Forget Three Nights In August...How About Two Months In 2009?

Seriously...

...if someone would've told me when we were sitting at Spring Training six months ago that:

-The Cardinals would have the second best record in the National League

-Matt Holliday would be in left field

-Mark DeRosa would be at third base

-Chris Duncan would be in Pawtucket

-And, John Smoltz would be in the rotation...

...I would've assumed we'd be talking about the Red Sox, but privately wondering why the fuck they would've acquired Chris Duncan.

How about John Mozeliak? How about Bill DeWitt? How about the organizational shift over the last two months?

After a couple of seasons in which I was losing my religion (my faith in the team I had grown up living and dying with), I am thrilled to see the club recognize that this year has the potential to be a memorable one in Cardinal history...and they're going to go balls to the wall.

Honestly, two months ago, I didn't think it was possible. I didn't believe they would do it any longer. I am so happy to be wrong.

Now, picking up about $100,000 to have John Smoltz as a fifth starter/set-up man isn't nearly as sexy as the acquisition of Holliday, but it's another crystal clear illustration of the club doing whatever they feel necessary to put themselves in the best position to win.

Now, when I look at the St. Charles strip mall aesthetics of the left field view of Busch Stadium with its choppy ads just above the wall, that godforsaken Casino Queen Party Porch, and the horrific Big Mac Land, I can live with knowing those ad dollars are being put to use to make the club better.

The Cardinals kept their word. It may have taken longer than I thought it would have, but they have used that infamous dry powder to solidify the club.

Now, it's on the manager, the coaches, and the players to make the most of it.

We, as fans, are fortunate to have an organization in a mid-level market like St. Louis, putting forth the kind of investment the Cardinals have put forth over the last couple of months.

I'm thrilled to think what the last two months could mean for the next two months of Cardinal baseball.

Barring injury, this team has limitless potential.

Smoltz The Starter/Smoltz The Reliever

I'm not sure what the deal is with John Smoltz getting signed on as a fifth starter...but my guess is that's what he wanted for now, and in order to get him where they really want him (the 8th inning set-up man), the Cardinals looked at the schedule and the standings and said, "Fine."

If the rotation plays out like it would with Smoltz taking Mitchell Boggs' spot, the 42 year-old would face the Padres, Nationals, and Pirates for his first three starts.

Uh...yeah.

You could piece together a bullpen game with Esteban Yan, Pedro Borbon Jr, and Aaron Miles and take two out of three from that group. So, if Smoltz can't cut it against those clubs, then the starting days must be officially over.

However, even if he goes all Chris Carpenter on their asses, when the post-season rolls around, Smoltz is the 8th inning guy...if he shows he can get guys out before he runs into trouble on going through the order a second time. And, if he does that, yesterday's acquisition was huge.

If he fails, it really cost the Cardinals nothing...and then they'll just have to figure out how to get out Ryan Howard or Manny Ramirez in the 8th inning with someone already in the organization.

Personally, I'm optimistic Smoltz becomes an asset out of the bullpen...and this experimentation with the starting rotation is essentially similar to Jake Gyllenhall spitting on his hand in a pup tent: doing something most people are cringing at in the interest of a paycheck and a different role down the road.

ESPN's Tom Jackson On The Rams (Pause)

You can catch him every Sunday on ESPN's NFL Countdown with Chris Berman, and yesterday, you could catch Tom Jackson on Team 1380's ITD Morning After.

When Doug Vaughn asked him if he thought it was possible for the Rams to finish around .500, Jackson paused for about fifteen minutes, and then said nofuckingway in a more polite manner.

Personally, I think the Rams are going to be much improved. I really do. I'm talking about 7 wins meaning much improved. But, these early injuries are scary.

But, even if they do suck this year, at least we get to see Brett Favre, Peyton Manning, and Kurt Warner come through town.

Tonight's Happy Hour At The Tin Can: We're Just Flat-Out Giving Away Missouri-Illinois Tickets

Tonight's the night at The Tin Can at 1909 Locust.

We'll be giving away---literally for free---five sets of tickets to the Missouri-Illinois game.

All you have to do is show up.

You walk in between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m., and you are going to be handed a raffle ticket.

At 6 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 7 p.m., 7: 30 p.m., and 8 p.m., we'll do a drawing.

In the meantime, you can enjoy the happy hour drink specials and 50% off select appetizers with all the fine people who visit insideSTL.com and listen to The ITD Morning After.

That's tonight starting at 5 p.m. at The Tin Can downtown.

Log-in to post your comments, or you can email me at tmckernan@insidestl.com.