The big rivalry for the weekend... it isn't in the Bronx

Last year, I wrote about how the Cardinals and the Reds could become a dynamic new rivalry for the new decade.And after the first two games of this series, I am not backing down from those words. The Reds win on a walk off extra innings hit by Joey Votto last night and today the two battled back and forth until Cincy pulled ahead.The Reds have leap frogged over the Cardinals and probably put a

Albert Pujols will be a Dodger or a Met… and I predict a conspiracy theory

A bizarre and round about series of events and coincidences have made it clear to me that Albert Pujols will almost certainly not be a member of the St. Louis Cardinals next year.Before Pujols files for free agency, two large market franchises will change ownership and be in position to bid for him, and I believe Bud Selig will be manipulating the whole thing to help preserve his legacy.That’s

Hey Matt Hollday's Appendix... you aren't helping things

Seriously, the Cardinals are having a trying enough season already.Adam Wainwright had the dreaded words Tommy John associated with his name. Plus he was on a plane that skidded off the runway. (Nobody was hurt, but there are bad vibes about this team.) So they lost their Cy Young contender. Not good.The Cardinals are relying on big players who had some injuries (like Yadier Molina) or young guys

Cameron Maybin finds a nice way to win over his new team

He was recalled too quickly by the Tigers as a rookie and underachieved with the Marlins after the Miguel Cabrera trade.Now Cameron Maybin needs to produce in San Diego before wearing the "bust" label.Well making a highlight reel catch in the first and hitting a 2 out 9th inning game tying home run on the road is a nice start.Now keep that up over the season and maybe the Padres will have made a

Sully Baseball Salutes... Braden Looper

Pitcher Braden Looper retired today after failing to land a roster spot with the Cubs. He probably won't get a prolonged farewell in baseball circles nor a big celebration of his career.Chances are he'll clean out his locker, say good bye to some old friends and leave Arizona for his home in Illinois.But the staff here at Sully Baseball thinks his career in baseball is worth a salute.The Oklahoma

Sully Baseball Salutes... Jimmie Wilson

Jimmie Wilson was a two sport star who became a World Series hero because of bizarre and tragic circumstances.Chances are you never heard of Jimmie Wilson, the former Cardinals and Phillies catcher. I never heard of him until I stumbled across his story while compiling my latest 25 Man Roster. But he lived a unique albeit brief life that is worth a salute here at Sully Baseball.The player who was

Tommy John could derail the Cardinals for a long long time

Tommy John has such a pleasant sounding name. And he had a long durable career. But wow, hearing his name is you are a pitcher must be liking hearing the reaper knock on your door.I had already equated him with the creepy preacher in The Right Stuff.Now Tommy John's specter looms over Adam Wainwright and also the entire fate of the St. Louis Cardinals.Wainwright's season might be done with.And

New Sully Baseball Video - "Albert Boo-Jols?"

In my latest video, I state the obvious... no Cardinals fan should EVER boo Albert Pujols, no matter how this contract situation pans out!

Sully Baseball honors... Pepe Mantilla's call of Albert Pujols Home Run off Brad Lidge, October 18 ,2005

Versatile broadcaster Pepe Mantilla calls Spanish language broadcasts for soccer games and Laker games here in Los Angeles.Fox Sports also has employed him to call Spanish broadcasts for baseball playoff games.He's damn good at his job, and I can say that as someone who doesn't speak a word of Spanish.How do I know that? Because so much of baseball is conveying emotion and the drama simply in HOW

Pujols's contract demands: 400 Bazillion Dollars for 99 years

Actually Pujols' agent Dan Lozano wants the Cardinals to include a 100th year but the Cardinals want the 100th year to be a club option.I guess agents have a tendency to make a very high bid and then expect it to come down.I am thinking maybe the Cardinals will counter offer with "Ownership of the Cardinals".Either way, the Cardinals shouldn't mess around.As I wrote before, Pujols owes neither

If all things were equal, Cliff Lee should be a Cardinal

Wherever Cliff Lee will sign, it will be for the biggest contract. And why not? Would YOU turn down the most dough?And after being a Cy Young winner in 2008, he has played for four different teams. So why shouldn't he go for stability in his life now?And of course the Yankees are front runners.The Rangers want him back and supposedly there are some other clubs in the running.If it weren't a money

Cardinals vs. Reds could be the rivalry of the 2010s

Hey baseball… want to do something SMART regarding the marketing of your sport?OK, I didn’t think so.But in case you do, let me point out something that is going on. The two most popular teams remain the Yankees and the Red Sox and yes, most of the TV and marketing attention is being pushed towards them.However, the rivalry is getting a little stale… and this is coming from a die hard Red Sox fan

Hey Adam Wainwright. Now would be a good time to WANT that Cy Young

At one point Adam Wainwright looked like the Cy Young Front Runner...He was 17-6 with an ERA of 1.99 on August 11 and it looked like a 20 win season and a sub 2.00 ERA were in his future.Then it looked like he decided to make a conscious effort to hand it over to Roy Halladay.He had been 1-5 since and his ERA has jumped up .51 points.Now of course he is still in the mix for the Cy Young and some

How I want the National League races to end

With the season winding down, the playoff picture in the American League seems pretty clear. Unless the Twins and Rangers simply collapse and give the White Sox and A’s some life, then we can be pretty sure that the Yankees, Rays, Rangers and Twins will be playing in October.But there is a chance that the National League could be right down to the wire.I want there to be total anarchy by the end…

Did I miss when Colby Rasmus became a big star?

There's a big story going around about Colby Rasmus not happy with his playing time.Colby Rasmus wants out of St. Louis.The press wants to know Colby Rasmus' thoughts."Hey Albert Pujols, what's YOUR take on Colby Rasmus?"I even had a reader write me and say, I am quoting you dear reader... "You MUST have an opinion of Colby Rasmus!"Um yeah. He's an OK outfielder with 2 years experience. He had a

Hey Adam... why don't you want to win the Cy Young Award?

For the second straight start, Adam Wainwright can't make it to the 6th inning and the chance for win #18 goes down the toilet again. Unless the Cardinals go on a mongo comeback, he'll have lost his 5 straight decision.So when he was 17-6 with a 1.99 ERA, the Cy Young was his to lose.Barring a Reds bullpen collapse he will be 17-10 with a 2.34 ERA... great numbers to be sure, but not good enough

Have you noticed...

Have you noticed that the Cardinals haven't won since Tony LaRussa and Albert Pujols appeared at Glenn Beck's vague rally?They've lost two to the Nationals and all three to the Astros... not exactly world beaters.Just making an observation.I am sure people in Cincinnati are glad they showed up.

I am very good at picking who WON'T win the NL Central!

Everyone in the planet seemed to be picking the defending NL Central champ to cruise to another October date... everyone except your pal Sully.Your Pal Sully took a look at the Cincinnati Reds and thought "Hey! THIS team is exciting, packed with young talent and the defending champ is overrated."So before the season began, I stuck my neck out and said "THE IS THE YEAR FOR THE CINCINNATI REDS! I

Adam Wainwright continues to show his amazing generosity

Once again, Adam Wainwright could have taken all momentum of the Cy Young award, put it under his wing and make it his to lose.Instead he lost his 3rd straight chance to win his 18th.His ERA jumped from 2.18 to 2.30 and he only lasted 5 innings against the Nats and the Cardinals have fallen to 4 games back in the loss column.Aces are supposed to face sub par teams and STOP losing streaks.Instead

Tony LaRussa should be trying to Restore the Cardinals to the Pennant race

Call me nuts, but maybe the time Tony LaRussa spent coming up with a speech for Glenn Beck's dopey little promotional stunt could have been used in a more productive manner:Like how about a game plan against the Nationals.You know when you are the prohibitive favorite to win the division with the best 1-2 punch in the rotation in all the National League and a guy who seems hell bent to win his