Back in September of 2018, I volunteered to write articles for Then Cardinals Nation 24/7. My first Article was Sept 24th, 2018, and it was an outlook on the 2019 rotation. For the next year and three months, I wrote 42 more articles.
The site went through a name change or two: CN-24/7, Cards on Deck, and N the Cards. In about October last year (2020), Gene Bonds contacted me to say that he, Ron Nuttall, and Derek King were putting together a new website and wanted to know if I would be interested in writing for them. After a few seconds of thinking it over, I said yes. He said they were going to put up a site that was not only about the Cardinals but all sports in St Louis/ bi-state (Missouri and Illinois) area. They were setting an official launch for January of 2021. I got a little eager to post an introduction article on Nov 30th, 2020. I wrote my last article for N the Cards on Dec 1, 2020. How hot is the hot corner?
My first topic article was Dec 1, 2020. How about some basketball! 54 articles later, I have now reached 100 articles. I can say that I have had an absolute blast looking for stats, pictures, and video clips. I have written about the Cardinals and MLB and the Fighting Illini, Missouri Tigers, the Negro Leagues, and the women's pro baseball league of the '40s. I have written about Cardinal greats like Bob Gibson, Lou Brock, the 1984 infield, Current players like Tyler O'Neill, Johan Oviedo, Adam Wainwright, Tommy Edman, Matt Carpenter, and Yadier Molina. I have written on trades, Spring Training, and the off-season. It has been a blast. I have had the most fun doing this and will continue as long as gateway wants me.
So I thought, what better way to celebrate my milestone with Cardinal milestones! The Cardinals have had a history of great player accomplishments from year to year. A quick trip can evidence this through the record books and even the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.
This year is certainly no different. There have already been a record or two falls and some personal accomplishments by the players themselves.
So let's start with the Yadfather, The GOAT, Yadier Molina.
Yadi passes Johnny Bench.
On April 5th Yadi passed Johnny Bench for 8th place on the all-time doubles list for catchers with 382at currant he has 395 one away from 7th place Gabby Hartnet. Next after gabby is A.J. Pierzynski 407, Carlton Fisk 421, Victor Martinez 423, Joe Mauer 428, Ted Simmons 4583, and top spot Ivan Rodriguez 572. With 55 games to
Most Games as a Catcher.
Last year (Sept 24), Yadi joined the 2,000 hit club. This year's hit would hit another 2,000 milestone Games as a catcher with one team. On April 14th, he caught his 2000th game AS a St Louis Cardinal. The only player to catch 2,000 or more games with 1 team. It made him 6th on the all-time list for games by a catcher. So far, he has now passed Jason Kendall 2,025 and Gary Carter 2,056. He currently, as of 8/3/21, sits at 2,077 games. Next on the list is Bob Boone 2,225, Carlton Fisk 2,026, and Ivan Rodriguez 2,427.
He passes Johnny bench again.
On June 25 this year, 8th place all for hits by a catcher with 2,049. He currently sits at 2,077. Ahead of him sits Gary Carter (2,092). Sixth place is Mike Piazza (2,127). At No. 5, Yogi Berra (2,150), 4th is Jason Kendall (2,195), Carlton Fisk 2,356, Ted Simmons 2,472, and Ivan Rodriguez 2,844. With a strong finish to this year, he could get close to Piazza, and if he plays next year, Yogi is within reach.
Molina needs only 25 RBIs to reach 1,000 for his career. He is 26 behind Ken Boyer (1,001) for 6th place on the all. time Cardinal List
He passes Albert Pujols on the All-time Cardinal hit list.
On August 1st Molina passed Albert Pujols for 4th place on the Cardinal All-time hits list. At 2,077 hits, he is 33 hits behind Rogers Hornsby (2,110), Lou Brock is in 2nd place (2,716) Stan Musial is the top dog at 3,630.
Molina is currently 10th in all-time home runs for the Cardinals(168). He is 4 home runs behind Ted Simmons(172) in 9th, and 13 behind #8 Jim Bottomley(191), and 24 behind 7th place Rogers Hornsby(198)
The DYNAMIC DUO keeps going.
On June 3rd Adam Wainwright and Yadier Molina became 4th all-time in starts as a battery with 284. the passed the Dodger combo of Don Drysdale and John Roseboro. Yadi and Waino's streak now stands at 294, 12 games behind the White Sox duo of Red Faber and Ray Schalk, who had 306 starts as battery mates. Warren Spahn and Del Crandall had 316 starts together for the Braves. Tops on the; list are Mickey Lolich and Bill Freehan of the tigers with 324. It is conceivable that. With days off and such, Yadi and Waino could catch the duo of Farber and Schalk. At least fall 1 or two behind, which they would only need 21/22 starts to take the top spot.
Power Numbers
Paul Goldschmidt hit his 250th home run on April 13th. He now sits at 266 home runs. He is under contract until 2024. Even if he hits a pedestrian with 25 home runs per year, he is looking at over 300 for his career. He would be 36 and could last 3 more years after his contract as a DH., which could put him over 400 home runs.
Paul also is just 15 RBIs away from 1,000, and with 3 years left on his current deal, 1,200 for his career would be a reachable target. Possibly 1,400 if he could extend past his age of 37 years.
On July 30th Goldschmidt collected his 1,500th hit.
It's not the Coors effect.
On June 6th, he notched his 800th RBI If does his "average" (91 RBIs per year. 1,400 RBIs are within reach
On June 25th, he, like teammate Paul Goldschmidt joined the 250 home run club. Arenado is under contract until 2027, so the 300 and 400 home run plateaus are within reach. To get to 500, he would need to finish this year around the 270 mark and average 35 dingers a year to reach it as a Cardinal.
He needs 11 more doubles to reach 300 and 7 more walks to reach 400. Both should come this year.
Uncle Charlie is among the best.
Adam Wainwright is just 46 Strikeouts away from the 2,000 marks with 11 possible starts left, and he would have to average a little over 4.5 strikeouts per game.
Wainwright is 26 wins from 200 for his career, a mark he will not get this year. Even if he finished well and pitched next year, he would essentially have to be a 20 game-winner to have a shot.
Wainwright is 85 innings away from Bill Doak (2387.0) for 5th on the all-time Cardinals list for innings pitched. This one might require Adam to pitch next year unless he can pull 2 or three complete games out of his cap.
Carp leaves his mark.
Matt Carpenter is 11 walks away from 700 for his career, 6th on the all-time Cardinal list, and 1st among Cardinal second basemen.
He is also 25 RBIs from 600 for his Career—4th all-time for Cardinal second basemen.
On May 30th, he passed Frankie Frisch(286) for 3rd place on the Cardinals all-time list for doubles by a second baseman. He is currently 2 doubles away from 300.
On June 18th Alex Reyes set the record for most consecutive saves to start a career with 24. Alex passed former Minnesota Twins reliever, LaTroy Hawkins. He would end the streak on his next save opportunity.
So hats off to them for all those who have set milestones and those who are still chasing them. May we continue to see milestones set for years to come.
Once again, I would like to thank Gene Bonds, Derek King, and Ron Nuttall for allowing me this opportunity and all the writers and podcasters' support at Gateway City Sports. I am working on my own podcast and hope to have it up and running soon.
Look me up on Twitter @BIgD_GCS.
So if I may, I would like to close as Jack Buck used to:
"I thank you for your time, this time, until next time, so long."
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