2010 St. Louis Cardinals season
Encyclopedia
The St. Louis Cardinals
' 2010 season
was the 129th season for the franchise in St. Louis, Missouri
and the 119th season in the National League
. The Cardinals began their season on the road against the Cincinnati Reds
on April 5. St. Louis was coming off a 91-71 (.562) season and first place in the NL Central, followed by a quick playoff exit when they were swept in the NLDS versus Los Angeles
.
, who earlier in 2009 had expressed displeasure with the franchise after his son Chris
was traded, also agreed to return. However, hitting coach Hal McRae
was fired after five seasons with the Cardinals and replaced with former Cardinal and former home run champion Mark McGwire
. McGwire's hiring as hitting coach marked the slugger's first job in baseball since his retirement eight years prior. It was also his return to the public eye following his implication as a steroids user in Jose Canseco's
book
and his controversial 2005 appearance at the United States House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform's inquiry into the steroid scandal.
was signed to a third season. It was LaRue's third straight one-year deal with St. Louis.
Mark DeRosa
, acquired from the Indians via an in-season trade in 2009, left St. Louis via free agency, signing with the San Francisco Giants
on Dec. 28. Troy Glaus
, who hit 27 home runs as the third baseman for the 2008 Cardinals but was limited to 29 at-bats at the end of 2009 due to a shoulder injury, signed a contract with the Atlanta Braves on Jan. 5 after passing a physical. Rick Ankiel
, who started 2009 as the everyday center fielder but lost his starting job and struggled to a .285 OBP for the season, signed a one-year deal with the Kansas City Royals on Jan. 21. The same day, Khalil Greene
, who started 2009 as the everyday shortstop for St. Louis but was sidelined with social anxiety disorder, signed a one-year deal to be a utility infielder for the Texas Rangers.
On Jan. 7 the Cardinals announced that they had signed their 2009 trade deadline acquisition, left fielder Matt Holliday
, to a seven-year $120 mil. deal with the Cardinals. It is the largest contract in club history, surpassing Albert Pujols
seven-year $100 mil. deal in 2004. The contract includes a full no-trade clause, an average $17.0M per year salary through 2016, and a $17M vesting option for 2017 which will occur if he makes the Top 10 in the 2016 MVP voting. The buyout
on the vesting option is $1M, making the total contract worth $120M. His uniform number changes from 15 to 7.
On Feb. 27 the Cardinals completed a one-year deal with infielder Felipe López. Lopez, who hit .385 in a two-month stint with the 2008 Cardinals
, was anticipated to fill a utility role. The acquisition of Lopez led the Cardinals to deal their other utility infielder, Julio Lugo
, to the Baltimore Orioles for a player to be named later
.
, who made his debut for the Cardinals in 2005 and was one of only six players remaining from the 2006 World Series
champion Cardinals. Starting pitcher Joel Pineiro
, who had a career year for the 2009 Cardinals (3.49 ERA, 1.145 WHIP), capitalized by signing with the Anaheim Angels
for two years and $16 million on Jan. 20. Starter Todd Wellemeyer
, who struggled badly for the 2009 Cardinals, signed a minor-league deal with the Giants in February.
On December 8 the Cardinals announced the finalization of a deal to sign Brad Penny
, who spent 2009 as a starter for the Red Sox and Giants, to a one-year deal for $7.5 million with an additional $1.5 million in incentives.
Attendance at Roger Dean Stadium
was 96,910 for 14 games, averaging 6,922 per game.
Jaime García
, a Cardinal draft pick who underwent Tommy John surgery
in 2008 after a cup of coffee
with the big-league club, won the fifth-starter role in spring training. David Freese
won the starting job at third base. Allen Craig
, Joe Mather
and Nick Stavinoha
filled out the Cardinal bench. On March 24, Yadier Molina
suffered a right oblique
muscle strain sliding into second base. Molina, batting .314 (11-for-35) at the time of his injury, missed the rest of spring training but was ready for Opening Day.
. Albert Pujols
had two home runs. Colby Rasmus
had a home run, and robbed Scott Rolen
of a home run. Yadier Molina
hit a grand slam home run, and became only the third Cardinals ever to do so on opening day. The other two Cardinals to ever do so, Mark McGwire
and Scott Rolen
, were also in attendance. In the home opener on April 12, St. Louis beat Houston 5-0 behind a three-run home run from Pujols and eight shutout innings from Adam Wainwright
.
Jason LaRue
became the first Cardinal to go on the disabled list on April 14, after suffering a strained hamstring. Bryan Anderson
was called up from the minors to replace him on the roster.
On April 17 the Cardinals and Mets played a memorable game at Busch Stadium lasting 20 innings. The game lasted 6 hours and 53 minutes, ending with a 2-1 Mets' victory. This was only the 42nd game in baseball history that lasted as long as 20 innings.
Backup outfielder Joe Mather
took the loss after pitching and giving up a run in the 19th and 20th, after utility infielder Felipe López pitched a scoreless 18th. The Mets left 13 on-base, while the Cardinals stranded 22.
Lopez went on the DL on April 26. He had been suffering from elbow discomfort since April 11 but did not report the issue until two days after he pitched an inning against the Mets on April 17. Concurrent with Lopez's trip to the DL, the Cardinals sent Allen Craig to Memphis, recalled infielder Tyler Greene, and called up for his big-league debut Jon Jay
, their second pick in the 2006 draft
.
Buoyed by excellent pitching from 4/5 of their starting rotation (Lohse's 6.55 ERA for April made him the only Cardinal starter who didn't come in under 3.50 for the month), the Cardinals only lost one series in all of April, and they finished the month at 15-8, and in first place in the Central Division.
On May 17, Felipe Lopez came off the DL and entered the starting lineup at shortstop. Brendan Ryan
was demoted to a utility role due to a season-long slump that saw his average slide to .162 at the time he lost the starting job. In another effort to kickstart a stagnating offense on that same day, manager LaRussa switched Pujols and Matt Holliday
in the lineup, with Holliday batting third and Pujols fourth. It was the first time Pujols had hit somewhere other than third in the lineup since May 30, 2003, but the change was short-lived, lasting only five days.
Brad Penny
hit a grand slam in the third inning that proved decisive in St. Louis's 9-5 victory over the Anaheim Angels
on May 21—but suffered a strained lat muscle
in his back, apparently on the swing, and left the game immediately. The next day he went on the DL, and P. J. Walters
was called up to take his place. St. Louis lost a second starting pitcher five days after Penny, when Kyle Lohse
went to the DL on May 27 (retroactive to May 23), after being diagnosed with exertional compartment syndrome
in his right (pitching) arm. Fernando Salas
was called up from Memphis to replace Lohse on the roster. Shortly thereafter further roster moves resulted in the demotion of Joe Mather and Salas, and the promotion of two pitchers making their major league debuts: former Cardinals first-round draft pick Adam Ottavino
and minor-league veteran Evan MacLane
. The roster shuffling continued on May 31, when MacLane was sent back down without appearing in a game and Allen Craig was recalled.
The Cardinals offense continued to stall. On May 25 and 26 St. Louis lost consecutive games in San Diego by scores of 1-0 and 2-1. Both games were decided on home runs by Jerry Hairston Jr., who had zero home runs in 2010 entering the series. An 8-3 Cardinal victory on May 27 in the third game of the series featured Pujols' first home run since May 14 and only his second of the month. Three days later, on May 30, Pujols exploded out of his power slump by hitting three home runs in a 9-1 victory over the Cubs in Wrigley Field. It was the fourth three-homer game of his career and his first since 2006.
The suddenly surging Cardinal offense delivered a 12-4 victory over the Reds on May 31 that gave St. Louis a winning record for May (15-14) and put the Cardinals back into a first-place tie with Cincinnati.
from Memphis and sent Allen Craig
down. Miles, who played for St. Louis from 2006 through 2008, and was a member of the 2006 World Series
champion Cardinals, signed a minor-league contract with St. Louis in the spring. Further bench maneuvering took place on June 5, when the Cardinals signed veteran outfielder Randy Winn
, recently designated for assignment
by the Yankees. Jon Jay was sent back down to Memphis to make room, and pitcher Kyle Lohse was sent to the 60-day DL.
Adam Wainwright threw a complete game two-hitter on June 4, and the Cardinals beat the Brewers 8-0, retaking sole possession of first place. It was the first shutout of Wainwright's career.
Jason Motte's outing on June 6, in which he took the loss in a 5-4, 10-inning defeat by the Brewers, snapped his streak of 32 consecutive batters retired. Motte was nine batters shy of the reliever record of 41 straight set by Bobby Jenks
., and 13 shy of the major league record of 45 set by Mark Buehrle
.
Seeking to shore up a rotation with gaping holes in the back end after the loss of Penny and Lohse, St. Louis acquired pitcher Jeff Suppan
, a veteran of the 2006 World Series
champion Cardinals and the MVP of the 2006 NLCS
. Suppan, increasingly ineffective since he left St. Louis for the Milwaukee Brewers
following the World Series victory, had an ERA of 7.84 when he was released by the Brewers in early June.
On June 30, Albert Pujols
had his 37th career multihomer game at Busch Stadium
tying Stan Musial
's franchise record by a Cardinals' player.
David Freese went on the DL on June 30 with a bone bruise on his ankle. Freese suffered the injury on June 5 and had been playing in pain all month. The Cardinals, slowed by nagging injuries to Freese and Ludwick, plagued by poor performances from the back end of their rotation, and further weighed down by the season-long slumps of Ryan, Schumaker and Molina, treaded water in June, going 13-13 to finish the month at 43-35.
went on the DL after he aggravated a prior left calf
strain while exercising on a treadmill
, and outfielder Jon Jay
was recalled to take his place.
MLB announced rosters for the 2010 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
on July 4, and five Cardinals made the NL team. Albert Pujols
led the National League in votes. Yadier Molina
was voted starting catcher for the NL squad despite having one of the worst seasons of his career, with a .229 batting average on the day the rosters were announced. Chris Carpenter
and Adam Wainwright
were named to the pitching staff, and Matt Holliday
was selected as a reserve. In the game, played in Anaheim on July 13, Pujols was 0-for-2, Molina was 1-for-1 with a single, Holliday singled and scored, Wainwright pitched a scoreless seventh, but Carpenter was held back in reserve and did not pitch. Holliday scored on a three-run double
by the Braves'
Brian McCann that won the All-Star Game, 3-1, giving the National League their first win since the 1996
.
On July 6, in Colorado, the Cardinals suffered one of the worst ninth-inning collapses in franchise history. Leading 9-3 going into the bottom of the ninth, Dennys Reyes
and Ryan Franklin
combined to give up nine runs to the Rockies, with Seth Smith's three-run walk-off homer capping an amazing 12-9 Colorado victory. It was the first time in 51 years that the Cardinals allowed nine runs in the ninth inning, and the first time St. Louis lost a game it led by seven runs or more since 1998. It also was the first time all season the Cardinals lost a game when they were leading after eight innings. Previously, they were a perfect 38-0. The next night, the Cardinals followed up that collapse by blowing leads of 5-0 and 7-4, losing to the Rockies 8-7 on another walk-off homer, this one by Chris Iannetta. After the Rockies completed a three-game sweep the next day, the Cardinals traveled to Houston and took two of three to go into the All-Star Break with a 47-41 record, one game behind the first-place Cincinnati Reds
.
St. Louis won its last game before the break against Houston (Jul. 11), then came out and won seven in a row against the Dodgers and Phillies (Jul. 15-21) before losing the last home game in that stand 2-0 in 11 inn. The eight-game win streak was the longest by the Cardinals since the 105-win NL champions of 2004 won nine in a row. The Cardinals vaulted past Cincinnati and back into first place in the NL Central Division by 1½ games.
Ryan Ludwick
was activated from the DL on July 24, after having missed a month due to his calf injury. One week later, on July 31, Ludwick was traded at the non-waiver deadline to the San Diego Padres
as part of a three-way deal. The Cardinals received minor league left-hand pitcher Nick Greenwood from the Padres and coveted starting pitcher Jake Westbrook
from Cleveland
along with cash considerations. Minor-league pitcher Corey Kluber went from the Padres to the Indians to complete the deal.
The Cardinals went 15-11 in July, their best month since April, and ended the month at 58-46 and a half-game ahead of the persistent Reds in the NL Central.
was placed on the DL with a right shoulder sprain. Freese underwent reconstructive surgery on his right ankle the day after that, and will need six months of rehabilitation, leaving him uncertain for spring training in February 2011.
On Aug. 6, Adam Wainwright
pitched one of the best games of his career, throwing a complete game two-hit shutout to beat the Marlins, 7-0. Pujols hit his 28th home run (a 3-run shot) in the first inning, then added a fourth RBI later to grab the NL RBI lead with 82. The victory upped Wainwright's record to 16-6 (second in NL), and dropped his ERA to 2.07 (second in NL).
On August 10, the Cardinals and Reds had a nasty brawl at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati. One day after Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips
proclaimed "I really hate the Cardinals", Phillips and Yadier Molina had an argument at home plate that escalated into a bench-clearing brawl. Jason LaRue
suffered a severe concussion after being kicked in the face by Reds pitcher Johnny Cueto
, leading the Cardinals to call up minor-league catcher Steven Hill
for his big-league debut. Jeff Suppan
was placed on the DL with groin soreness unrelated to the brawl. The Cardinals swept the Reds in three games, dealing Cincinnati its first series loss since the All-Star Break and retaking sole possession of first place in the NL Central. In the third game, Wainwright held the Reds to two hits over seven shutout innings, dropping his ERA to 1.99. LaRue, still suffering from his concussion, was sent to the DL on the 13th.
Suspensions and fines for the brawl were announced on Aug. 12. Managers Dusty Baker
and Tony LaRussa each received two-game suspensions, and the Reds' pitcher Johnny Cueto was suspended for seven games, with Molina and Carpenter of the Cardinals fined along with the Reds' Brandon Phillips and Russ Springer. Bench coach Joe Pettini
will be the acting manager.
Starting pitcher Kyle Lohse
came off the DL almost three months after undergoing right forearm surgery to pitch the Aug. 15) matchup against the Cubs. He pitched as poorly in that game as he did in April and May, and the Cardinals lost 9-7 to the Cubs. In that same game, Albert Pujols
hit his 30th home run, extending his own major league record by hitting 30 or more home runs in 10 consecutive seasons starting with his rookie year.
After Freese's season-ending injury and a horrific slump by substitute 3b Felipe Lopez, who was batting .165 since July 22, the Cardinals acquired Pedro Feliz
from the Houston Astros on Aug. 19. The Cardinals also received cash considerations while the Astros received minor-league pitcher David Carpenter. Feliz was hitting .221 at the time of the trade. To make room on the roster, Jason LaRue
was moved to the 60-day DL, officially ending his 2010 season except for the possibility of post-season play.
The team suffered badly after their big sweep of Cincinnati (Aug. 9-11) with a season-high five-game losing streak that dropped them to 4½ games behind the Reds for the NL Central title, and three games behind the Phillies
in the wild-card race. On August 26, Albert Pujols hit his 400th career home run in Washington, becoming the third-youngest player to reach that milestone. Unfortunately, it came as part of an agonizing 11-10 extra inning defeat to the Nationals, one in which St. Louis blew a 5-3 lead, scored four in the ninth to go ahead 10-8, then blew that lead when closer Ryan Franklin gave up a two-run homer in the bottom of the 9th. The Cardinals slipped to a ghastly 5-12 after the sweep of Cincinnati for the remainder of the month, with 11 of those losses coming to teams with losing records (the Cubs, Brewers, Pirates, Nationals, and Astros).
weak 5,000-watt reach for KMOX's 50,000-watt clear channel. The team will presently keep its 50% ownership in KTRS, unless a good offer is made.
On September 1, the disastrous road trip concluded with a 5-2 loss at Houston for another losing streak of five games, the second time in the past 16 games played, tying their longest losing streak of the season. The 2-8 road trip dropped them 8 games behind Cincinnati, and 5 games out of the wild card. It was part of a pattern in which the Cardinals, who were in first place after sweeping the Reds in August and looking towards a schedule filled with bad teams, choked away the Central Division by showing an utter inability to beat those bad teams. Between the Cubs series on August 13, which immediately followed the sweep of Cincinnati, and a series against the Pirates that ended on Sept. 23, St. Louis played eight series against teams with losing records, and lost all of them. During this stretch the Cardinals also played their last series of the season against Cincinnati. St. Louis took two of three at home but the Reds remained far ahead in the NL Central.
On September 11, Albert Pujols
reached 100 RBIs for the 10th consecutive year and drove in all three runs giving him 102 for the season, but the team lost in extra innings 6-3 at Atlanta
. Only Al Simmons
has a longer streak at the beginning of a career, 11 years (1924-1934). Pujols joins Jimmie Foxx
, Lou Gehrig
, and Alex Rodriguez
in having 10 consecutive seasons of 100+ RBIs at any time in their career. Only two other players have 10 consecutive years of 30 HRs and 100 RBIs at any time in their careers: Foxx and Rodriguez.
On September 19, catcher Jason LaRue
, still suffering from the severe concussion he received on August 10 when Cueto kicked him in the head numerous times, announced his retirement from baseball effective at the end of the season. Another player departed two days later, when infielder Felipe Lopez was given his unconditional release. The cited cause was repeated tardiness.
On September 23, catcher Yadier Molina
was ruled out for the remainder of the season because of continuing soreness in his right knee after an examination in St. Louis. Pitcher Jaime Garcia
joined Molina on the shelf when the Cardinals decided he would sit out the remainder of the season, citing his Tommy John arm surgery
(in September 2008) and heavy 2010 workload. Garcia led all rookie pitchers with 13 wins, and posted the fourth-best (2.70) ERA in the NL,
One bit of good news penetrated the Cardinals' terrible month: Adam Wainwright won his 20th game on September 24. After a strained muscle led the Cardinals to sit Wainwright for his last scheduled start, he finished at 20-11 with a 2.42 ERA. Four days after Wainwright's 20th victory, on Sept. 28, St. Louis was eliminated from playoff contention. After it no longer mattered, the Cardinals won 9 of their last 11 games to finish 86-76. At season's end, Pujols became the second player in the last sixty years (the first was Hank Aaron), to lead the National League in runs, home runs, and runs batted in, and not be named Most Valuable Player.
Despite their lower finish in the standings, the team drew 3,300,218 fans, the seventh consecutive year over 3 million and sixth over 3.3 million. Only three other teams drew more.
Regular Season Schedule (sortable text)
All game times are in Central Time Zone
.
|-
! colspan="3" | Legend
|-
! bgcolor="bbffbb" | Cardinals WIN
! bgcolor="ffbbbb" | Cardinals LOSS
! bgcolor="bbbbbb" | Game POSTPONED
>
Bold indicates that the Cardinals have finished their season schedule with an opponent.
(through October 3)
Cardinals HITTING statistics
Sortable TEAM HITTING statistics
* Currently not on active roster
† on 15-day disabled or rehab list
^ Traded away from Cardinals
BOLD = Led NL
(through October 3)
Cardinals PITCHING statistics
Sortable TEAM PITCHING Statistics
* not on active roster
† on 15-day disabled list
†† on 60-day disabled list
Bold = leading NL
(through Oct. 3)
18-20, 3.73 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 462.2 IP, 435 H, 201 R, 192 ER, 169 BB, 346 SO, 48 HR
Saves/Opp: 32/42 (76%) 1st Batter / Retired: 304/455 (67%)
Holds: 70 Inherited Runners/Scored: 65/204 (32%)
(thru Oct. 3)
Games lost by bullpen: 20 Hawksworth
(4), McClellan
(4), Boggs
(3), Motte
(2), Franklin
(2), Mather
(1), Reyes
(1), Miller
(1), MacLane
(1), MacDougal
(1)
Blown Saves by bullpen: 19 Franklin
(6), McClellan
(4), Motte
(4), Miller
(2), Perez
(1), Kinney
(1), Salas
(1)
Home 52-29 (.642)
Away 34-47 (.420)
Scoring first 64-21
Opp. scores first 22-55
Scoring more than 3 runs 77-20
Scoring 3 runs 3-10
Scoring fewer than 3 runs 6-46
Leading after 7 innings 72-3
Tied after 7 innings 10-7
Trailing after 7 innings 4-66
Leading after 8 innings 74-1
Tied after 8 innings 9-6
Trailing after 8 innings 3-69
Blown Saves by bullpen: 19
Games lost by bullpen: 20
In errorless games 51-39
Extra innings 6-8
Shutouts 16-13
One-run games 20-23
Out-hit opponents 64-19
Same hits as opponents 8-4
Out-hit by opponents 14-53
Runs via HR 248 (33.7% of total)
Opp. Runs via HR 204 (31.8% of total)
By Day
Mon. 14-5
Tue. 7-16
Wed. 11-14
Thu. 8-10
Fri. 20-6
Sat. 9-17
Sun. 17-8
By Opponent
DIVISION
HOME ROAD TOTAL
NL Central 19-20 20-19 39-39
NL East 12-3 6-12 18-15
NL West 15-3 5-13 20-16
AL East 0-0 2-1 2-1
AL Central 0-0 1-2 1-2
AL West 6-3 0-0 6-3
TOTALS 52-29 34-47 86-76
(Interleague 9-7)
2010 (100 = Neutral Park, > 100 Ballpark favors, < 100 Ballpark inhibits)
81 HOME G; Cardinals: 2,686 AB; Opponents: 2,780 AB
81 AWAY G: Cardinals: 2,856 AB; Opponents: 2,726 AB
BA 98
R 94
HR 77
H 96
2B 95
(Cardinals batting: HOME .270 ROAD .256 OVERALL .263)
(Opponents batting: at StL .243 on ROAD .270 OVERALL .256)
2008–2010 Index (3-yr. composite)
HOME 243 G; Cardinals: 8,071 AB; Opponents: 8,417 AB)
BA 98
R 93
H 97
2B 93
3B 89
HR 82
BB 104
SO 98
E 107
E-inf. 110
LHB-BA 98
LHB-HR 91
RHB-BA 98
RHB-HR 77
BA-Home .273
BA-Road .265 (.268 overall)
Opp.-Busch .253
Opp.-Road .270
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
' 2010 season
2010 Major League Baseball season
The 2010 Major League Baseball season began Sunday, April 4, when the Boston Red Sox defeated their long-time rivals, the 2009 World Series champion New York Yankees at Fenway Park, 9–7; the regular season ended on October 3. The 2010 All-Star Game was played on July 13 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim...
was the 129th season for the franchise in St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
and the 119th season in the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
. The Cardinals began their season on the road against the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
on April 5. St. Louis was coming off a 91-71 (.562) season and first place in the NL Central, followed by a quick playoff exit when they were swept in the NLDS versus Los Angeles
2009 Los Angeles Dodgers season
The 2009 Los Angeles Dodgers season sees the team defend their National League West title while earning the best record in the National League, and marks the fiftieth anniversary of their 1959 World Series Championship...
.
Management
On October 26, 2009, Tony LaRussa agreed to come back for a 15th season as manager of the Cardinals, thus extending his record for longest-serving manager in Cardinal history. Pitching coach and long-time LaRussa partner Dave DuncanDave Duncan (baseball)
David Edwin Duncan is an American former professional baseball player and current pitching coach for the St. Louis Cardinals...
, who earlier in 2009 had expressed displeasure with the franchise after his son Chris
Chris Duncan
Christopher Edwin Duncan is a Major League Baseball outfielder and first baseman who is currently a free agent.He is the youngest son of Dave Duncan, a former catcher and current pitching coach for the St. Louis Cardinals...
was traded, also agreed to return. However, hitting coach Hal McRae
Hal McRae
Harold Abraham McRae is a former left fielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Cincinnati Reds and Kansas City Royals . Utilized as a designated hitter for most of his career, McRae batted and threw right-handed...
was fired after five seasons with the Cardinals and replaced with former Cardinal and former home run champion Mark McGwire
Mark McGwire
Mark David McGwire , nicknamed "Big Mac", is an American former professional baseball player who played his major league career with the Oakland Athletics and the St. Louis Cardinals. He is currently the hitting coach for the St...
. McGwire's hiring as hitting coach marked the slugger's first job in baseball since his retirement eight years prior. It was also his return to the public eye following his implication as a steroids user in Jose Canseco's
José Canseco
José Canseco Capas, Jr. is a Cuban-American professional baseball manager, outfielder, and designated hitter for the Yuma Scorpions of the North American League and former Major League Baseball player. He is the identical twin brother of former major league player and current teammate Ozzie Canseco...
book
Juiced: Wild Times, Rampant 'Roids, Smash Hits & How Baseball Got Big
Juiced: Wild Times, Rampant 'Roids, Smash Hits & How Baseball Got Big is a 2005 book by Jose Canseco and his personal account of steroid usage in Major League Baseball. The book is autobiographical, and it focuses on Canseco's days as a major leaguer, his marriages, his daughter, and off-field...
and his controversial 2005 appearance at the United States House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform's inquiry into the steroid scandal.
Hitters
The Cardinals announced on November 30 that backup catcher Jason LaRueJason LaRue
Michael Jason "Rusty" LaRue is a former Major League Baseball catcher who played for the Cincinnati Reds, Kansas City Royals and St...
was signed to a third season. It was LaRue's third straight one-year deal with St. Louis.
Mark DeRosa
Mark DeRosa
Mark Thomas DeRosa is a Major League Baseball player. DeRosa is a utility player who has been primarily a second baseman, but can play other positions, including the outfield; he played six positions for the Chicago Cubs. He bats right-handed.DeRosa was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the 7th...
, acquired from the Indians via an in-season trade in 2009, left St. Louis via free agency, signing with the San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
on Dec. 28. Troy Glaus
Troy Glaus
Troy Edward Glaus is a Major League Baseball first baseman and third baseman who is currently a free agent. Previously, Glaus played with the Anaheim Angels , Arizona Diamondbacks , Toronto Blue Jays , St. Louis Cardinals , and the Atlanta Braves . Glaus lettered in baseball while attending UCLA...
, who hit 27 home runs as the third baseman for the 2008 Cardinals but was limited to 29 at-bats at the end of 2009 due to a shoulder injury, signed a contract with the Atlanta Braves on Jan. 5 after passing a physical. Rick Ankiel
Rick Ankiel
Richard Alexander Ankiel is a Major League Baseball outfielder who is currently with the Washington Nationals. He bats and throws left-handed....
, who started 2009 as the everyday center fielder but lost his starting job and struggled to a .285 OBP for the season, signed a one-year deal with the Kansas City Royals on Jan. 21. The same day, Khalil Greene
Khalil Greene
Khalil Thabit Greene is a Major League Baseball shortstop who is currently a free agent. He bats and throws right-handed.-High school and college:...
, who started 2009 as the everyday shortstop for St. Louis but was sidelined with social anxiety disorder, signed a one-year deal to be a utility infielder for the Texas Rangers.
On Jan. 7 the Cardinals announced that they had signed their 2009 trade deadline acquisition, left fielder Matt Holliday
Matt Holliday
Matthew Thomas Holliday , nicknamed "Big Daddy", is an American Major League Baseball left fielder for the St. Louis Cardinals. Holliday was originally drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the seventh round of the 1998 Major League Baseball Draft.Holliday is a five-time All-Star and Silver Slugger...
, to a seven-year $120 mil. deal with the Cardinals. It is the largest contract in club history, surpassing Albert Pujols
Albert Pujols
José Alberto Pujols Alcántara , better known as Albert Pujols , is a Dominican-American professional baseball player, who is currently a free agent...
seven-year $100 mil. deal in 2004. The contract includes a full no-trade clause, an average $17.0M per year salary through 2016, and a $17M vesting option for 2017 which will occur if he makes the Top 10 in the 2016 MVP voting. The buyout
Buyout
A buyout, in finance, is an investment transaction by which the ownership equity of a company, or a majority share of the stock of the company is acquired. The acquiror thereby "buys out" control of the target company....
on the vesting option is $1M, making the total contract worth $120M. His uniform number changes from 15 to 7.
On Feb. 27 the Cardinals completed a one-year deal with infielder Felipe López. Lopez, who hit .385 in a two-month stint with the 2008 Cardinals
2008 St. Louis Cardinals season
The St. Louis Cardinals' 2008 season was the 127th season for the franchise in St. Louis, Missouri and the 117th season in the National League. The Cardinals, coming off a 78-84 season that was their worst since 1999, improved by eight games, going 86-76 in 2008...
, was anticipated to fill a utility role. The acquisition of Lopez led the Cardinals to deal their other utility infielder, Julio Lugo
Julio Lugo
Julio Cesar Lugo is a Dominican professional baseball infielder but is currently a free agent. He bats and throws right-handed. Lugo is the older brother of baseball pitcher Ruddy Lugo....
, to the Baltimore Orioles for a player to be named later
Player to be named later
The concept of the "player to be named later" is most often associated with Major League Baseball and Minor League Baseball trades.-Description:...
.
Pitchers
On Nov. 4 St. Louis released Brad ThompsonBrad Thompson
Bradley Joseph Thompson , is an American baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent.-Career:Thompson was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 16th round of the 2002 amateur draft out of Dixie State College of Utah. He holds the AA single-season scoreless innings streak. He made his major...
, who made his debut for the Cardinals in 2005 and was one of only six players remaining from the 2006 World Series
2006 World Series
The 2006 World Series, the 102nd edition of Major League Baseball's championship series, began on October 21 and ended on October 27, and matched the American League champion Detroit Tigers against the National League champion St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals won the Series in five games, taking...
champion Cardinals. Starting pitcher Joel Pineiro
Joel Piñeiro
Joel Alberto Piñeiro is a Puerto Rican Major League Baseball starting pitcher. He is 6'1" tall and weighs 200 pounds. He is right-handed and made his major league debut on August 8, .-Career:...
, who had a career year for the 2009 Cardinals (3.49 ERA, 1.145 WHIP), capitalized by signing with the Anaheim Angels
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
for two years and $16 million on Jan. 20. Starter Todd Wellemeyer
Todd Wellemeyer
Todd Allen Wellemeyer is a former right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball. He is the brother of American entrepreneur Jeff Wellemeyer...
, who struggled badly for the 2009 Cardinals, signed a minor-league deal with the Giants in February.
On December 8 the Cardinals announced the finalization of a deal to sign Brad Penny
Brad Penny
Bradley Wayne "Brad" Penny is a Major League starting pitcher. Penny has spent portions of his career with the Florida Marlins, Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston Red Sox, San Francisco Giants, St. Louis Cardinals and Detroit Tigers....
, who spent 2009 as a starter for the Red Sox and Giants, to a one-year deal for $7.5 million with an additional $1.5 million in incentives.
Spring training
The Cardinals were 15-14 (.517) in 2010 compared to 19-12-2 (.613) [Team BA: .290; Team ERA: 4.35] in 2009's spring exhibitions.Attendance at Roger Dean Stadium
Roger Dean Stadium
Roger Dean Stadium is a baseball stadium located in the Abacoa community of the town of Jupiter, Florida. The stadium was built in 1998, holds 6,871 people, and features luxury sky-box seating, 2 levels of permanent seating, parking and concessions...
was 96,910 for 14 games, averaging 6,922 per game.
Jaime García
Jaime Garcia (baseball)
Jaime Omar García is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals.-Early life:Jaime García was born on July 8, 1986 in Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico as the second of three children to civil engineer Jaime García, Sr. and Gloria Rodríguez Flores. García was raised between the border of...
, a Cardinal draft pick who underwent Tommy John surgery
Tommy John surgery
Tommy John surgery, known in medical practice as ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction, is a surgical procedure in which a ligament in the medial elbow is replaced with a tendon from elsewhere in the body...
in 2008 after a cup of coffee
Cup of coffee
A "cup of coffee" is North American sports terminology for a short time spent by a minor league player at the major league level. The idea behind the term is that the player was only in the big leagues long enough to have a cup of coffee before being returned to the minors, or simply to describe a...
with the big-league club, won the fifth-starter role in spring training. David Freese
David Freese
David Richard Freese is a third baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball. A star high school player, Freese chose not to play college baseball in his freshman year of college, but returned to the game a year later...
won the starting job at third base. Allen Craig
Allen Craig
Allen Thomas Craig is a Major League Baseball utility player for the St. Louis Cardinals.-Amateur career:...
, Joe Mather
Joe Mather
Joseph Paul Mather is an American professional baseball outfielder and third baseman who is a free agent.-Early life:Mather was born on July 23, 1982, in Sandpoint, Idaho. At Mountain Pointe High School in Ahwatukee, Arizona he played basketball and was also an All-State performer in baseball...
and Nick Stavinoha
Nick Stavinoha
Nicholas Lee "Nick" Stavinoha is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Houston Astros of Major League Baseball.-Early life:...
filled out the Cardinal bench. On March 24, Yadier Molina
Yadier Molina
Yadier Benjamin Molina known affectionately by fans as "Yadi", is a Major League Baseball catcher who plays for the St. Louis Cardinals.Molina was the third catcher to play in two World Series before age 25, along with Johnny Bench and Yogi Berra. He is considered one of the best defensive...
suffered a right oblique
Abdominal external oblique muscle
The external oblique muscle is the largest and the most superficial of the three flat muscles of the lateral anterior abdomen.-Structure:...
muscle strain sliding into second base. Molina, batting .314 (11-for-35) at the time of his injury, missed the rest of spring training but was ready for Opening Day.
April
The Cardinals opened 2010 on April 5, on the road at Cincinnati. St. Louis won 11-6 on six effective innings from Chris CarpenterChris Carpenter
Christopher John Carpenter is a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who has played for the St. Louis Cardinals since 2003, and is currently signed with the team until the 2011 season, with a club option for 2012.Carpenter was 22 years old and a highly-regarded prospect when he broke into the...
. Albert Pujols
Albert Pujols
José Alberto Pujols Alcántara , better known as Albert Pujols , is a Dominican-American professional baseball player, who is currently a free agent...
had two home runs. Colby Rasmus
Colby Rasmus
Colby Ryan Rasmus is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball.-Early years:...
had a home run, and robbed Scott Rolen
Scott Rolen
Scott Bruce Rolen is a Major League Baseball third baseman for the Cincinnati Reds. He is an eight-time Gold Glove winner and seven-time All-Star.-Philadelphia Phillies:...
of a home run. Yadier Molina
Yadier Molina
Yadier Benjamin Molina known affectionately by fans as "Yadi", is a Major League Baseball catcher who plays for the St. Louis Cardinals.Molina was the third catcher to play in two World Series before age 25, along with Johnny Bench and Yogi Berra. He is considered one of the best defensive...
hit a grand slam home run, and became only the third Cardinals ever to do so on opening day. The other two Cardinals to ever do so, Mark McGwire
Mark McGwire
Mark David McGwire , nicknamed "Big Mac", is an American former professional baseball player who played his major league career with the Oakland Athletics and the St. Louis Cardinals. He is currently the hitting coach for the St...
and Scott Rolen
Scott Rolen
Scott Bruce Rolen is a Major League Baseball third baseman for the Cincinnati Reds. He is an eight-time Gold Glove winner and seven-time All-Star.-Philadelphia Phillies:...
, were also in attendance. In the home opener on April 12, St. Louis beat Houston 5-0 behind a three-run home run from Pujols and eight shutout innings from Adam Wainwright
Adam Wainwright
Adam Parrish Wainwright is a right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals. He was drafted 29th overall by the Atlanta Braves in the 2000 amateur draft. He made his major league debut for the St...
.
Jason LaRue
Jason LaRue
Michael Jason "Rusty" LaRue is a former Major League Baseball catcher who played for the Cincinnati Reds, Kansas City Royals and St...
became the first Cardinal to go on the disabled list on April 14, after suffering a strained hamstring. Bryan Anderson
Bryan Anderson (baseball)
Bryan Douglas Anderson is an American Major League Baseball catcher for the National League St. Louis Cardinals organization.-Biography:...
was called up from the minors to replace him on the roster.
On April 17 the Cardinals and Mets played a memorable game at Busch Stadium lasting 20 innings. The game lasted 6 hours and 53 minutes, ending with a 2-1 Mets' victory. This was only the 42nd game in baseball history that lasted as long as 20 innings.
Backup outfielder Joe Mather
Joe Mather
Joseph Paul Mather is an American professional baseball outfielder and third baseman who is a free agent.-Early life:Mather was born on July 23, 1982, in Sandpoint, Idaho. At Mountain Pointe High School in Ahwatukee, Arizona he played basketball and was also an All-State performer in baseball...
took the loss after pitching and giving up a run in the 19th and 20th, after utility infielder Felipe López pitched a scoreless 18th. The Mets left 13 on-base, while the Cardinals stranded 22.
Lopez went on the DL on April 26. He had been suffering from elbow discomfort since April 11 but did not report the issue until two days after he pitched an inning against the Mets on April 17. Concurrent with Lopez's trip to the DL, the Cardinals sent Allen Craig to Memphis, recalled infielder Tyler Greene, and called up for his big-league debut Jon Jay
Jon Jay
Jonathan Henry Jay is an outfielder who plays for the St. Louis Cardinals.-Baseball career:He was drafted by the Cardinals out of the University of Miami in the second round of the 2006 MLB Draft...
, their second pick in the 2006 draft
2006 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2006 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft, was held on June 6 and 7. It was conducted via conference call with representatives from each of the league's 30 teams.-First Round Selections:...
.
Buoyed by excellent pitching from 4/5 of their starting rotation (Lohse's 6.55 ERA for April made him the only Cardinal starter who didn't come in under 3.50 for the month), the Cardinals only lost one series in all of April, and they finished the month at 15-8, and in first place in the Central Division.
May
The Cardinals fell into a severe slump in early May. St. Louis lost 3 of 4 on the road to the East-leading Phillies, then, after taking two of three from Pittsburgh, returned home and were swept in three games by the Houston Astros, who were the worst team in the league prior to the series. A victory against the Reds with first place on the line included a two-run homer by Pujols, snapping a nine-game team homerless streak. However, subsequent losses to the Reds on May 15 and 16 knocked the Cardinals out of first place for the first time all season.On May 17, Felipe Lopez came off the DL and entered the starting lineup at shortstop. Brendan Ryan
Brendan Ryan (baseball)
Brendan Wood Ryan is an American Major League Baseball shortstop for the Seattle Mariners. While he has typically fielded at shortstop in his professional career, Ryan has been known to play at second and third base and has dabbled with pitching.-Early and personal life:Ryan was born in Los...
was demoted to a utility role due to a season-long slump that saw his average slide to .162 at the time he lost the starting job. In another effort to kickstart a stagnating offense on that same day, manager LaRussa switched Pujols and Matt Holliday
Matt Holliday
Matthew Thomas Holliday , nicknamed "Big Daddy", is an American Major League Baseball left fielder for the St. Louis Cardinals. Holliday was originally drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the seventh round of the 1998 Major League Baseball Draft.Holliday is a five-time All-Star and Silver Slugger...
in the lineup, with Holliday batting third and Pujols fourth. It was the first time Pujols had hit somewhere other than third in the lineup since May 30, 2003, but the change was short-lived, lasting only five days.
Brad Penny
Brad Penny
Bradley Wayne "Brad" Penny is a Major League starting pitcher. Penny has spent portions of his career with the Florida Marlins, Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston Red Sox, San Francisco Giants, St. Louis Cardinals and Detroit Tigers....
hit a grand slam in the third inning that proved decisive in St. Louis's 9-5 victory over the Anaheim Angels
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
on May 21—but suffered a strained lat muscle
Latissimus dorsi muscle
The latissimus dorsi , meaning 'broadest muscle of the back' , is the larger, flat, dorso-lateral muscle on the trunk, posterior to the arm, and partly covered by the trapezius on its median dorsal region.The latissimus dorsi is responsible for extension,...
in his back, apparently on the swing, and left the game immediately. The next day he went on the DL, and P. J. Walters
P. J. Walters
Phillip DeWayne "P. J." Walters is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent.-Personal life:Walters was born March 12, 1985, in Dothan, Alabama. He is married to Brittney....
was called up to take his place. St. Louis lost a second starting pitcher five days after Penny, when Kyle Lohse
Kyle Lohse
Kyle Matthew Lohse is a right-handed starting pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals. Originally drafted by the Chicago Cubs in , Lohse was traded to the Minnesota Twins in in a deal involving Rick Aguilera. Lohse made his MLB debut with the Twins on June 22, .Lohse is a member of the Nomlaki...
went to the DL on May 27 (retroactive to May 23), after being diagnosed with exertional compartment syndrome
Compartment syndrome
Compartment syndrome is a limb threatening and life threatening condition, defined as the compression of nerves, blood vessels, and muscle inside a closed space within the body . This leads to tissue death from lack of oxygenation due to the blood vessels being compressed by the raised pressure...
in his right (pitching) arm. Fernando Salas
Fernando Salas
Noel Fernando Salas is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals.-Professional career:...
was called up from Memphis to replace Lohse on the roster. Shortly thereafter further roster moves resulted in the demotion of Joe Mather and Salas, and the promotion of two pitchers making their major league debuts: former Cardinals first-round draft pick Adam Ottavino
Adam Ottavino
Adam Robert Ottavino is a Major League Baseball pitcher who is currently in the St. Louis Cardinals organization....
and minor-league veteran Evan MacLane
Evan MacLane
Evan Alan MacLane is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Orix Buffaloes of Nippon Professional Baseball. MacLane attended Pleasant Valley High School in Chico and went on to Feather River College....
. The roster shuffling continued on May 31, when MacLane was sent back down without appearing in a game and Allen Craig was recalled.
The Cardinals offense continued to stall. On May 25 and 26 St. Louis lost consecutive games in San Diego by scores of 1-0 and 2-1. Both games were decided on home runs by Jerry Hairston Jr., who had zero home runs in 2010 entering the series. An 8-3 Cardinal victory on May 27 in the third game of the series featured Pujols' first home run since May 14 and only his second of the month. Three days later, on May 30, Pujols exploded out of his power slump by hitting three home runs in a 9-1 victory over the Cubs in Wrigley Field. It was the fourth three-homer game of his career and his first since 2006.
The suddenly surging Cardinal offense delivered a 12-4 victory over the Reds on May 31 that gave St. Louis a winning record for May (15-14) and put the Cardinals back into a first-place tie with Cincinnati.
June
On June 1, the Cardinals promoted Aaron MilesAaron Miles
Aaron Wade Miles is a Major League Baseball infielder who is currently a free agent.-Houston Astros:Miles was originally drafted by the Houston Astros in the 19th round of the 1995 amateur draft...
from Memphis and sent Allen Craig
Allen Craig
Allen Thomas Craig is a Major League Baseball utility player for the St. Louis Cardinals.-Amateur career:...
down. Miles, who played for St. Louis from 2006 through 2008, and was a member of the 2006 World Series
2006 World Series
The 2006 World Series, the 102nd edition of Major League Baseball's championship series, began on October 21 and ended on October 27, and matched the American League champion Detroit Tigers against the National League champion St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals won the Series in five games, taking...
champion Cardinals, signed a minor-league contract with St. Louis in the spring. Further bench maneuvering took place on June 5, when the Cardinals signed veteran outfielder Randy Winn
Randy Winn
Dwight Randolph Winn is a retired Major League Baseball outfielder. Winn was a switch hitter, and threw right-handed. He played college baseball at Santa Clara University and made his Major League debut in 1998 with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays...
, recently designated for assignment
Designated for assignment
Designated for assignment is a contractual term used in Major League Baseball. When a player is designated for assignment, he is immediately removed from the club's 40-man roster. This gives the club 10 days to decide what to do with the player while freeing up a roster spot for another...
by the Yankees. Jon Jay was sent back down to Memphis to make room, and pitcher Kyle Lohse was sent to the 60-day DL.
Adam Wainwright threw a complete game two-hitter on June 4, and the Cardinals beat the Brewers 8-0, retaking sole possession of first place. It was the first shutout of Wainwright's career.
Jason Motte's outing on June 6, in which he took the loss in a 5-4, 10-inning defeat by the Brewers, snapped his streak of 32 consecutive batters retired. Motte was nine batters shy of the reliever record of 41 straight set by Bobby Jenks
Bobby Jenks
Robert Scott "Bobby" Jenks is an American professional baseball relief pitcher with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball...
., and 13 shy of the major league record of 45 set by Mark Buehrle
Mark Buehrle
Mark Alan Buehrle is a Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. He has pitched his entire baseball career for the Chicago White Sox, starting the opening game every season from 2002 to 2006 and again from 2008 to 2011....
.
Seeking to shore up a rotation with gaping holes in the back end after the loss of Penny and Lohse, St. Louis acquired pitcher Jeff Suppan
Jeff Suppan
Jeffrey Scot Suppan , is a Major League Baseball pitcher, who is currently a free agent.-Baseball career:Suppan was drafted out of high school by the Boston Red Sox in the second round of the 1993 amateur draft, and rapidly ascended to the Majors making his debut at the age of 20...
, a veteran of the 2006 World Series
2006 World Series
The 2006 World Series, the 102nd edition of Major League Baseball's championship series, began on October 21 and ended on October 27, and matched the American League champion Detroit Tigers against the National League champion St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals won the Series in five games, taking...
champion Cardinals and the MVP of the 2006 NLCS
2006 National League Championship Series
The National League Championship Series , the second round of the 2006 National League playoffs, began on October 12 and ended on October 19; it was scheduled to begin on October 11, but was postponed a day because of inclement weather. The St...
. Suppan, increasingly ineffective since he left St. Louis for the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
following the World Series victory, had an ERA of 7.84 when he was released by the Brewers in early June.
On June 30, Albert Pujols
Albert Pujols
José Alberto Pujols Alcántara , better known as Albert Pujols , is a Dominican-American professional baseball player, who is currently a free agent...
had his 37th career multihomer game at Busch Stadium
Busch Stadium
Busch Stadium is the home of the St. Louis Cardinals, of MLB...
tying Stan Musial
Stan Musial
Stanley Frank "Stan" Musial is a retired professional baseball player who played 22 seasons in Major League Baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals . Nicknamed "Stan the Man", Musial was a record 24-time All-Star selection , and is widely considered to be one of the greatest hitters in baseball...
's franchise record by a Cardinals' player.
David Freese went on the DL on June 30 with a bone bruise on his ankle. Freese suffered the injury on June 5 and had been playing in pain all month. The Cardinals, slowed by nagging injuries to Freese and Ludwick, plagued by poor performances from the back end of their rotation, and further weighed down by the season-long slumps of Ryan, Schumaker and Molina, treaded water in June, going 13-13 to finish the month at 43-35.
July
On July 3, Ryan LudwickRyan Ludwick
Ryan Andrew Ludwick is a Major League Baseball right fielder. His brother Eric played four seasons in Major League Baseball as a pitcher.-High school, college, and minor leagues:Ludwick attended Durango High School in Las Vegas, Nevada....
went on the DL after he aggravated a prior left calf
Calf (anatomy)
In human anatomy the calf is the back portion of the lower leg . In terms of muscle systems, the calf corresponds to the posterior compartment of the leg. Within the posterior compartment, the two largest muscles are known together as the calf muscle and attach to the heel via the Achilles tendon...
strain while exercising on a treadmill
Treadmill
A treadmill is an exercise machine for running or walking while staying in one place. The word treadmill traditionally refers to a type of mill which was operated by a person or animal treading steps of a wheel to grind grain...
, and outfielder Jon Jay
Jon Jay
Jonathan Henry Jay is an outfielder who plays for the St. Louis Cardinals.-Baseball career:He was drafted by the Cardinals out of the University of Miami in the second round of the 2006 MLB Draft...
was recalled to take his place.
MLB announced rosters for the 2010 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
2010 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 2010 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 81st midseason exhibition between the All-Stars of the American League and the National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball...
on July 4, and five Cardinals made the NL team. Albert Pujols
Albert Pujols
José Alberto Pujols Alcántara , better known as Albert Pujols , is a Dominican-American professional baseball player, who is currently a free agent...
led the National League in votes. Yadier Molina
Yadier Molina
Yadier Benjamin Molina known affectionately by fans as "Yadi", is a Major League Baseball catcher who plays for the St. Louis Cardinals.Molina was the third catcher to play in two World Series before age 25, along with Johnny Bench and Yogi Berra. He is considered one of the best defensive...
was voted starting catcher for the NL squad despite having one of the worst seasons of his career, with a .229 batting average on the day the rosters were announced. Chris Carpenter
Chris Carpenter
Christopher John Carpenter is a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who has played for the St. Louis Cardinals since 2003, and is currently signed with the team until the 2011 season, with a club option for 2012.Carpenter was 22 years old and a highly-regarded prospect when he broke into the...
and Adam Wainwright
Adam Wainwright
Adam Parrish Wainwright is a right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals. He was drafted 29th overall by the Atlanta Braves in the 2000 amateur draft. He made his major league debut for the St...
were named to the pitching staff, and Matt Holliday
Matt Holliday
Matthew Thomas Holliday , nicknamed "Big Daddy", is an American Major League Baseball left fielder for the St. Louis Cardinals. Holliday was originally drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the seventh round of the 1998 Major League Baseball Draft.Holliday is a five-time All-Star and Silver Slugger...
was selected as a reserve. In the game, played in Anaheim on July 13, Pujols was 0-for-2, Molina was 1-for-1 with a single, Holliday singled and scored, Wainwright pitched a scoreless seventh, but Carpenter was held back in reserve and did not pitch. Holliday scored on a three-run double
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
by the Braves'
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
Brian McCann that won the All-Star Game, 3-1, giving the National League their first win since the 1996
1996 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1996 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 67th playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 9, 1996 at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the...
.
On July 6, in Colorado, the Cardinals suffered one of the worst ninth-inning collapses in franchise history. Leading 9-3 going into the bottom of the ninth, Dennys Reyes
Dennys Reyes
Dennys Reyes is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher. He has played for ten teams since his major league career began in . Reyes throws left-handed and is considered a lefty specialist. He stands 6'3" and weighs 250 pounds. His nickname is "The Big Sweat."...
and Ryan Franklin
Ryan Franklin
Ryan Ray Franklin is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has played for the Seattle Mariners, Philadelphia Phillies, Cincinnati Reds, and St. Louis Cardinals.-Early life:...
combined to give up nine runs to the Rockies, with Seth Smith's three-run walk-off homer capping an amazing 12-9 Colorado victory. It was the first time in 51 years that the Cardinals allowed nine runs in the ninth inning, and the first time St. Louis lost a game it led by seven runs or more since 1998. It also was the first time all season the Cardinals lost a game when they were leading after eight innings. Previously, they were a perfect 38-0. The next night, the Cardinals followed up that collapse by blowing leads of 5-0 and 7-4, losing to the Rockies 8-7 on another walk-off homer, this one by Chris Iannetta. After the Rockies completed a three-game sweep the next day, the Cardinals traveled to Houston and took two of three to go into the All-Star Break with a 47-41 record, one game behind the first-place Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
.
St. Louis won its last game before the break against Houston (Jul. 11), then came out and won seven in a row against the Dodgers and Phillies (Jul. 15-21) before losing the last home game in that stand 2-0 in 11 inn. The eight-game win streak was the longest by the Cardinals since the 105-win NL champions of 2004 won nine in a row. The Cardinals vaulted past Cincinnati and back into first place in the NL Central Division by 1½ games.
Ryan Ludwick
Ryan Ludwick
Ryan Andrew Ludwick is a Major League Baseball right fielder. His brother Eric played four seasons in Major League Baseball as a pitcher.-High school, college, and minor leagues:Ludwick attended Durango High School in Las Vegas, Nevada....
was activated from the DL on July 24, after having missed a month due to his calf injury. One week later, on July 31, Ludwick was traded at the non-waiver deadline to the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
as part of a three-way deal. The Cardinals received minor league left-hand pitcher Nick Greenwood from the Padres and coveted starting pitcher Jake Westbrook
Jake Westbrook
Jacob Cauthen "Jake" Westbrook is an American Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher currently with the St. Louis Cardinals. He is known as a sinker ball pitcher and has also hit a grand slam home run....
from Cleveland
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
along with cash considerations. Minor-league pitcher Corey Kluber went from the Padres to the Indians to complete the deal.
The Cardinals went 15-11 in July, their best month since April, and ended the month at 58-46 and a half-game ahead of the persistent Reds in the NL Central.
August
On August 3, David Freese, the everyday third baseman who missed more than a month after an ankle injury, re-injured the ankle and was sidelined for the rest of the year. More bad news came the next day, when key reliever Jason MotteJason Motte
Jason Louis Motte is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals.-Career:Motte graduated from Valley Central High School, Montgomery, N.Y., in 2000 where he was a catcher...
was placed on the DL with a right shoulder sprain. Freese underwent reconstructive surgery on his right ankle the day after that, and will need six months of rehabilitation, leaving him uncertain for spring training in February 2011.
On Aug. 6, Adam Wainwright
Adam Wainwright
Adam Parrish Wainwright is a right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals. He was drafted 29th overall by the Atlanta Braves in the 2000 amateur draft. He made his major league debut for the St...
pitched one of the best games of his career, throwing a complete game two-hit shutout to beat the Marlins, 7-0. Pujols hit his 28th home run (a 3-run shot) in the first inning, then added a fourth RBI later to grab the NL RBI lead with 82. The victory upped Wainwright's record to 16-6 (second in NL), and dropped his ERA to 2.07 (second in NL).
On August 10, the Cardinals and Reds had a nasty brawl at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati. One day after Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips
Brandon Phillips
Brandon Emil Phillips is a second baseman for Major League Baseball's Cincinnati Reds. The Raleigh, North Carolina native was selected in the second round of the 1999 draft by the former Montreal Expos after signing a letter of intent to play both baseball and football at the University of Georgia...
proclaimed "I really hate the Cardinals", Phillips and Yadier Molina had an argument at home plate that escalated into a bench-clearing brawl. Jason LaRue
Jason LaRue
Michael Jason "Rusty" LaRue is a former Major League Baseball catcher who played for the Cincinnati Reds, Kansas City Royals and St...
suffered a severe concussion after being kicked in the face by Reds pitcher Johnny Cueto
Johnny Cueto
Johnny Brent Cueto [KWAY-toe] is a right-handed Major League Baseball pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds.-Minor league career:...
, leading the Cardinals to call up minor-league catcher Steven Hill
Steven Hill (baseball)
Steven Hill is a Major League Baseball catcher for the St. Louis Cardinals. From Stephen F. Austin University, Eastfield College, Mt. San Jacinto College,and San Jacinto College-North, he was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 13th Round of the 2007 amateur entry draft...
for his big-league debut. Jeff Suppan
Jeff Suppan
Jeffrey Scot Suppan , is a Major League Baseball pitcher, who is currently a free agent.-Baseball career:Suppan was drafted out of high school by the Boston Red Sox in the second round of the 1993 amateur draft, and rapidly ascended to the Majors making his debut at the age of 20...
was placed on the DL with groin soreness unrelated to the brawl. The Cardinals swept the Reds in three games, dealing Cincinnati its first series loss since the All-Star Break and retaking sole possession of first place in the NL Central. In the third game, Wainwright held the Reds to two hits over seven shutout innings, dropping his ERA to 1.99. LaRue, still suffering from his concussion, was sent to the DL on the 13th.
Suspensions and fines for the brawl were announced on Aug. 12. Managers Dusty Baker
Dusty Baker
Johnnie B. "Dusty" Baker, Jr. is a former player and current manager in Major League Baseball, currently the manager of the Cincinnati Reds. He enjoyed a 19-year career as a hard-hitting outfielder, mostly with the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers...
and Tony LaRussa each received two-game suspensions, and the Reds' pitcher Johnny Cueto was suspended for seven games, with Molina and Carpenter of the Cardinals fined along with the Reds' Brandon Phillips and Russ Springer. Bench coach Joe Pettini
Joe Pettini
Joseph Paul "Joe" Pettini is a former Major League Baseball player and a current major league bench coach with the St. Louis Cardinals. Joe and his family now reside in Bethany, West Virginia....
will be the acting manager.
Starting pitcher Kyle Lohse
Kyle Lohse
Kyle Matthew Lohse is a right-handed starting pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals. Originally drafted by the Chicago Cubs in , Lohse was traded to the Minnesota Twins in in a deal involving Rick Aguilera. Lohse made his MLB debut with the Twins on June 22, .Lohse is a member of the Nomlaki...
came off the DL almost three months after undergoing right forearm surgery to pitch the Aug. 15) matchup against the Cubs. He pitched as poorly in that game as he did in April and May, and the Cardinals lost 9-7 to the Cubs. In that same game, Albert Pujols
Albert Pujols
José Alberto Pujols Alcántara , better known as Albert Pujols , is a Dominican-American professional baseball player, who is currently a free agent...
hit his 30th home run, extending his own major league record by hitting 30 or more home runs in 10 consecutive seasons starting with his rookie year.
After Freese's season-ending injury and a horrific slump by substitute 3b Felipe Lopez, who was batting .165 since July 22, the Cardinals acquired Pedro Feliz
Pedro Feliz
Pedro Julio Feliz is a Dominican Republic minor league baseball third baseman for the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball. Feliz has hit 20 or more home runs in four of his first five seasons as a starting third baseman and is an above average fielder at third base...
from the Houston Astros on Aug. 19. The Cardinals also received cash considerations while the Astros received minor-league pitcher David Carpenter. Feliz was hitting .221 at the time of the trade. To make room on the roster, Jason LaRue
Jason LaRue
Michael Jason "Rusty" LaRue is a former Major League Baseball catcher who played for the Cincinnati Reds, Kansas City Royals and St...
was moved to the 60-day DL, officially ending his 2010 season except for the possibility of post-season play.
The team suffered badly after their big sweep of Cincinnati (Aug. 9-11) with a season-high five-game losing streak that dropped them to 4½ games behind the Reds for the NL Central title, and three games behind the Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
in the wild-card race. On August 26, Albert Pujols hit his 400th career home run in Washington, becoming the third-youngest player to reach that milestone. Unfortunately, it came as part of an agonizing 11-10 extra inning defeat to the Nationals, one in which St. Louis blew a 5-3 lead, scored four in the ninth to go ahead 10-8, then blew that lead when closer Ryan Franklin gave up a two-run homer in the bottom of the 9th. The Cardinals slipped to a ghastly 5-12 after the sweep of Cincinnati for the remainder of the month, with 11 of those losses coming to teams with losing records (the Cubs, Brewers, Pirates, Nationals, and Astros).
September
The Cardinals announced on September 1 that the team's new broadcasting station in 2011 will be a familiar one: KMOX, giving up on KTRSKTRS (AM)
KTRS, located at 550 kHz, is an AM radio station in Maryland Heights, Missouri that carries a News/Talk format and is owned by the St. Louis Cardinals and CH Radio Holdings. It broadcasts with 5,000 watts of power during the day and 5,000 watts at night. The call letters KTRS stand for K Talk...
weak 5,000-watt reach for KMOX's 50,000-watt clear channel. The team will presently keep its 50% ownership in KTRS, unless a good offer is made.
On September 1, the disastrous road trip concluded with a 5-2 loss at Houston for another losing streak of five games, the second time in the past 16 games played, tying their longest losing streak of the season. The 2-8 road trip dropped them 8 games behind Cincinnati, and 5 games out of the wild card. It was part of a pattern in which the Cardinals, who were in first place after sweeping the Reds in August and looking towards a schedule filled with bad teams, choked away the Central Division by showing an utter inability to beat those bad teams. Between the Cubs series on August 13, which immediately followed the sweep of Cincinnati, and a series against the Pirates that ended on Sept. 23, St. Louis played eight series against teams with losing records, and lost all of them. During this stretch the Cardinals also played their last series of the season against Cincinnati. St. Louis took two of three at home but the Reds remained far ahead in the NL Central.
On September 11, Albert Pujols
Albert Pujols
José Alberto Pujols Alcántara , better known as Albert Pujols , is a Dominican-American professional baseball player, who is currently a free agent...
reached 100 RBIs for the 10th consecutive year and drove in all three runs giving him 102 for the season, but the team lost in extra innings 6-3 at Atlanta
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
. Only Al Simmons
Al Simmons
Aloysius Harry Simmons , born Aloisius Szymanski in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was an American baseball player. He played for two decades in the major leagues as an outfielder, and had his best years as a member of Connie Mack's Philadelphia Athletics during the 1930's...
has a longer streak at the beginning of a career, 11 years (1924-1934). Pujols joins Jimmie Foxx
Jimmie Foxx
James Emory "Jimmie" Foxx , nicknamed "Double X" and "The Beast", was a right-handed American Major League Baseball first baseman and noted power hitter....
, Lou Gehrig
Lou Gehrig
Henry Louis "Lou" Gehrig , nicknamed "The Iron Horse" for his durability, was an American Major League Baseball first baseman. He played his entire 17-year baseball career for the New York Yankees . Gehrig set several major league records. He holds the record for most career grand slams...
, and Alex Rodriguez
Alex Rodriguez
Alexander Emmanuel "Alex" Rodriguez is an American professional baseball third baseman with the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball. Known popularly by his nickname A-Rod, he previously played shortstop for the Seattle Mariners and the Texas Rangers.Rodriguez is considered one of the best...
in having 10 consecutive seasons of 100+ RBIs at any time in their career. Only two other players have 10 consecutive years of 30 HRs and 100 RBIs at any time in their careers: Foxx and Rodriguez.
On September 19, catcher Jason LaRue
Jason LaRue
Michael Jason "Rusty" LaRue is a former Major League Baseball catcher who played for the Cincinnati Reds, Kansas City Royals and St...
, still suffering from the severe concussion he received on August 10 when Cueto kicked him in the head numerous times, announced his retirement from baseball effective at the end of the season. Another player departed two days later, when infielder Felipe Lopez was given his unconditional release. The cited cause was repeated tardiness.
On September 23, catcher Yadier Molina
Yadier Molina
Yadier Benjamin Molina known affectionately by fans as "Yadi", is a Major League Baseball catcher who plays for the St. Louis Cardinals.Molina was the third catcher to play in two World Series before age 25, along with Johnny Bench and Yogi Berra. He is considered one of the best defensive...
was ruled out for the remainder of the season because of continuing soreness in his right knee after an examination in St. Louis. Pitcher Jaime Garcia
Jaime Garcia (baseball)
Jaime Omar García is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals.-Early life:Jaime García was born on July 8, 1986 in Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico as the second of three children to civil engineer Jaime García, Sr. and Gloria Rodríguez Flores. García was raised between the border of...
joined Molina on the shelf when the Cardinals decided he would sit out the remainder of the season, citing his Tommy John arm surgery
Tommy John surgery
Tommy John surgery, known in medical practice as ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction, is a surgical procedure in which a ligament in the medial elbow is replaced with a tendon from elsewhere in the body...
(in September 2008) and heavy 2010 workload. Garcia led all rookie pitchers with 13 wins, and posted the fourth-best (2.70) ERA in the NL,
One bit of good news penetrated the Cardinals' terrible month: Adam Wainwright won his 20th game on September 24. After a strained muscle led the Cardinals to sit Wainwright for his last scheduled start, he finished at 20-11 with a 2.42 ERA. Four days after Wainwright's 20th victory, on Sept. 28, St. Louis was eliminated from playoff contention. After it no longer mattered, the Cardinals won 9 of their last 11 games to finish 86-76. At season's end, Pujols became the second player in the last sixty years (the first was Hank Aaron), to lead the National League in runs, home runs, and runs batted in, and not be named Most Valuable Player.
Despite their lower finish in the standings, the team drew 3,300,218 fans, the seventh consecutive year over 3 million and sixth over 3.3 million. Only three other teams drew more.
Season standings
MLB StandingsGame log
Regular Season Schedule (calendar style)Regular Season Schedule (sortable text)
All game times are in Central Time Zone
Central Time zone
In North America, the Central Time Zone refers to national time zones which observe standard time by subtracting six hours from UTC , and daylight saving, or summer time by subtracting five hours...
.
! colspan="3" | Legend
|-
! bgcolor="bbffbb" | Cardinals WIN
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
! bgcolor="ffbbbb" | Cardinals LOSS
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
! bgcolor="bbbbbb" | Game POSTPONED
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
>
| 2010 Game Log | |
|---|---|
Record vs. opponents
(through October 3)| Team | W-L Record |
|---|---|
| Arizona Diamondbacks Arizona Diamondbacks The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field... |
5–4 (0) |
| Atlanta Braves Atlanta Braves The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997.... |
6–2 (0) |
| Chicago Cubs Chicago Cubs The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National... |
6–9 (0) |
| Cincinnati Reds Cincinnati Reds The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890.... |
12–6 (0) |
| Colorado Rockies Colorado Rockies The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains... |
4–3 (0) |
| Florida Marlins Florida Marlins The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at... |
2–3 (0) |
| Houston Astros Houston Astros The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field... |
5–10 (0) |
| Kansas City Royals Kansas City Royals The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium... |
1–2 (0) |
| Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles... |
2–1 (0) |
| Los Angeles Dodgers Los Angeles Dodgers The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming... |
4–3 (0) |
| Milwaukee Brewers Milwaukee Brewers The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League... |
7–8 (0) |
| New York Mets New York Mets The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League... |
3–3 (0) |
| Oakland Athletics Oakland Athletics The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum.... |
2–1 (0) |
| Philadelphia Phillies Philadelphia Phillies The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League... |
4–4 (0) |
| Pittsburgh Pirates Pittsburgh Pirates The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions... |
9–6 (0) |
| San Diego Padres San Diego Padres The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times... |
4–3 (0) |
| San Francisco Giants San Francisco Giants The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division.... |
3–3 (0) |
| Seattle Mariners Seattle Mariners The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July... |
2–1 (0) |
| Toronto Blue Jays Toronto Blue Jays The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League .... |
2–1 (0) |
| Washington Nationals Washington Nationals The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium... |
3–3 (0) |
Bold indicates that the Cardinals have finished their season schedule with an opponent.
Roster
| 2010 St. Louis Cardinals | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers | Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders | Manager Coaches (pitching) (bullpen) (hitting) (first base) (third base) (bench) |
||||||
Batting
Note: G = Games played; AB = At Bats; R = Runs; H = Hits; 2B= Doubles; HR = Home Runs; RBI = Runs Batted In; BB = Walks; Avg. = Batting Average; OBP = On-base Percentage; SLG = Slugging Percentage(through October 3)
Cardinals HITTING statistics
Sortable TEAM HITTING statistics
| Player | G | AB | R | H | 2B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | Avg. | OBP | SLG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albert Pujols Albert Pujols José Alberto Pujols Alcántara , better known as Albert Pujols , is a Dominican-American professional baseball player, who is currently a free agent... |
159 | 587 | 115 | 183 | 39 | 42 | 118 | 103 | 76 | .312 (.3118) | .414 | .596 |
| Matt Holliday Matt Holliday Matthew Thomas Holliday , nicknamed "Big Daddy", is an American Major League Baseball left fielder for the St. Louis Cardinals. Holliday was originally drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the seventh round of the 1998 Major League Baseball Draft.Holliday is a five-time All-Star and Silver Slugger... |
158 | 596 | 95 | 186 | 45 | 28 | 103 | 69 | 93 | .312 (.3121) | .390 | .532 |
| Skip Schumaker Skip Schumaker Jared Michael "Skip" Schumaker is a Major League Baseball Outfielder and Second Baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals.-Biography:... |
137 | 476 | 66 | 126 | 18 | 5 | 42 | 43 | 64 | .265 | .328 | .338 |
| Yadier Molina Yadier Molina Yadier Benjamin Molina known affectionately by fans as "Yadi", is a Major League Baseball catcher who plays for the St. Louis Cardinals.Molina was the third catcher to play in two World Series before age 25, along with Johnny Bench and Yogi Berra. He is considered one of the best defensive... ( -9/21) |
136 | 465 | 34 | 122 | 19 | 6 | 62 | 42 | 51 | .262 | .329 | .342 |
| Colby Rasmus Colby Rasmus Colby Ryan Rasmus is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball.-Early years:... |
144 | 464 | 85 | 128 | 28 | 23 | 66 | 63 | 148 | .276 | .361 | .498 |
| Brendan Ryan Brendan Ryan (baseball) Brendan Wood Ryan is an American Major League Baseball shortstop for the Seattle Mariners. While he has typically fielded at shortstop in his professional career, Ryan has been known to play at second and third base and has dabbled with pitching.-Early and personal life:Ryan was born in Los... |
139 | 439 | 50 | 98 | 19 | 2 | 36 | 33 | 60 | .223 | .279 | .294 |
| Felipe Lopez ( -9/18) | 109 | 376 | 50 | 87 | 18 | 7 | 36 | 43 | 77 | .231 | .310 | .340 |
| Jon Jay Jon Jay Jonathan Henry Jay is an outfielder who plays for the St. Louis Cardinals.-Baseball career:He was drafted by the Cardinals out of the University of Miami in the second round of the 2006 MLB Draft... |
105 | 287 | 47 | 86 | 19 | 4 | 27 | 24 | 50 | .300 | .359 | .422 |
| Ryan Ludwick Ryan Ludwick Ryan Andrew Ludwick is a Major League Baseball right fielder. His brother Eric played four seasons in Major League Baseball as a pitcher.-High school, college, and minor leagues:Ludwick attended Durango High School in Las Vegas, Nevada.... (4/5-7/30) ^ |
77 | 281 | 44 | 79 | 20 | 11 | 43 | 24 | 64 | .281 | .343 | .484 |
| David Freese David Freese David Richard Freese is a third baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball. A star high school player, Freese chose not to play college baseball in his freshman year of college, but returned to the game a year later... (4/5-6/27) † |
70 | 240 | 28 | 71 | 12 | 4 | 36 | 21 | 59 | .296 | .361 | .404 |
| Randy Winn Randy Winn Dwight Randolph Winn is a retired Major League Baseball outfielder. Winn was a switch hitter, and threw right-handed. He played college baseball at Santa Clara University and made his Major League debut in 1998 with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays... |
87 | 144 | 16 | 36 | 8 | 3 | 17 | 13 | 22 | .250 | .311 | .382 |
| Aaron Miles Aaron Miles Aaron Wade Miles is a Major League Baseball infielder who is currently a free agent.-Houston Astros:Miles was originally drafted by the Houston Astros in the 19th round of the 1995 amateur draft... |
79 | 139 | 14 | 39 | 5 | 0 | 9 | 6 | 14 | .281 | .311 | .317 |
| Nick Stavinoha Nick Stavinoha Nicholas Lee "Nick" Stavinoha is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Houston Astros of Major League Baseball.-Early life:... |
79 | 121 | 11 | 31 | 4 | 2 | 9 | 4 | 28 | .256 | .286 | .339 |
| Pedro Feliz Pedro Feliz Pedro Julio Feliz is a Dominican Republic minor league baseball third baseman for the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball. Feliz has hit 20 or more home runs in four of his first five seasons as a starting third baseman and is an above average fielder at third base... (8/20- ) |
40 | 120 | 14 | 25 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 4 | 10 | .208 | .232 | .250 |
| Allen Craig Allen Craig Allen Thomas Craig is a Major League Baseball utility player for the St. Louis Cardinals.-Amateur career:... |
44 | 114 | 12 | 28 | 7 | 4 | 18 | 9 | 26 | .246 | .298 | .412 |
| Tyler Greene Tyler Greene Benjamin Tyler Greene is an American Major league baseball shortstop, currently playing in the minor leagues of the St. Louis Cardinals.-Early and personal life:... |
44 | 104 | 14 | 23 | 3 | 2 | 10 | 13 | 24 | .221 | .328 | .327 |
| Adam Wainwright Adam Wainwright Adam Parrish Wainwright is a right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals. He was drafted 29th overall by the Atlanta Braves in the 2000 amateur draft. He made his major league debut for the St... (P) |
36 | 84 | 4 | 14 | 5 | 0 | 6 | 7 | 23 | .167 | .231 | .226 |
| Chris Carpenter Chris Carpenter Christopher John Carpenter is a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who has played for the St. Louis Cardinals since 2003, and is currently signed with the team until the 2011 season, with a club option for 2012.Carpenter was 22 years old and a highly-regarded prospect when he broke into the... (P) |
34 | 72 | 2 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 25 | .111 | .135 | .153 |
| Joe Mather Joe Mather Joseph Paul Mather is an American professional baseball outfielder and third baseman who is a free agent.-Early life:Mather was born on July 23, 1982, in Sandpoint, Idaho. At Mountain Pointe High School in Ahwatukee, Arizona he played basketball and was also an All-State performer in baseball... |
36 | 60 | 7 | 13 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 11 | .217 | .242 | .283 |
| Jason LaRue Jason LaRue Michael Jason "Rusty" LaRue is a former Major League Baseball catcher who played for the Cincinnati Reds, Kansas City Royals and St... |
29 | 56 | 3 | 11 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 7 | .196 | .274 | .321 |
| Jaime Garcia Jaime Garcia (baseball) Jaime Omar García is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals.-Early life:Jaime García was born on July 8, 1986 in Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico as the second of three children to civil engineer Jaime García, Sr. and Gloria Rodríguez Flores. García was raised between the border of... (P) |
29 | 54 | 8 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 13 | .185 | .214 | .204 |
| Matt Pagnozzi Matt Pagnozzi Matthew Thomas Pagnozzi is an American professional baseball catcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball.... |
15 | 39 | 4 | 14 | 2 | 1 | 10 | 2 | 8 | .359 | .405 | .487 |
| TEAM TOTALS | 162 | 5,542 | 736 | 1,456 | 285 | 150 | 689 | 541 | 1,027 | .263 | .332 | .402 |
BOLD = Led NL
Starting pitchers
Note: GS = Games Started; IP = Innings Pitched; W = Wins; L = Loss; ERA = Earned Run Average; WHIP = (Walks + Hits) per Innings Pitched; HBP = Hit by Pitch; BF = Batters faced; O-AVG = Opponent Batting Ave.; O-SLG = Opponent Slugging Ave.; R support avg = Average Runs support from his team per Games Started(through October 3)
Cardinals PITCHING statistics
Sortable TEAM PITCHING Statistics
| Player | GS | IP | W | L | ERA | H | HR | BB | SO | WHIP | HBP | BF | O-AVG | O-SLG | R support avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Carpenter Chris Carpenter Christopher John Carpenter is a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who has played for the St. Louis Cardinals since 2003, and is currently signed with the team until the 2011 season, with a club option for 2012.Carpenter was 22 years old and a highly-regarded prospect when he broke into the... |
35 | 235.0 | 16 | 9 | 3.22 | 214 | 21 | 63 | 179 | 1.18 | 13 | 969 | .244 | .377 | 4.7 |
| Adam Wainwright Adam Wainwright Adam Parrish Wainwright is a right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals. He was drafted 29th overall by the Atlanta Braves in the 2000 amateur draft. He made his major league debut for the St... ( - 9/24) |
33 | 230.1 | 20 | 11 | 2.42 | 186 | 15 | 56 | 213 | 1.05 | 4 | 910 | .224 | .330 | 4.8 |
| Jaime Garcia Jaime Garcia (baseball) Jaime Omar García is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals.-Early life:Jaime García was born on July 8, 1986 in Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico as the second of three children to civil engineer Jaime García, Sr. and Gloria Rodríguez Flores. García was raised between the border of... ( - 9/13) |
28 | 163.1 | 13 | 8 | 2.70 | 151 | 9 | 64 | 132 | 1.32 | 3 | 695 | .243 | .323 | 4.5 |
| Kyle Lohse Kyle Lohse Kyle Matthew Lohse is a right-handed starting pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals. Originally drafted by the Chicago Cubs in , Lohse was traded to the Minnesota Twins in in a deal involving Rick Aguilera. Lohse made his MLB debut with the Twins on June 22, .Lohse is a member of the Nomlaki... |
18 | 92.0 | 4 | 8 | 6.55 | 129 | 10 | 35 | 54 | 1.78 | 3 | 431 | .336 | .516 | 5.7 |
| Jake Westbrook Jake Westbrook Jacob Cauthen "Jake" Westbrook is an American Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher currently with the St. Louis Cardinals. He is known as a sinker ball pitcher and has also hit a grand slam home run.... (8/2 - ) |
12 | 75.0 | 4 | 4 | 3.48 | 70 | 5 | 24 | 55 | 1.25 | 2 | 317 | .242 | .339 | 3.8 |
| Jeff Suppan Jeff Suppan Jeffrey Scot Suppan , is a Major League Baseball pitcher, who is currently a free agent.-Baseball career:Suppan was drafted out of high school by the Boston Red Sox in the second round of the 1993 amateur draft, and rapidly ascended to the Majors making his debut at the age of 20... |
13 | 67.2 | 3 | 6 | 3.72 | 76 | 9 | 24 | 32 | 1.48 | 1 | 291 | .291 | .456 | 3.8 |
| Brad Penny Brad Penny Bradley Wayne "Brad" Penny is a Major League starting pitcher. Penny has spent portions of his career with the Florida Marlins, Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston Red Sox, San Francisco Giants, St. Louis Cardinals and Detroit Tigers.... (†† 5/22) |
9 | 55.2 | 3 | 4 | 3.23 | 63 | 4 | 9 | 35 | 1.29 | 3 | 232 | .293 | .414 | 2.8 |
| Blake Hawksworth Blake Hawksworth Blake Edward Hawksworth is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He is 6' 3" and weighs 195 pounds.-Career:... |
8 | 41.2 | 3 | 4 | 5.83 | 54 | 6 | 21 | 28 | 1.80 | 0 | 192 | .321 | .482 | 4.5 |
| Adam Ottavino Adam Ottavino Adam Robert Ottavino is a Major League Baseball pitcher who is currently in the St. Louis Cardinals organization.... |
3 | 14.1 | 0 | 2 | 7.53 | 19 | 4 | 8 | 9 | 1.88 | 0 | 69 | .317 | .667 | 2.3 |
| P.J. Walters | 3 | 16.0 | 2 | 0 | 3.94 | 15 | 3 | 4 | 11 | 1.19 | 0 | 66 | .246 | .410 | 6.7 |
| STARTER TOTALS | 162 | 991.0 | 68 | 56 | 3.50 | 977 | 86 | 308 | 748 | 1.30 | 29 | 4,172 | .259 | .386 | 4.5 |
| TEAM TOTALS | 162 | 1,453.2 | 86 | 76 | 3.57 | 1,412 | 133 | 477 | 1,094 | 1.30 | 48 | 6,137 | .256 | .387 | 641 R allowed |
Bold = leading NL
Relief pitchers
Note: IP = Innings Pitched; ERA = Earned Run Average; WHIP = (Walks + Hits) per Innings Pitched(through Oct. 3)
18-20, 3.73 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 462.2 IP, 435 H, 201 R, 192 ER, 169 BB, 346 SO, 48 HR
Saves/Opp: 32/42 (76%) 1st Batter / Retired: 304/455 (67%)
Holds: 70 Inherited Runners/Scored: 65/204 (32%)
(thru Oct. 3)
Games lost by bullpen: 20 Hawksworth
Blake Hawksworth
Blake Edward Hawksworth is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He is 6' 3" and weighs 195 pounds.-Career:...
(4), McClellan
Kyle McClellan
Kyle William McClellan is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals. He attended Hazelwood West High School. After graduating from high school, McClellan was drafted by the St...
(4), Boggs
Mitchell Boggs
Mitchell Thomas Boggs is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals. He is of no relation to former MLB third baseman, Wade Boggs.-High school:...
(3), Motte
Jason Motte
Jason Louis Motte is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals.-Career:Motte graduated from Valley Central High School, Montgomery, N.Y., in 2000 where he was a catcher...
(2), Franklin
Ryan Franklin
Ryan Ray Franklin is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has played for the Seattle Mariners, Philadelphia Phillies, Cincinnati Reds, and St. Louis Cardinals.-Early life:...
(2), Mather
Joe Mather
Joseph Paul Mather is an American professional baseball outfielder and third baseman who is a free agent.-Early life:Mather was born on July 23, 1982, in Sandpoint, Idaho. At Mountain Pointe High School in Ahwatukee, Arizona he played basketball and was also an All-State performer in baseball...
(1), Reyes
Dennys Reyes
Dennys Reyes is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher. He has played for ten teams since his major league career began in . Reyes throws left-handed and is considered a lefty specialist. He stands 6'3" and weighs 250 pounds. His nickname is "The Big Sweat."...
(1), Miller
Trever Miller
Trever Douglas Miller is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent.-High school:...
(1), MacLane
Evan MacLane
Evan Alan MacLane is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Orix Buffaloes of Nippon Professional Baseball. MacLane attended Pleasant Valley High School in Chico and went on to Feather River College....
(1), MacDougal
Mike MacDougal
Robert Meiklejohn MacDougal is a relief pitcher in Major League Baseball, who is currently a free agent...
(1)
Blown Saves by bullpen: 19 Franklin
Ryan Franklin
Ryan Ray Franklin is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has played for the Seattle Mariners, Philadelphia Phillies, Cincinnati Reds, and St. Louis Cardinals.-Early life:...
(6), McClellan
Kyle McClellan
Kyle William McClellan is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals. He attended Hazelwood West High School. After graduating from high school, McClellan was drafted by the St...
(4), Motte
Jason Motte
Jason Louis Motte is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals.-Career:Motte graduated from Valley Central High School, Montgomery, N.Y., in 2000 where he was a catcher...
(4), Miller
Trever Miller
Trever Douglas Miller is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent.-High school:...
(2), Perez
Chris Perez (baseball)
Christopher Ralph Perez is a right-handed relief pitcher for the Cleveland Indians. His pitches have been clocked at 98 mph on the radar gun. He is 6' 4", 225 lbs. In 2010, fans began referring to him by the nickname "Pure Rage."Perez grew up on Anna Maria Island in Florida. Perez...
(1), Kinney
Josh Kinney
Joshua Thomas Kinney is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He throws a slider, 4-seam fastball, curveball, and a 2-seam fastball.-Early and personal life:...
(1), Salas
Fernando Salas
Noel Fernando Salas is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals.-Professional career:...
(1)
Scoring by inning
(through October 3)| INNING | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 19 | 20 | TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CARDINALS | 113 | 55 | 76 | 85 | 102 | 79 | 80 | 71 | 68 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 736 |
| OPPONENTS | 73 | 61 | 92 | 81 | 76 | 57 | 65 | 74 | 50 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 641 |
Cardinals Record When
(through October 3)Home 52-29 (.642)
Away 34-47 (.420)
Scoring first 64-21
Opp. scores first 22-55
Scoring more than 3 runs 77-20
Scoring 3 runs 3-10
Scoring fewer than 3 runs 6-46
Leading after 7 innings 72-3
Tied after 7 innings 10-7
Trailing after 7 innings 4-66
Leading after 8 innings 74-1
Tied after 8 innings 9-6
Trailing after 8 innings 3-69
Blown Saves by bullpen: 19
Games lost by bullpen: 20
In errorless games 51-39
Extra innings 6-8
Shutouts 16-13
One-run games 20-23
Out-hit opponents 64-19
Same hits as opponents 8-4
Out-hit by opponents 14-53
Runs via HR 248 (33.7% of total)
Opp. Runs via HR 204 (31.8% of total)
By Day
Mon. 14-5
Tue. 7-16
Wed. 11-14
Thu. 8-10
Fri. 20-6
Sat. 9-17
Sun. 17-8
By Opponent
DIVISION
HOME ROAD TOTAL
NL Central 19-20 20-19 39-39
NL East 12-3 6-12 18-15
NL West 15-3 5-13 20-16
AL East 0-0 2-1 2-1
AL Central 0-0 1-2 1-2
AL West 6-3 0-0 6-3
TOTALS 52-29 34-47 86-76
(Interleague 9-7)
Busch Stadium (Indexes)
(through October 3, 86-76)2010 (100 = Neutral Park, > 100 Ballpark favors, < 100 Ballpark inhibits)
81 HOME G; Cardinals: 2,686 AB; Opponents: 2,780 AB
81 AWAY G: Cardinals: 2,856 AB; Opponents: 2,726 AB
BA 98
R 94
HR 77
H 96
2B 95
(Cardinals batting: HOME .270 ROAD .256 OVERALL .263)
(Opponents batting: at StL .243 on ROAD .270 OVERALL .256)
2008–2010 Index (3-yr. composite)
HOME 243 G; Cardinals: 8,071 AB; Opponents: 8,417 AB)
BA 98
R 93
H 97
2B 93
3B 89
HR 82
BB 104
SO 98
E 107
E-inf. 110
LHB-BA 98
LHB-HR 91
RHB-BA 98
RHB-HR 77
BA-Home .273
BA-Road .265 (.268 overall)
Opp.-Busch .253
Opp.-Road .270