The Edmonds Article from the STL Post Dispatch

by TheRiot Police on Jul 4, 2008 11:58 PM CDT Comment 36 comments

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/stories.nsf/cardinals/story/3C80A0DA342907268625747C000907E1?OpenDocument

Article takes about his feelings on returning to STL, his exit out of STL, etc...

Decent article nothing earth shattering....

Nice quote on his feelings for his new teammates

"Guys on this team are not what I expected," Edmonds said. "This is a respectful club. Everybody's been really good to me"

The one nugget that I did not know was prior to his trade to San Diego, the cardinals supposedly had worked a deal to trade him to the White Sox and he turned it down.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, editor-in-chief (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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Edmonds is a consummate professional

He was never the world class asshole or hotdogging jackass that Cub fans made him out to be. Rather he was one helluva good ballplayer during his St. Louis days who had a penchant for playing big against the Cubs.

What I also find revealing is how Edmonds continues to go out of his way to dis-associate himself from St. Louis. He has said time and time again that he is a Southern California guy that just so happened to be traded to St. Louis. He certainly doesn’t come across as somebody who viewed himself as a diehard Redbird during any stretch of his career.

All in all I have come to really like Jim Edmonds. I have a feeling the other 24 guys in the Cub dugout also like the guy a great deal too.

Pitching is KING. We don't add a frontline starting pitcher and a quality bullpen arm then this season will have yet another sad conclusion.

by MDBNIU on Jul 5, 2008 12:11 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I get your shtick, we all do

It’s all contrarian. Enjoy.

Edmonds wasn’t named Hollywood for nothing and he didn’t foster clubhouse isolation for nothing. He’s been producing.

You wanna play blind man, go walk with a Shepherd, as for me, I thank him for his contribution and hope it continues. I didn’t think he had it in him, but I don’t begrudge a man for actually living up to his paycheck. Especially when the Cubs aren’t paying the majority of it.

WOXY.com - The Future of Rock and Roll

by Gibbon Jockey on Jul 5, 2008 2:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Anyone who calls Tony LaRussa a pu$$y in public is alright in my book

That comment was a bit shocking, but Edmonds is right. LaRussa’s comments were assinine. He’s a Cub now, and in my opinion, a damn fine addition to the team.

by VolPowers on Jul 5, 2008 12:59 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Where was this comment reported?

''Listen, losing Soriano is no box of chocolates.'' ~Lou Piniella

by JohnM on Jul 5, 2008 6:00 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

La Russa hid from Edmonds Friday night.

“He ran inside”, Edmonds said.

What a wuss.

by Fraggin Judge on Jul 5, 2008 1:26 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

LaRussa

is a punk hypocrite drunk-driving scumbag. He has damaged baseball with his “six outs, six pitchers” garbage. He has nothing but contempt for those who do not DARE to retire a Cardinal.

He has been the manager most attached with steroids. He is a disgusting human being.

Think of how stupid the average person is, and remember, half of them are stupider than that!

by DaBard on Jul 5, 2008 8:30 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Where is this LaRussa hate coming from?

He used to play for the Cubs, ya know.

"Happiness? A good cigar, a good meal, a good cigar and a good woman - or a bad woman; it depends on how much happiness you can handle." ~ George Burns

by tville on Jul 5, 2008 8:35 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

So did Dave Kingman

And he’s a useless piece of flesh too. Not everyone who wears the uniform is class.

Think of how stupid the average person is, and remember, half of them are stupider than that!

by DaBard on Jul 5, 2008 8:41 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The best way to get LaRussa

is on the field of play. Dusty’s finest moment as our manager was in ‘03 when we took 4 of 5. Damn was that nice. Let him talk to the media. Just come to play Cubbies, come to play.

This is only the beginning....Lou Pinella end of '07 season and Chicago Transit Authority (the band when they were really good).

by mrcubsfan on Jul 5, 2008 9:09 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

to paraphrase The Joker... "Why so angry?"

man – I feel sorry for your keyboard, getting pounded like that all the time…

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Jul 5, 2008 7:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

One pinch-running appearance

in 1973. He pinch-ran for Santo and scored the game winning run on Opening Day.

Actually though, I gotta admit, that if I had played for the Cubs in the Whitey Lockman era (and only the Whitey Lockman era) I’d probably hate the Cubs too. We were a pathetic organization in those years.

It's a girl! Born 1-18-08. 2246 PST. 8 lbs. 1 oz.

by Josh77 on Jul 5, 2008 10:31 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Actually...

... the “Lockman Era” lasted two years… from the middle of 1972, when he took over from Leo Durocher, to the middle of 1974, when he was fired and replaced by an even more feckless guy, Jim Marshall.

Lockman finished five games under .500 as Cubs manager. He had the ‘73 bunch in contention for half a season (leading the division by 8 games in June, incidentally), before they collapsed and finished under .500.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Jul 5, 2008 11:25 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm oversimplifying

for the purposes of snark, but I’d consider the whole Lockman/Marshall era as one period—from the firing of Durocher to the death of PK Wrigley. Maybe even until the Tribune takes over. Call it the Post-Durocher era.

But having read player recollections of Lockman as a manager and the organization as a whole, I wouldn’t have wanted to be a part of it. The remains of the Durocher Cubs were shipped off. For good players certainly, (Madlock, Monday, Trillo) but with no rhyme nor reason. Then those guys were traded off with no plan. The guy in charge of selling hot dogs at Wrigley got named General Manager. The post-Durocher Cubs were a mess—and really would be, my beloved 1977 Cubs notwithstandng, until Dallas Green took over.

And to think—that’s when I became a Cub fan.

It's a girl! Born 1-18-08. 2246 PST. 8 lbs. 1 oz.

by Josh77 on Jul 5, 2008 11:42 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Most of what you mention...

.... except the “backing up the truck”... was done AFTER the Marshall/Lockman “era”. Bob Kennedy, GM from 1977-81, actually did a decent job with virtually no resources.

Having lived through it, I think John Holland, who was still GM after the 1973 season, decided that the Durocher era Cubs, having never won it all (or even made the playoffs), had to be broken up. You’re right, there was little rhyme nor reason to it, but had the Cubs KEPT Bill Madlock, maybe that ‘77 team would have made the playoffs, or maybe in ‘78 when the division was weaker.

The Monday deal actually worked out quite well for the Cubs. For Monday they got a few decent years out of Bill Buckner and then traded him for Dennis Eckersley, who helped them win the ‘84 NL East title—and also got some decent play out of Ivan DeJesus, who was later traded for Larry Bowa and some guy named Sandberg. Maybe you’ve heard of him.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Jul 5, 2008 11:55 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

But I left out some bad trades

like Andre Thornton for Larry Biitner and Steve Renko. Or Burt Hooton for Geoff Zahn and Buddy Solomon.

Buckner really wasn’t very good—a constantly injured first baseman with little power and no walks. He ran like Bengie Molina, too. DeJesus was a competent starting shortstop and he got us Sandberg eventually, but Dallas Green gets credit for that one. I’d still rather have Rick Monday.

The Madlock trade was indefensible. They traded him to SF for Bobby Murcer because he wanted too much money, without realizing that Murcer hadn’t signed a contract either and they ended up paying Murcer more than Madlock had even asked for.

The Cubs, overall, didn’t have a terrible trading record in this period, unlike the early 1950s. But the farm system was a wreck and they were really just running in circles with the trades.

But Al: This would make a great topic of conversation for the slow months this winter. The various eras of the Cubs.

It's a girl! Born 1-18-08. 2246 PST. 8 lbs. 1 oz.

by Josh77 on Jul 5, 2008 12:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Excellent idea.

Email me and let’s discuss further.

You’re right about the Madlock/Murcer deal. There were hints of racism, too, in that P. K. Wrigley didn’t like Madlock as he wasn’t “his” type of black player. I know that sounds odd in 2008, but PK was a creature of the 1930’s, not the 1970’s, and had trouble dealing with social changes.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Jul 5, 2008 1:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

When I get back to California

I’ll send you a note.

The Cubs (And Wrigley) didn’t seem to like black players who were outspoken. If you were always smiling like Ernie Banks or very quiet like Billy Williams, Wrigley (or Holland, it’s unclear who was doing this) loved you. But players who complained or got injured were treated differently if they were black or were white,

It's a girl! Born 1-18-08. 2246 PST. 8 lbs. 1 oz.

by Josh77 on Jul 5, 2008 2:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Absolutely correct...

... and that’s why guys like Oscar Gamble and Bill North and Madlock, all of whom could have helped the team, were dumped quickly.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Jul 5, 2008 6:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Glad to have Jim

I for one am glad that the cubs went for him. Its a good addition for the team and not having to face him is a bonus. He definately was a cub killer.

by UTCUBS on Jul 5, 2008 2:52 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Man Up, Already.

Edmonds whined about the fans in Chicago giving him grief upon his arrival, and now he’s all concerned about how he’ll be treated in StLu upon his return.

Let’s call him “Mr. Soap Opera”, a fitting extension of his Mr. Hollywood style.

I thought his tip of the cap last night was overdone. Get announced, dig in and take your AB, Hollywood. This isn’t a retirement event, but instead a pivotal game between two teams vying for a division title.

"Happiness? A good cigar, a good meal, a good cigar and a good woman - or a bad woman; it depends on how much happiness you can handle." ~ George Burns

by tville on Jul 5, 2008 7:34 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Bullcrap

Jim Edmonds has the Hollywood label because of the way he played centerfield for years. Unlike the majority of athletically gifted centerfielders with speed (e.g., Corey Patterson), Jim Edmonds actually had the confidence in his ability and the balls to play shallow. That meant he got to lot of balls that otherwise dropped in front of most centerfielders. That also meant that he had to get on his horse and get after balls hit deep or in the gaps, which on occasion resulted in his famous diving attempts. I’ll take the way Jim Edmonds played centerfield in his prime over any number of these gifted athlete types who play three steps in front of the warning track any day.

Pitching is KING. We don't add a frontline starting pitcher and a quality bullpen arm then this season will have yet another sad conclusion.

by MDBNIU on Jul 5, 2008 7:59 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I see.

His gratuitous flops, unnecessary bounces into padded fences, and skipping out of the way of inside curve balls has done nothing to perpetuate his Hollywood image.

All of this is actually outside of my primary point, which was to highlight his off-field cry baby crap about how he’s being treated by the fans.

"Happiness? A good cigar, a good meal, a good cigar and a good woman - or a bad woman; it depends on how much happiness you can handle." ~ George Burns

by tville on Jul 5, 2008 8:07 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's not

what they said about him when he left Anaheim.

It's a girl! Born 1-18-08. 2246 PST. 8 lbs. 1 oz.

by Josh77 on Jul 5, 2008 10:33 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Where is this Edmonds hate coming from?

Good lord. Are you people insane?

Think of how stupid the average person is, and remember, half of them are stupider than that!

by DaBard on Jul 5, 2008 8:28 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

+1

Edmonds led the Cubs in June with a .319 BA. What a showoff!

"Whoo, boy! Next time around, bring me back my stomach!" -Jack Brickhouse

by Goodie1969 on Jul 5, 2008 8:49 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, I don't understand it either.

If Edmonds produces and helps the Cubs win a World Series, he can run around the outfield naked for all I care.

On second thought, maybe not naked. That’d be frightening. But you get my point.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Jul 5, 2008 11:26 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Amen brother

Pitching is KING. We don't add a frontline starting pitcher and a quality bullpen arm then this season will have yet another sad conclusion.

by MDBNIU on Jul 5, 2008 12:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was one who shat large green bricks when Edmonds was signed....

and ranted on and on about just how done he was as a ballplayer. I have never been so wrong in my life. He is an integral part of this team and its winning record. Everytime we eat dinner in our house, I look down and see that I am STILL eating crow, no matter what is served. I was SO wrong.

Hot-dog, Hollywood…..who cares? I like folks that play with an exclamation point in their pocket. If his dives etc. are scripted, who cares? He makes his plays and has become an offensive force in our lineup. Soap Opera? Give me a break…...

Funny, how DeRo says just the opposite of Edmonds, that he is good in the clubhouse and the guys like him…..

by crazymountain on Jul 5, 2008 10:24 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I thought he was done too

I had absolutely no problem that he was a Cardinal. I really don’t get that—and I don’t think most people around here do either. I’d welcome Albert Pujols, Rick Ankiel or even Ozzie Smith and Willie McGee onto the Cubs if I they helped us win the World Series. Players play for the team that wants them.

It’s that I’d seen him play in SD and he was finished. But maybe the whole “he didn’t have spring training” thing was true. He’s not great out there, but he might be our best option right now.

It's a girl! Born 1-18-08. 2246 PST. 8 lbs. 1 oz.

by Josh77 on Jul 5, 2008 10:37 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree with the sentiment

But we have a 1st baseman and a left fielder.

Unless he moved his ever-expanding and injury-prone butt to another position, Pujols has no place.

Ankiel: HGH freak. No thanks.
Molina: No thanks, we have a catcher.

I’d take Wainwright though. Other than that, no thanks.

Think of how stupid the average person is, and remember, half of them are stupider than that!

by DaBard on Jul 5, 2008 10:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The only player I can think of that I'd have a hard time accepting is AJ.

Just something about that him always rubs me the wrong way.

"Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball." - Jacque Barzun

by Bump Bailey on Jul 5, 2008 11:40 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah. He's a jerk, but he'd be OUR jerk.

Alan Trammell: Assistant (to the) Manager

by northsider on Jul 5, 2008 1:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yep

And ya’ ever notice that must championship teams tend to have a jerk or three on the roster? Red Sox, White Sox, Cardinals, Yankees…

Diehard: All right, Hendry, let's see how you improve the ballclub mid-season.
Hendry: What coordinates, sir?
Diehard: [annoyed] Coordinates?
Hendry: Yes, sir, they determine where the the ballclub is...
Diehard: Soldier, the Cubs have spent a lot of money teaching you to fire off a trade. Now set and fire.

by MDBNIU on Jul 5, 2008 2:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs