I don’t want to give away my age, but let’s just say that I’ve lived long enough to witness 11 St. Louis Cardinals managers. Of all of them, I can’t remember any that were more polarizing that Oli Marmol. My question for you is would you extend Oli or let him go as your next move?

I will admit that I have been very conflicted about how I feel about the job that Oli Marmol has done during his tenure as manager of the St. Louis Cardinals. I thought he did an outstanding job managing the team during the 2022 season when Albert Pujols returned for his final year, but that was also the last time our beloved team has seen the playoffs, too. I have been less thrilled with the past 3 seasons, but that’s more of a roster gripe than a reflection on Oli’s managerial skills.

Oliver Marmol 2022-present: 325-323
Mike Shildt 2018-2021: 252-199
Mike Matheny 2012-2018: 591-474
Tony La Russa 1996-2011: 1,408-1,182
Mike Jorgensen 1995: 42-54
Joe Torre 1990-95: 351-354
Red Schoendienst 1965-76, 1980, 1990: 1,041-955
Whitey Herzog 1980-90: 822-728
Ken Boyer 1978-80: 166-191
Jack Krol 1978, 80: 2-2
Vern Rapp 1977-78: 88-89

When you compare Oli Marmol to other St. Louis Cardinals managers of the past several decades, you see that he’s not the only one with a mediocre win-loss record, but his win percentage is lower than both Mike Shildt and Mike Matheny.

It’s a part of our written record that I balked at the idea that the St. Louis Cardinals had already started talking about an extension of Oli Marmol earlier this winter. Now that I’ve had a chance to dwell on it a little more, I’m now not as much against the idea as I was previously. I still don’t believe that Oli Marmol will be the manager who helps return the Cardinals to greatness, but if I’m being honest with myself that isn’t a likely result for the next couple of years anyway. I think I’m now fine with an extension of a couple of years maybe, but that’s all I’m willing to commit. I’m much more interested in what you would do. Would you extend Oli Marmol now and, if so, for how long or would you give him his walking papers? I’m willing to alter my viewpoint if you can make the case for what you believe.