Kaaaaaaa-Chuk!!!

-Well...he got a little more than the original offer....and I'll be able to make my favorite player-name announcement again for another couple of years. Blues goal scored by number 7....Keith Tkaaaaaaaaa-chuuuuuuuuk. Woo Hoo!

-I also very much like the pick-up of Paul Kariya. He's one of those "player's players" that I think we will get to like very much in St. Louis. With the young guys coming on...and the veterans that we have...along with Andy Murray from the start of the season....it should be fun being a hockey fan again.

-Philadelphia spent a pot of money on a bunch of guys...and so did the Rangers...but I still like the build-from-within approach the Blues are taking. It's going to take a little longer to become a Stanley Cup contender...but once we get there...it should be something we can enjoy for several years.

Tkachuk..Deal or No Deal?

-Hockey thoughts first...

-I could not be more happy for Al MacInnis. The man from Nova Scotia will join the immortals in the Hockey Hall of Fame in November. Everyone knows he belongs. The sport is lucky to have someone that brings unending class and grace to it by his association with it. I'm proud to work in the same building as the Stan Musial of St. Louis hockey.

-What kind of deal will Keith Tkachuk settle for with the Blues. Seems to me that 3.5 million for two seasons is a pretty good chunk for a 35-year-old who wants to keep his family in St. Louis. No, he likely won't be able to win a Stanley Cup in those two years, but is that really Walt's priority? I guess we'll find out in the next few days.

Family/business updates...

-A bit of a tease to the upcoming music product from son Ian's rock group...Chassis... now available on-line...click here

-Recently graduated son Stewart gets his first paid acting gig after college. Woo Hoo!! And it's a good starting place. The Chicago Shakespeare Theatre at Navy Pier. More info about Stew's first pro show here.

-Our ad agency...and my studio...are re-locating to new digs. We're taking up residence in a very nice space on the lower level of my friend Roger Wigginton's thriving clothing business....Don Rodgers Ltd. We're already receiving mail at 6727 West Main, Suite 1, Belleville, IL 62223. Put it in your rolodex or contact info.

Miscellaneous...

-It seems the last place in this country where anyone could get away with playing the race card is in the entertainment industry. But, that didn't stop fired Grey's Anatomy actor Isaiah Washington from doing just that. Click here for details. Wow...either that production company has a problem...or Mr. Washington has a larger one.

-Speaking of race relations...that topic ate up a good portion of the time in the latest debate among the Democratic presidential candidates. I would expect that to continue all the way to election day because of the presence of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. He will not be able to avoid the constant scrutiny of his heritage...and she will hail herself as a champion of the downtrodden throughout whatever campaign either might have against the Republican candidate.

-Friend and colleague Mike Anderson rightly points out in a comment to my latest post that many of our age lost lives in southeast Asia in the 60's and 70's. I hope my comments didn't come off as overlooking Viet Nam-era veterans when writing about the bravery of the WWII era fighting man. My thoughts were more a reaction to the viewing of Band of Brothers than a comparative of the relative characters of the generations. Admiration and gratitude runs deep here for all who serve and have served.

-Paris Hilton...what's all the fuss?

-Two car bombs found in London. Three men being sought in the Birmingham area...a center of radical Islamic unrest in Britain. Religious differences may eventually be our planet's undoing. Or is our species smarter than that?

-The one Cardinals player who frustrates me the most is Scott Rolen. He has an enormous contract. He once was a player worthy of the big money. But he seems to be throwing a sure-shot Hall-of-Fame career down the outhouse opening. Always hurt. Rarely producing when he's not. Frustrating...very frustrating. But, I'll bet I'm not half as annoyed as Walt Jockety and Tony LaRussa.

-I was happy to provide the voiceover for an entry into this year's St. Louis portion of the 48-Hour Film Project. I was on-camera for colleague Tim Snider's winning entry..When Bags Attack.. last year. This year he produced an audience favorite...but not the big prize winner. If you'd like to take a look at this year's entry...Doer of Good...(you'll need a high-speed connection)...click here

-I'm still a big Chris Daughtry fan...and I'm very far from the only one. His post-American Idol career has been nothing short of amazing. Check out the latest news by clicking here.

Ketchup Time

-Sorry to see that the Blues are severing ties with captain Dallas Drake. Not because I think it's a bad player move...but because he's so universally loved and respected. Dally has taken much more physical abuse playing the game than most guys. And in the past year or so it seems to me his game has shown it. He didn't deliver the devastating hits with nearly as much regularity. And his overall game was just not there. He'll be missed...but I understand that youth is the key word around the Blues these days. Hard to say what I think about the Blues picks in the entry draft. At this point you just have to put your faith in the management and scouting people and believe they got the right guys. We'll know in a couple of years.

-Youngest son Stewart graduated with high honors from the Theatre School at DePaul on the 16th of this month. Now, the real world of trying to catch lightning in a bottle as a professional actor begins. He's already got a few gigs in the works. It's tough...but we believe Stew's got a real shot at great things. He's already great in our eyes...just a matter of catching "the break".

-Oldest son Ian is now based in Bowling Green, KY and is trying something equally as challenging. He's put together a rock band and will be spending the next few months writing songs that the group hopes to make popular through recordings and live performances. September is the target month for the group...Chassis...to begin live performances and have a CD ready to go commercial. Click the link above for the group's My Space page. No doctors or lawyers in my family. No sir. Not complainin'...just observin'. I'm happy that these young fellas feel empowered to pursue their creative dreams.

-If you haven't been to a Grizzlies game this year, you're missing it. New manager Phil Warren --> has put together a virtual "Murderer's Row" lineup...and they're tearing it up. In Sunday's game they hit back-to-back-to-back homers for the first time in franchise history. And just about everyone in the lineup is capable of "jacking one" in any at-bat. The pitching has been much better than what we saw in recent years...particularly the relief-pitching which has been outstanding. If you go to Grizzlies games just to have a good time, that's fine. But, there's also a really good baseball team playing at GCS Ballpark this year too.

-The Cardinals are tough to watch most nights...especially after treating us to a World Series championship...but because they play in a division with no outstanding teams, they are still very much in the hunt. When Carpenter comes back...and possibly Mulder...they'll have as good a chance as anyone to make the post-season. That's if they don't fall out of contention before then.

-On a recent weekend, seven revelers died while enjoying way too much beverage and boating at the Lake of the Ozarks. If we could only get our enemies to take a leisurely boat ride at Missouri's "Hoosier heaven" with a couple of cases of iced-up beer we wouldn't have to go to war.

-Who won the NBA championship? I missed that.

-For Father's Day, I was presented with an outstanding present by my family....the boxed set of the HBO mini-series, Band of Brothers. We've watched the first five episodes so far. It is still astounding to me how these extraordinary men of the World War II era went willingly (most volunteered) to war knowing they likely weren't coming back. Their commitment to the country and their families is almost beyond comprehension. The story of the paratroopers of Easy Company of the 101st Airborne Division (produced by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks) should be required viewing in all high schools. How unbelievably lucky most of us are to have had fathers and grandfathers who grabbed a weapon and fought for our freedom...just because it was the right thing to do. Too bad most in our country seem to have no clue about that.

Finally Some Time

-Been very busy with business and the start of the Grizzlies new season lately. Not much time for the blog. So, we'll touch a bunch of bases in this post.

-Sorry to read that Josh Hancock's estate, executed by his father, is suing Mike Shannon's Restaurant, the towing company, and the guy who's car broke down, the night of the late player's fatal accident. Sorry, because I happen to think Josh's memory will be destroyed by any court procedings that may result. And sorry because I think pursuing this kind of thing is an example of what's wrong with our legal system in this country. There are so many predatory attorneys out there looking for exposure, and willing to take on pay-if-you-win cases, that people in Mr. Hancock's position are willing to risk a dead son's reputation. When someone in this country has the seeds to fight for legislation that makes those who sue pay court costs if they lose, we won't see nearly as many of these ridiculous suits. I'm actually surprized they're not suing Josh's cell-phone company for tempting him to text while driving. When will people begin taking responsiblity for their own actions? When there are financial consequences that prevent the predator lawyers from getting involved.

-The Grizzlies will be a much better baseball team this year, based on the first two games of the season. The line-up has plenty of punch. The pitching appears to be solid. And the defense looks to be very good as well. GCS Ballpark will be a fun place to be, as always, no matter what the success of the team. But, new manager Phil Warren appears to have assembled a very strong club. Should be fun to watch.

-I'm not counting the Cardinals out yet. The craftiness of Walt Jockety, and the savvy of Tony LaRussa and Dave Duncan lead me to believe that they will become more and more competitive as the season goes on. And, when they get a healthy Chris Carpenter and Mark Mulder back for the rotation in a few months. Well, stranger things have happened.

-The Blues are in the process of gearing up for the new season both on and off the ice. The draft happens in a few weeks where they are positioned to make a big splash. They will likely sign a high-profile free-agent. And, off the ice, they are attempting to bring in new marketing executives that will be assigned the task of making the fan experience better and the sales effort stronger. The Dave Checketts regime is gearing up for big things. We might have to give it a year or two for playoff success. But the fan experience, already very strong, will be even better right away.

-American Idol was not nearly as interesting this year, and totally predictable. I will give the producers credit though for not doing background video pieces on all of the contestants as they have in years past. The reason: Jordin Sparks would have been unfairly handicapped and/or benefitted if they had. Sparks, the eventual winner, is the product of a mixed-race marriage. Sadly, there are many out there who would frown on that to the point of denying her votes. At the same time, her dad is Phillipi Sparks the one-time pro football player. She would unduly benefit from many who would vote for her, and him, out of hero worship. They downplayed the heritage of Nikko Smith (Ozzie's kid) a few years back for the same, obvious, reason. It may not always turn out the way we like it, but the producers do try to present a level playing field.

Beginning of the End?

-What we're witnessing with the Cardinals early this season appears to me to be a harbinger of larger changes on the horizon.

The Tony LaRussa/Walt Jockety era of the Cards is nearing an end. Insiders, and outsiders, are getting indications...and making them public...that Cardinals "out-front" owner Bill DeWitt is preparing the organization for life after Walt and Tony. That, as much as anything, has created a stagnant attitude in the front office, and on the field, and may be at least partially responsible for the pathetic looking club that has been fielded so far this season.

Fox Sports baseball guru Ken Rosenthal, among others, has written about DeWitt's grooming of Jeff Luhnow as a successor to Jockety, and the negative influence it has cast over the operation. Luhnow currently holds the title of Vice President for Scouting and Player Development, but it's apparently no secret in baseball circles that DeWitt has Luhnow ready to take over should Jockety leave, or be fired. And, since Jockety and LaRussa seem to be a package deal, Tony is probably understandably disturbed at the unhappy situation of his boss, and buddy, Walt. And, of course, these things have a way of infecting attitude all around.

One has to wonder if DeWitt is unhappy with the long-term, high-dollar contracts that Jockety has entered into with players like Scott Rolen and Chris Carpenter. At one time both deals seemed like bargains. But now that Rolen seems unable to hit anywhere close to the level of his pre-shoulder injury days, and Carpenter's arm surgery has his career in some doubt, neither deal seems "club friendly" anymore. Then you have the multi-million dollar deal bestowed upon now, very aged-looking Jim Edmonds...and you might see how an owner would start questioning his GM.

To position Luhnow as a possible successor to Jockety is a fairly understandable move on ownership's part. You never want anyone in your company to appear irreplaceable. On the other hand, Jockety's success level with limited resources...comparatively speaking... over the years should put him way above the fray. Having someone hovering in the background ready to take your job shouldn't be something with which Walt has to be concerned. And, if it actually is a distraction that makes its way into player performance, then DeWitt needs to do something to make things right. It wasn't all that long ago that Cardinals games weren't sold-out every time the team took the field. And much more baseball like we've seen in '07 will bring back the "bad ol' days".

Idol Prediction

You'll notice, if you visit here even semi-regularly, that I have resisted the temptation to write about American Idol this season. It was at this point in the season last year that I was so absorbed in it that I could barely think about anything else. I hate to admit that....but it was true. It was also at this point last year that I was totally shocked by the ouster of Chris Daughtry from the competition. He, of course, as most predicted, has gone on to great success despite the disappointment.

So, I will make this promise. This year, because I don't have anywhere near the same interest level, I will predict how the remaining contestants will finish. And that will be the last time I subject anyone to my "Idol thoughts" on this blog. Incidentally, this year I think America is getting it right...with the exception of the ultra-long and excruciating stay of Sanjaya. His prolonged presence on the show bears out my previous writings about Idol not being a talent contest...but more a popularity contest.

So, let's rank the remaining contestants according to talent. But then let's also predict how they will finish...talent aside.

Singing Talent
1. Melinda Doolittle
2. Jordin Sparks
3. Lakisha Jones
4. Blake Lewis

Performer
1. Jordin Sparks
2. Blake Lewis
3. Melinda Doolittle
4. Lakisha Jones

Order of finsh
1. Jordin Sparks
2. Melinda Doolittle
3. Blake Lewis
4. Lakisha Jones

Reasoning
Lakisha has an amazing voice...but often enough she misses on the interpretation of her song. She seems to overpower the song frequently and "overuses" her voice in spots where she needs to back off and communicate the lyric. She is also the most difficult of the bunch to warm up to. For that reason I think she's next to go home.

Blake has been rewarded for his likeability and his willingness to take a risk with songs. His beat box interpretations have been amazing. However, he cannot outperform Jordin or Melinda. He's the strongest male in a weak year for the guys. Being a guy may even get him to the final week of the show.

Melinda has been consistently the best singer...just about every week I've been able to watch. She is a pro. But, she doesn't come through the camera to the TV audience...and she doesn't have the stage presence of either Jordin or Blake. Remember at this point it gets to be more of a personality contest...and while Melinda is likeable...she is not charismatic.

17-year-old Jordin Sparks will be this year's American Idol because she has the total package. She's a great singer with outstanding interpretation of the material. Her You'll Never Walk Alone a few weeks back was tantamount to Katherine McPhee's Over the Rainbow of last year's show. The camera loves Jordin. It's easy to see how she...even at her young age...could move right into professional performing.


So...There's my prediction. By the end of the month we'll see if I'm anywhere in the ballpark.

How Very Sad

-I tried to put myself in the shoes of the Cardinals players today after learning of the death of pitcher Josh Hancock. The team cancelled its Sunday night game with the Cubs. And, if my attempt to identify is anywhere close, the team likely will be very distracted until after the Hancock funeral on Thursday. Playing ball between now and then will be very secondary, and very difficult.

When I was about the age of most of the young people on this team, I had the experience of losing two co-workers in a traffic accident. It was one of those "out of the blue" phonecalls in the middle of the night that informed me Pete Basch and Nancy Dintelman had been killed in a head-on crash caused by a drunk driver. Pete was not only a co-worker, but a fellow sports fanatic with whom I shared many a great time at sporting events. Nancy was a talented and brilliant news reporter who, I'm still convinced, would have eventually made it to national prominence in the broadcasting business. Nancy and Pete had just announced their engagement to her parents, and were traveling to share the news with his, when the tragedy occurred.

Just as Tony LaRussa described it at the Cardinals press-conference, your work family is not "real family" but it's still family. And when someone that close to you is suddenly gone under tragic circumstances, you hurt. And the hurt doesn't go away very quickly. It's not easy to think about anything but that hurt, and that person who is no longer part of your life.

So, let's all forgive the Cardinals if they are not quite playing up to their capabilities in Milwaukee over the next three days. Experience tells me they will be thinking about things that are much more important than the final score.

Missilaneyus

-The title comes from my lack of patience for misspellings. Everywhere one goes these days you will see poor spelling. And, the worst part seems to be that nobody really cares. You will see it in formal letters, in newspaper articles, and other public displays. And this in the day of spell-check software. Wow. I saw the plural of Silverado...spelled "Silveradoes"...in a TV ad recently. Come on...are we that pathetic when it comes to teaching kids how to spell these days? Sad.

-Looking forward to seeing Rick Majerus on the sideline of Billiken basketball games. I just hope, considering his health history, that he's not taking on a bear he can't wrestle.

-I really enjoy the NFL Draft...which begins a little over an hour from when I'm writing this. I have a hunch that the Rams might provide a surprise with their first-round pick. Everybody is expecting them to go with a defensive lineman. Some of Coach Linehan's comments recently lead me to believe they might not necessarily go that route.

-Tony LaRussa's blow-up at the post-game press conference Friday night has me scratching my head. He apparently refused to answer questions posed by the reporters from the Post-Dispatch because he objected to an article in Friday's paper that was critical of the Cubs. It seems to me if he had a problem with what was written he could calmly confront the writer instead of making a spectacle of himself in front of TV cameras. He also could have gone to his counterparts with the Cubs and told them that he was sorry for what appeared in his hometown paper. Now, we all have to wonder if he's unravelling in the wake of the team's poor start and his DUI arrest in Florida.

-Speaking of the Cubs, while in Chicago to visit son Stewart last weekend we scored some Cards-Cubs tickets for Sunday's game. What a treat it is to watch a ballgame in a stately, old stadium like Wrigley Field. The weather was perfect. The crowd was full of rivalry energy. Wrigley had that "old ballpark smell"...both good and bad. What a great experience. The new Busch is great too...but in a much different, less authentic, and more sanitized, way.

-I have never been an anti-gun guy. I've also never believed in keeping one around...but that's just me. But the recent spate of hand-gun related crime has me wondering if it isn't time to discuss hand-gun laws similar to those in Great Britain. It just seems that here in America the resolution to all disputes is achieved with a gun. And people practice their marksmanship with video games which doesn't help anything. What happened to good old fist-fights?

-I'll finish up this post with another thing that bugs the stuffing out of me. You see TV ads, and hear radio ads, all over the place that tout union workers. Hire a union plumber...Hire a union painter..etc. Do they bother to hire a union talent to perform their commercial?? Nooooo. I'm not a big suporter of the concept of unions. But, because of some of the voice work I do I am required to belong to AFTRA...the radio/TV actors union. Frequently, the "hire the union guy" ads feature an announcer or spokesman that hasn't paid a penny of union dues in his or her life. I guess those other unions won't mind when I cross one of their picket lines then.

More Imus

Everyone seems to have their own opinion on the Imus firing. Obviously, I was mistaken when I wrote--

"Do they really think that their protests will get Imus fired? After all this free advertising, MSNBC and CBS radio would be irresponsible business-people to do that."

Well, I guess there's always a chance that the networks could rescind their firing, but that appears unlikely. I have several thoughts about all this.

1) Because of the way this all played out, very little of an on-going nature will be done to make a difference in how women and minorities are treated in our culture. Had Imus been allowed to stay on the air to make amends and actually institute some sort of awareness campaign, the plight of minorities and women may have been addressed. But now, who will be in a position, beside the usual voices, to say anything about it. And the usual voices, and you know who I mean, are almost laughable. Were those usual voices really injecting themselves into this situation to make the world a better place? You decide.

2) The Rutgers women's basketball team had the courage and grace to accept Imus's apology. Will Reverends Sharpton and Jackson say that's good enough for them? I'll be surprised if that happens. Their stance on proper behavior doesn't seem to include themselves.

3) Who will replace the many millions of dollars that Imus raised for charity each year, those who want him to go straight to Hell?

4) As long as we're jumping on people who cross the line with hateful and hurtful language concerning women and minorities in the public arena, when is somebody going to say they are outraged at rap music? Or any other kind of music these days that objectifies and degrades women...particuarly minority women? Have you seen the lyrics to some of the songs in this art form lately?

5) Why is there a difference between what an old white guy says on the radio...and what an old white guy says on HBO...or any other mass-media setting. Obviously, it appears to be OK to say anything to millions of people, as long as they paid to watch or hear it. I don't think the impact on society is any less because the media that's being enjoyed is paid for.

6) Who is going to make the world realize that Imus does a radio show based in comedy? And, that most of what he has ever said in his whole life was intended to make someone either laugh or cringe. Someone needs to say that he's not a Rush Limbaugh, Bill O'Reilly, or Al Franken who are trying to change the world to their way of thought.

7) What happens when a radio show is taken off the air? Something else takes its place. What will that be for WFAN? Probably the Mike Francesa show. And he's already said it was a big mistake for CBS to can Imus, and that he was embarassed that the company did it. Doesn't sound like there will be any help for the civil rights agenda there.

Oh...there will be more to come. You can bet on that.

Imus Ratings to Jump

I don’t think it was calculated. I don’t think he intended anything other than to poke fun…insensitive as it was…as part of what he does to everyone. But the resultant firestorm of the recent remarks by self-styled radio cowboy Don Imus, wind-whipped by the Reverends Sharpton and Jackson, will only serve to send more listeners to find the Imus show. If that’s not what they wanted, it’s too late now, because they have already provided the grist for the publicity mill. Do they really think that their protests will get Imus fired? After all this free advertising, MSNBC and CBS radio would be irresponsible business-people to do that.

The Reverends would have accomplished more to bring about racial harmony if they had issued a press release saying they were disgusted by the remarks. In it, they also could have provided background information about the young women Imus belittled so that everyone would know that these were real people with real feelings. But, of course, they had to stage marches and protests, and jump on every media outlet to declare outrage, making matters worse. There's a difference between being offended, and using every opportunity to advertise that you are the leader of an oppressed people. As long as your message contains the implication that you lead a somehow lesser people, many will believe it. Does that do anything for civil rights and harmony among the races? As long as everyone is forced by others to be uncomfortable in their own skin, how will anyone be comfortable with the color of someone else's? But, back to Imus.

Several years ago while working at the former WIBV, I was the morning news anchor when the station carried the syndicated Imus show. I got an up-close and personal dose of the show every day. For those who aren’t regular listeners, this show is predicated on poking fun at just about everybody. Presidents and politicians, star athletes and movie stars, recording artists and international figures, you name it…Imus skewers them all. It’s a show that’s based in comedy, satire, and irreverence (much like our own Frank O. Pinion show locally). Everybody is slammed with equal vigor while Imus keeps his tongue firmly planted in his cheek. Sometimes he sounds venomous…but usually he retreats from being truly hateful. Taking that into account, I buy Imus's explanation that his racially insensitive comment was part of the overall comedy of that day. Even he says that it went too far, though.

Sure, Imus likes to think his is a destination show for big-wigs, entertainers, and political movers-and-shakers to be interviewed. But, in the context of that show, almost anything that anyone says is taken with a grain of salt. Most of his “name” guests are on to show that they like a good joke as much as the next person. They come on because they know that Imus won’t go after them with really tough questions and they’ll be allowed to exit with their dignity intact. That, plus they know that they’ll be heard by millions of listeners coast-to-coast to get their own message out. Bottom line...it's a comedy show...not a "we're trying to change the world" show.

I’m sure that Imus knew as soon as he uttered the phrase “nappy-headed ho’s” that he had crossed the line. There are certain boundaries in broadcasting that can’t be crossed, and he knew he had just had an “uh-oh” moment. Anyone who has done a radio talk show has a strong feeling for where the boundary is. Imus’s job, like many of the so-called “shock jock” variety, has been to dance right up to the boundary without crossing it. When they do…they had better be willing to pay the price. Frequently, they are. Perhaps he was prepared in this case.

Usually these guys are more than willing to serve a suspension…also known as time off from the job…without a second thought. What happens during the suspension? Usually more publicity is given to why the host isn’t there. Regular listeners get all wound up about the host’s return to the air. The rest of the media covers it like a blanket. And, ultimately, the host is better off in the ratings game for going away for awhile. How’s that for a promotion?

I’m not saying that Imus intended to get himself into this mess. That would be hard to prove without somebody ratting on the boss. But I do think he cares little about the consequences of his words. Why should he? He’s got all the money anyone could ever spend. He’s probably at the age where he’s thinking about retiring anyway. The only thing holding him back these days is how much he wants to hold on to some measure of dignity. In that light, he says that he hopes to serve his suspension with dignity.

The guy certainly will have the bright lights shining on him during his suspension so we’ll be able to see what he means by that. And he will certainly have a larger audience when he returns to the air in two weeks than what he had before the incident. Imus can thank the publicity machine that cranks up every time someone in the public eye, or on the public airwaves, even slightly crosses the line. I’m sure the ad salespeople that work for his station and networks are thanking their lucky stars these days…no matter what color they are, or what the texture of their hair.

Season Wrap-up

As the Blues play the final week of their season, I began to reflect on this season under new ownership and management. There was a time late in ’06 when I was seriously concerned about these new, and unfamiliar, people. Even though I’m not at Scottrade Center on a daily basis, I am there enough, and talk to enough of the people who are, to get a pretty good feel for what’s going on. And my feeling was not a good one back in November. But, I have to say that now that the new leadership of SCP Worldwide and its business and hockey management team is settled in, I could not be more excited about the chances of finally having a Stanley Cup parade down Market Street in the not too distant future.

My sense back in the early part of the season was that the hockey operations were struggling for direction and that Mike Kitchen was frustrated and confused. Of course, we would learn that he was not the man for the head coaching job here when Andy Murray was hired and immediately got things turned around. That one move by John Davidson seems to have gotten the entire organization re-charged and ready for great things. Murray has been magical.

I also wondered back then how JD and Larry Pleau would handle the situations with veteran free agents come the trade deadline. Obviously, whatever worries I had were answered with a series of fantastic moves for the future. Not only did our guys get big returns in the Bill Guerin and Keith Tkachuk deals, but they put a cherry on top with the outstanding Dennis Wideman-Brad Boyes trade. The team is wonderfully positioned for the youth movement of the next 3-5 years.

Jarmo Kekalainen should have some terrific assets to work with come draft day in June. There is still some worry that there hasn’t been an announcement yet on an extension of Jarmo’s contract. But Davidson promised that would happen, so I’m confident it will.

It also seemed that early on in the season some of the old front-office management team was being supplanted by new personnel without reason, other than they had been associated with the old regime. Because of my long-time association with many of the sales, marketing, and communications folks who worked under the Laurie ownership…and those before it…I probably was more emotional about seeing some of them go than I needed to be. From an objective standpoint, the energy around the office now seems to have multiplied enormously. I now see sales people who appear to be excited about their jobs, the team, and its overall direction. They obviously have goals to meet in their sales effort, and seem genuinely excited when they achieve one. Making money, after all, is also a part of any business. And with more money from ticket sales, comes the opportunity to invest in players and fan-friendly operations.

Recently, more money was brought into the ownership group by bringing aboard Tom Stillman of Stillman Distributing. The fact that Stillman is aligned with the Miller beer company in the hometown of Anheuser-Busch is causing concern for some. But I tend to think he’s on board more for his contacts in the community than to upset the beer-selling applecart at Scottrade Center and run the risk of alienating the wrong business people in town.

In summary, it is obvious that smart and talented people are now in place at the top levels of management with the St. Louis Blues. As they say, success in any business starts at the top. Believing that is true, I am of the opinion that my long tenure of working for the “lovable losers” of the NHL is about to end. The World Series-winning Cardinals and the Super Bowl-winning Rams should prepare to be joined in the next few years in the hearts of St. Louis sports fans by the champions from another pro sport in town.