One last strike. That’s the refrain that kept running through my head last night as the St. Louis Cardinals stepped to the brink of elimination. Twice. Again. I may even have spoken the words out loud once or twice, an idle prayer for reprise to fill the tense seconds. “And a foul ball out of…
In Episode 16, baseball is back and so is The Baseball Diaspora! Brock & Dan look back at the first half of the 2012 season and look forward to the July 31st trade deadline, focusing specifically on the A’s and the Cardinals. Topics of discussion include:
- How the A’s have defied predictions to finish above .500 in the first half and just 1.5 games out of the AL Wild Cards
- Revisiting the A’s offseason in light of the production the team has received from Josh Reddick, Jarrod Parker, Tom Milone, Ryan Cook and Derek Norris
- The manner in which the Cardinals have overcome the losses of Albert Pujols, Tony La Russa, Dave Duncan and Chris Carpenter to contend in 2012
- How injuries have impacted the Cardinals, but not in the ways everyone expected
- Assigning 1st half MVP, Cy Young, Rookie and “Thanks for Nothing” honors for both the A’s and the Cardinals
- What direction each of the two teams will go at the trade deadline, buyer or seller
- Whether the playoffs are in reach for either the A’s or the Cards and where each team figures to end up at season’s end
- Which of baseball’s major potential trade pieces – Cole Hamels, Zack Greinke, Justin Upton – will move before the deadline and where
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
In Episode 15, the Diaspora returns. Brock and Dan apologize for their extended absence, then turn their attention to the first month of the season, including:
- Albert Pujols’ struggles and whether they are cause for concern
- The Los Angeles Angels’ slow start and whether they remain in the AL playoff picture
- The view from St. Louis on Pujols’ slow start and whether Cardinals fans feel like they dodged a bullet by not signing him
- The difficult Aprils of Adam Wainwright, Tim Lincecum and Josh Johnson and the level of concern associated with each pitcher’s struggles
The guys then discuss their impressions of ballparks they have recently visited, including Marlins Park, Tropicana Field, Nationals Park and Camden Yards before wrapping the podcast with an update on the Oakland A’s stadium situation
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Recent Comments