Does anybody really care about cardinal baseball anymore?

[Jeff Goldblum]

Sporting events are too expensive for the average person these days. Prices have soared on almost literally everything over the past 5 years. People do their own cost-benefit analysis and determine its not beneficial to spend hundreds of dollars for a couple hours of potential entertainment. Bring prices down and/or put a competitive team on the field and people will come back.

[rockondlouie]

Of course, is this a serious question?

And I'm NOT just talking about the super fans like those here in CT.

Cardinals baseball is a multi-generational staple w/a fan base from coast-to-coast.

[desertrat23]

The people on this forum I would say truly do, but the upcoming generations sadly do not.One reason for this is, the taking the family to the cardinal games was a tradition, but since the team has stunk for the last several years and instead of wasting money on going to a game they choose other entertainment.Going to the game was not just to see a game but a family experience that was fun and now they choose other entertainment.Whats your sign cardinals, all the empty seats, get back to the basics and put a team on the field that can do more than play for a wildcard game.You ask us to pay more for tickets. We ask you spend the money to get the top players here instead of just getting by.

Preaching to the choir here. The younger generation doesn't care about watching an entire game in any sport. They watch highlights on their phones. They only know the players or teams that are hyped by the media. And believe me, most of the younger generation has no interest in the history of sports, teams, or players from the past.

I was hoping to get in before this thread turned into yet another insufferable Boomerfest, but alas.

Kids still play and enjoy baseball. They do so formally, with youth rec leagues and travel ball. No, if you drive by your local park it doesn’t look like a reenactment of The Sandlot, but that doesn’t mean baseball is dying.

If baseball is dying in STL, it’s because the team stinks, is boring to watch and the marketing caters to old white people. Cardinals fans would lose their minds if they had a Fernando Tatis Jr or Elly de la Cruz or Bryce Harper because they don’t play “the right way.”

Think about it: you’re a kid who goes to a Cardinals game. You’re going to see a stale in-game presentation, constant nods to things that happened at least 40 years before you were born, and an aging, cranky fanbase that would probably tell you to sit down and shut up if you stood and made noise.

No one on this board — myself included — should be this team’s target audience.

[Clubmaker2]

well, grandparents often have the idea of taking the grandkids to the ballpark. It was a 70 year old grandmother that had me listen to cardinals games on the radio, yes a radio the size of a microwave oven. Just listening to current relatives this week, this is the first time several have said the cards dont have some one to watch and why should they go. Attendance this year could be interesting as many are predicting.

[JuanAgosto]

The people on this forum I would say truly do, but the upcoming generations sadly do not.One reason for this is, the taking the family to the cardinal games was a tradition, but since the team has stunk for the last several years and instead of wasting money on going to a game they choose other entertainment.Going to the game was not just to see a game but a family experience that was fun and now they choose other entertainment.Whats your sign cardinals, all the empty seats, get back to the basics and put a team on the field that can do more than play for a wildcard game.You ask us to pay more for tickets. We ask you spend the money to get the top players here instead of just getting by.

Preaching to the choir here. The younger generation doesn't care about watching an entire game in any sport. They watch highlights on their phones. They only know the players or teams that are hyped by the media. And believe me, most of the younger generation has no interest in the history of sports, teams, or players from the past.

I was hoping to get in before this thread turned into yet another insufferable Boomerfest, but alas.

Kids still play and enjoy baseball. They do so formally, with youth rec leagues and travel ball. No, if you drive by your local park it doesn’t look like a reenactment of The Sandlot, but that doesn’t mean baseball is dying.

If baseball is dying in STL, it’s because the team stinks, is boring to watch and the marketing caters to old white people. Cardinals fans would lose their minds if they had a Fernando Tatis Jr or Elly de la Cruz or Bryce Harper because they don’t play “the right way.”

Think about it: you’re a kid who goes to a Cardinals game. You’re going to see a stale in-game presentation, constant nods to things that happened at least 40 years before you were born, and an aging, cranky fanbase that would probably tell you to sit down and shut up if you stood and made noise.

No one on this board — myself included — should be this team’s target audience.

Travel team ball is primarily for kids who come from families that can afford the costs of fees to join the team and all the travel that goes with it. Many kids cant afford that. The simple fact that kids dont play pick-up games anymore does point to the decreased popularity of baseball. That is not a "Boomer" take. Btw, the term boomer itself is ridiculous and shows a disregard for the opinions of and traditions of the past. And im not even from the baby boom generation. This mindset also goes hand-in-hand with the lack of interest of anything historical. Believe it or not, things happened before Generation Y, Millennial, or Gen Z. Baseball is a game steeped in history. That is what makes it great.

As for saying Tatis, Harper, or whoever else wouldn't be celebrated by Cardinals fans, that's nonsense. They are stars the perform. Cardinals fans would love that.

[Adam2]

The people on this forum I would say truly do, but the upcoming generations sadly do not.One reason for this is, the taking the family to the cardinal games was a tradition, but since the team has stunk for the last several years and instead of wasting money on going to a game they choose other entertainment.Going to the game was not just to see a game but a family experience that was fun and now they choose other entertainment.Whats your sign cardinals, all the empty seats, get back to the basics and put a team on the field that can do more than play for a wildcard game.You ask us to pay more for tickets. We ask you spend the money to get the top players here instead of just getting by.

What do you want? The Cardinals will be as good as fans like you want them to be and are willing to support.

pipe down Ikee boy

[desertrat23]

Btw, the term boomer itself is ridiculous and shows a disregard for the opinions of and traditions of the past. And im not even from the baby boom generation. This mindset also goes hand-in-hand with the lack of interest of anything historical. Believe it or not, things happened before Generation Y, Millennial, or Gen Z. Baseball is a game steeped in history. That is what makes it great.

As for saying Tatis, Harper, or whoever else wouldn't be celebrated by Cardinals fans, that's nonsense. They are stars the perform. Cardinals fans would love that.

I'm sorry, but this is the absolute wrong mentality. The game HAS to be catered to young people: more action, more modern, faster paced, more diverse (not only in culture/ethnicity, but mindset). The Cardinals almost obstinately market against that: "Baseball Like It Oughta Be," "Where Tradition Meets Today," etc. It's ridiculous. Today's kids absolutely do not care about Stan Musial, or Bob Gibson, or Ozzie Smith. Should they? They should know about them, like they should know about George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. But you're not going to convince a kid he or she should be a Cardinals fan because they won three World Series 80 years ago. A market that drapes itself in history and constantly looks backward isn't going to go anywhere.

And by the way, the oldest Millennial turns 45 next year. They're not kids drinking Starbucks and eating avocado toast.

[scoutyjones2]

The people on this forum I would say truly do, but the upcoming generations sadly do not.One reason for this is, the taking the family to the cardinal games was a tradition, but since the team has stunk for the last several years and instead of wasting money on going to a game they choose other entertainment.Going to the game was not just to see a game but a family experience that was fun and now they choose other entertainment.Whats your sign cardinals, all the empty seats, get back to the basics and put a team on the field that can do more than play for a wildcard game.You ask us to pay more for tickets. We ask you spend the money to get the top players here instead of just getting by.

What do you want? The Cardinals will be as good as fans like you want them to be and are willing to support.

That's not true at all.

[greyhawk]

Its been 20+ years since we lost Jack Buck - I grew up listening to him and Mike on my transistor radio every day. His influence on the education of our fans was immense. I will always care about cardinal baseball from my learning on their broadcasts, suffice to say i don't think this generation can point to any one part of cardinal baseball that has had the same impact since he has been gone.

[imetsatchelpaige]

SHUT UP SHADY (or whoever you are today).

[redbirdfan51]

I have been a die hard Cardinals fan since the early 1950's. It's my team no matter if they are up or down.

[Peanut15]

I care less and less about MLB overall the last 10 years. Had a 40 game package for 23 years. Stopped that after 2022 season. My 4 kids ages 25 to 34 years old could care less about baseball. They would to maybe one or two games a year. Even with access to free tickets from me. The sport without a salary cap is in trouble longer term.

[desertrat23]

I have been a die hard Cardinals fan since the early 1950's. It's my team no matter if they are up or down.

That’s true of everyone here. The concern needs to be with today’s kids.

[JuanAgosto]

Btw, the term boomer itself is ridiculous and shows a disregard for the opinions of and traditions of the past. And im not even from the baby boom generation. This mindset also goes hand-in-hand with the lack of interest of anything historical. Believe it or not, things happened before Generation Y, Millennial, or Gen Z. Baseball is a game steeped in history. That is what makes it great.

As for saying Tatis, Harper, or whoever else wouldn't be celebrated by Cardinals fans, that's nonsense. They are stars the perform. Cardinals fans would love that.

I'm sorry, but this is the absolute wrong mentality. The game HAS to be catered to young people: more action, more modern, faster paced, more diverse (not only in culture/ethnicity, but mindset). The Cardinals almost obstinately market against that: "Baseball Like It Oughta Be," "Where Tradition Meets Today," etc. It's ridiculous. Today's kids absolutely do not care about Stan Musial, or Bob Gibson, or Ozzie Smith. Should they? They should know about them, like they should know about George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. But you're not going to convince a kid he or she should be a Cardinals fan because they won three World Series 80 years ago. A market that drapes itself in history and constantly looks backward isn't going to go anywhere.

And by the way, the oldest Millennial turns 45 next year. They're not kids drinking Starbucks and eating avocado toast.

There's a difference between celebrating a team's history and using it to prop up the current product. I agree this organization has leaned into that way too much over the past decade. Your earlier post led me to believe you were saying history doesn't matter. That prompted my response.

Yes, the organization desperately needs exciting players, personalities, and style of play. We agree on that. The exciting players and play translates to all ages, not just the young. The personality may not be loved by older fans, but they'll mostly overlook it if the players produce.

And yes, millennial drink Starbucks and eat avocado toast.

[3-2 Fastball]

The people on this forum I would say truly do, but the upcoming generations sadly do not.One reason for this is, the taking the family to the cardinal games was a tradition, but since the team has stunk for the last several years and instead of wasting money on going to a game they choose other entertainment.Going to the game was not just to see a game but a family experience that was fun and now they choose other entertainment.Whats your sign cardinals, all the empty seats, get back to the basics and put a team on the field that can do more than play for a wildcard game.You ask us to pay more for tickets. We ask you spend the money to get the top players here instead of just getting by.

Preaching to the choir here. The younger generation doesn't care about watching an entire game in any sport. They watch highlights on their phones. They only know the players or teams that are hyped by the media. And believe me, most of the younger generation has no interest in the history of sports, teams, or players from the past.

Sadly Juan, you are spot-on. A lot of this is fantasy baseball. A lot of it is over watered down TV and internet.

The younger age group that "should" be buying tickets, are just checking stats for their players, or prop bets.

The generation younger than thatvare the ones who should be in love with the game. Outside playing it until dark, like my generation did. There was no such thing as internet. And besides the home town TV games, there was only Saturdays game of the week.

I never see kids playing pick-up games at the school field, park, or streets. They just dont do it. Its all about social media and influencer.

Watching baseball was special. Now, you can watch any game, any day of the week.

Its not just Cardinal baseball. The up and coming generation will not be filling the stands in almost all of the stadiums.

The irony in this thread is striking. We have posters confidently declaring what "the younger generation" thinks and does, yet there's zero evidence any of you actually talk to younger people about baseball, watch youth sports, or follow attendance demographics beyond anecdotal observation.
Youth baseball and softball participation has remained strong. MLB attendance issues are complex and tied to ticket pricing, streaming access, game length, and team performance, not generational moral failings. Plenty of young fans engage deeply with baseball through analytics, social media communities, and yes, even attending games.
This kind of "kids these days" rhetoric is exhausting and unfortunately far too common on this forum. Making sweeping generalizations about entire generations you clearly don't understand doesn't make you insightful, it makes you out of touch.
Maybe instead of lamenting what you assume young people don't care about, consider the actual barriers they face. Current average ticket prices today are 3x what they were 40 years ago. That's AFTER adjusting for inflation. Taking a family of four to a game is significantly more expensive than ever before. Again, this after adjusting for inflation.
Younger generations are dealing with student debt, housing costs that have far outpaced wages, and entertainment costs that have exploded compared to what older fans paid at the same life stage. Perhaps the issue isn't that they don't care, it's that the economics have fundamentally changed, and dismissing them as phone-obsessed and historically ignorant is both inaccurate and unhelpful.

[OregonRedbird]

Posts like these are flat out ignorant and bring the worst in us. I’ve been a fan for 70 years, many highs and lows. With a new sheriff in town Hope Blooms Eternal. (bleep) right I care.