Originally published February 10, 2010 at 5:26 a.m., updated February 10, 2010 at 5:26 a.m.
Unlike the real world, where it is virtually impossible to be a citizen of more than one country, you can be a member of many nations in the sports world.
Alvin Reid
For example, much of America was sworn to “Who ‘Dat? Nation” during the New Orleans Saints' inspirational run to the Super Bowl championship.
I personally am a member of Pioneer Nation (Kirkwood), Jayhawk Nation (KU) and Cowboy Nation (Dallas).
I thought I was a member of Cardinal Nation, but then I found out that in order to be an official member you have to hold a membership card at a cost of $19.95.
You actually do get more than the card and an official Cardinal Nation ID number for your membership dues.
The Cardinals will throw in two tickets to a game, via email voucher with special terms and conditions applied. I’m not sure what that means, but it sounds like you won’t be getting two tickets to a Cubs game at Busch Stadium.
Speaking of the stadium, you can tour it on a two-for-one deal with a Cardinal Nation membership. What a bargain.
Among other perks are 10 percent off team store and www.stlcardinals online shopping. That fine print about “terms and conditions” applies again here.
As with any club, organization, fraternity or sorority that offers you perks for your membership, I’ll bet there are demands and regulations that apply to all members.
Here are some possibilities:
Perk: You can punch an obnoxious Cub fan in the face without fear of repercussion by simply displaying your card when security arrives.
Demand: You must stand and cheer for at least five minutes when Mark McGwire is introduced on Opening Day.
Perk: You get a secret map detailing exactly what food and beverage is available at each concession stand and the average wait time based on number of people attending the game that day.
Demand: You must never divulge that the hamburgers at the stadium taste suspiciously close to veggie burgers.
Perk: You’ll be on the VIP list for the grand opening ceremonies of Ballpark Village.
Demand: You must never wonder aloud why Ballpark Village has never been constructed. You must never insult the softball diamond that stands in place of retail stores, restaurants and condos. You must never ask why the city of St. Louis has allowed this valuable piece of land to sit empty for so many years.
Perk: You can qualify for a loan to buy a combo meal at the stadium Hardee’s.
Demand: You cannot complain when your seats are blasted by the Hardee’s smoke during every game (This actually happened to friends of mine with season tickets).
Perk: The beer person in your section just yells, “Cold beer, here.” You don’t get an opera singer, a shrill voice maniac or troubled looking individual that frightens you into buying a beer.
Demand: You can’t complain when you find yourself with no beer person in your section.
Perk: It’s OK for you to question why the official scorer gave a visiting player a hit when the ball rolled through the legs of a Cardinal infielder.
Demand: You can never question any move that is made by manager Tony La Russa. This includes hitting the pitcher eighth and refusing to play Ryan Ludwick more.
Perk: You are told before the game what Cardinal cap the baseball will be under during that game on the video screen. You can then shout the right number when it’s time.
Demand: You have to take a quiz on what other ads were shown during the game.
Perk: You can boo all American League teams during interleague games.
Demand: You cannot question why the Cardinals don’t seem to play the New York Yankees or Boston Red Sox, yet play the Kansas City Royals and Detroit Tigers year, after year, after year.
Perk: You don’t have to tip the street musicians outside the stadium; it’s taken care of already.
Demand: You can’t enjoy the songs “Celebration” or “The Heat Is On,” because they are no longer part of the “Cardinals Family.”
Perk: You can question Bob Gibson’s crazy statement about Jack Clark and Whitey Herzog without questioning his credentials as a true Cardinal.
Demand: You can love Herzog; but just not around the stadium.
Perk: You can pour beer on any personalized brick outside the stadium and curse at it.
Demand: You have to clean it up.
Perk: It’s OK to ask management to retire Willie McGee’s No. 51.
Demand: You can’t complain when management totally ignores you.
Perk: You can still love Ozzie Smith.
Demand: You must learn the story of how La Russa actually helped Ozzie by giving Royce Clayton the starting shortstop job.
Perk: You can still cheer Bob Costas.
Demand: You must never allow him to tell jokes at your banquet.
And the last perk is that the Cardinals realize that Cardinal Nation status is not really for sale.
The heart and soul of Cardinal Nation is in people like my late grandmother Grace Wiley. She was blind and listened to Cardinal games on her radio in Pine Bluff, Ark. She did this for decades until her death.
Jack Buck would sometimes mention her on the air. I have no idea how he knew of her and I never asked him.
Cardinal Nation is not about money, steroids, McGwire, La Russa, Herzog or me. It’s about all the fans like my grandmother.
All they demand is an honest effort, some solid pitching and timely hitting.
In about a week we’ll begin to see if Cardinal Nation will see enough of all three this year.
Contact Globe-Democrat.com sports columnist Alvin Reid at areid@globe-democrat.com
Comments
Gino_60 (anonymous) says...
What a fun column. You hit the nail on the head, "Cardinal Nation is not about money, steroids, McGwire, La Russa, Herzog or me. It’s about all the fans like my grandmother." Cardinal Nation is bigger than any stupid spat between players, managers,et al. Oh, and we don't need no stinking card to be part of Cardinal Nation.
February 10, 2010 at 9:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
patpayne (anonymous) says...
Way to go Gino.
Don't need no teenkin' card.
February 10, 2010 at 11:50 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
flyoverland (anonymous) says...
I think I'll pass. Since I saw Fredbird in that commercial trying to raise my taxes for the bus company, I think I'll pass on baseball completely for a while.
February 10, 2010 at 1:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tomstl (anonymous) says...
Hey Alvin thanks for a great great column and Gino you took the words out of my mouth.........I AM CARDINAL NATION......and i don't even have a card............
February 10, 2010 at 2:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Billsey (anonymous) says...
Cardinal Nation isn't about the content of your wallet, but that funny looking BOB* etched into the muscle of your heart.
*-Birds on the Bat
February 10, 2010 at 2:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hogsmellgood (anonymous) says...
Hey Alvin...just say no to Cardinal Nation. It doesn't require a membership to be a fan. Nor is it worthy of a 20 inch column on my computer monitor. Must be a slow news week, eh Alvin?
By the way Alvin, did you know Babe Ruth injected himself with the Brown-Sequard serum, the forerunner of today's steroids.? It made him so sick he was hospitalized with the reaction.
Also do you realize that Roger Maris averaged one homer every 18.5 times at bat over his 12 year ML career? But in 1961 when he hit 61, he average one homer every 9.7 times at bat? Wonder if he took the same steroids Mickey Mantle was taking back then, "for treatment of his injuries"? Amazing stuff isn't it?
Year Games At Bat Home Runs HR per TAB
Maris
1957 116 358 14 25.6
1958 150 583 28 20.8
1959 122 433 16 27.1
1960 136 499 39 12.8
1961 161 590 61 9.7
1962 157 590 33 17.9
1963 90 312 23 13.6
1964 141 513 26 19.7
1965 46 155 8 19.4
1966 119 348 13 26.8
1967 125 410 9 45.6
1968 100 310 5 62.0
1463 5101 275 18.5
February 10, 2010 at 3:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mhcardfan (anonymous) says...
Mr. Reid as usual doesn't have any clue what he is talking about. I am a big Cardinals fan. I have a few tattoos to show my loyalty & love of The Greatest Team in Baseball. Does having this card mean that I love the Cardinals more then anyone else---no. Neither does the fact that I have tats of the Cardinals. I will say that having joined the so called "Cardinal Nation" 3 years ago when it became available has opened up a whole new experiences & discounts that I would not have the opportunity to enjoy if not for this card. With this card I have Cardinals Legends Suite with buy 1 get one Free tickets. I have sat in the Bank of America party room, and have other numerous ticket offers to sit in what I call "The Rich People Seats" being able to have very steep discounts. I don't know where most of you guys sit at when you go to the ballpark, but I can tell you those party rooms especially the Legends Party Room has food that you will not see at the stands. Plus they are buffets, and you get beer or mixed drinks all the way to the 9th inning. In the 3 years since this has been around I have more then made up for the $60 total I have spent renewing this card.
Go Cardinals!!!!
February 10, 2010 at 5:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
slideskipslide (anonymous) says...
first comment about hitting a cub fan. cardinal fans are the smartest in baseball and wouldn't hit a cub fan. tony didn't do ozzie a favor, you, alvin, should be ashamed to think so. also, no beer should be poured on any brick outside the stadium, unless of course, it is yours. hopefully then, it is human recycled beer.
February 10, 2010 at 6:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
obamain2012 (anonymous) says...
Why am I not surprised that the Fat Cats have taken over baseball, and now charge money to be a fan. This is just another instance of the Republican Fat Cat Mud Slinging Hate Machine trying to monopolize every aspect of our life with their corporate greed.
mhcardfan you apparently have bought into the Fat Cats monopoly in purchasing their fan card. Before you know it you won't be able to watch the games on tv with out one.
February 10, 2010 at 7:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dspud2006 (anonymous) says...
Sorry Mr. Reid, I have to agree with mhcardfan. I have been a member for cardinals nation since the first year it was available. The tickets you get have always been in the 200 level. Also, as a true Cardinal fan, why would I care if the tickets I get are for the Cubs or the Pirates? I am there to watch the CARDINALS play ball!
You also fail to mention that it comes with MLB Radio, which is 15 dollars if purchased separately. Its great as I can listen to every game live anywhere on a computer (or iphone!) I grew up in the Metro East but now live in Texas, this is very important to me. I love putting baseball on the radio while at work!
You also fail to mention the all inclusive suite deals they put up on a regular basis. I have sat in parts of that ballpark and have had buffets (with ALL drinks included) that I never thought I would have the money to afford. I figure last year with the discounts and discounts I received over $300 in discounts.
The cardinals nation is one of best deals I have seen the Cardinals or MLB ever put out. I am waiting for the price to go up :(
February 10, 2010 at 10:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )