Hello Cardinals … Goodbye Cubbies

By Ned Mitchell

I remember the day as if it were yesterday, the day I turned from being a die-hard St. Louis Cardinal fan to a die-hard Chicago Cub fan.

It was in the early 70’s and I was fresh out of college with a degree in journalism from Murray State University and I was out to make my mark on the world. After a brief summer internship at the Benton Evening News, a turned down job at a government newspaper on the Aleutian Islands, wherever that is, a job opportunity came up as a newsman at a new local radio station.

Being a baby boomer and coming of age in the 60’s, I was joined by many teenagers cruising on any weekend night listening to AM radio stations KXOK in St. Louis or WLS in Chicago. The only problem was most of the time the stations were overcome by static and listening was a strain.

Along comes something new to this area, FM radio that was crystal clear and a pleasure to listen to. Only problem was, nobody had FM radio in their ride. Conversion units that would change an old AM station to a new FM station were being sold for $29.95. Needless to say that was a tidy sum of money back then and the units were not really popular.

Work continued on this new FM radio station and it was called WQRX-FM. Being eager to find new listeners the team at WQRX set out to try and broadcast the St. Louis Cardinals ballgames. Local AM station WJPF in Herrin had the broadcast rights, the only problem was in this area WJPF could not be heard at night.

The St. Louis Cardinals flat turned down our request to broadcast their games in crystal clear quality. It was a big blow to us at WQRX. Knowing that SIUC had a good number of students from Chicago we approached the Chicago Cubs and they agreed to let us broadcast their games. So here we were right in Cardinal country carrying the Cubs games.

During my high school years I had followed the Cardinals religiously and even had my French teacher Mrs. Williams hand carry a baseball to St Louis because I knew she was going to get to meet my hero, Stan Musial. I was so proud of that ball I gave it to a high school girlfriend who later moved away and took my autographed ball with her. I periodically wonder from time to time what ever happened to the ball.

Fast forward 41 years later and I find myself Mayor of Sesser and sitting at the new sports complex on the east side of town early one day last week. We were to meet that afternoon with the St. Louis Cardinals’ organization as they were coming to town to dedicate one of the fields in honor of player Lance Berkman. Looking out over the field and the $250,000 investment from the Cardinals and also figuring in their donations of balls, bats, gloves, helmets, shoes, uniforms and everything else each year to help our 300 kids play summer ball, I knew it was time to let go of the past and appreciate the future.

It wasn’t exactly a death bed confession, but it was still a special moment to me as I realized that without the class act of the St Louis Cardinals, Sesser would not have a one-of-a-kind field that is better than any field in the area. I am especially proud of this accomplishment for Sesser and I appreciate all of those diligent mothers who found this program and got involved to make things better for all of us.

Its no big deal that I am now an avid Cardinals fan, but my brother is undoubtedly happy as we no longer have that Cardinals/Cubs rivalry going on. Meeting CEO Bill DeWitt III of the Cardinals is undoubtedly among the top accomplishments I have had as Mayor of Sesser.  I got to tell him first hand of my conversion and as I made the switch i realized in an instant that it was the right thing to do.

Besides, 41 years is an awfully long time to carry a grudge! Go Cardinals!