2011 World Series Highlight Film and Giveaway

Through A+E Networks Home Entertainment/MLB Productions, the 2011 World Series Highlight Film is due out this week.

Redbirds Fun will be giving away 3 DVD sets in a promotion sponsored by A+E Networks Home Entertainment/MLB Productions. This will be run through twitter and facebook. I'll pick winners at random. The deadline will be 3 PM on Black Friday.

The trivia question: Other than Tony La Russa, who is the other manager to have won two World Series rings managing the Cardinals?

Here's the press release for the set:

2011 WORLD SERIES HIGHLIGHT FILM 2-DISC SET

In the OFFICIAL 2011 WORLD SERIES FILM, the annual, crowning program from Major League Baseball Productions, St. Louis native and narrator Jon Hamm (Mad Men) delivers the redoubtable Redbirds championship run, from first pitch to last in a pulse-pounding documentary format. Providing comprehensive highlights, exclusive access and interviews, plus breath-taking footage and sounds captured by MLB cameras and microphones throughout the series, this DVD is a perfect way to relive the epic battle against the Texas Rangers.

The OFFICIAL 2011 WORLD SERIES FILM will be released as a 2-disc set, featuring an exclusivhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gife bonus disc containing the complete NLDS Game 5 vs. the Phillies, a taut 1-0 pitcher’s duel which propelled the Cardinals to the NLCS and, ultimately, the World Series. Additional extras include behind-the-scenes interviews and bonus programming. Just in time for the holidays, the OFFICIAL 2011 WORLD SERIES FILM 2-Disc DVD will be available on November 22 and will also be available in the crystal clarity of a single Blu-ray disc on December 6, both currently available for pre-order on worldseries.com.

Bonus Material: This Week in Baseball - Dave Duncan n This Week in Baseball - Lance Berkman n Prime 9 La Russa Segment n NLDS Game 5 Last Out and Celebration n NLCS Game 6 Last Out and Celebration n WS Game 3 - Pujols 3 HRs n WS Game 6 - Freese Triple to Tie n WS Game 6 - Berkman Single to Tie Again n WS Game 6 - Freese Walk-off HR n WS Game 6 Postgame - Berkman and Freese Presser n WS Game 7 - Freese Double to Tie n WS Game 7 - Last out and Celebration n WS Parade

The premiere is November 22nd at the Peabody Opera House. The trailer can be viewed here.

Wild Cards: Book Review

Wild Cards: The St. Louis Cardinals' Stunning 2011 Championship Season from Rob Rains is currently in stores and being sold online following the Cardinals' World Series win.

This book relives not just the three postseason series but also various parts of the season. All in all, it's 128 pages but it's a really fast 128 pages.

I'm not sure if it was because of the very quick press time but I feel that it could have been proofread another time since the final night section appeared twice, word for word, and with the same picture. Moreover, a lot of punctuation was missing. That's personal nitpicking on my part.

However, this was the first book out following the World Series win but it's a good one nonetheless.

From the press release:

While the 2011 World Series capped arguably the most exciting season in team history, injuries, off-field distractions, and poor play contributed to a lackluster start; by mid-August the Cardinals looked dead in the water. Then, an influx of new talent and rejuvenated stars – along with rally squirrels, happy flights, and an irrepressible never-say-die attitude – propelled St. Louis into the playoffs, where they defeated the favored Phillies and Brewers. The season culminated with a fantastic seven-game, roller-coaster World Series triumph against the Texas Rangers. Wild Cards celebrates the highlights of this championship season. Packed with full-color action photos, detailed accounts of every postseason game, and profiles of Albert Pujols, David Freese, and other stars, this commemorative keepsake is sure to be treasured by every Cardinals fan.

Book now for sale

While I have several review copies to get through, I have my own book now available.

I just finished writing this other day, and it concludes a whole chapter on sports. You can now buy it online at Create Space or Amazon!

Mike Matheny: The New Manager

It will take some time getting used to referring to Mike Matheny as the newest Cardinals' manager but that's what he is.
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The Cardinals announced it this evening and will be hosting a press conference at 11 central.

Former Cardinals catcher Mike Matheny manager will become the team's new manager, the club announced Sunday evening.

He will be introduced at a Busch Stadium news conference on Monday at 11 a.m. CT.

Here's to the very best of wishes for next season.

The word from Joe Strauss is that Matheny has a two year deal with a club option for 2014.

B.J. Rains has some quotes from the team.

"I know everyone is excited, I know that for a fact," said third baseman David Freese. "Anyone that thinks Mike Matheny won't be a winning manager has another thing coming.

"He soaks everything in. I've noticed him the last few years soaking everything in when guys are talking – coaches, players everybody. He's a guy that loves baseball. He's a leader. He has a certain presence where you know Mike Matheny is in the room. It's going to take him a long way."[...]

"It's definitely going to be different than playing for Tony, that's for sure," said infielder Dan Descalso. "I'm interested to see how Mike handles it and what he brings to the table. I saw the type of player he was and how much of a leader he was on the field as a catcher and I'm sure he will be the same in the dugout.

"I think he's a great guy for the job. He seems like a natural leader. I can't wait to play for him."[...]

"Mike has helped me through a lot of things I have dealt with over the years," Freese said. "It's weird because he's a very good friend of mine and now he's my manager. That's the coolest part about it."

Meanwhile, Matt offers more right here on the 49th manager in club history.

Cardinals in 2012

Joe Strauss offers an outlook of what the Cards could look like in 2012. We'll see what happens first. The Cards HAVE to resign Albert Pujols first and foremost. What does the second base situation look like?

Pujols' return is considered Plan A. If the three-time NL Most Valuable Player ultimately signs elsewhere, the Cardinals are prepared to transfer Berkman to first base and anoint Allen Craig starting right fielder.

Mozeliak says he has no plans to tinker with a rotation that regains 2010 NL Cy Young Award runner-up Adam Wainwright and has five members under contract through next season. "As of now, I don't see that as an area of need," Mozeliak said.

Acquiring a second lefthanded reliever to complement Marc Rzepczynski and clarifying a vague situation at shortstop are more pressing.

Mozeliak projects Daniel Descalso as next season's starting second baseman with incumbent Skip Schumaker ticketed for a 'super utility" role should the club avoid arbitration. The plan may leave Theriot, last season's opening day shortstop, a nontender candidate in search of a more robust role elsewhere.

Descalso appeared at second base in only nine of 63 starts last season. He started 53 games at third base — most of them while David Freese recovered from a fractured hand — and was solid enough to receive consideration for a Gold Glove.

Descalso's arm and glove are "plus" tools; however, his range at second base was considered no better than average during his time with Class AAA Memphis in 2010. Promoted to the parent club that September, Descalso played 73 of 74 innings at third base, not second.

Mozeliak explained succinctly: "I think he's a very good baseball player who can handle the position."

I like Skip and he makes a great addition to the club. Whether Theriot remains a Cardinal does not bother me one bit but Skip can be starter or a defensive replacement.

Mo and La Russa, however, appeared to have some differences regarding that of Tyler Greene. While Mo works to bring back Furcal for next year, he had this to say:

Mozeliak won't confine his projection for Greene to a reserve role, saying, "I would have no problem with him and Descalso as our middle infield."

The article mentions bringing back Nick Punto.

There's even talk of using one of the catching prospects to backup Yadier Molina--either Tony Cruz or Bryan Anderson. Hey, I have no problem there. Sure, they won't be a regular starter but I don't mind someone that is tearing it up in the minors to get a chance with the Cardinals. Matheny seems to be a fan or Cruz and Anderson backing up Molina so there's an incentive.

Mozeliak endorses Jon Jay as an everyday center fielder rather than the lefthanded half of a platoon. With Schumaker as more of an extra outfielder than an infield regular, Greene could become available for spot center field duty against some lefthanded pitching.

The Cardinals apparently are ready to also break with a long-standing tradition of having veteran backup catchers as Mozeliak envisions Tony Cruz and longtime prospect Bryan Anderson competing for the role next spring.

Cruz, 25, bypassed Anderson, 24, on the organizational depth chart last summer and earned praise as a capable pinch hitter and mature backstop. Anderson, without options and considered a potential candidate for release last summer, never earned La Russa's confidence. However, Mike Matheny, one of the candidates for manager, offered positive reports on the lefthanded-hitting Anderson's defensive development in his role as a roving catching instructor.

2011 Cardinal Blogger Awards Ballot

The following is how I vote for the 2011 Cardinal Blogger Awards. Fans can vote here.

Award 1 Cardinal Player of the Year: Albert Pujols

Award 2 Cardinal Pitcher of the Year: Chris Carpenter

Award 3 Regular Season Game of the Year: September 28 at Houston (Carpenter shutout on last day)

Award 4 Post-Season Game of the Year: WS Game 6 (two rallies with one strike left)

Award 5 Surprise Player of the Year: Lance Berkman

Award 6 Disappointing Player of the Year: Ryan Theriot

Award 7 Cardinal Rookie of the Year: Allen Craig

Award 8 Pre-Season Acquisition of the Year: Lance Berkman

Award 9 Mid-Season Acquisition of the Year: Rafael Furcal

Award 10 Most Anticipated Cardinal: Shelby Miller

Award 11 Best Individual Cardinal Blog: C70 at the Bat

Award 12 Best Team Cardinal Blog: Viva El Birdos

Award 13 Best Professional Cardinal Blog: Bird Land

Award 14 Best Rookie Cardinal Blog (began December 1, 2010 or later): STL: Fear The Red

Award 15 Post of the Year: C70: Happily Ever After

Award 16 Best UCB Project: Roundtables

Award 17 Most Optimistic Cardinal Blog: Not sure.

Award 18 Best UCB Podcast: UCB Radio Hour

Award 19 Best UCB Twitterer: Does all of them count? Honestly, I have a list of Cards related twitter accounts, including fans, and I try and follow them as much as possible.

Award 20 Best Fake Cardinal Twitter Account: SirGloveAWilson

Mike Matheny for Manager?

I'm hearing that the St. Louis Cardinals could be preparing to announce Mike Matheny as the next manager as early as Sunday, possibly as late as Monday. We shall see. Honestly, given the whole Boston Red Sox collapse in September, I would rather have Matheny at the helm then Francona.

In other news, the Miami Marlins made an offer to Albert Pujols but there have been no details released.

Book of the Week: Commish & The Cardinals

This weekend's reading consisted of reading Commish & the Cardinals, a collection of articles written over the years by Hall of Fame sportswriter Rick Hummel.

As Bernie Miklasz writes in the opening, you heard Jack Buck's call, now read Rick's article. They go hand in hand.

I knew that DK's death was hard on the time but I did not realize that some of the players just were not able to play at all the day after in Chicago.

I got to relive the closing days at Busch Stadium in 2005, a night that kept getting postponed, kinda like Albert's alleged last at-bat at Busch this past year.

The book is technically out of print but you might find a copy on sale through the St. Louis Post-Dispatch website for $5.99 plus shipping.

For a Cardinals fan, it is a must have for your bookshelf.

Is Feliz the new Lidge?

Is Neftali Feliz the new Brad Lidge? It's posssible.

Joe and Derrick have more on the interview with Mike Matheny.

"I believe we had a positive discussion, and I was able to answer all their questions — all they had for me," Matheny said Friday afternoon. "It's really going to be up to them to sort through all the things they're looking for in that position and who fits it best."

Matheny, 40, has less managerial and coaching experience than any of the six known candidates to succeed a man who managed more major-league games than anyone in the game's history other than Connie Mack.

However, he possesses the leadership qualities, presence and organizational bloodlines the Cardinals might favor in determining their next field boss.

Matheny described his lack of managerial experience as "the elephant that walked in with me" to the interview. However, Matheny was made to feel the issue is of less significance than even he had hoped.

Rick Hummel offers more on the sudden passing of Bob Forsch.

RIP Bob Forsch

The Cardinals have announced the sudden passing of Bob Forsch, the third winningest pitcher in team history.

Press release sent out by the St. Louis Cardinals:

The entire St. Louis Cardinals organization was saddened by the sudden passing last night of former Cardinals pitcher Bob Forsch at the age of 61. Forsch spent 15 seasons with the Cardinals and is third all-time in franchise history with 163 victories.

“We are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Bob Forsch,” Cardinals Chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. said, “Bob was a one of the best pitchers in the history of our organization and a valued member of the Cardinals family.”

Forsch, who was known for clutch performances in crucial games, threw out the ceremonial first pitch before Game 7 of the World Series on Friday night in St. Louis.

“Having been with Bob just last week, we are all stunned by this news,” DeWitt said, “The entire Cardinals organization extends its sincere condolences to Bob’s wife Janice, his two daughters Amy and Kristin, and his countless friends.”

Forsch was part of all three Cardinals World Series teams during the 1980s, including the 1982 World Championship team. Forsch is one of only 28 pitchers to throw multiple no-hitters. His first came on April 16, 1978 vs. the Philadelphia Phillies and his second was on April 26, 1983 vs. the Montreal Expos. The two no-hitters were the only two ever thrown at Busch Memorial Stadium, where he won more games and pitched more innings than any other pitcher.

Throughout his sixteen year MLB career that included a stop in Houston, Forsch won 168 games. Forsch was selected by the Cardinals in the 26th round of the 1968 amateur draft and broke into the big leagues with the Cardinals on July 7, 1974. Over his career, he amassed 1,133 strikeouts, a 3.76 ERA and a .533 winning percentage.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the friends and family of Bob Forsch.