Joe Strauss: The clock strikes 1 p.m. CST on a Wednesday, high tide for those who've spent the last week waxing down their boards in preparation for climbing atop the Tsunami that is Joe Strauss Live!!! Judging by your questions and comments, Baseball's Best Fans (c. St. Louis Cardinals Marketing, LLC) are rather perturbed by Tuesday's turn of events against the wild card-leading Milwaukee Brewers. The balloon party planned by broadcast rightsholders after a four-game sweep of the SD Padres in July has been placed on hold. Only 29 games remain. The season is increasingly becoming a study in simple math. It's getting real. On top of that, St. Louis is preparing for Saturday's Mizzou season opener of what ESPN has classified college football's softest "cupcake" schedule. (Where have we heard that before?) Time's a'wasting. The ChatMeister senses the perfect wave. Time to board up and hang ten. Let's Get It On!!!

Rich McIntyre: A Card's fan since his first 1956 trip to Sportsman's Park at the age of 3 surfs the wave for the first time...... and after last night, feels dead inside. Hammered, punched in the gut, left at the alter. Oh, the humanity!!!

Joe, are we fooling ourselves on Colby Rasmus and is it time to consider packaging as part of a trade? For someone who was supposed to come charging out of the minor league gates, he isn't happening (unlike Brett Wallace). I know, I know, patience..... but when does patience and hope turn to cutting the best deal you can now? I have this uneasy feeling, similar to when Reyes could have been traded for real value. Tell me I am old and senile, that my mind is clouded with Cardinals of the past... but I am not seeing the second coming of Stan Musial. Straighten me out, oh wise one! (And thanks for these....)

Joe Strauss: YOu're never too old to ride the wave, Mac, as long as the wet suit fits. You are among legions of ChatHeads voicing their angst over the club's apparent decision to have Raz' play winter ball rather than NL ball. I never worshiped at the alter of Raz' as the Second Coming of The Man. Those who anointed Rasmus in such a way bear the responsibility of unreasonable expectations, not the kid. Rasmus dealt with much after being sent out in March. He thought he did enough to make the big league. (Statistically, he did. But it ain't necessarily about stats in March.) He fell into a mental funk while also adjusting to Triple-A. He dealt with some personal stuff. (Nothing bad.) His family got involved in a controversy involving some Internet postings. Finally, Raz' gets straightened out and is ticketed for Beijing only to damage his MCL. He's barely old enough to drink. I would never tell you you're old and senile, Mac (though you might start out surfing from the gold tees), but lets keep some perspective. I expect Raz' will start next season at Triple-A and arrive quickly if his performance dictates. He hit a speed bump this season.
That said, some interesting calls regarding the outfield await. Ludwick, Schumaker and Ankiel have shown they belong. Little Dunc' will be back from neck surgery. Raz' would make for LH-hitting OF bats. You assume one will eventually go.

J.Brad: JSL!
a.k.a. Herr Chatmeister der supreme,
Would you agree or disagree that this is one of Don Tony's finest managerial jobs in his HOF career?
Would you agree or disagree that if STL doesn't make the playoffs in some form (wild card, division) that it falls squarely on Mozeliak becasuse he and his bosses didn't make a move to at least re-energize the team for the stretch run?
I'm sure Tony would play a few games a little different if you asked him, but in my opinion he has squeezed just about every ounce of effort he could hope for out of this team. I hope they make the postseason because they have been one of my favorite Cardinal teams to watch in quite awhile. I like this team even better than the 06 squad even though they brought home the ring.
Thanks for your input!
you da man
Brad in TN.

Joe Strauss: I thought TLR did a primo job in 2002 holding that team together. He then wrung 100 wins from a 2005 team devastated by injuries to core position players. I'd rank this year perhaps third to those, but still good enough for him to warrant MOY consideration. (He wins if the Cardinals make the postseason.) To lay responsibility for an October miss on Mo' and ownership is natural but simplistic. First, this team is significantly better than the '07 model and, because of injuries in '06, probably as good as the team that won the World Series. For 132 games, the Cardinals had the league's third-best record after many perceived this team in a "transitional" phase during spring training.
True, the club did not answer the Cubs and the Brewers at the trade deadline. It was written here that inactivity would cost the club credibility points among some quarters of its fan base. However, it is fair to say another LH reliever would not be enough to bridge the talent gap with the Cubs or the matchup problems against the Brewers. A fan base that pays premium prices should expect a premium product. Agreed. But at some point every franchise must retool. Ask the Braves and the Yankees. I would advise the fan base to watch what happens next winter. If you feel patronized by ownership and the front office, it's your right to vote with your wallet. But I don't buy into the belief that this club intentionally tanked its playoff push.

51 redbird: How much closer to the Cubs and Brewers would the Cardinals be if they had Harden and Gaudin and the Cubs didn't? How much more difficult will it be for the Cardinals to consistently be the best team in the NL Central when Cuban's money is paired with Jim Hendry's moxie? Too bad the birds aren't for sale, I think.

51 redbird

Joe Strauss: As I was saying.
If you want to criticize the club for over-rating the return of Mulder, Wainwright and Carpenter, have at it. That's legitimate. But if you believe the Cardinals should have turned out the farm system for a mega-deal, especially one involving an injury risk such as Harden, you're going to experience interference.

tc22: Joe,

Todd Wellemeyer has been pitching very well and shows great potential for next season. He already has pitched over 150 innings this season. Are the Cardinals worried about over working him down the stretch considering he's already doubled his career high in innings pitched? I know I am!

Joe Strauss: What a prescient question, since Wellemeyer stalled after returning for Tuesday's 7th inning after throwing 100 pitches. Wellemeyer has pitched effectively lately, as his record indicates. However, Tuesday may have qualified as a "push" since he was backed by a rested bullpen with the heavy part of the Brewers' lineup approaching.