Cardinals add McGwire as hitting coach

Mark McGwire is returning to baseball as hitting coach under St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa.

Cubs closing in on Jaramillo deal

The Cubs appear to be closing in on a deal for former Texas hitting instructor Rudy Jaramillo

Cubs' next hitting coach?

...ways. Jaramillo might have been the second-highest paid coach in baseball. St. Louis pitching coach Dave Duncan is believed to be making close to $1 million per year. Jaramillo's previous contract was...

Kershaw is the great X factor

The first inning that Clayton Kershaw threw in the major leagues lasted 32 pitches. He was 20 years old at the time, working too quickly, and learning...

Blog Entry | Conversation | October 14, 2009

Kiss 'Em Goodbye: St. Louis Cardinals

Insider and Baseball Prospectus collaborate to dissect the demise of the 2009 St. Louis Cardinals. Some people thought the Cards could win the entire thing on pitching and Pujols -- but they were dismissed in an NLDS sweep, and now face real questions.

Story | Conversation | October 12, 2009

Cards' La Russa will weigh options

Tony La Russa isn't sure he will return for 2010 after a disappointing end to the season.

La Russa may be leaving St. Louis

...out with the club ownership. The situation now might be a little different, though. Pitching coach Dave Duncan, La Russa's longtime friend, simmered this season about the way he perceived the organization treated...

Blog Entry | Conversation | October 11, 2009

Some of the most recognizable faces of Socal skating, like Dave Duncan and Christian Hosoi, made it out. But there were so many people there, Hosoi didn't...

A "Major League" move by the Padres

If you're looking for a CliffsNotes version of what has happened in San Diego, just flip on the movie "Major League." To review the events of the pas...

Blog Entry | Conversation | October 03, 2009

Arroyo blames dirty old cap

...hard to hold on sometimes." In an interview with the Post-Dispatch, Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan said, "I'm sure he had pine tar on his cap. He didn'...

Arroyo denies doctoring baseballs

Reds pitcher Bronson Arroyo has denied accusations by the St. Louis Cardinals that he used pine tar to get better grips on pitches.

Cards' Schumaker makes La Russa look smart

...And of course the Cardinals are heading to the playoffs in a few weeks. Cameron: Knowing Dave Duncan's desire to spread the gospel of the two-seam fastball, the Cardinals know the...

Three Strikes: Who needs an offense edition

STRIKE ONE -- OFF-BASE CONTENDER DEPT. I spent Monday night in AT&T Park, watching the Giants do something they seem to have forgotten is actuall...

Blog Entry | Conversation | September 15, 2009

Carpenter invaluable to Cardinals, on the field and off

...a .500 pitcher until he got to St. Louis. The system put together by pitching coach Dave Duncan and manager Tony La Russa has helped make Carpenter who he is. He's one of...

Mets in impossible spot going forward

The Mets' awful season could very well turn into something the franchise won't recover from for a long time.