As we approach the half way point in this surprisingly competitive season, I felt it an opportune time to comment on my fellow Redbird fans that line the seats without fail game after game.  See, I love my Redbirds to a fault.  For seven months out of the year, my mood can accurately be predicted by glancing at the previous night’s box score.   However, I have been amused and befuddled by the oft heard distinction lauded on our local Redbird Nation by the national media- “best fans in baseball.”  The moniker begs the question: What makes a fan base "the best" and do Cardinals fans live up to those criteria?  

If being the best means being the most loyal, it only takes a cursory review of the attendance records at Busch Stadium during the lean 1970s to see an example of Cardinals fans falling short in that department.   What about knowledge?

We always hear how knowledgeable Cardinals fans are.  From my experience, there is a significant amount of Birds fans that are more well versed in lift kits on their pickup truck than Bob Forsch’s two no hitters.  After attending numerous games at Fenway Park and Yankee Stadium, I regret to inform our local patrons that this category is not really in dispute.  The quasi casual Red Sox fan can recite Jason Varitek's 2006 slugging percentage with relative ease.  

My belief is that we are called the best fans because of blind adulation.  Last season, Anthony Reyes could be sure to tip his inexplicably straight cap to a gaggle of standing fans clapping with acceptance after he left the bump in the 4th while surrendering six runs.  Visiting catchers get a rising applause after an above average snag in front of the

Cardinals dugout.  This is Cardinal Nation.  I, however, am a dissenter.  I am a maverick fan.  I believe that Bob Gibson would have rather kissed his sister than commended an adversary.  I feel our heroes donning the birds on the bat should be held to a higher standard.  It makes our praise mean more.  It makes it real. We should discriminate when it comes to our players. 

Frankly, J.D. Drew didn't deserve my applause, and that is why it meant something when David Eckstein did.  I love our city.  I love our Cardinals.   But, I value passion and intelligent analysis among the faithful over the belief in the infallibility of our ball club.  So, I implore you to hold our players, management and front office accountable for their actions- only then will we truly be deserving of the title "best fans in baseball."