The Stuff That Dreams Are Made Of

Wow, what to write about today?  I’ve already talked about the Cards’ game from last night (though I can talk a bit about Matt Morris), nothing exciting has happened today (though I did get the mower into the shop), so maybe it’ll just be about me.  I can feel broswers shutting down right now!

Morris.  Matt Morris came up through the Cardinal organization, making the majors in 1997 and has been the only upper-level pitcher the system has produced in the past 15 years or so.  Matty Mo has had a very good Cardinal career, putting up stellar numbers in most of his 8 years wearing the Birds on the Bat, including recently winning his 100th game as a Cardinal.  Before last year, the highest ERA he put up was 3.76, which was pretty good especially considering the era he pitched in.

Last year, however, he got hurt and tried to pitch through it, leading to an ugly 4.72 ERA and 35 home runs allowed, which was 15 more than the year before.  While he partly redeemed himself with a stellar outing in the NLDS against the Dodgers (which he lost), it really looked like he’d be elsewhere in 2005.

He had offseason surgery, though, and decided to sign a one-year, incentive-filled contract with the Cardinals.  It looked like a great deal for the Birds when he started off 8-0 and was keeping the ERA around 3.00.  Today, however, his ERA stands at 3.91 and his record at a still-respectible 14-6.

I believe the Cardinals should say, “Thanks for the memories” and let Morris go at the end of the season.  Well, let me qualify that—if they can get him to come back at a reasonable price, maybe you give him a two or three year deal.  But if the Yankees or other teams get into a bidding war over him, that needs to be avoided entirely.  Morris can be a good pitcher, but it’s more and more looking like his days as a #1 or #2 are likely behind him.

OK, let’s see.  What character facet should I share today?  Probably the fact that I’m a huge Humphrey Bogart fan.

Most people that know me are aware of my fondness for Bogie.  In fact, an almost life-size standup of him is in my den at this very moment.  (Not sure Benjamin knows what to make of it, but at least it doesn’t scare him.)  I list Casablanca as one of my favorite three movies of all-time (with Field of Dreams and Star Wars).  The Maltese Falcon is a classic as well, one that I can rewatch lots of times.  His work with Lauren Bacall (Key Largo, To Have and Have Not, Dark Passage, The Big Sleep) was amazing and their chemistry was astounding given the disparity in their ages.  I have probably 15 or so Bogie movies on tape, with Casablanca being the only one I’ve gotten on DVD so far.  

So, here’s looking at you, kid!