Earlier this morning on Team 1380 AM, your's truly was the guest of Jay Randolph, Jr. and his crew at the 360 Sports Buffet for a nerd-segment titled "Let's Go Blogging". We've recorded and downloaded the segment for your listening pleasure, and hope to do more of the same every Tuesday, when "Let's Go Blogging" occurs at 10:20 AM each week. If you're not in St. Louis, you can listen live by going to 1380's Web site, and if you miss out on the fun, we'll do our best to provide you with the recorded version later in the day.
This morning, we discussed Joe Buck's recent comments on national radio about not enjoying baseball the way he once did, Will Leitch's exit from the Deadspin editor-post and subsequent overreaction from some members of the blog community, and the familiar subject of the phenomenon known as Softball Guy.
As stated previously, we'll do our best to get the interviews on the site the day they happen. Enjoy.
Going into last night's game, the Cardinals sported a 2-23 record when trailing after seven innings. It didn't matter that they had a 4-0 lead in the first inning or that they led most of the game, after seven innings they found themselves trailing 7-5 and staring at a second straight loss to the disappointing Mets.
With a man on base in the bottom of the 8th, LaRussa made a move taking out Jason LaRue - who had hit .294/.314/559 in his last 10 games - and replacing him with Chris Duncan who had hit .229/.327/.396 in the same span. Naturally, the Mets countered with Pedro Feliciano who holds lefties to a .211 batting average. Duncan has even worse numbers against lefties, hitting .138 in 29 at bats against them. Seemed pretty predictable.
Then Duncan crushed a two-run bomb on the first pitch he saw.
Give the guy some credit, for all the bashing he's taken from the fans and media - some of it a result of his manager's staunch refusal to concede that he's been horrible most of the year and his father's insistence that he was being treated unfairly - he's starting to hit the ball hard again which we haven't seen since early 2007. Adding another power bat to the outfield rotation will only improve an area that is already one of the strengths of this team.
Oh yeah, after Duncan tied it in the 8th, Troy Glaus hit his second of the night over the outstretched glove of Endy Chavez with two outs in the ninth to win it. Forgot to mention that.
Who needs Matt Holliday? Four Cardinals outfielders got at bats last night and combined they produced 7 hits in 13 at bats, 5 runs, 4 RBI and 2 HR. In Spring Training we tracked the crowded outfield and watched as multiple players produced and forced their way into the lineup. The same dynamic has taken shape in the regular season
Here is how the Cardinals offensive production at each outfield position ranks in the National League (by OPS):
LF - 10th (.792)
CF - 1st (.861)
RF - 1st (.880)
Anyone see any reason to be talking about trading for an outfielder?
Okay, so maybe he's human
Yeah, Albert Pujols may be flesh and blood, but his flesh and his blood are way better at hitting a baseball than anyone else. That's why it's so surprising to see the Cardinals pump out 8 runs with Pujols going 0-5. His frustrating day at the plate marked the first time this season he has gone 0-5.
In 2007, he did it just three times, once in April, once in May and on the last day of the season. In other words, don't expect it to happen again anytime soon.
Gratutious picture of Mike Ramsey's chest hair
Mike Martz Delusional Comment of the Day
On Mark Mulder's performance Wednesday...
"Overall I thought he did a good job," - Tony LaRussa (per Bernie Miklasz's column)
Well, if you consider pitching .1 inning, giving up 2 runs, hitting a guy and tossing a wild pitch to be a "good job", then yeah he did a good job. That said, I'd rather not harp on Mulder. What can you expect from the guy at this point? Putting him in a completely unfamiliar role after basically two years off and expecting flawless performances is probably a bit unrealistic. Tony will just need to wisely pick his spots for Mulder's contributions.
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While some of the same old problems reared their head again in coughing up an early lead, its amazing what two late homeruns and a walk-off victory can do to increase one's appearance of scrappiness. The offense continues to score runs and the team continues to keep pace with the Cubs. That's Stubb-worthy.
Friends, if you're at the office reading, we thank you for sticking with us this holiday week. If you're at home reading, then may I ask, WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU? Start your celebration early! We'll be taking tomorrow off to celebrate Lady Liberty's birthday, but will be back in full force Monday morning. In the meantime, you can catch your's truly at 10:20 AM on the 360 Sports Buffet on Team 1380. From here on out, we'll be looking to meet with Jay and the gang at that time on Tuesdays every week unless situations dictate otherwise. If you're driving around or sitting at home reading, give it a listen. But yea, you should really start your celebration now if you're not working. We won't hold it against you this time.
Is Chris Duncan heating up? Troy Glaus need no additional heat - Cards win. [Yahoo! Sports]
We've heard the story before, but it bears repeating when it comes from a national outlet: the Cards were supposed to be rebuilders this season. So what if the guy's a Cards fan. [Sporting News]
Closer Look Through Chris Sabo's Rec Specs
Four Cardinals outfielders got at bats last night and combined they produced 7 hits in 13 at bats, 5 runs, 4 RBI and 2 HR. In Spring Training we tracked the crowded outfield and watched as multiple players produced and forced their way into the lineup. The same dynamic has taken shape in the regular season
Is Chris Duncan heating up? Troy Glaus need no additional heat - 
