11 instances where fear-based decisions were made by the Cardinals under John Mozeliak's leadership
In the realm of Major League Baseball, the tenure of John Mozeliak with the St. Louis Cardinals has been split into two distinct phases. The initial eight years were a triumph, catapulting Mozeliak into a potential Hall of Fame future, while the latter decade has been a far cry, characterized by mediocrity.
From 2008 to 2015, the Cardinals showed off their best selves, earning 728 wins, averaging 91 victories per season, and clinching four NL Central titles, four NLCS appearances, and a single World Series title in 2011. However, from 2016 to 2024, their record dropped to 715-639, averaging 85 wins during full seasons, winning the division a mere twice, and making it to the NLCS just once.
The unexpected downturn leaves one questioning the causes behind the Cardinals' fall from grace. Fear has been a recurring issue in their decision-making for years. In an industry that thrives on taking calculated risks, Mozeliak's Cardinals have appeared risk-averse, masking their fear of failure. Ironically, their apprehension of failure did not prevent it, but extended it into a prolonged slide rather than a single catastrophic moment.
In this piece, we'll delve into some key "fear-based" decisions made by the Cardinals during John Mozeliak's tenure, primarily in chronological order, that played a significant role in derailing this storied franchise. While I can't cover everything, I aim to highlight the major decisions and trends that snowballed, turning a legendary club into a mere echo of its former self.
Here are 11 times the Cardinals allowed fear to guide poor decision making under John Mozeliak
Fear-based decision #1 - Choosing Mike Matheny over Terry Francona after the 2011 season
Following their 11th World Series Championship in 2011, Hall of Fame manager Tony La Russa retired, and future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols departed for the Los Angeles Angels in free agency. Still, the Cardinals manager job was one of the most coveted in all of baseball due to the club's championship window being wide open.
The Cardinals interviewed candidates such as Jose Oquendo, Ryan Sandberg, Joe McEwing, and Chris Maloney, but the two frontrunners seemed to be two-time World Series champion manager Terry Francona and former Cardinals' catcher Mike Matheny.
Francona won the World Series in 2004 against the Cardinals with the Boston Red Sox in his first season as their manager, helping them end their 86-year championship drought and earning another World Series title in 2007. Francona posted a 744-552 record as the Red Sox's manager and an incredible 8-0 record during the Fall Classic.
Francona's exit from Boston was not amicable, as players and media accused him of "beer drinking and fast-food eating" in the clubhouse during games, with Francona reportedly being "distracted" due to his personal life[1]. These reports likely left a bad taste in the Cardinals' mouths and may have played a significant role in his not securing the job that offseason. Some reports even suggested that Francona's interview was merely a "courtesy" meeting, with the Cardinals already set on Matheny to lead the club.
Matheny was part of the Cardinals' high-level play from 2012 to 2015, but many fans felt that he held the team back from achieving their full potential, and he was ultimately fired in 2018 as the team was trending toward a third consecutive playoff absence[1].
Francona, on the other hand, went on to lead the Cleveland Guardians for a number of years, helping them become one of the better teams in baseball and reaching the World Series in 2016. Francona is viewed as one of the best managers in the game, and his presence could have been the key to the Cardinals getting over the hump on numerous occasions during the 2010s.
Whether or not it's fair to call this the first decision made out of fear during Mozeliak's tenure is debatable, but it was one of the first significant choices with lasting implications for the organization[1]. The hiring of Matheny set a precedent for prioritizing familiarity over innovation, while the decision to pass on Francona resulted in opportunities lost.
- In the aftermath of their 2011 World Series victory, the Cardinals faced a critical decision regarding their manager position, choosing Mike Matheny over Terry Francona.
- Despite Francona being a two-time World Series champion manager with a 744-552 record and an impressive 8-0 in the post-season, the Cardinals appeared to prioritize familiarity over innovation, electing Matheny.
- The choice to hire Matheny, who later struggled to lead the team to its full potential, marked a significant decision that may have been influenced by fear.
- The passing on Francona, who went on to lead the Cleveland Guardians and reach the World Series in 2016, represents an opportunity lost that some believe was rooted in fear.
