ST. LOUIS – Three key executives of the St. Louis Cardinals, Chairman Bill DeWitt Jr., President Bill DeWitt III, and President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak, were all met with audible boos during the team’s Opening Day introductions Thursday afternoon.

The Busch Stadium crowd reactions follow a lackluster offseason on the heels of two years without postseason baseball and limited success beyond the regular season over the last decade. The DeWitts and Mozeliak had hinted toward a youth-driven reset for much of the offseason, though the roster remains largely unchanged from last season, likely fueling fan frustrations.

This is at least the second consecutive season in which Mozeliak was met with audible crowd boos during Opening Day introductions. Mozeliak, after nearly three decades in the Cardinals organization, including two in a lead general manager role, is set to step down as the President of Baseball Operations at the end of the 2025 season.

Mozeliak spoke to media members early Thursday, sharing some rather unpredictable remarks ahead of Opening Day.

“I don’t have any intentions of giving a speech today,” said Mozeliak with some chuckles, as transcribed by MLB.com’s John Denton. “If so, you know what my message would be? So when they boo me, I can say, ‘I’m leaving. You got your wish. Like, celebrate the moment.”

Mozeliak was then asked how he thought he would be received at Busch Stadium.

“I think about it — if you’re on the other side, I would be appreciative if I didn’t want the guy here. He’s leaving,” said Mozeliak.

Chaim Bloom is expected to take over for Mozeliak as President of Baseball Operations after the 2025 season.

The DeWitts did not address the media as a group on Opening Day, but in past offseason discussions, they have emphasized the need for the Cardinals to develop from within and be selective with spending, once stating that St. Louis “can’t just spend” its way into the future.

The boos come as the Cardinals’ payroll has dropped nearly $40 million from last season, now sitting at $135 million (per Spotrac) and ranking in the lower half of MLB teams. These trends likely have fans questioning the ownership’s commitment to team investments, even if a reset is the vision of the foreseeable future.

Meanwhile, two of the loudest crowd ovations came for third baseman Nolan Arenado, who stayed after trade talks emerged over the offseason, and Cardinals Hall of Fame shortstop Ozzie Smith.

The Cardinals opened the season Thursday afternoon after an hour and a half weather delay. Through six innings, they lead the Minnesota Twins, 4-3.