St. Louis Sports Online #70 (5.1.96)

St. Louis Sports Online is an online sports weekly that aims to provide St. Louisans (and transplanted St. Louisans) with an additional source of news, information, and humor about St. Louis-area sports events and St. Louis-area sports teams. ISSUE #70 contains features and updates about the Cardinals, Blues, and Rams. The usual assortment of quotes, headlines, media news, interactivity, and statistics are also found within StLSO #70. Contributors to #70 include KMOX radio's Randy Karraker, StLSO senior writer Jim Hunstein, StLSO media writer Scott Simon, V-100 on-air personality Brian Stull, Riverfront Times hockey columnist Randy Hu, StLSO hockey correspondent Nancy Buchanan, and contributing writer Mike Rainey. Issue #70 marks the return of former Blues' defenseman Rob Ramage to the pages of StLSO. Ramage, who currently is an investment broker with A.G. Edwards in addition to working as a reporter on Blues telecasts, writes about the Leafs series and has a few comments about the upcoming series with Detroit. StLSO #70 is one of our best issues. Enjoy! St. Louis Sports Online can be reached at StLSports@aol.com and via FAX (618-457-5691). Subscriptions to StLSO are free, and can be obtained by sending a polite request to StLSports@aol.com. St. Louis Sports Online is also available on the World Wide Web at http://itdcomm.com/stlsol/St. Louis Sports Online MAY.96.1 CONTENTS 1.0 StLSO News and Notes by RANDY KARRAKER 2.0 StLSO Sports Shorts 2.1 Cardinals News 2.2 Blues Banter by BRIAN STULL 2.3 Rams Report 2.4 StLSO Quote of the Week 2.5 StLSO Headline of the Week 3.0 StLSO Features 3.1 Blues Stories 3.1.1 Blue By-You by RANDY HU 3.1.2 After Impressive Win Over Leafs, Blues Face NHL-Best Detroit by MIKE RAINEY 3.1.3 Blues Advance to Semi-Finals; Hope Vs. Detroit? by NANCY BUCHANAN 3.1.4 Blues Beat Leafs; Now Face Red Wings by ROB RAMAGE 3.2 Cardinals Stories 3.2.1 The Difference Between Winning And Losing by SCOTT SIMON 3.2.2 Cardinals Facts, Opinions, and Questions 4.0 StLSO Recaps 4.1 Blues Summaries by BRIAN STULL and NANCY BUCHANAN 4.2 Cardinals Series-by-Series Recaps by JIM HUNSTEIN 5.0 StLSO Numbers 5.1 Cardinals Statistics (through 4.30.96) 5.2 Blues Playoff Statistics (after the Toronto series) 6.0 StLSO Media Views 6.1 Simon Says by SCOTT SIMON 7.0 StLSO Interactivity 8.0 StLSO Editorials St. Louis Sports Online MAY.96.11.0 StLSO News and Notes by RANDY KARRAKERCARDINALS: The recent torrential rains here in St. Louis caused numerous power outages, flooded basements, and even had an effect on the Cardinals' roster. Gary Gaetti, while attempting to unclog a drain near his home, dropped a grate on his foot and suffered a broken toe. The injury necessitated Gaetti's placement on the disabled list, which opened up a spot for Ozzie Smith, who returned to active duty Monday night in a reserve role vs. the Braves. Ozzie had two plays at shortstop Monday and seemed to demonstrate renewed arm strength. Gaetti's injury is a golden opportunity for 23 year old David Bell. Bell, who was acquired from Cleveland last summer in the Ken Hill trade, is languishing near the .200 mark as far as batting average is concerned...and seems to be pressing a bit at the plate. Tony La Russa has mentioned on at least one occasion that Bell needs to relax. A disconcerting trend: as May approaches, the Cardinals team defense has been nothing short of shoddy, although at least a portion of the league-leading 30-some-odd errors can be blamed on the players' unfamiliarity with the new Busch Stadium natural playing surface. Additionally, the Cardinals rank last in the league in double plays. The primary problem rests at second base, with no apparent answer on the horizon. Keep an eye on the left side of the infield for the next few weeks, with Ozzie Smith back and David Bell playing every day. Ozzie's experience may shore things up (it did last year when he returned while still injured) and Bell may win a regular job. He was a third baseman in the Indians' chain, and that's his best position. In addition, the Cardinals just aren't hitting or getting much starting pitching. The manager and coaches still expect those two areas to come around. Maybe the warm San Diego weather will heat up the Cards, and they'll return home to face Barry Bonds and the Giants with a winning streak in hand. And in news from the minor leagues, Dmitri Young (playing 1B at Louisville) and Matt Morris (pitching at Arkansas) are displaying the skills that makes them sure-bets to see major league service in the near future. In 18 games, Young has compiled a slugging percentage of .647 (with 5 homers), while Morris has struck out 30 batters in 30 innings pitched, while walking only ten. BLUES: The Blues victory over Toronto, while predicted here, was still surprising in light of the knee injury suffered by Grant Fuhr in Game 2 Wayne Gretzky was one tired hockey player in the locker room after Game 6; that the Red Wings' series doesn't commence until Friday night is a blessing in disguise for the veteran-laden Bluenote squad. A key to the Red Wings series is that the Blues, in five regular season games vs. Detroit, were unable to score a single power play goal (in 22 chances). Indeed, the Red Wings have the league's very best penalty killers. The Blues disposal of Toronto despite the injury to Grant Fuhr was a testament to their character and ability to keep Jon Casey out of the fire. The only reason Winnipeg was able to keep Detroit close was the spectacular play of goalie Nicolai Khabibuhlin. Last year, when New Jersey whipped Detroit in the Stanley Cup finals, Sergei Federov and Keith Primeau, two of the 'Wings five best players, were injured and not playing at 100% efficiency. It is difficult to imagine this year's edition of the Red Wings to lose four times out of seven after losing twelve times in 82 regular season games. The Blues only chance comes from Mike Keenan's ability to get the officials to call the games in the Blues' favor. If clutching and grabbing is allowed, and the diving rule is implemented, the Blues have a chance. If not, its lights out in five games. RAMS: Mark Rypien remains unsigned as the Rams go through their first off-season mini-camp. Rypien is expected to compete for the starting job with free agent signee Steve Walsh. First-round draft choices Lawrence Phillips and Eddie Kennison have made some impressions in their initial visits to St. Louis. In workouts without pads, the raw skills possessed by Phillips and Kennison were obvious to the coaches and media in attendance. In particular, Phillips hits the line of scrimmage with a quickness not seen in these parts since the days of Terry Metcalf. And Mr. Phillips weighs in at 230 pounds. Unfortunately, Phillips and Kennison made an impression of a different kind on Sunday when both were AWOL and missed the team's morning workout. Part of Phillips' "baggage" in the NFL is that fans, media, and even teammates will be scrutinizing his every move...both on and off the field. As far as the other Rams' draftees are concerned...Tony Banks has an absolute gun. Ernie Conwell's shoulders are three feet wide and he'll do whatever is asked of him, including play fullback. Jerald Moore could be the sleeper of the draft. OK, now we'll wait until training camp to blast these guys when we see 'em in pads. By the way, Wayne Gandy, who played last year at about 270 pounds, is up to 292, closer to what an offensive tackle in the NFL needs to be...and rookie linebacker Percell Gaskins, drafted at 215, is at 226 now and hopes to get to 235 by the start of camp, He'll be a much more competitive pro player beefed up rather than at 215. 1995 first-round choice Kevin Carter was late for the Rams minicamp. Carter's excuse? He's finishing a zoology bachelor's degree at Florida...and just finished a final exam in organic chemistry. EDITOR'S NOTE: Randy Karraker is KMOX's primary sports reporter, and can be heard hosting various Sports Open Line shows throughout the week. In addition, Karraker also co-hosts the Sunday Night Trivia Show (with KMOX entertainment editor Harry Hamm), which normally begins just after Sunday's 8:00 pm news. 2.0 StLSO Sports Shorts 2.1 Cardinals News *Hall of Famer Red Schoendienst will have his #2 retired on May 11, 1996, prior to the Cardinals-Dodgers game that day at Busch Stadium. Later that same day, the St. Louis Advertising and Marketing Association is sponsoring a tribute to Schoendienst. The festivities will take place at the Frontenac Hilton hotel, with drinks at 6:30 pm and dinner at 7:30. Jack Buck will emcee, and Stan Musial, Lou brock, Bob Gibson, Enos Slaughter, Whitey Herzog, Marty Marion, and Mike Shannon are also scheduled to appear. Ticket inquiries can be made at (314) 231-4195. *The List: Weird Cardinal injuries --Gary Gaetti's broken toe --Vince Coleman's leg injury (at the hands of the tarpaulin) --Danny Cox's leg injury (jumping off a seawall) --John Tudor's leg injury (when Barry Lyons crashed into the dugout) --Ken Dayley's inner ear problem --Donovan Osborne's broken ribs (in a spring training auto accident) --Danny Jackson's thyroid problem --Geronimo Pena's leg injury (suffered when he stepped on his own glove) Thanks to the Cardinals E-Mail list (and Evan Ferguson) for the ideas 2.2 Blues Banter by BRIAN STULL Grant Fuhr underwent successful surgery to repair his torn anterior cruciate ligament on April 27. The surgery also mended the torn medial collateral ligament in the right knee. Fuhr's return was to be determined at a later date, although some reports said four to six months minimum absence.......A MAN OF HIS WORDS: Chris Pronger on Nick Beverly guaranteeing the Toronto victories,"I guarantee there will be no more guarantees.".........WHEEL AND DEAL: Steve Leach on his game winner,"I just kind of came across the blue line and picked it up and just turned and fired it. Fortunately, it went off one of their players and in the net."..........TIME TO RELAX, FOR NOW: "Well, we can enjoy it tonight and Sunday off and then we'll go from there," Coach Keenan after clinching the first round victory....MORE COACH K: "It's not relief at all, it's one of pleasure. I'm pleased for the players and it's one of progression in terms of expectations. What we have in term of expectations is just beginning"........and now Round 2. *Blues vs. Red Wings Schedule (all Central times) Friday, May 3 St. Louis at Detroit, 6:30 p.m. Sunday, May 5 St. Louis at Detroit, 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 8 Detroit at St. Louis, 7 p.m. Friday, May 10 Detroit at St. Louis, 7 p.m. Sunday, May 12 St. Louis at Detroit, 2 p.m., if necessary Tuesday, May 14 Detroit at St. Louis, 7 p.m., if necessary Thursday, May 16 St. Louis at Detroit, 6:30 p.m., if necessary *Blues vs. Toronto results Tuesday, April 16 St. Louis 3, Toronto 1 Thursday, April 18 Toronto 5, St. Louis 4 OT Sunday, April 21 St. Louis 3, Toronto 2 (OT) Tuesday, April 23 St. Louis 5, Toronto 1 Thursday, April 25 Toronto 5, St. Louis 4 (OT) Saturday, April 27 St. Louis 2, Toronto 1 2.3 Rams Report *The Rams 1996 Regular Season Schedule HOME GAMES IN CAPS SEP. 1 CINCINNATI 12:00 SEP. 8 at San Francisco 3:00 SEP. 15 Bye SEP. 22 WASHINGTON 12:00 SEP. 29 at Arizona 3:00 OCT. 6 SAN FRANCISCO 3:00 OCT. 13 at Carolina 12:00 OCT. 20 JACKSONVILLE 3:00 OCT. 27 at Baltimore 12:00 NOV. 3 at Pittsburgh 12:00 NOV. 10 ATLANTA 12:00 NOV. 17 CAROLINA 12:00 NOV. 24 GREEN BAY 7:00 DEC. 1 at New Orleans 3:00 DEC. 8 at Chicago 12:00 DEC. 15 at Atlanta 12:00 DEC. 21 NEW ORLEANS 3:00 (ALL TIMES ARE CENTRAL) *According to USA Today, the Rams have earmarked more salary cap funds for 1996 draft choices than any other NFL team. In a complicated formula based on the number of rookies drafted and their draft slots, the Rams have over $4 million available for their 1996 selections, which includes two first and two second rounders. The Atlanta Falcons, who didn't draft until the third round, budgeted just over a million for their selections. The NFL total for the 1996 draftees? $84.25 million. 2.4 StLSO Quotes of the Week *"This series I felt a lot of responsibility," said Wayne Gretzky in the Blues locker room after Game 6 of the Toronto series. "Mentally, emotionally, this was the toughest series I've ever been involved with." *Much-improved Blues defenseman Chris Pronger on Toronto coach Nick Beverly's assurance of extending the series to a game 7 in Toronto: "I guarantee there will be no more guarantees." (contributed by Randy Hu) 2.5 StLSO Headline of the Week From the 4.28.96 Post-Dispatch: "Cardinals Consider Leaving Spring Home In St. Pete" 3.0 StLSO Features 3.1 Blues Stories3.1.1 Blue By-You by RANDY HU Last Saturday from the press box at Busch Stadium, I was admiring the greatest pitcher of our generation, Atlanta's Greg Maddux, but found myself pondering the outcome of the Blues-Leafs series later on that evening. Would the Blues rally around fallen comrade Grant Fuhr or quietly skate to the nearest retirement home? In a collective white-knuckle soap opera, the underdog Blues beat the Leafs game, set, and match. "I think that mentally, emotionally, and physically, this was as tough a series as I've ever been involved in," said an exhausted Wayne Gretzky. "The national media said we couldn't beat Toronto and with the exception of a few local guys, everyone counted us out." Before I go gushing and do a puff piece, I'm not ready to jump on the overcrowded bandwagon yet, though it's rear axle is about as fragile as Brett Hull's hamstring. The teams were evenly matched throughout the series with half of the games going into overtime and the winning goal in game 6 being scored on a pinball-like deflection by winger Steve Leach. In what has been an emotional rollercoaster season for the Blues, give coach/GM Mike Keenan credit for elevating his team's intensity, but this season won't be considered a success unless they compete with or even beat Detroit. A first round win against a sub.500 team is far from a miracle on ice. "The victory against the Leafs is not relief at all, it's one of pleasure," said Keenan after the game. "I'm pleased for the players and it's one of progression in terms of expectations." I applaud the Blues for winning without Fuhr, their No. 1 goaltender. Fuhr's presence on practice ice just a week before season-ending knee surgery, inspired his teammates to encircle the wagons around backup goalie Jon Casey, who performed admirably against the Leafs. The series turned in the Nick of time, Beverley and Kypreos that is. From Toronto coach Nick Beverley's idiotic guarantees (since when did he become Joe Namath?) to Nick Kypreos' cowardly intent to injure Fuhr, the "Beverley-Over-the-Hillbillies" woke up a sleeping Blues dog. Following the game, the press box crew gave me nothing but grief, telling me that my poison pen has been holstered until the next series. I felt like the Menendez boys, the Unabomber, Timothy McVeigh, and Mad Cow disease, all rolled into one. Even my compassionate pal, Brian McKenna of KFNS, wanted to put me into a sportswriters protection program. But actually, I'm more of a realist, then a pessimist. Sure, I could dwell on some negatives: the Blues and Leafs were sub.500 teams all year, it didn't take a genius to outcoach Beverley, the Blues are the only team left in the Cup chase below .500, Gretzky did nothing in the last two games of the series, and Hull's injuries could be nagging. But, hey, enjoy it while it lasts, because it never does. Detroit finished with the best regular season record ever and will offer up a quick reality check if the Blues aren't ready. And who knows which Blues team will show up? Even Keenan doesn't know, and he goes up against his mentor, Scotty Bowman. If they allow Detroit to free wheel in open ice from end-to-end, this could be a short series. The Wings are on a mission from last year's embarrassment in the finals and have dramatically improved in their defensive zone. The Blues must block the neutral zone and play physical along the boards to stall the Big Red Machine, especially the "Ov" fab fivesome: Sergei Federov, Slava Kozlov, Igor Larionov, Vladimir Konstantinov, and Slava Fetisov. The Blues won only once in five tries against the Wings this season, including a 8-1 thrashing on national television late in the season. But, all of the pressure resides on the Wings and the Blues will be playing the spoilers role again. To succeed in hockey, every battle has to be won before it's fought. Gretzky vs. Federov, Corson vs. Konstantinov, Hull vs.Yzerman, Keenan vs. Bowman, TowelMan vs. The Octopus. Now that the appetizers have been served, the main course awaits. Go Cup crazy folks, go crazy. My second-round picks: Philadelphia over Florida, Pittsburgh over New York, Chicago over Colorado, Detroit over St. Louis in five games. EDITOR'S NOTE: Randy Hu is the hockey columnist for The Riverfront Times. He can also be heard Wednesday mornings on all-sports KFNS (590 AM)3.1.2 After Impressive Win Over Leafs, Blues Face NHL-Best Detroit by MIKE RAINEY After an entertaining first-round playoff victory over Toronto, the Blues now face their toughest task in recent memory. They will lock horns with the best regular season team in NHL history, the Detroit Red Wings, in a best-of-seven Western Conference Semi-final series beginning Friday in Detroit. The Blues surprised many with the way they dominated the Maple Leafs at times during their six game series victory. The Blues had trouble scoring goals all season, but in the first round they had a five goal game, and twice scored four goals in a game. Jon Casey did a nice job filling in for the injured Grant Fuhr, and will be depended upon heavily again in Round 2. Wayne Gretzky showed why he is considered by many to be the best passer of all-time, setting up numerous goals with his deft playmaking skills. Brett Hull scored a highlight reel short-handed goal in Game 4, but there were times when he seemed to still be hampered by his leg muscle injury. The five days between rounds will give Hull some much needed rest. Some of the pleasant surprises of the series were: Shayne Corson who was arguably the Blues best player in Round 1, Chris Pronger who seems to be more assertive, laying some big checks, and Peter Zezel, a healthy scratch for some games late in the season, playing excellent two-way hockey. In addition, Al MacInnis, Igor Kravchuk, and Murray Baron played their usual steady defense, Steve Leach and Brian Noonan gave the Blues some scoring production from the second and third lines, and Glenn Anderson (overtime winner in Game 3) showed he can still score a big goal. These were all positive signs. The Red Wings, however, had a tougher time than expected with the lame-duck Winnipeg Jets, who didn't seem overly anxious to hit the golf courses in Phoenix. The Wings are a team with few weaknesses. Their five-man Russian unit can be downright scary when they are clicking. They have a balanced scoring attack that comes in waves, their third and fourth line players not only check and do the the dirty work in the corners, but can also but the puck in the net on the counterattack. The all Russian first line of Slava Kozlov, Igor Larionov, and Sergei Fedorov has world class ability, and have burned the Blues on more than one occasion during the regular season. The second line has all the elements of an excellent unit with: a pure goal scorer (Dino Ciccarelli), a speedy playmaker (Steve Yzerman), and an outstanding power forward (Keith Primeau). Greg Johnson, Darren McCarty, Tim Taylor, and Kirk Maltby add youth, toughness, speed, and grit to the remaining lines. The defense is in good shape with perennial All-Star Paul Coffey, solid Nicklas Lidstrom, steady veterans Mike Ramsey and Marc Bergevin, and agitator Vladimir Konstantinov, who had an outstanding season. Detroit coach Scotty Bowman went with a goalie platoon in the first round playing young Chris Osgood at home, and veteran Mike Vernon on the road. It will be interesting to see if that trend continues. Both goalies are of above-average caliber, but it was Osgood that led the way during the regular season. An interesting twist to this series is that it will pit Blues Coach Mike Keenan against his mentor Bowman. The Blues were impressive in the first round even though they defeated a sub-500 team. They played solid team defense, generated some offense, and got solid goaltending from Casey. Although the Blues were only 1-3-1 against Detroit in the regular season, their myriad of grinders could slow the Wings down for awhile. But the Wings have too much overall talent, and should prevail. The prediction here: Red Wings in six.3.1.3 Blues Advance to Semi-Finals; Hope vs. Detroit? by NANCY BUCHANAN Mike Keenan's St. Louis Blues played their patented defensive style of hockey and beat Toronto 2-1 to win the series and advance onto the semi-finals where they will meet the heavily favored Detroit Red Wings. Four words describe the Blues' victory in Game 6: Defense, Leach, MacInnis and Casey. The Blues allowed the Maple Leafs only 24 shots on goal and Jon Casey stopped all of them except one. Al MacInnis proved that not all of the aging veterans on this team got more tired as the series went on--he scored his two playoff goals in the last two games of the series. MacInnis' famous slapshot sent game 5 into overtime. In game 6 he scored the tying goal early in the third period which brought not only his teammates but all of Kiel Center to life. Steve Leach became the hero of the game and possibly of the series when he aimed at the net and his shot deflected off a Toronto player into the net with under six minutes remaining in the game. It was a huge goal because the Blues looked like they were getting very tired and an overtime was the last thing anyone wanted to face. Keenan's last minute deals near the trading deadline were looking smarter and smarter. (Leach came from the Boston Bruins on March 8 in return for Ken Sutton and Steve Staios.) But the biggest winner by far was the Keenan-style defense which the Blues enacted with precision. As ex-Blues goalie and current Toronto assistant coach Rick Wamsley said, "We didn't get enough pucks and guys at the net, so we didn't get enough rebounds. [The Blues are] a hard forechecking team." The Blues will have to follow this same game plan if they want any chance to beat Detroit: Keep the other team away from the net, clear all rebounds, and forecheck, forecheck, forecheck. It worked against Toronto in game 6 and maybe it can work against Detroit. Reasons why the Blues do stand a chance against the Red Wings: --Scotty Bowman's team plays the same style defense as the Blues. (Keenan learned it from Bowman.) Knowing your opponent is half the battle. --Detroit has a history of choking in the playoffs. Their regular season record is not destiny. --The Blues third and fourth lines are at least equal to the Red Wings' third and fourth lines. (Creighton/Noonan/Matteau make up the third line and take your pick for the fourth line: MacTavish, Leach, Twist, Khmylev, Pearson or McRae.) Mike Keenan calls it depth. --The Blues penalty-killing units can stop even the Russian connection if the Blues concentrate. --Perhaps the Blues power-play unit can get into gear if they think of themselves as "Gretzkyonov", "Hullyonov", "Corsononov", "MacInnisonov" and "Prongeronov." --Glenn Anderson really wants another playoff overtime goal to match Maurice Richard's all-time NHL record of 6. --Igor Kravchuk and Yuri Khmylev have a chance to show NHL fans that Detroit did not corner the market on outstanding Russian hockey players. --Geoff Courtnall's scoring streak could begin any time now. (He had 0 goals and only 2 assists in the Toronto series.) --Jon Casey has the opportunity of a lifetime to prove his mettle against the NHL's best. --Detroit is not a particularly physical team and are unlikely to wear the Blues down, even in a long seven game series. --The Blues showed in the Toronto series that they are totally disciplined and do not take unnecessary penalties to give the opposition extra power play opportunities (which is not to say that sometimes the referee does not give the opposition power plays they do not deserve.) What the Blues will have to overcome to beat the Red Wings: --The Red Wings' speed. --The Red Wings' incredible passing skill. --Inconsistent NHL officiating. My prediction: Blues over the Red Wings in seven. (Did you expect anything else?)3.1.4 Blues Beat Leafs; Now Face Red Wings by ROB RAMAGE Mike Keenan's three most significant off-season acquisitions were Grant Fuhr, Shayne Corson, and Chris Pronger. All three of these players played major roles in the Blues victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs in the Western Conference quarterfinals. Fuhr, of course, was injured in Game Two, but in response to his injury, Corson, Pronger, and the rest of the Blues seemed to step up and play a determined brand of hockey that proved superior to the lifeless Maple Leafs. Toronto seemed to play without emotion and passion vs. the Blues. In other words, they played for interim coach Nick Beverley the very same way that they played for Pat Burns, who was fired late in the year. Keenan acquisitions Corson and Pronger played well vs. the Leafs. Pronger, in particular, is really coming into his own. People forget that he is only 21 years old, and that the series vs. Toronto was his very first NHL playoff series. Mike Keenan didn't do Pronger any favors when, in an attempt to justify trading Brendan Shanahan, he compared Pronger to several Hall of Fame (or future Hall of Fame) defensemen, including ex-Canadien blueline stalwart Larry Robinson. It's time to stop comparing Chris Pronger to other players. Let's not hang any labels on young Pronger. Instead, we can watch and enjoy his development as a top NHL defenseman. As far as the Red Wings are concerned--one thing to watch early on during Games 1 and 2 in Detroit is how the Blues contend with the Red Wings' speed. In order to counteract that speed (and have a chance to beat Detroit), the Blues will have to play ugly but disciplined hockey. Against, the Detroit power play, Blues penalty killer must be busy but remain in control. That sounds like a cliche but it's true. Against Detroit's Russian fivesome, it is particularly important for the Blues not to get caught running around. The Russians can and should be hit, but not so as to get penalized. It should be a lot of fun watching MIke Keenan wage a mental war with his coaching counterpart, Scott Bowman. Expect Bowman not to deviate from his regular season plan of attack, which means attacking and skating. It also seems likely that Bowman will utilize some combination of Keith Primeau, Sergei Federov, and Steve Yzerman vs. Wayne Gretzky. When the series returns to St. Louis (giving Keenan the last change), will the Blues try to match lines? Finally, when I get a chance to watch Federov, I always keep my eyes glued to #91 whenever he's on the ice. He's so fast and shifty...the guy is a nightmare for all NHL defensemen...even retired ones! A prediction for the series? Predicting NHL playoffs are too much like predicting the stock market. Let's hope for some entertaining hockey. EDITOR'S NOTE: Rob Ramage is an investment broker with the A.G. Edwards Co. and is based in Clayton, Missouri. He also works on Blues KPLR-11 and Prime Sports telecasts as a reporter. 3.2 Cardinals Stories 3.2.1 The Difference Between Winning And Losing by SCOTT SIMON The Braves easily handled the Cardinals Friday and Saturday by a combined score of 13-3. The 'Birds slide at that point reached six losses in their last seven games. And it's easy to see why. Braves starters Steve Avery and Greg Maddux combined to pitch 14 innings without giving up a walk. Whitey Herzog was always right about winning pitching. Throw strikes, and you'll win. Andy Benes on Friday was particularly suspect, giving up nine hits in just 6 and a 1/3 innings. For a guy with a 90+ mile-per-hour fastball, three of the first four hits were pulled (the other was a leadoff opposite field triple by Marquis Grissom). And Fred McGriff's homer in that one was smoked. If Benes is supposed to be so overpowering, as many St. Louis media-types crowed in wanting him for the past several years, he can't be letting batters jump on him like that, even if they are on the World Champion Braves. On Saturday, Donovan Osborne let the somewhat talented, but malcontented Jerome Walton look like he did when he won the 1989 NL Rookie of the Year, giving up three hits to the Braves' backup outfielder, which included two doubles. If he wants to be a winner, Osborne's got to put people like that on the bench. Offensively, well, let's just say the Cards are offensive. Cleanup hitter Ron Gant when 0 for 8 in the two games, dropping his average below .230. Hardly the mettle for a $5 million a year player. And don't let second baseman Luis Alicea deliver eggs to your house. Alicea is looking like the Jose Offerman of second base, when he committed his seventh error of the season Friday, on a simple throw to first base that looked like a Bobby Douglass pass from the Bears' past --- high, hard, and incomplete. Tony LaRussa didn't particularly like an Alicea-related question after Friday's game. When asked if he was going to stay with Alicea, La Russa retorted--"Just see who's in the lineup tomorrow." Sure enough, he was, going 0 for 2 before leaving the game in the 7th inning after being hit in the hand by a Maddux pitch after trying to check his swing on a bunt attempt. At least he fielded his position cleanly. Not only is Alicea's fielding bad this year, but hitting .200 won't win him many fans. Gaetti at third Saturday was outstanding. A great day in the field, and three hits. Leave him there, move Bell to second permanently, and you've got a better lineup that having Alicea at second base. As April winds, down, despite the preseason hype, the Cardinals are just an average team. It's a new team with many new faces, but after 25 games, the Tony La Russa-led Cardinals are delivering Joe Torre-like results. Then again, the Blues made it to the playoffs with less than a .500 record, and they beat Toronto in the first round of the playoffs. So, I guess it's not too late for this bunch....yet. 3.2.2 Cardinal Facts, Opinions, and Questions FACT: Luis Alicea is barely hitting his weight...and not playing reliable defense at second base OPINION: Prior to the start of spring training, the La Russa/Jocketty braintrust was counting on some combination of Geronimo Pena and Mike Gallego to patrol second base QUESTION: If the Cardinals corps of starting pitchers gets healthy, is a trade to obtain a second sacker (using a starting hurler as bait) a possibility? FACT: The Cardinals, after losing out in the bidding for Houston's Craig Biggio, successfully pursued free-agent outfielder Ron Gant. OPINION: As the season moves into the month of May, the second base/leadoff position is Tony La Russa's major concern. QUESTION: Would the Cardinals club set up better with Biggio in the lineup, rather than Gant? FACT: Through games of 4.28.96, SS Royce Clayton's ten extra-base hits (in 97 AB) leads the Cardinals in that category; Clayton's total of ten extra-base hits is greater than the extra base hit compiled by 1B John Mabry (who has five extra-base hits in 75 AB). OPINION: If the Cardinals are to win the NL Central, they need decent power production from the first-base position QUESTION: Can the still-improving Mabry add a power component to his sweet hitting stroke? Or put another way, is Mabry more like Dave Magadan...or Mark Grace? FACT: Cards outfielder Miguel Mejia, an off-season acquisition, must remain on the Cardinals roster for the entire season or else be subjected to MLB's waiver draft. OPINION: Mejia, who Cards GM Walt Jocketty claims has the speed and arm to get him to the big leagues, is at least two years away from being ready for regular duty in St. Louis and only has four at-bats (after two dozen games) QUESTION: In light of Mejia's presence on the 25-man roster (which reduces La Russa's options as far as late-inning substitutions are concerned), will the Cardinals continue to carry three catchers? FACT: Entering the 1996 season, Cards starting pitchers Todd Stottlemyre, Andy Benes, Donovan Osborne, Mike Morgan, and Danny Jackson had compiled W-L records of 83-77, 76-77, 25-22, 102-144, and 109-121. OPINION: Cards pitching coach Dave Duncan's reputation as a tutor of arms young and old is unmatched in all of baseball QUESTION: Even after adding Alan Benes, Mark Petkovsek, and Tom Urbani to the mix, can Duncan perform his magic on a group of starters that, collectively, are about 50 games under .500 for their careers? FACT: As this is written, Ron Gant's batting average is plummeting toward the .200 mark. OPINION: Gant's swing currently looks a bit forced QUESTION: How long before Gant breaks out? FACT: Despite playing sub-.500 ball, the Cardinals have remained within striking distance of first place in the NL Central OPINION: The NL Central may be the weakest division in all of MLB QUESTION: Would Cardinal fans get excited about a "pennant race" between average baseball teams? FACT: Royce Clayton plays a serviceable shortstop OPINION: There was only one 1980's-era Ozzie Smith QUESTION: Will Cardinals fans EVER get used to #11 at shortstop, rather than #1? 4.0 StLSO Recaps 4.1 Blues Summaries 4.1.1 Blues Dazzle Fans in Game 4 vs. Toronto by NANCY BUCHANAN In Game 4 Toronto played poorly and the Blues put on a five-goal offensive show rarely seen by the home-team fans at Kiel Center. If the Blues really want to get fans "Cup Crazy" they will rebroadcast the 5-1 victory on free TV during the idle days between rounds 1 and 2 of the playoffs! The Blues scoring started at 8:42 of the first period when Toronto was on their first power play and should have been in control of the ice. Chris Pronger accepted a pass from Wayne Gretzky, wound up from the right point and blasted a perfect shot on goal which was deflected into the net by Shayne Corson who was positioned right in front of the goal. Wayne Gretzky's quick thinking and finesse set up not only this goal but two others later in the evening. Less than one minute into the second period, Corson again camped-out in front of the goal and this time snapped in the rebound of a shot from Brett Hull. The score remained 2-0 until the final seconds of the second period. Witnessing Brett Hull's short-handed goal at 19:54 of the second period was alone worth the price of admission to this playoff game. As Toronto' s Larry Murphy coughed up the puck, Brett Hull took over along the left boards near the center red line and skated with determination toward Felix Potvin in the goal. Hull turned and skated parallel to the goal crease as he approached Potvin, delayed long enough to confuse Potvin who sprawled onto the ice trying to stop a shot that hadn't yet left Hull's stick, and then the Golden Brett showed why he makes over three million dollars a year as he swiftly lifted the puck over Potvin's body, up and into the top of the net to send the Blues into the locker room after the second period with a commanding 3-0 lead. Although they had twenty minutes during which to launch a comeback, the Maple Leafs never recovered from giving up not one but two short-handed goals to the Blues. Brian Noonan and Stephane Matteau proved twice in the final period that their muck-and-grind line could also score goals. Noonan scored two goals and Matteau two assists against Toronto goalie Don Beaupre who had replaced Potvin at the beginning of the third period. Noonan's performance (he now had three playoff goals) showed Mike Keenan knew what he was doing when he signed this million dollar mucker last July. Late in the third period of game 4 at Kiel Center, the crowd spontaneously started a chant of "CA-SEY....CA-SEY" which lasted for several seconds. The Blues were still up 5-0. Almost immediately after Kirk Muller ruined Casey's shutout with a goal for Toronto at 17:32 in the third period, the crowd at Kiel again rose to their feet and started the "CA-SEY....CA-SEY!!" chant. It felt like a high school basketball game with the fans cheering a hometown hero. The Blues, including Casey, were finally playing up to their potential and the fans loved having something and someone to cheer for. Finally, after a long season of rotating players and home ice losses, the Blues for once truly had home ice advantage and the fans had a home team they could embrace. One of the funnier moments of the evening came midway through the first period when the soundman at Kiel Center blared "The Beverly Hillbillies" theme song for what seemed like an entire 60 second commercial break. It took me more than a moment to figure out what "Come and listen to a story 'bout a man named Jed, poor mountaineer barely kept his family fed..." had to do with NHL hockey. Then I remembered Nick Beverly's name. I think the joke went unnoticed by a lot of fans....I wonder if Beverly complained about it during his post game tirade. In Game 4 the Blues were playing such confident and disciplined defense that they did not hesitate to pounce on scoring chances that arose. The Blues believed they could get back into defensive position quickly enough to stop Toronto so the Blues were not timid about going in for offensive opportunities. The Blues did not have to play "dump and chase" hockey in game 4 because of Toronto's weak defense. The aggressive offense the Blues played came not out of recklessness or lack of respect for their opponent, but rather it was built on confident team defense and player confidence in each other. The message from Mike Keenan seemed to be clear and was heeded by all--do not incite the competition, or force your teammates into short-handed situations, by taking unnecessary or retaliative penalties. Play the type of defense of which you are capable and beat the Maple Leafs not with your fists and sticks but with your talent, your minds and your concentration. 4.1.2 Blues Lose Game 5 Toronto by BRIAN STULL The St.Louis Blues returned to Toronto with a 3 games to 1 advantage over the Maple Leafs in their best of 7 playoff and jumped out to an early two goal lead before losing in overtime 5-4. Shayne Corson continued his scoring streak, notching the first goal of the game at 2:31 of the first period on a power play setup from Wayne Gretzky and Al MacInnis. Just over four minutes later, Chris Pronger fired in a shot from the blue line which beat Felix Potvin and St.Louis was up 2-0. Toronto got on the board with power play goals at 10:42 as Mike Gartner knocked in a rebound past Jon Casey and then Doug Gilmour added a goal at 11:55 to tie things 2-2. Todd Warriner finished off the first period scoring with another Toronto goal at 14:42. The Blues tied the game early in the second period as Peter Zezel made his presence felt once again, beating Potvin to make it 3-3. With less than two minutes left in the second period, Toronto regained the lead as Mike Gartner put the puck past Casey to send St.Louis into the intermission trailing 4-3. Both Potvin and Casey made some spectacular saves in the third period and as time wore down, the Blues pulled their netminder for the extra attacker. The strategy worked as Al MacInnis blasted a shot from the right point thru traffic into the back of the net to tie the game 4-4 at 19:47. The game went into overtime and the Blues became shorthanded when Murray Baron was forced to tackle a Leaf in front to save a goal. Unfortunately for St.Louis, the penalty killers couldn't get to Mike Gartner who found an opening for the hat trick and the victory, 5-4. GAMENOTES: Toronto outshot St.Louis 40/39.....The Blues were 2/8 on the power play, the Leafs 3/5. 4.1.3 Late Leach Goal Beats Toronto In Game 6 by BRIAN STULL The St.Louis Blues found themselves back at home in the Kiel Center, playing in front of the largest announced playoff crowd in team history, 20,777, as they battled the Toronto Maple Leafs in game 6 of the first round of Stanley Cup playoffs. The crowd had little to cheer about early despite some good chances from the Blues, Felix Potvin kept the home team off the scoreboard. Jon Casey was equally tough in his net and the score was 0-0 at the end of the first period. Coach Mike Keenan and the Toronto coaching staff hollered pleasantries as Brian Noonan, Todd Gill, and Dave Gagner were sent off the ice as the intensity rose. Tempers flared as Peter Zezel and Doug Gilmour exchanged words and then Jay Wells crunched Nick Kypreos with a solid check that resulted in a roughing call by referee Bill McCreary. Toronto took advantage of the extra man, as Wendell Clark was waiting alone at the left post to knock in the rebound from a Mats Sundin shot from the top of the right circle at 7:55. The record setting crowed began to get restless, but their team responded in the third period, scoring at 1:40 as Al MacInnis rifled a pass from behind the net by Geoff Courtnall under Potvin to tie the game 1-1. Then Casey made a great save to preserve the tie and tempers heated again as Chris Pronger wrapped his glove around the face of Wendell Clark and the two fell into the net. The game remained tied until 14:03, when Steve Leach got the puck on a broken play in the Toronto zone and wheeled and fired. The puck hit the skate of defenseman Dave Ellett and deflected past Potvin for the winning goal. GAMENOTES: Toronto was outshot by St.Louis 35/24....Potvin was pulled at 18:42 of the third period for the extra attacker until the end of the game......Basil McRae was in the lineup for the Blues.....St.Louis will meet Detroit in the second round of playoffs- first game is Friday night in Detroit. 4.2 Cards Series-by-Series Summaries by JIM HUNSTEIN 4.2.1 Cards vs. Expos (4.22.96 and 4.23.96) The good news is that the Cardinal bats finally came alive. The bad news is that the pitching isn't. The Cards scored 11 runs in the two-game set but gave up 20. Ouch. RESULTS: First sweep of the year, but the Cards were the sweepees, not the sweepers. SCORES:Expos 8, Cards 0; Expos 12, Cards 11 GOING IN: Cards were 11-8, first place in the NL Central, 1/2 game ahead of Cubs COMING OUT: Cards were 11-10, second place, 1/2 game behind Houston HITTING: Only three hits in the first game and no runs. Pretty sad. But the bats woke up in the second game; 14 hits and 11 runs. Brian Jordan was 4 for 6 and Danny Sheaffer was 3 for 5. Every other starter but Luis Alicea had a hit. It was all in a losing cause (you'd think 11 runs in two games ought to be enough to win at least one), but certainly a step in the right direction. In the 5 games before Tuesday, the Cards had amassed a whopping 29 hits, 24 of which were singles. BASERUNNING: Clearly third base coach Tommie Reynolds needs a crash course in National League outfielders. Or at least in Cardinal baserunners. And definitely a more easily understood stop sign. Late in the second game, when the team desperately needed a run, he was unable to keep Ray Lankford from running through a stop sign and he sent Tom Pagnozzi. Both were out at the plate. Not quite by a mile (replays showed Pags had a chance had he tried a hook slide instead of a collision), but by enough to indicate they had no business going past third base. Royce Clayton and Brian Jordan each got a stolen base, their seventh and first respectively. STARTING PITCHING: Their real arms must not have made it through customs. Donovan Osborne started the first game and made it through 5 innings giving up 5 runs on 8 hits and a walk. He came in with one of the best ERAs among the starters at 1.35. He went out with the worst on the entire staff at 4.63. Todd Stottlemyre started the second game and managed to fare worse. He was shelled for six runs on 6 hits and 3 walks in 3 innings. His ERA ballooned from 4.32 to 5.79 to take the high mark from Osborne. RELIEF PITCHING: Turns out these guys are human after all. In the first game, only TJ Mathews got touched for a run, courtesy a 3-run blast by that one-Expo wrecking crew, Henri Rodriguez. He also homered off Osborne and Stottlemyre. Jeff Parrett and Cory Bailey held firm. Then in the second game, all h-e-double hockey sticks broke loose. After Stottlemyre was sent to an early demise, Tony Fossas managed for an inning but then Bailey gave up 3 and Rick Honeycutt yielded 2.Parrett held tight again but Mathews gave up the game winning homer to Moises Alou. Saves? Get real. You can't save what you can't see. FIELDING: Getting better. Only one error in the series, that one by Mathews. But then these games were played on plastic, not the green, green grass of home. CATCH-ALL: Bench-clearing incident in the second game. But remember this is baseball, so no punches were thrown but lots of fingers were pointed and some names were even called. But it did serve to lively up the bats because it was after that the Cardinals actually started to hit like the team we all thought they would be. OVERALL: It's hard to win when you give up 6 homers in a series, 3 by the same guy. Nice to see the hitting coming around and the fielding improving. Good comebacks in the second game showing spunk. The Redbirds had scored only 6 runs in the previous 5 games before the 11-run outburst. But that pitching is getting worrisome. NEXT UP: Another two-game series, this time with the Mets at Busch. 4.2.2 Cards vs. Mets (4.24.96 and 4.25.96) Once again, the Cards start a series merely challenging for first place and wrap it up at the top of the standings. (Which is part of an old baseball greeting from way back. Ken Burns doesn't even know about this, which tells you something about the sources we use. The proper exchange was thus: "Top o' the standings to you." "And the rest of the league for yourself." No telling what kind of lore you'll learn here at St. Louis Sports Online.) RESULTS: Splitsville, each team winning one SCORES: Cards 9, Mets 4; Mets 9, Cards 3 GOING IN: Cards entered the 5-game homestand at 11-10 in second place, 1/2 game behind the Astros, 1/2 game ahead of the Cubs. COMING OUT: Cards were 12-11 and in first place, 1/2 game ahead of the Astros and 11/2 games ahead of the Cubs. HITTING: Another power surge for the Cards in the first game. 12 hits total, including three of a kind for Brian Jordan and two pair by Ron Gant and Danny Sheaffer. Luis Alicea snapped an 0-for-17 slump with a single in the fourth inning. Only 7 hits in the second game and no multi-hitters. Gary Gaetti popped his third homer of the year, though. BASERUNNING: Not a steal to be had. Jordan was caught for the first time this season. Cards left a total of 15 runners on base, although that could be more a function of hitting than baserunning. STARTING PITCHING: The starters were once again thrashed. Petkovsek gave up 4 earned runs on 7 hits in 5 innings but got the win, his first. Heretofore untouchable Alan Benes was cruising along in a cozy little 3-1 game until he got reamed, steamed, and drycleaned in the seventh inning of the second game. The six batters he faced reached (or circled) base with 2 singles, 2 homers, a triple and an error. Instead of his fourth W, Alan got his first L. He still leads the rotation with a 3.66 ERA; next closest is big brother Andy with 3.86. But no other starter even has 2 wins, so Alan still rules. RELIEF PITCHING: Basically good. Four pitchers (Tony Fossas, Cory Bailey, Rick Honeycutt, Dennis Eckersley) preserved Petkovsek's win with four innings of scoreless relief. No save. Sorry, Eck. Jeff Parrett was sent in to keep Alan Benes from getting hurt and gave up two more runs in that horrendous, 8-run seventh inning. Then he pitched the last two innings with no further damage. FIELDING: Getting better. In fact, two of the three Cardinal errors in the series were o the throwing variety. Sheaffer and Alan Benes had those for their first Es of the year. Alicea committed his sixth. CATCH-ALL: Jordan is fitting in nicely in the number 2 slot in the batting order. He was projected to bat third, fifth, sixth or lead-off, where he has been many time since coming off the DL. But he was 8-for-16 batting second. The winner for the Mets of the second game was ex-Redbird Mark Clark. He was 4-11 for the Cards in 1991-1992 and was traded to the Indians for Mark Whiten. OVERALL: The Cards won the first game to end a 3-game losing streak. This put them back in first place and they stayed there despite the loss in the second game. But that was one scary seventh inning when the Mets scored 8 runs. Something has to be done sooner to stop that kind of bleeding. Ozzie Smith was eligible to come off the DL but he had not been activated as of this series. UP NEXT: 3-game set with the World Champion Braves at Busch


5.0 StLSO Numbers

5.1 Cardinals Statistics (through 4.30.96)

5.1.1 Cards Hitting Statistics
            BA   SLG   OBA   G  AB   R   H  TB 2B 3B HR RBI  BB  SO SB CS  E
Borders   .351  .404  .362  18  57   3  20  23  3  0  0   4   1  12  0  0  2
Smith     .333  .333  .333   3   6   0   2   2  0  0  0   1   0   0  0  0  1
Sheaffer  .311  .400  .367  17  45   5  14  18  4  0  0   6   4   4  2  1  2
McGee     .308  .415  .338  19  65   7  20  27  4  0  1  11   3  11  0  1  1
Sweeney   .304  .348  .448  20  23   4   7   8  1  0  0   2   6   4  0  0  0
Mabry     .289  .373  .341  24  83   6  24  31  4  0  1   8   7  16  0  1  1
Lankford  .281  .573  .330  26  96  16  27  55  5  1  7  20   8  23  2  1  0
Gaetti    .280  .453  .304  20  75   7  21  34  4  0  3   5   3  12  1  0  3
Jordan    .267  .400  .302  15  60   8  16  24  5  0  1   8   3  15  1  2  0
Clayton   .260  .394  .336  27 104  13  27  41  7  2  1  14  13  23  7  4  4
Pagnozzi  .231  .308  .214   6  13   0   3   4  1  0  0   2   0   3  0  1  0
Gant      .225  .427  .360  27  89  16  20  38  4  1  4  19  18  21  2  1  2
Alicea    .216  .289  .290  26  97  12  21  28  7  0  0   3   9  22  1  0  8
Bradshaw  .200  .200  .385   9  10   1   2   2  0  0  0   0   3   1  0  1  0
Bell      .196  .304  .229  18  46   2   9  14  2  0  1   1   2   9  0  0  1
Holbert   .000  .000  .000   1   3   0   0   0  0  0  0   0   0   0  0  0  0
Mejia     .000  .000  .000   9   4   3   0   0  0  0  0   0   0   3  1  0  0

5.1.2 Cards Pitching Statistics
               W- L    ERA   G GS CG GF SH SV   IP    H   R  ER HR  BB  SO
Mathews        1- 1   0.52  12  0  0  4  0  1  17.1   7   4   1  2   8  18
Eckersley      0- 2   0.68  12  0  0 11  0  5  13.1  13   3   1  0   0  15
Fossas         0- 2   1.42  14  0  0  0  0  0  12.2  11   2   2  0   6  10
Parrett        1- 1   2.12  12  0  0  5  0  0  17.0  12   4   4  1   8  14
Batchelor      0- 0   2.45   1  0  0  1  0  0   3.2   4   1   1  0   0   1
Petkovsek      1- 0   3.60   3  2  0  1  0  0  10.0  10   4   4  2   3   6
Bailey         2- 0   4.15  14  0  0  1  0  0  17.1  16   8   8  1  11  19
Andy Benes     1- 3   4.62   6  6  0  0  0  0  39.0  38  23  20  6  11  28
Osborne        1- 2   4.82   3  3  0  0  0  0  18.2  19  10  10  2   2  12
Alan Benes     3- 1   4.89   6  6  1  0  0  0  35.0  35  25  19  4  14  34
Honeycutt      0- 0   5.00  11  0  0  3  0  1   9.0   9   5   5  1   4   8
Stottlemyre    1- 2   5.66   6  6  0  0  0  0  35.0  33  23  22  7  18  22
Urbani         1- 0   7.71   3  2  0  0  0  0  11.2  15  10  10  3   4   1
Barber         0- 0  15.00   1  1  0  0  0  0   3.0   4   5   5  0   6   1
Busby          0- 1  18.00   1  1  0  0  0  0   4.0   9  13   8  4   4   4

5.2 Blues Playoff Statistics (after Game 6 of the Toronto series)

5.2.1 Scoring

POS NO.  PLAYER             GP   G   A PTS +/-  PIM PP SH GW OT   S  PCTG
C   99   WAYNE GRETZKY       6   0   9   9  6     0  0  0  0  0  12    .0
L    9   SHAYNE CORSON       6   5   3   8  4     4  3  1  1  0  21  23.8
R   16   BRETT HULL          6   3   1   4  3     6  1  1  1  0  27  11.1
R   28   BRIAN NOONAN        6   3   1   4  0     6  0  0  0  0  12  25.0
D    2   AL MACINNIS         6   2   2   4  6     6  1  0  0  0  27   7.4
R   27   STEPHEN LEACH       4   2   1   3  2     2  0  0  1  0   8  25.0
R   36   GLENN ANDERSON      4   1   2   3  5     4  0  0  1  1  14   7.1
D   44   CHRIS PRONGER       6   1   2   3  4    10  0  0  0  0   9  11.1
C   25   PETER ZEZEL         6   2   0   2  4     2  0  1  0  0  11  18.2
D    5   IGOR KRAVCHUK       3   0   2   2  1     2  0  0  0  0   3    .0
L   14   GEOFF COURTNALL     6   0   2   2  4     8  0  0  0  0  19    .0
C   23   CRAIG MACTAVISH     6   0   2   2  2-    2  0  0  0  0   4    .0
L   32   STEPHANE MATTEAU    6   0   2   2  1-    2  0  0  0  0  11    .0
D   34   MURRAY BARON        6   1   0   1  6    10  0  1  0  0   6  16.7
D   22   CHARLIE HUDDY       6   1   0   1  3     6  0  0  0  0  10  10.0
G   30   JON CASEY           5   0   1   1  0     0  0  0  0  0   0    .0
L   18   TONY TWIST          5   0   1   1  1-    4  0  0  0  0   0    .0
L   17   BASIL MCRAE         1   0   0   0  0     0  0  0  0  0   2    .0
G   31   GRANT FUHR          2   0   0   0  0     0  0  0  0  0   0    .0
R   12   ROB PEARSON         2   0   0   0  1    14  0  0  0  0   2    .0
L   13   YURI KHMYLEV        2   0   0   0  1-    2  0  0  0  0   1    .0
D   35  *CHRISTER OLSSON     3   0   0   0  1-    0  0  0  0  0   0    .0
C   20   ADAM CREIGHTON      6   0   0   0  1-    4  0  0  0  0  11    .0
D   26   JAY WELLS           6   0   0   0  1-    2  0  0  0  0   1    .0

5.2.2 Goaltending

 #  GOALTENDER  GPI MINS  AVG  W  L  T EN SO  GA   SA  SV % G  A PIM
31  GRANT FUHR   2   69   .87  1  0     0  0   1   45  .978 0  0   0
30  JON CASEY    5  303  2.77  3  2     0  0  14  155  .910 0  1   0
     TOTALS      6  373  2.41  4  2     0  0  15  200  .925

6.0 StLSO Media Watch 6.1 Simon Says by SCOTT SIMON 6.1.1 Officially Scored In addition to some members of the Cardinals broadcast teams, there are some press box wags and out-of-town writers who wonder about the scoring of some plays by Busch Stadium official scorer Jack Herman. During recent Cardinals home games, specifically, the game on April 27 against the Atlanta Braves., there were two plays that came into question, and another scoring announcement that was premature. The details of the plays aren't the issue here...veteran baseball people often see the same play and come to different conclusions (i.e. hit or error). It is helpful, of course, to use all of the tools of modern technology in an effort to get the play right. Some press box residents feel that Herman doesn't utilize videotape replays as often as he might...this too, though, is a matter of opinion. But the flaps on April 27 reminded me of an incident involving Herman that occurred several years ago. During a 1991 game, there was a bang-bang play involving a base hit and a subsequent a run down, during which time a run scored. Herman, the scorer on that hot summer day, went inside the lounge during a pitching change previous to the play to get a cold ice cream, no doubt a welcome relief. Play resumed quicker than usual, and he unintentionally missed what happened, which is no big deal, if he used the replay to make the ruling. But when he walked back into the press area, someone yelled out, "Jack, what is it?" Herman replied, "It's vanilla." Several of us sitting right there began crying with uncontrollable laughter, the funniest thing we ever saw covering a game at Busch Stadium. 6.1.2 Lou Tevlin On KMOX Management at KMOX have decided to keep Channel 2 sportscaster Lou Tevlin for some weekend shows. StLSO earlier reported that Tevlin's future at KMOX was in doubt. However, this reporter has learned that Tevlin's role will mainly be in studio, and from Busch Stadium after Cardinals' home games. Tevlin will not be utilized as the coordinating anchor for the long-running, "Live at Shannon's" on Friday and Saturday nights, when the team and Mike Shannon are in town. Tevlin was recruited by KMOX because they like have personalities with visibility, especially those who toil on TV. His recent post-game appearance, with Ron Jacober, was marked by one interesting (and refreshing) phenomenon: he seems to know baseball...and had actually watched the game, and talked to some Cards personnel, that night. Tevlin's presence added a lot to KMOX's normal post-game show, which generally utilizes phone calls from listeners. 6.1.3 Doug Vaughn at WIBV Meanwhile, Emmy-award winning Channel 4 sportscaster Doug Vaughn has settled in at WIBV for their Sunday morning show from 9 a.m. to noon. In my opinion, Vaughn sounds no less than excellent, far better, for example, than Mike Bush's Rams football gabfests on KSD-AM. Vaughn should be someone's number one sportscaster. 7.0 StLSO Interactivity *James Pruyne writes from Wisconsin-- Suffice it to say that StLSO is an amazing piece of work. I can't believe all the time that must go into such a quality publication, and then giving it to us for free. Particularly for we displaced StL sports fans it is a god-send. Now, my tiny beef. It would really be great for me (and perhaps others) if you could re-format the Cards' stats to fit on an 80 character line. As it is now, the just barely wrap around (just the E column), but it makes them a little harder to read. I think there's enough whitespace to shorten the lines a bit without mushing things together too much. In any event, thanks a bunch from (I think) a charter subscriber!!!!! *Brian Jones writes from Minnesota-- Fellow Cards fan up here in the Twin Cities showed me a copy of St. Louis Sports Online. What a great thing!! Needless to say, don't get much beyond the boxscores up here in Twink-land. Aargh. If it's not too much trouble, could you add me to the list? (Looking forward to Cards/Braves on ESPN, only to find out it's postponed. There's no justice anymore.)*Rick Rubin writes from Illinois-- Randy Karraker's remarks about Lawrence Phillips were no less than appalling. He refers to Phillips' recent brush with the law as "unfortunate." The word "unfortunate" implies that an event was just a quirk of fate or a happenstance. I don't care if Lawrence Phillips is 21 or 71 years old, at either age a person should be able to know the difference between right and wrong. Phillips is going through counseling, yes, but a despicable act like that deserves much harsher punishment than the slap on the wrist he got. Permissive dialogue (such as that found in St. Louis Sports Online) is not only prevalent in our society but also is an example of the irresponsible attitude gripping our nation these days. I agree that the law has spoken and rendered its preposterous judgment. But it is also "unfortunate," to use the same word that Karraker used. Lawrence Phillips and those who commit similar crimes should be locked up and have to suffer the same fate as their victims. Incidents such as what Phillips was convicted of are sometimes referred to as "mistakes." Allow me to define "mistake"--- 2 + 2 = 5 is a mistake; what Phillips did was mean, cruel, and vicious. Maybe if we start getting tough with people the frequency of these incidents will be curtailed. But when we say "Okay, you said you were sorry, we'll accept your apology. Now promise you won't do it again?!," the perpetrator knows he got away with something and feels like he's above the law. I sometimes wonder if those who say Phillips deserves another chance would feel the same way if Phillips was not an athlete or if the victim was a close friend or relative. I hope we never find out. Incidents like this must not be forgotten nor should we ever let the criminal who committed the acts forget. I hope this dogs Phillips for the rest of his life. I doubt if it does, however. A ruthless, gutless punk like Phillips is probably incapable of being bothered by something as insignificant as a conscience. P.S. I believe if you'll do a little investigative journalism you'll find that this is not the only crack in Phillips' armor.8.0 StLSO Editorial8.1 Life's Circle And Sport's Circle: Do They Intersect? Several e-mailings concerned the Lawrence Phillips situation have made their way to the StLSO bank of computers. We at StLSO feel the need to respond. Here goes. Does Lawrence Phillips have the right to earn a living as a professional athlete? Yes. Did Lawrence Phillips do something terribly wrong when he dragged his ex-girlfriend down three flights of stairs? Yes. Should NFL fans be allowed to enjoy watching Phillips ply his trade as a running back? Yes. Is domestic abuse a problem in this country? Yes. Do various women's groups and organizations concerned with violence against women have the right to protest the drafting of Phillips, and the multimillion dollar contract that he will receive as an athlete? Yes. So Lawrence Phillips' past actions at Nebraska ARE important, but they have nothing to do with his performance on the football field. Sad, but true. Here's a two-part dream. First, Phillips has a banner rookie season, leads the NFL in rushing, and the Rams win the NFC West. Second, before every Rams home game, outside the TWA Dome, thousands of protesters gather peacefully, all the while drawing national attention to the problem of domestic violence. Would such protests be fair to Phillips? Sure! He's a public figure, and part of what sports figures are subjected to in return for their unbelievably high salaries is the even more unbelievable scrutiny that they face in their personal lives. The editorial staff at StLSO might even take part in one or two of those protests. Domestic violence is so important...and it is a problem that has touched the lives of a majority of Americans in one way or another. But what should we do about the two PSLs we own? 8.2 Corrections In StLSO #69, Joe Ashkar's name was misspelled. And in StLSO #67, Donovan Osborne was referred to as a righthanded pitcher. Osborne, of course, pitches with his left arm. Also in #67, WIBV producer Dan McLaughlin was misidentified. StLSO regrets the errors.

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