It's easy for all of us who hide behind the cyberspace wall to take shots.  It's easy for the fans in the stands or in the bars to sit and tell you how they would do it if they ran the zoo.  But one thing you can't argue with is success.

Over the course of Walt Jocketty's tenure in St. Louis, he has presided over one of the most successful franchises in baseball.  He's made savvy trades, brought in big name players and has exemplified the spirit of "moneyball."  St. Louis is not a top tier market economically, so most acquisitions have to be made by trade.  Jocketty was a mad genius of sorts, more times than not landing a superstar for a hand full of magic beans.

Lately though, things in St. Louis have not been so rosy.  Ownership mandated changes to the scouting department have drove a wedge between Jocketty and his bosses.  Jocketty took it personally, feeling that he should have the street cred to determine his own people.  This situation festered and eventually Jocketty's unhappiness, coupled with rumors connecting him with other clubs led to his dismissal yesterday in St. Louis.

I wonder Cardinal fans remember the 70's, before Whitey Herzog when the Cardinals on the field were run by guys named Vern Rapp and Ken Boyer.  I wonder if they remember the period after Whitey left when Joe Torre (not the modern successful Joe Torre, but the I can't manage my way out of a wet paper bag Joe Torre) reigned at Busch Stadium. Because kids, get ready for a bumpy ride.

In addition to the launching of Jocketty, Cardinals owner Bill DeWitt has put the final nail in the coffin of The Genius as well.  The Genius and Jocketty worked together in Oakland where Jocketty was assistant GM; it was Jocketty who lured The Genius to St. Louis to take over the Cardinals after The Genius was kicked to the curb by the Oakland A's.  It was Jocketty who acquired players like Mark McGuire, Jim Edmonds, Dennis Eckersley and others and developed players like Albert Pujols that gave the Cardinals 6 division titles, one wild card title, an NL pennant and a world championship during their partnership. 

There is a symbiotic relationship between Jocketty and The Genius, and it could be assumed that if Jocketty is running a team anytime soon, The Genius may be back on the field working under those colors.  Here's a prediction: Look forward to next seeing The Genius in 2009 in a Baltimore Orioles uniform.

As for Cardinals fans, it is obvious that your team invested all of it's money in the new ballpark in St. Louis.  By doing so, funding for free agents and player development has been cut.  But because you are the best fans in baseball (and one of the best sports cities in America, if not the best) you'll continue to come out and root for your Cards no matter how good or how bad they are.  Just like the owners are banking on.  The sad truth is, with the exception of Puljols, your team is getting old, shaky and injury prone and your farm system is in shambles.  And your new star attraction was juiced. 

Welcome, Cardinal fans, to life after Walt and good luck to you.

Lightning Round

• Crack analysis of yesterday's baseball action: The Rockies didn't look like the team with the "We're in" hangover, the Phillies did.
  
• The Angels are by far the softest team in the ALDS and the Red Sox will expose them as such.  Of course, Josh Beckett is unreal.  Kudos to John Lackey for keeping his team in the game.
• I agree with Lou Piniella pulling starter Carlos Zambrano after six innings to preserve him for a possible game four on three days rest.  Where Lou lost the gamble was when Carlos Marmol, who has been his most reliable guy out of the pen all year, had issues.  Honestly, I thought Lou showed serious balls last night on a move that may pay off in a couple of days.  He knows that it is a marathon, not a sprint.  Meanwhile, Cub fans begin to line up on ledges all over the gold coast.
  
• 
  The Milwaukee Brewers are bringing back Ned Yost, but not committing to anything beyond next season.  This is a good move by the organization who thinks they can be competitive and Yost needs to be accountable.  If the Brewers get off to a slow start, look for Yost to be gone early in the year.  This is clearly another sign the Brewers feel they have arrived.
• Lots of NASCAR happenings.  Kyle Bush's crew chief hit with a $10,000 fine  for an unapproved intake manifold by NASCAR becomes the third Hendrick crew chief to either be fined or suspended this year.  Dario Franchitti has officially signed with Chip Ganassi and will drive the #40 car next year while participating in Friday's ARCA race at Talladega. And, Scott Riggs signs with Haas CNC racing, probably getting a seat in the #70 car currently driven by Wisconsin's Johnny Sauter.  With all of the International drivers coming to NASCAR (Juan Pablo Montoya, Franchitti, etc.) and all the consolidation of teams, it's going to be hard for marginal drivers like Sauter to find a cup ride.  Maybe he can drive in the Busch, make that Nationwide series.
• Prior to his start on Sunday, new Rams starting quarterback Gus Frerotte will take the field to the tune of  Quiet Riot's "Bang Your Head".  Didn't Mark Bulger just sign a huge contract?
  
• Acording to our friends at AA, ESPN has made peace with MLB so that Baseball Tonight can broadcast from the ballpark.  BTW, Sports Media Journal has written a very balanced piece exposing ESPN for what they are: All the things I've been saying for years.  Self absorbed, self-interested, promoting their own products, East Coast biased and anchors who think they are the show.  The sad thing is, because ESPN is successful, they have become the model, both on TV and in radio.  Unfortunately, they can be a bad model.
• The proclamation that Coach Fran is going to be at Texas A&M for a long time is probably not accurate.  When they start combing your contract looking for loopholes, that is not a good sign. In fact, if Fran isn't canned at the end of the season, I'll be shocked.
• 
  Barry Bonds apparently can play small ball(s).  This whole mistress writes a tell all book thing and poses nude in Playboy thing pretty much tells you what she's all about.
  
• In today's "I am filing a lawsuit because I am offended department, the people that own the rights to "When you Wish Upon a Star" are suing the makers of Family Guy for doing a parody of the song which may have offended Jews.  If Jews want to be offended, here's something that really should piss them off, one of the most offensive radio promotions I've ever seen. Braun Mitzvah?  Win a Yarmulke from Ryan Braun?  Boy, is that ever sad.
• Today's list: Ultimate female hotties of the 70's & 80's.