Why the hate on Mikolas

[HOUCARD]

I don't hate him. He had a couple good years for the Cards. I just think he is done.

[zuck698]

For a franchise that prides itself on “The Cardinal Way,” the goofy, sarcastic antics from Miles Mikolas and Adam Wainwright over the past couple of seasons landed the wrong way—and at the wrong time.

Veteran players set the temperature in the room. When leaders treat losing seasons with sarcasm, jokey bravado, or a “lighten up” attitude, it sends a message—whether intended or not—that standards have slipped. The Cardinals weren’t a young team learning how to lose; they were an experienced roster actively underperforming. That’s exactly when seriousness, accountability, and urgency should be loudest from the top.

Adam Wainwright earned immense respect over his career, but leadership isn’t about résumé—it’s about awareness. When a team is spiraling, fans are frustrated, and younger players are looking for cues, public goofiness can feel dismissive. It blurs the line between confidence and complacency. Instead of projecting resolve, it came across as deflection.

Miles Mikolas’ sarcastic edge may play well when the team is winning, but during prolonged struggles, it reads as tone-deaf. Leaders don’t need to be humorless, but they do need to read the room. When performance doesn’t match attitude, culture erodes.

The Cardinals’ identity has always been about professionalism, quiet confidence, and letting results speak. When veterans stray from that—especially in public—it signals a breakdown in leadership. Culture isn’t what you say it is; it’s what you tolerate and what you model.

And for a franchise built on tradition and accountability, those moments mattered more than they probably realized.

This 100% Who here doesn't miss the LaRussa days? There was no smiling and goofing off in the dugout during his tenure. His teams, love or hate the man, played with an edge. Now we have the Oliver, who can be seen hamming it up with his players, while losing 9-0 in the 8th inning. Just sad how the once proud franchise has eroded to the point it is now. Hopefully Bloom can restore some of this tradition in the future, but one thing for certain, he will not do it with Oliver at the helm. Hopefully Ollie Ball will be over when we start looking like we may be ready to compete again.

[Dazepster]

I will take all of the above.

And his lizard eating doesn't sit right with me. Love to see him in Jurassic Park with a T-Rex on his (donkey).

[ecleme22]

I think it was mostly that last contract extension.

It was signed in early 2023 with a year still left on his previous contract. So we got to watch him as an ‘overpay’ for 3 years, two of which featured two of their worst records in years.

That last contract was also probably MO’s last bad move, and an example of the knee jerk, unsavvy moves he became known for in his later years.

[scoutyjones2]

I only hate Winn...according to ecleme

[ecleme22]

I only hate Winn...according to ecleme

You also don’t like Bloom, and think Oquendo is worthless as a coach.

[MIDMOBIRDTWO]

Was tired of his near automatic loss every fifth day. Move on time.

[scoutyjones2]

I only hate Winn...according to ecleme

You also don’t like Bloom, and think Oquendo is worthless as a coach.

[RichieRichSTL]

Mikolas was never going to return. He simply didn't bring enough to the table to justify the distracton/controversy. But, why were many fans ready and eager to push him aside?

Choices
---------
1) He was too cocky for his level of mediocracy. Dizzy Dean, “It ain't bragging if you can do it”. Well, he didn't bring it enough to justify..

2) He was the teacher's (MO's), pet.

3) He deferred blame for his failures and minimzed them.

4) In an interview, he indirectly dogged Waino.

5) He trashed talked and didn't bring results to back it up.

If he was good, trash talking isn't an issue. and you say his level of "mediocracy". He wasn't mediocre. This past year he was one of the worst qualifying pitchers in mlb baseball

I'm speaking more of his body of work. His overall body of work is mediocre. But, yeah, I agree he has trended lucky to be a fifth arm in recent years.

at this point the only reason he will get signed (and i think he will in spring training due to an unexpected injury) is his innings. But i think most people don't like him because MO extended him when clearly he wasn't deserving of any sort of extension, he had become a BP pitcher. So i guess maybe partially number 2 on your list also

Mo's rationale, which was always absurd is that if we didn't sign him then, his price would go up. Yes, if he had anything close to his 2018, his price would go up, but I'd have rather had them pay a bit more for a more proven pitcher than to risk him washing out of the league again, while tying up the payroll and preventing other moves.

He had washed out of the league once, he didn't just have a major bump in talent level. He just had a significant improvement at the talent level he was at. It is not uncommon for a 'new' pitcher or hitter to do well for a while, even a season. The term 'sophomore slump' is there for a reason. It is commonly understood that once a 'new' player has been around for a number of months or maybe a season, the league starts to get a fix on them. Sophomore slump is when either they don't play/pitch as well OR they don't adjust to the league catching up to them.

When a player has succeeded at every level and displayed elite talent (which even in 2018, Mikolas wasn't), you MIGHT break that rule and sign them after a season. Or when you can buy out their arbitration seasons w/o breaking the bank, you might.

Mikolas was a sucky MLB pitcher, who came back 'new' and refreshed. Unless he was going to give you a no-lose deal (30M/4years), you don't even consider extending him until you have a better idea of the full-measure of him. You could easily see by the midway point of 2019, if not sooner that he crashed back down to earth. If you still want him at that point, no one would have offered him a 4/64 extension at that point. Frankly 3/40 would still be a risk.

[RichieRichSTL]

Mikolas was never going to return. He simply didn't bring enough to the table to justify the distracton/controversy. But, why were many fans ready and eager to push him aside?

Choices
---------
1) He was too cocky for his level of mediocracy. Dizzy Dean, “It ain't bragging if you can do it”. Well, he didn't bring it enough to justify..

2) He was the teacher's (MO's), pet.

3) He deferred blame for his failures and minimzed them.

4) In an interview, he indirectly dogged Waino.

5) He trashed talked and didn't bring results to back it up.

If he was good, trash talking isn't an issue. and you say his level of "mediocracy". He wasn't mediocre. This past year he was one of the worst qualifying pitchers in mlb baseball

one of the worst? Glass half empty eh? Of our starting 5 on opening day, he was only 3rd worst. And 3rd best. He even had a positive WAR.

FWIW, his ending ERA was only .60 pts off of Gray and Libby, and .40 off of McGreevy. That's within a normal year to year variance.

Our team as a whole was bad, but he doesn't deserve to be singled out as the proximate cause.

The thing is he'd been bad since 2023. It wasn't just 2025. He isn't being singled out for that. It was the attitude that he carried, specifically point 3.

[RichieRichSTL]

For a franchise that prides itself on “The Cardinal Way,” the goofy, sarcastic antics from Miles Mikolas and Adam Wainwright over the past couple of seasons landed the wrong way—and at the wrong time.

Veteran players set the temperature in the room. When leaders treat losing seasons with sarcasm, jokey bravado, or a “lighten up” attitude, it sends a message—whether intended or not—that standards have slipped. The Cardinals weren’t a young team learning how to lose; they were an experienced roster actively underperforming. That’s exactly when seriousness, accountability, and urgency should be loudest from the top.

Adam Wainwright earned immense respect over his career, but leadership isn’t about résumé—it’s about awareness. When a team is spiraling, fans are frustrated, and younger players are looking for cues, public goofiness can feel dismissive. It blurs the line between confidence and complacency. Instead of projecting resolve, it came across as deflection.

Miles Mikolas’ sarcastic edge may play well when the team is winning, but during prolonged struggles, it reads as tone-deaf. Leaders don’t need to be humorless, but they do need to read the room. When performance doesn’t match attitude, culture erodes.

The Cardinals’ identity has always been about professionalism, quiet confidence, and letting results speak. When veterans stray from that—especially in public—it signals a breakdown in leadership. Culture isn’t what you say it is; it’s what you tolerate and what you model.

And for a franchise built on tradition and accountability, those moments mattered more than they probably realized.

All players are responsible and should set the best tone. I agree. When however, you have been part of a championship run like he had and had the distinguished career he had, you are more forgiving of it. Mikolas came in, hadn't really proved his value to the franchise and to the fans, and did his antics here.

[RichieRichSTL]

For a franchise that prides itself on “The Cardinal Way,” the goofy, sarcastic antics from Miles Mikolas and Adam Wainwright over the past couple of seasons landed the wrong way—and at the wrong time.

Veteran players set the temperature in the room. When leaders treat losing seasons with sarcasm, jokey bravado, or a “lighten up” attitude, it sends a message—whether intended or not—that standards have slipped. The Cardinals weren’t a young team learning how to lose; they were an experienced roster actively underperforming. That’s exactly when seriousness, accountability, and urgency should be loudest from the top.

Adam Wainwright earned immense respect over his career, but leadership isn’t about résumé—it’s about awareness. When a team is spiraling, fans are frustrated, and younger players are looking for cues, public goofiness can feel dismissive. It blurs the line between confidence and complacency. Instead of projecting resolve, it came across as deflection.

Miles Mikolas’ sarcastic edge may play well when the team is winning, but during prolonged struggles, it reads as tone-deaf. Leaders don’t need to be humorless, but they do need to read the room. When performance doesn’t match attitude, culture erodes.

The Cardinals’ identity has always been about professionalism, quiet confidence, and letting results speak. When veterans stray from that—especially in public—it signals a breakdown in leadership. Culture isn’t what you say it is; it’s what you tolerate and what you model.

And for a franchise built on tradition and accountability, those moments mattered more than they probably realized.

This 100% Who here doesn't miss the LaRussa days? There was no smiling and goofing off in the dugout during his tenure. His teams, love or hate the man, played with an edge. Now we have the Oliver, who can be seen hamming it up with his players, while losing 9-0 in the 8th inning. Just sad how the once proud franchise has eroded to the point it is now. Hopefully Bloom can restore some of this tradition in the future, but one thing for certain, he will not do it with Oliver at the helm. Hopefully Ollie Ball will be over when we start looking like we may be ready to compete again.

Agreed. MO, needing to be in control and not wanting to be overshadowed by the manager, got 3 managers whose authority would not eclipse his. The only manager whom actually pulled his weight here, was Shildt and apparently, his 'intensity' was too much for many. So, ultimately it falls on MO.

[blackinkbiz]

Mikolas was never going to return. He simply didn't bring enough to the table to justify the distracton/controversy. But, why were many fans ready and eager to push him aside?

Choices
---------
1) He was too cocky for his level of mediocracy. Dizzy Dean, “It ain't bragging if you can do it”. Well, he didn't bring it enough to justify..

2) He was the teacher's (MO's), pet.

3) He deferred blame for his failures and minimzed them.

4) In an interview, he indirectly dogged Waino.

5) He trashed talked and didn't bring results to back it up.

All of the above. Also, I can't stand that stupid porn mustache. He looks like an idiot and often acted like one to boot.

Had a great couple of seasons in his first contract, but as others have stated, he was't just bad the past few years, he was one of the worst starters in baseball. And he'd always tease you with a string of starts where he'd look like his All-Star form, but obviously, it never lasted that long.

Prime example of a Mozeliak player.

[RichieRichSTL]

I'll admit it, glad to see him gone.

I was sick of him and his stupid act (re: hamburger phone, ect...).

Never should've got that last extension.

Good riddance

It's just like Matt Carpenter. If he doesn't get that last extension, he leaves the organization with an entirely different taste in everyone's mouth.

Miles was fantastic in his first year with us in 2018 then between solid and good in 2019 (hurt for a couple years) and 2022-23. He's only been terrible the past two seasons.

I disagree, he was serviceable in 2023. But, unfortunately, his extension played out in 2024/2025. So, by 2024, he is perceived as a fading pitcher whom significant payroll was tied up on.

[ilcubuffs]

Combo platter of reasons 1- 5 + lame extension + “I’m not going to tell all the people doubting us to eat [shirt]. I’d like to, but in the off chance I’m wrong, I look like an idiot + his proclamation that he was a leader of the pitching staff.

Too many voices in his head clouds his common sense or lack there of. Any team who signs him better have a awesome defense, catcher, and offense that can get them back into a game after he pitches.

Good riddance.

[Ronnie Dobbs]

I don’t know. Some combination of 1, 3, and 5. I don’t mind a weirdo, but he came off as an edgelord to me. And I really didn’t like it when he said he’d like to tell fans who doubted the team a year or two ago to eat [shirt], but he wasn’t going to. He’s an edgelord that was afraid to go too edgy.