MLB.com Cardinals Writer John Denton - Segment 3 6-28-24

·40 min·3 clips

Bernie wrote a column calling the 1989 World Series boring hours before the San Francisco earthquake hit.

The episode opens with Bernie Miklasz setting up a delayed interview with John Denton and mentioning a listener request to retell a story. Bernie recounts his experience covering the 1989 World Series between Oakland and San Francisco. He describes writing a column calling the series boring the night before Game 3, only for a major earthquake to strike Candlestick Park just before the game. Bernie details the harrowing moments in the upper deck, where he thought he might die as the stadium swayed. He explains how he later wrote his story using a primitive Radio Shack device in his car but struggled to transmit it due to downed phone lines. Bernie then tells how he ventured into the Hunter's Point neighborhood, paid locals to find a working phone line, and eventually filed his story while sharing beers with a family. After a break, John Denton joins to discuss Gordon Graceffo's promotion to the Cardinals bullpen, sparked by a game situation involving Dylan Carlson. Denton shares an anecdote about Graceffo impressing during a 2022 live batting practice. The conversation shifts to the Cardinals' season at the halfway mark, with Denton praising the bullpen and the decision to limit Ryan Helsley to one-inning appearances. He notes offensive struggles but acknowledges breakout performances from players like Alec Burleson and Mason Winn. Denton expresses skepticism about the sustainability of the team's 26-15 hot streak, citing pitching depth concerns and injuries. He discusses the disappointing seasons of Nolan Arenado, Paul Goldschmidt, and Nolan Gorman, suggesting Gorman might need a demotion to Memphis. Bernie adds statistics on Gorman's poor performance. The episode wraps with Bernie finishing his earthquake story, including covering the aftermath and meeting President George H.W. Bush. He thanks listeners and colleagues, announces the end of his show on 590 The Fan, and previews a future YouTube channel.

As heard by us

A World Series earthquake memory frames a careful look at whether the Cardinals' turnaround is built to hold.

The episode works best as a pairing of memory and measure. It starts with the host looking back on covering the 1989 World Series during the Northern California earthquake, beginning with a night at Lefty O'Goole's before Game 3, then shifts into the more current question of…

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Why you'd press play

You get Bernie retelling his 1989 World Series earthquake story, then settling into the Cardinals' 26-15 question: is this run real?

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