DG’s 10@10: The Mourning After
TOWER GROVE — In a city that can treat baseball like college football — right down to the raucous, hearty and wonderful tailgates that surround Busch Stadium — no wonder there’s such agonizing this morning. One loss means already means no BCS bowl for the St. Louis Cardinals this season.
But this was more than one loss. It was deja vu.
There are 161 more games to go and a loss in Game 1 does not a season ruin, but there were so many culprits from last year’s fourth-place finish that showed up again on Monday that it’s impossible to ignore. Two blown saves. Ten men left on base. Four base hits and an error needed to produce two runs in the third inning. No knockout blow. A lefty reliever stuck with a blown save. And so on.
As the regular season gets going here and the Post-Dispatch’s ever-expanding online coverage of the Cardinals grows stronger with the muscle of Cardinal Beat, thought it was time to try something new here at Bird Land, too. Inspired by Bernie Miklasz’s “5 Minutes” and borrowing from the newsletter’s day planner, here is the 10@10. Each weekday when there’s a game, in the 10 o’clock hour I’ll try to bridge the gap from the day before to the game ahead with tidbits, anecdotes, stats links. Ten things. Anything goes.
So, here goes:
- The headline, of course, is Jason Motte’s troubled first appearance as the Cardinals’ unnamed but de facto closer. What stood out was Adam LaRoche’s comments after the game. (You can read them here.) He said Motte is going to have to find a second pitch to get three outs in a major-league game. Motte spent all of spring training showing that he had command of an effective slider, and two of the outs he got last night were on the slider or setup by the slider. He just didn’t throw it often. According to MLB.com’s pitch-tracking system, of Motte’s 29 pitches, 23 were 95 mph or more. Twenty-one were 96 mph or better. LaRoche saw three pitches. They were 97, 98 and 97. It was clear the Pirates were timing Motte. Others will, too.
Loading …- The Cardinals, as you’ve no doubt heard, had 31 blown saves last season to lead the National League. They have retaken the lead with two already this season. The Cardinals first blown save of last summer came on Opening Day. The second one? Not until the 12th game of the season, in a victory against San Francisco.
- Check out the new look of the ever resourceful Baseball-Reference.com.
- David Freese made his major-league debut in the 7th inning of yesterday’s game. Freese is a native, and a graduate of Lafayette High. It is the second consecutive Opening Day that the Cardinals have had a St. Louisan make his major-league debut. Hazelwood West’s Kyle McClellan did a year ago.
- With his single in the third inning Monday, outfielder Ryan Ludwick extended his hitting streak to 12 games. Hitting streaks are technically tracked from one season to the next, though franchise and league records make a distinction between hitting streaks within one season and hitting streaks that bridge two seasons. Ludwick also hit the go-ahead home run last night, and manager Tony La Russa has an interesting choice facing him tonight: Ludwick is 1-for-11 with six strikeouts and no walks against Pittsburgh’s scheduled starter, Ian Snell. That could be the opening for Colby Rasmus to make his major-league debut.
- Certain to appear in the starting lineup tonight is Skip Schumaker at second base. Schumaker is 10-for-22 with one strikeout against Snell, and he has a hitting line of .455/.478/.545. Two others who hit Snell particularly well: Albert Pujols, 14-for-33, with four home runs and three strikeouts, .424/.513/.848; and Yadier Molina, 9-for-23, with a line of .391/.517/.609.
- Got a question about this on the Twitter feed (dgoold). In yesterday’s edition of USA Today, the paper had its annual and helpful audit of all of the major-league opening day payrolls. The study points out that about half of the teams had a drop in payroll from 2008 to 2009, and that Cardinals are clearly in that camp. Just not to the extent that USA Today details. The total payroll for the Cardinals, according to USA Today’s report, is $77.6 million. Colleague Joe Strauss was able to do some detective work and discover by that report’s total is so different than the low-$90-million payroll he calculated (correctly) a few weeks ago. USA Today has a missing digit: A “1″. They have Troy Glaus’ salary listed as $1.213 million. The missing one goes at the front — $11.2 million. Throw in Adam Kennedy’s salary and there’s the difference.
- There is no official estimate of batting-practice home runs, but using the grids put together by John Vuch and Sig Mejdal for Busch Stadium, is possible to come up with a rough guess on how far Albert Pujols’ home run went Sunday. (That homer was described in the previous Bird Land.) The estimate: 475 feet to 485 feet. If it had been in a game, that would be the longest home run hit by a Cardinal at Busch III — by more than 30 feet. Quick note: Pujols fungo’d a ball about as far last year at the ballpark.
- The highlight of Opening Day, no doubt: Stan Musial’s appearance. With the All-Star Game coming to St. Louis this summer and Musial being an all-star All-Star, how would you like to see Major League Baseball and the Cardinals honor The Man at the Midsummer Classic?
And there you have it. The first 10@10. Comments welcome. We’ll see how it works.
I can start by getting it posted closer to, um, you know … 10.
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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. 
love the new segment, DG. by the way, the post was early on the east coast!
also, it’s way too early to dismiss this kid (motte) off. give him the freakin ball again and let’s see how it goes.
Wow! Imagine that. A paper owned by CNN making huge errors! LOL. Glad to see the support for Motte. I feel the same about him today as I did before the game yesterday. We have something special here.
have as many of the top 50 all-time ballplayers at the game to honor stan. also bring alony sandy koufax and show the man’s last homer of his career against koufax to dead center in chavez ravine. also, don’t let fsn midwest have any part in the ceremonies.
Ditto…petition MLB to honor Stan the Man at the All Star game!!!!!!
No Musial on the FSN pregame. Sad……
I think the world of Stan Musial, but the Cardinals should also honor their greatest shortstop, Marty Marion, who was a perennial All-Star and baseball’s Most Valuable Player in 1944! Marty was the central presence of the Cardinal teams which played in the World Series in 1942, 1943, 1944, and 1946, and which stayed competitive as long as he was with the team. It is sad the way the city, the media, and the team have slighted Marty over the years, so honor him NOW!
It’s one game. I have more confidence in the team both on offense and pitching this year compared to last year. No one talks about the golfer’s tee shot landing in the fairway bunker on #10, but the 10 foot putt that didn’t fall on #18 will be a week long topic. It’s the same with the Cardinals. It takes nine innings to complete a game. Give Motte the ball again when he’s physically ready. I have confidence in the pen this year, even the lefties.
I’m sure Stan-the-Man will be at the ASG in some capacity if he can make it there, but why wasn’t he on FSMW’s pregame coverage? The idiots cut to a commercial break as he was being introduced! COMMERCIALS OVER STAN MUSIAL, FOX SPORTS??? INEXCUSABLE!!!
like the feature derrick. here’s #11 for you: the last time the Cardinals lost an opening day game in which they led headed into the 9th inning was in 1992, at home vs the mets. the losing pitcher? lee smith. he gave up the tying run in the 9th and the 2 winning runs in the 10th.
You do not change your mind on a young kid after one game. Plus, Motte will be as good as the rest of this team. If Carp stays healty, a big if, you only have two major league starters on the roster plus a .213 hitting shortstop protecting Pujols. This club is going to need a bunch more than a closer.
Give him the ball again- there’s nobody else willing to step up. I think with some more confidence, he’ll be ok. Opening day jitters, or just being the guy on the spot, may have led to some control problems.
I like the new piece Derrick. These interesting tidbits make for a quick read and get straight into interesting points…perfect for the internet! I say go with Motte again. He will hopefully adjust.
Great segment. It’s the 1st game of the year but it hurts more than the 64th game of the year because there is so much build up for it. Let’s get it going and take 3 out of 4 from the Pirates and all will be forgotten.
The Cardinals need to do something along the lines the Red Sox did at Fenway with Ted Williams. I realize that that was in honor of the All-Time Team, but Stan deserves just as much recoginition as Ted did. I’d try to get as many HOF’ers not just Cardinals, here as possible,as well as many of his old teammates as well and make The Man the centerpiece of the pregame celebration. By the way I agree with flyerdog11, FSM coverage of the pregame yesterday was horrible, and topped off by leaving out Stan’s enterance and the first pitch of Stan to Red to Albert, what a choke job. I’d waited all winter to enjoy the festivities and they royally screwed it up from missing the Clydesdales to Stan.
Casey1024: “Wow! Imagine that. A paper owned by CNN making huge errors! LOL.”
Casey, USA Today is a Gannett paper. CNN is owned by Time Warner.
See how easy it is to make errors sometimes?
Motte is going to be fine. If there is a culprit in yesterday’s loss, it is in the front office. It seems they have gone back on their word to pay the bucks to get the best talent on the field. Motte WILL be the best, but he has been thrown into the lion’s den right now. Card fans will keep on coming(and ownership knows that), but shame on ownership for going back on their word.
Give him the ball again tonight. What I love most about this guy is that he might be a psycho. I want to see how he would bounce back. If not, I like the idea of McClellan more than I do the idea of bringing Franklin or Kinney into the role. This is a problem we can afford to have in April and May. If this persists, the FO better be willing to move some important parts to get a lock down guy for the pen.
Oh,by the way….Fuentes set the A’s down in order yesterday to get his first save. Gee, wasn’t this the guy that Tony told the Cheapskates he wanted????
Two things.
No need to panic about Motte yet. His reaction in his next appearance will tell us if that is needed.
ABSOLUTELY the Cardinals should honor Stan the Man and everything he has done for this organization. This shouldn’t even be a question.
I think the main thing with Motte is that they don’t let him sit too long before they use him again. If a save opportunity arises again in the next 3
games then use him in that capacity but they should make sure he pitches at least once more against the Pirates even if it isn’t a save situation.
Motte is NOT a closer. Get Over It. MOTTE will NEVER be a closer. GET THAT INTO YOUR HEADS NOW!!!! Chris Perez is the closer, Chris Perez has always been a closer, Chris Perez KNOWS HOW TO CLOSE GAMES!!!! Cardinals fans are in for a long season unless they figure out that Motte is an 8th inning guy (CANT HANDLE HE PRESSURE AND WONT BE ABLE TO ON A REGULAR BASIS) Where as Perez (and yes I agree he needs to get that off speed pitch sharper) is a closer always has been a closer and will be the closer of the future (AND SHOULD BE RIGHT NOW). I am not saying that he wouldnt have blown that game he very well might have. My point is that with Motte we will not have a very good season. The Cards should be 1-0 not 0-1 and its sad to look at. On a side note WHAT HAPPENED TO THE DAY PITCHERS USED TO GO 7-8-9 INNINGS ON A REGULAR BASIS (ALMOST EVERY TIME THEY PITCHED) Is that not something that people want anymore. Lets see…. MLB has more injuries to SP in last 5-7 years than hte 15 before it (I know probably an exajuration but in terms of MAJOR injuries I am pretty sure its accurate). I believe it has a direct corilation to the Limiting the Innings and Limiting the Pitch counts (I can recall the time 120 pitches were REGULAR) and I know that limiting it is supposed to protect these guys but clearly it is not. it is causing a lot more injuries than it is helping. In the end they need to come to those 2 conclusions and change the stratagies.
Hey,
I like! I’ll look for it before every game. Now, what will it take to get you to listen and maybe add a mention of my podcast? It is the only regular podcast dedicated to Cardinal Nation and I’m interviewing Doug Feldmann next Sunday. Give a listen:
http://www.redbirdsofafeather.com or get it from iTunes. Keep up the good work regardless.
I think the survey underscores the reaction from the majority of fans - IT’S JUST ONE GAME! AND THE SEASON OPENER AT THAT! Your (sports writers) take on the blown save is a little overanalytical. It’s the first game out of the gate! Give the team a chance, sheesh!
I can’t believe Motte was booed yesterday. That is terrible.
I like the 10@10 feature, Mr. Goold. Very much.
Good stuff DG. Another segment I can look forward to reading everyday. As for Motte, TLR just needs to give him the ball again and prove his worth to the club because we know he has it. He just needs to throw his slider more, thats what it came down to yesterday. He got hammered because he didnt mix his pitches and A. Laroche gave a hint to Motte in how to be successful. I cant wait until he takes the ball again.
http://buschshouseofcards.blogspot.com
Great. Looks like a fantastic add to your coverage here. I like it a lot.
And, yes, the booing of Motte as he exited the field was terrible. Just terrible.
like the 10@10
motte will be alright, if he uses his 2nd pitch.opposing hitters will let him know that.
THANKS DG!! Some more innovative good stuff!
If Cardinals would have spent the money on Felipe Lopez they wouldn’t have had to worry about 2nd base. We could have traded one of our outfielders and a minor league player for some bullpen help. Once again they were afraid to spend the money to keep a good infielder and end up with less than average at the position.
No need to panic…yet..still believe we have the team to get it done..Solar Pons..Gulfport, MS
Hey Derrick,
rhetorical question since i’m not willing to investigate the answer…
how many times have two players from the same hometown playing for their hometown team entered a game on a double switch(thus at the same time)?
I like the new feature, too, DG. Will look forward to it on game nights.
Agree with the posters about the booing of Motte. It was shameful. Gosh, if we can’t support our young rookies, who can we support? Motte certainly deserves more time. Who honestly expected a closer with a 100% save rate? Puhleeaase…
Musial should be honored no less than Ted Williams was honored at Fenway in ‘99. Get the mayor, the governor, heck even the President to declare Stan Musial Day and then showcase him for all he’s worth (and he’s worth plenty). If he has to be carried in a sedan chair, it’s still worth it to have baseball’s finest living player (and person) showcased to the world.
i like the new feature!
DG-
As always, good stuff. I appreciate you substantiating your thoughts with game performance. The Cardinals purist cry foul if you speak anything but loyalty and a 1st place finish…but the reality is baseball is a tough sport…and a very long season…especially for rookies…and considering the Redbirds as a team couldn’t produce a clutch hit last year, it leaves the door wide open for skepticism this year (especially when you consider what changes have made to the pitching staff).
I do think this year’s team is better offensively (time will tell) than lasts…but the jury is still out for the defense and pitching staff. The inability to produce clutch hits coupled with the lack of a shut down 9th inning guy…well last year it resulted in 31 blown saves. We’ll see what it equates to this year. JM will have you think he hung the moon putting this squad together.
The booing is ridiculous. I almost got into it once with a team of drunks who were booing Steve Kline at the time. Kline got hammered and you’d think we were in the bleachers at Yankee Stadium. How absurd…you know? Because Steve Kline got up that day and decided he was going to serve nothing but softballs come game time? Come on…so he didn’t have his stuff…it happens to EVERY pitcher. I have no problem calling managements BS when they feed lip service to the fans…but to boo your own team? Jack Buck must roll in his grave every time.