Q. Tell us a little about your job as a member of Team Fredbird.
A. We work at every home Cardinals game. We also do a lot of events for the Cardinals in the off season and the regular season, whether it be charity or a promotion for the Cardinals. We arrive two hours before games, roll up about 90 T-shirts to give out, blow up balloons and help with anything related to promotions. I call us the "face of the marketing department." There's really a whole science to it. We have a dry erase board that my boss writes out before each game. The process is broken down so everyone knows where to be during the game. We have three outs to get to the right place for the Clarkson Eye Care challenge, for example. Our job is to keep everyone pumped up for the Cardinals.
The planning that goes into it sounds similar to what the team does to get ready.
Yes, it really is! We have to know months in advance when we need to be there, for example. And we have to make sure Fredbird gets from point A to point B, which isn't always easy, since he's a popular guy and he marches to the beat of his own drum! We're here to make sure the fans are being entertained when the team's not on the field.
How long have you worked for Team Fredbird?
This is my fourth year. I started in 2011, which was a very lucky first year, to start on a World Series Championship year.
What made you want to join the team?
I grew up a Cardinals fan, I had seen the girls in the past do it, and had a family friend who was on the team and was able to put me with the right connections. You know, the best part about it is I get to call Busch stadium my "office." It's a very unique experience to be a part of. Plus you get to work with Fredbird, which is so much fun!
What's it like to be on the field or in the dugout during a game?
It's kind of like this little rush, you know? Recently we had this guy who was filming stuff for the MLB, and he came up in the dugout and he said, "This is like the coolest thing ever!" When you're up there and people are cheering, it's just hard not to dance and run. It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and we get to do it two or three times in a game!
No one knows Cardinals' fans better than Team Fredbird. What sets our fans apart from other fans in the MLB?
I feel like Cardinals fans — it's really just in their blood. You'll see people here celebrating their 90th birthday, you have parents taking infants to their first game, people come from all over to see these games. The best part is getting to know their story, like people talking about coming with their grandfathers. And our fans fill the stadiums for every single game! That's really rare for baseball. That's what makes our fans the best; they'll be here no matter what because it's a part of their life.
Can you tell us one thing most people don't know about Fredbird?
He can't fly at all. He loves his golf cart! He loves to ride it around downtown and goof around in it. And everything he's doing out there is just natural to him — he's just that funny. It's his personality.
Anything else you'd like to share?
You wouldn't believe how goofy we are. The ushers have gotten to know us over time and they think we're just goofy kids. We're a team of goofy kids who love baseball.