Here are 5 ways to watch a bad St. Louis Cardinals team that make it worth your time

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Baseball. America's pastime. The sport of the summer. Hot dogs. Beer.

All of these things are fantastic. Going to a game with family and/or friends is always enjoyable, and there's something special about seeing those nine players on the field with the lights shining down on them.

For the past 20 years, St. Louis Cardinals fans have been treated to some of the best baseball on the planet. Perennial playoff teams have created a buzz in the city that has only been matched by the St. Louis Blues' Stanley Cup win in 2019.

However, things are a bit different this year. At 35-51, this season has not gone nearly as planned. They currently sit in last place in the middling National League Central, and the Cardinals are discussed in the same breath as teams such as the Colorado Rockies, Washington Nationals, Chicago White Sox, and Detroit Tigers (not to mention the New York Mets).

To put it candidly, the team has been tough to watch. From frustrating defensive mishaps to bullpen blowups, to not capitalizing on run-scoring opportunities, a casual fan can find him or herself yelling at the TV multiple times a night. You might ask yourself: what can I do to enjoy watching this bad team? I'll give you a few ways to make watching this challenging season a little more enjoyable.

Here are some ways we'd recommend watching the St. Louis Cardinals during a "lost" season

Listen to the Game on the Radio

Baseball wasn't initially created to be watched on TV. It was meant to be watched in person or listened to on the radio. Watching a game on TV makes it too easy to get bored or distracted. The announcers don't have to work as hard because the viewer can see everything that is happening.

Radio broadcasters, however, have to work almost like poets to present the game. St. Louis fans are blessed to have the melodious voice of John Rooney most nights to paint a picture of the game. He has surpassed 50 years of broadcasting, so he knows how to make it enjoyable for the listening audience.

Listening to the game also doesn't keep you attached to one spot. You can mow the lawn, make dinner, make a craft, build in your workshop, or knit, whatever your interest may be.

Pick a Player to Follow

When a team is doing poorly, I find it best to hone in on one particular player. This year, I have chosen to follow Lars Nootbaar closely. His international fame, peppy attitude, and talent have made him a great person to follow both professionally and personally.

Lars doesn't need to be yours; maybe you're a huge fan of legacy players (Adam Wainwright), future Hall of Famers (Nolan Arenado and Paul Goldschmidt), or young guns (Tommy Edman, Nolan Gorman, Brendan Donovan, or Jordan Walker). No matter your preference, the Cardinals have ample players to watch.

Give it a Break

Sometimes the best thing to do in a situation that is a lost cause is to give it up for a little bit. If you find yourself getting angry or frustrated with the team, give them a break. Maybe when you return things will be different. Or they won't. It doesn't matter because it's just a game.

St. Louis is blessed to have another major sports team playing right now (STL City). Go watch them play twice a week. Soccer is always a good time, especially when the team is playing well. It's also summertime. Go to the pool, or the lake, or just go play outside.

Detach

In the end, whatever those 26 players do on the field has no repercussions on your life. Their success or lack thereof will not affect your day-to-day in any way, shape, or form. Once a fan comes to this realization, his or her life will feel much lighter.

I'm not saying you completely give up; maybe place each game into a wider scope instead. Watch because you care about the team's success, but remember that at the end of the day, this is only a game. There are dozens each year and there will always be another season (unless the CBA conversations fail again).

Pick an American League Team

It may be blasphemous to root for another NL team, especially an NL Central rival. Instead, find an AL team to root for. The Angels are finally putting together a playoff team, The Rangers are full of spunk, the Orioles have tons of young talent, and the Mariners may make a huge playoff push with their youth and talent.

Choose one of those teams and give them a watch/listen if you're tired of the Cardinals, or focus on the opposing team when the Cardinals are playing them. Never lose your original fan hood, though. The Cardinals still need supporters.

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Conclusion

The season is just past halfway through. Maybe the team flips the script next half and wins 60% of their games rather than 40%. Maybe they continue to play poorly and ship off expiring contracts for future benefits. Either way, don't get worked up watching a bad team. It is just a game after all.

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