Cubs Invasion/ Cardinal Sauce Bunker Relocation

Card of the Day: 3/26/16

2016 Topps Gold #319 Adam Wainwright 1995/2016

I felt good out there. I've still got to sharpen just a bit, but things are falling into place. -Adam Wainwright

Card of the Day: 3/25/16

2013 Topps Making Their Mark #MM36 Carlos Martinez

     As Martinez makes his Major League dreams come true, he continues to make his mark on the St. Louis Community and in his homeland, the Dominican Republic, by helping children realize their dreams through the Tsunami Waves Foundation. Tsunami Waves mission statement is: "to inspire and empower children to achieve their full potential and make their dreams a reality."

     Please enjoy the video presentation.

Card of the Day: 3/24/16

2001 Fleer Triple Crown # Fernando Tatis

     Hey, look! Another Fernando Tatis card from 2001. Thank you card companies for producing a bazillion sets in the late 90s and early 2000s. Tatis must have been doing his Ken Griffey, Jr. impression when this photo was shot. Backward hat, shades, back pocket hanging out, and squaring up the ball. Too bad he didn't imitate the Hall of Fame career part. Still, two grand slams in an inning is pretty cool. Ken Griffey, Jr. never did that. 

Card of the Day: 3/23/16

1982 Donruss #498 Darrell Porter

     He touched so many people through baseball, through the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, through his writing. The end doesn't diminish any of that. But the end does tell the saddest story, the one of a man who found God, worked with children, loved to fish, cherished his family but still could not summon the power to beat cocaine. -Joe Posnanski, sportswriter

Card of the Day: 3/22/16

1959 Topps #162 Bobby G. Smith

     Bobby Gene Smith was born on May 28, 1934 in Hood River, Oregon. He was signed by the Cardinals as an amateur free agent in 1952. Bobby made his debut for the Cardinals on April 16, 1957. From 1957-59, Smith compiled a .231 batting average with little run production. As a result, the Cardinals traded him to the Phillies in exchange for Carl Sawatski after the 1959 season. 

     Bobby found himself in a Cardinals uniform, once again, after the Cardinals acquired him in a trade with the Chicago Cubs halfway through the 1962 season. The Cardinals received Smith along with Daryl Robertson in exchange for Alex Grammas and Don Landrum. Consequently, Smith failed to impress; batting .231 with little run production. The Cardinals sold him to the Boston Red Sox after the season ended.

     

Card of the Day: 3/21/16

2015 Panini Father's Day Jumbo Relics Kolten Wong

My dad always told me to never be satisfied where you're at. -Kolten Wong

Card of the Day: 3/20/16

2012 Topps Pro Debut Signatures Charlie Tilson

     Charles Everett Tilson was born December 2, 1992 in Wilmette, Illinois. The Cardinals chose Charlie in the second round of the 2011 draft. During four seasons in the Cardinals farm system, Charlie has compiled a .296 batting average while scoring 212 runs and stealing 76 bases. He's been a Minor League All-Star for the past two seasons, but is trying to break into an already crowded Cardinals outfield. Charlie attended Spring Training in 2016, but was optioned to Triple-A Memphis just six days ago. If someone in the outfield gets hurt, expect to see Charlie filling the hole. 

Card of the Day: 3/19/16

2013 Bowman Blue #21 Michael Wacha RC 271/500

     Michael Joseph Wacha was born on July 1, 1991 in Iowa City, Iowa. The Cardinals chose Wacha in the first round of the 2012 draft. Due to four years of playing time at Texas A&M University, Michael quickly made the move to the Major Leagues. He made his first appearance for the Cardinals on May 30, 2013. In three seasons, Wacha has accumulated 26 wins while only losing 14 and posting a 3.21 cumulative ERA.

Card of the Day: 3/18/16

2013 Topps Making Their Mark #MM41 Shelby Miller

It opened my eyes about how baseball really is and how wins and losses don't really matter so much, but at the same time, how great they are. I want to win every game I pitch. It's a crazy game and you can have a good game and still get the loss. -Shelby Miller

Card of the Day: 3/17/16

2001 Fleer Tradition #373 Keith McDonald

I'm numb. I was running with my head down. I didn't even see it go out and I almost tripped over first base. -Keith McDonald 

Card of the Day: 3/16/16

1982 Donruss #404 Ken Oberkfell

There are so many new faces around here, I thought I'd been traded. -Ken Oberkfell

Card of the Day: 3/15/16

1954 Topps #158 Peanuts Lowrey

     Harry Lee Lowrey was born on August 27, 1917 in Culver City, California. In 1937, Peanuts was signed by the Chicago Cubs as an amateur free agent. The Cardinals bought Lowrey's contract from the Cincinnati Reds on September 7, 1950. He played 4+ seasons with the Cardinals, logging 441 games. During that time, Lowrey batted .278 for the club.

     The origin of Peanuts' nickname is something of a mystery, but it is thought to be derived from events on his grandfather's ranch. When Lowrey was a child, he spent time at his grandfather's ranch where several episodes of Our Gang were filmed. Peanuts served as an extra in some of the episodes. It is rumored that actress Thelma Todd offered to buy Harry a bag of peanuts if he behaved properly while on set. Another theory is: Lowrey's grandfather once described Harry "as small as a peanut." It is unclear how Lowrey came about the nickname, but it's abundantly clear that Peanuts Lowrey has one of the coolest monikers in baseball history.

Card of the Day: 3/14/16

2015 Topps 1st Home Run Medallion Matt Carpenter

Baseball, in general, is a game of failure. If you live and die only with your success in this game, or any tangible thing, you are just never going to be happy. There are too many ups and downs. You can go a week or even a month without getting a hit. Having faith is the only way I can possibly imagine living life and also playing the game. -Matt Carpenter

Card of the Day:3/13/16

2013 Bowman Inception Signatures Stephen Piscotty

I've gotten to a good point, but there's still more work to be done. -Stephen Piscotty

Card of the Day: 3/11/16

1999 Stadium Club Video Replay #VR1 Mark McGwire

     There's not a pill or an injection that's going to give me, going to give any other player the hand-eye coordination to hit a baseball. -Mark McGwire

Card of the Day: 3/10/16

2001 Fleer Tradition #349 Andy Benes

     Did You Know?

On September 6, 2002, Andy (pitching for the Cardinals) faced off against his brother, Cubs pitcher Alan Benes, in what was only the seventh time a pair of brothers pitched against each other in a Major League game. Andy got the better of Alan by pitching a complete game. Alan was removed from the game in the third inning. The Cardinals won 11-2.

Card of the Day: 3/9/16

1982 Donruss #246 Lary Sorensen

     Lary Alan Sorensen was born in Detroit, Michigan on October 4, 1955. The Cardinals acquired Sorensen on December 12, 1980 when the Milwaukee Brewers dealt him along with Sixto Lezcano and David Green for Pete Vuckovich, Ted Simmons, and Rollie Fingers. Although a seemingly lop-sided trade in favor of the Brewers, the Cardinals traded Sorensen after the 1981 season for Lonnie Smith who became a key player in the Cardinals' 1982 World Series Championship run. Their opponents in the series? The Milwaukee Brewers.

     During Sorensen's time in St. Louis, he was a mediocre, yet consistent pitcher. In 23 games started, he won 7, lost 7, posted a 3.27 ERA, and rung up 52 batters on strikes. 

Card of the Day: 3/8/16

1954 Red Man #NL10 Red Schoendienst

     We at Cardinal Sauce are particularly excited to share this card. Pictures don't do justice to these Red Man cards. They are some of the most vibrant-colored cards of the 1950s. They came in packages of Red Man chewing tobacco and, thus, this is the first tobacco card in the Cardinal Sauce collection. Collectors had to cut these out of the package so condition depends on how skillfully the acquirer wielded the scissors or, in many cases, pocket knife. As a result, top condition cards are rare. In addition, these came with a coupon tab on the bottom. Fifty tabs could be exchanged for a baseball cap featuring the redeemer's team of choice. It's relatively difficult to find cards still containing the tab and that also affects the values of these cards. This particular card is missing the tab and has some minor wear. We think it would grade out at Very Good (VG). Regardless, it quickly became the favorite oddball in the Cardinal Sauce collection.

Card of the Day: 3/7/16

2008 Topps Allen & Ginter Relics Albert Pujols

My dad always supported me. Sometimes we didn't have anything to eat for breakfast, but if we could eat lunch and dinner, we weren't poor. -Albert Pujols

Card of the Day: 3/6/16

2012 Gypsy Queen Autographs Allen Craig

     Allen Thomas Craig was born on July 18, 1984 in Mission Viejo, California. The Cardinals acquired Allen in the 8th round of the 2006 draft. Craig played 4+ seasons (2010-2014) with the Cardinals. He put up his best number in 2013 when he batted .315 while belting 13 home runs, driving in 97 runs, and scoring 71 runs. The Cardinals traded Allen during the 2014 season along with Joe Kelly to the Red Sox in exchange for John Lackey and Corey Littrell. Craig has been a mere shell of the player he was in St. Louis. Since leaving the Cardinals, he has only played 65 games and his batting average is an abysmal .139 with Boston.

Card of the Day: 3/5/16

2012 Topps Heritage Chrome Parallel #HP93 Home Run Leaders featuring Albert Pujols 

Pujols is a new breed of player in that he is both versatile in the field and disciplined at the plate. He is athletic enough to play first base, third base or either corner outfield position. And in only his second season, Pujols is one of the game's best young hitters. Because his numbers are so good, he makes you forget that he is only twenty-two. -Tony Gwynn

Card of the Day: 3/4/16

2012 Topps 1987 Mini Matt Holliday

     I don't like the idea of  "I've played nine years, I've made some All-Star teams, I make the most money. I've got to be a leader." That doesn't make you a leader. Treating people the right way is more important. -Matt Holliday

Card of the Day: 3/3/16

2001 Fleer Tradition #333 Pat Hentgen

     Patrick George Hentgen was born in Detroit, Michigan on November 13, 1968. The Cardinals acquired Pat along with Paul Spoljaric from the Toronto Blue Jays on November 11, 1999 in exchange for Alberto Castillo, Lance Painter, and Matt DeWitt. The one-time Cy Young Award winner (1996 with the Blue Jays) pitched the 2000 season for the Cardinals before signing with the Baltimore Orioles as a free agent after the season. During 2000, Hentgen won fifteen games while losing twelve and posting a 4.72 ERA. Hentgen's performance in the 2000 NLCS was appalling. He gave up six runs in three and two-thirds inning while posting an enormous 14.73 ERA and getting tagged with the loss. It seems that losing him to free agency wasn't that big of a loss.

TCC Fantasy Baseball League

      Extrea, extra. Read all about it. Calling all aspiring fantasy baseball managers! Mr. Steve Emerick (aka aceecards over at TCC) is hosting an MLB Fantasy League. I am pleased to be taking part in this league after a long hiatus; however, we need at least 5 more managers. The league will be hosted on MLB.com and there is a chance to win $10K. If you are interested in taking part along with some of TCC's finest, please follow the link: TCC Fantasy Baseball League

Card of the Day: 3/2/16

1981 Topps #244 Tito Landrum RC

     Terry Lee Landrum was born in Joplin, Missouri on October 25, 1954. The Cardinals signed him as a non-drafted free agent on October 10, 1972. Tito played for the Cardinals from 1980-1982 and for part of the 1983 season before St. Louis sent him to Baltimore in exchange for Floyd Rayford. Landrum posted a .310 batting average for the Orioles during that season. It seemed that Tito was beginning to live up to his potential. The Cardinals reacquired Tito when they sent Jose Brito to Baltimore on March 25, 1984. 

     

     The Cardinals made Landrum an everyday outfielder during the 1984 season without much success. He batted .272 and didn't provide much run production or scoring. In the following seasons, the Cardinals scaled back Tito's playing time and released him on July 4, 1987. As it turns out, Landrum's success in Baltimore during the 1983 season was an anomaly. He never posted above a .280 batting average in any other season. However, he was a member of the 1985 NL Champions and 1982 World Series Champions; although he wasn't on the Cardinals post-season roster in 1982.

    

     In 1985, Tito was a key player in getting the Cardinals to the World Series by batting .429, driving in four runs and scoring two runs. In the World series, he posted a .360 batting average, drove in a run and scored three runs, but the Cardinals lost the series in seven games.

Card of the Day: 3/1/16

1953 Topps #189 Ray Jablonski

     Ray Jablonski was born in Chicago, Illinois on December 17, 1926. The Cardinals acquired Ray from the Boston Red Sox in the 1948 Minor League draft. Jablonski played for the Cardinals in 1953 and 1954, posting a .282 batting average while with the team, knocking in 261 runs, and scoring 144 runs. The Cardinals traded Ray along with Gerry Staley to the Cincinnati Redlegs in exchange for Frank Smith on December 8, 1954. Jablonski passed away on November 25, 1985 in Chicago, Illinois; less than a month shy of his 60th birthday.

Card of the Day: 2/29/16

2011 Topps Lineage '75 Mini Relics Chris Carpenter

I can only control what I can control and that's go out and try to make pitches and keep my team in the game and give them a chance to win. So that's all I'm going to do. -Chris Carpenter

Card of the Day: 2/28/16

2007 DAV Tony LaRussa In-Person Autograph

     When I first became a manager, I asked Chuck (Tanner) for advice. He told me, "Always rent." 

-Tony La Russa

Card of the Day: 2/27/16

1992 McDonald's/Pacific #10 Terry Moore

     Terry Bluford Moore was born in Vernon, Alabama on May 27, 1912. He spent his entire eleven-season career with the Cardinals. Terry compiled a career .280 batting average and was a four-time All-Star. In addition, he was a member of the 1942 and 1946 World Series Championship teams. Moore passed away in Collinsville, Illinois on March 29, 1995.

Card of the Day: 2/26/16

2011 Topps Lineage Diamond Sparkle #189 Jaime Garcia

     Jaime Omar Garcia was born in Reynosa, Mexico on July 8, 1986. He was drafted by the Cardinals in the 22nd round of the 2005 draft. In his seven seasons with the Cardinals, Jaime has been a solid, left-handed pitcher when he has been healthy. During the 2011 World Series, Jaime posted a 1.8 cumulative ERA through 10 innings over 2 games, but received no-decisions in both games.

Card of the Day: 2/25/16

2001 Fleer Tradition #290 Garrett Stephenson

     As a dad, the most important thing to tell your kid, and I tell mine, is that when you make a choice, whether it's baseball, chess, soccer or band, you do it 100 percent to the end, and you as a parent back your kid 100 percent. -Garrett Stephenson

Card of the Day: 2/24/16

1982 Donruss #217 Jim Kaat

     James Lee Kaat was born in Zeeland, Mighigan on Novermber 7, 1938. Kaat got his start with the Senators, but finished his career by pitching his final four seasons (1980-1983) in St. Louis. As a Cardinal, Kaat did his work out of the bullpen, pitching 292.1 innings. 

     During his career, Kaat won 283 games, was a 2-time All-Star, and a member of the 1982 World Series Champion Cardinals.

Card of the Day: 2/23/16

1959 Topps #137 Dick Ricketts RC

     Richard James Ricketts, Jr. was born in Pottstown, Pennsylvania on December 4, 1933. The Cardinals signed Ricketts as an amateur free agent in 1955. Subsequently, he was also drafted #1 overall by the St. Louis Hawks in the 1955 NBA draft. Dick played three years in the NBA before retiring from the sport due to witnessing the injury of a teammate. 

     He made his debut for the Cardinals on June 14, 1959 and pitched in twelve games for the Cardinals during that season. Unfortunately, Dick didn't have much luck as a Major League pitcher. His rookie season was his last season as a big leaguer, posting a 1-6 win-loss record and compiling a career 5.82 ERA. Mr. Ricketts passed away in Rochester, New York on March 6, 1988 as a result of renal cancer.

     

Card of the Day: 2/22/16

2007 Topps 2006 Highlights Relic Albert Pujols

     In 2006, Albert led the Major Leagues in home runs during the month of April. August, however, tends to be the month when Albert really comes alive. Of his 560 career home runs, Albert has tallied 106 during the month of August. That's slightly better than the month of May which accounts for 100 career home runs and is at least 10 homers better than he has hit in any of the other months of the baseball season.

Card of the Day: 2/21/16

2014 Donruss Signatures Kolten Wong

     Although rumors of a potential trade involving Wong going to Colorado and Carlos Gonzalez coming to St. Louis were abundant this off-season, our guy is still with the team. He'll have some competition at second base, though, since the Cardinals traded for Jedd Gyorko. A true platoon may develop with Wong starting against right-handed pitchers and Gyorko against left-handed pitchers. Both are capable of hitting with power and providing solid defense in the middle infield. A platoon situation may just push both these young players to discover their true potential. If all goes well, Wong and Gyorko could develop into a long-term, middle infield combo after Peralta's contract expires.

Card of the Day: 2/20/16

1992 McDonald's/Pacific #8 Whitey Kurowski

     George John Kurowski was born in Reading, Pennsylvania on April 19, 1918. He played his entire nine-year career for the Cardinals from 1941-1949. Kurowski was a three-time All-Star, four-time NLCS pennant winner, and three-time World Series champion. He passed away on December 9, 1999 in Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania. 

Card of the Day: 2/19/16

2006 Topps Chrome Refractor #138 David Eckstein

     David Mark Eckstein was born in Sanford, Florida on January 20, 1975. He was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in 1997. The Cardinals signed Eck as a free agent on December 23, 2004. He played three seasons (2005-2007) with the Cardinals and was the 2006 World Series MVP. Before it happened, no one would have thought the 5'6" shortstop could achieve such an honor, but perhaps that's how he earned the nickname, X-Factor. 

Card of the Day: 2/18/16

2001 Fleer Tradition #234 Eric Davis

     Eric Keith Davis was born in Los Angeles, California on May 29, 1962. Known as Eric the Red, due to being drafted by the Reds and in reference to the viking explorer Erik the Red, Davis played his first eight seasons in Cincinnati. The Cardinals signed Eric as a free agent on November 19, 1998. He played two seasons with the Cardinals and was a big player in getting them to the playoffs in 2000. The Cardinals released Davis to free agency after the 2000 season and he played one more year in the Major Leagues with the San Francisco Giants before retiring.

Card of the Day: 2/17/16

1982 Donruss #9 George Hendrick DK

I don't think you'll find a better hitter in the National League with men on base than Hendrick. What makes George so tough is that he hits all kinds of pitching so well. If an adjustment has to be made between pitches, he'll make it almost without thinking about it. -Red Schoendienst

Card of the Day: 2/16/16

1959 Topps #135 Gene Oliver RC

     Eugene George Oliver was born in Moline, Illinois on March 22, 1935. In 1956, he signed with the Cardinals as an amateur free agent. Oliver spent 3+ seasons (1959-1963) with the Cardinals. 1962 was his best season when he played in 122 games, batting .258 while hitting 14 home runs, posting 45 RBI and scoring 42 runs. The Cardinals traded Gene to the Milwaukee Braves on June 15, 1963 along with Bob Sadowski in exchange for Lew Burdette. He played six more seasons in the Major Leagues with minor success. Mr. Oliver passed away in Rock Island, Illinois on March 3, 2007 at the age of 72. 

Card of the Day: 2/15/16

2010 Peak Performance Relics Rick Ankiel

The frustration that built up, it seems like it was really eroding my spirit and starting to affect my personality off the field. It just became apparent that it was time for me to move on and pursue becoming an outfielder. -Rick Ankiel

Card of the Day: 2/14/16

2013 Bowman Sterling Autographs Oscar Mercado RC SP

     Oscar Mercado was born in Tampa, Florida on December 16, 1994. For the past three seasons, he has been working his way through the Cardinals farm system. In 2015, Mercado played for the Peoria Chiefs, a single-A affiliate, batting .254, scoring 70 runs, and stealing 50 bases. If he continues to progress, Oscar could be the long-term solution to the shortstop position for the Cardinals.

Card of the Day: 2/13/16

1992 McDonald's/Pacific #5 Miller Huggins

     Miller James Huggins was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on March 27, 1878. The Cardinals received Huggins along with Rebel Oakes and Frank Corridon in exchange for Fred Beebe and Alan Storke. Huggins played the final seven seasons of his career (1910-1916) with the Cardinals. He was a player/manager for the team from 1913-1916 and stuck around after retiring to manage the team during the 1917 season. As manager of the team, Huggins won 346 games, but lost 415. He went on to manage the New York Yankees and had a bit of success. His Yankees teams won six AL pennants and three World Series. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1964. At the age of 51, Huggins passed away in New York City on September 25, 1929.

Cardinal Sauce: 2/12/16

2000 Fleer Showcase Consummate Prose #CP11 Rick Ankiel

     Richard Alexander Ankiel was born in Fort Pierce, Florida on July 19, 1979. The Cardinals drafted Rick out of high school in the 1997 free agent draft. Rick spent seven seasons (1999-2001, 2004, and 2007-2009) with the Cardinals. Ankiel began his career as a pitcher. He appeared to be on the fast-track to a promising career, winning 11 games and striking out 194 batters during the 2000 regular season. Unfortunately, the pressure became to much for Rick to bear during the 2000 NLCS. He posted a horrid 20.26 ERA, throwing 4 wild pitches in 1.1 innings of a crucial game for the Cardinals. The Cardinals lost the series and Rick was never the same. He pitched a few games in 2001 and 2004, but it was clear that Rick's career as a Major League pitcher was over.

     In 2007, Ankiel made a comeback as an outfielder. Over the next three seasons, Rick bashed 47 home runs and drove in 224 RBI. Once again, Rick suffered turmoil in his career. Surrounded by implications of PED use, the Cardinals granted free agency to Ankiel after the 2009 season. He played four more seasons in the Major Leagues, but never reproduced the run production that he displayed in St. Louis. He spent his last season, 2013, with the New York Mets, but was released on June 11, 2013.

Card of the Day: 2/11/16

2001 Fleer Tradition #146 Ray Lankford

Lankford doesn't scare. You may get him out, but he doesn't give. -Joe Torre

Card of the Day: 2/10/16

1981 Topps #586 Silvio Martinez

     Silvio Ramon Martinez was born in the Dominican Republic on August 19, 1955. The Cardinals acquired Martinez in a trade with the Chicago White Sox on November 28, 1977. He pitched four seasons (1978-1981) for the Cardinals. During that time, he posted a 31-32 win-loss record in 87 starts and compiled a 3.88 ERA. The Cardinals traded Silvio to Clevland in a three-way deal that brought outfielder and fan-favorite Lonnie Smith to St. Louis via Philadelphia. After leaving St. Louis, Silvio never pitched in another Major League game.

Card of the Day: 2/9/16

1959 Topps #75 Sam Jones

     Sam Jones was born Daniel Pore Franklin on December 14, 1925 in Stewartsville, Ohio. He played three seasons (1957, 1958, and 1963) with the Cardinals. Sam compiled a 28-22 win-loss record during his time as a Cardinal and struck out 417 batters. 

     On a side-note, Sam became the first African-American player to throw a no-hitter in 1958 while he was with the Cubs. The Cubs traded him two seasons later to the Cardinals for a handful of whoz-its. 

     Jones led the National League in strikeouts during the 1958 campaign with 225. The Cardinals traded him the following off-season to the San Francisco Giants for Bill White and Ray Jablonski. Sam passed away on November 5, 1971 in Morgantown, West Virginia.