How bad is it for ºüÀêÊÓƵ Cardinals fans?
The last time they experienced this particular misery was 1994 and 1995.
Yep, it’s been almost 30 years since the Cardinals finished under .500 in back-to-back years, which the current Cards very well could do (though it’s fair to point out, because of the strike, the ’94 season had just 115 games and ’95 had 143).
And so there are fans as old as their late 20s who have never lived through this.
That’s how bad it is.
Sure enough, in the offseason after ’95, Bill DeWitt Jr. and the new ownership group took over. The franchise was resuscitated. Rejuvenated. New free agents. New manager and coaches. New messaging. New beloved ad campaign. New hope for fans.
As the chairman DeWitt approaches this pivotal offseason — along with son and team President Bill DeWitt III — the DeWitts can learn from their past selves.
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The current Cardinals are at a crossroads. And not just with the performance on the field. The fan base ranges from apathetic to agitated to angry. As seen in loud and proud posts on social media, some fans don’t trust team leadership. And at first pitch on Wednesday, the Busch Stadium crowd could be best described as “a smattering.â€
It’s bad, boys.
So the DeWitts must be proactive and aggressive this offseason — they should attack this like they’re trying to make their mark all over again. What was said last winter won’t work this winter. Missing the playoffs is a trend now — barring a September miracle, this will make five times in nine years. And just four playoff wins in those other four years.
Now, back in 1995, DeWitt Jr. and the gang inherited and retained second-year general manager Walt Jocketty. But they brought in a new manager. Tony something. And they signed one of the best hitters on the market (Ron Gant), one of the best pitchers on the market (Andy Benes), a third baseman who finished 10th in the 1995 MVP voting (Gary Gaetti) and, for good measure, an aging fan favorite to come off the bench (Willie McGee). Sure enough, in 1996, the Cards won the division and made the playoffs for the first time since 1987 (and won the National League Division Series).
The current Cardinals club could use some changes and additions (and, of course, some subtractions). But who will make those decisions?
As we know, John Mozeliak, the president of baseball operations, is under contract through the 2025 season. His success over the years will, one would think, someday earn him a plaque in the Cardinals Hall of Fame. But if the DeWitts bring back Mozeliak in the exact same capacity — as baseball boss — the fan reaction will likely be brutal ... and the statement by the team would essentially be that status quo is acceptable. No, you don’t fire Mo. But the bold move would be to figure out a way to keep him on board for 2025, while hiring a new baseball boss.
Naturally, Chaim Bloom checks a bunch of boxes (including, if you will, a last name befitting of the goal for this wilting franchise). The former Red Sox boss and longtime Rays executive has worked with the Cards as a front office adviser since this past offseason. He’s made numerous trips to ºüÀêÊÓƵ and around the organization. Oh, and another feather in his cap: Roman Anthony, the brand new No. 1 prospect per Baseball America, was drafted by Bloom and his Red Sox staff in 2022.
During his annual Winter Warm-up media session, DeWitt Jr. said in January that when Boston fired Bloom, “I immediately thought: We could probably use someone like that (to be part of the front office). Someone who’s been with a small market, big market, very smart guy to kind of help see what’s going on with our organization. And interestingly, Mo thought the same thing. He called me two days later, and I said, ‘John, it’s interesting because I had the same thought.’ We were on the same page there, which is great.
“I think he can be very helpful. I mean, our team has been together a long time, and you never know what else is out there that maybe our guys have not been in touch with. The world changes — it’s helpful to get the perspective or somebody who’s done it with different organizations.â€
So, yeah, Bloom could be the DeWitts’ statement move, a la La Russa before 1996. But just like we saw heading into 1996, there were so many other changes and alterations made, from the team they fielded to the field itself (finally, an end to Astroturf). The victorious 1996 Cardinals restored the franchise. They gave a new generation of fans a taste of playoff baseball. They became a draw. And if you recall, they were promoted by an influential ad campaign titled “Baseball like it oughta be.â€
On March 10, 1996, in this very newspaper, a full-page ad appeared:
It oughta make you forget about work.
It oughta be real grass.
It oughta be steppin’ on peanut shells.
It oughta be diggin’ for second.
It oughta be cold beer.
It oughta be autographing a kid’s glove.
It oughta be fun.
ºüÀêÊÓƵ Cardinals.
Baseball like it oughta be.
Coming April 8.
Well, heading into 2025, it oughta feel like 1996.