As 2012 winds down, it’s only natural to take a look back at some of the posts we wrote this year — and there were plenty to choose from since this is No. 449.

There also were plenty of you who read them, as we’ve had more than 40,800 visits from more than 24,300 people in the past 12 months. Just one thing to say to that: thank you!

So here’s a little trip down 2012 memory lane …

Remember that time in January when Roy Oswalt was going to be a Cardinal?

In addition to those magic words about pitchers and catchers reporting, February also brought a Yadier Molina contract extension and our very first Monday motivation picture post (of course featuring the new Cards manager!)

“Opening Day” are two more magic words for Cardinals fans — and this year’s home opener was extra special. Forget the rain and just focus on the great pictures … or some gushiness about the whole experience.

» Continue reading “A Look Back At The Cardinals 2012″

A tribute piece is often the hardest kind of story to write. How is it possible to, in limited space, recount the life of someone who left a mark so significant that it qualifies as legendary? How do you capture all the failures and all the successes? How do you include the controversies and raised eyebrows, with the moments of complete clarity? What about the strategy, the knowledge, the wisdom?

There are a million moments that make up those memories. A million stories that explain the legacy left. And yet, when it’s over, we’re burdened – and privileged – with the task of recalling each one, succinctly and eloquently.

For Tony La Russa, there was perhaps no better tribute – no better final farewell – than his night as the manager of the 2012 National League All-Star team.

From start to finish, it was classic Tony La Russa.

The gang was together for one last hoorah — an 8-0 NL winner!

First, the controversy. We’ve all heard it by now: failing to select Brandon Phillips and Johnny Cueto was an attempt at making the final move in the “Cincinnati Reds and Dusty Baker vs. St. Louis Cardinals and Tony La Russa” grudge match. Clearly.

Then there was the decision to start Matt Cain over R.A. Dickey. Not uncommonly, we heard echoes of “What is he thinking?!” throughout the baseball world.

But then there was Tony, calmly standing his ground.

Last night, he rallied a team that was undoubtedly the on-paper underdog and watched as they faced Mr. MVP himself, Justin Verlander. And, as so often happens on a TLR-led squad, things started to happen. Good things. Unheard of things. Things that led to a five-run first inning against arguably the best pitcher in baseball. Tony La Russa things.

Matt Cain pitched two scoreless innings. Pablo Sandoval broke the game open with a three-run triple in the first.

“Cain, Sandoval make La Russa look like a genius,” the headlines read this morning. » Continue reading “Tony La Russa’s All-Star Finale”

Earlier in the day yesterday, I was talking with a friend about how awesome it would be to watch your team win every game for the rest of the season. Of course that would be fun! Who doesn’t like winning, right? Unfortunately, just like they say about a journey of a thousand miles starting with first step, an epic winning streak starts with the first win.

And last night, it just wasn’t happening for the boys in red.

Freese wen 3-for-4 at the plate, but also had 2 of 3 Cardinal errors.

It was a game filled with little frustrations that led to big problems — initially, both ways. The Cards struck first in the second inning, scoring on a double by All-Star David Freese. But, that was after the Marlins’ first error of the night: a throwing error by Jose Reyes that allowed Allen Craig to move into scoring position ahead of Freese.

With Jake Westbrook doing enough to keep the Fish off the board, it looked — for a while — like things might continue going the Cardinals’ way. But, every time they had a base runner or two, they found was to leave them stranded. (I don’t know about you, but holding onto a one-run lead isn’t exactly the kind of scenario that calms my nerves these days!)

With plenty of chances to score going unused, the sixth inning was headed for disaster. In that inning, all I could think was, “Poor David Freese.”

I know, I know. They’re called errors because he should have made the plays. But four of five batters in the inning hit balls right at Freese. And after the wild throw in the first one, a slightly-less-wild and manageable-for-Descalso throw on the second one, you could just feel the tide turning. The second error cost a run. And there was still just one out. » Continue reading “Cards Can’t Capitalize On Chances Against Marlins”

Holliday’s in, but Molina is out.

Many people thought Matt Holliday should have been on the All-Star roster to begin with. Others believed some how, some way he’d end up on the team yet.

Well, he is officially on the 2012 All-Star Game roster. But, not under circumstances that ignite celebration like yesterday’s #FreesePlease campaign did. Holliday is in, but Yadier Molina is out, due to family circumstances.

According to Jenifer Langosch,

Yadier Molina, selected to his fourth straight All-Star Game, has left the club to return to Puerto Rico. His wife’s grandmother passed away, so Molina is heading home to spend a few days with family.

The Cardinals have placed him on the bereavement list and have called up catcher Bryan Anderson to fill Molina’s roster spot temporarily. The club does not expect to have Molina back until after the All-Star break.

Matt Holliday has been steadily building his All-Star case, after a less-than-spectacular start. He’s currently hitting .318 with a .397 on-base percentage, .526 slugging percentage, with 20 doubles, 14 homers and 56 RBI.

In the last 18 games, he has posted a .500 average while knocking in 21 runs.

It may not be the most ideal situation, but congratulations to Holliday. This will be his sixth All-Star Game appearance.

We also send our sincerest sympathies to the Molina family at this time.

I don’t quite understand the reason for, or point to, this. If they need to team up with anyone, why not the Royals and make Jonathan Broxton an All-Star in his home park? But, whatever. I’ll just post the press release I received from the Cardinals.

The St. Louis Cardinals and the Chicago White Sox announced today that they are joining forces to urge fans to vote for Jake Peavy and David Freese for the All-Star Game in Kansas City. Both players are on the ballot for the 2012 All-Star Game MLB.com Final Vote sponsored by Firestone underway through Thursday at 3 p.m.

“We are proud to join forces to urge our fans to vote to send Jake Peavy and David Freese to the 83rd All-Star Game,” said Jerry Reinsdorf, chairman of the White Sox, and William DeWitt III, president of the St. Louis Cardinals, in a joint statement announcing the Red, White & You ‘12 campaign alliance.

As part of the Final Vote, fans can vote to select the final player for each League’s 34-man roster. Fans can cast their votes from a list of five players from each League over the next few days and the winners will be announced after the voting concludes on Thursday, July 5th. Now in its eight year, fans again will be able to make their Final Vote selections on their mobile phones.

» Continue reading “Cardinals, White Sox Announce All-Star Balloting Alliance”

The All-Star game. The everyone-teaming-up-with-bitter-rivals game. The one that “matters now.” (And don’t you forget it! Thanks for the ever-so-inconspicuous reminders, Fox.)

But regardless of whether you’re #TeamShouldCount or #TeamShouldn’tCount, you have to admit, the All-Star Game is, simply put, pretty cool.

Once the broadcast starts and the teams line up along the first and third baselines to be announced, one by one, all that matters are the moments this night creates.

By now I’m sure you all know what happened. (If you don’t, the National League won. Prince Fielder hit a bomb, a few more runs scored, and our favorite Red went 0-1 and still snagged a post-game interview. Oh, and the Bearded Wonder from San Francisco got the save.)

Really, though, the All-Star Game is about creating moments — for both the players and for the fans. And this night had plenty of them.

The first was of the tear-jerking variety, as tribute was paid to the Arizona shooting victims from earlier this year. Special attention was called to little Christina Taylor Green and a moment of silence was held before the proceedings began.

Kudos to Major League Baseball for taking the time to remember and reflect.

But everyone was there for the baseball, so let’s get to it.

Never fails, watching the players line up to have their names called as members of the American or National league teams always gets to me. Despite the last minute flip flopping and suspicious cop-outs, the field was full of stars thrilled to have that moment, and they were soaking it all in.

All three Cards All-Stars seemed to make the most of their 2011 All-Star trip.

Of course, once the Cardinal All-Stars were announced, my attention was fully focused on them. Lance Berkaman was his usual chatty self, caught on camera more than once gabbing with whomever was in ear shot! This personable side of him is what has made LB such a great teammate to our Cardinals this year!

Matt Holliday isn’t the boldest personality on the team, but even he couldn’t hold back the grin. The home run derby disappointment couldn’t keep the kid in him from living up another All-Star experience! After spending some time injured, it’s nice to see Matty just enjoying himself.

And Yadier Molina. Oh, Yadi … who doesn’t love him? As soon as he was introduced at the start of the game, the Cardinal Twitterverse erupted with simultaneous ”YADI!” tweets. We sure are lucky to have a superstar catcher as committed to this game — and his team — as Yadi is.

We really had three of the most likable All-Stars there could possibly be! » Continue reading “2011 All-Star Game Filled With Shining Redbird Moments”

There will be another familiar Cardinals face in the starting lineup at the All-Star Game tomorrow night: Matt Holliday was named the left fielder today, taking the place injured Ryan Braun. Holliday joins Lance Berkman, the starting right fielder.

According to Matthew Leach, LB will bat sixth and Holliday seventh in the National League lineup.

Another interesting tidbit from Leach:

It will be the second time in an All-Star starting lineup for Holliday, who batted sixth as the right fielder for the NL in 2008. Coincidentally, that was also Berkman’s last start — he was the National League’s first baseman at Yankee Stadium.

For an up-to-date look at all the All-Star roster subtractions and additions, check out All-Star Shakeups on Around the Horn.

Tonight, of course, Holliday is busy as well since he’s one of the participants in the Home-Run Derby. He joins Prince Fielder’s team, along with Matt Kemp and Rickie Weeks. They face off against the David Ortiz-led team that includes Jose Bautista, Robinson Cano and Adrian Gonzalez.

» Continue reading “Holliday Now Starting In All-Star Game”

Fans of Stan Musial and the St. Louis Cardinals still have time to vote for his 1955 walk-off homer as the greatest moment in All-Star history.

Stan's 1955 All-Star Game walk-off home run is in the final round of the MLB greatest moment in All-Star history

It was the 12th All-Star Game for The Man and he was first up in the 12th inning in Milwaukee with the game tied up 5-5. He promptly ended the game with a walk-off home run for the National League.

Stan would play in 12 more All-Star Games. That 24 All-Star Game appearances is the most in Major League Baseball. This is an obvious vote for any Cardinal or Stan The Man fan!

Stan’s heroics are up against Cal Ripken Jr.’s 2001 performance in his final All-Star Game. Cal was voted in to play third base; Alex Rodriguez, however, insisted Cal play shortstop. Cal also had a blast of a home run in the American League’s victory.

Go to this link and cast your vote! NOW! You have until Saturday to cast your 25 votes.

It’s a good day for the LB Fan Club, as Lance Berkman is one of National League starting outfielders for the All-Star Game. Quite the comeback for him so far this season … as we well know.

Matt Holliday, who had been among the leading outfielders in the last week’s voting totals, was named an NL reserve, as was Yadier Molina.

Congrats to all three Cards All-Stars!

Not named to the team at all was Albert Pujols, who also had been the leading first-base vote-getter last week. Prince Fielder is the NL starter, while Joey Votto is a reserve.

Also not named was Kyle Lohse, despite his 8-4 record, 2.78 ERA and second-best-in-the-NL 1.03 WHIP (tied with Roy Halladay, by the way).

Find more on the Cards All-Star selections here:

• Cardinals.com
• STLToday.com
• Fox Sports Midwest

Find the complete list of 2011 All-Stars on Around the Horn here.

The All-Star Game is Tuesday, July 12, at Chase Field in Phoenix.

Is anyone else a little jealous that the Cardinals have every Monday in June off? Yes, they work a little differently than the rest of us and, yes, their days off mean no Cards baseball for us to watch. Still, think about it — every Monday off for a month!

With the day off, here’s a quick look at some of the latest Cardinals news. Grab a cup of coffee and read on.

First, YAY CUBS! I know, I know … but, thanks to the Cubs beating the Brewers 1-0 last night, the Cardinals move into a tie for first. Miranda asked us yesterday to hope for the best from the Cubs, and so far they’re not letting us down.

Speaking of the Brewers again (which I don’t like to do), Ryan Braun has passed Albert for the top vote-getter in the All-Star race. Ryan Braun — no! This is not acceptable. At all. Even if the All-Star Game is still a month away! Albert is still leading at first base, plus Lance Berkman and Matt Holliday are the leading outfielders along with Braun. Yadi is in second place for catchers, and Matthew Leach breaks down voting totals more here. Still, the point is clear: VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! (And don’t vote for Ryan Braun!)

» Continue reading “Catching Up After The Off-Day”