The longest-tenured Cardinal is not a Cardinal anymore. Jim Edmonds has been dealt to San Diego for an infield prospect named David Freese. When I read the story at the Cardinals website, I actually teared up a little. I love that old guy. Yeah, I know he’s 37. And yeah, I know his jump on the ball isn’t what it once was. And yeah, we have an outfield corp of Chris Duncan, Rick Ankiel, Ryan Ludwick, Skip Schumaker, and Rule 5 Draft selection Brian Barton, plus minor league center fielder Colby Rasmus (one of the most sought-after players at the winter meetings, reportedly). But I’m still sad! Edmonds was part of the heart! The heart of the Cardinals for a long time has been Pujols, Edmonds and Rolen. Those 3, along with Larry Walker, were our 2004 Murderer’s Row!
This is my least favorite part about the off-season. Having no baseball to watch is bad, but I have other sports to occupy my time. The players getting all shuffled around is the WORST, because inevitably someone is dealt whom you are really attached to and it feels like you lost a family member.
In fact, I’m not sure how to break the news to my brother. When we got jerseys as Christmas presents a number of years ago, I got Rolen and he got Edmonds, both by our own requests. (My dad was very sneaky, posing the hypothetical question of, “So if you were gonna buy a Cardinals jersey, which one would you want?”) So here’s a video of Jimmy E. At the 11 second mark is my favorite catch ever. It’s a great wall-climbing over-the-shoulder catch, but what really makes it awesome is the child-like glee on his face when he comes down with the ball.
Ladies... 
Noooooooo!!!!
I hate this time of year too, it’s hard to let them go.
I know, right? I was legitimately really saddened by this.
Best memory: that catch in the NLCS.
I think mine is the catch I mentioned above and the 2004 NLCS 12th inning walk-off home run. God, that was beautiful.
Andie,
My condolences. I am very sorry for your loss. You will feel better.
Awww, J-no, that is sweet. We can cross those rivalry boundaries and be BFFs, I like it. Thanks. : )
I feel your pain. We may get into debates over Cubs-Cards, but it is all for the love of baseball. I am thrilled to be one of your BFF’s.
YAY! *HUGS*
It does suck to see your boys leave. Sorry, Andie.
Sorry Andie. But on the bright side you guys have a bunch of young guys that you can watch grow into their position. When y’all win the WS again it’ll be that much sweeter.
I’m so sad. They could’ve kept him. It won’t be right seeing in a Padre’s uni/
Sad Panda, I am legitimately more concerned about what is coming back – a 24 year old third baseman?
Does that mean our beloved Redbirds are seriously, seriously shopping Rolen? Because that I don’t think I could handle at all.
JB, I think they were SERIOUSLY shopping Rolen at the winter meetings but couldn’t get a good enough deal for him. I see this guy as coming in b/c 1) Rolen isn’t exactly a spring chicken anymore and 2) he’s also just an all-around infielder and we can always use those. We got rid of Eckstein and Miles and we’ve got Izturis and Ryan.
LaRussa and Rolen not good friends right now.
Hey LA- Excellent post. I am sad to see Jimmy go, I understand why it makes sense, but still sad just the same. Jimmy Baseball is intertwined with so many of my favorite Cardinal memories, I too am a little misty-eyed that Jimmy is a Cardinal no more. He has been one of my most special Cardinal “boyfriends”, sharing that special status with only Tommy Herr and Andy VanSlyke. Besides all the incredible catches, one of my favorite Jimmy moments was meeting him and getting his autograph at Winter Warm Up a few years ago. I had dressed up as Jimmy for Halloween that year, and my office mate was my/his Cub fan bleacher bum heckler, complete with “Jimmy Throws Like A Girl” sign. We decorated the cubicle wall to look like the ivy wall at Wrigley, and staged a phote of me (as Jimmy) making a fabulous catch. Anyway I shared that picture with him, and his reaction was one of genuine delight. I suppose it is not everyday that women his own age dress up like him for Halloween… 8 year old boys, maybe. Anyway, it was just a very special moment. So long Jimmy I wish you well!
I know, Gradavid. They’re just gonna have to learn to live with each other, I think Rolen is staying put.
Jano, that is awesome! I would LOVE to meet him. I hope he comes back to the Cards for one day after he is done playing so he can retire a Cardinal.
Don’t feel bad, he’s going to the retirement home of choice for most MLB players – the Padres. The players get sunshine, sand, surf and a new ballpark to hobble around in. The Padre fans get to knock their head against the walls because their team’s average age is 94.
Jano, Tommy Herr & Andy VanSlyke were my boyfriends too! I cried all day at school the day they traded Andy to the Pirates. I seriously hated the Cardinals that season because of that move!!
kcmichelle- Glad to see another loving Andy VanSlyke, I loved seeing him coaching first base for the Tigers in the 2006 World Series, but of course Andy camera time ment the Tigers had gotten a base hit. Ironically I met Tommy Herr at the same Winter Warm Up as Jimmy. I made him laugh when I got to the front of the line and said “I was so in love with you when I was 12! I am sorry we drifted apart Tommy, but you retired, I went to high school, it wasn’t going to work out.” Maybe I will find a new Cardinal boyfriend at spring training this year. I don’t think you ever get too old for baseball boyfriends do you?
Jano – Never! I have tons of baseball boyfriends! I’m sure Tommy appreciated hearing you loved him when you were 12! And we have to go see the Tigers everytime they’re in KC now so I can see Andy!
Rolen will always be my baseball boyfriend, even if he plays for somebody else.
Sorry for your loss. But alas, your loss is my gain so I’m not that sorry. I do have worries about him patrolling our giant center field and his age, but that’s for another day.
I have been a huge Edmonds fan since he became a Cardinal. I have had season tickets in the beachers near center field for a few years now, so I’ve had a chance to see him make some amazing plays up close. Most of my best Cardinals memories are tied to Edmonds. When I found out about the trade late Friday night, I felt like I had been sucker-punched in the gut. I was torn between throwing up and being choked up. (The fact that I was kinda drunk probably didn’t help.) It is a dark time here in St. Louis. Jimmy will be missed more than any departing Cardinal in many years.
It’s true, Bleacher Bum. I watched a video from Red Bird Central that was a tribute to Jimmy as a Cardinal and I actually started crying. I’d had a little wine, but still…
I’m not a Cardinals fan, but it’s said to see one of my favorite players getting old like this, that he get’s traded away for nothing. I’ve been a fan of Edmonds since way back when I lived in LA and he was on the Angels and the Angels sucked so he was the only Angel worth watching. This man has made 5 of the top 10 greatest catches I have ever seen.