That Time of Year Again

Happy June! The grass is growing and the Cards are slipping. It's kind of becoming an annual thing, isn't it? Cardinal nation timidly asks for another pitcher or a big bat to protect Pujols and management "lets 'em down easy". I have a message to all hopeful Cardinal fans like myself who are reading this. Mark Derosa: NOT COMING HERE. Matt Holldiay: NOT COMING HERE. Wanna know why boys and girls? It's cause of John Mozeliak and Bill Dewitt. They will continue to sit and leave the phones in their office on the hook while looking out over Ballpark Village. . .oh, wait a minute. That's a wonderful softball field they put in there though.

Anyway, back to the topic of discussion. The Cardinals are a game and half back right now. That number will continue to grow if they don't make a move. So cross your fingers all you like, but nothing's gonna happen.


PS: Thank God the Red Wings lost.


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Outside Our Realm: First Edition

Believe it or not, there isn't always something terribly exciting going on in St. Louis sports. The Cardinals are playing very well, but it's May and it's too early to be A. Excited about it, or B. Worried they're not in first. So for this post I'm going to shift gears to one of my favorite sports, tennis! Today I'm proud to say that our (Westminster Christian Academy) varsity tennis team is going to state! I was blessed to be a part of the team this year. It was a blast.
And on a slightly higher level of tennis the French Open starts Monday! I'll be rooting for Federer as usual. The recent Masters Series tournament in Madrid gave us all hope that he might be able to knock off Nadal this year. *fingers crossed* It would be pretty incredible.

So that concludes our first edition of "Outside Our Realm"

Expect these every couple months or so.

Go Cards!


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Ready to Give Up

It seems like every week there's another one. One more baseball player either admitting to, or getting caught using steroids, HGH, or just drugs in general. What scares me is hearing radio talk show hosts saying they don't care anymore. WHAT!? How could you say that if you love baseball? What's the matter with you!? Anyway, back to the main issue. I'm scared MLB is starting to have this same mind set. I'll tell you this though, I never will. Cheating is cheating. Period. Unfortunately, Major League Baseball does not seem to agree. What's terribly frustrating is all the hype this A-Rod story got when nothing is EVER gonna happen to him. He won't get suspended, he'll still make the Hall of Fame, he won't receieve a paycut, and he won't be punished anymore than a slap on the wrist.

So I have come to this conclusion. The blame falls on two groups of people. The airheads stupid enough to take these drugs, and the MLB for letting it get this far. This situation could have been handled so much better. Take a look at the NBA and the NHL. There never seems to be a steroid controversy. I'm just worried about when a few Cardinal names start getting thrown around.

I have faith in Albert though.

But only him at this point.

Go Cards!

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Changing of the Seasons

Well, the Blues had a great season. I’m bummed it’s over but man, was it fun. I was in attendance as Alex Burrows broke my heart, but the pain was quickly gone. I realized that the Blues were not even expected to make the playoffs in December and stealing the six seed was quite an accomplishment.

There were so many great moments this season. It’s tough to pin down my favorites but T.J. Oshie’s “Goal of the Year” is certainly up there. Also, who could forget David Backes batting the puck out of the air and tying the game in Boston with only one second remaining. The Cards are probably asking if he can play left field. Or how about the seconds ticking away against Columbus a few weeks ago. An unbelievable season came to a disappointing end, but it was simply amazing. This team has an extremely bright future and I can’t wait until next October!

So now it’s on to baseball season. I can’t say I’m too excited yet, but I will be. They’re off to a good start and that’s always encouraging but we have to remember it’s still APRIL!! So let’s not call them NL Central champs just yet. I predicted that they would miss the playoffs yet again but I hope they prove me wrong. I think they need to add some key players at the trade deadline but I don’t think they will. They will probably just sit back and watch teams pass them by in the standings. That being said, the Cubs are playing like it's October, (that's bad for them) and Pujols continues to be . . . himself.

So happy Spring. . .I suppose.

GO CARDS!

As Big as it Gets

Well, it has all come down to this (sort of). The Blues have a chance to clinch a playoff spot tonight with a win against Columbus, and Nashville loss in Minnesota. It has been three seasons since our Blues last appeared in the playoffs and Scottrade will be louder than it has been in at least 4 or 5 years. Unfortunately I won't be in attendance. Although I am sure to be screaming at the TV win or lose. The game starts at 7:30! LET'S GO BLUES!!

Note: More to come after the game.

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Opening Day 2009: The Epitome of Déjà Vu

Well the pre-game festivities were once again brilliant for the St. Louis Cardinals Opening Day tradition. Adam Wainwright pitched beautifully until about the fifth inning. But, unfortunately, that's where the positives end. Oh, my. . .where to begin? Contrary to the belief around St. Louis and the ever-optimistic Al Hrabosky I think our lineup is pretty weak. I mean seriously guys, it's the Pirates. We can muster more than 4 runs. But that is far from the Cards' biggest problem. Relief pitching is back to haunt us. Meanwhile, with the help of K-rod, the Mets are able to win against the Reds with only one run! Brian Fuentes will no doubt be put in against the A's tonight if it's close in the ninth! Trevor Hoffman's Brewers play tomorrow night. Don't ya think he'll be in if the game's tight? It's interesting, all three of these guys were more than available to the Cardinals (They have the money, believe it or not). But instead, we stick with our less-than-stellar farm system. Poor Tony LaRussa, he pleaded for some help in the off-season and what did he get? Excuses. If I were him I'd be retired by now. I'm sure having no help with your job adds some age to your life.

So, once again for the Cardinals, it's the same stuff. Get a lead, blow the lead, get it back, blow it for good. C'mon Cardinal Nation! Let's help Tony give a shout out to Mr. Mozeliak! GO GET US A CLOSER! I feel bad for Jason Motte. He's just another product of this current Cardinals front office. Yes, he had a wonderful Spring. But that doesn't show you a lot. If I'm the Cards I stick with him. Yanking him now will do nothing for his confidence. Especially when all the solid closers have been off the market for a month now.

One more question. Where's Chris Perez? He's the only Cardinal closer that has come REMOTELY close to proving himself. *SIGH* Oh, well. Looks like were in for another long season. When I saw that game-winning double go over Schumaker's head I simply muttered, "Unbelievable." But then I realized, it's really not. What did I, or for that matter all Cardinals fans, expect?

Were lucky this is only one game, but in my mind, the weather, and the how the Cards performed today reminded me of one thing. It's still hockey season.

Let's go Blues..



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Rams Sign... Kyle Boller?

So I just saw this on their website and it seems a little strange. Basically I'm saying it is yet another questionable move by the Rams orginization. We advertise Marc Bulger as "our man" and now we sign a quarterback who may be even worse? Will there be a quarterback competition? Whatever happen to the Jeff Garcia situation? I just don't think this move makes since.

But then, again look at this..



And now this...





Maybe St. Louis is a perfect fit. ;)

At any rate, Go Rammies!




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Baseball's back, yet for some reason I'm not so excited

When a new season comes around for the Blues, Rams, and Cards, I'm always SOMEWHAT pumped. I even watched as our "beloved" Rams got squashed 38-0 way back in Sepetember. The Blues kicked off the season this year with an exciting 5-2 win over the Predators. So! Monday is the overblown celebration that is Opening Day and I just CANNOT get excited. I think this is for a few reasons.

1. The Blues are keeping us on the edge of our seats with an improbable playoff run. (Which I'm am really nervous about.)

2. Mizzou made the elite eight!? Who saw that coming? Except my friend Cameron. There's your much wanted credit Cam.

3. Deep down all you kool-aid drinking Cards fans know that this team isn't really that good. C'mon, be realisitic. No middle infield+No relief pitching+injuries that are sure to come back=another mediocre season.

As the season goes on baseball will start to interest me again. But as for now, the only baseball related topic I'm worried about is some good, old fashioned, non-steroid tainted, whiffle ball ;)



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In this town, not all teams are created equal.

Hi! My name is Connor Zielonko and I love St. Louis sports. (at least for the time being). You see, I am so incredibly fed up with sports coverage in this city. My favorite sports team in this town gets no credit. The Blues. This season the blues have battled through countless injuries and are in the thick of the playoff hunt with three games to go. Yet, when I pick up a paper all I seem to read about is spring training. REALLY!?!?!? Is spring training necessary? Yes. Is it over-hyped? Yes. In fact, so are all preseasons..but I digress.
Let me tell you something about the Cardinals. They take advantage of the un-deserved, constant praise that they are given. As I'm sure most of you know they had an incredible and improbable run to a world series championship in 2006. But let me ask you this, what have they done since!? Besides, A.) Passing on perenial all-star Matt Holliday, B.) Watch their reliever situation go from bad to worse, C.) Build Ball Park Village! Oh...wait..
So now let's take a look at the Blues. Excellent entry drafts in the last few years have provided them with exciting, young talent that SHOULD be the talk of the town. Currently the Blues are tied for a playoff spot. Very exciting stuff. But all this town is focused on is the Cardinals soon to be futile attempt to make the postseason this year. Another round of Kool-Aid for St. Louis please!

Opening Day on Monday..whoopee

Go Blues...


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