The Forgotten Redbird

by Mad Lithuanian on Aug 4, 2005 10:51 AM EDT

Front page of the sports section of the Post-Dispatch today has a photo of Taguchi tipping his cap last night. But also in the photo is a redbird veteran, a dare-I-say-integral member of the team for more than 25 years, and someone I haven't seen discussed on this site. I refer, of course, to Fredbird, dancing a jig on the dugout roof.

Whenever I see Fredbird, I smile. His antics are hilarious, the kids love him, and man can he fire a t-shirt into the crowd in the 8th inning.

But I have to admit, I didn't always hold this opinion. In his early years, when I was a rookie, I despised him: unfunny, stupid, embarrassing, I thought.

Clearly, there's a better brand of Fredbird these days, or so I claim. My sister, on the other hand, says I've gotten soft in my dotage. Can anyone set her straight?

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HA!

This is a funny entry. I used to absolutely HATE Fredbird--we used to scream "Wad-Head" at him when he'd make his usual late-inning appearances in the bleachers. Maybe it is that we're just getting old and soft, but I too get a kick out of him now. Is it that the current Fredbird is "better"? Much as I hate to agree with your sister about our encroaching dotage, there's only so much the guy in the suit can do, and as far as I can recall he's been doing the same things since the beginning. Now, those "slingshot girls" who dance with him while firing the T-shirts--there's a welcome addition for (male) fans of any age!

by rockin redbird on Aug 4, 2005 11:50 AM EDT reply actions

he was an embarrassment

for years and years --- when did he get edgy? if it's true i'm glad to hear it . . . .

re dotage, i'm getting much crabbier, not softer, as i age. come back here in a few years and this blog will be called "Viva El Go F**k Yourself."

and i'll be sitting in a fredbird suit as a write it

by lboros on Aug 4, 2005 1:39 PM EDT reply actions

that may be

your funniest comeback yet, boros! I'm still chuckling. At least Fredbird isn't that creepy giant friar the Padres have--when he does that belly rubbing thing, catholic boys across the nation run screaming for their mothers.

by rockin redbird on Aug 4, 2005 2:38 PM EDT reply actions

Kitsch factor...

with Freddie. As a kid, I was keenly aware that there is a person inside the costume. Now...eh...if the kids like him and he stays out of my way during the game I have no problem with him.

I'm pretty sure I high fived him at my last Cards game.

by Brock20 on Aug 4, 2005 3:10 PM EDT reply actions