Red Fever Starts Thursday

Thursday is a red letter day for me.

It’s the start of baseball season and that makes me a happy boy. If I’m not watching----I’m listening---all season long. I’ve been a Cardinal fan through three stadiums, 14 managers, and most importantly----five world championships.

I watched Stan Musial when I was six years old. He was, by far, the greatest Cardinal to ever wear the “birds on the bat.” My summer nights were filled with Harry Caray and Jack Buck describing the action on KMOX. The transistor radio was hidden under the pillow after parental imposed lights out.

My admiration for the franchise, the Cardinal greats and the winning tradition runs deep. And yes, I raised my sons to be fans of the Red Birds. It is our summer language….we talk about baseball all of the time.

Now, I know there are some Cub fans in our listening area…which is understandable given their recent success. I have never been to Wrigley Field mostly because I have no interest in the Chicago Cubs. Oh, I recognize the great Ernie Banks and have publicly said that their current manager, Joe Maddon, is the best in baseball.

But then I’m stuck. Because …I don’t like the Cubs. I don’t want some misguided youth in our area to fall victim to their current allure. Friends don’t let friends become Cub fans because of a couple of good seasons. Ultimately, they will go back to their losing ways. .and then you are stuck.

With that…. I predict the Cardinals will return to the playoffs this year.

As for the Cubs? Again, I don’t really care.