Since the advent of social media and hashtags, many baseball teams have attempted to identify themselves through an annual motto. The Chicago Cubs, for example, utilized the hashtags #ThatsCub and #EverybodyIn. Other clubs just utilized shorter forms of their names, such as the St. Louis Cardinals, who commonly used #STLCards. However, the best mottos aren’t developed in marketing departments; they’re produced on the fly.
During the Cardinals’ championship season in 2011, shortstop Rafael Furcal originated the chant “happy flight,” motivating the team to win and celebrate while traveling to their next game venue. Later that year, the squirrel scampering over home plate in Game 5 of the NLDS became known as the “Rally Squirrel,” and it quickly gained popularity online. In 2018, Matt Carpenter’s homemade salsa appeared to ignite the Cardinals’ late-season surge, with “It’s gotta be the salsa” emblazoned on signs and clothing around Cardinals Nation.
Lightning may have struck again when center fielder Victor Scott appeared on “The Morning After,” a show on St. Louis radio station 101 ESPN, while the hosts were in Florida covering the Cardinals as they prepare for Spring Training.
While speaking with the media about the new, upstart Cardinals, Scott stumbled over the terms “young and hungry” when describing the squad, resulting in the portmanteau “youngry.”
Scott’s “youngry” quip is befitting of a team that wants to prove that it can still contend in the rapidly improving National League Central division.
Many of the Cardinals’ young players have a lot to show, including Lars Nootbaar, who must demonstrate his ability to remain healthy. Ivan Herrera needs to show that he can stay behind the plate. Jordan Walker needs to show that he can hit major league pitching. Nolan Gorman must demonstrate that he can make contact more consistently. Scott must also demonstrate his ability to reach base more frequently in order to capitalize on his elite speed.
Growing boys need to eat, and the Cardinals’ young players will get plenty of portions when the new blood is given a fair chance and the Cardinals evaluate who can aid the team in its next effort at building a dynasty.
