Yardbarker: Jason LaRue

November

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 03:30:31 -0500

More photos » by Jeff Roberson - AP FILE -- This is a 2009 file photo showing St. Louis Cardinals baseball player Yadier Molina. A New York sports marketing firm has sued St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina, saying he snubbed their agreement to make appearances and sign autographs. Steiner Sports Marketing's lawsuit, filed Friday, Oct. 13, 2009, in New York, says the sports memorabilia company had a contract with Molina dating...

Odds & Ends: Yankees, Cardinals, Astros

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 16:51:06 -0500

Here are some links to take you through the end of your workday, instead of, you know, working. The Yankees aren't satisfied to simply win the 2009 World Series. They are concurrently planning to take 2010 as well, with Jon Heyman reporting that they are atop Matt Holliday's preferred list of teams, and Lohud.com's Chad Jennings writing that the Yankees should be meeting with Cuban defector Aroldis Chapman soon, though GM Brian Cashman wouldn't confirm it. Derrick ...

They're Halfway There: St. Louis Cardinals Clinch 2009 NL Central, Playoffs Next

Sat, 26 Sep 2009 22:47:57 -0500

The St. Louis Cardinals were the first team to clinch their division this season, and they did it with some help from the bench. Backup catcher Jason LaRue hit a solo-shot in the top of the eighth that put the Cardinals up 4-3. They would eventually win by a score of 6-3 over the Colorado Rockies. LaRue entered the game as a defensive replacement for Yadier Molina, who took a foul ball off the knee. Ryan Ludwick hit a pinch-hit, two run homer that gave the Cardinals some insurance runs in the...

And for my next trick...

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 01:00:20 -0500

More photos » by Tom Mihalek - AP You're not going to find your head w/ a half-hearted effort like that, Todd!(AP Photo/Tom Mihalek) Browse more photos » It’s miscellaneous numbers day here at VEB and I intend to start w/ the dominance of our pitching staff. One of the truest measures of a pitcher’s dominance is his ability to induce swinging strikes. If a pitcher can get a hitter to swing and miss, he...

First Half Catcher Defense

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 01:00:12 -0500

More photos » by Charlie Riedel - AP Yadi's done more than swing the bat for the Cards in '09.(AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) Browse more photos » A couple of times after last season, I addressed the fact that last year was Yadi’s worst season defensively. Last year he had a career low caught stealing rate and allowed the most wild pitches + passed balls of his career. He also had the most errors of ...

First Half Catcher Defense

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 01:00:12 -0500

2009 Stache All Star: Chris Carpenter

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 06:33:00 -0500

That, my friends, is what the American Mustache Institute would call a "lip sweater."Note: If anyone has a picture of Jason LaRue's stache, please email it to jorgesaysno@gmail.com

Video: Another Sausage Race Disaster Averted

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 03:43:38 -0500

Paul Phillips, Chorizo. Chorizo, Paul Phillps. My selection, the Italian sausage, went on to win the race. Don’t these guys know what’s going on? This is the second near collision involving a Sausage Race contestant and a backup major league catcher this season. Jason Larue was nearly rundown back on May 27th. On that occasion, it was Chorizo who would benefit from the interference. Other Live Notes From a Lifeless Miller Park With Aaron Cook and Yovani Gallardo on the mound, I was expecting a quick, low scoring game. Well, both men were on their game, combining for 13 strikeouts and only 3 earned runs. But it was the patience of both teams at the dish that ended each starters’ day early, and led to...

Villone makes his pitch

Sat, 07 Mar 2009 17:01:58 -0500

In a very good article for NorthJersey.com Tara Sullivan takes a look at Ron Villone's career. It seems like the last pitcher to sign isn't just minor league fodder but has a very good chance of making the staff. Despite four other lefties vying a spot, when Tom Martin went down Villone's name ...

Rangers Quote Of The Week: 2/17 Edition

Sun, 17 Feb 2008 13:06:06 -0500

Why catcher Gerald Laird fails to inspire much confidence among the die-hard fanbase of the Texas Rangers.

2008 Fantasy Catcher Rankings: NL Central

Mon, 03 Dec 2007 17:02:27 -0500

I'm almost finished with my divisional rankings of the 2008 catchers. This post includes the backstops from the NL Central.