So much for the big bat behind Pujols to protect him. Glaus needs to talk to the makers of Visine and have them develop a product specifically for him. Instead of “Gets the Red Out” they could change the slogan to “Gets the PED Out”. His stats are inflated because of his use of performance enhancers. I’ve wondered where the Cardinals would put this “big bat” they have been looking for and now they have the perfect spot…THIRDBASE!

Oh come on. You know, I’ve been a Cards fan for a long time and have always been proud of our fan base, but it seems that we have more closet pricks than what it seems. Troy’s numbers are nothing short of fairly consistent over the years, so throwing him in that mix because it makes you feel better is absurd. He’s not a defensive liability and has came here to play.

If he’s having issues, we need to help him address them. And he is. I dropped this over at VEB this morning Derrick, but I thought you may be interested as well.

Games in St Louis this year : 12
In 7 night games (24 AB) he’s done
.125/.214/.125 with 3BB, and 8Ks
In 5 day games (16 AB) he’s done
.375/.500/.375 with 4BB and 2Ks

(All games - Home night games) : 16
In those games he’s put up .328/.426/.517 with 19 hits (11 doubles) 10BB/9K

His numbers look fantastic if you remove the night games here at home, so clearly something is causing some serious downturn.

Derrick, if you get the chance can you find out a.) how long have they known about it and b) if they’re going to get him checked for allergies or other issues relating to it.

I’d be crying too if I struck out two times during two at bats with 6 total runners in scoring position…

I’d be crying too if i K’d 2 times in 2 AB with 6 total RISP

Real cool how you said the same thing 2 different ways there!

Allergies…yeah, that’s it.

Wow, some of you people are TOUGH! OK, so I probably couldn’t have screamed “time out” any louder than I did last night from my couch, but of course it did no good. I clearly saw Troy using his jersey to wipe at his eye. Being made of polyester, it is NOT absorbant and he then reached inside and used his T-shirt made of cotton and more absorbant. The gloves also not a good choice. I have this condition too. The wind and the dampness ARE triggers for the tearing. Of course I am not standing at home plate with a bat in my hand and the bases loaded and 2 outs. I don’t get why he didn’t talk to Barry PRIOR to the at bat. Anyway, what he needs is eyewear that will completely protect his eyes from the wind. Something akin to swimming goggles to surround and protect his eyes. He could probably remove them after the ‘at bat’. Anyway, can someone help out Troy and hopefully he can relax and be the hitter we know he can be. It’s OK, Troy. I got you.

So when was a runner on first considered in scoring position, A Cardinals Fan?

“His eye’s are watering at night,” La Russa said. “Only here. Something about the dampness and cold.”

Well let’s see…that rules out early season night games…oh wait…doesn’t October get damp and cold in St Louis too?!!??!

“but it seems that we have more closet pricks than what it seems. Troy’s numbers are nothing short of fairly consistent over the years, ”

lets see, bonds goes on peds and jumps from 40 hrs to 70. The twins(?) pitcher on outside the lines gained 10 mph on his fastball and went from a below avg fastball to an above avg fastball in months. Now that there is testing and this year also now, an investigative arm that will make having the stuff shipped to your doorstep a problem, not just relying on a postitive test, perhaps some folks usage and their performance will decline. Since he was obviously a roider unless you want to believe that his wife tooke them, and he never denied it given numerous opportunities in radio interviews, you cannot rule out the issue.

and let me guess, if we happen to be playing in October this year you’ll bandwagon over and talk less (crud) eh?

It’s one thing to get down on a guy because he lazily plays up a grounder that should be a routine out. Or one that jogs down to first when the play could well be close. Or someone who always happens to have a “hamstring” issue and plays 80 games a year.

But when something is wrong with a guy and the numbers back it up. And when the conditions are different he’s producing some great numbers, it’s kinda petty to bitch and moan, don’t ya think?

Robby you left out the tired cliche of koolaid drinker. Explain why Glaus had a .779 batting average at Busch Stadium II from 2005 through 2007. ESPN has the splits and can break it down for you.

Let’s put it in your own words. It’s one thing to get down on a guy because he lazily plays a grounder that should be a routine out. Or one that jogs down to first when the play could well be close. Or someone who always happens to have a “hamstring” issue and plays 80 games a year…OR SOMEONE THAT USES THE DAMP NIGHT AIR AS AN EXCUSE FOR HIS POOR OFFENSIVE PERFORMANCE.

Kindly refrain from using more profanity. There are minors that read this blogs also.

Hey Robby, I’m with you. I can’t believe the bitchin’ and whinin’ coming from Cards fans. The Cards are doing better than advertised this year, so you’d think people would be happy. Glaus clearly has a legitimate problem. It’s ridiculous to say he isn’t going to produce this year because he’s not taking the ‘roids. He clearly was producing on the road–you had to like all those doubles. And while we’re at it, for those who were at Busch stadium last night, was it really necessary to boo Izzy when the guy has 8 saves already this spring and, I believe, is leading the league in saves? We all felt the agony of that loss, none of us more than Izzy himself, but geesh! the guy is human. And he looks stiff to me. Did we learn nothing two years ago, when Izzy was a gamer playing through the agony in his hip? Imho, Izzy’s earned a little patience from the fans. Sounds like a bunch of Yankees fans in Cardinal Nation these days.

Hey Jack,
That .779 average you speak of , you do realize that he only played one year in the national league. How many at bats does that number represent? I checked, it was in 9 at bats. Way to base an opinion of how good someone should be on 9 at bats. You are an idiot.

I was at the stadium last night (sitting about 25 rows behind home plate) and my eyes were watering enough that I occasionally had trouble seeing–and I wasn’t trying to hit a baseball. It is tree pollen season. I am really allergic to it. My eyes water every spring. I use special eyedrops and they help a little bit. I also wear glasses.

This is spring in the St. Louis area which means heavy tree pollen. I wear glasses and use eye drops. I was at the stadium last night and my eyes were watering. Good thing I didn’t have to hit a ball.

Koolaid? Um no.

There’s a difference in supporting a player who has done absolutely nothing to deserve getting reamed 20 some games in the year, than thinking he’s the 2nd coming. I’m in the former camp if you’re having issues keeping track.

While you’re at it, since you want to quote and inject words into what I had previously said, show me where, in any link, he’s laid any excuse for having issues at night. He hasn’t laid it down as an excuse, so your comment has no merit to begin with. He’s saying what’s going on, he’s not talking down his batting stats because of it.

And for the record, he *has* been Rolen-like defensively and that is a feat most of the fans wouldn’t have thought would be the case. His numbers are damn fine anywhere but in this situation. And he was pulled last night because last night - more than any other night game- it became a true liability.

And it’s not damp air, it’s allergies that’s causing it. The last thing you want is a batter half blind up against a pitcher with control issues as bad as last night. Get a grip will ya?

Allow me to take your stats and shed some real light on them, ok? As Max states you’re talking about 9AB, or 12PA. Real value in those numbers huh? And come to find out, those stats were based on the year he played in 2005 with the Diamondbacks so you could have left off 2006 and 2007 in your statement. And it was the old stadium, not the current one so pollen issues could have dramatic differences. Not counting the fact that those three games were in AUGUST. Come on.

If you want to hate on a guy, that’s fine. But don’t shade it with off the wall numbers that has no context to the current situation.

Wow. A lot of people on here and other websites are way off the mark. Not surprising.

By the way, Glaus got his 15th rbi today. Yeah, he doesn’t have a homerun, but he is knocking runs in. Anyone bothered to look at all the doubles he has?

He is also on pace for 97 runs batted in. Not too shabby when you realize he hasn’t yet hit a home run, and you know that he will hit a few of those. His average has never been something to write home about, but the guy produces.

He’s doing that. He’ll figure out something to improve his allergy situation. It’s not rocket science, but if you’ve never dealt with it, you got a learning curve to deal with. As for his previous success in St. Louis: limited number of games and allergies don’t hit instantaneously. He’s now spending most of his time here.

Quit acting like people who have never had a problem in your lives. It’s pathetic.

ldomino,

Thanks. And yeah, my comment earlier pertaining to the ‘roids was the fact that it was alleged during his injury years for one, and two his performance on the field didn’t have anything like some players with a screaming jump. there wasn’t anything even close to +10mph or 30HR or the like.

In short, I don’t for a second believe that we’re experiencing the ‘roid free version of Glaus, we’re just experiencing him.

I’ve actually been a harsh critic of his numbers, till all of this has came about, then when you remove these games and have a look, those numbers don’t look that bad. They’re close to average cleanup numbers. The severity of his night games here at home is why his numbers take such a hit and look bad averaged out.

The thing that gets me is that it’s an environmental variable that’s giving him issues. That’s no different than a player who can’t play in a dome with a white ceiling because of losing the ball, or someone who can’t play on turf because of ailments, or even Pujos being moved to first in large part to protect his elbow from further damage some years back.

If he stunk it up on the road, or in day games, or whatever then I would be right there putting pressure on him. But he’s clearly not as the stats show thus far.

As far as Izzy is concerned I agree that he shouldn’t be booed off the field. How many players did we leave on base in that game? A ton. It shouldn’t have been a save situation to begin with. We should have been 5-6 runs up, easily. Izzy has appeared in almost 40% of our games thus far. it’s clearly not something that can last the whole season.

When it comes to Izzy the fans need to be reminded of two things. One, by July he should be in the elite 300 saves club. That in itself is a testament to what he’s meant to us. Joining Smith, Eck, Sutton and the like.

Second, out of all active closers his actual save percentage is quite high. 87% since 1999 88% since being with the Cards. Rivera is 90%, Hoffman is 79%!, the Corderos are low 80’s, Lidge 83, etc. (all mentioned on VEB today)

For the price we have most of these guys at, for the youth (in playing time) these guys are in. We have an impressive set of guys out there. If nothing else, these boys will be respected highly by the end of the year.

But yeah, the worst part of this fast start is the Yankeeish attitudes that continue to creep up. Remember, we were picked to battle for bottom of the division, enjoy the good times.

You know Robby I wish there were more people out there whom would take your tack and level headed-ness when looking at this ball club. It royally peeved me last night to listen to Izzy come off of the field to boos. Yes he blew the save oppurtunity, but as you pointed out he shouldn’t have had to be out for the save. Then for people to be as irate as they were, calling for the sky to be falling because, the team is in a bit of an offensive funk… I mean come on. 1) this is a ball club that had been picked to be about 5-10 games below .500 at this point in the season, 2) as you mentioned (did as well at VEB in the gamethread) they are a young team (MLB service time / PA rated). valley’s like this are to be expected. If we can manage to play in this manner like we did last year perhaps there is a shot that we could be playing for something in August-September. As for now it is baseball and there is nothing we (the fanbase) can do about what they are doing on the field. Sit back and enjoy being able to watch them play, all in all compared to the product we expected to see… it is slightly better than advertised. So Glaus moved from canada playing in a dome to St. Louis and is having allergy issues playing in an open air stadium. He’ll get it figured out give the guy a break. For all of you who are about to tell me to drink some more Koolaid… if you really think that is what I am doing. I’ll be more than happy to have a few pictures of it for you. You guys are behaving worse than the guys who were getting on DG during Spring training because in the midst of providing great coverage and insight into what was happening he mad a few hurried typo’s grammatical errors on a blog! To y’all all I have to say is deal with it. Now, back to my Kool Aid. (I fear we as a fan base are becoming spoiled and turning into something disgusting)

Too many people are in too big of a hurry to judge. After reading all of the posts, there is simply too much pouting. Too many of you get wound up on any story or speculation. Too many people are stuck on the past at third base. What offensive production did we get out of third base last year? Glaus has 11 doubles already. And, without checking the numbers, he probably hasn’t left anymore runners on base than anyone else in the lineup. Give up on the bashing and give the guy a chance.

Before all the bashing gets worse, remember, he hasn’t criticized the fans, that was Tino Martinez. Who would you rather have right now? Rolen or Glaus?

I hope this really is the problem and that it gets fixed. Hey Troy, try Claritin or Allegra or similar.

Could be worse, he could have been a WR everybody expected to go in the 3rd or 4th round go #32 overall.

How much longer do you think La Russa will put up with Glaus’ excuses for striking out so much and not hitting for power? My eyes have been watering ever since the Cardinals traded Rolen to Toronto for Glaus also!

Thoses people who booed Izzy Friday night are probably drunks and/or Cub fans in disguise. Izzy is one of the games greatest closers and anyone who doesn’t realize that obviously doesn’t remember the pain he went through in 2006 trying to get us to postseason. That bullpen full of youngsters helped us to win a World Series because Jason Isringhausen taught them what they had to know to complete the deal; just ask Wainwright! If you are a real Cardinal fan, don’t boo the guy and tell the hecklers around you that they are idiots.

Ok, first off, I’d like to address the fact that Izzy was booed off the field Friday night. I mean, seriously, I’d like to echo some of the other pro-Izzy sentiments that are going on here. The man has been mostly lights out since he came over to this ball club from Oakland and, other than 2004 and 2006, he has pitched well for most of the seasons; as everyone knows, in ‘04 and ‘06, he was dealing with a hip injury. When most pitchers rely on their legs to throw, I’d like to see the fans that booed him out of the stadium try to do better. Besides, it seems to me that LaRussa’s been overusing him and McClellan (at least earlier on in the spring anyway), so of course they’re going to show signs of fatigue somewhere down the line.

As far as Glaus goes, I don’t like him one bit and that won’t change even if he wins the triple crown this year. At the same time, I’m not going to ream him endlessly because, regardless of whether or not I like him, I want to see this team win. If that means supporting a player I dislike, then so be it. It’s not like the guy’s Jeff Kent or anything.

Also, remember, there’s 162 games in a season. There’s plenty of time for players to come alive or go by the wayside. People seem to forget that sometimes.

ok, i give up. Glaus isn’t done. My mistake.

Glaus either saw that ball well enough to drive it over the fence this afternoon or, as my cousin always tells me, “even a blind hog finds an acorn every now and then!”

Why don’t we just give the man the benefit of the doubt for now and see what happens. I was a huge Rolen fan and hated to see him go, but I think his attitude was a downer in the dugout and everybody, including Rolen, are better off now. Glaus has big shoes to fill and we need to wait this out. (Sure was a lot of cheering today when he hit the homer, probably from some of the same people that have been booing him.) And on another subject, BOO NFL DRAFT COVERAGE by the Post. Let’s see, the Cardinals won today, had another bench clearing incident and all you can find on the main page of STLTODAY is draft coverage. Sheesh, is there ever a time of year when we don’t have to talk football?

Being an allergy sufferer and a medical doctor, I can tell you that what Troy Glaus is going though may be a very real problem. It may only be seasonal, or it could be something that is used around home plate. Many allergies,for example asthma, are worse as night.
Some xyzal or another non sedating antihistamine might be a short term option, or an eye drop for allergies might be considered for the next night game as a trial. If successful, then continue them, but either way have the eyes checked out throughly by a qualified person and find a suitable solution. We know he can hit and so far, he has looked better than advertised on defense. Give the guy a break.

MaryAnne, probably a bit of both. But if you didn’t catch the game today the other two outs he had were screamers, very well hit. He’s had a lot of those too. And statistically he’ll have some of those drop at some point. Matter in fact just about everytime he gets a hold of the ball he’s pounding it, sadly it’s usually to a glove. Good to see the HR though. Albert looked as excited as he was. Good chemistry forming from how it looks.

Matt,
I totally see what you’re saying, heck, I’m not even sure I like Glaus. But when it comes down to what he’s going through, giving him such a hard time didn’t feel right. Put it this way - I don’t like Juan Enc., as a player, at all. But you’ll never see me laying anything negative on him because he’s costing us quite a bit of coin. He too has a health issue going on (while more severe), and it wouldn’t be fair in any manner.

I do have a hearsay contact with someone who follows Toronto quite closely, and from what I can gather Troy came across thrilled to come here. He really wants to play, Toronto meant half if not most a season of pain and lots of bench time. The Rolen Glaus switch was a blessing in a lot of ways because no one else would want to take on his salary. We didn’t have to obviously, we’re paying the same for whomever we have, without the inhouse drama.

When it comes to Glaus here’s what I expect as a fan.

Him to play hard, that’s a given. And if you’ve watched him in particular, even in struggles he’s really doing that one quite well.

Not to become a liability at 3rd. We’re a ground ball inducing team, in no way would I want the younger pitchers now having to take care of errors or worry about getting protection. So far he’s playing quite well compared to the other 3b in the league. And as far as defensively, defending Rolen’s shoes quite nicely.

Be open about any medical issues. Last thing we need is him hiding some pain and having him on the 15 DL because he didn’t talk.

Put contact on the ball. Most of his strikeouts are under the night game at home umbrella. If he continues to hit the ball and hard, they’ll start missing gloves. Doubles, HR, doesn’t matter. Just hit the damn thing.

He does that and as a player he’s ok in my book.

Side note:
Morris has been let go from the Pirates. Is a student of Duncan’s ways. Would love to see him be a pitching coach down in the minors. Springfield would be a good fit for him. Don’t know if he’d take the job or not.

Robby, I thought the exact same thing when I saw that Matty Mo had been released. He would look really good back in a Cardinal uniform at Springfield and might be considered as a replacement when Duncan does decide to retire (and YES that unfortunately will happen someday!).