Joe Strauss in today's "chat" at stltoday.com:

"It is interesting that the club invested much hype on Jackson as a major league-ready defender last spring then basically buried him when a need arose last Aug. 30. I heard that some secondary issues may have played into the club's evaluation. I'll leave it there."

First, I will say that the existance of some kind of factor we don't know about  explaining Jackson's total non-use is obvious given that he wasn't even used in blowout situations to see how he looked against MLB competition. 

And second, letting us know that he knows what it is but won't tell is typical Strauss douchebaggery. 

So, does anybody know what these secondary issues are?

Where'd he hear it from?  Oscar the effing grouch?? 

OF COURSE, he'll leave it "there".

I will tell you that I respect that Brian always quoted directly from Tony Rasmus when he was stirring the pot.

blingboy wrote:

First, I will say that the existance of some kind of factor we don't know about explaining Jackson's total non-use is obvious given that he wasn't even used in blowout situations to see how he looked against MLB competition. 

I assumed it was completely to give Kozma and Descalso as much time as possible as Schumaker sat a lot too (within the 2B options)

If you are pretty assured of a playoff spot and you have two CLEAR weak links, getting them time is a must, not a guy like Jackson or a vet like Schumaker

I imagine whatever "secondary issues" might have been involved, that information will come out eventually.

Also, last September Kozma played well almost from the time he was put out there. It became a deal where he was going well and the club was playing well, so lets not change things.

I liked what I saw of Kozma, and hope he gets a chance to play a lot this Spring. His minor league career leads you to believe that he'll never be an every day big leaguer, but still I hope he gets a good look this Spring.

I notice that the Post Dispatch has pretty well written off Greg Garcia as a shortstop. Maybe he will be in the mix for second base. The guy is a tough out at the plate.

Remember Matheny is not TLR. So his secondary issues may not have been looked at as major issues to him.

You know some things are best left unsaid. If he can't give details then he should have just kept it to himself. I realize Strauss is trying to sell copy but come on. You can't tell half a story. We all know this is code for one of three things but i don't want to speculate. Strange that they would keep him on the roster that whole time and not play him at all. I still don't get that. At any rate i hope this young man will be all right. He still has a long way to go.

cardinalnationhouston wrote: You know some things are best left unsaid. If he can't give details then he should have just kept it to himself. I realize Strauss is trying to sell copy but come on. You can't tell half a story. We all know this is code for one of three things but i don't want to speculate. Strange that they would keep him on the roster that whole time and not play him at all. I still don't get that. At any rate i hope this young man will be all right. He still has a long way to go.

Completely agree with this.

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--- cardinalnationhouston wrote:

You can't tell half a story. We all know this is code for one of three things but i don't want to speculate.

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Now you're doing the same thing Strauss was doing, CardinalNationHouston!! What are these 3 possibilities???

I think Strauss is being coy because if he leaked it he could be cast off like a leper by the club.

Its the only reason not to spill the beans.

I Know it's absolutely none of my business, but I'm just dying to know. If anyone knows or has a good guess, please start the rumor here.

Let's not.

pugsleyaddams wrote:

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--- cardinalnationhouston wrote:

You can't tell half a story. We all know this is code for one of three things but i don't want to speculate.

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Now you're doing the same thing Strauss was doing, CardinalNationHouston!! What are these 3 possibilities???

Then why bring it up at all? I would guess that Cards brass  feels that this is a workable situation otherwise why keep him on the roster? They could have demoted him or traded him even. We all know about the dearth of competent shortstops at this time.

Like I said it's none of my business, but I bet the infraction is not mind boggling or he wouldn't still be on the squad. It's probably something along the lines of what I did one intoxicated evening in San Diego when I was about his age. I climbed atop the roof of a Taco Bell and made off with this big bell which actually was real light. That was quite a while ago and do not recall what I did with it.....matter of fact I probably couldn't have told you what became of it the very next morning after. Whatever Jackson did I bet it was something along along those lines.....whoppie-do!

Hey, CNH. I was just having fun and not serious in that post directed towards you. Maybe I need to start using those smiley face things?

pugsleyaddams wrote: Hey, CNH. I was just having fun and not serious in that post directed towards you. Maybe I need to start using those smiley face things?

Didn't think it was Pugs. I notice you don't post as often lately. Nice to see ya. I too need to use the Emoticons more often. In speech inflextion gives away our real meaning. The smileys bridge that gap in writing. Some people don't like them though. Some would say i still use them too often. I hope you had the sense to not eat any of their food all those years ago at Taco Bell.

pugsleyaddams wrote: Like I said it's none of my business, but I bet the infraction is not mind boggling or he wouldn't still be on the squad. It's probably something along the lines of what I did one intoxicated evening in San Diego when I was about his age. I climbed atop the roof of a Taco Bell and made off with this big bell which actually was real light. That was quite a while ago and do not recall what I did with it.....matter of fact I probably couldn't have told you what became of it the very next morning after. Whatever Jackson did I bet it was something along along those lines.....whoppie-do!

I'm guessing in the Point Loma area. 

I'm glad Strauss told us there were some 'secondary issues'. It never made sense that Jackson wasn't getting any playing time after we had been hearing all this time that his defense was very good (by some reports the best middle infield glove in his draft class), and then proving that he could hit some, too.

cardinalnationhouston wrote: You know some things are best left unsaid. If he can't give details then he should have just kept it to himself. I realize Strauss is trying to sell copy but come on. You can't tell half a story. We all know this is code for one of three things but i don't want to speculate. Strange that they would keep him on the roster that whole time and not play him at all. I still don't get that. At any rate i hope this young man will be all right. He still has a long way to go.

I agree, now I know why so many people dislike him.
Secondary issues don't always mean the player did something wrong.

While this article from Strauss does explain...er...infer the reason Jackson wasn't given a chance to show what he could do.  I also feel it opens Ryan up to all kinds of unfair speculation.  Either tell the story from both sides or don't do it at all.  That's responsible journalism.  Either way, let's hope the 'issues' have been resolved and he will be given a fair shake in spring training.