Here’s how St. Louis Cardinals fans reacted to the firing of manager Mike Shildt

We asked BND readers to weigh in on what they think about the firing of Mike Shildt as manager of the St. Louis Cardinals.

Here’s a sampling of mostly verbatim responses:

• Bad move; they are at a point where they are ready to compete at a higher level, and they could use the continuity.
• Think it stinks
• I felt it was coming, and not a surprise. Frankly, there were several times during the ‘losing streak’ that his comments at post-game reflected someone who should have been concerned for their continued employment.
• Mo must Go
• I believe it was unwarranted.
• Absurd to fire someone who has been in the organization 18 years that abruptly.
• A phone call out of the blue is low class. He was a winning manager that seemed to be liked by the team
• Long overdue
• It stinks. Let his record speak for itself! What they mean by “philosophical differences”. Just say what you mean!
• Came out of the blue & with a phone call REALLY?! There were rumors of contract extension after their meeting on Friday & then this?! Rumor has it Shildt was stunned...makes no sense & I wasn’t his biggest fan.
• I think that is unfair. He can only work with what he has .
• I don’t know the reasoning, since nobody is talking. When Mike got the job, the Cards needed to drastically improve defense, base running, and athleticism. Well done and thank you, Mike.
• I think they needed to make a move. I think Shildt’s decisions, especially pitching, cost the Cardinals at least 10 games during the regular season
• There is a reason that we are not getting told. Mozeliak and DeWitt are putting out pure bluster. The players liked him and his record is good.
• It was a necessary decision. This summer was dismal. So many times the Cardinals got runners on but could not bring them in. And how many games were lost in the late innings because of relief pitchers? He used the same relief pitchers over and over again.
• I still can’t believe this happened. It’s terrible. What were they thinking?? Obviously they weren’t!!!!
• Big mistake under his guidance we won 90 and 92 games with many key injuries especially to the pitching staff. I see 95 to 100 next year if he were to stay especially with Flaherty and Hudson back in the rotation
• I will say I am greatly disappointed by the decision. No manager is perfect in their decisions but I felt he was a steady hand and was a good leader. I respect him as a person and as a baseball man.

  It was not a good decision . MO should have went.

• I’m in favor of the firing. I feel he’s a manager for the minor league teams. He let’s his personal feelings dictate the choices he makes. For example, bringing in Reyes in the playoff game was a move to give Reyes confidence rather than making the right move. The same reason it took him so long to put Sosa in as the shortstop starter.

Do you want to express your views on the firing? You still can by responding to this survey at https://bit.ly/bndshildt.

This story was originally published October 16, 2021 at 8:00 AM.