Why I Never Blame St. Louis Cardinals Losses on a Single Player

Why I Never Blame St. Louis Cardinals Losses on a Single Player

In recent times, there has been a growing trend of assigning blame for St. Louis Cardinals' losses to a single player. However, I firmly believe that this approach is misguided and that the problem lies deeper than any one individual.

While I understand the desire to pinpoint the source of failure, I have my own reasons for not endorsing this practice. I recall a memorable moment from the 1986 World Series, where Bill Buckner's error allowed the Mets to win the game. It's crucial to remember that the Red Sox had already scored 13 hits in that game, and had 8 runners stranded on base. Yet, Buckner's mistake overshadowed the entire team's performance and remains a defining moment in his career.

In a similar vein, I see the same pattern of blame being placed on Riley O’Brien, the St. Louis Cardinals closer, for recent losses. It's true that O’Brien has faced challenges in closing out games and making crucial saves. However, I firmly stand by the belief that you cannot hold any single player responsible for a team's loss.

For instance, during a recent game against the White Sox, O’Brien allowed a game-winning home run to Randall Grichuk with two strikes. During that same game, Cooper Hjerpe gave up 4 earned runs in relief. Stranded on base were 9 runners for the Cardinals, a statistic that is often overlooked in the blame game. It's worth noting that O’Brien, as a closer, bears the brunt of the responsibility when a game goes wrong.

However, I believe this perspective is unfair and does not reflect the collective effort required to win or lose a game.

In another instance, the infamous Donnie Moore home run in 1986 led to the player's eventual suicide. While this is a tragic story, it's important to remember that a single baseball game does not define a person's life. Moore's struggles with depression were well-documented, and his situation was far more complex than any one game could encapsulate.

I understand that many fans may be frustrated with O’Brien's recent performances, but it's essential to consider the team dynamic. Every player on the Cardinals' roster plays a crucial role, and losses are rarely the result of just one individual's shortcomings. I've always believed that a team's success or failure is a collective effort, and I will not participate in assigning blame to a single player when a game goes awry.

In closing, I can find no historical record of a baseball game that has been solely lost or won by one individual. Therefore, I maintain that the desire to scapegoat a player in such situations is misguided and does not accurately reflect the complexity of the game.