Bernie Show: Are Cardinals Fans Spoiled?

12/29/24 • 28 min

I'll answer the question: No, Cardinals fans are NOT spoiled. They have many reasons to be frustrated, angry, and demanding more from ownership and baseball management. That's why ESPN.com put Cardinals fans on The Top 10 list of the most aggrieved fan bases in the majors.

But in this video, I wanted to make a few points:

1) The overwhelming percentage of complaints about the Cardinals' decline are valid, justified and warranted.

2) The current downturn -- out of the postseason for two straight years and minimal postseason success since 2019 -- could have been prevented, but even some of the finest baseball organizations have gone through a stretch of difficult,, unsatisfying and unsuccessful seasons. And now it's the Cardinals' turn.

3) Fans who compare the Cardinals to the Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago White Sox -- two futile franchises -- demonstrate a complete lack of perspective and lose all credibility.

I've been outspoken in my many criticisms of the way the Cardinals have been driven off the road and into the ditch ... but I do believe at times like this, it's important to keep this in perspective. No team wins forever. Not even the Yankees, who haven't won a World Series since 2009.

It's up to Bill DeWitt Jr. to get this team back on track, and I think we can all agree with that. Thanks for watching.

But in this video, I wanted to make a few points:

1) The overwhelming percentage of complaints about the Cardinals' decline are valid, justified and warranted.

3) Fans who compare the Cardinals to the Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago White Sox -- two futile franchises -- demonstrate a complete lack of perspective and lose all credibility.

It's up to Bill DeWitt Jr. to get this team back on track, and I think we can all agree with that. Thanks for watching.

Previous Episode

Bernie Show: Blues' home security

Since Jim Montgomery became Blues 14 games ago on Nov. 25, the team has evolved into a top-three NHL team in goal prevention. This is a huge change from the first 22 games, before the coaching change. Under Drew Bannister were one of the worst teams in the NHL at preventing goals, and that made it difficult to win on a consistent basis.

The Blues still struggle to score goals -- a problem that must be addressed by GM Doug Armstrong in a trade -- but by dominating the high-danger areas and keeping invaders out of the slot and crease, the strict goal-prevention improvement gives STL a strong foundation that was missing before the coaching switch. With Montgomery behind the bench, goaltenders Jordan Binnington and Joel Hofer have had a better chance to shine, and they're provided the best save percentage in the league (.940) at 5-on-5 since Armstrong brought in Monty.

Merry Christmas and happy holidays!

Next Episode

Bernie Show: Arenado vs. Gorman

As the days and weeks go by, the odds of Nolan Arenado staying with the Cardinals will increase. In early December, I would have said there was a 90 percent chance of Arenado getting traded. But the third baseman -- as his right -- vetoed a trade to Houston, and the trade market for him is limited. I'd give it a 50-50 shot that he'll be moved by the Cardinals ... and that would decrease as we count down the number of days until the opening of spring training.

So what if Arenado stays? In this video, I explain the ramifications of Arenado remaining with the Cardinals for 2025. Most notably, Arenado at third base (mostly) excludes Nolan Gorman from playing there, and the Cardinals would like Gorman to establish himself as their third baseman of the future.

I also take a comparative look at Gorman vs. Arenado offensively since the start of the 2023 season. You may be surprised by a few of my findings. Thanks for watching and Happy New Year!