Why Jim Edmonds is a hitting coach trapped in a color analyst's body
He made another ass of himself on Sunday, and it made national outlets.
Jim Edmonds made a living adding drama to an already competent baseball skill set. In countless at-bats when a pitch came too far inside, he whipped his body out of the zone aggressively. He played shallow in the outfield, and never missed an opportunity to go all out on a diving catch. He added emotion after big home runs.
So, his whiny remarks about Christopher Morel, a young Cubs player enjoying a power-jacked season, don’t land too well. Jimmy Baseball could have applied for Academy Awards with some of the shit he did on a baseball field. He was a great player, but he added a thick layer of drama to his game. Morel cracked his second home run of the afternoon, giving him a sweet 18 on the year before the break, late in a blowout game. Edmonds took exception.
“This kid’s celebration is a joke. I don’t mind saying it at all… You’re a .229 hitter in the big leagues and you’re running around like you’re Barry Bonds.”
First, stop using batting average as a table setter in analysis, Captain know-it-all. While the kid’s power stats are down from his impressive 2023 campaign, he still has those 18 home runs. His celebration was a little animated, following another home run in a game that helped them split the series. All Cards-Cubs games involve animated celebrations and a unique attitude; it’s a fucking rivalry after all.
Should the Cubs color analyst spew his sorrow when Willson Contreras lays on the emotion after a home run? Nope. Pipe down, Jimmy. He’s not Barry Bonds, but he’s on pace for close to 40 home runs in an off-year. Pick another guy, someone with a softer bat. When did Jimmy Ballgame grow allergic to some theatrics?
But that wasn’t the worst part. The fan who caught the Morel home run had caught a homer earlier, and got some camera time. A husky but not fat or obese fella, Edmonds made a remark about him taking up a lot of room in the row of seats. Whether you think it’s funny or not, it shouldn’t come out of an analyst’s mouth on a broadcast. It’s immature, weak, and unprofessional.
Mike Shannon got a little blunt towards the end of his radio career and life, but there’s no sleaze attached and the Moon Man earned it. Edmonds is an annoying bro who found his way into a broadcast booth due to his on-field success. While he’s grown to be better than the now-too-syrupy Brad Thompson, Edmonds still finds new ways to make his poor on-air partner, Chip Caray, cringe.
Here’s the thing. Edmonds isn’t useless off the field; he’s just in the wrong spot. Make him a hitting coach, and ditch whoever is down there trying to teach hitting. Edmonds played on several teams, both leagues and had a stellar six-year run in the big leagues. He has a red coat, and can break down hitting like few other Cards color analysts. In a profession whose impact is often overrated, he could have an effect on young hitters.
He’s also a bro, and talks like an alpha bro. The comment about the fan’s weight, his recent text thread, and whatever else slips into his entitled brain could easily flow in a hot dugout full of grown men playing a child’s game. It would create laughter, ease the pain of losses, and mix in well with the age group. Little he could say would offend Miles Mikolas; they may even have a podcast.
A Quick Word: You can dislike Jim Edmonds' commentary without hating the guy
Jim Edmonds was once a pretty good color analyst for Bally Sports Midwest, back in the day when it was called Fox Sports Midwest. He’s not that good anymore. This is possible. It’s quite alright for a St. Louis Cardinals fan to point out that a man paid very well isn’t that good at his job. Edmonds should be used to the burn from his playing days, where his moves and production were critiqued and discussed. But instead of wondering how many home runs he can hit or how many fly balls he can track down in center, it’s Jimmy Ballgame’s television commentary that is getting broken down.
Edmonds really doesn’t belong in the booth, at least with Caray, whom he has little to zero chemistry with on the air. Dan McLaughlin could walk a straight line as a lead play-by-play, but he had a versatile sense of humor that could easily volley with Edmonds’ more ludicrous moments. A simple “oh, Jimmy” would have put him in his place. Caray acts like the uncle who isn’t sure why his nephew shit in the pool.
Maybe I’m wrong, but the national consensus isn’t too pleased. We’re not talking about social media, but national new outlets posting articles about Edmonds. It’s a bad look, Jimmy. A man who loved theatrics making a crack about a young player’s theatrics, and then a hit on a paying fan’s weight.
Make. Him. The. Hitting. Coach.
I’d love for him to become a hitting coach and get him out of the booth. I just lose all respect for him with some of those comments he makes!
As we’ve discussed at length, I’m not a big fan of Edmonds in the booth (although I think Thompson is even worse - we disagree there). I didn’t watch the broadcast and your article is the first I’ve heard of the controversy. Many old guys are put off by brash young guys celebrating (the “unwritten rules”) and many of those same guys haven't updated their joke filter to fit the times. It’s not a great look, but there’s dozens of those guys in and around the game. I don’t find either quote to be particular noteworthy but I suspect they’ll eventually accumulate enough to cost him his job. That said, arrogant or not, I think he belongs in the hall of fame (the real one, not the shitty local red jacket thing.)