Tagged: World

Giving The Devil His Due

It’s an old expression, but its never been more poignant to me than these last few weeks. Don’t get me wrong with this post, I still don’t like the Cardinals. The excuse making, the self-appointed sense of rightfulness, and “holier than thou” approach, and whining. Oh, the insufferable whining. But right now, they are the best story in baseball. If they should win the World Series tonight, I can’t say anything to take away from them what they’ve accomplished this season.

At the beginning of the season, I thought St. Louis was a 3rd place team in this division. I grossly overestimated the Reds, but it looks like I underestimated the Red Birds as well. I thought Berkman was a shell of the man he used to be after watching him flounder at the plate with the Yankees, I thought the bullpen was horrid and couldn’t hold a lead, I thought without Wainwright the pitching staff was much less intimidating. I was wrong.

I didn’t look too awful wrong a couple of months ago. They were dead in the water. 10 1/2 games back, within reach of the Reds to jump out and take that 2nd place away from them. But they’ve started something magical there. Something I don’t think anyone can explain. They’re showing a will I can’t say I’ve ever seen in a baseball team, their season has been over countless times in the past few months and they’ve managed to battle with their back’s up against the wall and stay alive.

I took a wild game in Atlanta on the last day of the regular season to even get them into the playoffs and now, it’s the last day of baseball for 2011. Down to their last strike twice last night and pulled out a win in epic fashion. I’m still rooting for the Rangers, but things kind of look bleak for them. Napoli’s hurting, Cruz is hurting, the bullpen’s confidence seems to left them. St. Louis will miss Holliday, but the way Allen Craig’s been swinging the bat it may actually pay off for them in the end.

St. Louis seems destined to win this World Series, I hope I’m wrong but they seem to have something guiding their path. Win or lose though, I tip my cap to you St. Louis. What an incredible 2011. Well played, sirs.

Much To Talk About

Well, here I am again. I haven’t been heard from since the Phillies stormed through Cincinnati. There is much to discuss here in this entry. First and foremost, a sad goodbye to Sparky Anderson. I never saw a club managed by Sparky, nor do I have any nifty stories about the late, great skipper. I just have what I’ve read, and what I’ve heard. From what I can tell, he was a great man on and off the playing field, and he will be sorely missed.

On a brighter note, I’d like to congratulate the San Francisco Giants on becoming 2010 World Series champions. I was personally pulling for Texas (having been born there with some relatives filling my Facebook wall with Ranger posts), I like Josh Hamilton, and Elvis Andrus, and Cliff Lee, and Vladdy, etc. But, the Giants winning was okay by me too. They represented the National League well I thought with that crazy pitching staff of theirs. I really like Buster Posey and Andres Torres from that team (don’t ask me why, I don’t know). Best of luck to both clubs in 2011.

Now, the offseason is upon us and that means the hot stove is heating up. The Reds exercised options on Bronson Arroyo and Jonny Gomes and declined Orlando Cabrera and Aaron Harang’s options. I like these moves. Personally, I thought Paul Janish should have started all year and said so numerous times last winter, bu I think he earned it this past season with his play in the field and even at the plate.

Aaron Harang isn’t the Aaron Harang we used to know, everyone knows that. I wish him the best wherever he happens to end up…..unless it’s in the National League Central of course. The Reds need a workhorse like Arroyo to eat up innings with this young staff, I’m not crazy about his price tag, but he is a necessity. Gomes can be a good platoon player in left field, if Dusty will only realize that. It seemed like Dusty was trying to do just the opposite of what was better for the team by keeping Gomes in the line-up almost everyday when late in the season he became a liability at the plate and most certainly in the outfield.

One guy I’d like to bring up and get opinions on is Scott Podsednik. 34 year-old outfield who recently declined a $2mil option with the L.A. Dodgers (after playing most of the season with the Kansas City Royals.) Of the few people I’ve talked to, it’s pretty much 50/50 on bringing him in. I feel he could be in Cincinnati’s price range, he plays primarily left field and could be the lead-off guy they’re looking for. He is a left handed batter with a good amount of speed, which could diminish quickly at his age, but he still swiped 35 bags in 50 tries last season. I like him in a platoon in left with Jonny Gomes, any other free agents out there you think the Reds should target? (Not Carl Crawford or Cliff Lee, everyone knows they aren’t coming here)