After a long absence, I'M BACK!!!

Okay, I've been on the road and then here, there, and everywhere in the last week.... so here is some catching up on what has been going on:

1) The Cards bullpen blew it again, and then called up Perez (more on this later).

2) The USA Basketball team almost lost to Australia. So much for "Dream Team 2."

3) The Olympics are starting up, and man oh man did they kick it off with a bang.

4) Chris Perez promptly went out and mowed through the Dodgers for the last 5 outs in his first game back in the STL. Congrats on the first save Chris, and I as I've been saying for months, LET THE MAN DO WHAT WE DRAFTED HIM TO DO!!! When you have a "closer of the future" in Triple A, but no closer at the big league level (27 blown saves is enough proof for me), then you LET THE MAN DO WHAT WE DRAFTED HIM TO DO!!!

5) The Cubs took the first game from the Cards in a big series. Looper pitched well, as did Cubs pitcher Ted Lilly. The hero of the game? How about Jimmy "Ballgame" Edmonds. All he did was hit two homers, make a great catch in center (robbed Yadi of a hit), and get about 5 standing ovations from the fans at Wrigley. Who would've ever guessed in a million years that Edmonds, once HATED by Cubs fans, would get a standing O?

LOOKING AHEAD... Wainwright made his first appearance tonight at AAA Memphis. He got knocked around pretty good, but that doesn't concern me very much. He pitched again, and he didn't get hurt. So that is a success. Wainwright, according to the STL Post, told reporters after the game that he has been told to get ready to work "the back end" of ball games. So there you have it, it looks like Wainwright is going to close games. That sets up the 7th, 8th, 9th with McClellan, Izzy, Franklin, Springer, Perez, and Wainwright. That isn't too shabby. If Izzy is put in low pressure situations he might fare pretty well. I love the prospects of taking a lead into the 7th or 8th with McClellan, Perez, and Wainwright waiting. That is a bullpen you can trust!