It’s a monumental day in Aaron Miles’ Fastball history. This is our 1,000th post since the site began on Jan. 5, 2011.

First off, thanks to each of you for reading. It’s very much appreciated. Without you, sharing our thoughts on the St. Louis Cardinals isn’t nearly as enjoyable. And we like hearing your thoughts as well — posts that generate discussion are always good.

Looking back, it’s been quite a ride over the past 26 months.

We began a month or so before spring training 2011, coming off the disappointing 2010 season, and were wondering in the very first post how to adjust to liking the newly signed Lance Berkman and Ryan Theriot after hating them for so many years. (One was easy and resulted in the LB Fan Club. We really did try with the other one … but gave up as soon as we could. Although, just a reminder: Ryan Theriot will forever be a two-time World Series champion. But let’s hope not three …)

» Continue reading “An Aaron Miles’ Fastball Milestone: Post No. 1,000″

With Lance Berkman signing with the Texas Rangers, he’s now officially an ex-Cardinal. And though his career as a Redbird was only 177 regular-season games, he certainly made an impact — especially during the 2011 season, when we here at AMF quickly created the LB Fan Club for the former-enemy-turned-hero.

So, as a tribute, here’s a look at some of our favorite LB photos and moments. (In addition, check out the great stories here.)

Thanks for the memories — and see you back at Busch Stadium with the Rangers on June 21.

» Continue reading “Cardinals Monday Motivation: Farewell, Lance Berkman, Edition”

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″

It’s been quite a while since we’ve had a Matheny Monday post, so there’s no better time to continue the tradition than right now.

So here you go — some pictures of Cardinals manager Mike Matheny (and a couple other sadly-no-longer Cardinals) for a nice and easy way to begin your week.

» Continue reading “Matheny Monday: Off-Season Edition”

Last night’s 1-0 St. Louis Cardinals victory over the Cincinnati Reds didn’t necessarily mean much.

The post-season schedule was determined earlier in the afternoon when the Washington Nationals clinched home-field advantage for the playoffs, setting up the National League Division Series match-ups. The game time for tomorrow’s wild card playoff was announced hours before as well. (It’s 4 p.m. Central in case you haven’t heard yet.)

But the win was plenty meaningful.

And Shelby Miller’s first major league start was almost something to really remember — even though the 42,000-plus who were at Busch Stadium and those watching on television won’t soon forget it.

It’s not often a starting pitcher has one hit, let alone two, before he gives one up to the opposition. Yet that’s exactly what happened. Shelby doubled in his first at-bat in the third and singled in the fifth — yet the Reds first hit, and only one he allowed, was a two-out single over Ryan Jackson’s head by Wilson Valdez in the sixth.

In addition to shutting down the Reds offense, Shelby also struck out seven — including five straight in the fourth and fifth innings: Joey Votto, Ryan Ludwick, Jay Bruce, Scott Rolen and Drew Stubbs (with a Ryan Hanigan hit-by-pitch between the latter two).

» Continue reading “Shelby Miller Shines In First Major League Start”

Hello, Lance! The LB Fan Club has missed you so much!

Looks like you’ve missed us too …

If you had to guess a St. Louis Cardinal who’d be responsible for an epic April Fool’s Day prank, Lance Berkman would likely top your list.

And that’s exactly what LB did yesterday.

He was behind an elaborate joke giveaway during yesterday’s Grapefruit League final game — with Adam Wainwright’s truck as the prize.

The details, courtesy of Derrick Goold:

Before the top of the third inning, a white 2009 Chevy Silverado drove out onto the warning truck of Roger Dean Stadium as the pa announcer detailed how that truck — that very truck — would be given away to a fan in the stands. They could take ownership of the truck as it reached the home dugout.

A name was announced, and the father and son ran gleefully toward the Cardinals dugout to take their prize.

The truck was Adam Wainwright’s.

The whole hoax was setup by Lance Berkman.

He was driving.

Berkman poked his head out just as the winners climbed into the bed of the truck. Wainwright did a double-take as the truck drove onto the field, but he never emerged from the dugout, moving instead back to the bench and out of view as his teammates looked to him for a reaction.

Those weren’t just any fans who “won” the truck, either. They were in on the joke too — since they were David Freese’s uncle and cousin.

» Continue reading “Dude, Where’s My Truck?”

With spring training inching ever closer, the news about the St. Louis Cardinals is slowly picking up.

And which was more exciting yesterday — that a truck was loaded up with the Cardinals equipment ready to head south to Jupiter, Fla., for spring training or that Scott Linebrink was signed to a minor league contract with an invite to major league spring training?

B.J. Rains of Fox Sports Midwest definitely got the scoop on the truck contents. In addition to the usual uniforms, shoes, bats and balls, he discovered that the 18-wheeler:

also includes 24 cases of bubble gum, 21 cases of Starbucks coffee, eight cases of Frosted Mini-Wheats, three cases of granola and ten boxes of laundry detergent.

Thanks for that update …

As for Linebrink, Joe Strauss reminds us of this tidbit from 2011: he threw the pitch that fractured David Freese’s hand last May in Atlanta. Ouch.

Speaking of the Freeser, he was one of the honorees at the University of South Alabama’s inaugural First Pitch Banquet on Tuesday night. The Pensacola News Journal and Alabama.com have the full story.

» Continue reading “Catching Up With The Cardinals: Saturday Edition”

Dear Lance,

This isn’t the first love letter I’ve written you — looks like I wrote one after last year’s Winter Warm-Up and also on your 35th birthday last February — but much has happened in the interim. To say the least …

Yeah, your first season in Cardinal red was more successful than any of us could have imagined, right? An All-Star. Comeback Player of the Year. The spark who got the team rolling in April, and kept them rolling in May and June. Such a big factor in the team’s march through September and October. The most clutch hit of your life in a certain game none of us will ever forget. Then, one night later, two more indelible moments.

First, this. Your reaction to the final out of the World Series — it’s difficult to describe how truly awesome it is. Genuine. Real. Then, the picture above (which looks better when you click on it for the larger version). Such pure joy, as that one thing you’ve been playing your entire career is now in your hands.

It already makes me anxious to see your reaction when you get your ring in a few months.

» Continue reading “Cardinal Love Letter: Lance Berkman”

The 2012 season is arguably one of the most anticipated Cardinal Nation has seen in many, many years.

A new manager in Mike Matheny after longtime manager Tony La Russa decided to retire after leading the Cardinals to their 11th World Series Championship. The  loss of Albert Pujols. The leave of absence taken by Dave Duncan.

And then, there are the anticipation factors … Adam Wainwright will be back; can David Freese actually have a completely healthy season and what kind of greatness will that bring; the good pieces of the bullpen from the end of last season plus the addition of J.C. Romero and Motte as The Closer having a full season together; will Tyler Greene do better with Matheny; what about Descalso; a full, healthy season with Furcal; The Animal Whis… Holliday stepping up as the leader of the team; Berkman at first; Beltran … and and and will they bring #12 in ’12?

See … there is a LOT to look forward to this season.

Sure, I have listed what all I am looking forward to this season. But to nail it down to one thing, it would have to be the anticipation of how this will all work out!

I have no dread … I am really looking forward to this season.

So I of course posed this questions to my Cardinal fan friends on Twitter. » Continue reading “What Are You Most Looking Forward to in the 2012 Season?”