Joe Strauss: OK, folks, we're back following some minor technical glitches at Joe Strauss Live!!! (I know you find that absolutely shocking, as do I.) The team is on fire, playing not only winning but compelling baseball. Monday's win in Colorado may rank as one of the five most exciting at season's end. Tuesday's performance by Rick Ankiel was compelling to say the least. The team is in the bottom tier of the league in home runs but leads in on-base percentage. It sounds like Whitey Ball all over again. Judging by the reams of questions sitting here, this is going to be a busy hour or so.
TEASER: JSL!!! is poised for a technological breakthrough next Wednesday, when there is an excellent chance that the ChatMeister will be joined by GM John Mozeliak. You may address questions to the celebrity of your choice with the two of us opining, arguing or even agreeing on your topics. Barring scheduling issues, this should offer even more than the wildly popular back-to-back chats during spring training. Stay wired to this site and the P-D for more info.... Let's Get it On!!!

Chris: Greetings Chatmeister extraordinaire,

Is there a reason for Yadi's early season slump throwing out runners? Has it been the pitchers fault, or is he not in a groove yet? (hopefully that beautiful throw Sunday night from his knees will help turn the numbers around)

Also, I wonder if all of these walks Pujols is receiving is actually a good thing because over the course of the year he will take less swings which will put less strain on his elbow which will keep him healthier longer.- Your thoughts.

Joe Strauss: Your question has been asked several times this year of clubhouse types. Their explanation is that pitchers are not giving Molina the same chance against baserunners. In some cases, especially with the relievers, that is true. Because he is rushing or because of some other factor, Molina's throws have not sizzled as in years past. Sunday's was a powerful reminder of what he can do. The club insists there is no health issue; meanwhile, other teams appear increasingly willing to test him. As for Albert, El Hombre takes hundreds of swings a day in the cage and pre-game. I don't know if getting two or three fewer pitches to hit a game is going to significantly effect the status of his elbow.

Paul: Joe,
You took my question on Schumaker a couple weeks ago, and I am a big enough guy to admit that maybe I made a mistake calling Schumaker an experiment. So with that said, my question today focuses on Izzy, any chance he is really injured like in 2006 and just hiding it like he did then. I was at the game friday night, and 89 over the middle of the plate will not cut it in the majors. Triple A maybe, any chance we see Chris Perez or McClellan closing games if Izzy continues to struggle?

Joe Strauss: Izzy was sore, not broken, after working 12 of the team's first 24 games. Tuesday night you saw Franklin work a save situation after Izzy had saved the previous two. That struck me as an admission that he is to be handled more carefully. This team may have a chance to contend deep into the season. Chris Perez will not close for a contender, folks. McClellan may get a shot when available. I don't sense the same circumstances as in 2006. It's a maintenance issue more than a medical one at this point.

Kat: Joe,
How are the All Star Ballots decided when it comes to the names being on the ballot? I would have thought that Skip Shumaker would have been on ours, as he is our lead off hitter. Ideally it would have had Skip, Ludi, and Ankiel (save me the write in) but it would seem he would have been the automatic and either Duncan or Ludi would have been left off. Also, it's getting harder to watch talent sitting on the bench while Duncan is playing (badly) in LF and his hitting is in decline. I would rather give up the extra homeruns and get the extra RBIs and extra base hits Ludi provides as well as his defensive quality. I am tired of hearing about how Duncan did in the past, he just doesn't seem healthy and maybe he should go work out his issues in Memphis and bring up Mather for awhile. He's like a speed bump in the line up and looks like he is playing a whole different game out there than the rest of the guys.

Joe Strauss: All-Star nominations are submitted before spring training. No conspiracy there. If you recall, Skip didn't begin batting leadoff until the second week of exhibition games. Duncan is becoming an issue. His glove is what it is. He is a "minus" outfielder despite the manager's claims of him being "average at worst." But Duncan is in the lineup to hit. So far, his power is missing, and that is cause for concern as he returns from double hernia surgery. Duncan is having trouble elevating pitches, which may suggest his left (power) side is not fully recovered. He also attempted a swing change in spring training that may have complicated matters. The club retains options on Duncan, but there has been no public consideration of sending him out.

Donal F. Mahoney: I'm a white man who reads Alvin Reid in the St. Louis American. For awhile now, Alvin has maintained that Cardinal manager Tony LaRussa has either a tough time working with black ballplayers or simply does not like them. Over the years I've not known enough agree or disagree with Alvin. But now I have to wonder why LaRussa plays Duncan ahead of Barton. True, Duncan has power but is a klutz in the outfield. We are told that Barton cannot make throws from the outfield, but he seems to be able to catch. For me, it's beginning to look like maybe Alvin's got a case. Barton seems to be worth playing if only for his speed and his ability to hit singles and doubles. As long as first base is not an option for Duncan, he seems more a liability than anything else. If he were not the son of the pitching coach and if Barton were white, which one do you think LaRussa would play more often. Basically I like LaRussa for the same reasons I like
Bobby Knight. But after Monday night's game in Colorado and Duncan's two errors, I thought I'd ask your opinion as to whether Barton sits because he is black and Duncan plays because of his power potential and his status as the son of a coach?

Joe Strauss: Sorry for the delays, folks. This has become a technological... well, let's keep it G-rated. This question involves race, the Cardinals and allegations of nepotism... a St. Louis Molatov cocktail. I haven't read Mr. Reid's article. I don't know what his basis is for such a suggestion, if indeed you are paraphrasing him correctly. I do know those are loaded insinuations to make about a person, especially without confronting him first. What's the crutch for Brendan Ryan, since he is not playing as much as many would like? I don't get it. Is this Barton's belief? (I haven't heard that.) Barton is a righthanded hitter who plays mostly against lefts. Duncan is a lefthanded hitter who rarely sees lefts. Ankiel is considered an everyday player, as is Schumaker for the most part. If anyone wishes to debate Barton's playing time, weigh it against Ludwick or, when seeing LH pitching, against Schumaker. If you want to say Barton should be facing RH pitching rather than Duncan, fine. Make the case. To paint it as a racial issue is completely irresponsible.
And what difference does it make that you're a white man, Donald?
Yours is a very serious accusation without anything to support it other than disagreeing with the manager's use of a player. If you find more, feel free to write again.