In this special Black History Month edition of Random Cardinal of the Week, we look at the man who revitalized the Cardinals' outfield during one of the toughest decades in franchise history. Arnold Ray "Bake" McBride didn't even play high school baseball in his hometown of Fulton, Missouri—yet he became a 37th-round draft pick who took the National League by storm.

In this episode, we dive into:

• The Pitcher Who Could Run: How a college pitcher from Westminster showed up to an open tryout at Busch Stadium and was converted to the outfield on the spot because of his world-class sprint speed.

• A Historic 1974: A deep dive into the "Revelation" season where McBride hit .309, stole 30 bases, and became the first African-American player in St. Louis Cardinals history to win the NL Rookie of the Year.

• The 25-Inning Dash: The legendary story of McBride scoring the winning run in a seven-hour marathon against the Mets—the second-longest game in MLB history at the time.

• The .300 Club: The significance of the 1974 all-Black outfield—McBride, Lou Brock, and Reggie Smith—the first Cardinals unit since 1902 to have every member hit over .300.

• A Misunderstood Legacy: Addressing the "bad rap" McBride faced regarding his injuries and his quiet nature, as defended by his mentor and teammate, Lou Brock.

From his iconic Afro and effortless speed in St. Louis to his "Shake and Bake" years in Philadelphia and his eventual induction into the Phillies Wall of Fame, Bake McBride’s journey is the ultimate story of a local kid proving everyone wrong.

Key Statistics & Facts:

• Accolades: 1974 NL Rookie of the Year, 1976 All-Star, 1980 World Series Champion.

• Cardinals History: One of only two Black Cardinals to ever win Rookie of the Year (alongside Vince Coleman).

• The Record: Held the Westminster College record for the 220-yard dash.

Could things actually be worse in St. Louis than they are on the South Side?

This week, Scott Plaza is joined by Sean Anderson (@Sean_W_Anderson) of CHGO White Sox (@CHGO_WhiteSox) to perform a "rebuild wellness check" on two of baseball's most storied (and currently struggling) franchises.

While Cardinals fans are bracing for a "reset," White Sox fans are finally seeing light at the end of a very dark, 121-loss tunnel.

In this episode, we dive into:

Major League Caliber?: Scott compares the Cardinals' young core (Winn, Weatherholt, Burleson) to the "slow trickle" of talent the Sox saw in 2025.

The Murakami Shock: How the White Sox landed Japanese superstar Munetaka Murakami and what it says about their front office's new direction.

The Luis Robert Jr. Autopsy: Reflecting on the "Era of Ifs" and whether the trade to the Mets was a masterstroke or a missed opportunity.

The Fedde Reunion: Why an old friend is heading back to Chicago after a stint in St. Louis.

The 2026 Wager: Scott and Sean put a CHGO Diehard membership on the line—who wins more games this season?

Whether you're a Redbird hopeful or a South Side survivor, this episode breaks down the thin line between a "reset" and a total collapse.Follow the Show:

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The St. Louis Cardinals are heading to Jupiter, Florida, and we’re building the ultimate “packing list” for the players who need a big spring. Andy, Matt, Jonathan, and Scott each pick position players, pitchers, and under-the-radar guys and decide what survival item and luxury item they need to take the next step in 2026.

We talk names like Jordan Walker, Lars Nootbaar, Matthew Liberatore, Ivan Herrera, Tink Hence, and more — plus rookies, non-roster invitees, and career minor leaguers who need to pack for the long haul.

Then in honor of Black History Month, we spotlight a lesser-known Cardinals figure whose story deserves more attention and share one key takeaway for fans.

If you love Cardinals talk with a fun twist, this one’s for you.

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#STLCards #CardinalsPodcast #MLB #SpringTraining

In honor of Black History Month, Random Cardinal of the Week steps away from the usual deep cuts to profile a true pioneer. Meet William Henry Greason, the man who broke the pitching color barrier for the St. Louis Cardinals.

While the story of Jackie Robinson is well-known, the integration of the Cardinals—the southernmost and westernmost team in MLB at the time—was a unique struggle set against the backdrop of a deeply segregated St. Louis.

In this episode, we explore:

• The Hero Before the Mound: Greason’s service as one of the first Black Marines, including his time in combat at the Battle of Iwo Jima.

• The Birmingham Black Barons: His years in the Negro Leagues playing alongside a teenage phenom named Willie Mays.

• Integrating the Birds on the Bat: The business and social pressures that led Gussie Busch to finally integrate the roster in 1954, and Greason’s historic debut at Wrigley Field.

• A Century of Resilience: How Greason transitioned from the mound to the ministry, serving the Birmingham community for decades during the height of the Civil Rights Movement.

From growing up across the street from Martin Luther King Jr. to throwing out the first pitch at Rickwood Field at 100 years old, Bill Greason’s legacy is a testament to perseverance in the face of the "gentleman’s agreement" and Jim Crow.

Key Statistics & Facts:

• MLB Debut: May 31, 1954 (First Black pitcher in Cardinals history).

• Negro Leagues: 2.84 ERA with the 1948 Birmingham Black Barons.

• Longevity: As of 2026, Bill Greason remains the oldest living Negro Leagues veteran at 101 years old.

#BlackHistoryMonth #STLCards #NegroLeagues #BillGreason #MLBHistory #StLouisCardinals

Spring Training 2026 is underway at the newly renovated Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium, and the vibes are… vibin'. As the Cardinals embrace a true rebuild, the rotation is a blank slate.

This week on Cardinals On My Time, Scott Plaza is joined by Josh Jacobs (Site Expert at Redbird Rants) to perform a "vibes check" on the pitching staff. We move past the box scores and look at the "Dude vs. Guy" spectrum: Who is a cornerstone you build a franchise around, and who is just a bridge to the next era?

In this episode:

• The Rotation Locks: We break down why Matthew Liberatore, Dustin May, and Michael McGreevy are the only names written in pen—and where they fall on the "Dude" scale.

• The "Guy" Gauntlet: Sorting through the depth of Kyle Leahy, Richard Fitts, and Andre Pallante. Is Pallante a long-term piece or the ultimate trade bait?

• Prospect Heat: Why the industry is sleeping on Quinn Mathews and why Brandon Clarke might be the highest-ceiling "Dude" in the system.

• 2026 Projections: We react to PECOTA’s brutal 66-win projection. Are the Cardinals really the 5th-best team in a weak NL Central?

Follow the show:

• Twitter: @MrPlaztastic17 | @RedbirdRundown2

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If you’re enjoying the show, please Like, Subscribe, and let us know in the comments: Who is the one "Dude" the Cardinals cannot afford to lose this season?

The Cardinals made another big move — and this one might shape the next few seasons.

On this episode of Redbird Rundown, we break down the Brendan Donovan trade and all of its ripple effects. What did Donovan mean to the Cardinals during his time in St. Louis? How should fans feel about the return, and what does this deal signal about the organization’s direction heading into 2026? We also step back and give Chaim Bloom an overall offseason grade if this ends up being his final move.

Plus, we dig into a major change for Cardinals fans: a new way to watch games this season. MLB will now produce and distribute Cardinals broadcasts, with games available on traditional cable and through Cardinals.TV — no blackouts, new pricing, and more details still to come.

To wrap things up, Jonathan kicks off a new segment in honor of Black History Month, spotlighting a lesser-known Cardinal whose story deserves more attention — and why their legacy still matters today.

If you love smart Cardinals conversation without the hot-take nonsense, you’re in the right place.

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In this episode, we revisit a night in September 2001 that should have been the start of a legendary career. Bud Smith was the Cardinals' #1 prospect—ranked even higher than a young Albert Pujols. At just 21 years old, he achieved what Bob Gibson and Jesse Haines only did once, and what modern aces like Adam Wainwright never could: he threw a no-hitter.But while Bud Smith still holds the title of the last Cardinal to throw a "no-no," his story is also one of the most mysterious "What Ifs" in franchise history.In this episode, we discuss:The Ranking: A look back at the 2001 prospect list where Bud Smith sat at the top, just ahead of future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols.The Masterpiece: The 134-pitch marathon in San Diego where a rookie navigated a lineup featuring Rickey Henderson, Tony Gwynn, and Ryan Klesko.The Trade: How a no-hit hero was packaged in the deal for Scott Rolen, only to never pitch in the Big Leagues again.The Curse: Why the Cardinals haven’t seen a no-hitter in over two decades since Bud walked off the mound."Sometimes the brightest flames burn out the fastest."

The Brendan Donovan era in St. Louis has officially come to an end. After months of "waiting to be blown away," Chaim Bloom pulled the trigger on a complex three-team deal with the Seattle Mariners and Tampa Bay Rays.

On today's episode, Scott Plaza is joined by Redbird Farmhands, Aidan Gray (Redbirds on the Arch), and Roman Rodriguez to answer the big questions:

• Did the Cardinals win the trade? We weigh the loss of Donnie’s leadership against a prospect haul headlined by switch-pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje and athlete Tai Peete.
• The "Peachtree" Report: Farmhands shares his personal history playing with Tai Peete and what Cardinals fans should expect from the young outfielder.
• The Rays Factor: Why does everyone get nervous when Tampa Bay enters a trade? Roman gives us the outside perspective on Colton Ledbetter and the "conveyor belt of value."
• Vegas Disrespect: The over/under for 2026 is sitting at 69.5 wins. Are the Cardinals really a 70-win team, or is there value in the "scraps"?

Follow the guests: Twitter/X: @MrPlaztastic17, @RedbirdFarm, @AidanGraygray8, @Rome_De_Rod

Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your baseball fix.