Rob Neyer's NL Central comments

[mikechamp]

From an ESPN chat.

I threw in a Q&A about ST records at the end, just because I thought others might be wondering about it as ST winds down.

Mandatory Linkage: http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/chatESPN?event_id=15035
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What cities are you planning to visit to take in games this year?Also, have you ever been to Shea when it is really packed for a big game?

ROB NEYER
I'll be in New York this spring, haven't checked to see whether Mets or Yankees are home. And I have been in Shea for a big game; a few of them, actually. Great energy. This summer I'll be in St. Louis and Seattle, probably Kansas City, and haven't made any other plans yet. Oh, also Round Rock, Texas.

(RC, here's your chance to hang with Rob!)
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should i wear my cardinals hat when i got to shea this summer? will i get beat up?

ROB NEYER
I've seen fans in New York wearing hats of all stripes. You probably don't want to wear a Red Sox cap in the Yankee Stadium bleachers, both otherwise you'll be fine.
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Do you see the possibility of pitching coaches ever being elected to the HOF, or is it always only going to be only managers. You could make a good arguement that Dave Duncan has had a HOF career as a pitchin coach. Thought?

ROB NEYER
I've written about this a few times over the years . . . There should be a place in the Hall of Fame for coaches, but it's hard to see that happening, considering right now they can't even get Marvin Miller or Walter O'Malley or Whitey Herzog in. If coaches are seriously considered someday, the list begins with Leo Mazzone and Johnny Sain.
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the worst defensive outfielder by trade (i.e., not a converted catcher (todd hundley) or 3rd baseman (hojo)) that i've ever seen is roger cedeno. completely clueless. your opinion?

ROB NEYER
Cedeno was truly awful, though his speed allowed him to outrun some of his mistakes. I'm old enough to recall Lonnie Skates Smith, and Wily Mo Pena certainly had his moments last year...
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Do Spring Training records historically have any bearing on how a team does in the regular season?

ROB NEYER
I can't cite any data, but various studies have demonstrated a positive correlation between *excellent* spring-training records and winning regular-season records.
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[Fan_In_NY]

should i wear my cardinals hat when i got to shea this summer? will i get beat up?

ROB NEYER
I've seen fans in New York wearing hats of all stripes. You probably don't want to wear a Red Sox cap in the Yankee Stadium bleachers, both otherwise you'll be fine.

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I have always worn a Cardinals cap at Shea, and the only time i was really worried about was Game 6 of the NLCS last year. Other than that except for the occasional drunk guy I was never given a problem. Even in the 2000 playoffs I didnt have much of an issue. but this year I didnt put my hat on until after I got out of the subway and made sure while watching the game i just looked forward and ignored anything being said behind me. Us Cards fans had the last laugh when we got to spray champagne around the Cardinals Bar in NYC the following night.

[Centreville]

Cardinals bar in NYC ? Which one ? I have relatives there...