Those of you with short memories may not remember when Cardinals fans began referring to the Mets as "pond scum" during a late-season series at Busch Stadium back in 1985, but it looks like that old term of endearment has been dusted off for this week's visit to St. Louis. Across from the new Busch, a dilapidated warehouse -- in the process of being turned into pricey lofts -- is sporting a banner that reads "Anybody Smell Pond Scum?"
It also happens to be right across from the Mets' team hotel, though it's doubtful that any current members of the club would take offense, other than broadcasters Keith Hernandez and Ron Darling.
Jumping forward to this decade, Cliff Floyd is back in tonight's lineup after his two-day "mental health" break in Milwaukee. Asked if the two days off would benefit his slumping leftfielder, manager Willie Randolph replied, "Sometimes it helps. Somtimes it doesn't mean [bleep]. If he goes 4-for-4, that will make me look smart, so get going Cliff."
Randolph also filled in the gaps for his rotation this week: Jose Lima on Thursday, followed by Jeremi Gonzalez for Friday's Subway Series opener at Shea.
Comments (13)
Calling us pond scum is a show of respect!!! They fear us. Like 1985, the Mets/Cards should have another good rivalry. Attention Willie Randolph, Wilpons, Omar, whoever is making this decision, please STOP wasting starts with Lima and either put Heilman in or trade now for a starting pitcher. I say let's show some confidence in the other bullpen guys and start Heilman!
It is time for for the usually mild mannered St. Louis Baseball Fans to resurrect the 1985 "Pond Scum" sentiment. With only percentage points separating New York (.632) and St. Louis (.615, these two wonderful organizations may be on a collision course for 2006 National League supremacy.
I have lived in St. Louis for a few years and they really hold on to the past there. The pond scum has its originations with a local morning DJ, who is so bad I won't even name him (the less mentions of him the better). The fact this guy still has a job is a testimony that St. Louis people can't let the past slip gracefully away. The Pond Scum reference was, obviously, a jab at the mid 80's 'Mazins. Why? Cause the Mets beat them consistently and they were still sore about losing Hernandez. With the sucky teams the Mets put up in the last decade, minus the WS team, the Pond Scum reference just became silly. Now that the Mets are back to their glory, the people of St. Louis will dredge this up again. There is no originality in St. Louis. Don't even get me started on provel (Not provelone!) cheese.
Cards fan here. I just wanted to say it would be great to get the old rivalry up and going again. It probably won't be the same since we're no longer in the same division, but it would be fun again.
BTW, that Pond Scum thing is all in good fun. I wouldn't take it seriously. And yeah, that DJ is a clown. Then again, he's a Cub fan.
I thought the Pond Scum thing originated with a comment on the Letterman show about Mookie Wilson. I recall being in a bar in St. Louis in '85 watching a Mets-Cards game where one have of the bar was changing "Tastes Great" and the other half chanting "Pond Scum" back. I got the last laugh, though when HoJo hit a game winning home run of Todd Worrell.
I think tensions between the two teams ran much higher then since the were in the same division.
Ahh. I miss those days. I am from STL and I must agree with James. We love the past. So much so that it has destroyed our city's future.
When I was a kid (1980's) I was brought up to hate one team...no not the Cubs. I was told that under no circumstances was I ever to root or even respect the Mets. My dad hated them and so I hated them. And I still do, but in a fun way. We aren't ridiculous the way, NY Y and Boston folks are. We just love to see our team win, and like James said we lost a ton of games to the Pond Scum up north.
I am glad it is back. I just wish Tony Larussa would check Delgado's bat every time up, the way Whitey used to do that to HOJO. I used to love that!
I hate the METS and I love PROVEL, Ted Drewes, and the old Busch Stadium!
The Mets will always be Pond Scum! Go Cards!!!!
Hi,
Looking for someone with an interesting story about those pond scum days. If you're still in St. Louis and have photos/memorabilia/t-shirts, etc., contact Channel 4. 314 444-6366.
I don't care what team was called what name 20 years ago. They are an obscure little coastal town in the state of New York. They make fun of midwesterners saying, "Of course they are heavy into sports, there is nothing else to do there.", but then they become conspicuously silent when the fact that they have at least two teams of every major professional sport in their town is brought to light. So many convicted felons make up former members of both of their baseball teams, the signs in Central Park have been changed to read "Keep ON Grass". The fan-base, the teams, the history...none of it is even worth discussing. A here and now statement is in the only thing that is in order: I'm guessing Weaver for game one.
Pond Scum is about to get scooped out of the playoffs tonight. Go Cards!!!!!!
History lesson 101
Cards- 9 world series wins, 16 pennants
Mets- 2 world series wins, 4 pennants
whos the better club?
James, WTF?
sore about losing Hernandez? We figured the coke was better in NY, and he'd have a bunch of team mates to snort it up with.
Provel cheese? C'mon, cheap shot number 2 from you James.
You can find the REAL Imos pizza, try finding the original Ray's.
before you were "pond scum", you were "loveable losers".
you are now both.
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