It seems like Cardinals icons from 2006 are dropping left and right now, and Jim Edmonds has become another casualty to a rebuilding/re-tooling franchise. The move is a little easier to swallow now that we know that the Cardinals supposedly had the intent to let Edmonds fade into the Cardinal red sunset, albeit with diminished playing time. Edmonds wanted to go somewhere that would give him some assurance that he would get every opportunity to play everyday. According to STLToday.com:

The move came at Edmonds' request after he failed to receive assurances from the Cardinals' front office and manager Tony La Russa about his playing time next season. Edmonds' agent, Paul Cohen, contacted Mozeliak last month about his client's willingness to relinquish his no-trade protection if dealt to one of several teams.

Nevertheless, Jim Edmonds' legacy remains one of the finest in Cardinals history. Edmonds left the Cardinals tied for 27th in hits with Ken Reitz (1033), 15 behind Johnny Mize; 21st in doubles (234); 4th in home runs (241) behind Ken Boyer (255) and ahead of fellow outfielder Ray Lankford (228); 12th in RBIs (713); 7th in walks (645), 15 behind Rogers Hornsby; 3rd in strikeouts (1029) behind Lou Brock and Ray Lankford; 7th in OBP (.393) and SLG (.555); and 11th in extra base hits (486). There's no doubt Edmonds was and is an icon in Cardinals history in his eight seasons in St. Louis.

Jim Edmonds was best known for the theatrical, acrobatic, I'll-never-see-that-again catches that left him battered and bruised and fans wanting more. Numerous times he robbed home runs, dove head-first into the grass, and sniped a runner trying to score from third. He truly was an incredible player that was just as entertaining in the field as he was in the batter's box. The 2004 NLCS was without a doubt his finest series, when he hit both a clutch home run and an amazing catch in Game 7 against the Astros. I'm sure we all remember the scene:


Jim Edmonds will always be a Hall of Famer in my mind, but it's up to the voters to decide if Jimmy and his eight Gold Gloves, four All-Star games, Silver Slugger award, and multiple accomplishments while with the Cardinals is enough to merit a Hall of Fame vote. If Edmonds can get near to 400 home runs (he's at 362). I'd say he's a sure-vote. Until then, he remains as one of the greatest players in Cardinals history. As for baseball history? We'll find out.

You can tell the character Edmonds brought to the clubhouse by seeing his leadership after the deaths of Darryl Kile and Josh Hancock. Although there were tense moments between he and Tony, Jim never backed down from his role as a clubhouse mentor. Sure, he was a bit theatrical at times, but Jim never showed up anyone and played the game right. He came to play through pain and bruises (something J.D. Drew never learned from him), and gave it all in his territory - the center field grass. It'll be strange when a different face patrols that fresh green stage. I doubt anyone will play the part quite like the boy from Hollywood, but I think that's how it should be. Jimmy had his own style, perfected to the awe of Cardinals fans, and played the game how he wanted to play it. No need to remake this movie. Jimmy won an Academy Award.

I'm happy that Jim was able to win a World Championship with the Cardinals. I hope he never forgets the love and appreciation he received in St. Louis, because we will never forget him. Good luck, Jim. Here's to one of the greatest outfielders in Cardinals history.