Bleacher Report - Articles by Phil Bennett

ESPN Should Change Their Name To "The Yankee Network"

Phil Bennett — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 13:19:20 -0400

Okay so it's no secret that I am a huge St. Louis Cardinal fan...I'm proud of it. They are one of the most historic and successful franchises in baseball history. They have more championship rings that any other team except the Yankees. Their attendance totals finishes in the top 3 every year. They have a huge fan base.

The Cardinals just played four games (Sunday's game was rained out) at Wrigley Field and NONE of the games were on ESPN. It can be argued that this rivalry is the best in baseball. I agree that the Yankee/Red Sox rivalry has some serious history and I will admit that it is probably the most intense rivalry. But when ESPN doesn't carry the Cards and Cubs games played at Wrigley Field, I have to step up and say that something is really wrong with ESPN. What are they thinking?

Now I majored in Journalism and broadcasting, so I understand market share and all that crap. I understand the east coast/west coast bias based on population, but why not carry a few Cardinal games?

I guess I am going to pay the price for the baseball package and stop whining, but seriously, does ESPN think that the Yankees are the ONLY team in baseball? Am I the only one who thinks this way?

Drop me a comment if you think I am way off base. Be nice though...no need for vulgarity.

Peace,

Phil

Raising a St. Louis Cardinal Fan

Phil Bennett — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 13:27:15 -0400

I remember I was 3-4 years old, sitting in my Grandma's kitchen. I heard voices coming from her AM radio. I remember asking her who they were and what she was listening to.

"That's Jack Buck and Harry Caray", she said. "We're listening to the St. Louis Cardinals."

I remember listening to the game and that's about it. It is one of my earliest memories of childhood and one of my fondest. Grandma Bennett was a huge Cardinal fan. I think that started my love affair with baseball and the Cardinals.

When my daughter was born, we were still celebrating the 1982 World Series win. She got to listen to the games from the womb. I wanted her to have the same wonderful experience.

I made sure the game was on on road trips, grocery store runs, and just about any summer afternoon. We did not have cable for most of her childhood. She got to listen to Jack Buck on the radio as well. I thought it was so cool to be passing on the tradition. Maybe I was like the parent that forced their kid to take piano lessons, but she took to it like a duck to water.

When my son was born I also wanted him to appreciate the game of baseball and the Cardinal tradition. I used to quiz them both on players, stats and history. Proper parenting is very important to me, but my son is more enamored by the more exciting aspects of football. Maybe those quizzes helped, because he is currently getting his degree in sports broadcasting. Maybe I did something right.

So when the Cardinals won the 2006 World Series, I was watching it with my daughter and my fiance. It was a magical moment when Wainwright closed out the final game and the three of us celebrated in an Applebees in Nashville.

I always hoped my two would be sports fans, but now I am hoping they pass it on to their kids. I think I might have some say in that though.

Go Cards!!!

St. Louis Cardinals Slideshow: Can't Wait For Another Day at the Park!

Phil Bennett — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 20:01:28 -0500

This is a collection of pictures from different trips to Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri. We live in Nashville, Tennessee now, but we make three or four trips a year to see my beloved Cardinals play. The last time we went, we had a group of ten fans and we had bleacher seats. If you have never experienced a game from the bleachers, I highly recommend it. I hope you enjoy my slide show. I hope to post many more pictures from many more road trips. Love to all you Cardinal fans out there!! Phil

Begin Slideshow