Former Cardinals star an intriguing wild card in managerial search

After the shocking firing of St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Shildt, names are already floating around for replacements, including a former Cardinals star.

Despite a historic winning streak and a promising postseason run, Mike Shildt is out of St. Louis.

The decision sent shockwaves through MLB Twitter, with baseball fans speculating what the “philosophical difference” was that apparently got Shildt fired.

With Shildt out, the team is moving in a new direction, and names are already circulating as to whom his replacement might be.

One long shot idea that Jeff Passan believes could work in St. Louis? Bringing back Cardinals star Matt Holliday. Although Holliday only retired in 2018, the 41-year-old’s knowledge and familiarity of the organization gives him an edge over the competition. Plus, coaching runs in his blood: both his father Tom and older brother Josh have lengthy careers as baseball coaches.

Former Cardinals star Matt Holliday could become the team’s new skipper

Retired left outfielder Matt Holliday played in the MLB for 15 years, playing his first four with the Colorado Rockies after they drafted him in 2004. Holliday would go on to play for three teams before returning to the Rockies for his final 2018 season. Holliday was with the Cardinals from 2009 to 2016, his longest stretch with a team in his career.

Holliday saw the team through many successes, including

In 2014, Holliday enjoyed many personal successes with the Cardinals, including his fifth NLCS appearance, his 400th double and his 1,000th career RBI and run scored. After battling a thumb injury in 2016, Holliday’s contract option was not picked up by the Cardinals, and the star slugger went instead to the Yankees.

But Holliday, who is now the hitting and outfielding coach for Josh at Oklahoma State University, is now following in the family footsteps as another OSU baseball coach.

As a player, Holliday knew how to get the Cardinals to the postseason. Believing he can do so as a manger from a clan of baseball coaches is certainly an interesting idea.