Hey Matt Hollday's Appendix... you aren't helping things

Seriously, the Cardinals are having a trying enough season already.

Adam Wainwright had the dreaded words Tommy John associated with his name. Plus he was on a plane that skidded off the runway. (Nobody was hurt, but there are bad vibes about this team.) So they lost their Cy Young contender. Not good.

The Cardinals are relying on big players who had some injuries (like Yadier Molina) or young guys who need to fix their attitude (I'm looking at YOU Colby Rasmus) or old players that will discover the fountain of youth (like Lance Berkman). And they need to have Dave Duncan work his magic on broken down pitchers. (Didn't work with Jake Westbrook yesterday.)

In other words the Cardinals were built on a shaky foundation, and that was BEFORE the poison bag inside of Matt Holliday's gut exploded. (Hey evolution, take your time phasing out the appendix!)

The Cardinals don't have a lot of wiggle room in their lineup and having Matt Holliday sit in a hospital bed doing crossword puzzles can be put in the "We Didn't Need This" file.

Without Holliday batting behind him, then why on Earth would a sane pitcher throw a strike to Albert Pujols? Yesterday David Freese was protecting Albert in the lineup. No offense to David who is a nice young player, but I would walk Albert intentionally with the bases loaded in the 9th inning of a 1 run game to face David Freese.

Holliday will be gone for at least a few weeks and the number of strikes Albert will see can be counted on your nose.
And that can't make the prospect of Albert sticking around any better.

I hate to keep harping on this, but Pujols' contract will hang over the Cardinals season the way that the Madoff situation will be the bane of the Mets existence.

OK, Pujols contract isn't a historic financial scam that ruined many people's lives. It is just the elephant in the room and will eventually be $300 million from some shmuck's checking account.

And I can't help but think that anything that makes Albert think St. Louis is the wrong place to stay will help add up to his taking the show on the road.

So I reiterate to Matt Holliday's appendix... you aren't helping.

Matt Holliday's legacy

Matt Holliday is obviously a terrific player.

He was an MVP runner up in 2007 and was the catalyst for the brilliant post season run for Colorado.

He hit the game tying triple off of Trevor Hoffman in the mind boggling one game playoff against the Padres and scored the playoff clinching run.

He was the NLCS MVP in 2007 and hit a home run in the World Series that for a moment brought the Rockies to within 1 run in Game 3.

And he had a terrific second half of the season with the Cardinals.

And guess what?

All of that is thrown into the trash can. His legacy is the dropped fly ball.

He already had a bone head moment on his resume when he was picked off of first in a critical point of Game 2 of the 2007 World Series... but that is nothing compared to this.

He dropped a ball that Morris Buttermaker would expect Timmy Lupus to catch.

He dropped a ball that HIT HIS GLOVE!

He dropped a ball that if he caught it, the Cardinals would have a split and have a chance to be in control of the series.

Instead the Cardinals, the team that both Vegas and I picked to go to the World Series when the playoffs began, could be eliminated before Sunday!

Is it harsh to say this will be his legacy?

What is the first highlight you think of when you hear Dennis Eckersley?

Come on... admit it. It's Kirk Gibson's homer. And Eck clinched a World Series the next year and won the Cy Young and the MVP a few years after that and got elected to the Hall of Fame. 

But everyone, from EJ and the gang in the studio to Bill Cosby brings up Gibson to Eck.

Mike Torrez clinched a World Series and was the pitcher who everyone mobbed in 1977. Who remembers THAT? Not as many people who remember him serving up Bucky Dent's shot.

Lonnie Smith? The guy was a World Champion with three different organizations, but he was the guy who fell for the Gagne/Knoblauch decoy play and couldn't score in Game 7 of the 1991 World Series.

What about Chuck Knoblauch? The guy was an All Star, hit big World Series homers and helped prevented Lonnie Smith from scoring and bunted Danny Gladden over in the World Series winning rally in 1991.

But he is best remembered for blowing a bubble while complaining to an ump in the 1998 ALCS while two runners scored. And the Yankees WON that series!

Ralph Branca was a 21 game winner, a 3 time All Star and got MVP votes in 1947 and 1948. Who remembers that? Not the people who replay the Bobby Thomson homer.

Hey! When you hear the name Bill Buckner, do you think about his batting title? His All Star appearance? His 22 year career and 2715 hits? I bet not.

Well Matt, you had better hope the Cardinals win this series... other wise you are going to be part of a REALLY BAD montage for the rest of your life.

A's trade Matt Holliday for Fat Guy

Seriously. I know Brett Wallace is a coveted prospect. And I know that playing in the American League means he can slide into the DH role.

But the guy is 22 years old. He won't be 23 until August 26th.

Should he REALLY have the ole Steve Balboni build?

It's one thing when Matt Stairs physique when you are 16 year veteran over 40 years old and hanging on as a left handed pinch hitter.

This guy Wallace is going to be supposedly one of young corner stones of the offense. The scouting report says he may have to move from third base.

Really? How about he has to move from the all you can eat buffet at Sizzler?

Look this can be a good deal for Oakland if he turns into a solid slugger and doesn't have Albert Pujols blocking his way. And who knows, maybe the other two players (Clayton Mortensen and Shane Peterson) can contribute and this will be a much better haul than letting Holliday skedaddle for the draft picks.

I just think Wallace needs to meet a little fellow named "Dr. Atkins."

Hunter and Prey

Right now there are several teams that need a hitter for the lineup with July approaching...

One of those teams is the New York Mets, whose GM has a less than stellar reputation when it comes to making deals.

And a team with a hitter to deal is the Oakland A's with Matt Holliday. And their GM, while still without a pennant, is a shrewd enough dealer that Steven Soderbergh and Brad Pitt want to make a movie about him.

Now the A's are... um... not quite as good as I predicted. And Holliday isn't tearing up the AL, but he IS just a few years from an MVP type season.

And the Mets need a bat... and so do the Cubs... and so do the Giants... and even the Yankees could use a corner outfielder.

I have a feeling Beane will be reminding Minaya that on an hourly basis. 

And a division that is quite winnable is just sitting there (especially with Santana throwing another good game today.)

But the Marlins are right behind them... the Giants are looking stronger... and the Mets could miss the playoffs for the fourth year out of five under his leadership.

Can he afford that? Can he afford ANOTHER near miss? Can he NOT pull the trigger?

Oooo those Ghosts of 2006 are still there.

Beane has nothing to worry about.

He could deal with the Cubs or Giants if things don't work out with the Mets.

The Tigers could use another stick. So could the Angels.

And if there is no deal to work out, Beane will sit back, let Holliday walk and collect the two draft picks.

But he knows there is a wounded animal out there... and he's waiting for the right moment to pounce.

It will probably happen after a bad loss where they needed a big hit but Fernando Tatis couldn't deliver.

BEANE: Hey Omar... tough loss. Looks like you could use another bat.

MINAYA: I know what you are doing Beane. I'm not going to make a big deal just to appease the fans now.

BEANE: Yeah I know... I was just calling you to tell you I think the Giants are probably interested in Holliday. 

MINAYA: The Giants?

BEANE: Yeah. They want to pad their Wild Card lead. And who knows... the Cubs seemed eager.

MINAYA: The Cubs?

BEANE: Yeah. Their management needs to show their fans they mean business. And in Wrigley he'll find his stroke again.

MINAYA: I've got a plan.

BEANE: Oh yeah I saw it. Inexperienced kids or imports whose average age is older than the Supreme Court. Hey! It almost worked in 2007 and 2008. Maybe 3rd time is the charm! Hold on, I have a call coming in. I think it is Cashman.

MINAYA: What do you want?

BEANE: Let's start with Fernando Martinez.

MINAYA: No way! He's the future.

BEANE: The future! That reminds me. When the season ends, do you want to join me and the missus the first week of October? We "Non playoff teams" need to stick together.

MINAYA: OK... fine. Martinez. But no other big prospects. I have a long term plan for a home grown Mets team.

BEANE: Hold on. The Phillies are calling.

MINAYA: I'll give you Fernando Martinez, Wilmer Flores, Bobby Parnell and a player to be named later!

BEANE: I'll name the player NOW? Mike Pelfrey.

MINAYA: NO WAY!

BEANE: Wait hold on... Ruben Amaro just stopped by my office.

MINAYA: Take Pelfrey.

BEANE: It was a pleasure doing business with you.

And that my friends will be a full lion.

How happy is Jayson Werth?

Jayson Werth was the go ahead run in scoring position with the National League's best run producer at the plate with 1 out in a tied World Series game in the bottom of the 8th.

Pretty sweet place to be.

Except when you get picked off.

Right away I thought of Matt Holiday getting picked off during game 2 of last year's World Series.

I am guessing you all did the same.

Man! Talk about a bad place to be... to be the guy who wandered off and squashed a potential World Series game winning rally.
At least Matt Holliday knew he had tons of good will in the bank with Denver fans... and he also knew during the World Series most Denver fans were saying "Are the Broncos on?"

But Philly fans... let's just say they don't forget a goat.

So when Ruiz dribbled that ball and Longoria threw it to a fan in the upper deck, the biggest sigh of relief came from Werth.
I'm guessing you already forgot he was picked off of second.

That's just how he wants it!

Wait a second...

Pedroia hit a lead off home run in game 1... and Matt Holliday hit a 3 run shot tonight.

Those are the only 2 World Series homers so far?
Did the announcers mention that? I don't remember.

Man... I had to actually look that up.

It's not as sexy as launching homers... but I'll take double digits in runs 2 out of 3 games any day

GAME 3 THOUGHTS

- Well we all wanted Dice-K to come through... but who would have guessed he'd be as damaging with the bat as with his arm?

You could almost feel Coors Field's collective shoulders slump when that single drove in two.
"Oh I get it... we're like those poor AFC teams from 1982 to 1997 that got their asses kicked every year in the Super Bowl."

Keep in mind these Denver fans are familiar with those routs with the Broncos getting killed in the Super Bowl 3 times in 4 years.


- When Okajima came in to relieve Timlin, I was thinking "If Okie gets out of this inning, he's the World Series MVP." JUST as I thought that, Holliday homered to make it a one run game.


- Maybe this is one of the liberations of 2004... or maybe this is the confidence (cockiness?) of knowing you are rooting for the better team... but that was the least stressfull 3 run home run to turn a blow out into a 1 run game I have ever experienced.

The home run left the park and I literally thought "No worries... we've got this."
No wonder the rest of the baseball world hates us.



- Hey Francona... I might be crazy for thinking this... but stick with this line up.
I think Ellsbury and Pedroia 1 and 2 is working. Call it a hunch. Call it going a combined 7 for 10 with 3 runs scored, 4 RBIs and most importantly making sure the tight 1 run game was a "getting out of hand" 4 run lead.



- It was a strange final score... because you are supposed to say "It was a 10-5 game but the game was closer than that."
But was it? It was a 1 run game for about a minute then it was a blow out again.

Again... solid confidence in a post 2004 world.
Pre Dave Roberts' steal and Fox would bust out the clips of the Babe, Enos Slaughter, Bucky Dent, Poor Buckner and Aaron Boone the second the ball cleared the fence.

Tonight?
Eh... we'll get those runs back.

Do you have ANY CLUE how nice it is to watch a sporting event where the supernatural isn't brought up?


- My co worker Kevin Hench has called this post season "Theo and Tito's vindication."

Theo's off season moves have come through...
J. D. Drew's slam.
Coco's defense (especially at the end of game 7)
Eric Gagne, save for his game 2 ALCS meltdown, has been the "save the bullpen" guy and it's worked out.
Dice-K winning game 7 of the ALCS and tonight's game.
Even Julio Lugo is hitting .400 in the series.

And Francona's in season moves have come through...
Resting Manny for a month to have him come back and dominate in October.
Not panicking when the Yankees were charging and Gagne struggling and putting Okajima on the shelf for 10 days.
Sticking with J. D. when everyone (including yours truly) called for him to be benched.

And tonight starting Ortiz and Lowell and both coming through.


- I was in Santa Monica when the Red Sox won in 2004 even though I was still living in New York at the time.
I am in Santa Monica now despite still living in the Bay Area.

Karma is good so far.
Let's end this tomorrow!

GAME 2 THOUGHTS

- Well, I hope you are happy, America! You got an exciting game, a funky error that led to a run, great pitching, clutch 2 out hitting and a jaw dropping base running mistake.




And I got a Red Sox win.
So everyone should be happy... except Rockies fans.

Both of them.


- Let's talk about that baserunning mistake.
My co worker Kevin Hench and I wondered openly during the game if it was the worst baserunning mistake in World Series history.

Hench suggested Lonnie Smith in the 1991 World Series.
I said maybe Jeff Suppan in the 2004 Series against the Sox.

But I would argue that Holliday's was worse.

Smith was fooled by a decoy play... and Suppan was brutal but he is a pitcher and not used to be on the basepaths.

But Holiday was inexcusable.
Think of the scenario... 8th inning... the Rockies offense is dead.
But Okajima (who has been MIND BOGGLINGLY good!) is out and Holliday gets his 4th hit of the game.

Helton up, and despite the wretched showing by the Rockies bats over the first two games, they are one swing away from taking a lead in the 8th and possibly STILL leave Boston with a split.

And Helton has the pop to take it into the right field bullpen.

Then Holliday didn't just get picked off. He was picked off by what looked like 10 feet.
The first thing I thought was "Papelbon MUST have balked. I mean no MVP front runner could look THAT STUPID in a critical moment of the World Series."

And then I saw that nope... his amazing 2007 has been reduced to "I can't believe they picked him off!"


- Man... if this was Schilling's last game as a Red Sox, it was a nice way to go.
And yeah he is no longer the dominant ace... but he is 3-0 with a 3.00 ERA in 4 starts this year. We'd take it.


- And man any love for J. D. Drew?
MY MAIN MAN is batting .571 in the series and stayed in the game when he got hurt!

How bizarre would it be if he became the World Series MVP after all the boos?
Don't get hurt... you might become a folk hero!


- Thanks Jacoby for the Taco

Who is Matt Holliday?

He's the guy who might very well win the National League Most Valuable Player... that's who he is!

Now I had heard of him before this year, but he seemed like just another talented hitter toiling in Colorado... padding his stats and never playing a meaningful game.

But here we are with about 40 games left to go in the season and somehow this guy has put together not only the best all around stats, but somehow is playing for a contending team!

The Rockies are only 3 back of the Wild Card and are that dangerous kind of team... the kind that nobody takes seriously and therefore has nothing to lose.

The Angels and Marlins each won a World Series this decade with that attitude.
And here is Colorado, with their humidor now making sure the game isn't played in zero gravity, boxing out for position with the slumping Dodgers, the all pitch/no hit Padres, the inconsistent Phillies and the playing with one hand around its neck Brewers.

The Rockies are one of those franchises that I just can never see winning a World Series... kind of like the Rangers and the Devil Rays. Hell, I can barely see them making the playoffs, save for the swinging from their heels 1995 Wild Card team.

But here they are.

Why count out the Rockies?
Especially with Matt Holliday batting .335 with 21 homers, 95 RBIs and a .967 OPS!

Seriously, who else should be MVP?
Pujols had a slow start and the Cardinals are still a sub .500 team, Rick Ankiel's heroics notwithstanding.

David Wright has been inconsistent, Ryan Howard has been hurt.

That leaves Jose Reyes, Prince Fielder and Matt Holliday.
They tend not to give it to speedsters like Reyes and the Billy Brewer isn't the only one in Milwaukee sliding... that leaves it to Holliday.

And it shows you that the National League is not lacking in young superstars (include Hanley Ramirez in that group as well.)

And it also shows you how badly baseball promotes its own stars.
Seriously, if Matt Holliday walked into your office tomorrow, would you know him?
If he was in full uniform and said "Hi, my name is Matt Holliday!" would you know him then.

Man, I should run this game.