This is the story of James Mueller

[dusthimself]

Going 7 innings in his last start put Mueller right at 100 innings pitched on the season so far in the minor leagues. So, in one hundred innings, just what has Mueller done so far?

How's a record of 9-3 in 13 Game Starts sound? How's an 1.53 ERA look? At 70 IP he only had 36 strikeouts. In the last 30 IP he's picked up 32 Ks, putting his total to 68 Ks in 100 IP and his K/9 ratio to 6.12. James Mueller continues to get better as his minor league career continues. Will he soon be called up to Triple A Memphis? Only time will tell...

OH! Batting-wise, he's 4/9 with 2 runs and 1 SB.

[dusthimself]

TRADE NEWS

The St. Louis Cardinals made a trade today to acquire Dan Uggla from the Florida Marlins. The biggest loss from the Cardinals was that they traded away Rick Ankiel.

28 year old Ankiel was batting .263 with 10 homeruns and 38 RBIs. He had also scored 42 bases.

Uggla's batting .309 with 18 Homeruns, 50 RBIs, and 55 runs scored while he enjoyed his stay in Florida.

He'll be helping a weak middle infield, as Izturis is struggling with a .216 batting average, Kennedy with a .269, and Miles with .258.

Rick Ankiel was sitting on the last year of his contract. Dan Uggla still has 4 3 years after this, but will presumably be looking for a raise sometime soon to boost his 400k contract right now.

ANOTHER TRADE

In an effort to free cap space, Jason LaRue was traded to the Yankees for RF Shelly Duncan. Duncan will currently play in Triple A Memphis until his struggles discontinue. This free's up about 7.2 million dollars for the Cardinals.

FREE AGENTS SIGNED

The St. Louis Cardinals acquired a new Right Fielder to take Ankiel's spot... Former Cardinal Reggie Sanders will return to the Cards for one more year, worth $3.5 mil.

Mike Liberthal also signed a 1 year contract with the Cardinals, worth $1.5 mil.

[dusthimself]

James Mueller takes the mound tonight against the Arkansas Travelers.

In the second inning, Mueller hit his first batter of his short career. He got the next batter to ground into a double play to end the inning.

He gave up his first run in the third inning, tying the game at 1 a piece.

James gave-up the lead with a solo homerun in the top of the ninth, putting Arkansas up 2-1.

Mueller would get charged with the loss in a 2-1 game. Mueller pitched the complete nine inning game, striking out 10. He gave up 2 earned runs on 5 hits.

[dusthimself]

Mueller pitches against Tulsa

Due to a high pitch count, James Mueller was restricted to pitching only 7 innings. He managed to strike out 10 in the first six innings, giving up only 3 hits and zero runs.

He also went 0/3 batting.

Mueller would pick up his tenth win of the year in the minors, now sitting at 10-4. The Cardinals won 6-1.

[dusthimself]

Since the Cardinals made the trades, they've been 9-3, all series sweeps. They swept Kansas City, but were then swept by Boston, then they swept Detroit and once again Kansas City. In the last two series, they scored a combined 51 runs in six games.

[dusthimself]

St. Louis Dispatch Article

After his first several starts in the minor leagues, critics and scouts were labeling James Mueller as a "career minor leaguer," and criticized his number of strikeouts in his starts and his overall stamina.

"Mueller shouldn't even be a starter. He should be in the bullpen as relief. But his biggest problem is himself. He is obviously no gentlemen on the mound, and has a growing attitude problem."

Is it cockiness?

Is it arrogance?

Is it just that he is an asshole?

It is none of these, in fact, James Mueller just gets tough when he plays. After a homerun is hit off of him, you can see James Mueller mouthing off to the batter if the batter decides to watch his homerun at home plate, often reminding them that they're in the minor leagues.

James Mueller has come a far way since his first few starts, even though it was only a few months ago. He started in Palm Beach, the Cardinals Single-A affiliate team. In his first game he had went 8 innings and struck out 4 batters, while giving up only one run.

His biggest loss so far was his second game, giving up 5 runs in six innings of work, and had no bats behind him for support. But he never looked back after the game, and started a strong "minor league career."

In his final game in Palm Beach, he pitched a complete game shut-out, while only striking out one batter.

After pitching 41 innings, and only getting 21 strikeouts, there was concern that it wasn't Mueller being the great player, it was the defense. As well as failing to pitch complete games when he should've been able to. His stamina just isn't ready for the big leagues.

Something to which Mueller was being quoted as saying "go f--k yourselves" to the critics.

However, James Mueller would start telling the critics to "f--k themselves" in a different way.

With his arm.

While spending time in Double-A, James Mueller's K/game started climbing.

1st game: 3 Ks, 9IP

2nd game: 5ks, 8IP

3rd game: 3Ks, 5IP*

4th game: 10Ks, 9IP

5th game: 9Ks, 9IP

6th game: 10Ks, 7IP

7th game: 10Ks, 9IP

8th game: 10Ks, 7IP

*-left due to injury

Since returning from his pulled-groin injury, James Mueller has picked up 49Ks in just 5 starts. When you're average over 8 IP a game, and 10 strikeouts a start, nobody can criticize your stamina and your strikeout ratio.

In fact, with numbers like these, expect James Mueller to make his way to Triple-A Memphis before too long.

And of course, expect him to make it to the Show.

[DeuceBlades]

I think its definitely cockiness :lol:

[dusthimself]

James Mueller gets a start against the RoughRiders tonight...

Appeared to lose his touch in the 4th inning after giving up a lead-off hit, the first hit of the game. However, he regained his composure and finished the inning only giving up two hits, no runs.

In the 7th, after going two straight hitless innings, he gave up two consecutive singles to lead off the inning. He then got two shallow fly-outs and a ground out to get himself out of the jam, keeping the Cards ahead 6-0.

In the 8th and 9th innings combined, Mueller picked up 4 strikeouts to put his total talley to 8 Ks in 9 innings of work. He would only give up 3 hits in his complete game shut-out.

[dusthimself]

More Trades From the Organization

In a 3-2 trade, the Cardinals and the Braves did some business today.

Braves Acquire

P - Braden Looper

RF - Juan Encarnacion

P - Matt Clement

Cardinals Acquire

SS - Edgar Renteria

3B - Eric Campbell

Following the trade, our beloved James Mueller was promoted to Triple-A Memphis.

[dusthimself]

Here are James Mueller stats before being promoted to Triple-A Memphis in the entire farm system so far...

G/GS: 16

IP: 125

W-L: 11-4

ERA: 1.37

SO: 96

K/9: 6.91

He has also pitched 6 complete games, 3 of which were shut-outs.

He was also batting .333 (4/12) with a run and a stolen base.

[dusthimself]

Tonight, James Mueller pitches his first game in Triple-A, here in Memphis, TN. James Mueller will pitch his first night game while in the farm system, we'll see if this effects him any (as if pitching in Triple-A wont). He'll be taking on the Isotopes, but even more intimidating, he's dueling against a returning Josh Johnson, who's recovering from Tommy John's surgery.

The manager of the Memphis Redbirds said he was excited to see this kid in action. He talked to the manager of Springfield after the promotion was made and was on hand to witness Mueller's change-up. "I haven't seen a change-up like that in years. Most people would criticize his below-90 mph fastball, but with a change-up like that, he could have a sub-80 four seamer and still get away with it."

The catcher told us before the game "Mueller has an arsenal of pitches to go to. Everyone knows of his change-up, but he has a mean sinker and a power-curve to compliment it. Even a cutter that can run in just enough on batters, i think. With everyone aware of his change-up, he doesn't have to even throw it. That's what makes this kid dangerous."

His first batter in Triple-A, James Mueller strikes him out. Facing Josh Phillips, he strikes out the second batter faced. He goes 1-2-3 in his first IP in Triple-A.

Mueller would strike out all three opposing batters in the the second inning.

In his first at-bat, the announcer called him "James Moehller."

In the third, he struck out the side AGAIN, putting him up to 8 Ks in just 3 innings. Going through the entire Isotope line-up, only one batter did not strike out in their first plate appearance.

That same batter would end Mueller's no-hit bid in the 4th with a bloop single that was just inches fair.

At the end of the 5th inning, Mueller had 10Ks already under his belt.

In the sixth, Mueller got his career high 11th strikeout. He then picked up his twelfth to end the inning.

He picked up #13 in the 7th.

Brendan Ryan would solo-homer in the bottom of the 7th to give Mueller a 2-0 lead.

#14 and #15 would come in the 8th. By this time, James Mueller was obviously getting tired, and starting to lose control of his pitches. This however made him harder to figure out as to what he was going to do.

After a mound-visit in the ninth, Mueller picked up #16. He finished the complete game shut-out, after striking out SIXTEEN BATTERS and giving up five hits. Batting, he went 0/3

[dusthimself]

It's being rumored lately that the GM was sent an e-mail by their chief scout about calling up James Mueller to the Major Leagues after his first start in Triple-A. It was suggested that Mueller would replace a struggling Russ Springer in the bullpen.

[DeuceBlades]

sweet, not even a full season, and you are up in the bigs.

Andrea Kramer: "Mr. Moehller, how do you feel about this?"

James Mueller: "You want a beat-down lady?"

:lmao:

[dusthimself]

James Mueller looks to be prepared tonight as he will take on the Brewers Triple-A affiliate, the Nashville Sounds...

In the first inning, Mueller would give up an RBI double to put the Sounds ahead, 1-0. He then officially walked his first batter to put two runners on. He then retired the next two batters to end the inning.

He opened up the second inning with his first strike-out.

After a so-far impressive performance, he gave up another RBI double in the bottom of the sixth, giving the Sounds a 2-0 lead.

Top of the Seventh, the RedBirds score twice to tie the game at 2 a piece.

Mueller gave up a third run in the bottom of the seventh, after a fielding misjudgement but the left fielder.

Mueller would get tied with the loss after going 8 complete innings. He gave up 8 hits, 3 runs, while striking out 7.

[dusthimself]

Nope, James is not in the Bigs quite yet...

In fact, tonight he takes on the RedHawks, the Rangers Triple-A team.

Mueller didn't give up a run until the top of the 4th, on an groundball out. The Redbirds remained ahead, 2-1.

Mueller doesn't seem to get fatigued as he strikes out the side in the 7th inning.

Mueller then struck out the side in the 8th inning as well!

Chris Perez shut the door in the ninth for the save. RedBirds won, 3-1.

James Mueller went 8 innings, giving up only 1 run on 5 hits. He also picked up an impressive 13 strikeouts, 6 straight in the 7th and 8th innings.

His time in the minor leagues, James Mueller has composited a 1.38 ERA so far, striking out 132 in 150 innings pitched, that's 7.92 Ks every 9 innings. He has put together a 13-5 W-L record.

[dusthimself]

Starting against Sacremento, Mueller works the team early, striking out the first batter he faces.

In the second, he escapes a two-runner jam after some shady defense.

Top of the fifth, James struck out the side.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the game, the RedBirds were putting on a hitting clinic for Sacremento, scoring 17 runs in 8 innings. The run support Mueller didn't recieve in his last game was made up tonight, ensuring he would get another win.

James Mueller pitched a complete game shut-out, striking out 16 batters, giving up only 5 hits.

Honorable Mention goes to Shelley Duncan, who went 4-5, and was just a homerun shy of the cycle, after grounding out to 3rd basemen in his last at-bat in the bottom of the ninth.

AS WELL Brian Barton went 4-4, all triples. Yes. That's right. 4 Triples in one game.

[dusthimself]

MUELLER GETS HIS FIRST START IN AN MAJOR LEAGUE STADIUM

...in a promotional game for the Triple-A teams. The Memphis RedBirds take on San Francisco's Fresno Grizzlies in AT&T Park, in San Francisco. James Mueller is dueling against one of San Fran's top pitching prospects, Noah Lowry, who is spending time in Triple-A for unknown reasons...

James Mueller picks up his first hit, and his first strike out in the first inning.

It wasn't until the 5th that Brian Barton ended Noah Lowry's no-hit bid with a double.

Mueller in his second at-bat against Lowry, in the sixth, got the second hit of the night for the RedBirds, a single.

Noah Lowry would leave the game in the seventh with a strained bicep. He was pitching a shut-out so far, in 6.1 IP. He had given up just 3 hits.

In a runners-on-the-corners jam in the 8th with 1 out, after a mound visit, Mueller would get the next two outs on a strikeout and a shallow fly-out.

Cardinals would go up by 1 in the 8th, off a Brian Barden double.

After a 1-out double in the ninth, Mueller would be relieved by closer Chris Perez. A ground-out to first would put the tying-run on third. After letting the ball past him in right field, the tying run would score. The next batter would pop up straight up the elevator shaft to the catcher, but the damage was done.

Bottom of the 10th, Memphis' Brian Barton singled straight through the hole in the middle to lead-off. With one-out, Brian Barden would knock him over to third with a single. D'Angelo Jimenez with a deep fly ball to right field... would be caught.

However, Barton would score the game-winning run. The RedBirds won, 2-1.

James Mueller pitched 8 and a 1/3. He allowed 1 run on 5 hits, striking out 8 batters.

[superciuc]

Love this dynasty!

[dusthimself]

Love this dynasty!

lol, thanks buddy. once i get to the majors, i'm going to make 'er a lot more interesting, believe me...

[dusthimself]

The last month of Triple-A ball is upon us. We recently spoke with the managerial staff of the St. Louis Cardinals, who have informed us that they plan to keep James Mueller in Triple-A for the remainder of the 2008 season, hopefully helping Memphis towards a championship. Reason being is right now, they're working towards improving Mueller's stamina, and if he were to be called up to the majors, who would be forced to work out of the bullpen which the stellar rotation the Cardinals have right now. Even the Cardinals bullpen is seemingly solid right now. Closer Jason Isringhausen earlier this season picked up career save #300, and is currently sitting on 27 saves with two months left in the season for the Cardinals.

When asked about the decision to not promote him, James Mueller refused to answer questions. Though, it was pretty obvious, the decision upset him.

[dusthimself]

With Memphis sitting comfortably in first place in the PCL American North standings, James Mueller can take the pressure off his shoulders as he pursues season win #15 tonight against Tacoma's Rainiers, the Mariner's Triple-A affiliate.

After news of the Cardinals refusing to promote Mueller until 2009, a possibly upset pitcher may take the mound tonight, it will be interesting to see how things play out...

In the first, Colby Rasmus immediately pointed out why the pitcher had, until then, so far pitched only knuckleballs, crushing a change-up over the left field fence.

Finding it difficult to figure out the umpire's strike-zone, Mueller would run a full count twice, but managed to strike out one batter while forcing the other to groundout.

In the second, on what should've been a single, turned into a double after a ball bounced over a diving Brian Barton's head in left field. Mueller would give up another single afterwards, and with two outs had runners on the corners. He gets the third out via strikeout.

Third inning, James struck out the side.

Bottom of the 4th, Josh Phelps helped out Mueller with a solo shot of his own, 2-0 RedBirds.

Mueller found himself with two runners on and no outs in the bottom of the 7th. After an AMAZING throw by Shelley Duncan from right field to 3rd base to beat the tagged up runner after the fly-out, he found himself with a runner on first and two outs after a great double play. After the third out, Mueller patted Shelley on the head and laughed with him, thanking him for the effort.

After an error by Brendan Ryan at shortstop in the 8th, Mueller found himself again with two runners on, this time with 1 out. He struck out the next batter for out #2. He got the next runner to ground out, but then was saying stuff to the umpire about his strike-zone. It was only minor though.

This time with a 2-0 lead, Mueller would be relieved again by closer Chris Perez. Last time, Perez blew the save, giving Mueller a no decision. After three hard-hit balls that were caught by the defense, Mueller picked up win #15 in his minor league stint.

Mueller went 8 complete shutout innings, striking out ten.

[dusthimself]

James Mueller will take on the Padres' Triple-A affiliate, the Beavers.

The RedBirds opened up the offense quickly, getting 4 consecutive hits in the first inning to score 3 runs. They would tack on one more before the inning was over.

James Mueller struck out the second batter of the first to pick up his first K.

After Shelley Duncan misplayed a ball in right, Mueller was with zero outs annd a runner on third base. On a ground ball to first, Eli Marrareo risked a home throw and Josh Phelps managed to tag out the runner before he could slide across the plate to get the out.

In the 5th, after two consecutive hits, Mueller was in a jam with no outs. A sac bunt would move the runners over to 3rd and 2nd. Mueller struck out the next batter to get the second out. He then managed to get out #3 without any damage.

Travis Hansen hit a solo shot in the top of the 8th for Memphis, his second homerun of the game.

Mueller struck out the last at-bat of the game. RedBirds won 7-0. James gave up only 5 hits in a complete game shutout, striking out ten.

[dusthimself]

With just five more starts remaining, Mueller looks to keep his fortune alive as he takes on the RedHawks tonight. 'Birds vs. 'Hawks tonight, only on... some crappy local station that we can't pick up..

A bobbled groundball by second basemen in the bottom of the ninth, but a great recovery and split second play at first would end the game... A Perfect Game for James Mueller. Going the full mile, he gave up absolutely no bases to Oklahoma. Mueller, usually a K-King managed only to pick up seven strikeouts in the impressive outing. RedBirds won, 3-0.

[dusthimself]

We just got word out of Oklahoma that Cardinals prospect pitcher, James Mueller, currently playing for Triple-A Memphis, has just pitched a Perfect Game! He has currently made some headlines after striking out 16 batters, twice now this season, but this is by-far better then those two feats combined. He's known for striking out a lot of batters, but tonight he only got seven. ESPN's Rachel Nichols caught up with James Mueller...

Nichols: James, what was it like to pitch a perfect game?

Mueller: Honestly, I wasn't even aware of it until Phelps came running after me after the last out. It was like "What? WHAT?!" and Phelps was yelling at me, "You did, James! You pitched a perfect game!" I turned to the scoreboard and I was absolutely shocked...

Nichols: How were you not aware that you had given up no-hits?

Mueller: Well, I don't think about what happened the innings before, you know... I go out there with a mindset of get what's in front of you, you know?

Nichols: James, there's a lot of speculation that you will not resign with the Cardinals this off-season, after they decided to keep you in the minor leagues for the rest of the season... Any input on these rumors?

Mueller: My agent told me to keep things to myself for now, but I will tell you that rumors are just that... rumors. I love the Cardinals organization, I have all my life...

Nichols: So you will resign with the Cardinals?

Mueller: Hopefully we can work something out that'll meet both our likings... Right now though, I'm focusing on what's in front of me. I still have four more starts till the Triple-A playoffs, so we'll see what happens.

Nichols: Alright, thank you for your input. I'm Rachel Nichols-

Mueller: And I'm James Mueller! *puts arm around Nichols shoulders*

Nichols: *laughing* -for ESPN.

[dusthimself]

Tonight, James Mueller tries to keep the ball rolling as he takes on the Iowa Cubs...

Hanging onto a possible second straight perfect game, Mueller gave up a double in the bottom of the seventh with one out to break it. For those of you at home, that's about 16 innings of perfect pitching.

As a batter, Mueller went 2-4, with a single and a double, and a run scored.

After a perfect game, Mueller gave up just one hit in this outing. He only struck out 4, but just killed the offense, keeping them off-balanced.