The Cardinals need third base coach Jose Oquendo in more ways than I realized until a small flame was officially placed Friday on Mike Matheny’s suddenly warm seat.
Matheny’s coaching staff and the players got a tad too comfortable in recent years, failing to demand excellence in the way Hall of Fame manager Tony La Russa demanded from all of his coaches and players.
Matheny's coaching staff and the players have never recovered from Oquendo's decision to leave the team in spring training in 2016 for health reasons.
Oquendo's departure left a huge void, and it was evident in poor defensive play and a lack of accountability.