring back the same team that won it all last year, while the free-spending LA Dodgers have gathered an expensive and under-achieving core of players who were the stars of their previous (last place) teams and may not be much better in 2013. If they're able to challenge San Fran for the top spot in the West, they'll have to do it with their pitching - which should be significantly better with the addition of Zack Greinke to the rotation; assuming he doesn't experience some sort of weird psychological issues pitching half his games in front of those skeptical fans in Lala Land.
Over in the American League Central, the Detroit Tigers have a formidable team "on paper" but can they go all the way with a questionable closer, two overweight corner infielders, and MLB's greatest pitcher who serves up nothing but meatballs to National League hitters, who love feasting on his servings? The Kansas City Royals, who haven't made a return trip to the postseason since their shocking World Series Championship in 1985, seem poised to break that drought in 2013, after acquiring a couple of Tampa's reliable pitchers - James Shields and Wade Davis - assuming the offense can generate enough firepower. Even the Cleveland Indians spent a bunch of money to make a Swish-alicious run this year, led by former Red Sox skipper and best-selling author Terry Francona. They may grab a wildcard, but that's a stretch. Speaking of the White Sox, they're a decent team who could sneak in there, too; but don't count on it, Hawk.
Saving the best for last, the Cincinnati Reds ran away with the National League Central last year, but mysteriously failed to get past the Giants in the NLDS. They seem to have great pitching, but with a questionable offense, I don't think they'll get past the St Louis Cardinals this year - a team that is historically under-rated every season, but usually finds a way to win when they need to. Don't be fooled by last year's mediocre won-loss record; they had the second best run differential in the NL, and with their offensive firepower, should cruise to a division title - despite middle infield question marks. Look for the Milwaukee Brewers to suck, as a possible 50-game suspension looms large over Ryan Braun's fat head. Pittsburgh? I hope they can win more than 81 games, but don't count on it. The Cubbies? I have a strange feeling they won't finish in last place this year, despite losing Houston to the American League. Milwaukee should've been shipped back there instead, but their inevitable futility will be satisfying for the vast majority of Cardinal Nation. Yes, I hate them.
Without further adieu, here's Uncle Larry's Shocking 2013 MLB Pre-Season Power Rankings:
30 - Miami Marlins - You thought they were bad last year?
29 - Houston Astros - They have some young talent; just not enough of it.
28 - Minnesota Twins - Probably the worst team in the American League, again.
27 - Colorado Rockies - No pitching in a hitter's park spells disaster again.
26 - Chicago Cubs - No doubt under-rated here; maybe they'll avoid the cellar?
25 - New York Mets - Need more pitching and outfield help, to say the least.
24 - New York Yankees - 2013 about as bad as 1966 in the Big Apple? Very possible.
23 - Boston Red Sox - A change in culture may keep them out of the cellar?
22 - Texas Rangers - No Josh Hamilton; no chance for this team.
21 - Seattle Mariners - Improved, but will need some miracles to reach postseason.
20 - Pittsburgh Pirates - See above.
19 - Cleveland Indians - May hang in there; spent tons of money.
18 - Kansas City Royals - Maybe enough pitching this year? Probably not.
17 - Milwaukee Brewers - Last year's strong finish was a fluke. They suck.
16 - Chicago White Sox - A winning record is about all they can hope for.
15 - Arizona Diamondbacks - Trading Justin Upton accomplished what? We'll see.
14 - Baltimore Orioles - Did it with smoke and mirrors last year. Not sure about this year.
13 - Toronto Blue Jays - Expected to make a run this year, but I doubt it.
12 - San Diego Padres - Still under-rated, but not by me. They could get a wild card berth.
11 - Philadelphia Phillies - Aging but still dangerous.
10 - LA Dodgers - Like the Mets of the '90s, spent a lot of money, but that doesn't always work.
09 - Oakland Athletics - Love what they did last year; tough to repeat it, though.
08 - Tampa Bay Rays - Best team in a weak division; success depends on Longo's health.
07 - Cincinnati Reds - Great pitching; questionable offense. Always over-rated.
06 - St Louis Cardinals - Questionable defense; great offense. Always under-rated.
05 - LA Angels of Anaheim - Adding Josh Hamilton will help, as Albert continues to regress.
04 - San Francisco Giants - Marco Scutaro expected to carry the team again? Marco Scutaro?
03 - Detroit Tigers - Better win before weight issues attack the corner infielders.
02 - Atlanta Braves - Great defensive outfield; great bullpen; no Chipper, no problem.
01 - Washington Nationals - '12 NLDS meltdown motivated GM Mike Rizzo to use overkill in acquiring more bullpen help in Rafael Soriano (42 saves in '12); starting pitching should be even better with full season of Stephen Strasburg.
Friday, January 4, 2013
Numbers Don't Lie - Morris Not HOF Material
Jack Morris had a nice career, but was it really a Hall of Fame career? His won-loss record (254-186 - .577) is just slightly below average for all pitchers who have been enshrined (251-176 - .588). What should keep him out is his mediocre career ERA of 3.90, which is nearly a run per nine-innings higher than the average ERA for Hall of Fame hurlers (2.96). In fact, Morris never even had a single season (he played for 18 seasons) when he was able to post an ERA under 3.00. Those don't sound like Hall of Fame numbers to me.
His supporters tout him as the Pitcher of the Eighties because he happened to win more games in that particular decade than anyone else. However, that was attributable more to his durability (and stellar defense behind him) than his pitching ability. Yes, he was a workhorse, but Morris never won a Cy Young Award (his best finish was third-place) and that high ERA is barely better than what an average run-of-the-mill pitcher posted during the time he played (1977-1994). It's not surprising that his ERA+ of 105 is likewise, only slightly above average (100). So far, he seems to be a good candidate for the Hall of Above Average to Pretty Good But Not Great.
Digging deeper into the sabermetric evidence, we find that his career WAR of 39.3 is lower than such above-average-to-pretty-good-but-not-great pitchers as Brad Radke, Kevin Brown and Kevin Appier - all solid performers with flashes of excellence who will never, ever be enshrined in Cooperstown.
It seems that the Morris Hall of Fame candidacy really comes down to that one legendary postseason game - Game Seven of the 1991 World Series - when Morris, pitching for the Minnesota Twins, squared off against a young John Smoltz of the Atlanta Braves in a truly classic duel. Morris would pitch ten shutout innings - good enough for the win - as the Twins finally broke through for the only run of the game in the bottom of the tenth-inning. As valiant as that effort was, Morris also had more than just a little bit of luck going for him, when the Braves hit him hard in the eighth-inning, but came up empty-handed - thanks in large part to a base-running gaffe by Lonnie Smith. Still, this effort by Morris on the grandest of all stages was certainly his most noteworthy episode - or flash - of excellence.
In the end, Morris became the iconic hero, as Minnesota won its second World Championship in five seasons; they've yet to win their third. The perception that Morris was a great postseason pitcher is largely based from that one sensational flash-in-the-pan performance; otherwise, his postseason career amounted to a fairly run-of-the-mill 7-4 record with a 3.80 ERA. Once again, not exactly Hall of Fame worthy.
If Morris does get the necessary support this year (2014 is his final year of eligibilty), he will supplant Red Ruffing (3.80 ERA) for the dubious distinction of having the highest ERA for any enshrined hurler. The fact that he managed to win 254 games (I thought 300 was the magic number?) is more a testament to the strength of the teams he spent time with - namely, three World Series champions - Detroit, Minnesota and Toronto.
In Detroit, where he spent the early years of his career, he had the good fortune of having one of the greatest (if not "the" greatest) double-play combinations of all-time playing behind him: Alan Trammell & Lou Whitaker - both of whom deserve more Hall of Fame consideration than Morris.
With all the controversy surrounding this new batch of Hall of Fame candidates emerging from the dreaded Steroids Era, the time may be right for Morris to sneak in the back door of Cooperstown; no doubt steroid-free and a pretty darn good pitcher with an engaging personality who was a fierce competitor, to boot.
Another fierce competitor - Roger Clemens - is on the ballot for the first time this year, along with a few others that have been linked to performance enhancing drugs. It's highly unlikely for Clemens to get voted in this time around; however, it's interesting to note that he managed to win exactly 100 more games than Jack Morris, and he also managed to lose two fewer games than Morris. Clemens' ERA is almost a point lower (3.12), and his ERA+ is a very Hall-of-Fame-like 143. I don't know how much of all that is inflated by any possible steroid use; but here's a guy who won seven Cy Young Awards and an MVP Award, and is perhaps the greatest pitcher who ever lived.
How strange it would be to see Morris getting voted into the Hall of Fame while Clemens is forced to wait; possibly for more than fifteen years.
His supporters tout him as the Pitcher of the Eighties because he happened to win more games in that particular decade than anyone else. However, that was attributable more to his durability (and stellar defense behind him) than his pitching ability. Yes, he was a workhorse, but Morris never won a Cy Young Award (his best finish was third-place) and that high ERA is barely better than what an average run-of-the-mill pitcher posted during the time he played (1977-1994). It's not surprising that his ERA+ of 105 is likewise, only slightly above average (100). So far, he seems to be a good candidate for the Hall of Above Average to Pretty Good But Not Great.
Digging deeper into the sabermetric evidence, we find that his career WAR of 39.3 is lower than such above-average-to-pretty-good-but-not-great pitchers as Brad Radke, Kevin Brown and Kevin Appier - all solid performers with flashes of excellence who will never, ever be enshrined in Cooperstown.
It seems that the Morris Hall of Fame candidacy really comes down to that one legendary postseason game - Game Seven of the 1991 World Series - when Morris, pitching for the Minnesota Twins, squared off against a young John Smoltz of the Atlanta Braves in a truly classic duel. Morris would pitch ten shutout innings - good enough for the win - as the Twins finally broke through for the only run of the game in the bottom of the tenth-inning. As valiant as that effort was, Morris also had more than just a little bit of luck going for him, when the Braves hit him hard in the eighth-inning, but came up empty-handed - thanks in large part to a base-running gaffe by Lonnie Smith. Still, this effort by Morris on the grandest of all stages was certainly his most noteworthy episode - or flash - of excellence.
In the end, Morris became the iconic hero, as Minnesota won its second World Championship in five seasons; they've yet to win their third. The perception that Morris was a great postseason pitcher is largely based from that one sensational flash-in-the-pan performance; otherwise, his postseason career amounted to a fairly run-of-the-mill 7-4 record with a 3.80 ERA. Once again, not exactly Hall of Fame worthy.
If Morris does get the necessary support this year (2014 is his final year of eligibilty), he will supplant Red Ruffing (3.80 ERA) for the dubious distinction of having the highest ERA for any enshrined hurler. The fact that he managed to win 254 games (I thought 300 was the magic number?) is more a testament to the strength of the teams he spent time with - namely, three World Series champions - Detroit, Minnesota and Toronto.
In Detroit, where he spent the early years of his career, he had the good fortune of having one of the greatest (if not "the" greatest) double-play combinations of all-time playing behind him: Alan Trammell & Lou Whitaker - both of whom deserve more Hall of Fame consideration than Morris.
With all the controversy surrounding this new batch of Hall of Fame candidates emerging from the dreaded Steroids Era, the time may be right for Morris to sneak in the back door of Cooperstown; no doubt steroid-free and a pretty darn good pitcher with an engaging personality who was a fierce competitor, to boot.
Another fierce competitor - Roger Clemens - is on the ballot for the first time this year, along with a few others that have been linked to performance enhancing drugs. It's highly unlikely for Clemens to get voted in this time around; however, it's interesting to note that he managed to win exactly 100 more games than Jack Morris, and he also managed to lose two fewer games than Morris. Clemens' ERA is almost a point lower (3.12), and his ERA+ is a very Hall-of-Fame-like 143. I don't know how much of all that is inflated by any possible steroid use; but here's a guy who won seven Cy Young Awards and an MVP Award, and is perhaps the greatest pitcher who ever lived.
How strange it would be to see Morris getting voted into the Hall of Fame while Clemens is forced to wait; possibly for more than fifteen years.
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Postseason "Wild Ride" Nothing New for Cardinals
A little over two weeks ago, Barry Zito - an unlikely hero - pitched the San Francisco Giants back into the National League Championship Series, winning Game Five over the Cardinals at Busch Stadium, and sending the two teams back to San Francisco for the final two blowouts. Zito's surprising win over the Redbirds was the first of seven consecutive postseason victories San Francisco would compile en route to their second World Championship in the last three seasons.
For the Cardinals, it was a bitter disappointment; ending their postseason dream of successfully defending a World Championship which nobody outside of the St Louis organization thought possible to begin with. Just when so many of the naysayers finally jumped on the Redbirds' bandwagon, those magical bats - which carried them past Atlanta, then Washington DC, and through the early contests with San Francisco - were abruptly neutralized by the Giants' three hottest pitchers: the aforementioned Zito, then Vogelsong and Cain. All pitched brilliantly in the NLCS, and carried that momentum into a World Series four-game sweep of a Detroit Tigers team most baseball analysts predicted would do the "sweeping". They were wrong again (See: 2006 World Series).
Meanwhile, back in Cardinal Nation, the frustration of getting within one win from an eighteenth World Series appearance - and four wins away from their 12th World Championship - had players and fans alike shaking their heads in disbelief. Perhaps many of those disheartened souls don't remember what happened in 1968; or 1985; maybe not even 1996? Perhaps they just remember the last time the Cardinals held a three games to one postseason advantage - over the Detroit Tigers, in the 2006 World Series. Of course, that story had a happy ending, with St Louis taking care of business at home, winning three straight to clinch their 10th World Championship in just five games. Believe it or not, I never felt comfortable about that favorable outcome until that last out was recorded in Game Five. Here's why:
The Cardinals have actually blown more 3 games to 1 postseason leads than not; and more than any other MLB team. After their most recent meltdown against the newly crowned World Champions - the Redbirds, in their long and glorious history - have now blown four, while only winning three, after holding that seemingly insurmountable three games to one postseason advantage. To get a better understanding of what went wrong, let's examine the crime scenes:
1968 WORLD SERIES VS DETROIT TIGERS - Strangely enough, it was the Detroit Tigers who trailed Bob Gibson and the St Louis Cardinals in the 1968 World Series, three games to one, but proceeded to win the final three games of that Fall Classic; including the Game Seven shocker, when Mickey Lolich out-dueled the Great Gibson in front of 54,692 stunned Cardinals' fans at Busch Stadium. As I skipped a day of drudgery from Kirkwood High School to watch what was surely going to be another Gibson triumph on national television; in a little more than two hours, had evolved into a numbing defeat; the first of its kind for Cardinal fans:
*This was the first time in franchise history the team had ever coughed up a three games to one advantage in the World Series to lose.
*This was the first time in Bob Gibson's history that he had ever lost a World Series - Game Seven. He prevailed in 1964 over the mighty New York Yankees; and three years later, pitched brilliantly and even hit a home run to beat the Boston Red Sox by a score of 7-2 at Fenway Park, in front of 35,188 stunned fans. With Game Seven in '68 being played at Busch Stadium, the thought of losing never even crossed my mind; nor the minds of most other Redbird fans, for that matter.
1985 WORLD SERIES VS KANSAS CITY ROYALS - If anything, blowing a three games to one World Series advantage in the cross-state I-70 showdown with the Royals seemed even more improbable than what had occurred seventeen years earlier; especially after St Louis won the first two games on the road. Until that time, no team in World Series history had ever lost the first two games at home, and then gone on to win it all; of course, that's exactly what happened. When the Royals won two out of three at Busch Stadium, the Cardinals were forced into a return trip to KC to capture title number ten; but we all know what happened in Games Six and Seven. Kansas City won their first World Championship instead, while St Louis would have to wait another 21 years to get that tenth title.
1996 NLCS VS ATLANTA BRAVES - In Tony LaRussa's first year as manager, the NL Central champion Cardinals somehow grabbed a quick three games to one NLCS advantage over the defending World Champion Braves. Coming off an exciting comeback win in Game Four didn't give the Cardinals enough momentum to overcome a clearly superior Atlanta pitching staff, which allowed just one run over those last three games. Nor could they stop an offense that put crooked numbers on the scoreboard at an alarming rate; the Braves scored 32 runs in that span, featuring a 15-0 annihilation in that final debacle. Although this setback was a disappointment, it came as no big surprise. After all, the Cards fell to three future Hall of Fame hurlers - Smoltz, Maddux and Glavine - and a ferocious lineup that seemed to be able to score at will. The over-matched Redbirds were fortunate to have extended the series for the full seven games.
2012 NLCS VS SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS - Well, at least the Cardinals made a bit of progress, as rookie manager Mike Matheny led his Wild Card team into the postseason, all the way to the NLCS; this time losing those final three games of the series by a composite 20-1 margin; a twelve-run improvement! Still, the last three "Game Sevens" produced no runs for the Redbirds; lots of runs for their opponents; thirty-nine, to be exact. All told, St Louis was outscored 93-9 in Games 5-6-7 by the postseason quartet of Detroit/Kansas City/Atlanta/San Francisco. If someone is going to draw up a blueprint for blowing a three-games-to-one postseason lead, getting outscored 93-9 by four teams works quite well.
So much for rehashing epic collapses. How about some remarkable postseason comebacks? No, the Cardinals have never been down three games to one and successfully overcome that deficit to win a best-of-seven postseason series; but they've perfected the art of coming back when trailing three games to TWO. And that ain't bad. Here's a quick summary of how things played out (and where Series ended) when the Redbirds faced a three games to two postseason series deficit (They've had a lot of experience in these situations - 9 different times):
1926 vs New York Yankees - STL Wins Series (Home)
1930 vs Philadelphia Athletics - STL Loses Series in 6 Games (Away)
1934 vs Detroit Tigers - STL Wins Series (Away)
1946 vs Boston Red Sox - STL Wins Series (Home)
1982 vs Milwaukee Brewers - STL Wins Series (Home)
1987 vs San Francisco Giants - STL Wins Series (Home)
2004 vs Houston Astros - STL Wins Series (Home)
2005 vs Houston Astros - STL Loses Series in 6 Games (Home)
2011 vs Texas Rangers - STL Wins Series (Home)
From their very first World Championship in 1926 to their most recent title in 2011 - and five other times in between - the Cardinals have managed to overcome seven out of nine 3-games-to-2 deficits; six out of seven comebacks were finished off at home for Games Six and Seven. That's a pretty impressive postseason resume for St Louis, after all.
If this kind of stuff fascinates you as much as me, check out my two books on Cards' trivia (below).
http://www.amazon.com/St-Louis-Cardinals-IQ-Ultimate/dp/0982675933/ref=cm_pdp_books_itm_title_4
http://www.amazon.com/St-Louis-Cardinals-IQ-Ultimate/dp/0983792259/ref=cm_pdp_books_itm_title_5
For the Cardinals, it was a bitter disappointment; ending their postseason dream of successfully defending a World Championship which nobody outside of the St Louis organization thought possible to begin with. Just when so many of the naysayers finally jumped on the Redbirds' bandwagon, those magical bats - which carried them past Atlanta, then Washington DC, and through the early contests with San Francisco - were abruptly neutralized by the Giants' three hottest pitchers: the aforementioned Zito, then Vogelsong and Cain. All pitched brilliantly in the NLCS, and carried that momentum into a World Series four-game sweep of a Detroit Tigers team most baseball analysts predicted would do the "sweeping". They were wrong again (See: 2006 World Series).
Meanwhile, back in Cardinal Nation, the frustration of getting within one win from an eighteenth World Series appearance - and four wins away from their 12th World Championship - had players and fans alike shaking their heads in disbelief. Perhaps many of those disheartened souls don't remember what happened in 1968; or 1985; maybe not even 1996? Perhaps they just remember the last time the Cardinals held a three games to one postseason advantage - over the Detroit Tigers, in the 2006 World Series. Of course, that story had a happy ending, with St Louis taking care of business at home, winning three straight to clinch their 10th World Championship in just five games. Believe it or not, I never felt comfortable about that favorable outcome until that last out was recorded in Game Five. Here's why:
The Cardinals have actually blown more 3 games to 1 postseason leads than not; and more than any other MLB team. After their most recent meltdown against the newly crowned World Champions - the Redbirds, in their long and glorious history - have now blown four, while only winning three, after holding that seemingly insurmountable three games to one postseason advantage. To get a better understanding of what went wrong, let's examine the crime scenes:
1968 WORLD SERIES VS DETROIT TIGERS - Strangely enough, it was the Detroit Tigers who trailed Bob Gibson and the St Louis Cardinals in the 1968 World Series, three games to one, but proceeded to win the final three games of that Fall Classic; including the Game Seven shocker, when Mickey Lolich out-dueled the Great Gibson in front of 54,692 stunned Cardinals' fans at Busch Stadium. As I skipped a day of drudgery from Kirkwood High School to watch what was surely going to be another Gibson triumph on national television; in a little more than two hours, had evolved into a numbing defeat; the first of its kind for Cardinal fans:
*This was the first time in franchise history the team had ever coughed up a three games to one advantage in the World Series to lose.
*This was the first time in Bob Gibson's history that he had ever lost a World Series - Game Seven. He prevailed in 1964 over the mighty New York Yankees; and three years later, pitched brilliantly and even hit a home run to beat the Boston Red Sox by a score of 7-2 at Fenway Park, in front of 35,188 stunned fans. With Game Seven in '68 being played at Busch Stadium, the thought of losing never even crossed my mind; nor the minds of most other Redbird fans, for that matter.
1985 WORLD SERIES VS KANSAS CITY ROYALS - If anything, blowing a three games to one World Series advantage in the cross-state I-70 showdown with the Royals seemed even more improbable than what had occurred seventeen years earlier; especially after St Louis won the first two games on the road. Until that time, no team in World Series history had ever lost the first two games at home, and then gone on to win it all; of course, that's exactly what happened. When the Royals won two out of three at Busch Stadium, the Cardinals were forced into a return trip to KC to capture title number ten; but we all know what happened in Games Six and Seven. Kansas City won their first World Championship instead, while St Louis would have to wait another 21 years to get that tenth title.
1996 NLCS VS ATLANTA BRAVES - In Tony LaRussa's first year as manager, the NL Central champion Cardinals somehow grabbed a quick three games to one NLCS advantage over the defending World Champion Braves. Coming off an exciting comeback win in Game Four didn't give the Cardinals enough momentum to overcome a clearly superior Atlanta pitching staff, which allowed just one run over those last three games. Nor could they stop an offense that put crooked numbers on the scoreboard at an alarming rate; the Braves scored 32 runs in that span, featuring a 15-0 annihilation in that final debacle. Although this setback was a disappointment, it came as no big surprise. After all, the Cards fell to three future Hall of Fame hurlers - Smoltz, Maddux and Glavine - and a ferocious lineup that seemed to be able to score at will. The over-matched Redbirds were fortunate to have extended the series for the full seven games.
2012 NLCS VS SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS - Well, at least the Cardinals made a bit of progress, as rookie manager Mike Matheny led his Wild Card team into the postseason, all the way to the NLCS; this time losing those final three games of the series by a composite 20-1 margin; a twelve-run improvement! Still, the last three "Game Sevens" produced no runs for the Redbirds; lots of runs for their opponents; thirty-nine, to be exact. All told, St Louis was outscored 93-9 in Games 5-6-7 by the postseason quartet of Detroit/Kansas City/Atlanta/San Francisco. If someone is going to draw up a blueprint for blowing a three-games-to-one postseason lead, getting outscored 93-9 by four teams works quite well.
So much for rehashing epic collapses. How about some remarkable postseason comebacks? No, the Cardinals have never been down three games to one and successfully overcome that deficit to win a best-of-seven postseason series; but they've perfected the art of coming back when trailing three games to TWO. And that ain't bad. Here's a quick summary of how things played out (and where Series ended) when the Redbirds faced a three games to two postseason series deficit (They've had a lot of experience in these situations - 9 different times):
1926 vs New York Yankees - STL Wins Series (Home)
1930 vs Philadelphia Athletics - STL Loses Series in 6 Games (Away)
1934 vs Detroit Tigers - STL Wins Series (Away)
1946 vs Boston Red Sox - STL Wins Series (Home)
1982 vs Milwaukee Brewers - STL Wins Series (Home)
1987 vs San Francisco Giants - STL Wins Series (Home)
2004 vs Houston Astros - STL Wins Series (Home)
2005 vs Houston Astros - STL Loses Series in 6 Games (Home)
2011 vs Texas Rangers - STL Wins Series (Home)
From their very first World Championship in 1926 to their most recent title in 2011 - and five other times in between - the Cardinals have managed to overcome seven out of nine 3-games-to-2 deficits; six out of seven comebacks were finished off at home for Games Six and Seven. That's a pretty impressive postseason resume for St Louis, after all.
If this kind of stuff fascinates you as much as me, check out my two books on Cards' trivia (below).
http://www.amazon.com/St-Louis-Cardinals-IQ-Ultimate/dp/0982675933/ref=cm_pdp_books_itm_title_4
http://www.amazon.com/St-Louis-Cardinals-IQ-Ultimate/dp/0983792259/ref=cm_pdp_books_itm_title_5
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