The White Rat was the man
It seems that in the new age of American journalism, the best way to prove you’re a respected print columnist or reporter is by appearing on television and/or radio. Funny how that works out.
In fact, now that Post-Dispatch sports columnist Bryan Burwell had a cameo in The Longest Yard, new ground has been broken for area pundits who work for newspapers. Is that you calling, Hollywood?
While many of the region’s columnists appear on TV or radio for the prestige, I myself need the money.
It has nothing to do with ego. Well, yes it does, but not a lot. Well, a lot, but the money is important.
Anyway, I can be seen on the long-running news discussion show “Donnybrook” from time-to-time, including last week’s show.
The ongoing Whitey Herzog vs. Tony La Russa debate was a topic and, to my surprise, the normally sedate Charlie Brennan of KMOX and stoic host Martin Duggan said that Herzog sounds bitter when it comes to giving La Russa his due.
They seemed adamant that Herzog is out-of-line. Brennan even said he would rather work for La Russa than Herzog.
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.
Of course, many of the same writers and broadcasters that adored Herzog have been browbeaten or simply frightened into insulting the Herzog legacy and kissing the new regime’s rear end.
First, let me say that I am biased. I know Herzog and co-wrote a book with Rob Rains chronicling the 1982 World Championship series and updating the lives of players on that special team.
I’m a Herzog man.
Herzog is worthy of all praise Cardinals fans want to heap upon him, because national praise for the franchise was non-existent throughout the 1970s.
For lifelong fans over 40 such as myself, we can remember the crowds of 10,000 at Busch Stadium. We can remember as many Cincinnati Reds’ fans in the box seats as Cardinals’ fans during the Big Red Machine heyday.
This changed when Herzog came to town.
Not only did he win, he won with style. Not only did he win, he won a World Series title and three National League championships.
Not only did he resuscitate a dormant team and fan base, he electrified the nation with Whitey Ball.
Not only did he attract fans, his team topped the magic three million mark.
Not only did Herzog and his team have fun, they had BIG fun.
This is not an attack on La Russa. He is a great manager and a fair man. The Cardinals have prospered under his guidance.
So why doesn’t he smile more? Why is every postseason press conference so tense, and why does he approach every question from reporters like a grand jury inquiry?
La Russa inherited a tremendous franchise. Times had been tough because the Anheuser-Busch dollars had dried up, but nothing as bad as Herzog faced, and it drove him from his managerial post. La Russa had new owners, a new attitude and, next year, a new stadium.
Herzog was always forced to work with what he had. La Russa gets what he needs when he needs it.
Herzog is one bad call from being a two-time World Champion. La Russa has reached the World Series once as Cardinals manger and failed to win a game.
Regardless of the fact that La Russa just passed Herzog to reach No. 2 behind Red Schoendienst in all-time Cardinal manager victories, until he wins the championship, Herzog remains the top dog.
And media members who seem to have latched on to the La Russa bandwagon and forgotten the importance of the Herzog years to this franchise and this city should be ashamed.
