Farewell Mo | Cardinals Insider: S10, E28 | St. Louis Cardinals

Farewell Mo | Cardinals Insider: S10, E28 | St. Louis Cardinals

Coming up on Cardinals Insider, we honor John Mosa on decades of success in St. Louis. I look back on this and I’m I’m just grateful that I had this opportunity. I’m grateful that St. Louis is my home and uh you know, proud to be a part of this community moving forward. Plus, take a tour of Harry K’s restaurant in Chicago. Well, the moment you step inside the restaurant, you’re greeted by this guy. And later, I’m just going for it. I’ll go with the green sauce. See what that’s all about. Indulge in a ballpark buffet that’s close to home. Those stories and more on a brand new Cardinals Insider. [Music] Welcome to the season finale of Cardinals Insider. I’m Ozie Smith. We would like to begin this week’s show by honoring John Mosa, whose visionary leadership shaped decades of success here in St. Louis. His legendary career is defined by championships, bold moves, and commitment to excellence here in St. Louis. In 1995, John Mosa joined the St. Louis Cardinals. He was named general manager of the club in 2007 and eventually became president of baseball operations. Under his guidance, the franchise won six National League Central Division titles, two National League pennants, made 10 postseason appearances, and won the 2011 World Series. The Cardinals are world champs in 2011. In 2025, he says goodbye. I think like when you look back at at my legacy, I I hope it’s really just about consistency, about the opportunity to to consistently win. But I’m also hopeful that it’s the people I worked with that if you were to ask them like how was it working for Mo that they said like he was fair, he was honest, he treated me well. I walk around this ballpark a lot as you can imagine. I say hello to people. I’m starting to say more goodbyes. And I realize, or at least I hope that in some way I was able to have a positive effect on their lives. Whether that’s someone that’s an usher, whether that’s someone working at concession stand, or it’s someone working in our front office. Mo has served the organization in key roles for three decades. a scouting director in which he oversaw the drafts of players like Albert Pooh Holes and Yadier Molina, assistant general manager to Cardinals Hall of Famer Walt Jocky and eventually Mo ascended to GM and president of baseball operations. A role in which the Cardinals won the 2011 World Series under his leadership and the series produced one of the best games in baseball history, game six of the Fall Classic. It was just such an up and down game. So whenever I think about that world championship, I always come back to that game because it obviously propelled us to game seven. Obviously, we won the World Series and that was, you know, life-changing for so many people. But yeah, that’s that was just an amazing run. I was waving to my family. So looking down at Julie and and my kids um Ally and Will and it was it was you know they you you don’t realize how much the family is like truly involved in this even though they’re it’s tangently but you know they wear your stresses and I I think they were just so so proud of that moment and I was proud for them. When holding the position of GM or president of baseball operations, trades are a part of the job. John has made his fair share and some stand out more than others. We’ve always been about having talented players on our our roster and being able to get like Matt Holidayiday for example. The timing of that was critical especially when we didn’t know what would be the future of Albert Pooh Holtz. And so to have that happen I think just kept that train moving. And so part of many trades um certainly some I’m more proud of than others. Uh, but when I look back in in that moment of time, that was really important to our future success. This era of winning under Mo is nearly unmatched in franchise history. It’s a run that may eventually take him to the Cardinals Hall of Fame. I mean, obviously, what it would mean is is is the highest honor you can receive from an organization. So, do I think about it? The answer is no. um you know, in the end, I think you you feel like you’re you’re you you you hope your career speaks for itself. And um proud of of many of the accomplishments that we’ve had, but I’m also realistic in understanding that these are not just solely my decisions or or me because of my title. A lot of people contributed to the success of this, whether it’s from players, coaches, managers to the front office. And you know, I hope they all appreciate the success we had as a team. And the Cardinals head to their seventh NLCS since 2000. Through all the winning, the moments, the players, Mo has a simple message as he steps aside. You work in sports because you’re competitive. You you care about winning, losing. Uh, but clearly when you think back over my 30 years here with the Cardinals, it’s about the people I’ve worked with. For the fourth time in 10 years, it’ll be the Cardinals in the World Series representing the National League. I’ve enjoyed every moment of this. It’s been an incredible ride and and I look back on this and I’m I’m just grateful that I had this opportunity. I’m grateful that St. Louis is my home and uh, you know, proud to be a part of this community moving forward. What a team. What a ride. The Cardinals are world champs in 2011. Right now, I look at myself as a Cardinal and and uh probably will die as a Cardinal. Straight ahead on Cardinals Insider, all of these amazing uh original sports pages from the early 1900s. Let’s go on a behindthescenes tour with Chip Carrey. Harry Kerry’s restaurant in Chicago is filled with more than just baseball history. Chip Carrey took us on an exclusive tour that showcases memorabilia and stories celebrating his grandfather’s legacy. [Music] Hello Cardinals Insider fans. I’m Chip Carrey. This is my wife, Susan. Welcome to our home away from home in the city of Chicago, the one and only Harry Kerry’s restaurant. We’re going to give you guys an inside tour. You ready to go? Let’s do it. All right, here we go. Well, the moment you step inside the restaurant, you’re greeted by this guy. And Susan, though, has the lucky fortune of standing right in front of maybe the most attractive picture in the entire restaurant. Turn around, Susan. There. Look at that. Right there. I mean, I mean, one of your best looks ever, I have to say. I still have my hair. Incredible. What’s really cool about Harry Kerry’s here in downtown Chicago is it’s not just a great restaurant. It’s a baseball museum. And yes, that is the infamous Steven Bartman foul ball during the playoffs between the Cubs and the Miami Marlins or then the Florida Marlins. The restaurant bought the ball for $113,000 and blew it up. Okay, right when you walk in the door, you’ve got a choice to make. Do you turn left and go to the restaurant or do you turn right and go to my favorite place here at Harry Carries? And that’s the one-of-a-kind 60oot 6-in bar that is always packed when the Cubs and Cardinals play. Susan and I like to sit at the corner, see the fans come in, hang out with them. And Susan, what’s your favorite part? Uh, sitting here, the view and meeting everybody as they come in, but really my most favorite thing is right here in front of me and they just keep reloading them. Famous Harry’s potato chips. They are the most addictive thing on the planet. So good. When you come to the restaurant, this was Harry’s corner table. He was always sitting where Susan’s going to sit. Back to the wall and he would just peruse the restaurant. He’d have a nice meal. He’d have seven or eight Budweisers. He’d have a martini or two and uh and have a great time. Um that’s one thing I really missed doing with him here. I got to dine at this table with him twice in my life, but every time I come in and see it, it just reminds me of him sitting here and regailing in a very, very rare Cubs win at Wrigley Field in those days. [Music] Aries isn’t just a great restaurant. It’s not just a great baseball museum, but the building itself is a nod to the great architectural history of the city of Chicago. This is a Dutch Renaissance building. It’s the only one left in the city of Chicago. It used to be a varnish building. And as we walk upstairs, uh they carved out a couple of big big wide open ballroom spaces for larger capacity crowds. And again, all of these amazing uh original sports pages from the early 1900s, the 1950s. Uh Grant Deporta, the general partner here, has done an amazing job of of accumulating all the first editions of historical moments in baseball history. Babe Ruth hitting his 60th home run, Ernie Banks hitting his 500th home run, the White Socks getting to the World Series. Another thing I really love about this place is that I’ve been very open and honest. I know Harry very well, but coming to the restaurant, it’s kind of an encyclopedia of his baseball life. This place is loaded with pictures and momentos and memorabilia and things that really chronicle things about his entire life’s journey, not just his baseball journey here at the restaurant. There are pictures in every every single corner of the restaurant. celebrities have come in and dined, people that were close, and seeing those wonderful memories come flooding back is a nice way to keep him and his uh legacy alive. Well, I can’t think of a better way than spending a fantastic day in Chicago at Harry Carries than something nice and cold and refreshing with friends and family and chips. And chips and chips. I mean, you get two chips for one. Uh but I hope you’ll join us at Harry Kerry’s at the corner of Dearborn and Kinsey. It’s amazing place for Cubs fans, for Cardinals fans, really for baseball fans. Thanks for joining uh us for our second home away from home in Chicago, and we hope you’ll see again on Cardinals Insider. Cheers everybody. Straight ahead. Generally at home, am I making sandwiches at donuts? No. No. Am I from now on? Probably. Probably. So, that’s right after the break. [Music] All season long, broadcasters Chip Kerry and Brad Thompson have sampled ballpark food on the road. Now, it’s only right that they get a taste of the flavors here at Bush Stadium for our final ballpark buffet. [Music] Well, partner, hard to believe it’s the last home stand of the season. It’s also our final edition of Ballpark Buffet, and we decided to save the best for last, the best of Bush Stadium. And our first offering is from mayo and ketchup here at Bush Stadium. A couple of empanadas. These look fantastic, by the way. Mystery. If you don’t like empanadas, get out of here. Beat it. We can’t be friends. It’s just how it is. I’m just going for it. I’ll go with the green sauce. See what that’s all about. I got the beef. Oh my god. I’ve heard this somewhere. One bite. There’s rules about it, man. Flaky in favor of flavorful. Kind of like you and me. This might be a favorable. Yeah. Keep going. This is the best ballpark food I’ve had so far. Okay. On all of our travels. I think it’s I think you’re right. It’s going to be hard to set the bar this high. I’m going 10. Okay. 10 out of 10. Brad gives 10 and 10 to mayo ketchup. What are you going to give it? I give it 11 out of 10. Just take a 12. Okay. One of our favorites is here at the ballpark in the Redbird club and it’s a fried rice station. You can get noodles, you can get rice, you can get chicken, you can get beef. Oh, these these things are monsters. I’m going to need surgery after Go ahead. You dig in there. Going in. So, we got noodles and rice. We did a combo right here. You kidding me? They worked their butts off over there at that station, too. Love them. Oh, it’s got mushrooms, all the good stuff. You pick your own toppings, too. Is it okay to double dip? Yeah. Get in there. Yeah. Oh, look at that. Oh my god. Oh, some scallions. Piping hot. All right, Chip, I’ll ask you this time now that you have your mouth full. How many Fred Birds did I spit on you? Probably. How many Fred Birds is this out of 10? 10. And last but not least, this is kind of a new addition here at Bush Stadium the last couple years. Big chicken. Okay, this is called the 314. Is that correct? Okay. 314. So, Chip, I believe this is a donut on the outside of it. All right. Come on. You want to try it first? You go first. All right. This is a donut and chicken. Hot chicken. What can go wrong? Oh my. Oh, it’s got layers to it. There’s a little heat. Generally at home, am I making sandwiches with donuts? No. No. Am I from now on? Probably. Probably. So, going eight. Eight. Okay. I’ll go I’ll go eight, too. I think that’s really great. It’s a unique thing. It’s awesome. Really good. So, hey, it’s really rare in the ballpark. It’s really rare you go three out of three on ballpark buffet and we get fortune. Oh, what? You don’t get to pick your own fortune cook. There you go. Then you have to hand me this one. So my Oh, hand me that one. I want that one. There we go. Oh, there we go. All right. Gave him the same one back. What’s your fortune? Good food brings good health, which makes for a longer life. This is your day to shine. Promise. That’s what it says. And I think our concessionires at Bush Stadium have done that, not just today, but all year long. We appreciate you guys very much. Thanks for sharing your culinary expertise with us on Ballpark Buffet. We can’t wait to do it again next year. Cheers. Coming up on Cardinals Insider. Hello and welcome to our very first episode of Cardinals Insider. That’s after the break, so stay with us. [Music] We’ve been celebrating 10 years of Cardinals Insider all season long. Let’s take one final look back at some of our favorite memories from a decade of these shows. Hello and welcome to our very first episode of Cardinals Insider. I’m your host Lindseay Weber. While the team is kicking off a new season here at spring training in Jupiter, Florida, back at Bush, the front office is kicking off a new project of their own. A TV show dedicated to bringing you, the fans, an all access path to everything Cardinals baseball. [Music] Welcome to Cardinals Insider. Welcome to Cardinals Insider. Welcome to Cardinals Insider. Welcome to Cardinals Insider. I’m Aussie Smith. Well, I mean, you gave us a lot of material. These 69y old legs here. I get to taste the salsa. Welcome to a special edition of News. I’m Lars Nupar. We have one question with you, Goldie Gold. What does shagging fly balls mean? I don’t know what shagging fly balls. Uh, I am this close to buying a harmonica and learning how to play a lot of songs. He knows my name. Throw a little makeup on. Dude, you’re a you’re a college freshman. I take a mulligan after every shot. trying to get me divorced. Give me a hippo right now. I’m I’ll knock I’ll knock him out right now. Is cereal a soup? [Music] I’m going to back it up. Sloppy. Thirsting. Boom. Push. Boom. Push. Butt swagger. Maybe like this. Where the tea party at? You guys are throwing me off down here. All right, here we go. When we return, you ask, I answer. It’s Ask Azie after the break. [Music] [Music] It’s time for this week’s Ask Aussie. Wes in St. Louis, Missouri asks, “Which feature on Cardinals Insider have you enjoyed being a part of most?” Well, of course, the sporting part of it has always been important. You know, having a chance to take ground balls with Nolan Aronado, playing golf. Um, those things are all special, but I also love the the segments where I have a chance to sit down and talk to to guys one on-one while enjoying the outdoors. So, um, you know, when I look back at all of the things that have happened, um, the sporting events that the chances that I had, uh, that day with fielding ground balls with Aronado was amazing. Spring training has always been very, very special. You know, it’s that time of year where, you know, the season is about to start and guys are getting themselves ready. So, it’s always been very special and to have the opportunity to do the show from spring training, I think gives it a um a fresh flavor, uh a fresh look, and it’s always great getting a chance to see the guys again. You know, let me say this here. You know, um the crew makes it, they make it very easy for me. I’m the one that’s out front and and people see my face all the time, but it’s the hard work that goes on behind the scenes. They’re the people that really make it happen. And I just want to shout out to the to the crew that makes this happen every week. Thanks for the question, Wes. To submit a question, visit cardinals.com/insider and click the Ask Azy tab. But for now, don’t go anywhere. There’s more Cardinals Insider after the break. To wrap up our season finale, we’re leaving you with the moments which 2025 will be remembered for. Those highlights are the subject of this week’s Red Bird Reels. [Music] We ain’t in the same league. Not even the same going on. I’m just trying to make time. I don’t want to win. I can see it on your face. I can see it on your face. I can see it on your face. I can see it swinging a long drag to left back to the wall. Still coming [Music] out. He goes down the left field line. That’s a rare bird winner. If I was you and a drive to good Herrera three lightning can make the play. He does. He does not. Pick got swag. A high towing drive on the left walks them off and a high drive by Herrera. It’s a three homer game way in the big man land to first is just in time. What a play. Mason sliding stop scrambles flares and got it. What a play. More great cardinal defense. Celebr Spectacular nearly perfect and one hitter for nothing. He dives into the net. Little flare in the right. Here comes Walker. Cardinals win it again. Left center field base hit. And the Cardinals win it in 10. I can see it on your face. I can see it on your face. I can see it on your face. Golf course center at the wall. It’s gone. Bur with a oneoff homer. Swing drive. hit high in the air to left them off. [Applause] That’s it for this season. You can rewatch episodes at cardinals.com/insider and on YouTube. Thanks for joining us all summer long and have a great off season and I’ll see you right back here next year.

John Mozeliak reflects about his time with the Cardinals organization, Chip Caray tours his grandfather’s legendary Chicago restaurant, and much more on the season finale of Cardinals Insider.