Jim Edmonds didn’t hold back when he called it quits with the St. Louis Cardinals’ broadcast team. In a bold interview on 101 ESPN, the former center fielder laid it all out—saying the once-proud culture of the organization has definitely changed, and not for the better. For years, the Cardinals’ tight-knit culture was a hallmark of the team, something that set them apart from other franchises. 

But since the COVID-19 pandemic, Edmonds says, it feels like that special vibe has slipped away. This is big. For years, Edmonds has been synonymous with the Cardinals’ identity. So when he says the team’s culture isn’t what it used to be, you have to wonder: is this the beginning of a larger shift for the franchise, or is it just a case of growing pains post-pandemic? 

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In an interview with 101 ESPN radio, Jim Edmonds said, “I haven’t gone really down to spring training in the last couple years. It’s, it’s just not, it’s not fun anymore. It’s just different; it’s a different atmosphere now and it just, it it definitely is. We’re definitely aware as a group that we’re not really wanted around there anymore,” further adding, “I love Ollie, the DeWitts; I have so much respect for Mo, everybody’s great, but somehow indoors in the inner inner circle, it’s just not the same, it’s not same organization.” 

Jim Edmonds’ departure from the Cardinals isn’t just about a shift in the team’s culture—it’s also about the deep emotional connection he had with the legends who once made that clubhouse feel like home. With the loss of icons like Bob Gibson and Lou Brock, Edmonds has found himself facing a team that no longer feels like the one he played for. As he puts it, walking into that clubhouse and seeing guys like Gibson with all their history and wisdom was something special. But now, with those legends gone, Edmonds says the environment has shifted. 

A beloved figure in St. Louis is stepping away from the broadcast booth 

Jim Edmonds confirmed that he won’t return for the 2025 Cardinals season. Edmonds, who has been the commentator for Cardinals broadcasts since 2016, has been a steady presence alongside former TV voice Dan McLaughlin and Chip Caray. His insightful commentary and deep connection to the team made him a fan favorite, offering a unique perspective as someone who’d been a key part of the Cardinals’ playoff runs in the early 2000s, including their 2006 World Series title.

Edmonds’ decision to part ways with the broadcast team marks the end of an era for Cardinals fans who’ve gotten used to hearing his voice during the season. FanDuel Sports Network, which took over the broadcast rights, thanked Edmonds for his decade-long contributions, saying they wished him the best moving forward. Edmonds will always be remembered as a key player in the Cardinals’ success during the mid-2000s.

A three-time All-Star and two-time MVP finalist, he became a household name in St. Louis and was inducted into the Cardinals Hall of Fame in 2014. His return to the Cardinals in 2011 to retire as a Cardinal only solidified his status as a franchise legend. As the team gears up for the 2025 season with pitchers and catchers reporting in mid-February, fans will undoubtedly feel Edmonds’ absence—both in the booth and in the heart of the organization.