tone-dog: It seems to me, based on what I've read in the PD, that Glaus really doesn't want to play ball and that the team is really pushing him to do these rehabs. Is that the way you see it? Did he have problems here last year that makes him so hesitant to be here or to want to return quicker?
Thanks.

Joe Strauss: The team needs to find out soon whether Glaus will factor this season. His upcoming return to Florida signals the approaching time for the club to fish or cut bait, so to speak.

tkarst: Great to ride the wave. I don't understand all of the FO bashing. Great outcries were heard last year when the Cards didn't make any moves at the trading deadline, but none of the players that the team was interested in went anywhere. Not much happened over at the deadline. The logical conclusion is that the asking prices were too high. Mo made a great move in trading Rolen for Glaus. Is he supposed to have a crystal ball to be able to tell that Glaus would be injured a year later? The bullpen was a problem, so it has been made over and is doing an effective job. The problem is that many are under performing. Is that Mo's fault too? I love Ankiel and Duncan, but they are embarrassing to watch. They are both nearly helpless at the plate. How much longer can Tony keep them in the lineup?

Joe Strauss: This team is built on the premise that guys like Ankiel and Duncan will produce. If not, the season becomes more of a struggle. That's the facts, Jack. They remain in the lineup unless TLR believes he has better options. For now, those options aren't obvious.

Terrapin03: Joe -
A recent review of 2009 game results confirms the Cards are 8-4 on days the Chatmeister unleashes the phenomenom known as JSL!!! for us little people. Given the superior winning percentage of JSL days compared to non-JSL days, don't you think it's about time you get the front office on board with an incentive-based 3 days/week JSL contract, perhaps with a 4th day vesting option to improve the team's playoff chances? Could this be the "impact deal" Cardinal fans have been clamoring for?

Joe Strauss: Your research is impressive and your suggestions about a potential kickback system most intriguing in such uncertain economic times. No doubt the ChatHeads' on-target inquiries and the penetrating insight provided here at JSL!!! provide short-term answers and inspiration. But since it's a marathon and not a sprint, the season demands regular reinforcement. Hey, we'd come cheaper than Holliday.

BradV: Do you think Carpenter hurt his chances as a possible All Star selection? If so, don't you think Franklin could be a selection. How sad would it be for STL to only have 2 representatives at an All Star game that we are hosting? Granted, as long as I see El Hombre get some substantial playing time, it will be worth what I paid for the tickets....

Joe Strauss: I believe Carp' or Franklin will make the squad but doubt both can. If not for indifferent support, Carpenter would be a lock. If not for too few opportunities, Franklin would be there as well. Just remember: This Time It Counts!!!

Huffaker: Chatmeister, a certain someone in the local radio media claims that "LaGenius" batting the pitcher 8th is one of the main culprits of the cardinals losing as of late. I decided to run some numbers (through 30-June):

#Games pitcher batting 8th\Avg runs per game: 39 \ 3.54
#Games pitcher batting 9th\Avg runs per game: 34 \ 5.09
#Games DH\Avg runs per game: 6 \ 5.83

Pujols RBIs Per Game batting 8th\Team Record: 0.69 \ 18-21
Pujols RBIs Per Game batting 9th\Team Record: 1.06 \ 19-15
Pujols RBIs Per Game DH\Team Record: 2.33 \ 4-2

The team scored 1.5 runs per a game, has a much better record, and Pujols averages .35 more rbis per a game while the pitcher is batting ninth. I thought the whole argument was that it was suppose to allow Pujols more rbi opportunities? Do you think there is something to this? Or do you think the statistics are largely reflective of the outfield offense becoming ineffective and Tony starting to bat the pitcher 8th at the same time? For nearly the whole month of April, the pitcher batted 9th.

Joe Strauss: Most appreciated. Since this is a live format, I haven't had the opportunity to run your numbers. But since they square with the ChatMeister's contention that a conventional lineup is just as good if not better, here it is. My argument has long been that TLR never has batted the pitcher eighth when he fielded a dominant or even very good squad. It returned during 2007. The Cardinals are virtually a .500 club since. Thanks for posting. I'll back-check the research and send the findings to Bird Land.