Earlier this season long-time sports broadcaster Joe Buck called a couple of St. Louis Cardinals games and on the second of those two broadcasts he described Busch Stadium as a ghost town. Then two weeks ago he took to the internet and social media to voice his opinion of the 11 time World Champion Cardinals.
DURING the game in Stl last night. Wow. Welcome back to the 70s. This is what it used to look like. I was there. Pre-Whitey. Buying shag carpet asap.A major rebuild of roster and trust better be coming. One can only hope. It’s coming right? Buena suerte Chaim! Rooting for you. pic.twitter.com/IVf5Wjdyh4
— Joe Buck (@Buck) August 26, 2025
As the son of legendary announcer Jack Buck, Joe’s critique carries significant weight.
When a follower questioned whether he was blaming the fans, Buck was unequivocal: Oh to be clear I am NOT blaming the fans, he replied. The fans have sent a loud message and I’m hopeful it’s resonating. How can it not?. This was more than a casual observation; it was a blunt, public indictment of the organization from a figure who spent decades calling World Series games and witnessing sellout crowds at this very stadium.
While fans often describe the team as basement dwellers the last three years, the team’s performance has been more complicated than a simple linear decline. The 2023 season was a historic low, with the Cardinals finishing last in the National League Central for the first time since 1990. In 2024, they showed a modest rebound, finishing second in the division and in the conversation for a National League Wild Card spot. However, the 2025 season, which is nearly over, has seen them take a step backward. This cycle of inconsistency, rather than a simple decline, is the true source of frustration for fans.
The rivalry with the Cubs only sharpens the frustration for Cardinals fans, who see generations of loyalty being repaid with hesitation and penny-pinching by a big market team who should have at least gotten to the World Series once since 2016. Wrigley Field has always been full, no matter the standings, but patience is wearing thin in both St. Louis and Chicago. Fans feel Ricketts and DeWitt have the resources to build a contender yet refuse to spend. Calls to open the checkbook aren’t just noise anymore — they are a direct challenge to ownership to stop coasting on tradition and finally deliver a team worthy of the fans who never stopped showing up.
A player-by-player audit of the Cardinals reveals a frustrating mix of declining veterans, underperforming prospects, and a few bright spots. Third baseman Nolan Arenado’s offensive performance continues to decline, with a wRC+ of 83—17% below league average. Meanwhile, the organization’s biggest bet on the future, right fielder Jordan Walker, is having a historically poor season with a wRC+ of 64 that places him in the bottom 5% of outfielders since 1961. The team’s long-term, high-value contracts for players like Arenado ($32.5 million average annual value through 2027) and Willson Contreras ($17.5 million average annual value through 2028) further complicate matters, making a complete fire sale seem impossible this winter. However, there is some promise in the young core, with players like shortstop Masyn Winn providing elite defense and a team-best 3.5 fWAR, making him an unquestionable “keeper” for the future.
By referencing the “pre-Whitey” 1970s, Buck was doing more than simply describing the empty seats; he was invoking a profound historical warning. The 1970s were a forgettable era for the Cardinals, a period of sustained mediocrity that changed only with the arrival of Whitey Herzog, who orchestrated a complete cultural and philosophical overhaul of the franchise. Buck’s comparison is a plea for a similar, fundamental reset to save the franchise from “drifting toward irrelevance again”.
Here’s the thing, folks: The responsibility for this lies with the head of baseball operations Chaim Bloom and his analytical style which be became known for in Tampa Bay.
With that… Buck’s viral commentary has made it clear that the Cardinals must address both the on-field product.
If you cannot play with them, then root for them!