St. Louis Sports Online #77 (June 21, 1996)

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. Contributors to #77 include KMOX radio's Randy Karraker, Fowl Ball's Jim Hunstein, contributing writer Mike Rainey, Eric Niederhoffer, and StLSO Vipers correspondent Gary Griffaw. St. Louis Sports Online can be reached at StLSports@aol.com and via FAX (618-457-5691). Subscription information can be obtained 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/ The publisher of St. Louis Sports Online requests that no part of StLSO be reproduced or transmitted (electronically or otherwise) without e-mail permission, which can be gained by sending e-mail to StLSports@aol.comSt. Louis Sports Online JUNE.96.3 CONTENTS 1.0 StLSO News and Notes by RANDY KARRAKER 2.0 StLSO Sports Shorts 2.1 Cardinals News by MIKE RAINEY 2.2 Blues News 2.3 Rams Report 2.4 StLSO Quote of the Week 2.5 StLSO Headline of the Week 3.0 StLSO Features 3.1 Cardinals Free Agent Amateur Signings 3.2 Cardinal Quotes 3.3 The Academic: Can the Cardinals Learn From the fx Channel? by ERIC NIEDERHOFFER 4.0 StLSO Recaps 4.1 Cardinals Series-by-Series Summaries by JIM HUNSTEIN 5.0 StLSO Numbers 5.1 Cardinals Statistics 5.2 MLB Standings (as of 6.20.96) 5.3 St. Louis Vipers Line Scores contributed by GARY GRIFFAW 6.0 StLSO Media Views 6.1 Changes at WIBV? by MARK BAUSCH 6.2 Blacks at Busch by MARK BAUSCH 7.0 StLSO Interactivity 8.0 StLSO Editorial: Yin and Yang... St. Louis Sports Online JUNE.96.31.0 StLSO News and Notes by RANDY KARRAKEROzzie Smith's retirement announcement came at a good time...as the Cardinals took over first place in the National League Central by moving over the .500 mark with a win over the Phillies. Smith's impending retirement should quiet some of the talk that he should be playing every day. If he realizes that its time to call it quits, then the masses should too. Royce Clayton should also be a more relaxed player. There's little doubt that Clayton tightened up with the shadow of Smith, and Ozzie's popularity, hovering in the background. Relaxed players are better players, and the entire team should be more relaxed with this announcement behind them. In some cases, certainly that of Brian Jordan, it serves as a motivating force, too. Jordan wants to go out and win the pennant for the Wizard. Hopefully a few more players will be similarly motivated. The 'Birds took another good run through their rotation on their recently completed five game homestand. It started and ended with Andy Benes pitching well, allowing two runs to the Mets in eight innings, and two runs to the Phillies in nine innings. In between, Todd Stottlemyre, Alan Benes, Mike Morgan and Donovan Osborne turned in solid efforts, with Dennis Eckersley returning to health with saves in the Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday games. If the pitching remains healthy, the ability is there for this group to be as good as the Dodgers' fivesome, and a notch below Atlanta's top four...with the Cardinals' presumed fifth man, Morgan, being better than Atlanta's, Jason Schmidt, at this time. The Blues pick fourteenth in the NHL draft Saturday. Although we'll hear the names for years, don't expect that we'll see these players soon...if ever. Just keep in mind how long we heard names such as Nelson Emerson, Jason Marshall, Jason Ruff, Keith Osborne and Mike Grier (signed by Edmonton this week). That was under old management. At least Mike Keenan moves his young players in a hurry. Rumors haven't been plentiful, but expect some Keenan action at the Kiel Center podium during the draft. The Rams quietly signed restricted free agent, RB Greg Robinson...so they have a full contingent of backs in case Lawrence Phillips isn't ready to start the season. Robinson presumably would start, with Jerald Moore in the mix. Brent Moss and Tyrone Montgomery also are battling for spots. Phillips will be arraigned July 5, with no word on when a trial might begin. With his problems in Nebraska resurfacing because of the DUI arrest in California, it would seem unlikely that Phillips would make training camp for the Rams...and the competition at his position will be opened up. EDITOR'S NOTE: Randy Karraker is KMOX radio's primary sports reporter, and often hosts evening and post-game "Voice of St. Louis" call-in shows. 2.0 StLSO Sports Shorts 2.1 Cardinals News by MIKE RAINEY *Ozzie Smith announced at a press conference on Wednesday that 1996 will be his last season as an active player. Smith will remain with the team in a different capacity for at least the next 10 years. Smith hasn't seen much playing time this season behind starter Royce Clayton. He is currently hitting .239 with 7 RBI's in 67 at-bats. The Cardinals also announced that the September 28 game against the Reds will be Ozzie Smith Day at Busch Stadium. His number will be retired during a pre-game ceremony. *Ron Gant returned to the lineup on June 14 against the Mets and found himself batting in the unfamiliar leadoff position. In his first at-bat in over six weeks he hit a 442 foot home run to center field. Manager Tony La Russa said he wanted to ease Gant back into the lineup, and not stick him right into the middle of the order after an extended layoff. So far, however, the Cardinals are 5-0 with Gant in the leadoff spot, so he might be there for a while. *Lefthander Danny Jackson is ready to begin throwing, and could soon be ready to be sent to extended spring training. His return is at least six weeks away slated for sometime around the beginning of August. Although Jackson has been a starting pitcher for his entire career, La Russa said assuming everybody is healthy, Jackson will be pitching out of the bullpen upon his return. La Russa is happy with the current starting rotation of Andy and Alan Benes, Todd Stottlemyre, Donovan Osborne, and Mike Morgan. *Osborne led the 1995 pitching staff with 82 strikeouts. Stottlemyre already has fanned 91 batters less than half-way through this season. *Dennis Eckersley returned from the disabled list last week and is a perfect 3 for 3 in save opportunities since. *With Eckersley and Gant returning from the D.L. last week some roster moves had to be made. The Cards traded third string catcher Pat Borders to the California Angels for minor league lefthanded reliever Ben VanRyn. VanRyn, who has been assigned to Louisville, was 3-3 in 18 games at AAA Vancouver with a 3.80 ERA. The Cards also demoted reliever Cory Bailey for the second time this season. *The Cardinals opened up a tough 8-game road trip in Montreal on Thursday night. After 4 games this weekend with the talented Expos, they head down to Atlanta to take on the defending World Champion Braves for 4 games next week. 2.2 Blues News *The Blues go into Saturday's NHL Entry Draft with the fourteenth pick in the first round. Due in large part to the Scott Stevens free-agent signing, the Blues haven't had a first-round selection since 1989. And next year's first-round selection, in what is supposed to be a talent-rich draft, has already been dealt to the Kings (in exchange for Wayne Gretzky). Look for Mike Keenan and Jack Quinn to do some dealing this weekend... 2.3 Rams Report *As training camp moves ever closer, Rams QB Mark Rypien remains unsigned. It thus seems likely that Rypien, assuming that he eventually signs with St. Louis, will be relegated to the team's back-up role. Hello, Steve Walsh.2.4 StLSO Quotes of the Week *REPRINTED from the March 27, 1996 issue of St. Louis Sports Online (#63)-- TONY LA RUSSA: (1) "There's a way for it to work for the two shortstops that are here to contribute...they're both going to play. I have a plan." (2) ...on the possibility that Brian Jordan might assume the lead-off position in the batting order: "Who knows. It depends on who is available. It's still early. I don't have to decide where he hits [in the order]. Hey. We've got a lot of strength in the middle of the lineup. Maybe I'll ask Gant to lead-off..." OZZIE SMITH: ...on the possibility that he would retire in mid-season: "No. This year is it for me, but that won't happen. I wouldn't start this thing if I couldn't finish it. With the injury and everything, I don't look at last year. I haven't played a lot of baseball in the last two years. In 1994, I was starting to get into a groove when the strike hit. I had a 9-game hitting streak. I'm looking for great things for myself."2.5 StLSO Headlines of the Week *From the 6.20.96 Post-Dispatch: "Farewell to Oz" *From the 6.21.96 Post-Dispatch: "War of Words Continues"...with the following sub-head: "Smith Says La Russa Lied To Him In Spring" 3.0 StLSO Features 3.1 Cardinals Free Agent Amateur Signings In the recent 1996 Free Agent Amateur Draft, the Cardinals selected 18 pitchers, four catchers, 14 infielders, and five outfielders. As this is written, the Cardinals have signed 21 of the 41 players they drafted. The players signed include-- *Third round: Justin Butler (2B, Scotland HS) *Fourth round: Ronnie Britt (RF, UNC-Wilmington) *Seventh round: Kevin Sheredy (RHP, UCLA) *Eighth round: David Schmidt (C, Oregon State) *Ninth round: Shawn Hogge (RHP, Western HS) *Tenth round: Cordell Farley (CF, VCU) *Fourteenth round: Stephen Norris (LHP, Tyler JC) *Fifteenth round: Gregory Heffernan (RHP, St. Andrews Pres.) *Sixteenth round: Stacy Kleiner (2B, UNLV) *Seventeenth round: Keith Gallagher (RHP, Murray State) *Nineteenth round: Keith Finnerty (2B, St. Johns) *Twenty-fourth round: Jason Pollock (RHP, West Liberty State) *Twenty-fifth round: Andrew Gordon (RHP, James Madison U.) *Twenty-eighth round: Timothy Onofrei (OF, Albertson College) *Twenty-ninth round: Mark Nussbeck (RHP, Bellevue College) *Thirty-first round: Brian Mazurek (1B, St. Francis College) *Thirty-third round: Brad Kennedy (3B, Southwest Missouri State) *Thirty-fourth round: Ryan Kritscher (2B, UC-Santa Barbara) *Thirty-fifth round: Paul Wilders (3B, Siena College) *Thirty-sixth round: Richard Clapp (2B, Texas Tech) *Thirty-seventh round: Clint Weibl (RHP, Miami (FL)) *Fortieth round: Clay Hawkins (C, Seminole JC) *Forty-first round: John Tuttle (RHP, San Marino HS) In addition to deciding on the financial terms, the Cardinals and first-round draft choice Braden Looper have some decisions to make regarding Looper's contract with the Redbirds. Looper, a reliever who has spent the past three seasons pitching for the Wichita State Shockers, is ticketed to be the closer on this summer's US Olympic team. After the Olympics, only a month or so remains in the short-season single A leagues. Looper, his agent, and the Cardinals have to decide whether Looper should sign a 1996 contract, or whether he should wait until the spring of '97 to begin his professional career. Looper, of course, is likely to want to sign during the current season. Why? Because a whole range of issues relate to the year in which a player signs his initial contract, including when he would become eligible for the Rule V draft. Walt Jocketty and the Cardinals, of course, might ask Looper to sign for a bit less...if he wishes to sign a 1996 contract. 3.2 Cardinal Quotes *Jeff Parrett, on the trade rumors swirling around him: --"I don't let that bother me. And it is nice to be wanted by other teams. It's like this. As a pitcher, I only worry about the next pitch. In a way, the uniform doesn't matter. But I want to make one thing clear: I like St. Louis, and I want to stay here." *Tom Pagnozzi, on his near .330 batting average in mid-June: "I don't pay any attention to that." *Mark Sweeney, on being in the big leagues: "Every once in a while, I look down and see the embroidery on the front of my jersey...and I just can't believe it." 3.3 The Academic: Can the Cardinals Learn From the fx Channel? by ERIC NIEDERHOFFER After enjoying the success of the Cardinals with the Mets during the past series at Busch stadium, I surveyed the tv channels for other news of importance for a Sunday morning. On the station denoted as "fx," I found the London Monarchs playing the Rheine Fire in football. The Monarchs were leading the Fire in a mediocre World League contest. As near as I could determine, the game featured average players (most from the U.S. and a specific limited number from the local country) at best trying to entertain a scarce stadium audience. A total attendance that wouldn't even approach the smallest attendance at Busch. However, I believe that fx has determined a strategy for entertaining fans and drawing more viewers. For the twenty-or-so minutes that I watched the game, it was apparent that the TV cameras were not going to show the relatively empty stadium. Instead, what was piped into my home were numerous revealing views of the cheerleaders. These attractive cheerleaders wore red, white, and blue bikini tops with skirts and were standing among the few happy fans, this in the lower section of the stands. Certainly the large amount of camera time and carefully planned footage of the cheerleaders suggests to me some interesting promotion for a sport that has no significant following. Should the Cardinals choose to boost their attendance during dull parts of the season, maybe they should consult the bloody Brits! 4.0 StLSO Game Recaps 4.1 Cardinals Series-by-Series Summaries by JIM HUNSTEIN 4.1.1 Cardinals vs. Mets (June 13 - 16) IN THE ARCHIVES: The Cardinals took three of four games from the Mets at home in a series that had a little bit of everything. A heart-breaking nail-biter in G1, a multi-homer blow-out win in G2, a solid outing all around in G3, and a dramatic comeback for Father's Day in G4. ON THE SCOREBOARD: G1: 2-1 Mets; G2: 13-4 Cards; G3: 4-2 Cards; G4: 5-4 Cards GOING IN: Cards were 30-33, in second place, 1 1/2 games behind the Astros and 1/2 game ahead of the Pirates COMING OUT: Cards were 33-34, still in second place, but only 1/2 game behind the 'Stros, and 1 1/2 ahead of the third place Cubs. The Redbirds are also only 1 game below .500. AT THE PLATE: Lots of heroes; take your pick. For the series, it has to be Brian Jordan, who was 6-for-12 with 4 RBI. Or maybe Willie McGee, who was 4-for-6 including 3-for-4 in G4. Or John Mabry who was 0-for-7 in G1 and G3 but 6-for-9 in G2 and G4 to push himself back among the top 10 in the league. What about Ron Gant, fresh off the DL, who went 3-for-10 in the lead-off position with a monster homer on the second pitch of G2. Then there's Gary Gaetti who had 2 homers in G2, including his 9th career grand slam for third among active players. Jordan was 2-for 4 in G1, Tom Pagnozzi 2-for-3 in G3, and both Mabry and Pagnozzi was 2-for-4 in G4. But the real story of hitting was in G2 when 5 Cardinals had 2 or more hits; Gant, Jordan, and Danny Sheaffer had a pair each, Gaetti had 3 (two of which went deep) with 5 RBI, and Mabry had 4. The latter two scored 3 a piece. OFF THE BENCH: Arguably the biggest hit of the series had to be Jordan's pinch-hit double off the left field wall (over Bernard Gilkey's head; read into that what you will) with the bases loaded and 2 outs in the eighth of G4. Believe me, it made a very good Father's Day at the ball yard a truly wonderful experience. Mark Sweeney also drew a walk and eventually scored. From the not-off-the-bench department; Mark Petkovsek was up in the sixth inning of G4 with men on second and third and the Cards leading by just a french fry. Why not pinch-hit? Petkovsek struck out and the Mets took the lead two innings later. ON THE BASEPATHS: The highlight was in G3 when Jordan, dead-to-rights at home, somehow managed to slide under/over/around/through/pick-your-own-preposition the tag of catcher Todd Hundley. (Don't feel too sorry for the son-of-Randy; he had 2 homers in the series.) Jordan also pulled an Enos Slaughter. No, that's not a small ligament in a hamstring; he scored from first on a single. The lowlight came in G4 when Lankford singled with the sacks jammed. Mike Morgan was on second and for some reason decided that third base was as far as his visa was good for. Gant, obviously unaccustomed to having a pitcher orienteering the basepaths ahead of him, had to screech the brakes between second and third. Well, he was run back and then Morgan was run down for the third out. That killed a very promising inning. ON THE MOUND: All four starters (Andy Benes in G1, Todd Stottlemyre in G2, Alan Benes in G3, Mike Morgan in G4) were superb. This Fab 4 went 2-1 in the series and had a combined ERA of 3.60 giving up 10 earned runs on 24 hits in 25 innings. They struck out 16 (Stottlemyre had half of them) and walked only 10. Stottlemyre and AlanB now lead the club at 6-4 each while AndyB fell to 3-8. The four gave up only 5 homers, although AndyB yielded back-to-backers in G1, the only real mistakes he made all night. FROM THE BULLPEN: And the bullpen was even better. They were 1-0 (Mark Petkovsek got the win in the G4 comeback affair to remember) with 2 saves (both by newly activated Dennis Eckersley, who did it on 20 total pitches in G3 and G4, and only 5 in the latter). The relief corps gave up only 1 earned run in 10 1/3 innings (0.87 ERA) and gave up only 3 hits and 1 walk while fanning 5. Awesome. IN THE FIELD: Jordan made the defensive play of the series in G3 and gave Cards fans a scare as he tried to knock down the right field wall. He crashed into it to snare a Jeff Kent line drive. He slightly injured his hip and hamstring but stayed in the game a few more innings. But not before he sparkled on the basepaths as described above. On the other end of the spectrum is, guess who?, Luis Alicea, who committed two errors in the series. CATCH-ALL: Old home week for several Mets, but not too good a home-coming. Former Redbird and U City homeboy Bernard Gilkey couldn't have had too much fun here; he was a putrid 0-for-15 with 5 strike outs. Fellow U City grad Robert Person pitched a fine G1 (7 innings, 0 runs, 3 hits, 1 walk, 4 strike outs) and took his first win of the season. Jason Isringhausen of Brighton, IL, didn't fare quite so well in the Friday Night Massacre that was G2. He was rocked for 6 earned runs on 8 hits in only 1 inning. (He also pitched to 3 batters in the second inning.) Gant was activated for G2 and batted lead-off for the first time since 1992 when he did it as a Brave. Cory Bailey was sent down to Louisville to make room. Eckersley was also activated for the series; Pat Borders was sent to Louisville and subsequently traded to the Angels. Turns out Mabry was not the first major leaguer to hit for the natural cycle (single, double, triple, homer in order). You might have heard of the only other guy to do it. It was none other than Cardinal on yore Ken Boyer, who accomplished the feat on June 16, 1964. How's that for a good omen for the season? Works for me. All the pitchers are now under 5.00 in ERA. Mabry appeared to have hurt his leg, or some part thereof, sliding into second on a double in the 2nd inning if G4. He might have then re-injured the aforementioned leg part sliding into third after getting there on an error after his second double of the game. If he's hurt, remember, you read it here first. Gaetti is now the leading NLer in career salamis with 9. Eddie Murray has 17 and Harold Baines and Danny Tartabull are tied with 10 each. OVERALL: Some stats for your number-crunching amusement. The home team is not doing so well by the light of day; they are 7-16 in afternoon games. But that includes the 1-10 road day record, so they are 6-6 at Busch by day. They are unbeatable (well, almost) once the sun goes down, though; at 26-18. In 1-run games, the Cards are a dead mediocre 11-11 but 3-2 in extra-inning games. Bad news, kids; Cards are 28-31 on grass and 5-3 on turf. The better news; Cards are 16-15 at home and 17-19 on the road. The best news; Redbirds are 8-4 against the NL Central. They're also 16-16 against the East and a paltry 9-14 versus the West. IN THE HOUSE: G1: 30,697; G2: 38,556; G3: 50,635 (nice crowd for a Saturday night); G4: 31,375 ON THE CLOCK: G1: 2:34; G2: 2:47; G3: 2:26; G4: 2:31 (average time: 2:36:30. Now that's some fast work) UP NEXT: 2-game series with the Phillies at Busch 4.1.2 Cardinals vs. Phillies (June 18 & 19) IN THE ARCHIVES: Sometimes you can win big with just a pair. With two wins over the Phillies, the Cards raked in first place in the NL Central, a 5-1 home stand, and a 5-game winning streak. But all this was overshadowed by the announcement by Ozzie Smith will retire at the end of the season (on which, more later). ON THE SCOREBOARD: 3-2 Cards in both games (maybe those were two hands, both full houses - threes over twos GOING IN: Cardinals were 33-34, in second place, one game behind the Astros (they won a game on the Redbirds' day off), 1 1/2 ahead of Chicago, and knocking on the .500 door. COMING OUT: Cards were 35-34, in first place, 1 ahead of the Astros and 3 ahead of the Cubs. AT THE PLATE: No huge heroes, but lots of solid baseball. Royce Clayton responded to the news of Ozzie's retirement by crushing an upper deck homer down the left field line in the first inning of G2. Then Ray Lankford parked his lucky 13th in the fourth. But the big hit of the game was Brian Jordan's one-out double in the bottom of the ninth with the game tied. This was after he robbed the Phillies of 3 runs in the top of the frame. Two walks later, Luis Alicea lofted a fly to center, and Jordan didn't so much tag up as get into the blocks for the 90-foot sprint home to first place. In G1, no big dramatic moments, just good fundamentals; get on base, move the runners over, take advantage of gifts. ON THE BASEPATHS: No stolen bases, but no one thrown out, either. In G1, though, Gary Gaetti did the seemingly impossible in a game this side of a 7-year old's T-ball game: He went from first to third on a grounder to shortstop. Running on a 2-out, 3-2 count, he was on his way to second as Tom Pagnozzi grounded to the hole. The shortstop's throw was high and the play was scored a hit. Gaetti ended up on third and then scored on David Bell's double. Pagnozzi stopped at third but later scored on a wild pitch. ON THE MOUND: Two wins for the rotation. Donovan Osborne improved to 6-3 in G1 with 7 strong innings yielding 2 runs on 5 hits and a walk. His ERA is now down to 3.73. Andy Benes once again didn't get the run support he deserves in G2, but he got the W anyway with a complete game 4-hitter with 7 strike outs. FROM THE BULLPEN: Perfect again. Rick Honeycutt had a perfect 8th inning to set up Dennis Eckersley who earned his 11th save in the ninth. Neither reliever allowed a baserunner. IN THE FIELD: Without a doubt, the defensive play of the series, and possibly year, was turned in by Brian Jordan. Tie game, bases loaded for the Phils, top of the 9th, first place on the line. Glenn Murray hit a screaming liner to right center, likely good for three runs. Jordan took off after the ball and dived straight out and made the catch absolutely parallel to the ground and only about a foot and a half off it. This was just a few days after he crashed into the wall, sustaining a slight injury to his hip and hamstring and moving all of Busch Stadium a foot closer to the river. In the bottom of the ninth, he drove a one-out double down the left field line and he would later score the winning, first place run. CATCH-ALL: With the huge news of Ozzie Smith's lame duck status (or is it lame Cardinal status) and his impending retirement, it is inexcusable not to have had him start G2. Why not put him in the line-up on such a monumental day? If he had said so, fine. But I doubt if he did. Would he have blasted an upper deck home run to draw first blood? Probably not. But he should have played. OVERALL: That was a slick 5-1 home stand that ended with a 5-game winning streak, the best in the majors. This is the first time the Cards have been over .500 since April 27. IN THE HOUSE: G1: 31,311; G2: 34,612 The numbers in G1 pushed the Cards' attendance over the 1 million mark for the 34th consecutive year. Attendance is up 33 percent over last year. The Cards are fourth in the league in average home attendance at 31,411. (Rockies lead at 48,034 followed by the Dodgers at 37,467 and the Braves at 34,071.) ON THE CLOCK: G1: 2:35; G2: 2:45 UP NEXT: 4-game series in Montreal with the Expos (well, duh, who else would it be?) followed by a pair in Atlanta 5.0 StLSO Numbers 5.1 Cardinals Statistics (through 70 GAMES) 5.1.1 Batting

                 AB    H  2B 3B  HR  SLG  R  RBI  BB   SO  OBP  SB  CS   E  AVG
Mabry,John      236   79  16  1   4 .462  31  30  17   35 .379   1   1   3 .335
Pagnozzi,Tom    141   46  11  0   4 .489  20  23   6   23 .354   1   1   3 .326
Mcgee,Willie    162   52  10  0   3 .438  29  22  11   30 .364   2   1   2 .321
Borders,Pat      69   22   3  0   0 .362   3   4   1   14 .329   0   1   3 .319
Sweeney,Mark    107   30   6  0   3 .421  20  15  22   19 .403   1   0   2 .280
Sheaffer,Danny  101   28   5  1   1 .376   6  13   5   10 .311   2   3   2 .277
Lankford,Ray    246   67  12  3  13 .504  39  42  34   59 .361  13   3   0 .272
Clayton,Royce   227   61  12  3   3 .388  29  18  21   47 .331  14   8   9 .269
Jordan,Brian    206   55  12  0   5 .398  30  29  10   44 .301   2   3   2 .267
Gaetti,Gary     200   52   8  0   7 .405  26  24  11   31 .299   1   1   5 .260
Smith,Ozzie      67   16   2  0   0 .269   7   7   5    1 .292   1   2   2 .239
Alicea,Luis     224   53  15  0   4 .357  31  25  30   43 .327   5   1  16 .237
Bell,David      100   22   5  0   1 .300   5   5   8   16 .278   0   0   4 .220
Gant,Ron        120   26   5  1   7 .450  21  28  23   27 .343   3   2   3 .217
Mejia,Miguel      7    0   0  0   0 .000   5   0   0    3 .000   3   2   1 .000

5.1.2 Pitching

                 W   L    IP   HIT RUN  ER  BB   SO  ERA  SA BS  HR   G  ST  C
Mathews,TJ       1   2   37.1   22  14  10  16   34  2.41  3  3   4  28   0  0
Batchelor,Rich   0   0    5.2    6   2   2   0    3  3.18  0  0   0   2   0  0
Honeycutt,Rick   0   0   20.2   17   8   8   6   16  3.48  2  1   1  27   0  0
Fossas,Tony      0   4   23.0   23  12   9  10   15  3.52  1  2   5  30   0  0
Osborne,Donovan  6   3   79.2   80  40  33  16   47  3.73  0  0  10  12  12  1
Eckersley,D      0   4   23.0   26  13  10   2   24  3.91 11  1   2  22   0  0
Morgan,Mike      1   1   35.2   28  16  16  18   14  4.04  0  0   7   6   6  0
Stottlemyre,T    6   5  101.2   93  48  47  49   97  4.16  0  0  14  15  15  3
Parrett,Jeff     2   2   32.1   31  15  15  18   35  4.18  0  2   2  23   0  0
Petkovsek,Mark   5   0   36.0   39  18  17  15   14  4.25  0  2   6  12   4  0
Benes,Andy       4   8   98.1   95  55  50  27   75  4.58  1  0  13  16  15  2
Bailey,Cory      3   1   28.2   35  17  15  15   26  4.71  0  0   1  26   0  0
Benes,Alan       6   4   84.0   85  56  46  35   64  4.93  0  0  11  14  14  2

5.2 MLB Standings (as of 6.20.96)

 American League                          National League
                              Eastern Divisions
     Team         Won  Lost   GB   PCT       Team          Won  Lost   GB   PCT
 New York          39   28     -  .582    Atlanta           44   26     -  .629
 Baltimore         37   31   2.5  .544    Montreal          41   30   3.5  .577
 Toronto           31   40  10.0  .437    Florida           33   38  11.5  .465
 Boston            29   41  11.5  .414    New York          31   40  13.5  .437
 Detroit           18   54  23.5  .250    Philadelphia      29   40  14.5  .420

                              Central Divisions
     Team         Won  Lost   GB   PCT       Team          Won  Lost   GB   PCT
 Cleveland         46   24     -  .657    Houston           37   37     -  .500
 Chicago           41   29   5.0  .586    CARDINALS         35   35     -  .500
 Minnesota         34   35  11.5  .493    Chicago           34   38   2.0  .472
 Milwaukee         34   36  12.0  .486    Pittsburgh        33   38   2.5  .465
 Kansas City       31   41  16.0  .431    Cincinnati        29   36   3.5  .446

                              Western Divisions
     Team         Won  Lost   GB   PCT       Team          Won  Lost   GB   PCT
 Texas             43   28     -  .606    Los Angeles       39   34     -  .534
 Seattle           37   31   4.5  .544    San Francisco     36   33   1.0  .522
 California        38   33   5.0  .535    Colorado          36   33   1.0  .522
 Oakland           33   39  10.5  .458    San Diego         37   36   2.0  .507

5.2 St. Louis Vipers Line Scores contributed by GARY GRIFFAW

5.2.1 Vipers vs. Montreal Roadrunners (6.15.96)
Montreal Roadrunners 1 0 1 1 - 3
St. Louis Vipers     1 2 1 0 - 4

5.2.2 Vipers vs. Montreal Roadrunner (6.17.96)

St. Louis Vipers     1 1 2 2 - 6
Montreal Roadrunners 1 3 2 1 - 7

5.2.3 Vipers vs. New Jersey Rockin Rollers (6.18.96)

St. Louis Vipers          0 4 2 1 - 7
New Jersey Rockin Rollers 2 2 0 1 - 5

6.0 StLSO Media Views 6.1 Changes at WIBV? by MARK BAUSCH Rumors continue to move our way indicating that changes are in the works at WIBV. Specifically, the station's current 6-8 pm sports talk show (hosted by Dan McLaughlin, the P-D's Jeff Gordon and a cast of others that occasionally includes StLSO's own Jim Hunstein) is being scrutinized carefully, and may not have long to live. Here's what we hear. The nightly 6-8 pm show may be scrapped...and McLaughlin may begin hosting what amounts to a 10 pm-midnight scoreboard show that would be along the lines of an ESPN Sportscenter-type gig tailored for the St. Louis radio audience. We look forward to listening. 6.2 Blacks at Busch by MARK BAUSCH A recent issue of the St. Louis Business Journal contained an informative article (written by Josh Gotthelf) that ran under the headline "Blacks only 2% of Cardinals attendance". At a recent Cardinals game (and prior to the publication of his article), Mr. Gotthelf was introduced to this reporter. After a bit of small talk (during which time he was made aware of StLSO and its mission), I asked him what he was working on. His response? "You know I can't tell you that," he said somewhat curtly. Unknowingly, it seems I had violated Journalism Rule #1. Too bad for Mr. Gotthelf, who otherwise seemed to be a pleasant fellow. Here's why. Just that morning, I had re-read a marvelous chapter-length story in the companion book to the Ken Burns "Baseball" anthology that appeared on PBS awhile back. The article was authored by a Washington University professor named Gerald Earley. Earley, who is black, wrote what I believe to be an extremely readable and informative explanation of a very complicated topic--the origins of African-Americans' views of America's pastime. Specifically, Earley tried to explain why blacks no longer attend major league baseball games. To recap, Earley, a St. Louisan who wrote that he has season's tickets to Cardinals games, was a contributor to what was perhaps the most widely publicized coffee-table book on baseball in the past several years. And his chapter dealt with the very topic that Gotthelf wrote about. Gotthelf's article DID contain a number of interesting quotes concerning the low number of blacks that attend games at Busch: --From Ozzie Smith--"[The Cardinals have] never shown an interest in having blacks here." --From Cardinals part-owner Fred Hanser--"I had no idea it was such a problem. But now that I know, I consider it a matter of great concern." But Gotthelf's article contained no reference to Earley's contribution to the aforementioned book. Perhaps he didn't know about it? 7.0 StLSO Interactivity *Ken Hendrix writes from Tennessee-- This is a super newsletter and I would like to get a subscription. I am a St. Louis Cardinals fan here in East Tennessee and like to get any news that I can about the Cardinals. I also enjoy reading about the Rams. Thanks very much. *Max Utsler writes from Kansas-- Please add me to your Friday subscription list. I'm a lifelong Cardinal fan, a Mizzou grad, and former KSDK-TV newsie. *Steve Mamanella writes from Illinois-- Thanks as always for the great stuff you offer each week. As a native, it's nice to keep in touch with the St. Louis sports scene. I got a chuckle out of the roster you listed for the St. Petersburg Cardinals, which listed the 2B as a guy named Domingo Polanco. Actually, his name is Placido Polanco, not Domingo Polanco. He played solidly at SS in Peoria (Cards other A-ball) last year. If you mix the first names, though, you do get "Placido Domingo." EDITOR'S NOTE: Now I'm really confused. *Doug Feldmann writes from Indiana-- In writing last week, I suggested Ron Gant moving to right field, Mark Sweeney moving to left, and Brian Jordan moving to the bench. Your Editor pointed out (well-taken) that Gant is poor defensively -- I agree totally. However, his arm is much better than Jordan, and Sweeney is better defensively than people think. If Sweeney was allowed to play everyday, I'm convinced he would out-produce Jordan at the plate. One more thing...how about switching Dave McKay over to the third base coaching box? Tommie Reynolds has been losing far too many runners there this year (in fact, I think the Cardinals have already surpassed their 1995 total in that category, if I heard Joe Buck correctly). Just another thought. EDITOR'S NOTE: Tommie Reynolds coached third base at Oakland for La Russa. A change in coaching seems unlikely in mid-season. *Screenname "XXX" writes from parts unknown-- PLEASE REMOVE MY ADDRESS FROM YOUR E-MAILING LIST. My husband was signed on under my name...if you'd like to send the updates to him, his address is YYY. Thank you.8.0 StLSO Editorial: Yin and Yang...An article in the 6.21.96 edition of the Chicago Tribune (written by Sam Smith) outlines a number of interest details in the relationship between Chicago Bulls GM Jerry Krause and recently re-signed Coach Phil Jackson. It seems that Krause became something of an issue as far as Jackson's future as coach of the Bulls was concerned. To say that Krause and Jackson have a working relationship is probably stretching it. For example, at the conclusion of some Bulls games, Jackson closes the team locker room at times, so as to exclude Krause. And one of Jackson's early contract proposals to Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf included a clause that would prevent Krause from traveling on the team's plane. Finally, Jackson also proposed that Krause's office be moved from the Bulls training and practice facility (the Berto Center in Deerfield IL) to the United Center, located just west of downtown Chicago. What gives? The coach and GM on the NBA champs don't get along? Say what you want, but both Krause and Jackson are very good at what they do. It's almost as if the cold and impersonal talent evaluating skills of Krause just naturally clash with Jackson's people skills and on-court coaching style. To say nothing of the fact that your typical coach wants to win now...and your typical GM feels an obligation to plant a few seeds for tomorrow's (or next year's) games. It should be obvious that having strong (and intelligent) personalities on both sides of that argument is beneficial to the overall health of a sports organization. But whatever it is...the Krause-Jackson "marriage" has produced championships...just like the marriage between NY Giants GM of George Young and coach Bill Parcells produced championships (despite constant squabbling)... and just like the marriage between Washington Redskins GM Bobby Beathard and coach Joe Gibbs produced championships (again despite constant squabbling). So the following seems clear: when two men (Krause and Jackson; Young and Parcells; Beathard and Gibbs) each bring a load to the table regarding the acquisition and implementation of athletic talent, what you end up with is the current best model as far as professional sports are concerned. Heck, you could probably add NY Ranger GM Neil Smith and coach Mike Keenan to that list. Two men...both with substantial egos...both with input on decisions regarding personnel...passionately arguing their point of view on those decisions. It seems obvious that professional sports in the past few years has become so complicated that the tasks of a coach, and the tasks of a GM, are separate and demanding enough for two men. Down on Market Street, Mike Keenan is still trying to prove that he can do both jobs...that he possesses the yin and the yang. Let's see now. Two years, three playoff series, one win and two losses. This off-season should be interesting.

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