Photo- MLB By: Jason Fink According to the Baseball Writers; Association of America’s criteria, “voting shall be based upon the player’s record, playing ability, integrity, sportsmanship, character and contribution to the team(s) on which the player played.” Notice what’s missing. There’s no mention of needing inflated power numbers at a certain position. Nothing about 3,000 hits or other milestone-driven benchmarks. And yet, those are exactly the standards that have come to

By Ray Mileur Editor's note - The Tale of Two GMs is the first installment of a two-part series taking an honest look at the transition from John Mozeliak to Chaim Bloom, examining both the legacy left behind and the direction ahead. In Part I, we reflect on Mozeliak’s nearly two-decade run guiding the Cardinals through sustained success and the eventual need for change. Next Sunday, in Part II, we turn the focus forward, exploring the challenges and expectations now facing B

By Ray Mileur MEMPHIS — Some nights, it’s not about how many hits you get—it’s about when you get them. For Jimmy Crooks, Wednesday was one of those nights. The Memphis catcher turned in the kind of performance that doesn’t just show up in the box score—it changes the shape of the game. Crooks launched a three-run home run as part of a nine-run outburst, powering the Memphis Redbirds to a 9-7 win over Norfolk at AutoZone Park. The swing came at a moment when Memphis needed it

Morning Farm Report — Chiefs & PB Birds Break Out & Springfield Rallies Late By Ray Mileur A strong night across the Cardinals’ system saw three clubs come away with victories, highlighted by late-inning resilience in Springfield and offensive fireworks in both Peoria and Palm Beach. Memphis, meanwhile, showed some fight late—but dug too deep a hole early to climb out of. The system went 3-1 on the night, and there was no shortage of storylines. Memphis Redbirds (AAA)13–9, 1