Ask Buffa Anything: Who is the face of STL sports at the moment, and who is my favorite actor?
You asked the questions, and I answered.
Does St. Louis have a solo sports face right now? Does he have big forearms?
Who is my favorite actor?
How will St. Louis use the settlement money from the Stan Kroenke illegal Rams move?
I can’t say I am qualified to answer all of these questions, but I am going to give it my best shot. Grab a cup of coffee, and settle in for the latest mailbag. I am still disappointed no one has asked me about whether or not I wear boxers or briefs. While that rumination spreads, let’s get started before the temperature shifts another 20-30 degrees. Questions will be highlighted in BOLD.
From my awesome Uncle Bobby Buffa: Who is your favorite actor, and musical group?
Sylvester Stallone and Denzel Washington used to be stuck in a tie for this spot, but they now share ownership of the 2-3 spots. Jon Bernthal is my favorite, and Jon Hamm may be close behind him and the others. I’ve loved pretty much everything Bernthal has done, and he has an incredible range. HBO’s We Own This City, Sweet Virginia, The Punisher, The Wolf of Wall Street, and Fury. He’s just a damn fine actor who always puts in great work, no matter the size of the part. Think of the hit show on Hulu, The Bear, where he is playing a dead character who pops up once a season. All you want is for him to come back and have a scene or two. That’s true talent.
Dave Matthews Band remains my top band. They are stellar live, can jam like no other, and Dave writes great songs that connect emotionally. I proposed to my wife at their show, and continue to see them when they’re in town. I even ventured to Wrigley Field to see them.
From Gary Lebcowitz: Do you believe the Blues should trade Buchnevich, or keep him and make a push for the playoffs, or be sellers and try to plan for a run next year and sell sell sell?
At this point, they need to sell unless it’s building for a future run. While I’d like them to go after a Brady Tkachuk-type, that would be a longtime build move since he’s under contract through 2027-28. The struggle with Buch is that he is such a machine on the ice, and would be hard to replace. In a perfect world, they keep him and get Tkachuk, and next year is a fresh race. But with their recent slide, I’d say sell off as much as you can. Maybe acquire Brady or someone else in the offseason.
From my lovely South City pal, Satyen Vora: Who is the face of STL sports right now?
Paul Goldschmidt. It’s kind of a transitional period in St. Louis sports for “faces.” While he’s not an outspoken leader, he’s a genuine elite baseball player who does a lot of good work in the community. “Goldy” keeps his head down, has been around for 5-6 years, and isn’t going anywhere. I fully expect him to retire here. Without Yadi or Waino, it’s Goldschmidt or Jordan Binnington.
From Mr. Vora as well: Who is the best entertainer from STL history?
Another tough one from my Brentwood alumni friend. Sorry, Cedric, but it’s not him. While it’s easy to say Nelly or Sterling K. Brown, I’m going with Jon Hamm. He’s a great movie/television actor who was the lead of a hit show, and he has kept good ties and relations since his meteoric rise to fame. Adam Wainwright could also rack up some points due to his humor, candidness, community presence, and really because he’s officially an entertainer now with a country music album release.
From Sam Gregory: Blu Ray or HD DVD?
I love the picture quality, sound, and presentation of the Blu Ray disc. HD is great, but I think the Blu Ray brings that to the table with a more precise experience for the viewer.
From Chris Barr: A Dose of Buffa: How will St. Louis eventually use the Enos Kroenke Rams Settlement $ ?
I hope to fix the roads, pay teachers and police more, and genuinely try to fix the city’s worst habits. If we expect cops to put their life on the line, giving them more cash would be the incentive to do a more complete and better job. But seriously, pay teachers and pay for school security. While I like teachers getting training to handle firearms, you want experience in a hostile situation. Will the money go to any of these things? Probably not, but that’s my take.
From Brian Weidler: Do the Blues go defense or forward with their first-round pick? The defense prospect pool still needs a little building up, but there are probably half a dozen forwards who will be available, and would be excellent picks, in the middle of the first round...
I go forward all the way. The Blues need to find defense help on the market, especially in a trade. If they don’t go heavy on a guy like Brady Tkachuk, find the next Brady. I do think their drafting has gotten better. This team has a scoring problem at the moment, so get the forward help.
From Robert Thornton: Australian sport will be conquering Las Vegas this weekend. Do you think it’ll be a big success? Also, what do the Cardinals have to do to improve from last year for the upcoming season?
I think it will crush in Vegas. People are starved for sports action there. The Cardinals need more innings from their starters, and for Oliver Marmol to manage the bullpen better. You do that, and the offense will take care of itself with the big bats of Goldschmidt, Nolan Arenado, Nolan Gorman, and Jordan Walker.
From Ryan Patrick: Do you think baseball is dying out? And if it is, how do you think we can get fans to love the game again?-A Die Hard baseball fan
I don’t think it’s dying out. Last year, they grossed a revenue of over $11.5 billion dollars. The sport is still thriving, but the rule changes and constant tinkering aren’t helping. The lockout was a big hit, but the league seemed to rebound the past three seasons.
Having said that, they need to stop fucking with the rules and let it be. Promote the players and get the interactive atmosphere thriving. When Anthony Rizzo was mic’d up during a spring game, that was hilarious. Something more along those measures could help. Baseball is making money, but they’re still behind other major sports. The NHL has a bigger reach problem than baseball, in my opinion.
From Joe Hanrahan: Isn't Crawford a great sign for the Cardinals. In terms of, they have avoided, like the plague, over the past few years, adding any quality veterans for depth. Maybe this is Chaim Bloom's influence?
I like the Crawford move a lot. One year for $2 million, and you get a team player who can genuinely help Masyn Winn and give the team protection at that position. It also allows Tommy Edman to focus on the outfield, where he is effective.
From Linda, my South City Buffa family member: Do you think adding these older players will make a difference for the Cardinals? Who should we add to lineup this year: a shortstop, pitcher, outfielder or do we need more players?
Another starter would be great. I have faith in Winn becoming a pretty solid player, but he needs a presence like Crawford and time to get into the position and make it his. An outfielder would work, but they have plenty of those still. It won’t happen, but Jordan Montgomery signing here would be a roster equalizer. That’s a dreamy thought at the moment, though.
From Gene Glass: Favorite Italian spot not on the Hill.
Trattoria Marcella, right off Pernod and Watson Road. The food is exquisite, the atmosphere is just as potent as the Hill, and the people are awesome. Pay them a visit during happy hour.
From Tyler Byers: Are true “movie stars” a thing of the past?
Yes and no. I don’t think there are as many, but they do exist. Tom Cruise is the bigger scale, but people like Jason Statham are also box office champs. Put another guy in The Beekeeper, and it doesn’t do as well. Emily Blunt is a growing female star who brings people in. But the streaming and overloaded release schedule does take away from the golden era of the 90s and 2000s.
From Kevin Becks: Favorite snow day activity?
Watching my dogs run around in it, especially my pit bull. Other than that, having a good, old fashioned movie day where at least 2-3 can be viewed. I haven’t gone to Art Hill in a while for sledding, but that would be fun too. I’m just lazy.
From Richard Wilson: What's your favorite TV show from the 60's, 70's, 80's and 90's. PS: I know you weren't around that far back, but syndication...
1960s: Gilligan’s Island and Bewitched. I watched countless episodes as a kid.
1970s: The Rockford Files. My dad watched a whole lot of that show, and I enjoyed it.
1980s: Saved By The Bell. It was stupid, addictive television after school.
1990s: E.R. and THE SOPRANOS, even if they came in late. George Clooney, Anthony Edwards, and Eriq La Salle were genuine Doctors to me. I did La Salle’s fist bump so many times when it was about to come on, and I watched it with my mother.
Baseball isn’t dying out; it is being actively strangled by the commissioner.