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 #92 include Randy Karraker, Jim Hunstein, Randy Hu, Brian Stull, Mike Huss, and contributing writer Mike Rainey.
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St. Louis Sports Online OCTOBER.96.2 CONTENTS
1.0 StLSO News and Notes by RANDY KARRAKER
2.0 StLSO Sports Shorts
2.1 Cardinals News
2.2 Blues News by MIKE RAINEY
2.3 Rams Report by JIM HUNSTEIN
2.4 StLSO Quote of the Week
2.5 StLSO Headline of the Week
2.6 StLSO Paragraph of the Week
3.0 StLSO Features
3.1 Baseball's Unique Sense of Timing by MIKE HUSS
3.2 Gary Gaetti Q and A by BRIAN STULL
3.3 Veterans Defy Medical Theory by BRIAN STULL
3.4 Heir Jordan by RANDY HU
4.0 StLSO Recaps
4.1 Cardinals-Padres Series Summary
4.2 Brian Stull's Blues Game Reports
4.3 Elvis Stars at TWA Dome by JIM HUNSTEIN
5.0 StLSO Numbers
5.1 Rams-49er Game Stats
6.0 StLSO Media Views
7.0 StLSO Interactivity
8.0 StLSO Editorial: Impressions of the Cards-Padres Series
St. Louis Sports Online OCTOBER.96.2
1.0 StLSO News and Notes by RANDY KARRAKER
Well, our little pitching analysis of a Cardinals-Padres series seemed to work, so we'll try it for Atlanta. Right now, one would have to look at a John Smoltz-Andy Benes matchup, the way both teams are hitting, as a tossup. Although the Braves swept Los Angeles, they didn't hit particularly well. A pitcher like Benes, who has similar stuff to some of the Dodger righthanders, would appear to be the type to keep them down. The big concerns for the Cardinals are Fred McGriff and Chipper Jones, and Benes has a better arsenal of pitches to deal with those two than the Dodgers pitching did. John Smoltz against the Cardinals is always a fun matchup. The Cards get to him now and then...as much as any NL team, it would seem. Brian Jordan and Ron Gant, both Atlanta residents, love playing there. If Ray Lankford and Gary Gaetti...both pretty good clutch performers...are healthy, the Cards can win game one. Game two...Greg Maddux against Todd Stottlemyre...is a classic matchup of tough minded, bulldog type performers. Maddux isn't far off his Cy Young quality seasons, and he'd have to be favored. In a battle of lefthanders, Tom Glavine gets the nod over Donovan Osborne in most cases...but this one is different. The best Cardinal hitters are righthanded for the most part, and if they're patient Glavine can be had. If Osborne does his job against McGriff, Ryan Klesko and Jones, he can keep the Cardinals in the game. Assuming starters go seven innings each start, the Braves have a decided edge in the bullpen with Greg McMichael, Brad Clontz and Mark Wohlers for the ninth. That group handles the Cards easily. Whether Mark Petkovsek, Rick Honeycutt and Dennis Eckersley handle Atlanta easily is a big question. This is a series that easily could go into extra innings in game seven. Although I'm a Cardinal fan that thinks the 'Birds have a chance...I have to take Atlanta by the slimmest of margins.
Another brutal performance by the St. Louis Rams against San Francisco. The Rams have now played seven games at the Trans World Dome and are 2-5 there. The incessant turnovers and penalties are a direct reflection on the coaching of this young team. Perhaps Rich Brooks and staff should review their process of teaching young players the game. One thing about people like George Seifert and Jimmy Johnson...they never stop teaching. Apparently Brooks was an outstanding teacher and motivator at Oregon. One observer wonders if perhaps the Rams' coach is burned out. On the plus side, Tony Banks is getting a crash course in learning NFL defenses and what they throw at him...and that can only serve him well for the future...whomever his coach is. On the negative side, Lawrence Phillips has shown nothing to make one believe that he was worthy of taking the risk to select him sixth in the draft. He doesn't find holes, doesn't make holes, fumbles, looks tentative and does not appear to have the football intelligence that coaches and scouts said he had. Phillips could very well follow in a line of Nebraska backs like Jarvis Redwine, I.M. Hipp and Calvin Jones, rather than Roger Craig and ever Mike Rozier.
The Blues are off and running with their kids...and with the likes of Adam Creighton and Rob Pearson still at their disposal. Like last season, when he had Craig Johnson, Ian Laperriere, Patrice Tardif and Denis Chasse...Mike Keenan has a bevy of youngsters. This time, it's Harry York, Jim Campbell, Robert Petrovicky and Konstantin Shafranov. Unlike last year, Blues upper management isn't likely to allow a deal similar to the Wayne Gretzky trade. Keenan may be stuck with the hand he's been dealt. Although it could be a tough season at Kiel Center (for the team at the gate, as well as on the ice), the club has realized the error of their ways in a public relations vein...and is trying to fix its public image. It'll be interesting to see, over the next couple of months, if what is being said in the front office comes to fruition.
Congratulations to Charlie Spoonhour and St. Louis University, along with CBC's Larry Hughes, on Hughes' decision to join the Billikens. While the move is great for the basketball program...Hughes will get a great education and has a coach that truly cares about him in 'Spoon. Sometimes fans are primarily concerned with an eighteen year old's advancement into the NBA. The fact is...if you can play, they'll find you. Just ask Central Arkansas' Scottie Pippen. Congrats again, to Larry, St. Louis U's Justin Tatum, and Mizzou's Brian Grawer.
2.0 StLSO Sports Shorts
*Key questions in the Cards-Braves series:
--Can Cards pitchers figure out a way to keep Javier Lopez and Marquis Grissom from hitting the ball out of the ballpark? Those two players combined to hit ten HRs vs. St. Louis in 13 regular season games in 1996; the entire Cardinals team managed only nine HRs in those same 13 games vs. the Braves in '96.
--Can the Cardinals as a team continue to steal bases successfully vs. Lopez and the Braves pitching staff? St. Louis had 15 successful steals vs. the Braves in '96 (while being caught stealing only thrice).
--Can Ray Lankford, who had but six hits in 42ABs (0.167 BA) vs. the Braves in '96, find his batting stroke vs. righthanders John Smoltz and Greg Maddux?
--What kind of production will the Redbirds get from Willie McGee vs. the Braves? In the regular season, McGee hit only .214, with one RBI in 28 ABs.
--Can Ron Gant, who had but ten hits in 48 ABs (.208 BA) vs. the Braves in '96, find his batting stroke vs Smoltz, Maddux, and especially the lefthanded Tom Glavine?
--Cardinal reliever Tony Fossas has had some success in his efforts to retire Fred McGriff. Can Fossas get McGriff out in the playoffs....keeping in mind that, in 1996, McGriff batted .325 vs. lefthanders and .281 vs. righthanders?
--Can John Mabry, whose 14 hits vs. the Braves led the Cards in that category in 1996, regain the form that had him hitting above the .300 mark for much of the season? As was pointed out by Post-Dispatch sportswriter Rick Hummel, Mabry's offensive production tailed off substantially after late July dugout encounter between Tony La Russa and Mabry. Coincidentally, the La Russa/Mabry interaction occurred in the ninth inning of a Busch Stadium Cards-Braves game. See the editorial in StLSO #82 for additional details.
*Braves-Cardinals schedule (all games on FOX, St. Louis times):
G1: Wednesday, Oct. 9
At Atlanta, 7:11 p.m.
G2: Thursday, Oct. 10
At Atlanta, 7:11 p.m.
G3: Saturday, Oct. 12
At St. Louis, 3:15 p.m.
G4: Sunday, Oct. 13
At St. Louis, 6:30 p.m.
G5: Monday, Oct. 14
At St. Louis, if necessary, 6:09 p.m.
G6: Wednesday, Oct. 16
At Atlanta, if necessary, 3:15 p.m.
G7: Thursday, Oct. 17
At Atlanta, if necessary, 7:11 p.m.
*Add the names of Basil McRae and Adam Creighton to the list of players that the Blues are paying to play elsewhere....a list that includes Brendan Shanahan, Craig Janney, Dale Hawerchuk, Paul Broten and Ken Sutton. McRae and Creighton were signed this week by Bob Pulford's Blackhawks.
*The Blues opened the season with an impressive 4-2 victory over the defending Stanley Cup Champion Colorado Avalanche. Grant Fuhr made several brilliant saves proving his knee injury hasn't affected his performance. Newcomer Jim Campbell showed his speed and playmaking ability as he contributed a goal and an assist. Chris Pronger played a strong overall game and rookie Harry York was also impressive with several big hits and showed some offensive ability as well. Overall the Blues were very impressive in their opener, and gave the die-hard fans who showed up an entertaining evening of hockey.
*Game 2 on Sunday was a different story as the Blues welcomed their arch-rival Chicago Blackhawks to town. Peter Zezel scored early in the first period to give the Blues a 1-0 lead, but that was all the offense the Blues would get on this night as the Hawks rolled to 4-1 victory behind stellar goaltending from Jeff Hackett.
*The Blues now embark on a three-game road trip out West that will take them to Calgary on Wednesday, Edmonton on Friday, and Vancouver on Saturday.
*The latest Blues rumor that is floating around has the Blues sending Chris Pronger, and Shayne Corson to Phoenix for disgruntled Coyotes center Jeremey Roenick. Meanwhile Blues fans who heard last week's rumor and are hoping for Brendan Shanahan's return to St. Louis, forget it. Hartford is close to working out a deal with Detroit that would send Shanahan to the Motor City for Keith Primeau, Paul Coffey, and a first round draft pick. Coffey doesn't want to play in Hartford and that is what has been holding up the deal. The teams are now trying to make a three-way trade that would make all involved parties happy.
2.3 Rams Report by JIM HUNSTEIN
Some quotes after the 49ers game--
Coach Rich Brooks on CB Toby Wright's ejection: "I did not see the play. It was explained to me by the referees that [Wright] pushed or touched an official. [Toby explained] that the official turned his back to him and he was trying to get his attention to talk about the blocks that had occurred on the play. There's no place for abuse of any officials in sports and I explained it wasn't [abuse]. But the official obviously felt it was and made the appropriate call."
Brooks: "I thought that other than the last interception that Tony [Banks] threw that was really a fluke interception, he did some good things. And Lawrence Phillips' fumble was one of those unfortunate things that just pops right up and goes right to a linebacker like two ships passing in the night."
Brooks, on the defense: "I was disappointed that the 49ers ran the ball as well as they did on us."
Brooks, on what he told the team at halftime: "I just told them to hang in there because there are a lot of teams right now in a similar position as we are; 1-4. [It's] certainly not where we dreamed we would be or envisioned, but we have lots of games left with teams that are similar to us."
Banks on mistakes for a young team: "I don't think was can accept mistakes I don't care what year we're playing in. When you accept mistakes they're gonna happen and then you're gonna let another one happen. I think we have to buckle down and concentrate on not making mistakes. Everyone talks about so many rookies, but we're in the NFL."
Banks on the second time against the 49ers: "I don't think I showed them what type of quarterback I am. I don't think we showed them what type of team we are."
TE Ernie Conwell: "Coach Brooks gave a speech last night about how you know life is hard and, once you realize life is hard, then it's not so hard any more. I think we're realizing that this is hard and I think we understand that we're ready to do the hard work and be prepared. And we know if we do that then, anytime, something good will happen."
FS Keith Lyle: "Penalties are killing us. You gotta be smarter than that. We're just killing ourselves. You know it;s just silly mistakes."
Lyle, on what the Rams can learn from a game like this: "It's hard to say. It was a hard-fought game. It was a little bit different in the second half, It was 21-0 int he first half and we got some points in the second half and some positive things; we got some turnovers on defense, blocked a punt. But we've gotta cut the penalties out."
DE Kevin Carter: "I played hard. You have to in this league. We have to find a way to play more together as a team. We must be resilient."
LB Robert Jones: "Of course we are frustrated. But we have to stick together. We will come up with a win. We have to put the pieces together. We will come up with a win."
2.4 StLSO Headline of the Week
*From the 10.6.96 P-D: "Jordan Rules"
2.5 StLSO Paragraph of the Week
*From the Jim Thomas-authored Niners-Rams game story in the 10.7.96 Post-Dispatch: "It happened again, in almost predictable fashion. With the aid of the usual bundle of bloopers and blunders from the Rams, the San Francisco 49ers manhandled the Rams 28-11 Sunday before 61,260 fans at the Trans World Dome."
2.6 StLSO Quote of the Week
*Gary Gaetti, after Game One of the Padres series: "When I was growing up, I dreamed about playing for the Cardinals."
3.0 StLSO Features
3.1 Baseball's Unique Sense of Timing by MIKE HUSS
On Tuesday October 1, Baseball proved to the world again why it is the greatest game going. It is not because of the start of post-season play. It is not teams like Baltimore, St. Louis and San Diego who have not appeared in playoff action in a decade or more. It is not because future Hall of Famers like Ozzie Smith, Cal Ripken, Jr., Eddie Murray and Tony Gwynn are in the National Spotlight for everyone to enjoy. It is not because the defending World Series participants are back in post-season play to defend their championship titles.
No, it is because baseball has shown it resiliency again over those who are involved with the game.
Last Friday, Roberto Alomar did a deplorable thing. He spit in the face of a Major League Umpire. Then in some post game comments, the Baltimore infielder proceeded to provide a psychological profile on his victim; claiming that the umpire's personality changed because of the death of the ump's young son to a rare brain disease. Alomar's Agent/Lawyer reverted to damage control: issuing a boiler plate apology and a face saving contribution to the organization which is seeking a cure for that rare brain disease.
The American League suspended Alomar for five games (three in 1997). After threatening to appeal the decision, Alomar, probably on the advice of his union, withdrew his appeal after it appeared that even harsher penalties might result from any meeting that gave the umpires a platform from which to air their grievances about what had happened.
Quick History Lesson: Pete Rose was suspended for 30 days for BUMPING into an umpire less than 20 years ago. This year, Albert Belle was suspended more severely for his actions. Jay Howell was suspended in 1988 for having sandpaper in glove and defacing a baseball during a playoff game. And Bert Campaneris, an Oakland A's shortstop, was suspended in the 70's for post season play for his actions during a playoff game vs. the Tigers.
Meanwhile, the Major League Baseball Umpires Association had enough--threatening to boycott working the post season unless Alomar is suspended. It seems unusual for a group of contracted employees issuing ultimatums to their employers. Yet, the threat was issued and temporarily revoked.
Let's look into our crystal ball--if a strong suspension to Alomar is issued, here comes Donald Fehr and the Major League Baseball Players Association crying foul.
During this sea of turbulence, Baseball's Proclaimed Head Honcho Bud Selig is no where to be found. This indecisiveness only rivals that of John Ziegler during his tenure as President of the National Hockey League some years back
Once again, the Lords of Baseball have shot themselves in the foot. Hey guys, do you think that perhaps YOU are one of the reasons why the playoffs have not been sold out? Do you think your customers (the fans) have lost all credibility in YOUR abilities to lead this game and thus do not take it seriously? The Alomar incident is a another glaring example of YOUR buffoonery.
Incidentally, the Umpires are not total victims in this mix. There ARE some Major League Umpires who believe they are the reason fans come to the game. There ARE some Major League Umpires who have authority problems, and "will show these millionaire players who are really in charge here". There ARE some Major League Umpires who do not wish to be questioned and have "Rabbit Ears". Although, that number is small, there are some Umpires whose work needs to be reviewed or replaced.
Once again, the core problem of Major League Baseball remains: "Who is in charge of this game anyway?"
Selig is an owner. He has a vested agenda in any outcome and it is an outright conflict of interest any time he renders a decision. Selig and his fellow cronies are one of the three fraternities each trying to obtain control of the game---the owners, the players, and now the umpires.
Baseball is like precious cargo that's on the caboose of a runaway train.
What is worse about this situation is that the owners have no desire to put in a commissioner with any authority. If lip service were genuine, Fay Vincent would remain in charge of the game. Yet, the owners do not want someone keeping tabs on them.
It has been well documented by this writer of the arrogance and lack of regard for the institution of baseball by those who run the game and by those who play the game. For the future of the game, this is public enemy Number One.
Yet, the GAME once again overcame the fools who run and who are involved in it. In Baltimore, where Alomar started at second base, veteran Bobby Bonilla hit a grand slam and local hero Cal Ripkin, Jr. drove in a run as the Orioles defeated the defending A L champs 10-4. Meanwhile in St. Louis, the game came down to a classic confrontation between soon to be Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley and soon to be Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn, as the Cardinals defeated the Padres in Game 1.
After filing Cardinals-Padres post game stories and interviews, I headed for WGNU to host my regular sports talk show. While heading for my car, I overheard the fans talking about Stottlemeyer, Gaetti, Eckersley, Gwynn, and Caminiti; not Alomar, or Budig, or Selig.
Indeed. Hosting the show, the crux of the calls were about Game 1 and Andy Benes' chances in Game 2. Fans seemed more interested in the GAME, not the actors or wannabes in Major League Baseball.
One day, there will be a Real Commissioner for Major League Baseball. In the meantime, we baseball fans simply have to hope that the game will continue to be stronger than those who want to abuse it for their own personal gains. Perhaps in the future we would need to worry only about spit balls, not spitting at others.
For over 20 years, I was an administrator in a Major Youth Sports Organization in the St. Louis area. Our Organization tried to maintain one basic code: back our officials. We suspended youth coaches for YEARS when an official was mistreated. We permanently banned one coach who physically struck an umpire.
Hey Mr. Selig--if we mere Little League Volunteers can figure this one out, why can't you??
Editor's Note: Mike Huss hosts Sportstalk on WGNU each and every Tuesday night. The show runs for an hour, starting at 8 pm.
3.2 Gary Gaetti Q and A by BRIAN STULL
In 1987, Gary Gaetti was one of the key players in leading the Minnesota Twins to a World Series victory over the St.Louis Cardinals. Nine seasons later, Gaetti has helped lead the Cardinals to the post-season by plating 23 home runs and 80 RBI's, several in clutch two-out situations.
Gary grew up a Redbird fan in Illinois and before the Cardinals opened their division playoff with San Diego, Gaetti agreed it was time to "payback" the Cardinal fans for 1987.....
A: " I hope it's nice for them (the fans), I know it's nice for me--this has almost been too much to believe for one season. You know we've seen some pretty spectacular things, with Ozzie choosing to retire. I mean just being part of the baseball tradition here is something that, I knew it was good as a kid, but I didn't really know how good and now I get to experience it-- it's almost too much. And it's more than I could've asked for when I signed my contract to come here, so it's great."
Q: At the beginning of the year, you told me that you thought that either this year, or within the next year, you thought this team had a chance to go into the post-season and do well, if not win the championship. I know you said this was beyond expectation, but with the mix of all you guys coming in thinking that, do you think that's what put you over the hump, what was it?
A: I don't know. I made a statement at a time when things were kind of down. And with every bit of conviction I had in my heart, I knew that there was enough good people here, if they kept it in place, that regardless if I was here to enjoy it, this team had the personnel to win. We were kind of struggling at the time and even at that point, I felt we had a good enough team to play against anybody. I still feel that way, regardless of what happens now. I'm a firm believer with the people they have here now, with the youth, the experience, and the talent, and the leadership, that this ballclub is going to be a ballclub to contend with in the next decade-- and that's really what I meant. You never know how it's going to turn out, who's gonna get hurt, who's gonna stay healthy, yet I knew based just on what I saw, that the potential is here.
Q: There were so many key series, key games during the season. At what point did you see that this was the moment and the push was beginning?
A: Well, I don't really know. I know we went to Houston after getting swept in Colorado and we swept Houston to get back close. Then they came here and we swept them again and ended up leaving on the next trip with a half game lead or something like that. I think that, that homestand after we had gone to Colorado the first time, was the turning point in our season. We really started to play pretty good ball and actually it was the first time we were all healthy as a team. Jordan had been hurt, Gant, myself, we all got back in the lineup at the same time and that was really one of the things that turned it around for us.
Q: Talking about the blend of youth and experience on this team, a lot of the young guys have said they benefited all season long from you veterans with the down-to-business approach while having fun and relaxing. Now, I guess, they'll have to draw even more for those who have never been in the post-season.
A: Well, actually the young guys are gonna know in later years what the experience meant. It's not, because we've still got some big hurdles to cross over here, but they're going to realize that at a different time. There's still a lot to be said for the moment that we have before us and the job is not totally complete. I think this is the type of team that any manager or general manager or ownership group would really love to have. There's not too much of one thing and there's certainly enough youth here to be excited about the future-- it's almost exactly what you would want in a team in regards to the age, the talent, and the personalities on the ballclub.
Q: What's going to be the key to winning in the playoffs? Just staying within yourselves and just playing the type of ball you have or....
A: Well, I think what the key is gonna be, and yeah you can sum it all up and say that, but it's going to come down to: pitching, hitting, and defense. So those things aren't going to change and obviously you're gonna want to get the timely hits, know what I'm saying, and the pitcher is gonna have to pitch I'm sure, a great game to win the games. And those things, they shouldn't change. Those have always been the keys to winning games during the season. You go out there more days than not where you pitch well and you get big hits and you catch the ball-- that's how you end up winning the division and those things really shouldn't change during the playoffs.
Q: I know it won't be any extra pressure, but will it be any extra fun for you to be playing third while Caminiti is, because you two guys, it's one, two for the gold glove. You guys have been out there just showing each other up....
A: I'm sure he approaches the game same way I do. He's not afraid to make an outstanding play and he plays a real aggressive third base, that's really the only way to do it. I can appreciate when he makes a great play and I hope he feels the same about me. I'll be the first one, even if someone makes a tremendous play and it robs us, a hit or whatever, I'll acknowledge it and say 'hey, nice play. too bad, but nice play' if it's with the opponents. Because that's part of the beauty of it, that's one thing I've learned early on in my career. I couldn't be, I think one of things that I realized that helped me as a player, was that there are guys out there that are better than I am. And when I was able to relax and say you know what, even if it's a teammate or an opponent. you know what, this guy's better than me, it allowed me to be the best I could be. I think sometimes for young guys they don't want to acknowledge that this guy's a great player--in the midst of winning and losing you want to win all the time. So therefore, you say oh, he got lucky here or he got lucky there, but no, he's good. He's good and I have to respect his abilities.
Q: Thanks and good luck in the playoffs.
A: Thank you.
3.3 Veterans Defy Medical Theory by BRIAN STULL
While Grant Fuhr continues to rewrite medical journals with his comeback from what seemed to be a career-ending knee injury, the St. Louis goaltender wasn't the only player to bounce back for the Blues season opener. Defensemen Igor Kravchuk and Al MacInnis, each of whom missed pre-season, were back in the line up for Coach Mike Keenan.
Kravchuk, who was hampered by a knee injury, had a solid game and MacInnis, who had been hooked up to a portable IV machine to rid his elbow of a bone infection, contributed with two assists.
"I felt pretty good in the first period," said MacInnis. "But after that, it seemed like the ice was a little bit tilted up-hill. We played it by ear and I talked to Mike before the game and as the game went on he kept asking me how I felt and it wasn't too bad."
MacInnis, who hadn't been allowed by doctors to skate or shoot, wasn't worried about the elbow bothering him during the game. "There's really no test to it," explained MacInnis. "The last three or four weeks the elbow really hasn't caused any pain or discomfort. I had an MRI (magnetic resonance image) done yesterday (Wed.10/3) and the doctors were very pleased with the way it responded with the treatments. There was never ever really a threat of anything happening to the elbow, so I had all the confidence in the world."
And opening the season with a victory is the type of medicine MacInnis likes. "It was a real big win for us, everybody played really well and what can you say about Grant Fuhr-- he's just stellar in there. And where he came from three months ago, it's impressive. It was a big start for us and like I said, it was important to get out of the gate with a nice win."
The win was also big as it came against the defending Stanley Cup Champions, but MacInnis said the key is winning the game at home, "The one thing we did last year was we struggled a bit at home. We played about .500 hockey on the road, which good teams should, but at home we just didn't have that killer instinct and that's important. This is our building and no one should walk in here and walk out with two easy points-- we've got to establish that right away and if we can do that, we could stay at the top of the pack all year long."
Winning at home will be key for the Blues this year, but MacInnis pointed out the difference in the opener was fresh legs. "The one thing that really sticks out is the speed of the hockey club. Even the young guys Campbell and York showed some speed and guys like Courtnall and Hullie. When you go down the list the speed, and we've got a good fore-checking game going-- you know the longer you can stay in a team's end the less chance they have of scoring in your net."
What a difference a year makes.
Back on October 1, 1995, the Cardinals closed the strike-shortened season in fourth place with a 62-81 record, 22 games behind the Cincinnati Reds. Chaos reigned in the offseason as finger pointing became an Olympic event. New owners, a new manager, new players, a new ballpark, and a new attitude added up to a big question mark for a team at a crossroads.
Well, the answer to that question is emphatically Brian Jordan. Jordan, 28, officially took the leadership baton from Ozzie Smith with dramatic back-to-back late inning heroics in the division series clincher in San Diego last Saturday. It doesn't matter that the tomahawk wielding, defending World champs Atlanta Braves are lurking next at the Chop Shop in Dixie. With nothing to lose in baseball's final four, the Cards have already made a statement this year and should remain competitive as long as Jordan and Co. want to stick around.
"I gave up football for baseball three years ago and this made that choice the right one," said Jordan, who returns to the city where he once patrolled the secondary for the Atlanta Falcons as a Pro Bowl safety. "I love the game of football, but I don't miss the pain. I just want to get better at the game of baseball." Better? Kinda scary, isn't it?
Jordan combines a thunderous bat, tremendous speed, Gold-glove caliber defense, and the precious intangible of a infectious enthusiasm for the game. A passionate kid in a kid's game only with big bucks on the line. His raw ability and unlimited potential hasn't peaked quite yet. Once he better familiarizes himself with the pitchers in the league, a 30-30 (home runs-stolen bases) season is attainable and if Jupiter aligns with Mars, dare we say 40-40? According to manager Tony LaRussa, "Jordan is a much better player than people know about. He plays defense like a crazy man and is the spiritual leader of this team."
Looking at the upcoming series with the Braves, it appears to be a mismatch on paper. A rowboat versus the Nimitz. Dole against Clinton. The Cards aren't even in spitting distance of Roberto Alomar proportions. Atlanta's four-headed pitching monster of John Smoltz, Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, and Mark Wohlers will dominate the series. And that rotation doesn't include quality starters Denny Neagle and Steve Avery, who will work out of the bullpen. The predominantly left-handed swinging Braves haven't hit in a month, but if Cardinal lefties Donovan Osborne and relievers Rick Honeycutt and Tony Fossas falter, Atlanta's recent postseason experience should provide the difference.
Even so, my heart says the Cards may win on the emotion of Ozzie's retirement season in seven games, but my head says the Braves will win on the field in six.
What a difference a year makes, Part II.
Back on October 12, 1995, the Rams teased us with their 5-1 inaugural start and captured the national spotlight by creating victories with their kamikaze-style of play. Since then, the Lambs have gone 3-12 and have served up more turnovers than Grandma's oven. They have regressed into a demoralized squad making the same brutal mistakes over and over.
Last Sunday, the visiting San Francisco 49er's sheared the Rams 28-11 at the Sheep Shed. The Rams played with a losers mentality, as a sense of complacency has set in within the locker room. A lack of intensity was noticeably absent as the team resembled crash test dummies for most of the game. It makes you wonder what kind of music they're listening to inside of those helmet radios.
Head coach Rich Brooks has made the decision to rebuild with youth and the growing pains are excruciating, as well as costly in terms of penalties, poor tackling, blown assignments, and overall mistakes. No less than five rookies started on offense, as the Rams eleven starters totaled 22 years experience, compared with the 49er's who had 84 years. Brooks may soon be watching his youngsters develop from his easy chair in Eugene, Oregon if the team continues to show a lack of progress.
Brooks lost concussion-prone Chris Miller, his starting quarterback last year, who was basically told he would have oatmeal for brains if he continued to play. In the offseason, Rams executive VP Jay Zygmunt decided to play hardball with backup QB Mark Rypien, much to Brooks' chagrin, and Rypien ultimately signed with the Philadelphia Eagles. This misguided decision by Zygmunt led to a Mike Keenan-like roulette wheel of quarterbacks and forced Brooks' insertion of rookie Tony Banks prematurely into the quicksand. Predictably tentative, the flashy, but inconsistent Banks, alternates brilliant displays with bad air days.
Consequently, Brooks is on the hot seat, caught between a rock and an offensive lineman's head. His dilemma is to field a competitive team now, while incorporating the youngbloods into the lineup. Remember, the Rams played for the NFC championship in 1989, so success within the organization is not far removed. It's not an easy task that's done overnight, but it can be done. Look at the turnarounds in Carolina, Indianapolis, Houston, and Washington. All have struggled recently, but have developed nicely as a team. The key is making continual progress, no matter how small it may be.
In the mean time, Sundays will be more of a day of frustration, than a day of rest.
Editor's Note: Randy Hu is the sports columnist for The Riverfront Times
4.0 StLSO Recaps
4.1 Cardinals-Padres Series Recap
IN THE ARCHIVES: In one of two NL Division Playoff series, the Cardinals defeated the Padres three-zip to advance to the NLCS.
ON THE SCOREBOARD: G1: 3-1 Cards (the Eck retires Gwynn in the ninth with the tying runs on base to end the game) G2: 5-4 Cards (Cards score winning run in eighth without benefit of a hit); G3: 7-5 Cards (9th inning HR by Jordan)
GOING IN: The Cardinals have never lost a playoff series...beating the Braves in 1982, the Dodgers in 1985, and the Giants in 1987.
COMING OUT: The Cardinals have never lost a playoff series.
AT THE PLATE: Gaetti's three-run homer in the first inning provided G1's offense; Gant's bases-clearing double in the fifth inning of G2 was the big blow there. Gant and Jordan each homered in G3, with Jordan's ninth-inning blast clinching the series. Mabry did chip in with three hits in G3. The best thing to be said about the Cardinals hitting vs. the Padres? Timely.
FROM THE BENCH: Willie McGee was 1-10 in the series; the Cardinals shortstop duo (you know their names) combined to hit .333. A big play in G3 was Mark Sweeney's bunt down the third base line, which Padres catcher Brian Johnson hoped would go foul. It didn't, and Sweeney's attempted sacrifice turned into a single that loaded the bases...leading to a run.
ON THE BASEPATHS: Gant had two stolen bases in G1, while Jordan had one in G3. But the key baserunning play of the series occurred in the eighth inning of G2, when the Cardinals scored the game-winning run without the benefit of a hit. Jordan led off with a walk, and advanced to second on a hit-and-run by Gaetti, who rounded out to third base. Jordan then advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored when Tom Pagnozzi hit a soft liner up the middle that was deflected by Padres hurler Trevor Hoffman before going through to Jody Reed at second base. Jordan was going on contact, and his explosive acceleration precluded any throw home by Reed, who retired Pagnozzi at first base.
ON THE MOUND: Stottlemyre was his bulldog self in G1, and picked up his first postseason victory as a result. AnBenes did not get the win in G2, but he pitched in the fashion that Cards fans were used to in the second half of the season. Lefty Osborne game up four runs in four IP in G3...and allowed seven hits. But Osborne's bad luck in 1996 continued (on the field, anyway), as Gant in LF and Clayton at SS misplayed balls (later ruled as hits) that led to two runs in the second inning.
FROM THE BULLPEN: The whole gang was stellar, in all three games. Eckersley saved all three, while Honeycutt also pitched well in each game. Mark Petkovsek threw two important shutout innings in relief of Osborne in G3, and TJ Mathews set up the Eck in G3 with a single scoreless inning.
IN THE FIELD: McGee's throwing error in the sixth inning of G2 didn't hurt too much; neither did Alicea's boot in G3. The Cardinals committed no other errors, although both Smith and Clayton at SS didn't make a couple of plays that they perhaps, on a good day, would have. LF Gant also misplayed a liner in G3 that led to a Padres scoring effort. But the fielding play of the series was Brian Jordan's diving catch in the eighth inning of G3. With the game tied and Brian Johnson on second base (and two out), Jordan left his feet and caught Jody Reed's sinking liner just before it hit the grass at Jack Murphy Stadium. Of course, Jordan's catch was just the prelim to what was to come later in the top of the ninth...
OVERALL: Pitching newcomers Stottlemyre, AnBenes, Honeycutt, and Eckersley...and ex-NFLer Jordan basically won the series for the Redbirds.
CATCH-ALL: Cards managed but 24 hits in three games vs. the Padres. How many will they have vs. the Braves and their Cy Young-laden staff?
IN THE HOUSE: G1: 54,193; G2: 56,752 (the largest attendance ever for a professional baseball game in the state of Missouri); G3: 53,899
ON THE CLOCK: G1: 2:39; G2: 2:55; G3: 3:32 (with that trend, good thing there wasn't a G4!)
ON DECK: The NLCS with the Braves, the 1996 champions.
IN THE HOLE: The Orioles or the Yankees or the first tee.
4.2 Brian Stull's Blues Game Reports
4.2.1 Blues Opening Night Game Report
A combination of youth and experience propelled the St.Louis Blues to a convincing 4-2 victory over the Colorado Avalanche in the season opener on Thursday night.
Grant Fuhr continued to astound the medical and hockey world, stopping 35 of 37 Colorado shots while rookie Jim Campbell chipped in a goal and an assist to spark the Blues. Campbell also had the honor of being involved in the first scrape of the season, tangling with Rene Corbet early in the first period.
Winger Steve Leach tallied the first goal of the season for St.Louis at 10:06 of the first period, deflecting a slapshot from Chris Pronger past Patrick Roy. Pronger picked up the second goal on a power play late in the first, sending the pass to Campbell, who worked in on goal before dumping the puck back to the trailing Pronger for the goal at 19:29.
The Avalanche got on the board early in the second with a power play goal of their own as Joe Sakic delivered to Scott Young at 1:45. A few minutes later, it was the Blues youth movement again as Harry York got the puck to Stephane Matteau for the shot stopped by Roy, but Jim Campbell was there to bury the rebound into the open net to give St.Louis a 3-1 advantage.
Colorado tied the game near the midway point of the second as Eric LaCroix streaked down the slot and banged home a pass from the left circle at 11:30.
The game remained 3-2 until 4:13 of the third period when Shayne Corson worked in from the left side and managed to get off a shot while falling to the ice. The puck made it through Patrick Roy and sealed the victory for St.Louis 4-2.
4.2.2 Blues-Avalanche Gamenotes
The St.Louis defense held Colorado without a shot until 14:11 of the first period.......Besides collecting a goal and an assist, Chris Pronger also dropped the gloves and wanted Mike Keane after Keane took exception to Pronger's elbow to the face of Claude Lemieux......Shayne Corson, Brett Hull, and Al MacInnis each wore an "A" on their jersey. Coach Keenan has decided not to name a captain at this point in the season.....The pre-game laser show was witnessed by a sparse turnout at best. The announced attendance was 16,668 however the pink seats of the lower bowl were hard not to notice.....The Blues next game is Sunday against Chicago at home.
4.3 Elvis Stars at TWA Dome by JIM HUNSTEIN
The rematch with San Francisco turned into a replay for the Rams as they dropped their fourth game in a row with a lackluster 28-11 loss to the 49ers on Sunday at the Trans World Dome. The loss drops the Rams to 1-4 on the year.
This also marks the 13th loss in a row to the 49ers dating back to 1990. Though this is of little solace, the Rams still lead the overall series 48-45-2.
But that edge is in serious jeopardy judging by the skills shown in this game. The 49ers used second string players to beat the best the Rams have to offer. With an injured Steve Young benched (but dressed and ball capped on the sidelines), they started QB Elvis Grbac, who managed to do a pretty fair impression of Young. He finished the day with 20 completions on 32 attempts for 222 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions. The two picks hurt them, though in that both passes were picked off in the St. Louis end zone.
San Francisco also utilized back-up HB Terry Kirby and back-up FB Anthony Lynn. Kirby, who usually plays behind Derek Loville, had 73 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries as well as 57 more yards on 5 pass receptions. Lynn, Tommy Vardell's second, had 39 yards on 7 carries and another 14 yards on a pair of catches.
If there were anything the Rams could take from the loss, it would be the improving play of rookie QB Tony Banks. He didn't throw a touchdown pass until the very end of the game (against the junior varsity, if even those guys hadn't showered already) and he showed some poise in the pocket. He threw the ball away (on purpose when necessary) and moved around well. He even scrambled for a score, albeit a 2-point conversion. He completed 18 of 33 passes for 174 yards and a touchdown.
But he is still experiencing growing pains and acting as a carrier for the fans. He still took a couple of unnecessary sacks among the five he suffered. He also fumbled twice. The first killed the opening drive and the second he recovered. And he threw a couple interceptions, but should only be blamed for the first. He clearly had TE Ernie Conwell open on a deep crossing pattern in the second quarter but threw underneath straight to FS Merton Hanks. Hanks was the lucky recipient of the second pick, but on this one WR Isaac Bruce had the ball but juggled it a couple times and eventually he flipped it up to the defender.
The offensive line still has more holes in it than a cheap toupee. They let Banks get hit way too much on top of the five sacks. They are still unable to open a hole big enough for a tractor to pull out a toothpick. There is a reason the Rams are dead last in the NFL in rushing and they wear numbers in the 60s and 70s (#75 notably excluded).
The Rams defense was much better than in Arizona (talk about damning with faint praise) giving up "only" 389 total yards. They were also not on the field nearly as much as they were last week. They had a couple of strong goal-line stands, including a fourth and goal on their own 1-yard line.
The defense didn't record a sack, nor did they commit too many stupid penalties. Actually, the 49ers out-dumbed the Rams in the flag department. The Niners took 9 penalties for 64 yards to only 8 for 53 by the Bighorns. San Francisco CB Marquez Pope committed defensive holding on 4th and 7 for the Rams on the 49er 33 and he wasn't even in the play. The Rams eventually kicked a field goal. Their offense also committed a pair of penalties on 4th down at the end of the game, burying themselves deeper into their own end. That stoked the Rams defense enough to block the punt and recover the ball at the 3. LB Antonio Goss blocked the kick and recovered the ball to set up the only St. Louis touchdown of the game.
But the penalty the hurt the Rams the most was early in the contest when SS Toby Wright was called for unsportsmanlike conduct. The zebras say he also touched an official and was summarily ejected from the game. It was right after a Ram punt and pile-up on the return. No one knows for sure what happened, but the official said that Wright pushed him. This brought in back-up SS Gerald McBurrows who played admirably. He finished second on the team with 7 tackles.
Arguably the biggest play of the game might have been a penalty that wasn't called. On the first play after the Wright ejection, DT D'Marco Farr put strong pressure on Grbac who tossed the ball into the middle of nowhere. No flag was called. However, the two plays incited the crowd to the point of forcing Grbac to take a timeout.
Another positive for St. Louis was the inclusion of the tight end in the offensive game plan. Rookie Conwell, a natural tight end at Washington, switched from reserve fullback to starting tight end and caught a couple passes, including a 22-yard toss at the close of the first half.
Even rookie RB Lawrence Phillips is showing signs of life. He only carried 10 times for 26 yards but was actually hitting people. He had a huge block for Eddie Kennison on a kick return. He again shared return duties with his fellow first-rounder Kennison and had 26 yards on a pair of returns. He also fumbled again. The ball was knocked loose by DE Roy Barker, who clubbed the ball with his hand that happened to be in a cast. The ball popped right to LB Ken Norton, Jr., who took the ball to the Rams' 9. The next play, the Niners scored their third touchdown. Phillips also had the sense to down a kickoff in the end zone after bobbling the ball rather than try to make some yardage on a busted play.
In general, the 49ers showed no respect to the Rams offense. They played and strategized like there was no way the Bighorns were going to stop them or score on their own. Twice they had fourth and goal and, going for the 6 both times, scored only once. Later they faced 4th and 5 at the Rams 27. With only a 7-0 lead, they opted not to kick but instead, and after another crowd-forced time out, hit WR Jerry Rice for 6 yards and a first. Rice had 7 receptions for 108 yards and a touchdown for the afternoon. Late in the game, the San Francisco secondary was seen taunting the Rams fans in the north end zone.
Of course, the Rams didn't give the Niners much reason to act any other way. The St. Louis offense was off the field before they really got on. The first three balls were carried by Phillips and the only real gain was a 15-yard facemask penalty on CB Tyronne Drakeford. On the fourth play, Banks fumbled the snap from C Bern Brostek and SS Tim McDonald recovered at the Rams' 42-yard line.
The 49ers headed up field and appeared to be on their way to an early lead, the key play a 16-yard completion over the middle (why is that area always open?) to the 17 to TE Ted Popson on third and 2. They faced first and goal on the St. Louis after a 17-yard completion to Rice, who was pounded out of bounds by Wright. With the crowd very vocally behind them, the defense made a huge stand and turned the Niners away four times, turning the ball over on downs to the offense.
It must have been deja vu for Banks to come it on first down with the ball on his own 1-foot line and facing the tough San Francisco defensive line. That was the situation the first time these two teams met this year when he was thrown in and promptly gave up an intentional grounding-cum-safety. This time, he took no chances and ran a keeper up the middle for 2 yards. Phillips plowed through the pile for 4 more before Banks hit 3rd-down back RB Harold Green on a swing pass to the right. He turned the corner and made the first down yardage. But that was it for the drive and P Sean Landeta had to punt.
He only booted it 42 yards and return man Dexter Carter returned the ball 39 yards to the St. Louis 17 where Conwell, the deep snapper on punts, got credit for the tackle. But that was when Wright came in, his helmet flying off. Then he flew off and shoved referee Ed Hochuli with his hand to the chest. League rules call for immediate ejection and Wright was history. The ensuing penalty gave the Niners the ball at the Rams' 5. The defense did their best, but the coverage broke down on 4th and goal when Popson slipped out to the right for a 1-yard TD pass and the 49ers were up 7-0.
The Rams neared midfield before being forced to punt. Landeta skied the ball and it bounced near the goal line. It might have been a touchback but for the continued outstanding special teams play of CB Keith Crawford. He hurtled into the end zone and batted the ball back, forcing it out of bounds at the 49er 5.
The second quarter started with San Francisco driving upfield. On 4th and 4 from the St. Louis 26, they lined up for a 43-yard field goal. Then they called time out and came back out in pass formation. Grbac found Rice over the middle and spun for the first down before being brought down by LB Roman Phifer. Two plays later, Grbac tried to hit WR JJ Stokes but CB Todd Lyght stepped up and intercepted the ball at the Rams 4. He returned it 14 yards before fumbling. It was recovered by DE Kevin Carter at his own 28.
But two plays later Banks returned the turnover with his interception under-throw to Conwell than Hanks picked at the 49er 47. Six plays later, Vardell scored as the second man through on 3rd and goal to give the Niners a 14-0 lead. It was quickly 21-0 when Phillips fumbled on the second play of he next series, setting up first and goal for Grbac. He hit Popson wide open in the back of the end zone. This score took the crowd out of the game as there was never any kind of cheering that would move the noise needle.
The Rams went three-and-out and almost gave up another score with time running out in the first half. But FS Keith Lyle covered the dump pass to Popson and intercepted Grbac in the end zone with 30 seconds left. The half should have ended there, but Banks threw to Conwell, completing a 22-yarder. Banks fumbled on the next play but recovered it himself. Then they decided that discretion was the better part of valor and let the clock run before any real damage was done.
The 49ers finally had to punt for the first time in their first series of the second half. That might have been the omen the Rams needed as they put together their first scoring drive of the game. (In fact, of the last 2 games against these guys.) They converted one of two 3rd down plays, but on the second, Banks hit Kennison for 17 yards to set up 4th and 3 at the 5. After the requisite 5-yard penalty, K Chip Lohmiller kicked a 28-yard field goal to put the Rams on the board at 21-3. This might not have been the gutsiest call in the world, but the Rams needed some tallies.
Thus inspired, the defense came out and forced another three-and out. So did the 49ers and they had the ball back again on their own 18 after a 60-yard Landeta punt. The third quarter ended in middle of an 8-play, 81-yard scoring drive that culminated with a 31-yard touchdown strike to Rice, who barely had a step on CB Mike Scurlock. Rice crashed in the end zone, slamming his knee into the turf and was slow to get up. The point after made the score 28-3. Having already taken the crowd out of the game, this pretty much drove them from the building.
The Rams were able to move in their next series, but that was largely due to the fact that the 49ers were exercising their depth chart. The drive stalled at the 49er 23 with four consecutive incomplete passes. San Francisco came back with an equally inept drive, this one led by 3rd string QB Jeff Brohm. The Rams got the ball again on their own 36 when the Niners 46-yard field goal attempt missed.
This time the Rams gave the ball back with Banks's second interception of the game. After several bad plays and a couple penalties, San Francisco faced 4th and 25 on their own 27. Goss broke through from the left side and blocked the punt. Crawford tried to pick it up but couldn't get the handle. Goss tracked it down and was tackled at the 3.
On the next play, Banks hit Green on a flair pass to the left. He vaulted over the defender to the delight of the scant few fans still downtown and scored the Bighorns' first 1996 touchdown against the 49ers. The Rams then set up for the 2-point conversion. Banks dropped back to throw, couldn't find a man open, and ran untouched into the end zone. They trailed 28-11 with 1:40 remaining in the game.
After the onsides kick attempt failed (mainly because it only went 9 yards), the 49ers took a knee a few times to end the game.
The Rams head east next week to take on NFC West rivals Carolina Panthers, who are now 3-2. They lost 14-12 on Sunday to the Vikings.
5.0 StLSO Numbers
5.1 Game Statistics: Rams vs. 49ers
SCORING SUMMARY
1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q F
49ers 7 14 0 7 28
Rams 0 0 3 8 11
First Quarter:
49ers - TD; Popson, 1-yard pass from Grbac (Wilkins kick)
Second Quarter:
49ers - TD; Kirby, 1-yard pass from Grbac (Wilkins kick)
49ers - TD; Popson 9-yard pass from Grbac (Wilkins kick)
Third Quarter:
Rams - FG; Lohmiller, 28 yards
Fourth Quarter:
49ers - TD; Rice, 31-yard pass from Grbac (Wilkins kick)
Rams - TD; Green, 3-yard pass from Banks (2-pt conversion, Banks run)
TEAM STATS
49ers Rams
First Downs 23 15
Rushing 11 4
Passing 12 7
Penalty 0 4
Third Down Eff. 6-14 4-13
Fourth Down Eff. 2-3 0-1
Total Net Yards 389 202
Net Yards Rushing 154 65
Net Yards Passing 235 137
Punts-Avg. Yds. 3-27 4-47.5
Penalties-Yds 9-64 8-53
Fumbles-Lost 0-0 4-2
Time of Possession 34:02 25:58
INDIVIDUAL STATS
Passing: (completions-attempts-yards-TDs-INTs)
Rams: Banks 18-33-174-1-2
49ers: Grbac 20-32-222-3-2, Brohm 2-4-13-0-0
Rushing: (carries-yards)
Rams: Green 5-28, Phillips 10-26, Banks 4-9, Harris 1-2
49ers: Kirby 13-73, Lynn 7-39, Vardell 8-30, Brohm 4-12, Carter 5-0
Receiving: (receptions-yards)
Rams: Green 5-10, Bruce 4-56, Kennison 4-54, Conwell 2-22, Ross 1-20, Laing 1-7, Phillips 1-5
49ers: Rice 7-108, Kirby 5-57, Popson 5-44, Lynn 2-14, Vardell 2-5, Manuel 1-7
Interceptions: (number-yards)
Rams: Lyght 1-14, Lyle 1-0
49ers: Hanks 2-(-1)
Defense (tackles-assists-sacks)
Rams: Phifer 8-3-0, R Jones 7-1-0, McBurrows 8-0-0, Lyle 6-0-0, Jenkins 4-2-0, Goss 6-0-0, Gaskins 3-0-0, Lyght 3-0-0, Parker 2-1-0, Wright 3-0-0, O'Neal 1-1-0, Carter 1-0-0, Farr 1-0-0, Kirksey 1-0-0, Lincoln 1-0-0, Scurlock 1-0-0, Harris 0-1-0, J Jones 0-0-0
49ers: Norton 7-1-0, Woodall 6-1-1, Young 5-0-3, Plummer 4-1-0, Stubblefield 4-0-0, Doleman 3-0-1, Brown 2-0-0, Hanks 2-0-0, Pope 2-0-0, Dodge 1-1-0, Barker 1-0-0, Bryant 1-0-0, Drakeford 1-0-0, Isreal 1-0-0, McDonald 1-0-0, Lynn 2-0-0, Manuel 1-0-0
6.0 StLSO Media Views by MARK BAUSCH
*550-AM Permanent Ban Update: Heading into Week #5...and still going strong.
*The Post-Dispatch has provided excellent coverage of the Cardinals post-season efforts. So far, each day's sports section has included a nice mix of game stories, notes, stats, analysis, and opinion. Kudos to the men and women in the sports department on Tucker.
*Tim Murnin writes from South Africa--
I love your newsletter, but being that I'm living in South Africa, we tend to miss out on a few things. Can you explain what the permanent ban on AM 550 is and why?
Also, more Randy Karraker please!
EDITOR'S NOTE: StLSO #88 contains an short explanation as to why AM-550 has been banned from radios under the jurisdiction of the StLSO editor. Check out our Web Site for more details.
*John writes from Florida--
...saw the opening game against the Avalanche on ESPN. Fuhr was magnificent, but there were a lot of empty seats!
EDITOR'S NOTE: Blues season ticket numbers are down close to 2,000 from last year. It appears that the team has a huge PR problem...and for whatever reason (the folks who run the Blues probably blame the media), C&GM Mike Keenan is at the epicenter of that problem.
*Screenname Yakcloset writes--
Thank you very much. I have quite enjoyed your service the past year and a half, and will continue to do so. I'm looking forward to your upcoming 1996 Cardinals World Series Championship commemorative issue! :-)
*Screenname micwell writes from California--
Cardinal fan in California (from O'Fallon IL.) Great newsletter. Explain recent comment of WARY Cardinal fans please. I note attendance figures are good. Thanks.
EDITOR'S NOTE: In the opinion of more than a few people who attended Game One vs. the Padres, the fans in St. Louis haven't yet taken to this team in the way that it might have been expected. But the win in Game One seemed to change all that, and Game Two was a sellout. Kevin Wade, the ticket director for the Cardinals, said as much in a recent national interview.
8.0 StLSO Editorial: Impressions of the Cards-Padres Series
*The first two Divisional Series games between St. Louis and San Diego left little doubt about the impact of the 1996 Cardinal newcomers. Todd Stottlemyre, Andy Benes, Rick Honeycutt, Ron Gant, Gary Gaetti, and Dennis Eckersley played important roles in the first two victories.
But Brian Jordan provided a link to the pre-1996 Cardinals with his superstar-like effort in the third and deciding game. In addition, Tom Pagnozzi and Mark Petkovsek chipped in with important contributions as well.
*Dennis Eckersley is really pumped up about the '96 post-season, and seems genuine when he says that his experience this year is at least as meaningful as any in his past...mainly because between '92 (his last trip to the playoffs) and '96 he "really stunk" at times.
The Eck also enjoyed coming out on top vs. the Padres in 1996 post-season play, in part because his first post-season experience with the Cubs (in 1984) was less than satisfying. Recall that the lovable Cubbies lost to the Padres in five after winning the first two games of the series.
*Tony La Russa often says that baseball games are played (and won) by players, not managers. Perhaps some measure of La Russa's excitement about the Padres series can be gained from his comments about Gary Gaetti's performance in the first game.
"I played against Gary in a lot meaningful games..." said La Russa. This reporter gets the sense that La Russa reminds himself on a regular basis that players are more important than the manager...but that in the back of his mind La Russa does believe that a manager's role is in fact quite important. Maybe that's just his little secret, a secret best kept from the players.
*USA Today's Baseball Weekly's final regular season power rankings listed the Cards as the 9th best team in MLB.
*Interesting to note that, in all four Division Series, that the team with the highest payroll won the series. In fact, MLB's 1996 Final Four teams come in with the #1, #2, #3, and #5-ranked teams, in terms of salary. See StLSO #65 for a pre-season prediction of this year's MLB standings...predictions made solely on the basis of total team salaries.
*One way that Tony La Russa feels that he as manager makes a difference in the outcome of future games played by teams that he manages has to do with what he says about opposing players, in terms of showing them the respect that he believes they deserve.
One human being couldn't have laid it on any thicker than La Russa did when he was asked to comment on Padres 3B Ken Caminiti. In the post-game press conference following G1, a game in which Caminiti struck out three times, a reporter asked La Russa about Caminiti's performance. Implicit in the reporter's question was the notion that Cards starter Todd Stottlemyre, having been staked to a three-run lead by Gary Gaetti's homer, was energized and really going after hitters. La Russa's response (in part)?
"*We were not going after him....if you look at all of the pitches he struck out on they were all right on the perimeter-nasty pitches. We were definitely not going to throw the ball over the heart of the plate. Believe me...this guy is the league MVP....He's one of the most impressive players..."
La Russa continued: "We were not challenging him...we just made some nasty pitches...and nasty pitches get good hitters out."
A few minutes later, starting pitcher Todd Stottlemyre walked up to the microphone. Stottlemyre was the architect of two of those strikeouts. When asked about the effect of Gaetti's homer on his pitching demeanor, Stottlemyre's words, while perhaps not contradicting La Russa's statement, certainly didn't exactly square with his skipper's.
"Yeah, to lead each inning off I was probably more aggressive and especially in innings two, three, and four, I was pretty much going right at them," Stottlemyre said.