The Cardinals' vibrant young personalities are dispelling the team's old-fashioned image

Chaim Bloom has upended the St. Louis Cardinals as we've long known them. The president of baseball operations has torn down the roster, jettisoning numerous veterans and dealing them for high-ceiling talent. In the draft, Bloom is acting similarly, taking stabs at players with high potential. But another theme has quietly developed with the types of players Bloom is acquiring, and it could be what helps the Cardinals tear down their stodgy reputation.

Under former president of baseball operations John Mozeliak, the Cardinals were often seen as a buttoned-up team that stuck by a set of rules and, to their ultimate detriment, failed to look outside the organization and were thus blissfully unaware of baseball passing them by. In drafts and trades, Mozeliak and company frequently targeted players who were surefire major leaguers but unlikely to significantly alter the Cardinals' fortunes.

Now, not only is Bloom snatching up players packing immense potential, but he's choosing players with personalities that could lead opposing fans to detest those on the Cardinals roster in a manner not seen since Yadier Molina brandished the birds on the bat.

Liam Doyle, Trevor Condon and Brian Curley could provide the Cardinals with some much-needed character

Bloom's first foray into this type of player came with his first pick in his first draft with the Cardinals, left-handed pitcher Liam Doyle, whom he selected in 2025. Doyle is known for displaying his feelings while on the mound and bringing a fiery intensity to the game, earning comparisons to Cardinals Hall of Fame pitcher Al "The Mad Hungarian" Hrabosky.

In 2026, the Cardinals returned to the well of the all-out, passion-fueled player, only this time on the hitting side, when they selected outfielder Trevor Condon in the first round. Condon is excitement personified and has been compared to Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong, although Condon doesn't project to have the same elite defensive skills. Condon has the swagger to make opponents grind their teeth and, like Doyle, may become one of those "love him on your team, hate him on another team" type of player.

Targeting two players with distinctive personalities may be a coincidence, but the third time marks a trend. This time, Bloom didn't dive into the draft to find his unique individual; instead, on Oct. 1, he snapped up right-handed pitcher Brian Curley from the Arizona Diamondbacks as the player to be named later in the deal that sent away Lars Nootbaar.

Unlike Doyle and Condon, Curley isn't one who wears his emotions on his sleeve; instead, he's more of a "goofy" character who exudes a laid-back personality. In 2025, Curley went viral online for sticking his tongue out at a runner before striking out the potential go-ahead run to win the game. Curley's demeanor is a stark contrast to the intensity of Doyle and Condon, but it's just as critical for strong clubhouse camaraderie.

This iteration of the Cardinals doesn't shy away from acquiring players with bombastic personalities, and if Doyle, Condon and Curley can form a part of the team's next successful nucleus, those traits should carry over to a fanbase that has been hungry for a return to the successful Cardinals of old. Mozeliak's aura is wearing off, and it appears that, at long last, the Cardinals are ready to have fun again,

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