“Close” but no “Closer”…

Last night’s ninth inning was frustrating to say the least. It seems Isringhausen has improved, for the most part, on his inability to throw strikes. It even seems that improvement may have cut down on his inability to keep the ball in the ballpark. But…he’s still very hittable. I’ve supported putting Izzy back in the closer role, mainly because we have to know what we have…a closer or a “used to be a closer.” And, to be honest, last night was not entirely Izzy’s pitching that was to blame. If he comes up with that ground ball, the game most likely ends in the ninth – but let’s not kid ourselves. If a closer puts himself in a bases loaded situation, that’s bad. I don’t care if he gets out of it or not…he has no business being in that situation anyway. It’s clear the Cardinals have to (and will) take another look at their closer situation today. So, I’ve decided to put together a few options. Take the poll on the right to let me know what you think of the possibilities below:

Currently on the MLB level roster

Jason Isringhausen    Yes, he’s still an option, albeit not a very enticing one at this point. Izzy just doesn’t have it right now, and I don’t know that he ever will again. He looks as if he’s throwing very hesitantly. His hip surgery may have been a success, but I think it’s changed how he pitches. He used to throw “all-in” and fully commit to the plate with every pitch. However, his hip difficulties have forced him into a change in delivery…perhaps out of habit in trying to protect his hip prior to the surgery or maybe out of necessity because his repaired hip just can’t take the stress any longer. Whatever it is, it’s causing him to groove the ball to hitters. He’s entirely hittable, and without a high risk (to his hip) change in delivery, I don’t think he’ll ever get back to “closer worthy” again. At this point, Izzy is a 7th or 8th inning reliever, but that’s it.

Ryan Franklin    This guy has good stuff. He’s got the right mental approach, toughness, etc. – but he just doesn’t have a dominant pitch to challenge hitters with in the ninth. That doesn’t stop him from trying, however. “Frank” has solo home run written all over half his fastballs, and that just can’t happen in the ninth inning. As a setup man in the 8th, Ryan can afford to take a few more risks…especially at home…and his use of the off-speed stuff is actually beneficial to the pending closer because of the sudden change in velocity/stuff they will be seeing in the ninth. But those luxuries do not translate well to the ninth inning. Franklin just doesn’t have the fast ball to consistently challenge hitters in the ninth inning the way he is accustomed to doing it in the 8th. And none of this even addresses the fact that Franklin himself is clearly not comfortable in the closer role. All of that said, Ryan can be a very effective pitcher in the ninth inning, but more a Trevor Hoffman style (location and off-speed pitches) than an Izzy-in-his-prime style; but if the guy pitches the ninth like an ideal setup/8th inning guy, doesn’t that mean he should be a setup/8th inning pitcher?

Russ Springer    Springer has been outstanding this year (not considering his last appearance), which is exactly why the club is hesitant to pull him from his current role – come into tough spots with runners on base and get outs. At the same time, if the guy is currently your best bullpen pitcher, doesn’t that make him the closer by TLR’s own definition? Springer could do the job…for the most part. He’s tough as they come in the ‘pen. He knows how to pitch and how to locate. His fastball isn’t dominating but it’s not meat either. He could do it. The problems? He couldn’t do it every night. Putting Springer in the closer role automatically means you will be a “closer by committee” team – at least somewhat. Russ is just old, and his body can’t take it anymore. That was clear in Sunday’s game. The guy was just worn out after being used in several consecutive days. Also, I’ve heard reports that he struggles a bit with lefties. So, putting Springer in the role means you may have to spell him a bit due to his age, and he may have to share a few ninth inning appearances with a lefty specialist. Splitting time with a lefty and another closer makes you not really the closer at all.

Kyle McClellan    K-Mac may be able to do the job. He certainly has the stuff (especially with that breaking ball), and his fastball is good enough. He’s shown unusual poise and durability in his first big league season, but that’s just it…can we really expect to catch lightening in a bottle with a rookie starter-turned-reliever-turned-closer twice in three years (e.g. Waino)? Really, I don’t have any knocks against Kyle. I think he could do it. But what about the impact on the rest of the bullpen? Isn’t the closer supposed to restore order to the bullpen – not introduce even more role confusion? If another viable option exists, K-Mac is much too valuable in his current role to risk further upsetting the bullpen by moving him into ninth inning duties.

Currently on the AAA level roster

Chris Perez    Perez, in his initial stint in the Bigs, was not up to the task of closing out MLB games. He lacked a viable second pitch and was prone to bouts of wildness at inopportune times. When he was sent down to Memphis, he was specifically instructed to work on his slider and pay no attention to the results. In his last ten games at AAA, Chris was scored on twice – once in one game and five times in another. If those are save opportunities, one could say he has two blown saves in ten opportunities…in AAA. Considering that number could double or triple against MLB hitters, I have to hope the kid’s a good listener and didn’t worry about the results. Of course, if he’s consistently throwing his slider, I have to wonder if it has actually improved at all…as is, he seems pretty hittable. Still, he could be the best option considering the above possibilities.

Jason Motte    This kid is a toss-up to me. A former catcher turned pitcher, he’s certainly lighting up the minor leagues. In his last ten games at Memphis, Motte’s numbers are impressive:  13.1 innings pitched, 6 hits, 1 earned run, 3 walks, 27 strikeouts, and a 0.68 ERA. However, reports suggest his fastball – while “blazing” – lacks movement and occasionally misses it’s spot. As a recent inductee to the bullpen club, he also lacks a dominant second pitch. He does possess a slider, but it is reportedly less than impressive and perhaps telegraphed. Long story short, the kid’s gonna’ get timed and pounded at this level…maybe. After all, how do you bet against a kid that throws it 96 – 98 mph? Still…without much movement, that’s good enough to get your 6 – 9 hitters out, but the top of the order is gonna’ pound you.

Currently on the AA level roster

Fernando Salas    This guy is an enigma. He has 21 saves at Springfield, was selected to this year’s Futures Game when Jaime Garcia couldn’t go (no small task), and certainly looks impressive when I watch him pitch in person. But the reality is this…no one knows what to expect from him. He seems like the Springfield Mystery Man. I don’t like the idea of bringing this guy up.

Jess Todd    I really like the idea of bringing this guy up. According to all reports, this kid has a good cutter, a good slider, and several other pitches that could be used in a ninth inning role without fear. He’s currently a starter for Springfield, but I would love to see how his “phenom-like” pitches could translate to the Big League level right now…especially in a one-time-through-the-order situation like the ninth inning. Very intriguing…not very realistic, however. But remember, teams were specifically interested in Todd at the trade deadline for a reason.

Rotation considerations

Adam Wainwright    No. This option has been talked into the ground by many, many writers/sources, so I won’t spend much time on it here. But let me say this…Waino is FAR too valuable in the rotation to move into the closer role. You don’t take an ace quality pitcher and limit his innings. What would you think if the Cubs suddenly moved Rich Harden to the closer role? Or the Brewers suddenly yanked Sheets out of the rotation and inserted him into the ninth inning? I’ll tell you what my reaction would be…Whoo Hoo! The fewer innings I have to face those guys, the better…and if they are the closer, a lead by my team means I don’t have to face them at all. The same is true of Wainwright. You want to make Brewers and Cubs fans happy? Move Waino to the closer role. Otherwise, stop going down this road and find another option.

Braden Looper    This could work, especially with how much Looper has changed his approach to pitching since becoming a starter, but I still don’t like it. He doesn’t have dominant stuff to begin with, and the possibility of him suddenly discovering it because he is moved into a role that needs it is slim to none. However, he does have the experience. He was a closer for the Mets not that long ago. But don’t forget how we got him…he wasn’t removed from the closer’s role for no reason.

Todd Wellemeyer    This idea has merit. The guy has a good fastball (velocity and movement) and a decent slider. The problem? To get that “good” velocity a quality ninth inning pitcher of his type throws, he has to sacrifice control. He can throw 95 – 97 mph consistently (with movement), but without control. To keep from walking the side, he has to cut it back to 91 – 93 mph. Still, his fastball has enough movement and “life” to get hitters out consistently even with the self-imposed decrease in velocity. Problem number 2? His slider is a toss-up. Half the time it’s on, the other half it’s not. And if he can’t rely on his slider, his fastball tends to get him in trouble. Not a good combination.

Way out there options

Rick Ankiel    Hehe…just kidding.

Wrap-up
I will say this…I would not want to be TLR, Dunc, and Mo right now. There is no clear-cut decision to be made here…but something does have to be done. And it has to be done sooner rather than later if we expect to continue contending.

A quick note on the young guys (Todd, Motte, etc.):  In a full season, these kids could become exposed (especially Motte) and timed. But we’re talking a month and a half left in the season. Most of these teams are going to see us one more time, twice at the most. Not counting the post season, I’m not sure they would see the kids enough in the ninth inning role to time them or “sit” on any one pitch. Still…counting on a “short term assignment” theory like that is a big gamble in itself.

Ah well…glad it’s not my decision…GO CARDS!!!

Bird Watching: Beautiful Beginnings

I’m back! After a very chaotic, fast-paced, blurred weekend of wedding jitters and river rage, your faithful blogger-extraordinaire has returned from his hiatus to bring you the latest and greatest in St. Louis Cardinals blog-tastic commentary. I can’t say I’m recharged, but I can say I’m no longer alone…and in the end, “there can be only one.” But enough about me, let’s get to it with the much anticipated return of Bird Watching!

I just don’t get it. I really don’t. In an effort to keep up with the discussion and interest trends among Cardinals fans, I routinely surf the well-known forums and/or websites of Cardinals Nation. And it amazes me just how negative the so-called “best fans in baseball” can be when it comes to their team. Enough already. Seriously. It’s old, it’s been done, and you’re just flat-out pissin’ me off. It’s hard work constantly battling the tide of pessimism that surrounds this team.

The Cardinals were picked to finish dead last in a 90-loss season. Instead, this scrappy and lovable team has managed to piece together a 45-33 (.577 winning %) season up to this point. In case you haven’t noticed, that’s second in the National League, 12 games over five hundred, and good enough to lead the Wild Card race while playing in what has become possibly one of the most competitive divisions in baseball. Enough already!

In one hour, I’ve waded through stories and discussions about Mulder’s ineffectiveness, Duncan’s inability at the plate, and even Ankiel’s inconsistent and lower-than-desired batting average (seriously?). Fans love to hop on Izzy when he’s struggling and Duncan when he’s breathing. For goodness sake, fans…it even took a call-out by Tony La Russa to hopefully wake-up St. Louis fans and “get them to the polls” to cast Cardinals all-star votes. Ridiculous. When a team’s manager has to remind the game’s so-called best fans to show up and be counted, it is simply ridiculous.

Even attendance is down. I almost couldn’t believe it when I heard that Busch Stadium had finally failed to sell-out a game. Why??!!! Because it’s a little cold? Because ”Handsome” Jim Edmonds and Scott Rolen had left to join sub-par teams with unrealistic expectations? Because Eckstein and his 20 + errors “accidentally” followed? Hell, for a good part of last year Cardinals fans were screaming for a youth movement – “Call up Ankiel!” and “Play the young guys!” and “Jimmy should retire!” were all heard reverberating off the red brick walls of new Busch Stadium well into January.

All of that happens (in a manner of speaking), and what do Cardinals fans do? Do they approve, yell encouragement, or ecstatically show up for games giddy with anticipation? No. They stop buying tickets. They start blog entries bitching about how TLR didn’t pinch-hit for Ankiel against a lefty. They buy into the anti-hype of the national media and just flat out stop supporting their team.

Few and far between are the voices of optimism and support – I don’t mean blind optimism born of wishful thinking and a failure to accept reality – I mean realistic optimism grown from the recognition that this team may have holes, but it has a hell of a lot of potential as well, and the future is now. 

I attended my first ever Opening Day this year. I paid just short of $100 per ticket to sit in the center field bleachers of Busch Stadium in the rain. You know why? Could you possibly understand what could make me do such a thing?

Anticipation. Giddy, ecstatic, wondrous anticipation.

I love this team. They play with fire; they play with heart; and they play with potential and hope for the future. Remember this time, Cardinals fans. It won’t last long. In a few short years, gone will be the Hall of Fame Manager who currently ranks third on the All-time wins list, one of only 2 MLB Managers to win a World Series in both the AL and NL. In a few short years, gone will be the invigorating hope for improvement and energy as our now-young players become once-young players; as our future stars become current stars mere seasons away from declining talent and ability.  

Remember those seasons when Rolen and Edmonds were at the top of their game? We’ll get there…and then it will be over…and oh how we’ll long for what we have right here and now…the beginning of the future and yet another Cardinals youth movement. Soon, the acrobatic plays of Rick Ankiel and bull-headed toughness of Yadier Molina will be replaced by limping veterans and concussion-plagued former all-stars. When the next Chris Duncan emerges, will we saddle him with the burden of ridicule the same way we have with the Jr. Dunc? Will we ravenously jump on a young, promising career and beat it into submission until all that is left is a guilt-ridden, fan-fearing shell of a player desperate to simply contribute something to his team who still looks to him for strength - all because we are jealous – jealous that a guy like Dunc MIGHT have gotten a little edge by accidentally being the coach’s son?

Give it a rest, fans. Go to the games. Encourage the team. Appreciate this time we have right now…the dawn of the next Cardinals era populated by young stars and hungry players. Because with every dawn comes a horizon, and when we reach that horizon sometime in the next 5 or 6 years, all that’s left is the impending sunset and the end to a beautiful day.

Let us hope that the next day is half as exhilarating as the one we find ourselves waking up to right here and now.

Go Cards!!!

BIRD SEEDS

AP-Less Cards Grow Into Their Own  With Pujols on the DL and a series sweep by the – GAH! – Kansas City Royals, the Cards came back in style and won 3 of their last 4 in hostile, American League environments against intimidating lineups. Amazing. Our offense is finally starting to figure it out…just imagine what we can do when AP returns now that we’ve seemingly cut the Albert Pujols umbilical cord.

Looper Makes Me Loopy  Braden Looper has been flat-out excellent. In a flurry of injuries, Looper has anchored the starting rotation and battled his way to his ninth win of the season. There are few pitchers I actually trust to take the mound, but Looper has now become one of them. Hopefully the All-Star break only serves as a rejuvenation period and not an unwelcome interruption.

Brendan Ryan Gettin’ it Done  I think Ryan has finally traded in his Kool Aid for Gatorade. He’s playing with the big boys and swinging a solid stick. Ryan is going to be a key factor in the coming weeks with Izturis out and the inconsistent Kennedy getting more and more playing time. Let’s hope he can continue his energetic ways.

Rumor Mills Suck  I just read a post by someone on the Post Dispatch forums asking if they thought it was possible for Oquendo to move to the Reds’ organization and become Walt’s new Manager. It got me thinking…isn’t Dave Duncan’s contract up this year? And didn’t Tony sign with St. Louis before knowing where and how Walt would land? Isn’t it possible that Tony could ask out of his contract after this season to take his winning road show (and Duncan Sr.) to Cincinnati with the Reds? *shudder*

Wedding Day Jubilation  June 21st was a magical day for me…Kim Vines became Kim Reynolds in a wonderfully simple and chaotic ceremony. I couldn’t be happier. Just to show you all what kind of woman I married, she surprised me with a groom’s cake shaped like a baseball and sporting a Cardinals mini-helmet AND two St. Louis Cardinals garters! What a woman…and how did I repay her? By flipping her, cooler and all, into the river during a post-wedding float trip. Sorry, babe!

Bird Watching: What are they teachin’ kids these days?

Last night was a real treat. With the Springfield Cardinals tied for first place in the division and a handful of games to go, a pennant race atmosphere usually makes for a good ball game all on its own. Throw in Jess Todd, Springfield’s latest phenom pitcher with a 0.83 ERA in 7 games and 43.1 innings pitched, and you’ve got a perfect night of minor league baseball. But that wasn’t all…no, sir. Todd threw an impressive game, but he was not the starter. That honor went to none other than Jason Isringhausen of the St. Louis Cardinals.

Izzy, the Cards’ all-time saves leader, pitched 1 2/3rds innings on loan from the big league club. His second appearance in what appears to be a short rehab assignment was truly fun to watch. The grizzled veteran warmed up in front of giddy Springfield fans drooling at the bullpen rail, each one of us just happy to have the opportunity to see one of the game’s best this close for less than MLB prices.

As he threw his pre-game assortment of pitches, the difference between a AA pitcher and one like Izzy was clear. His effortless motion, fluid mechanics, and pinpoint accuracy was impressive, and the break on his curveball was eye-popping…but I have a confession to make. As amazing as it was to see Izzy up close and personal, he was not my favorite part of the evening. No, it wasn’t Jess Todd either, nor was it the carnival-like antics of the all-too vocal Beer Man roaming the stands. In all honesty, I have to say my favorite part of the evening was when a few of us noticed two casually-dressed observers near the back of the bullpen.

At first, I couldn’t tell who they were – one in sunglasses and a loosely fitting white button-down shirt and the other in a green t-shirt and jean shorts – but a grinning fan up the rail from us soon rescued me from my ignorance. “Hey! That’s Mabry, man! That’s Mabry!”

I leaned over to get a good look at the shades-sporting man in the white shirt and sure enough, there was John Mabry. “Who’s the other guy? The one in the green shirt,” I asked. The man from St. Louis to my left said, “That’s Matheny.”

“Mike Matheny!?” I said. At that moment, a kid no more than 10 or 11 years old yelled, “Hey, Matheny!” The man in the green shirt turned our way…and the crowd froze. We were caught in the gaze of greatness. This was the man that exemplified St. Louis Cardinals baseball. When you hear the phrase “Play like a Cardinal,” he’s the man you think of. The man who’s defensive prowess behind the plate was legendary. The man who taught Yadier Molina. The man who caught Jason Isringhausen when he came over from the Oakland Athletics. The man who, perhaps single-handedly, both fulfilled and defined the expectations of Cardinals catchers for years to come. And now, he was looking directly at us – and we all lost our nerve.

As the throng of bird watchers stared back at the man, the myth, the legend that has become Matheny, we were speechless. Mike was watching, waiting for one of us to “make a move” now that we had his attention, but none appeared ready to answer the call. That is…except for me.

Cautiously, so as to appear non-chalant about the affair, I raised my right arm. My fingers, unaware of what they were doing and acting as if they had a mind of their own, split into a salute-like imitation of a peace sign – “What’s up?” I was saying. “Good to see ya’” It was all I could muster…but it seemed to be enough. Reaching his hand high in proud recognition of his followers, Matheny waived back. It was…exhilarating. The Matheny had responded. He had graced us with his recognition. “Did you see that?” I said to my patient and ever-encouraging fiancee. “He waived at me! Matheny waived at me!” I felt ten years old again.

As we headed for our section a few minutes before the game began – feverishly dashing for our seats so as not to miss a single pitch thrown by Izzy – I thought of how it felt to be ten again, and I thought of how refreshing it was to see a ten year old yell out to a player who played years before he could possibly have remembered, much less admired. It made me proud of Cardinals Nation.

There is a massive portion of baseball fans, myself included at times, that are seriously lacking in baseball education. In a time when most wonder “What are they teaching these kids today?,” Cardinals fans are teaching their children about baseball and the legends that have come before them. Standing there in that group of bird watchers, it was the ten year old kid among us that recognized and appreciated the man before him. Mike Matheny wasn’t the game’s best hitting catcher. He didn’t hit for a high average or for power…but he was special to Cardinals Nation. And Cardinals Nation remembers…

Okay…so I get a little emotional about Cardinals players…what can I say? And I just found out I get to see Mark Mulder pitch in Springfield this Saturday…whew…should be a fun weekend of Cardinals baseball, fellow bird watchers!

Go Cards!!!

BIRD SEEDS

Congratulations to Braden Looper  As I sat in Hammon’s Field watching the Springfield game, I could just make out one of the TVs near the third base line concession stand. The scoreboard said St. Louis was in the bottom of the 9th with 2 outs and a 10 – 0 lead…and I could have sworn I just saw Braden Looper on TV. “Is that Looper?” I said. “I think he’s still in…I think he’s going for a complete game!” How true. Braden pitched a 3-hitter to bury the Reds ten to nothing. Congrats, Loop.

Albert-less Cards Cruise  The Cardinals cruised to a ten to nothing victory the day after losing Wainwright and Albert Pujols for at least 3 weeks each. That’s character. When Albert went down, I quickly dove into his 2008 stats on baseball-reference.com, hoping to find something encouraging. Maybe Albert’s performance this year was not THAT significant when compared to our team’s winning percentage. Maybe he was having one of those years where he hits a lot but in a losing cause. Not so. A quick glance at his stats made it all too clear just how important he is to our team. Losing him hurts…but it hurts a lot less when the team explodes in a statement game like last night. This team is here to stay regardless of who is pitching or hitting.

Ank the Tank is Back on Track  Ankiel came back this week…and promptly lifted a bomb to right field. He came into last night’s game and did the same thing in the first inning. Maybe a bit of time off is just what he needed to escape his most recent slump. Maybe, just maybe, the baseball gods are smiling down on us after all. I mean, let’s think about this…yeah, we lose Albert, but we get back a rested, ball-crushing Rick Ankiel just in time to help pick up the slack. Sure, we lose Wainwright…but today brought the surprising announcement that Mark Mulder could finally have a shot at pulling off a sooner-rather-than-later comeback. I’m tellin’ you, guys…this season feels special…I don’t quite know how special, but clearly someone up there likes us.

Colby Rasmus Continues to Show Why He’s Our Number 1 Prospect  Rasmus started slow, but no one has been hotter than he’s been in the last few weeks. After an 11 or 12 game hitting streak, Rasmus continues to terrorize AAA pitching. He’s doing well, and the organization is able to breath a sigh of relief…but I still think he should remain in AAA until ‘09, and possibly even start the year there then. We have plenty of outfielders at this level, and trading some away will only force our hand on a Rasmus call up that could easily go south when he enters one of his trademark adjustment period slumps. When the Rasmus era begins, it should begin carefully and with all parties involved ready for the transition.

Springfield is the New Union Station  With all the rehabbing pitchers passing through, Hammon’s Field feels a bit more like Union Station than it does a ball field (and the background train whistles only add to the feel…love that whistle!). Springfield has now seen the likes of Matt Clement, Mark Mulder, and Jason Isringhausen and soon expects to see Chris Carpenter appear in a Springfield uniform. As far as position players are concerned, only Brendan Ryan has made a brief stop at Hammon’s, but if Albert Pujols decides a few AA games could do his timing some good, we may just see the closest thing to an L.A. riot in the heart of the Ozarks.