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May 02, 2012

The list, and the wait, grow longer

Dee Gordon hit the first home run of his career Tuesday. Gordon isn't know for his power; he's known for his speed. One day he'll probably tag up from second and score on a pop-up to shortstop.

Dee Gordon has more homers this year than Albert Pujols.

Jose Tabata homered for the first time this year Tuesday. With nine career long balls in 812 at-bats, that's about one home runs every 90 at-bats.

Jose Tabata has more homers this year than Albert Pujols.

Rafael Furcal went deep Tuesday for the initial time this season. He actually has more than 100 career home runs, maxing out at 15 in a single season twice, but he's always been known as a speedy (and oft-injured) leadoff hitter.

Rafael Furcal has more homers this year than Albert Pujols.

Cory Snyder, Gordon Beckham and Mark Kotsay all did something Tuesday they hadn't done before in the 2012 regular season. Care to guess what it was? Care to guess what it means?

Thus far, 252 players have hit at least one home run this season. Albert Pujols is not one of those players.

This is not a vengeful rambling of a Cardinals fan rejoicing in the pain of a former hero (though I am a Cardinals fan). No, this is an inquiry into when one of the great hitters in the game's long history will start performing as we all expect him to.

Sure, the signs of decline have been evident the last few years, with Pujols' triple-slash line steadily declining from .357/.462/.653 (1.114 OPS) in 2008 to .299/.366/.541 (906 OPS) in 2011. But last year's OPS+ was still a healthy 148; it's not like Pujols was Adam Dunn bad, where we weren't sure he'd ever bounce back. He still had 37 home runs in 2011, an identical number to his 2008 total.

Knocking the ball over the fence has never been a problem for Pujols, who "bottomed out" in 2007 with a mere 32 long balls. But for some reason—the pressure of his new contract, moving to a new league, having to spend too much time in perfect SoCal weather—that first home run has yet to clear the fence.

Now, we all know it will come, and when it does, it's likely Pujols will pull out of his funk and start shredding the ball as he typically does. But for now, it gives us a chance to speculate.

So, when will Pujols finally join the gaggle of players who have knocked a ball over the fence? Make your guess in the comments section, and we'll see who comes closest to predicting the date Albert Pujols' homerless drought died.

I'm going with Saturday, May 5, against Toronto's Kyle Drabek (though tonight's match-up against Liam Hendricks—WHO?—is enticing).
Posted by: Greg Simons

February 06, 2012

Super at the right time

The message may be: Never give up.

Or perhaps it's: We live in an age where mediocrity is good enough.

Over the past year in sports:
{exp:list_maker}The New York Giants won the Super Bowl after barely making the playoffs with a 9-7 regular-season record.
Alabama won the college football championship, such as it is, after not even qualifying for the Southeastern Conference championship game.
The Dallas Mavericks won the NBA championship after finishing second in their division.
Connecticut won the NCAA basketball tournament after going 9-9 in the Big East.
And finally, getting to our sport, the St. Louis Cardinals won the World Series after barely making the postseason, not winning their division and having only the eighth-best regular season record in the majors. {/exp:list_maker}You want purity or parity? You decide.
Posted by: Joe Distelheim

November 04, 2011

Bob Forsch career highlights

It’s been a rough week for former baseball players. First Matty Alou dies and then the next day news that Bob Forsch passes on at the far too young age of 61.

When this happens, it’s time to reflect on the man and his career. Others can do a better job than I on the former, but I can provide something for the latter.

Below are a list of his career highlights: his most important games, greatest (and worst) moments, and some of the stranger and more memorable events he took part in or for which he was merely an on-hand observer.

Here it is for the former Cardinals and Astros pitcher, with the events listed in chronological order:
Click for more...

Posted by: Chris Jaffe

November 03, 2011

Matty Alou career highlights

Recently, the world heard the sad news that former major league outfielder and 1966 batting title champion Matty Alou died at age 72.

The main tragedy is the loss of the person. Others can speak of that loss better than I (including THT's Bruce Markusen). What I can do is a career retrospective, some career highlights.

The list includes several types of games. There are the most important games he appeared in, some of the greatest games he saw, his personal highlights, some lowlights, and some of the stranger and more unusual things Alou was on hand for.

Here they are, divided up by teams he played for:
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Posted by: Chris Jaffe

November 02, 2011

Tony La Russa career highlights

You’ve probably already heard the news. Fresh off claiming his third world title, St. Louis manager Tony La Russa has decided to call it a career after five decades and 5,000-plus games as a dugout general.

In honor of his Hall of Fame career, let’s do something I’ve done for others this year upon their retirement, death, or Hall of Fame induction. Basically, whatever events can make us look back on their lives.

This captures the best games and greatest moments, as well as oddest events. Also listed are some of the most impressive moments by his best players—so expect to read the words "Pujols" and "McGwire" a few times.

Its not meant to cover everything—that would take too long—just the most important parts.

Below, for your perusal, is a look back at some of the highlights of his career, both as player and manager.

Click for more...

Posted by: Chris Jaffe


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