51ºÚÁÏ

One of the first things John Mozeliak said in his last news conference as the longtime leader and public-facing frontman for the 51ºÚÁÏ Cardinals’ baseball operations was how he, too, after all these years recognized the need to hear from someone else.

It was no longer background noise but in his ear.

Whether you applaud John Mozeliak’s tenure as head of the Cardinals’ baseball operations department or you’re overwhelmed with frustration over the team’s results in the last third of his 18-year run at the helm, it’s inarguable that Mozeliak cares deeply about the organization. He’s basically lived and breathed it for a total of three decades.

I don’t think Mozeliak was blowing smoke in his final news conference as president of baseball operations Monday afternoon at Busch Stadium when he said of 51ºÚÁÏ and the Cardinals: “It is a baseball city. It is my home, and I think the future for this city and this team is bright.â€�

Three broadcasters with 51ºÚÁÏ ties were among the 10 finalists named for the 2026 Ford C. Frick Award, the National Baseball Hall of Fame announced on Monday.

51ºÚÁÏ native and former Cardinals broadcaster Joe Buck, current Cardinals radio voice John Rooney and Skip Caray, son of former Frick Award winner Harry and father of current Cardinals TV broadcaster, Chip, were named to the ballot for the broadcasting honor. The award is named for former MLB commissioner and occasional broadcaster Ford C. Frick and is presented annually by the Hall of Fame for “major contributions to baseball.â€�

It really is a stunning image. I noticed it yet again Monday as I walked toward Busch Stadium.

It’s underneath one of the ballpark’s looming stanchions with the toothbrush lights. It’s plastered horizontally along the outside of the ballpark, parallel to overpass of Interstate 64 (though, come on, we call it Highway 40). It is a streaming red sign that reads WORLD CHAMPIONS. And next to the two words are the famous 11 years — the ultimate billboard for Cardinals history. And yes, the last year listed is 2011.

CHICAGO — In his closing statements to the clubhouse Sunday after a season the Cardinals insisted was always about the years ahead, not this one, manager Oli Marmol praised the team for all its 39 comeback wins and its resilience through injuries and a trade deadline that drained the bullpen.

What they did, he explained, gets them closer to what they must do next.

I don’t want to write this column.

I’ve been misled too many times. Alex Reyes. Dylan Carlson. Jordan Walker. Why won’t this guy be any different?

CHICAGO — When he sought a trade to the Cardinals so that he could chase annual October appearances and play in front of a packed ballpark while wearing a uniform embroidered with history, Nolan Arenado also, privately, wanted to prove he could excel beyond Colorado.

One of the National League’s best all-around players when he arrived in 51ºÚÁÏ from Coors Field, Arenado got less of the postseason success than expected but still plenty from five seasons. They included the on-field performance of a career year and the off-field joy of becoming a father for the first time.