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UCB Project: Top 5 Cardinal Stories Of 2011

Posted on December 29, 2011 at 10:15 PM
Filed Under: St. Louis Cardinals | United Cardinal Bloggers
Every December, the United Cardinal Bloggers mark the end of another year with a look back at the top five stories that happened during this season.  As always, you'll be able to find links to all the various posts over at the official site.  And, if you are interested in a real walk down memory lane, here's last year's post, here's 2009, here's 2008, and finally the original version back in 2007.

This year, I expect that many of the top two or three stories will be the same across the participating UCB members.  A lot of these Jon Doble and I discussed on this week's UCB Radio Hour.  Due to that and the lack of drama a countdown would provoke, we'll start from the top and work our way down.  After the jump, we'll dive into the top story.


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1) Eleven in '11

Once the Cardinals made it into October (and their run there is a story in and of itself that we'll soon talk about), there was a logical case to be made that they could run the table and win the whole title.  That doesn't necessarily mean that everyone was completely buying it, however.

The Cards had a couple of things going for them.  One, they played meaningful, pressure-packed, elimination-type games all September long.  Once they reach October and the pressure level went up for the other teams, it had little effect on this band of brothers.

The other thing was that Chris Carpenter was completely on his game going into the tournament.  It didn't look like it after he got beat around in Game 2 of the NLDS on short rest, but after that there was no doubt that Carpenter was a bulldog on the mound, making sure his team wouldn't lose.  His battle with Roy Halladay in Game 5 of the NLDS will be forever etched in Cardinal lore.

In fact, that would have been the signature moment of the postseason had it not been for the epic story of Local Boy Makes Good.  David Freese had an outstanding three weeks, being named both NLCS and World Series MVP and providing one of the most incredible games ever.  Game 6, with his two-strike, two-out triple to tie the game and his 11th (there's that number again) inning home run to win it will be replayed on the Jumbotron at Busch until my grandkids are going to games--and beyond.

All in all, it was an outstanding, unbelievable, did-that-just-happen ride and we were all glad to be along for it.


The man, the myth, the legend.  And now, the Angel.  Pujols was a running thread throughout all of 2011.  From the spring training contract deadline that came and went, to the slump that lasted well into May, to the broken wrist and miraculous comeback, to a scorching September that cooled too soon, leaving him short of his normal .300 average and 100 RBI, the regular season was newsworthy enough.  Then he ran hot and cold in the playoffs, as evidenced by his legendary Game 3 in the World Series and the fact that he only got one other hit, a double in the ninth of Game 6, the whole series.

All of that was great fodder for discussion and blog posts, but when he astounded Cardinal fans and quite possibly the world by taking the Angels' offer of $254 million over 10 years, the words really began to flow.  Many of them were not so nice, as emotions ran the gambit from rage to depression to acceptance.

While the Cardinals may well be better next year and in the years to come for not laying out that kind of money (especially when you look at how backloaded the deal with the Angels was), the loss was not only of a man but also of an opportunity.  To have a legend be great out of the gate and then stay with the same team all the way through his deal doesn't happen often.  Cardinal fans were hoping to get greedy for it to happen twice, but it didn't.  Which means one of the biggest things gained in this whole thing was a renewed appreciation of Stan Musial.

3) September

OK, technically the run "started" on August 25.  It still doesn't seem possible that this team that couldn't put more than four wins together almost all of the year (and four was really stretching it) suddenly became this juggernaut that couldn't be stopped down the stretch and made a comeback that was completely historic in nature.

We are trying to put the finishing touches on the postseason publication from various UCB bloggers and one of the articles in there is by Mike Metzger, in which he outlines day-by-day the Cardinals' climb to overtake the Braves for the wild card slot.  When you look at it that way, it really is incredible that not only were they able to do that, but they did it with some crushing defeats along the way, especially that four-run lead blown against the Mets with just a handful of games left.

The Cards earned their way into this whole thing, but we do have to be cognizant of the fact that if the Braves hold this lead, odds are it's a cold October for the Redbirds.


The two things you never wanted to be put in the same sentence were uttered together on February 24 and just like that, the Cardinal faithful were reeling from a body blow.  While there were still reasons to be optimistic, it did seem like the Cards were going to have to battle for the title.  The pitching staff stepped up better than we expected, though the Cards still had to make a midseason deal so they could move Kyle McClellan back to the bullpen.  Nonetheless, Wainwright's absence was felt, especially since he was so visible during his rehab, hanging out with the team and being the best cheerleader possible.

Now, we hear that the rehab is going almost as good as you would expect.  Heck, he's already breaking off curveballs, whether sanctioned or not.  The most exciting part of 2012 may be when we get to see #50 take the mound for the first time and get a chance to welcome back our old friend.

5) The Colby Rasmus Trade

I really wanted to talk about the Cardinals and their increasing outreach into social media, but that was last year's #5 story and, even though they increased that this year and have really made the blogging community feel welcome and included, there's no doubt that this trade has to go on the list somewhere.

John Mozeliak pushed all his chips to the center of the pot by dealing the frustrating yet talented Rasmus to the Toronto Blue Jays (along with other pieces P.J. Walters, Trever Miller, and Brian Tallet) to get parts that would fix the club right now instead of a long-term view.  Only Marc Rzepczynski would be guaranteed to be on the 2012 roster (and, as it turns out, that will be the case now that Octavio Dotel is a Tiger).

The initial results weren't strong, as the club went from tied for first to 10 games out.  There's no doubt Mo was not feeling well after the flop and the turn card.  However, the river won it for him, as every piece (OK, maybe not so much Corey Patterson) contributed to that push to October and had a lot to do with the Cardinals bringing home another title.  I'm sure Mo wouldn't admit to being concerned, but it's something I'm sure the bloggers will ask him next year if they get a chance.

There were so many other topics that could have gone on this list.  Lance Berkman's remarkable turnaround.  The 7,422 double plays that the Cardinals hit into.  The large number of blown saves, which then forced a bullpen makeover so extreme that they pitched more of the NLCS than the starters did.  Allen Craig making a name for himself.  Tony La Russa's retirement and Mike Matheny being hired to replace him.  The pickup of Rafael Furcal.  Matt Holliday's fun-filled "How Can I Injure Myself In A Strange Way Today" season.

So many ways to remember 2011.  There's just no doubt that it won't be forgotten any time soon.


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Heroes

2011 Top Hero: Lance Berkman (24)
2010 Top Heroes: Matt Holliday and Albert Pujols (24)
2009 Top Hero: Albert Pujols (28)
2008 Top Hero: Albert Pujols (25)

Goats

2011 Top Goat: Ryan Theriot (12)
2010 Top Goat: Brendan Ryan (14)
2009 Top Goats: Rick Ankiel and Todd Wellemeyer (13)
2008 Top Goat: Troy Glaus (13)

    Cardinal Nation Approval Ratings (March 2011)
    Adam Wainwright 94.7% (down 0.9%)
    Matt Holliday 91.1% (up 6.6%)
    Albert Pujols 90.4% (down 8.3%)
    Dave Duncan 87.9% (up 0.9%)
    Derrick Goold 87.8%
    Chris Carpenter 86.9% (down 6.7%)
    Matthew Leach 85.5%
    Mike Shannon 84.9% (down 4.6%)
    John Rooney 84.3% (up 8.1%)
    Yadier Molina 83.7% (down 8.3%)
    Colby Rasmus 81.8% (up 5.0%)
    Pop Warner 76.7%
    Jim Hayes 76.1%
    John Mozeliak 74.1% (down 12.0%)
    Ryan Franklin 72.8% (up 3.1%)
    Bill Dewitt 71.0% (down 12.0%)
    Tony La Russa 70.8% (down 10.2%)
    BJ Rains 70.4%
    Ricky Horton 69.1%
    John Vuch 68.9%
    Jeff Luhnow 66.4%
    Skip Schumaker 64.1% (down 17.0%)
    Al Hrabosky 63.2% (up 19.0%)
    Mark McGwire 62.5% (down 10.7%)
    Dan Lozano 58.7%
    Joe Strauss 57.5%
    Kyle Lohse 55.1% (down 11.7%)

    2009
    Rick Ankiel 83.9%
    Chris Duncan 69.1%


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