St. Louis Cardinals: Mike Matheny’s failure to get tossed is not okay

The St. Louis Cardinals lost yet another replay challenge in Tuesday night’s lengthy contest against the Brewers and the Cardinals manager maintained his stoicism (erroneously).

The St. Louis Cardinals, even in the light of pulling out the win, faced too many challenges in the Tuesday competition against the brew crew from Milwaukee. Ironically, this seems to be the catching theme of the Cardinals in 2018: the roller coaster continues.

But of even more importance to me- more important than the inability to get runners (1) on base and (2) home to score- was the replay challenge that the St. Louis Cardinals bench called for in extra innings. If you missed the play, Harrison Bader flied to right fielder Ryan Braun (hated in St. Louis) and the video replay looked as though the fly ball was trapped, not caught.

Let me put this out there: the replay system is atrocious. I agree with fans on Twitter who bemoan the existence if the replay (1) takes too long (looking at you, Rob Manfred) and/or (2) still gets the call wrong. In the replay cast last night, the evidence was inconclusive to the point that the replay officials in New York (also another problem with replay– that the officials aren’t present at the games) could neither confirm nor overturn the original call.

Bader was out. There were two conflicting angles on the replay with one seeming to indicate the ball bounced into the glove and the other indicating that the ball bounced off the fingers of the glove into the glove. I couldn’t really tell either, so I don’t blame the replay decision.

I also don’t blame the St. Louis Cardinals for requesting the replay. Every base runner is important in extra innings and this could have gone the Cardinals way (albeit not very many have gone the Cardinals way in replay history). And that’s where my agreements cease…

When the call of a catch was not overturned, St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Matheny raced out of the dugout. He was upset and rightfully so. But… but he wasn’t upset enough.

More from Redbird Rants

• Cardinals Rumors: 3 pros and cons of signing Carlos Rodon
• What’s next for the St. Louis Cardinals after Contreras signing?
• Report: Cardinals Emerge As Mystery Team for Carlos Rodon
• Cardinals: Trade targets after signing Willson Contreras
• Reflecting on the 2013 Cardinals’ top 30 prospects

We all know that Matheny is known for his stoicism and we also know that Matheny prides himself on not swearing, but if there was ever a time to throw caution to the wind, then last night was that time.

The St. Louis Cardinals have not had a streak of wins to help propel them into even more wins and while the team seems to enjoy themselves, there is just a spark that seems absent. This is where a fired-up manager could help push the team forward.

Matheny must have a hidden clause in his contract that deducts pay if he is tossed otherwise why not fight wholeheartedly for his team? Why not show the young prospect that you will fight for him?

So, if you didn’t know, Matheny was not tossed and did not spend much time on the matter. And this, to me, is not okay. Matheny has an obligation to get tossed FOR his team and I didn’t see that type of leadership last night.

Another side to this is that had Matheny been ejected, he would be doing the team a huge favor. A St. Louis Cardinals team sans Mike Matheny is a better team by nature. Add to this the fact that the Cardinals’ bench has smarter manager minds sitting waiting and you have a recipe for success.

Why not get tossed and let Mike Shildt or Jose Oquendo manage? Oh that’s right, because they would show Matheny for the pitiful failure that he is.

Next: Please make changes!

I know, I know… I am not a fan of Matheny and never have been but the decision to NOT get tossed was just another knock against him in my book. Enough is enough, Matheny, show some d@mned emotions!