Bernie…
While I think we need one more pitcher, either a starter or a late inning guy that would allow McClellan to move to the rotation, I did not think that Hoffman would be a good fit. I think back to the 2006 all star game, when the NL rolls out the harder-throwing closers in the 6th, 7th, and 8th innings (Fuentes, Turnbow, and Gordon), then tried to finish it out with Hoffman in the 9th. Seeing the harder throwers before Hoffman came in to finish it off seemed to give the hitters (Glaus and Michael Young) a better look at the slower-throwing Hoffman. If Hoffman had been signed, we’d likely being throwing Motte and/or Perez before Hoffman. So, a batter in the 7th might be facing a much harder thrower in Motte and then if the lineup turned over to where they hit again in the 9th, they’d see the slower-throwing Hoffman, allowing more reaction time. I’d be afraid we’d see more endings similar to the 2006 ASG, if this signing had been made.

Uh, I don’t think you can say arse. ;-0

It seems that there is enough buzz around Hoffman’s drop off in velocity that there must be something to it. It will interesting to see how he fares with the majority of his appearances at Miller Park. Heads Up at TGIFridays!

14-18 still a lot better than 2-10

1. I would pass on Hoffman. He is past his prime.
2. I would pass on Fassel. Why don’t I hear about other teams interested in him?
3. Enjoyed listening to Lande today, but with all due respect, I can’t believe Maclin will drop that far. Mid first round is as low as he will fall.
4. I agree with you on Smith. Once he finds some of the great culinary establishments in our town, he will balloon to 400 lbs.
5. I know this is sick, but, my vote goes to Alice. Between the maid outfit and her desperate desire for Sam the butcher, that might have been a pretty wild ride.

Bernie….have you ever seen the great movie Elmer Gantry starring Burt Lancaster & Shirley Jones? Well, let me tell you, once you’ve seen that you will view Mrs. Partridge in a different light……totally hot!!!!!

So yes: I would take Mrs. Partridge over Mrs. Brady…..but if I’m really lucky: tag team.

Now on the subject of June Cleaver…….

dcb95sol ……do you remember when Alice went away for a week and her boot camp sister showed up to take care of the Bradys? Now that has me thinking……..

Yes I do, Rob. Do you think Sam was showing her his finest cut???

Didn’t Fassel also have Sean Payton? He hired a heck of a coaching staff.

Huge MU fan here. I just don’t think Maclin is explosive enough to be taken real high. I’m not sure he is tough enough either. He is scary fast….but it takes him a few steps to get there.

BTW…Jan Brady (I’ve got a thing for the nerd chicks).

Bernie, I’m a couple years younger than you and I remember that Fri nite line-up well. The Brady Bunch, The Partridge Family, Room 222, The Odd Couple and Love American Style. That was Must See TV 70s style. Like you said, watching those shows takes you back to a simpler time. That’s why I listen to the 70’s station on XM. It was a great decade for One-Hit Wonders and gimmick songs, like the Streak, or the Wildwood Weed song.

That would make for a pretty good Blog: your favorite One-Hit Wonder/Gimmick song from the 70s. I’d have too many to list.

Bernie,
Trevor Hoffman is still a good pitcher but is a better component for Milwaukee at this time, they are still sorting through the Gagne/Turnbow debacle…
I would prefer to see the Cardinals focus on shoring up the starting pitching with another arm or two…for now Perez and Motte is a unique situation which I think can flourish if Tony and Dunc manage it right. As for a plan B, I would love to see Russ Springer back…he was a great “go to” guy in any relief situation…plus has immeasurable experience to share with the Perez’s and Motte’s of the world.

I am sure Jim Fassel wants to coach again…I think he even wrote a love letter to Al Davis…but let’s make sure all other options are covered…I am in favor of a new face…but I have to admit, if the Haslett/Martz/Capers trio is a possibility…I am intrigued…however I reserve the right to stay open minded.

I heard Russ Lande on your show and respect the hell out of his opinion but I think Jeremy Maclin can and will “play” at any level he needs to…You can’t coach game speed…he may not test out the best but he “plays fast” in games, has several dynamics to offer and sees the entire field…you can’t coach that. He is a mid first round pick, he has earned the money, time to pay himself back…have a great career in the Big Show Jeremy!

Can the Rams trade their first pick down for two number ones? Otherwise, I am fine with Andre Smith if he is the best OT available…Orlando Pace worked out well…all the way to Canton I’d say. If Andre Smith is on the Rams radar, Billy Devaney will cross check all concerns with Nick Saban who has plenty of NFL experience to relate.

Right there with you on the Partridge Family…(although I was partial to Jan Brady)…as a 10 year old watching the show, I thought Shirley Jones was a babe…She was in a recent comedy movie “Gramma’s Boy”, where she plays a dirty old sex vixen. All joking aside, for an older actress she can still “bring it”. Danny Bonaduce? What a pathetic person…never could bring it on or off screen…Dave Madden on the other hand, now there’s a great actor!!!

Enjoy your piece of the pie Florida!

Over and out

Bernie,

Susan Dey would have made my Top Ten All-TIME FANTASY team.

1. Jeannie (Tony Nelson-what a moron, should have been a Navy Astronaut)
2. Mary Ann
3. Goldie Hawn (Laugh-in)sock it to me - loved her painted bod
4. Gold Digger Dancers (Dean Martin Show)
5. Sabrina
6. Ann Margaret
7. Raquel Welch
8. Pam Greer (blaxplotation movies)she is still hot!
9. All Bob Hopes swedish bomb shells from his movies.
10.Susan Dey

Redwood

Bernie:

A question and a point:

Q: What are the braves going to do with all those pitchers? They didn’t lose any pitchers from their rotation last year, but have aquired 2, plus I believe they are ready to promote one.

P: I am not completely against Fassel. There is something to be said for a coach who can manage a game and has an eye for great coordinators.

Hollar at your boy,

Ray Ray

It seems there were not many pursuers for Hoffmans work, which to me says most baseball people are of an opinion that the pepper in his shaker is running out as you pointed out bernie in regard to his slowing fastball. Do I think the Cards letting him fly over their bird blind without pulling the trigger showed them to be cheap with there dry powder? NO. I’m just not to impressed with Hoffman and everything else left out there. They could all be hens so why pull the trigger if it could get you in trouble. I think the Cards are better off making a trade. But there may not be a salt and pepper player out there to get in a trade either without giving up some Birds of flavor. I think the Cards are going about it the best they can. Whether or not they can get something done to fill the holes, time will only tell. But the more I look at the baseball market and what is available I am not to impressed. So why throw money on a player if he is not capable of flavoring up the Birds the way you need/want it? The Cards may well be locked in to finding players from within to fill in the gaps. The year could unfold a few surprizes. But as I said, time will tell how the salt and pepper shakes out for the Cards. I am beginning to be of a mind that Mr. DeWitt and Mo should not be to blame if our hopes are not fullfilled. How does the saying go? It is what it is!

In the Susan Dey v. Maureen McCormick debate, I had to lean toward Susan Dey, but Skip just mentioned Room 222 and that brings Susan Valentine into the mix for me. Sheesh, just a little reflection takes me back.

I was more of a Partridge Family guy but the Bradys seem to have more staying power. I think all guys wanted to be Keith Partridge. I’d watch either of them on Nick at Night anytime they are on, however.

Looks like we have less and less to worry about with the Brewers. Let them have Hoffman. I cant blame the Cards for letting that one go. I think it should be noted sometime in July for all of the whining Cardinal fans who was a bust. Just to remind everyone.

I am worried about picking a loser for OT. We don’t need anymore attitudes, just somebody to fill Pace’s shoes. Who is the next best OT available?

My pick is for Brady Bunch all the way - Mrs. Brady, Alice and Marcia, Marcia, Marcia!!! Maureen McCormick is hot. My wife could never understand why I would stop the remote for those celeb-reality shows she was on.

Bernie, I know you called them cheesy, but do you remember what the Brady kids named their band for their recording session? The Silver Platters … they were trying to win some silver platter for their parents for their anniversary or something.

Oh, and was “A Sunshine Day” their only song, or was the one where Peter Brady sang “When it’s time to change” with his voice cracking as a teen-ager a different song?

Oh yes,The Partridge Family did have the musical chops.Their first song “I Thank I Love You” was number 1 on the Billboard’s Top 40 charts.Songs by the group that also charted was,”I Woke Up In Love This Morning”,”Doesn’t Someone Want to Be Wanted”,and”"I’ll Meet You Halfway”.Excellent pop music,just right for the times.When it come to musical talent,the Brady Bunch couldn’t even hold the Partridge family’s J-strap!

I’m not sure what qualifies as “premier” speed, but I’ve never seen even a decent angle consistently catch Maclin, and most games the commentators remark how quickly he gets from zero to full speed. Route running can be coached.

I haven’t read all the points here so I might have missed it but could Hoffman have helped our young guys learn an off-speed pitch. The guy’s a HOF reliever, he surely could have helped them, just maybe not at that price.

Don’t draft Andre Smith — he’s another Alex Barron — a college player who peaks before his first million dollar draft check. And how many times have the Rams been willing to overlook problems (see Wroton, Claude)that the best teams wouldn’t? The only question the Rams should ask about any draft pick is, “Would Bill Bellichek want this guy?” If no, then ask why?

Marcia, Marcia, MARCIA?? Have you seen the legs on Jan as she got a bit older? Smokin’! Yes, Shirley Jones over Florence Henderson all the way. I would take Susan Dey over Marcia also.

My replies to your replies:

* Had to love Susan Dey as Grace Van Owen in “LA Law.” Did you know that Susan Dey was from Pekin, IL? Which reminds me of the Wilco song, Pekin.

* Mr. Hensley — that Brady Bunch song where Peter’s voice cracks is “Time for a Change.” I was listening to samples from Brady Bunch songs on I Tunes and it’s some scary stuff. One other notable song from them that got a little run on the charts: “Keep On” (keep on moving).

* Shirley Jones is a helluva an actress. Was a big star on Broadway at an early age, and won the Oscar (as I believe somebody already noted) for Best Supporting Actress in Elmer Gantry.

* I believe Maclin will wow the NFL boys at the Combine and he’ll be taken early-middle of the first round. But what Lande is saying NOW is true.

* Fassel isn’t going to get the Rams job.

Thanx for all the comments! Fun reading.

B

As far as the Brady vs Partidge Family question goes, I’d take Marcia, although Susan Dey would be close. One thing that’s forgotten is that the Partridge Family was a take off on The Cowsills (Flower Girl, Indian Lake, Hair). Susan Cowsill was very cute back then.

I liked Hoffman and I have always liked his style of pitching, but I’m been increasingly convinced that he is over the hill now. Every time I saw him last year, he was unimpressive. I’m just as glad that the Cards did not go after him.

I probably should not admit this but I never watched either the Partridges or the Bradys (Bradies?).

The Cowsills’ “The Rain, the Park and Other Things” was a good song from the era … I have it on my I Pod. Maybe I’ll play a piece of it on the radio show today.

B

Trevor Hoffman’s Avg. Fastball MPH
‘05: 85.4
‘06: 84.6
‘07: 85.1
‘08: 86.0

Source: http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=1035&position=P

Bernie,

1. Hoffman - No. I don’t know if TLR will use them or not but I like the
young guys, Perez and Motte.

2. Fassel over Haslett. There are better choices out there.

3. I think Maclin needs another year of physical maturity prior to the NFL.

4. The Rams need a right tackle worse than left. Pace has a few years left
and Barron is a bust. Andre Smith might be a good pick to start at RT
and let Pace help him develop into a good LT when “Big O” retires.

5. Marcia over Laurie. Ms. Patridge over Ms. Brady. Laurie and Ms.
Partridge over Marcia and Ms. Brady if you know what I mean.

1)Hoffman….worth signing to a 1 year deal. Cards are skittish. Not sure TL wants to have a tandem of Perez and Mott to close out games.
2)Fassel….pass on him. Not a visionary. Players walked all over him in NY.
3)Maclin….NOT overrated. Dude has speed, speed, speed and the NFL loves that. This cat can be an effective and dangerous return man NOW. Will develop as WR with time.
4)Smith…..his premature dealings with an agent are a minor taint. Not like he was juicing or hangin’ with the thugs in clubs. If he is the best Left OT, grab him!
5)Marcia….hands down, no contest. I would have knocked the bottom out of that then or now. Lauri Partridge close 2nd. I’m sure one of the guys in the cast was boinkin’ her on that crazy bus between shoots.

Trevor Hoffman is far too expensive for what he has left in his right arm. Hoffman is primarily a fly ball pitcher who benefitted from the expansive outfield at Petco Park in San Diego. Hitters can now sit on his change up since his fastball isn’t much faster. His HRs allowed is up and I predict the balls will really be flying out of puny Miller Park next season. Hoffman might get 30 saves next year, but he’ll blow at least 12-15! I lost a lot of respect for Hoffman after he signed with Milwaukee. He is supposedly a real family man who played with his kids at the ballpark in San Diego and desired to stay home. However, he - like so many other money hungry major leaguers - left his family for a few extra bucks despite being a millionnaire many times over! ADD JOHN SMOLTZ to that catagory! Good move, Cardinals, for NOT signing Trevor Hoffman!

Bernie,
I would have been okay with the Cards giving Hoffman a reasonable, incentive-based contract. Like you, I think it’s possible that he, like other aging pitchers, could continue to do well by pitching smarter now that he’s lost some speed on his fastball. And he seemingly would have worked well as a bridge to the youngsters (though I understand the reason he didn’t sign with the Dodgers was because they are grooming a closer-in-waiting, so maybe he couldn’t have been interested and it becomes a moot point).

Will give you the female perspective on the Gregg Brady vs. Keith Partridge question. You are right: Keith Partridge all the way…hand’s down, no question about it.

Hey, Norman Paperman - I believe the gal from “Room 222″ was Karen Valentine, and I agree that she was pretty hot, although I’ll still take Barbara Eden from “I Dream Of Jeannie” over Susan Dey and Maureen McCormick. Can’t argue with the first bare abs being shown on public television for a naughty provocation!

“As much as Tony La Russa and Dave Duncan respect Hoffman’s career, I detect that they didn’t have much enthusiasm over his availability. Why? The decline of Hoffman’s fastball, which would make his changeup less effective.”

My response: So why in dee hell would they even consider bringing Izzy back?

“My response: So why in dee hell would they even consider bringing Izzy back?”

Because TLR, Dunc, and Izzy have a f***ing man crush love traingle going on…

Could be worse. We could be Blue Jays fans…their pickups this winter include the great former Cardinal southpaw Mike Maroth and the equally depressive Matt Clement. Couple that with the defection of A.J. Burnett, and the death of their owner, and let’s just say it’s been a long, cold winter in Toronto.

Right now we got at least 3 pitchers in the bullpen who would be better closers than Hoffman. He’s just another overpaid hasbeen who would have retired if somebody wasn’t so foolish to pay him all that $$.

If we want some over-the-hill guy to be on the staff and offer experience, then why not Izzy? At least the expectations from him would be more realistic.