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.

Walk-Off Victory Face

04/17/2012

Reds 1 Cardinals 2

Final/10

Dear birdies,

I was at the game last night and had an awesome time.  But looking back, the team was awful.  Except for Kyle Lohse.

Lohse pitched beautifully. (The bullpen did well, too, if you put aside the blown save that occurred due to the errors).  But the rest of you guys... 2 errors and 14 men left on base!  It seems as if the only the only way any Cardinal touches home plate is through the home run-- can we please start hitting with men on base.

 I thought this team could be one of--if not the top-- best offenses in the NL again.  Prove me right and start being more clutch or whatever.  You all do a great job of getting on base, now get home!

Last night in the 10th inning, I pleaded with the gods of baseball to let a Cardinal victory happen that inning. The bases were juiced with baby birds: Tyler Greene (pinch running for "@dfreese23", i.e. David Freese), Jon Jay ("@jonjayU"), and Daniel Descalso ("@DanielDescalso").  I worried that the ineptitude shown with the bases loaded in the ninth will be displayed once again, but Matt Carpenter ("@MattCarp13"), the current darling of St. Louis, came through leading to my "crazed fan walk-off victory face."  My sister captured it perfectly in the picture after the jump.

Baby Birds are Making Noise, Causing a Ruckus

There are three types of ballplayers: those who make it happen, those who watch it happen, and those who wonder what happens. -Roy Campanella

04/15/2012

Cubs 3 Cardinals 10

Dear Baby Birds (previous members of the Memphis Mafia), 

You are awesome! You make it happen.  Last year, Jon Jay wound up playing in 159 games-- the most of any Cardinal.  When David was injured, Daniel Descalso played third base so well that he was a gold glove nominee.  Allen Craig and David Freese became a large part of the post season offense.  Lance Lynn excelled in his playoff bullpen role and has been an awesome starter so far this year.

On Sunday, Matt Carpenter had possibly the greatest day of his professional career-- he went 4 for 4 with five RBIs, a triple and a home run.   I say he was a pretty good sub for his childhood hero, Lance Berkman.

It came to Cardinals Nation's attention that Matt Carpenter will need a nickname-- simply because he shares two names with rather prevalent members of the St Louis Cardinals, Matt Holliday and Chris Carpenter.  A few suggested names (courtesy of St. Louis Post Dispatch's Cards Talk members) were Little Carp, Lil Carp, MC Hammer, T.O. (the other) Carpenter.  My favorite suggestion is knuckles. It definitely fits because he doesn't wear batting gloves!

My favorite thing about the Baby Birds/Memphis Mafia is the fact that you guys have experienced success together in the minor leagues and are now making memories together in the majors.  Plus, Puma says that the thing he likes about the Cardinals young players is that they all come up knowing how to play.  

'Til Later

P.S. Please win tonight-- I'll be in attendance! GO CARDS!

Tossed into the 'ssippi (i.e. those "in the dog house"):

Matt Holliday- Matty hit a long flyout Sunday, he was  warned.
Tyler Greene-  Ugly error on what looked to be a easy, routine play.