Desire for ‘fresh start’ prompts firing of Matheny
ST. LOUIS — Seeking what he referred to multiple times as a “fresh start” and a “new start,” Cardinals chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. said the firing of manager Mike Matheny late Saturday night was a response to what officials saw as a team not living up to expectations, or even backsliding.
“Unfortunately our club has not played up to its capabilities, and it was time for a fresh voice and some new leadership,” DeWitt said. “In some places a winning record, or even .500, is even acceptable. Not with this city, not with this franchise, not with its history, and not with the fans.”
John Mozeliak, president of baseball operations, acknowledgedthat one of the lingering questions on the move was its timing. He said the All-Star break offered a natural point to turn the keys over to a “fresh voice,” and the team wanted to “change the way we lookat things.”
“This was a unique opportunity to hit the reset button,” he said. “We want to find a wayto salvage the season.
“We decided the timing shouldbe now.”
Bench coach Mike Shildt will finish this season as manager, Mozeliak told the Post-Dispatch. “Due diligence” for a search will go on during the season but the plan is to get to end of the season and do the manager search at that time.
Mark Budaska will join the team as a hitting coach. He has been working with Class AAA Memphis for several years and is widely regarded for helping David Freese, Allen Craig, and numerous others unlock their swings and fire toward the majors. Kolten Wong recently described how he reached out to Budaska for assistance in recent weeks on his swing.
“Mike Matheny was a complete professional,” Mozeliak said. “He couldn’t have been more gracious. He thanked us all for this opportunity, he didn’t debate or question why. He understood where this was and handled it like a pro.”
Matheny, 47, had this year and two more years remaining on his contract extension, which he received late in 2016. His 591-474 record ranks fifth alltime for the club.