The St. Louis Cardinals are one of Major League Baseball’s most storied franchises, known for their rich history and passionate fanbase. Established in 1882 as the St. Louis Brown Stockings (later the Browns), they officially became the Cardinals in 1900. The team has won 11 World Series championships, the second-most in MLB history behind the New York Yankees, and 19 National League pennants. Recent issues surrounding the Cardinals franchise including contract tussles have not gone well with the fans.
St. Louis Cardinals legend Jim Edmonds voiced his frustrations with the organization during a radio interview on Monday. Edmonds, who played eight seasons with the Cardinals and won a World Series in 2006, has spent the last 12 years as a broadcaster for the team. However, his time in the booth is ending, as he will not return for the 2025 season.
Departure from the Broadcast Booth
Edmonds had been a commentator for the Cardinals’ television coverage since 2013, first with Fox Sports Midwest, then Bally Sports Midwest. With FanDuel Sports Network taking over the broadcasts, the network confirmed reports that Edmonds would not be returning.
“Jim Edmonds will not be returning to our St. Louis Cardinals telecasts this season. We want to thank Jim for his many contributions to our Cardinals coverage over the last 10 seasons and wish him the best,” the network stated to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
In an interview with ESPN 101 St. Louis, Edmonds said he had already planned to step away, making the decision mutual.
“It’s pretty much perfect,” Edmonds said of his conversation with the network. “It made me really happy about my decision. I probably hung on maybe a year or two too long.”
During the interview, Edmonds criticized several aspects of modern sports broadcasting, including communication issues with management and technological difficulties. However, his biggest concern was the fast pace of the game, which he believes has negatively impacted commentary.
“It’s total chaos,” Edmonds said. “The game is so fast right now you don’t even have time to talk. They don’t need two people in the booth. It’s just commercial after commercial. It’s not the same anymore.”
Frustrations with the Organization
A member of the Cardinals Hall of Fame, Edmonds was a key player during his time in St. Louis, winning six Gold Glove Awards, making three All-Star appearances, and helping the team win two National League pennants.
During the interview, Edmonds reflected on how the culture of the organization has changed. He recalled a time when retired players were encouraged to stay involved and offer guidance to current players, a practice he feels is no longer welcomed.
“It’s not the same organization. It’s not fun to be around, and they make it pretty obvious,” Edmonds said. “They just don’t invite us down there anymore. It makes you feel like you’re not appreciated or wanted.”
He also claimed that other former players share his sentiment, citing an instance where a current player requested that Mark McGwire be invited to Spring Training, only to be turned down by the organization.
“They don’t make you feel like they want you around,” Edmonds added.
Uncertain Future with the Cardinals
Despite his criticism, Edmonds expressed respect for the team’s leadership, including manager Oliver Marmol and president of baseball operations John Mozeliak. However, he remains unsure if he will continue attending team events such as Opening Day or the Cardinals Hall of Fame ceremony.
“I think I’m done,” Edmonds admitted. “I don’t want to be one of those guys that just hangs around the stadium signing autographs for the rest of my life.”
He also mentioned that he has previously raised concerns about the disconnect between the organization and its former players, but those concerns were not acknowledged.
“I’ve done it. Nobody cares,” Edmonds said. “I’m not down on the organization—it’s just not the one I played for, where history was in your face every day.”
Despite his frustrations, Edmonds insisted he harbors no resentment.
“I’m happy, I’m thankful. I just woke up one day and decided it was time to move on,” he said.
FanDuel Sports Network has yet to announce its full 2025 broadcast team, and the Cardinals have not publicly responded to Edmonds’ comments.
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