2008 Woodie Awards
Defending the St. Louis Cardinals
Issue date: 11/4/04 Section: Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor,
Yes, Mr. Collins, October is "the greatest month in sports." College and NFL football, basketball pre-seasons, my little sister's birthday and the Major League Baseball playoffs. The only thing that could make the month better would be the absence of bitter sportswriters who find it necessary to heartlessly criticize the renowned St. Louis Cardinals.
Perhaps you should find your own baseball team to support unconditionally. Please do not take your frustration out on those privileged enough to be taught to pick a team, cheer them on, support them, respect them and defend them through thick and thin.
I do not understand why you choose to be a sports writer for the Omnibus if you truly believe "sports are really not that important."
Here is my response to your "Five Reasons Not to Like the Cardinals:"
Rebuttal No. 1: "In 1900, the team owners, the Robison brothers, changed the St. Louis team name from the 'Perfectos' to the Cards." In case you are unaware, "Perfectos" are the brand name of a cigar. I assure you we are not thinking the same thing you are. The Cardinal is not merely "a wimpy little bird that nobody likes anyway." If that is the case, then why have Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia and West Virginia all chosen the Cardinal as their state bird? And why choose the Cardinals to pick on because they are named after a bird? Have you nothing to say of the Baltimore Orioles or Toronto Blue Jays? Keep in mind, Boston named their team after a non-living, foot-warming object.
Rebuttal No. 2: "The team makes my friends cry." I am sorry to hear that. No really, I am. Thousands of Houston Astros and New York Yankees fans that were also promised World Series tickets. Their hopes fell through too, and I'm sure they've moved on. As for your friends who apparently were in tears because St. Louis did not make it to the World Series in 1996, that was junior high. You are in college. Get over it.
Yes, Mr. Collins, October is "the greatest month in sports." College and NFL football, basketball pre-seasons, my little sister's birthday and the Major League Baseball playoffs. The only thing that could make the month better would be the absence of bitter sportswriters who find it necessary to heartlessly criticize the renowned St. Louis Cardinals.
Perhaps you should find your own baseball team to support unconditionally. Please do not take your frustration out on those privileged enough to be taught to pick a team, cheer them on, support them, respect them and defend them through thick and thin.
I do not understand why you choose to be a sports writer for the Omnibus if you truly believe "sports are really not that important."
Here is my response to your "Five Reasons Not to Like the Cardinals:"
Rebuttal No. 1: "In 1900, the team owners, the Robison brothers, changed the St. Louis team name from the 'Perfectos' to the Cards." In case you are unaware, "Perfectos" are the brand name of a cigar. I assure you we are not thinking the same thing you are. The Cardinal is not merely "a wimpy little bird that nobody likes anyway." If that is the case, then why have Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia and West Virginia all chosen the Cardinal as their state bird? And why choose the Cardinals to pick on because they are named after a bird? Have you nothing to say of the Baltimore Orioles or Toronto Blue Jays? Keep in mind, Boston named their team after a non-living, foot-warming object.
Rebuttal No. 2: "The team makes my friends cry." I am sorry to hear that. No really, I am. Thousands of Houston Astros and New York Yankees fans that were also promised World Series tickets. Their hopes fell through too, and I'm sure they've moved on. As for your friends who apparently were in tears because St. Louis did not make it to the World Series in 1996, that was junior high. You are in college. Get over it.