Albert Pujols Trades Big Bat for Bigger Gun
By Chad Garrison in Apropos of Nothing, Baseball
Tuesday, Feb. 9 2010 @ 10:16AM
 |
| Ryan Franklin looks happy to have Pujols on his side. |
Post a Comment
Post a Comment
Whitey Herzog Doesn't Want to Talk About the Past, Closes Door on New York Times Reporter
Tuesday, Feb. 2 2010 @ 11:29AM
 |
The Times notes in its coverage yesterday how both fans and former members of the Cardinals "family" have mixed feelings about McGwire and his legacy. Former Cardinals slugger Jack Clark and manager Whitey Herzog have both publicly denounced McGwire.
Now Herzog seems to be stealing a line from "Big Mac". The former Cardinals skipper doesn't want to talk about the past.
Can the Negro Leagues Museum Survive the Recession?
By Aimee Levitt in Baseball
Tuesday, Feb. 2 2010 @ 9:30AM
 |
| Wikimedia Commons |
| Buck O'Neil, Kansas City Monarchs manager, first black coach in Major League Baseball and founder of the Negro Leagues Museum. |
Strike one: The recession, which is hurting museums all over the country, but the Negro League Museum, which runs largely on donations, took a huge hit this year thanks to a precipitous drop in licensing revenue. The museum has not finished its accounting for 2009, but one staffer told Associated Press that it could be facing a deficit as large as $200,000.
Not Quite "Air Pujols," Extremely Limited Nikes Still Anticipated by Sneakerheads
Tuesday, Feb. 2 2010 @ 7:00AM
 |
| Photo via Sneakernews.com |
| The soon-to-be coveted Albert Pujols sneaker, which comes out February 10. |
When Pujols' Nike signature sneaker hits shelves on February 10, boutique sneaker shop R~Sole will have about a dozen pairs for sale as part of a two-pair package-deal, says manager Joe Wilson. (The other pair of shoes is a 20-year reissue of Bo Jackson's 1990 sneaker.)
But unlike Kanye, whose Air Yeezys were released nationwide over the summer, Pujols just doesn't have the street cred of the musician or Michael Jordan, whose clout continues to this day: the reissue of Jordan's "Space Jam" sneakers in December caused a riot in Atlanta and long lines here in St. Louis.
Click through for larger photos of the shoe and more details...
Look for Busch Stadium Grass Seed in Hardware Stores Soon
Thursday, Jan. 28 2010 @ 8:08AM
 |
| Coming soon! Busch Stadium grass seed. |
The deal has a special perk for St. Louis baseball fans. As part of the agreement Scotts Miracle-Gro plans to soon offer for sale seed blends of five major league ballparks -- one of them being Busch Stadium.
Yep, by April -- maybe even as soon as March -- you'll be able to head to the local hardware store and pick up the same blend of grass seed that Cardinals head groundskeeper Bill Findley uses at Busch Stadium.
Yesterday, Daily RFT had a chance to ask Scotts brand manager John Price about the grass seed and whether or not it may have other uses besides providing consumers a pretty lawn.
Question to Cardinal Nation: Is Mark McGwire the Next Thomas Eagleton?
By Ellis E. Conklin in Baseball, Follow That Story
Tuesday, Jan. 26 2010 @ 12:37PM
 |
Current ballplayers and Hall of Famers alike have turned against him, in many cases, quite bitterly. Ex-Cardinal great and Fox Sports Midwest analyst Jack Clark has no use for Big Mac, nor has Whitey Herzog, or even Adolphus Busch IV, who recently called both the steroid-using confessor and Tony La Russa, his most ardent defender/protector, liars.
It's gotten so awful that influencial baseball writer-commentator Peter Gammons went so far as to write that the situation "has all the feel of Tom Eagleton."
Tom Eagleton? Now there's a new take on the whole sordid affair. Really, Tom Eagleton? A history lesson might be in order, especially for you youngsters under, say, 50 years old.
Chris Duncan Signs With Washington Nationals, Celebrates at With Washington Monument
By Unreal in Baseball, What's Chris Duncan Dry-Humping This Week?
Monday, Jan. 25 2010 @ 6:01PM
Bon voyage, Chris!
 |
Brad Pennies(TM) Rare Mark McGwire Mis-Pressing!
By Unreal in Baseball, Brad Pennies (TM)
Friday, Jan. 22 2010 @ 4:30PM
 |
For links to the full set (so far) of Brad Pennies(TM), click through to the jump...
Mudcats No More: Spoon River College Ditches Mascot After Minor League Team Threatens to Sue
By Aimee Levitt in Baseball
Tuesday, Jan. 19 2010 @ 2:30PM
Well, okay, it would make sense if you ignore the fact that a mudcat is, technically, a bottom-feeder. But it sounds scrappy. And sort of cool.
So cool, in fact, that news of the Spoon River Mudcats traveled as far as Zebulon, North Carolina, home of the Carolina Mudcats, the Cincinnati Reds' AA affiliate. Apparently the nickname Mudcats can only be used once in all of sports, professional or collegiate. Or so the Carolina Mudcats claim.
 |
"It's not like we're trying to be the Grinch who stole Christmas, it's just that we think right is right, and that's our mark," Steve Bryant, owner of the Carolina Mudcats, told The Chronicle of Higher Education. "We feel like a mark is a valuable asset, and if it's diluted across the country then it's not as valuable."
Or maybe Carolina was just upset that Spoon River's interpretation of the mudcat mascot was cuter than its own Muddy the Mudcat. In any case, they threatened to sue.
Gratuitous Cardinals' Winter Warm-Up Photo of the Day
By Unreal in Apropos of Nothing, Baseball
Monday, Jan. 18 2010 @ 4:37PM
 |
| Photo: Emily Good |
| Kevin Meyer displays a helmet large enough to fit the swollen head of even the most egotistical Cardinal, save for that arrogant bastard Fredbird. |
Brad Pennies(TM) Special Mark McGwire Collectors' Edition!
By Unreal in Baseball, Brad Pennies (TM)
Monday, Jan. 18 2010 @ 9:00AM
 |
Are You Team Ripper or Team Juicer?
Friday, Jan. 15 2010 @ 6:38PM
Steve Phillips, Baseball Broadcater Fired Over St. Louis Tryst, Still Makes Call in MLB 2K10
By Nick Lucchesi in All-Star Game, Baseball
Thursday, Jan. 14 2010 @ 3:40PM
 |
| Steve Phillips in the broadcast booth. |
Early previews for MLB 2K10 report that the voices of Phillips and former Philadelphia Philly John Kruk are in the game.
Video game blog Kotaku smartly points out that it was probably too late to nix Phillips' voice from the game by October, when the story of his extramarital affair hit the papers and blogs.
2K10 hits stores on March 2 with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays' Evan Longoria as this year's cover-player. Photo after the jump.
Canseco to McGwire: "Hook Yourself to a Polygraph and Call Me a Liar!"
By Chad Garrison in Baseball, Follow That Story
Wednesday, Jan. 13 2010 @ 6:30AM
 |
During his steroid confession Monday night to Bob Costas, McGwire denied the claim, saying that Canseco made up the story to help sell his book.
Yesterday Canseco fired back at his former "Bash Brother" during a radio interview on ESPN Chicago.
Said Canseco:
Replacement for Mark McGwire Highway: Honor Prince Joe!
By Tom Finkel in Baseball
Tuesday, Jan. 12 2010 @ 4:48PM
 |
New York Times Analyzes McGwire's 'Roids Reveal Strategy, Finds it Sound
Tuesday, Jan. 12 2010 @ 1:49PM
 |
So sayeth the New York Times anyway.
McGwire's reveal -- which, it must be said, surprised absolutely no one -- was orchestrated by crisis-communicator Ari Fleisher who, in his previous gig as President George W. Bush's press secretary, had plenty of practice denying and then confirming insidious rumors that most sentient beings already knew to be true. (See: Weapons of mass destruction do not actually exist in Iraq.) To do this without a trace of shame is truly a remarkable skill.
Of course, McGwire's confession would not generate much sympathy (unlike, say, Roger Clemens) if he didn't appear slightly ashamed.
Mark McGwire Now Ready to "Talk About the Past", Issues Statement on Using Steroids
By Chad Garrison in Baseball, Follow That Story
Monday, Jan. 11 2010 @ 3:29PM
|
The statement came a week after Cardinals manager Tony La Russa stated publicly that McGwire needed to discuss steroid allegations prior to stepping in as the team's batting coach this spring.
Bob Costas will interview McGwire on the subject tonight at 7 p.m. on the MLB Network and MLB.com.
Following is the entire statement McGwire issued today:
Brad Pennies(TM) Special Christmas Edition Ha'Penny!
By Unreal in Baseball, Brad Pennies (TM)
Friday, Dec. 25 2009 @ 12:07PM
Brad Pennies(TM) Make No Cents!
Monday, Dec. 21 2009 @ 3:29PM
 |
| Dave Duncan's got him a penny in his pocket! |
Freese Fact-Check: How Many Beers Does A .232 Blood-Alcohol Content Make?
Thursday, Dec. 17 2009 @ 11:45AM
 |
According to this nifty "physiology, alcohol and the human body" chart from St. Louis-based Intoximeters, a blood-alcohol content of .232 indicates the boozer's at the "stage of confusion."
Slightly better than "coma" and "stupor," but worse than "euphoria" and "excitement," sayeth Intoximeters.
So how many beers does it take to reach the apogee of confusion?
According to Intoximeters' equally nifty "Drink Wheel," way more than seven.
Assume Freese still clocks in at 220 pounds, and take a lil' spin on the wheel yourself. Our calculation comes after the jump, along with the police report.
The Drink Wheel
On-Line BrAC Calculator
Behold: An Inexpensive and Engaging Use for Ballpark Village
Tuesday, Dec. 15 2009 @ 12:43PM
Like the design of the new Busch Stadium, the plan harkens back to the good ol' days of baseball. Ladies and gentlemen, we submit to you the Playograph!
 |
| www.uniwatchblog.com |
| A New York City crowd gathers around a Playograph in 1911. |
A Warm Unreal Welcome to New Cardinals Hurler Brad Penny!
By Unreal in Baseball, Brad Pennies (TM)
Friday, Dec. 11 2009 @ 5:36PM
 |
| Pick a nickname for this new Cardinal? We like to call him Brad "Penny" Penny! |
Congrats, White Rat! Whitey Herzog Elected to Hall of Fame
Monday, Dec. 7 2009 @ 3:25PM
 |
Herzog, who retired in 1990 after compiling a .532 winning percentage as a manager over an 18 year career, noted today that he and Harvey often disagreed.
"It's strange because Doug kicked me out of more games than any other umpire," Herzog said this morning at press conference at Busch Stadium.
Herzog recalled how he and Harvey especially disagreed on when to call a game during foul weather -- with the umpire often waiting until a downpour forced a postponement.
"[H]e was a very good umpire just the worst damn weatherman," opines Herzog on mlb.com.
The always matter-of-fact Herzog also griped today that his Hall-of-Fame vote was anticlimactic.
Dock Ellis' Acid-Tripping No Hitter (Video)
By Nick Lucchesi in Baseball
Friday, Nov. 13 2009 @ 9:15AM
 |
| Dock Ellis' rookie card from 1969. |
Dock died on December 19 of last year, but not before Kevin McAlester of the Houston Press could write this detailed feature story, aptly titled "High Times," about him.
Below is an brand-new illustrated video by James Blagden that recalls Ellis' memories of that day, brought to you by NoMas TV -- with audio of Ellis telling his story, in his own words.
To call Ellis' retelling funny or memorable is just selling this gem short. Check it out after the jump...
How FOX and Major League Baseball Can Really Support Our Troops
By Tom Finkel in Baseball
Thursday, Oct. 29 2009 @ 4:56PM
 |
The celebration included appearances by First Lady Michelle Obama and Second Lady Jill Biden, as well as a stirring rendition of "God Bless America" performed by U.S. Army Sgt. Mary Kay Messenger of the West Point Band.
Commendably, welcomebackveterans.org has bestowed a reported $5.8 million in grants, according to MLB. And FOX cameras' repeated shots of uniform-clad servicemen and -women sitting in pairs around spiffy new Yankee Stadium were, well, made for TV.
But how's this for an idea: If Major League Baseball really wants to share the World Series love with our military corps, howzabout they invite 52,325 of 'em to take in a World Series game at Yankee Stadium, instead of just a photogenic handful? Now that would be a sight -- especially with StubHub scalpers asking untold thousands for seats.
Commendably, welcomebackveterans.org has bestowed a reported $5.8 million in grants, according to MLB. And FOX cameras' repeated shots of uniform-clad servicemen and -women sitting in pairs around spiffy new Yankee Stadium were, well, made for TV.
But how's this for an idea: If Major League Baseball really wants to share the World Series love with our military corps, howzabout they invite 52,325 of 'em to take in a World Series game at Yankee Stadium, instead of just a photogenic handful? Now that would be a sight -- especially with StubHub scalpers asking untold thousands for seats.
Albert Pujols Says Comments Were Indeed Lost in Translation -- Again!
Thursday, Oct. 29 2009 @ 1:00PM
 |
| Wikimedia Commons | shgmom56 |
| El Hombre, misunderstood All-Star |
In a nutshell, somewhere in the translation from Spanish to English, Pujols inexplicably cold-shouldered the Cardinals' widely anticipated off-season efforts to ink a contract extension. (Pujols' current deal covers 2010, with a club option for 2011.)
This morning Pujols was interviewed by FOX Midwest sports anchor Pat Parris and St. Louis Post-Dispatch sports columnist Bryan Burwell on St. Louis sports station WXOS (101.1 FM), who asked the first baseman to clarify his remarks.
Here's P-D columnist Bernie Miklasz's rundown of the exchange:
Mac is Back! La Russa to Install Mark McGwire as Cardinals Hitting Coach
Monday, Oct. 26 2009 @ 8:29AM
 |
| A triumphant return for Mr. McGwire? |
La Russa and McGwire are old friends dating back to their days with the Oakland A's in the 1980s and early '90s. It was with the Cardinals, though, that McGwire's homerun swing took off with the first-basemen hitting 70 dingers in 1998 to smash Roger Maris' longtime record of 61. La Russa has also remained a staunch McGwire apologist following allegations that the slugger's hitting prowess was aided by steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs.
What a Twit! Tony La Russa Embraces Social Media He Once Sued, Joins Twitter
Thursday, Oct. 22 2009 @ 11:11AM
 |
| TLR's mugshot on Twitter |
As you'll recall, the Cardinals skipper sued Twitter back in May, when he discovered someone was passing himself (or herself) off as La Russa on the popular social media site. The lawsuit alleged that Twitter was damaging the trademark rights to La Russa's famous name.
The legal claim was soon dropped, however, when it became evident that La Russa didn't stand a chance of winning the suit, thanks in part to federal laws that prevent websites from being held accountable for what their users post online.
Following the suit's dismissal, a rumor circulated that La Russa agreed to settle the case after Twitter made a sizable donation to La Russa's Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF). But that wasn't true. The case was settled without any monetary compensation, according to reports.
We bring this last tidbit up, because ARF is all that La Russa has tweeted about thus far on his account.
St. Louis: Great Place For Sports Figures to Launch Disastrous Affairs
Wednesday, Oct. 21 2009 @ 4:22PM
 |
| Steve Phillips |
Consider baseball player Ronnie Belliard. The current Los Angeles Dodger was with St. Louis for three (maybe four) months back in '06 -- enough time for him to get caught up with a psycho who later tried to extort the ballplayer on false claims that he impregnated her.
Now its ESPN baseball analyst (and former Mets general manager) Steve Phillips. Phillips was in St. Louis this summer when he first began an affair with a 22-year-old ESPN production assistant named Brooke Hundley.
We'll let Hundley tell you the details of their St. Louis tryst via an excerpt of the "Fatal Attraction" letter she recently left Phillips' wife. We'll call it, "Strike One."
Albert Pujols' Comments Lost in Translation -- Again?!
Monday, Oct. 19 2009 @ 4:36PM
 |
| Wikimedia Commons |
The thing was, when the story washed up on American shores, the English-language media spun it as if Pujols were a sore loser, brandishing red-flag headline terms such as "snubbed."
Well, to paraphrase the great Yogi Berra, it seems like déjà vu all over again. In an interview aired on Dominican radio this past Wednesday, Pujols was asked about the status of negotiations for a contract extension with the Cardinals. He's not worried about it, Pujols responded, and "not desperate" to sign. He added: "I would like to end my career in St. Louis."
Two days later, when the story made headlines in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, it was as if "not desperate" was tantamount to "not interested":
Albert Pujols' comments surprise St. Louis Cardinals
reads the headline on a story by Joe Strauss that appeared in the October 16 edition of the Post.
Writes Strauss:
