MY COLUMN MIKE MCMURRAN, Sports Editor
I suspect most everyone remembers their first Cardinal baseball game, I certainly do. I was but 9 years old and my grandma, my grandma McMurran, took me to old Sportman’s Park. The year was 1964 and the Cardinals had just acquired an outfielder from the Cubs by the name of Lou Brock. As the saying goes, “the rest is history.”
There was a period in my life when I would attend 30 or so games a season; of course, like every other aspect of your life – kids changed that rather quickly. Still, we have attended at least one or two games a year as a family. This season I was fortunate enough to be invited in on splitting a season ticket with Doug Medley. What I really have is one-half of a season ticket, which means I have four tickets to 10 games. Lynn and I invited our good friends Dr. Bill Solomon and his better half Sue to this past Friday’s game with the Reds. We tried to walk around the stadium but found that to be a rather difficult, if not impossible task, so we entered new Busch Stadium about 90 minutes prior to the first pitch. First impression: it is not a stadium – not even close. It is clearly a “ballpark.” The four of us stood there like little kids, in complete and total awe of what we were witnessing. By now I am rather certain most everyone, at least most everyone who cares, has seen pictures of the ballpark. They do not do the park justice. It really is nothing less than breathtaking.
The four of us walked around the main level concourse for almost an hour; I am at a total loss of words to explain the feeling. Certainly it was not as exciting as the birth of my children, but for some strange reason that is what comes to mind. But, that is not what I wish to write about today…
…today I wish to ad the name of Daniel Patrick McMurran to the long list of those who call themselves “Cardinal Nation.” Paragraph one of this narrative tells how I attended my first Cardinal game at age 9 – and I have been a member of Cardinal Nation ever since. It was not uncommon for me to skip school, ride Bi-State to the Stadium and attend day games. As a matter of fact, often times my teachers would ask: “Is there a baseball game today,” on days that I was absent.
My oldest son Joe has been a member for about two years now. One of the first things Joe does every morning during the baseball season is check the morning paper to see (a) where the Cardinals are in the standings and (b) check out the individual stats for his favorite player, Scott Rolen. My favorite daughter Maggie proudly sports her Cardinal baseball hat most everywhere she goes, including soccer games, which I am certain drives her coach crazy.
Daniel is but 6 years old and still in kindergarten, too young some would say to be an official member of Cardinal Nation. Ah yes, just last evening, Dee, as he is affectionately known, walked up to me with the remote control of the television and asked, “Dad, what channel are the Cardinals on tonight, I want to watch the baseball game.” It was a special moment for me, as I knew my son was hooked for life as a Cardinal fan.
Another special moment happens this weekend for a number of my Titan baseball players who compete at the Atom level of the St. Peters Athletic Association. This Saturday Evan Oelklaus, Griffin Palmer, Will Fairless, Derrick Griffits, Sean Coogan, Matthew Murray, Brody Tinkham, Carson Green, Tyler Hash and of course Joe McMurran will be making their First Holy Communion. All for except Hash will celebrate the special occasion at ASH; Hash, whose father is the head baseball coach at Jennings Senior High, will make his at St. Cletus. Congratulations boys, it is a very special day for you and your parents. I know there was one very, very proud father sitting in the Shrine of St. Phillipine Duchesne, bursting with pride, as his son read Scripture to the 30 or so students and 100’s of parents and grandparents. He, without a doubt, gets his academic background from his mother. I am very proud of you Joe; as proud as I am, I love you even more.
By Louis J. Launer
The Missouri River Otters have faced this music before three seasons ago when there was a lack of attendance, upset fans and a talent roster that did not meet expectations. Three seasons ago, there was an ownership partnership led by Kevin Fitzpatrick, who promised the fans good hockey, yet they could not deliver. The team finished out of the first round and with many signs pointing to the team’s demise as a result of vendors and players not getting paid, the ownership was forfeited to the United Hockey League in 2003 and the 2003-04 season turned out to be one of the worst seasons in River Otters history. It still remains the team’s worst season. This season, it was the team’s second worst.
When Mike Shanahan, Jr. purchased the team in 2004, he promised to the fans that there would be changes made and that it would be more fan friendly. Fans didn’t return. Some fans were so burned by the actions of the Fitzpatrick ownership that even with the River Otters “repackaged,” it was still the same thing and they would never return to Family Arena. Many sponsors and vendors who were also fans felt cheated because they did not feel that they were getting their money’s worth. Some sponsors have said that even though there was new ownership with the Shanahans, that they would never venture into investing in minor league hockey.
It was a hard rebuilding program for the River Otters and apparently the Shanahan family realizes that they encountered more damage than they had expected to see. A week before the season ended, fans noticed that the ownership box was empty and dark.
This time, there are tell-tale signs again that the team could fold or relocate to another city. Attendance figures for this season fell short of expectations. Loyal fans who paid for season tickets felt that they were not getting their money’s worth as the team cut back on promotions. Many players who were doing very well with the River Otters were sent to other teams or were released. The latest “surprise” was the release of Brendan Cuthbert, the backup goaltender. He was picked up two weeks before the season ended by the Rockford IceHogs, a high seed in the UHL playoffs and could see ice time and possibly start because their regular goaltenders are injured.
Cuthbert’s surprise release and his pick up by a top contender could be the straw that breaks the camel’s back for most fans. Last Saturday’s final game may have been “fan appreciation night,” but it turned out to be more of a loud whisper night as various people, fans, concessionaires and some arena personnel were saying that this was “the final game ever” for the Missouri River Otters
The United Hockey League, which saw lots of success this season in a number of cities are facing some challenges. Four franchises, Port Huron, Roanoke, Richmond and Missouri have had problems in one way or another. Port Huron has had four different franchises in 15 years and continues to have problems in one way or another, either by the lack of attendance or poor hockey operations. Roanoke has had problems with their building throughout the season, keeping consistent ice (up to 5 games were postponed this year due to ice problems). Richmond has been rumored to move to Hoffman Estates, Illinois and merge with the expansion team scheduled to play in the Chicago suburbs in 2006-07. Missouri continues to have problems, which go back to the Fitzpatrick era and the Shanahan family could not erase those tarnished images and lack of communication that became engraved in the minds of fans and sponsors going back to 2003.
Even successful teams in the UHL faced some difficulty. The Quad City Mallards were just purchased by a group of Iowa investors. But fans and some sponsors tried to campaign for the team to move from the AA level in the UHL to the AAA level of the American Hockey League—the same league which features teams in Peoria, Milwaukee and Des Moines, Iowa. The Iowa investors have stated that they will keep the team in the UHL and many a Mallard fan, who dreams of taking on a team such as Peoria or Des Moines do not like staying in the same league.
The Rockford IceHogs, who saw one of their best teams ever this season, face the prospect of losing fans, not because of internal problems. At least one-third of their season ticket base comes from McHenry and Kane Counties, halfway between Chicago and Rockford. When the Hoffman Estates franchise becomes active, there is a distinct possibility that Rockford could lose season ticket holders to the new franchise because of the distance to and from the venues. Rockford’s successes today could mean that next season, they could play to lower attendance because of competition literally down the highway from them.
At this time, nothing has been decided concerning the Missouri River Otters. There are current contracts and agreements between the team and the United Hockey League that do not expire until July 1. That is also the date where the UHL begins its new fiscal year. Usually in the month of June, the UHL meets with their Board of Governors at their annual meetings in Las Vegas. A number of issues could be brought up. One of them could be the stability of several franchises.
Officials with both the River Otters organization and the UHL have clearly stated that at this time, it’s not time to circle the wagons.
“Hopefully the River Otters will be back next season!” said Dan Silver, who is in charge of media relations.
UHL’s media relations chief Brian Werger, believes that the talk of franchise problems and league problems have placed a cloud over this year’s Colonial Cup playoffs.
“All of these issues have been blown way out of proportion,” Werger said. That included rumors that Richmond, Roanoke, Port Huron and Missouri were going to be contracted and become dormant franchises. “It’s up to the individual team to make the decision and they do have to contact the league if they aren’t intending to return.”
River Otters General Manager Frank Buonomo, who has received a lot of criticism from fans, admitted that these are unknown days.
“It was an extremely tough season,” Buonomo said. “But we’ve been in conversations with various members of Family Arena officials and Mike [Shanahan] as to what we’re going to do. There are insurance issues, which we would like to resolve, particularly those concerning workers’ compensation and we also want prime dates from Family Arena. If we don’t get those prime dates, we can’t be successful.”
Buonomo has also received criticism from fans concerning both the firing of head coach Kevin Kaminski and the player personnel brought to the team. Jeff Brown, who was brought in to succeed Kaminski did keep the River Otters from becoming the worst in the UHL, but still finished last in the Western Division, where all of the other teams in the division qualified for the playoffs. Buonomo believes that it is up to Brown himself on whether or not he wants to stay as head coach next season. But Buonomo has said that a “timetable” needs to be put into place.
“We’ll find out next week,” he said.
There are some fans who are just upset with the team. People realize that there is quite a fan base and would definitely support a UHL team. What is not being understood is why the River Otters have been failing miserably. Adam Woehler, an avid hockey fan, feels that minor league hockey can be supported in St. Charles, if it is given a proper chance.
“During the two seasons we’ve been attending games, we’ve struck up friendships with season ticket holders and concession workers,” he said. “The concession people are in-the-stand workers who are Family Arena employees and seem to know everything going on.”
It’s not unusual in minor league hockey to wonder what the fate of a team is going to be when a season ends. There is so much emotion that runs through fans, players and coaches that a season that could have been more is finally over.
“It was a general buzz in the arena [last Saturday] night, with rumors and whispers, and a sense of finality to comments on the loud speaker. I know it wouldn’t be the first time a minor league team has folded, but it would be sad. St. Louis is a great hockey town and the River Otters are a way to support and get to know players, and not go broke on tickets in the process.”
The First Capitol News wanted to contact both River Otters majority owner Mike Shanahan and United Hockey League President/CEO Richard Brosal. But both were unavailable to be reached at this time.
