bellyitcher

I love this...


(Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

The good: Bonds won't hit 715 against the Cards
The bad: Carpenter's been scratched for today's game
The awesome: Thompson's starting instead

Yesterday, in an attempt to see how people were reacting to the Tony v. Ozzie, I read the Post-Dispatch forums. Ugh. Bad idea. A few people are stuck in 1985 and can't fathom that Smith was not the best option at short stop (they probably wear overly-large Ray Bans and pastel t-shirts, too). Sure, he had a higher average than Clayton during Spring Training, but he also had a bum shoulder and 40-year old legs.

There's no reason for Smith to keep bringing this up. I wonder if he thinks he's turning people against La Russa by speaking out? Like people are going to rise up and oust La Russa so Smith can come to Spring Training? Unfortunately, he's doing just the opposite. I know Cards Talk is hardly the bastion of well-reasoned baseball discussion, but at least 80% side with La Russa on this. Tony's kept his mouth shut about any disagreements and extended olive branches. At some point he had to think enough is enough, ignoring it isn't working. Besides, does anyone want Ozzie's me-first, team-later attitude around the club anyway?

Ozzie really needs to let this go, if not privately at least publicly. I'm sure Hummel asked him about it, but Ozzie could have said, "No comment." Instead, he continues to bring up a decade-old feud as a way to keep his name in the news.

Ozzie, you were a great player, a shitty broadcaster, and now you are a petty, bitter former superstar. You are not bigger than the game or the team. Shut up and get over it, already.

Seriously. Look at the second to last sentence I wrote yesterday.

We're off to play the Royals. These kinds of series always slightly bug me since, yeah, we should kick the shit out of KC, but last year Eckstein had 3 errors in one game. So youneverknow, ya know?

Enjoy the weekend, everyone.

Seen on the text messaging board at the game Monday:

"Jaime, the wedding's off --John"

We've been trying to come up with something funny, yet still printable. Nothing we've sent in has made it up. "Pond Scum," I'm sure, didn't pass the first test. But it beats "Jenny U R Awsom!!" and "Chris luvs Mandy." These people have mullets. And are spending $3 to misspell their own name. Next time, I'm going to send in something about a halfshirt. Just to see what happens.

I love the Joe Buck games. I know some people think he's too smarmy, but he cracks me up. After the game, you could tell he'd had enough of Al and was about to call him one dumb (noun calling into question Al's relationship with his female parent) and walk off the set. And the game was pretty good, too. But I think it's time to drop Pujols in the order - I mean 0-7 with just one walk this series? At least start exploring trade opportunities, Walt. Mulder has more hits this series than Albert (and has the same .316 BA).

Nearly game time...I work next door to Ozzie's which makes these day games quite enjoyable. An hour at the bar (never drinking of course) watching the game really breaks up the work day. Peter's right - it's flamboyant headcase vs. stubborn headcase today. I'll say Marquis' meltdown comes in the fourth inning.

Update: Or Pujols could just not play today. Hope his back and leg and feet are OK.

Turns out when you combine me, the Mets, and all-you-can-drink beer you get rain. Lots and lots of rain. And four run 8th innings for the Pond Scum. Poor Brad, giving up all those runs. Albert will buy him a nice dinner to make up for the error, I'm sure.

Luckily, I will not be at the remaining games.

Come to think of it, it's probably because I wasn't keeping score. The last time that happened only a Pujols walk-off saved the day.

When you mix bellyscratcher, Pond Scum, and all the free beer I can drink.

Even though the weather's nasty, tonight should be...interesting.

Current records:

Carpenter: 3-2
Mulder: 4-1
Marquis: 4-4
Suppan: 4-2
Ponson: 3-0

Yeah, yeah, we all know a pitcher's W-L doesn't mean very much. But what do you think the final records will be for our rotation?

Remember in grade school when you'd watch videos on half days? Well, with the early game, it's kinda like a half day here in Cardinals world. I posted this in the smack talk comments, but in case you missed it, here's someone having some fun with the Cubs.

This is what the Reds must be asking themselves. I mean, they're tied with the Cardinals for first in the NL Central. How nice for them.

At least when they're 20 games out in July they'll have something to hang their hats on.

Sadly, the slow (or maybe not so slow) slide into the bottom of the division begins tonight. Having blown Mulder's most recent bid for win #100, the team (more specifically, Izzy) will make sure that does not happen again. And really, who does Arroyo think he is? No one is impressed by some white guy who had cornrows. What. A. Dork.

Red Hot Mama and I will be talking smack tonight, though I get home just before game time and have to, you know, eat, so I might be a bit tardy.