Sometime in mid-August (ok, August 12 to be exact – it’s right there on the Tweeter box) Cardinal fan Will Leitch began a dialogue “with” the Cardinals. Er, maybe AT the Cardinals is more appropriate.
With Will’s permission, and maybe he’ll chime in with some of his own feedback and insight upon review of his 140 character or less outbursts, we present to you a review of the Cardinals’ season from mid-August until the unfortunate end – as told by @williamfleitch.
Please allow a little time for the post to load after the jump, the fancy Tweeter boxes take a little bit to load, but are worth it.
@cardinals I’m actively angry at you for today’s game. I don’t even know whom I’m talking to. I’m flailing. That one’s gonna leave a mark.
— Will Leitch (@williamfleitch) August 12, 2012
Sunday, August 12th the Cards lost in 11 innings to the Philadelphia Phillies. Erik Kratz did the damage, with a three-run home run in the bottom of the ninth to tie, and a double in the eleventh to put the winning run on base.
@cardinals Sometimes when I’m really angry after a Cardinals loss I’m just gonna tweet at you so I don’t annoy non-Cards fan followers.
— Will Leitch (@williamfleitch) August 12, 2012
Little did we (or probably Will) know that it wouldn’t only be when he was angry. And so much concern for non-Cards fans, but what about the Cardinal fans he was annoying? (Just kidding, Will)
@cardinals So let me tell you that I hope Scrabble is grounded for the upcoming homestand. And no TV past 10. You know what: Make it 9.
— Will Leitch (@williamfleitch) August 12, 2012
While Barret Browning ultimately took the loss in that Sunday game with the Phils, Marc Rzepczynski was responsible for walking two batters – the only two he faced – to set up Kratz’ game tying home run in the bottom of the eighth inning. Rzep threw eleven pitches, only three strikes. Like any parent making empty threats, Will didn’t follow through on his punishment, and the Cardinals were still allowed on TV past 9pm.
@cardinals Want you to know what you guys are doing in this game is just mean. Had such pleasant weekend & fear you’re about to ruin it.
— Will Leitch (@williamfleitch) August 19, 2012
I’m actually surprised there are only two Tweets from Sunday, August 19th. 19 innings against the Pirates, and only two comments? Paralyzed with anxiety? Like any good Cardinal fan, Will already knew the fix was in for the Cards to drop a game in extended extras – it’s becoming old hat by now.
@cardinals “Breaking Bad” starts in about three hours. Just saying.
— Will Leitch (@williamfleitch) August 19, 2012
For reference, Breaking Bad airs at 10 pm ET. That Sunday’s game against the Pirates started at 2:15 pm ET.
@cardinals Wait, has the Westbrook contract OFFICIALLY been signed? Uh … not asking for any specific reason, no, why?
— Will Leitch (@williamfleitch) August 23, 2012
Jake Westbrook celebrated signing his contract extension two days earlier by surrendering five runs to the Houston Astros in five innings. Yes, the same Houston Astros that were 39-85 coming into that game. The Cardinals were leading 8-5 after the bottom of the fifth inning (on their way to a 13-5 victory), but Will’s point remains valid.
@cardinals How much do I love that Shannon just called Ryan Braun “Steve Braun.” Thank you for that. #theheatison
— Will Leitch (@williamfleitch) August 23, 2012
These are the fun ones. The comments that I can’t create context for, because the Cardinals were not playing the Brewers on August 23rd. I can only assume that Mike Shannon was making a flippant comment about Braun and a FedEx carrier, then chortling almost to the point of asphyxiation.
@cardinals I love that you’re trying to make me feel better about Yadi, but I never, never believe you on injuries. Sorry.
— Will Leitch (@williamfleitch) August 29, 2012
Inasmuch as the Braun comment escapes reference, the Molina one requires no research. Josh Harrison trucked Yadier Molina in Pittsburgh, setting off Cardinal fans around the nation. Will’s right though, regarding the Cardinals and injuries. They’ve always been the anti-Bill Belichick to me. While Belichick puts his entire roster on the injury report to oversell to other teams, the Cardinals – in my perception – have always undersold. Molina is day-to-day… or out for the season. There is no in between.
@cardinals Also, while I have you, can you talk to the weirdo running the @mlb account and tell him to knock it off?
— Will Leitch (@williamfleitch) August 29, 2012
Will was referring to this Tweet from @MLB, that I won’t dignify with posting the fancy Tweeter box.
@cardinals Stuck watching the Nationals feed tonight. Thank you so, SO much for no longer employing Bob Carpenter. He is not missed.
— Will Leitch (@williamfleitch) August 30, 2012
Am I the only one who actually likes Bob Carpenter? I feel like I’m missing something, or that I’m some baseball rube. Stop making me feel inadequate, Will!
@cardinals So someone accidentally dosed the clubhouse with long-acting LSD a week ago, right? What in hell’s going on over there?
— Will Leitch (@williamfleitch) September 1, 2012
After ending August on a four-game losing streak during which the Cardinals scored one run – that’s one run total in four games – Kyle Lohse promptly spots the Nationals four runs in the first inning to start September.
@cardinals I’m sorry I was so upset earlier. You know I’ll never leave you, right? Sometimes I lash out because I love too much. #FREESE
— Will Leitch (@williamfleitch) September 1, 2012
David Freese hit a two run home run to start the Cards’ scoring on this day, and finished with an RBI single in the top of nine to secure a 10-9 Cardinal victory over the Nats, in Washington. Ominous.
@cardinals I have to say, it is baffling to me how many of your fans are constantly on Holliday’s case. Honestly. That must drive you nuts.
— Will Leitch (@williamfleitch) September 5, 2012
This is another of those comments from Will that is difficult to contextualize, but let’s not kid ourselves. This could refer to pretty much any day of the week.
@cardinals All right, I’m switching over to Michelle’s speech. DO NOT LOSE THIS WHILE I’M GONE.
— Will Leitch (@williamfleitch) September 5, 2012
Michelle Obama’s speech at the Democratic National Convention was enough to pull Will away from the Cardinals. Kind of…
@cardinals (Whom am I kidding, I of course have MLB Gameday in the background. I can’t leave you ever, ever ever.)
— Will Leitch (@williamfleitch) September 5, 2012
Ah, the ol’ fall back of a displaced Cardinals fan. Gameday. At least until it’s blacked out (which thankfully never happens to Shannon and John Rooney).
@cardinals All right, joke’s over, what’d you do with the real Wainwright?
— Will Leitch (@williamfleitch) September 5, 2012
Bad Adam Wainwright showed up on this day (obviously). Five earned runs allowed on eight hits in five innings, logging – by game score – his fifth worst start of the season.
@cardinals So you know, we all appreciate the gift we’ve been given in Jon Jay. Though wish he’d grow out ‘Fro again. Also: The Federalist!
— Will Leitch (@williamfleitch) September 8, 2012
Jon Jay was three-for-six in another extra inning loss for the Cardinals. I’m not sure if that performance at the plate sparked this comment from Will. I assumed maybe it was one of Jay’s several great plays in center field this season, but couldn’t find anything in game stories to back up that assumption. Maybe Mr. Leitch can shed some light on it.
@cardinals Listen, I love Skip Schumaker as much as anybody. But I love Fredbird too, and I don’t want him playing every day either.
— Will Leitch (@williamfleitch) September 9, 2012
Skip Schumaker started his fifth consecutive game at second base on this day. He was oh-for-three at the plate and committed an error that allowed a run to score.
@cardinals Hey, I don’t want to tell you guys how to do your jobs, but has anyone checked to see if Marte is actually lefthanded?
— Will Leitch (@williamfleitch) September 9, 2012
Victor Marte pitched to three batters in this game, all right-handed. Two got hits and the other grounded into a fielder’s choice. Marte allowed one inherited runner to score before yielding to Rzepczynski to close out the inning.
@cardinals This is starting to make Baby Jesus cry.
— Will Leitch (@williamfleitch) September 12, 2012
In the middle of what would be a 2-8 stretch of games against Milwaukee, San Diego, and the Dodgers – this was the second game of a sweep at the hands of the Padres.
@cardinals This is my fault for staying up to watch. I’m not blaming you. I take full responsibility. We’re all adults here.
— Will Leitch (@williamfleitch) September 12, 2012
Will is a better man than I for not cursing in this one. I cannot begin to comprehend what watching a standard issue “they just look lost” Cardinal loss on the West Coast while on the East Coast would do to a person.
@cardinals Even if you come back here, Matheny should be ashamed of himself.
— Will Leitch (@williamfleitch) September 13, 2012
After Allen Craig led off the inning with a double – to be clear, there was a runner on second base with no outs – Matheny called on Yadier Molina, one of the team’s better hitters, to sacrifice bunt Craig to third. He was successful in that task. The Cardinals were not successful at scoring a run.
@cardinals I’m sorry. I lashed out. That one really hurt.
— Will Leitch (@williamfleitch) September 13, 2012
No reason to apologize, Will. That was one of the most glaring examples of Cardinal fan exasperation with ALL OF THE BUNTING. He was a rookie. He’ll learn. Right?
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Stay tuned to PH8 tomorrow, we’ll pick up with Will tweeting the Cards through the remainder of September and into October.
