Cardinals on My Time

The St. Louis Cardinals have extended manager Oli Marmol — but the real drama might be unfolding in Spring Training.

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In this episode of Redbird Rundown, Scott, Matt, and Jonathan discuss the Cardinals’ decision to give Marmol a two-year extension with a 2029 team option and what it says about the organization’s direction.

Then the conversation shifts to Spring Training roster battles across the roster:

• The crowded catching competition

• Key infield battles that could shape the lineup

• Remaining questions in the outfield depth chart

Who locks down a roster spot? Who might start the year in the minors? And which players could surprise before Opening Day?

We break down the biggest battles and give our early predictions.

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Before Julio Rodriguez was a household name, there was another J-Rod patrolling the outfield in St. Louis.

In this week’s edition of Random Cardinal of the Week, Jim Plaza dives into the career of John Rodriguez. A classic "late bloomer," Rodriguez spent eight grueling years in the minor leagues and logged over 2,500 at-bats before finally getting his shot at age 27.

Discover how a "player to be named later" trade turned into a fairy-tale 2005 debut where Rodriguez found himself hitting second in a lineup featuring Albert Pujols, Jim Edmonds, and Larry Walker. From a scorching .438 batting average in early 2006 to earning a World Series ring, John Rodriguez’s story is a masterclass in baseball perseverance.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The legendary "MV3" era of the mid-2000s.

• Rodriguez’s incredible Triple-A stats that forced the Cardinals' hand.

• The 2006 championship run and his life after the Birds.

Our patreon is here! Find us at patreon.com/redbirdrundown. Going forward these episodes will be only for our premium patrons. Take advantage of our special launch deal to get a bonus episode each week for only $1 for the first month.

In this bonus episode we share something we're buying so far from spring training, something we're watching for, and a mild, medium, or hot take.

Matt pulled out an insanely hot take and backed it up with a crazy walkout song. Tune is for this free discussion!

The future of the St. Louis Cardinals is on the clock.

This week on Redbird Rundown, Jonathan, Matt, and Scott welcome Kareem from the Birds on the Farm for a full-on Cardinals prospect draft. Each of us built our own big board, drafted our favorite prospects.

We debate sleepers, upside plays, risky picks, and which young Redbirds could impact the big league club sooner than you think.

Plus, we share details about our new Patreon launch and how you can join the Redbird Rundown community.

• Cardinals prospect draft
• Kareem grades our picks
• Farm system sleepers
• JJ talk
• Patreon launch announcement

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Let’s go Cards!

The 1982 World Champion St. Louis Cardinals are often remembered for the backflips of Ozzie Smith and the genius of Whitey Herzog. But the engine that truly powered that team sat behind the infield dirt.

In this special Black History Month finale of Random Cardinal of the Week, Jim Plaza dives into the stories of three men who formed one of the most dynamic outfields in baseball history: Lonnie Smith, Willie McGee, and George Hendrick.

From Lonnie’s fearless intensity (and his legendary run-in with the Phillie Phanatic) to George Hendrick’s quiet, steady power, and Willie McGee’s iconic World Series breakout, we explore how this trio personified "Whiteyball."

In this episode, we discuss:

The Architecture: How Whitey Herzog traded for all three pieces to build his perfect roster.

Lonnie Smith: The MVP runner-up who was "Whiteyball personified" and the story behind his fearless encounter with the Philly faithful.

"Silent" George Hendrick: The middle-of-the-order anchor who wore his pants low and his batting average high.

Willie McGee’s Arrival: How a rookie with 4 home runs turned into a World Series hero with 2 homers in a single night.

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Spring Training is in full swing at the brand-new Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium! Scott Plaza is joined by Matt Smith and special guest JD Hafron from Locked On Cardinals to break down the early highs and lows from Jupiter.

We dive deep into the starting rotation's health—from Libby’s impressive splitter to the "batting practice ball" mysteries. But the real talk starts behind the plate: is Ivan Herrera giving off "Tommy Edman vibes" with his rehab? Matt and JD explain why a "catching freight train" of prospects like Leo Bernal and Rodriguez is barreling toward St. Louis, and what that means for the current roster. Plus, we spotlight the non-roster invitees like Quinn Mathews and Nathan Church who are already making a case for a plane ticket north.

What will decide the 2026 season for the St. Louis Cardinals?
In this episode of the Redbird Rundown, Matt, Jonathan, and Scott break down the biggest make-or-break storylines that could define the year — from rotation health to roster surprises.

We’re also joined by special guest Daniel Shoptaw (C70 on Twitter) to hear what storylines he’s watching most closely.

Plus, Jonathan highlights a lesser-known Cardinals figure in honor of Black History Month — a story every Cards fan should know.

• Ranking the Top 3 Make-or-Break Storylines for 2026
• Rotation health, young player development & roster depth
• Guest interview with Daniel Shoptaw
• Black History Month Cardinals spotlight
• Final thoughts heading into the season

• Cardinals on My Time
• Random Cardinal of the Week
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Keep those rally caps on… Let’s go Cards! 🔴⚾

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In this special Black History Month edition of Random Cardinal of the Week, we look at the man who revitalized the Cardinals' outfield during one of the toughest decades in franchise history. Arnold Ray "Bake" McBride didn't even play high school baseball in his hometown of Fulton, Missouri—yet he became a 37th-round draft pick who took the National League by storm.

In this episode, we dive into:

• The Pitcher Who Could Run: How a college pitcher from Westminster showed up to an open tryout at Busch Stadium and was converted to the outfield on the spot because of his world-class sprint speed.

• A Historic 1974: A deep dive into the "Revelation" season where McBride hit .309, stole 30 bases, and became the first African-American player in St. Louis Cardinals history to win the NL Rookie of the Year.

• The 25-Inning Dash: The legendary story of McBride scoring the winning run in a seven-hour marathon against the Mets—the second-longest game in MLB history at the time.

• The .300 Club: The significance of the 1974 all-Black outfield—McBride, Lou Brock, and Reggie Smith—the first Cardinals unit since 1902 to have every member hit over .300.

• A Misunderstood Legacy: Addressing the "bad rap" McBride faced regarding his injuries and his quiet nature, as defended by his mentor and teammate, Lou Brock.

From his iconic Afro and effortless speed in St. Louis to his "Shake and Bake" years in Philadelphia and his eventual induction into the Phillies Wall of Fame, Bake McBride’s journey is the ultimate story of a local kid proving everyone wrong.

Key Statistics & Facts:

• Accolades: 1974 NL Rookie of the Year, 1976 All-Star, 1980 World Series Champion.

• Cardinals History: One of only two Black Cardinals to ever win Rookie of the Year (alongside Vince Coleman).

• The Record: Held the Westminster College record for the 220-yard dash.

Could things actually be worse in St. Louis than they are on the South Side?

This week, Scott Plaza is joined by Sean Anderson (@Sean_W_Anderson) of CHGO White Sox (@CHGO_WhiteSox) to perform a "rebuild wellness check" on two of baseball's most storied (and currently struggling) franchises.

While Cardinals fans are bracing for a "reset," White Sox fans are finally seeing light at the end of a very dark, 121-loss tunnel.

In this episode, we dive into:

Major League Caliber?: Scott compares the Cardinals' young core (Winn, Weatherholt, Burleson) to the "slow trickle" of talent the Sox saw in 2025.

The Murakami Shock: How the White Sox landed Japanese superstar Munetaka Murakami and what it says about their front office's new direction.

The Luis Robert Jr. Autopsy: Reflecting on the "Era of Ifs" and whether the trade to the Mets was a masterstroke or a missed opportunity.

The Fedde Reunion: Why an old friend is heading back to Chicago after a stint in St. Louis.

The 2026 Wager: Scott and Sean put a CHGO Diehard membership on the line—who wins more games this season?

Whether you're a Redbird hopeful or a South Side survivor, this episode breaks down the thin line between a "reset" and a total collapse.Follow the Show:

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The St. Louis Cardinals are heading to Jupiter, Florida, and we’re building the ultimate “packing list” for the players who need a big spring. Andy, Matt, Jonathan, and Scott each pick position players, pitchers, and under-the-radar guys and decide what survival item and luxury item they need to take the next step in 2026.

We talk names like Jordan Walker, Lars Nootbaar, Matthew Liberatore, Ivan Herrera, Tink Hence, and more — plus rookies, non-roster invitees, and career minor leaguers who need to pack for the long haul.

Then in honor of Black History Month, we spotlight a lesser-known Cardinals figure whose story deserves more attention and share one key takeaway for fans.

If you love Cardinals talk with a fun twist, this one’s for you.

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Leave a review, share with a friend, and keep those rally caps on. Let’s go Cards! 🔴🐦

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