We’re quickly moving up the ranks and now we are at the back half of the teens. Some media types as well as some legendary Twitter handles in this one so let’s get right at it!
Number 20: cigarmike
Love all, trust a few, do harm to none. CigarMike is not actually a cigar.
It’s maddening to me that a player the caliber of Rolen could possibly be kept out of the HOF by a nebbish clown like Saxson. The @baseballhall and it’s voting has to be fixed.
— cigarmike (@cigarmike) December 16, 2021
On Twitter since: January 2009
Number of Tweets: 84.6K
Following: 2,236
Followers: 3,730
Total points: 771
Average: 6.704
Number of ballots: 115
Maximum: 10
Minimum: 1
% that were 10: 20.00%
% that were 1: 7.83%
Ranking history: 39 (2015), 37 (2016), 23 (2017), 22 (2018), 30 (2019), 25 (2020)
Our cigar-smoking Memphian is a perpetual favorite, as can be seen by his history of always being in the Top 40. You’ll find him often pictured with his signature cigar while opining about all sorts of things, baseball or otherwise. Agree or disagree with him, he’ll give as good as he gets but usually with a pleasant attitude. Usually.
Number 19: vivaelbirdos
@cardinals news, notes, & analysis. editors: @curtis_josey, @lil_scooter93, & the Red Baron
2022 Is a Big Year for Cardinals Catchers https://t.co/ABvxOiWiaw
— viva el birdos (@vivaelbirdos) December 21, 2021
On Twitter since: November 2009
Number of Tweets: 27.3K
Following: 404
Followers: 23,233
Total points: 778
Average: 7.703
Number of ballots: 101
Maximum: 10
Minimum: 1
% that were 10: 23.76%
% that were 1: 1.98%
Ranking history: 19 (2018), 17 (2019), 28 (2020)
VEB is consistently a Top 20 account, which is a little interesting given that it’s not really one for interaction. As far as I can tell, they don’t get a lot of comments on their Tweets and it’s pretty much a feed of stories and articles that go up on the blog. That, of course, is why it is so valuable. You are always going to find sharp stuff at VEB and following this account lets you know when things drop and gives you quick access to them. It’s all about the content.
Number 18: hochman
Sports columnist for my hometown paper, @stltoday. My new book on the 2011 Cardinals, “11 in ’11,” is available here! https://t.co/p29p1UacG5
ICYMI, my five-favorite columns from 2021 in the link below ⬇️ https://t.co/HeEtMhEigz
— Benjamin Hochman (@hochman) December 20, 2021
On Twitter since: October 2008
Number of Tweets: 73.3K
Following: 9,914
Followers: 42,650
Total points: 786
Average: 7.706
Number of ballots: 102
Maximum: 10
Minimum: 1
% that were 10: 19.61%
% that were 1: 1.96%
Ranking history: 11 (2015), 19 (2016), 12 (2017), 17 (2018), 16 (2019), 15 (2020)
Hochman’s one of those rare accounts that’s been in the Top 20 every year we’ve done this, even if he’s bounced from one extreme to the other like, well, him chasing a rabbit trail. Benjamin’s energy is infectious and it led him to write an excellent book about the 2011 World Series Champions (which I still need to write a review on, but thoroughly enjoyed). He also arranged a virtual trivia night this year which was a lot of fun as well. If you need something done, give it to the guy that never stops!
Number 17: TheCatOnBallyTV
Bally Sports Midwest. My tweets are my own.
Happy Birthday Slick. #STLCards pic.twitter.com/wVsBzqefgH
— Jim Hayes (@TheCatOnBallyTV) December 21, 2021
On Twitter since: February 2014
Number of Tweets: 18.4K
Following: 309
Followers: 83,225
Total points: 797
Average: 8.955
Number of ballots: 89
Maximum: 10
Minimum: 1
% that were 10: 61.80%
% that were 1: 2.25%
Ranking history: 61 (2015), 13 (2018), 12 (2019), 21 (2020)
Jim Hayes is a delight and this voting seems to show it. I’m surprised that so many people left him off their ballot as The Cat is an active Twitter user, not only wishing birthdays and posting pictures of the adorable Stella but also keeping us informed on the usage of cargo shorts and his youth basketball coaching career. We had him on Meet Me at Musial this past year and really enjoyed talking with him, but Jim has always been very gracious with his time. Before you know it he’ll be back on your screen lobbing questions at players that may or may not want to participate in regional cable journalism.
Number 16: VanHicklestein
alternate broadcasts || baseball is fun, in my opinion || #stlcards #stlblues
2021 Cincinnati Reds pic.twitter.com/o9SO2QDMLK
— VHS (@VanHicklestein) December 17, 2021
On Twitter since: February 2017
Number of Tweets: 51.1K
Following: 797
Followers: 4,732
Total points: 814
Average: 8.222
Number of ballots: 99
Maximum: 10
Minimum: 1
% that were 10: 48.48%
% that were 1: 4.04%
Ranking history: 21 (2018), 22 (2019), 33 (2020)
VHS may have hit his high water mark (so far) this year, but he’s no stranger to finishing high on this list. His alternate broadcast tweets, overlaying the radio or TV guys from the opponents on the TV broadcast of a great Cardinal moment, are legendary. He’s got the Paul DeJong/Yadier Molina at Wrigley one pinned, which is a handy thing as it should be watched over and over again. He’s big on all things St. Louis, though, and you’ll find him talking a lot about the Blues right now.
Tomorrow morning we’ll finish up the teens and get right outside the Top 10. The excitement is palpable, isn’t it?
