heeeeere's chris

by lboros on Oct 27, 2007 6:18 AM EDT in News

i was getting kinda nervous about the antonetti situation; as the days passed and no news appeared, i was starting to wonder if perhaps things had hit a snag --- like, maybe he didn't want la russa as his manager, luhnow as his scouting director, and/or big mo as his ass't gm. and then, in today's post-dispatch, this:

The Cardinals won't call Chris Antonetti the front-runner to become their next general manager, but the club did call the up-and-coming Cleveland Indians executive and his wife to Busch Stadium for a meeting Friday morning with team president Mark Lamping and a tour of the facility. . . .

Antonetti, who along with his wife Sarah were to stay in St. Louis overnight before returning today to Cleveland, referred to himself as "still in the process" with no date given for a resolution. Friday's tour included [vists to] numerous neighborhoods. . . .

[Antonetti] has signed off on both La Russa as manager and Jeff Luhnow as vice-president in charge of amateur scouting and player development. . . . .

Asked to classify Antonetti's standing, Lamping described him as "one person on a very short list."

how short is that list? it's so short, you could argue whether it actually qualifies as a list at all . . . . . while the article does name the other people who've interviewed for the job, i haven't heard about any of those individuals getting flown in for tours of the stadium; i haven't seen any of their pictures in the paper; i haven't read that any of them are driving around the city with their wives, looking at neighborhoods. and i haven't heard that any of those individuals have "signed off" on anything; i never realized a mere candidate for a job had sign-off authority.

here's what bernie had to say at about midnight:

Has he been offered the gig? Not sure. I think so. But not sure. If offered, will he take it? Again, I think so -- but only Mr. Antonetti knows that. But someone I spoke to today who knows him says Antonetti is excited about the opportunity. He likes Luhnow's approach, has no problem with it, because Luhnow's approach to player evaluation is keyed in with Antonetti's own system and philosophy. He is good with La Russa. No problem there.

The way it was explained to me was, simply: it's the Cardinals. One of the most storied franchises in professional sports, and a team that wants to win while incorporating a more modern approach. You're a 33-yr old assistant GM who has been waiting for a shot. If the Cardinals tap you on the shoulder, how can you say no? I guess Antonetti could say no. I don't know when a better job will come along, though.

all the documents may not be signed yet, but he's gonna be the new gm. film at 11.

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Excellent!

by nybirdfan on Oct 27, 2007 7:55 AM EDT 0 recs

As I said yesterday...

I bet we have a new GM and he is it. MLB rules about making announcements during the WS are probably stopping them from saying anything.
They are doing the same thing with the new manager in NY. Hank Steinbrener pretty much came out and said that they had made their choice, but couldn't announce anything during the WS. However, he did say that if they wanted to, he did not think the commish would have prohibited them from announcing yesterday since it was an off day, but they didn't go there.
I think Ant is the guy, they just don't want to take any apotlight from the WS.
And for the record, I am very happy about this. I just hope TLR's actions match his words about him being on board with this style too.

"Baseball is the only field of endeavor where a man can succeed three times out of ten and be considered a good performer." - Ted Williams

by WiscCard on Oct 27, 2007 8:07 AM EDT 0 recs

News blackout for WS

How long has this been going on? I could have sworn I have seen teams making major announcements during the Series, though, off the top of my head, I cannot recall any.

by tbell61 on Oct 27, 2007 9:26 AM EDT 0 recs

It's not really a rule

so much as it is a "strong preference" by the mucky mucks...

by cardsrul on Oct 27, 2007 11:13 AM EDT up 0 recs

naked jig time!

sorry cardinal 70!

Future Redbirds

by erik on Oct 27, 2007 9:30 AM EDT 0 recs

Do what you have to do

Just glad I'm not in town to see it. ;)

C70 at the Bat

by Cardinal70 on Oct 29, 2007 9:28 AM EDT up 0 recs

TLR

I've also noticed that Mozeliak has stopped making signings. >>[Antonetti] has signed off on LaRussa as manager< He had no choice. What else can the ambitious 33-year old say? TLR wants to bring back David Eckstein and, I'd bet the house, Taguchi. It will be interesting to see what triggers the first Antonetti -- LaRussa turf war. You know it will happen. My prediction is that the Cards front office civil war of Jocketty v. Luhnow segues into LaRussa v. Antonetti / Luhnow. Luhnow becomes Antonetti's Mozeliak.

by jjray on Oct 27, 2007 9:39 AM EDT 0 recs

Winning solves everything

There will only be a fued if we don't win! Winning solves everything. If we s*ck again, it won't matter who the GM is, there will probably be infighting.

by cariocacardinal on Oct 27, 2007 4:23 PM EDT up 0 recs

Strange that DeWitt wasn't there

So he finally comes to town, and DeWitt isn't. What's up with that?

Watching the Playoffs as Reigning Champs is not a bad thing.

by Birds on the Bat on Oct 27, 2007 9:43 AM EDT 0 recs

To my mind,

it says that DeWitt is satisfied with how the process is going and thinks that Lamping can handle the details just fine at this point.

by cardsgirl95 on Oct 27, 2007 12:22 PM EDT up 0 recs

I love it

when a plan comes together...

Wow, I just broke out an A-Team reference...I'm officially old.

Nonetheless, this is very cool. I can't wait for the official announcement...knock on wood.

"The only thing you know about pitching is that you can't hit it." Bob Gibson to Tim McCarver

by player2bnamedl8r on Oct 27, 2007 10:05 AM EDT 0 recs

wow

topical. my friends and i are dressing as the A team for tonight.

by airhad on Oct 27, 2007 11:53 AM EDT up 0 recs

If you're Hannibal Smith

make sure you have a pair of tight, leather gloves.

And a good cigar.

"The only thing you know about pitching is that you can't hit it." Bob Gibson to Tim McCarver

by player2bnamedl8r on Oct 27, 2007 12:03 PM EDT up 0 recs

I just saw AJ Burnett at the airport...

...I'll believe it when I see it. The list is actually 2, Mo and Chris. I'm sure Mo has already seen the stadium.

"Well, you wait for a strike. Then you knock the shit out of it. - Musial to Flood on how to hit a curveball

by Hardcore Legend on Oct 27, 2007 10:08 AM EDT 0 recs

Dave Gall

returns! =)

"The only thing you know about pitching is that you can't hit it." Bob Gibson to Tim McCarver

by player2bnamedl8r on Oct 27, 2007 10:28 AM EDT up 0 recs

joe strauss

is hardly some crazy fan hanging out at cards talk.

"Friday's tour included numerous neighborhoods."

sounds like the guy is looking for a house to me.

Future Redbirds

by erik on Oct 27, 2007 10:39 AM EDT up 0 recs

mo is only on the list

if antonelli says "no." they're not equals, competing for the job; antonelli is the guy they want, mozeliak is the fallback.

by lboros on Oct 27, 2007 10:40 AM EDT up 0 recs

Sounds like it's gonna happen

I doubt he can actually begin working until he's announced as having the job, huh? Almost makes you wish for a WS sweep...almost. I'm hoping the Rocks can manage to put a few runs on the board tonight to get it to game 5. This series has all the makings of a sweep. I hate the end of baseball season.

On Antonetti, Bernie's words were music to my ears (or eyes, as the case may be). This is a forward-thinking move by the franchise. I just hope his rental car isn't stolen or something.

by houstoncardinal on Oct 27, 2007 10:23 AM EDT 0 recs

Has anybody noticed...

that the quality of VEB went way down right after Larry started misspelling Antonetti's name?...
I kid, I kid!
This sounds pretty awesome. However, one of my best college buddies is from Cleveland and is a huge tribe fan. As protective as he is about the Indians (he was pissed that they dealt Ronnie Belliard to us , that's how much) I must wonder what the double whammy of the comeback loss to the Sox and now Antonetti coming to St. Louis will do to him.
Ah well... go Cards!

by mattybobo on Oct 27, 2007 11:03 AM EDT 0 recs

Yes yes yes

take the offer, Chris. I beg you.

by silent_bob on Oct 27, 2007 11:15 AM EDT 0 recs

Sounds serious.

Bringing the wife and touring neighborhoods is more than just an interview. No one else on the "short list" has gotten this far. Bernie is right, its the Cardinals (storied franchise and all that) and if the Cardinals tap you on the shoulder, how can you say "no"? As lb pointed out the other day, the list of GM spots is dwindling and he won't be the It Boy forever. If Antonetti has been waiting for a shot at the big chair, could a better opportunity come along? Even with all the inherited staff?

by cardsgirl95 on Oct 27, 2007 12:18 PM EDT 0 recs

YAAAAAAAAY

that is all

Hello, playoff watching

by nycbirdo on Oct 27, 2007 12:36 PM EDT 0 recs

Yeah...

I never thought they'd make a bone-headed hire like recycling Terry Ryan. The Pineiro contract was a scare, but it looks like Mozeliak will go back to negotiating deals...

I figure they'll announce Monday after the Series is over.

Ease LaDunketty out gently, thank him profusely, and... Hire Antonetti!!!

by guayzimi on Oct 27, 2007 1:25 PM EDT 0 recs

Terry Ryan is bad now?

He's fielded an at least competitive team on nada payroll for awhile now.

Cheeseburger in paradise.

by joker24 on Oct 27, 2007 3:39 PM EDT up 0 recs

I thought Ryan did a good job with the low

payroll he had to work with. You cannot fault the Twins on developing pitching either. They are loaded with great arms, especially starters, and they have another crop moving through the system. Lots of homegrown talent on the Twins too.

by jillsinmo on Oct 27, 2007 9:44 PM EDT up 0 recs

Getting my hopes up;

if this falls through, I'm going to be depressed. But excellent news if it happens!

Well, let's go to the old mill anyway -- get some cider!

by Alxfritz on Oct 27, 2007 2:08 PM EDT 0 recs

Which is why I'm viewing this with a very

critical eye. Until I see him standing in front of the green Edward Jones/stlcardinals.com backdrop, I won't believe it.

"Well, you wait for a strike. Then you knock the shit out of it. - Musial to Flood on how to hit a curveball

by Hardcore Legend on Oct 27, 2007 2:40 PM EDT up 0 recs

Maybe

A.J. Burnett can introduce him.

by Harknights on Oct 27, 2007 4:22 PM EDT up 0 recs

Hopes also too high

yeah yeah, that could be antonetti's first move: having AJ introduce him!

i kid, but really i'd love for Antonetti to be the guy. the way i read it is, it's actually up the cards. I mean, he's a 33 year old who's itching for a crack to lead, after doing a stellar job as assistant. The cardinals come knocking. It's a dream scenario for him, not cause of Luhnow and Tony, etc, but because of the prestige associated w/ the Cardinal brand of baseball. No way he turns it down. If he doesn't end up the GM it'll be because the Cards changed their mind, which I highly doubt since it seems fairly clear that Mo is the backup plan, meaning no one else from the pseudo interview process stood out.

keeping my hoofs crossed

by kalmavet on Oct 27, 2007 5:04 PM EDT up 0 recs

i'm with you Hardcore

you sure you're not from mizzou? because like you,
i'll believe Antonetti's our GM when when i see it with my own two eyes.

i sure hope he takes the job. but it ain't over till it's over. you know?

I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson And That's A Winner!

by gdm426 on Oct 27, 2007 6:53 PM EDT up 0 recs

i felt that way game 4

when lboros said we'll be celebrating championship numero 10. it's not official, but it there are a lot of positive signs.

Future Redbirds

by erik on Oct 27, 2007 4:19 PM EDT up 0 recs

Works for me. And if the guy

isn't 100% happy with the front office organization right now, so what? He's 33, if he's good and well-liked by the owners, he can outlast TLR and mold the org in his own way later.

by MdRedbirdFreak on Oct 27, 2007 2:10 PM EDT 0 recs

On another note

how is it possible that, every time I come to this site, MORE people are voting that they think the Rockies will win? If the Sox win tonight, will it be 50/50 tomorrow?

by houstoncardinal on Oct 27, 2007 3:52 PM EDT 0 recs

Once you've voted...

you can't vote again. I think a lot of us voted for the Rox before the Series began. So, that's a lot of votes to make up to bring the split back to reality...which is hard to do if most of the VEB regulars have already voted. Maybe we need an updated, Series-shifting-to-Denver poll.

by cardsgirlinAR on Oct 27, 2007 4:14 PM EDT up 0 recs

No

when the series started, it was like 70-30 BoSox. Now it's 66-33. Since people can't vote twice, new people are voting and most seem to be voting for the Rocks. Why?

by houstoncardinal on Oct 27, 2007 6:37 PM EDT up 0 recs

The Red Sox are evil.

Evil must be opposed.

Cardinal fan from Washington

by JI on Oct 27, 2007 11:10 PM EDT up 0 recs

Sox side note...

The wife and I were in Vegas two weeks ago, and even after they were down 3-1, the Indians were only like 3.2-1 favorites to win the AL.

Right now BP has them at 85% likely hood to win the series.

I voted Sox, mostly because they are the superior pitching staff. Also, living out here, I've grown to like the Sox. Not necessarily the obessive behavior that some of the fans have when it comes to the Yankees.

I wish we had approval rating dials, like they give to focus groups when they watch tv shows. I bet a significant number of votes would have switched to Sox, after the first inning of Game 1. It was obvious from that point that the Rockies were off.

They could still pull it out, mind you.

by Brock20 on Oct 27, 2007 6:36 PM EDT 0 recs

Antonetti and the Red Sox

Well, good. It looks as if the Cardinals are choosing a very well respected young candidate with a future-oriented point of view if they hire this Antonetti fellow.

And for those posters who have done a bit of Chicken Little ("OMG they're gonna pick a clone of Jocketty to make La Russa happy") caterwauling that would knock over a moose, please consider this.

DeWitt is a billionaire or close enough for my 58 cents worth. He didn't get there because he's stupid or can't sense the need to change or adapt. Just let the man do his thing. He seems to be more forward thinking than most of us on the board. It appears he's going to try to compete in a winnable division in 2008 AND build a farm system for the future that may or may not be ready to bear fruit next season.

Where is it written that the Cards must do one or the other and that they can't do both? To me, DeWitt's apparent resolution sounds eminently reasonable, a balanced approach that jumps off neither side of the bridge. I for one hope he succeeds.

Second, this WS seems to have several parallels to the '06 Series. The more patient team with more post-season experience (walking, fouling off pitches, forcing the opponents' pitcher into throwing a pitch he doesn't want to throw) is winning. The less patient, younger, albeit talented group isn't quite there yet. And the pitching is better for the Beantowners.

I'm NOT a Red Sox fan, and I really dislike Manny Ramirez knocking his helmet off every time he rounds the bases to show us his do-rag (to the credit of him and his team, he's been going around the bases a lot the last five games). But they're damn good and balanced, plus-plus on offense, plus on the mound, and at least average as baserunners and defensively.

The Rockies have potential to become a contender for years to come with some tweaking, and maybe their next WS is the one they win--but I don't see this series leaving Coors Field.

by kwhiteside on Oct 27, 2007 7:33 PM EDT 0 recs

That's fair...

Though, I don't think Manny does it intentionally, I think it is a result of balancing the hat on a very lumpy head of crammed in hair. The helmet is on there very precariously.

by Brock20 on Oct 27, 2007 8:47 PM EDT up 0 recs