STLtoday.com

Talkin' Baseball wrote: ↑17 Feb 2026 07:07 am

mattmitchl44 wrote: ↑17 Feb 2026 03:46 am

AZ_Cardsfan wrote: ↑17 Feb 2026 02:35 am Yes. I have never played pro ball. Nor am I a billionaire. I did manage to retire at 43 but I know it was luck I am not a financial genius or whatever.

And I share my opinions. No one has to read them or agree. It's the internet. EVERYONE has an opinion.

Yes, everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

As I have noted before, in this CT environment, it isn't what your opinion is, it is how well you can marshal facts and logic to support your opinion that matters.

And I'm counting down to retirement next month (just short of age 57).

Congratulations! Hope that goes well for you. Maybe we should throw a Cards Talk party for you?

mattmitchl44 wrote: ↑17 Feb 2026 07:21 am

Talkin' Baseball wrote: ↑17 Feb 2026 07:07 am

mattmitchl44 wrote: ↑17 Feb 2026 03:46 am

AZ_Cardsfan wrote: ↑17 Feb 2026 02:35 am Yes. I have never played pro ball. Nor am I a billionaire. I did manage to retire at 43 but I know it was luck I am not a financial genius or whatever.

And I share my opinions. No one has to read them or agree. It's the internet. EVERYONE has an opinion.

Yes, everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

As I have noted before, in this CT environment, it isn't what your opinion is, it is how well you can marshal facts and logic to support your opinion that matters.

And I'm counting down to retirement next month (just short of age 57).

Congratulations! Hope that goes well for you. Maybe we should throw a Cards Talk party for you?

It just means I will have more time to come up with my occasional "studies" to post on CT.

Adam2 wrote: ↑17 Feb 2026 07:25 am

mattmitchl44 wrote: ↑17 Feb 2026 07:21 am

Talkin' Baseball wrote: ↑17 Feb 2026 07:07 am

mattmitchl44 wrote: ↑17 Feb 2026 03:46 am

AZ_Cardsfan wrote: ↑17 Feb 2026 02:35 am Yes. I have never played pro ball. Nor am I a billionaire. I did manage to retire at 43 but I know it was luck I am not a financial genius or whatever.

And I share my opinions. No one has to read them or agree. It's the internet. EVERYONE has an opinion.

Yes, everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

As I have noted before, in this CT environment, it isn't what your opinion is, it is how well you can marshal facts and logic to support your opinion that matters.

And I'm counting down to retirement next month (just short of age 57).

Congratulations! Hope that goes well for you. Maybe we should throw a Cards Talk party for you?

It just means I will have more time to come up with my occasional "studies" to post on CT.

congrats! I have 16 more to go

mattmitchl44 wrote: ↑17 Feb 2026 03:46 am

AZ_Cardsfan wrote: ↑17 Feb 2026 02:35 am Yes. I have never played pro ball. Nor am I a billionaire. I did manage to retire at 43 but I know it was luck I am not a financial genius or whatever.

And I share my opinions. No one has to read them or agree. It's the internet. EVERYONE has an opinion.

Yes, everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

As I have noted before, in this CT environment, it isn't what your opinion is, it is how well you can marshal facts and logic to support your opinion that matters.

And I'm counting down to retirement next month (just short of age 57).

Cardinals1964 wrote: ↑17 Feb 2026 02:03 am I just read a few posts where somebody asked, “have you ever played baseball” or said “obviously you’ve never played baseball”.
So who on here has ever played baseball? I’m not talking little league, high school or senior league. Who has played pro ball?
Not a camp where everyone is invited to try out. I’m looking for the legitimate prospect. I’m guessing nobody.

To go further, who has owned a team? Who is a billionaire? People have lots of advice for billionaires. I figure there has to be a couple on here. NOT.

Just admit as you drive to your middle management job or Taco Bell, you have no idea what it takes to run a $billion corporation.

It’s highly likely that the 1 hour a day thinking about how a team should be ran, doesn’t make you an expert on the subject.

Face it, like me, you’re a fan with an opinion that doesn’t normally make sense.

AZ_Cardsfan wrote: ↑17 Feb 2026 02:35 am Yes. I have never played pro ball. Nor am I a billionaire. I did manage to retire at 43 but I know it was luck I am not a financial genius or whatever.

And I share my opinions. No one has to read them or agree. It's the internet. EVERYONE has an opinion.

Shady wrote: ↑17 Feb 2026 08:16 am Collegiate baseball.

Jatalk wrote: ↑17 Feb 2026 06:19 am

Cardinals1964 wrote: ↑17 Feb 2026 02:03 am I just read a few posts where somebody asked, “have you ever played baseball” or said “obviously you’ve never played baseball”.
So who on here has ever played baseball? I’m not talking little league, high school or senior league. Who has played pro ball?
Not a camp where everyone is invited to try out. I’m looking for the legitimate prospect. I’m guessing nobody.

To go further, who has owned a team? Who is a billionaire? People have lots of advice for billionaires. I figure there has to be a couple on here. NOT.

Just admit as you drive to your middle management job or Taco Bell, you have no idea what it takes to run a $billion corporation.

It’s highly likely that the 1 hour a day thinking about how a team should be ran, doesn’t make you an expert on the subject.

Face it, like me, you’re a fan with an opinion that doesn’t normally make sense.

So should we just shut CT down since no one is qualified to speak?

Voldemort wrote: ↑17 Feb 2026 08:48 am

Jatalk wrote: ↑17 Feb 2026 06:19 am

Cardinals1964 wrote: ↑17 Feb 2026 02:03 am I just read a few posts where somebody asked, “have you ever played baseball” or said “obviously you’ve never played baseball”.
So who on here has ever played baseball? I’m not talking little league, high school or senior league. Who has played pro ball?
Not a camp where everyone is invited to try out. I’m looking for the legitimate prospect. I’m guessing nobody.

To go further, who has owned a team? Who is a billionaire? People have lots of advice for billionaires. I figure there has to be a couple on here. NOT.

Just admit as you drive to your middle management job or Taco Bell, you have no idea what it takes to run a $billion corporation.

It’s highly likely that the 1 hour a day thinking about how a team should be ran, doesn’t make you an expert on the subject.

Face it, like me, you’re a fan with an opinion that doesn’t normally make sense.

So should we just shut CT down since no one is qualified to speak?

My thoughts exactly for what the OP wants. Perhaps only he has the right to speak/type his opinions here. We are not worthy.

No, I have not played professionally. I have coached several players who went on to play professionally, with some making MLB. I have also coached baseball internationally, representing the U.S. I know some of the top trainers and college coaches personally. I have written letters of recommendation for some of the top college coaches when they changed jobs. Yet, I fully admit that I am a nobody. I do have an opinion. BTW, a brief list of some of the baseball gurus I know personally would include Kyle Boddie, Eric Cressey, Dr. Chris Yeager, Dave Hudgens, Steve Englishbey, Paul Nyman, Bobby Tewksbary, Jack Mankin, Charlie Lau Jr. Doug McMillen, Scott Sarginson, ... I know most of you don't know most of these guys but they are or were some of the top hitting experts in the nation. Some of these gentlemen have passed on.

Adam2 wrote: ↑17 Feb 2026 05:38 am I played college and independent league, but i certainly wasn't a prospect. Nor do i think my experience playing makes me any smarter about baseball than anyone else (other than realizing how sore playing day after day makes you)

Jatalk wrote: ↑17 Feb 2026 09:04 am

Voldemort wrote: ↑17 Feb 2026 08:48 am

Jatalk wrote: ↑17 Feb 2026 06:19 am

Cardinals1964 wrote: ↑17 Feb 2026 02:03 am I just read a few posts where somebody asked, “have you ever played baseball” or said “obviously you’ve never played baseball”.
So who on here has ever played baseball? I’m not talking little league, high school or senior league. Who has played pro ball?
Not a camp where everyone is invited to try out. I’m looking for the legitimate prospect. I’m guessing nobody.

To go further, who has owned a team? Who is a billionaire? People have lots of advice for billionaires. I figure there has to be a couple on here. NOT.

Just admit as you drive to your middle management job or Taco Bell, you have no idea what it takes to run a $billion corporation.

It’s highly likely that the 1 hour a day thinking about how a team should be ran, doesn’t make you an expert on the subject.

Face it, like me, you’re a fan with an opinion that doesn’t normally make sense.

So should we just shut CT down since no one is qualified to speak?

My thoughts exactly for what the OP wants. Perhaps only he has the right to speak/type his opinions here. We are not worthy.

No, I have not played professionally. I have coached several players who went on to play professionally, with some making MLB. I have also coached baseball internationally, representing the U.S. I know some of the top trainers and college coaches personally. I have written letters of recommendation for some of the top college coaches when they changed jobs. Yet, I fully admit that I am a nobody. I do have an opinion. BTW, a brief list of some of the baseball gurus I know personally would include Kyle Boddie, Eric Cressey, Dr. Chris Yeager, Dave Hudgens, Steve Englishbey, Paul Nyman, Bobby Tewksbary, Jack Mankin, Charlie Lau Jr. Doug McMillen, Scott Sarginson, ... I know most of you don't know most of these guys but they are or were some of the top hitting experts in the nation. Some of these gentlemen have passed on.

Good to know your background and certainly your knowledge will make me value your opinion more. There are a lot of nitwits on here like me that like to express opinions and discuss Cardinal issues. We have a right as FANS. I know you agree. There are a few posters on here I take seriously. It’s obvious they have more knowledge than me. But it’s pretty obvious I am in the majority. Just fans discussing baseball.

Jatalk wrote: ↑17 Feb 2026 09:04 am

Voldemort wrote: ↑17 Feb 2026 08:48 am

Jatalk wrote: ↑17 Feb 2026 06:19 am

Cardinals1964 wrote: ↑17 Feb 2026 02:03 am I just read a few posts where somebody asked, “have you ever played baseball” or said “obviously you’ve never played baseball”.
So who on here has ever played baseball? I’m not talking little league, high school or senior league. Who has played pro ball?
Not a camp where everyone is invited to try out. I’m looking for the legitimate prospect. I’m guessing nobody.

To go further, who has owned a team? Who is a billionaire? People have lots of advice for billionaires. I figure there has to be a couple on here. NOT.

Just admit as you drive to your middle management job or Taco Bell, you have no idea what it takes to run a $billion corporation.

It’s highly likely that the 1 hour a day thinking about how a team should be ran, doesn’t make you an expert on the subject.

Face it, like me, you’re a fan with an opinion that doesn’t normally make sense.

So should we just shut CT down since no one is qualified to speak?

My thoughts exactly for what the OP wants. Perhaps only he has the right to speak/type his opinions here. We are not worthy.

No, I have not played professionally. I have coached several players who went on to play professionally, with some making MLB. I have also coached baseball internationally, representing the U.S. I know some of the top trainers and college coaches personally. I have written letters of recommendation for some of the top college coaches when they changed jobs. Yet, I fully admit that I am a nobody. I do have an opinion. BTW, a brief list of some of the baseball gurus I know personally would include Kyle Boddie, Eric Cressey, Dr. Chris Yeager, Dave Hudgens, Steve Englishbey, Paul Nyman, Bobby Tewksbary, Jack Mankin, Charlie Lau Jr. Doug McMillen, Scott Sarginson, ... I know most of you don't know most of these guys but they are or were some of the top hitting experts in the nation. Some of these gentlemen have passed on.

Good to know your background and certainly your knowledge will make me value your opinion more. There are a lot of nitwits on here like me that like to express opinions and discuss Cardinal issues. We have a right as FANS. I know you agree. There are a few posters on here I take seriously. It’s obvious they have more knowledge than me. But it’s pretty obvious I am in the majority. Just fans discussing baseball.

Voldemort wrote: ↑17 Feb 2026 09:15 am

Jatalk wrote: ↑17 Feb 2026 09:04 am

Voldemort wrote: ↑17 Feb 2026 08:48 am

Jatalk wrote: ↑17 Feb 2026 06:19 am

Cardinals1964 wrote: ↑17 Feb 2026 02:03 am I just read a few posts where somebody asked, “have you ever played baseball” or said “obviously you’ve never played baseball”.
So who on here has ever played baseball? I’m not talking little league, high school or senior league. Who has played pro ball?
Not a camp where everyone is invited to try out. I’m looking for the legitimate prospect. I’m guessing nobody.

To go further, who has owned a team? Who is a billionaire? People have lots of advice for billionaires. I figure there has to be a couple on here. NOT.

Just admit as you drive to your middle management job or Taco Bell, you have no idea what it takes to run a $billion corporation.

It’s highly likely that the 1 hour a day thinking about how a team should be ran, doesn’t make you an expert on the subject.

Face it, like me, you’re a fan with an opinion that doesn’t normally make sense.

So should we just shut CT down since no one is qualified to speak?

My thoughts exactly for what the OP wants. Perhaps only he has the right to speak/type his opinions here. We are not worthy.

No, I have not played professionally. I have coached several players who went on to play professionally, with some making MLB. I have also coached baseball internationally, representing the U.S. I know some of the top trainers and college coaches personally. I have written letters of recommendation for some of the top college coaches when they changed jobs. Yet, I fully admit that I am a nobody. I do have an opinion. BTW, a brief list of some of the baseball gurus I know personally would include Kyle Boddie, Eric Cressey, Dr. Chris Yeager, Dave Hudgens, Steve Englishbey, Paul Nyman, Bobby Tewksbary, Jack Mankin, Charlie Lau Jr. Doug McMillen, Scott Sarginson, ... I know most of you don't know most of these guys but they are or were some of the top hitting experts in the nation. Some of these gentlemen have passed on.

Good to know your background and certainly your knowledge will make me value your opinion more. There are a lot of nitwits on here like me that like to express opinions and discuss Cardinal issues. We have a right as FANS. I know you agree. There are a few posters on here I take seriously. It’s obvious they have more knowledge than me. But it’s pretty obvious I am in the majority. Just fans discussing baseball.

Thank you, but I am an ex-expert and a nobody. I have found, along my journey coaching baseball, that many of the experts really don't know much at all. Back in the day, I could go to Busch Stadium II and walk in to talk to Ted Savage or Joe Cunningham. I used to collect baseball equipment for Ted's RBI Program. Joe used to give me tickets a few times a year when he had extras. That seems like an eternity ago; may both RIP. BTW, a lot of people don't know that Ted was born in Venice, Illinois.

sikeston bulldog2 wrote: ↑17 Feb 2026 09:18 am

Voldemort wrote: ↑17 Feb 2026 09:15 am

Jatalk wrote: ↑17 Feb 2026 09:04 am

Voldemort wrote: ↑17 Feb 2026 08:48 am

Jatalk wrote: ↑17 Feb 2026 06:19 am

Cardinals1964 wrote: ↑17 Feb 2026 02:03 am I just read a few posts where somebody asked, “have you ever played baseball” or said “obviously you’ve never played baseball”.
So who on here has ever played baseball? I’m not talking little league, high school or senior league. Who has played pro ball?
Not a camp where everyone is invited to try out. I’m looking for the legitimate prospect. I’m guessing nobody.

To go further, who has owned a team? Who is a billionaire? People have lots of advice for billionaires. I figure there has to be a couple on here. NOT.

Just admit as you drive to your middle management job or Taco Bell, you have no idea what it takes to run a $billion corporation.

It’s highly likely that the 1 hour a day thinking about how a team should be ran, doesn’t make you an expert on the subject.

Face it, like me, you’re a fan with an opinion that doesn’t normally make sense.

So should we just shut CT down since no one is qualified to speak?

My thoughts exactly for what the OP wants. Perhaps only he has the right to speak/type his opinions here. We are not worthy.

No, I have not played professionally. I have coached several players who went on to play professionally, with some making MLB. I have also coached baseball internationally, representing the U.S. I know some of the top trainers and college coaches personally. I have written letters of recommendation for some of the top college coaches when they changed jobs. Yet, I fully admit that I am a nobody. I do have an opinion. BTW, a brief list of some of the baseball gurus I know personally would include Kyle Boddie, Eric Cressey, Dr. Chris Yeager, Dave Hudgens, Steve Englishbey, Paul Nyman, Bobby Tewksbary, Jack Mankin, Charlie Lau Jr. Doug McMillen, Scott Sarginson, ... I know most of you don't know most of these guys but they are or were some of the top hitting experts in the nation. Some of these gentlemen have passed on.

Good to know your background and certainly your knowledge will make me value your opinion more. There are a lot of nitwits on here like me that like to express opinions and discuss Cardinal issues. We have a right as FANS. I know you agree. There are a few posters on here I take seriously. It’s obvious they have more knowledge than me. But it’s pretty obvious I am in the majority. Just fans discussing baseball.

Thank you, but I am an ex-expert and a nobody. I have found, along my journey coaching baseball, that many of the experts really don't know much at all. Back in the day, I could go to Busch Stadium II and walk in to talk to Ted Savage or Joe Cunningham. I used to collect baseball equipment for Ted's RBI Program. Joe used to give me tickets a few times a year when he had extras. That seems like an eternity ago; may both RIP. BTW, a lot of people don't know that Ted was born in Venice, Illinois.

Your third line rings true. Nobody really knows nothing. We just do it.

Jackson Browne- when the morning light comes steaming in; we’ll get up and do it again; amen.