Coming to terms with Oscar Taveras' death

Oscar Taveras died Sunday.

It's heartbreaking. And inconceivable, I think, because we wrote Oscar Taveras' story one way for so long: successful career, grand heroics.

But the ultimate author ended his story here. Like this: forever 22, full of potential, at the dawn of a career.

I am struggling to accept that. Because, to me, that is not the way his story should end. It's not the way I heard it. It's not the way I pictured it.

Ultimately, however, this tragedy is not about potential or talent or career milestones. It's about a young man and young lady who left us too soon. It's about youth.

Life never seems more fragile than when someone so full of vitality dies.

Life never seems more precious than when someone years from old age dies.

Life never seems more unfair than when someone approaching a bright horizon dies.

Life is unfair and precious and fragile. Cherish it. Enjoy it. Live, but most of all love.

***

To Oscar: I thought I would be saying goodbye when you retired from this game 18 years from now as the central hero in the latest chapter of Cardinals history. 

Today, too soon, I say goodbye. Your life was brief, but you've left an indelible mark on baseball fans' hearts. 

Rest in peace, Oscar.

In Which The Cardinals Test My Endurance and Play Extras

04/03/2013

Cardinals 9 Diamondbacks 10

Dear pitchers,

You guys were outstanding.  I love how well you held the leads.

Too bad our hitters didn't score enough runs to win.

'Til Later

P.S. How bad does it suck that we are playing the Giants this weekend? Especially considering, you know, our recent history of letting them win three straight games in the NLCS against us.

In Which I Explode with Happiness

04/02/2013

Cardinals 6 Diamondbacks 1

Dear 'birds,

A pulse! The team is alive! And it is capable of winning ballgames. Matt Holliday, Jon Jay, and Pete Kozma (yeah, I know) each hit a home run.  Jaime Garcia was outstanding. He allowed two hits, one of which was a home run to the league's newest Cardinals-pitching-killer, Miguel Montero. 

I just hope that these last two games aren't an indication that the offense is going to be feast and famine.

'Til Later!

In Which I Lament Last Night's Late Loss

04/01/2013

Cardinals 2 Diamondbacks 6

Before I address our dear birds and their winning play,  I have a few other parties to address. 

First: Arizona

There's this nifty thing called daylight savings time that all the cool kids are doing. I admire the boldness it must take to remain in standard time, but daylight time offers some glorious benefits-- like extra hours of sunlight in the evening (which, now that I consider it, probably isn't something that desert inhabitants are too keen on). It is frustrating to wait until 9 PM for the first game of the season.  That leads to my second grievance...

Second: an Opening DAY game that starts at NIGHT!

 I know, I know-- "Opening Day" is  a term that denotes the start of the professional baseball season  and  doesn't necessarily mean that games are played during the day... but doesn't it feel a bit more like  renewal and revival--and all the other things Opening Day symbolizes-- in the afternoon?

Third: The moment you've been waiting for

Dear 'birds,

Well, the season started yesterday.  So there's that.  We did manage to score the first run. And, well.... yeah.  

I hope tonight's game is more inspiring and fun with less strikeouts and baserunning goofs. 161 games to go-- we'll win a one or two or a few over the course of the year. But I am sure that someone, after watching last night's game, thought this:

Image from stlcardinalsbaseball.com, a funny Cardinals blog. 

They are partly excused because the game ended at midnight, however, they have used one of their three "OUR SEASON IS OVER" meltdowns.  As a Cardinal fan, you should know to save all insensible meltdowns for August.

Til Later!

Kyle Lohse has three losses

09/19/2012

Astros 1 Cardinals 4

It's September and KLo has three losses.  Only three.

He has been nails since the very beginning of the season-- remember that great Opening Night game versus the Marlins?

He has fifteen wins.   He should have more wins than that, but he has been unlucky this year.

For example, the team lost four times in his last nine starts, but they all were quality starts where he went six or more innings and gave up three or fewer runs.  In two starts he allowed 2 earned runs, one start 1, and one start 0.  His offense has failed him this year-- a pitcher puts numbers up like that and expects wins. 

Cy Young candidate?  I believe so.  It sucks that the low win total could count against him, especially when he should have many more wins.

Til Later