A vocal group of fans always assumed Jack Flaherty hated being with the St. Louis Cardinals. But Flaherty's actions prove otherwise.
Whether he's sticking up for teammates while cheering them on in the dugout, to becoming emotional in wanting to succeed for the Cardinals in Adam Wainwright's final season to his final act with the team Wednesday, Jack Flaherty cherished his time with the Cardinals.
Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reported this of Flaherty's' final act:
Certainly not the actions of someone who despised his time with the organization that drafted him.
Jack Flaherty and Oli Marmol had a connection
While Marmol kept the message in Flaherty's note private, it's clear that the manager appreciated what was said as he was reminded of why he loves coaching the players. Marmol told reporters the letter was meaningful and that baseball is "more than just the wins and losses. It's beyond the field, which is meaningful. I'll leave it at that."
Flaherty posted a video on his Instagram shortly after the trade thanking the fans, the city of St. Louis and the Cardinals organization.
Even in his first press availability with the Baltimore Orioles, he wasn't negative in his feelings about the Cardinals. He told the media that it's good to be on a team that is in the hunt for the playoffs. Andy Kostka of the Baltimore Banner reported Flaherty's comments, "There was a lot of promise in St. Louis; things didn't work out. Sometimes that's the way it goes. You can't do much about it, and now it's about moving forward."
Perfectly said.
There are no lies in Flaherty's comments. This season has not gone how the Cardinals hoped and moves were made. Flaherty is always one to discuss his mindset in a positive tone noting that it's about moving forward. He did not burn his bridges with the organization and it's easy to hope Flaherty and the Cardinals can reunite, if not this offseason maybe down the line.
