It’s Monday. The Cardinals went from sweeping the Diamondbacks to being swept by the Braves. (Just in case we needed further proof that it’s now 2012 and not late in the 2011 season.) The Cubs are in town for a bizarre tonight/tomorrow afternoon series before the Cards head back West.
We need something to perk us up.
One of the bonuses of the Tony La Russa number retirement festivities was seeing so many clips from throughout his Cardinals career — the playoff teams of the early 2000s, for example. Which, of course, included current Cards manager Mike Matheny.
With that in mind, here’s a look back to those playing days to get us all going this morning.
Enjoy!
It’s helping already, right?
Maybe it’s time for a non-catching photo …
He looks really young in this one below (and is that John Mabry in there too?)
Those were the days … (Anyone else miss Woody Williams?)
I don’t know what this is about. Didn’t the 2004 season end with the Game 7 NLCS win over LB and the Astros?
How ’bout a little feistiness for your Monday?
Finally, you’ll probably wish this pic was just as big as the one above …
So how’s your Monday going now?
Christine Coleman is the senior St. Louis Cardinals reporter for Aaron Miles’ Fastball. Follow her on Twitter, @CColeman802, or email aaronmilesfastball@gmail.com. Also follow @AMilesFastball for the latest updates.
Aaron Miles' Fastball 
I think angry Matheny is my favorite. 🙂
I think angry Matheny is my favorite. 🙂
So I come here expecting some analysis on J.C. Romero’s unconditional release — the best kind of release for a Proven Veteran(TM) — and maybe what we can expect from Eduardo Sanchez …
And I’m left with fetish pictures of Mike Matheny.
Well then, I suppose it comes to me to supply what people come to Aaron Miles Fastball to get: insightful commentary.
Romero shouldn’t have been signed in the first place. Mediocre lefthanders will always have a place in the game because managers can’t shake off their obsessions with “matchups.” Never mind Kyle McClellan as a righthander has much more success against lefthanded batters.
Eduardo Sanchez, in his last 10 appearances for Memphis, has held opposing batters to a .171 average and has struck out 10 and walked four in 10 innings. As long as he doesn’t have Brian Knight umpiring behind the plate, the team just added another needed power arm.
And they needed one after this weekend’s foolishness.
So I come here expecting some analysis on J.C. Romero’s unconditional release — the best kind of release for a Proven Veteran(TM) — and maybe what we can expect from Eduardo Sanchez …
And I’m left with fetish pictures of Mike Matheny.
Well then, I suppose it comes to me to supply what people come to Aaron Miles Fastball to get: insightful commentary.
Romero shouldn’t have been signed in the first place. Mediocre lefthanders will always have a place in the game because managers can’t shake off their obsessions with “matchups.” Never mind Kyle McClellan as a righthander has much more success against lefthanded batters.
Eduardo Sanchez, in his last 10 appearances for Memphis, has held opposing batters to a .171 average and has struck out 10 and walked four in 10 innings. As long as he doesn’t have Brian Knight umpiring behind the plate, the team just added another needed power arm.
And they needed one after this weekend’s foolishness.