Here we are, kids. 2008. The fun begins. The tone is a little different heading into a fresh season of Cardinals baseball. Honestly, I like *this* tone. Coming off an improbable World Championship in 2006, we had high hopes and expectations for 2007. It didn't happen. Over the past 2 years, we've come to grips with the reality of mediocrity, and have accepted steps towards rebuilding a franchise. In the process, we've learned to appreciate the string of dominance the Cardinals have shown over the past 10 years.
But, here we are, with a new season, new faces and new expectations.
Because there are so many question marks surrounding this year's team and their success...we thought it would be fun to kick things off with a compiled list of staff predictions for 2008. These types of posts are fun because the spectrum for future references is large. It's fun pointing back to March 31st and saying, "I told you so"...or, even better, "Boy, I'm a jackass."
With colleague Patrick Imig heading back from Wrestlemania in Orlando (seriously), we've pulled in St. Louis Sports Magazine head honcho, Dave Greene.
Matt Sebek
Total wins for the Cardinals: 71
National League Central Champion: Houston Astros
More Plate Appearances: Izturis, Ryan, or Miles: Ryan
Cardinals Homerun leader/amount: Pujols (31)
Rick Ankiel Homeruns: 22
Cardinals AVG leader: Brendan Ryan
LaRussa's season long whipping boy: Glaus, something about 3B makes Tony edgy
Cardinals selected to All Star Team: Pujols, Molina, Isringhausen
More starts: Anthony Reyes or Mark Mulder: Mulder
Date Colby Rasmus makes his debut: July, after All Star weekend
Total Homeruns between Rolen and Edmonds: 25
Total Homeruns for Glaus: 20
Multiple Choice: The Cubs will blow it in...: World Series
Josh Bacott
Total wins for the Cardinals: 80
National League Central Champion: Cubs
More Plate Appearances: Izturis, Ryan, or Miles: Izturis (should be Ryan, though)
Cardinals Homerun leader/amount: Pujols, 42
Rick Ankiel Homeruns: 31
Cardinals AVG leader: Skip Schumaker (.320)
LaRussa's season long whipping boy: Brendan Ryan
Cardinals selected to All Star Team: Pujols, Wainwright
More starts: Anthony Reyes or Mark Mulder: Reyes (Tony will hate every minute of it)
Date Colby Rasmus makes his debut: June
Total Homeruns between Rolen and Edmonds: 17
Total Homeruns for Glaus: 29
Multiple Choice: The Cubs will blow it in...: The NLDS
Dave Greene
Total wins for the Cardinals: 78
National League Central Champion: Cubs
More Plate Appearances: Izturis, Ryan, or Miles: Miles
Cardinals Homerun leader/amount: Pujols, 38
Rick Ankiel Homeruns: 28
Cardinals AVG leader: Pujols
LaRussa's season long whipping boy: Reyes (if he is here all season)
Cardinals selected to All Star Team: Pujols
More starts: Anthony Reyes or Mark Mulder: Mulder
Here we are, kids. 2008. The fun begins. The tone is a little different heading into a fresh season of Cardinals baseball. Honestly, I like *this* tone. Coming off an improbable World Championship in 2006, we had high hopes and expectations for 2007. It didn't happen. Over the past 2 years, we've come to grips with the reality of mediocrity, and have accepted steps towards rebuilding a franchise. In the process, we've learned to appreciate the string of dominance the Cardinals have shown over the past 10 years.
