Reflections on 2013 and projections

As we wind down 2013, the year in sports was memorable, on and off the field.

Locally, it started with the Cardinals. They go into the season without their closer in Jason Motte. Starting pitcher Chris Carpenter and shortstop Rafael Furcal are lost for the year. And this all happened before spring training started. Yet the Redbirds found themselves going to game six of the World Series.

Off the field, it was here we go again when it comes to players getting caught using performance-enhancing drugs. Milwaukee’s Ryan Braun dodged a bullet the previous season via a technicality. But 2013 was the year that caught up to him, as he was eventually suspended for the final 50-plus games. Braun was not alone as several players went on ice for a bit. Alex Rodriguez got suspended for more than 200 games for lying and obstructing an investigation, an issue that is still being argued before an arbitrator.

When it comes to projections, with off-season moves the Cardinals are better now than they were last season when they went to the World Series. Obviously injury will be a factor in their success. If they stay away from it they can win and win big in 2014.

As for the league, it is the final year for commissioner Bud Selig, perhaps one of the greatest commissioners in the world of sports when you look at the growth of the sport and money that has been made over the years by both players and owners. Who will fill those shoes will be interesting. I have my thoughts, but I do not want to jinx it for Joe Torre.

As for the NFL, the Rams are starting to look like a pro football team. Coach Jeff Fisher and GM Les Snead have the Rams moving in the right direction. It will not be long before all the big mouths on the team who make the dumb mistakes weekly will be replaced by those who will help put the Rams in the post-season.

The NFL off the field has issues, to say the least, from racist rants by its players to a terrible out-of-court settlement where the players agreed to take only $756 million for concussion-related issues. The players’ leadership has been disappointing, if not embarrassing, for years. Their latest gaffe will be more costly than they would ever imagine. 

When it comes to projections, the NFL is broken and they do not want to fix it.

When it comes to the St. Louis Blues, it was a great run with new ownership that includes David Steward of World Wide Technology, one of the few if not only major investors in an NHL team that is African-American. Steward is on the right team that has a chance to win the Stanley Cup sooner than you think.

The Blues have had some of the worst ownership groups in the history of St. Louis sports, including the previous one headed up by Dave Checketts. Now this organization is headed in the right direction and deserves your support. If you have never taken in a game in person, then now is the time. This is a winning team with speed and skill that is exciting to watch.

How about the University of Missouri and what they have done this year? Mizzou has a nationally ranked basketball team led by Frank Haith who is getting it done. It will not be long before Haith will get the local players who are good enough to play at Mizzou. Haith has proven to be an outstanding coach and his people skills far exceeds those of others who once patrolled the sidelines for the Tigers. I am on board with the direction of the program and Frank Haith.

As for the Tiger football program, what more can be said about what Gary Pinkel and his staff this year? The Auburn game was one that just got away. When you look at the leaps and strides Mizzou has made, one can only wonder if they will be able to build on this year’s success and become a real power in the SEC. I like the start.

St. Louis University and Jim Crewes had a magical year, and it was no fluke. The Billikens had good players who were coachable and knew their roles. Crewes had been there as a coach before, and it showed. Not a bad place to be these days if you are looking to play. If only the Bills would improve the non-conference schedule at home, all would be better.

Incarnate Word Academy: nationally ranked with the best player in the country in Napheesa Collier. Enough said on that matter.

It was a great year in sports, and the potential for 2014 is more than bright. All the teams are on the upswing, and their futures are bright. It’s a good time to be a sports fan in St. Louis – and an even better reason to be a fan of The St. Louis American, as some fun things are on the horizon. I promise I will continue to have fun with this space and talk about things that may not get the attention or honesty they deserve. We have as good a staff as I have been a part of in my 31 years in the business. Have a great entry into 2014, and we will keep more than a score in 2014.