Cardinals on My Time

Imagine a world where Ryne Sandberg—the legendary Cubs icon and "Cardinal killer"—was manning second base at Busch Stadium. In the winter of 1996, that "what if" was remarkably close to becoming a reality. But when the Cardinals balked at a two-year deal for the aging Hall of Famer, they pivoted to a gamble: a speedster coming off a career-worst season and a negative WAR. That gamble was Delino DeShields.

In this episode, Jim Plaza explores the career of the Seaford, Delaware standout who chose the diamond over a basketball scholarship at Villanova. We trace his journey from a top-prospect in Montreal to being the "other guy" in the infamous Pedro Martinez trade, and finally, his unexpected arrival in St. Louis following a bizarre, non-existent contract rumor with the Reds.

We look back at DeShields’ dominant 1997 campaign—a season where he donned the high socks, led the National League in triples, and swiped 55 bases. We also discuss his role as the primary table-setter for Mark McGwire during the historic summer of '98 and why his single-season stolen base and triple totals haven't been touched by a Cardinal since. Finally, we catch up on his post-playing days as a manager in the minor leagues and the incredible professional success of his children, Delino Jr. and Diamond.

Opening Weekend is in the books—and the overreactions are already in midseason form. We break down what actually matters after the first few games and what’s just noise. From hot starts to slow bats, we talk through the early trends, standout moments, and a lot of JJ Wetherholt! 

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The 2026 St. Louis Cardinals season is officially underway, and if Game 1 is any indication, fans are in for a wild ride. Host Scott Plaza is joined by Jake Wood (Viva el Birdos) and Roman Rodriguez (Baseball Banter) to break down a thrilling, "nail-biter" Opening Day victory against the Tampa Bay Rays.

From a 425-foot bomb by rookie sensation JJ Wetherholt to an explosive eight-run 6th inning, the crew discusses whether "Devil Magic" has returned to Busch Stadium. They debate the fallout of the Matthew Liberatore/Randy Arozarena trade, analyze Oliver Marmol’s unconventional lineup choices (including Masyn Winn in the cleanup spot), and give their early-season overreactions.

Daniel Shoptaw (the "Podfather" @C70) also stops by to weigh in on the resiliency of this young roster and what to expect from the upcoming pitching matchups against Joe Boyle and old friend Steven Matz. Is JJ Wetherholt already the Rookie of the Year frontrunner? Are these "Gritty Cardinals" for real? Tune in for all the highlights, stats, and heated debates from the first livestream of the season.

• The Wetherholt Impact: Analyzing JJ’s massive home run and his defensive poise.

• The 6th Inning Chaos: How the Cardinals responded to a 6-run deficit with an 8-run explosion.

• Bullpen Blueprint: The roles of Matt Svanson, Ryne Stanek, and the "firefighter" mentality.

• Defensive Gems: Nathan Church’s home run robbery and the overall defensive outlook post-Goldschmidt/Arenado.

• Series Preview: Scouting reports for Michael McGreevy and the St. Louis debut of Dustin May.

Who actually decides how the 2026 St. Louis Cardinals season goes?

In this episode, we’re joined by Aidan Gray from Redbirds on the Arch as each of us drafts five Cardinals players who will ultimately determine the success or failure of the season. These aren’t just the best players — these are the nexus points of the roster. If they hit, the Cardinals contend. If they don’t… things could go sideways fast.

We also define what a successful season even looks like for this team in 2026 — and how much hinges on a handful of key names.

Expect strong takes, some debate, and a few picks that might surprise you.

• The 5 most important Cardinals players for 2026
• What “success” actually looks like for this roster
• Which players carry the highest pressure
• Aidan Gray joins the show for a full breakdown

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When Jason Motte went down with Tommy John surgery in 2013, the Cardinals' championship aspirations were in jeopardy. Enter Edward "The Chief" Mujica—a journeyman reliever who went from a mid-season acquisition to an All-Star closer almost overnight.

This week on Random Cardinal of the Week, Jim Plaza breaks down the dominant, high-stakes, and occasionally sleepy tenure of one of the most efficient closers in St. Louis history.

Inside this episode:

The 2013 SOS: How Mujica stabilized a bullpen reeling from injuries and early-season struggles.

The Yadi Factor: The mechanical tweak suggested by Yadier Molina that turned Mujica into a strike-throwing machine.

Elite Company: Why Mujica’s 37-save campaign puts him alongside legends like Bruce Suter and Lee Smith.

"The Chief": The hilarious story of how manager Jack McKeon gave Mujica one of baseball’s most unique nicknames.

The Legacy: How Mujica bridged the gap to the Trevor Rosenthal era and helped secure the 2013 NL Pennant.

Join us as we revisit the "magical season" of a pitcher who proved that sometimes, the best solution is the one you never saw coming.

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The Plazas vs. The Smiths. It’s the inaugural 2026 Cardinals fWAR Draft!

Scott and Jim Plaza welcome the founders of Redbird Rundown, Matt and Jonathan Smith, for a 2026 season preview like no other. We’re drafting nine-man rosters based on FanGraphs' Wins Above Replacement (fWAR). From Masyn Winn’s superstar upside to the "sneaky" value of Ramon Urias, we break down every corner of the Cardinals' roster.

Plus, we dive into our "NASCAR" bench rules, side bets on home runs and strikeouts, and why Nelson Velazquez might be the draft’s biggest boom-or-bust pick

The computer models are out, and Cardinals fans have thoughts. We’re joined by Jake Wood (Viva El Birdos) to break down the most controversial 2026 ZiPS Projections for the St. Louis Cardinals.

We put our reputations on the line with our "Locks" of the year and debate the over/under for:

• Victor Scott II (36 Steals)

• JJ Wetherholt (.338 OBP)

• Nolan Gorman (21 HR)

  
  

• Dustin May (8.06 K/9)

• And more!

Is Jordan Walker being unfairly projected? Is Michael McGreevy the secret ace of the rotation? We dive deep into the numbers so you know what to expect on Opening Day.

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"Baseball is a global sport, but for Jason Simontacchi, it was a literal passport."This week on Random Cardinal of the Week, Jim Plaza dives into the incredible, globe-trotting career of right-hander Jason Simontacchi. Long before he was a fixture in the St. Louis rotation, Simontacchi was a 21st-round pick who nearly walked away from the game entirely.After being released by multiple organizations and spending his winters driving a tow truck in California, a chance phone call from a scout in Italy changed everything. From the professional leagues of Rimini to the 2000 Sydney Olympics, "Simo" reinvented himself on the international stage before finally getting his shot in St. Louis at age 28.In this episode, we discuss:The 2002 Cardinals: A roster of legends like Pujols, Edmonds, and Kile, and how an unheralded rookie became a vital piece of the puzzle.The Italian Odyssey: How Simontacchi’s heritage led him to Europe and helped him develop the change-up that saved his career.Stepping Up in Tragedy: The emotional weight of the 2002 season and Simontacchi’s role in the rotation following the passing of Darryl Kile.Life After the Mound: His transition from a "tow truck pitcher" to a respected coach and coordinator for the Cardinals and Royals.Whether you remember his dominant June 2002 run or his "fastest game in Olympic history," Simontacchi’s story is a testament to perseverance and the strange places a baseball can take you.Support the Show:Patreon: Join for just $1 this month for bonus content! Patreon.com/RedbirdRundownFollow Us: @RedbirdRundown on Twitter/X, Instagram, and Facebook.Subscribe: Rate and review us on Spotify and YouTube.

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The St. Louis Cardinals pitching rotation is taking shape, but it doesn't look like anyone expected. Scott Plaza is joined by Nate Schwartz (Pitcher List) and Thomas Gauvain (Redbird Rants) to break down a dominant spring performance from Matthew Liberatore. Is he ready to be the "face" of the rotation?In this episode:The "Libby" Leap: Analyzing Matthew Liberatore’s improved changeup and slider usage.Velocity Checks: Why Dustin May hitting 99 MPH matters (and why Michael McGreevy’s 91 MPH might not).The Final Spots: Who wins the battle between Kyle Leahy and Andre Pallante? What about Richard Fitts?Trade Bait or Long-term Core? The guys debate the future of Dustin May and potential extensions for 2027.TICKET GIVEAWAY: Join our Patreon for just $1 before Opening Day to be entered to win Coca-Cola Unlimited seats for the Cardinals vs. Brewers on May 4th! Join now at Patreon.com/RedbirdRundownFollow the Guests:Nate Schwartz: @_nateschwartz (Pitcher List / The Approach Angle)Thomas Gauvain: @ThomasGauvain (Redbird Rants)