Rick Hummel's last Cardinals live chat: Talk with the Hall of Famer at 11 a.m. Monday
Bring your Cards questions and comments to Monday’s 11 a.m. live chat, Rick Hummel's last before he retires.
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Hi, Rick - no question, just congratulations on an incredible career, and sincere thanks for keeping all of us informed and entertained for over half a century! Growing up in St. Louis in the 70s, I can't tell you how many times I used your stories as the basis for my weekly social studies "current events" presentations - always the most popular in the class! Best wishes on your next chapter, whatever it may be!
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Mr. Hummel , Growing up in STL and being a baseball fan is about as good as it gets. We listened to Harry Carey , Jack Buck, and Mike Shannon, among others... we got to see a LOT of October baseball and?...we got to experience HOF level reporting and writing from elite level newspaper guys, .....like You. The level you offered was on the same level as this storied franchise and I think I speak for all Cardinals fans when I say Thank you , and we wish you nothing but happiness and joy as you enter your next phase of life. Good Luck and God bless sir.
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Thank you for everything over the years. I have a son in kindergarten and he’s obsessed with the history of the Cardinals. When I was 7 my dad bought us the vhs tape “Heck of a Year” chronicling the 1985 team. I’ve since shown it to my son and he’s watched it many times. Do you remember “Heck of a Year” and being on it?
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Thanks Mr. Hummel for helping make St. Louis fans so well educated about the game and the business side of baseball. Which leads to my question. Do you think that we as fans tend to covet players on other teams that aren't really upgrades of what we have? For example, many are calling for trading for a catcher such as Murphy or Jansen at Toronto when their stats are really that impressive and that given the chance, Knizner, could very well put up similar or better numbers. I just don't think Knizner got to spend enough time developing at AAA. Thanks again for all you have done,
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I agree with the premise the Cards need more strikeout/power pitchers in the starting staff, especailly if you want to make an extended run in the playoffs.
The money question is where do we get them? Rodon would be great, but don't see the Cards FO getting into a bidding war for him.
Miami has Lopez or Lazardo, Tigers have good young power pitchers, San Diego wants to trade Snell, where else can they look?
p.S. They should have traded ONeil or Bader for Wheeler back when they had the chance... -
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Rick, I wish the best for you. The PD is means a lot to me. My father worked there some 45 years himself. He brought the paper home each evening and placed it on the table. I read it more intently than my homework. It's incredibly difficult to walk away. I have been in healthcare for 42 years. I recently moved to get closer to my son and felt I still needed to do more. Very glad that I did for now after joining a new team, I realize that yes I can walk away. It wasn't just passion for my work, There was passion with who I was doing it with. The people at the new job are equally good people, just displayed to me while I love the work the passion with the team was the carrying force, especially with challenges the last couple years in hospitals. Hopefully, since you are still strong, skilled and talented that IF you want to do guest writings, you can. If you're going away to pursue other things great. Good luck sir. You brought me and others entertainment for decades. Thank you.
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Thank you for your wonderful insight over the years! If Mo would be able to trade and/or sign for a front line starter and a catcher and used up trade candidates and most of the available budget to do so would it be a good idea to consider signing David Peralta to a one year deal? He still hits RH pitching where the Cardinals seem to struggle and his slash line vs RH pitching last year was 267/329/449 with a 788 OPS. Have a great semi retirement you have certainly earned it.
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I became the last speaker at the ceremony because there was a possibility of rain and they wanted Gwynn and Ripken first. I delivered a 6 minute 42 second speech. A couple of hours later, I saw Harmon Killebrew getting off an elevator and he said, "Great speech." I said, "You just liked it because it was short.''' He said, "Yeah. . . but great speech anyway." \
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Commish, no one under the age of 35 reads a print newspaper, no one under the age of 20 reads anything other than an occasional headline on a social media platform. As a gem in the newspaper industry that you served so well, are you glad you had the past 50 years to write rather than then the next 50?
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Congratulations Mr. Hummel! When i was a kid back in the early 80's, i remember hearing Dick Williams really upset that you sent an apology to him, on Cardinals stationary... i thought that was hilarious back then, and never have forgotten it. what was the backstory on that.. if it's worth remembering.
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Just thinking about the last two years and a remarkable resemblance in both cases. In ‘21 we won 18(?) in a row to win our division. After we lost a game we went to “rest” the team and get ready for playoffs. In ‘22 we cinched our division and once again we went to “rest” the team and finished with a very mediocre splitting 6 games with the Pirates. Don’t you think that taking last days and resting the A squad has really cost the Cardinals . I know rest was important but didn’t we overdo the rest and both teams came into playoffs flat and no momentum?
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Mr. Hummel. Thank you for the last 50+ years. You have, rightfully, taken your place alongside the likes of Broeg, Burnes, Strauss, Burwell, et al, in St.Louis sports writing. A St. Louis Mt. Rushmore, of sorts. And you are leaving it in good hands with Derrick & Ben. We Cardinal fans have been blessed, indeed.
My question: Opening Day at Busch is a special time, what with the pageantry of the Clydesdales leading in the parade of cars with the Hall of Famers. But, just how special is it? You have seen many Opening Days at many other parks over the years-how does ours compare? Do other teams have the pomp & circumstance that we do? Whose would you deem the best? Just curious. Enjoy your (semi?) retirement, sir. You've earned it! -
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Many thanks, Rick, for your consistent wisdom, grace, and humor in covering the Cardinals. I've long considered myself blessed to have been born into a Cardinals family, and among those blessings has been regular doses of Rick Hummel's coverage over the years. If there is such a thing as a "Cardinal Way" for winning baseball, there is most certainly a Hummel Way in the world of sports journalism. Wishing you and yours all the best in your next ventures.
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You mentioned the team's desire for more strikeouts and I'd like to dig into that a little. I can see the need for swing and miss relief pitchers and the bullpen should be full of them, but I see less sense in avoiding ground ball starting pitchers who can give you 7 innings with 95 pitches or so, especially considering how talented the Cardinal's defense is. Am I missing something?
And from a guy who's been retired for 13 years, retirement's overrated. Hope you find lots of things to keep you engaged. -
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Mr. Hummel, I've enjoyed your columns and wish you all the best in your much deserved retirement.
My question is regarding playoff bonus awards. Do players like Harrison Bader get bonus from each of the teams they played with? In his specific case from both the Cardinals and the Yankees. -
Bader will get a partial share (at least a half share) as voted on by the players who were with the Yankees all season. Same for Montgomery here. And, yes, each is likely to get money from the team with which he started the season, as voted upon by the players from his previous team.
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The 2005 and 2015 Cardinals both won 100 games but didn't reach the World Series.And thanks to you fans and readers for everything.I hope I was able to inform and entertain you and I hope to be able to so once in a while in the future.Perhaps a guest chat?Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart.Commish