February 5, 1995
News and Notes
by RANDY KARRAKER (2.5.96)
As the Blues came from behind to beat Winnipeg in overtime Thursday night,
they dodged a major bullet when defenceman (Canadian spelling there) Al
MacInnis suffered a partially separated shoulder, rather than a complete
separation. MacInnis has logged close to thirty minutes of ice time in every
Blues game this season, and it hasn't been because Mike Keenan enjoys giving
him the work. With Steve Duchesne, Murray Baron, Rick Zombo, Doug Lidster,
Bill Houlder and sometimes Jeff Batters and Donald Dufresne the other defensemen
on the Blues roster, MacInnis is the only star back there. To Duchesne's
credit, he was a shocking plus-7 in the +/- statistics after Thursday's
action. Baron has played exceptionally well, aside from getting pummeled
by LA's Rick Tocchet not once but twice in fights. Baron thrives when paired
with a strong defensive partner like MacInnis or Zombo, but struggles with
mediocre defenders like Jeff Brown or Duchesne. One other note before we
leave the Blues. After sitting out the third period of one game and then
two others, Craig Janney has returned to provide the great passing that
only he among current Blues can supply. Whether he and Mike Keenan can stay
on the same page all season is certainly questionable, but the Anaheim and
Winnipeg games were encouraging.
As the February third deadline for getting Rams personal seat license applications
in came and went, orders for about 60,000 season tickets were received.
FANS Inc. only has about 50,000 available, so NFL owners should have no
questions about St. Louis' passion for football when they convene February
16 in Dallas. Because seat selections will be randomly computer generated,
there's a chance that media members who normally have the chance to get
seats will get shut out. If that occurs to this bureau, which has ordered
four in section "E", expect some serious howling. Don't be at
all surprised if the owners vote in Dallas, although that meeting was called
as an informational session. League owners know about what the Rams have
coming. In requesting state funding to cover his losses, Patriot owner Bob
Kraft said "I'm not looking for a St. Louis deal here." He was
asking for more than $15 million from the government. Former Eagle owner
Norman Braman said St. Louis provides "the mother of all stadium deals."
Now before you go off saying, like many have, that St. Louis got ripped
off, keep this in mind. The money the Rams will get wouldn't have been generated
if they didn't come here. They get in-stadium ad revenue, concession revenue
and of course ticket and luxury box revenue. Fans appear willing to take
care of their Anaheim debts and moving costs, and part of the practice facility
(with PSL purchases), and the city committed long ago to the rest of that
facility. What it comes down to is that the Rams, who were the only team
available, will get to keep the money they earn. Ray Rhodes is the only
coaching candidate interviewed so far, and he went to the Eagles. Dallas
offensive coordinator Ernie Zampese, a favorite of club president John Shaw,
will be interviewed next week, and followed by Barry Alvarez of Wisconsin
and Rich Brooks of Oregon. Zampese appears to be the frontrunner now.
Just a couple of weeks 'til spring training. Joe Torre and his coaches will
have 107 players in camp, barring a labor settlement with the regulars.
Look for the Cards to have a big offer in to restricted free agent Andy
Benes of the Padres as soon as the strike ends, and also to put $12 million
over three years on the table for Montreal free agent Larry Walker, who
would play first. It seems, with Torre committed to Brian Jordan in right
field, that Mark Whiten is history. Where he'll land, nobody knows.
StLSO Media Views: Miklasz on Hull by
MARK BAUSCH (2.5.96)
Daily newspapers are just that--daily. They are published each and every
day, 365 days a year. In their columns, sportswriters put their reputations,
and in a sense, their personalities, on display for all to see. A sportswriter
who writes two columns a week ends up writing about a hundred columns per
year. That's a pretty big number.
And commentaries are in a special category all their own...in that they
are (or should be) a clear expression of the author's opinion(s). But when
it comes to sports and issues in sports, opinions are like rear ends in
that everyone has one. So big-time sports columnists are often between a
rock and a hard place in that they cannot please everyone.
But it seems reasonable to think that informed opinions are what we plunk
money down for our own copy of each day's news. A readable sports columnist
will use good writing skills to express an informed opinion that is based
on a solid foundation of facts. Simply stirring up a hornets' nest for laughs?
That's too easy and perhaps just a lazy way to make a living.
With that in mind, I want to remind StLSO's readers of the Bernie Miklasz
commentary that appeared in the July 28, 1994 edition of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
The setting: the Blues had just hired Mike Keenan as coach and general manager.
After telling the St. Louis media that he looked forward to playing for
Keenan, Hull then visited his friend Wayne Gretzky in Los Angeles. While
in LA, Hull told the LA media that he didn't feel he could play for Iron
Mike.
Reprinted below (and contained between the dotted lines) are the first two
dozen or so sentences in the Miklasz column, which had as its headline "It's
Time To Send the Golden Brat Packing":
---------------
"Will the real Brett Hull please shut up?
A few days after playing kissy-kissy with new Blues imperialist Mike Keenan,
Hull made his way to Los Angeles, flip-flopped somewhere over Arizona and
made goo-goo eyes at Wayne Gretzky and the Kings.
Let's recap...
Last week: Hull said he wanted to stay in St. Louis.
This week? Hull says it's time to move on.
Last week: Hull likes Keenan. Hull is excited about Keenan.
This week? Hull doesn't know if he can play for Tire Iron Mike. He expresses
serious concerns.
Next week? Just follow the sound of a wailing, 30-year-old superstar having
another tantrum. The Golden Brat is crying again, in need of a fresh diaper.
If he can't grow up, it is time for Hull to go, and I'll throw in a case
of Pampers for the team that adopts the pouting boy wonder.
Let Hullie join all the other self-absorbed flakes on the Left Coast. He
can drive a convertible, play golf all day, work on his tan, dance the night
away, and make easy money floating for the glamorous, Malibu-Beach-soft
Kings.
Keenan is closing the Blues' country club anyway, and Hull won't fit into
the boot-camp atmosphere for two reasons:
(1) He can't handle Keenan's discipline and commitment to selfless, winning,
team hockey. Hull is whining about Keenan's coaching style already--and
Keenan won't supervise a practice until Sept. 24.
(2) Hull can't stand the thought that he's no longer the star of this little
ice show. Keenan is the centerpiece, with Brendan Shanahan at the front."
(END OF MIKLASZ EXCERPT)
---------------
The rest of the Miklasz column continued in a similar vein.
It is now early February, and the Blues have played eight games. Brett Hull
has not applied for a permanent seat license in Mike Keenan's doghouse.
Yet, the Hull/Keenan marriage is clearly still in its honeymoon stage. Hull
is still team captain...and under Keenan, appears to be logging more ice
time than any other Blues forward. The Blues have a record of 6 wins and
2 losses...and Hull has scored the game winning goal in three of those victories.
Hull has also scored nine goals in eight games, and unless the local cable
company is doctoring the images that appear on my Trinitron...it appears
that a slightly chunky blond fellow wearing number 16 is (a) backchecking
with regularity; and (b) throwing his weight around a bit. On the ice, that
is.
But there's still time--and only time will tell whether Miklasz' Hull-like
raving and name-calling was justified. Stranger things have happened. Perhaps
even Miklasz is wondering about some of his previous comments, since in
his February 4, 1995 column, Miklasz writes: "Brett Hull's lively play
proves what many of us said all along: that if Hull got with the program
and gave it a chance, Keenan would be one of the best things to ever happen
to Brett."
Go figure.
February 12, 1995
News and Notes by RANDY KARRAKER (2.12.95)
Reaction by fans to the Rams' hiring Oregon coach Rich Brooks was almost
uniformly negative. Yet when asked who they would have rather seen, fans
either said "I don't know, someone better" or "Mike Ditka",
who, we hear, has been dramatically affected by a heart attack a few years
back. Apparently much of NBC's NFL Live show is really taped (Then why the
name?) The reason for taping is because producers and executives are worried
that Ditka will (a) lose his train of thought in mid-sentence, which our
source says happens a lot, or (b) say something completely off the wall.
Is that who you want running your football team?
Now back to Brooks. Pro Football Weekly's Joel Buchsbaum called him the
best kept secret in college football, and related that Charger GM Bobby
Beathard had him rated on par with Bobby Ross, but chose Ross because he
had won a big game and a co-national championship. Buchsbaum also said Brooks
should have had the Jets job in 1990, but they were worried about selling
an "Oregon guy" to the New York market. Ram safety Anthony Newman,
who played for Brooks at Oregon, said if Brooks were at USC or UCLA, where
facilities and recruiting budgets are great, Brooks would have been a hot
prospect years ago. Finally, keep in mind that Brooks has coached against
Bill Walsh, Dennis Green, John Robinson, Larry Smith, Terry Donahue, Dennis
Erickson, Mike Price, Don James and Bruce Snyder for years. To finish eighteen
games under .500 in Eugene, Oregon might not be too bad.
The Cardinals broke ground on their "Plaza of Champions" around
the Stan Musial statue at Busch Stadium. Markers honoring each of the Redbirds'
nine World Champions will be built, with the names of the players on the
base and a flag of the World Series opponent on top. No word as to whether
a replacement marker will be available if the Cards win in '95.
Last week we discussed the importance of Al MacInnis to the Blues, and this
week it showed. In beating Dallas the Blues didn't play well, they were
worse in tying a horrendous L.A. club, and absolutely brutal in a 5-0 loss
to the powerful Hated Blackhawks. The Blues didn't show much effort against
Chicago, but coach Mike Keenan, amazingly, stayed calm and called it a learning
experience. Although Keenan says the leadership should come from elsewhere,
the leadership that "Chopper" provides can't be replaced on the
Blues roster. They need MacInnis back, and quickly.
Two Craig Janney rumors. One...to New York with Guy Carbonneau for Alexei
Kovalev, not likely. Sources say Keenan hates the Rangers enough so that
he won't deal with them. Another, with Denny Felsner to Calgary, seems more
likely but is still remote. It will be an upset if Janney is a Blue by April.
Keenan said of Felsner on his KMOX Radio show "we expected a more competitive
athlete." Ouch.
Q and A with Cardinals President Mark Lamping
by MARK BAUSCH (2.12.95)
St. Louis Sports Online readers love their Blues, and they love their
Billikens. But the St. Louis Cardinals and their followers are the number
one reason that StLSO exists. With that in mind, Cardinals president Mark
Lamping was the logical candidate to be the subject of the first feature
length StLSO interview.
Our original plans were to make the Lamping interview the centerpiece of
a baseball-only issue of StLSO. But much of the content of the interview
is so topical that I felt it should be published as soon as possible.
In December of last year I wrote Lamping a letter that included a rough
outline of my vision of StLSO. At that time StLSO was nothing more than
an untested idea. In the letter I asked also him for an interview. After
a couple of weeks passed with no reply, I called his office and was surprised
to hear from his secretary that "Yes, Mark saw your stuff and he really
likes the concept." We kind of left things hanging and it seemed obvious
that StLSO needed to prove itself in order to get anywhere. In other words,
Lamping might just agree to talk with us if we actually got off the ground.
In mid-January I wrote Lamping another letter. In the letter I included
hard copy versions of the first two issues of StLSO, along with a compilation
of some of your subscription requests and letters of appreciation. About
ten days later, Brian Bartow, the Cardinals Director of Public Relations,
contacted me and informed me that he (Bartow) would be willing to set up
a time so that the interview session between Lamping and yours truly could
take place. A few days later I was talking baseball with the president of
the St. Louis Cardinals.
Lamping's office is on the west side of Busch Stadium, at ground level.
I arrived just prior to the appointed time (9 am). After waiting five minutes
in the outer lobby (near the season ticket office), his secretary (Elaine
Milo) escorted me into his office.
Several first impressions came to mind when meeting Mark Lamping for the
first time. In no particular order, he struck me as youthful, personable,
focused, verbal, and intelligent. In other words, at age 36, he possesses
the qualities that are essential if one intends to serve as president of
a major league baseball club.
After only a couple minutes of idle chatter (during which time he popped
open a Diet Sprite and offered me a Diet Coke) the tape recorder's record
button was engaged, and the interview began.
Most of StLSO's reader-suggested questions had to do with baseball's labor
problems, so that's where we started. The questioning had just gotten underway
when we were interrupted by a phone call. The President of the National
League, Leonard Coleman, was on the line and wanted to talk with Lamping.
Later during the interview, Lamping confirmed that Coleman wanted to talk
with him about two important matters: the strike/work stoppage and future
major league expansion. It was obvious that Coleman's main reason for calling
was to gauge the Lamping's view on the William Usery-led mediation sessions
that aimed to end baseball's current labor problems. Lamping's responses
were directed at the previous day's big news: that the players' union completely
and totally rejected Usery's proposals. Lamping seemed genuine when he told
Coleman that "Yesterday was the worst day I've had at this job."
After finishing his conversation with Coleman, Lamping turned to me and
said "Let's start over." He then rewound the tape, pressed the
record button...and we began anew.
StLSO: It is fair to say that many StLSO readers have stated
in no uncertain terms that they are not in favor of seeing major league
baseball employ replacement players this spring and summer. What is the
Cardinals' position on this subject?
Lamping: We are moving forward with a plan that involves replacement
players. It's not a decision that was made without a lot of consideration
because it is a controversial issue. There are strong feelings on both sides.
We've had people tell us that they would never come to replacement games,
and we've had people say that they would buy season tickets...but only for
replacement games.
Our reasons for moving forward with the replacement games are as follows.
We're moving forward because we think we have obligations. First, we have
an obligation to the 1,300 workers who work at Busch Stadium every time
there's a game.
We also have an obligation to the Cardinal employees and to the employees
of the Civic Center Corporation. If we do not have baseball games, then
there is no reason to keep everyone employed.
StLSO: Is it true that you didn't have to lay off any Cardinal staff?
Lamping: We didn't have to lay anybody off. We've made some drastic
expense cuts around here, but we haven't laid off any of our permanent salaried
people. So those 1,300 people that work, these are people that only work
day of game. They make five, ten, or fifteen thousand dollars, and they
haven't had the opportunity to work since August 12 of last year.
And we also believe that we have an obligation to the economy of St. Louis,
particularly downtown St. Louis. And we also have an obligation to the baseball
fans who travel to St. Louis to see a game from great distances. I think
that is critically important.
StLSO: You should know that I live in Carbondale. We moved there
in the summer of 1987. The town was alive with Cardinal fever; the local
National Supermarket had Cardinal banners and Cardinals signs everywhere.
This despite the fact that Carbondale is a full 100 miles from St. Louis.
It may seem hard to believe, but it's true. People do plan trips to St.
Louis around baseball.
Lamping: Yeah, I lived down there. In 1982, I was stationed down
there [chuckle]...well, I was assigned down there when I first started with
Anheuser-Busch. I lived in Murphysboro, and covered that part of downstate
Illinois, and spent many a day in Carbondale, Herrin, Harrisburg, Metropolis,
and Cairo.
And when you think about it, when people plan their trips to St. Louis in
the summer, there are many attractions in this area, and since Cardinal
baseball is one of the main attractions of St. Louis, they want to know
with certainty that there's going to be some baseball. So it's not ...it
was not a decision that was not made lightly. It was felt that's what we
needed to do.
StLSO: What high school did you attend, and did you play sports in
high school? If so, which ones?
Lamping: Vianney High School here in St. Louis. I played football
and soccer as a freshman. But when soccer moved to the fall I just played
soccer.
StLSO: Where did you attend college, did you graduate, and if so,
what did you take your degree in?
Lamping: I went to Rockhurst College in Kansas City, graduated in
1980 with a degree in accounting, and then went to SLU as a full time graduate
student. I received my MBA from SLU in 1984.
StLSO: St. Louis Sports Online has subscribers at Rockhurst College.
By the way, how much was tuition at SLU at that time?
Lamping: I'm trying to remember. I think tuition was $3,500 a year.
I took student loans to get
through graduate school.
StLSO: Many of our readers are still in college. I am fairly sure
that they will get a kick out of knowing that you took out student loans
in order to complete your education.
Lamping: Of course, isn't that what everybody does?
Actually, my wife worked at a bank while I went to graduate school. When
I graduated I started in corporate planning at Anheuser-Busch.
StLSO: How long were you employed at Anheuser-Busch? What were your
Anheuser-Busch related duties?
Lamping: I was employed at Anheuser-Busch for 13 years. I started
in corporate planning, serving as a financial analyst. I was involved in
acquisition analysis and those types of activities. Then I moved to the
sales department. In 1982, I became district sales manager in the southern
Illinois region. After about a year, we moved to Des Moines, IA, where I
also was district sales manager. I then returned to St. Louis and worked
as a marketing staff analyst, working on new products. I was a brand manager
for LA, an A-B product that failed. I then worked for Anheuser- Busch executive
Mike Roarty, serving as his executive assistant. I subsequently ran Anheuser-Busch's
sports marketing department, a position in which I was responsible for all
of our sports sponsorship programs.
I left Anheuser Busch on February 1, 1994 to become Commissioner of the
Continental Basketball Association, only to assume my current position on
September 1, 1994.
StLSO: How did the CBA job come about?
Lamping: I was approached to assume the Commissioner's position...a
gentleman by the name of Harvey Schiller [a leader within the United States
Olympic Committee] thought it might be a good opportunity.
It was a tough decision. You know, you work for one company for your career...then
something else comes along...the more I thought about it...I didn't want
to look back not having done it. I left Anheuser-Busch on good terms. In
addition, the CBA made it easy for me to take the job since they agreed
to relocate the league's headquarters to St. Louis.
StLSO: What did you learn from your CBA experience that applies to
your current position?
Lamping: I began to see the business of sports from a different perspective;
from the other side, actually. I saw a number of sports teams from parts
of the country outside of St. Louis. But perhaps most important, my CBA
experience taught me that the fan is number one. Those of us in sports must
keep fan satisfaction high.
I gained additional appreciation for what it takes to be successful. It
starts and ends with fan satisfaction. Fan satisfaction manifests itself
in a number of areas: TV, merchandise, the Cardinals magazine, etc. Our
objective is to continually improve customer satisfaction. We need to understand
what our customers want.
StLSO: What do you think that baseball means to St. Louisans? To
midwesterners in general?
Lamping: Here's what I think. To Cardinals fans, Cardinals baseball
means a winning team, one that hustles and works hard, one that faithfully
represents the proud history of the Cardinals' organization. In other words,
an organization that they themselves are proud to follow.
StLSO: So I take it that the Cardinals are not interested in acquiring
Darryl Strawberry.
Lamping: We have no interest in that.
Busch Stadium also means baseball to St. Louisans Cardinal fans. Its cleanliness,
its convenient location, the safe conditions in and around the ballpark,
the fact that our fans know there will be a game when it's scheduled, and
the fact that ticket prices are still affordable. All of these things are
important. We also have to focus on putting a winning team on the field
and building character in that team.
We want to make it possible for a family to come to Busch Stadium and go
through the same process that you and I probably went through. You know,
your father or mother or grandfather or uncle or whoever introduced you
to baseball. We want our fans to have the opportunity to repeat the family
involvement that we all have had.
You know, this is a bit off the subject...but recently there's been a lot
of talk about the baseball strike, the Rams coming to St. Louis, and the
hockey team in St. Louis, in terms of how all that affects the Cardinals.
My answer to that is that we're OK as long as we work on what we have to
work on in order to make ourselves better. We're family oriented. We're
affordable. Our games are in the summer. Baseball's tradition, and it's
pace...the long legacy of Cardinal success.
These are our strengths, and we'll flourish as long as we don't focus on
trying to be something that we're not.
StLSO: Does advertising behind home plate bother you?
Lamping: In general, no. [pause] No, it doesn't. It's something that
shouldn't be a concern to people that come to the ballpark. It becomes an
issue when you watch a game on TV. Perhaps it can be too intrusive for TV
viewers, but not for those in attendance at the ball park.
StLSO: Did you play baseball when you were a child? Did you play
pitch and catch with your father? Do you have children? If so, do you play
pitch and catch with them?
Lamping: I played baseball through the eighth grade. I was a first
baseman and a catcher. I was a marginal baseball player. I do have children,
and do play pitch and catch with them. I have to say that my children's
primary interest in sports is soccer. They play soccer year round but play
baseball mainly in the summer.
StLSO: What are your favorite baseball movies?
Lamping: Field of Dreams without any question is my favorite baseball
movie. When I was younger, I also always enjoyed watching movies that featured
or portrayed Cardinals such as Dizzy Dean and Grover Cleveland Alexander.
I just got a kick out of seeing Cardinals in movies.
StLSO: As a child, did you collect baseball cards? Do you still have
them?
Lamping: Yes...but I have no idea where they are. I probably had
a lot of rookie cards from the late 60's and early 70's. I wish I still
had them.
StLSO: As a child, who were your favorite Cardinals?
Lamping: Because I was a catcher, my favorite Cardinals were Tim
McCarver and Ted Simmons. Ted Simmons was in this office several months
ago. He looks great and has had a bit of a lifestyle change. You know that
he had a heart attack. He has quit smoking and really looks good. Out of
all of the people in baseball that I've met, Simmons has one of the brightest
baseball minds.
StLSO: You and I are about the same age. I have a crystal-clear memory
of my Father taking me to my first baseball game...at old Busch Stadium.
Do you remember anything about the first major league baseball game that
you attended?
Lamping: I remember going to games at old Busch Stadium. I don't
remember many details about the first game I saw at old Busch. I saw the
last game at old Busch Stadium. I was always just fascinated to be there.
When you walk into a baseball stadium...it's outdoors...it's a large area
focused around a green landscape.
You know, there's been a lot of talk lately about the new ballparks in baseball.
It would be idealistic to believe that we're going to tear this place [Busch
Stadium] down and make a Camden Yards. That's not going to happen.
But there is much we can do if you think about the success of some of the
other newer ballparks. The newer ballparks have three things in common:
First, the look of the facility. A baseball park should look and feel like
a baseball facility.
Second, the newer ballparks have excellent fan amenities and services.
And third, there's a convenience factor. The newer ballparks are located
downtown, like Camden and the new Denver stadium. The best ballparks fit
in as part of the community.
If you look at what we have here in St. Louis, we're fine on the convenience
factor...and the Cupples Station development proposals would enhance what
we already have. We feel like we're also positive on the amenities and services
fronts. But we think we can do more, and I can assure you that we plan to
upgrade this area.
As for the look of the facility, that's much of the reason behind our going
to natural grass. It's too bad you can't be here tomorrow. We are having
a groundbreaking tomorrow for a facility that's located outside the ballpark
(near the Musial statue) that will highlight great moments in Cardinals
history. We want to highlight the Cardinal tradition in order to provide
a vehicle with which we can pass the Cards tradition on to the next generation.
We need to make it easier for the fans to understand and appreciate the
long legacy of this franchise, a franchise that has endured for over 100
years.
StLSO: How many season ticket holders took part in the recent event
held at the Adams Mark Hotel?
Lamping: Just over 2,000 in two sessions.
StLSO: The Fan Appreciation Day, an event in which fans were allowed
on the field, in the dugouts, as well as in the clubhouse, was an amazing
success. Are more events such as FAD planned?
Lamping: Well...a couple of things. Anything we can do to make the
ballpark special and magical we should do. After Fan Appreciation Day, people
left feeling special about the game. We want to make that happen on a regular
basis, and, setting aside the current labor problems, we think we can.
Every child has had the opportunity to see or walk or play on a baseball
field. But there's a difference between a typical local baseball diamond
and a major league baseball stadium. The playing surface itself, it's so
much beyond what you're used to. The field is manicured and smooth. So on
four dates throughout the year...after the game...fans will be allowed onto
the field and children can run the bases.
StLSO: You have hired Walt Jocketty to serve as General Manager.
Jocketty is known as a lifetime baseball man...you are not. Can you be specific
about his duties as GM as they compare to your duties as President?
Lamping: My role is very limited in terms of actual talent evaluation.
My role is to make sure that there's a plan in place. I'm very familiar
with what the plan is, and I act as protector of that plan.
StLSO: Like Pittsburgh's Three Rivers Stadium, the seating areas
at Busch Stadium this year have been designated as smoke-free. Explain your
thinking in this area. Do you expect challenges to the policy?
Lamping: We lost between 10 and 25 season tickets over it. We believe
very strongly that we should create an environment for all of our fans...smokers
and non-smokers alike. There are 29 designated smoking areas in Busch Stadium...all
29 will have TV monitors and audio monitors. We want to try and satisfy
all of our fans.
StLSO: Sports in the 90's are often criticized being "too corporate"
in their image and direction and not caring enough as far as individual
fans are concerned. Corporations are made up of people, of course. How important
is corporate support of the St. Louis Cardinals...and do corporations purchase
a majority of the season tickets each year at Busch Stadium?
Lamping: 40% of our season tickets are purchased by individuals.
StLSO: Do you think that percentage can be increased?
Lamping: We think we can make that number go up. But it's tough for
an individual to make a commitment to attend 81 games. It's a practical
concern in that there are so many games that maybe that's hard to do. Many
groups of individuals do go together on season tickets.
StLSO: It seems that "Cardinal Baseball" has always been
a little different from the brand of ball played by other big league teams.
Cards baseball has always meant solid fundamentals, good pitching, speed,
and defense...and one big bat in the middle of the line-up. Last year, in
fact, I thought that the Cards often played a rather ugly brand of baseball.
Can Cards fans look forward to a return to Cardinal baseball?
Lamping: I prefer to say that perhaps it [Cardinal baseball] hasn't
been as pretty as it could be. Walt [General Manager Jocketty] realizes
that the problems with fundamentals start at the Rookie League and Class
A levels. He has changed concepts as to how we're training our players.
We used to have roving minor league instructors and a manager at each level
of our minor league system. This year we've cut back on the roving instructors
and instead, we've assigned them to individual teams. We will have more
coaches at each level than we've ever had before. From our rookie league
teams to single A and triple A ball, right up to the major leagues, all
players in our system will be taught the same things.
StLSO: It's interesting that you mention that all ballplayers in
the Cardinal system will be taught the same things. One of the more important
ideas that baseball has going for it is its continuity. A youngster grows
up and follows his or her favorite team, learns to enjoy that team's uniform,
logo, stadium, and style of play. Years ago even the players themselves
seemed to have a bit of continuity in that free agency wasn't yet on tap.
It seemed that players stayed with a given team for longer periods of time
than they do now. While I generally side with the players in sports labor
disputes, it would be marvelous if something could be built into the new
labor agreement that would enable this kind of continuity to return.
Lamping: I know you're interested in this...you probably heard me
tell Len Coleman that yesterday was my worst day in this job because the
whole labor process is messed up. Here's what I mean. You had a mediator,
William Usery, appointed by the President of the United States. Usery is
acknowledged as one of the best in the business. He is a former secretary
in the Labor Department. He worked for four months on the baseball labor
problem. If a settlement could not be reached, the President asked for his
recommendation on February 6. On that date, Usery gave his recommendation
to the parties involved. The owners agreed with his recommendations, which
included:
--full free agency after four years
--a guaranteed minimum salary, after four years of major league service,
of a million dollars per year
--no provisions for any kind of salary cap
--a type of tax rate in which proceeds would be turned over to player pension
and industry growth funds
--increased player representation on major league baseball committees
The players, through their representatives, trashed Usery's recommendations.
In fact, I believe that Gene Orza [Don Fehr's right hand man] said that
Usery was a senile old man.
Furthermore, instead of saying that "we don't agree with this or that
provision" of Usery's recommendations, the other side simply trashed
it. The owners agreed to collective bargaining-style arbitration for four
months, but we would not agree to binding arbitration on the entire issue.
We have agreed to arbitrate the issue of the tax rate, but the players said
no.
The frustrating thing is that the players believe that they can get a better
deal through sources other than bargaining and negotiating. They would rather
have a third party come in and try to put a deal in place.
There was one more item about Usery's proposal--in 1995 we would have operated
under the old rules [the previous collective bargaining agreement]. We were
close [to a solution], and some player agents told Walt [Jocketty] they
thought they could live with it [the Usery plan]. It's just so frustrating.
StLSO: Back to pleasant thoughts. You recently signed Danny Jackson
to a three year contract. Jackson, a starting pitcher, has completed a total
of six of his starts in the past six years. Do you expect Danny Jackson
to be your number one starter?
Lamping: I know Walt plans on adding another pitcher. It depends
on who we add. Danny Jackson is a proven starter and one of two that we
promised our fans that we would add.
StLSO: Do you expect Tom Henke to be your closer?
Lamping: Yes.
StLSO: Would you care to comment on Bob Tewksbury's future in the
Cardinals organization?
Lamping: We've talked to his agent recently and we're trying to work
something out. Let me just say that we've had many conversations recently.
StLSO: Is Dal Maxvill still under contract to the Cardinals? If so,
will he have any role in the Cardinals organization in 1995?
Lamping: I believe he is under contract through 1995. He may help
us with some scouting, but overall his role at this point is undefined.
StLSO: Are the Cardinals actively engaged in recruiting and/or preparing
minorities for front-office positions?
Lamping: This is a serious issue and one that baseball needs to address.
I've had discussions with Len Coleman about this very issue. I can tell
you that there is not a good pool of GM candidates, period. I just went
through that process and had to work just as hard as I could to just find
a couple. You just don't create GM candidates. People don't know what it's
like to work in sports...when you're on your way up the pay is not nearly
what most people think.
StLSO: The Cardinals have been described as a team that does not
need an externally imposed salary cap. Profits and losses aside for a moment,
can you comment on the overall financial health of major league baseball?
With that in mind, why do the values of sports franchises continue to increase?
Lamping: My answer to that is that it depends. There are large differences
depending on the markets involved. For example, it now appears that the
public is being asked to subsidize the operation of their sports teams.
That reflects in an increased value.
For example, the Rams are worth more here in St. Louis than they are in
Los Angeles. That the public is subsidizing the Rams' playing environment
is frustrating for us. We pay all of our expenses, we own our own building,
we pay the highest sales and admission taxes of any team in all of major
league baseball. We'd like to have a deal like the Rams.
StLSO: If you could change two things about baseball in 1995, what
would they be?
Lamping: Obviously, I'd like for the season to start with regular
players. I'd also like to get back to an unbalanced schedule, one that emphasized
traditional rivalries. Heck, in some cases contending teams now don't even
play teams within their own division during the last two months of the season.
We need to recreate our pennant races.
Actually, that was part of the reason that Len Coleman called. He wanted
to know whether, in the event that expansion were to take place, whether
we would be for or against interleague play. We're for it. Don't you think
our fans would enjoy seeing Ken Griffey and the White Sox and the Royals?
It would be great.
StLSO: You have now served as President of the Cardinals for several
months. What has surprised you most about the position up-to-now?
Lamping: Two things. First, because of all of the labor issues, we
haven't been able to completely focus on things related to putting a championship
team together. Second, and I shouldn't have been surprised by this, but
I was, and in fact still am surprised by the passion of Cardinal fans. It's
amazing.
StLSO: There is talk that the Cardinals have plans to reunite Jack
Buck and Harry Caray in the Cardinal broadcast booth. Would you care to
comment on what is admittedly a totally
unsubstantiated rumor?
Lamping: There haven't been any conversations...none that I've been
involved with. But it would be wonderful. It would be great, wouldn't it?
StLSO: Thank you, Mark Lamping, for taking time to talk with St.
Louis Sports Online.
Lamping: Thank you for visiting us, come back and see us this summer,
and good luck with your publication.
Top Ten Comments Overheard at the Recent St.
Louis Baseball Writers' Dinner by JIM HUNSTEIN (2.12.96)
10. "Where's my replacement beer?"
9. "Just look at all those weenies!"
8. "I'm sorry, Mr. Dierdorf, but Mr. Miklasz just chugged the last
can of Slim Fast."
7. "We need a booster for Costas!"
6. "For the last time, is 'RBI' plural or singular?"
5. "Ken Burns? Gay as a cricket player."
4. "Gotta restock the buffet line again."
3. "That new waiter, Denkinger, got my drink order wrong again."
2. "More Fredbird Fricassee, Mr. Lamping?"
1. "Get your cold hands off my laptop."
February 19, 1995
News and Notes by RANDY KARRAKER (2.19.96)
The reaction in St. Louis to NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue not issuing
a recommendation that owners approve the Rams' move to town ranged from
sheer paranoia to a "what, me worry" attitude. I tend to lean
toward the latter for several reasons. First, most of these owners just
got finished paying Al Davis $280 million for his winning an identical lawsuit
from when he moved the Raiders to L.A. Second, it doesn't behoove the NFL
to jump into this relationship with St. Louis feet first. The league really
does prefer stability, and doesn't want franchises moving. By slowing down
the Rams, they're telling other owners "look, we're going to make it
tough on you to move. This is not going to be easy." Finally, one must
look at the current stadium situation in the NFL. No fewer than a dozen
teams have bad stadiums or stadium deals. Detroit, Chicago, Tampa, Washington,
Phoenix, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Houston, Seattle, Los Angeles, Buffalo and
New England are all angling for either better stadiums or stadium leases.
If the NFL rejects the Rams' move, they are, in effect, telling cities that
its all right to not help the team with a stadium dilemma. The city will
say, "you're not going anywhere, the NFL won't let you." A loss
of leverage is the last thing league owners want, so it says here the move
gets approved, in lopsided fashion, in March.
The best Craig Janney rumors have come from the northeast. His hometown
Whalers claimed they were ready to pull the trigger on a three way deal
that would send Janney to Hartford, Andrew Cassels to Vancouver, and Murray
Craven to St. Louis. Apparently the Canucks backed out at the last minute
and killed the deal. Then Whaler GM Jimmy Rutherford talked about it, ticking
off Mike Keenan, and probably killing anything. Another rumor had Janney
headed to Montreal. In one scenario, he would be moved with tough young
winger Denis Chasse and defenseman Donald Dufresne for center Kirk Muller.
If this deal is available, the Blues HAVE to take it, but it seems unlikely
Muller would be made available. The other, more realistic possibility, had
Janney and Dufresne going for Montreal contract problem defenseman Mathieu
Schneider. As the week ended, and NHL General Manager meetings approach
this week, all kinds of rumors were flying around. The bottom line is that
one Blues source said Janney had played his last game as a Blue, and that
seems highly likely. One more note on the Blues front. Defenseman Al MacInnis
is expected back February 25 in Detroit.
While the Cardinals and the rest of baseball struggle to pick out replacement
players in Florida and Arizona, the Redbirds are still working on building
their regular team. With the salary cap and four year free agency out the
window at the moment, the Cards are concentrating on six year FA's. The
apple of their eye is still Larry Walker, who would play first base. Several
other teams are interested. Another name that's come up is old buddy Terry
Pendleton. He has told friends in Atlanta that the Cardinals have been one
of his most persistent suitors, and that when the signing freeze is over
he may return. That would be a great move for the Birds. Pendleton for 125
games would be better than most at third base. He knows how to play the
game, obviously is a leader, and is a gentleman that the club could utilize
to teach young players how a major leaguer should act.
Finally, with each huge crowd St. Louis U. draws, Mizzou must be thinking
about a new arena. The Bills drew 19,966 on Thursday night for Alcorn State
(Steve "Air" McNair was not on display). Each time the Billikens
draw 20,000, Mizzou gets a maximum of 13,000. Those dollars add up over
a full season. Don't be surprised to see the Walton family (of Wal-Mart
fame) become involved in building Mizzou a new facility in the next few
years.
Rams Lose Two in Expansion Draft (2.19.96)
The NFL's expansion draft was held on Wednesday. Each of the 28 existing
teams was required to expose a total of six players to the draft. The soon-to-be
St. Louis Rams lost two players, both of whom had Big 10 connections--wide
receiver Richard Buchanan (who played his college ball at Northwestern)
and fullback Howard Griffith (Illinois). Both Buchanan and Griffith were
selected by the Carolina Panthers. Other Ram players eligible to be selected
included wide receiver fullback Tim Lester, linebacker Chris Martin, quarterback
Chris Miller, and defensive end Gerald Robinson.
It seems likely that Chris Miller's 2.7 million dollar salary (for the 1995
season) and his recent injury history was enough to prevent either the Panthers
or the Jacksonville Jaguars from selecting him. With the first pick in the
draft, the Jaguars selected Phoenix QB Steve Beuerlein. Carolina's other
picks included former Illinois QB Jack Trudeau.
Top Ten Fan Reactions to the Hiring of Rich
Brooks by JIM HUNSTEIN (2.19.96)
The big news in town is obviously the hiring of Rich Brooks as the coach
of the St. Louis (nee Los Angeles) Rams. And any publication worthy of its
heritage is under obligation to its loyal readers to find out as much as
possible about such a hot topic. So we sent out our crack research staff
to discover the reactions of typical fans around town.
Top Ten Fan Reactions to the Hiring of Rich Brooks
10. "It's not the 104 losses, it's those 4 ties that bother me."
9. "I mortgaged the house for PSLs and they hire this guy?"
8. "He could be another Bobby Ross. You know, the coach who just got
creamed in the Super Bowl."
7. "The OU coach? Great! Oh, that OU."
6. "I guess Hayden Frye wasn't available."
5. "That's odd. Usually St. Louis coaches go from the pros to the college
ranks."
4. "If Miklasz doesn't like him, he can't be all bad."
3. "Give him a chance. If St. Louis football stands for something,
it's mediocrity."
2. "I'm surprised he's gotten into coaching after making 'Young Frankenstein'
and 'Blazing Saddles'."
1. No reaction at all. After so many years of George Boone's first picks,
we're numb.
Game Summary: Blues at Winnipeg (2.19.96)
Former Blues defenseman (and current KFNS Blues post-game co-host) Rob Ramage
has stated in no uncertain terms that he believes the Blues recent signing
of Glenn Anderson will strengthen Mike Keenan's squad. Ramage proved to
be correct as Anderson, in his first game as a Blue, scored the game-winning
goal with just over two minutes to play in the third period as the visiting
Blues defeated the Winnipeg Jets 4-3.
The game's number one star was Blues rookie centerman Ian Laperriere, who
scored a pair of goals, his second and third of the season. Laperriere's
first goal came with only 39 seconds left in the first period, and brought
the Blues back to within a single goal of the Jets, who tallied the first
two goals of the game (scored by Darrin and Darryl Shannon).
Blues winger Brendan Shanahan tied the game about halfway through the second
period as he beat Jets goalie Tim Cheveldae. Assists on the goal went to
young winger Patrice Tardif and steady defenseman Bill Houlder, who, in
the KMOX pre-game show, said that he has played for eight teams in the past
eight seasons.
Nearly six minutes into the third period, Laperriere put the Blues up 3-2
on a play in which Esa Tikkanen tied up Jets defenseman Dave (Charlie) Manson
so that Laperriere could skate out from behind the net and beat Cheveldae.
Then, with just two and a half minutes remaining in the third, Darrin Shannon,
on an pass from ex-Blue Stephane Quintal, beat Blues goalie Curtis Joseph.
The goal tied the game at 3 and seemed to virtually assure an overtime period.
But the newest Blue, Anderson, sent Jets fans home (a) booing; and (b) in
regulation time, as he scored a rather soft goal with a backhander that
seemed to go over Cheveldae's shoulder. With the victory, the Blues record
moves to 8-4-1. The Blues 17 points is good enough for a tie for second
place in the Western Conference, just two points behind first place Detroit.
The Blues have a game at hand on the Red Wings.
Once again, Craig Janney did not dress for the game.
EDITOR'S NOTE: This game summary has too many Shannons without being reminded
of St. Louis' own Mike Shannon. Can you picture the lovable Cards broadcaster
doing hockey play-by-play? I'm trying to imagine how ol'Abner Doubleday
would be worked into the broadcast, or how Mike would explain the two-line
offsides pass.
StLSO Interactivity (2.19.95)
*SCOTT THOMPSON, who writes from Salt Lake City, Utah--Thanks for the interview
with Mark Lamping. It was good reading and nice to hear what the Cardinals
are doing. I personally wouldn't go to see replacement players; but I realize
many people depend on a baseball season and it's nice the know the Cardinals
haven't forgotten them.
Living in Utah we have great skiing, golf and parks; but not a lot of hockey
or national college basketball information. I really enjoy reading the Blues,
Mizzou Tigers and Billikens game summaries in the column. It keeps me in
touch with things back home. I also enjoy hearing about the Rams (all they
need now is a decent quarterback).
Being close to California now, I had a thought I could see the Blues play
one of the West Coast Teams (L.A., San Jose, Anaheim) and wonder whether
you or anyone else has ticket information numbers for any of those cities.
If so, could I get them.
Thanks again for doing StLSports. I now look forward to each new edition
on Monday.
*TOM SULLIVAN (writing from Colorado), says (in part)--I really like your
"publication" about StL sports. I moved to Colorado last year
after having grown up and lived in St. Louis for 32 years. I really miss
news of home and your efforts have filled the sports void, especially where
the Cardinals are concerned. Also, getting news of Mizzou sports has helped
living here in CU Buffalo/CSU Rams territory. (My wife's the Mizzou alum,
and I'm from WashU.) I really enjoyed your interview with Mark Lamping and
hope that other sports personalities are on the burner...
*MICK STOHR, writing from Marshalltown, Iowa--What a wonderful service.
Having lived away from St. Louis for 15 years it has been hard to keep up
with all the latest news. Am really glad it looks like we're going to get
a football team again. I have kept my loyalty open so I'm ready. Please
send me a subscription to this wonderful creation. Thanks.
*GREGORY BROWN (writing from New Orleans)--Great idea guys (or girls, whomever
you may be) to put together a St. Louis Sports mag! Works out well for people
like me who only come back to visit, but follow the Cards, Blues, et.al
religiously.
*LARRY OLIVE writes--I am writing to request a subscription to the sports
news letter. I am currently attending Rockhurst College in Kansas City and
find it difficult to keep up with sports in the St. Louis area. This would
allow me to keep up with my home town teams.
*ROB KOTTMEIER, writing from Princeton Univ.,--First I would like to thank
anyone responsible for this publication. It brings me closer to home. However,
I have one suggestion. Washington University is now ranked in Division III
and playing some great ball from the minimal info I get. If you could include
small summaries of their games like you do for other schools, it would be
appreciated, especially as the Div III tournament approaches.
*JAMES T., writing from Canterbury, United Kingdom--Thanks for subscribing
me to St. Louis Sports Online. I look forward to receiving my first issue!
The state of hockey in the UK is pretty dire, but it is catching on slowly.
*JOHN F. KNOLL, writing from Utah--Please add me to your list of subscribers
for Saint Louis Sports. I too am a deprived native of Saint Louis eager
to grab morsels of big city sports out here in the hinterland of Utah.
*ALAN GIOKARIS writes--I'm just curious. Did Mr. Lamping back up his comment
regarding interleague play with any data from marketing studies, or any
other method of determining how the fans feel about the idea. I'd hate to
think the Cardinals are signing on to an idea without knowing how the fans
feel. I certainly would not be in favor of interleague play. I have a hard
enough time keeping track of 14 clubs. (Not to mention the DH versus no-DH
issue)
*DAVID DESLOGE, writing from Bloomington IN--I am a freshman at Indiana
University. I am from St. Louis and an enormous St. Louis sports fan-especially
the Blues. Coverage here in the thriving metropolis of Bloomington is less
than spectacular. St. Louis Sports Online sounds exactly like the type of
thing I have been looking for, something to keep me up with what's going
on in the wild and wacky world of sports in St. Louis.
*MIKE WILKERSON, writing from Colorado--Hi, could I be added to the subscription
list for your publication? I'm in the Air Force and stationed in Colorado
Springs. I can pick up KMOX at night after 6pm, but miss the sports a lot
of the time. Nothing wrong with Jim White. I would appreciate a way to keep
up with St. Louis Sports. Thanks.
EDITOR'S NOTE: My hard disk isn't big enough to hold any additional Jim
White comments.
*Screen name JTUJAG writes--Request a subscription to St. Louis Sports Online.
I'm a big Cardinals fan (when they are not on strike). I may be visiting
St. Louis later this year and wish to see the Cardinals (if it's the real
team).
*CHRIS MORRIS writes--My office mate and fellow former St. Louisan Perry
Sailor forwarded a recent issue of St. Louis Sports Online to me, and it
was like water in the desert to this hockey-starved Blues fan! Please put
me on the subscription list! Thanks.
February 26, 1995
News and Notes by RANDY KARRAKER (2.26.95)
The Rams have nearly completed Rich Brooks' coaching staff. Only two positions
remain open--offensive coordinator and defensive line coach. The offensive
coordinator position will be filled by one of three interviewees, former
Seattle assistant Larry Kennan, Raider running backs coach Jack Reilly or
Green Bay quarterbacks coach Dan Mariucci. At this writing Mariucci, who
is credited with developing Brett Favre, appears to be the favorite. Johnny
Roland, who was hired by the Rams before Brooks, will probably the running
backs coach. Dallas wideout Alvin Harper is at the top of the Rams free
agent wish list, with several veteran offensive linemen and a cornerback
also being courted. Look for the Rams to go for a defensive end like Florida's
Kevin Carter or Florida State's Derrick Alexander with the sixth pick in
the draft, unless USC offensive tackle Tony Boselli is available, an unlikely
prospect.
Friends of Blues center Craig Janney are saying that he was greatly affected
by recent personal troubles and the benching by coach Mike Keenan. One source
said he has left the country, and that Janney's friends are greatly concerned.
It was a surprise that Keenan wasn't able to deal the playmaking center
at the NHL General Manager's meetings last week, but Keenan reports that
progress was made, and a deal is forthcoming, eventually. One of the best
stats in hockey right now is that Blues youngsters Denis Chasse, Patrice
Tardif, Ian Laperriere and Craig Johnson are all among the top ten rookie
scorers in the league. More young help is on the way in the form of Sudbury
Wolves defenseman Jamie Rivers, the MVP of the OHL all star game, and hulking
Mike Grier of Boston University, who had 32 points and 45 penalty minutes
through eighteen games. The Blues also own the rights to three college goalies
who are among the top six in their league in GAA. If Keenan doesn't trade
away the farm, the Blues future looks very bright.
Cardinal replacement players are in camp, along with a host of minor leaguers.
The Cards have taken a hard line stance on minor leaguers that don't want
to cross the picket line for spring training. They are expected to play
because they are under contract, and not on the forty man roster. It would
be no surprise to see minor leaguers that don't play exhibition games sent
home. Meanwhile, apparently there are openings for picketers outside of
Busch Stadium. The contact would be the Major League Baseball Players Association
in New York.
It was a bit of a surprise to see St. Louis U. projected as a number ten
seed in the NCAA tournament by Steve Wieberg of USA Today. Most St. Louis
"experts" consider the Bills a bubble team because they really
haven't had a good win this season. We would take the number ten seed. Mizzou
found out how important Julian Winfield was when he was lost with a thigh
bruise, losing two in a row heading into Saturday's game at Kansas. Winfield's
health will have a big impact on how the Tigers do down the stretch, although
they appear to be a NCAA lock.
Finally, the Ambush avenged a distressing home-and-home series loss to Wichita
a few weeks back by hammering the Wings at the Kiel Center Friday night.
GO 'BUSH.
My Visit to the Kiel, or A Pucking Good Time
by JIM HUNSTEIN (2.26.95)
I had the opportunity to go to the Blues game on Monday (20 Feb.) night
against the Edmonton Oilers at the new Kiel Center. (OK, so it's not so
new anymore. But you could still get a good deal on a slightly used New
Kiel Center; low mileage and a comprehensive service contract.) But it was
new to me as I had not been to an event there before. It is quite the facility,
but all that glass in front is almost daring the New Madrid fault to start
acting up. I guess Dr. Earthquake Brown was not on the design committee.
And I'm not sure who was on the interior design board, but it looks like
"The Jetsons Do Art Deco". I can see 50 or so years down the road
when the then-ancient Kiel has been abandoned in favor of yet another new
venue somewhere in a parallel universe. Elaine Viets will be spearheading
a campaign to save the classic old Kiel as she's doing for the ill fated
(not to mention ill-reputed) Coral Courts.
But I digress. I got to go because a buddy got tickets at an auction. We
arrived a little early and had a chance to watch the teams warming up. I
had a real bad feeling as I saw every Blue and even national anthemnist
Mary Phelan blow pucks by Cujo in the practice net. Little did I realize
that it was all part of the team's strategy to lull the Oilers into a false
sense security. It worked; we got our first shutout of the year and the
first at home in two years. So I'm part of history by attending the first
shutout victory in the new Kiel. Of course, in five years, there will be
86,000 people claiming to have been there even though there were only 17,000-plus
in official attendance.
My attention to the pre-game activities was naturally diverted by the first
beer vendor I saw, who seemed to need help lightening his load. A pair of
Bud Light tallboys rang up a healthy $7.50. Excuse me, but I can buy a 12-pack
for that in the real world. I understand that they have to cover costs and
pay for that nice man to carry those beers around and keep them cold, but
come on. As we walked around, the prices in the various food boutiques were
even more unreal. (Maybe we'd already gone to that parallel universe!) Each
little restaurantette had its own identity, but they all pretty much sold
the same stuff; a variation of meat on bread, fries, and beverages. Just
don't count on much change from a twenty to feed two. Now I realize why
they blare that foghorn after goals. No one would come and spend inordinate
sums of money on concessions (never mind tickets) if they played a loud
cash register CHA-CHING. I though the era of conspicuous consumption went
out with the '80s. Guess I was wrong. it's alive and well and thriving downtown.
Our seats were up in the Blues alumni box, one of these special seating
areas way up along the upper perimeter of the ceiling. (They call those
luxury boxes because who'd buy something called Rafter Seating?) To get
there, we took the elevator and that's when I realized who has the best
gig in the joint: The elevator operators. They have a chair (which they
do not offer to any ladies as far as I could tell, so right away they need
chivalry lessons) and sit there are you tell them what level you want. Then
(are you ready for this?) they push the button! Now, this is an automatic
elevator, the kind we all operate all the time all by ourselves in any modern
office building or hotel. The thing goes up and down all by itself. It's
not like we need a veteran test pilot from Top Gun on board to land this
thing on the deck of a carrier at night and in the rain. The elevator is
going to stop at whatever level no matter what. And if it doesn't, there's
nothing they can do about it. They can't override the autopilot and bring
in flying by the wire like Chuck Yeager. All they really do besides pushing
buttons is wear sturdy shoes since they hold the door open with their feet
as people get in and out. I guess they don't trust "them new-fangled
automatical door-opener-and-holder" buttons. No true stick-and-rudder
man would hold with such a thing.
Anyway, the view from up there was spectacular. I'd put it on a par with
the Grand Canyon in terms of grandeur and scope and acrophobia. It's roughly
the same distance from the rim to the bottom and in the great gorge. And
about the same color scheme as some of those sunrise/sunset pictures of
the canyon. Much has been written and said about the colors used in the
place, but let's just say that everything sort of goes together. (How's
that for damning with faint praise?)
Our box is situated right next to the press box. I took a stroll over there
(my personal motto: It's better to ask forgiveness than permission) and
met old friend Jeff Gordon for the first time. He's the guy at the Post-Dispatch
who runs the always humorous Upon Further Review section of the Sunday sports
pages. Great stuff in there, especially those lists. Hilarious! (Editor's
note: We apologize for the blatant and shameless self-promotion and butt-kissing
by Mr. Hunstein. Unfortunately, he's absolutely correct.) We even got to
share the press's bathrooms. But they wouldn't let us near their buffet
line. Bernie Miklasz can get downright ugly defending his turf while growling
through a turkey drumstick in his mouth. Protect the women and children.
The huge scoreboard/instant replay screen/display monitor/mother ship in
the middle of everything (protected by the circling Y-98 attack dirigible)
is amazing. Great replays of all the major happenings as well as gratuitous
cute kid and cute chick crowd shots. Too bad it can't keep up with the crowd
chants it's trying to lead. If that's what they want, they should just hire
retired cheerleaders with lots of slow-twitch muscle fibers. (That's actually
on my resume, so let me know where to apply.) Maybe the next generation
of technology will be able to keep up.
Like any self-respecting sports fans, we moved down into better seats as
the game progressed. I must say, the Kiel quasi-flight attendants are much
better about allowing migration than the drill instructors at Busch. Those
folks act like we're taking their seats. It's sort of like trying to get
extra catsup packets at McDonalds; those clerks dole them out like it comes
out of their pay.
To sum up, I had a great time and I'm glad the game is on. The lockout doesn't
seem to have had any long-lasting impact judging by the way things were
going at Kiel. (Now what were those issues again? Oh, right, Never mind.)
But hockey is still facing a few challenges and problems. For instance,
it's hard for the average fan to feel too sorry for the plights of the owners
or the players when he or she has to cough up fifty bucks a pop just to
get in the door. Granted, those are phenomenal doors, but I think it's getting
out of hand. Maybe it's because I'm not a die-hard Blues fan. I'm more apt
to bleed Cardinal red than Blue, well, blue. And it's getting to the point
that only the blue-bloods can afford to go to the games. But that's just
one problem. Hockey needs to address a few other key issues. With that in
mind, I would like to present the...
Top 10 Other Problems Facing Hockey
10. Too many names that sound like surly French waiters, or surly French
entrees.
9. Wes Craven and Sam Peckinpah are working on a historical epic "Hockey"
for PBS.
8. The players never get dirty. What kid can identify with that?
7. They need to invent an Abner Doubleday-like history to Americanize the
sport. Why? Because this is America, eh.
6. Hard to take the sport seriously when the main piece of equipment is
a stick.
5. Want to be a real sport? The garment with the numbers is called a jersey.
4. TV commentators are always a minute and a half behind the action.
3. Two words: Puck jokes.
2. No one has ever actually seen a play, a goal, and especially an assist.
And what exactly is icing anyway?
1. No matter what, it's still a game played by rich white guys in sweaters,
shorts and knee socks.
Game Summary: Blues at Detroit (2.25.95)
Despite being outshot 37-19, the St. Louis Blues went into raucous Joe Louis
Arena and defeated the Detroit Red Wings, 3-2.
The Blues scored their three goals in the game's first eight and one half
minutes. After only one minute of play, Glenn Anderson scored the first
Blues goal as he tipped in a Steve Duchesne shot from the point. Then, just
five minutes later, Bill Houlder accepted a pass from Greg Gilbert, and
fired the puck in the general direction of Wings goalie Chris Osgood. Before
the puck reached Osgood, it was deflected by a Wings defenseman in such
a way that prevented Osgood from stopping it.
The Blues third goal was scored about two and a half minutes later, as Guy
Carbonneau fired a long shot past Osgood, who appeared to have an unimpeded
view of the puck. The goal was a power play goal, and Wings coach Scotty
Bowman had seen enough of Osgood. Mike Vernon replaced Osgood, and Vernon
responded by shutting out the Blues the rest of the way.
Slowly but surely, the Red Wings played themselves out of the 3-0 hole.
Greg Johnson scored a goal late in the first period as his shot appeared
to be tipped past Curtis Joseph by a Blues player.
Dino Ciccarelli scored the Wings second goal midway through the second period.
It was a power play effort, as Dino beat Joseph after collecting the rebound
of a Paul Coffey shot. There was no additional scoring in the second or
third periods as the game ended up 3-2.
As viewed on KPLR-TV, the second one-third of the second period was classic
NHL hockey, as end-to-end action was the rule. Let it be said that Paul
Coffey can still skate...and that Sergei Federov may be a better skater
than Coffey!
Other game highlights:
*Guy Carbonneau had a lot of ice time
*Among Vernon's better stops included his stoning of Brett Hull, who, while
shorthanded, broke in more-or-less all alone
*Ian Laperriere stapled several Red Wings to the Joe Louis dasherboards
with punishing bodychecks. Keenan must love this guy, as Laperriere plays
the kind of game that Blues fans remember Keenan's Chicago teams played
*Joseph made the save of the game with about 2 seconds remaining in the
third period. The Wings had six attackers (after pulling Vernon), and the
Blues were shorthanded as a result of an iffy penalty called against Patrice
Tardif. Joseph stopped a shot from the point, and the rebound went to Ciccarelli,
who was standing on the doorstep to the left of Joseph. Dino decided to
shoot for the far corner of the net, and Joseph used his trapper to catch
the low-flying puck. Game over.
As a result of the victory, the Blues record now stands at 11-5-1. The Blues
23 points is good for second overall in the Western Conference, two points
behind Detroit. The Blues have a game at hand. Only two other teams (Pittsburgh
and Quebec) have more points than the Blues.
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