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| Wednesday, July 12 | |||||
| Cardinals fans give midseason report | |||||
| We told you what we thought of the Cardinals' first-half performance, now you've told us. Here is what you had to say about our reports and what the Cardinals have to do in the second half:
Yup ... there's a St. Louis fan even in the Far East! It's too bad we can't watch them on ESPN in Asia especially since the Cardinals are playing some solid baseball. Anyway, I was very surprised the bench players kept stepping up big time whenever the starters needed the rest and I hope they'll continue to do so. Good for Alan Benes and Matt Morris to check their egos and contribute as team players from the bullpen. Tony La Russa has done a masterful job of balancing the lineup and keeping everyone on their toes. Go Cards!
Kerry Shaneburger Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
I have been impressed as a long time Cards fan. The credit should go to Walt Jockety for getting all of these fantastic players, and to Tony LaRussa for bringing them all together to play like a real team when the majority of them are new. And hey, you can't blame the guys for loving to play in St. Louis, it is the most underrated baseball city in America. Bryan Morley Boulder, CO
With Matt Morris and Alan Benes in the bullpen and continuing to get back to their successful form, I would like to see the Cardinals trade either Hentgen, Stephenson or Andy Benes for a closer like Texas's John Wetteland. Every team out there is in need of a proven starter, and the Cardinals could get a proven closer and possibly a left-handed middle relief guy. It would solidify and support a solid starting rotation. Tom Colleton Chicago
MVP? No question it is Mark McGwire! How can you pass up a man who has led the Cardinals to such a big lead in the NL Central! Edmonds deserves recognition as well. McGwire DESERVES the MVP! Without him in the Cardinal lineup, the other eight players would not be as good as they are now. Get real and give Big Mac credit! Please realize he is more than a circus attraction!
Patrick Stone
The Cardinals did have a great first half and could easily be 15-16 games in front of Cincinnati. I am concerned though about the second half. I am concerned that Mark McGwire, who is so so important to the offense and the team, may not play that much and keep going off and on the DL. I hope I am wrong because I am a lifelong Cardinal fan and I am ready for the World Series again. But without McGwire, I do not know if they can accomplish this task. A lot of people do not realize the impact that McGwire makes to the lineup and how he tremendously changes the opposition's strategy behing pitching the entire Cardinals lineup. I do however believe the Cardinals will still win the division. Jeff Kullmann St. Louis, MO
If the Cards can ever keep the starting nine players on the field together and combine it with their bench strength, they will have the strongest line up in the N.L if not all of baseball. John Sutton St. Louis, MO
I agree, the Cards have drastically improved since last season. The most interesting part about this season though, is that the Cards haven't played that many games with their "A" lineup. With Tatis, Vina, and Big Mac out of the lineup in a lot of games during the first half, they still have managed to put a real competitive ballclub together. Granted, these guys have played in games, put very seldom in the first half were they playing together in the same game. Yet the Cards are still first in the division, with an eight-game lead, and one of the best records in all of baseball. Just imagine the second half when all the starters are healthy and the "A" lineup is back? Kevin Koch Springfield, MO
Provided Tony LaRussa doesn't destroy Rick Ankiel, the Braves could be facing a tough series in October. Brett Needham, MA This is the deepest Cardinal team I have seen in a long time. I have been closely following the Cards since the 1968 World Series, so I have seen a few teams through the years. It's nice to see depth in the bullpen and on the offensive side at the same time. Lankford has always been a streaky hitter and I think he is on a upswing right now, which is good because McGwire's knee may cut his production back for awhile. It's going to be exciting for all us die-hard Redbird fans in the second half (if only Willie could have lasted one more season). D. Boyette Cordova, TN
I look for the Cardinals to win their Division, the NL playoffs and the World Series. No one has the five pitcher rotation the Cardinals have. At the end of the season I predict the following total wins/loses; David Kile (22-11), Pat Hentgen (16-9), Andy Benes (18-7), Rick Ankiel (14-8), and Garret Stevenson (17-9.) Here will be the final home run totals; McGwire 60, Edmonds 54, Lankford 29, Tatis 24, Renteria 22, Davis 20, and Paquette 16. Wiley Murray Oroville, CA I'm in the Bronx, but I think the Cardinals are going to win the NL and the World Series because of the pitching they have and their defense (i.e. Jim Edmonds). I like the Yankees but I'm picking the Cardinals as the 2000 World Series champions. Francis Baffour The Bronx, NY
Good job. I think the Cards have to be the favorite in the NL! JD Drew is having a good season too. Who's deeper than the Cards? Chris Guebert Atlanta | ALSO SEE Midseason report: St. Louis Cardinals MLB midseason reports | ||||