No Power. Do Cards play small ball.

[Cardly]

Some of us remember in the 70s when Heidi Cruz and Jerry Morales were the power hitters. It was brutal!
Remember when Silent George Hendrick was the power bat? Astro turf and speed merchants saved the day!

This 2026 roster has little to no power. The roster is prime for the Cards to get a power stick to build around.

[scoutyjones2]

No, the Cardinals will deploy more lame and boring Oli Ball. That doofus thinks it works.

What's "Oli ball" and what style does the talent lend itself to play?

Oli ball is a name a fellow poster coined for the nonsense we have witnessed the last 3 years. If you've watched, you know the philosophy. There isn't one.

Again, what is the despised style and does the talent lend itself to a style or the type of play you'd believe they should play.

I knew you'd half (donkey) your answer

Good for you

[JuanAgosto]

No, the Cardinals will deploy more lame and boring Oli Ball. That doofus thinks it works.

What's "Oli ball" and what style does the talent lend itself to play?

Oli ball is a name a fellow poster coined for the nonsense we have witnessed the last 3 years. If you've watched, you know the philosophy. There isn't one.

Again, what is the despised style and does the talent lend itself to a style or the type of play you'd believe they should play.

I knew you'd half (donkey) your answer

Good for you

And I knew you would struggle to understand. I explained what oli ball is. Obviously, any strategy would be an improvement. Maybe running, hit and run, etc. Something other than station to station. That satisfy you, precious?

[scoutyjones2]

No, the Cardinals will deploy more lame and boring Oli Ball. That doofus thinks it works.

What's "Oli ball" and what style does the talent lend itself to play?

Oli ball is a name a fellow poster coined for the nonsense we have witnessed the last 3 years. If you've watched, you know the philosophy. There isn't one.

Again, what is the despised style and does the talent lend itself to a style or the type of play you'd believe they should play.

I knew you'd half (donkey) your answer

Good for you

And I knew you would struggle to understand. I explained what oli ball is. Obviously, any strategy would be an improvement. Maybe running, hit and run, etc. Something other than station to station. That satisfy you, precious?

No you didn't. You said nonsense. Thats just tripe. Explain what he didn't or did do that caused you such distress


A chef is only as good as their ingredients, that's why I asked about the talent available.

You do realize when he had a talented roster, they won the division with 93 wins?

Of course you didn't

[icon]

If VSII can get to a .320+ OB%, then he and JJW could let you play some small ball (forget M. Winn who's been an awful base stealer since he reached MLB (career 22 SB's vs 11 CS) Noot's not much better (career 28 SB's vs 11 CS).

I. Hererra has been very success (career 13 SB's vs 2 CS) but not sure we want him running much given his injury history.

J. Walker (18 SB's vs 7 CS) isn't a candidate either, and then you have the Clydesdales.

The real problem with this idea BDog lies w/the Manager.

Oli is one of the least creative Managers we've ever seen here so its debatable if he'd even employ a "small ball" strategy.

He should let VSII run wild, he doesn't......same w/JJW when he gets up here.

He also needs to employ more Hit & Runs, squeeze plays, ect...............he doesn't.

Until Oli's gone I don't think we'll see much "small ball" BDog.

What we really need is more POWER HITTERS (Re: HOME RUNS)!

Hopefully we have some along the way (Re: Baez and R.R.) to join Hererra.

JMO

Yeah, you can't play small ball with a manager who seemingly plays for the 3-run HR on a team with little power. He's not the brightest bulb. And has his team playing passively, not aggressively.

[JuanAgosto]

No, the Cardinals will deploy more lame and boring Oli Ball. That doofus thinks it works.

What's "Oli ball" and what style does the talent lend itself to play?

Oli ball is a name a fellow poster coined for the nonsense we have witnessed the last 3 years. If you've watched, you know the philosophy. There isn't one.

Again, what is the despised style and does the talent lend itself to a style or the type of play you'd believe they should play.

I knew you'd half (donkey) your answer

Good for you

And I knew you would struggle to understand. I explained what oli ball is. Obviously, any strategy would be an improvement. Maybe running, hit and run, etc. Something other than station to station. That satisfy you, precious?

No you didn't. You said nonsense. Thats just tripe. Explain what he didn't or did do that caused you such distress


A chef is only as good as their ingredients, that's why I asked about the talent available.

You do realize when he had a talented roster, they won the division with 93 wins?

Of course you didn't

Of course I remember Pujols, Goldschmidt, and Arenado leading the team to 93 wins. And I remember Lil oli crapping his pants in the first playoff game.

As for the current team, oli ball hasn't worked. I explained that concept in my last reply. If you still dont get it, go back and read it slower.

[Chitownredbird]

To play small ball you must have good D. Gorman at 3rd, Herrera at C, Walker in RF and Nootbaar in LF is not remotely close to good D.

[Cardinals1964]

Good morning.

A thread takes note of our lack of power.1982 ish low. Ok. There will be nothing that we can do about that. We have who we have.

On the other hand, strategy must be our best ally. Being this is a rebuild season, new ideas seem paramount.

Do we relearn and employ more small ball concepts, not so much to win games, although the goal, but to rebuild the entire ideology. Build a perfect beast. Bottom up.

Summary- no power. Runs will be of a premium. Why not master the other arts of the game, enroute to acquiring the necessary parts in the next couple years.

Seems like a Target of Opportunity to me.

In 1982 we had Willie, Ozzie, Herr, Lonnie Smith. They could play small ball. Not everyone can.

[Cardinals1964]

To play small ball you must have good D. Gorman at 3rd, Herrera at C, Walker in RF and Nootbaar in LF is not remotely close to good D.

Let’s not forget Gorman won’t steal 35 bases. Walker won’t turn into Willie.

[Just Whit]

They need to get on base. Period. A below league average team OBA of .314 just won't cut it no matter how many speedy or contact hitting players you have.

No no it's all Oli's fault.

[Cardinals1964]

They need to get on base. Period. A below league average team OBA of .314 just won't cut it no matter how many speedy or contact hitting players you have.

No no it's all Oli's fault.

lol. I never understood when a team lacked talent that it was the managers fault for them losing.

[rockondlouie]

If VSII can get to a .320+ OB%, then he and JJW could let you play some small ball (forget M. Winn who's been an awful base stealer since he reached MLB (career 22 SB's vs 11 CS) Noot's not much better (career 28 SB's vs 11 CS).

I. Hererra has been very success (career 13 SB's vs 2 CS) but not sure we want him running much given his injury history.

J. Walker (18 SB's vs 7 CS) isn't a candidate either, and then you have the Clydesdales.

The real problem with this idea BDog lies w/the Manager.

Oli is one of the least creative Managers we've ever seen here so its debatable if he'd even employ a "small ball" strategy.

He should let VSII run wild, he doesn't......same w/JJW when he gets up here.

He also needs to employ more Hit & Runs, squeeze plays, ect...............he doesn't.

Until Oli's gone I don't think we'll see much "small ball" BDog.

What we really need is more POWER HITTERS (Re: HOME RUNS)!

Hopefully we have some along the way (Re: Baez and R.R.) to join Hererra.

JMO

Rock nailed it. Small ball is a thinking mans strategy game. Look at our manager

Thx GF

[rockondlouie]

If VSII can get to a .320+ OB%, then he and JJW could let you play some small ball (forget M. Winn who's been an awful base stealer since he reached MLB (career 22 SB's vs 11 CS) Noot's not much better (career 28 SB's vs 11 CS).

I. Hererra has been very success (career 13 SB's vs 2 CS) but not sure we want him running much given his injury history.

J. Walker (18 SB's vs 7 CS) isn't a candidate either, and then you have the Clydesdales.

The real problem with this idea BDog lies w/the Manager.

Oli is one of the least creative Managers we've ever seen here so its debatable if he'd even employ a "small ball" strategy.

He should let VSII run wild, he doesn't......same w/JJW when he gets up here.

He also needs to employ more Hit & Runs, squeeze plays, ect...............he doesn't.

Until Oli's gone I don't think we'll see much "small ball" BDog.

What we really need is more POWER HITTERS (Re: HOME RUNS)!

Hopefully we have some along the way (Re: Baez and R.R.) to join Hererra.

JMO

Yeah, you can't play small ball with a manager who seemingly plays for the 3-run HR on a team with little power. He's not the brightest bulb. And has his team playing passively, not aggressively.

[sikeston bulldog2]

A reminder that a part of the intention is to redevelop the complete ball olayer. Meaning, hitting, running, fielding throwing catching.

The benefit is, when we acquire that power bat or two, the whole team is fully developed to then manage the scenerio a game will offer.

[Carp4Cy]

If VSII can get to a .320+ OB%, then he and JJW could let you play some small ball (forget M. Winn who's been an awful base stealer since he reached MLB (career 22 SB's vs 11 CS) Noot's not much better (career 28 SB's vs 11 CS).

I. Hererra has been very success (career 13 SB's vs 2 CS) but not sure we want him running much given his injury history.

J. Walker (18 SB's vs 7 CS) isn't a candidate either, and then you have the Clydesdales.

The real problem with this idea BDog lies w/the Manager.

Oli is one of the least creative Managers we've ever seen here so its debatable if he'd even employ a "small ball" strategy.

He should let VSII run wild, he doesn't......same w/JJW when he gets up here.

He also needs to employ more Hit & Runs, squeeze plays, ect...............he doesn't.

Until Oli's gone I don't think we'll see much "small ball" BDog.

What we really need is more POWER HITTERS (Re: HOME RUNS)!

Hopefully we have some along the way (Re: Baez and R.R.) to join Hererra.

JMO

Good write. My point is- this year, this year only, given as a “lost “ year, why not take the rebuild to its roots, and relearn the game for future success.

I know this is primarily a managers game plan. Running.

Question. Is there a difference between a strike out, or a throw them out. Both are outs, but….

Agree 100%..............for this year only.

But Oli won't do it, he's shown it's not in his DNA to be creative when it comes to the offense.

I hear ya. He won’t do it.

That will lead to, with no power, many early get behinds, many not able to come from behind, stunt our young pitchers growth based on fewer innings, losing attitude and of course, many early lost games.

Heres the other thing- then when if we rebuild, by not reestablishing the basics, we have a group of hitters, but no basics.

PITCHING will be the key to 2026, I think it's exponentially better than the 2025 rotation.

And fingers crossed C. Bloom can find us a better Manager after 2026, they'll never win anything until they hire a great Manager.

It’s Not exponentially better. We’ve lost Gray, Helsley, Maton probably JoJo. We have no 103 mph flamethrower.

We’ve also lost Fedde and Mikolas, but the plus guys we’ve lost hurt a lot more than the minus guys help.

It could be marginally more effective or we could revert to the mean and see lots of injuries as we have in recent years that Weren’t 2025 when no SP got hurt.

But not exponential anything. Do we even have anyone you are predicting to be an all star?

[scoutyjones2]

No, the Cardinals will deploy more lame and boring Oli Ball. That doofus thinks it works.

What's "Oli ball" and what style does the talent lend itself to play?

Oli ball is a name a fellow poster coined for the nonsense we have witnessed the last 3 years. If you've watched, you know the philosophy. There isn't one.

Again, what is the despised style and does the talent lend itself to a style or the type of play you'd believe they should play.

I knew you'd half (donkey) your answer

Good for you

And I knew you would struggle to understand. I explained what oli ball is. Obviously, any strategy would be an improvement. Maybe running, hit and run, etc. Something other than station to station. That satisfy you, precious?

No you didn't. You said nonsense. Thats just tripe. Explain what he didn't or did do that caused you such distress


A chef is only as good as their ingredients, that's why I asked about the talent available.

You do realize when he had a talented roster, they won the division with 93 wins?

Of course you didn't

Of course I remember Pujols, Goldschmidt, and Arenado leading the team to 93 wins. And I remember Lil oli crapping his pants in the first playoff game.

As for the current team, oli ball hasn't worked. I explained that concept in my last reply. If you still dont get it, go back and read it slower.

Oli caused Goldy and Nado to not perform? Where did he (bleep) his pants?

Define Oli ball.

I know you can't because you didnt

Do Cards have the talent to hit and run? Hell, only Argo can steal bases, and he can't even get on base.

Again, station to station? Do they have the hitters? Talent?

Of course they don't, but you bldje that on Olo. Weird...

If I put you in a kitchen with a pile of corn embedded feces, you're going to give me a highly regarded meal?