Remembering Skip Schumaker, thoughts on Josh Hamilton, and the mothership gets racist.
I want to take you back to 2011 for a moment. Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Game 5 of the 
National League Division Series. Rafael Fucal laced a triple over the center fielder’s head in the first inning and up came that super utility man, the swiss army knife, Skip Schumaker. Roy Halladay got ahead 0-2, but the Schu Man worked a 10-pitch at-bat, and hit a line drive double into right field scoring the only run that would cross home plate that night.
Schumaker was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers this week in exchange for minor league shortstop Jake Lemmermana, a fifth-round pick out of Duke in 2010. He batted .233 with seven home runs and 46 RBIs with Double-A Chattanooga last season. The trade reunites Schumaker with hitting coach Mark McGwire who clearly influenced the brass to go after #55.
Schumaker was a personal favorite of mine. He didn’t do anything great (aside from his arm), had no speed, and went through aggravating slumps. But the Cardinals put Schu anywhere; all three outfield spots, second base, the mound where he threw 90 MPH in a 13-2 walloping from guess who, LA. But ultimately, Skip found the bench.
Mike Matheny had no place for the career .288 hitter. Daniel Descalso’s .227 average offered too big a threat to sit, and Jon Jay’s defense planted him in center field. Tony LaRussa started Schumaker in center for Game 7 of the 2011 World Series, and made a heck of a diving catch to back it up. Jay, in 122 postseason plate appearances, has a combined .185 average.
The team hasn’t found a consistent second basemen since Delino DeShields. They want a bigger bat at second base and thought the best way to achieve such was trading away Skip Schumaker. Now I’m no genius, but thats plain stupid.
I don’t believe his $1.5 million was the problem, it had to be an internal issue–though his clubhouse presence was always praised.
You tell me. Was it his .305 average against right handed pitching that limited his playing time? Was it his willingness to do whatever, whenever to help the team?
That’s pathetic. I’ll miss the Schu Man, and so will the Cardinals.
MLB
The free agent market is about as bland as unleavened bread. The LA Angels flexed more muscle and 
signed the human wrecking ball, Josh Hamilton. Perhaps he and Albert Pujols can snort unimaginable amounts of cocaine at whichever crazy church offering they attend. Who in their right mind gives a former drug addict/alcoholic a 5-year $125 million deal. The Angels. Maybe they’ll reach the playoffs next year.
The Reds traded for Shin-Soo Choo…not worried. The Dodgers signed Zach Greinke, which seems like a big city for a scared cat. Hey Angel Pagan is still available! Awful, awful class.
Rob Parker said this about RG III on ESPN’s First Take:
“My question is, and it’s just a straight, honest question: Is he a brother, or is he a cornball brother,” Parker said. “He’s not really. He’s black, he does his thing, but he’s not really down with the cause. He’s not one of us. He’s kind of black, but he’s not really like the kind of guy you really want to hang out with.”
Now that’s just plain racist. The mothership should fire him, and take away his on air rights immediately.
NBA
Carmelo Anthony went off Tuesday night in Brooklyn. Watch all 45 points here.
Daily Grind Sports 
I like Skip Schumaker don’t get me wrong, but there just wasn’t a spot for him. Descalso can bridge the gap to get to Kolten Wong who could potentially be an MLB player this year. As a utility outfielder we have a guy in Oscar Taveras, who is not touted for his unbelievable fielding, but can play all three positions and could potentially be ready this season as well. Adron “My Main Man” Chambers and “Sugar” Shane Robinson provide more speed off the bench and a decent defensive substitution which is what Schumaker brought to the table. (probably less speed and better defense but it equals out) As for who we got for Schumaker, I am OK with it. I don’t know if we could have gotten more though. I don’t know much about Lemmerman but I do know that the Cardinals have a lack of shortstops in their minor league system. So overall we cut costs while not losing in areas we can’t fill with other guys.
As for last playoffs, I agree with you. I would have liked to see Skip play some, but more importantly I would have liked to see his bat saved for the later innings instead of wasting him in the 3rd, 4th and 5th innings.
I was a fan of Skip and I’m happy he’s going back home to Cali. He’ll get the playing time he deserves there. I wish him the best unless he’s playing the Birds.
Oh, and that was an unreal quote by Rob Parker. Should definitely never be allowed on any sports show, radio or TV, again.