This undoubtedly was the first time Cardinals general manager Walt Jocketty ever signed a free-agent pitcher out of the Central Booking and Intake Center in Baltimore.
That said, the Sidney Ponson signing reeks of desperation for the Cardinals, who have sufficient financial resources to pursue more proven and personally reliable pitchers. Jocketty shouldn’t have to resort to sorting through the discard pile, hoping to find a keeper. The Cardinals should be aiming higher instead of taking a risk on a problem pitcher who got dumped by a terrible organization.
I suppose we shouldn’t be surprised, considering the franchise’s recent actions. The Cardinals milked all possible revenue out of the old Busch Stadium, selling everything from used seats to a clubhouse urinal to infield dirt. They upset fans here and around the nation by ending their longtime relationship with KMOX to grab 50 percent of KTRS, and more money from radio. They fired broadcaster Wayne Hagin after first telling him his job was safe for another season. And in a Grinch move, the Cardinals’ radio station fired most of the on-air staff a week before Christmas. Management is holding firm on the baseball payroll, even as the revenue streams rise.
In that context, I can’t say I’m shocked that the Cardinals would search for a bargain in the Central Booking and Intake Center in Baltimore, and take a flyer on Sidney Ponson.
They upset fans here and around the nation by ending their longtime relationship with KMOX to grab 50 percent of KTRS, and more money from radio.
upset, yes. the only reason i wasn’t outraged was because i was completely unaware and couldn’t give a shit about some other teams local radio package.
Kev,
though I’m hardly gonna give you the Leitchian “St. Louis is baseball valhalla” speech, you don’t have to live near St. Louis to be familiar with the club’s broadcasters or flagship station — not anymore, that is. There have been countless notices in CSTB concerning local radio stuff taking place in small towns like Boston and New York, and readers who who refuse to acknowledge that the universe revolves around either burg are thanked for their patience.
yes, there have been “countless notices in cstb concerning local radio stuff” in boston and nyc but i don’t recall anyone presuming that anyone else around the nation would be emotionally affected by any of them.
now if you’ll excuse me i’ve got to get back to doing shots of nyquil before my shivering comes back.
well, excuse me. I always presume that every CSTB reader is emotionally affected by the most minor factoid — particularly if it involves local radio stations they’ve never heard.
The loss of KMOX is major. I’ve met cardinal fans from as far away as Indiana ,Tennesee, and Arkansaw who grew up listening to the Cards games on this very powerful signal, with first rate broadcasters Jack Buck, Jay Randolph, Harry Caray, and the always entertaining Mike Shannon. As for the the state of the pitching staff… doesn’t look good.
Ponson and Looper are not Morrris and Tavarez and King. What the fuck?
i’m more emotionally affected by lisa loeb factoids. snoozy little minx.