St. Louis Cardinals 2014 Season Projections

With Spring Training beginning to ramp up, many baseball fans can feel the 2014 Major League Baseball season fast approaching.  There are many storylines coming into the new season: Will the Boston Red Sox be able to recreate the success of last year?  Will the moves made by the New York Yankess bring them back to the playoffs?  Will the addition of Robinson Cano lead the Seattle Mariners back to the top of the AL West?  And, will the grand experiment of infusing the payroll with a fuckton of cash finally pay off for the Los Angeles Dodgers.  While I will be following all of these storylines in a passive manner, my personal area of focus will be on the St. Louis Cardinals.

The venerated franchise, who over their history have won eleven World Series championships, went 97-65 last season, finishing first in the NL Central and losing to the Red Sox in the World Series.  While many franchises may see such a season as highly successful, such a season is seen as a disappointment to the Cardinals due to their two World Series championships since 2006.

Pitching has always been an area of focus for the St. Louis Cardinals, and, with the naming of Adam Wainwright as their opening day starter, the Cardinals look to have a solid rotation going into the season with the continues ascensions of Michael Wacha and Carlos Martinez.

With the front office actively working to make the entire organization better, and Matt Carpenter looking like he's returning to form, it looks like the St. Louis Cardinals are poised to make another run at a World Series championship.  If no major long term injuries plague this team, and they keep their focus, success is all but assured for this franchise.  Focus, however, may be a problem due to the Cardinals recent foray into social issues, specifically the contentious issue of how religions handle divorce.

Mark Prior Releases Statement About Minimum Wage

On Thursday, former major league pitcher Mark Prior, pictures above, released a statement criticizing President Obama's recent call to raise the federal minimum wage.  In article on Bloomberg Politics, Mr. Prior is quoted as saying:

“I know $10.10 still isn’t a whole lot of money, but I think it’s too much, too fast,” 

Wanting to get a more detailed statement on his viewpoints on the federal minimum wage and the impacts on the American economy, we reached out to Mark Prior's spokesman.  This is the response we got.

"Dear Mr. Red,
We have been over this many times.  Mark Prior is not a politician, he is a baseball player and is not currently engaged in politics.  What you are seeking is a statement from Mark Pryor, the currently sitting Senator from the great state of Arkansas who is not a baseball player.  Again, you are seeking a statement from the wrong Mark Prior.  If you continue in this kind of behavior, we will be reporting you to the police for harassment."

After contacting Mr. Prior's spokesman again for a clarification, I received a meeting with these gentlemen:

Alex Rodriguez Must Go

2007: A-Rod denies doping on 60 Minutes

Sources tell SI Alex Rodriguez tested positive for steroids in 2003

The Case of Alex Rodriguez

A-Rod banned for entire 2014 season

This has gone on for long enough.  I know I am not alone in saying that the steroid allegations involving Alex Rodriguez has become a blight on the game of baseball.  This is different than allegations that have tainted the careers of other high profile athletes.  Alex Rodriguez is fighting these allegations to the very end when a lot of sports fans jut want it to end.  I don't want to see Alex Rodriguez attempt a comeback from his suspension.  I don't want to see Alex Rodriguez serve his suspension.  I want Alex Rodriguez to retire today.  I just want Alex Rodriguez to go.  Go away and never come back.