March 13, 2004
Cardinals, Inc.
With John Goodman
Reported by Brian Walton
As the start of Friday’s game between the Cardinals and Marlins neared, I decided to remove myself from the air-conditioned, but crowded and isolated press box to move down and sit with the scouts and fans. After taking a seat in Section 112 of Roger Dean Stadium just to the right of home plate, I heard a booming, yet friendly voice. It almost sounded as if The Babe himself or perhaps Sully, the kind-hearted blue creature from Monsters, Inc. was located right behind me.
Sure enough, upon turning around, I found I was correct on both counts. Here was noted actor and comedian John Goodman enjoying a sunny afternoon at the ballpark with several of his buddies, just like dozens of other groups at Roger Dean or any other stadium on any given day. Between cold, frosty Budweisers and hot dogs, I asked the St. Louis native and former Southwestern Missouri State University football recruit if he would answer a few questions at the turn of the second inning. As you might expect, once he learned I am from a Cardinal fan site, he graciously complied.
BW: John, when did you become a St. Louis fan?
JG: 1952. I was actually born a Browns fan.
BW: They kind of left you behind, didn’t they?
JG: Yes, in 1954 they did.
BW: What is your first recollection of the Cardinals?
JG: It probably had to do with Stan (Musial). Harry (Caray) and Jack (Buck) on a summer night out on the driveway or on the back porch or wherever. They were always on in the background. They were always there. Kind of like a security blanket.
BW: So, you grew up listening to the Cardinals on KMOX?
JG: Absolutely.
BW: What are your most favorite and least favorite Cardinal moments?
JG: I was sitting in my underwear in 1985 when Ozzie Smith hit that dinger off the Dodgers. I jumped up and started screaming. And then, the big letdown of the World Series. Heart attack time.
BW: How often do you get away to see the team?
JG: Not often enough. If I could do it every day, I would do it. But, there’s never enough time. I think the only two ballgames I went to last year were at Spring Training.
BW: What are your next projects?
JG: I am keeping busy. I am working on a prime time computer animated cartoon on NBC. And there will be a pilot in April for a sitcom with Jean Smart. Also, Kevin Spacey is putting together a new film called “Beyond the Sea”. He plays Bobby Darin and I am his manager.
BW: Thank you for your time. I’ll let you get back to the game.
JG: You’re welcome.
Though Goodman wore a cap and sunglasses, he wasn’t trying to hide. In fact, he looked no different from many of the rest of us. Goodman stayed for the entire game and was anonymous to the general clientele for almost the whole time; that is, until about the seventh inning. At that point, former Cardinal and special spring training instructor Will Clark stepped up to the top of the dugout. Although we were several sections away and at least a dozen rows up, that didn’t deter Goodman. The relative silence of the game action was interrupted by a loud chant of “Mr. Will…”
When that didn’t work, Goodman turned up the volume of his familiar baritone. The sound of “Mr. Will…” echoed seemingly throughout most of the reserved seating area. This time, Clark turned with a quizzical look on his face. Then, upon spying the grinning and sizeable Goodman standing there waving at him, Will the Thrill’s face erupted into a giant smile. Clark then returned a vigorous salute as the crowd cheered. From that point on, Goodman graciously signed autographs and even posed for photos with numerous delighted Cardinal and Marlin fans as he was leaving the park.
Spring Training is an equally fun place for the famous, as well as the rest of us who are not as famous.
