One of the new expressions that I hear is “TAKING A PIVOT”! It’s my understanding that one-time used expression for a basketball move has now taken on the meaning of Changing! Sooo…in a mild effort to stay “hip & up to date”, here’s TAKING A PIVOT!
…Even if it hasn’t been stated, the Cardinals are rebuilding their roster. They will be taking a PIVOT with many of the players in key roles. Already, the Cards have broken a little-known (at least to me) record! Nolan Gorman, Jordan Walker, Victor Scott II, and Masyn Winn were all in the starting lineup on opening day. Hence, the Cardinals were the first Cards team to ever have 4 players under the age of 24 start Opening Day since 1924 (that’s 100 years ago!). The rookie starters in 1924 were Jim Bottomley, Howard Freigau, Les Bell, and Ernie Vick. That team went 65-89 that same year. Hopefully, the 2024 rendition of the St. Louis Cardinals far exceeds those totals.
…Can’t leave Cards baseball w/o mentioning their wonderful start. With a very rugged 4 game set in LA followed by 3 games in San Diego, many fans may have thought that it could set a bad tone for the season. But.. taking a great PIVOT, the Cards split w/ the Dodgers and went 2-1 in San Diego. One reason for the series win was that Kyle Gibson and Miles Mikolas notched back-to-back quality starts, a feat accomplished only nine times by last year’s Cardinal team. Pitching wins! Will it last? Only time will tell. In 2023, StL finished with just 48 quality starts for the year (bottom 1/3 of the league). However, when they DID get a quality start, they did well as they were 35-13 record in those 48 starts.
Already this year, quality starts prove their worth…Cards had Zero quality starts against LA Dodgers in opening series…and won just 1 game!
…I am concerned that our “older” starting staff may hit the “pitching wall” in July as their arms weaken from the regular usage & their age. Let’s take another PIVOT!! I’d still like the Cards to put 2 of their older starters together in 1 game. Hope for a complete game or 8 innings. That’d give the bullpen arms a complete “day off”. Last year, the pen was worn out by August 1st. The bullpen pitchers came into a game 484 times over the course of the season. That’s just about exactly 3 relief hurlers/game. TAKE A PIVOT…. Don’t do that again!
…There’s DIFFERENT views in KC right now. Voters in Kansas City rejected a sales Tax increase to build a new stadium for the Chiefs & Royals in downtown KC. Wouldn’t that be a real PIVOT if StL made a play for the Chiefs? Go for it! I really think that the next stadium (for the NFL) will be in St. Charles County. Let the Cards have their own, unique use of their current stadium. Nothing is wrong with it other than some people, maybe many, just don’t want to go downtown for safety reasons. I always ask them if they’ve every heard of any “issues” @ Cards games. To this point of the people I’ve asked, NO ONE has ever had an issue. The Cards do an exceptional job working on safety concerns around the Stadium. Another factor is Artificial turf, which is required when 2 teams are sharing the stadium (so it seems). From my eyes….it’s NOT the way to go in baseball. Soooo…. Easy solution…keep Cards downtown & the new NFL team in St Charles County. It could work!!
…Things will take a real PIVOT in Alabama! HC Nick Saban’s retirement couldn’t have been a total surprise. He was 72 years of age when he resigned. I’m sure that he preferred to do it “his way…on his terms”. Other than Bear Bryant who coached 25 years @ Bama (2007-2023), Saban is #2 in years as HC @ Bama. Before Saban, there was a steady stream of coaches coming & going… Joe Kines (2006); Mike Shula (2003-2006);Mike Price=2003; Dennis Franchione (2001-2002); Mike DuBose: 1997–2000; Gene Stallings: 1990–1996; Bill Curry: 1987–1989. Expectations are totally unreal in Alabama Football—I wish new HC Kalen DeBoer all the Best. But…I wouldn’t buy a house in Alabama for a few years 😊 ….Looking at College Football Recruiting….. things aren’t really going to PIVOT! Most of the usual familiar teams had “good” recruiting years. Here’s how 247 Sports ranked them (with their points based on # of 5-star; 4-star players signed). #1 Georgia –28 commits- total points-317; #2 Alabama-28 commits-311 pts; #3 Oregon 27 commits-293 pts; #4 Miami-27 commits-291 pts; #5 Ohio State- 23 commits-289 pts. Mizzou showed up @ #20-with 21 commits-241 pts. It sounds like a good year for Coach Drink since he “made the list”….but we’ll know more in September (actually October since Sept is filled with cupcake wins) when they play l games.
….When “hunting down” rankings of the MLS, I had to PIVOT around far more than I expected. Stl City SC was ranked #18 overall of the 29 teams! While they’ve only lost 1 game ,their 1-1-4 record looks weak with so few actual wins. Heck, just look at the record 1-1-4 (w-L-draw)…does that really look GOOD to you? This same poll has City ranked #1 in offense but #25 (there are 29 teams) in defense!! Ties might get you a point….but…good teams WIN games!
…I don’t know how the Baltimore Orioles have taken a PIVOT in evaluating talent. For decades, the O’s struggled finding good players. But, they’ve PIVOTED for the last couple years, the “O’s” have developed some really young, already good players. Gunner Henderson won it Rookie of the Year Award for AL last year. In 2022, Adley Rutschman was 2nd in Rookie of the Year voting. In 2024, Jackson Holliday (Matt’s son), has been sent down to the minors. He’ll probably be there a short time to adjust to the professional life style. However, that should be easier for him than most since his Dad did it for many years in the MLB and had to educate him on the do’s & don’t of a player off the field. ….Jumping into totally different waters now…Why do all the MLB teams have their minor league teams spread all around the US? Why not PIVOT so that some of the minor league teams in your system would play closer to the MLB team’s home location. In our case, closer to StL. For example, 1 minor league team could be based in Sauget, Ill—just across the river. The another minor league team based in St Charles County—now called Car-Shield Field. I think that some MLB fans might be interested in seeing some of the “prospects” LIVE. Cards management could DEFINITELY see them play more often in person. I could see an easy Cardinal promotion….giving away tickets to games of these minor league teams at the Cards games.. ….the Battle Hawks, now in the UFL (combination of the 2 former leagues) opened up on the road losing 18-16. The UFL has taken a PIVOT in their scheduling. The BattleHawks, play alternate weeks @ home & away. 1 week @ home, next week on the road, then back HOME, followed by a Road game, etc, etc. Makes sense to me. The MLB is also fairly close to that same setting with 1 week @ home (2 series), 1 week away, etc, etc for a good part of 2024 season.
…some random thoughts after watching opening day ceremonies…many, many of the Cardinals that I watched closely over the years have become Sr Citizens! Sometimes, it’s a bit hard to see these “stars” walking around as ol’ guys. But, I must admit that I still like seeing them. I’ve got to PIVOT away from my ol’ ideas. Of course, I’m an ol’ guy watching them 😊
…Well, it’s time for me to PIVOT and move on. Thanks for your time & read! Your responses (pro & con—maybe in the same note 😊) are always invited. Have a good week..PIVOT away from issues!
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