New team, new town
The day that I was traded, we were in New York after coming in from the West Coast. So I got up pretty late because it was still pretty early on the West Coast. I got a text from my agent that said that it was getting close, that I was close to being traded to the Cardinals and he would let me know. He was about to get on a plane.
Not long after that, I got a text from Billy Beane to call him. So I called Billy Beane, and he informed me that they had traded me to the Cardinals and somebody from the Cardinals would be getting in touch with me about the logistics of getting to Philly that night. I was in the lineup and they were going to try to get me there as quickly as possible.
So from there, I basically went and said goodbye to some of the guys from the A’s and talked to the clubbies about how I was going to get some of my stuff there. They set me up on a train. So we packed all of our stuff and took a cab over to the train station and got on the train. A little over an hour later, we were in Philly. A car picked us up, took me right to the stadium and took my family to the hotel. I went straight in, got dressed, met with the media a little bit, went out and took batting practice, came in, got changed and played the game. So it was a little bit hectic. There was a lot going on. It was a full day.
After that, we came home to St. Louis, and being here has been fun. We’ve played two tough opponents so far in the Dodgers and Astros. We played four tight games against the Dodgers and won three of them, so it’s been fun. It’s been fun to go out and play at Busch Stadium. It’s been pretty exciting.
The fan reaction has been great. You never expect that kind of reception, but it doesn’t surprise me. The fans here are very knowledgeable about baseball and very into the game. It’s a great atmosphere here. Even when I was an opponent, the atmosphere here was great. It could be a regular-season midweek game against the Rockies, and there was still a great buzz around the field. So it’s been everything I thought it would be and more.
Matt's Blog 
I can only imagine how hectic things have been, but what an amazing week of baseball you’ve played. As a die-hard fan, I’m so happy to have you as part of the team and appreciate all your great play so far (and look forward to plenty more of it).
It has been great having another committed ball player on this team. We have great respect for Matt’s talents and hope this can translate into a real home for him and his family. I recently watched the Cards-Nationals game in Washington and it looked like there were 1,000 people in the stands. We take the game serious. We love having Matt Holliday. Lets bring home a championship..
Go Cards.
It’s great to have you as a Cardinal. Keep up the great work!
Hey Matt, thanks for all of the great moments in Cardinals history you’ve already provided. It’s truly been a whirlwind of joy that you’ve brought to not only Cardinal Nation, but throughout the city itself. Even the most avid of fans are so excited you’re here; you’re literally the talk of the town. Congratulations.
As any former Cardinal will tell you, once you’ve spent a few years in our city, you will always have a home away from home where you will be respected as a hero in our city’s history. We truly hope that you choose to become the next great Cardinal for years to come. You’re the hero that we both want and need.
Good luck throughout the season, and enjoy the tasty eats around the city. Might I recommend some Ted Drewe’s Frozen Custard for desert?
Hey Matt, thanks for all of the great moments in Cardinals history you’ve already provided. It’s truly been a whirlwind of joy that you’ve brought to not only Cardinal Nation, but throughout the city itself. Even the most avid of fans are so excited you’re here; you’re literally the talk of the town. Congratulations.
As any former Cardinal will tell you, once you’ve spent a few years in our city, you will always have a home away from home where you will be respected as a hero in our city’s history. We truly hope that you choose to become the next great Cardinal for years to come. You’re the hero that we both want and need.
Good luck throughout the season, and enjoy the tasty eats around the city. Might I recommend some Ted Drewe’s Frozen Custard for dessert?
Matt, welcome back to the NL! You’re gonna love playing in the Central… travel is better, rivalries are great… the atmosphere & the curtain calls all season long at Busch! Have fun creating a new chapter in a Cardinal history! Now, let’s get to the playoffs!
Welcome to St Louis! If you think the fans are fun now – can’t wait to read your blog after your first Cub-Card series.
I have really enjoyed watching you, Lugo and DeRosa. And better yet, so has my 86-year-old father. He was in a car accident a year ago and we were finally able to get him moved back to St Louis from Florida. His life changed drastically that one day – but the best thing is that he now can watch EVERY Cardinal game. and he does. I have to take the monthly schedule, enlarge and but the tv channel on it – but it is worth every second I spend.
He taught me how to be a Cardinal fan and I am grateful he gets to enjoy you all so much.
Thank you for your great, play hard all the time attitude.
Mr. Holliday,
Welcome to Baseball Heaven. Enjoy your stay. We all hope it will be a long one.
Matt, welcome to Cardinal Nation! It’s obvious that you “play like a Cardinal”! And thanks for writing this blog, fans really appreciate reading about what players are thinking without it first going through the media. Keep up the great work! GO CARDS!!
Hey, hope you enjoy it in St. Louis. I must admit, I was jealous of Cardinals fans when I heard you had been traded to them. I’m sure the A’s fans are all going to miss you, I know how it feels, but at the same time, the Cardinals fans are over-joyed to have you, I bet. Good luck with everything! http://tribechick.mlblogs.com/ -TC
Hey Big Daddy,
That 1st interview in the Cards dugout spoke volumes. It was really great to see how happy you were to be there. After seeing the interviews in Oakland it’s good to see you with a smile on your face again. You’re performance on the team so far is further proof that you like being there. Way to go Matt, I wish you nothing but happiness in your time with the Cards.
Hey Matt, I’m really glad you’re a Cardinal, especially since you are an Okie like me (I live in Norman). We Cardinal fans sure hope you like our city as much as we do and hope you’ll want to stay a while. Now that you’re in St. Louis, you have to try their toasted ravioli, Charlie Gitto’s is my favorite. My grandpa and I just got back from our annual trip to St. Louis and got to see you’re first 3 Cardinal home runs. You’ve been a welcome addition to Cardinal Nation.
We Cardinal fans, and us Oklahomans all wish you the best.
Forty years ago, I played for Pat Daugherty, the Rockies scout that signed you. That alone, tells me, you are good person. As a 50 year plus, Cardinal fan, I wish you all the best, and hope you seriously consider staying in Saint Louis. I was present for your first game in Busch, and you wear the Birds on the Bat well.
I can’t lie, I hate seeing you in that red uniform. My daddy raised me to hate all things Cubs and Cardinals. But I can’t help myself. I cheer for you anyway. Just don’t tell him 🙂
I’m glad Busch is being good to you. And, of course, the fans. You’ve really made yourself at home, and that makes me happy. I wish you all the best in St. Louis and wherever else the game takes you, and I’ll be out in left field at Coors in September cheering for you there.
Good luck, Matt.
? Kylie — http://kylie.mlblogs.com
Welcome to St. Louis, Matt. Hope you enjoy the atmosphere and decide to stay with us next year.
*You and Pujols are a dangerous combination. I’m a Yankees fan, but I can’t lie – You’re making the Cardinals World Series contenders, and single-handedly giving the AL a new nightmare… Good luck in St. Louis Matt – you’re a monster all around!
http://jquist.mlblogs.com/
Welcome to St. Louis Matt! I can see the comments are already showing you that we take three things very seriously here: Baseball, Ted Drewes, and toasted ravioli. Just thought I’d let you know that every conversation I’ve had with my friends since you got here starts with “My god, Matt Holliday is such a beast.” I’m saving up my money to buy your jersey my friend. Keep up the awesome work and know that we love you here!
Hey Matt, do yourself and the great fans and town a favor. Sign with the Cardinals. It will never get any better than this elsewhere (and you know it). The Cardinals need your wonderful talents, dedication and attitude. What you bring to this club, behind the scenes, is just as important. Are you having fun yet? We sure are! We all hope you and your family find St. Louis THE place to call home. Please stay!
Matt,
Glad you are a Cardinal. You have been on fire. You have been a huge boost to that line-up.
I know its early, but I hope you choose to come back to the Cardinals next year. With you, Albert, and this pitching staff, the Cardinals could be on top of the division and continue to make playoff runs.
Good luck with the season and your career, no matter where it might take you.
Randy
Southgate, MI
Matt, you bet the reception was great for you, these are St.Louis fans, the best baseball fans in the league..They will love you weather your hot or in a slump, they known there game and appreciate hard all out effort from a player. That is you to the tee !! Best to you for the rest of the season. Your facebook is great, hope you dont mind sharing some of those great pictures..
Hey Matt, I wasn’t sorry you were traded to the National League, but I wish it had been to the San Francisco Giants. That way it would not have uprooted your family and the Giants could sure use your bat. Best of luck to you except when you play the Giants. LOL.
you seem alot happyer in st louis, it must be cool batting behind albert pujols, cards are my second fav team and im happy ur there
Hey Matt,
Please seriously think about staying in St. Louis this season. I mean with you, Pujols, Wainwright, and Carpenter, the Cardinals would be a heavy favorite for the World series. I mean, you went on a tear when you were traded to the Cardinals, and you weren’t there for a full season, think about what you could do in a full season!
Now unlike the other posters, I’m not going to use guilt about the ball you dropped, because ultimately, that loss went to Ryan Franklin, and that loss was mostly his fault, but you did have a part in it.
Please seriously think about resigning with the Cardinals. The fans there love you. You just seem like a perfect fit there. Especially batting behind Albert, I mean its pick your poison there, two sluggers, and good power in Ludwick too, there’d be someone to back you up as well.
The Cardinals are always contenders, but contenders don’t mean anything unless they win. And quite frankly, I don’t think you can win without the Cardinals, nor can they win without you.
Please stay with the Cardinals, and theres millions of Cardinal fans who are saying the same thing!