AT Hooks posted on August 20, 2010 00:00
The Cardinals could have done less of a disservice to their fans if they just would have gone over to your mother’s house, banged her out a couple of times, and then opted to not play 
baseball the past 5 games.
But they ‘played’ the games. And they’re worse off for it.
Last week the corner had been turned, the demons had been excised; the bull was grabbed by its horns. Brandon Phillips called the Cardinals a bunch of ‘little bitches’ and they responded with a 3 game beat down and re-claiming of first place in the NL Central. But a funny thing happened on the way to smooth sailing… the Cardinals reverted right back to old habits and got blown out of the water by the miserable Cubs and mediocre Brewers.
The statue of limitations on bitch related motivation apparently has expired.
In this space months ago, we called August the most important month of the season. We knew that the Reds were hanging around in the standings, but they couldn’t be the real deal, right? We figured they’d ride the momentum of their first half through July, but when the dregs of August came… well that’s when you separate the contenders from the pretenders. If the Reds could survive that- then the Cardinals were in trouble.
With a week and change left in August, the Cardinals are falling further behind the Reds each day. No signs of momentum on their side.
I think the most frustrating thing about the 2010 season is the severe lack of a scapegoat. One night it’s the spotty bullpen, another it’s a feeble offensive showing, still others it’s a fluke game from a guy like Flip Lopez playing out of position for too long. Each loss is painful. And each loss is the fault of someone else.So instead of sitting here and railing against X Y or Z, we have to wonder just how a team that has 2 Cy Young candidates, a triple crown threat, relative health and an easy 
schedule can’t be running away with a division title. The most common question amongst St. Louisan's this summer? Just what the hell is wrong with the Cardinals?
There isn’t an answer. We all have our theories; but they’re all spotty at best. Unless you’re living in Chris Carpenter’s jock like BJ Rains, then who knows really how properly motivated the Birds are. You are not listening to Tony LaRussa night after night so maybe his message isn’t stale. There is no scientific measure for ‘give a fuck’. It’s a mess and, worse, a mess with no reason for being so, other than it is.
It’s not like the Cardinals season is done. But the ‘P’ word is something that fans shouldn’t be worried about as much as just putting some momentum up against some pretty poor teams.
Jim Mora would appreciate it.
Playoffs? Are you kidding me? PLAYOFFS?!?!
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