The Lineup Pat: Wearing o’ the green
JUPITER, Fla. — The Cardinals have not yet announced the results of a specialist’s look at Juan Gonzalez’s MRI, but the outfielder does appear on the lineup card, listed as available off the bench.
Jason Isringhausen said this morning he’s awaiting word on whether he might get an inning in today’s game, or if the team decides it’s best for him to rest a couple more days with the back spasms that kept him from Sunday’s scheduled inning.
Kyle Lohse will pitch a simulated game, in the main stadium, in less than an hour.
And, green jerseys and hats are hanging at each locker in the clubhouse.
The St. Patrick’s Day lineup for the Cardinals:
- Colby Rasmus, CF
- Cesar Izturis, SS
- Albert Pujols, 1B
- Troy Glaus, 3B
- Rick Ankiel, RF
- Ryan Ludwick, LF
- Jason LaRue, C
- Anthony Reyes, RHP
- Brendan Ryan, 2B
Bench: C Mark Johnson, OF Skip Schumaker, OF Chris Duncan, 2B Adam Kennedy, C Yadier Molina, OF Brian Barton, OF Joe Mather, INF D’Angelo Jimenez, OF Juan Gonzalez, INF Aaron Miles.
Bullpen: LHP Randy Flores, LHP Ron Villone, RHP Kyle McClellan, RHP Russ Springer, RHP Cliff Politte, RHP Hugo Castellanos.
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Derrick Goold said he was going to Mizzou for capital-J journalism, but after growing up in the Time Zone Baseball Forgot he was really drawn to MU sitting between two major-league cities. Goold joined the Post-Dispatch in 2001 after working for The Times-Picayune and Rocky Mountain News, covering sports from LSU to NHL and every level of baseball in between. 
I noticed in an article this weekend in the PD that it was assumed a given that Mr. Ludwick would make the team as an outfielder and that it might be between Mr. Barton and Mr. Gonzales for the final spot.
Leaving aside Mr. G’s worrysome medical problem for the moment, what is the thinking about why Mr. Ludwick gets the free pass? There are two centerfielders in the ‘made it’ group (Mrrs. Schumaker and Ankiel); everyone else plays corner. Is it because Mr. G and Mr. Duncan are both ‘iffy’ in the field?
For as much as I appreciated the terrific at bats and fielding that Mr. Ludwich provided last year, if he can be moved to AAA for the time being, perhaps Mr. Gonzales would make for the better guy to play in the first half while awaiting the mandatory (ahem) AAA time for Mr. Rasmus. From what I have read, Mr. Barton is the keeper of the three.
The correct grammatical formation is “a couple of more days.”
Gus,
Is it? Then there are 2,783 instances in the last 30 days in newspapers around the country where that phrase has been used incorrectly. What’s actually the case is that “a couple more” is a conversational phrase. If I were writing an English paper or for the print-edition newspaper “a couple of more” would be how I’d write it. But conversational is, in many ways, the attempt of the blog, and blogs in general. Conversational and quick. That allows for some license.
Hence the capitalized “G” in the middle of a sentence in an entry yesterday.
Or, the sporadic sentence fragments just because, well, I like the rhythm. They. Create.
Of course, this could be my mom again. Gus is a family name on her side.
dg
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We’re discussing grammar on a blog? Ouch.
I read the same article that post number 1 mentions. I’m waiting to roll my eyes at the bad choice. It’s between Barton and Juan Gone? Let’s see. One is a young player that has showed, to this point, that he can play healthy. He’s brought energy to the team and thanks to his Rule 5 status he needs to stay on the main roster all year if we plan to keep him. The other is nearing forty, and has continuing questions regarding his back. He has shown ability by is not a long term find for the team. Oh yeah, he’s also signed to a minor league deal meaning he can play in Memphis to start teh season. Where should the greater/less than () sign go? Why do I get the sinking feeling Tony is gonna muff this one?
The daily grind for players must be the same for writers. Yet you continue to crank out interesting thought provoking stuff ( conversational and quick?).
What does the AAA pitching staff look like at this time. I know it could change between now and opening day, but I’m curious how it shaping up right now.
The Triple-A staff: RHP Mike Parisi, RHP Mitchell Boggs, RHP Kyle McClellan, RHP Blake Hawksworth and a competition between RHP Dewon Brazelton and RHP John Wasdin. The health of the latter two will say as much about their spots in the rotation as, say, Hawksworth’s performance. The Triple-A staff by the end of the season is almost as intriguing, what with RHP Adam Ottavino, LHP Jaime Garcia and RHP Clayton Mortensen able to make a charge.
dg
DG,
I know technically that Gonzalez could still make the team, but all signs are pointing to keeping Barton, aren’t they? I would think that the last two roster spots are going to fall to Barton and Ryan. How would you handicap it right now?
Thanks
so where can we see pics from today?
I will be truly miffed if Barton does not go north with the team. He has earned it. If his three triples show anything– it’s that his knee is not an issue (right now– anything can happen). As has already been noted: Given how Barton has played, it’s extremely unlikely Cleveland would go for a trade– so he could be stowed at AAA. The knee was the only reason Cleveland left him exposed. We don’t want to lose this guy. I would prefer an outfield of Barton, Ankiel, & Schu– and await the coming of Rasmus….
DG
What’s the deal with Josh Phelps? Haven’t read anything or seen his name in recent box scores - unless I’ve just missed them. Also, any possibility that Duncan starts the season at AAA if his stroke is still AWOL?