UCB Roundtable: Anticipating 2009

The month-long United Cardinal Bloggers roundtable finally reaches its end.  It must have been time, because the last few questions elicited fewer responses than some of the early ones.

There wasn't much left to ask, but I wanted to see what the bloggers were most looking forward to in 2009.  After the jump, their responses.


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Chet (4thebirds....):

#1: A memorable run in case this is TLR's last season of managing.
#2: Watching the call-ups and sophomores develop and contribute.
#3: Witnessing Luddy, Ank, Pujols, Dunc and Glaus become, if not a Murderer's Row, then at least a Manslaughter's Row.

Chris (Whiteyball):

#3: Watching Motte become one of the game's dominant closers.
#2: Watching the All-Star Game festivities in St. Louis (side note: seeing Lake DeWitt go away).
#1: Seeing how the team's prospects play as the team makes a run, as Chet calls it; they will surprise this year.

Michael (Whiteyball):

#3: Pujols being Pujols
#2: Attending the All-Star Game and Home Run Derby (and hopefully playoff baseball)
#1: Going to Cardinal games with my five-year-old son and watching him grow to enjoy the game more.

Sarah (La Beisbolista):

#1: The All-Star Game, not because I like the ASG (because I don't, not at all), but because it's going to bring a lot of focus and excitement and, well, let's face it, revenue to the St. Louis area.
#2: Seeing what our (once again) underestimated team can do against the bigger spenders, because I, too, have a feeling we'll surprise some people (once again).
#3: Enjoying some fun, hard-played baseball, no matter how the season turns out.

Nick (Pitchers Hit Eighth):

#1: This team will contend.  There's always more interest when you really believe the team can win the division.  Luckily, we are in that position almost every season.
#2: A Joel Pineiro contract year.  Don't ask me why, perhaps just the eternal optimist in me, but I think Joel's got a good year in him for 2009.  Let's hope the Cards aren't fooled this time around when it comes end of the year.
#3: This is going to sound weird maybe, but I'm looking forward to continued updates throughout the season from Cardinal scribes via Twitter.  Goold and Leach have been instrumental in keeping me "in tune" with the Cards in Jupiter, and I can only imagine they'll continue through the season.  What a great medium for getting instant updates in a world where we're all so impatient (especially us bloggers) to get new information.

Some great answers from everyone.  I can't disagree with any of them (though I will say Pineiro would be far down on my list).  Here's what I'm looking forward to:

#1: Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright in the same rotation.  They've never spent any length of time pitching with each other.  Assuming Carpenter stays healthy and they are both on their games, you are almost assured of two well-pitched games a week.  A side note to this is the pitching in general.  I think it could be a very good year on the mound this season.

#2: As noted above, Albert Pujols being Albert Pujols.  Just imagine what he can do now that the elbow feels better!

#3: Having Cardinal baseball on the TV on a daily basis.  I don't necessarily watch a game from start to finish, with so many family things requiring my time in the evenings.  But it's great to be able to turn it on and leave it.  That means there is always something on, something that you don't have to worry about the kids watching either (well, save some of the commercials, but even those are typically better than normal TV).  It's the daily part of my life and I sincerely miss it in the winter.

Thanks to all that participated in any of the roundtables.  Look for the next UCB project in a couple of weeks!

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