Cardinals chat: Derrick Goold takes your questions at 11 a.m. Monday
Bring your Cards questions and comments to a live chat with Derrick Goold at 11 a.m. Monday
-
Several minutes ago I submitted this question and it wasn't answered. I am seriously curious so will resubmit.
Earlier you responded to a "leash" question the way you have in the past: "He's a human." As a writer who seems to take pride in your words, I find your consistent literal interpretation of these metaphorical questions a bit surprising, if not contradictory. Of course, players are human, but the metaphor does a good job of succinctly asking, "How long will [ player name ] have before he is reeled in?" -
I have explained this before. The origin of how that word is used and how it is most often used is problematic, and so I avoid it. And in the chat, I point that out, and try to be judicious about it.Think of the many many many better ways this question could be asked than to dehumanize the person by saying they wear a leash.What's the image that comes to mind?What exactly is the metaphor you're going for here?My approach here -- it's not contradictory. I try to avoid words and phrases that have problematic origins -- especially if they are sexist or racist or in some cases, just insulting -- and if I do use one and learn about its history then I apologize and try to change.Words matter.For example, take an easy one: There is a difference between being "anxious" to see a young player and being "eager" to see a young player. I owe to my readers to make it clear which one the team is ...Almost 10 years ago, I made the conscious decision to try and remove words that reference battle or weapons from my coverage of baseball. That was tough. But they're playing a game, not going to war. I really liked describing how a right fielder "rifled" a throw into the infield or to home, but I made the choice. And I hope I've stuck to it. It's also why I try to avoid using the word "hero" or "heroic" for a feat on the baseball field, and instead save it for when a player does something heroic as a human.Hope that helps. If you want to push back, by all means. I welcome this conversation. I've spent most of my life thinking about these things. -
-
Let's see who emerges from spring training at the starter and go from there. Matchups will guide those decisions, in some ways. Left, right, etc. Cardinals officials have said that Bader is their starting center fielder. So the position in play seems to be left, and that means Thomas and Williams will joust with the incumbent. Thomas can also try to dislodge Bader from center. My bet is that production will make it clear pretty early who takes advantage of the playing time afforded them in spring -- and into the season.
-
-
-
He was well-liked by teammates. Adored by many of them. Shildt particularly. This really isn't anything more than the Cardinals had a chance to immediately save $11.5 million. That's it. That's all. They had someone who they thought could play that position for $11 million less. And they were in a cost-cutting mode coming out of a season with zero tickets.There's nothing more here than that. Period.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
I know. I was trying to make the point that the position was fluid -- moving back and forth. That's also why I included Chipper Jones, who moved between the two. I addressed this in a subsequent answer and I remain apologetic for not being more clear in my answer.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
My favorite fiction baseball book is Kinsella's "Iowa Baseball Confederacy."The paperback of "Cactus League" drops this week, and that's a strong recent addition to the genre.There are many many many many many many many many great non-fiction baseball books -- hundreds of which are better than the "100 things" book. A short list:-- October '67-- Lords of the Realm-- Last Night of the Yankee Dynasty-- 9 Innings-- Ball FourI also really enjoyed a recent addition to that shelf, The Big Chair.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Before the Arenado trade, if was often mentioned here how the Cardinals may pursue one of Story, Correa, Seager, etc. Arenado has mentioned his fondness of Story, Blackmon, etc as most will with former teammates. What % chance what you give the Cardinals of pursuing Story next offseason with Arenado leading the recruitment?
-
I wouldn't put it at zero, but we don't yet have a full season of information on that. What does that mean for DeJong -- and where would that money come from? The Cardinals seem positioned, financially, to add another $20m salary to the roster at some point in the near future, but that's not $30m, let alone $35m-$40m. Let's see how this season plays out, what happens at 2B, how DeJong does in this newlook lineup, newlook infield, and what it means for his place in the future. Then it will be clearer.
-
-
-
-
Agreed. Great book. But I didn't want to be accused of selling books for a good friend. Tyler Kepner, NY Times national baseball writer, is the author of that book, and it's exceptional. It was enjoyable to be along for some dinners as he worked on that book, talked through the idea -- and to see the exceptional finished product.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
They've had past interest. They would prefer a backup shortstop who could play the role for a stretch if needed. That would be their first goal, and part of the factor -- as mentioned earlier -- is moving between the levels and having options left to do so. But you're right -- that kind of move has had appeal before.
-
Derrick, not sure if you've caught up with the Athletic report within the last hour about the league making changes to the ball that could potentially deaden it a bit and tamp down offense. If you have, I'm curious if there were ever any comments/thoughts/insights/anything really from within the Cards organization about the state of the ball in the last few years? Whether it be from players, coaches, management? I know it's mostly been rumors and conjecture until now, but I'd be surprised if there wasn't rumination among organizations.
-
I saw it. There have been tons of comments from the Cardinals through the years about it. Adam Wainwright has mentioned how the ball feels differently, and there have been other pitchers who discussed how hard it was at times to get a grip on it. Lance Lynn had the blister issue which he wondered if it was related to the lower seems on the baseball. Cardinals outfielders have talked about the carry on the ball in their experience and having to adjust, and it was a few years ago that Mike Shildt gave voice to what was only discussed in hushed voices around baseball: In October 2019, he talked about how the Cardinals front office noticed that the baseball had lost some of its regular-season juice in the postseason and were traveling 4 1/2 feet less far on average. He said that during one of the press conferences.Players from many teams have been on the record about the baseball and their concerns. Major League Baseball has also addressed these concerns and acknowledged there were behavioral changes in the baseball.
-