Cleaning the Cardinals Clubhouse
Kudos to the Cardinals for swiftly dismissing Scott Spiezio.
Owner Bill DeWitt, GM John Mozeliak and the organization made a strong statement about establishing standards for personal conduct.
Mozeliak, in particular, stood up in a strong way that reaffirmed that there’s a new GM in charge, and he won’t be weak.
Human beings make mistakes, and are entitled to second chances as long as they’re genuine about growing from the experience in a way that makes them a better person. Tony La Russa and his DUI in Florida last spring is an example of what I’m talking about. La Russa was ashamed by what he did, and I’d be absolutely shocked if TLR ever put himself in that irresponsible position again. He learned from his poor judgment.
But Spiezio was given many chances by the Cardinals. He was signed off the street when no one wanted him after the 2005 season. As we found out later, he was given an opportunity to get his act together early in the 2007 season, when rumors of his use of alcohol and substances began to surface. The team backed him again when he went into a rehab facility last season. They supported him again, and with a warm embrace, when he checked out of rehab and returned to the uniform. And they were behind Spiezio again by bringing him back for 2008.
At some point, he had to return that loyalty. He had to prove that he was trustworthy and reliable and honest and clean. And Spiezio failed miserably on all counts. For this knucklehead to essentially conceal the nature and magnitude of the wild spree that allegedly occured on the night of Dec. 30 in Irvine, Calif. was simply unacceptable, and unforgivable.
And this is especially true in the aftermath of Josh Hancock killing himself by driving drunk last April.
There was another reason to send Spiezio away: as I have written and said before, this team had a party culture in 2007. And it’s time for the Cardinals to declare last call and insist that their players act like professionals, and responsible citizens, and respect the game and the community in which they play.
This organization is putting a premium on developing young players. Some, like Brendan Ryan, made it to the majors last season. Another, top prospect Colby Rasmus, is close. More are on the way. The worst thing the Cardinals can do is have an out-of-control clubhouse culture to set a bad example for the newbies, who might get the idea that it’s OK to party all night, get little sleep, take risks and show up at the ballpark with red eyes and hazy minds and mysterious bumps on the head. There’s nothing wrong with having a good time, as long as it stays responsible (call a cab!), doesn’t spill out of bounds and doesn’t affect job performance.
If the Cardinals allow the party culture to exist and thrive, some of these young, on-the-way Cardinals will lose themselves at the big-league level. Handling a major-league lifestyle isn’t easy for some, anyway. Having bad influences in the clubhouse can only make the transition, the graduation to the bigs, more challenging.
Spiezio is gone, but I hope DeWitt, Mozeliak and La Russa continue to stay on top of the clubhouse culture and keep these higher standards in place.
Thanks for reading…
-B
it’s been a bad couple of years in st. louis and the natives are restless.
no, kmrupp, I am not Slaten. I am afraid TLR time in St Louis has come and gone. He will be lucky to make it 2 years and if he does he wont be around when the Cardinals win again which isnt this year. Pastaman372
I’m not as impressed by the Cards’ “strong statement.” They did the right thing in letting Spiezio go, but they were hardly sticking their necks out. He lied to them (maybe repeatedly), his rehab doesn’t appear to have worked at all, he’s got himself in serious trouble. Given his situation and his limited role, I have to think any organization would have done the same.
Not impressed, either, with the implication that the Cards did Spiezio a favor by signing him for the 2006 season. They thought he could help the team, and he certainly did. I hate to think where they would have been without some of his huge clutch hits; we might be remembering the 2006 team as one of the all-time chokes instead of World Series champs.
Maybe the strong statement refers to them paying his 2008 salary so they could dump him immediately? OK, fair point.
I wish Scott well. He needs help. He needs to help himself. He owes it to his kids, too.
[...] a tall order - Cards show concern for veteran and how to replace him By Matthew Leach / MLB.com Cleaning the Cardinal Clubhouse By Bernie Miklasz / ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH Teammates back Cardinals’ decision to release Spiezio By Joe Strauss / ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH [...]
From Strauss’ story: “The Cardinals…assumed the remaining $2.4 million on his contract…”
Whoa. Am I reading this right?
Bernie, I know he wasn’t convicted of anything yet, but does the standard player’s contract not allow the team to get out of paying him in these circumstances? If not, this particular contract item seems hugely players’ oriented. Don Fehr’s handiwork again?
He’s going to get his money, even if he doesn’t sign with someone else this year and does nothing?
What a deal.
Really a shame. The guy was such a hero around here after the WS.
Hard to put the blame on LaRussa, however. (I dislike him for other reasons, like his man-love for any player that uses steroids) Spiezio is a grown up, an adult, capable of making his own decisions. And if Hancock killing himself while drunk isn’t a wake up call for this guy, then what would be?? (A stern “talking to” by LaRussa?)
It was HIS CHOICE to get loaded and drive, and then assault his neighbor…and he now has felony charges and a pink slip to show for it. The Cardinals did the right thing in letting him go, and can’t be blamed for this sad saga…
I am a Country Day grad from around 1970, like the owner of the cards are. What erks me and other CDS grads is how money hungry they are and have forgotten the family of 4 who go to games and leave broke.
It cracks me up that they are willing to give Spiezio 2.5 million this year after they fired him, and rightfully so. Either they messed up with their contract with him or they have loss touch with Cardinal nation.
Even tho I can easily afford tickets i won’t buy one unless a corporation invites me– which is what the fan base has become, a corporate sponsored fan.
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