Redbird Rundown: a St. Louis Cardinals Podcast

Redbird Rundown Podcast

Check out a fresh view of St. Louis Cardinals baseball with a new up and coming podcast! Brothers Andy, Jonathan, and Matt are joined by former professional pitcher Scott Plaza as they break down all things related to the Cardinals. New episodes are live every Sunday at 6pm central!

  1. [COMT] The Katie Woo Reunion Tour: Cardinals, Dodgers, Shohei, and Pretzels

    30 APR

    [COMT] The Katie Woo Reunion Tour: Cardinals, Dodgers, Shohei, and Pretzels

    This week, we are joined by the one and only Katie Woo of The Athletic to preview the highly anticipated Cardinals vs. Dodgers series. After five years on the St. Louis beat, Katie made the jump to Los Angeles, and she joins the crew to break down the massive contrast between these two historic franchises. We dive deep into the "Dynasty vs. Rebuild" debate: Can the Cardinals' new identity of "gritty, exhausting baseball" actually compete with the $700 million "glitz and glams" of the Dodgers? In this episode, we discuss: The "Hollywood" Life: Katie addresses her transition to LA, her aggressive new driving habits, and why she still misses those Busch Stadium press box pretzels. Shohei Ohtani & The Dodgers: What it’s actually like to cover the "Beatles of Baseball" and why there’s no ego in the star-studded LA clubhouse. The Chaim Bloom Era: Katie's perspective on the Cardinals' front office shift and why she believes the "Runway" (we mean, rebuild) is heading in the right direction. Young Core vs. Veteran Stars: Analysis of Jordan Walker’s growth and the pressure (or lack thereof) on the Cardinals' young roster. Series Preview: Which pitching matchups to watch and why Katie is leaning "Dodger Stadium" for the views, but "Busch Stadium" for the vibes. Whether you're here for the high-level MLB analysis or the heated debate over the St. Louis Arch vs. the Hollywood Sign, this is an episode you don't want to miss. Follow Katie Woo on Twitter: @katiejwoo

    51 min
  2. [RCOW] Felipe Lopez | The Secret Weapon's Apprentice

    17 APR

    [RCOW] Felipe Lopez | The Secret Weapon's Apprentice

    How does a player go from being released by a last-place team to hitting .385 for the St. Louis Cardinals in the span of a single week? In this installment of Random Cardinal of the Week, Jim Plaza dives into the fascinating, "roller coaster" career of utility man Felipe Lopez. A former top-10 pick and Silver Slugger winner, Lopez hit rock bottom in 2008 with a negative WAR and a mid-season release from the Nationals. But when he landed in the St. Louis clubhouse, something clicked. Under the mentorship of "The Secret Weapon" Jose Oquendo, Lopez didn't just find his swing—he became a statistical anomaly. We look back at his legendary two-month sprint in 2008 where he played six different positions and posted a nearly 1.000 OPS, helping bridge the gap for a Cardinals franchise in the midst of a massive front-office transition. In this episode, we discuss: The Oquendo Effect: How Jose Oquendo rebuilt Lopez’s defense and mental approach to transform him from a "bust" back into a weapon. The 2008 Hot Streak: A deep dive into the 43 games where Lopez hit an unbelievable .385 and became the ultimate La Russa-era Swiss Army Knife. The 18th-Inning Hero: On the 16th anniversary of the feat (April 17, 2010), we recount the night Lopez stepped onto the mound against the Mets and threw a scoreless inning to save an exhausted bullpen. The Transition Era: Where Lopez fit in the roster shuffle between the 2006 championship and the 2011 "10.5 games back" miracle. Whether you remember him for his switch-hitting prowess or his lone career pitching appearance, Felipe Lopez’s story is a masterclass in resilience and the power of a second chance in The Lou. Listen now and subscribe to the Redbird Rundown for your weekly dose of Cardinals history!

    11 min
  3. [RCOW] The "Burger" that Conquered Barry Bonds | Ray King

    10 APR

    [RCOW] The "Burger" that Conquered Barry Bonds | Ray King

    When you think of the legendary 2004 St. Louis Cardinals, names like Pujols, Edmonds, and Rolen immediately come to mind. You might even think of a young Adam Wainwright. But games aren't just won by the superstars; they’re won by the guys who come jogging out of the bullpen in the 7th inning to put out a fire. This week, we’re shining the spotlight on Ray King, the durable, 250-pound left-handed specialist affectionately known as "Burger." Acquired in the blockbuster trade that brought Jason Marquis and Adam Wainwright to St. Louis, King became a workhorse for Dave Duncan’s "scrap heap" bullpen. From his chaotic MLB debut with a borrowed glove to his historic 2004 season, King’s story is one of dependability, high-stakes drama, and some of the best numbers ever posted against the game's greatest hitters. In this episode, we discuss: The Trade That Changed Everything: How King arrived in the deal for JD Drew and became an unsung hero of the 2004 pennant run. The "Bonds Killer": A look at the eye-popping stats King posted against legends like Barry Bonds (who hit just .059 against him) and Ken Griffey Jr. The Iron Man of the Bullpen: How King racked up 86 appearances in a single season—the second-most in franchise history—including a mind-boggling 30 consecutive scoreless outings. The La Russa Fallout: The "September Slide" that led to a public spat with the skipper and a quick exit from St. Louis. The Lost Glove Debut: The hilarious story of King’s first big league game wearing cleats bought that morning and a teammate's glove. Whether it was his streak of 328 games without an intentional walk or his mastery of the high-leverage middle innings, Ray King was the glue that held a championship-caliber bullpen together. "He wasn't the guy getting the final out... but when the fire needed to be put out, Ray King was the guy they called." Listen now and subscribe to the Redbird Rundown for your weekly dose of Cardinals history!

    13 min

About

Check out a fresh view of St. Louis Cardinals baseball with a new up and coming podcast! Brothers Andy, Jonathan, and Matt are joined by former professional pitcher Scott Plaza as they break down all things related to the Cardinals. New episodes are live every Sunday at 6pm central!

You Might Also Like