30
Oct
Posted by NPI in Sports. Tagged: 2011 cardinals v. 2006 cardinals, Albert Pujols, Alexi Ogando, baseball, bernie miklasz, bullpens, cardinals vs rangers, casual baseball fans, chris carpenter, colby lewis, David Freese, Joe Buck, Josh Hamilton, lance berkman, Marc Rzepczynski, Mark Lowe, Matt Holliday, michael young, MLB, Nelson Cruz, NLCS MVP, Ron Washington, Scott Feldman, starting pitching, Tony La Russa, will leitch, world series, world series 2011. 1 comment
TIM: Well, John, another baseball season has come to an end and, as is custom, the ritualistic falling of snow in late October in the northeast has commenced the off-season. As we look back on the World Series, I believe you owe me several units of Cassandran kudos.
JOHN S: Yeah, I believe you are due several Cassandra units. After all, I recall a few conversations we had throughout the season:
March 27: “You know, John, I don’t think Lance Berkman is done. He’s going to have a big year in St. Louis.”
May 13: “The Red Sox may have rebounded from that slow start, but you have to question their ability to perform in months with 30 days…”
May 28: “Pay attention to Nelson Cruz”
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19
Oct
Posted by NPI in MLB Preview Bonanza, Sports. Tagged: Albert Pujols, Alexi Ogando, Andrea Bargnani, baseball, bullpens, cardinals vs rangers, casual baseball fans, chris carpenter, David Freese, george w. bush, Joe Buck, Jonathan Lucroy, Josh Hamilton, lance berkman, Marc Rzepczynski, mariano rivera, Matt Holliday, michael young, MLB, Nelson Cruz, NLCS MVP, ryan braun, Shaun Marcum, starting pitching, tim mccarver, Tony La Russa, world series, world series 2011. 1 comment
Cardinals vs. Rangers
Well, just like Tim and John S always predicted (don’t bother looking it up), the 2011 season comes down to the Rangers and Cardinals. Will Tony La Russa prove his genius? Will a starting pitcher reach the seventh inning? Will Joe Buck emote? All that and predictions are discussed….
John S: Man, can you believe Jonathan Lucroy didn’t win NLCS MVP?! And can you believe someone almost as unlikely–David Freese–DID? You know, I usually hate the discussions that media outlets have every year that the Yankees/Phillies/Red Sox miss the World Series, where they make jokes about how angry FOX must be. But this World Series DOES seem conspicuously lacking in star power. At least last year the Rangers had Cliff Lee–the closest this year’s team has to such a star is Josh Hamilton, who had a disappointing season. The Cardinals, of course, have Albert Pujols, but after him their biggest star is Tony La Russa, who seems to wear out his welcome more and more every year. But while my instinct is to say that these two teams are mediocre, the evidence doesn’t really support me. The Rangers were better this year than they were in 2010, and even the Cards won 90 games, which is more the 2006 championship team won. Perhaps I should be more excited for this World Series… Am I off base about the lack of compelling personalities in this matchup?
TIM: No, I cannot believe Jonathan Lucroy didn’t win NLCS MVP. His .294 average in the six games was bested by only four Brewers, and like the four best Brewers in Randy Wolf, Jerry Hairston, Yuniesky Betancourt, and Ryan Braun. It was practically half of what Freese hit! I hate these traditionalist writers who always vote for the guy with the ..500+ average on the winning team. Continue reading →
