Pujols and history meeting again
Not that I do not believe, but I settled for Game 2 NLDS tickets only. I am guaranteed to see a big game and I would rather watch any subsequent games at home than deal with standing-room only crowds or have the live experience flawed somehow. Sacred games are best, for me, to see in my basement sports lair. Perhaps I am a freak, but I enjoy having the control. I suppose it is no surprise that I refuse to see movies in a public theater . . .
Though it is becoming unlikely, Albert Pujols remains within reasonable distance of reaching 100 extra-base hits. He has 90 with nine games left. For perspective, realize that his season likely will wind up in the the top-30 all-time after 2004. Pujols’ career high in extra-base hits is 95, set last season (32nd all-time). However, arguably the coolest stat Pujols has partially maintained in 2004 is having more HRs than Ks. But now that he is at 45-to-49, Phat Bert will likely not quite reach that legendary mark. Pujols, surprise, is the only Redbird with more BBs than Ks, but Larry Walker is close with 45 walks and 51 strikeouts.
As far as I can tell, the Cardinals’ game on Saturday is not on television. Since only a handful of games have not been on TV this season, it is extremely wierd that a Saturday game has no TV in STL. But were it a meaningful game, I bet Fox would’ve taken care of things. I actually am very intrigued with Saturday’s starter-by-committee approach. I guess I will miss Ricky Ankiel’s next appearance. Oh well, there is always plenty of college football, though it is kind of a weak Saturday in CFB. I’m banking on USC-Stanford to be a good one though, and maybe Iowa-Michigan or Wisconsin-Penn St too.
As lackluster (anti-climactic) as the Cardinals’ official clinching of the Central was, it has proved to be a very liberating experience for me. I no longer have been fearing radio and TV sports updates and am able to causally check on the game and speak with someone with repect to the real-time game sitauation. I’m an admiited TiVo freak, especially with my sports viewing, so this has been a nice break. Not that I like meaningles games, but it does serve as an emotional break to be somewhat detached and part of the normal reality of one's city.
The Cards have reached 101 wins six times previously, but have never surpassed 106 . Given the remainder of the 2004 schedule, this might be the season for that.
Ricky Ankiel must be on the playoff roster if Steve Kline is not. I see no reason to take Randy Flores instead – except it might be way too much to ask Ankiel to pitch in the playoffs after only a handful of MLB innings. But why not see how he responds? Plus, the same is true for Flores.
If Kline is out for the season, at least this postseason is guaranteed to have a different ending than the previous two trips . . . Womack, Lofton . . .