Being a Cardinal “made my career happen,” says Aaron Miles
TOWER GROVE — In a few days, newly-minted Chicago Cubs infielder Aaron Miles will have a reunion of sorts at a charity event with the manager that made him a millionaire. He expects the worst.
“I just talked to him, and Tony said,” Miles said, pausing for effect, “that he’s really going to give it to me.”
Miles, fresh from signing a two-year, $4.9-million deal with the Cubs, will attend an Animal Rescue Foundation benefit in California later this week as a guest of Tony — St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa, that is, the foundation’s creator. When Miles called La Russa to tell him he had decided to take the more lucrative offer and more lucrative opportunity with the Cubs, the manager understood and then offered a warning. Miles’ defection to the North Side was not going to go without ridicule at the ARF function. Oh, this won’t be Jim Edmonds Revisited. This all so So Taguchi. The humor will be on purpose.
Miles will welcome a shared laugh.
“I beat myself up for a good day or two (before calling La Russa), and I didn’t really feel good about signing elsewhere until even then,” Miles said Friday morning. “Understanding that in the end it was more money, and it seems like the same opportunity — a chance to start at second base, be a good utility guy. What I did in St. Louis — spot starter, quasi-starter, coming off the bench. I’ll be doing the same job, playing as much and maybe even playing more.
“But it was still the toughest decision I’ve had to make because St. Louis was the greatest experience I’ve ever had in baseball,” Miles concluded. “Being with the Cardinals made my career happen. I started in Colorado, but I made a name for myself in St. Louis.”
Former Cardinals utility infielder Aaron Miles handles the pivot during the 2006 World Series. (Source: Getty Images)
After catching wind of how some of his comments to Chicago baseball writers this week played in the message boards and radio studios of St. Louis and keenly aware of the David Eckstein Debacle of last winter, Miles called me on Friday morning to offer some farewell thoughts. Those included his views on how he became the latest in a parade of infielders to leave. Miles had carved out quite a niche with the Cardinals — a utility infielder who played almost as much as a regular and regularly won the starting job at second base despite the Cardinals’ best efforts to put somebody else in the position. Roll call: Junior Spivey. Ronnie Belliard. Adam Kennedy. Felipe Lopez.
Through all of it, Miles remained a favorite of La Russa’s … remains a favorite.
On KSLG/1380 this past Friday, La Russa repeated to baseball writer Joe Strauss an admission he made late last season: Miles earned more playing time than he got. Columnist Bernie Miklasz, whose show had La Russa as a guest, quoted from that interview in this morning’s paper, capturing La Russa’s opinion on Miles’ departure: “We took a big hit with Miles.” Miles set career highs in 2008 across his hitting line, batting .317, slugging .398 and reaching base with a .355 on-base percentage. More telling than his .300 average, Miles personified an essential piece of La Russa’s lineup — a movable beast, so to speak, and more correctly an insurance policy at multiple positions. Shortstop injured? Start Miles. Second baseman struggling? Start Miles.
Utility fielder released? Good thing there’s Miles around.
La Russa was not alone in his fondness for Miles as a scrapper and person. La Russa’s view of Miles as a player, however, was not universally shared by the Cardinals’ brain trust, specifically not at the price of a starter. And certainly not landlocked like they are now with Kennedy under contract for 2009.
“St. Louis was the best time I could have had playing baseball, and it’s the best time I’ve had in my career playing baseball,” Miles said. “I really felt like I had a part of the team there, and that I was a part of the family. I loved playing for Tony La Russa. I understand the finances of it. I know what they have to consider. I know why they non-tendered me each year. I really considered taking less money to go back, even though I knew I wouldn’t be guaranteed to play a lot. It felt like there was always a move to bring in somebody besides me.
“And that’s the business, that’s the game, so it didn’t bother me,” Miles concluded. “But to be non-tendered again, that made me feel so expendable.”
Said his agent: “As excited as he is for the opportunity with the Cubs, he was very melancholy about leaving St. Louis.”
The Cubs pursuit of Miles intensified the weekend after Christmas, and the entire deal hinged around the Cubs being able to deal second baseman/super utility fielder Mark DeRosa. When they completed that swap with Cleveland, they made their offer to Miles formal. The Cardinals entered at the 11th hour, and Miles said the offer was both a surprise and a complication. He spent many hours laboring over the decision. Miles said the offer from the Cardinals was a two-year deal and that the difference between it and the Cubs’ offer could have been $1 million. Several sources described the Cardinals’ offer as worth a total of around $4.3 million, or $600,000 less guaranteed than the Cubs’ contract.
Though neither side is saying it, that seems like the kind of deal that could have been offered and agreed to before the non-tender day. The Cardinals, however, had more moving pieces — namely Kennedy — in play.
Aaron Miles, shown here in the July game he drove in five runs against Pittsburgh, didn't get as much playing time as he deserved, Tony La Russa said. (Source: USAToday)
This was, technically, the third consecutive year that the Cardinals non-tendered Miles, but this was different. For the first time the non-tender notice did not come with an offer, Miles said. In seasons past the Cardinals non-tendered Miles to avoid arbitration with the switch-hitter. A few sources estimated the salary he could get through arbitration at approximately $2.5 million, though there are scenarios where arbitration — which by rule is immune to the market and economic conditions — could set a salary above that estimate.
Eight teams had shown interest in Miles leading up to the Cardinals becoming the ninth on the day he signed with the Cubs, his agent said. Of those eight teams, the two best opportunities for playing time were with the Cardinals (where he knew he had the track record of winning at-bats) and the Cubs (who were going to clear a spot for him in the lineup). He may play multiple positions for the Cubs, but he’ll get those at-bats.
He was, after all, a .392 hitter during days games in 2008, and .321 during the day since 2006.
As he stewed over his decision, Miles’ decision broke along simple lines: Stick with the team that made him the player who was now drawing interest in a soft market or go to the team that showed the most interest in signing him.
“It was a tough choice, no question,” Miles said. “But it felt like I was really wanted more by the Cubs. I may only have one crack at making this kind of money in this game. I spent nine years in the minors and now I’ve got six years in the big leagues. I’ve clawed for every inch I can get, and … my earning potential is very, very, very short in this game. I like the security of the deal and that I’m playing for a team that has a chance to win the World Series. I could say the same thing about the Cardinals. I was going to be a Cub because I didn’t have an offer from the Cardinals. When I got one, it made things tougher because of what I was a part of there. The Cardinals made me as a player.
“In the end, I know I went with the team that wanted me more,” he concluded. “I’m sure of that.”
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Derrick Goold said he was going to Mizzou for capital-J journalism, but after growing up in the Time Zone Baseball Forgot he was really drawn to MU sitting between two major-league cities. Goold joined the Post-Dispatch in 2001 after working for The Times-Picayune and Rocky Mountain News, covering sports from LSU to NHL and every level of baseball in between. 
He went to the team he thinks has a better chance this season. That’s all. The rest is just lip service in hopes that he won’t get booed when he plays in St. Louis. From what I’ve read, he’s not even getting a starting role on the Cubs.
No, he went where he got more money. Can’t say I blame him.
Bernie’s right. He’s not very classy…
I hope that the fans of St. Louis are really not that upset about the departure of Miles. What we should be upset about is the contract we offered him. We can totally use that money elsewhere. Yea, he was a great teammate/person. But c’mon, we will not miss him using his bat as a cue stick and poking balls down to the first/third baseman for a for sure out.
trying to back track a bit, Aaron? Let’s see how Cubs fan love him when his obp is .320, as it has been much of his career. We should all HOPE he starts at 2b for them…and offensive and defensive downgrade for the Cubs. Sorry, I’m not part of the obsessively attached Cardinal fans that are grief stricken over the loss of a utility player. He will neither cost the Cards the division, nor would he have won it for them. So long Hudler, err, Hart, err, McEwing, err Miles
Miles is a very good team player. That is sour grapes to say that he is not classy. He was the next thing to the secret weapon since Oquendo played. Even on the bench Miles was a team player, talking to the young guys, encouraging, being a role model. It is annoying to say the least that the Cubs signed him, but who of us would not make a job change if someone offered us more money? Edmonds, now Miles, two of my favorites. If Gibson takes a job with the Cubs I am canceling my Season Tickets and burning all my red clothes.
Miles was one of those guys I had good vibes about when he came to the plate with the game on the line because he usually came through. So versatile…good teammate. Sad to see him go, but he is a Cub now. I’m a Cardinal fan…nuf said!!
He is a stud. Give him a break. It’s our fault for not pulling the trigger and we”re gonna regret it.
Miles played hard every game. He palyed several infield positions and gave TLR options to make moves during a game which TLR loves. All accounts he was a good teammate. We probably could have signed him for less earlier but as usual we took the cheap route. We have no replacement.
i will never go to another game since they got rid of my favorite player
I have been a life long Cardinal fan…..50 years. This is the stupidest thing that this organization has ever done in my opinion. This guy is a 300++ consistent hitter, and a consistent fielder with good durability and a great public image………and hungry to win…. all the qualities that a make a champion. What the ownership was thinking I can’t figure out. What are they going to get for less or even more money than what Miles was offered ? Someone who is unproven in this leaque or a low to mid 220 hitter who gets injured a lot. STUPID DECISSION by the CARDS.!!!!!
Eddy in SEATTLE
CardsNation is the one with no class. Not a typical Cards fan.
Nice job, Aaron, making those comments after hearing your orginal ones weren’t well received in St. Louis.
Too bad he couldn’t have been grateful from the start. That speaks volumes.
Great post, DG.
Baseball is a business to these players. Miles took the money. I, too, can’t blame the guy for taking the biggest paycheck of his life.
I never buy into hearing these guys talk about “how much they’d like to play in a certain town” at this point in the baseball offseason. If Miles really wanted to play in St.Louis he would have taken the lower offer from the Cards, right?
But, again, I can’t blame the guy for taking a 4.9 million deal.
Great read, DG.
I’m a lifelong Cub fan and also a very objective baseball fan. That’s not saying I’m always right - but, I learned not to think with my heart. As a Cub fan, that’s a good thing. First, Card fans that are unhappy about this move, should be asking LaRussa and the GM (ownership too) what’s going on. I see the Cards near the top in attendence every year, lotsa money rolling in and yet, you guys need a closer and don’t even approach Wood?? Seems to be quite a bit of profit taking as the Cards are NOT leading the payroll stupidity. However, they DO need to re-invest some of that money back into the product - their fans deserve that much. Miles is a nice little ballplayer. He isn’t gonna MAKE the Cubs by coming here - and he isn’t gonna destroy the Cards by leaving. I’ still trying to figure out how DeRosa’s bat and versatility is gonna be replaced. Peavy? I doubt it. Well St. Louis fans you might ask Tony the genius if he expected Miles to sit around unemployed, and avoid all other teams, until he got a call from the Cards. I respect the Cardinals in every way along with their fans - but ONE WAY LOYALTY ain’t gonna getr done.
How is a comment like CardsNation’s even allowed to stand here? Seriously. There’s got to be some other forum for that kind of drool.
Agreed, Diver. It’s been over 3 hours now and that drivel is still posted.
Kind of makes you long for the days when the “pop” diva deleted and closed comments.
Give the guy a break, he’s taking the best deal for him and his family. The guy spent 9 years in the minors. Think about number of buses the guy rode, low pay and faint hopes about ever playing in the major leagues. He has his best shot at pt with the Cubs, he’s a competitor. Why wouldn’t he jump at it. Wouldn’t you?
Thanks Mr. Goold, for giving some perspective to the comments that came out earlier. Personally, I thought Mr. Miklasz took what Miles said WAAAY too personally. I didn’t see him taking a shot at the Cardinals’ organization, and what he said was absolutely true.
The Cardinals’ organization has been looking for an upgrade to Aaron Miles since his first year with them. He was an high effort guy, and by all accounts he is both a good person and an excellent teammate. However, he is barely an adequate fielder at any position on the field; and until this year his hitting statistics have been below adequate, as well. He can’t break .400 SLG%, and he has typically been a .320 OBP guy. This was his first year as a .300 hitter.
It amazes me that so many fans seem so ready to give $5M to an utility bench player with marginal major league talent. The Cardinals have always found some little, high effort guy to fill the super-sub role; but to act as though the loss of such a guy is “the stupidest thing that this organization has ever done” seems to be extreme hyperbole. So, the Cardinals will audition Joe Thurston, Brian Barden, Brendan Ryan, and Tyler Greene as the “next” super-sub. Maybe one of them will stick. In the meantime, how about they use the $2.5M they would have spent on Miles this year to address the team’s actual holes in the starting rotation and the bullpen.
So, we wanted him, just wanted to save a few $$?
Too bad, this is just another example of why the Cubs are better than us. When will we learn? It’s always sad to come in second best, but it’s worse when we’re looking up at the Cubs
Business move all the way. Though I am sad to see Miles leave,I will feel better if they replace him with quality. I’m not sure who that would be that can get starter level at bats as a sub and still muster an above .300 avg.
Aaron a damn good baseball player and a very good waffler , so it seems.
it comes down to kennedy or miles, thats really a no brainer of course the cards make the wrong choice again
it was about money
Miles is not only a good guy but was an asset for the Cardinals everytime he entered the clubhouse and every time he took the field. I was a little surprised at some of the posters remarks but then remembered that most of these nasty remarks are on par for the on line life of these type posters.
Miles did what a lot of us would do and had a right to feel badly after three years of being non tendered and ignored on the third. If similar circumstances occured in our jobs and we found opportunity to move on for more money and longer term security, we would do it. His very effort of wanting to tell the fans of St. Louis how his decision came about and how he felt about the fans and Cardinals defines how classy he is. Miles didn’t have to say anything but simply ignore the whole thing. Yes, Miles is classy and much more so than many of you.
Sad to say, the Cardinals stated goal over the years has not been to “win it all,” but merely be competitive. We’ve heard it time and time again. This has been proven by the way they operate in the off-season. Since they aren’t interested in building a team that can “win it all,” why can’t they be more loyal to players that have given their all for the team, like Miles, who was perfectly content to play the utility role for years.
Although Aaron Miles said that the Cardinals “made his career happen”, I feel that Aaron made the Cardinals happen several times over. His statistics show that he should have been given, at a minimum, one more year to produce (even at a starter salary).
I’m losing more and more confidence in some of Mozeliak’s decisions. No, I have no idea of what the “front office” is dealing with, but I know what they didn’t “Deal” with…….Aaron Miles. Too bad.
What is wrong with you guys? Miles was probably the 3 best offensive player on the Cards last year. He got screwed over. I would gladly take someone who batted 315 last season. Now we are stuck with Khalil Green and Adam Kennedy? You’re telling me Miles is worse than those guys? Than obviously you don’t watch a lot of cardinals ball. Miles was the work horse, the heart, and the soul of this team. Pujols wasn’t even as clutch as Miles last season. The Cubs pursued Miles heavily because of his above average defense, his great bat, and the fact they knew the cardinals needed him. This is just another example of a an inexperienced GM letting a good team fall apart and not doing anything to to help the team…or help stop the bleeding for that matter.
Miles was a top 3 offensive players on the team??? Hmmm. Pujols, Glaus, Ludwick, Schumaker, Ankiel, Molina, maybe even Lopez. I don’t see Miles as top 3. No way.
He was a very good utility player, but in my opinion, most people are overestimating his departure. As far as I’m concerned, the Cubs have downgraded themselves at 2B, replacing DeRosa with Miles.
Wow, I can’t believe how some of you are reacting to this! I live between St. Louis and Chicago, but am not a huge fan of either team, and therefore somewhat impartial. Thus, I feel very comfortable telling some of you fools that Miles was definitely a class act, and deserves your continuing respect, despite signing with the Cubs. Granted, I think the Cubs should have kept DeRosa, and the Cards may have slightly overbid (like the Cards have a clue what a 2nd basemen is worth…think Grudzielanek, Kennedy, etc.), but neither of those are Miles’ problem. I do think he made the choice that was best for himself and his family, despite wanting to be loyal to the Cards, and I think there is an unusual amount of honor to this man. Give him his due as you wave goodbye!
People’s feelings about the Cardinals’ fans notwithstanding, I’m a little perplexed about some takes on comments made by Aaron Miles. First, I don’t particularly see backpedaling, waffling or contradiction . . . just clarification. Most of us have been misunderstood or just had our comments take on a different tone than we would’ve liked–even without being misquoted. And most of us have had to weigh multiple options, realizing that any choice will come with a cost. After hearing guys that are all about being P.C. and offending no one, or (on the other extreme) guys who say things just to raise people’s ire, I was glad to hear miles speak with neither a script nor an agenda.
And on CardsNation–the forum claims it has standards for content, but the comment remains about 18 hours after being posted . . . and it was posted for no other reason than to offend. C’mon, P-D online, live up to your standards.
“We took a big hit with Miles,” La Russa said. “I never had a teammate any better than Aaron Miles, in all of the years I’ve managed. This guy deserves every bit of credit, recognition, respect for his three years with us that you could give him. This guy was really good for us. It was paining for him to leave us, and he left, and that’s a tough loss.” This quote from TLR says it all regarding Miles. What Tony felt about him is shared by many wise fans in the Cardinal Nation. What’s really disturbing is that apparently Tony’s opinions on players no longer carry a lot of weight with the front office. If Tony really felt that strongly about Miles, than he should have been re-signed weeks ago, period!!!! I can’t see TLR putting up with this lack of respect much longer. I’d be shocked if he still wants to manage this team after 2009.
who is going to be our utility player now? Ryan is good defensively but his batting is best termed as couldnt hit water if he fell out of a boat. Miles, though just giving lip service, was exactly what we needed and by letting him go we not only lost his service but allowed the cubs to set themselves up for something else
There was a vile comment made by CardinalsNation — an trust me when I say the ugly nature of the comment actually went beyond what was seen publicly. It slipped through the net here, and for that I apologize. I deleted it as soon as I saw it.
The rest of the comments seem to cover the spectrum of the Miles Decision. Interesting takes abound. And I amazed by the chatter this move — or non-move — has stirred. Could be because it’s Miles. Could be because it’s the Cub. Could be because it plays into all of the preconceptions Cardinals Nation has of Cardinals Management. Probably is all of those things …
dg
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Hey Derrick. KaKa happens. Why a few alleged sports fans post such trash is beyond me - let’s however, be thankful they are in the vast minority. You hit the nail on the head, Seems to be a three way split, Miles fans, Anti-Cubs posts and Anti- Cards management posts. I’ll repeat my earlier feeling on this, Card management didn’t cover its rear end. If you want someone on your club - you make sure they know it. And, you don’t do it by putting that player at YOUT mercy by non tnedering him. Be fair. This guy wasn’t gonna break the bank. We USED to have a hockey team here in Chicago where ownership was under some misguided impression that it was such an HONOR to wear the indian head sweater that star players should play for half of what they got elsewhere. As I also said, Card fans are good fans, I hope for their sake Card management/ownership isn’t following that same line of thinking.
A Miles…Mighty Mite…will be sorly missed in a STL uniform…He definately is a CLASS ACT..and one heck of a baseball player.
I’m glad for the time we had and that he got his payday.
I’m not looking forward to the day he burns us!
On the other hand he’s going to play for the Flubs…I hope he is prepared to handle disappointment and failure. Do they have a pill for that?
Good luck Mighty Mite, thanks for the memories.
anybody got Polonco’s phone number?
Yeah, DG. It has been a bit surprising to here all the reactions to this story. I think all the reasons that you listed are strong reasons as to why this move has created so much “chatter”.
True, it probably has been discussed a little bit more heavily because Miles signed with the rival Cubs. True, it is Aaron Miles a fan favorite, and it is true that it “plays into all the preconceptions Cardinal Nation has of Cardinals Management”.
However, I think more than anything though is that it is just something to talk about in what, with the exclusion of the Khalil Greene trade and Miller signing, has a been a very slow and dull offseason for Cardinal Nation.
The bullpen also takes a minor hit with his departure. Two or three times Miles pitched late inning relief in blowout games. Also it was one of his foul balls that cost Juan Encarnacion his vision and career. I know that was a freak and unfortunate accident. Miles was a scrappy player though and I liked him.
C’mon the guy obviously did it for the only reason that anyone goes to the Cubs. Thats the money. He obviously was beat up leaving a team that has a reputation as a scrappy team just like him as a player. He fit in well with Stl. besides who wants to play for a team that has all that pressure unless they are being overpaid.
THANK YOU DERRICK!! I was very ‘vocal’ in expressing my displeasure to Bernie on his blog after carelessely characterizing Aaron Miles as a ’smack’ talker for (god forbid) being honest in expressing his disappointment with the Cardinals. Bernie should have contacted Aaron and asked for clarification, but chose to be a columnist instead of a journalist. Aaron deserved better, and your story showed what a class act this guy was and always will be. It remains to be seen what kind of player he will be if allowed to claim a daily roster spot, but I guarantee that even if his average drops as a result, we’ll still wish he were here when our overpaid regulars are sitting out with blisters and sore feet. So again, thank you for giving Aaron the stage he deserved to talk to his fans in a clear and definitive way. You’re a class act.
SleepDoc - Give it a rest already. You’ve made your point and nobody cares okay? It’s a message board for crying out loud. Bernie and Derrick are both solid in what they do. You may not agree with one or both but that’s the fun of having an opinion…
Miles got the money he wanted. That ought to set him up for life. Not bad for a guy who couldn’t crack the starting lineup for the Colorado Rockies and was traded for a utility guy not even playing anymore. I’m glad he got what he wanted..I hope he’s happy playing in the Windy City.
His comments were a bit silly given what he said and nowhere in this column did I see him retract them; only back tracking to make the solid point that THIS team gave him his chance and it was THIS team that made him a winner. I’m still not sure how the “Cub” way is better than ours and he did not elaborate did he?
There goes my favorite player. Larussa didn’t do him right last year. I don’t blame him for leaving town. Best of luck to Mr. Miles.
Aztec, I think it’s a bit egotistical to speak for all of the other fine folks who read this forum by stating that “nobody cares”. Based upon all of these responses, it would appear that a lot of folks care about not only the situation, but how it was handled. Thus, if you’d like to state that you don’t care about my comments, that would be fine. However, until you have been given the authority to speak for others, let’s not attack each other personally. You’re entitled to your opinion (as well as the ability to post here), and I’m entitled to the same. I wouldn’t have posted had I not felt strongly about what Bernie wrote about Miles. I hope someday your reputation after working for an organization for 2-3 years isn’t based entirely upon one columnists desire to label you for the sake of creating an eye-popping headline. No one deserves that fate, and Bernie knew better. That is why I commended Derrick Gould for getting the facts and stating them objectively. Nothing more, nothing less.
In terms of the Cubs dedication to a player, may I remind Mr. Miles of Mr. Marquis, who’s was a hot guy when the Cubs got him, and now they want to give Jason away. I hope the same does not happen to Mr. Miles. It’s almost as if the Cubs are trying to play take-away.
SleepDoc, You write:
“..until you have been given the authority to speak for others, let’s not attack each other personally. You’re entitled to your opinion (as well as the ability to post here), and I’m entitled to the same.”
Okay, so why attack Bernie over at his column? I see where a lot of people agree with him so your words point back at you. Then in the same thought, you follow up your first sentence with the thought that we’re all entitled to our opinions (which if you read my initial comment, I said the same thing). So which is it? Am I entitled to my opinion or can I not speak as others have that Miles STILL hasn’t retracted him comment? As for me commenting on you personally, I saw where you wrote a long response to the first Bernie column, you went BACK to Bernie’s new column and again wrote a novella about why he owes you an apology, and then you come here and AGAIN write on the same issue and yet, nobody here commented on THAT part of the issue (except for this exchange which was merely me pointing out that you’ve repeated yourself numerous times so now let it go which I’m sure you won’t). You are entitled to the man love of Miles and defending him..That’s okay…But to keep attacking Bernie’s thoughts not only on his blog but here as well is overkill and nobody cares. Focus on Miles being ‘wronged’ and feeling like he got the shaft. I and others will focus on the fact that just a few years ago, this team didn’t want to spend more than a million on the position and a utility guy like Miles is now making two and a half times that a few years later. There’s no guarantee he’ll reproduce last season’s numbers at Wrigley this year but we’ll see. In either event, he got his money and for that, both sides should be happy.
You still don’t get it, Mr. Aztec. You’re entitled to your own opinion, but you’re not entitled to speak for others. Once again, you’ve written that “nobody cares” - which is not your statement to make. It is clear that you don’t care, but you can’t keep speaking for all of the other intelligent folks here who like to post comments. Again, you speak for one, not all - just as I speak for one. The 1st ammendment allows you the freedom to express yourself, but not to speak for others unless elected to represent them. By the way, a “novella” is a fictional piece - it does not refer to an editorial that was written in response to another written piece. Thanks for taking the time to read my posts though - which I mean most sincerely.
I’ve never rooted for a cub player before, particularly a former cardinal, and especially when he played against the cardinals. But I’ll be rooting for Miles to do well in every at-bat, and especially when he plays against the cardinals. I hope he joins the great retinue of ex-cardinals who came back to kill them—Schoendienst, Moon, Carlton, Keith Hernandez, Jim Edmonds, Jerry Reuss, Bill Virdon, Walker Cooper, Joe Medwick, and on and on.
Couldn’t agree more, Irv. Something tells me that Miles is going to win a game in the 11th against us on national tv this season - and TLR’s going to have to turn away from the camera so as not to get caught with a bit of a smile on his face. I was at the seat cushion game in 2006 and it was Miles who got a huge hit in that winning inning to keep things alive. He definitely had a flair for the dramatic, and seemed to get big hits at the most unlikely of times. I hope he can truly become an everyday player who can keep his average above .275 - if not though, his defense will be strong and he’ll still hit in the clutch often enough to keep things interesting. Will be fun to watch…
” I hope he joins the great retinue of ex-cardinals who came back to kill them”
Every team has those “Irv”. Hernandez would’ve stayed here if he could’ve kept his nose clean literally. Too much cocaine my friend. I don’t blame Herzog for having standards.
Just like Jason Marquis heading to Colorado after the Cubs pulled him away from us in ‘06 because he didn’t feel his potential was valued here (sighs), Miles will likely wind up somewhere else before his two years are up. Maybe not, but he won’t be starting…not in Chicago.
IGNORANT MOVE AGAIN BY THE BIRDS.
i cannot beleive the cardinals let him go. He was my favorite player too.
didnt make a lot of money but played harder than most and did a great job wherever he was asked to play. He is much better than kennedy and should have been tendered a nice offer. I would rather have Miles than Duncan.I hope he wins the world series with the cubbies.