Talking about baseball, books, movies, and t-shirts. Yeah, we have variety here at Rockin' the Red.


I apologize for the brief sabbatical in posting. The beginning of this week was another signal that school is coming close, no matter how much I wish it away. OK, Southeast is fun, and going back is the only way I'll be able to finish my degree, so it's not really bad. But that, along with the pads being suited up across town, remind me that the baseball season is winding down. Just when it's heating up, it's coming to a close, and the storylines and players and coaches and minor leaguers that we followed so closely will be gone in a couple months. I hate to think of that. It gives me shivers.

Since today's an off-day, I'll take it as a day to talk about a variety of things. First of all, if you're interested in a Rockin' the Red t-shirt, pleasepleasepleaseplease pleaaaaaaaase e-mail me at kujo AT rockinthered DOT com within the next day or two. Right now, it's not going to happen, and that saddens me, not because of any profit I'm making off it, but because I thought it was a cool idea and design.

Secondly, Josh Williams from Triumph Books was able to hook me up with a giveaway for Rob Rains' new book - Tony La Russa: Man on a Mission. I'll be doing a book review and am working out a contest for those interested in receiving a free copy. Stay tuned.

Thirdly, if you've seen the movie Watchmen but haven't read the graphic novel - do it. Seriously, go out and get it today and read it. I didn't think I'd get much out of a graphic novel, but that was because I didn't understand the medium. Thought it would be too comic book-y to take seriously and end up being just a really weird and slow comic. I was COMPLETELY WRONG. If you even moderately enjoyed the movie, this graphic novel will wow you until you forget you're reading anything at all. You don't even have to like comic books to like it. I'm not exaggerating. If you like talking Watchmen, send me your thoughts on Twitter or in the comments.

Finally, I guess we should actually talk some baseball. The Cardinals still find themselves in a good place despite the loss yesterday and having more losses than Chicago. The upcoming schedule lends itself to separating themselves from the pack:

3 games @ Pittsburgh (45-62)
3 games vs. Cincinnati (46-61)
3 games vs. San Diego (44-65)
3 games @ Los Angeles (66-42)
4 games vs. San Diego

The combined W-L of our opponents the next 5 series: 245-295 (.453). Meanwhile, Chicago plays 4 @ Colorado (59-48), 3 vs. Philadelphia (60-45), 3 vs. Pittburgh, 3 @ San Diego, and 4 @ Los Angeles. The combined W-L of their opponents is 274-262 (.511). A pretty significant difference.

Now's the time to get on a streak. A winning one, that is.

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Website of the Day: Starting Pitcher Database

Baseball Musings hit a winner when they created the Starting Pitcher Database. The database allows you to create any beginning and end date for a pitcher to see their game logs. Very useful tool for analyzing stretches of pitching.

Random Video of the Day: Most Hilarious Silver Screen Baseball-Related Death Ever