Lets play some baseball. Now I want to stress I am a die-hard Cardinals fan. But baseball is just a game, so I got no ill-will against the Rangers. I hope we crush you 20 to nothing tonight .... but no ill-will :). It is just a game.
Now just a few comments and thoughts below the fold before we talk baseball.
My Favorite Cardinals Story
My 93 year old grandfather passed away this year. If you would have cut his arm he'd bleed Cardinals red. Now I grew up and live in what is called downstate Illinois. That would be southern IL, you know downstate from Chicago and Springfield. As you move more downstate the percentage of Cubs fans decreases. But my grandfather was worried I could become a Cubs fan.
So while I was a fetus, my grandfather used to put headphones on my mother's stomach so I could hear Jack Buck call Cardinals games on KMOX. Heck I asked my mom about this and she seemed cool with it, cause well she could run this Diary. Heck hosting a show on the Cardinals and just going off stats she knows like the back of her hand. Cardinals fans run deep in my family.
Albert Pujols
I am often asked about what I think, you know about his contract. His numbers are amazing. He is putting together a career that might mean when he retires he is viewed as the best player of all time. The numbers are what they are.
He is also known as an amazing person. Far better than myself. Literally he has done everything right, both in the community and on the field.
But he wants $300M.
I say let him go. For $300M you can find two All-star players.
Now this will sound like I am contradicting myself, but Albert should get paid. I don't think most folks know that in his first couple years playing he was competing again Bonds for the MVP of the NL, and making like $760,000. Currently there are four Cardinals making more than Albert this year.
But $300M. Come on.
Final Thoughts
Jaime Garcia starts for the Cardinals tonight. He is at best an average pitcher on the road. At home lights out. But he can't usually pitch past the 6th inning. We're going to the bullpen tonight. Lower scoring game. It is 58 here now and a low of maybe 38. The ball will stay in the park.
Watch for a pitchers duel.