The obvious choices for the Cardinals would be Paul Goldschmidt finally winning an MVP but falling short in each of the triple crown prongs. Some people think their ever-changing rookie class is a big deal or their mini-playoff excursion.

The most compelling story in St. Louis always was the finales for Albert Pujols and Yadier Molina (and secretly how Adam Wainwright fit in). Heading into the season, the idea that Pujols would seriously chase, reach and surpass 700 home runs was ludicrous. Yadi and Waino made things interesting by setting their own record along the way. Albert’s amazing second half captivated baseball when Aaron Judge wasn’t pursuing his own homer record.

As foreman of the jury, I’ll wait a couple years before I submit last year’s Cardinal rookie class to Cooperstown. Contrary to the public mythology, a single season does not a career make. See Harrison Bader, Tyler O’Neill, and Jon Jay.

The big story in Cleveland was Terry Francona and his young band of players. Other than White Sox fans, most of us appreciate their style of play and how Tito manages talent and personalities. As promising as Steven Kwan and Oscar Gonzalez appear to be, there is no guarantee they are anything more than prospects.

The Cubs other division rival, the Brewers had their own stories in 2022. The team’s failure to hit and score runs was a season long problem, but one player and how the team dealt with him was more impactful.

For the past couple of seasons, Milwaukee had to figure what they were going to deal with closer Josh Hader as he inched towards free agency. The team had to figure when to trade him for max value and remain competitive. This past July, Hader melted down and lost three games. Three games that they could ill afford to lose as STL was hot on their heels.

Rather than ride things out with the lefty reliever, they surprised everyone in the clubhouse and traded Hader to the Padres for four players (two of whom are gone without a whimper).

The team immediately ceded the division to the Cardinals and while Hader’s start in San Diego made the trade look sound (for about 17 minutes), it looked like a white flag trade. Things looked even worse when the Brewers lost out to the Padres for a spot in the postseason. Hader’s success in the postseason was more salt in the wound.

Both Robert Gasser and William Contreras might be positive contributors to future long-term success in Milwaukee, but it’s not that obvious to the folks north of the Cheese Curtain at present.

In subsequent posts, I’ll discuss some of the best national stories that I witnessed from afar and one of the better performances that I witnessed in person this past year.

Until then, have an enjoyable and safe NYE and a Happy and Healthy New Year!