Tag Archives: Adam Wainwright

10 Years Ago Tonight: Game Seven of the 2006 NLCS

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Yes, it’s fun to look back five years ago into the AMF archives and see how we captured the magic of September and October 2011 during the blog’s first year. In fact, had that run not happened, I was planning to write about the fifth anniversary of the Cardinals 2006 World Series run.

Somehow, I’m glad I didn’t have that chance …

Still, tonight is the anniversary of another milestone in recent Cardinals history: the 10th anniversary of Game Seven of the NLCS between the Cardinals and the Mets. And, to honor that milestone, the three iconic plays from a truly incredible game.

From the sixth inning, with the scored tied 1-1.

From the top of the ninth inning, Scott Rolen on first, scored still 1-1, and the reason why Yadi is still booed by Mets fans today:

And, of course, from the bottom of the ninth with the Cardinals up 3-1. There were two outs, but the bases were loaded …

Ten years later, it doesn’t get old.

Chris Carpenter Turns 40 Today

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Isn’t there a certain irony to Adam Wainwright finding out the full extent of his Achilles’ injury today, which is Chris Carpenter’s 40th birthday?

CC-from LindaSMaybe it’s just me — I could likely find a way to connect Chris Carpenter to anything Cardinals’ related, or would at least be up for that challenge — but it certainly seems coincidental. Because another likely lost-season for today’s ace becomes yet another thing Wainwright has in common with the previous ace/2011 postseason hero/2005 Cy Young Award winner/all-around BAMF, who missed the entire 2003 season, made one start in 2007, four in 2008, three in 2012 and tried his damnedest to come back in 2013 until he couldn’t try anymore.

Oh, for what might have been for both of them without their injuries …

Okay, enough sadness. Unless Chris is upset about turning 40. Although if he is, it’s probably more this kind of intensity that we used to love seeing from him. (“I’m 40 now? S—! F—!”)

In that respect, let us honor the warrior that he was during his playing days — and marvel at the fact that two Cardinal Hall of Famers also were born on April 27.

Born on April 27, 1896? The Rajah, Rogers Hornsby.

Born on April 27, 1916? Enos “Country” Slaughter.

And, obviously, born on April 27, 1975? Christopher John Carpenter.

Read more about all three, from an April 2011 perspective, in this post I wrote for Baseball Digest four years ago today.

If you’d rather just look at some pictures of the now-40-year-old (especially if you are female), there’s this AMF post from three years ago today that may cheer you up about Waino. Or at least make an attempt. Because, yes, it does include all your favorite CC photos …

And if that doesn’t work, just watch that video clip from above over and over. Because Carp definitely does have a way with words.

Happy birthday, Chris!

Adam Wainwright To The Disabled List

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Although the extent of Adam Wainwright’s injury is not yet known — and won’t be until after an MRI tomorrow — he was placed on the 15-day disabled list today. But instead of just the vague description from last night that he had a left ankle injury, the team announced today that he does have an Achilles injury.

nurse-e1397756375763Of course, one look at Twitter last night would have told you a variety of Achilles injuries he had suffered based on how he was and wasn’t moving. Who knew so many Cardinals fans are doctors — and such experts at diagnosing just based on what they see on a TV screen?

Taking Wainwright’s spot on the roster at the moment is catcher Cody Stanley, which is an interesting move. Is there more to Yadi’s sore knee even after the news that he hoped to play today (and is not, as Tony Cruz will be in there once again)? Personally, I’m glad to see Stanley get the call — he’s a former River Bandit and was on the 2011 Midwest League champion team with Trevor Rosenthal, so I’ve watched him play many times.

Here’s the official news release from the Cardinals.

The St. Louis Cardinals announced today that right-handed pitcher Adam Wainwright will be placed on the 15-day disabled list with an injury to his left Achilles and left ankle. Catcher Cody Stanley has been recalled from Memphis (AAA).

Wainwright, 33, injured his left lower ankle and Achilles during his at-bat in the top of the 5th during Saturday night’s game at Milwaukee. He had pitched 4.0 shutout innings against the Brewers, facing the minimum, while allowing four hits and striking out four. Wainwright has a 2-1 record and 1.44 ERA in four 2015 starts.

This is Stanley’s first appearance with the Major League club, and he will be making his Major League debut in his first game appearance. The Clinton, N.C., native had appeared in 15 games for Memphis, seven behind the plate, and was batting .216 with 2 home runs and 5 RBI. Stanley, 26, was drafted in the 4th Round (139th overall) of the 2010 June Amateur draft by St. Louis out of University of North Carolina – Wilmington.

And Now Another Amazing October Friday Win

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Friday nights in October seem to be made for the St. Louis Cardinals.

Looking back over the most memorable postseason games since 2011, some of the best were on Fridays. Game Five of the 2011 NLDS and the masterful performance by Chris Carpenter. Game Seven of the 2011 World Series (nothing more needs to be said about that, obviously!) The wacky and weird wild card game in 2012 against the Braves. Game Five of the 2012 NLDS with that incredible comeback against the Nationals.

Game1

Photo: St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Then there was last October and Game Six of the NLCS, Cardinals up in the series 3-2. One more win against the Dodgers, though it would have to be a win against Clayton Kershaw — would send the Cards to the World Series. Kershaw gave up 7 of the runs scored by the Cards in the 9-0 pennant-clinching victory. No doubt a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence. Clayton Kershaw would never have that kind of night in the postseason again …

Especially in 2014, after his not just Cy Young but possibly MVP-worthy season in which he went 21-3 with a 1.77 ERA.

Especially when Adam Wainwright unfortunately had a Game-Five-of-the-2012-NLDS-like night and allowed 6 runs to the Dodgers, leaving in the fifth inning with the Cards down 6-1.

Especially when Kershaw, after allowing the first-inning home run to Randal Grichuk then retired 16 straight Cardinals and struck out seven until Matt Carpenter homered to make it 6-2 in the top of the sixth.

Then came the seventh inning. Continue reading →

Here We Go, Game 162

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So here we are, Game 162.

National League Central: not yet clinched. The opportunity was there for the Cardinals to do so last night, following the Reds walk-off grand slam victory over the Pirates yesterday afternoon. Yet Mark Trumbo’s three-run homer that gave the Diamondbacks a 5-2 lead over the Cards in the seventh inning last night was the difference in the game.

It’s down to today’s regular season finale now.

Do we root for Johnny Cueto, who’s starting this afternoon against the Pirates and going for win No. 20, in the game that begins at 12:10 p.m. Central Time?

Pittsburgh Pirates v Cincinnati Reds

Yes, Cueto certainly is laughing at the idea that the Cardinals and Cards fans are wanting him to succeed today …

Or do we, as we’ve done since 2010 anyway, ignore and/or wish the worst for Johnny Cueto because he is Johnny Cueto and just know that Adam Wainwright will get the job done anyway when the Cardinals take on the Diamondbacks at 3:10 p.m. Central Time? Continue reading →

Once Again, The Cardinals Shine In September

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It’s September. Here come the Cardinals!

SeptemberYes, September has become the St. Louis Cardinals month in recent years. That, of course, has led them right into October baseball for the past three seasons. And, at this stage, it would take something beyond extraordinary for that streak to not reach four straight years — the magic number for playing in the postseason is now just one. [UPDATE: Thanks to the Pirates beating the Brewers this afternoon 1-0, the Cards are officially in!]

Last night’s 8-4 Cardinals victory over the Reds was their 14th win this month, to go with just five losses. Speaking of five, that’s the magic number for clinching the NL Central — and it’s the magic number that means something, since it guarantees playing in the division series. Only seven games remain in September, yet the Cards still have just a 3 1/2 game lead over the second-place Pirates. They’ve had a good September as well, going 12-6 thus far, which is why the Cards’ magic number isn’t decreasing as quickly as it could.

Still, this month has been the Cardinals’ time to shine going back to the “September to remember” in 2011. Continue reading →

How Much Do The Cardinals Miss Yadier Molina?

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When Yadier Molina tore a ligament in his right thumb sliding into third base on July 9, the St. Louis Cardinals were 50-42 following their victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates that night. The Cardinals were in second place in the NL Central, two games behind the Milwaukee Brewers. They’d scored 340 runs on the season, while allowing 318.

yadiLast night, the Cardinals lost to the Miami Marlins 6-5. Since Yadi went on the DL, the team has gone 12-13 and is now 62-55. At the moment, they’re in third place in the Central — three games behind the Brewers and a half-game behind the second-place Pirates. They’ve jockeyed back and forth with the Pirates for second place since July 29.

That run differential looks a little different now too, as they’ve scored 436 runs this season while allowing 444. Although losses of 12-1, 12-2 and 10-3 in that span will definitely change the look of things …

Now, granted, 2014 Yadi wasn’t quite hitting like 2012/2013 MVP finalist Yadi either. On July 9, his stats were .287/.341/.409 with seven home runs and 30 RBI. Decreased offensive production this season, however, certainly hasn’t been limited to Yadi alone.

Who’s stepped up the most in the past 30 days? Interestingly enough, according to the stats on the Cards website, the guy leading the team in hitting in that span is someone who’s only been on the team since July 26: A.J. Pierzynski. In his 11 games as a Cardinal, AJP is hitting .308/.357/.410 with a double, a homer and five RBI. He drove in the first run last night, just before Jon Jay homered to momentarily tie the game at 3-3. Continue reading →

This Year’s Cardinals Don’t Do Much For Me

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I know what the current National League Central standings say.

I know that with a Cardinals win over the Rays tonight and a Brewers loss to the Reds, those standings will be even better.

I don’t care very much. Honestly, I haven’t cared like I used to for most of the season.

Here’s one reason.

Matheny quotePerfect logic for a team that’s built mostly on young talent, with even more in the minors just waiting for a big-league opportunity. Right?

And here’s another reason.

matheny on oscar

Ugh. Seriously? Sitting on the bench for up to five games a week has more benefit than playing?

Actually, there is one simple reason why I feel the way I do about the Cardinals this year and it’s the common denominator between those two quotes: Mike Matheny.

All the curious lineup decisions, all the frustration with his game management — now, in Year 3 of Matheny everything is just crazy. Are we now seeing the impact of his lack of managerial experience? Is it just the change in personnel? Were others — Carlos Beltran, Chris Carpenter — more influential than we realized and able to spark and energize the team so Matheny’s deficiencies weren’t as obvious as they are now? Continue reading →

Sometimes, The Greatest Moments Are Unscripted

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Ah, the 2014 All-Star Game … also know as Derek Jeter Tribute Night.

I’m not going to join in the fray over what Adam Wainwright said or did — frankly, I’d rather dedicate this song to Adam Wainwright instead — although I do want to talk about Derek Jeter’s first at-bat against him.

Ah, Derek Jeter in Cardinal red ...

Look, it’s Derek Jeter in Cardinal red!

Yes, it was all choreographed to perfection beginning with the “RE2PECT” commercial running on FOX once the top of the first inning ended. Then, at Target Field, having the introduction of Jeter by the late Bob Sheppard was a wonderful touch. The standing ovation from the fans, the tipping of his helmet to the crowd, the requisite camera shots of Jeter’s parents in the stands, the applause by the all the National League starters on the field, the silence on the FOX broadcast so we could all absorb the moment, even the chance to hear Jeter telling Jonathan Lucroy “have a good one and congratulations to you, all right?” as the crowd begins to chant “Der-ek Je-ter” — top notch, of course, because that’s the way it was all supposed to be.

The first pitch from Wainwright, still silence from Joe Buck and the crew, the crowd settles down. Another requisite shot of Jeter’s family and then, through the silence, one man’s voice rings out …

“Over-rated.”

Continue reading →

Martinez To Start, Grichuk Down, Greenwood Up

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It’s been a newsworthy Father’s Day morning for the St. Louis Cardinals, as it was announced that Carlos Martinez will start on Monday for the team, filling the start that Adam Wainwright is skipping due to tendinitis in his elbow.

St_Louis_Cardinals_1998-present_logoIn addition, left-handed pitcher Nick Greenwood was promoted to the Cardinals while outfielder Randal Grichuk was sent back to Memphis.

Here’s the news release from the Cards on that move.

The St. Louis Cardinals announced prior to today’s series finale with the Washington Nationals, that they have purchased the contract of left-handed pitcher Nick Greenwood from Memphis (AAA) and optioned outfielderRandal Grichuk to the triple-A affiliate.

The 6-1, 180-pound Greenwood was 3-3 with a 2.61 ERA in 22 games (three starts) for Memphis this season, limiting the opposition to a .221 BA in his 41.1 innings pitched.  Greenwood, a native of Farmington, Connecticut, was 1-0 with a 0.82 ERA in his three games started, the most recent on June 1 at Oklahoma City.

The 26-year-old Greenwood will be making his Major League debut with his first appearance, becoming the fifth player to debut with the Cardinals this season, joining Grichuk, Greg Garcia, Eric Fornataro and Oscar Taveras.

A veteran of 218 career minor league games (47 starts), Greenwood was acquired by the Cardinals from San Diego on July 31, 2010 in a three-way trade with the Padres and Cleveland Indians that also sent pitcher Jake Westbrook to St. Louis.

Greenwood has been assigned uniform no. 62.

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The Cardinals go for the sweep of the Nationals in about an hour, with Jaime Garcia facing Doug Fister.