Show-Me Kings

The headlines reveal another season-ending surgery and another pitcher with a sore shoulder. Just a typical day with the 2007 St. Louis Cardinals. Last night’s loss to the Phillies was a perfect microcosm of the season. Given up for dead after being buried with a huge deficit, the club stages an improbable rally only to come up short.

Time to look toward 2008. This is one messy jigsaw puzzle. Whether it’s Walt Jocketty and Tony La Russsa or another GM/Manager combo, they have a lot of work to do. (more)

The Cardinals may be in the midst of a five-game losing streak but the soap opera that stars the players and manager of the baseball team in St. Louis is still spinning out interesting episodes. There are the cast members whose roles have been cut short this season — Chris Carpenter, Scott Rolen, Juan Encarnacion, possibly Chris Duncan and others long since written out of the story line (Preston Wilson was the opening day right fielder).

There’s the off-field behavior that’s led to death (Josh Hancock), the restricted list (Scott Spiezio) and plenty of questions (Rick Ankiel).

Finally, there’s the palace intrigue surrounding the leading man more torn about his fate than Hamlet. (more)