Focus on the positive, right?

Joe Kelly’s first major league performance went very well today. His outing lasted into the sixth inning — he was lifted after allowing a lead-off single. In five innings, he allowed one earned run on a sacrifice fly and gave up seven hits while striking out four and walking only one.

The rest of Cardinal Nation had the chance to see what Tara and I and other River Bandits fans have known for two years now: the kid can pitch. He seemed comfortable out there, and worked his way out of a couple of minor jams.

Couldn’t really ask for much more from him today.

Then there was the rest of the game.

Well …

Marc Rzepczynski pitching a scoreless inning! Yes, an entire inning this time! Only allowed one hit. Victor Marte and Mitchell Boggs had scoreless innings as well.

Oh, and Carlos Beltran hit a homer — his 18th, adding to his National League lead.

Let’s see, what else …

Hey, did I mention Joe Kelly? How about those glasses he has?

» Continue reading “Joe K Strong In Major League Debut”

I was just telling someone the other day, I love when an athlete or, in this case, an organization looks outside of themselves enough to know that, when the have the eyes of the world on them and the platform of opportunity at their feet, they can do something remarkable for someone else.

The Cardinals do that in many ways, including their recent stop to visit war veterans while on their whirlwind Washington, D.C., adventure (read Miranda’s recap here).

However, it seems that giving philosophy isn’t just an organization thing.

Jon Jay is set to host what is shaping up to be quite the event in Miami Beach this weekend, the proceeds of which go to a special, local organization called the Chapman Partnership.

While we’re used to seeing strikes thrown by our baseball heroes, this time even the power hitters will be hoping to strike out. Because that’s how you win a bowling tournament.

The event, creatively named the Jon Jay Celebrity Bowling Challenge, will be held at Lucky Strike Lanes in Miami Beach on Saturday, and it sounds like it will be some party. Baseball stars, celebrity guests, eating, drinking and being merry … But, of course, as any good event does, it all starts with the red carpet entrance. » Continue reading “Cardinals’ Jon Jay: Event Planner, Bowler Extraordinaire”

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”