Bob Stephenson Stepped Up To Start At Short For Cardinals

For a two-week stretch in 1955, the starting infield for the Cardinals was first baseman Stan Musial, second baseman Red Schoendienst, third baseman Ken Boyer and a rookie shortstop, Bob Stephenson.

RetroSimba

Cardinals Are Confident Paul Goldschmidt Is The Right Guy For No.2 Slot In Batting Order

Wherever he hit in the Cardinals’ order this spring and whatever questions he fielded as a result, Paul Goldschmidt promised that his answers would be like his at-bats — the same. He didn’t sense much difference between batting second or third, save for one.

Post-Dispatch

Gut Feelings Still Part Of Managing For Mike Shildt

With so much data available to baseball managers — analytical acronyms to dissect and project seemingly every situation — are gut feelings obsolete?

Hochman

The Career Of Adam Wainwright

In the Joe Mauer thread yesterday a reader asked me for a look at the career of St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Adam Wainwright. Let’s do that.

Minor League Ball

A Big Problem For The Cardinals In September: The Young Starters Are Struggling

After going double ugly and losing the first two games to the Brewers, the Cardinals have an 11-12 record in September.

101 ESPN

Adam Wainwright At Age 37: It's Complicated, Awkward, Emotional, Inevitable

As always, Adam Wainwright gave it his maximum determined effort, challenging the Pittsburgh Pirates with everything he had. With their season down to 19 regular-season games going into Monday night’s series opener, the Cardinals have an urgent need to win.

101 ESPN

Wild Card? Cardinals Need To Focus On Taking The NL Central From Cubs, Brewers

Three weeks left. Eighteen games to go. A playoff berth there for the taking.

Belleville News Democrat

The Cardinals' Focus On Youth Movement Enhances Mike Shildt's Chances To Remove Interim Tag

The​ early​ reviews of Cardinals​ interim manager​ Mike​ Shildt’s​ work​ are positive.​ He’s​ changing​ the​ way​ the team​ plays​​ ball. He’s installing a more aggressive, but smarter, mindset. He’s stirring up the action, refusing to allow the Cardinals to stagnate offensively.

The Athletic

Why Did The Cardinals Fire Mike Matheny? There Were No Reasons To Keep Him

Why did the Cardinals fire Mike Matheny, with one game remaining before the All-Star break?

101 ESPN

Praise To Mike Matheny For Making The Tough But Right Choices

Let’s talk about Mike Matheny … and no, this isn’t another blast of criticism. I hope you don’t pass out when I tell you this: I’ve come to praise Matheny, not roast him.

101 ESPN

With Pressure To Produce, Mike Matheny Nears Rare Milestone

With a spot in the Hall of Fame and a number retired to the rafters, Dan Issel, a 6-foot-9 center known as “The Horse,” loomed over the basketball court and the media all the same, so it’s impossible to forget the moment he leaned forward to answer a question, locked eyes, and let free a moment of raw uncertainty.

Post-Dispatch

Forget 2011 Cardinals. Redbirds Should Channel 1973 Mets

The time has come. Truth is, it’s overdue. But it must be declared, once and for all.

BenFred

Why Are The Cardinals Closing In On The Cubs? Start By Looking At The Bullpens

It’s the ninth day of August, and by now the Cubs were supposed to have a 76-game lead in the NL Central standings.

101 ESPN

Tony LaRussa Watches Diamondbacks & Cardinals, Teams He Once Led

Baseball is a world filled with devotees and lifers, and in the history of the sport few can match Tony La Russa’s dedication or time.

AZ Central

Part II: The Cardinals Must Confront Unpleasant Issues, Including Adam Wainwright

It’s easy to love and respect Adam Wainwright, who is one of the greatest guys ever. And one of the best starting pitchers in franchise history.

101 ESPN

Baseball Royalty Made South Florida Shine During Heyday Of Spring Training

It was two years after “Where the Boys Are” put Fort Lauderdale on the map that the M&M boys came to town and made a bigger splash.

Sun Sentinel

Bypassed By The Cardinals, Terry Francona Is Building A Hall Of Fame Resume

The Cleveland Indians are on the way to the World Series, and if you look at his increasingly impressive record, manager Terry Francona is probably on his way to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

101 ESPN

Mike Matheny's Player Usage Leaves Much To Be Desired

At the time of this writing, the Cardinals are still mathematically alive in the postseason hunt. Sure, they’ll need some help from a Dodgers team with literally nothing to play for outside of spite, and also need to win their own game against a pitcher that’s killed St. Louis in October before. But they’re still alive, and that says something given the years of malpractice by manager Mike Matheny–a manager who finally has a roster that’s not good enough to overcome his shortcomings.

Today's Knuckleball

Matt Carpenter Might Be The Most Terrifying Lineup-Topper In Baseball

Barroom bets have raged since Abner Doubleday (allegedly) invented baseball about what constitutes a good offense and what makes it effective in scoring runs.

KMOV

Mike Matheny Passes 400 Wins, Remains Under Microscope

Before he let rookie reliever Dean Kiekhefer become a grand-slam victim of Jayson Werth in Sunday's loss to Washington, Mike Matheny did something he has done even more often than stir debate about the Cardinals manager's bullpen management.

BenFred