Best Podcast in Baseball · St. Louis Post-Dispatch

The sea shanty of perpetual rebuild: How Cardinals can avoid echoing Pirates

·59 min·5 clips

Jeff Gordon rants about empty ballparks and the sadness of seeing a once-special franchise in decline.

This episode of Best Podcast in Baseball features St. Louis Post-Dispatch writers Derek Gould and Jeff Gordon analyzing the St. Louis Cardinals' current struggles. The hosts, both seasoned local sports columnists, examine the team's direction and fan experience. They express concern over the franchise's declining atmosphere and competitive status. Jeff Gordon describes the palpable sadness of attending games at a sparsely filled ballpark, framing it as a loss of community fun. The conversation assesses how close the Cardinals are to becoming a perennial rebuilder like the Pittsburgh Pirates. They specifically compare the Cardinals' position on a spectrum between teams like the Rockies and Pirates versus the Cubs and Yankees. Gordon argues the path out of this situation is obvious, though the organization's willingness to follow it is uncertain. The hosts discuss what the Cardinals can learn from the Pirates' prolonged rebuilds and failures. They reflect on having endured darker times in the St. Louis sports community but emphasize the unique pain of a six-month baseball season lacking enjoyment. A surprising claim is made about where the Cardinals truly rank on the contender spectrum compared to other MLB teams. Gordon notes his cathartic feeling after ranting about the team's state, calling the entire situation exasperating. He clarifies his emotional investment stems from civic pride, not financial stake, stating they were lucky to have a special franchise. The tone is conversational and analytical, blending personal observation with team evaluation. The style is direct and rooted in local beat reporting expertise. This episode is ideal for St. Louis Cardinals fans seeking a frank assessment of the team's concerning trajectory. Listeners interested in national MLB narratives or non-Cardinals topics might find it too locally focused.

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify

Play clips from this episode More from Best Podcast in Baseball