2008 Woodie Awards
Redbird watching
By: Brian Stuckmeyer
Issue date: 4/6/06 Section: Sports
- Page 1 of 1
With the St. Louis Blues' season a bust, St. Louis University basketball struggling down the stretch and the hoops coaching chaos at the University of Missouri, St. Louis sports fans haven't had much to smile about lately.
Fortunately, the 2006 MLB season has begun. On April 3, the St. Louis Cardinals returned to the diamond in defense of their 2005 Central Division title.
Considering the team's 205 wins over the past two years, and with '06 being the inaugural season of the new Busch Stadium, I think it's fair to say the excitement level surrounding
the upcoming season is perhaps as high as it's ever been.
I also wouldn't be shocked if many people in Cardinal Nation expect '06 to be another successful year.
As a diehard fan of Cardinals baseball, the following are who and what I believe will play a crucial role in determining the measure of success the Cardinals achieve this year.
1. Chris Carpenter: In 2005, starting pitcher Chris Carpenter clearly established himself as the Cardinals' staff ace. His 21-5 record was impressive enough to make him only the second Cardinals pitcher in franchise history to win the NL Cy Young Award. The team will need Carpenter, who started the Cardinals' season opener for the second consecutive year, to remain healthy and sharp if the team is to contend during the regular season and deep into the postseason.
2. Scott Rolen: Coming back from a serious shoulder injury that caused him to miss most of '05, third baseman Scott Rolen has been making progress in regaining his timing and power at the plate. The Cardinals will look for him to feed off his opening day grand slam against Philadelphia and re-establish himself as an offensive threat.
3. Turning Two: Last year, the Cardinals set a franchise record for most double plays turned during a season, the majority of those being handled by the tandem of shortstop David Eckstein and second basemen Mark Grudzielanek. With Grudzielanek inking a multi-year deal with the Kansas City Royals during the off-season, the Cardinals signed contracts with second baseman Aaron Miles and Junior Spivey. Miles and Spivey, along with Hector Luna, have spent the spring competing for the position.The Cardinals' five starting pitchers, generally induce more ground outs than fly outs, so the necessity for fielding double plays cleanly, will be of supreme importance.
4. Revamped Redbird Bullpen: With only relievers Brad Thompson, Randy Flores and closer Jason Isringhausen remaining from last year's bullpen, the Cardinals dedicated most of their focus and money in the off-season searching for long-relief, left-handed and late-inning replacements.
With lefty Ricardo Rincon and right-handed setup man Braden Looper filling the spots vacated by Ray King and Julian Tavarez, the team will also look for Adam Wainwright and Josh Hancock to handle those crucial late innings throughout the season.
Given that the '05 Cardinals' relievers led the league in bullpen ERA, this year's additions will have a tough act to follow, but the ability to hold leads late in games will no doubt be important.
Whether or not the team will be good enough to win the Central Division, National League pennant or World Series trophy will be answered over the course of the remaining 160 games.
Brian Stuckmeyer, a senior journalsim major, is a staff writer for The Journal.
Fortunately, the 2006 MLB season has begun. On April 3, the St. Louis Cardinals returned to the diamond in defense of their 2005 Central Division title.
Considering the team's 205 wins over the past two years, and with '06 being the inaugural season of the new Busch Stadium, I think it's fair to say the excitement level surrounding
the upcoming season is perhaps as high as it's ever been.
I also wouldn't be shocked if many people in Cardinal Nation expect '06 to be another successful year.
As a diehard fan of Cardinals baseball, the following are who and what I believe will play a crucial role in determining the measure of success the Cardinals achieve this year.
1. Chris Carpenter: In 2005, starting pitcher Chris Carpenter clearly established himself as the Cardinals' staff ace. His 21-5 record was impressive enough to make him only the second Cardinals pitcher in franchise history to win the NL Cy Young Award. The team will need Carpenter, who started the Cardinals' season opener for the second consecutive year, to remain healthy and sharp if the team is to contend during the regular season and deep into the postseason.
2. Scott Rolen: Coming back from a serious shoulder injury that caused him to miss most of '05, third baseman Scott Rolen has been making progress in regaining his timing and power at the plate. The Cardinals will look for him to feed off his opening day grand slam against Philadelphia and re-establish himself as an offensive threat.
3. Turning Two: Last year, the Cardinals set a franchise record for most double plays turned during a season, the majority of those being handled by the tandem of shortstop David Eckstein and second basemen Mark Grudzielanek. With Grudzielanek inking a multi-year deal with the Kansas City Royals during the off-season, the Cardinals signed contracts with second baseman Aaron Miles and Junior Spivey. Miles and Spivey, along with Hector Luna, have spent the spring competing for the position.The Cardinals' five starting pitchers, generally induce more ground outs than fly outs, so the necessity for fielding double plays cleanly, will be of supreme importance.
4. Revamped Redbird Bullpen: With only relievers Brad Thompson, Randy Flores and closer Jason Isringhausen remaining from last year's bullpen, the Cardinals dedicated most of their focus and money in the off-season searching for long-relief, left-handed and late-inning replacements.
With lefty Ricardo Rincon and right-handed setup man Braden Looper filling the spots vacated by Ray King and Julian Tavarez, the team will also look for Adam Wainwright and Josh Hancock to handle those crucial late innings throughout the season.
Given that the '05 Cardinals' relievers led the league in bullpen ERA, this year's additions will have a tough act to follow, but the ability to hold leads late in games will no doubt be important.
Whether or not the team will be good enough to win the Central Division, National League pennant or World Series trophy will be answered over the course of the remaining 160 games.
Brian Stuckmeyer, a senior journalsim major, is a staff writer for The Journal.