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  Former Cardinal left-hander Rick Horton knows just how important a great shortstop means to a pitcher.  My post-game partner on "Cardinals Live" often says "defense matters." Of course, Ricky had the greatest shortstop of all-time back him up....Ozzie Smith.

  Brendan Ryan is NOT Ozzie Smith. That discussion is still years away, if we ever really have it. But the current Cardinal shortstop is just as valuable to his team's success as Ozzie. STATS LLC has the numbers to help show Ryan's value to the 2009 ball club:

* The Cardinals have allowed roughly one and a half fewer runs per game when Brendan Ryan has started at shortstop.

Cardinals by Starting Shortstop, 2009

             Record     Opponent Runs/Game

Brendan Ryan 51-27 (.654)    3.23 (252/78)

All Others   31-30 (.508)    4.74 (289/61)