Five St. Louis Cardinals related things to be thankful for this year

ThThis year, the St. Louis Cardinals provided us with a lot to be thankful for. Here are five that I am especially thankful for.

For as much as we love our St. Louis Cardinals, it is really easy to get into the mode of criticism and cynicism when it comes to our favorite team. That comes with the nature of such a passionate fan base though and the level of success and excellence both fans and the organization expects. Still, it’s good to be reminded of all the joy and memories that this club provides it’s fans.

Honestly, there was a ton to be thankful for this year specifically as a Cardinals fan. It is really hard to narrow it down to just five things, but I decided to go with the five things that I am most thankful for when it comes to the Cardinals this year. Please comment yours down below!

New manager Oli Marmol (plus bench coaches Skip Schumaker/Matt Holliday!)

One of the underrated aspects of “The Cardinal Way” is how that has been instilled in the organization top-down by people who have dedicated decades of their lives to this organization. It looks like the Cardinals have found a great manager in the form of manager Oli Marmol.

Marmol, 36, was drafted and developed by St. Louis but quickly realized his future in baseball was in the coaching ranks. Since 2011, Marmol rose through the organization in various roles, eventually being appointed the 51st manager in Cardinals franchise history. The organization had high hopes and expectations with Marmol, and he really delivered in his first season.

Marmol finished 93-69 and brought a level of leadership and structure to the clubhouse that is incredible for a manager who was younger than some of his players. Marmol was calculated in decisions, honest with both his players and media alike, and gave fans a confidence that Marmol was ready to do what was right for the club, while continuing to stand by his players.

Fans were also lucky to have fan-favorite Skip Schumaker return to St. Louis as their bench coach, and after losing him to the Miami Marlins as their new manager, will now see Cardinals Hall of Famer Matt Holliday join Marmol in the dugout this year. Exciting times in the coaching realm for the team.

The anticipation of Jordan Walker

Has there been excitement about a prospect like Jordan Walker since Oscar Taveras? Walker was selected in the first round of the 2020 MLB Draft, and may end up the being the number 1 prospect in baseball before his 2023 debut.

Walker, who is just 20-years old, has been on a tear since beginning his professional career, slashing .308/.386/.528 with 38 HR, 132 RBI, and 39 SB over two seasons. He began a transition to the outfield this summer as his natural position of third base is manned by Nolan Arenado, but has seemed to do that seamlessly.

All that being said, Walker seems to have the maturity and work ethic needed to be successful at the Major League level, and the Cardinals have the infrastructure in place to take the pressure off of Walker as he comes along. But honestly, don’t be surprised if he he quickly becomes the third fiddle to Paul Goldschmid and Nolan Arenado, developing as the future star of the Cardinals.

I am thankful for the anticipation Walker has given us, and now I am ready to see him take St. Louis by storm.

Most Valuable Player, Paul Goldschmidt

Man. What an absolute thrill of a year it was with Paul Goldschmidt. Very early on, it seemed like a real possibility that Goldschmidt would be the National League Most Valuable player, and then he locked up the award over the summer months.

It’s ironic that in the same year that Albert Pujols returned to the club, Goldschmidt gave the team the single best season they have had from a player since The Machine’s prime. Goldschmidt was acquired from Arizona a few years ago to be the the new anchor of the St. Louis lineup, and it all came together for a magical season in 2022.

The 35-year old slashed .317/.404/.578 with 35 HR and 115 RBI, and for most of the season, you expected Goldschmidt to do something incredible every single time he came to the plate. His season did not end the way anyone would have hoped, but that can’t take away from the way he carried this club the whole year.

On top of all of that, the club had another top 3 MVP candidate in third baseman Nolan Arenado. Cardinals fans have two future Hall of Famers on their roster for years to come, just as the club said goodbye to two first ballot legends.

The return of Albert Pujols

I truly think not even Hollywood could have written a better end to the career of Albert Pujols. Throughout the off-season, fans and pundits debated whether or not Pujols should be brought back to the club. Then on March 28th, the Cardinals made one of the best decisions in franchise history, reuniting with one of the best players in baseball history.

He started the year a bit slow, but came alive in the second half of the season, having a 1.103 OPS with 18 HR and 48 RBI down the stretch for St. Louis. Pujols finished the year batting .270/.345/.550 with 24 HR and 69 RBI, breaking countless records and joining the legendary 700 home run club in Dodger Stadium.

After one of the most heartbreaking departures in Cardinals history after the 2011 World Series, Pujols reminded St. Louis of how special it was to watch him all of those years, reignited our love for him, and gave us the single most memorable season in Cardinals history.

Once again, all that is left to say is, thank you, Albert. We can’t thank you enough for the memories you’ve left us with.