Bill Buckner Vs. Al Hrabosky: Showdown In St. Louis

On a sultry Sunday in St. Louis, Bill Buckner handled the high heat of Al Hrabosky.

RetroSimba

How Cardinals Got Geroge Hendrick From Padres

George Hendrick revived his career with the Cardinals and gave them the consistent run producer they were lacking in the outfield.

RetroSimba

Why Expos Thought Al Hrabosky Went Head Hunting

Consistently confrontational, Al Hrabosky was involved in controversy right down to his very last homestand as a Cardinals pitcher.

RetroSimba

Larry Dierker & His Unsatisfying Stint With Cardinals

Larry Dierker was one of the most popular, personable and productive pitchers to play for the Astros. He was as smooth a fit for Houston as oil, aerospace and barbecue. Imagine then the shockwaves when he was traded to the Cardinals.

RetroSimba

Twins Dismiss Tom Brunansky

Coming off a 103-loss season, hitting coach Tom Brunansky and first-base coach Butch Davis were dismissed Tuesday from the Twins’ big-league coaching staff.

Twin Cities

The Day The Cardinals Fired Red Schoendienst

Concerned about the direction of a franchise that had gone eight consecutive years without qualifying for the postseason, the Cardinals pushed sentiment aside and fired manager Red Schoendienst.

RetroSimba

Eric Rasmussen Settling In As Interim Pitching Coach

Interim Twins pitching coach Eric Rasmussen still is evaluating his new role, but a quarter century of organizational familiarity makes the transition a bit smoother.

Minnesota Official Site

Paul Molitor Says Neil Allen's Well-Being Matters Most

Minnesota Twins manager Paul Molitor said his primary concern was for the well-being of pitching coach Neil Allen, who was suspended by the team following his arrest on suspicion of drunken driving.

Seattle PI

Twins Suspend Neil Allen After DWI Arrest, Eric Rasmussen Named Interim Pitching oach

The Minnesota Twins have suspended pitching coach Neil Allen indefinitely with pay, following his arrest on suspicion of drunken driving.

Houston Chronicle

Why Cardinals Dealt Ken Reitz After Gold Glove Season

Enticed by the chance to add a left-hander to the starting rotation and a potential power hitter to the batting order, the Cardinals gave up a Gold Glove Award winner at third base.

RetroSimba

How Ron Reed Replaced Bob Gibson In Cardinals Rotation

Convinced Bob Gibson no longer should be a starter, the Cardinals acquired Ron Reed from the Braves and put him in the rotation as the replacement for their long-time ace.

RetroSimba

Sunday Notes: Randal Grichuk's Barrel

Randal Grichuk demurred slightly when I asked if he identifies as a power hitter. The St. Louis outfielder hesitated, then said “I’m a guy who is gap-to-gap and can also drive the ball out of the yard.”

Fangraphs

Tyler Lyons, Andy Rincon, & Dizzy Dean

”I pitched well, I got a hit and we won the ballgame. It doesn’t get much better than that,” said excited new St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Tyler Lyons on Wednesday night.

The Cardinal Nation Blog

Tom Nieto Returning A Twins Triple-A Manager, Tom Brunansky Moves Up To Double-A Hitting Coach, Eric Rasmussen Staying On As Pitching Coordinator

The Twins announced their 2011 Minor League staff assignments on Friday, and all six of the club's affiliates will return the same manager from this past season.

Twins Official Site

Eric Rasmussen Returning As Twins' Minor League Pitching Coordinator

The Twins' roving instructors will include Minor League field coordinator Joel Lepel, pitching coordinator Eric Rasmussen, hitting coordinator Bill Springman, Minor League strength and conditioning coordinator John Kertis and Minor League head athletic trainer and rehab coordinator Lanning Tucker.

Twins Official Site

New Twins' Coach Makes Sure Young Arms Don't Lag

The Twins issued the fewest walks in the majors again last season, and it wasn't even close.

Star Tribune

Superduperswingmen (Part 4: 1970-2008)

This series has tipped the THT cap in honor of the Swingman, the pitcher who pivots from the starting rotation to the bullpen and back. This pitching role eschews the comfort zone of specialization, yet emerges as something of a specialist itself, simply because not every pitcher has the flexibility demanded by this double-duty assignment. The Swingman is too often an unsung hero, making a greater contribution to team success than his individual stats might suggest, due to his capacity to handle tasks that would otherwise require two or more pitchers to fulfill.

The Hardball Times