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<h3>Welcome to The Cardinal Chronicle</h3>Twenty years ago on Opening Day 2006, as the new Busch Stadium opened its gates, thousands of posters were handed out to Cardinals fans by the Mileur Media Group, marking a new chapter in franchise history.Two years later, after representing former Cardinals manager Billy Southworth and his family at his Hall of Fame induction ceremony, I stepped away from writing about the game.Now, in the 144th season of Cardinals baseball — and the 20th anniversary of this Busch Stadium — I’m picking up the pen again.The Cardinal Chronicle is dedicated to preserving the past, promoting the present, and projecting the future — from Busch Stadium to the minor league backfields. This isn’t about noise, hot takes, or chasing headlines. It’s about the game itself — its history, its fundamentals, and the players who carry it forward.We’ll cover the Cardinals the old-fashioned way — with perspective, respect, and a clear understanding of what “The Cardinal Way” truly means in every season.If Cardinals baseball still means something to you — past, present, and prospects — you’re in the right place.You can follow The Cardinal Chronicle here on the website, and join us on <a data-mce-href="https://www.facebook.com/TheCardinalChronicle/" href="https://www.facebook.com/TheCardinalChronicle/" title="Cardinal Chronical " target="_blank" rel="noopener">Facebook</a> and <a data-mce-href="https://x.com/RayMileur1" href="https://x.com/RayMileur1" title="Cardinal Chronicle" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Twitter/X</a> for daily updates, reports, and reflections throughout the 2026 season.Let’s enjoy the game again.— ray mileur The Cardinal Chronicle

Welcome to The Cardinal Chronicle

<h3>On This Date in Cardinal History:&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Ted Savage — A Life Well Played</h3><figure id="figure-08jadhkz2mlvtlgz6"><img id="08jadhkz2mlvtlgz6" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/44u00Juv5A9I0owGLX9USPXeVLX4rcrP4QxVymJIu4EHT9Y7E0MfpIvpDzTmoQhR.jpg" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/44u00Juv5A9I0owGLX9USPXeVLX4rcrP4QxVymJIu4EHT9Y7E0MfpIvpDzTmoQhR.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure>On February 21, 1936, in Venice, Illinois, Ephesian “Ted” Savage was born. The baseball world would come to know him simply as Ted Savage — outfielder, Cardinal, mentor, and servant to the game.Savage made his Major League debut on April 9, 1962 with the Philadelphia Phillies in a 12–4 road win over the Cincinnati Reds at Crosley Field. His career would span parts of 10 seasons (1962–1971), including three years in St. Louis from 1965–1967 with the St. Louis Cardinals.Over 642 Major League games, Savage compiled a .233 batting average with 34 home runs and 163 runs batted in. He wasn’t a headline-grabber. He was the kind of player every club needs — steady, professional, ready when called. His final career hit came fittingly against left-hander Tommy John, a single that quietly closed the book on his playing days.But Ted Savage’s real legacy began after the box scores stopped printing his name.Following his baseball career, Savage earned a PhD in urban studies from Saint Louis University. He spent nine years as athletic director at Harris–Stowe State University in St. Louis before returning to the Cardinals organization in 1987 as assistant director of community relations and a minor-league instructor.For 25 years, Savage became a bridge between the Cardinals and the community. He eventually retired in 2012 as director of target marketing in the Cardinals Care and community relations department. In 2013, the 24th annual Cardinals Care golf tournament he had long hosted was renamed the Ted Savage RBI Golf Classic, supporting the Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) program — a fitting tribute to a man who gave so much to growing the game at the grassroots level.Honors followed. In 2006, Savage was inducted into the Lincoln University Alumni Hall of Fame. The Buffalo Bisons inducted him into their team Hall of Fame in 2016.Savage passed away on January 12, 2023, at the age of 85.I had the privilege of knowing Ted Savage, though not very well. What struck me was his quiet professionalism and the way he carried himself. He wasn’t loud. He didn’t seek attention. He simply showed up, did his job, and treated people with respect. In every interaction I witnessed, he was a class act — the kind of man who represented the Cardinals organization with dignity long after his playing days ended.In an era that often celebrates flash over foundation, Ted Savage reminds us that baseball’s backbone has always been built on character. He wore the uniform with pride. He served the organization with loyalty. And long after his final at-bat, he continued strengthening the game in St. Louis and beyond.That’s a life well played. Background Research Sources - HistoryofCardinals.comPhoto Credit - MLB.com

A Savage was Born on this Date in 1936

<h3>In the Spotlight: INF Ramón Urías</h3>Professional depth with defensive reliability — a potential platoon piece against left-handed pitching.Assuming the Cardinals actually sign Ramon Urias to a contract this weekend for the 2026 season, the Cardinals won't be adding flash — they'll be adding functionality.At 31, Ramón Urías brings versatility and experience to a roster that values both. A right-handed hitter and&nbsp; 2022 American League Gold Glove winner at third base, Urias is capable of handling third base and second base. Urías profiles as a dependable piece who can help stabilize the infield — particularly in matchups against left-handed pitching.His 2025 numbers (.241/.292/.384, 11 HR across Baltimore and Houston) won’t light up fantasy scoreboards, and his 87 wRC+ marked a down year at the plate. But the appeal here isn’t star production — it’s competence. Urías typically puts together professional at-bats, doesn’t expand the zone recklessly, and plays fundamentally sound defense.For a club that may need flexibility at third base, especially in platoon situations, this move makes practical sense. He won’t carry the lineup. He doesn’t need to. If he gives you steady defense and competitive at-bats against lefties, that’s value.This is depth with purpose.And sometimes in a long season, that matters more than splash. Photo Credit - I love MLB

In the Spotlight: INF Ramón Urías

<h3>Spring Training Rumors&nbsp;</h3> We have been hearing the rumblings about the St. Louis Cardinals possibly signing free-agent outfielder Tommy Pham again.Let’s slow the train down a bit. It probably shouldn't have left the station.Right now, this feels far more like offseason speculation than serious movement. Every February, when a veteran player is still on the market and a club has even a minor roster need, the dots get connected. That doesn’t mean there’s real traction behind it.Pham is 38. He’s been around the league. He’s had strong stretches and emotional moments here in St. Louis, no question. But bringing him back now wouldn’t be a foundational move — it would be a depth move at best. And this front office has signaled repeatedly that they’re prioritizing youth, flexibility, and long-term roster balance.Could they add a right-handed bat before camp settles in? Absolutely. That makes baseball sense.Is there credible reporting that a deal with Pham is close? Not at this point. Until a beat writer with real sourcing confirms something concrete, I’d file this one under “pundit chatter” rather than pending transaction.Sometimes a rumor is just a rumor — especially this time of year.

Let’s Slow the Train: Evaluating any Tommy Pham Speculation

The Long Road Back: Packy Naughton Returns to the MoundIn the Cardinals’ first spring training game of 2026 at Roger Dean Stadium, one appearance carried more weight than the box score might suggest.When Packy Naughton took the mound Saturday for the St. Louis Cardinals, it marked his first game action in more than a year — and another step in a long recovery from significant elbow surgery.Naughton’s absence has not been brief. In 2023, he underwent surgery to repair a torn flexor tendon in his pitching elbow. During the rehab process, doctors discovered additional ligament damage, eventually leading to Tommy John surgery and further repair work. Over the following months, Naughton faced grueling physical therapy, setbacks, and an uncertain timeline—a journey that ultimately resulted in essentially two lost seasons and a long, arduous climb back to health.Now, in the first game of camp, he was back on a major league mound in Jupiter. Naughton was efficient and in complete control, needing just 14 pitches to retire the three hitters he faced. He induced two weak ground balls, showing his command and pitch movement, before freezing the final batter with a perfectly placed fastball for a called third strike.As he walked off the mound, there was no mistaking the smile on his face—a visible sign of relief and accomplishment after months of uncertainty.Before the injuries, Naughton provided valuable left-handed depth for the Cardinals’ bullpen. He has never relied on overpowering velocity, but rather on pinpoint command, deceptive arm angles, and relentless competitiveness—the kind of arm that can quietly stabilize a bullpen over the course of a grueling 162-game season, stepping into high-leverage spots or bridging innings when needed.Spring training statistics won’t tell the story here.Health will.If Naughton proves durable this spring, he gives the Cardinals another experienced left-handed option—someone who could fill a vital role, whether on the big-league roster in St. Louis or as trusted depth in Memphis. After two years defined by rehab rooms, setbacks, and recovery schedules, simply being available again is a testament to his work ethic and resilience.Opening day of spring training is usually about prospects, projections, and position battles—fresh faces and future stars vying for a chance to make an impression.But on this Saturday afternoon at Roger Dean Stadium, it was also about perseverance—about a pitcher’s long road back and the quiet triumph of stepping once again onto a big-league mound.And that still matters.Photo Credit - New England Journal

The Long Road Back: Packy Naughton Returns to the Mound

Eras Are Not Defined by Their BeginningsA Look at the First Four Seasons of Cardinal ManagersIn St. Louis, a manager doesn’t simply take over a ballclub — he steps into a tradition. Generations of fans have watched men like Billy Southworth, Whitey Herzog, and Tony La Russa guide this franchise through seasons of triumph and transition. Now, as Oliver Marmol completes his first four years in the Cardinal dugout, it feels like a fitting moment to pause and look back. Not to rush judgment, and not to draw sweeping conclusions — but to let the numbers offer perspective on how managerial eras have begun in St. Louis.When you talk about Cardinal managers, you’re not talking about placeholders. You’re talking about eras. Each man inherits something different — a roster in transition, a veteran core, a rebuilding project, or a club on the brink. And eventually, every era is measured the same way.Wins and losses.So let’s step back and look at the first four seasons under Billy Southworth, Whitey Herzog, Tony La Russa, and Oliver Marmol.Billy Southworth, Hall of Famer,&nbsp; (1940–1943)&nbsp; 84–69 97–56 106–48 105–49 Four-year total: 392–222 - (.638)That stretch wasn’t just successful — it was historic. Three pennants. One World Championship. A .638 winning percentage that still sets a benchmark for managerial excellence.Whitey Herzog, Hall of Famer,&nbsp; (1980–1983) 74–88 59–43 (strike season) 92–70 (World Champions) 79–83 Four-year total: 304–284 - (.517)Whitey’s beginning was uneven. But by Year Three, the reshaped roster and Whiteyball identity delivered a championship. The climb was intentional, even if it wasn’t immediate.Tony La Russa, Hall of Famer, (1996–1999) 88–74 73–89 83–79 75–86 Four-year total: 319–328 - (.493)Year one brought October baseball. The next three brought growing pains. The sustained dominance that would define the 2000s was still under construction.Oliver Marmol, &nbsp;(2022–2025) 93–69 71–91 83–79 76–86 Four-year total: 323–325 - (.499)A division title in Year One. Turbulence that followed. Through four seasons, Marmol’s record sits remarkably close to the early returns of Herzog and La Russa — well below Southworth’s historic pace, but squarely within the range of managers who would later define championship eras.History doesn’t guarantee outcomes. It doesn’t excuse poor play, and it doesn’t promise future banners. But it does provide perspective.In St. Louis, eras are rarely defined in their first four seasons.They are defined by what comes next.

Eras Are Not Defined By Their Beginnings

The Cardinal Chronicle 