I've decided to take a moment this Memorial Day to give thanks to the pleasant surprises the 2011 Cardinals have given me and my fellow fans. I'll briefly thank those who have done what they could to help out their country as well, my father, uncle and good friends included, before getting into all this baseball stuff. After all, this day isn't really about baseball, is it? Okay, you got me. Every day is about baseball.
-Colby Rasmus's discerning batting eye: The power hasn't entirely been there all season (not that a .450 SLG is anything to sneeze at from your center fielder), but the Colbster has been walking like a senior citizen at the mall. He's improved his already solid 11.8% walk rate from a year ago to 14.1%. Sounds like a number two hitter to me, Tony.
-Daniel Descalso's arm: There's a bit lacking in his bat, but he's even improving in that department. But for any of you who have had the pleasure of watching Danimal in action, you can attest to the fact that this guy has not only a powerful gun for an arm, but an accurate one. He's like the 21st century baseball-playing answer to Annie Oakley.
-Jaime Garcia's sweet peripherals: I've touched on this before, but Garcia's peripherals are finally in line with his stellar performance. Take that 11 earned run performance against the Rockies away and he's somewhere in the Cy Young discussion.
The young fellas in the 'pen: I love fast fastballs, and this team has a handful of guys that throw hard and miss bats. Watching Motte, Boggs, Sanchez and Salas deal all season has been quite a pleasure for a guy who has watched a lot of soft-tossing nobodies run in from the outfield over the past two decades.
Allen Craig: He looks like such a nice little hitter, a guy you could really dream on at the plate. There's no reason he can't be a good option on offense and improve his attributes in the field. I'm still not sure why he isn't at third with Descalso at second, but whatever. I'm happy to see Tony give him at-bats and hold back from trying to ink Doug Glanville to some sort of deal.
Number 12: How cool is it to see Lance Berkman wear the number Aaron Miles once wore and rake in it? I still have a gut-check reaction when I see that number standing in the on-deck circle. You know, the reaction that is quickly accompanied by vomit and a need for prescription pills. I'm quickly getting over that, though.
A giant contract working out: Matt Holliday may be signed for too long, but the return on these first couple of years makes me think the whole thing will be far from a wash. Plus he's on my fantasy team and hitting .344. That's always enjoyable.
Hope you all had a great weekend and incurred fewer broken toes than my wife. Best wishes!
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