This Week in Baseball – Cardinals Shildt, Cubs Network, Hawaii Wins, Mariners Money, Jansen Meds

by FT Staff | August 30, 2018

Shildt Happens…

After only 45 days, the St. Louis Cardinals named their interim Mike Shildt as manager after he led the team to an incredible turn around. The Cardinals previously went 47-46 under manager Mike Matheny and under Shildt the Cards are 26-12. They’ve climbed to second place in the NL Central with a half-game lead for the first wild-card spot. 45 days may not seem like enough time to make this kind of decision, but clearly the Cardinals didn’t give a Shildt.

I Want My Cubs TV…

The Chicago Cubs are looking to follow in the footsteps of the New York Yankees and thinking about launching their own version of the YES Network once the team’s current media contracts expire following the 2019 season. If they don’t give Steve Bartman a show called Fan Interference then why even bother?

Aloha Again…

This week Hawaii won their first Little League World Series title since 2008 and became one of seven U.S. states with at least three LLWS championships. The kids from Hawaii beat the kids from South Korea 3-0. The real bummer for the winners is that now they have to go back to live in an island paradise.

Please Sir, Can I Have Some More…

Citing aging infrastructure, the Mariners have asked for $180 million in public funds to help repair their retractable roof. The club played under cover of the roof fewer than 20 times per season. But they open and close the roof nearly 400 times per year for non-baseball events and for protecting the grass from the rain and sun… or when someone farts.

Be Still My Beating Heart…

Los Angeles Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen has stopped taking his heart medication that he says has attributed a terrible week on the mound. After spending 11 days on the disabled list, Jansen returned to go 0-2 with a blown save while allowing seven hits, five runs (all earned) and four home runs in three one-inning appearances last week. Side effects include: nausea, skin irritation and sucking at pitching.