It is often said that we don’t realize how much something or someone matters until that thing is taken away — until it’s gone.
Since the Cards traded Ryan Ludwick to land Jake Westbrook at the trade deadline, Cards fans have admitted they miss Luddy. The outfielder gave St. Louis some great years and some much-needed pop in a weak lineup. It doesn’t help that since the team traded him, they have lost more than they’ve won and fallen far behind the Cincinnati Reds. Offense is a big part of the problem and Ludwick would certainly make a difference. He is [...]

The St. Louis Cardinals finally got their man. After fighting through nearly two months without Brad Penny and Kyle Lohse, the Cards landed Jake Westbrook to fix the back of the rotation in a three-team trade involving Cleveland and San Diego. St. Louis also gets minor league lefty Nick Greenwood from the Padres and cash considerations from Cleveland.
The other side of the deal ends Ryan Ludwick’s run in St. Louis. Ludwick had a fine career as a productive outfielder for the Cards and it’s tough to see him go, but this move was needed for the playoff push and for [...]

The dream-like picture of Dodger Stadium quickly changed to a nightmare of a debut for Blake Hawksworth. It was supposed to be a feel-good movie for the Cards pitcher. Instead, it turned out to be more of a horror film with Hawksworth getting ripped in a 12-4 loss in front of 44,876.
Not exactly how the script was written.
After years in the minors battling injuries and some quality time in the St. Louis bullpen, Hawksworth finally got his chance to shine as a starter. Unfortunately, he never found a comfort zone and his first start was a forgettable one.
Hawksworth went four [...]

Hitless in the Angels series, Albert Pujols appears to be frustrated. The three-time NL Most Valuable Player became visibly irritated when, with the Cardinals leading the Los Angeles Angels by four runs, Ryan Ludwick was thrown out trying to steal second to end the inning with Pujols at the plate. Pujols flipped his bat and helmet as he returned to the dugout then smacked two trays of gum from a bench against the Cardinals dugout wall. La Russa reprimanded Pujols, saying, “That’s enough.” Pujols responded and, according to eyewitnesses, the exchange escalated with La Russa telling Pujols at one point, “I (expletive) know how to [...]

Albert Pujols and Ryan Ludwick each homered to boost the Cardinals to a 4-3 win that keeps them in first place for another few days. Jaime Garcia was effective on the mound for six plus innings and the Cards recaptured their magic from April. The win also put an end to a five-game win streak for the Reds.
Ryan Ludwick said he noticed a higher intensity level with first place on the line despite the fact that it’s May.
Jaime Garcia has kept his intensity up for every start this season. As a rookie, he’s always trying to prove himself. Through [...]

After a full day of Albert Pujols talk, the focus shifted back to the action on the diamond. St. Louis used a four-run sixth inning to take control and win the game 5-4. Ryan Ludwick started the explosion with an RBI double. He also accounted for the Cards only other run with a homer in the fourth. Yadier Molina and David Freese drove in the other three runs to put St. Louis up 5-2. Blake Hawksworth made things interesting in the seventh with a throwing error that allowed a run to score and set up another. He left after 1/3 [...]

Ryan Ludwick didn’t hit his first home run until Sunday night. He has found his stroke since then, providing big hits to power the Cardinals early season success. The homer in St. Louis two nights ago was the difference and prevented another extra inning marathon. The homer may have been all he needed to gain some confidence moving forward. Baseball is a game of streaks, and right now Ludwick is hot. He is seeing the ball well and he’s not missing, either. He wasted no time tonight with a two-run shot in the first that brought in Skip Schumaker. Luddy [...]

As part of the United Cardinal Bloggers recent project, I will add my take to the all-decade team of the 2000s. It was a great decade for the Redbirds, as the franchise made the playoffs seven times, won the NL Central division title seven times, was crowned NL champs twice, and of course, won the 2006 World Series. In this dominant decade in the Central, many great players passed through baseball’s best city. So, who were the best at each position for the Cards in the 2000s? Here’s my take:
First Base: Albert Pujols. Is there really a need for explanation [...]

Ryan Ludwick and the Cardinals reached an agreement to avoid arbitration, keeping the right fielder in St. Louis for 2010. The deal is reportedly good for one year at the price of $5.45 million. At $5 million, this deal could be a bargain for the Cards. Ludwick solidifies the middle of the lineup and provides even more pop to complement the big bats of Pujols and Holliday. With that trio most likely in the 3-4-5 slots, opposing pitching staffs will have their hands full. The signing of Ludwick is significant for the club as it adds depth to a lineup [...]

What started out as a well pitched and well played game, got a little sloppy towards the end of the game. Adam Wainwright pitched 7 solid innings striking out 7 and giving up 3 runs, 2 were unearned. Ryan Dempster was able to baffle the Cardinals until the 5 th inning when Joe Thurston doubled home Yadier Molina and Khalil Greene. After advancing to 3rd base on the throw home to get Greene, he was knocked in by a Skip Schumaker line drive to the outfield. Adam Wainwright kept the baby bears in check until the 7th. His defense behind [...]