At the 25 game mark, the season has started very slowly. There have not been a lot of good things to write about. This year started out on the road, which saw the team win 4 out of 7 games. Things seemed to be heading in the right direction as the team got ready to open the home stand. The team promptly dropped 7 of the first 8 games, including a three game sweep by the Vancouver Tuques. The team was able to salvage the final game of the home stand beating Cincinnati 4-3.
The team was anxious to get back on the road; at least until they found out they would have to go to the defending World Series winners. Losing two out of three wasn’t the way management wanted to finish that mini 3 game road trip.
Coming back home for a short 4 game set with Philadelphia saw another series of loses due to the bullpen throwing kerosene all over the field. The bully was supposed to be the one area of the pitching staff that would hold consistent. The team went 2-2 against the Fish.
After another sweep at the hands of Louisville, the team’s record stands at 9-17; and are 7 games out of first place in the NL West.
Next up for the team is another long road trip over the next 25 games. After a much deserved off day; the team leaves for Syracuse for three games. Then the city of St. Louis welcomes Scranton for 3 games and New Orleans for 4 games at Busch Stadium. The Cardinals pack the suit cases again for a 13 game trip; as they tour the nation’s capitol, on to Nashville, hitting Toledo and then looking to finish strong in City of Brotherly Love.
2002 World Series Champions
Monday, June 9, 2008
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Jacque Lee Interview
I’m here with perennial all star catcher for the St. Louis Cardinals, Jacque Lee. He was kind enough to take some time from his busy schedule and answer a few questions about his career and about his life off the field.
Q. What has been your greatest achievement in your career?
A. Well I would have to say that winning the World Series in season two would have to be right at the top, with the all star appearances a close second. It really is a team effort, I know I wouldn’t be there (at the allstar game) if it wasn’t for them.
Q. You have been very consistent every year, and it seems you are passed over for MVP. How special was it this past year to finally win the MVP?
A. I don’t think it really has hit me yet. I know maybe when I retire and I can reflect back on my career, it will finally hit me and all make sense. I was really focused this off season, knowing that it is the final year in my contract and I felt strongly to come back this season and show the team I’m completely healthy after the injury kept me out of the final 11 games last season.
Q. Speaking of the injury last year, do you feel responsible for the team collapsing down the stretch when you had a 4 game lead at the time?
A. I don’t know what would have happened if I didn’t get hurt when I did. I feel a little responsible, but there were a lot of guys that stepped right in when I got hurt. Like I said before, this is a team game and I have a lot of faith in my teammates to step up if anyone of us gets hurt.
Q. With the season just under way, what is your out look on the season and can the team get back to the playoffs?
A. I think we will be very competitive in the NL West. This division has to be the toughest in the NL. Anyone of the four teams can win it. It will definitely come down to the last games of the season again. If we can avoid any huge injuries and play the way I know we can. We should be right in the middle of things come playoff time.
Q. What is life like for Jacque Lee off the field?
A. I usually stay very active during the off season, trying to stay in shape. I think that has been the biggest difference in not getting hurt. During the season, I try to spend as much time as I can with my family and try to be like a normal family. You know, eating around the dinner table, having game nights, that sort of thing. When my career is finally over, I will absolutely love being there for my kids and being able to take vacations during the summer like normal families.
Q. Since you brought up the “retirement” thing, do you feel you should be in the Hall of Fame?
A. I don’t focus on that right now. If the nomination committee feels I should be a member, I will be truly honored. If not, I don’t feel as if my career wasn’t a success. I know that I went out there every single day and gave it my all. If I can do that, then I’ll just let the numbers speak for themselves.
Q. What has been your greatest achievement in your career?
A. Well I would have to say that winning the World Series in season two would have to be right at the top, with the all star appearances a close second. It really is a team effort, I know I wouldn’t be there (at the allstar game) if it wasn’t for them.
Q. You have been very consistent every year, and it seems you are passed over for MVP. How special was it this past year to finally win the MVP?
A. I don’t think it really has hit me yet. I know maybe when I retire and I can reflect back on my career, it will finally hit me and all make sense. I was really focused this off season, knowing that it is the final year in my contract and I felt strongly to come back this season and show the team I’m completely healthy after the injury kept me out of the final 11 games last season.
Q. Speaking of the injury last year, do you feel responsible for the team collapsing down the stretch when you had a 4 game lead at the time?
A. I don’t know what would have happened if I didn’t get hurt when I did. I feel a little responsible, but there were a lot of guys that stepped right in when I got hurt. Like I said before, this is a team game and I have a lot of faith in my teammates to step up if anyone of us gets hurt.
Q. With the season just under way, what is your out look on the season and can the team get back to the playoffs?
A. I think we will be very competitive in the NL West. This division has to be the toughest in the NL. Anyone of the four teams can win it. It will definitely come down to the last games of the season again. If we can avoid any huge injuries and play the way I know we can. We should be right in the middle of things come playoff time.
Q. What is life like for Jacque Lee off the field?
A. I usually stay very active during the off season, trying to stay in shape. I think that has been the biggest difference in not getting hurt. During the season, I try to spend as much time as I can with my family and try to be like a normal family. You know, eating around the dinner table, having game nights, that sort of thing. When my career is finally over, I will absolutely love being there for my kids and being able to take vacations during the summer like normal families.
Q. Since you brought up the “retirement” thing, do you feel you should be in the Hall of Fame?
A. I don’t focus on that right now. If the nomination committee feels I should be a member, I will be truly honored. If not, I don’t feel as if my career wasn’t a success. I know that I went out there every single day and gave it my all. If I can do that, then I’ll just let the numbers speak for themselves.
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