Cardinals' grassy-knollers are out..... [Update, reply #222: Molina suspended for five games]

[And That]

After seeing the Molina play (which was a pretty horrible call), I'm going to side with Molina here. Really no reason to have called that a strike.

It wasn't a strike, but what there's no reason for is Molina going completely insane over it. I mean, totally nuts.

 

I've always thought that guy was a goon, and maybe I was right.

[Daubs]

After seeing the Molina play (which was a pretty horrible call), I'm going to side with Molina here. Really no reason to have called that a strike. Him bumping the ump though was probobly a no no.

 

As for the bean balls, ehhh its baseball. Stuff like that happens, part of the game.

 

Um. bean balls are part of the game, but bad ball/strike calls aren't? The strike zone was all over the place last night, Molina of all people should have known that.

 

Yeah - that was one ridiculous zone last night. You would think the catchers would know and tolerate it as well....

[Daubs]

After seeing the Molina play (which was a pretty horrible call), I'm going to side with Molina here. Really no reason to have called that a strike.

It wasn't a strike, but what there's no reason for is Molina going completely insane over it. I mean, totally nuts.

No - it wasn't a strike, but it probably fell in the ubiquitous "Too close to take with two strikes" area.....

 

[DuWayne Steurer]

The strike on Molina was borderline....it should have been a ball, but it was close enough to at least be questionable. Certainly not something to go ballistic over.

[dlk9s]

He never argues with umps

 

 

You mean other than when he got tossed after that close play at first this year?

Oh, snap! You really showed me!

[dlk9s]

The funny thing to me on the strike three to Clutch Yadi was that without the K Zone or whatever that is on the screen, I might've thought it was a strike. To me, it looked a lot closer than the graphic made it seem.

 

But yeah, I couldn't figure out where in the hell the strike zone was last night.

[greeg35]

Oh, snap! You really showed me!

 

 

Thanks. It wasn't really supposed to be a snap, it was an example of why other teams' fans may not like Braun. Sorry for the whiplash.

[pitchleague]

He never argues with umps

 

 

You mean other than when he got tossed after that close play at first this year?

Oh, snap! You really showed me!

The way I remember that Braun ejection and "argument" was that it was a close play at first, Braun did his own safe call (like he does every now and then), was called out, he yelled out "No!" and slammed the helmet down and he was given the thumb. That was the argument. He didn't say anything else except maybe a few quiet "no's." He never got in the umps face or anything. Heck Iorg didn't even have to steer him away or anything. Braun just walked to the dugout and into the clubhouse.

 

Now, maybe he said some swear word or called the ump's mom a bad name or something, but you couldn't see or hear that. But, regardless, he definitely did not argue with the umpire. If what he did is constituted as arguing with an umpire, then the game of baseball is doomed.

[jjfanec]

I am wondering if Molina got a pitch called a ball that was actually a strike earlier in the game. The umps zone was all over for everybody. His reaction was so far over the top. It was funny to listen to Collin Cowherd bash the Cardinals - namely Molina and LaRussa - this morning. he called out LaRussa's hypocrisy and how it was obvious that they were throwing at Braun. He did give wiggle room that maybe the Brewers threw at Pujols but that makes zero sense since Holliday and Berkman followed, but I dont think he believed the Brewers did it on purpose.

 

I have never had the same disdain for the Cardinals that many on this board have had, but I am getting there. Trying to compare the inside pitch that Pujols got out on the other night to the Braun intentional beaning is insane.

[Gobias Industries]

Everything I've heard from players and people that are around the Brewers a lot is that Braun is cocky and major jerk, but like dlks9 said, it doesn't really show much. The only thing I see him do consistently is scream and yell when he trots around the bases after he hits a big home run.

 

Didn't Yadi have a major freak out against us a few years back? I think he was behind the plate catching and disagreed with the ump and just lost his mind and left all his gear right on the plate. What a nut. Anyone with a neck tattoo is at least a little bit crazy.

[pitchleague]

if the Cardinals have issue with Braun's cockiness, just wait until Bryce Harper makes the major leagues. . .

[fondybrewfan]

I would really like to know what evidence their is to support that Braun is a jerk. He has been a model citizen for the last couple years. He doesn't really stare down HRs anymore; he doesn't get into verbal alteractions, he says the right thing in interviews; he very rarely goes Yadi on umpires. I guess I don't get it; the guy is obviously cocky but I haver never heard that people in the Brewers organization or any other organization for that matter think that the guy is a jerk. Sure opposing fans hate his guts but I don't recall him ever doing anything to earn the jerk title.

[greeg35]

It really doesn't matter to me whether or not Braun is cocky. I personally think he just has a cocky face, kind of like Cutler has a jerk-face. They were born with it. They can't help it (although it really does appear as if Cutler is a jerk). My main point is that all of these guys are young, rich, confident, supremely athletic males. Some are going to be jags, some will be cocky, some will be arrogant, etc...and it will always appear that the other teams' guys are worse than your own players.

The difference is that not all of them offer commentary on others as if their own *stuff* doesn't stink like Pujols does/LaRussa does on his players' behalf. Which makes them uber-jags.

[TheCrew]

Braun isn't cocky - that's all swagger baby!

[LouisEly]

"And Braun -- we were trying to pitch him in too, and it was just a little stinger."

 

Uh, yeah, a 97-mph fastball is "just a little stinger".

 

"We threw two balls in there real good just to send a message. If he ducks them, it's all over and we don't hit him."

 

If he ducks them? Hey LaRussa, if you put the Budweiser down long enough to look you might see that 1) it's pretty hard to get out of the way of a 97-mph fastball, B) if Braun should "duck" then doesn't that mean the pitch was up and in, exactly where the Brewers shouldn't pitch to Pujols, and 3) if the ball is heading towards your shoulder/back and you duck, you get hit in the melon.

[dlk9s]

The only thing I see him do consistently is scream and yell when he trots around the bases after he hits a big home run.

If I hit a big homer, I'd probably let out a happy yell, too.

[adamb100]

http://www.millerparkdrunk.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/braun.jpg

 

From a cardinals forum.

[pitchleague]

yes, it's a picture from his t-shirt line. Which is an attitude-based clothing line.

 

So, naturally, Braun is a royal jerk.

[H4P]

I'm in line with the majority of the forum on the topic of TL and the rest of the cards so I won't add anything to that.

 

I have to say, thought, that I love the tension building. I'm not in favor of brawls and bean wars but the atmosphere for the next 10 games with these guys is going to be awesome. I can't see the benches not clearing at some point. I love nothing more than a bunch of grown men standing around doing the school yard "hold me back" act. And as one of the idiots in the stands, I'll be going crazy.

 

I just want to see Milwaukee move on and "retaliate" by winning. Let TR get some of his players ejected and suspended.

[Hammer]

My guess is that adam100 is a closet Cardinals supporter with his Yadi crush and his anti-Braun commentary. That's ok Adam...go register at their fan community....

[Warning Track Power]

I just want to see Milwaukee move on and "retaliate" by winning.

This is the way to do it. Let us show the Cards what true classiness is by beating them on the field with clean hard fought wins...and then celebrate by bringing back Untuckem as a "victory over the Cardinals-only" celebration.

 

 

[markedman5]

Personally I love Reds fans.

 

The enemy of my enemy is my friend.......=)

 

http://redszone.com/forum...hread.php?t=90419&page=5

[fondybrewfan]

I can't imagine how I would feel if the Brewers blow it and somehow the Cards make the playoffs. I would probably feel worse than if the Pack lost to the Bears and they ended up winning the Super Bowl.

 

It really seems like it will come down to the Cards and Brewers this year and there are a ton of head to head match ups coming up. That series in STL next week should be interesting; it would be all sorts of awesome if they go in their and beat them silly. But on the other hand it would be awful if we lose today and STL retakes first place during that series. Think Positive, Think Positive.

 

I wonder if RR could think of something nitpicky to complain about at Busch?

[Raw Biz]

I agree with the Braun being confident, not cocky stuff. It may appear cocky but it's not like he's talking about how he's the best player in the world or anything. He's confident in his abilities and he gets fired up sometimes. His ejection earlier this year was just his being a little too fired up and slamming his helmet on the ground in frustration. He didn't get in the umpires face or start a pissing match or anything.

As for Molina, yeah the pitch was borderline. But from what I remember, Lucroy didn't have to move his glove at all so the pitch may have looked a little better than what it is. Definitely too close to take with two strikes and no reason to go nuts like he did.

[jjfanec]

I think Braun is cocky but a jerk? I have seen and heard nothing from Braun that makes me think he is a jerk. As others have said he has been great to the community of Milwaukee, has went out of his way to give props to the team, fans and community, he comes across as an intelligent, confident, hard working guy in interviews. Where does the jerk reference come from. In fact he seems to get along really well with players from other teams when he is on base.