Timmy's Tidbits: The Long Goodbye

Timmy's Tidbits: The Long Goodbye

- When you don't care much, it doesn't hurt much, does it? Imagine that loss if the Cardinals were only a game or two out.

- Of course, to apply the principal to what I believe Belladonna has used to become a master of her craft, when you take it up the ass as many times as the Cardinals have late in the game, it doesn't hurt much, does it? I mean...much like Belladonna...Cardinal fans are used to this.

- But, it's another blown save. Make it #23. Woot. Woot. And, that leads to a question: do you have confidence in Fernando Salas as the Cardinal closer in 2012? I know I personally don't. This has been one hell of a windfall this season for the Cardinals, but he has blown five saves since June 1st. Considering all of the decisions the Cardinals have to make in the offseason and all of the dollars that have to be spent, the closer spot is one position that may have a solution already on the roster...just not in the role of closer right now...oddly enough. If I'm the Cardinals now...with this thing all but over...I'd give Jason Motte the opportunity to see what he does with the job. Remember...Motte was the closer starting out in 2009, and then he blew the Opening Day save opportunity...and that was that. Motte's been ridiculous since the All-Star Break. Give him the chance...because I am quite confident in saying that Fernando Salas will not be the closer in 2012...and there's a chance---albeit perhaps slight---that Jason Motte could be.

- Would I have pulled Chris Carpenter in the 9th? No. And, I know that that is the decision that will have some people spewing anger semen all over message boards and sports talk radio, but once again, the Cardinal offense failed...while, once again, the Cardinal starting rotation---the very thing I thought would cost them down the stretch---delivered. Since heading to Milwaukee...where this thing all started to fall apart two weeks ago...the Cardinals are 5-8. That record wouldn't be that bad if they were playing good teams, but they've been playing terrible teams. And, in all eight losses, the Cardinals have scored four runs or fewer. In five of them, they've scored two runs or less. Meanwhile, in that 13 game stretch, the most runs the Cardinals have allowed in a game is six. Shockingly, with one of the best 3-4-5 combinations in baseball...and with the addition of Rafael Furcal and the health of David Freese...the Cardinals' offense has been the biggest reason---at least in the stretch of death---for the team's demise.


Ken Rosenthal Compares The Cardinals And Brewers...On Happiness

Ken Rosenthal joined The ITD Morning After yesterday as he does every Monday. And, I asked Rosenthal to comment on his column in which he said the Brewers were the anti-Cardinals...in that it looks like they're having a good time, whereas the Cardinals do not. And, Rosenthal wasn't just talking about recently. Here's how he explained his comments:

"I wrote something about the Brewers that was on our website yesterday, and in there I talk about the way they go about it, that joy they play with that is unusual among all teams I believe, not just the Cardinals. And I did say in this little item about them that they are the anti-Cardinals. They play with this joyful way, and the Cardinals can be joy-less, and they exude energy. Now, of course, Cardinal fans on Twitter, they’re all up in arms, but I don’t know that I said anything particularly outrageous. One, the Brewers have been like this for several years, and like it or not, they have that suave (approach). And, the Cardinals, under La Russa and Pujols, they give off a grim vibe.

Now, although it’s a very successful vibe, but John Mozeliak brought in Berkman this year and Theriot in part to change it and lighten it up a bit, give them a little bit of a different edge. So, I don’t think what I’m talking about is the reason that one team is winning and the other team is losing. The point of this item, and I encourage people to read the entire item, is that the Brewers, their style I believe is kind of fun and entertaining and as long as it’s not disrespectful, which most times it’s not, I’m fine with it, in fact I like it. Now in this item also, I quote the Brewer’s manager, Ron Roenicke, as saying “Hey, basically it can get out of hand around here, and basically I do have to bit my lip a lot.” It’s a question of style, it’s a question of people. And listen, Tony La Russa has been extremely successful over the years, as has Albert Pujols. Do they often look like they are having a lot of fun? No. Does it matter? Well, maybe not. But, I like watching the Brewers play and part of the reason I like watching them play is because they play with this almost child-like enthusiasm."


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