Second Verse Same As The First

Cardinal nation was a little apprehensive about Jason Isringhausen's first appearance since last season's hip surgery. Would he pitch the same?

Isringhausen allowed two hits, was charged with an error, escaped a resulting bases-loaded jam without allowing a run...

Phew! Izzy's back. Pass me the Maalox.

I've actually become intrigued by the Dennis Dove story:

Reliever Dennis Dove had just thrown a fastball clocked at 97 mph, struck out two of the three batters he faced with gnarly sinkers, and got the third batter to pop up weakly to first base.

It was the kind of outing that turns a prospect into a contender pitching for a big league job, and when pitching coach Dave Duncan was asked about him, his answer was a shock:

"I would think that we're probably going to send him out tomorrow. You can't pitch like that in the big leagues."

Duncan paused.

Then revealed his sarcasm. "That's too good. We don't like those guys that throw 95, 96."

Dove has been lauded as one of the finer arms in the Cardinals' organization for several years, but a move to the bullpen has improved his command, and Dove is vying for a shot in the big league bullpen. Several days ago, Duncan said he was worth watching for "the future." After a save this week and a perfect ninth Thursday, Dove has done more than rev his fastball. He may have sped up the future.

His spring stats: 5 1/3 innings, one run, three hits, no walks and four strikeouts.

As I stated in the comments of a Southlandish post, the Cards have pitching depth in the organization that I've never seen before. I got sort of used to our first option in the minors being the likes of a Jason Simontacchi. No offense is meant to Simo, but he was never gonna overawe you with his talent. You could have said the thing about the entire organization over the last 20+ years.

Now it is different...thank God. A couple of ill timed, long term injuries could still do us in this season, although the culprit in that situation would be the inexperience of the possible replacements and not their lack of talent.

Remember when the success or failure of a Cards season would be predicated on whether they could get the likes of Kent Bottenfield to turn in All-Star performances? Aren't you glad to see the end of those days?