CardsFansChicago.com

RED ALERT!!!

2007-05-07T23:41:00.000-05:00

Dear Cardinals fans,

Things are not looking good in Cardinal town. This team is aweful and it doesn't look like it's going to get any better. I don't know what to write, we are already 9 games behind, our offense looks about 5 years older, and the pitching is anemic. Good night, I'm going to drown my tears in a couple beers.

HELP!!!

2007-04-04T20:35:00.000-05:00

Well blogsters,

We're only 2.75 games through the 2007 season, and I'd be lying if I didn't say that I'm a bit worried about this year's club. Our offense will come around, but our pitching is SUSPECT AT BEST! With Carpenter already missing his next start, we are left with a group of pitchers who collectively have only a few more MLB wins than I do. Tony, if you're reading, I'll take the ball this weekend, just shoot a response to this post and I'll catch the next train South. I won't even ask you to pay my fare. I am willing to accept Budweiser and easy drinking Budweiser Select in leiu of cash. Think about it.

LaRussa on Rogers

2006-10-23T23:32:00.000-05:00

OK, so everyone reading this knows that Kenny Rogers had pine tar on his pitching hand last night...in addition to two other times in the post season. I think the question in everyone's mind was "Why is LaRussa not busting this guy?"

Not sure if you have read it or not, but check out this article on stltoday.com. I'm sure it was a nice welcoming present to Busch for the entire Tigers team.

La Russa on Rogers: 'I don't believe it was dirt'

Here's my take.

I think Tony did exactly the right thing, and I would love nothing more than for this to go 6 games only to have the Cardinals kick the shit out of Rogers to win it all! If Tony has Rogers ejected after 1 inning, he would have been done for the series. But I can just here it now..."The only reason the Cardinals won is because Kenny Rogers was kicked out!" Sorry for the bad news Cubs fans, but you won't be able to use that one!

We've got the ace starting tomorrow night, with Suppan to follow. If we do it at home...great. If not, let's take 2 out of 3, and make the seat of Kenny Rogers' pants brown on Saturday night. The media will have no question what that will be...clearly he will have shit all over himself!

Yadier vs. Todd Jones

2006-10-23T10:30:00.000-05:00

I personally couldn't believe that LaRussa let Yadier bat against Jones in the top of the 9th last night. By all accounts Yadier was one of the worst hitting position players in baseball this year. While he has come up huge in the playoffs the fact remains that he is probably not a very good hitter. Plus conventional baseball wisdom would suggest that a lefty should bat against Jones. Below I pulled Jones splits for the year and it looks like righties fair better against him in every offensive category.

Todd Jones 2006 splits:

SPLIT	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	HBP	SO	SB	CS	BAA	OBP	SLG	OPS
vs. Left	106	28	1	1	1	14	7	1	14	0	0	.264	.313	.321	.634
vs. Right	148	42	6	3	3	16	4	2	14	0	0	.284	.312	.426	.737

Even with these splits Duncan had to be a better option than Molina. The only rational for not pulling out Yadier is that you don't want to mess with his confidence. I'd take a 2-0 lead with a deflated Tigers team over a slightly less confident Yadier Molina.

Sedgwick's Pics from Saturday

2006-10-23T10:20:00.000-05:00

Does anyone have some pics from Sedgwick's on Saturday or Sunday that we could post on the website. We still get a lot of emails about where to watch Cardinals games and if we could post some pics of what Sedgwick's looks like on game days we could probably convince the non-believers.

Thanks
chicagocardsfans@gmail.com

World Series!!!

2006-10-20T19:26:00.000-05:00

Sedgwicks has been rockin'!! Here is the World Series schedule:

Gm 1 - STL @ DET - Sat, Oct. 21 - 6:30 pm

Gm 2 - STL @ DET - Sun, Oct. 22 - 6:30 pm

Gm 3 - DET @ STL- Tue, Oct. 24 - 7 pm

Gm 4 - DET @ STL- Wed, Oct. 25 - 7 pm

Gm 5* - DET @ STL- Thu, Oct. 26 - 7 pm

Gm 6* - STL @ DET - Sat, Oct. 28 - 6:30 pm

Gm 7* - STL @ DET - Sun, Oct. 29 - 6:30 pm

Let's bring it home!!!!

Cards NLCS = Sedgwicks!!

2006-10-09T22:58:00.000-05:00

Alright...3rd year in a row. We'll see everyone at Sedgwicks!!

$15 buckets of Bud and Bud Light during the game throughout the series!

Here is the schedule:

Gm 1 - STL @ NYM - Wed, Oct. 11 - 7 pm

Gm 2 - STL @ NYM - Thu, Oct. 12 - 7 pm

Gm 3 - NYM @ STL - Sat, Oct. 14 - 3 pm

Gm 4 - NYM @ STL - Sun, Oct. 15 - 6:30 pm

Gm 5* - NYM @ STL - Mon, Oct. 16 - 7 pm

Gm 6* - STL @ NYM - Wed, Oct. 18 - 3 pm -- 7 pm if ALCS is over

Gm 7* - STL @ NYM - Thu, Oct. 19 - 7 pm

Go Cards!!

Pennant Race

2006-09-25T08:50:00.000-05:00

Alright, we are officially in a pennant race now! Houston took it to us over the weekend, and now it's time to see what kind of a playoff atmosphere the new Busch will provide. I hope to see nothing but a sea of red in that ballpark tonight.

This being said, I'll be calling Sedgwick's today to see if they will put together any drink specials for games this week/weekend, and possibly for all playoff games. The manager we knew from the last two years is no longer at the bar, so we need to make sure the deal will be the same this year. I'll keep everyone posted. If you know any more about this, or have other suggestions, please post a response.

If all goes well, we could see a preview of our first round matchup over the next three days. Go Cards!

It's All Coming Together

2006-08-31T21:53:00.000-05:00

Get ready for the ride everyone. I think the Cards are starting to put it together for the final stretch run. We haven't been in a pennant race for 3 years, and maybe this is exactly what we need to warm up for the playoffs.

Preston Wilson has been a clutch pickup and has stepped in nicely while Edmonds has been down. Even if Edmonds comes back, Wilson will be a huge force off the bench...or even vice versa if Edmonds isn't healthy enough for the starting role. Also, CBS Sportsline is even including Chris Duncan's name in the mix for Rookie of the Year. It's a long shot, and I don't see it happening, but it really does recognize what a good job he has done stepping in this year.

I know we still have some unanswered questions on the pitching staff, but I think the offense is coming together nicely. Clutch hits and come from behind wins are a great sign!

I say it's about time we get a few Game of the Weeks in for the final month of the regular season!

Try Again

2006-08-23T19:44:00.000-05:00

Pretty safe to say that Mulder coming back is not the answer we were looking for.

Izzy

2006-08-22T21:01:00.000-05:00

For the love of God Tony...please move Wainwright to the closer spot!!! Izzy has blown 9 out of 39 save opportunities, and has given up a run in 7 other games that he has either saved, or entered without a save opportunity.

Is Izzy Dizzy?

2006-08-22T21:25:00.000-05:00

Dear Mr. Izzy,

I would just like to take this opportunity to inform you that your recent mound antics have led me to develop a sharp pain just below by lower back and just above the top of my hamstrings. I believe that this pain is due to your inability to do the only job that you are required to do in life: GET THREE OUTS IN THE NINTH. In case you have forgotten your job description, you are a Major League Baseball Closer. Your day should go something like this:
1. Wake up in luxurious hotel (This is where your team - The Cardinals - will be staying/sleeping. * NOTE: This may be a house, apartment, or condo when you are in St. Louis - this is where your team plays its home games.)
2. SSS (Shit, shower, shave)
3. Dress yourself (Plain clothes)
3. Eat breakfast (probably catered)
4. Jack around until you have to go to whatever Major League ballpark the Cardinals happen to be playing in (This is where you work)
5. Change into you uniform (The Cardinals one - this is the team that you would like to win the impending game)
6. Walk around and hang out in clubhouse (Probably again with a catered spread of food and all the Gatorade you can handle to get over previous evening's hangover)
7. Go out onto field (Perhaps play catch?)
8. Walk to bullpen (This is where you hang out during the first 7-8 innings of the game)
9. Warm up in 8th (This consists of playing catch with the bullpen catcher and "simulating" pitching in the actual game that is going on at the time)
10. Enter game if the Cardinals are winning
11. Record three outs without allowing the other team to end the inning with more runs than the Cardinals (Once again, the team that YOU play for and the team that YOU would like to win the game)
12. Hang out with team after game (Might consist of drinking beers or eating more free catered food)

So Izzy, your actual work consists of about 30 minutes a day for roughly 230 days (including Spring Training - That is the time of the year when you get to vacation in Florida for free) and you get paid multiple millions of dollars per year to do this. I hope that you read this short tutorial and it helps refresh your job duties. You don't have to thank me, just follow these short rules to remove the pain that you've become in my ass.

Thank you,

Hitz

Finally...

2006-08-21T23:20:00.000-05:00

Well, the Cards finally took a series at Wrigley Field. It's hard to believe how terrible the Cards had played in the friendly confines this year, but I think the monkey is finally off their collective backs. Had Tony not brain-farted and pinch hit for Duncan, the hottest hitter on the team, with the bases loaded, Cards fans may have been sporting brooms on Sunday at the World's Greatest Beer Garden. Congrats also go out to Carp and Duncan for their respective player of the week awards. This week looks good for the Cards as well, with the Mets pitchers finally deciding to start collecting their Social Security checks rather than pitch. GO CARDS!!!

Friday's Cards/Cubs Game

2006-08-14T19:15:00.000-05:00

A few of us will be heading to the game on Friday, and I wanted to see what general interest there was for getting a drink special together for post game, or at least figuring out a bar to set up as Cardinal headquarters.

Respond to this post if you are interested or have ideas.

Cincy Series

2006-08-10T23:38:00.000-05:00

I must say, I was a little disappointed in game 3 of this series, and Izzy dropped another one, but I do think we can take some good things out of this. Chris Duncan has been hitting the shit out of the ball lately, and Yadier came up with a few clutch hits over the past few days. I know Duncan won't hit like this every series, but if he can be a power threat in the 2 hole, I think he's finally filling the void we've had without Larry Walker this year. Also, Yadier's obviously in for his defense, but if he can get a clutch hit every now and then, it's always a bonus. Hopefully the big swingers in the middle of the lineup will hop on with these guys for the rest of the year.

Also, I've heard a lot about the article in the Post Dispatch about Edmonds and how he's unhappy that his option hasn't been picked up. The few fans I've talked to about this were upset and said Jimmy was crying. I agree that the option is a little high, but this was negotiated years ago, and he has done several good things to defer a lot of his current salary. And...he's definitely swinging a hot stick lately. He's said many times that he wants to finish in St. Louis, and I hope we can make it happen.

Andruw Jones

2006-08-03T21:36:00.000-05:00

Andruw Jones cleared waivers today. Wouldn't it be something for the Cards to go out and get AJ? Replace a declining superstar in CF with one who's in his prime. I'd like to see it, mostly because the pitching is throwing BP again tonight and I would like something to root for.

RRRRRRRRRIIIIIIIIIPPPPPPPPPPPP

2006-08-02T22:50:00.000-05:00

In case you were wondering, that sound you just heard was Jeff Weaver's tits getting ripped once again. I've never in my life seen a staff of pitchers that either throw a gem or batting practice. There is no in between with this Cardinals staff. Do they forget that they're pitchers? Is Auggie IV tapping Kegs at noon for 7:05 starts? I just don't understand it. Oh and by the way Walt, nice job at the trading deadline. Way to go out and get Jeff, Ronnie, and Jorge. Yep, that's exactly what this team needed. Nothing like two worthless pitchers and a so so second baseman to strike fear in the hearts of opposing National League teams. Lets hope that we can pick up Walker off waivers again, or maybe Will Clark. Does anyone know what Shawon is doing nowadays? This organization is laughing all the way to the bank. Maybe next year they'll pull a Major League 2 and sell all the rights to the outfield wall, then trade away Parkman for a Japanese import.

Trade Deadline

2006-07-30T23:16:00.000-05:00

So the trade deadline is 3pm CST tomorrow. I think the Cards did the best they could in solving our problems at 2B without having to sacrifice too much. Belliard should be an adequate bat and consistent glove in the field. Plus, his contract is up after this year, and Luna was locked up through 2010. This will at least give us the option of upgrading in the offseason if Belliard is not the answer.

I'm hoping that Walt isn't getting too much sleep tonight and is hitting up the phones to sure up the Cards lineup for the playoff stretch. After and absolutely embarrassing 4 game sweep on the north side this weekend, it apparent the Cardinals still have a few holes to fill. I like Duncan in the starting lineup, but we still need an upgrade defensively in left, and a proven bat on top of it would be great too. To me, Sean Green fits perfectly, and I don't think we'd have to give up too much. Also, it would be great to have Duncan's bat coming off of the bench in the playoffs. Obviously, if we make the WS again, we'll need to have some pop in the lineup for any road games.

Here's the latest update from CBS Sportsline:

"According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, GM Walt Jocketty has been in touch with the Phillies about a combination of pitchers. Two names mentioned by the Post-Dispatch are lefties Rheal Cormier and Aaron Fultz as well as Cory Lidle and Jon Lieber. Jocketty has also been in touch with Arizona about Shawn Green and Luis Gonzalez, Pittsburgh's Craig Wilson and Jeromy Burnitz and Baltimore's Jeff Conine among others. "

Just a little over 15 hours to go though...we'll see what happens.

Also, congrats to Sutter on his induction to the Hall today!

Wild Rumors

2006-07-26T01:38:00.000-05:00

Cards Fans get wild, there are some wild rumors out there and with the trade deadline fast approaching, Walt is sure to surprise us all. There are many Blogs out there reporting that the Birds are VERY interested in offering the farm for one MR. Dontrell Willis. WRONG ANSWER if you ask me. OFFER THE FARM FOR A-ROD. Let the Yankee fans boo and ruin his life. One weekend series full of standing O's and curtain calls in a Red Bird Uni would cure all of A-Rod's ills. Sure I've been drinking tonight, but move Eck to 2nd, and imagine a line-up of 1. Eck 2. A-Rod 3. Pujols 4. Rolen 5. Edmonds 6. Duncan 7. Encar 8. Yadi 9. (Pitcher). Sorry, THAT'S A WINNER!

Moe's on Friday

2006-07-24T22:39:00.000-05:00

For all of you interested, and for those of you who are looking forward to a 4 day work week like I am, let's plan on a post game celebration at Moe's Cantina on Friday. For the out-of-towners, the address is 3518 N. Clark...steps away from the stadium. No drink specials this time...just hoping to get tons of Cardinals fans together in one place.

Hopefully we'll be the first to see a new acquisition to the team. Bobby Abreu or Carlos Lee would look great in a Cardinals uniform! We'll see what kind of magic Walt has up his sleeves.

Also, if anyone has bar suggestions for Thursday night, I'm open to suggestions. Just post a response. Hope to see everyone on Friday. Go Cards!

Thursday, July 13th

2006-07-13T22:27:00.000-05:00

No outcome on the Cards game yet, as it's in the 11th inning. I'll just assume that we win on an Albert Pujols hit in the bottom of the 12th.

Some good signs in the first game back though. Marquis went deep for his 3rd start in a row, and Wainwright battled through some tough innings. Jimmy continued to swing a hot bat too! Good start...let's see if we can continue through the week.

Cards are back in town 2 weeks from tonight. We may set up another bar event. If anyone has ideas, feel free to share them.

Picking it up in the 2nd half

2006-07-12T22:33:00.000-05:00

So, not only do the Cardinals need to pick it up in the 2nd half, so do we. I apologize for the lack of postings, events, and fun comments over the last two months. I'm opening the posting permissions to a few of the more talented writers I know, and things should start to pick up.

What's up w/ the National League losing again??? 1 strike away and we couldn't close the deal...how dissappointing!

Anyway, Ponson is gone and Jeff Weaver will hopefully be an adequate replacement. The Birds had a good series to close out the first half. After a few days off, I'm thinking they're ready to get 'er done! Aubrey Huff going to the Astros was a big move, but I'm sure we're all pretty confident that Jockety has a little bit of magic up his sleeves to add a big bat to the lineup. We'll see in the next few weeks.

Sox Part II

2006-06-21T23:57:00.000-05:00

Another dissappointing loss, and I'm wondering if I should start loosening up for a bullpen spot with the birds. I was hoping Wainwright would be in the rotation from this point forward, but obviously not given that he pitched an inning of relief tonight. I'm hoping Reyes can spare some dignity for Cards fans in Chicago!

Hopefully this is just a small slide...and Edmonds is okay. By the way, that was an amazing attempt, and I expect nothing less from a Cardinal great! Kudos to Edmonds!

Anyway, who cares about records....we're still 4 games up in the NL Central Division. That really got to Sox fans in the Bullpen Bar as they were trying to rub in the two ass-kickings these last two days. Really worked 'em up when my response to the "Are you going to bring Pujols back tomorrow?" comment was "nah, we really don't need him...we can afford to lose these next few games."!

Go Redbirds!

Thoughts as the Sox Thump the Cards

2006-06-20T20:36:00.000-05:00

So, the Cards/Sox game is going into the 5th inning, and we are getting whipped. I'm typing thankful that I didn't waste my money going to the game tonight, and hope that we can turn it around the next two nights on the southside.

Getting Albert back is going to be huge for us, and hopefully we'll have him for the Tigers this weekend. Initially I thought our pitching would be a huge strength for us this year, but we obviously have a lot of questions to answer there. Mulder has been nothing short of dissappointing in his last 6 starts, and Ponson has at least temporarily moved to the pen.

My suggestion is to move Wainwright to the rotation and bring up Reyes for another spot. Ponson would be fine in the bullpen, and if Mulder's stock hasn't gone down too much, we need to deal him for a bat. The Rangers, Mets, and Devil Rays all seem to have some interesting outfielders to deal, but I'm wondering if they'll want to much.

There just a month left until the trading deadline...I'm interested to see who agrees with my thoughts, and what other ideas might be out there. The Cards are still kicking ass in the Central Division, but this is the year to go all the way! Go Birds!

ps. Good to see Ponson had some balls and finally threw inside to a few batters!

Sox Series

2006-06-20T20:50:00.000-05:00

There have been a few people wanting to get together for a game during this series. We don't have any plans, as most people we talked to are going to a few of the games. I'll be at the next two. ESPN Zone would be a good time, and if anyone wants to coordinate, please post a response to this message.