*A sweep and a split marks much improvement for the Cardinals. The three game set with the Pirates exemplified a couple of things: the importance of well-timed pinch hitting, the fact that you can sweep a series without really hitting the ball hard, and that the Pirates still suck.
The 'Birds are certainly putting things together as we get deeper into the first month of this season. Phat Albert looked like he's getting closer and closer to being back in the king's chair Sunday with his two homers and four rbi against the Brew Crew. Some at-bats still look like a high schooler trying to hit Nolan Ryan, but it won't stay like that for long.
Chris Duncan heads the youth movement for the Cardinals, and he's silencing all his offseason critics with a scorching start (3 dings, +.400 BA, 4-5 Sunday). I was skeptical, I'll admit, but I'm on the bandwagon. And you can't really blame me for just jumping on it now, I drafted him, preseason, in two of my three fantasy leagues.
*In spring ball, Gary Pinkel has given those Mizzou fans another reason to call for his head. Remember when he tried to turn Brad Smith into a pocket passer? Well, he's outdone himself yet again, giving the majority of the practice snaps to Chase Patton, not multi MU record holder Chase Daniel. Last season, Daniel was like polished steel, wearing his gun outside his pants, his 3,527-yard total hammered the Mizzou single-season passing record by more than 1,000 yards. He made those few who remembered Terry McMillan quickly forget Terry McMillan, shattering his TD pass record, that stood since 1969, by ten touchdowns, for a total of 28. Pinkel says, "we're going to be working out of a two-quarterback system much more often next season." This comment came out about the same time he told reporters at ESPN.com "He's doing great. I've never been around a total quarterback like this before, and I've had five NFL QBs. And I hope the Chris Chandlers and Mark Brunells don't get mad when I say this, but he's the best natural leader I've coached and the most accurate guy I've ever seen."
Ah, screw it. Let's bench him.
A lot of football coaches are confusing. But Gary Pinkel borders on the line of mentally challenged. Most people in Columbia seem to be brushing this off as a publicity stunt, considering Chase Patton played high school ball here in town. But I'm not buying it, I actually think Pinkel is so stupid that he's going to take the ball out of Daniel's hands next season, making a potent, and proven, offensive attack much more vulnerable. But, hey, he's the coach, not me.
*Here's another question to consider regarding the Don Imus situation: Was MSNBC's decision to fire Imus infringing on the right of free speech granted to every citizen in the U.S.A by the first amendment?
I'm not saying either way, I'm just interested in hearing what you guys think. NBC's Dateline ran a special on this tonight, and a civil rights leader (I didn't catch his name) was saying the decision to fire Imus infringed on free speech. Obviously, Imus works for the company, and the company can do whatever they want. So no artificial answers here, we all already understand that NBC the right to can Imus. But furthermore, what is this saying about negligence towards the right to free speech?
Or is it more like, "shutup with political rant bullshit, Dave. This is a sport's blog, not a place to discuss the first amendment. Go Cards!"
3 comments:
Patton will not play very much for MU. Daniel is the star of the team.
I'm tired of Pinkel. This is complete BS. I hope he is just saying this crap to draw attention to his program. If he starts out next year with that 2 quarterback crap, the boosters will not be happy. He has to be smart enough to realize they will come after him if he does this.
On another note, the whole Imus thing is completely ridiculous and I'm tired of hearing about it. Every news channel I turn it to, that crap is on. I'm not racist by any means, but all of this crap is starting to make me have unhealthy racist thoughts. If it weren't for people like Jason Whitlock and my black friend I played racquetball with today, who bring up the point of the rappers that say way worse and get away with it, I would probably be a racist person. Thank God for the people that keep me sane.
David, no comment about Duncan's great play in the field so far? Or are you not wanting to jinx it?
Keep up the good work.
I'm for more sports and less political ramblings. I get enough of that elsewhere.
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