Cal Eldred Got a World Series Ring. Kip Wells Did Not.

This next week is going to be a nerve wracking one for Cardinal fans. On top of ace Chris Carpenter having to miss at least one start, they're going to get their first look at Braden Looper and Adam Wainwright in the rotation, and tonight they got to see Kip Wells pitching in Cardinal red for the first time.

Wells' first outing tonight for the Cardinals was pretty familiar to anyone that's seen Wells pitch in the past two years. Tons of promise, tons of frustration, tons of pitches. Wells labored through six innings on 109 pitches (65 for strikes) and walked four to go with his seven strikeouts. Pretty much par for the course for Kip. Only two of the four runs he gave up were earned, but one of the unearned runs came courtesy of his own throwing error.

In the grand scheme of things, the four runs Wells gave up were more than enough for the Mets to ruin another party in St. Louis as the Cards only run on Ring Night tonight came from a Scott Rolen homer. The Cards gave rings out to just about everyone in attendance except for the Mets and probably Kip Wells. Even Cal Eldred and Larry Walker, who both retired after the 2005 season, got rings for their work as "Spring Training Instructors" and Lou Brock and Bob Gibson got rings as well even though neither has played a game for the Cards in over 25 years. I guess winning World Championships makes people very rather generous.

Previously at the Fanhouse
Chris Carpenter's Elbow Is Inflamed