Wednesday, January 24, 2007

More on Bush and Cards

Bush Praises World Champion Cardinals

Here's the full transcript of President Bush's remarks.
THE PRESIDENT: Thanks for coming. It's great to welcome the 2006 World's Series Champs, the mighty St. Louis Cardinals, to the White House. (Applause.)

I appreciate the fact that members of the United States Congress have joined us. I see members from Missouri. (Laughter.) Senators, members of the Congress and House. I see a senator from Kentucky, Hall of Famer, Big Jim Bunning, glad you're here. Appreciate you all coming, thanks and welcome. (Applause.) I'm glad to see the former Attorney General, John Ashcroft. Thanks for joining us, John, appreciate you coming. (Applause.) Mr. Secretary, I thought you were a Texan.

SECRETARY JACKSON: I am a Texan, but I lived in St. Louis.

THE PRESIDENT: Oh, you lived in St. Louis. (Laughter.) Alphonso Jackson, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development is with us. Thanks for coming, A.J. I appreciate very much that the Lieutenant Governor, Peter Kinder, has joined us today. Thanks for coming, Governor, appreciate you coming. (Applause.)

Rob Portman, I thought he was a Cincinnati Reds fan -- it's amazing what victory does to the -- (laughter.) Everybody likes a winner. (Laughter.) I appreciate you coming. Last time that Tigers and Cardinals -- the first time they met in a World Series was in 1934, Franklin Roosevelt was the President, Dizzy Dean was the star. (Laughter.)

And now the Cardinals are back after an unbelievable season. You know, I featured myself as a baseball guy at one time. The Cardinals now have won 10 World Series. That's 10 more than the Texas Rangers have ever won. (Laughter.) Fortunately, it doesn't depend on ownership -- well, I take that back. (Laughter.)

They say in baseball in order to become the World Series champ, you can't have losing streaks of over two or three games. (Laughter.) This club had losing streaks of -- one eight-game losing streak; another eight-game losing streak; and a seven-game losing streak -- which really speaks to the character of the baseball team, doesn't it? I mean, it's a team that -- (applause.) And I think it speaks to the character of the manager, Tony LaRussa, and his staff. (Applause.)

When you're on one of those losing streaks, it's easy to get down and to forget the goal. So, like, I'm sure the sports pages were a little rough on you for a while there, you know? How can they possibly endure yet another eight-game losing streak? Well, you endure it as the result of character and leadership.

I had the honor of welcoming Tony and Dave Duncan and DeWitt and some of the other ones to the White House in August. And I was kind of looking at them, and they were looking at me, and I was trying to figure out whether I was looking at the winning team. And after they left -- I haven't had a chance to share this with Tony LaRussa -- I was convinced the Cardinals were going to go all the way. You know why? Because he was. Because he believed it. And I appreciate good leadership. And I appreciate the fact that not only is LaRussa a fine manager and a fine man, I appreciate what he does for the community in St. Louis, as well.

Character in the dugout is one thing, character in a community is another. I don't know if you still do this program, but somebody told me the other day that there is a program where they match a -- you know, dogs that need an owner with somebody that needs help, from having a pet around. It turns out, a pet can help somebody deal with a mental illness. And Tony LaRussa has combined his love of animals with his deep concern about people who suffer for the embetterment of the community.

And so this is a team of character. And it's got a team of really good owners, too. How do I know? Some of them were my business partners at the Texas Rangers. If you ever need a good, honest business partner, pick Bill DeWitt. He knows something about baseball. He was raised in baseball. But he is one of the sharpest business minds in the United States of America, and I'm really proud for him and his family to be here today to receive the accolades.

I want to thank the other owners that have joined us today. Fred Hanser and the Ambassador. Thank you, Ambassador, for being here -- Brauer. I appreciate my friend, Mercer Reynolds, joining us, too, as well. I congratulate you all.

DeWitt would be the first to say that the owners support a good front office, and you can win, and that's why Mark Lamping and Walt Jocketty are important to recognize, as well. And I appreciate the leadership they've had. (Applause.)

I appreciate the players. Let me say something about the MVP. They said, he can't hit. (Laughter.) They said, he can't throw. Listen, David, I've made a career out of people underestimating me. (Laughter and applause.) Or as I like to sometimes say to keep them on their toes, misunderestimating me. (Laughter.) But I do congratulate David and the team.

When you overcome the odds this team overcame, you've got to play as a team. And they did. And I appreciate not only what you did on the field, I appreciate the character you also show off the field. I appreciate the charity events that you attend. I thank you very much for supporting the Cardinals organization's efforts to be good community partners in St. Louis and greater St. Louis.

You've got a huge fan following, as you know. Matter of fact, when I was growing up in Texas, the only games we used to get were St. Louis Cardinals games. That was in the '50s -- see that was before your time. (Laughter.) It made me a baseball fan. (Laughter.) It made me a Stan Musial fan. (Applause.)

But it also made me appreciate the value of the St. Louis Cardinals. And the Cardinals have got a fantastic fan base. And you maintain a fan base by being good citizens and winning games. And this club knows how to do both.

Before I bring somebody else up here to the microphone, I had the honor of going to Walter Reed the other day to thank our soldiers. I ran into Lance Corporal Chad Watson of the United States Marine Corps. He was wearing a Cardinals hat -- I think you were wearing a Cardinals hat. And I said, first, thanks for serving, and thanks for giving of yourself to secure this country. I then said, are you a Cardinals fan -- kind of one of those, no-duh questions. (Laughter.) Kind of running out of something to say. And he said, yeah, I am. I said, well, I'm going to have the Cardinals to the White House, and if you're a Cardinals fan, why don't you come and join us. And he kind of looked at me like, "check is in the mail, isn't it?" (Laughter.)

But I was serious and so was he, and I'm proud to welcome Chad Watson and his mother, Gina. (Applause.) You never know where you're going to find a St. Louis Cardinal fan. (Laughter.)

And now it's my honor to bring to the podium, DeWitt -- Bill DeWitt. He doesn't like to give speeches -- do you?

MR. DeWITT: Thank you for having us here, Mr. President.

THE PRESIDENT: You do like to give speeches. (Laughter.)

MR. DeWITT: You said be quick, so we'll be quick. We have a little memento of the occasion here, a jersey from the world championship team, the World Series logo on it --

THE PRESIDENT: Yes, right here.

MR. DEWITT: -- '06, so you'll remember the year we were here, and Bush --

THE PRESIDENT: Yes, so I remember who I am. (Laughter and applause.)

Taguchi signs deal

So Taguchi has signed a one year deal with the Cardinals. The club has an option for the 2008 season.

Rumor has it that Scott Rolen and Tony La Russa are still having some issues with each other.

Three current Cardinals are on the Scout.com's list of the all-time Top 40.

Tuesday, January 16, 2007

More Cards news

It's the offseason and posting is still light.

Dennis Dove, a pitcher, is on the 40-man roster.

Mark Mulder will remain a Cardinal. This is such awesome news!

The Cardinals are to meet with President Bush today. Pujols won't be there as he is on a humanitarian trip.

Bernie on McGwire.

Mark McGwire is proud of his career.
"I had an absolutely wonderful career that I am very proud of," McGwire said Friday as he signed autographs at a charity event benefiting the Orange County Abuse Prevention Center. "I'm not in control of what happens -- I was in control of hitting the ball."
Scott Rolen is the good ol' Rolen.

The Cards are still interested in Jeff Weaver.

What was rumored at the start of the season became official yesterday. The Cards will host the 2009 All-Star Game.
"One of the nicest parts of this job is going from city to city," Selig said. "It's nice to say each city had great fans, but I've said it before and I'll say it again: This is a remarkable baseball town with remarkable people. There can't be a better baseball town in America and I can't tell you how much I enjoy coming here."

With that, Selig told the sold-out crowd of 1,700 that as a measure of major-league baseball's appreciation to the city of St. Louis, Busch Stadium will host the 2009 All-Star Game.

The decision was expected and gives St. Louis its first All-Star game since 1966, the first year the old Busch Stadium opened.[...]

The new Busch Stadium opened last April across the street from where the old stadium stood, hosting a World Series champion in its first year of operation. During the National League championship series, Selig said it was very likely St. Louis would be granted the 2009 Midsummer Classic.

"2009 will be a great year to have the All-Star Game in St. Louis," said Cardinals owner Bill DeWitt Jr. "The Ballpark Village should be up and running, and with everything going on downtown by 2009, this will really be a showcase for major league baseball."

Selig was in town to accept the J. Roy Stockton/Bob Broeg Award for Outstanding Achievement in Baseball.
Lots of humor this past weekend at the 49th annual St. Louis Baseball Writers' Association of America Dinner.
"When he heard I was going to accept the award, he said he was going to jump on a rocket and try to get here ahead of me," La Russa joked, referencing the supposed rift between he and the All-Star third baseman.

"In any case, I love Scott Rolen."

Chris Carpenter received the Darryl Kile Award, which is voted on by the Cardinal players

The dinner -- one of only three of its kind in baseball (Boston and the New York Yankees are the others) -- honored the 2006 World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals, past World Series teams from 1982 and 1967, and many others.[...]

Besides Commissioner Bud Selig's announcement of the 2009 All-Star Game coming to Busch Stadium, other highlights of the dinner ceremony were:

• Introducing members of the 1982 World Championship team, Ricky Horton asked former catcher Glenn Brummer what possessed him to steal home against the San Francisco Giants in the bottom of the 12th inning on Aug. 22, 1982.

"I'm just here for the Bud Light," said Brummer, making reference to the popular beer commercial and drawing howls from the crowd.

• Rollie Stiles, the oldest living major-league baseball player at age 100 who played from the St. Louis Browns from 1930 to 1933, received the Dr. Robert F. Hyland/Rick Hummel Meritorious Service to Sports Award.

"Now I have something to tell my grandchildren," Stiles joked.

Asked what it was like to face Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig, Stiles said, "I'll tell you how I felt: I was in the wrong profession."

• Relief pitcher Adam Wainwright received the Jack Herman/Joe Ostermeier Award for Rookie of the Year. Wainwright had three saves in the postseason, striking out New York's Carlos Beltran to win the NL championship series and Detroit's Brandon Inge to clinch the World Series.

"I see that film and it doesn't seem real," said Wainwright after watching a video montage of his accomplishments. "It makes it more special that I can accept (this award) in a town like this."

That prompted master of ceremonies Mike Shannon to crack "If you keep throwing curveballs like that, you'll get a lot of awards. What a dynamite pitch."

Wainwright's strikeout of Beltran was voted the most memorable moment in New York sports for 2006 by the New York Daily News.

• After a film clip was shown of Bruce Sutter striking out Milwaukee's Gorman Thomas for the final out of the 1982 World Series, Sutter said "That definitely wasn't the steriod era."

Sutter presented the award to Wainwright, linking the two Cardinals pitchers who recorded the clinching out of the last two World Series championships.

"Playing for the St. Louis Cardinals, (the fans) will make you remember (the final out) 20 years later," Sutter said. "I did the one-handed (fist) pump, though, he did the two-handed pump."

• David Eckstein, the World Series Most Valuable Player, received an outstanding achievement in baseball award.

"This year was an amazing year," Eckstein said. "I want to thank the fans for sticking behind me, because I don't like being injured at all.

"When you come to a town the goal is to win a World Series. Then, the best thing to do is repeat and that's what we're going to try and do."

Last on dais was La Russa, who spoke poignantly and comically on a variety of topics. Thanking Selig for his presence, La Russa said that besides the All-Star game in 2009, Selig has told the Cardinals no home game will go into the bottom of the ninth inning in 2007.

"That means we won all 81 home games," he said.

About Yadier Molina's absence from the dinner: "I'm worried about him. We have to find Yadier. It's 10 degrees and he's from Puerto Rico."
Scout.com is developing the top 40 players in the all-time Cardinal roster.

Tuesday, January 09, 2007

Other Cards news

Inbox is a bit backed up so I'll take care of that right now.

The big news for Missouri in 2006 was the World Series win by the Cardinals.

Quad Cities recieved new ownership.

Here's a look at the top prospects.

The Cardinals are ready to defend the world championship!
Season in Preview
A lot can change by Opening Day, but as 2006 becomes 2007, this is who is projected to take the field for the Cardinals:
SS David Eckstein
2B Adam Kennedy
1B Albert Pujols
CF Jim Edmonds
3B Scott Rolen
LF Chris Duncan
RF Juan Encarnacion
C Yadier Molina
SP Chris Carpenter
SP TBA
SP Adam Wainwright/Braden Looper
SP Kip Wells
SP Anthony Reyes
CL Jason Isringhausen or Adam Wainwright
My guess is Wainwright will be in the closer's role.

The oldest former Cardinal, Ernie Koy, passed away.

Buster Olney did vote for Mark McGwire.

Tony Gwynn praises McGwire

ESPN:
McGwire's dismal showing raises doubts about whether he will ever get elected -- players can appear on the BBWAA ballot for 15 years -- and whether the shadow of steroids will cost Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa and Rafael Palmeiro places in Cooperstown.

McGwire finished with 583 home runs, seventh on the career list, and hit 70 homers in 1998 to set the season record, a mark Bonds broke three years later. Gwynn was surprised McGwire received such a low percentage.

"I hope that as time goes on, that number will increase," Gwynn said. "I hope that one day he will get into the Hall of Fame, because I really believe he deserves it."

While Ripken said Gossage and Rice belong in the Hall, he wouldn't give his opinion on McGwire.

Monday, January 08, 2007

Hall of Fame to announce voting results

For the third year in a row, MLB.com will air the results live during the Hall of Fame Election Show at 1 PM eastern on Tuesday.
For the third year in a row, the announcement will happen right here during the MLB.com Hall of Fame Election Show, beginning on Tuesday at 1 p.m. ET. At 2 p.m., Hall president Dale Petroskey will be in Manhattan at the MLB.com studio to make the live announcement of the voting results by the Baseball Writers' Association of America.

The question last year was whether Petroskey would have any names to utter, and whether it would be the first voting shutout in 10 years. Then a massive audience of MLB.com users watched him say:

"It gives me great pleasure to announce that the Baseball Writers' Association of America -- with the largest number of ballots ever cast -- have elected Bruce Sutter, the outstanding relief pitcher of the St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs and Atlanta Braves."

Now the question is whether it will be more than simply the seventh class featuring multiple first-ballot inductees. Tony Gwynn and Cal Ripken Jr., who played in a combined 31 All-Star Games, are widely considered first-ballot locks by the BBWAA constituency. Will four-time home run champ Mark McGwire get the required 75 percent of votes as well, or did voters choose to also ignore the past? Will a Jim Rice or Goose Gossage -- tantalizingly close in 2006 -- get over the hump this time?
Had I been a member of the BBWAA, I would have voted for Andre Dawson, Goose Gossage, Lee Smith, Don Mattingly, Jim Rice, Cal Ripken Jr., Tony Gwynn, and yes, even Mark McGwire.