Hasn't happened all that often that I can recall. Never after just four games.
I do worry about both of these things, and how it changes the conversation, and even on my end -- how it makes snark the only defense. It becomes a situation where we're not exchanging ideas or arguments -- but just arguing. Or, worse, exchanging barbs. The quick to name-call is also something that is surprising. That seems to be the go-to defense when someone's argument implodes on them. I find two trends interesting. 1) Exactly what you say. Some fans seem to root for their team to do poorly just because it feeds their need to be angry at the front office or manager, but goodness gracious no never the players, never the saintly players. 2) The anger directed toward the media is interesting because almost daily now, there is someone shouting at me for something the front office did or didn't do, and yet those same shouts give the front office a pass and hang it on the media. Heck, as a member of the media, I do enough stuff that you can criticize. Don't need to be easy, available target for the team's missteps, too. I've got enough to defend just on my own. Hence, the chats.
Yes! That does happen. Great point. I guess we have seen it before. We just haven't seen it without the cover. Glad you brought that up.
It is absolutely an indication of how last-minute the Holland deal was. On Monday, before the game, the Cardinals said, repeatedly and authoritatively and on the record, that they did not intend to add Reyes to the 60-day DL because it would cost him three weeks, and GM Michael Girsch said the team had no interest in doing that. Period. That night, at 10:30 p.m. EST, Matheny called Hicks to tell him to get ready to come to New York and the majors. The Cardinals left Montreal believing they would need two spots on the 40-man roster, and it was about that time that Holland picked up momentum toward a deal. Another team was involved (Mets?). A willingness to accept one-year was there. And that pushed the deal toward completion. The Cardinals went from finalizing their bullpen on the last Friday of spring training to rewriting it twice in the span of 48 hours.
If I was going full on snark here, I would just reply: "Yes, Jon, State UN-Fair." But, since we're going along here so plesantly and the sun is out and the coffee is good, let me elaborate: I'm suggesting that Dexter Fowler will continue to get time at leadoff to see if this is the time that works as long as he's under contract. That might not mean it sticks, but it will always mean that he'll get a chance to go back there or start there or stay there. That's all. I said nothing about May.
He has to test his leg for the team today during running and workouts at Miller Park. I am pro-Wainwright starting Thursday if he is healthy. The ceremonial aspect of it is important. I think. This could be his last home opener as a Cardinal, and he's had a career that deserves that start.
I did not forget. I don't know. Heck, the Cardinals don't know. So, there we are.
There does not appear to be anything physically wrong with Martinez. Not when it comes to the usual measures of standards available. Sure, the Cardinals are hush-hush about injuries -- all teams are -- but eventually Martinez is going to have to throw, and those throws are going to show whether his velocity is down or he's favoring a certain pitch or he's shaking and winching and wandering around the mound. A lot of pitchers have a tell when they are hurt. Often they pick at their jersey, as if it doesn't fit, or they can't get comfortable in it. Martinez has not missed a bullpen session. We can track those. Martinez has not missed a day to throw. We can track those. Martinez has not had any of the tell-tale physical ailments. He has just been off. His rhythm, his mechanics, his command, and his schedule. He has off-field issues that have drawn his attention. He's being sued. He had at least one family matter come up that he was fiercely protective of. He's had other issues that he's had to clear up, or address. It appeared to be a spring where his focus was not entirely on pitching. Let me suggest to one question to answer your question: If he had even the littlest thing wrong why wouldn't the Cardinals use that as a chance to get him on the 10-day DL, get some work without the spotlight, and use that as an option? What would be the purpose of putting him out there on the mound if they felt he was compromised physically as well as struggling to find his consistency? That seems negligent on their part, to me.
Good question. The podcast is actually on StlToday.com first and then posted to iTunes later. It originates from StlToday.com, and each podcast I try to mention that as the first place to go. The truth is that so many people get their podcasts throught iTunes that I mention it as a point of entry, but iTunes is even drawing from StlToday.com, so we're good there. I always try to keep this in mind, and I know it frustrates some people: Twitter has to be a vehicle to drive readers to the content at StlToday.com or elsewhere because that's the product. That's the employer. Twitter isn't.
I hope this works for you. I hope this works for you.I hope this works for you. I hope this works for you. I hope this works for you. I hope this works for you.I hope this works for you. I hope this works for you. I hope this works for you. I hope this works for you.I hope this works for you. I hope this works for you. I hope this works for you.
Truth. Woody Allen, though, not so much.
Let's see, the manager and the pitching coach lobbied for Hicks to be promoted to the majors months earlier than planned. They lobbied for him to be added to the 40-man roster at the cost of a reliever that the team valued. They lobbied for him to have a prominent role, and they've used him to light up the late innings with his velocity. He has done only what they've asked -- and performed beyond the expectations. He's a sizzler and other teams are taking notice. None of those facts point to him then being the first one out, not when there are others beind used less or who are less effective or have less of a prominent role.
He lives in Atlanta, or in the Atlanta area, and he is working with an investment firm to help players prepare for life after baseball and know what ythey can/should do with their money, especially minor-leaguers and such who may not make the windfall and have the be mindful of their need to work and protect themselves once their career is over. It's something that he has experienced, obviously.
