11 instances where apprehension led to questionable decision-making under John Mozeliak in the Cardinals' organization.
Rewritten Article:
Steering the St. Louis Cardinals ship under John Mozeliak, we've got two phases that couldn't be more contrasting. The first appeared straight out of a Hall of Fame playbook, while the second, well, it left a lot to be desired.
From 2008-2015, we witnessed a breathtaking Cardinals run, boasting a .562 win percentage, an average of 91 wins per season, four division titles, four NLCS appearances, two World Series visits, and a 2011 championship. This stretch of Cardinals baseball ranks among the franchise's finest in history.
But alas! From 2016-2024, the team's fortunes took an 180-degree turn, with a .528 win percentage, a 85-win season average, two division titles, one NLCS appearance, and only four playoff victories across nine seasons – five of which saw the team missing out on playoff action. Ouch!
So here's the big question: Why has St. Louis faltered in the second half of Mozeliak's reign compared to the magic of the first? There are plenty of potential culprits to point the finger at, but the primary issue that's haunted Mozeliak's leadership is fear fuelling their decision-making.
Winning in Major League Baseball typically calls for taking calculated risks, which Mozeliak has done his fair share of – sometimes hitting the mark, other times falling short. Yet, when the Cardinals are described as "risk-averse," it seems more like a mask for fear of failure. The irony is palpable; their fear of failing didn't keep them from slipping up, it merely extended the stumble into a slow, steady fall.
Today, I'll be diving into some of the key "fear-driven" blunders the Cardinals made under Mozeliak, mainly in chronological order, that led to their downfall. This list isn't exhaustive, but I do suspect I've covered the major missteps and trends that snowballed, transforming this storied franchise into a ship without a clear direction in recent years.
Get ready to dive into 11 fear-based decisions the Cardinals made under John Mozeliak that sent them spiraling
Fear-driven decision #1 - Choosing Mike Matheny over Terry Francona after the 2011 season
The curtain call on the 2011 season saw the departure of legendary manager Tony La Russa and the departure of future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols via free agency. Yet, the Cardinals' managerial position represented the hottest opening in all of baseball, with a wide-open championship window.
A cavalcade of candidates, including Jose Oquendo, Ryan Sandberg, Joe McEwing, and Chris Maloney, auditioned for the role. Among the top contenders were two-time World Series champion manager Terry Francona and former Cardinals' catcher Mike Matheny.
Francona's 2011 World Series win against the Cardinals in his Boston Red Sox debut (2004) and his 2007 title paved the way for his Hall of Fame credentials. Francona amassed a 744-552 record as Red Sox manager and an astounding 8-0 record in the World Series.
Francona's time in Boston did not end on a high note. His tenure ended amid allegations of clubhouse dysfunction, including players consuming beer and fast food during games, and reports suggesting Francona's personal life distracted him from his duty. These reports likely weighed heavily on the Cardinals and probably played a significant role in his failure to land the role that offseason. Some accounts even hinted at Francona's interview with the Cardinals being merely a "formality" meeting, with the organization already set on Matheny.
Matheny, who contributed to the Cardinals' successful run from 2012-2015, is often viewed by fans as a drag on the team, failing to help them reach their full potential. Managing from 2012-2018, Matheny was eventually let go after the club was on pace for its third consecutive playoff miss.
On the other hand, Francona went on to manage the Cleveland Guardians for several seasons, helping them become a competitive club and reaching the 2016 World Series. Francona is widely regarded as one of the game's best managers and could have been instrumental in helping the Cardinals break through in the 2010s.
This might not be the first fear-fueled decision under Mozeliak's tenure, but it's certainly one of the earliest major moves that had lasting consequences for the organization. One can't help but wonder what could have been if the Cardinals had chosen Francona as their leader. But our journey through the Cardinals' misadventures continues with the next instalment – a decision that still rankles with Cardinals faithful to this day.
- The selection of Mike Matheny over Terry Francona after the 2011 season could be considered a fear-based decision, given Francona's impressive track record, which included two World Series titles with the Boston Red Sox.
- The decision to leave Terry Francona, a two-time World Series champion manager, on the table for the Cardinals' managerial position might have been influenced by fears surrounding Francona's previous clubhouse controversies.
- Choosing Mike Matheny, who contributed to the Cardinals' success from 2012-2015 but is also seen as a hindrance, earlier in Mozeliak's tenure could have been a significant factor in the team's decline.
- The potential impact of Jeff Luhnow's departure from the Cardinals organization, as he joined the Houston Astros in 2011, could also be seen as a fear-driven decision, given Luhnow's considerable contributions to the Cardinals' success during 2008-2011.
