Brandon Phillips

It seems like there are a lot of fans that are upset with what Brandon Phillips has been saying in his twitter feed as I was catching up on everything this evening.

Below is the latest tweets that he's made.  I just don't see too much to be upset about.

He has a sad face about landing in St. Louis?  Maybe he doesn't like playing in the city.  Maybe he's afraid of getting shanked.  It seems lots of the work by @MattSebek has made it to Cincinnati. Maybe he's heard about the dangers of the town from him as well.

He doesn't want to stay at the Hilton?  Maybe he gets reward points in Marriott hotels or maybe even Holiday Inn.  Maybe he caught bed bugs or stuck in an elevator for hours at the Hilton.  

He doesn't know any good restaurants in St. Louis and wants Lunchables?  I've had some great meals in St. Louis.  I've had some less than great.  Maybe he's afraid that the waiter or chefs will recognize him and try to spit in his food at worst.  

Yes he mentioned Rasmus girl, but that's the worst I've seen.  Nothing to get up in arms about.

Maybe, just maybe, Cardinals fans should get mad at Nelly for hanging out with the enemy that Brandon Phillips seems to be.

Kyle Lohse

Wow. What a difference being healthy makes.

Kyle Lohse has looked good all year, starting in spring training.  I don't know if I was the first to be in his fan club, but I started kazooing?? keyboarding?? for Kyle Lohse.

He's gone at least 7 innings in each start.  He's given up 4 walks in 4 starts.   His 1st start of the year was his worst and he gave up 4 runs in a loss.  He should be in line to win or at least get a no decision if that's what he gives up in a game with the offense that appears the team has this year.


I don't remember, but I'm sure he heard lots of boos over the past couple years.  He's battled through his difficulties and injuries and look at him now.  I hope Cardinal fans will help his fellow pitcher Ryan Franklin through encouragement rather than continuous hatred and boos.

Ryan Franklin, Fans, and Other Ramblings

It seems there are 2 thoughts about booing your team.

• I paid my money and I'll behave and boo as I want.

• Booing your team isn't the right thing to do no matter how the team or individual is performing.

If you choose to boo, then boo. I'm not going to tell you that you shouldn't.  Don't shout obscenities, be belligerent, or downright hurtful in things you are shouting.  I get that fans think it helps to relieve their frustrations and anger and that you need an outlet.  Some of the things I've seen and heard are uncalled for.

It's not something I'm going to do.  I don't see the point.  Do you think the players want to perform poorly?  Is your booing going to magically turn their performances around?  Do you think it makes it any better?  Do you think that most, if not all players are disappointed if they stink?

Franklin comes out with a statement saying he's upset with the booing and that he doesn't think the fans are the "best fans in baseball".  People mention that he's making millions of dollars so he should be able to handle it.  Should he have handled it better? Yes.  Should he have chosen his words better?  Yes.  Should he be called scum and worse like some people are saying?  No.  

How do you handle it when you get a scolding by your boss or a customer for a poor performance?  Do you not get frustrated or sulk?  Do you pretend it doesn't affect you?  I know it affects me.  I guess I'm not man enough to handle it as I'm getting paid to perform a duty.  Oh well.

Overreactions by Passionate Fans

I'm writing this in the top of the 4th inning of a 7-1 game.


St. Louis offense isn't as bad as it showed on the 1st homestand and it isn't as good as the slugging team on the 10 game road trip.  They aren't as awful as some people are making out this game to be either.

This game isn't to blame on the offense unless you want to call them not clutch, sort of like Pujols and Holliday not hitting a home run on the 1st pitch of every at bat.


I get that St. Louis fans are a passionate bunch.  It just seems it's either perfection (and demand it) or the sky is falling when anything goes wrong, or isn't up to expectations.

So far today, Washington is up 7-1 after 3 innings.  They have 7 hits, 2 of them infield singles, and scored 1 run on a double steal.  They also have drawn 2 walks and the Cardinals have committed 1 error.  They've scored 7 runs.  The Cardinal offense hasn't been that bad.  They've also drawn 2 walks and had 5 hits, but have only 1 run to show for it.


Why are fans blaming this on the offense?

Now What?

I'm on the bandwagon with everyone else that Franklin has to go, at least out of the closer role.  I'm not for cutting him from the roster and not totally against giving him another shot down the line, but right now something has to change.

Who should it be?

The two most mentioned names on twitter are Boggs and Sanchez.  Neither has any experience in the role.

Last week on KMOX, Tony La Russa mentioned that Batista might be the next option.  He's got the most experience as a closer.  That was many years ago. I think that Tony might chose to give him the next shot, if he doesn't keep running Franklin out there.



My opinion is that bullpen by committee might be the best option for now.  Down the road, I hope it is Sanchez.

Sanchez might be best in the role and with 8 strikeouts, he's the hot name.  However, he's yet to throw one high leverage situation yet in the major leagues.  I think that Sanchez should be headed toward the role, but shouldn't be thrown directly into the role.  I want to see him in a pressure situation before being anointed the new closer.

Thoughts on John Steigerwald and Senseless Violence

I think the man is an idiot.  Based on his comments, maybe everyone in the stadium should conform to a dress code of suits and ties, or whatever he defines as dressed as a normal human being.  Steigerwald has since "apologized" according to Craig Calcaterra of Hardball Talk, http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/04/13/john-steigerwald-explains-himself.  I don't really consider that an apology.  He explains he doesn't blame the victim, but instead was blaming the thugs that committed the act.


Funny, that original column didn't read like that to me.  To me, the column read like that it anything that happens to an adult who refuses to grow up is acceptable.  If I wore a jersey of my favorite team into the opposing team's stadium, I would expect some jeering and taunting full of foul language.  I might even expect a beer "accidentally" spilled or peanuts being thrown.  I wouldn't expect a brutal beating that leaves me on the brink of death.

4/12/11 Game Thoughts

Mike Shannon is still wondering about why the umpires changed from blue shirts to black ones.  Last night he had no thoughts.  Tonight it is because police officers wear blue.  Then he went on to something about federal judges and umpires being the only 2 true laws in the land or something to that effect.

Every home run hit so far has been the farthest Mike and John have ever seen.

Lance Berkman has 3 home runs in 2 days.  He needs to be in the Home Run Derby at this pace.  The way they are hitting with the roof open, records might be set this year.  Of course, I doubt the roof will be open in the middle of summer.

FSMW and U-Verse

I know that many out there are upset about the Fox Sports Midwest and U-Verse dispute and not showing several of the Cardinal games.  I think both sides are being stupid and that the fans/customers are the ones that are hurt.  I get it.  I understand being upset, but welcome to my world.  At least you live in an area where you get to watch most games.  Missing a couple dozen games shouldn't be that big of deal.  You're lucky.

These rate disputes happen for lots of cable companies with lots of channels.  This wasn't the first dispute and won't be the last.  It's only going to keep getting worse in the future.  There is no perfect cable or satellite provider.


If you've actually listened to the games instead of just complaining, you would notice Mike Shannon having a difficult time.  It's been difficult to listen to as he's had almost no enthusiasm in his voice.  I hope he gets to feeling better.

Also, maybe U-Verse shouldn't show more games.  The Cardinals are 2-0 in games not shown during this dispute.

Is This Thing On?

So I'm going to try this blogging thing.  I'm not sure how often I'll get it updated, but here goes, starting with some info on my and my plan for the blog.

I'm a huge baseball fan.  I grew up in Arkansas and thus a St. Louis Cardinals fan (no thanks to current broadcast rules).  I've lived and worked in Florida for several years.  I became a fan of the Tampa Bay Rays.  Most games I get to watch on TV are on Fox Sports Dallas or Southwest.  I get mostly Texas Rangers games with some Houston Astros games.

Most of my posts are going to be about the St. Louis Cardinals.  However, I work mostly at night and see few games unless it's a national game (that isn't blacked out - again thanks MLB).  At least I do get to listen to most games on the radio.