Congratulations to the Cardinals...

[Wheelhouse]

They played the game like professionals this year, after they got rid of some toxic ex-Reds from last year. LaRussa deserves Manager of the Year.

The Reds, of course, decided to end the season a little early. Unentertaining, unprofessional play. Dusty blames injuries. The Cards had it much worse than the Reds: lost Wainwright, Friese out for 3 months, Pujols hideous start along with contract hoo-hah. No closer. The Reds, with the best talent in the division, folded-up easy again... I blame Castellini--his dogged holding on to Dusty is KILLING this team. I hope the season ticket buyers flee, and bite him in the butt for it.

The only game plan the Reds seem to ever put into play is "flail and hurl." There are some players who take a professional approach: Votto, Rolen, Phillips, and a few others, but the rest of the team is a wreck. A well managed team will beat the Reds consistently, no matter what the talent.

[Chip R]

I'm just surprised LaRussa and Carpenter aren't complaining about how the Phillies took so long to beat the Braves.

[PuffyPig]

Originally Posted by Wheelhouse

They played the game like professionals this year, after they got rid of some toxic ex-Reds from last year.

I'm surprised that the Cards managed to win with ex-Reds Lohse and Rhodes on the team this year?

[reds1869]

Congratulations to the Cardinals. It was an epic run. Now I hope they are done in three games.

[westofyou]

Gibson deserves manager of the year, LaRussa deserves a bib and rattle

[osuceltic]

Great example of why you continue to play and try to win to the bitter end. We had more than a few posters eager to throw in the towel and play the Louisville lineup as early as July -- and they more or less got what they wanted. I wish the Reds had grinded things out the same way the Cardinals had.

[CySeymour]

Yep, they Cards kept at it and took advantage of Atlanta's fall. Not happy about the Cards being there, but they earned it.

[PuffyPig]

Originally Posted by osuceltic

Great example of why you continue to play and try to win to the bitter end. We had more than a few posters eager to throw in the towel and play the Louisville lineup as early as July -- and they more or less got what they wanted. I wish the Reds had grinded things out the same way the Cardinals had.

Cards really had no minor leaguers to play.

Their best prospects are in A and AA ball, so it's not like they wanted to see what some likely 2012 starters might do.

Their current team is their 2012 team, minus a PooHole or two.

[Captain Hook]

Originally Posted by osuceltic

Great example of why you continue to play and try to win to the bitter end. We had more than a few posters eager to throw in the towel and play the Louisville lineup as early as July -- and they more or less got what they wanted. I wish the Reds had grinded things out the same way the Cardinals had.

There was a point after I had given up on the Reds that they were only a few games behind the Cards.I obviously thought they were done as well and actually had little doubt that the Reds would overtake them for second place in the division.

[Wheelhouse]

Originally Posted by PuffyPig

I'm surprised that the Cards managed to win with ex-Reds Lohse and Rhodes on the team this year?

Lohse was a surprise. Rhodes doesn't count--I'm talking about players from the Griffey/Dunn Golden Years.

[Reds/Flyers Fan]

Go Phillies!

[Roy Tucker]

I agree whoelheartedly. The Reds encountered some difficulty, flailed around for a few weeks, and gave up. Coasted into the end of the season like a car out of gas and trying to stretch it out to roll into the garage so they don't have to get out to push.

From BCast to Jocketty to Dusty to the team on the field. I just got the feeling that they played out the string from late August on.

And the Cards proved that you *can* come back. It's harder than heck, odds are you won't make it, but don't ever ever ever give up.

As much as I despise LaRussa, he hardly ever lets his give up in a game. He is absolutely killer ruthless in this regard.

I remember a game from earlier this year where the Reds had a big lead on the Cardinals in the late innings and LaRussa made all of his moves to get back in it. I can't recall the specifics, but he was within one batter/pitcher of throwing in the towel and I remember feeling shocked and thinking "holy crap, Abner LaRussa is actually going to give up". But something worked and then the Reds blew the lead and the game.

[wally post]

I agree with Wheelhouse on Baker's ineptitude as displayed by this season's performance and hope management is waking up. No improvement from Stubbs and the handling of the bullpen is particularly upsetting to me.

[Raisor]

The cardinals can kiss my grits

[cumberlandreds]

Give Larussa his due. He kept his team on track and focused during some difficult times for them. They overcame a lot of injuries and still made the playoffs. I wish Dusty had kept his team focused on wins and not individual accomplishments.