...but trouble nonetheless.
I saw the first spring training photos, thanks to Redbird Central.
Immediately I see two problems for the Cardinals.
Does anyone else see what I see and share my concern?
They sure don't look very serious about the work ahead, do they?
But things got really seriously ugly when this started happening, which I refer to as problem #2:
Yes, folks, it's none other than Jason Isringhausen getting loose. Which prompted the starting pitching contingent in camp to riot.
Here's the angry mob, just after hearing the news, running to reign blows upon their manager to express their displeasure.
You wanna play that game, Scottius? The guy who we were planning on having as our closer this year, our go-to, reliable, experienced veteran...just retired. (sobs)
ReplyDeleteBarb!
ReplyDeleteAAACK! I just saw that. Looks like you're stuck with Joe Borowski. Sorry about that, chief.
At least he had the decency to retire before the Indians were on the hook for $5 million.
It shall be interesting to see what pans out this spring. I look for a couple of trades on our end. Maybe there will be another Cleveland/St. Louis deal now. We certainly have plenty of bullpen arms.
By the way, have you been following Ronnie Belliard's troubles?
Well, I have the feeling we could use some more bullpen arms, so perhaps a trade is indeed in the pipeline. I am glad we aren't stuck paying out $5 million, so I guess I'll look on the bright side.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't seen Ronnie's problems, but I looked it up. Seems like they are usually in Cleveland when they do that kind of stupid stuff. Although he hadn't been with you guys too long when he did something stupid...or didn't. Facts are inclusive, I guess.
BTW, who is number 46 on your team?
Barb!
ReplyDeleteI don't know who #46 is. So I looked it up and I still don't know. It's no one on the 40 man roster, and none of the non-roster invitees have #46, either.
Have you seen a picture of someone with #46?
I was just confused about this. Does it mean something to you?
ReplyDeleteBarb!
ReplyDeleteThanks, that helped a lot.
"Retire 46" is Dan at Get Up Baby's tribute to Rick Ankiel, the "tragic" Cardinals pitcher who, at age 20, had a famous wildness meltdown as the starter in the 2000 playoffs opener, and was out of the major leagues by the next year. He couldn't regain his control. It was completely mental, as a more physically gifted pitcher one could not craft.
He then proceeded to blow his arm out and have one or two surgeries while mired in the minors. Here was a guy with all the talent in the world but who never seemed to get a break.
Everyone rooted for him to make it back to the major leagues, and he finally did at the end of 2004, as a September call up for the bullpen. Since everyone was familiar with his story, he got quite a welcome back to Busch Stadium that night. Perseverance finally rewarded.
The next spring he had another bout of wildness, which prompted him to retire as a pitcher. He's now attempting a comeback as an outfielder in the Cardinals minor league system. As a pitcher he wore number 46. As an outfielder, he has sported number 49. He must think 46 is cursed. Gee, I wonder why.
He's kind of the guy everyone pulls for because his career has been so star-crossed. He had all the tools physically, just not between his ears. He probably has no chance to make the roster this spring training.
And his life before pro ball didn't seem to give him any breaks either- his dad was a convict. It's really quite a story. Sports Illustrated did a nice write up of that story prior to the 2001 season.
That's the story, Cliff's Notes version.