December 18, 2004
JIM EDMONDS: A REFLECTION ON LOYALTY IN A WORLD GONE MAD
By Rex "The Wonder Dog" Ducan
When some of my fluff appears in The Birdhouse, I usually receive some interesting emails from readers. One from a Cardinal fan in Chicago made me do a 180 degree turn in my thinking on the Renteria situation and caused me to more appropriately reflect on the men – not the players, but the men – who still wear the birds-on-bat. Thank you, Craig. While others are thinking that the Cardinal cup is half empty, you made me remember that our cup still runneth over.
First, please don’t take this as an anti-Edgar missive. I have every reason to believe that a bright, thoughtful man like Edgar did what he truly felt was in his best interests in signing a contract to play shortstop for the Boston Red Sox. I appreciate all that Edgar did while a Cardinal and, as I said before, will greet him warmly when he returns to Busch Stadium.
In the doldrums of Renteria’s departure though, we should also recognize a Cardinal who has pushed the envelope of team loyalty and in doing so has endeared himself to the entirety of Cardinal Nation. If anyone on this team has rightfully immersed himself in the affection, respect, and admiration of Cardinal fans, it is Jim Edmonds. He has, I believe, done more as a player to make and keep this team competitive through his example on the field, in the locker room, and in the front office than anyone else on this team. He has spoken publicly mainly with his legendary glove and a bat that can uppercut a high fastball in the blink of an eye.
Too often during times of adversity such as we find ourselves in now, human nature demands that we curse the darkness rather than look for the light. If you find yourself with a darkened perspective on Cardinal baseball right now, let Edmonds’ example relight your fires. We are so fortunate to have him on this team that as you think about all he has done, I can almost guarantee that you will forget about Edgar Whatshisname.
Jim Edmonds personifies the concept of a team player. Even though he is one of the most feared left-handed hitters in the game, and even though his glove work makes him a regular on This Week in Baseball defensive highlights, Edmonds is a modest, soft-spoken leader who only speaks ill of those who speak ill of his teammates. His late season comments in defense of Rick Ankiel were classic.
While many take, Edmonds sacrifices money and body. Susceptible to the disabled list, his injuries occur because he has banged into one too many walls or hit the ground awkwardly in pursuit of a sinking line drive. To Jim Edmonds, baseball is a 100% endeavor both on and off the field.
I truly believe that one of the reasons Larry Walker will patrol right field for the Cardinals in 2005 is because of Edmonds’ quiet lobbying. He also deferred his own earnings so GM Walt Jocketty could afford to sign Walker. I suspect that Edmonds was on the phone to Renteria right up to the time he opted to sign with Boston.
Cardinal fans give a high degree of loyalty to this team. Their pure love makes them the best fans in all of baseball. It is what makes it tougher for players like Renteria to leave for more money and less love. That same affection, though, has gone straight to Jim Edmonds’ heart. For all the claptrap about being a little lazy or hotdogging in center field, we now know Jim Edmonds for the man he truly is – a consummate professional who lives and breathes baseball in red. He has earned our loyalty, and he has certainly returned it.
During this off-season, the rumors will fly and swirl like old copies of the Post-Dispatch in a tornado. Our hopes will rise and fall with every conjecture and bit of gossip on ESPN and Rotoworld. For all that, though, Cardinal Nation continues to be blessed with people like Jim Edmonds. No matter how tumultuous things get between now and April, remember that stout hearts prevail in the most fearsome storms.
When things blow over and the season begins, one of the finest men ever to don Cardinal red will continue to patrol center field. The next time you see him crawl over the dead center field wall and pull back a certain home run, stand up for an extra minute of applause. This guy has given us his all, and the least we can do is return his loyalty to the Cardinals and us.
Rex Duncan
