The Cardinals started the season on a rollercoaster and have quickly become the Tea Cup ride...they are simply spinning in circles. Their wins happen against losing teams, and sometimes, that is not even a given. They lost 2 of 3 to the Orioles and failed to sweep the supposed worst team in baseball, the Phillies. The two games they won in that series went to extras. Leake is the last hope to salvage one solitary win out of this series against the Pirates, who are also below .500, but now a full game ahead of the Cardinals. Having won the first two games of this series, they are in 3rd place in the Central and we are in 4th.
I never know exactly what to write about anymore. Watching my favorite team is feeling less like entertainment and more like a habit...sometimes a chore. I've written before that I'm committed to them, and that remains the same. However, we're in a lull right now. I looked forward to this season for what felt like 72 months of offseason and now I find myself grasping at any last little tiny thing that can give me any hope. Those moments are happening few and far in between and even then, they're fleeting.
Rest assured, Carlos Martinez will always give us something to look forward to every 5 days. Pitching now as the third best pitcher in the National League, he is more brilliant and exciting with every inning. Tommy Pham has thrown guys out at the plate and hit some homers...all fun to watch. His attitude about winning and competing is even more refreshing. Not content with needing extra innings or his own strikeouts during a game where he hit 2 home runs and had 2 outfield assists, he tells the media exactly how he feels. And, as everyone knows, my love for Adam Wainwright is one that will never be shaken.
Tonight during the broadcast, Tom Verducci informed the viewers that Piscotty was simply resting due to the team's heavy schedule leading to the All Star Break. I'll be honest with you-this information only aggravated me further as I watched the runs pile up for the Pirates. If the team was performing well, if the energy level was where it should be, if a full effort for all 9 innings from every player was always given...okay, rest them. However, the team is 7 games below .500 and I never think "effort" and "energy" when I watch this team anymore. 2 of the 3 players resting tonight came in to pinch hit, both getting hits. Could they possibly have hit at other points throughout the night and produced more runs? We'll never know.
In an article posted Tuesday, Derrick Goold wrote about the team learning to support each other. This is baffling to me, for many reasons. Clubhouse issues were supposed to be solved in the offseason. Last year's clubhouse got a bad rap. In spring training, multiple players talked about how there were groups and cliques...the lack of cohesion prompted Wainwright to take them on a field trip to escape rooms to learn to work together. Now we're hearing the players are having meetings to discuss supporting each other. Shouldn't this be a given? Why aren't they supporting each other? In this climate, with all the losses, leadership in flux, players leaving and finding success on other teams...wouldn't supporting each other seem more crucial than ever? Imagine everyone acting like Adam and Carlos...energy, hard work, enthusiasm, watching every game intently more times than not at the top step or at the top of the dugout. Both of them bring their personality and their comradery with each other to this team. The water splashes, the hugs, the "good eye goofiness"...maybe if this energy flowed throughout the whole clubhouse, it would lead to more wins. Pham is another player who has brought a refreshing take to the clubhouse. He is a competitor and he wants his team to be competitive...he is disappointed with anything less. All three of these players have attitudes worth emulating.
My general takes:
1) No one on the team deserves days off at this point before the break simply to have a day off. If injured, I would be fine with using the 10 day DL so the team does not have to play short so often. Play hard during the game, work during time away from the game on any weaknesses in their game, and be prepared to play every day.
2) I'm not a fan of getting big trade deals done for this team this season. Until every aspect of their game improves to even an average level, one bat or one glove most likely won't be enough to increase the wins dramatically.
3) Right now, I can suggest one or two immediate changes that wouldn't cost any players or money but would still be beneficial. The first suggestion would be to be relieve Mike Matheny of his duties. The second suggestion would be to do the same with John Mabry. Either one could happen in either order. The roster is not necessarily the most talented roster it could be...it has roles that need to be filled and might not be with the current players. However, they did not lose all of their talent and skills as each day passed. Inspiration and motivation are lacking. Real solutions to the hitting problems are not being created. All issues could be improved with new leadership. In the offseason, roster issues should actually be fixed with a strong effort from John Mozeliak instead of one sided players getting big contracts (i.e. only good defense but no offense or vice versa).
4) Players need to play as though every game matters. Losing out on the postseason by ONE game last season seemed to not be enough of a lesson for most. I've heard Pham and Wainwright mention it, maybe others have, but for the most part I've heard too many interviews where they say "it's a long season" (not just from the players and manager, but media as well). At this rate, 4th in Central, 7 under .500...it is long overdue to start playing like every game matters. Every inning matters. Every run matters. Every play matters. Every at bat matters. Play like it matters.
Here's the bottom line for me: I'm in this. I always will be. Win or lose is the "in sickness and in health" part of our relationship. For better or worse, this team is the one for me. My effort is here. I watch every game and DVR the day games while I'm at work. My commitment hasn't wavered. Game after game I feel them abandoning their commitment to me though. I don't want to get to this point with the team I have loved for years...the point of feeling so let down that I can't hold on anymore. They need to give me something here. I get my good days when Adam and Carlos pitch and occasionally a good moment or two provided by someone else, but I need more. I'm not asking for much. I'm asking for heart and hustle...I'm asking for some fight. Every day, I'm here willing to fight for them. I want them to work with each other and fight for every win. I want them to fight for me...every relationship is a work in progress. The Cardinals need to start putting work into our relationship. It's not too late. I'm still here.
Saturday, June 24, 2017
Thursday, June 8, 2017
Tough Love
A few days ago, Stephen Piscotty addressed the media and spoke of a family issue that is unimaginably difficult to go through. After playing in a game or two upon his return, he addressed the media again after a blunder out in right field. The ball got lost in the sun and he missed what many think was a routine catch. He answered the question no less than 5 different ways as the reporters tried no less than 5 different ways to reword the same question: "What happened out there?"
Watch the post game shows if you can, or follow Fox Sports Midwest on social media. Notice who is appearing in these interviews. All the starting pitchers of course, but who else do you see? I'll tell you--Greg Garcia (a very part time player), Kolten Wong (especially when he has made mistakes), Randal Grichuk (not here but when he was, he answered, especially in losses), Stephen Piscotty (see above), Jedd Gyorko (emerging as our best player), Tommy Pham (only been in the majors this season since May 5th). What do you notice about this list (aside from starting pitchers)? Not a single person 30 or older. Not a single person that is the supposed "face of the franchise" or "leader of the team." Not a single supposed veteran. The only veteran that constantly answers is Adam. And he has the type of character that would answer no matter what, even if not a starting pitcher. All of our starting pitchers do an admirable job.
I mention all of this because this team is in need of leadership. The young guys are pulling their weight with the media, picking up the slack left behind by those such as Matt Carpenter, who dodge the media after mistakes and then proceed to never own up to those mistakes.
When Matt Carpenter made the 9th inning baserunning error, trying to stretch a sure lead off double in the bottom of the 9th into a triple, he didn't answer to that for the media. Days later, he gave multiple reasons of why he was right, noting that his offense around him may not have been able to hit him home from second base. As you all know, Carpenter is batting .216 and has now reached 52 strikeouts. His OBP is 345, but his overall game isn't going well at the moment. "Those in glass houses shouldn't throw stones" applies here. Throwing people like Jedd Gyorko under the bus when he has been carrying this team was disrespectful and unnecessary.
After that game, Matheny said "he knows" when asked if there would be a discussion with Matt. Clearly, he does not know he was wrong.
The younger players are trying to lead, answering the difficult questions when asked and trying their best with the opportunities given. They take ownership of their mistakes publicly. Maybe it's time to let them have more opportunities...turn to them for a spark that is desperately needed. Adam Wainwright is almost always at the top step or up on the fence, constantly interested in the game going on as is Carlos, but other than that, we're in need of some leadership. In reality, we need a Chris Carpenter type of player, who would light a fire. The play of late has been lackluster, and he would never stand for it. If a defensive blunder occurred, he'd probably address it. Seems like there is no one willing to call out the play of this team. Matheny acts as though everyone knows how to fix things without discussion, but they aren't fixing things. Players are going to other teams and figuring out how to end their hitting struggles. All special instruction from legendary players like Ozzie, Willie, Edmonds has flown back south for the summer instead of the winter.
It's time for the front office to face some things. Matheny is not the supposed leader of men he was supposed to be. The team is now on a 7 game losing skid, falling further below .500 ball every day. If he was capable of motivating, at least half of this team would be able to turn things around.
Another look in the mirror by the front office would force them to see that Mabry is clearly unable to help anyone at this time. Grichuk was sent to Palm Beach to work with an offensive specialist, and many thought no one was worse off at the plate. Cut to almost two weeks without Grichuk and the team is 2-9, with Carpenter now having a lower batting average and Fowler staying tied with Grichuk. Adam Wainwright is one of the team's best hitters. I'm Adam's biggest fan but I'll still tell you his offense probably shouldn't be THE story on a competitive team hoping to contend this season. He's the team's biggest bench threat. That's not really an exaggeration.
Further down the rabbit hole, it is baffling to me that with 11 singles, 0 runs batted in and 13 strikeouts, sporting a batting average of .204, Peralta has not only seen two starts this past week, but also pinch hit opportunities. If ever there was a player dragging the competitive edge of a team down, it is Peralta at this moment.
Personally, I'd love to select 15 or so of the best position players and pitchers from the minors and bring them up to St. Louis. I'd have a team meeting. I'd call the rookies out one by one, asking them to stand up in the crowd, and I'd list their stats on the season for the whole room to hear. When the list was complete and all had their moment to shine, I'd say that any position player not named Jedd or Tommy can be replaced by any of these rookies at a moment's notice. Everyone's clocks are running, either out of time or waiting to be started at any given moment. Any relief pitcher not named Matt, Seung Hwan or Trevor is replaceable by any pitchers I've presented. Any changes that need to happen would be figured out. It's time to put up a fight.
Sometimes, there's a need for tough love. Brutal honesty has its place. Now is one of those times. Complacency doesn't win games. Settling doesn't win games. Banking on the failure of other teams or staying afloat in the sea of mediocrity that is the division won't lead to wins. Someone, somewhere has to find a way to light the competitive fire in this team. Sadly, I've written about this already this season. Multiple times. I am committed to the Cardinals for life. We've renewed our vows, I've split up with Matheny, I've composed speeches to make while standing on a chair in the clubhouse, song lyrics and movies have been used to try to inspire the love of the game that seems to be lost. I'm putting in 150% of the effort needed to keep this relationship alive. From the bottom of my heart I hope the Cardinals decide to fight for us too.
Watch the post game shows if you can, or follow Fox Sports Midwest on social media. Notice who is appearing in these interviews. All the starting pitchers of course, but who else do you see? I'll tell you--Greg Garcia (a very part time player), Kolten Wong (especially when he has made mistakes), Randal Grichuk (not here but when he was, he answered, especially in losses), Stephen Piscotty (see above), Jedd Gyorko (emerging as our best player), Tommy Pham (only been in the majors this season since May 5th). What do you notice about this list (aside from starting pitchers)? Not a single person 30 or older. Not a single person that is the supposed "face of the franchise" or "leader of the team." Not a single supposed veteran. The only veteran that constantly answers is Adam. And he has the type of character that would answer no matter what, even if not a starting pitcher. All of our starting pitchers do an admirable job.
I mention all of this because this team is in need of leadership. The young guys are pulling their weight with the media, picking up the slack left behind by those such as Matt Carpenter, who dodge the media after mistakes and then proceed to never own up to those mistakes.
When Matt Carpenter made the 9th inning baserunning error, trying to stretch a sure lead off double in the bottom of the 9th into a triple, he didn't answer to that for the media. Days later, he gave multiple reasons of why he was right, noting that his offense around him may not have been able to hit him home from second base. As you all know, Carpenter is batting .216 and has now reached 52 strikeouts. His OBP is 345, but his overall game isn't going well at the moment. "Those in glass houses shouldn't throw stones" applies here. Throwing people like Jedd Gyorko under the bus when he has been carrying this team was disrespectful and unnecessary.
After that game, Matheny said "he knows" when asked if there would be a discussion with Matt. Clearly, he does not know he was wrong.
The younger players are trying to lead, answering the difficult questions when asked and trying their best with the opportunities given. They take ownership of their mistakes publicly. Maybe it's time to let them have more opportunities...turn to them for a spark that is desperately needed. Adam Wainwright is almost always at the top step or up on the fence, constantly interested in the game going on as is Carlos, but other than that, we're in need of some leadership. In reality, we need a Chris Carpenter type of player, who would light a fire. The play of late has been lackluster, and he would never stand for it. If a defensive blunder occurred, he'd probably address it. Seems like there is no one willing to call out the play of this team. Matheny acts as though everyone knows how to fix things without discussion, but they aren't fixing things. Players are going to other teams and figuring out how to end their hitting struggles. All special instruction from legendary players like Ozzie, Willie, Edmonds has flown back south for the summer instead of the winter.
It's time for the front office to face some things. Matheny is not the supposed leader of men he was supposed to be. The team is now on a 7 game losing skid, falling further below .500 ball every day. If he was capable of motivating, at least half of this team would be able to turn things around.
Another look in the mirror by the front office would force them to see that Mabry is clearly unable to help anyone at this time. Grichuk was sent to Palm Beach to work with an offensive specialist, and many thought no one was worse off at the plate. Cut to almost two weeks without Grichuk and the team is 2-9, with Carpenter now having a lower batting average and Fowler staying tied with Grichuk. Adam Wainwright is one of the team's best hitters. I'm Adam's biggest fan but I'll still tell you his offense probably shouldn't be THE story on a competitive team hoping to contend this season. He's the team's biggest bench threat. That's not really an exaggeration.
Further down the rabbit hole, it is baffling to me that with 11 singles, 0 runs batted in and 13 strikeouts, sporting a batting average of .204, Peralta has not only seen two starts this past week, but also pinch hit opportunities. If ever there was a player dragging the competitive edge of a team down, it is Peralta at this moment.
Personally, I'd love to select 15 or so of the best position players and pitchers from the minors and bring them up to St. Louis. I'd have a team meeting. I'd call the rookies out one by one, asking them to stand up in the crowd, and I'd list their stats on the season for the whole room to hear. When the list was complete and all had their moment to shine, I'd say that any position player not named Jedd or Tommy can be replaced by any of these rookies at a moment's notice. Everyone's clocks are running, either out of time or waiting to be started at any given moment. Any relief pitcher not named Matt, Seung Hwan or Trevor is replaceable by any pitchers I've presented. Any changes that need to happen would be figured out. It's time to put up a fight.
Sometimes, there's a need for tough love. Brutal honesty has its place. Now is one of those times. Complacency doesn't win games. Settling doesn't win games. Banking on the failure of other teams or staying afloat in the sea of mediocrity that is the division won't lead to wins. Someone, somewhere has to find a way to light the competitive fire in this team. Sadly, I've written about this already this season. Multiple times. I am committed to the Cardinals for life. We've renewed our vows, I've split up with Matheny, I've composed speeches to make while standing on a chair in the clubhouse, song lyrics and movies have been used to try to inspire the love of the game that seems to be lost. I'm putting in 150% of the effort needed to keep this relationship alive. From the bottom of my heart I hope the Cardinals decide to fight for us too.
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