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Our Fourth Hour High School history lessons reminds us that it was on the fourth of July when the Declaration of Independence was signed by many of our Founding Fathers. Perhaps its timely that during this Independence Day holiday, signings (the contract variety) were significant to St. Louis sports fans.
Both the Cardinals and Blues experienced signings of different nature. A hockey legend signs elsewhere, a self proclaimed upcoming baseball legend signs in St. Louis. Both could result in fireworks both immediately or in the long term.
The Cardinals signed J D Drew to a multi-year deal on Independence Day Eve. Yes, this is the same Mr. Drew which snubbed the Philadelphia Phillies for over a year. This is the same Mr. Drew which many baseball followers, Mr. Drew himself and his agent is heralded as the "next Mickey Mantle". This is the same Mr. Drew who has never faced a Major League fast ball, much less earned a big league hit.
In the spirit of patriotism, the Cardinals proved that America is a great country: signing the former Florida State star to a four year deal which reportedly exceeds $11Million. He is to immediately report to the Red Birds Arkansas Double A affiliate.
Realistically, Drew will not be expected to stay in Minors very long. Let's face it, for that amount of money, how can the Red Birds justify keeping this young man in the Minor Leagues. J D is a left handed hitting outfielder who can hit, play defense and run. He needs to play everyday.
But since the National League does not have the Designated Hitter, and since first base is occupied by a Red Head named Mc Gwire, if Drew is called up to the Big Club, he is going to play in the outfield.
Let's check our scorecard: Ray Lankford has signed a large multi-year contract earlier this season, so he isn't going anywhere. The Red Birds would love to insert Drew in Ron Gant's spot at Left Field. But there is not much interest around the league for a player like Gant who is hitting .213, currently on the disabled list, and is guaranteed $5Million for 1999 and 2000,
That brings us to Brian Jordan. He currently leads the National League in hitting and is considered one of the leaders in the locker room. Jordan is also a free agent at the end of the season, and he could sign with another team with the Red Birds receiving zilch in return.
Now with Drew under contract, the Red Birds have to make a gut check decision. If the team does not realistically feel that it can win the division in 1998, would it not be in their best interest to unload Jordan elsewhere for prospects now, and insert Drew immediately?? If Jordan remains, the Cards will have an outfield controversy and the potential of Jordan leaving (perhaps returning to Atlanta) at the end of the season.
After the All Star break, the Red Birds open a four game series at Busch Stadium against division leading Houston. This series may determine Jordan and Drew's fate. If Houston manhandles the Birds in that series, the season could be over. With the July 31 trading deadline approaching, the house cleaning may begin.
So welcome to the big leagues, Mr. Drew, don't expect any parades. Your perceived attitude and the possibility of replacing a popular effective player will provide ample pressure for you to perform.
Remember, this is the Show Me State. Regardless of your comments and that of your mouthpiece, Mr. Boras, it will be time to put up or shut up.
That brings us to another signing, this time, it did not occur in St. Louis.
Once again on Independence Day Eve, Brett Hull jumped on a plane and signed a three year free agent contract with the Dallas Stars. Hull going to Dallas is a bit of a shock, but does make plenty of sense for many reasons.
Last season, the Stars earned more points that any other National Hockey League team. They are a talented, veteran team with a solid hockey operations man in Bob Gainey, and a players' coach in Ken Hitchcock. The thought of Mike Modano feeding the Golden One on power play situations make the Metroplex hockey fans salivate.
But to the Stars and Hull, as a St. Louis Hockey Scribe wrote last week: "They better win". The Stars were expected to go further in the playoffs but were eliminated by Detroit. However, with the signing of Hull, Dallas will be expected to go over the top.
If this doesn't happen, the Stars and the Golden One will see up close and personal just how nasty Texans can be when their teams do not succeed. The newspapers and Radio Talk shows in Big D are not as friendly to athletes as in the Gateway City.
So good luck to the former #16 in your new location. Despite all the whining and silly comments made in the past, you are still the greatest player ever to wear the Blue Note. The Kiel Center would have never been built and hockey in St. Louis would never have been successful without your presence. Some day, your #16 will be hanging in the Kiel Center rafters.
But this divorce is the best for all parties. The Blues needed a clean break with Hull and Hull needed a fresh start to jump start a career of recent declining results.
One last note: To my colleagues in print media and talking heads on television: listen to the words, Brett Hull is no longer a St. Louis Blue. Now that we have established this fact--let it go.Although the layout of the Post Dispatch sports page and television sports reports on the day after Hull left the Blues rivaled that to the death of President, the basic fact remains, Brett Hull is GONE. DEAL WITH IT!!
Hopefully everyone now will stop living in the past
It's been an quite an Independence Day weekend for Gateway City Sports Fans. Just like our founding fathers, it is symbolic that signings have played a major role.
Hey, speaking of signings, when are the Rams going to sign their #1 Pick??
That's another potential firecracker for another day!!
EDITOR'S NOTE: Mike Huss hosts "Sportstalk" on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8:00 pm, on WGNU AM-920, St. Louis.
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