The Ultimate Cardinal Killers

There have been many, many players from opposing teams who the fans, or players for that matter, call "The Ultimate Cardinal Killer". These players usually strike fear into the fans, hit home runs that usually land 800 ft away and the most inopportune time or make us feel that our pitchers are throwing beach balls instead of baseballs. Some guys are mediocre, but then again, most of them are just great baseball players. Not to mention, pitchers (young and old) who seemingly have the best game of their careers against the Cards. So, let's start on fielding the starting 9 of "The Ultimate Cardinal Killers". Any suggestions of anyone I missed is welcome as are any comments.


SP - Roy Oswalt - 9-7 career mark v. the Cards, 3.11 ERA, 170.2 IP, 170 Hits, 59 ER, 128 SO. Kills us in the playoffs ('05 NLCS anyone?)


SP - Carlos Zambrano - 9-6 career record in 22 career starts, 3.52 ERA, 148.1 IP, 128 H, 58 ER, 117 SO, 7.1 SO/9 IP.


SP - Tom Glavine - 20-6 record in 37 starts, 3.46 ERA, 3 complete games, 236.2 IP, 230 H, 95 R, 91 ER, 11 HR


SP - Randy Johnson - His record says otherwise (6-7), but he definitely put up some big numbers against the Cards. In 15 starts, he had 4 CG, 102.2. IP, 96 H, 49 R, 47 ER, 121 SO and 10.6 SO/9 IP.


SP - Jeff Francis - Some might disagree with this choice, but everytime we face this guy, he absolutely dominates us. In 7 starts he is 4-1, 2.61 ERA, 1 CG, 48.1 IP, 32 H, 14 ER, .194 BA, .268 OBP, .297 SLG,



C - Mike Piazza - I had some trouble finding a catcher who did some serious damage vs. the Redbirds, but Piazza seemed to be a destroyer versus Cards pitching. Yes he sucked defensively, but he was making the big bucks for his bat. In 97 career games: 112 H, 24 HR's, 65 RBI, .331 AVG., .401 OBP, .995 OPS and 201 TB.


1B - Ryan Howard - 27 Games plaved versus the Cardinals with 13 home runs, 37 RBI, .376 BA, .508 OBP, .802 Slugging pct., 1.310 OPS. YIKES. Please, stay away Mr. Howard.


2B - Jeff Kent - Ooooh, Craig Counsell (only if you killed us OUTSIDE of the playoffs would you have leap frogged Kent into 2B) almost made the list, but Kent definitely had some monster numbers against us to obtain the 2B spot. 137 Games: 146 hits, 41 2B's, 22 HR's, 92 RBI's, .857 OPS and 259 total bases. Oh yea and a walk off home run to force a game 6 in the 2004 NLCS off of Izzy.


SS - Barry Larkin - Larkin was an absolute pest to the Cardinals for nearly 20 years. In his prime he was one of the best shortstops around especially against the Cardinals. In 175 games: 94 R, 174 H, 18 HR, 73 RBI's, 28 SB's.


DH - Lance Berkman - One of my least favorite players ever, but you have to give credit when credit is due. He is a ballplayer. Even though he has the weirdest body type for a baseball player as well as being one of the most unorthodox CF's, he will serve best at the DH position due to his offensive mangling abilities vs. the Cards. In 140 Games: 158 hits, 35 2B's, 36 HR's (really?!?! More home runs than 2B's?? Holy Jesus), 112 RBI, .313 BA, .411 OBP, .604 SLUG pct., 1.015 OPS and 305 total bases.


3B - Aramis Ramirez - I hate playing the Cubs for one reason: ARAM. This guy destroys us and the thing that sucks is that wherever we pitch him, he seems to hit us. Also, great trade Pittsburgh! Career v. Cards: 131 Games: 150 hits, 33 2B's, 24 HR's, 86 RBI's, .299 BA, .356 OBP, .872 OPS.


LF - Barry Bonds - Yes he has grown physically, as well as socially, odd over the years, but that doesnt take away his ridiculous numbers vs. the Cardinals. Take a look. 209 career games v. Cards: 137 runs, 51 2B's, 39 HR's, 119 RBI's, 34 SB, .514 SLUG pct, .899 OPS. Thank God Bonds is out of baseball because he kills us in all aspects possble.


Back up LF - Adam Dunn - This guy definitely strikes fear deep into my soul. Yea he strikes out a lot, but he straight up mashes against us. 118 games: 28 HR's (5 off of Mark Mulder), 67 RBI.


CF - Carlos Beltran - '04 NLCS and everytime he comes up to bat against us. 'Nough said.


RF - Brian Giles - This one almost slipped my mind, but you have to remember his prime years in Pittsburgh as well as with the Pads. Was a great rightfielder even though he can barely fit through a doorway without raising his arms above his head (which he also has trouble doing). 106 games v. STL: 76 runs, 124 hits, 24 2B's, 25 HR's (another guy who absolutely pulverized the ball against us with more HR's than 2B's!), 77 RBI's, .325 BA, .442 OBP, .596 SLUG pct., 1.038 OPS! 227 total bases.

Bench - Manny Ramirez - 16 Career games v. the Cards: 15 R, 19 H, 5 HR, 13 RBI, .380 AVG, .537 OBP, .740 SLG, 1.277 OPS and 37 TB. Oh yea, he tested positive for PED's and was suspended for 50 games as of today.

Bench - Mark Grace - He definitely lacked power, but he seemed like one of those traditional Caridinal Killer types. Especially in the heated rivalry between the Cards v. Cubs. 185 G: 205 H, 98 RBI, .311 AG., .828 OPS and 294 TB.

Bench - Ken Griffey Jr. - In his NL stint which was hindered by injuries, he still seemed to rise above the occasion when he played the Cards. In 74 Games: 74 H, 22 HR. 51 RBI, .605 SLG, .987 OPS and 155 TB.


Closer - Billy Wagner - Billy the Kid was a menace to the Cardinals for many years with the Astros and for the Mets. He was one of the best closers in the NL Central for many years and his numbers definitely show what kind of damage he was capable of against the Redbirds. In 54 G: 1.30 ERA 29 Saves, 62.1 IP, 44 H, 81 K, 11.7 SO/9IP. Just dominant.