So my team—and I really have been an everyday fan for 35 years—has made it to the World Series. Probably I would do well to keep from divulging which team it is, lest your own preferences cause you to lose perspective—for that is what these words are about.

In the days following the close of the regular season, I was curious to read the news that the St. Louis Cardinals were considering another contract extension for manager Tony LaRussa. If you’ve ever read George Will’s classic, Men at Work, you find it hard not to possess a higher-than-normal degree of appreciation for LaRussa.

No so with Cardinals fans.

The comments following a particular online article were numerous, nearly all from Cardinals faithful, and nearly all in favor of sending old Tony on his way. I say “old Tony” because that was the most common sentiment—that LaRussa’s best days are behind him.