Cardinals' decision-making marred by 11 instances of fear-driven errors, as per John Mozeliak's tenure
In a nutshell, the John Mozeliak era with the St. Louis Cardinals can be divided into two starkly contrasting phases. The first eight years were a star-studded period, with Hall of Fame-worthy achievements, while the latter decade has been underwhelming and somewhat lackluster.
From 2008-2015, the Cardinals boasted a solid .562 win percentage, averaging around 91 victories per season, and clinching four NL Central division titles, four NLCS appearances, two World Series trips, and a championship in 2011. It's safe to say this is among the Cardinals' most successful stretches in their storied history.
However, the years 2016-2024 saw a dramatic decline, with a .528 win percentage, an average of 85 wins per full season, only two division titles, a single NLCS appearance, and a paltry four playoff wins since 2016. The Cardinals failed to qualify for the playoffs in five of the nine seasons during this timeframe. Ouch!
Thispoor performance in the latter part of Mozeliak's tenure begs the question: what could have gone wrong? One major reason, it seems, has been letting fear direct much of the Cardinals' decision-making. While winning at the Major League Baseball level requires taking risks (some successful, others not), the Cardinals have increasingly been labeled as "risk-averse." This apparent cowardice has been a thorn in their side for years.
In this piece, we'll dive into some key instances where fear-based decisions crippled the Cardinals under John Mozeliak, primarily in chronological order. We'll look at 11 instances, though we can't cover everything – this will only cover the most significant choices and trends that eventually steered this storied franchise off course.
11 instances where fear dictated poor decision-making under John Mozeliak
Decision #1 - The hiring of Mike Matheny over Terry Francona after the 2011 season
Tony La Russa retired from baseball after the Cardinals' 2011 World Series championship, and future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols left for the Los Angeles Angels. Despite landing one of the best managerial vacancies in baseball, the Cardinals interviewed various candidates, including Jose Oquendo, Ryan Sandberg, Joe McEwing, and Chris Maloney, but the favorites to lead the team were Terry Francona and former Cardinals catcher Mike Matheny.
Francona had previously led the Boston Red Sox to a World Series championship in 2004, ending their 86-year drought, and another title in 2007. Francona posted a 744-552 record with the Red Sox and a staggering 8-0 record in the World Series. However, his tenure didn't end on a high note with Boston, with reports of players and the media criticizing his alcohol consumption and food choices in the clubhouse, as well as allegations that he was distracted by personal problems.
This may have played a part in the Cardinals not extending an offer to Francona during the 2011-2012 offseason. Some sources even claim that Francona's interview with the Cardinals was a mere courtesy meeting, with the team already set on Matheny.
Matheny had a positive impact on the Cardinals from 2012-2015, but many fans believe he held the team back from reaching its full potential, ultimately being fired in 2018 as the club struggled to qualify for the playoffs. In contrast, Francona went on to lead the Cleveland Guardians for several years, guiding them to become one of the league's top teams and reaching the World Series in 2016.
While it's uncertain whether this was the first fear-driven decision by the Cardinals during Mozeliak's tenure, it was certainly one of the earliest significant moves with long-lasting implications for the organization. The most controversial decision on this list, still a bone of contention among fans, is discussed at the outset and remains one of the biggest mysteries in Cardinals history.
- The Cardinals' decision to hire Mike Matheny over Terry Francona following the 2011 season, despite Francona's proven success and the team's open position being one of the best managerial vacancies in baseball, could be seen as a fear-based choice that may have held the Cardinals back from reaching their full potential.
- The hiring of Matheny, who had less experience than Francona and eventually struggled to guide the team to consistent playoff appearances, is contrasted with Francona's successful tenure with the Cleveland Guardians.
- The Cardinals' decision not to offer Francona a position during the 2011-2012 offseason, despite his positive track record and the team's needs, is considered questionable due to reports surrounding Francona's alleged distractions and personal problems during his time with the Boston Red Sox.
- While it is uncertain whether this was the first fear-driven decision by the Cardinals during John Mozeliak's tenure, it is one of the earliest significant moves that has had lasting implications for the organization and remains a contentious topic among fans.
