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Reputation:94
Level:All-Star
Since:Dec 9, 2006
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Well guys, tonight is the return of one of our greatest - if not our greatest center fielder - Jimmy "Ballgame" Edmonds. We have all been wondering what kind of greeting he will receive for a while. In about 12 hours from now, we will know. I still remember what I said back when he inked his deal with the Cubs that I couldn't give him a standing O because of the uniform that he wears. Please don't take me wrong. I always have and always will cherish what Jimmy Ballgame did for us in his time here. But for as long as he continues to wear Cubbie blue, I just can't bring myself to like what he's doing. I would like it more if he were to be wearing any other uniform. I do want him to end his wonderful career on a good, high note. I'm glad for him. To me, if it were not for the friendly confines of Wrigley Field, it's possible that we wouldn't have this chance to say thank you. What I'm getting at - and I don't mean to ruffle any feathers - is if it were not for Wrigley Field, his stats would be showing more of his real age.
My questions are:
- Do you still think Jimmy Ballgame will get a standing O? Or will he receive a nice round of applause? If so, when?
- Do you think this will be his final season?
In closing, I say to Jimmy Ballgame welcome home and thanks for the wonderful memories.
Go Cards!
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Reputation:96
Level:Superstar
Since:Jul 3, 2007
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I'm sure he'll get a warm reception.
You would put him above Flood on the alltime Cardinal CF list? To me it is a draw.
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Reputation:94
Level:All-Star
Since:Dec 9, 2006
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Pipefit
Great post bud. I would call it a tie as well. That's why I said he was one of our greatest before I said the greatest. In my lifetime so far, there have been 3 great CF'ers to wear the Cardinals uniform - Curt Flood, Willie McGee and Jim Edmonds. What an awesome trio.
Go Cards!
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Reputation:97
Level:Superstar
Since:Aug 11, 2006
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I agree that it would be hard to give him the standing "O", I voted no in the earlier poll. The more I think about it, I believe that I would give it up for Jimmy Ballgame. That is the main difference between Card fans and cubbie fans, we know when to let it go and show our respect for the efforts of a player. If the shoe was on the other foot, they would boo a former player.
Man oh man, Edmonds or Flood, flip a coin.
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Reputation:94
Level:All-Star
Since:Dec 9, 2006
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Here is one reason why I can't give Edmonds a standing O tonight:
At several points in two separate interviews, Edmonds professed high regard for manager Tony La Russa. But La Russa said he recently had read some disturbing (to La Russa) quotes attributed to Edmonds, who, for the sake of his acceptance by Chicagoans, had been trying to distance himself from the Cardinals.
"I think we ought to follow his lead," La Russa said, tersely. "His quote was roughly, within a couple of words, 'I've had enough of people asking me about my Cardinal days. I'm a Cub now.'
"So I would treat him like he never played here. I would wait until the end of his career and I would remember he was a Cardinal. I would ignore the fact that he was ever here because that's what he wants. I would honor his request. Forget the Cardinal days until his career is over."
I'll follow TLR's advice and wait until Jimmy Ballgame calls it a career then give him the proper acknowledgement.
Go Cards!
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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Jun 2, 2008
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I'm sure he'll get a very nice ovation from the crowd. I think the way Renteria left (of his own free will) seemed to anger more fans than Edmonds' scenario (Cubs uniform withstanding), and Renteria still got a standing O.
I'll be at Saturday's game, and maybe some of the hoopla will die down by then. I'll still cheer for him the first time he's announced, but as you can imagine, if he strikes out or hits into a double play, I and every other Cardinals fan in attendance will cheer even more loudly. Also, I don't feel too badly about that quote from Edmonds. I imagine he's been asked about it incessantly since the moment he signed with Chicago, and is probably genuinely tired of hearing about it. There's no way he will ever forget his days in St. Louis. He enjoyed too much team and personal success for that to happen.
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Reputation:79
Level:Pro
Since:May 14, 2008
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