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Cubs-Cards series No. 1 a draw
By Jeff Mayfield
[MAY 12, 2003]
The
first Cards-Cubs series ended in a push. The Redbirds set the tone
by winning the first game 6-3. However, the Cubbies came back in
dramatic fashion to take the second game 3-2 on a walk-off homer by
Alex Gonzalez. Then on Sunday, with St. Louis leading 11-9 in a
pitching duel and defensive struggle, the rains came and washed the
Cards' victory away. But that's NOT the bad news.
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While Chicago was flailing with the
Brewers and the Cards were collapsing in Cincinnati, the Houston
Astros as well as the Reds moved right back into the race. So,
instead of Chicago and St. Louis pulling away from the pack, they've
let the pack right back into the race, which is something that this
amateur reporter thinks that both teams will regret.
The Cubs now start a brutal two-week
road trip. They will need to go about .500 if they have serious
title intentions.
A-Gon Mr.
Clutch?
We believe that A-Gon's long tater was
his third of the year in like fashion. What's up with this guy in
the clutch situations? And why not save some of these heroics for
the Reds and especially the Astros?
A tip of
the cap…
To former Cub Rafael Palmeiro, who
became just the 19th player in baseball history to reach the No. 500
home run plateau! He may reach the 3,000 career hits mark too. So,
why all the negativity and the hate towards Raffy? All these sports
shows say he doesn't deserve the Hall of Fame. In my book, if
someone reaches baseball's magic numbers -- and 500 homers and 3,000
hits are surely some of those numbers with mystic -- they deserve to
be in the Hall!
When it
rains … it pours
Feeling like St. Louis didn't have
enough injuries, Eli Marrero went down with a severely sprained
ankle in the rain-postponed game on Sunday. Before that incident
J.D. Drew was pulled from the contest with a stiff back. He will see
the chiropractor today and expects to be ready for Tuesday night's
home tilt with the Reds.
Time to
make some hay
If we're reading the calendar
correctly, the Cards play 20 of their next 26 in the friendly
confines of Busch Stadium. Winning 15 or more of those could go a
long way in giving the Birds a chance to fight it out among the
leaders all summer. However, if the injuries continue to mount and
they continue to find no answers from the pen, they may be able to
scratch their playoff invitations by the All-Star break.
[to top of second column in this
article] |
 Lakers
win one for Phil
The Los Angeles Lakers won one for
their coach and the Sacramento Kings won one for themselves as
A.I. put his 76ers on his back and all three teams evened their
playoff marks to 2-2. In the last remaining series, the Nets have
the Celtics on life support as Boston trails New Jersey 3-0. It will
be interesting to see who, if anyone, can win some road games and
maybe steal a game or a series.
Coach
Alexander turns thoughts to next season
While his soon-to-be-graduated Railers
ink college deals, Lincoln Railer coach Neil Alexander has already
turned the page to next season. In an early morning interview, the
LDN has learned that the Railer summer schedule is already set. The
highlight of the vacation months will be the annual trip south for
the HUGE tournament that Lincoln always fares well in. Through the
years this tourney has been in Tennessee or Kentucky, but this year
the event moves to Evansville, Ind.
Coach "Al"
also reports that it is his feeling that the CS8 will be very
competitive next season. He says that many have already ruled the
Railers out with the loss of nine seniors. Not so fast, my friend,
at least for the Lincoln coach. He thinks the Railers will be gritty
and fight their way to success. This is one reporter who's not going
to argue with 12-13 years of success! Good luck, Railers!
[Jeff
Mayfield]
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