La Russa getting a DUI in Spring Training, losing Chris Carpenter after the first game of the season, having 4 of the 5 starters from the World Series team leave the team, the death of reliever Josh Hancock, injuries to key players like Scott Rolen, Jim Edmonds, the disappointment of Kip Wells, Anthony Reyes and Adam Kennedy, Juan Encarnacion getting hit in the face with a foul ball on deck, and now Rick Ankiel accused of taking HGH in 2004.
YES, they are in a weaker division but they still have fought their way back in this race. I don't think there's anyone else besides La Russa who could have a team still playing inspired.
2007-09-07 02:20:31 · 10 answers · asked by Js_5 5 in Sports ➔ Baseball
I agree. It certainly demonstrates the difference LaRussa makes to the team.
I believe they will certainly make it to the playoffs too.
It was such a disappointing race all summer and then, WHAM! - here we are one game out! Absolutely amazing!
BTW, I think they should get out off Ankiel's face about the HGH. It was a legal substance at the time --- and it is not steriods. My doctor says it's mostly amino acids...........Good Grief............Pat Boone did commericals for the stuff!
2007-09-07 02:26:43 · answer #1 · answered by fanofchan 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Cardinals would be 8 games back in the NL East, 7 games in the NL West and fergeddaboudit in the AL-East-13.5 GB, Central-10.5 GB, West-12.5 GB.
They are 1 game over .500.
The team in front of them was one of the worst in the Majors last year.
The Mets went without Pedro, and with injuries to their players. Of course, Willie is not stupid enough to get caught DUI.
The Yankees have done what they have done with mostly young, inexperienced pitchers doing the bulk of the work. They have had long stretches of injuries to Giambi, slumps by Matsui, a poor first half by Abreu.
Encarnacion was just hit in the face last week, where were the Cards before then, and Ankiel's accused of taking drugs several years ago, not suspended and lost for any time because of it. He is having a comeback, it is not like he is losing game upon game as he did in the playoffs. LaRussa's situation was in spring training. So, what impact is that really having on anyone. Losing Josh Hancock hurt, but there are quite a few of the 17 clubs with better records who lost players, although none as seriously as Hancock's, and lost some for long periods of times.
As far as disappointments, Pronk has been nowhere most of the year for the Indians, and look where they are. If the Cardinals were that good, Lou Piniella would not have taken a team from the cellar to the penthouse, and the Brewers dive after the All Star Game would have them mighty scared, not in a tie for 1st place.
So far, the Cardinals have fought their way back to being a .500 ballclub, with the 18th best record in a 30-team MLB, after being WC's last year, so where exactly is the amazement? Because the teams with the 1 game lead are tied for the 13th best record in the MLB speaks about how poor that division is doing, not how great the Cards are.
2007-09-07 10:27:46 · answer #2 · answered by sirburd 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
They haven't fought themselves anywhere into the race. The race fought themselves back to the Cards.
As for LaRussa's DUI, it's a non-factor, like Ankiel's HGH accusation (which was just released). Player movements, injuries, and disappointments happen to all teams. So, the only thing the Cards really had to overcome, was Hancock's death, which unfortunately, they had some experience in handling from Kile's passing.
Anoint them all you want, but if Milwaukee would have played .500 since the break, this would not have been a question to be asked.
2007-09-07 09:49:39 · answer #3 · answered by Vaffanculo 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The Cardinals have the toughest remaining schedule of the 3 teams competing for the Central division crown. The odd are against them making it again this year but 2 factors weigh in their favor. The Brewers are young and inclined to press too hard for victories therefor costing them some. And the Cubs, even though they resemble the Yankees (almost $400million spent in the last 6 months), are still the Cubs!
2007-09-07 10:36:40 · answer #4 · answered by vidtel5 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yeah LaRussa has done a nice job it speaks more to the weak division that they play in. They would be 8 behind the Mets and 7 behind Arizona. They are VERY fortunate to be playing in the worst division in baseball.
2007-09-07 10:51:05 · answer #5 · answered by hurricanes 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wait - so now it is ok for people to take HGH, just not Bonds?
This is not about the drunk LaRussa. It is about a bad division. That is all. They would not be in contention in any other division.
2007-09-07 09:44:22 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No because if the Cardinals were in any other division they would be out of contention by now.
2007-09-07 10:42:14 · answer #7 · answered by red4tribe 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is why I believe LaRussa should be manager of the year in the NL.
2007-09-07 10:34:59 · answer #8 · answered by Frizzer 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The cincinati bengals of the MLB, i still want them to take the NL.
2007-09-07 10:24:14 · answer #9 · answered by rhuzzy 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
All it tells me is how weak the NL Central is.
2007-09-07 11:33:49 · answer #10 · answered by The Mick 7 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋