A CUP of JOE in the SHOW Report #8.....Who else would be leading the NL Central....CARDINALS and the LOU at it again....Names may change Results stay the same...ALL RISE.....REDBIRD Nation

Mike Matheny for Tony LaRussa.....Holiday and Berkman for the GATEWAY ARCH Hammer...Pujols....Wainright in for Carpenter....still #1 in the National League Central.

The St. Louis Cardinals have a simple recipe for success and it is PLAY REDBIRDS Baseball and that is as simple and Blue-Collar as it gets in the show. Barely into May 2012 and the Redbirds have a 3 1/2 game lead on the Red Legs on Cincy and the Cards look like they won't let up until that final out.

RHP Ace Chris Carpenter goes on the DL and RHP Ace #2 Adam Wainright steps in and the Cards Rotation looks as strong as it did last season if not stronger. RHP Kyle Lohse and LHP Jaime Garcia have started strong and it has helps weather the storm in Carp's Void in the Rotation.

As for the Gateway Arch Hammer leaving town that's OK because we will plug in natural run producers in Matt Holiday and Lance Berkman and maybe 2 is better than 1. Players like CF's John Jay and Shane Robinson are burners as they anchor the Redbirds Outfield and  a a plethora of Vets keep the Clubhouse stable in Rafael Furcal, Yadier Molina, 2011 Fall Classic MVP David Freese as well as the aforementioned Holiday and Berkman.

Skip Mike Matheny aka M&M's Red....has done a masterful job as I have said this before some of your best Skippers in the Show were former Backstops that played at a high level. Just like in the Logo....former Point Guards seem to be really good Lead Man because they are the Coach on the Floor when they played. Matheny played under Skip LaRussa and has not changed one bit the Style at which the Redbirds have always played under....Give it 100% the Cards Way or we have a replacement in the dugout. Nothing like steady competition throughout your team so no one gets drawn into thinking if I don't do it today it will be alright tomorrow. With that thought process with the good organizations in the show your Cup of Coffee will be gone and you will be on a Greyhound to Triple A. Call the family then and tell them why you were sent down.

The Redbirds are 16-9 and tied for 2nd Best in the Show with a 3-game set with the 'STROS in H-Town. As of today it looks like the Braves, Nat's, Red Legs, and Boys in Blue will be a threat to Throw Baseballs at the Redbirds Throne in 2012.