Ned Beatty Redux

Banjo hitters galore

It is almost as unbearable to look at the bottom of our lineup today as it is to watch that awful, iconic scene from Deliverance. LaRue .067, Miles .250, Lohse .111, Izturis .182. If the 6-9 slots get 10 ABs and muster a HBP, a sac bunt and a ground ball that advances a runner, it'll be a sterling offensive performance that will leave me squealing in delight....

...9th Inning Update: Well, smack my ass and call me Judy. The banjos are 6-15, 1 BB, 0K, 3R, 3 RBI and Izturis even added the ever crucial HBP I was hoping for.

New GM, Same Ol' Deck-Chair Reshuffling

The PD gives us this news:

John Mozeliak reached outside the organization for the first time as Cardinals general manager Monday.

The club signed free-agent catcher Jason LaRue as the backup to Yadier Molina and added depth by agreeing with starting pitchers Dewon Brazelton and John Wasdin on minor-league contracts.

LaRue assumes the roster spot held by Gary Bennett the past two seasons. Brazelton, a former first-round draft pick of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, and Wasdin will bring major-league experience to the Memphis Redbirds rotation.

Well thank goodness...I was really starting to worry about that Memphis starting rotation.

I don't have any problem with the LaRue signing, actually. He might never recover offensively, but he can't be all that different from the dynamic tandem of Bennett & Stinnet.