How sweet is that?  I totally feel redeemed for the horrific performance by the Cards.  Torre and A.Rod will be wearing new jersies next year.  Hopefully they’ll be red and white, and not in Ohio

It wasnt’ too long ago that the whole sports world was talking about Rick Ankiel’s re-entry into the MLB as a position player.  There were some who thought he wouldn’t make it, that he’d never be a solid player.  Well, so far, he’s “making” it, and he’s making it big! 

Today, he went 3 out of 4 with a double and 2 homeruns for a total of 7 RBI’s and 4 runs.  Outstanding!  The Cards won again today with a whopping 16 runs.  They moved to within’ one point of the first-place Cubbies and Brewers.

Ankiel is now batting .358 with 9 homers and 29 RBIs in 23 games!  That’s not even mentioning the emotional and mental additives that he’s brought to the team.  The cards have been playing about .700 baseball since he’s been back.  He started in center field tonight too, being a “promotion” from right field. 

Good Job Rick.  Keep up the good work.

What a game!  Here’s the Goods:

1. La Russa tied Red Schoendienst as the winning-est Cardinal’s Manager
2. Cards won 7-0 against ex-Cardinal Woody Williams (like the guy, but still)
3. We finally made it to .500
4. We’ve won 13 of the last 18
5. We passed the Brewers in the standings (still have the pesky Cubs to pass)
6. Duncan FINALLY hit another HR (20)
7. Ankiel had another 3-hit game
8. We sent the Astros down to dead last place

I was going to write something about the AMAZING 30-run game by the Texas Rangers, but while I was looking for interesting tidbits of information, I came accross a much better article than I could ever write.  Check it out here at http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=270822201.

Here are a few of those intereting tidbits:

The Baltimore Ravens haven’t even given up 30 points since 2005.

First team with 4 players with 4 or more RBIs since 79′

Second highest score ever (36 runs were scored pre-1900)

5 runs in 4th
9 runs in 6th
10 runs in 8th
6 runs in 9th

This was also a neat little comparison:
Redskins scored 72 points against the Giants in 66′
Pistons scored 186 points against the Nuggets in 83′
Canadiens scored 16 points against the Nordiques in 20′

–Edit
Ok, here’s another interesting breakdown of the top 100 “beatdowns” http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=schoenfield/070823

What a game!  3 for 6.  2 Doubles.  2 HomeRuns.  10 RBIs. 

Bot 1st: LA Angels
G. Anderson doubled to deep right, C. Figgins and O. Cabrera scored

Bot 2nd: LA Angels
G. Anderson doubled to deep right center, V. Guerrero scored

Bot 3rd: LA Angels
G. Anderson homered to deep right, C. Figgins and J. Mathis scored

Bot 6th: LA Angels
G. Anderson homered to deep right, V. Guerrero, O. Cabrera and H. Kendrick scored

Can’t help but remember the game where “Hard-Hittin’ Mark Whiten” went 4 for 5 with 4 HR and 12 RBIs.  He had a grand slam, 2 3-run shots and a 2 run shot.  Un-frickin’-real.  I also remember when Shawn Green went 6 for 6 with 4 HR and a double.  I’ve always hated that one though because I had him benched in my Fanatasy league because he was on such a cold streak!  ugh!

Ok, I’m a day late on this one, but who cares.  It’s still to early for anyone to be reading this blog anyway

I’m so happy for Rick Ankiel to be able to make the comeback that he has.  It was amazing to see him hit a HR in his first game as a position player.  Then to see him have a multi-homer game Saturday and a double on Sunday.  Outstanding!

It seems like this whole drama story has given the Cards a MUCH needed spark.  Seems like they’ve been playing much better since he’s been back.  Still 5½ games out, but now it is actually starting to seem possible.

Go Cards.  Go Ankiel!