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Why? Because to paraphrase Lt. Col. Kilgore: I love the smell of exploding heads in the morning!

I, for one, think he won't be. He is better than he has been in seasons past, but I think they will move on. My guess is that they hire one of the 3 former Cardinals (Pujols, Molina, Schu) along with the excitement from the new high draft pick, any new additions from the deadline, and the new front office to try to jolt the fan interest and attendance without having to make any real free agent signings. We'll see how it goes. It might work.

Most likely from those 3, it would be Schumaker. Pujols or Molina would want TLR-type control and that just ain’t happening. Schumaker would be more comfortable with the consensus-based group management style that is, and will remain, in place. If the organization was going to move away from that, they would not have hired Bloom. That being the case, the Cardinals are probably happy with Oli.

Gross.

Red7 wrote: ↑19 Jun 2025 13:52 pm Why? Because to paraphrase Lt. Col. Kilgore: I love the smell of exploding heads in the morning!

I enjoy a good head exploding but winning pennants is far better.

BrummerStealsHome wrote: ↑19 Jun 2025 16:09 pm

Red7 wrote: ↑19 Jun 2025 13:52 pm Why? Because to paraphrase Lt. Col. Kilgore: I love the smell of exploding heads in the morning!

I enjoy a good head exploding but winning pennants is far better.

If we won a pennant with Oli in charge heads would explode exponentially.
It would be a chain reaction like we've never seen before.

I've really got no positive or negative opinion of Oli. He wins some games he should lose, and he loses some games that he should win. All-in-all, I think he's a net neutral.

That said, I bet he's moved on from after this year in some way, shape, or form. For one, I bet Bloom has got someone in mind already. Two, at a press conference earlier this year (or maybe at the end of last year?) Mo said something about originally envisioning something else for Oli. I want to say it was as a minors field coordinator or some role down in Jupiter? Wouldn't be surprised if Oli gets reassigned.

I think he's grown into the job (Unlike Matheney who was always one play behind). That being said, I'd prefer a more seasoned manager who can still motivate young players.

The Cards would likely need to win a playoff series or two for Bloom to even consider retaining Oli. As for the next manager I hope Bloom gives no positive or negative weight to previous Cardinal ties. This franchise needs to become less sentimental.

I expect that either Oli is the manager in 2026, or Bloom makes him an offer he can't refuse with a position in the development organization.

I have an overall good opinion of Oli this year. I don't agree with every decision. But players are developing and the team is fun to watch.

Roster construction is on Mo. Bloom needs to take it over sooner.

I hope he gets what he earns. Talent level is mixed, not great, not bad.

If he makes playoffs and wins a playoff series he earns a chance to finish his contract next year.

If the team improves further next year, then he should be considered for extension. If they fold this year or regress next year, move on.

Basically the same way it works at any other job. Don’t want to see another rookie manager experiment. Either he gets better or get someone proven.

Mort Gage wrote: ↑19 Jun 2025 17:00 pm The Cards would likely need to win a playoff series or two for Bloom to even consider retaining Oli. As for the next manager I hope Bloom gives no positive or negative weight to previous Cardinal ties. This franchise needs to become less sentimental.

“less sentimental”

Gutsy call on this board amigo…..gutsy call, indeed…

riff raff wrote: ↑19 Jun 2025 16:14 pm

BrummerStealsHome wrote: ↑19 Jun 2025 16:09 pm

Red7 wrote: ↑19 Jun 2025 13:52 pm Why? Because to paraphrase Lt. Col. Kilgore: I love the smell of exploding heads in the morning!

I enjoy a good head exploding but winning pennants is far better.

If we won a pennant with Oli in charge heads would explode exponentially.
It would be a chain reaction like we've never seen before.

including mine, too, I suppose. But exploding with joy. I'll be perfectly happy to be wrong about Oli. My love the Cardinals is greater than my disdain for Oli.

He did a bang up job today lifting McGreevy after 76 pitches and OBrien after 14.

chuckaluck1 wrote: ↑19 Jun 2025 19:29 pm He did a bang up job today lifting McGreevy after 76 pitches and OBrien after 14.

just an idiot manager