All posts by Brian Walton

Brian Walton runs The Cardinal Nation, covering the St. Louis Cardinals and minor league system.

Useless Hoffpauir facts


One would reasonably assume that “Hoffpauir” is an extremely unusual last name. Not so – at least in Chicago this weekend.

Hoff and Hoff History

Friday’s Cardinals-Cubs game marked the first game in the history of MLB that two Hoffpauirs appeared. They were not in the game together however, as the Cardinals’ Jarrett pinch hit, walked and ran the bases in the seventh before leaving the game. Cub Micah collected a pinch-hit double in the ninth. (The two were on opposite clubs numerous times as minor leaguers.)

In fact, the unrelated pair are the only two Hoffpauirs to have ever become Major Leaguers.

However, in 2004, there were four Hoffpauirs in the minors as Jarrett and Micah were joined by Brad Hoffpauir (Cubs – rookie ball) and Josh Hoffpauir (Rangers – A ball). It is not quite as incredible since Josh and Jarrett are brothers. Both were born in Natchez, Mississippi six years apart, graduated from Vidalia High School in the Magnolia State and later played for Southern Mississippi.

Don’t buy another vowel!

Added by Tom Orf:

Jarrett Hoffpauir is the fourth player in St. Louis Cardinals history to have three consecutive vowels in his last name and the first since 1971.

Hoffpauir represents the first “aui” in team annals as the others all had “eau” in their surname:

– Patsy Tebeau, 1899-1900

– Jim Beauchamp, 1963, 1970-71

– Jap Barbeau, 1909-1910


Update: On Saturday, from the sixth until the top of the ninth, the two Hoffpauirs were in the game together. Micah entered for the top of the sixth when Derrek Lee injured his neck on a hard slide in the previous half-inning. Jarrett played the entire game until being pinch-hit for during the top of the ninth. The two met at first base in the seventh when Jarrett grounded into an inning-ending double play.

Pineiro: Quietly Effective


When St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Joel Pineiro finished his complete-game three-hitter against the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday, it became his third such gem* of the 2009 season.

* Defined as a complete game with three or fewer hits allowed

It was the Cardinals fifth gem* this season, with Chris Carpenter and Kyle Lohse each having posted one. The last time the Cards as a team had as many as five of these games was back in 1989. The year before, in 1988, the team had six.

In an oddity, the 1978 St. Louis rotation sported four pitchers who spun at least two of these gems. The starters were Silvio Martinez (four), John Denny (three), Pete Vukovich and Bob Forsch (two each). Their total of 11 for the season tied the club’s high-water mark set in three consecutive seasons, 1966, 1967 and 1968.

Individually, Pineiro tied Carp, who most recently had three such games back in his Cy Young Award-winning 2005 season. To find any Cardinals starter with more than three complete games of three or fewer hits in a season, one has to go all the way back to John Tudor in 1985, who had five that year.

Bob Gibson had an amazing seven in one season, but it wasn’t 1968, The Year of the Pitcher. He accomplished his feat during the 1962 campaign. The complete list of 214 from the last 55 years follows, courtesy of Tom Orf.


Cardinals complete games with three or fewer hits allowed (1954-2009)

# Player Date Opp App, Dec IP H R ER BB SO HR
1 Joel Pineiro 7/9/2009 @MIL W 5 – 1 CG 9 W 9 3 1 1 0 5 0
2 Joel Pineiro 6/23/2009 @NYM W 3 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 2 0 0 1 1 0
3 Chris Carpenter 6/4/2009 CIN W 3 – 1 CG 9 ,W 9 3 1 1 0 3 1
4 Joel Pineiro 5/19/2009 CHC W 3 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 3 0 0 0 5 0
5 Kyle Lohse 4/12/2009 HOU W 3 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 3 0 0 0 4 0
6 Braden Looper 6/11/2008 @CIN W 10 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 3 0 0 0 4 0
7 Anthony Reyes 6/27/2007 @NYM L 0 – 2 CG 5 ,L 5 2 2 2 2 3 1
8 Chris Carpenter 9/1/2006 PIT W 3 – 1 CG 9 ,W 9 3 1 1 0 8 0
9 Chris Carpenter 7/14/2006 LAD W 5 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 2 0 0 0 7 0
10 Anthony Reyes 6/22/2006 @CHW L 0 – 1 CG 8 ,L 8 1 1 1 0 6 1
11 Jason Marquis 8/27/2005 @WSN W 6 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 2 0 0 0 3 0
12 Chris Carpenter 8/2/2005 FLA W 3 – 1 CG 9 ,W 9 3 1 1 1 6 0
13 Chris Carpenter 7/17/2005 HOU W 3 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 3 0 0 0 9 0
14 Chris Carpenter 6/14/2005 @TOR W 7 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 1 0 0 1 10 0
15 Matt Morris 9/3/2004 LAD W 3 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 2 0 0 0 11 0
16 Chris Carpenter 8/26/2004 @CIN L 0 – 1 CG 8 ,L 8 3 1 1 1 11 1
17 Matt Morris 9/7/2003 CIN W 9 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 3 0 0 1 8 0
18 Chuck Finley 8/27/2002 2 @CIN W 5 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 2 0 0 1 7 0
19 Woody Williams 9/25/2001 @HOU W 3 – 2 CG 9 ,W 9 3 2 1 3 9 0
20 Woody Williams 9/5/2001 @SDP W 2 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 2 0 0 0 6 0
21 Bud Smith 9/3/2001 @SDP W 4 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 0 0 0 4 7 0
22 Pat Hentgen 9/14/2000 CHC W 4 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 3 0 0 0 9 0
23 Jose Jimenez 7/5/1999 ARI W 1 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 2 0 0 1 9 0
24 Jose Jimenez 6/25/1999 @ARI W 1 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 0 0 0 2 8 0
25 Donovan Osborne 9/5/1998 CIN W 7 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 3 0 0 2 4 0
26 Alan Benes 4/19/1997 2 @SDP W 2 – 1 CG 9 ,W 9 3 1 1 2 6 0
27 Omar Olivares 7/21/1994 1 ATL W 6 – 3 CG 9 ,W 9 3 3 3 5 2 0
28 Vicente Palacios 7/19/1994 @HOU W 10 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 1 0 0 1 8 0
29 Bryn Smith 9/23/1991 1 MON W 10 – 1 CG 9 ,W 9 3 1 1 1 6 0
30 Bryn Smith 5/18/1991 HOU W 12 – 2 CG 9 ,W 9 3 2 2 2 5 0
31 Bob Tewksbury 8/17/1990 HOU W 5 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 1 0 0 0 3 0
32 Joe Magrane 6/22/1990 @CHC W 7 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 3 0 0 3 11 0
33 Jose DeLeon 9/13/1989 PIT T 0 – 0 SHO6 5.1 1 0 0 2 4 0
34 Joe Magrane 8/24/1989 @ATL W 4 – 1 CG 9 ,W 9 3 1 1 0 6 0
35 Jose DeLeon 8/15/1989 ATL W 9 – 1 CG 9 ,W 9 3 1 1 1 10 1
36 Ken Hill 5/4/1989 @LAD W 12 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 3 0 0 1 9 0
37 Jose DeLeon 4/21/1989 MON W 1 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 2 0 0 1 6 0
38 Jose DeLeon 9/26/1988 @PIT W 7 – 1 CG 9 ,W 9 3 1 1 4 5 0
39 Jose DeLeon 9/6/1988 MON W 1 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 3 0 0 1 12 0
40 Joe Magrane 9/2/1988 @HOU W 2 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 3 0 0 2 4 0
41 Joe Magrane 8/12/1988 @CHC W 4 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 1 0 0 1 6 0
42 John Tudor 6/23/1988 PHI W 2 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 2 0 0 0 4 0
43 Larry McWilliams 5/25/1988 CIN W 6 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 2 0 0 6 8 0
44 Joe Magrane 9/29/1987 1 MON W 1 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 3 0 0 2 5 0
45 Greg Mathews 6/25/1987 PHI W 3 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 3 0 0 5 5 0
46 Danny Cox 7/28/1986 @PHI W 3 – 1 CG 9 ,W 9 3 1 1 0 8 0
47 John Tudor 6/7/1986 CHC W 3 – 2 CG 9 ,W 9 2 2 2 3 5 1
48 John Tudor 9/11/1985 @NYM W 1 – 0 SHO1 0 ,W 10 3 0 0 2 7 0
49 Danny Cox 9/5/1985 CHC W 6 – 1 CG 9 ,W 9 2 1 1 1 5 0
50 John Tudor 8/8/1985 CHC W 8 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 1 0 0 1 6 0
51 John Tudor 7/2/1985 @MON W 4 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 3 0 0 0 6 0
52 John Tudor 6/23/1985 CHC W 7 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 2 0 0 1 6 0
53 John Tudor 6/8/1985 @NYM W 1 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 3 0 0 1 5 0
54 Danny Cox 5/31/1985 CIN W 5 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 2 0 0 0 3 0
55 Danny Cox 9/19/1984 MON W 1 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 3 0 0 1 2 0
56 Ricky Horton 6/29/1984 @SDP W 5 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 2 0 0 2 5 0
57 Bob Forsch 9/26/1983 MON W 3 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 0 0 0 0 6 0
58 Neil Allen 7/19/1983 SDP W 4 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 3 0 0 1 3 0
59 Bob Forsch 6/7/1983 @PHI W 2 – 1 CG 9 ,W 9 2 1 1 0 2 1
60 Bob Forsch 5/12/1983 MON W 4 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 3 0 0 2 1 0
61 Joaquin Andujar 9/25/1982 CHC W 5 – 1 CG 9 ,W 9 3 1 1 0 4 0
62 Joaquin Andujar 9/15/1982 @PHI W 8 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 3 0 0 1 4 0
63 Bob Forsch 9/13/1982 @PHI L 0 – 2 CG 8 ,L 8 3 2 2 4 0 1
64 Joaquin Andujar 4/17/1982 PHI W 6 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 3 0 0 0 7 0
65 Andy Rincon 4/14/1982 @CHC W 3 – 1 CG 9 ,W 9 3 1 1 5 4 0
66 Bob Sykes 8/6/1980 @PHI W 14 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 3 0 0 2 3 0
67 Silvio Martinez 4/23/1980 @CHC W 3 – 1 CG 9 ,W 9 3 1 1 2 8 0
68 Pete Vuckovich 4/10/1980 PIT W 1 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 3 0 0 2 9 0
69 John Fulgham 8/17/1979 SFG W 3 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 2 0 0 0 5 0
70 John Denny 8/9/1979 @NYM W 4 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 2 0 0 3 3 0
71 Bob Forsch 7/27/1979 @PHI W 5 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 3 0 0 1 3 0
72 Silvio Martinez 6/27/1979 MON W 5 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 1 0 0 0 7 0
73 John Denny 5/15/1979 MON W 1 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 2 0 0 4 5 0
74 Bob Forsch 4/8/1979 PHI T 2 – 2 CG 5 5 3 2 2 3 2 1
75 Silvio Martinez 9/25/1978 @NYM W 3 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 2 0 0 2 6 0
76 Silvio Martinez 7/26/1978 @SFG W 2 – 1 CG 9 ,W 9 2 1 1 3 3 0
77 Pete Vuckovich 7/23/1978 @LAD W 2 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 3 0 0 7 6 0
78 Pete Vuckovich 7/14/1978 LAD W 4 – 1 CG 9 ,W 9 3 1 1 1 8 1
79 Silvio Martinez 7/8/1978 PIT W 4 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 1 0 0 7 1 0
80 John Denny 6/22/1978 @PHI L 1 – 2 CG 8 ,L 8 3 2 1 0 5 0
81 Silvio Martinez 5/30/1978 @NYM W 8 – 2 CG 9 ,W 9 1 2 2 6 2 1
82 John Denny 5/24/1978 MON W 2 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 2 0 0 1 3 0
83 Bob Forsch 5/11/1978 @LAD W 2 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 3 0 0 3 4 0
84 John Denny 5/6/1978 SDP W 1 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 2 0 0 2 6 0
85 Bob Forsch 4/16/1978 PHI W 5 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 0 0 0 2 3 0
86 Bob Forsch 8/23/1977 LAD W 2 – 1 CG 9 ,W 9 3 1 1 2 8 0
87 Bob Forsch 8/17/1977 NYM W 2 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 2 0 0 2 5 0
88 Bob Forsch 7/21/1977 HOU W 4 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 3 0 0 5 2 0
89 John Denny 6/22/1976 NYM W 3 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 3 0 0 0 4 0
90 John Curtis 5/28/1976 @NYM W 6 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 3 0 0 3 4 0
91 Bob Forsch 9/26/1975 PIT W 1 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 3 0 0 1 3 0
92 Bob Forsch 6/6/1975 @HOU W 6 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 2 0 0 2 3 0
93 Bob Forsch 5/2/1975 CHC W 5 – 1 CG 9 ,W 9 3 1 0 2 5 0
94 Bob Forsch 4/9/1975 MON W 4 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 2 0 0 0 6 0
95 Bob Forsch 9/30/1974 @MON W 5 – 1 CG 9 ,W 9 3 1 1 2 2 0
96 John Curtis 8/29/1974 @SDP W 3 – 1 CG 9 ,W 9 1 1 1 2 2 0
97 Alan Foster 7/25/1974 2 NYM W 4 – 1 CG 9 ,W 9 3 1 1 4 3 1
98 Bob Gibson 7/6/1974 @CIN W 3 – 1 CG 9 ,W 9 3 1 1 2 6 1
99 Lynn McGlothen 6/1/1974 SDP W 3 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 3 0 0 0 2 0
100 John Curtis 5/8/1974 @CIN W 2 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 3 0 0 1 4 0
101 Reggie Cleveland 9/27/1973 CHC W 2 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 1 0 0 0 3 0
102 Reggie Cleveland 6/22/1973 CHC W 3 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 3 0 0 2 6 0
103 Rick Wise 6/18/1973 MON W 1 – 0 SHO6 ,W 5.1 2 0 0 0 3 0
104 Rick Wise 6/13/1973 @CIN W 8 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 1 0 0 3 4 0
105 Bob Gibson 9/29/1972 @CHC W 4 – 1 CG 9 ,W 9 3 1 1 3 5 0
106 Don Durham 8/28/1972 SFG W 4 – 2 CG 9 ,W 9 3 2 1 3 8 0
107 Reggie Cleveland 7/13/1972 ATL W 2 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 2 0 0 1 4 0
108 Bob Gibson 5/31/1972 @CHC W 1 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 3 0 0 2 5 0
109 Bob Gibson 8/28/1971 CIN W 4 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 3 0 0 1 13 0
110 Bob Gibson 8/14/1971 @PIT W 11 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 0 0 0 3 10 0
111 Reggie Cleveland 6/15/1971 CIN W 6 – 1 CG 9 ,W 9 3 1 1 0 9 1
112 Chris Zachary 5/27/1971 CHC W 10 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 2 0 0 0 3 0
113 Steve Carlton 9/26/1970 @MON W 7 – 2 CG 9 ,W 9 3 2 2 2 6 1
114 Bob Gibson 9/23/1970 1 CHC W 2 – 1 CG 9 ,W 9 2 1 1 3 7 0
115 Steve Carlton 8/30/1970 @LAD W 2 – 1 CG 9 ,W 9 3 1 1 2 8 1
116 Jerry Reuss 8/28/1970 @LAD W 1 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 2 0 0 1 5 0
117 Bob Gibson 8/22/1970 @SDP W 7 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 2 0 0 0 6 0
118 Jerry Reuss 8/9/1970 2 MON W 4 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 2 0 0 6 5 0
119 Bob Gibson 6/17/1970 @SDP W 8 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 1 0 0 2 13 0
120 Mike Torrez 4/15/1970 MON W 10 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 1 0 0 6 3 0
121 Nelson Briles 9/5/1969 MON W 1 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 3 0 0 3 6 0
122 Chuck Taylor 8/20/1969 CIN W 2 – 1 CG 9 ,W 9 2 1 1 2 6 1
123 Steve Carlton 7/1/1969 1 NYM W 4 – 1 CG 9 ,W 9 3 1 1 3 9 0
124 Dave Giusti 4/24/1969 @CHC W 3 – 2 CG 9 ,W 9 3 2 2 2 6 0
125 Bob Gibson 4/13/1969 @NYM W 3 – 1 CG 9 ,W 9 3 1 1 5 8 0
126 Ray Washburn 9/18/1968 @SFG W 2 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 0 0 0 5 8 0
127 Bob Gibson 8/19/1968 @PHI W 2 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 2 0 0 2 11 0
128 Steve Carlton 8/1/1968 @PHI W 2 – 1 CG 7 ,W 7 2 1 1 2 4 1
129 Nelson Briles 7/16/1968 SFG W 6 – 1 CG 9 ,W 9 3 1 1 2 3 1
130 Bob Gibson 7/12/1968 HOU W 8 – 1 CG 9 ,W 9 3 1 1 0 8 0
131 Steve Carlton 6/19/1968 CHC W 4 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 1 0 0 0 9 0
132 Bob Gibson 6/6/1968 @HOU W 4 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 3 0 0 2 5 0
133 Larry Jaster 5/31/1968 @NYM W 2 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 2 0 0 0 7 0
134 Steve Carlton 5/24/1968 PHI W 5 – 1 CG 9 ,W 9 3 1 0 2 8 0
135 Larry Jaster 5/20/1968 LAD W 2 – 1 CG 9 ,W 9 2 1 0 4 2 0
136 Bob Gibson 5/6/1968 NYM W 2 – 1 CG 1 1 ,W 11 3 1 1 1 11 0
137 Dick Hughes 9/30/1967 @ATL W 3 – 1 CG 9 ,W 9 3 1 0 0 6 0
138 Bob Gibson 9/18/1967 @PHI W 5 – 1 CG 9 ,W 9 3 1 1 1 4 0
139 Steve Carlton 9/15/1967 @CIN W 4 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 2 0 0 1 8 0
140 Dick Hughes 6/4/1967 CHC W 4 – 3 CG 9 ,W 9 3 3 2 4 7 0
141 Steve Carlton 6/2/1967 CHC W 2 – 1 CG 9 ,W 9 3 1 1 2 6 1
142 Dick Hughes 5/30/1967 @CIN L 1 – 2 CG 8 ,L 8 3 2 2 1 13 0
143 Dick Hughes 5/25/1967 @ATL W 5 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 2 0 0 0 9 0
144 Bob Gibson 5/24/1967 @ATL L 0 – 2 CG 8 ,L 8 3 2 2 3 2 1
145 Ray Washburn 5/3/1967 CIN W 2 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 2 0 0 3 5 0
146 Bob Gibson 5/2/1967 CIN W 5 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 2 0 0 2 12 0
147 Al Jackson 4/25/1967 @HOU W 4 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 1 0 0 3 3 0
148 Jim Cosman 10/2/1966 CHC W 2 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 2 0 0 2 5 0
149 Dick Hughes 9/30/1966 CHC W 2 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 3 0 0 1 8 0
150 Bob Gibson 9/5/1966 1 HOU W 4 – 1 CG 9 ,W 9 3 1 1 4 7 0
151 Bob Gibson 8/23/1966 @HOU W 3 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 3 0 0 2 5 0
152 Al Jackson 7/5/1966 @SFG W 3 – 1 CG 9 ,W 9 2 1 0 1 3 0
153 Larry Jaster 7/3/1966 @LAD W 2 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 3 0 0 1 5 0
154 Ray Washburn 6/19/1966 1 PHI W 1 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 2 0 0 3 5 0
155 Bob Gibson 6/19/1966 2 PHI W 5 – 1 CG 9 ,W 9 3 1 1 4 7 0
156 Bob Gibson 6/15/1966 PIT W 1 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 3 0 0 2 8 0
157 Bob Gibson 5/30/1966 HOU W 3 – 1 CG 9 ,W 9 3 1 0 2 7 0
158 Bob Gibson 5/6/1966 SFG L 2 – 4 CG 9 ,L 9 3 4 3 2 14 1
159 Bob Gibson 9/5/1965 1 NYM W 3 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 2 0 0 3 8 0
160 Tracy Stallard 9/1/1965 @CHC W 9 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 3 0 0 1 8 0
161 Bob Gibson 8/31/1965 @CHC W 3 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 2 0 0 2 6 0
162 Bob Gibson 8/20/1965 @NYM W 8 – 1 CG 9 ,W 9 3 1 1 1 11 1
163 Bob Gibson 5/7/1965 @PHI W 2 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 1 0 0 3 8 0
164 Bob Gibson 4/28/1965 @MLN W 5 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 3 0 0 4 6 0
165 Bob Gibson 9/11/1964 @CHC W 5 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 2 0 0 1 6 0
166 Glen Hobbie 6/10/1964 2 @SFG W 2 – 1 CG 9 ,W 9 2 1 1 2 4 0
167 Curt Simmons 5/22/1964 @MLN W 6 – 1 CG 9 ,W 9 3 1 1 1 6 0
168 Curt Simmons 4/16/1964 @SFG W 2 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 3 0 0 1 3 0
169 Ernie Broglio 8/3/1963 PHI W 7 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 2 0 0 5 3 0
170 Ernie Broglio 6/8/1963 @NYM W 4 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 2 0 0 3 10 0
171 Ray Washburn 4/27/1963 @LAD W 3 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 3 0 0 1 9 0
172 Ernie Broglio 4/23/1963 @HOU W 15 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 2 0 0 3 2 0
173 Ernie Broglio 4/9/1963 @NYM W 7 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 2 0 0 2 8 0
174 Ernie Broglio 9/29/1962 @LAD W 2 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 2 0 0 3 9 0
175 Bob Gibson 8/18/1962 2 @NYM W 10 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 3 0 0 8 9 0
176 Bob Gibson 8/8/1962 @PIT W 2 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 3 0 0 2 10 0
177 Bob Gibson 7/18/1962 CHC W 2 – 1 CG 9 ,W 9 3 1 1 1 12 1
178 Bob Gibson 7/13/1962 @MLN W 6 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 3 0 0 4 5 0
179 Bob Gibson 7/8/1962 @NYM W 15 – 1 CG 9 ,W 9 3 1 1 6 4 0
180 Ernie Broglio 7/4/1962 MLN W 2 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 3 0 0 4 1 0
181 Bob Gibson 6/18/1962 @LAD L 0 – 1 CG 9 ,L 8.1 3 1 1 4 8 1
182 Bob Gibson 4/26/1962 @HOU W 3 – 2 CG 9 ,W 9 2 2 2 2 5 1
183 Curt Simmons 4/21/1962 CHC W 8 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 3 0 0 2 2 0
184 Larry Jackson 8/27/1961 SFG W 6 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 3 0 0 1 5 0
185 Larry Jackson 8/17/1961 @SFG W 2 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 3 0 0 0 2 0
186 Ray Sadecki 6/25/1961 2 SFG W 3 – 1 CG 9 ,W 9 2 1 1 1 3 1
187 Ray Sadecki 6/6/1961 2 CHC T 3 – 3 CG 1 0 10 3 3 0 9 10 1
188 Ernie Broglio 4/15/1961 CIN W 4 – 0 SHO6 ,W 5.2 3 0 0 1 4 0
189 Ernie Broglio 9/3/1960 CHC W 4 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 3 0 0 2 7 0
190 Larry Jackson 8/29/1960 @MLN W 3 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 3 0 0 1 5 0
191 Ernie Broglio 7/15/1960 CHC W 6 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 1 0 0 2 14 0
192 Ray Sadecki 6/15/1960 @CIN W 6 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 3 0 0 8 9 0
193 Larry Jackson 9/1/1959 @LAD W 3 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 2 0 0 2 4 0
194 Ernie Broglio 6/27/1959 @CIN W 5 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 2 0 0 0 6 0
195 Sam Jones 8/22/1958 PHI W 9 – 1 CG 9 ,W 9 3 1 1 3 14 1
196 Vinegar Bend Mizell 6/25/1958 @PIT W 3 – 1 CG 9 ,W 9 3 1 0 5 1 0
197 Sam Jones 5/21/1958 @PHI L 0 – 1 CG 8 ,L 8 3 1 1 2 5 0
198 Vinegar Bend Mizell 7/29/1957 PIT W 4 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 2 0 0 0 6 0
199 Von McDaniel 7/28/1957 1 PIT W 4 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 1 0 0 0 4 0
200 Larry Jackson 7/24/1957 BRO W 3 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 3 0 0 2 8 0
201 Sam Jones 7/12/1957 @NYG W 5 – 1 CG 9 ,W 9 3 1 1 1 8 1
202 Von McDaniel 6/21/1957 BRO W 2 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 2 0 0 3 4 0
203 Lindy McDaniel 4/28/1957 1 @CHC W 6 – 2 CG 9 ,W 9 3 2 1 5 3 0
204 Vinegar Bend Mizell 9/7/1956 CIN W 1 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 2 0 0 3 6 0
205 Murry Dickson 8/19/1956 1 CHC W 6 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 2 0 0 1 9 0
206 Murry Dickson 6/19/1956 @BRO W 6 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 3 0 0 3 7 0
207 Tom Poholsky 5/5/1956 BRO W 4 – 1 CG 9 ,W 9 3 1 1 1 5 1
208 Harvey Haddix 4/25/1956 CHC W 6 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 2 0 0 5 3 0
209 Tom Poholsky 9/14/1955 BRO W 3 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 3 0 0 0 2 0
210 Willard Schmidt 8/11/1955 2 @MLN W 4 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 1 0 0 3 6 0
211 Harvey Haddix 7/27/1955 PIT W 6 – 1 9 3 1 1 1 4 1
212 Vic Raschi 7/29/1954 @NYG W 8 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 3 0 0 2 4 0
213 Harvey Haddix 6/13/1954 1 PIT W 5 – 0 9 3 0 0 0 10 0
214 Harvey Haddix 6/9/1954 BRO W 3 – 0 SHO9 ,W 9 3 0 0 3 4 0

All-Star FanFest Free Ticket Trivia Contest Question #11


This is it – the end of the line. Here is the final question, #11!

The first reader that responds with the correct answer to the question below, related to the St. Louis Cardinals and the All-Star Game, will receive two tickets to the MLB All-Star FanFest, a $60. value, courtesy of Wilson Sporting Goods and The Cardinal Nation.

Please read the rules BEFORE RESPONDING to ensure you qualify.


Trivia Question #11

Of the 98 Cardinals players named to the National League All-Star Game since 1933, only one collected a three-base-hit in the game. Who was he and in what year did he motor around the bases for a triple?

All-Star FanFest Free Ticket Trivia Contest Question #10


I am almost out of tickets, so you had better hurry if you want to win a pair. Question #10 is here!

The first reader that responds with the correct answer to the question below, related to the St. Louis Cardinals and the All-Star Game, will receive two tickets to the MLB All-Star FanFest, a $60. value, courtesy of Wilson Sporting Goods and The Cardinal Nation.

Please read the rules BEFORE RESPONDING to ensure you qualify.


Trivia Question #10

What Cardinal scored the winning All-Star Game run in walk-off fashion in extra innings on a day in which the temperature reached 105 degrees?

Name the player and the year.

All-Star FanFest Free Ticket Trivia Contest Question #9


Here is question #9 comin’ at ya”!

The first reader that responds with the correct answer to the question below, related to the St. Louis Cardinals and the All-Star Game, will receive two tickets to the MLB All-Star FanFest, a $60. value, courtesy of Wilson Sporting Goods and The Cardinal Nation.

Please read the rules BEFORE RESPONDING to ensure you qualify.


Trivia Question #9

Chris Carpenter was the last Cardinals pitcher to start an All-Star Game, in 2005. Prior to Carp, who was the most recent St. Louis starting pitcher and in what year did he get the All-Star Game assignment?

All-Star FanFest Free Ticket Trivia Contest Question #8


Here is question #8!

The first reader that responds with the correct answer to the question below, related to the St. Louis Cardinals and the All-Star Game, will receive two tickets to the MLB All-Star FanFest, a $60. value, courtesy of Wilson Sporting Goods and The Cardinal Nation.

Please read the rules BEFORE RESPONDING to ensure you qualify.


Trivia Question #8

In what year did the Cardinals supply the entire starting infield for the NL All-Stars and who were the four players?

All-Star FanFest Free Ticket Trivia Contest Question #7


This is the seventh in a series of posts with questions related to the St. Louis Cardinals and the All-Star Game. The first reader that responds with the correct answer WHEN FOLLOWING THE PUBLISHED RULES will receive two tickets to the MLB All-Star FanFest, a $60. value, courtesy of Wilson Sporting Goods and The Cardinal Nation.

Again, please read the rules BEFORE RESPONDING to ensure you qualify.


Trivia Question #7

What was the most significant injury ever suffered by a Cardinal in an All-Star Game, to whom and what year did it occur?

Thursday live blogging on FOX Sports Midwest


I am returning as a panelist for FOX Sports Midwest’s weekly live blog session to be held throughout Thursday afternoon’s Cardinals-Brewers game.

You can participate via FOX Sports Midwest’s website or once the event begins, you can enter your comments and questions right here in the “CoveritLive” area below.

Joel Pineiro (6-9, 3.39) opposes Manny Parra (3-8, 7.52), the latter freshly returned from the minor leagues, in the rubber match of the Milwaukee series. Thursday’s first pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. Central.

<a href=”https://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php?option=com_mobile&#038;task=viewaltcast&#038;altcast_code=7352feac42″ mce_href=”https://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php?option=com_mobile&amp;task=viewaltcast&amp;altcast_code=7352feac42″ >FOX Sports Midwest Cardinals Live Blog — Cards at Brewers, July 9</a>

Win free tickets to MLB All-Star FanFest at The Cardinal Nation


Would you like to attend the Major League Baseball All-Star FanFest for free, courtesy of Wilson Sporting Goods and The Cardinal Nation?

I have been provided a supply of tickets from Wilson Sporting Goods, an official sponsor of Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball All-Star FanFest event. The All-Star FanFest will be held this upcoming weekend (July 10–14, 2009) at Americas Center in St. Louis.

Major League Baseball All-Star FanFest is an interactive baseball theme park and the largest baseball fan event in the world. It will feature interactive exhibits and attractions, Major League clinics and seminars, free autograph sessions with Cardinals legends and Hall of Famers, memorabilia and much more.

For more information about MLB All-Star FanFest, including its hours of operation, the schedule of appearances and more please visit: https://mlb.com/stl/fan_forum/asg/fanfest_index.jsp

Many of you may already be planning to attend Tuesday’s MLB All-Star Game and/or the Futures Game and Home Run Derby that precede it, so winning free tickets to the MLB All-Star FanFest should make your experience that much more exciting.

Here is what you need to do to win a pair of MLB All-Star FanFest tickets, a $60 value:

  1. First and foremost, you must be available to pick up your tickets IN PERSON at a special location near Americas Center in St. Louis on Saturday, July 11 between Noon and 3 p.m. CST. NO EXCEPTIONS. While the tickets are good anytime during the FanFest hours on Saturday, Sunday, Monday or Tuesday, they MUST be picked up on Saturday during the allotted time. If you cannot meet this requirement, do not enter the contest and spoil it for others – PLEASE!
  2. Be the first to correctly and completely answer a Cardinals-related All-Star trivia question to be posted here at The Cardinal Nation. The questions will appear at random times at my discretion between now and Thursday evening or when the tickets are exhausted, whichever comes first. Only one winning post per reader will be accepted.
  3. Post your answer on the thread following the question to qualify. Emails will not be accepted. Partial answers will not be accepted. I will be the only and final arbiter on which answers are the winners and will post the winner’s handle on the same thread in which the question was posed.
  4. To be approved to post at The Cardinal Nation, you must first register on the site. Then make at least one (edited for clarity) approved post before entering. I highly recommend you complete that process BEFORE you want to answer a question. Otherwise, the built-in approval delay will likely keep your post from being first, even if correct. If you have never registered to post before, here is the link to the TCN registration instructions.
  5. Once winners have been confirmed on each Q&A thread, they MUST contact me via email at brian@thecardinalnation.com no later than 8 a.m. Central on Friday for additional specifics on claiming the tickets. Winners that do not contact me in time will forfeit their tickets.

If you have any questions about the contest rules, ask them here, but DO NOT POST TRIVIA ANSWERS HERE. This is also a good place to make your first post (which is moderated) so your subsequent posts will appear immediately and without approval.

Again, these tickets are being made available through the generosity of Wilson Sporting Goods. Here are some factoids about them:

– Wilson is the Official Ball Glove of Major League Baseball
– Wilson is the Official Catchers’ Protective Gear of Major League Baseball
– ATEC (a Wilson brand) is the Official Training Equipment of Major League Baseball
– Wilson is the Official Umpire Gear of Major League Baseball

For a complete list of Wilson’s cutting edge baseball products, please visit: https://www.wilson.com/wilson/baseball/index.jsp

Whether or not you are able to enter and win, thank you for reading “The Cardinal Nation”.

All-Star FanFest Free Ticket Trivia Contest Question #6


We’re in the final day! This is the sixth in a series of posts with questions related to the St. Louis Cardinals and the All-Star Game. The first reader that responds with the correct answer WHEN FOLLOWING THE PUBLISHED RULES will receive two tickets to the MLB All-Star FanFest, a $60. value, courtesy of Wilson Sporting Goods and The Cardinal Nation.

Again, please read the rules BEFORE RESPONDING to ensure you qualify.


Trivia Question #6

Which Cardinal set an All-Star Game record with four hits in one game and in what year did he do it?

All-Star FanFest Free Ticket Trivia Contest Question #5


This is the fifth in a series of posts with questions related to the St. Louis Cardinals and the All-Star Game. The first reader that responds with the correct answer WHEN FOLLOWING THE PUBLISHED RULES will receive two tickets to the MLB All-Star FanFest, a $60. value, courtesy of Wilson Sporting Goods and The Cardinal Nation.

Again, please read the rules BEFORE RESPONDING to ensure you qualify.


Trivia Question #5

In the answer to Question #1, we learned that Stan Musial set the record for the most All-Star home runs with six. Which Cardinals player most recently went deep in an All-Star Game and in what year did he do it?

All-Star FanFest Free Ticket Trivia Contest Question #4


This is the fourth in a series of posts with questions related to the St. Louis Cardinals and the All-Star Game. The first reader that responds with the correct answer WHEN FOLLOWING THE PUBLISHED RULES will receive two tickets to the MLB All-Star FanFest, a $60. value, courtesy of Wilson Sporting Goods and The Cardinal Nation.

Again, please read the rules BEFORE RESPONDING to ensure you qualify.


Trivia Question #4

In 2009, the Cardinals have three players in the All-Star Game, closer Ryan Franklin, first baseman Albert Pujols and catcher Yadier Molina (pictured). For which All-Star Game did the Cards have the largest number of players selected and what was the number? (The correct year and number of All-Stars are both needed to win. The individual names are not required.)

All-Star FanFest Free Ticket Trivia Contest Question #3


Question #2 remains unanswered at the time I am posting this, but since it seems to be a stumper (it doesn’t hurt to guess!), I am adding another. Answers to each are eligible to win.

This is the third in a series of posts with questions related to the St. Louis Cardinals and the All-Star Game. The first reader that responds with the correct answer WHEN FOLLOWING THE PUBLISHED RULES will receive two tickets to the MLB All-Star FanFest, a $60. value, courtesy of Wilson Sporting Goods and The Cardinal Nation.

Again, please read the rules BEFORE RESPONDING to ensure you qualify.


Trivia Question #3

Prior to 2009, how many times has the city of St. Louis hosted the MLB All-Star Game and in what years?

All-Star FanFest Free Ticket Trivia Contest Question #2


This is the second in a series of posts with questions related to the St. Louis Cardinals and the All-Star Game. The first reader that responds with the correct answer WHEN FOLLOWING THE PUBLISHED RULES will receive two tickets to the MLB All-Star FanFest, a $60. value, courtesy of Wilson Sporting Goods and The Cardinal Nation.

Again, please read the rules BEFORE RESPONDING to ensure you qualify.


Trivia Question #2

Including 2009, how many different St. Louis Cardinals players have been selected for MLB All-Star Games since the very first game back in 1933?

All-Star FanFest Free Ticket Trivia Contest Question #1


Here is the first in a series of questions related to the St. Louis Cardinals and the All-Star Game. The first poster that responds with the complete, correct answer WHEN FOLLOWING THE PUBLISHED RULES will receive two tickets to the MLB All-Star FanFest, a $60. value, courtesy of Wilson Sporting Goods and The Cardinal Nation.

Again, please read the rules BEFORE RESPONDING to ensure you qualify.


Trivia Question #1

Name the five career All-Star Game records that Stan “The Man” Musial either owns or shares and the associated number for each of these five records (for example: eight strikeouts, 13 stolen bases, etc…).

July is Colby Rasmus time


What a difference a year makes.

As July, 2008 opened, St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Colby Rasmus was toiling for the Memphis Redbirds, looking forward to playing both in the Futures Game and the Summer Olympics.

Then in the first game of the month, on July 1, Rasmus was sidelined by a groin strain. After missing the Futures Game, he returned for just five contests later in the month before suffering another injury, a sprain of the MCL in his left knee. That nixed his Olympic plans and ended his Triple-A season.

On this July 1, Rasmus celebrated his ascension to the Cardinals starting lineup by slamming a walk-off home run to defeat the San Francisco Giants Wednesday evening. He collected three more hits on Thursday and Friday before going deep again on Saturday, a blast estimated to have traveled over 450 feet.

On Sunday, batting second, Rasmus was on base three times with a walk and two more hits, including another home run, a two-run shot. The first inning homer was his third long ball in the club’s five July games. During this time, the 22-year-old is 8-for-17, .471.

The man considered the first-half leader for the National League Rookie of the Year Award now has ten home runs in 2009. That already places him in the top ten in club history for a Cardinals player in his first season.

With just under half the season remaining, Rasmus is on a pace to hit 20 home runs. That would put him second among all Cardinals ever for home runs by a first-year player.

Of course, Albert Pujols is first with 27 in his rookie 2001 season, a campaign during which he earned the ROY Award, but consider the lofty company Rasmus is joining…

Cardinals home runs by first-year players

Rank Player HR Year Age
1 Albert Pujols 37 2001 21
2 Ray Jablonski 21 1953 26
3 Johnny Mize 19 1936 23
4 Ken Boyer 18 1955 24
T5 Bill Virdon 17 1955 24
T5 George Watkins 17 1930 30
7 Rip Repulski 15 1953 24
8 Wally Moon 12 1954 24
9 Joe Cunningham 11 1954 22
T10 Don Padgett 10 1937 25
T10 Colby Rasmus 10 2009 22
T12 Joe Mather 8 2008 25
T12 Andy Van Slyke 8 1983 22
T12 Leon Durham 8 1980 22
T12 Fred Whitfield 8 1962 24
T12 Enos Slaughter 8 1938 22
17 Lou Klein 7 1943 24
T18 Gene Oliver 6 1959 24
T18 Tommy Glaviano 6 1949 25
T18 Stu Martin 6 1936 23
T18 Terry Moore 6 1935 23

Thanks to Tom Orf for the player list.

Pujols does it for the 15th time: five RBI


When Dusty Baker dropped his head in the Cincinnati Reds dugout in the eighth inning Friday night, his body language said it all. The Reds manager decided to have veteran reliever David Weathers go after Albert Pujols with the bases loaded and one out with his club up by three.

Bad decision. Very bad.

As Pujols deposited Weathers’ offering into the left-center field seats, the home crowd was stunned as the St. Louis Cardinals seized a one-run lead. Though a blown save and a ninth-inning comeback gave the game-winning RBI to rookie Jarrett Hoffpauir via his first Major League hit, Pujols’ blast was the straw that stirred the proverbial drink.

Here are some factoids from Friday night’s win, courtesy of Tom Orf.

  • The Cardinals’ last road win in their last at-bat was May 10th, also in Cincinnati on a Colby Rasmus double in the tenth inning.
  • Cardinals 5-RBI games (1954-2009): 15-Pujols, 8-Mark McGwire, 7-Ken Boyer/Stan Musial, 6-Ted Simmons, 4-Jim Edmonds/George Hendrick/Edgar Renteria/Scott Rolen (see complete list below).
  • Pujols’ career slugging percentage with the bases loaded is now .814.
  • Pujols’ last 12 times up with bases-loaded: 9-of-10 with 2 sacrifice flies: 30 RBI, 5 HR, 2 2B, 2 1B, 2 SF.
  • Cardinals 4-RBI games (1954-2009): 45-Pujols, 28-Boyer, 27-Edmonds, 26-Simmons 24-Musial/Lankford, 23-McGwire, 19-Rolen.

Additional facts:

  • It was Pujols’ 350th career home run. That ties him for 78th most all-time in MLB.
  • The slam broke two of Stan Musial’s club records: Most slams in a season (four) and in a career (10).
  • It was Pujols’ sixth hit in seven at-bats with the bases loaded this season, and he’s driven in 20 runs in bases-filled spots this year.
  • Pujols leads the entire Major Leagues in home runs (31) and RBI (82). He also is first in runs (63), total bases (205), extra base hits (51), OBP (.460), SLG (.748) and of course OPS (1.208). He is “only” tied for first in walks (64).
  • Pujols has 82 RBI in the Cardinals’ first 82 games, obviously putting him on pace for a 162-RBI season. His current rate will give him 61 home runs, a magical number if there ever was one.

Cardinals 5-RBI games (1954-2009)

Player Date Opp PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB IBB SO HBP SH SF
Albert Pujols 7/3/2009 @CIN W 7 – 4 5 5 1 2 0 0 1 5 0 0 1 0 0 0
Albert Pujols 6/21/2009 @KCR W 12 – 5 5 5 2 4 1 0 2 6 0 0 0 0 0 0
Albert Pujols 4/11/2009 HOU W 11 – 2 4 4 2 2 0 0 2 7 0 0 0 0 0 0
Adam Kennedy 9/19/2008 @CHC W 12 – 6 5 5 3 4 1 0 1 5 0 0 1 0 0 0
Troy Glaus 8/9/2008 @CHC W 12 – 3 5 5 2 3 0 0 2 5 0 0 0 0 0 0
Aaron Miles 7/13/2008 @PIT W 11 – 6 5 5 1 3 0 1 1 5 0 0 0 0 0 0
Rick Ankiel 9/6/2007 PIT W 16 – 4 5 4 4 3 1 0 2 7 1 0 0 0 0 0
Albert Pujols 7/26/2007 CHC W 11 – 1 5 4 2 2 0 0 1 5 0 0 0 1 0 0
Ryan Ludwick 6/17/2007 @OAK W 10 – 6 5 5 3 3 0 0 1 5 0 0 0 0 0 0
Albert Pujols 6/10/2007 LAA W 9 – 6 4 3 2 2 0 0 2 5 1 0 1 0 0 0
Albert Pujols 4/15/2007 MIL W 10 – 2 5 5 2 2 0 0 2 5 0 0 1 0 0 0
Scott Rolen 9/15/2006 SFG W 14 – 4 4 4 2 3 1 0 2 7 0 0 0 0 0 0
Albert Pujols 9/3/2006 PIT W 6 – 3 4 4 3 3 0 0 3 5 0 0 0 0 0 0
Albert Pujols 8/22/2006 @NYM L 7 – 8 4 4 2 2 0 0 2 7 0 0 1 0 0 0
Scott Rolen 5/13/2006 ARI W 9 – 1 4 4 1 2 1 0 1 5 0 0 2 0 0 0
Albert Pujols 4/16/2006 CIN W 8 – 7 5 4 4 3 0 0 3 5 1 0 0 0 0 0
Albert Pujols 9/30/2005 CIN W 12 – 6 5 4 2 2 0 0 1 5 1 0 0 0 0 0
Mark Grudzielanek 8/8/2005 @MIL W 8 – 4 5 5 3 3 1 0 1 5 0 0 0 0 0 0
Jim Edmonds 7/28/2005 @SDP W 11 – 3 5 4 1 2 0 0 1 5 1 0 1 0 0 0
Reggie Sanders 6/4/2005 @HOU W 11 – 9 5 4 2 4 3 0 1 5 1 0 0 0 0 0
John Mabry 5/20/2005 @KCR W 7 – 6 5 5 1 3 1 0 1 5 0 0 1 0 0 0
Jim Edmonds 8/27/2004 @PIT W 8 – 5 4 2 3 2 0 0 2 5 1 0 0 0 0 1
Edgar Renteria 8/22/2004 PIT W 11 – 4 5 5 1 2 0 0 1 5 0 0 0 0 0 0
Albert Pujols 8/16/2004 CIN W 10 – 5 5 5 2 3 2 0 1 5 0 0 0 0 0 0
Albert Pujols 7/20/2004 @CHC W 11 – 8 5 5 4 5 1 0 3 5 0 0 0 0 0 0
John Mabry 6/11/2004 @TEX W 12 – 7 5 4 2 3 0 0 1 5 1 0 0 0 0 0
Scott Rolen 4/10/2004 @ARI W 10 – 2 4 4 2 2 0 0 2 5 0 0 1 0 0 0
Edgar Renteria 9/18/2003 MIL W 13 – 0 5 4 2 4 2 0 0 5 1 0 0 0 0 0
Albert Pujols 8/31/2003 @CIN W 5 – 0 4 4 2 2 0 0 2 5 0 0 0 0 0 0
Scott Rolen 8/19/2003 PIT W 13 – 5 5 5 1 3 1 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0
Tino Martinez 8/12/2003 @PIT W 10 – 6 5 4 1 1 0 0 1 5 0 0 0 0 0 1
Edgar Renteria 4/13/2003 @HOU W 11 – 8 5 4 2 2 0 0 2 5 1 0 1 0 0 0
Jim Edmonds 4/8/2003 @COL W 15 – 12 7 6 2 4 2 0 1 5 1 1 1 0 0 0
Edgar Renteria 9/4/2002 CIN W 10 – 5 5 5 1 2 0 0 1 5 0 0 0 0 0 0
Fernando Vina 5/26/2002 @PIT W 7 – 3 4 3 1 2 0 0 1 5 0 0 0 1 0 0
Mark McGwire 10/4/2001 @MIL W 10 – 3 4 4 1 2 0 0 1 5 0 0 1 0 0 0
Albert Pujols 9/21/2001 @PIT W 9 – 5 5 5 1 2 1 0 1 5 0 0 1 0 0 0
Albert Pujols 9/18/2001 MIL W 9 – 4 4 3 2 2 1 0 1 5 1 0 0 0 0 0
Fernando Vina 6/26/2001 CIN L 9 – 10 6 5 0 3 0 1 0 5 1 0 0 0 0 0
Will Clark 9/24/2000 @CHC L 5 – 10 4 4 1 2 0 0 1 5 0 0 0 0 0 0
Fernando Tatis 9/16/2000 CHC W 7 – 6 4 4 2 2 0 0 2 5 0 0 2 0 0 0
Jim Edmonds 8/2/2000 @MON W 10 – 7 5 4 3 2 0 0 2 5 1 0 0 0 0 0
Shawon Dunston 6/22/2000 SFG W 11 – 10 5 5 2 3 1 0 2 6 0 0 1 0 0 0
Ray Lankford 5/27/2000 NYM L 8 – 12 5 3 2 2 1 0 1 5 1 0 1 0 0 1
Mark McGwire 5/18/2000 @PHI W 7 – 2 5 4 3 3 0 0 3 7 1 1 0 0 0 0
Eli Marrero 4/20/2000 SDP W 14 – 1 5 5 2 2 0 0 2 5 0 0 0 0 0 0
J.D. Drew 4/6/2000 CHC W 13 – 3 4 3 2 2 0 0 2 5 1 0 0 0 0 0
Mark McGwire 8/13/1999 CHC W 7 – 1 4 4 2 3 0 0 2 5 0 0 0 0 0 0
Mark McGwire 7/16/1999 CHW L 8 – 9 5 4 2 2 0 0 2 6 1 0 0 0 0 0
Mark McGwire 7/2/1999 ARI L 5 – 9 5 4 2 3 0 0 2 5 1 0 1 0 0 0
Shawon Dunston 5/9/1999 PIT L 9 – 12 5 5 2 2 0 1 1 5 0 0 1 0 0 0
Fernando Tatis 4/23/1999 @LAD W 12 – 5 5 5 2 2 0 0 2 8 0 0 2 0 0 0
Ray Lankford 7/20/1998 @SDP W 13 – 1 6 5 3 3 1 0 1 5 1 0 0 0 0 0
Mark McGwire 5/19/1998 @PHI W 10 – 8 5 5 3 3 0 0 3 6 0 0 2 0 0 0
Mark McGwire 4/14/1998 ARI W 15 – 5 5 3 4 3 0 0 3 5 2 1 0 0 0 0
Mark McGwire 8/22/1997 @FLA W 7 – 3 5 4 2 2 0 0 2 5 1 0 2 0 0 0
John Mabry 6/3/1997 COL W 15 – 4 4 4 1 3 0 0 1 6 0 0 0 0 0 0
Ray Lankford 7/15/1996 @CIN W 8 – 3 5 5 3 3 1 0 2 5 0 0 0 0 0 0
Brian Jordan 7/13/1996 @CHC W 10 – 5 4 4 2 3 0 0 2 6 0 0 0 0 0 0
Brian Jordan 6/24/1996 @ATL W 9 – 2 4 3 1 2 0 0 1 6 0 0 0 0 0 1
Gary Gaetti 6/14/1996 NYM W 13 – 4 5 4 3 3 1 0 2 5 1 1 0 0 0 0
Willie McGee 5/9/1996 SFG W 16 – 8 2 2 2 2 0 0 1 5 0 0 0 0 0 0
Scott Cooper 7/1/1995 @CHC L 7 – 8 5 4 0 1 0 1 0 5 0 0 1 0 0 1
Todd Zeile 8/8/1994 @FLA W 11 – 1 5 4 2 2 0 0 2 6 0 0 1 1 0 0
Gregg Jefferies 4/15/1994 SDP W 10 – 6 5 5 2 3 1 0 2 5 0 0 1 0 0 0
Mark Whiten 1993-09-07( @CIN W 15 – 2 5 5 4 4 0 0 4 12 0 0 0 0 0 0
Brian Jordan 7/1/1993 PHI W 14 – 5 5 4 2 2 0 0 1 5 0 0 0 0 0 1
Ozzie Smith 6/17/1993 @CHC W 11 – 10 6 5 1 5 3 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 1
Hector Villanueva 6/3/1993 @CIN W 9 – 2 5 5 1 3 1 0 1 5 0 0 1 0 0 0
Andres Galarraga 8/15/1992 @MON W 6 – 4 4 3 1 1 0 0 1 5 0 0 0 1 0 0
Felix Jose 5/17/1992 @HOU W 7 – 5 5 5 1 2 0 0 1 5 0 0 0 0 0 0
Luis Alicea 5/11/1992 ATL W 8 – 3 4 4 0 3 2 1 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0
Milt Thompson 4/7/1992 NYM W 9 – 2 4 4 0 3 0 1 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0
Felix Jose 9/1/1991 @SFG W 14 – 1 5 4 3 3 0 0 2 5 0 0 1 0 0 1
Tom Pagnozzi 5/26/1991 @NYM W 14 – 4 6 6 0 4 1 1 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0
Pedro Guerrero 4/26/1990 @LAD W 7 – 1 5 5 2 3 0 0 2 5 0 0 1 0 0 0
Pedro Guerrero 4/21/1990 PHI L 6 – 7 5 4 1 1 0 0 1 5 0 0 0 0 0 1
Pedro Guerrero 9/8/1989 @CHC W 11 – 8 5 4 2 4 0 0 1 5 1 0 0 0 0 0
Tony Pena 8/22/1989 @ATL W 10 – 5 5 4 0 3 1 0 0 5 0 0 1 0 1 0
Tom Herr 4/18/1987 NYM W 12 – 8 6 3 2 3 1 0 1 6 2 0 0 0 1 0
Willie McGee 5/20/1985 ATL W 14 – 0 5 5 3 3 0 0 1 5 0 0 0 0 0 0
Willie McGee 6/23/1984 @CHC L 11 – 12 6 6 3 4 1 1 1 6 0 0 0 0 0 0
David Green 8/10/1983 @CHC W 9 – 5 7 7 2 3 1 0 1 5 0 0 1 0 0 0
Tom Herr 8/5/1983 PHI L 7 – 10 4 4 1 3 1 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0
Darrell Porter 5/10/1983 @SFG W 8 – 4 4 4 2 2 0 0 2 5 0 0 0 0 0 0
George Hendrick 6/29/1982 @PHI W 15 – 3 5 4 2 2 1 0 1 7 0 0 0 0 0 1
Lonnie Smith 4/10/1982 PIT L 7 – 11 5 5 1 2 0 0 1 5 0 0 1 0 0 0
Darrell Porter 9/17/1981 @MON W 7 – 4 4 4 1 2 1 0 1 5 0 0 0 0 0 0
Ted Simmons 9/25/1980 @PIT W 10 – 2 5 4 3 3 0 0 2 6 1 0 0 0 0 0
Dane Iorg 8/28/1980 ATL W 11 – 2 5 5 1 3 2 0 0 7 0 0 1 0 0 0
Terry Kennedy 6/20/1980 @CIN W 7 – 5 5 3 2 2 0 0 2 6 2 0 0 0 0 0
George Hendrick 6/9/1980 @ATL W 8 – 5 5 5 2 3 1 0 1 5 0 0 0 0 0 0
Keith Hernandez 6/3/1980 @NYM W 8 – 1 5 4 3 3 0 0 2 5 1 0 0 0 0 0
Ted Simmons 5/9/1980 LAD W 15 – 7 5 4 2 2 0 0 1 5 1 0 0 0 0 0
George Hendrick 4/17/1980 @PIT W 12 – 9 5 5 1 4 0 0 1 6 0 0 0 0 0 0
Keith Hernandez 1979-07-30( @MON W 7 – 2 4 3 1 2 0 0 1 5 0 0 0 0 0 1
Ted Simmons 6/11/1979 @LAD W 9 – 7 5 5 2 3 0 0 2 6 0 0 0 0 0 0
George Hendrick 8/25/1978 @ATL W 11 – 10 6 5 3 4 1 0 2 7 0 0 0 1 0 0
Mike Tyson 8/19/1977 SDP W 12 – 4 4 4 2 3 1 0 1 6 0 0 0 0 0 0
Ken Reitz 1977-06-28( PIT W 13 – 3 5 5 3 3 0 0 2 8 0 0 0 0 0 0
Keith Hernandez 4/22/1977 @PHI W 10 – 1 5 5 2 3 0 1 1 5 0 0 1 0 0 0
Joe Ferguson 1976-09-15( @NYM W 7 – 0 4 4 1 2 0 0 1 5 0 0 0 0 0 0
Reggie Smith 5/22/1976 @PHI W 7 – 6 5 5 3 3 0 0 3 5 0 0 0 0 0 0
Ted Simmons 5/17/1975 @SFG W 17 – 2 6 5 2 3 0 1 1 5 1 0 0 0 0 0
Reggie Smith 5/4/1975 CHC L 6 – 8 5 5 2 5 1 0 2 5 0 0 0 0 0 0
Bob Gibson 1973-07-26( NYM W 13 – 1 5 5 1 2 0 0 1 5 0 0 1 0 0 0
Ted Simmons 7/2/1973 PHI W 7 – 4 4 4 1 2 0 0 1 5 0 0 0 0 0 0
Ted Simmons 6/27/1973 @PIT W 15 – 4 6 4 2 3 2 0 1 5 1 0 0 0 0 1
Luis Melendez 6/24/1972 @NYM W 11 – 0 3 3 1 2 0 0 1 5 0 0 0 0 0 0
Jose Cardenal 8/23/1970 @SDP W 8 – 7 5 3 1 3 1 0 1 5 2 0 0 0 0 0
Joe Hague 8/8/1970 MON W 11 – 10 6 6 2 3 1 0 1 5 0 0 0 0 0 0
Joe Hague 7/2/1970 @MON L 10 – 13 5 4 2 2 0 0 2 5 1 0 1 0 0 0
Dick Allen 6/2/1970 SFG W 12 – 1 5 5 3 3 0 0 2 7 0 0 1 0 0 0
Joe Hague 5/28/1970 @NYM W 9 – 2 5 5 2 4 0 0 1 5 0 0 0 0 0 0
Joe Torre 1969-09-10( @PIT W 11 – 2 6 4 1 2 0 1 0 5 2 0 1 0 0 0
Mike Shannon 8/15/1968 @CHC W 8 – 0 5 5 2 3 0 0 1 5 0 0 0 0 0 0
Curt Flood 4/24/1968 CIN W 7 – 0 5 5 0 3 0 1 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0
Curt Flood 1967-05-29( @CIN L 6 – 7 4 4 1 3 0 0 1 5 0 0 1 0 0 0
Lou Brock 4/15/1967 LAD W 13 – 4 6 6 3 4 0 0 2 5 0 0 0 0 0 0
Jerry Buchek 9/30/1965 @HOU W 19 – 8 6 5 2 2 1 0 1 5 1 0 0 0 0 0
Curt Flood 9/15/1965 @PIT W 7 – 3 6 6 0 5 1 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0
Ken Boyer 7/25/1964 @PHI W 10 – 9 5 5 2 2 0 0 2 5 0 0 1 0 0 0
Julian Javier 6/18/1964 SFG W 7 – 6 4 4 2 3 1 0 1 5 0 0 0 0 0 0
Bill White 6/19/1963 NYM W 9 – 4 5 5 2 2 1 0 1 5 0 0 1 0 0 0
Fred Whitfield 1962-08-12( PHI L 7 – 9 5 5 1 4 1 0 1 5 0 0 0 0 0 0
Ken Boyer 1962-04-29( CIN W 16 – 3 6 4 2 3 1 2 0 5 2 0 0 0 0 0
Ken Boyer 9/30/1961 @PHI W 12 – 2 5 4 1 2 1 0 1 5 1 1 1 0 0 0
Alex Grammas 8/24/1961 LAD W 10 – 1 5 3 1 2 2 0 0 5 2 0 0 0 0 0
Stan Musial 6/23/1961 SFG W 10 – 5 5 4 2 2 0 0 2 7 1 1 0 0 0 0
Ken Boyer 5/26/1961 PIT W 12 – 2 5 5 4 3 0 0 2 6 0 0 1 0 0 0
Bill White 5/23/1961 SFG W 12 – 4 5 5 3 4 1 0 1 5 0 0 0 0 0 0
Stan Musial 1961-05-21( @CHC W 6 – 3 5 5 1 3 1 0 1 5 0 0 0 0 0 0
Daryl Spencer 4/17/1961 @LAD W 9 – 5 5 4 1 2 0 0 1 5 1 0 0 0 0 0
Bill White 5/30/1960 @LAD W 15 – 3 6 5 2 4 1 0 2 6 1 0 1 0 0 0
Ken Boyer 4/23/1960 LAD W 9 – 5 5 4 2 3 1 0 2 5 0 0 1 0 0 1
Gino Cimoli 1959-06-28( @CIN W 11 – 8 5 3 2 3 1 2 0 5 1 0 0 0 0 1
Hal Smith 5/9/1959 CHC W 11 – 1 4 4 2 2 0 0 2 5 0 0 0 0 0 0
Stan Musial 7/17/1958 MLN L 7 – 8 4 4 2 3 0 0 2 5 0 0 0 0 0 0
Stan Musial 5/26/1957 @CIN L 6 – 7 4 4 2 2 0 0 2 5 0 0 0 0 0 0
Hal Smith 5/8/1957 @NYG W 13 – 4 5 5 1 3 0 0 1 6 0 0 0 0 0 0
Wally Moon 1956-07-01( CIN L 15 – 19 7 7 2 3 0 0 1 5 0 0 0 0 0 0
Ken Boyer 6/4/1956 NYG W 11 – 5 5 5 3 4 2 0 1 5 0 0 0 0 0 0
Ken Boyer 1956-05-13( @CHC W 14 – 7 5 5 3 3 1 0 2 5 0 0 0 0 0 0
Stan Musial 5/2/1956 PIT W 10 – 9 6 2 1 1 0 0 1 5 3 0 0 0 0 1
Stan Musial 8/5/1954 @BRO W 13 – 4 6 4 3 2 0 0 2 7 1 0 0 0 0 1
Joe Cunningham 6/30/1954 @CIN W 11 – 3 5 5 2 2 0 0 1 5 0 0 0 0 0 0
Ray Jablonski 5/23/1954 CIN L 6 – 13 4 3 1 3 1 0 1 5 0 0 0 0 0 1
Stan Musial 1954-05-02( NYG W 10 – 6 5 4 3 4 0 0 3 6 1 0 0 0 0 0

MLB All-Star Game: Vote early and often for the home team


Now that primary voting for the 2009 All-Star Game is complete, I can express my dissatisfaction over the terrible process deployed by Major League Baseball. It is a sham in which credibility is totally sacrificed for the sake of marketing.

As most probably know, fans are encouraged to punch out players’ names on as many paper ballots as they choose to grab at ballparks all over the country. As such, it is almost expected that the masses of unknowledgeable fans will first opt for the home team players without regard to their current stats or even availability. In case there is any confusion, helpful public address and scoreboard announcements remind fans which players should receive their votes.

Otherwise how can one explain Rick Ankiel getting over 1.2 million votes despite having a terrible season and suspended Manny Ramirez receiving over 1.3 million votes? The two were ranked eighth and seventh respectively in the most recent NL outfield voting results.

To top it off, these “fans” then fill in the rest of the ballot with well-known names from the past. To wit, I would imagine that Babe Ruth would be voted in as a 2009 American League outfield starter if only he was listed on the ballot.

To make matters worse, fans can submit up to 25 additional ballots online – 25 times each email address one has, that is. The internet ballot held additional selections, enabling MLB capture more email addresses upon which to push their marketing initiatives. A total of 17.8 million ballots were cast this year – a new record.

Last week, I heard a television promotion for the following contest. It was worded in such a way that it was implied that voting for Cardinals players at least 20 times would automatically qualify one for the “Ultimate Cardinals Fan All-Star Summer Package.

It is worth paying attention to as the winner will receive a very good award: Two tickets to the 2009 MLB All-Star FanFest, two tickets to All-Star Sunday at Busch Stadium (including the Futures Game), two tickets to the All-Star Workout Day on Monday (including the Home Run Derby) and two tickets to the MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday, July 14.

Turns out that deep in the fine print, it states that one only had to select the Cardinals as their “favorite” or “other favorite” club 20 different times.

Of course, you and I know that anyone willing to do that is much more likely to blindly vote for a boatload of non-deserving Cardinals players.

I find the very concept of this kind of sweepstakes a very questionable pile-on to a totally flawed All-Star selection process.

During FOX Sports Midwest’s live chat this week, the question of the All-Star vote was thrown out for discussion after everyone shot holes in the ridiculous “This Time it Counts” rule that awards the World Series home field advantage to the winning league in the All-Star Game. No one supported that or the current voting process.

One poster, “philskill” from the Scout.com message board, suggested that the fan vote be limited to four starters only, thereby limiting the chance of a Kosuke Fukudome being voted in as an all-star starter, as happened last season.

I would put my support behind an idea posed by FSM’s Pat Parris and seconded by former Cardinals hurler Cal Eldred. Parris suggested MLB adopt the approach followed by the NFL for their Pro Bowl. In that format, fan votes count for a third, with coaches and players making up the rest.

As long as they don’t have contests to try to influence the vote!

(Note: For those who care, the American and National League All-Star teams will be unveiled on the 2009 MLB All-Star Selection Show, on Sunday on TBS at 1 p.m. ET.)

Where have the Cardinals walk-offs gone?


There are several ways a baseball game can end in a dramatic fashion.

  • On the road, the club can score in the top of the final inning and hold the home team off in the bottom of the frame for the win.
  • At home, a team can score in the bottom of the eighth. When holding the visitors at bay in the top of the ninth, the win was secured in the home club’s final at-bat.
  • But the most exciting is the one that is instant in nature, the walk-off victory, by definition at home.

The latter occurred on Wednesday evening as rookie Colby Rasmus’ solo home run in the bottom of the tenth inning powered the St. Louis Cardinals to a 2-1 win over the San Francisco Giants.

If it seemed like it had been a long time since a Cardinals walk-off, that’s because it was.

Prior to Rasmus, the club hadn’t had a walk-off since Troy Glaus did it last September 26. In an oddity, the last two walkoffs were on non-hits. Glaus’ was a sacrifice fly and prior to that, Cesar Izturis ended a September game against the Cubs on a fielders’ choice.

Looking at the Cardinals walk-off totals by season during the Tony La Russa years in St. Louis, one can see that the late-game heroics have been missing here in 2009. Last season, the team’s 11 walk-off wins included five on home runs, each tied for the team’s best season since 1996.

An average Cardinals season has eight walk-offs, of which three come via the home run.

Contrast those stats with 2009, during which over almost half the season had been played before the Cardinals managed even one walk-off win.

Cardinals walk-off wins by season (1996-2009)

total walkoff walkoff non-HR walkoff HR
2009 1 0 1
2008 11 6 5
2007 5 4 1
2006 10 7 3
2005 9 7 2
2004 10 6 4
2003 6 1 5
2002 7 4 3
2001 3 3 0
2000 9 6 3
1999 11 8 3
1998 9 7 2
1997 6 1 5
1996 8 5 3
totals 105 65 40
62% 38%
full-season average 8 5 3

Looking at individuals, it is expected that Albert Pujols leads the Cards in total walk-offs and walk-off home runs since 1996. Referencing the data below, I did find it interesting that the top three players in walk-offs did it via the home run 71% of the time. That compares to just 38% for the club overall.

I was also surprised to see that Scott Rolen is not among the Cards’ best in such feats. Note that Ryan Ludwick is coming on quickly, considering he has only about two seasons as a Cardinals major leaguer.

Cardinals walk-offs by player (1996-2009) (minimum four)

Inn Opp Score Hit BI Final
6/1/1996 10 Hou 4-4 Tom Pagnozzi HR 1 5-4
7/21/1996 10 ChC 5-5 Tom Pagnozzi HR 1 6-5
8/7/1996 9 SD 0-0 Gary Gaetti HR 1 1-0
9/2/1996 10 Hou 7-7 Willie McGee 1B 1 8-7
9/19/1996 13 ChC 4-4 Tom Pagnozzi 1B 1 5-4
9/27/1996 11 Cin 1-1 Ron Gant 1B 1 2-1
4/8/1997 9 Mon 1-1 Willie McGee HR 1 2-1
4/29/1997 9 SF 6-7 Ron Gant HR 3 9-7
5/30/1997 9 LA 1-1 DeLino DeShields BB 1 2-1
6/25/1997 9 ChC 1-1 Gary Gaetti HR 2 3-1
7/2/1997 10 Min 1-1 Willie McGee HR 1 2-1
8/15/1997 12 Atl 2-2 DeLino DeShields HR 1 3-2
4/2/1998 12 LA 5-5 Mark McGwire HR 3 8-5
5/12/1998 10 Mil 5-5 DeLino DeShields 1B 1 6-5
5/22/1998 12 SF 3-3 Ron Gant 1B 1 4-3
7/11/1998 11 Hou 2-3 Mark McGwire HR 2 4-3
7/19/1998 9 LA 4-4 John Mabry 1B 1 5-4
8/8/1998 13 ChC 8-8 Ray Lankford 1B 1 9-8
8/12/1998 14 NYM 4-4 Ray Lankford 1B 1 5-4
8/15/1998 12 Pit 7-7 Ray Lankford 1B 1 8-7
8/28/1998 10 Atl 4-4 Ron Gant 1B 1 5-4
5/7/1999 9 Pit 2-2 Shawon Dunston HR 2 4-2
5/16/1999 9 LA 3-4 Ray Lankford HR 2 5-4
5/27/1999 12 SF 2-2 Eric Davis WP 3-2
6/12/1999 14 Det 7-7 Edgar Renteria 1B 1 8-7
6/22/1999 14 Hou 3-3 Mark McGwire 1B 1 4-3
7/3/1999 10 Arz 1-1 Mark McGwire BB 1 2-1
7/7/1999 9 Cin 0-1 Darren Bragg HR 2 2-1
7/15/1999 13 ChW 2-2 Darren Bragg E3 3-2
8/15/1999 9 ChC 4-5 Craig Paquette 1B 2 6-5
8/17/1999 9 Phi 4-5 Craig Paquette 2B 2 6-5
9/29/1999 10 SD 5-5 Placido Polanco FC 1 6-5
6/22/2000 9 SF 10-10 Craig Paquette 1B 1 11-10
6/23/2000 12 LA 6-6 Craig Paquette HR 3 9-6
6/25/2000 9 LA 1-1 Larry Sutton 1B 1 2-1
8/7/2000 11 Fla 1-1 J.D. Drew 1B 1 2-1
8/10/2000 9 Col 4-4 Jim Edmonds 2B 1 5-4
8/18/2000 9 Phi 6-6 Carlos Hernandez 1B 1 7-6
9/1/2000 9 NYM 5-5 Jim Edmonds HR 1 6-5
9/2/2000 9 NYM 1-1 Fernando Vina 1B 1 2-1
9/3/2000 9 NYM 3-3 Jim Edmonds HR 1 4-3
4/9/2001 9 Col 2-2 Ray Lankford WP 3-2
6/23/2001 9 SF 5-5 Mike Matheny 1B 1 6-5
8/17/2001 9 Phi 3-3 Placido Polanco SF 1 4-3
4/10/2002 11 Mil 5-5 Eduardo Perez HR 1 6-5
4/13/2002 9 Hou 1-1 Eli Marrero 1B 1 2-1
5/22/2002 9 Hou 2-2 J.D. Drew HR 1 3-2
7/28/2002 9 ChC 4-9 Edgar Renteria HR 3 10-9
8/22/2002 9 Pit 2-4 Fernando Vina 2B 2 5-4
9/7/2002 13 ChC 5-5 Ivan Cruz 1B 1 6-5
9/24/2002 9 Arz 2-2 Edgar Renteria 1B 1 3-2
5/1/2003 10 NYM 5-5 Jim Edmonds HR 1 6-5
7/12/2003 11 Pit 7-7 Albert Pujols HR 2 9-7
7/27/2003 9 Pit 1-3 Albert Pujols 1B 1 4-3
8/21/2003 9 Pit 3-3 Jim Edmonds HR 3 6-3
8/28/2003 9 ChC 2-2 Kerry Robinson HR 1 3-2
9/20/2003 13 Hou 2-2 Albert Pujols HR 1 3-2
4/29/2004 13 Phi 4-4 Jim Edmonds HR 1 5-4
4/30/2004 9 ChC 3-3 Mike Matheny BB 1 4-3
5/2/2004 10 ChC 0-0 Scott Rolen 1B 1 1-0
6/17/2004 9 Oak 2-4 Reggie Sanders 1B 1 5-4
6/18/2004 10 Cin 3-3 Albert Pujols HR 1 4-3
8/4/2004 9 Mon 4-4 Albert Pujols HR 1 5-4
8/7/2004 9 NYM 1-1 Yadier Molina 1B 1 2-1
9/5/2004 11 LA 5-5 Reggie Sanders 1B 1 6-5
9/17/2004 9 Arz 3-3 Jim Edmonds 3B 1 4-3
10/20/2004 12 Hou 4-4 Jim Edmonds HR 2 6-4
4/23/2005 10 Hou 0-0 Larry Walker 1B 1 1-0
5/24/2005 12 Pit 1-1 Yadier Molina 1B 1 2-1
7/3/2005 9 Col 4-4 Abraham Nunez 1B 1 5-4
7/15/2005 13 Hou 2-3 Albert Pujols HR 2 4-3
7/22/2005 11 ChC 1-1 David Eckstein sac 1 2-1
8/7/2005 9 Atl 1-3 David Eckstein HR 4 5-3
8/19/2005 9 SF 0-4 Jim Edmonds 2B 2 5-4
9/12/2005 9 Pit 3-3 John Rodriguez 1B 1 4-3
9/13/2005 9 Pit 4-4 David Eckstein 1B 1 5-4
4/16/2006 9 Cin 6-7 Albert Pujols HR 2 8-7
4/26/2006 9 Pit 3-3 Albert Pujols 1B 1 4-3
5/31/2006 11 Hou 3-3 So Taguchi 1B 1 4-3
6/28/2006 9 Cle 3-4 David Eckstein E6 5-4
7/13/2006 14 LA 2-2 Albert Pujols HR 1 3-2
7/15/2006 10 LA 1-1 Scott Rolen 1B 1 2-1
8/17/2006 9 Cin 1-1 Scott Rolen 1B 1 2-1
8/26/2006 9 ChC 1-1 Gary Bennett 1B 1 2-1
8/27/2006 9 ChC 6-6 Gary Bennett HR 4 10-6
9/12/2006 9 Hou 4-5 Albert Pujols 2B 2 6-5
6/5/2007 9 Cin 3-3 So Taguchi 1B 1 4-3
6/20/2007 14 KC 6-6 Ryan Ludwick HR 1 7-6
7/28/2007 9 Mil 4-6 Ryan Ludwick 1B 1 7-6
9/19/2007 10 Phi 1-1 Yadier Molina 1B 1 2-1
9/23/2007 9 Hou 1-3 Rick Ankiel 3B 2 4-3
4/26/2008 9 Hou 3-3 Skip Schumaker 1B 1 4-3
5/2/2008 11 ChC 3-3 Skip Schumaker HR 2 5-3
5/17/2008 10 TB 8-8 Ryan Ludwick HR 1 9-8
5/18/2008 9 TB 4-4 Skip Schumaker 2B 1 5-4
6/15/2008 10 Phi 6-6 Chris Duncan E1 0 7-6
7/2/2008 9 NYM 7-7 Troy Glaus HR 1 8-7
7/5/2008 9 ChC 2-4 Rick Ankiel 1B 2 5-4
7/20/2008 9 SD 4-4 Aaron Miles HR 4 9-5
8/5/2008 11 LA 4-4 Ryan Ludwick HR 2 6-4
9/9/2008 9 ChC 3-3 Cesar Izturis FC 1 4-3
9/26/2008 9 Cin 6-6 Troy Glaus SF 1 7-6
7/1/2009 10 SF 1-1 Colby Rasmus HR 1 2-1

As always, thanks to Tom Orf for serving up the meaty raw data.

Time to admit there WAS “dry powder”


Despite what some think, the St. Louis Cardinals are spending money. Where is all the “DeWallet” whining now?


Thursday’s official confirmation that the St. Louis Cardinals organization has formally signed 16-year-old Dominican outfielder Wagner Mateo (pictured) for a reported $3.1 million signing bonus comes on top of last Saturday’s trade for Major League infielder/outfielder Mark DeRosa.

Mateo’s deal is almost three times the organization’s largest previous bonus paid to a Latin American amateur, the $1.1 million reportedly given to last July 2nd’s big signing, third baseman Roberto De La Cruz, also from the Dominican Republic.

Putting aside the risks of doling out that much money to kid of just 16 years of age, one cannot dispute the Cardinals’ willingness to make such a significant financial commitment to someone they believe can grow into being an impact Major Leaguer down the road.

In securing the services of DeRosa, a free agent following this season, the Cardinals took on a half-season’s worth of his salary, approximately $2.8 million. The aggressive move was made a month earlier than the trade deadline and put the Cardinals’ National League Central opponents on the defensive – a marked change from 2008, when the shoe was on the other foot.

This total of about $6 million ($3.1 for Mateo and $2.8 for DeRosa) does not represent expenditures that the organization was required to make. They were clearly carried out with a balanced view toward the present (DeRosa) and the future (Mateo).

In the DeRosa deal, the Cardinals also gave up two of their “precious Faberge eggs”, reliever Chris Perez and a player to be named later, rumored to be among a list of players that include pitchers Jess Todd (our Scout.com fourth-ranked Cardinals prospect) and Francisco Samuel (19th on the same list).

So, I have read all the criticism and the childish name-calling for months. Where are the columns now that give credit where credit is due to the ownership group for dealing and spending to improve and invest?

Here is one.

I admit that I was among the skeptics when club officials said over the winter that they would be keeping some of their powder dry – in other words, not immediately spending all of their expense budget in this tough economy while holding back until during the season.

It was easy to assume this was a hollow promise designed to soften the blow of a reduced Major League player budget compared to 2008. Some critics chose to ignore both the eroding economy as well as a significant trend all across MLB to cut player expenditures, as if the Cardinals were isolated and insulated from the rest of the world.

So far, the organization has lived up to its word.

Yet if the club continues to flail on the field, these expenditures will quickly be forgotten amid the pleas to spend more via acquiring other Major Leaguers for the final two or three months.

Though in an ideal world, we would all probably like to see the Cardinals commit more and more, it is time to admit that they have followed through in a tangible manner and not let their positive moves this week be taken for granted.

Carpenter’s streaks end


When St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Chris Carpenter was battered around by the visiting San Francisco Giants on Tuesday evening, allowing 11 hits and six runs in five innings, his ERA on the season jumped to 2.42.

In a remarkable past display of consistency, it also was the first time in the 2009 season -over his last 11 outings – that Carpenter allowed more than six hits and three runs.

His ten-game streak of allowing six or fewer hits was the longest amassed by any Cardinals pitcher since at least 1954. Only two others, Brooks Lawrence (1955) and Todd Stottlemyre (1998) ran nine such games together.

To underline how difficult the feat was, Hall of Famer Bob Gibson’s longest streak was just eight games. Interestingly, it was not in his dominating 1968 season, “The Year of the Pitcher”. Instead, it occurred in 1962.

Cardinals starting pitchers streak – allowing six hits or fewer (1954-2009)

StreakStart Streak End G W L GS CG SHO IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA
Chris Carpenter 4/9/2009 6/25/2009 10 5 2 10 1 0 65.2 37 14 13 9 48 3 1.78
Todd Stottlemyre 3/31/1998 5/11/1998 9 4 3 9 0 0 62.2 42 23 21 19 58 5 3.02
Brooks Lawrence 4/12/1955 7/4/1955 9 2 4 9 2 1 35 35 24 23 24 19 5 5.91
Bob Gibson 4/16/1962 5/22/1962 8 5 2 8 5 2 58.1 34 20 20 16 52 5 3.09
Rick Ankiel 4/9/2000 5/13/2000 7 3 1 7 0 0 41 27 15 13 31 36 5 2.85
Jose DeLeon 4/6/1992 5/11/1992 7 2 2 7 0 0 41.2 31 17 16 17 26 2 3.46
Nelson Briles 4/11/1970 6/13/1970 7 1 1 7 0 0 19.1 29 21 21 10 12 2 9.78
Anthony Reyes 5/20/2006 7/8/2006 6 1 3 6 1 0 35 25 15 15 12 26 6 3.86
Rick Ankiel 4/8/2001 5/10/2001 6 1 2 6 0 0 24 25 21 19 25 27 7 7.13
Juan Acevedo 5/16/1999 6/12/1999 6 2 0 6 0 0 30 26 19 18 9 13 6 5.40
Andy Benes 4/28/1997 5/24/1997 6 3 2 6 0 0 40 32 13 13 14 35 2 2.93
Mike Morgan 5/18/1996 6/16/1996 6 1 1 6 0 0 35.2 28 16 16 18 14 7 4.04
Donovan Osborne 4/8/1993 5/5/1993 6 1 1 6 0 0 34 29 16 13 14 15 5 3.44
Jose DeLeon 4/5/1989 5/1/1989 6 5 1 6 3 2 50.1 26 10 9 12 38 5 1.61
Silvio Martinez 4/13/1980 5/24/1980 6 1 2 6 1 0 30 25 17 12 17 13 1 3.60

In terms of allowing three or fewer runs over those ten games, Carp fell short of the top mark by a Cardinals pitcher this decade. Woody Williams had a twelve-game streak to open the 2002 season.

Still, Carpenter’s feat is notable as it is tied for the 13th-longest anywhere in Major League Baseball this decade. The high-water mark of 15 consecutive games allowing three or fewer runs was set by the Reds’ Edinson Volquez this season.

MLB starting pitchers streak – allowing three runs or fewer (2000-2009)

Tm StreakStart Streak End G W L GS CG SHO IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA
Edinson Volquez CIN 4/6/2008 6/20/2008 15 10 1 15 0 0 93.1 65 20 18 44 108 2 1.74
Brandon Webb ARI 4/27/2003 7/8/2003 13 6 2 13 1 1 90 69 23 22 23 72 6 2.20
Pedro Martinez BOS 4/4/2000 6/20/2000 13 9 3 13 3 2 99.1 56 14 13 19 130 6 1.18
Josh Johnson FLA 5/4/2006 7/8/2006 12 7 2 12 0 0 74 60 23 16 33 64 5 1.95
Woody Williams STL 4/5/2002 7/6/2002 12 6 3 12 1 0 76.2 58 21 20 20 59 9 2.35
Pedro Martinez BOS 4/2/2001 6/4/2001 12 7 1 12 1 0 87 59 17 16 19 131 3 1.66
Erik Bedard SEA 4/7/2009 6/7/2009 11 5 2 11 0 0 65.2 54 20 18 22 65 6 2.47
Joba Chamberlain NYY 6/3/2008 7/30/2008 11 3 1 11 0 0 60.2 52 18 15 23 69 2 2.23
Jeremy Guthrie BAL 4/24/2007 6/26/2007 11 3 1 11 0 0 77.2 51 18 15 11 53 5 1.74
Jorge Sosa ATL 6/14/2005 8/7/2005 11 5 1 11 0 0 60 53 15 15 26 45 6 2.25
Roger Clemens HOU 4/8/2005 5/30/2005 11 3 3 11 0 0 76 45 12 11 20 76 3 1.30
Tim Redding HOU 4/5/2003 5/29/2003 11 3 4 11 0 0 61.2 64 24 23 28 37 5 3.36
Chris Carpenter STL 4/9/2009 6/25/2009 10 5 2 10 1 0 65.2 37 14 13 9 48 3 1.78
Zack Greinke KCR 4/8/2009 5/26/2009 10 8 1 10 5 2 75 54 8 7 12 81 0 0.84
Francisco Liriano MIN 5/19/2006 7/8/2006 10 9 1 10 0 0 66 36 10 10 19 70 4 1.36
Brad Penny LAD 4/4/2006 5/23/2006 10 5 1 10 0 0 58.1 52 15 15 17 45 2 2.31
Jake Peavy SDP 4/6/2004 7/2/2004 10 5 2 10 0 0 59 57 13 13 20 59 3 1.98
Brad Penny FLA 4/7/2004 5/27/2004 10 6 2 10 0 0 68 51 16 16 18 57 7 2.12

Thanks to Tom Orf for the data pulls.

More live blogging on FOX Sports Midwest


Fooled them again! FOX Sports Midwest has asked me to return as a panelist for their weekly live blog to held during this evening’s Cardinals-Giants game.

You can participate in one of at least two ways. Either join via FOX Sports Midwest’s website or once the event begins this evening, you can enter your comments and questions right here in the “CoveritLive” area below.

Adam Wainwright (8-5, 3.51) opposes Matt Cain (9-2, 2.57) in game three of the San Francisco series. Wednesday’s first pitch is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. Central.

<a href=”https://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php?option=com_mobile&#038;task=viewaltcast&#038;altcast_code=b6480a0819″ mce_href=”https://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php?option=com_mobile&amp;task=viewaltcast&amp;altcast_code=b6480a0819″ >FOX Sports Midwest Cardinals Live Blog — Giants at Cardinals, July 1</a>

Bob Gibson: “Who will buy my memories?”


OK, the line was more famously used by country and western icon Willie Nelson when the Feds were threatening him with jail time to square up some weighty tax issues a decade or so back.

Yet it also applies to a St. Louis Cardinals icon, Bob Gibson, the best pitcher to ever don the birds on the bat, according to our all-time ranking at Scout.com.

In just one month from now, on July 31st, 100 items representing the best of the Hall of Famer’s lifetime collection of baseball memorabilia will be sold to the highest bidders through the services of a Cleveland firm called Legendary Auctions.

The auction is scheduled to coincide with the National Sports Collectors convention and will include Gibson’s World Series rings, Most Valuable Player and Cy Young Awards, game-used equipment and more.

The items to be auctioned include the following:

  • Gibson’s 1968 MVP Award
  • Gibson’s 1968 and 1970 Cy Young awards
  • Gibson’s 1964 and 1967 World Series rings
  • Gibson’s Hall of Fame induction ring
  • A complete compilation of all of Gibson’s player contracts
  • Gibson’s first MLB victory ball
  • A Gibson game-used glove

Just yesterday, I was reading an article highlighting the top ten “hocked” World Series rings. But in that case, most of the players/coaches who originally owned the rings are either dead or the sellers were obscure participants who perhaps needed a quick cash infusion.

That doesn’t seem to be the case with Gibson, who seemingly has lived a comfortable life back home in Bellevue, Nebraska with an occasional spring foray to Jupiter, Florida for spring training or a summer visit for a ceremony of some type in St. Louis.

Apparently, Gibby has decided that this is the right time to put his memorabilia on the open market.

While that is clearly his right, it seems a shame that he feels the need to put such tangible elements representing his legacy up for sale to the highest bidder. On the other hand, Gibson is now 73 years old and must have decided he’d rather this is carried out while he is still alive instead of after his passing.

At least the Baseball Assistance Team (B.A.T.) will receive an undefined portion of the proceeds. The charity aids long-time members of the “baseball family” that are unable to help themselves due to personal hardships.

Gibson does not apply.

Cards and their fans get “Super Freaked”


San Francisco Giants right-hander Tim Lincecum, aka “The Freak”, brought his freak show to St. Louis on Monday night. Two hours and six minutes later, the Cardinals were scared out of their own ballpark on two measly hits, no walks and eight strikeouts as Lincecum spun a complete-game shutout.

The Giants offense also managed to plate ten runs in a most economical performance that at least put Cardinals fans out of their collective misery quickly, if not painfully. And in case you didn’t notice, the perennial doormat Giants have a better record (41-34) this season than do the reeling Cardinals (41-37).

It was the second time in a week that St. Louis was shut out in a double-digit output from their opponent. I was in New York last Wednesday when the Mets hung 11 on the Cards. Perhaps not coincidentally, Brad Thompson started both games.

Let’s give credit where credit is due, however. As opposed to New York’s Fernando Nieve, whose hold on a rotation spot is as tenuous as Thompson’s, and was hammered his next time out, the Cardinals lost to an elite pitcher on Monday.

With a bow to another long-haired entertainer from another generation, the late Rick James, I call Lincecum’s performance a “super freak” job, as it was the 25-year-old’s second consecutive shutout over the Cardinals. His last time out against St. Louis, on April 18 of last season, Lincecum went seven scoreless, also at Busch.

Over his four career starts against St. Louis, three on the road, the right-hander has amassed a 4-0 record, a 1.61 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and an opposing batting average of .204. That, my friends, is total dominance!

Sure, the Cardinals are in a terrible slump offensively, but to go off on the players and coaches because of what happened Monday night is ridiculous. Of course, that is exactly what the message board and call-in show extremists have done.

The Cards missed Lincecum during their only 2009 trip to San Francisco at the end of May. As a result, they will most likely not have to face “The Freak” again until 2010. At that time, Lincecum will have the opportunity to dominate the Cardinals as no other opposing pitcher has done since 1956.

In what has to be one of the most impressive runs ever, Bob Friend of the Pittsburgh Pirates tossed three consecutive complete game shutout outings against St. Louis – all during a three-week period in May and June of 1956. Friend is the only opposing hurler to spin three straight shutouts at St. Louis in at least the last 55 years.

Lincecum joins 51 other pitchers in having put together two consecutive scoreless starts against the Cardinals since 1954. The list includes Hall of Famers like Steve Carlton as well as obscure pitchers such as Amaury Telemaco (23 career MLB wins).

It only seems fitting that a Giant, Jim Barr, was the pitcher to throw three pairs of consecutive shutouts at the Cardinals, in 1972, 1974 and 1978. The complete list follows, thanks to Tom Orf.

Teams StreakStart Streak End G W L GS CG SHO IP H R ER BB SO
Bob Friend PIT 5/23/1956 6/16/1956 3 3 0 3 3 3 27 20 0 0 7 16
Tim Lincecum SFG 4/19/2008 6/29/2009 2 2 0 2 1 1 16 8 0 0 3 13
Jake Peavy SDP 5/11/2007 8/7/2007 2 2 0 2 0 0 13 6 0 0 4 15
Brad Hennessey SFG 7/9/2005 8/19/2005 2 1 0 2 0 0 14.1 8 0 0 4 5
Greg Maddux ATL 5/5/2002 4/23/2003 2 2 0 2 0 0 13 7 0 0 1 7
Justin Thompson DET 6/23/1998 6/13/1999 2 1 0 2 0 0 14.2 8 0 0 5 13
Amaury Telemaco CHC-ARI 7/14/1996 6/20/1998 2 0 0 2 0 0 5 5 0 0 4 0
Greg Maddux ATL 6/27/1996 5/16/1997 2 1 0 2 0 0 15 10 0 0 2 14
Greg Maddux ATL 8/20/1995 9/5/1995 2 2 0 2 2 2 18 9 0 0 0 17
Chris Hammond FLA 5/21/1994 7/28/1995 2 1 0 2 0 0 9 6 0 0 5 6
Mike Hampton HOU 5/5/1995 6/28/1995 2 2 0 2 0 0 15 8 0 0 2 14
Bobby Jones NYM 9/29/1993 5/7/1994 2 1 0 2 1 1 19 12 0 0 7 14
Ramon Martinez LAD 7/9/1992 8/22/1993 2 2 0 2 1 1 17 7 0 0 6 14
Bret Saberhagen NYM 4/23/1992 9/24/1992 2 0 0 2 0 0 17 10 0 0 0 8
Shawn Boskie CHC 6/8/1992 6/16/1992 2 0 0 2 0 0 4.2 2 0 0 1 2
Orel Hershiser LAD 6/4/1991 6/14/1991 2 0 0 2 0 0 12.1 8 0 0 7 7
Zane Smith PIT 9/21/1990 5/29/1991 2 2 0 2 2 2 18 6 0 0 2 15
Mike Morgan LAD 4/24/1990 5/26/1990 2 2 0 2 2 2 18 8 0 0 1 9
Dennis Cook PHI 4/15/1990 4/20/1990 2 2 0 2 1 1 17.2 10 0 0 4 4
Doug Drabek PIT 9/13/1989 9/27/1989 2 1 0 2 2 2 14 8 0 0 2 8
Sid Fernandez NYM 10/1/1988 8/1/1989 2 2 0 2 1 1 15 5 0 0 6 9
Rick Reuschel SFG 7/24/1988 5/6/1989 2 2 0 2 1 1 15 12 0 0 4 4
Fernando Valenzuela LAD 7/20/1985 5/3/1986 2 2 0 2 2 2 18 8 0 0 2 15
David Palmer MON 4/21/1984 6/20/1984 2 1 0 2 1 1 13 6 0 0 0 8
Bob Knepper HOU 5/23/1984 5/29/1984 2 2 0 2 1 1 16.2 12 0 0 5 11
Jeff Robinson SFG 4/7/1984 5/4/1984 2 2 0 2 0 0 14 9 0 0 6 10
Bryn Smith MON 9/19/1983 9/28/1983 2 2 0 2 2 2 18 9 0 0 5 11
Steve Carlton PHI 6/28/1982 9/13/1982 2 2 0 2 2 2 18 9 0 0 4 16
Nino Espinosa PHI 7/4/1980 9/12/1980 2 0 0 2 0 0 15 6 0 0 1 1
Jim Barr SFG 5/3/1978 5/14/1978 2 1 0 2 1 1 9.1 6 0 0 1 2
Rick Reuschel CHC 7/3/1977 7/7/1977 2 1 0 2 1 1 15.2 13 0 0 3 7
Steve Renko CHC 9/4/1976 6/30/1977 2 1 0 2 0 0 13.2 12 0 0 2 12
Woodie Fryman MON 7/28/1976 9/19/1976 2 2 0 2 1 1 15 12 0 0 7 10
Fred Norman CIN 6/13/1976 9/1/1976 2 1 0 2 0 0 16 13 0 0 7 14
Jon Matlack NYM 4/20/1976 7/1/1976 2 2 0 2 2 2 18 11 0 0 5 12
Don Sutton LAD 4/29/1976 5/11/1976 2 2 0 2 2 2 18 10 0 0 1 7
Don Gullett CIN 8/18/1975 8/28/1975 2 2 0 2 1 1 14 8 0 0 3 8
Jerry Reuss PIT 4/30/1975 6/19/1975 2 2 0 2 2 2 18 11 0 0 3 10
Jim Barr SFG 6/17/1974 5/18/1975 2 2 0 2 2 2 18 10 0 0 6 8
Jon Matlack NYM 9/22/1973 6/29/1974 2 2 0 2 2 2 18 5 0 0 4 16
Jim Barr SFG 8/29/1972 4/27/1973 2 2 0 2 2 2 18 5 0 0 1 4
Steve Carlton PHI 4/19/1972 8/5/1972 2 2 0 2 2 2 18 8 0 0 1 12
Don Gullett CIN 6/16/1971 8/18/1971 2 2 0 2 2 2 18 11 0 0 3 10
Dock Ellis PIT 7/9/1970 6/1/1971 2 2 0 2 2 2 18 8 0 0 4 14
Sandy Koufax LAD 9/18/1965 9/25/1965 2 2 0 2 2 2 18 9 0 0 4 18
Sandy Koufax LAD 9/17/1963 4/14/1964 2 2 0 2 2 2 18 10 0 0 0 9
John Tsitouris CIN 9/20/1963 9/27/1963 2 2 0 2 2 2 18 5 0 0 3 11
Tony Cloninger MLN 7/3/1962 9/5/1962 2 1 0 2 1 1 10 5 0 0 4 4
Dick Drott CHC 5/21/1961 7/18/1961 2 0 0 2 0 0 8 3 0 0 4 5
Glen Hobbie CHC 9/25/1960 5/19/1961 2 2 0 2 2 2 18 13 0 0 3 9
Bob Buhl MLN 6/11/1959 7/31/1959 2 2 0 2 2 2 18 8 0 0 5 13
Joey Jay MLN 7/23/1958 6/24/1959 2 2 0 2 2 2 16 10 0 0 3 9
Jim Brosnan CHC 9/3/1956 4/15/1958 2 2 0 2 1 1 15 14 0 0 8 12

DSL Cardinals Report: June 29, 2009


By Josh Jones, Cardinals Best News Links

The Dominican Summer League Cardinals strayed a little off track this period splitting their six-game schedule.  The Cardinals are now 13-12, six games out of first (second place), and on a one-game losing streak.  The Redbirds are 8-4 at home and 5-8 on the road.

The Cardinals opened the week hosting the Mariners and were blasted in this game.  The game was tied up heading into the sixth when the M’s opened fire and tore up the Redbirds bullpen.  The Mariners plated 15 runs on the Cardinals’ bullpen in the final four frames and five errors by the team also didn’t help.  The Mariners destroyed the Cardinals 18-7.

The Cardinals went on the road to play the Athletics in the next game.  The Redbirds took an early lead in the first and were able to hold on to it until the sixth when the Cardinals bullpen coughed up four runs with some help from the fielders behind him.  The Redbirds put four on the board in the next two frames and held off the A’s for a 6-5 victory.

The Phillies visited the Cardinals next and this game had to roll into extras to get a winner.  The Cardinals had the lead and the first two pitchers of the night for the team gave up a combine eight runs in the fifth and handing a six-run lead over.  Fear not the Redbirds came back with six of their own in the final three frames to send it into extras.  The Cardinals and Phillies dragged it out for another two innings and the Cards scored the game winner in the bottom of the 12th for an 11-10 win.

The Cardinals visited the Mariners in the following game and were scored on right away.  The M’s plated five runs in the first two frames and held the Cards scoreless for six innings.  The Redbirds scored four but were still short as the M’s took the game 6-4.

The Cardinals hosted the Athletics and came out swinging in the first four innings.  The Redbirds took an early lead and even slapped on seven runs in the fourth.  The A’s made strides but still came up short as the Cardinals’ final pitcher shut the team down for a 10-6 victory.

The Phillies welcomed the Cardinals in for the final game of the period and it turned out real bad in the field for the Redbirds. The Cardinals had as many errors in the field as runs that were scored by both teams combined.  All the errors by the Redbirds factored in and cost the Cardinals the game, as they lost 6-2 to the Phils.

Who’s Hot

Grabiel Hernandez will carry a four-game hitting streak into the next week and has drove in a run in each of his last five games.  The 17-year old switch-hitter went 9-for-26 (.346) with three doubles, one triple, five RBIs, seven runs, three walks, one hit by pitch, two stolen bases, and six strikeouts.  He committed four fielding errors in the five games he played including three in the final two.

Jesus Montero got back to connecting with the ball after having a slow week.  The 18-year old right-handed hitter went 8-for-21 (.81) with one double, four RBIs, two runs, two walks, and one strikeout.  He had a 4-for-5 with a double and two RBIs performance on June 24.  Montero played two games at first base, one as designated hitter, and two as the backstop.  As the catcher the second-year Cardinal prospect threw out three of seven base runners and had one pick off error.

Roberto Reyes continued to show his power this period clubbing third home run of the season and his career.  The 20-year old left-handed hitter went 8-for-27 (.296) with two doubles, one home run, four RBIs, five runs, one walk, and five strikeouts.  He began the week with a hitting streak that extended five games and was broke up in the final contest.  Reyes showcased the cannon with three outfield assists (playing all three outfield positions) and committed one fielding error while playing first base.

Jose Pasen had one great start at the beginning of the period and so-so one to round it out.  The 19-year old right-hander started on June 23 pitching five innings and allowing one hit, one earned run (home run), three walks, and striking out a season-high eight.  On June 27, he was saddled with three hits, four unearned runs, four walks, threw one wild pitch, and struck out six before being pulled in the fourth.  He earned his third loss of the season in the second start and has struck out five or more in his last four of six outings.

Charllan Jimenez had two of the most impressive appearances of the week.  On June 22, 19-year old right-hander started and pitched five innings allowing five hits, three runs (one earned), and struck out six.  He then continued the game started by Rosalin Rudecindo, on June 26, holding his opponents to three hits, one earned run, one hit batter, and striking out a new season-high nine over the final six frames for his second winning decision.  Jimenez has struck out four or more in his last five of six outings and a total of 31 over 22 innings for the season.

Who’s Not

Victor Encanacion is really having trouble at the plate as he hasn’t had a hit in his last six games with a plate appearance.  The 19-year old right-handed hitter went 0-for-11 with one RBI, two runs, one walk, three stolen bases, and three strikeouts.  He has gone 3-for-25 (.120) with seven strikeouts in his last ten games.

Jose Pena is another really struggling at the plate only picking up one hit in his last six games.  The 17-year old right-handed hitter went 1-for-10 (.100) with five walks, one stolen base, five strikeouts, and hit into one double play.  Pena is hitting .132 (7-for-53) with three extra base hits this season.

Angel Tapia was hit hard in his latest start coming June 24.  The 19-year old right-hander was tagged for ten hits, seven earned runs, two walks, threw one wild pitch, and struck out two over four innings.  Tapia has had only one troubling outing of the five he has pitched all season.

Alejandro Pinard was drilled just as hard as Tapia.  On June 25, the 20-year old made his only start, pitching four innings and surrendering seven hits, five earned runs, hitting two batters, and striking out four for his first losing decision of the season. This latest start ends a two game streak in which he hadn’t allowed an earned run and his strikeouts continue rise as the season goes on.

Luis Mata was slapped around in his only relief appearance of the week.  The 18-year old right-hander coughed up one hit, five runs (four earned), walked four and struck out one for his only out before being yanked on June 22.  This is Mata’s second game of the season, so no reason to get flustered just yet.

The Happenings

Adriano Uribe hasn’t pitched since June 11.

Wader Perez and Ramon Urena haven’t played/pitched since June 16.

Victor Ferreira hasn’t played since June 20.

As everyone has pretty much heard the St. Louis Cardinals and Dominican prospect Wagner Mateo have come to a verbal agreement, which could land Mateo with $3.1 million in bonus money.  According to one of Jorge Arangure’s sources, Mateo will sport the #4 and play centerfield, eventually making a possible move to one of the corners.  This means the the Cardinals are pretty much out of the running for Miguel Angel Sano, who really wasn’t the ‘main’ target of the Cardinals’ organization this coming July 2nd signing period.  The San Francisco Giants were the number two bidders who pulled out late after unknown concerns.

The Pittsburgh Pirates lost out to the Kansas City Royals in the bidding for Nicaraguan prospect Cheslor Cuthbert.  The Royals went the distance for a $1 million bonus and the Pirates held off at $500,000.  Cuthbert was also looked at by the Cardinals’ organization last fall when the team was scouting Jem Argenal, who was signed and is playing in the Venezuelan Summer League.


Dominican Summer League Stats

The Cardinals’ team batting improved from .234 to .s42 on the season.  The team is fifth in runs, second in doubles, fourth in triples, tenth in RBIs, eighth in total bases, eighth in stolen bases, and eighth in SLG.  Continued improvement across the board, something we didn’t see from this rookie club last season.

The Cardinals’ pitching went in the other direction jumping from 3.73 to 4.28 and their WHIP went up three notches to 1.56.  The team is fifth in strikeouts.

Luis Pimentel is tied for eighth in doubles.

Grabiel Hernandez is tied for second in triples.

Roberto Reyes is tied for tenth in home runs.

Eduard Estalis is tied for seventh in saves.

Jose Pasen is seventh in strikeouts.


Up Next (Overall, vs. Cardinals)

June 29: Mariners (19-6, 5-3)

June 30: @ Athletics (7-18, 3-5)

July 1: Phillies (11-14, 4-4)

July 2: @ Mariners (19-6, 5-3)

July 3: Athletics (7-18, 3-5)

July 4: @ Phillies (11-14, 4-4)

Walton on Monday Fantasy Focus show


I will be returning as Jeff Erickson’s guest on Monday’s Fantasy Focus show on Blog Talk Radio. The segment can be heard live from 12:30-1:00 p.m. Eastern on June 29th and on demand afterward. Our focus will be the Cardinals obviously, with special emphasis on the ramifications of the Mark DeRosa trade, both in reality and in fantasy baseball.

Those devotees of XM Satellite Radio are likely already aware of the long-running Fantasy Focus show. For 2009, it has moved from XM to Blog Talk Radio. Listen live, Monday through Friday at Noon ET, or on demand.

https://www.blogtalkradio.com/RotoWire

Jeff Erickson is the Senior Editor of RotoWire.com and host of Fantasy Focus. His show covers fantasy baseball from a wide variety of angles, talking with the major forces within the industry, and also offers listener interaction. Among the expert leagues in which we both compete is Tout Wars. Jeff in is the American League and I’m in the National.

Cardinals in-season trades since 1964


Saturday’s trade for Mark DeRosa in return for Chris Perez and a player to be named later evokes memories of past St. Louis Cardinals trades in-season. They follow, courtesy of Tom Orf.

July 26, 2008 Traded Anthony Reyes to the Cleveland Indians. Received Luis Perdomo (minors).

July 31, 2007 Traded a player to be named later to the Boston Red Sox. Received Joel Pineiro. The St. Louis Cardinals sent Sean Danielson (minors) (November 2, 2007) to the Boston Red Sox to complete the trade.

July 5, 2006 Traded Terry Evans to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Received Jeff Weaver and cash.

July 30, 2006 Traded Hector Luna to the Cleveland Indians. Received Ron Belliard.

August 6, 2004 Traded players to be named later and Jason Burch (minors) to the Colorado Rockies. Received Larry Walker. The St. Louis Cardinals sent Luis Martinez (August 11, 2004) and Chris Narveson (August 11, 2004) to the Colorado Rockies to complete the trade.

August 22, 2003 Traded Ben Julianel (minors) and Justin Pope (minors) to the New York Yankees. Received Sterling Hitchcock.

August 27, 2003 Traded players to be named later to the Milwaukee Brewers. Received Mike DeJean. The St. Louis Cardinals sent Mike Crudale (September 10, 2003) and John Novinsky (minors) (September 10, 2003) to the Milwaukee Brewers to complete the trade.

July 19, 2002 Traded a player to be named later and Luis Alfonso Garcia (minors) to the Cleveland Indians. Received Chuck Finley. The St. Louis Cardinals sent Coco Crisp (August 7, 2002) to the Cleveland Indians to complete the trade.

July 29, 2002 Traded Placido Polanco, Bud Smith and Mike Timlin to the Philadelphia Phillies. Received Doug Nickle, Scott Rolen and cash.

August 25, 2002 Traded players to be named later to the Chicago Cubs. Received Jeff Fassero. The St. Louis Cardinals sent Jared Blasdell (minors) (September 24, 2002) and Jason Karnuth (September 24, 2002) to the Chicago Cubs to complete the trade.

August 29, 2002 Traded a player to be named later and Chris Morris (minors) to the Milwaukee Brewers. Received Jamey Wright and cash. The St. Louis Cardinals sent Mike Matthews (September 11, 2002) to the Milwaukee Brewers to complete the trade.

July 31, 2001 Traded Jason Christiansen to the San Francisco Giants. Received Kevin Joseph and cash.

August 2, 2001 Traded Ray Lankford and cash to the San Diego Padres. Received Woody Williams.

July 29, 2000 Traded Mark Nussbeck (minors) and Chris Richard to the Baltimore Orioles. Received Mike Timlin and cash.

Traded Jack Wilson to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Received Jason Christiansen.

July 31, 2000 Traded Jose Leon to the Baltimore Orioles. Received Will Clark and cash. Traded Ben Johnson and Heathcliff Slocumb to the San Diego Padres. Received Nate Tebbs (minors) and Carlos Hernandez.

July 31, 1999 Traded Shawon Dunston to the New York Mets. Received Craig Paquette.

August 24, 1999 Traded Kent Mercker to the Boston Red Sox. Received David Benham (minors) and Mike Matthews.

July 31, 1998 Traded Royce Clayton and Todd Stottlemyre to the Texas Rangers. Received a player to be named later, Darren Oliver and Fernando Tatis. The Texas Rangers sent Mark Little (August 9, 1998) to the St. Louis Cardinals to complete the trade.

June 13, 1997 Traded Rich Batchelor, Danny Jackson and Mark Sweeney to the San Diego Padres. Received Scott Livingstone, Phil Plantier and Fernando Valenzuela.

July 31, 1997 Traded Eric Ludwick, T.J. Mathews and Blake Stein to the Oakland Athletics. Received Mark McGwire.

April 5, 1995 Traded Kirk Bullinger, Bryan Eversgerd and Da Rond Stovall to the Montreal Expos. Received Ken Hill.

April 9, 1995 Traded Rheal Cormier and Mark Whiten to the Boston Red Sox. Received Cory Bailey and Scott Cooper.

June 16, 1995 Traded Todd Zeile and cash to the Chicago Cubs. Received Francisco Morales (minors), Paul Torres (minors) and Mike Morgan.

July 9, 1995 Traded John Habyan to the California Angels. Received Mark Sweeney.

July 27, 1995 Traded Ken Hill to the Cleveland Indians. Received Pepe McNeal (minors), David Bell and Rick Heiserman.

August 31, 1993 Traded Lee Smith to the New York Yankees. Received Rich Batchelor.

April 23, 1990 Traded John Costello to the Montreal Expos. Received Rex Hudler.

May 4, 1990 Traded Tom Brunansky to the Boston Red Sox. Received Lee Smith.

August 29, 1990 Traded Willie McGee to the Oakland Athletics. Received Daryl Green (minors), Felix Jose and Stan Royer.

April 22, 1988 Traded Tom Herr to the Minnesota Twins. Received Tom Brunansky.

August 16, 1988 Traded John Tudor to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Received Pedro Guerrero.

August 31, 1988 Traded Bob Forsch to the Houston Astros. Received Denny Walling.

April 1, 1987 Traded Mike Dunne, Mike LaValliere and Andy Van Slyke to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Received Tony Pena.

July 30, 1987 Traded Dave LaPoint to the Chicago White Sox. Received Bryce Hulstrom (minors).

August 31, 1987 Traded Pat Perry to the Cincinnati Reds. Received a player to be named later. The Cincinnati Reds sent Scott Terry (September 3, 1987) to the St. Louis Cardinals to complete the trade.

August 10, 1986 Traded Mike Heath to the Detroit Tigers. Received a player to be named later and Ken Hill. The Detroit Tigers sent Mike Laga (September 2, 1986) to the St. Louis Cardinals to complete the trade.

April 2, 1985 Traded John Young (minors) and Angel Salazar to the New York Mets. Received Mark J. Davis (minors) and Jose Oquendo.

April 6, 1985 Traded Dave Rucker to the Philadelphia Phillies. Received Bill Campbell and Ivan DeJesus.

May 17, 1985 Traded Lonnie Smith to the Kansas City Royals. Received John Morris.

August 29, 1985 Traded Mark Jackson (minors) to the Cincinnati Reds. Received Cesar Cedeno.

June 15, 1984 Traded Ken Oberkfell to the Atlanta Braves. Received Ken Dayley and Mike Jorgensen.

July 1, 1984 Traded Mike Ramsey to the Montreal Expos. Received Chris Speier and cash.

August 19, 1984 Traded Chris Speier to the Minnesota Twins. Received a player to be named later and cash. The Minnesota Twins sent Jay Pettibone (October 2, 1984) to the St. Louis Cardinals to complete the trade.

September 9, 1984 Traded John Stuper to the Cincinnati Reds. Received Paul Householder.

June 14, 1983 Traded a player to be named later to the Baltimore Orioles. Received Floyd Rayford. The St. Louis Cardinals sent Tito Landrum (August 31, 1983) to the Baltimore Orioles to complete the trade.

June 15, 1983 Traded Keith Hernandez to the New York Mets. Received Neil Allen and Rick Ownbey.

June 22, 1983 Traded Doug Bair to the Detroit Tigers. Received a player to be named later. The Detroit Tigers sent Dave Rucker (July 5, 1983) to the St. Louis Cardinals to complete the trade.

April 1, 1982 Traded Bob Shirley to the Cincinnati Reds. Received Jose Brito (minors) and Jeff Lahti.

June 7, 1981 Traded Tony Scott to the Houston Astros. Received Joaquin Andujar.

September 10, 1981 Traded Joe Edelen and Neil Fiala to the Cincinnati Reds. Received Doug Bair.

May 26, 1978 Traded Eric Rasmussen to the San Diego Padres. Received George Hendrick.

May 17, 1977 Traded John D’Acquisto and Pat Scanlon to the San Diego Padres. Received Butch Metzger.

June 15, 1977 Traded Doug Capilla to the Cincinnati Reds. Received Rawly Eastwick.

Traded Bake McBride and Steve Waterbury to the Philadelphia Phillies. Received Rick Bosetti, Dane Iorg and Tom Underwood.

Traded Joel Youngblood to the New York Mets. Received Mike Phillips.

August 31, 1977 Traded Clay Carroll to the Chicago White Sox. Received players to be named later. The Chicago White Sox sent Nyls Nyman (September 2, 1977), Dave Hamilton (November 28, 1977) and Silvio Martinez (November 28, 1977) to the St. Louis Cardinals to complete the trade.

May 19, 1976 Traded Luis Melendez to the San Diego Padres. Received Bill Greif.

June 15, 1976 Traded Reggie Smith to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Received Fred Tisdale (minors), Bob Detherage and Joe Ferguson.

September 3, 1976 Traded Mike Easler to the California Angels. Received a player to be named later. The California Angels sent Ron Farkas (minors) (September 7, 1976) to the St. Louis Cardinals to complete the trade.

May 9, 1975 Traded Luis Gonzalez (minors) and Larry Herndon to the San Francisco Giants. Received Ron Bryant.

May 28, 1975 Traded Ray Sadecki and Elias Sosa to the Atlanta Braves. Received a player to be named later and Ron Reed. The Atlanta Braves sent Wayne Nordhagen (June 2, 1975) to the St. Louis Cardinals to complete the trade.

June 4, 1975 Traded Ed Brinkman and Tommy Moore to the Texas Rangers. Received Willie Davis.

July 25, 1975 Traded Jim Dwyer to the Montreal Expos. Received Larry Lintz.

August 15, 1974 Traded a player to be named later and Ron Selak (minors) to the Houston Astros. Received Claude Osteen. The St. Louis Cardinals sent Dan Larson (October 14, 1974) to the Houston Astros to complete the trade.

June 6, 1973 Traded Jim Bibby to the Texas Rangers. Received Mike Nagy and John Wockenfuss.

June 7, 1973 Traded Dwain Anderson to the San Diego Padres. Received Dave Campbell.

June 8, 1973 Traded Ray Busse to the Houston Astros. Received Stan Papi.

July 27, 1973 Traded Gene Dusen (minors) and Ed Crosby to the Cincinnati Reds. Received a player to be named later and Ed Sprague. The Cincinnati Reds sent Roe Skidmore (September 30, 1973) to the St. Louis Cardinals to complete the trade.

August 7, 1973 Traded Wayne Granger to the New York Yankees. Received a player to be named later and cash. The New York Yankees sent Ken Crosby (September 12, 1973) to the St. Louis Cardinals to complete the trade.

August 18, 1973 Traded Dave Campbell and cash to the Houston Astros. Received Tommie Agee.

April 15, 1972 Traded Jerry Reuss to the Houston Astros. Received Lance Clemons and Scipio Spinks.

May 19, 1972 Traded Joe Hague to the Cincinnati Reds. Received Bernie Carbo.

August 27, 1972 Traded Matty Alou to the Oakland Athletics. Received Steve Easton (minors) and Bill Voss.

August 30, 1972 Traded Dal Maxvill to the Oakland Athletics. Received a player to be named later and Joe Lindsey (minors). The Oakland Athletics sent Gene Dusen (minors) (October 27, 1972) to the St. Louis Cardinals to complete the trade.

June 11, 1971 Traded Leron Lee and Fred Norman to the San Diego Padres. Received Al Santorini.

June 15, 1971 Traded Mike Torrez to the Montreal Expos. Received Bob Reynolds.

July 29, 1971 Traded Jose Cardenal, Bob Reynolds and Dick Schofield to the Milwaukee Brewers. Received Charlie Loseth (minors) and Ted Kubiak.

April 2, 1970 Traded Steve Huntz to the San Diego Padres. Received Billy McCool.

May 19, 1970 Traded Jerry Johnson to the San Francisco Giants. Received Frank Linzy.

May 29, 1970 Traded Phil Gagliano to the Chicago Cubs. Received Ted Abernathy.

June 13, 1970 Traded George Culver to the Houston Astros. Received Jim Beauchamp and Leon McFadden.

Traded Cookie Rojas to the Kansas City Royals. Received Fred Rico.

July 1, 1970 Traded Ted Abernathy to the Kansas City Royals. Received Chris Zachary.

May 22, 1969 Traded Sonny Ruberto and John Sipin to the San Diego Padres. Received Jerry Davanon and Bill Davis.

May 30, 1969 Traded Jim Hicks to the California Angels. Received Vic Davalillo.

June 3, 1969 Traded Gary Waslewski to the Montreal Expos. Received Mudcat Grant.

April 22, 1968 Traded Jack Lamabe and Ron Piche to the Chicago Cubs. Received Dave Dowling and Pete Mikkelsen.

June 15, 1968 Traded Hal Gilson and Dick Simpson to the Houston Astros. Received Ron Davis.

July 16, 1967 Traded a player to be named later to the New York Mets. Received Jack Lamabe. The St. Louis Cardinals sent Al Jackson (October 13, 1967) to the New York Mets to complete the trade.

May 8, 1966 Traded Ray Sadecki to the San Francisco Giants. Received Orlando Cepeda.

June 15, 1965 Traded Mike Cuellar and Ron Taylor to the Houston Astros. Received Chuck Taylor and Hal Woodeshick.

April 9, 1964 Traded Jimmie Coker and Gary Kolb to the Milwaukee Braves. Received Bob Uecker.

June 2, 1964 Traded Lew Burdette to the Chicago Cubs. Received Glen Hobbie.

June 13, 1964 Traded Jim Saul (minors) and cash to the Cincinnati Reds. Received Bob Skinner.

June 15, 1964 Traded Ernie Broglio, Doug Clemens and Bobby Shantz to the Chicago Cubs. Received Lou Brock, Jack Spring and Paul Toth.