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FEATURED: St. Louis Cardinals Coverage (2023)
After dipping into the world of St. Louis Cardinals credentials last year, I have strived to elevate FOX 2's coverage with interviews, articles and original content difficult to find much elsewhere. I keep fulfilling a dream to tell the story of the St. Louis Cardinals, and I had the opportunity to lead the charge for Winter Warm-Up, Spring Training and Opening Day coverage, among many other Cardinals themed stories this year.
This season was a whirlwind to say the least. The Cardinals finished at 71-91, one of their worst records in decades and just their second losing record of the 21st century. Prolific pitcher Adam Wainwright joined two longtime legends, Albert Pujols and Yadier Molina, in retirement. Highly-touted rookies Jordan Walker and Masyn Winn debuted. But all told, this year's Cardinals struggled to build an identity and have many tough decisions to make for shaping the future come offseason.
Scroll down for a look at my latest stories content involving the St. Louis Cardinals in 2023.
FEATURED: State of the St. Louis Cardinals (July 12, 2023)
Mozeliak reflects on nightmare season, insists ‘changes have to happen’
The 2023 season has been far from the standard of St. Louis Cardinals baseball.
Heading out of the All-Star break, the St. Louis Cardinals carry a 38-52 record and stand 11 games back of their closest path to postseason. At their current pace, the Cardinals are on track for a 68-94 record, which would be the team’s worst finish in nearly a century.
The season has been filled with challenges and frustration for St. Louis Cardinals President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak. This is his 28th year in the St. Louis Cardinals organization and 16th year as the team’s lead executive.
The 2023 season: An enigma unlike anything he’s ever conquered. Blowout defeats. Comeback efforts just short. Late-game heartbreakers. All after one of the more memorable seasons in recent history that saw two franchise icons retire in Albert Pujols and Yadier Molina.
“When you look at how things have unfolded, I don’t want to go through every little excuse we see,” said Mozeliak. “We know it hasn’t worked. We know changes have to happen.”
NOTE: Joey Schneider worked with FOX 2 Sports Director Martin Kilcoyne to digitally produce a story based on an exclusive 12-minute one-on-one interview with Mozeliak around All-Star break. For the full interview, also webified, CLICK HERE.
Wainwright's Sendoff/Trade Deadline (2023)
200 WINS! Adam Wainwright caps career with long-awaited milestone
'Life Goes On, Man' : Cardinals look ahead to future after deadline deals
'Life Goes On, Man' : Cardinals look ahead to future after deadline deals
Sept. 18, 2023
Welcome to the 200-win club, Adam Wainwright! In one of the last scheduled starts of his decorated MLB career, Wainwright reaches a long-awaited milestone.
Wainwright and the Cardinals defeated the NL Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers 1-0 for his 200th career win. Wainwright allowed four hits and struck out three in seven innings.
With the victory, Wainwright becomes just the third pitcher in history to win at least 200 games with the St. Louis Cardinals and just the sixth active hurler to reach 200 victories.
“I love this city. I love being a St. Louis Cardinal, and I love that I got to play my whole career here,” said Wainwright in his postgame on-field interview with Mike Claiborne.
It wasn’t a guarantee Wainwright would reach 200 wins after some unprecedented midseason struggles. Beginning the year with 195, he went 12 starts between his 198th win in mid-June and his 199th win last week. He didn’t waste any time for 200, getting it in his first opportunity.
“One of the most fun games I’ve ever pitched in my life,” said Wainwright. “It certainly will go down as a Top-3 moment for me ever baseball wise.”
RELATED COVERAGE:
'I love this city' - Wainwright thanks family, friends after 200th win (Sept. 19, 2023)
Adam Wainwright treats Cardinals fans to postgame concert, debuts three new songs (Oct. 1, 2023)
Cardinals announce Wainwright farewell plans, including concert and final-day ceremony (Sept. 13, 2023)
'Life Goes On, Man' : Cardinals look ahead to future after deadline deals
'Life Goes On, Man' : Cardinals look ahead to future after deadline deals
'Life Goes On, Man' : Cardinals look ahead to future after deadline deals
Aug. 2, 2023
The trade deadline has come and gone. Key players have departed from a St. Louis Cardinals team in an unusual spot as sellers. But at the end of the day, there’s still baseball to be played.
Tuesday’s starter Miles Mikolas, now the longest-tenured pitcher on the Cardinals after Adam Wainwright, summed up the vibes in the Cardinals clubhouse pretty clearly. Not just through his postgame comments, but also a fashion statement.
“Life Goes On, Man.” It’s a quote from The Dude from “The Big Lebowski” printed on T-shirt Mikolas wore during his postgame interviews. It’s now a reality the Cardinals are embracing with many longtime friends gone and postseason hopes pretty much dashed.
“Whether it’s foolish or not, I think the mindset is to be super optimistic,” said Mikolas, who tossed seven innings in a 3-2 Cardinals’ loss just hours after the deadline. “We got an incredibly talented ball club here. We have guys coming up that have tons of talent. We start putting things together, things could change. Things could start working very well for us.”
The Cardinals completed five trades over the last two weeks, most notably dealing three pending free agent pitchers in Jack Flaherty, Jordan Montgomery and Jordan Hicks. All told, the trade netted 10 players, including seven pitchers, in a prospect-heavy haul.
RELATED COVERAGE:
End of an era: Cardinals trade Jack Flaherty to Baltimore in deadline buzzer beater (Aug. 1, 2023)
Cardinals trade frenzy begins: Montgomery to Rangers, Hicks to Blue Jays (July 30, 2023)
'A day we hoped would never happen' : Mozeliak reflects on Sunday's trade, hints more might come (July 31, 2023)
Winter Warm-Up/Spring Training/Opening Day (2023)
Adam Wainwright, The Musician! Cards ace preps for benefit show
Albert Pujols makes surprise visit, at peace with post-baseball life
Albert Pujols makes surprise visit, at peace with post-baseball life
Jan. 15, 2023
Adam Wainwright is an established veteran in one career, but completely new to another. The longtime St. Louis Cardinals ace will soon take his talents to a live music stage.
Wainwright headlines a benefit concert Monday in Springfield, Illinois, through his charity Big League Impact. Hundreds are expected to gather for the show at Boondocks Pub. Music stars Gary Baker and Greg Barnhill will join Wainwright on the floor.
To some extent, it’s business as usual for Wainwright.
“I’m going to go into it expecting to be locked in like I’m pitching,” said Wainwright. “That’s how I get ready for things.”
To another degree, it’s uncharted territory.
“I’m so much more worried about singing tomorrow than I have ever been for any baseball game in my life,” said Wainwright.
NOTE: Joey Schneider produced this story and eight others over three days of coverage with Winter Warm-Up interviews.
Albert Pujols makes surprise visit, at peace with post-baseball life
Albert Pujols makes surprise visit, at peace with post-baseball life
Albert Pujols makes surprise visit, at peace with post-baseball life
March 9, 2023
Many of the well-known St. Louis Cardinals players are away from the team for the World Baseball Classic, marking quite an opportunity for a surprise visit from a franchise legend.
Albert Pujols, nearly half a year removed from his historic retirement tour, paid a visit to the Cardinals’ spring training home Roger Dean Stadium on Thursday.
Only a small handful of people, Cardinals teammates, staff and beyond, knew he would stop by his longtime spring home. He texted manager Oli Marmol and a few others.
“I wanted to stop by and say hi to the guys,” said Pujols. “I was here visiting my grandma in Port St. Lucie for a couple of days. I’m on my way to Miami right now for some business.”
He often gets asked if he misses baseball. His answer, like his spring visit, might come as a surprise. “I don’t,” said Pujols. “I love the game I’ve played it so long in my life, you get to the point where I now enjoy where I’m at in my life."
NOTE: Joey Schneider produced this story and four others over two days of coverage with Spring Training interviews/videos.
Willson Contreras honors 'idol' Yadier Molina in home opener
Albert Pujols makes surprise visit, at peace with post-baseball life
Willson Contreras honors 'idol' Yadier Molina in home opener
March 31, 2023
For the first time in nearly two decades, the St. Louis Cardinals opened a season with a catcher not named Yadier Molina.
That torch was officially handed to longtime Chicago Cubs backstop Willson Contreras on Thursday.
“Nothing but respect for Yadi. My idol,” said Contreras on the eve of Opening Day.
Contreras made his Cardinals debut in the 2023 home opener, navigating five new teammates through a high-octane Toronto Blue Jays lineup before a sudden injury forced an early exit.
The unexpected exit overshadowed an otherwise productive and sentimental Cardinals debut for Contreras. The 30-year-old went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and did his best Yadier Molina impression by throwing out the only runner who tried to swipe a base on him, Toronto’s Matt Chapman in the seventh inning.
NOTE: Joey Schneider produced this story and eight others over two days of coverage around Opening Day.
FEATURED: St. Louis Cardinals - In-depth stories (2023)
Top prospects Walker, Winn earn extended spring looks
March 14, 2023
Two top prospects are taking care of business and then some in their highly-anticipated spring auditions with the St. Louis Cardinals.
Twenty-year-olds Jordan Walker and Masyn Winn have worked their way into lineups on a near-regular basis this spring as many Cardinals stars embark on the World Baseball Classic. Between both youngsters, the ultimate package of baseball goods has been unlocked this spring: contact, power, speed, defense and arm strength.
Walker leads all qualified spring hitters with a 1.212 on-base-plus-slugging percentage. Winn recently fired the fastest-tracked spring throw for infielders, a 99.9 mph dart to first base. Along with these spring-leading feats, the dynamic duo has combined for 5 HR, 12 RBI, 14 runs scored, four stolen bases and some occasional web gems here and there in just around two weeks of action.
“Being out here all these guys, all these big league guys and a lot of prospects with big-league potential, it’s been a lot of fun,” said Walker. “Not just playing with them, but also playing against some of the guys you see on TV. Learning a little bit from how they play their game up close and personal is really cool.”
ONE-ON-ONE: Joey Schneider's interview with Jordan Walker
Revisiting Mike Shildt's comments on his Cardinals departure
Revisiting Mike Shildt's comments on his Cardinals departure
Revisiting Mike Shildt's comments on his Cardinals departure
June 7, 2023
As the last-place St. Louis Cardinals fall further behind in the NL standings, one of the biggest mysteries not too far removed from this season is what happened to Mike Shildt?
Around lunchtime Tuesday, Cardinals Twitter brewed up some takes on the season and Shildt ended up trending. Shildt is currently serving as a coach for the San Diego Padres. He hopes to manage at the MLB level again soon, but his path is quite unusual.
A longtime scout, minor league manager and assistant coach in the Cardinals organization, Shildt took over as manager of the big-league squad in July 2018 when the team parted ways with Mike Matheny. He then managed St. Louis to the postseason three straight years.
Shildt earned NL Manager of the Year honors in 2019 and fared 252-199 (.559 winning percentage) over parts of four seasons. He managed his final game on Oct. 6, 2021, a walkoff loss in a winner-take-all NL Wild Card Game. Shildt was fired eight days later over what Cardinals POBO John Mozeliak called “philosophical differences.”
Days later, Shildt told FOX 2 and others the decision caught him off-guard. Withholding some tears in a discussion with media members, Shildt said he was “at peace” after the tough situation.
Ahead of the 2022 season, he provided some new insight to USA Today baseball reporter Bob Nightengale. That included several thought-provoking comments, such as “I have a broken heart" and "It still hurts."
Team USA’s Cardinals want to ‘win again’ on worldwide stage
Revisiting Mike Shildt's comments on his Cardinals departure
Revisiting Mike Shildt's comments on his Cardinals departure
Feb. 10, 2023
America’s journey to defend a prestigious baseball honor begins with Nolan Arenado.
Team USA secured the last World Baseball Classic title in 2017 when Arenado completed a routine ground-ball play for the tournament’s final out.
“There’s something special about representing your country,” said Arenado recalling his first WBC experience. “It just feels different than wearing a major-league uniform. It’s an unbelievable honor.”
Six years later, Arenado returns for another run with Team USA. He's one of few American starters returning to the WBC stage after a lengthy wait. Through one global pandemic and the switch to a new baseball home, he realized his upcoming chance wasn’t guaranteed.
“We’re all getting older, so who knows how longer we’ll be able to do it,” said Arenado. “My goal after 2017 was, ‘Hopefully, I’m still playing well enough to make this team again.’ Now the opportunity is here. I want to do it, try to win this thing again.”
Arenado, also preparing for his third season with the St. Louis Cardinals, will be joined on Team USA by MLB teammates Paul Goldschmidt, Adam Wainwright and Miles Mikolas. The upcoming WBC is also a second go-around for reigning NL MVP Goldschmidt.
“It’s one of the greatest baseball experiences of my life,” said Goldschmidt on his 2017 WBC run. “The two or three weeks we were together, I made a lot of lifelong friends. I was basically begging to get back this time.”
Scott Rolen enshrined in baseball’s Hall of Fame
Revisiting Mike Shildt's comments on his Cardinals departure
Scott Rolen enshrined in baseball’s Hall of Fame
July 23, 2023
Welcome to the Hall of Fame, Scott Rolen! The longtime St. Louis Cardinals third baseman was officially enshrined into Cooperstown on Sunday after years of top-notch production at the hot corner and in the batter’s box.
The National Baseball Hall of Fame has officially inducted Rolen and Fred McGriff among baseball’s all-time greats. Elected in January, Rolen now holds a special place as the only primary third baseman in the Hall of Fame to ever play for the Cardinals.
Rolen, born and raised near redbird territory in Evansville, Indiana, rocked a Cardinals cap in his Hall of Fame plaque. He largely credits his time in St. Louis for his Cooperstown call, decorating his case with four Gold Gloves, four All Star nods and a World Series title.
“I really believe that my time there, me being able to be inducted, is a reflection of my time in St. Louis, from a team success point of view,” said Rolen ahead of his Hall of Fame induction. “I don’t think there’s any doubt that that’s the part of my career that really speaks loudest.”
In his Hall of Fame speech Sunday afternoon, Rolen thanked his family for sustained support and said one of the best parts of his baseball experience was the memories he made with his mother and father in the stands.
“Seeing mom and dad walk to their seats from my position at third base was a feeling never topped again in my 17 years,” said Rolen.
DeWitts brace for uncertainty as RSNs, blackouts spell risks
Jan. 18, 2023
There’s a bit of uncertainty surrounding one of the largest sources of revenue for the St. Louis Cardinals, and perhaps the chain effect of events that could follow.
The Cardinals are nearly halfway through a TV-partner contract with Bally Sports Midwest that, currently standing, pays the team $1 billion through 2032. Bally Sports Midwest is a regional sports network (RSN) operated through Diamond Sports Group LLC, an entity that could be on the verge of declaring bankruptcy.
In short, a bankruptcy filing could put the Cardinals at risk of having their current television contract downgraded or restructured. A source told the New York Post in September that Diamond Sports could keep broadcasting games on its Bally networks if it goes bankrupt, but would have protection from creditors and not necessarily need to pay teams their rights fees, meaning a loss of revenue.
“We’re operating like it’s going to stay, but the reality is, there’s going to be change,” said Bill DeWitt Jr., managing partner and chairman of the St. Louis Cardinals, on Monday during a Winter Warm-Up media session.
FEATURED: St. Louis Cardinals - Historical Looks (2023)
25 Years Later: Remembering Big Mac's record-setting 62nd home run
Sept. 8, 2023
Friday marks 25 years since Mark McGwire slugged his way into the MLB record books. On Sept. 8, 1998, McGwire crushed his 62nd home run of the season, passing a long-standing MLB record of 61 home runs in a season held by Roger Maris.
The milestone night culminated a season-long battle between McGwire, Chicago Cubs outfielder Sammy Sosa and Seattle Mariners outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. in a stretch dubbed by baseball enthusiasts as the 1998 MLB home run record chase or the “Summer of Swat.”
In present day, there are many mixed feelings about McGwire’s record-breaking run. Optimists might say it was a key part of reviving Major League Baseball just a few years after the league went on strike, building hope and excitement from fans that might have felt tensions.
Some baseball purists, however, will never get over the steroid scandal linked to the record run and many hitters from McGwire’s era. In 2010, as McGwire first prepared to take on a coaching role with the Cardinals, he admitted to steroid use throughout his career, including the 1998 season.
READ MORE - PLUS: More historical looks & samples with the "More Cardinals Clips" button below.