Confessional Lutherans...Come Out, Come Out, Wherever You Are

This is the single longest post I've made. So far. I'm sorry. Indulge me.

The idea of the great, conservative Lutheran church organization, the LCMS, may exist in theory, but in practice it really doesn't. It's a bygone thing. It's over. You could continue to delude yourself that it does exist. But it doesn't. So, pack your bags baby. It's time to go.

At one time, you could travel the country, walk in to an LCMS church on Sunday and worship and receive God's means of grace, and hardly know you weren't at your home church, save for some bricks and some faces. We all know it ain't that way now. Because that LCMS is dead.

So now the LCMS has a class-action lawsuit filed against it regarding some 2004 synodical convention election hanky-panky. This mess is going to take years and years to resolve. Many more conventions and elections are going to come and go before then. I shudder to think what is going to be left of this once great association of churches before the dust settles.

Why is the LCMS leadership continually talking with the ELCA about finding common ground? What fellowship does light have with darkness? Prediction: in my lifetime, should I live to an average age for an American male, the LCMS and ELCA will be in full fellowship. I am now 41 years old.

Some friends I have say the WELS is only about 10 years behind where the LCMS is now. I pray this is not so.

And, at least in Central Illinois, most LCMS congregations have no idea what is happening in their synod. Their pastors haven't informed them.

Our pastor told us something yesterday you may find shocking. I did. But my congregation has been getting a family visiting since the spring that is not from our city. Or even our state. They have traveled on more than one occasion to our church to worship and also to meet with the pastors about what they should do. Because they do not know where to turn to in their neck of the woods- MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN. Not exactly the boondocks, huh? I kid you not. That's about a six hour drive.

The cracks in the LCMS foundation are now large. The earthquake to topple it could be this lawsuit. Or possibly something else. Of course I cannot guarantee this. But I predict there will be a something else coming.

Many pastors aren't speaking up and letting their congregations know what's happening. Or they are part of the problem, embracing syncretism, unionism, and non-biblical feel good church-growth ideals. Or they're too scared to say anything because, afterall, they have pensions and insurance benefits that they don't want to jeopardize by calling the synod's leadership in to question. So they stay quiet.

Or worse, they speak out, but take no action.

Thank God Luther didn't have a pension or benefits to worry about. But Luther was a MAN'S MAN. I doubt such things would have deterred him from action.

Or perhaps they "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil."

And many of the conservative leaders in the synod are all talk and no action as well. Before the 2004 synodical convention, several of the conservatives went on record saying this (2004) was the most important election the synod had faced. In fact, they even produced a video, I think it was called "Crisis At The Crossroads", or something like that, in which they stated the LCMS was at a crossroads at the 2004 convention. I know, I saw the tape.

Well, the LCMS blew right through that 2004 crossroads, my good buddies. And they didn't get on the conservative track. And these conservatives couldn't have back-tracked from their statements quick enough. "Well, we'll hold on and see how the next convention plays out." In other words, "we didn't mean what we said this time, but I'm warning you, we really mean it for next time." Or, I think better stated, "we ain't got no 'nads."

Si, amigo. I just questioned some people's manhood. As should most of those who call themselves confessional Lutherans.

Well, all you conservative cats, here's another prediction: the next convention will turn out the same or worse than this past convention did. Because Kieschnick and his boys hold all the cards. You have none. Game over. And I predict after it's over, you'll go nowhere then, either. I can hear it now- "Well, we'll wait around and see what happens, but if things don't change this time, then we really, really mean it this time- we're leaving- errrrr... probably."

And, perhaps most importantly, a good portion of what calls itself LCMS Lutheran laity doesn't want to know about the turmoil in their church. They just don't care. As long as they are comfortable, happy, and entertained, they don't care. Turmoil and controversy are for trouble makers. Leave me alone.

Or the laity that do know are not calling their pastors to account. "Pastor, what are we going to do in response to this disgraceful mess our synod is in? Lawsuits. Financial problems. Embracing those who practice unionism and syncretism. Disregarding those that care to be Lutheran. Trying to set the world Ablaze, whatever that means. How long are we going to be in fellowship with those who are ring leading the circus?"

Or, they're just "in love" with the label of being an "LCMS Lutheran." Whatever that means. It means nothing anymore. But there are a lot of those people out there.

"I'm an LCMS Lutheran. I don't care about anything else. Oh, did I mention I'm an LCMS Lutheran." Yes, you did. About a zillion times. And it doesn't mean anything anymore.

The "synod" that they are leaving for their children and grandchildren is a farce.

May I be proved wrong in my predictions.

I don't know how I feel about this lawsuit. On general principle, I think lawsuits are bad. Lawsuits are for the world. But I do commend those in the synod who actually do have brass cajones, and are actually doing something, not just sitting there and ignoring the elephant in the room. Or worse yet, acknowledging it's there, talking about how they hate it being there, and taking absolutely no action. They can talk a good game, but when push comes to shove, they conclude they're happy being an LCMS Lutheran, and they don't really want to lose that.

But ask yourself this question- if the "real" LCMS is not dead, why is there this mess?

Teddy Roosevelt is a hero of mine, and therefore I'm usually a man of few words. Sorry about the length of this. And if I generalized about the LCMS too much, I apologize. But make no mistake, the district I used to be part of is guilty.

When our congregation voted to leave the LCMS last fall, would you happen to want to guess the number of congregations that called ours, pointing out our error and requesting us not to leave? Or how many pastors pulled our pastors aside to show them, in private, and from scripture, where they have erred?

ZERO. So I conclude they did not do so because we weren't wrong to leave.

Here's the lawsuit's background, followed by a copy of the actual lawsuit filed with the St. Louis courts, with thanks to Reclaim News:

"August 27, 2005

"Class Action Lawsuit Filed In St. Louis against LCMS President"

A class action lawsuit was filed on August 12, 2005, in St. Louis County, MO against Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod President, Gerald Kieschnick.

This internal struggle in the LCMS will ultimately determine whether the LCMS Board of Directors (BOD) or the LCMS President's appointees on the Commission on Constitutional Matters (CCM) have authority over the Synod's five billion dollars in liquid assets.

This is the first class action lawsuit ever filed against the 158 year old LCMS, a not-for-profit corporation, registered in the State of Missouri.

The triennial LCMS Convention elects the Board of Directors. The suit claims that recent rulings by the President's appointees on the CCM have nullified portions of the LCMS Constitution, Convention resolutions, and resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors.

The class action lawsuit is signed by 101 pastors, teachers, and congregations of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.

The suit accuses Kieschnick of voter fraud in the 2004 LCMS Convention; failure to follow the State of Missouri's laws governing not-for-profit corporations; and appointment of members to the CCM who refuse to interpret the LCMS Constitution correctly.

The 2004 LCMS Convention had been advised by the Synod's legal counsel that the Synod was in compliance with Missouri Law. However, the LCMS Board of Directors (BOD) purchased an opinion from the prestigious Bryan Cave Law Firm, which states that recent rulings of the CCM are opposed to Missouri corporate law.

The BOD changed the Synod's legal counsel after the 2004 Convention.

Kieschnick must hire separate legal counsel to defend himself. Five members of the 15 member Board of Directors have already voted to sue the LCMS in order to test the Bryan Cave opinion. This places a significant portion of the BOD in an adversarial relationship with the Synodical President in the current class action suit.

If the Bryan Cave opinion is upheld by the Missouri Courts, the plaintiffs will force the LCMS to be in compliance with Missouri law. If the LCMS is currently not a corporation under Missouri law, as the plaintiffs contend, all LCMS member congregations are legally responsible for the LCMS and all its entities.

At a recent meeting of the BOD, Kieschnick appeared surprised by the suit, even though he had just met with those filing the suit a week earlier, before the suit was filed. During that meeting Kieschnick, would not discuss the merits of the case.

Missouri law requires that a corporation, such as the LCMS, must be governed by a constitutionally elected Board of Directors. New authority assumed by the CCM has placed the CCM over the BOD. The plaintiffs claim, that in reality, the CCM is now the real BOD and Kieschnick has engineered a corporate coup' d'etat in the LCMS.

Attorney Robert Doggett of Cincinnati is planning extensive depositions of Synodical officials and District Presidents whom Doggett claims conspired with Kieschnick to commit voter fraud at the 2004 Convention.

During the 2004 Convention, Kieschnick kept review of all CCM rulings from the Convention floor. Any CCM ruling that is not reviewed by the Convention automatically becomes binding on all parties in the LCMS.

If Kieschnick wins the case, the LCMS will change from governance by congregations to direct governance by the LCMS President.

If the plaintiffs win their class action lawsuit, all actions of the 2004 Convention will be null and void, the CCM will once again become an advisory commission as was originally intended, and the LCMS Council of District Presidents may be dissolved.

Events culminating in this suit have developed in a predictable sequence for more than a year.

When Kieschnick signed the 176 exceptions for delegates at the 2004 convention, for a total of 14.2 percent of all the registered delegates, he assumed that there would be little if any objection.

When there were objections of voter fraud he assumed that nothing would come of it.

When there were threats of a class action lawsuit, he assumed that it would not be filed.

When the suit was filed he now assumes that the judge will decide that the suit has no merit.

If the suit does move forward to discovery and depositions, will President Kieschnick assume that the LCMS will not be concerned if he pleads the Fifth Amendment and refuses to answer questions?

Kieschnick's attorneys must now convince the court that the class action lawsuit involves the court in deciding matters of religion. However, the LC-MS has never claimed that it was church. Only the congregations are churches. In its own Constitution the LCMS claims that it is a not-for-profit corporation.

Actually the State of Missouri has already involved itself in matters of religion by granting the LCMS the status of a not-for-profit corporation. Does Kieschnick expect the State to recognize the LCMS as a not-for-profit corporation but exempt the LCMS from laws that govern not-for-profit corporations?

There is a strong possibility that the suit will never come to trial. Revelations from the depositions will be so damaging to the Synod that a number of District Presidents will not run for reelection in 2006 and Kieschnick will retire as will all the Vice-Presidents.

During all of this, Kieschnick will actively seek reelection at the 2007 Convention. He will most likely use the suit as proof that the Synod needs to reelect him, because he is addressing the real issues in the LCMS.

Thousands of LCMS pastors are keeping any information about the suit away from their members. They justify the wall of silence as a means of protecting their members from Synodical trouble makers.

What kind of response can we expect from the Synodical President and the "Jesus First" machine to the class action lawsuit?

1. A letter writing campaign has already begun against the 101 congregations, pastors, and teachers, who signed the class action lawsuit. "Jesus First" supporters are sending threatening letters and trying to convince the 101 signers to remove their names from the suit.

2. Members of "Jesus First" are already claiming that the prohibition against suing a fellow church member stated in 1 Cor. 6 prevents LCMS members from using the courts to enforce the Seventh and Eighth Commandments.

3. Kieschnick will claim that those who could not elect their candidate at the 2004 Convention will now ask the courts to defeat him.

4. Kieschnick will also claim that the 101 signers refuse to follow proper channels in the LCMS to address their complaints about the 2004 election.

5. "Jesus First" will send a petition signed by hundreds of LCMS clergy asking the Judge to throw out the suit because it seeks the courts interference in the affairs of the church.

At this time, the class action suit seeks to show that Kieschnick refused to allow any challenges on the recent CCM rulings on the 2004 convention floor and that he did not follow his own published guidelines for signing exceptions for Convention delegates.

In May of 2004, the CCM ruled that District Presidents were exempt from following proper channels in LCMS Congregational Constitutions. In view of this ruling, Kieschnick can hardly claim the necessity to follow proper channels in the LCMS constitution.

If maintaining honest elections in the LCMS is a matter of religion, then the same claim can be made for all elections in the United States."

-----------------------------------------------------------

"TYPED COPY OF THE LAWSUIT AS FILED:

"IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF ST. LOUIS COUNTY - STATE OF MISSOURI"

REV. DAVID L. ANDERSON, REV. JAMES W. ANTHONY, REV. BRETT BALFOUR, REV. PAUL

A. BARTZ, DR. FREDERIC W. BAUE, HOWARD P. BEHRENDT, REV. DEAN M BELL, REV.

LELAND D. BENDIX, REV. RICHARD E. BOLLING, REV. ARTHUR CHARLES BOLSTAD, REV.

CLARENCE BORN, REV. ORLETT D. BRACK, REV. STEVEN C. BRIEL, CHRIST LUTHERAN

CHURCH OF MUSCODA, WISCONSIN, REV. CONRAD COYNERS, REV. TERRY H. DABERKOW,

REV. FREDERICK E. DAVISON, REV. ROBERT DIBELL, REV. JERALD P. DULAS, REV.

LESTER DUMER, REV. JAMES M. ELMSHAUSER, FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH, REV. STEVEN

L. FLO, REV. PHILIP J. FOUND, DR. PAUL J. FOUST, REV. JEROME A. FREIMUTH,

REV. MICHAEL FRICK, REV. STEPHEN H. FUNCK, FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH OF DENVER,

COLORADO, REV. STEPHEN P. GILLET, GLORY OF CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH, REV.

GEROLD W. GOETZ, GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH, REV. WILLIAM C. GRAFE, REV. LLOYD E.

GROSS, REV. RICHARD F. GUGEL, REV. ROBERT H. GULLION, REV. HARLAN L.

HARNAPP, EDMUND HINRICHS, REV. ELMER M. HOHLE, REV. HORACE D. HUMMEL,

IMMANUEL EV. LUTHERAN CHURCH, IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH, POWELL, WY., REV.

MATTHEW P. JOHNSON, REV. KEN KEILY, REV. HAROLD HING, JR., REV. GEORGE A.

KRENGEL, REV. FRED M. KUTTER, REV. LARRY LA DASSOR, REV. THEODORE O.

LETZING, REV. A. J. LOESCHMAN, EDMUND R. MARTENS, REV. THEODORE A. MARTIN,

REV. DAVID P. MCDONALD, REV. MARK R. MEIER, SR., REV. JOHN V. MOYER, BETTY

HULHOLLAND, REV. RAYMOND NELSEN, REV. DREW A. NEWMAN, REV. RAY R. OHLENDORF,

REV. GERALD PETERMAN, REV. RICK PETTEY, REV. DONALD L. POHLERS, REV. CHARLES

H. POOL, REV. KLEMENT PREUS, REV. PETER E. PREUS, PRINCE OF PEACE LUTHERAN

CHURCH, REV. THOMAS J. QUECK, REV. ROBERT R. ROBERTS, REV. PAUL ROSNAU,

DAVID SAEGER, ST. JOHN'S LUTHERAN CHURCH IN WILLITS, CALIFORNIA, ST. JOHN'S

LUTHERAN CHURCH IN MAPLE GROVE, MINNESOTA, ST. PETER EV. LUTHERAN CHURCH,

DR. PAUL SCHILF, REV. NEIL R. SCHMIDT, REV. WAYNE E. SCHUMPE. REV. ARTHUR

SENN, REV. DAVID M. SPAETH, REV. THEODORE STAUDACHER, REV. JEROME R.

TEICHMILLER, DORIS I. TIMMER, REV. W. R. TIMMER, ST., TRINITY LUTHERAN

CHURCH, THE LUTHERAN CHURCH OF THE TRIUNE GOD, REV. LARRY D. TROXEL, GARY

VOLBERDING, REV. JAY R. WHEELER, REV. HENRY C. WIED, CHARLES F. WILDAUER,

REV. ROBERT E. YOUNT, REV. OTTO T. ZEEB, AND REV. RODNEY E. ZWONITZER, on

behalf of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod,

Plaintiff,

v.

REV. GERALD KIESCHNICK,

1333 S. Kirkwood Road

Kirkwood, Missouri 63122

 and

REV. WILLIAM DIEKELMAN,

1333 S. Kirkwood

Kirkwood, Missouri 63122

Defendants,

 and

THE LUTHERAN CHURCH - MISSOURI SYNOD, as a 

Nominal Defendant,

C/o CT Corporation System

120 S. Central Avenue

Clayton, Missouri 63105

PETITION IN EQUITY FOR EQUITABLE RELIEF AND FOR A DECLARATORY JUDGMENT

Come now the above Plaintiffs, individually and derivatively, on behalf of

The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (herein called "LCMS"), and for their

cause of action state:

COUNT I

1. The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod ("LCMS") is a Missouri not-for-profit

corporation with its principal place of business at 1333 South Kirkwood

Road, St. Louis County, Missouri.  This action is brought on its behalf.

The LCMS is also named as a nominal Defendant in accordance with the

requirements of Missouri law.

2. Plaintiffs are now, and at the time of the wrongdoing alleged in this

action were, members of LCMS and have the right to bring this suit under

355.221 and 355.141.3 of the Missouri Statues.

3. Plaintiffs have requested the LCMS Board of Directors to bring this

action and to remedy the wrongs set forth herein, but the Board has refused.

Plaintiffs did not have to make a similar demand on all of the other members

of LCMS because the acts complained of herein are illegal and ultra vires.

4. Defendant Rev. Gerald Kieschnick ("Kieschnick") is a resident of St.

Louis County and is currently President of LCMS although he holds that

office illegally for the reasons hereinafter stated.

5. Defendant Rev. William Diekelman is a resident of St. Louis County,

Missouri and is currently First Vice-President of LCMS, although he holds

that office illegally for the reasons hereinafter stated.

6. Venue is proper in St. Louis County

7. Commencing in 2003 or 2004, or before, Defendants and each of them, for

their own personal gain, embarked upon a scheme to perpetuate themselves in

office by evading and avoiding the official Missouri By-Laws of LCMS.

8. Article 3.1.2 of the By-Laws states that one pastor and one layman shall

be voting delegates for each LCMS electoral circuit, that each such pair of

voting delegates shall represent from seven to twenty congregations, and

that the membership for each such circuit shall total at least 1,500

congregants.

9. In 2004, Defendants Kieschnick and Diekleman and each of them violated

Article 3.1.2 by splitting existing electoral circuits with constituencies

favorable to them into smaller circuits, thereby increasing the number of

electoral circuits with favorable constituencies and increasing the number

of voting delegates favorable to Defendants.  One hundred and seventy-six

new delegates favorable to Defendants were present and voting at the 2004

LCMS convention held in St. Louis, and such new delegates voted for

Defendants and thereby enabled Defendants to be elected to their respective

offices.

10. The new split electoral circuits created by Defendants did not comply

with Article 3.1.2 of the By-Laws.  For example, 32 new electoral circuits

had fewer than the required minimum of seven congregations per circuit, and

65 of the new electoral circuits had total membership less than the required

minimum of 1,500 congregants per circuit.  Of the aforesaid 65 new electoral

circuits, twelve circuits had less than seven congregations, and, in

addition, each of those twelve circuits had a total membership of fewer than

1,500 congregants.

11. Defendants have tried to justify this wholesale violation of Article

3.1.2 of the By-Laws by contending that Article 3.1.2 allows the President,

on his own authority and in his absolute discretion, to make exceptions to

its requirements.  The authority of the President to make exceptions,

however, has always been interpreted narrowly and pursuant to reasonable and

accepted guidelines and has always required that an exception be used solely

for the benefit of LCMS and not, as it was here, for purposes of

self-dealing, breach of good faith, breach of fiduciary duty, gross abuse of

discretion and for personal, rather than for LCMS, benefit.  Furthermore, an

exception can be made only upon request of a District Board of Director4s, a

requirement which was either ignored by Defendants or was complied with by

soliciting sham requests.  Never before in the history of LCMS has there

been what here amounts to the equivalent of an old-fashioned, secular,

stuffing of the electoral ballot box.

12. Plaintiffs have no adequate remedy at law except by this action and the

severe damage to Plaintiffs and LCMS cannot be measured simply in money.

The only fair and adequate relief here is for the elections of Defendants at

the 2004 LCMS convention to be set aside and for naught held.  Demand has

been made on the LCMS Board of Directors to set aside such elections and

said demand has been rejected.

HWEREFORE, Plaintiffs pray that this Court declare that the 2004 3l3ctions

of Defendants are null and void; that the Court order new elections by

electoral voters who meet the requirements of Article 3.1.2, are not voters

by reason of illegal exceptions applied by Defendants; that Plaintiffs be

awarded their attorneys' fees and costs' and that the Court grant such other

and further relief as it deems meet, just and proper.

COUNT II

1. Plaintiffs incorporate by reference as if fully rewritten herein all of

the foregoing allegations of the Petition.

2. Section 355.316 of the Missouri Revised Statutes provides that all

corporate powers shall be exercised by or under the authority of the Board

of Directors and that the affairs of a corporation shall be managed under

the direction of the Board of Directors.

3. Defendants, and each of them, have repeatedly disregarded 355.316 by:

(a) Appointing a Commission on Constitutional  Matters and have caused such

Commission to render opinions which have illegally usurped and limited the

power of the Board of Director with respect to, inter alia.  (1) funding and

operation of radio station KFUO; (2) the allocation of unrestricted funds,

particularly with respect to LCMS seminaries and colleges; (3) the use of

funds allocated to particular programs; (4) restricting Defendant

President's use of funds; and (5) otherwise restricting the authority of the

Board to manage the corporation.  Defendants have also caused the Commission

to issue opinions which consolidated their power and immunized them and

colleagues friendly to them from punishment, penalties or disciple for

violating Missouri law, LCMS Articles and LCMS By-Laws.

(b) Appointing a "Convention Committee" and causing said Committee to

present to a Convention of the Synod resolutions which illegally restricted

the power of the Board granted by state law, and particularly 355.316.

Defendants knew that said resolutions violated Missouri law but they

misrepresented to their appointed Convention Committee the nature and effect

of such resolutions so that the Committee would entice convention delegates

to adopt such illegal resolutions.  The effect of such resolutions was to

attempt to give a commission appointed by Defendant President authority over

matters specifically given to the Board under Missouri law.

4. Plaintiffs have no adequate remedy at law except by this equitable action

because the severe damage to Plaintiffs and LCMS cannot be measured simply

in money.

WHEREFORE, Plaintiffs pray that this Court declare that the opinions of the

Commission on Constitutional Matters which limit the powers of the Board of

Directors given it by Missouri law and the LCMS Constitution and By-Laws be

declared illegal and void and of no effect; that the members of said

Commission be expelled from the Commission; that the Convention Committee's

illegal resolutions, and the amendments to the LCMS Articles and By-Laws

which are the product of such illegal resolutions and in violating of

Missouri law, be declared illegal and void and of no effect; that Plaintiffs

be awarded their attorneys' fees and costs; and that the court enter such

other and further relief as it deems meet, just and proper.

STATE OF       OHIO

COUNTY OF      HAMILTON

Comes now Robert I. Doggett, and being duly sworn on his oath, states that

the foregoing facts alleged in this Petition are true as he verily believes.

Signature of:  Robert Doggett

ROBERT I. DOGGET

Subscribed and sworn to be me for this 12th day of August, 2005.

NOTARY SEAL:  Notary Public, State of Ohio

                               My Commission Expires,

                               May 2, 2010

SIGNATURE OF:  Samantha J. Meek

                                NOTARY PUBLIC

My Commission Expires;

May 2, 2010

KOHN, SHANDS, ELBERT,

GIANOULAKIS & GILJUM, LLP

SIGNATURE OF:  Alan C. Kohn

Alan C. Kohn #16015

Jeremy D. Shook #50412

One Us Bank Plaza

Suite 2410

St. Louis, MO 63101

(314) 241-3963

(314) 241-2509 Fax

Attorneys for Plaintiffs

-----------------------------------------------------------

List owner and Reclaim News editor, Rev. Jack Cascione can be reached at

pastorcascione@juno.com

Also participate in www.Lutherquest.org for discussion.

Also view www.reclaimingwalther.org for papers, articles, & previous

releases."

And Yet Another Thing I Don't Get

How can a visitor to a website get there without a referring link? I'm getting a lot of those hits lately.

Just wondering.

The Chicago Mets

I feel whiney today.

Before the baseball season started last year (2004), all that the media could talk about around here was that the Chicago Cubs were going to be dominant. I mean, never in the history of baseball had such a great team been assembled. It reminded me of what I would consider the "golden years" of baseball, the decade of the 1980s. The media fawned over the the Mets as the "greatest team" of that generation.

Any God-fearing Cardinals fan hated the Mets. With a passion. They were cocky and un-gentlemanly. They thought their s--- didn't stink, but we could smell it clear over in St. Louis.

Let's look at the facts:
1980s St. Louis Cardinals: 3 Eastern Division Titles, 3 National League Pennants, 1 World Series Championship.
1980s New York Mets: 2 Eastern Division Titles, 1 National League Pennant, 1 World Series Championship (and that number would be a big fat zero if it weren't for a gag-it-up Red Sox team coming from ahead in game 6).

And yet, in my opinion, most baseball fans, when asked about the 1980s, will remember the Mets as the best team of that era. Mostly based on one year, 1986. They are a media creation.

My point is this. This generation's Mets are the Cubs and their reputation- a complete media creation. And they're also cocky and un-gentlemanly. That's what made beating up on them last year so much fun.

Even if the Cardinals miraculously pull out a World Series win this year, most of the media will still fawn over the Chicago Cubs next spring training. How they have dominating talent on the pitching staff. How they have been the victims of injury and that the past two years of mediocrity have been flukes.

But maybe 2003 was the fluke. Maybe the Cubs played way over their heads that year. Maybe Kerry Wood isn't the second coming of Nolan Ryan or Roger Clemens. Maybe Mark Prior is a good pitcher but doesn't belong in the Hall of Fame yet. Maybe Dusty Baker isn't a managerial genius who wins wherever he goes.

The Cubs and their fans I believe are the victims of the media-hype-machine. They are just not that good. This is the same machine that inhabits Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, and covers the University there. Their sports teams are always on the cusp of greatness, yet never win championships, either.

Why do I care? I don't know. The Cubs are 20 games behind the Cardinals. I guess I should just let it go. But I obviously haven't let it go about the Mets inferior record after almost 2 decades, so I doubt I can let this go. I just pray the Cardinals win another championship before the Cubs. Otherwise I'll scream.

Okay, I feel better now.

But I've Never Drunk One

You Are a Mai Tai

You aren't a big drinker, but you'll drink if the atmosphere is festive. And when you're drunk, watch out! You're easily carried away.

What Mixed Drink Are You?

This Is Sick- Unless You Enjoy Hurting The Things You Love

There is a raffle to be held to see who "gets" to push the button to implode Busch Stadium at the end of the baseball season.

I would think lots of Cub fans would love to blow up this stadium. But a true Cardinal fan couldn't do it.

I have half a mind to enter the raffle just so on the "big day", I can walk away and leave it standing. That'd blow some minds, I'm sure.

[Scene: A cool autumn morning with a big crowd gathered 'round.]
Smarmy media: "Okay, fans. Now the moment we've been waiting for- here is Cardinal fan, Scottius Maximus, to push the button and blow up the stadium."
Me: "Thanks. But I'd just as soon leave it standing. As if any of you all cared anyway. We all know why you wanted to build this new stadium. You're all a bunch of greedy bastards aren't you? Well, I could never live with myself if I blew it up. No REAL FAN could ever do this dirty deed. I'm outta here."

Look, just because I'm posting pictures of the new stadium on my blog doesn't mean I was in favor of the new ballpark to begin with. I wasn't. It's the whole Mike and Ike thing, or "Blue Diamond Syndrome", all over again. Let's fix something that ain't broke so we can call it "new". Ugh.

I'm posting the new ballpark pictures because I am sad the old one is being torn down. I know I can't save it, so it makes it hurt a little less to try to learn to love this new one going up. I mean, this will be the Cardinals new home, and it is the Cardinals, after all, whom I am loyal to ultimately.

But I still won't blow up my stadium. That's sick.

More Astute Obervations From "Bible Believing Liberals"

Bill Hybels and John Shelby Spong.


I know this article, "Bible Believing Liberals", by Todd Wilken, has made the rounds, but for the past two weeks we have delved through it in depth at our church. The quote about the bible believing liberals that I put in the side bar of this blog is brilliant enough, but at the end of this article from Issues, Etc., one will see the following, and I dare say equally profound, paragraphs (most of the bold emphasis that follows is mine).

(As regards the "God is love", Willow Creek/Bill Hybels gospel):

"'God satisfies. He does something for us and in us that we can’t do for ourselves. God meets inner needs. He quiets restlessness and turmoil. He ministers to longings. He soothes wounds. He calms fears. He satisfies our souls.' (Bill Hybels, Seven Wonders of the Spiritual World, Dallas: Word, 1988, p. 137).

All of this is true, of course, but it’s not the whole truth. What’s missing? In this gospel, we are presented as unsatisfied, unable, needy, restless, longing, wounded and fearful, but not sinful. This is a gospel without sin.

A gospel without sin satisfies sinners, but doesn’t save them. A gospel without sin requires a God Who is merely good, not gracious and forgiving. A gospel without sin requires a Jesus who is merely sympathetic, not our substitute at the Cross. A gospel without sin is a gospel wherein Christ crucified is unnecessary. John Shelby Spong realizes this; he has done away with the Cross. Maybe this is why Bible-believing liberals are doing away with it too. The 'God loves you' gospel is a gospel that any liberal could love.

By contrast, here is what St. Paul says,
'God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in [Christ], and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation.' (Colossians 1:19-22)

One thing is for sure; Paul was no liberal, Bible-believing or otherwise..."

In regards to those who want "The Church" to remain culturally relevant, Wilken goes on:

"We’ve heard liberals say it for years: 'The Church must change or die. The culture calls the shots. We must re-read the Bible to fit the culture. When it comes to doctrine, don't sweat the details. Our differences don't matter anyway. After all, doctrine divides; it's the mission that really unites us. And when it comes to that mission, we’re justified in using whatever means we deem necessary. Remember, people just need to know that God loves them.' Now we’re hearing Bible-believing Christians saying the very same things.

The old-line liberals considered the Gospel irrational; Bible-believing liberals consider it irrelevant. The old-line liberals criticized the Gospel; Bible-believing liberals are trying to give it a makeover. The old-line liberals tried to deconstruct the Gospel; Bible-believing liberals are trying to reinvent it. Old-line liberals did their best to discredit the Gospel; Bible-believing liberals are doing their best to shift the focus away from the Cross.

Do Bible-believing liberals realize how liberal they really are? No. Are they well intentioned? Certainly! But the some of the old-line liberals were well intentioned too. St. Bernard of Clairvaux said, 'Hell is full of good intentions.'

When the Church follows the advice of liberals—Bible-believing or otherwise— the Gospel message suffers. When liberals —Bible-believing or otherwise— have their say and have their way, the Cross ends up obscured. When the Cross is obscured sinners go unsaved. This alone is reason enough to turn a deaf ear to the advice of these well-intentioned liberals —Bible-believing or otherwise.

Change or Die?
Bible-believing liberals say, 'The Church must change or die.' But they cannot tell you what the Church will be preaching 5, 10 or 20 years in the future. No one really knows, it all depends on how things change. In fact, Bible-believing liberals cannot even say that the Church will be preaching in at all in the future; maybe it will be doing poetry slams, kabuki theater or walking the labyrinth. No one really knows, it all depends on how things change. Do you really want to entrust your children and grandchildren to this kind of a Church?"...

Whoa, that hits a parent right in the gut. Or it should. Unfortunately, I am afraid for a good part of what calls itself "the church" in America, it gives no pause.

"Bible believing liberals say, 'The Church must change or die.' But change can’t insure the survival of the Church. The survival of the Church depends entirely on the One Who lived and died and lives again forever, the One Who does not change —'Jesus Christ, the same yesterday and today and forever.' (Hebrews 13:8)."

The Scottius Maximus Celebrity Of The Month (A Thank You To Sports Illustrated)

I never used to like this guy, Mr. Thornton. But you got to admit, he knows his baseball. After reading this, he is now my favorite celebrity!! Here is an excerpt from an interview from the great Sports Illustrated from this month.

"SI Associate Editor Richard Deitsch recently interviewed actor Billy Bob Thornton:

SI: Baseball is a big part of your fabric. How did you become a Cardinals fan?
Thornton:The farm club for the Cardinals, the Arkansas Travelers, played in Little Rock, where I grew up. I saw a lot of people coming through there. Keith Hernandez. Jose Cruz. We were just all Cardinals fans because we didn't have a our own major league team, so St. Louis was the closest one to us and our farm club was there. Everybody in Arkansas is a Cardinals fan.

SI: Which means 1982 was a good year for you and '68 was hell, right?
Thornton: Well, '67 was good and '68 was awful. I was talking to Willie Horton in Detroit at the All-Star Game and I told him I get a little bit of a chill being in Detroit because my Cardinals got beat by his guys that year. It was an awful year for me.

SI: How bad was watching last year?
Thornton: What was funny about it is that you can't help but pull for a team that had not won a World Series in that many years, so I always feel bad for the Cubs and the Red Sox, but I felt worse for the Sox because they are not in our division. The way I had to look at, it once they swept us, I thought it was just destiny. They were going to win that thing. When I saw the Cardinals in the dugout during the first game, they didn't have the fire in their eyes the way the Sox did. I know this will sound corny, but I think the Sox's spirit was just stronger. The Cardinals were the better team, I think. But I just think the Sox were meant to win last year.

SI: What has been the best sporting event you've attended because of your celebrity?
Thornton: This year's All-Star Game ranks right up there. I'd also have to say the day I went to Busch Stadium and threw out the ball. It was Jack Buck Day and I got to go up in the booth and sit with him and Mike Shannon for awhile.

SI: Your sons play youth hockey. What kind of sports parent are you? Thornton: I think everybody ought to play Little League. I know it meant a lot to me. I'm not one of those real intense sports dad. I want the kids to have fun. Of course, I want them to win because then they are happy. But I have taught them the "it's not whether you win or lose" thing.

SI: Your list of phobias is odd and famous: antiques, germs, Komodo dragons. Is there anything in baseball you are allergic too?
Thornton: The Yankees (laughs)."

And if you want to read the whole interview, click here.

Look Away...I'm...Hideous

Remember this classic exchange from Seinfeld between Jackie Chiles and Kramer?

Jackie: Did that cigarette warning label mention anything about damage to your appearance?

Kramer: No, it didn't say anything.

Jackie: So you're a victim. Now your face is shallow, unattractive, disgusting.

Kramer: So Jackie, do you think we gotta case?

Jackie: Your face is my case.

That's the feeling I get from comparing the top songs of 1978, posted at the great Kiihnworld, to the top songs of 1981, the year I graduated high school. It's hideous. Not even close. I can't even bring myself to copy and paste the top songs of 1981 to this post. Granted, it's not as bad as the crap being put out now. But I had to go through the top thirty songs just to find one I would consider burning on a CD. So maybe I'll sue the record companies for making music so shallow, unattractive, and disgusting in the year of my graduation. Get me Jackie!

If you must, click here to view the top songs of 1981.

But please, I beg you, turn away.

The Sorry State Of The World

The new Mike and Ike is a perfect example of what's wrong with us.

There was nothing wrong with Mike and Ike. It was perfect the way it was. Original fruits- orange, cherry, lemon, and lime. You could count on it. It was delicious.

But someone got all happy with the idea of "improving" it by adding strawberry. Now the whole thing is not the same. Mike and Ike is not as good as it once was. Because they've messed up the milieu.

And they are calling it "Original Fruits With New Strawberry". Hey, I may be a moron, but how could it be the original fruits if there is something new added?

I find myself having to pick out the strawberry. It detracts from the lemon, lime, orange, and cherry. Now the totality of the whole has been diminished. Thanks a lot, whoever you are.

They've pulled this stuff before with Froot Loops, Trix, and Lucky Charms. Adding new flavors, I mean. I think Lucky Charms was the first product to pull this stunt of trying to change something that was perfect. Years ago, they added blue diamonds to Lucky Charms. So now I call the act of messing with something that isn't broken "Blue Diamond Syndrome".

Listen world, if it ain't broke, don't try to fix it.

And don't even get me started about the disappearance of Cherry and Bub from the face of the earth.

Wild Behavior

I put up a hummingbird feeder this year. I have never had one before. And I must say I did not fully appreciate these little dudes until this year. A more marvelous and fascinating creature one will not find on the face of the earth. I love to watch them. They come in at breakneck speed, hover, feed, and dart off almost as quickly as they fly in. The acceleration is awesome to behold.

God seems to have created them to be fearless. I can be standing five feet away and they'll come diving in for some food. If you don't have a feeder, it's a great investment, because I guarantee they will entertain you.

I have the feeder about five feet off the ground, and one of the first encounters I had with them is a little embarrassing to admit, but here goes. I was squatted down on the ground below the feeder pulling weeds, when all of a sudden I hear a quite loud buzzing noise come swooping down overhead. Thinking it to be a wasp or giant bumble bee, I quickly swatted blindly (I know, stupid idea) over my head and took off running like a scared little girl. When I turned back around, I saw the bird, suspended in midair, feeding out of one of the holes on the feeder. And I'm not sure, but I think hummingbirds can laugh, because he sure seemed to be enjoying himself at my expense.

At any rate, last night, as I am watering the lawn, I look out over the spray coming out of the top of the sprinkler and see a hummingbird (no doubt one of my regulars) float in to check it out. So he floats above the spray for a moment, and then dives down in to the water, where he continues to hover while being wet down. Like he's taking a shower or something. He hangs there for about 10 or 15 seconds, and then darts up and on to a tree limb. Of course he looks like a speck to me sitting on the limb, but I can definitely make him out. And it's like he is relaxing after his little shower. If I had some opera glasses, I would have probably seen him in a smoking jacket enjoying a cigar or something.

So, I ask, is this normal behavior for a hummingbird? Or am I just in the presence of a show-off?

(By the way, to tie in to a post from last week, Hummingbirds would be a cool team nickname.)

I Think I'll Keep My Own Name

Your French Name Is

Lionel Jacquet

What's Your French Name?

Shut Him Down, Please

All of us survivors of the 2004 World Series are begging the Cardinals to shut this guy down.

That is not Scott Rolen, it is his arch-enemy, Ttocs Nelor, of the Bizarro World Cardinals, The Slanidracs. In Bizarro World Baseball, a hitter's success is measured in strike outs, GIDPs, and off-base percentage, while a pitcher's success is measured in home runs given up and runs allowed. By the way, on a related note, I think Matt Morris and his beard may have suffered the same fate, as it appears Ttam Sirrom has returned to pitch the last month.

I'm sure most Cardinals fans realize the real Scott Rolen must have been hit in the head and kidnapped sometime after Game 7 of the NLCS and before Game 1 of the World Series, being replaced by Nelor. There is no way else to explain the transformation of our 3rd baseman.

And this fellow has continued his imposterization this year. The numbers don't lie:
2005 Ttocs Nelor
G-56, AB- 196, R- 28, H- 46, 2B- 12, 3B- 1, HR- 5, RBI- 28, TB- 75, BB- 25, SO- 28, SB- 1, CS- 2, OBP- .323, SLG- .383, BA- .235
2004 Scott Rolen
G-142, AB- 500, R- 109, H- 157, 2B- 32, 3B- 4, HR- 34, RBI- 124, TB- 299, BB- 72, SO- 92, SB- 4, CS- 3, OBP- .409, SLG- .598, BA- .314

So whoever this fella is who needs shoulder surgery, don't let him come back. Make him have the surgery so we don't have to witness him in the post-season.

Nunez is now the man. Go, Abey Baby.

Obesity Solved!

We live in a fast paced society. To skim some more time out of the day, we usually cut corners with things like lunch or breakfast. In fact, I bet a good number of you all eat in your cars. Or trucks.

Several truck drivers and others who travel on their jobs and eat on the run tell me they often get fast food so that they can continue on down the road and eat. I mean, who can eat a salad while navigating around curves and through lane changes? And so they eat high calorie fast food which compounds their weight problem when done in the setting of their inactivity. So, what to do?

Well, I put my mind to work, and I've figured it out. No thanks necessary, folks.

The answer?

Liquid salad.

That's right. Salad you can drink as you ease on down the road. I am putting my idea out there so that some chemist somewhere can begin to work on the project of the century. I only ask that I get a cut of the profits, a "finder's fee", if you will.

But that's not all. You see, when you go through the drive through and order your liquid salad, it won't come in a lightweight piece of plastic. No, that's counter-productive.

Liquid salad containers will be made of concrete. That way, you'll have to do a hefty biceps curl just to get it up to your mouth. So more calories will be burned just by "eating" the liquid salad.

Sometimes I amaze myself. Life can be so simple, folks. You're welcome.

If You're Going To Try Polygamy...

don't have open heart surgery. In fact, you'd better plan not to get sick at all. Or get in any accidents.

According to Paul Harvey, this schlub in Anglesland had open heart surgery. Like any good wife would, each of his three wives wanted to visit him.

But it seems there was a little problem. None of his wives knew about the other two. So at his hospital bedside, the world's most dysfunctional family reunion was inevitable.

Evidently this man tried his best to keep them apart. Through the tubes and morphine and sedatives, this man was tap-dancing his way through a world-class lattice of deception in his desparate attempts to have the wives visit at differing times. I know it's sick, but I can't help but admire the guy's work ethic while desparately ill.

But it didn't work. They all came and "met up". My mind will not allow me to imagine the scene that went down at dude's bedside. UGLY.

Although the Bible doesn't mention it specifically, I'm quite certain that Solomon didn't have this problem come up.

And to all you kids out there- don't try this at home. And stay in school.

More New Busch Photos

From the official Cardinals Website:
















Looking northeast on a hazy morning, the out of town scoreboard is squaring into shape. You can see how close the work is now to the present stadium, on the left of the picture to the north of the scoreboard. The Gateway Arch is in the far background. This will be the view from the infield 1st base side seats. And no, that round structure in the background is not the leaning tower of Pisa. But it is scary looking.


















Lights are up. No Wrigley-itis at this park.



















From the 3rd baseline looking at the progress along the first baseline. Thousands of seats are already in. A closeup is below.
















Time relentlessly marches on.

Fighting Marvins? I Can Do Better Than This

The emblems of the Florida State Seminoles and Illinois Fighting Illini.


So, the Indian activists are at it again. Trying to get rid of sports nicknames with any Indian derivation.

Does anyone really think this is about disrespecting Indians? Isn't it an honorable thing that someone would want to name something beloved after you? Of course. But that's not what this is really about. We all know it's really about what a lot of things are: POWER.

People wanting to exert their power and influence over others. And from the looks of things, they are going to get away with it...if not now, then probably within a generation.

Look, I have no problem getting rid of Redskins. That's a bit out there. And as for the town in my state whose high school was for years nicknamed the "Chinks", I can get with banning that name too. But these people act like they are the only ethnic groups that have sports teams named after them. Granted, there are probably more Indian or Indian-sounding names than any other ethnic group. But why do they care? It should be an honorable thing.

No one goes around complaining about the Fighting Irish. And please don't tell me the Irish have not endured their share of hardship. No one bats an eye at the Vikings being a team name. No one objects to Cowboys. No one dislikes calling someone a Trojan, Spartan, Nimrod, Yankee, Rebel, Senator, Ranger, Padre, Celtic, Pirate, Buccaneer, Cornhusker, Sooner, Volunteer, Hoosier, Cavalier, or any other such team name. (I almost put Crusader and Minuteman, but, of course these are not politically correct).

You see, these people are all part of our history. As are Indians. That's all there is to it. This is not some vast racist-wing conspiracy.

You just know if it were the other way around, the Indian activists would complain because teams would only be named after white people. And it's because this is not about nicknames. It's about one little group trying to exert whatever influence and power it has over another group.

If it weren't for the fact a lot of Native Americans have no problem with being bestowed the honor of a university or professional sports team's naming their beloved organization after them, then I'd say, let them do it. I'd say let's pull away every last vestige of Indian speak from our universities and professional leagues.

Because I'm ready for it. Bring it on. I have dozens of team names ready (The Fighting Marvins not included- or the Berserkers).

Try these non-politically correct nicknames on for size, Florida State University and University of Illinois:
Kilted Highlanders
Hammerin' Lutherans
Golden Dwarves
The Adrenal Tide
Fighting Pizza Delivery Guys
Red Gonads
Demon Diabetics
Blue Calvinists
Orange Jockeys
Raging Right Wingers
Bearded WASPs
Bronze Eunuchs
Crazed Bigamists
Silver Gluttons
Splashin' Baptists
Purple Pilgrims
Repentant Polish
Flying Ozzys

And, of course, my favorite, the Scottish Maximi!

Star Trek Phones

Following the Star Trek theme of the week over at the great Kiihnworld, I thought this was an interesting bit of news about the new Star Trek cell phone, errrr.....communicator. Although I guess it's not the first one to come out.

Personally, being a Trekkie wannabe, I'd be afraid to use this thing in public. You see, unlike a bonafide Trekkie, I don't have any desire to pretend I am the great Captain Kirk as I am using my cell phone.

However, I think it would serve a real Trekkie well if one already has a"wardrobe" that consists entirely of Star Fleet uniforms. Especially this time of year. There must be no better feeling in the world than looking like a dork while wearing dark long sleeve polyester in a 107 heat index environment.

I Definitely Don't Get This

Caffeine laced alcoholic beverages? Why? What is the point? Doesn't the alcohol and the caffeine cancel each other out? Making this drink a big fat zero?

When I am arriving home, I don't need or want a stimulant. Give me something to relax me.

Why does everyone have to meddle in someone else's business? KFC sells sandwiches. Burger joints have chicken. (By the way, Burger King's chicken fries are awesome). But do they have to do this to survive, or is it just greed for more market share? I don't know.

So now we have breweries making caffeinated beverages. Next we'll have beer latte.

Then we'll have coffee makers brewing alcohol. Folger's Falstaff will be on our grocery shelves alongside the Old Style Maxwell House and Starbuck's Silver Bullet.

There must be a market for this somewhere, although where I don't know.

Wanna See Some Cool Pictures?

I know, I got your attention.

Click here to visit the website where the pictures are.

I'm not sure who the dude is in the pictures, but it is not me. Although I am thinking about posting some actual pictures of me when I get to Busch for the last time this year. I think there should be a national coming out party for all bloggers this year, in which we all post a picture of ourselves one day. Something like, I'll Show You My Picture If You Show Me Yours Day. I'm sure Congress could get involved, they like to waste time with proclamations like this.

What do you all think?

Anyway, these are awesome Busch Stadium picutres. It is almost like a virtual tour. These would be great to download and save to your computer. It will serve as a great remembrance of the place in the years to come. If you've never been to Busch, but want to know what it is like, this is a great place to go, because it's going to cease to exist in about 3 months.

The Official Scottius Maximus Background Theme Song?

I've noticed some websites and blogs have background music. I've heard classical, country, and rock. While I have not in the past been in favor of that at Scottius Maximus, I think I have found a tune that captures the spirit of this blog.

What I'd like you all to do is click on the link below and listen to the song I've selected. You'll hopefully be able to play on Windows Media Player.

If you feel strongly about my selection, or have any thoughts on this, please make note of this in the comments.

Please click here to listen.

Thank you,


The Scottius Maximus One Man Quality Assurance Committee (i.e., me)

According To Shannon: The First Busch Stadium Game

Quick, someone call the History Channel.

On Thursday night's radio broadcast, St. Louis' own Garrison Keillor, Mike Shannon, had in his possession a scorecard from the very first game played at Busch Stadium. May 12, 1966. Evidently someone kept score from one of the field boxes behind home plate, and kept the scorecard as a souvenir.

Not a very interesting story? Well it is when told through the mouth of Uncle Mikey.

He zeroed in on the scorekeeper's notation on his card in the fifth inning. Was it the first Busch Stadium home run perhaps? Or first stolen base? Or first anything? Nope. That was not historically important, you see. What was significant was that the said scorekeeper made a notation in the fifth inning of the immortal game that he was...

...OUT OF BEER!

I'm sure the first thing Mike did when he saw that was to take inventory of his own cooler.

You've just got to love him.

By the way, I've found more Shannonisms from various websites to add to these:
"Don't bite off your head to spite your nose."
"Back in the day when I played, a pitcher had 3 pitches: a fastball, a curveball, a slider, a changeup and a good sinker pitch."
After Scott Rolen once ran a count to 3-0, Shannon had this to say as he hoped Rolen would be taking on the next pitch and receive a walk:
"You don't kick that dog as he's sleeping on the porch, you don't step on his tail, you just walk on by. If you step on his tail, he might jump up and bite you on the ankle or the kneecap."
Describing a sudden rash of wildness from Cardinals reliever Jason Isringhausen:
"Izzy's like a wild hare in March, running all over the lot!"
To long time booth mate Jack Buck, in regards to an official scorer’s questionable ruling:
"Well, no one’s perfect. Only one guy was ever perfect, Jack, and they nailed him to a tree!"

Anyway, getting back to that first game, here's the official box score of that game for anyone interested. (I love this quote from Baseball Almanac about the box score:"Fred Schwed, Jr., in How to Watch a Baseball Game (1957) wrote our favorite baseball box score quote, "The baseball box score is the pithiest form of written communication in America today. It is abbreviated history. It is two or three hours (the box score even gives that item to the minute) of complex activity, virtually inscribed on the head of a pin, yet no knowing reader suffers from eyestrain.")

Just for the record, here are the official Busch Stadium "Firsts"-
Game - May 12, 1966 (Cards defeat Atlanta, 4-3)
Batter - Felipe Alou (who will be coming to Busch for the last time with the Giants in two weeks)
Hit - Jerry Buchek
Double - Gary Geiger
Triple - Julian Javier
Home run - Felipe Alou
Grand slam - Curt Flood
Stolen base - Lou Brock
Victory - Don Dennis
Save - Nelson Briles

The first Cardinals home run at Busch? It was by our very own Mr. Shannon:
And an interesting piece of trivia was revealed during the broadcast. In 1966 at Busch Stadium, how much did a field box ticket cost? Wayne Hagin guessed $12. In my mind I guessed $9.

According to Mr Shannon, a field box ticket cost $3.50! Can you imagine that? I cannot. In 2005, that same ticket cost is in the vicinity of $65 to $70. WOW. But, free agency has been good for the game, right?

In the new stadium next year, I'm afraid to find out what a similar seat is going to cost.

The attendance of that first game was 46,068. I'd say at the prices they were charging, they'd have had to have a crowd of around 920,000 to make what they make at a home game today.

By the way the Cards won that first game over the Braves by the score of 4-3.

New Ball Park Photos

From the Official St. Louis Cardinals website:

Looking southwest at the new 1st base and right field stands, with current Busch at the right (north) of the photo.

This is the inside of the 3rd baseline stands on the west end of the new ballpark. The seating decks are precast. At the northern edge is the current Busch Stadium, in this photo's background. This is as far as they can go north at the moment until the current Busch is torn down (blown up?) after the end of this season.


Seats are already in the right field stands. This is a photo of the upper two decks of the new ballpark's right field stands as the seats were going in 4 weeks ago.

This is a view of the same area only a deck lower. The actual seats were about to go in on this level, like they have in the deck above.

This is a view from the third level on the southwest corner of the park, looking east toward right field. The black structure being erected will be part of the new scoreboard.

Looking straight up from the right field stands. The roof over these stands is now up.

Looking east at the homeplate (southwest corner) of the new ballpark. There's that highway 40 again on the right of the photo (south). Ugh.

View looking south at the main entrance of the new ballpark on it's western side. The Eads Bridge arches are cool. This will be the third base side. The current Busch is just out of view of the left side of the picture.


Not much time left. I can't believe it is August. Although I am sad they are tearing down the old stadium, this one looks awesome.

For Those Of You Still Interested: Latest LCMS Struggles

For what it's worth. FYI. From Reclaim News:

"'Report on Meeting from Litigants Suing LCMS President'

The following is a report from Mr. Edwin Hinnefeld, who met with Lutheran
Church-Missouri Synod President Gerald Kieschnick, in an attempt to resolve
issues over which Lutheran Concerns Association (LCA) is bring suit against
Kieschnick.
Questions about this meeting and its intent will be forwarded to Mr.
Hinnfeld.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATIONARY OF:

LUTHERAN CONCERNS ASSOCIATION
Edwin Hinnefeld
Chairman-Emeritus
July 27, 2005

Friends in Christ:

The conclusion of the LCMS convention in 2004 prompted many members to raise questions about the number of convention voting delegates.

Inquiry provided information that indeed there were 176 voting delegates as a result of 88 new circuits formed by exception. The LCMS President approved these exceptions in response to requests from Districts. These added delegates could therefore have changed the results of most of the actions taken at the convention including the election of officers, the praesidium and many other elected positions along with many resolutions that could have lasting results.

There was also information concerning the interference with the authority of the LCMS Board of Correctors by CCM opinions and convention resolutions contrary to Missouri law.

In addition to the CCM opinions contrary to Missouri law some did not interpret anything.

Hundreds of you have written, sent e-mails or telephoned your deep concern for the future of the Church if these irregularities were permitted to continue and not be corrected. It was clear that because of the complications of authority at the convention level, the board level, the office of the President and District President level the only solution was legal. Furthermore because Missouri law was clearly violated it required court action to resolve.

The Lutheran Concerns Association supported by nearly 100 plaintiffs began the task of coordinating the process of a legal lawsuit to correct these critical irregularities.

At the encouragement of many pastors we sought a meeting with the LCMS President Dr. Kieschnick to explain to him in person our contemplated action and to listen carefully to his response.

Attorney Robert Doggett and I attended this meeting on Monday July 27, 2005 at 10:00 a.m. Joining Dr. Kieschnick was Sherri Strand, an attorney with Thompson Coburn LLP, the law firm for the LCMS Board of Directors. Dr. Kieschnick was very cordial, opening the meeting with prayer, and after our brief presentation, he deferred to attorney Strand who urged for added meetings to review in detail the specific concerns in an effort to avoid litigation. There was a question about representation which I determined to be a concern about the source of funds for legal fees. Dr. Kieschnick was very attentive, asked several questions and reminded us of our Biblical responsibilities. Our meeting fulfilled its purpose and intent.

At 2:30 pm on the same day we met with the law firm representing our
proposed case. The firm of Kohn, Shands, Elbert, Gianoulakis & Giljum LLP
is in Missouri and is recognized as very capable and respected. It is their
opinion based on years of experience including many cases involving not for
profit institutions that these irregularities and the violation of Missouri
law supports the case for court action.

We have prepared for our law firm many details to help support and validate our case. These include the baptized membership [of the LCMS] by circuit, by district for 2001 and 2003 including voting delegates, congregations and exception delegates. We also provided [the number of] communicant members [of the LCMS] per voting delegate, circuits formed not conforming to LCMS by-laws and many more basis for correlation. Careful review of web-site information and minutes of several meetings have provided helpful information.

There is no way to predict the outcome. It is evident that the case will take many months and in fact may not be resolved by the 2007 LCMS convention. The importance is that the irregularities are corrected and the Church be restored to its precious tradition. It will be the basis in the future for reduction if not removal of any perceived actions of impropriety and cause all efforts, leadership, motivation and finances to be devoted to the Lord's work with absolute integrity.

There will be a time after the filing of the law suit, which will happen in August, for a period of discovery. As depositions are taken it will more clearly provide understanding and may reveal added irregularities. Great differences are reported between certain factions within the Church, often referred to as Liberal and Conservative. If in fact the sides will not comprise their position, then it reaches a state of impasse. At this point division many be the only answer. This in no way is advocated but reality says the future may hold such a decision.

It may be time for all members, including those in authority, to ask the question before any decision or action is taken "Is this pleasing to God"? Many decisions including those causing the irregularities seemingly were made for the gaining of power, greed, self-esteem or in some ways just patronizing.

We view this law suit as an opportunity provided by the Lord to bring about correction and change. Now we humbly seek the Lord's will, pleading for guidance and wisdom in all of our actions.

This cause is absolutely worthy, necessary and needs your support. Your financial support is requested. The costs are significant but small when compared to the enormous loss if we do nothing. There are many that have committed major resources to save our Church. We seek your prayers and support. Share this with your congregation so that many are being kept informed. Please send your contributions to:

Lutheran Concerns Association
Rev. Daniel N. Jastram, VP. Treas.
1320 Hartford Ave.,
St. Paul, MN 55116-1623

Sincerely in Christ,

Edwin Hinnefeld"



Make of this what you will.

Escape From The Planet Of The Ex-Cardinals

Due to the unmitigated success of the previous Planet of the Ex-Cardinals movies, here is the third installment in the franchise:

Starring:

Tony Womack, Yankees
G- 78, AB- 268, R- 36, H- 66, 2B- 5, 3B- 1, HR- 0, RBI- 12, TB- 73, BB- 12, SO- 41, SB- 23, CS- 5, OBP- .289, SLG- .272, AVG- .246, OPS- .561


Edgar Renteria, Red Sox
G- 95, AB- 382, R- 59, H- 103, 2B- 16, 3B- 3, HR- 6, RBI- 34, TB- 143, BB- 37, SO- 61, SB-8, CS- 3, OBP- .336, SLG- .374, AVG- .270, OPS- .710


Woody Williams, Padres
W- 5, L- 7, ERA- 4.66, G-16, GS- 16, CG- 0, SHO- 0, SV- 0, SVO- 0, IP- 96.2, H- 105, R- 50 ER- 50, HR- 14, BB- 25, SO- 55


Steve Kline, Orioles
W- 2, L- 3, ERA- 5.68, G- 48, GS- 0, CG- 0, SHO- 0, SV- 0, SVO- 3, IP- 38.0, H- 41, R- 26, ER-24, HR- 8, BB- 23, SO- 29


Mike Matheny, Giants
G- 81, AB- 273, R- 31, H- 69, 2B- 25, 3B- 0, HR- 9, RBI- 42, TB- 121, BB- 21, SO- 51, SB- 0, CS- 2, OBP- .314, SLG- .443, AVG- .253, OPS- .757


Danny Haren, A's
W- 8, L- 7, ERA- 4.36, G- 22, GS- 22, CG- 2, SHO- 0, SV- 0, SVO- 0, IP- 138.1, H- 143, R- 78, ER- 67, HR- 17, BB- 39, SO- 104


Kiko Calero, A's
W- 2, L- 0, ERA- 4.06, G- 31, GS- 0, CG- 0, SHO- 0, SV- 1, SVO- 1, IP- 31.0, H- 31, R- 14, ER- 14, HR-4, BB- 8, SO- 27


Marlon Anderson, Mets
G- 79, AB- 154, R- 20, H- 45, 2B- 7, 3B- 0, HR- 3, RBI- 10, TB- 61, BB-11, SO- 27, SB- 2, CS- 1, OBP- .341, SLG- .396, AVG- .292, OPS- .737

From high atop my critic's chair, here's my review of the "plot" of our latest installment:
1. The catching situation is like Star Wars (pardon the reference, but indulge me). You know how in each episode, the Jedi and the Empire would alternate who has the upper hand. Well in our world, in the first episode, Matheny is the better guy, in the second the young Molina is the better guy, and now with Molina laid up, I've got to say I'd like to have Matheny back again. Which can only mean one thing- in next month's edition, Yads will be doing much better than Michael. (A thumbs down for the Cardinals here).
2. I really miss Marlon Anderson. I'd love to have him available to start with so many starters banged up, let alone available to pinch hit. Even though he strikes out a lot, he has the second highest OPS of the exes. (Still a thumbs down for the Cardinals).
3. Haren and Calero vs. Mulder is a tough call at this point in the season. But then I remember, there is another ex-Cardinal lost in this trade who is not yet in the majors but who has the potential to be Pujolsesque (Mr. Barton). A new term may be born out of this: Bartoned, as in, in this trade we got Bartoned. (Thumbs down for the Cards).
4. I still love "Albert" Eckstein, and I'm still glad Renteria is gone. I think we saved a few million dollars here and came out better off. (Thumbs up for the Cards).
5. Womack is definitely Womackian again. And despite all our outfield injuries, I'd take Gall, Taguchi, Rodriguez, and Mabry any day in the outfield ahead of Womack. (Thumbs up for the Cards).
6. Woody Williams has worse numbers than any Cardinal starter. Although if Matt Morris continues his recent morph into "Bad Matt", this could change. And Soup may have given up more homers, but he's pitched 3.5 complete games more than Woodman. (Thumbs up for the Cards).
7. Steve Kline- 3 blown saves, no conversions- enough said. (Thumbs up for the Cards).

So, it looks like four thumbs up and three thumbs down for this film, a net gain of one thumb.

I'd rank this episode behind the first but better than last month's.

Until next time, I'll see you...at the movies.