A Tale Of Two Cities…And Owners

Sunday’s Cardinals victory over the Eagles was extremely bittersweet for me. Growing up in St. Louis as a child and son of a former Cardinals player, it was my duty to root for the hometown Big Red. Later upon moving to Kansas City, I became a Chiefs die-hard. My tale of two cities originates from these backgrounds.

Bill Bidwill and Stormy Bidwill, the adopted sons of Charles Bidwill, became the owners of Arlington Racetrack and the St. Louis Football Cardinals in 1962 upon the death of their mother Violet. The football Cardinals were originally from Chicago (where my dad played). They were moved to St. Louis in 1960 after playing second fiddle to the Bears in the Windy City. Ultimately, the brothers Bidwell divided their inheritance; Stormy who lived in Chicago kept the racetrack, Billy the Big Red. Thus a new era in poor ownership began.

Unlike Lamar Hunt, Bill relished in futility. While the Chiefs were building a Super Bowl Champion in the Western part of the Missouri, Bidwill struggled to field a competitive team. Decisions made by Bidwill were never about winning — only about making money. He drafted Joe Namath, then allowed him to sign with the Jets. His scouting department consisted of a man named Boone and a few of his cronies. They drafted such notables as Larry Stegent, Steve Pisarkiewicz and a kicker in first round — Steve Little. When attendence waned he hired Bill Wilkinson. Wilkinson was a famed Oklahoma coach who had been out of coaching for many years and was growing a little long in the tooth. Ultimately, he hired Don Coryell. But when he became tired of Air Coryell, he changed the locks on Busch Stadium rather than confront him directly. Bush moves like these at Bush stadium were not uncommon under Bidwell.

Eventually, his act grew thin with the people of St. Louis. Despite not ever hosting a home playoff game, he demanded a new stadium. He stated he could not compete with a lack of new facilities. He abruptly moved his franchise to Phoenix and Sun Devils Stadium at Arizona State, a complex which was anything but new. Once there, he began extorting the people of Arizona. He demanded a new stadium, threatening a move to yet another city — Los Angeles. A last-minute election victory resulted in approval of the plush new stadium which now sits in Glendale, Arizona.

Why the diatribe on Bill Bidwill? Because he represents the worst in ownership. He is cheap, disrespectful of the fans and has carpetbagged his franchise for decades. His victory Sunday was an accident. The first 9-7 team to make the Super Bowl. With all due respect to the Cardinal players and their fans, I cannot think of one owner less deserving to be in the winner’s circle on Super Bowl Sunday than Bidwill.

We are fortunate andshould be grateful to have such classy owners as the Hunt Family. My sincerest hope is that Clark Hunt stands in the winner’s circle before anyone from the Bidwill family does.