It's always fun to read the opinions of local fans because there is just so much unintentional humor that comes to the surface. Will the Cardinals acquire A-Rod this offseason? Is it true that Dick Vermeil is coaching the Rams next year? Are the Blues retiring Harold Snepsts' mustache? Fun times in the STL, indeed.


Let's examine the two sound off letters from today's Post-Dispatch sports section.


"I'm thrilled Kevin Slaten is back on the air. While I don't always agree with his viewpoint or the manner in which he delivers it, at least he gives a different viewpoint than the others who are on the radio now - especially on 1380 AM. It seems like they have become the electronic version of the Post-Dispatch. I have recently turned off everything on there except Martin Kilcoyne's show. Every other local show simply is the Post-Dispatch regurgitated."


Opinions like these are always fun because they assume that a "different opinion" is the right one. Our writer would rather have Slaten's robust, different opinion than that of a rational human being. There are two ways to look at a "sports opinion".


1. Through its validity.

2. Through its entertainment value.


Slaten understands that second aspect and that's where people like our writer find him "entertaining". The problem with this form of entertainment is that it shows laziness and a complete lack of originality. This isn't 1993. Sports fans are more informed than ever and see through the theatrics of angry man yelling via the airwaves. It's insulting and grows tiresome after five minutes.


The Sound Off letter continues...


"At least Slaten will give us a viewpoint that differs from the insiders opinion. I am sure he will not be telling us how successful the Cardinals were this season finishing in fourth place like Bernie Miklasz has been doing. That kind of homer opinion is why I have recently turned off the station recently. Miklasz claims to be a rabble rouser and says he stirs things up and goes after the local teams, but if you listen to him carefully, he whines for a minute and then in the next sentence says how much he loves the local owners. It is very transparent." - Tim Samuels, Fenton


If you were to take a poll of educated Cardinals fans, I'm willing to bet 75% of them would agree that 2008 was a successful season for the Cardinals. While they finished in fourth place, they had a better record the Dodgers, winners of the NL West and the team vying for the NLCS against the Phillies.


And far be it for me to speak on behalf of Bernie Miklasz, but I don't think he or anyone else has ever argued that Miklasz is a "rabble rouser" or "stirs the pot". He writes with the voice of a rational human being striving for the truth rather than shock value. He definitely talks up his affection for John Davidson and the other's though; I'll grant you that.
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"It is nice to be able to see the Greatest Show on Turf once again. The only difference now is that I have to tune in to Kurt Warner and the Arizona Cardinals to see it." - Steve Beauchamp, St. Louis


When I read the first sentence, I immediately thought our friend Steve was referring to the Missouri Tigers. That would at least be passable. Alas, a 30 year old Edgerrin James is elusive like Marshall Faulk. I never got the memo.


The legend of Kurt Warner lives on in disgruntled STL Fan-dom. It always will.


Join us again next time for another rousing installment of Thoughts from the Message Board.