St. Louis Cardinals Fans React in Shock as Team Owner William O. DeWitt Jr. Sends Urgent Message to Oliver Marmol Through MLB Proposal
St. Louis, MO – May 11, 2025 — In a startling and highly unusual turn of events, St. Louis Cardinals owner William O. DeWitt Jr. has reportedly delivered an urgent and direct message to manager Oliver Marmol — not through traditional internal channels, but via a formal proposal submitted to Major League Baseball.
The unconventional method of communication has ignited a firestorm among Cardinals fans and analysts alike, raising serious questions about the current state of the organization and the relationship between its leadership and the coaching staff.
According to multiple MLB insiders, the proposal in question was initially believed to be a routine administrative request regarding minor rule adjustments affecting team operations. However, further investigation revealed that the document included a confidential section that directly addressed Marmol’s handling of the team — including strong language that emphasized the need for “immediate performance improvements” and “a clearer vision of leadership on and off the field.”
A Message, Hidden in Plain Sight
The revelation was first reported by national baseball writer Ken Rosenthal late Sunday night. His sources described the proposal as “extraordinary” and “unprecedented” in its approach, likening it to “a public-private warning embedded within formal league paperwork.”
“This isn’t how you normally send a message to your manager,” Rosenthal said during an appearance on MLB Network. “This felt more like a calculated move — an attempt to apply pressure not just to Marmol, but to make a statement to the rest of the league and the Cardinals fanbase.”
While the MLB has not commented on the nature of the proposal, the Cardinals have issued a brief and carefully worded statement:
“The St. Louis Cardinals remain committed to organizational excellence. Any internal communications or strategic proposals are part of our ongoing efforts to ensure we meet the high expectations of our fans and stakeholders.”
Fanbase in Uproar
Cardinals fans wasted no time expressing their shock and concern. On social media, the hashtag #DeWittMessage quickly began trending, with many longtime fans saying they had never seen anything like it in decades of following the team.
“This is not the Cardinals Way,” wrote one user on X (formerly Twitter). “Sending a message through the MLB? That’s a red flag if I’ve ever seen one.”
Another commented, “Either Marmol is on thin ice or DeWitt is trying to avoid a direct confrontation. Either way, this doesn’t feel right.”
Sports talk radio in the St. Louis area was ablaze Monday morning, with fans calling in to express a mixture of frustration, confusion, and sadness. Many questioned the team’s direction, especially following a sluggish 15–22 start to the 2025 season — a record that has the Cardinals sitting at the bottom of the NL Central.
Strained Relationship?
This development appears to confirm growing speculation about tension between the front office and Marmol, who is in the final year of his contract. After leading the Cardinals to the postseason in 2022, Marmol has faced increasing scrutiny over the past two seasons, with underwhelming performances, questionable in-game decisions, and reports of clubhouse friction.
While Marmol has remained composed publicly, his comments following Sunday’s loss to the Brewers hinted at possible frustrations behind the scenes.
“We’re working hard every day to get this right. But there’s always noise. Some of it’s useful, some of it’s not,” Marmol said.
When asked about the reported proposal, he simply replied, “I’ve heard what’s been said. My focus is on this clubhouse and getting wins.”
A Franchise at a Crossroads
The Cardinals, one of MLB’s most storied franchises, have long prided themselves on stability and tradition. But after missing the playoffs last year and faltering early this season, the pressure is clearly mounting — not just on Marmol, but on the entire leadership structure.
Baseball insiders are now speculating that the unusual move may be a precursor to major changes in the coming weeks. Some suggest the team could look to make a managerial change before the All-Star break if performance doesn’t improve. Others believe DeWitt may be preparing to shake up the front office altogether, including the roles of President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak and General Manager Mike Girsch.
What’s Next?
With the trade deadline still months away, and with a talented but underachieving roster, the Cardinals have the potential to turn things around. But the manner in which this internal tension has now spilled into public view suggests deeper issues that may not be fixed overnight.
For fans, it’s a moment of reckoning — and a reminder that even the most tradition-rich organizations are not immune to drama, dysfunction, and disruption.
One fan, speaking outside Busch Stadium, summed up the general mood