Hornsby wastes no time setting the pace as Cardinals camp begins to take shape.

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — March 18, 1926

The Cardinals got in a ballgame this afternoon.

They also got an earful.

Rogers Hornsby, who has little use for loose baseball in any month of the calendar, brought a halt to the easy tone of spring with a sharp and unmistakable reminder that this club is expected to play it clean.

The exhibition contest itself had its moments. The Cardinals swung the bats well enough in stretches, and Flint Rhem showed flashes of a lively arm on the mound. But what drew the manager’s attention—and held it—was the work behind the pitcher.

A misplayed ground ball here.

A throw a step late there.

A relay that never quite found its purpose.

Individually, none of it was disastrous. Together, it was enough.

Hornsby stepped from the dugout during the middle innings, said a few words that did not carry far but carried clearly, and remained along the line for the rest of the afternoon. The pace of the game did not change, but the feel of it did.

The infield tightened.

The throws came quicker.

The chatter disappeared.

Tommy Thevenow steadied matters at shortstop with a clean play deep in the hole, and Jim Bottomley handled the next throw at first as if to underline the correction. It was not dramatic, but it was noticed.

On the mound, Rhem continued to work with good life on his fastball, though his control wandered just enough to keep his catcher busy. Bob O’Farrell called a steady game behind the plate, guiding the young right-hander through his trouble without much display.

At the plate, Jim Bottomley and Chick Hafey each drove the ball with authority, offering a reminder of what this club is capable of when things run as intended.

But this was not an afternoon for compliments.

Spring training allows for mistakes. It does not excuse them.

Hornsby watched the final innings from near the third base line, arms folded, saying nothing further. He did not need to. The message had already been delivered, and the club understood it.

There is still time left in March.

But for the Cardinals, the margin for casual play may have just narrowed.

Mike Allen- Bird Chatter Post