Jim Edmonds torches Cardinals after broadcasting exit: Not fun to be around

Jim Edmonds will not return to the St.Louis Cardinals television broadcast booth this upcoming season.“It’s not fun anymore,” Edmonds said Monday on ESPN 101’s “The Morning After” regarding his exit from FanDuel Sports Network Midwest, formerly known as Bally Sports Midwest.Edmonds, 54, spent eight seasons roaming center field for the Cardinals and 12 with their broadcasting team.

He is an inductee of the organization’s Hall of Fame.After 20 years around the organization, Edmonds thinks things have changed for the worse.“They don’t make you feel like you’re wanted to be around the stadium,” Edmonds said.“Everybody’s great … it’s just not the same.

It’s not the same organization.It’s not fun to be around.”Though Edmonds — a four-time All-Star and eight-time Gold Glover who won the 2006 World Series with the Cardinals — didn’t mince his words regarding his thoughts on where the organization stands, the departure was mutual.“My boss called me the other day and I didn’t answer the phone,” Edmonds said.

“I called him back the next day and I said, ‘The reason I didn’t answer the phone yesterday was because I really didn’t know what to say about this year — I’m not really sure I’m going to come back.'”“He goes, ‘I called to tell you that we don’t know if we’re going to have you back this year.'”Edmonds responded: “That is so awesome, you just made my decision for me.”While Edmonds noted his displeasure with the attitudes permeating the organization, he was also not particularly enjoying the broadcasting itself.“The game is so fast right now, you don’t even have time to talk.They don’t need two people in the booth.

It’s just commercial after commercial,” Edmonds said.“It’s not the same anymore.”Edmonds is no stranger to controversy as, most recently, he drew criticism in 2023 when discussing Native American sports team names.Broadcasting wasn’t Edmonds’ only endeavor a...