PurpleReign
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Back in 1987, Bill Bidwill, owner of the St. Louis Cardinals, toyed with the idea of moving his team to Baltimore. To us here in Charm City, it seemed like a perfect fit. We would be in the NFC East along with the (hated) Redskins, the neighboring Eagles, and just up the road, the New York Giants. At that time the NFC East was the best division in the NFL.
Also, I thought that the Cardinals' uniforms were pretty good looking in a classic way.
He actually came here two or three times to meet with city officials. I remember on one of those visits he took one of those heavily orchestrated "whirlwind tours" of the city. There were crowds and cheerleaders and speeches and so forth.
Anyway, long story short, Baltimore rolled out the red carpet for Billy Boy, and the town got real hyped. I even went out and bought a "Baltimore Cardinals" sweatshirt and sweatpants set (I still have them). I'm not sure how close it was, but we were all excited for a few weeks, and then a few months later, the Phoenix announcement came.
Baltimore remained out of the NFL for another 9 years, then we got the Browns, and as it turned out, Art Modell had himself a pretty good Player Personnel staff, and the sense to shut up and let them do their jobs. A few great drafts and one great Head Coach later, Baltimore has a Super Bowl, and Billy Boy's still running the Cards into the ground. The Cardinals even got dissed by Homer Simpson ("The Tale of Two Springfields", Original Airdate: 05/11/2000).
All in all, I'd have to say Baltimore got darned lucky in 1987.
Also, I thought that the Cardinals' uniforms were pretty good looking in a classic way.
He actually came here two or three times to meet with city officials. I remember on one of those visits he took one of those heavily orchestrated "whirlwind tours" of the city. There were crowds and cheerleaders and speeches and so forth.
Anyway, long story short, Baltimore rolled out the red carpet for Billy Boy, and the town got real hyped. I even went out and bought a "Baltimore Cardinals" sweatshirt and sweatpants set (I still have them). I'm not sure how close it was, but we were all excited for a few weeks, and then a few months later, the Phoenix announcement came.
Baltimore remained out of the NFL for another 9 years, then we got the Browns, and as it turned out, Art Modell had himself a pretty good Player Personnel staff, and the sense to shut up and let them do their jobs. A few great drafts and one great Head Coach later, Baltimore has a Super Bowl, and Billy Boy's still running the Cards into the ground. The Cardinals even got dissed by Homer Simpson ("The Tale of Two Springfields", Original Airdate: 05/11/2000).
All in all, I'd have to say Baltimore got darned lucky in 1987.
