Interesting comment by Jeff Brantley - Reds announcer

[hmoss859]

He said over the weekend on Reds radio “The Cardinals aren’t even trying to win this year, that message was sent to clubhouse”

In context, he was complaining that the Reds were 3-6 vs Cards before Sundays game

So all the laughing, giggling and silly stuff in dugout is fully condoned and losing doesn’t really matter

[Ordinary Man]

Wasn't it after the 71-91 season that Oli was extended so he didn't have to feel pressure to win? It's hard to believe this is the St. Louis Cardinals. I hope DeWitt is proud of his work.

[Absolut]

Same thing could be said about him in 98

[Punkk6]

Wasn't it after the 71-91 season that Oli was extended so he didn't have to feel pressure to win? It's hard to believe this is the St. Louis Cardinals. I hope DeWitt is proud of his work.

He is proud that his bank account went up, even with lower attendance

[hmoss859]

Same thing could be said about him in 98

Oh yeah, Brantley and Duncan/LaRussa were always butting heads over his pitch selection, no love lost there for certain

[sdaltons]

I have no idea whether he has some kind of connection where he would know if that was said. But I do know that what he claims seems pretty reasonable based on what we see before our eyes.

And that's the culture they are teaching to the young players who are coming in. They must not realize that's a stink that is really, really hard to wash off.

If that culture has spread through the clubhouse, it is going to take a LONG time to get things back on track.

[Hoosier59]

Well, the message was sent to the team, simply by what they did (or didn’t do) in the off season. The team came out early like they wanted to prove something, but didn’t have enough players to sustain it and cope with injuries that occurred. They did nothing to improve the team at the trade deadline either. Now with more injuries and a worn out bullpen, they are scuffling.

[ecleme22]

He said over the weekend on Reds radio “The Cardinals aren’t even trying to win this year, that message was sent to clubhouse”

In context, he was complaining that the Reds were 3-6 vs Cards before Sundays game

So all the laughing, giggling and silly stuff in dugout is fully condoned and losing doesn’t really matter

I’m guessing JB was referring to the overall plan for the team. Like, they spent no money in the offseason. The message from the FO, etc.

I’m guessing he doesn’t mean the actual team isn’t trying to win.

[cardstatman]

Well, the message was sent to the team, simply by what they did (or didn’t do) in the off season. The team came out early like they wanted to prove something, but didn’t have enough players to sustain it and cope with injuries that occurred. They did nothing to improve the team at the trade deadline either. Now with more injuries and a worn out bullpen, they are scuffling.

The Cards have had just about the most injury-free season any MLB could hope for.

However, your point if very valid. They did nothing to address the depth problems. They actually did better than expected due to the lack of injuries.

[hmoss859]

He said over the weekend on Reds radio “The Cardinals aren’t even trying to win this year, that message was sent to clubhouse”

In context, he was complaining that the Reds were 3-6 vs Cards before Sundays game

So all the laughing, giggling and silly stuff in dugout is fully condoned and losing doesn’t really matter

I’m guessing JB was referring to the overall plan for the team. Like, they spent no money in the offseason. The message from the FO, etc.

I’m guessing he doesn’t mean the actual team isn’t trying to win.

I think it means what it means, and it's really showing now.

[blackinkbiz]

Wasn't it after the 71-91 season that Oli was extended so he didn't have to feel pressure to win? It's hard to believe this is the St. Louis Cardinals. I hope DeWitt is proud of his work.

Wasn't it also Dewitt who said after that season something paraphrased like, "The is the St. Louis Cardinals. We and our fans hold ourselves to a higher standard. This can't and won't continue."

And then not long after that they extended Oli so he "wouldn't feel so much pressure to win."

lol, what a trainwreck

[MIDMOBIRDTWO]

They lack talent, but it looks like they are not trying very hard and that is due to the culture established by MO. Unbelievable that they rehired the stooge Oli, but to say they didn't want to put any pressure on him to win. That is about the dumbest thing I have ever heard from the powers that be, even MO.

[ecleme22]

He said over the weekend on Reds radio “The Cardinals aren’t even trying to win this year, that message was sent to clubhouse”

In context, he was complaining that the Reds were 3-6 vs Cards before Sundays game

So all the laughing, giggling and silly stuff in dugout is fully condoned and losing doesn’t really matter

I’m guessing JB was referring to the overall plan for the team. Like, they spent no money in the offseason. The message from the FO, etc.

I’m guessing he doesn’t mean the actual team isn’t trying to win.

I think it means what it means, and it's really showing now.

No, the former is showing now.

An mlb announcer isn’t going to accuse a team of not trying to win.

[hmoss859]

When the ownership states there’s no pressure to win to the manager, you get a pretty [shirt]ty product and the fans are not putting up with it, by not showing up. That statement has been sent loud and clear

I expect this standoff will continue until DeWitt spends to field a truly competitive team or sells the team

[11WSChamps]

The message has been loud and clear for awhile.

[2ninr]

Did we need Jeff Brantley to tell us that? Seriously.