Cardinals manager Mike Matheny speaks, answers questions at State of the Cardinals Nation event

As Mike Matheny prepared to walk off the stage at the Bedell Performance Hall on Southeast Missouri State's River Campus in Cape Girardeau, a fan's voice rang out from somewhere in the depths of the auditorium.

"Mike Matheny is the Manager of the Year!"

It was that kind of night for the St. Louis Cardinals manager, who may have been snubbed by Major League Baseball when it comes to postseason honors, but undoubtedly had the hearts and minds of those in attendance Wednesday to listen to him speak and field questions in his State of the Cardinals Nation address.

Riffing on baseball, his career, his faith and his team, Matheny was sometimes lighthearted -- making jokes about St. Louis' failed attempt to sign David Price -- and sometimes serious -- discussing the roots of his faith and his decision to use baseball as a platform to make a positive impact -- while receiving a standing ovation and positive reviews from the members of Cardinal Nation in the building.

"Absolutely magical," said Shawn Belmar, a Jackson resident who came to the event decked out in a red Jim Edmonds jersey. "It was incredible."

Cardinals manager Mike Matheny speaks during The State of Cardinals Nation, presented by First Missouri State Bank Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2015 at the Southeast Missouri State University s River Campus. (Glenn Landberg)

Matheny, who became the first manager in MLB history to lead a team to the playoffs in his first four seasons on the job, called the 100-win 2015 campaign "one of the most enjoyable I've had in baseball," praising the team's character and commitment to each other. It's a commitment the skipper encouraged when he walked into spring training, challenging his players to think about the legacy they're leaving behind. He challenged those present on Wednesday to do the same.

"Legacy is not an option," Matheny said. "We're going to leave a legacy, whether you like or not. What is yours going to be?"

Although the 45-year-old manager touched on his faith -- growing up with a mother who worked at a church, finding himself as a Christian and discovering what that meant to him -- he also breached less serious topics -- or, perhaps, more serious, depending on how those listening value St. Louis' performance on the baseball field.

Matheny was quick to turn to humor to deflect any fan frustration over a missed opportunity to bring in elite left-handed starting pitcher Price, who signed a free-agent deal with the Boston Red Sox this week worth $217 million over seven years. The reality, Matheny said, was the Cardinals just got priced out of the race.

"We made a solid offer and just couldn't compete," he said.

He later poked fun at the situation again during the question-and-answer period when asked about the player from another team he admired most, saying, "I was going to say David Price, but ..."

Matheny instead mentioned two other left-handers -- Clayton Kershaw and Madison Bumgarner.

The Cardinal head man's two quickest responses of the night came to questions about the greatest St. Louis Cardinal of all time and the best way to improve baseball. To the former, he answered "Stan Musial," nearly before the query was finished.

"That's easy," Matheny said. "It wasn't an act. That's why he's so beloved by Cardinal fans. This guy could fill up the back of a baseball card, but he was real."

His baseball fix came just as quickly, and was short and sweet.

"Shorter season," he said.

A good portion of the Q&A was spent offering superlatives from his career and insight into what he thinks of the players he's crossed paths with as both a player and a manager. Matheny called Darryl Kile the most influential teammate he's ever played with, delineating a clear chain of influence that has traveled from Kile's tutelage of Chris Carpenter to Adam Wainwright to the rest of the current Cardinals.

Matheny called Matt Morris his favorite pitcher to catch, citing his intense competitiveness and recalling a story about Morris facing Barry Bonds with the bases loaded and no outs in a critical game. That led to praise of the former slugger, who he said, despite all the negatives now attached to him, is still the most talented player he's ever seen.

"I've never seen anyone like him," Matheny said. "He needed to be called up to another league."

Most of the Q&A session centered around the Cardinals, with Matheny discussing his usage of current catcher Yadier Molina and saying the recent signing of backup backstop Bryan Pena will help ease the load on a player who is, according to his manager, too special to be able to replace.

When asked about "The Cardinal Way," he said he shies away from that title, but embraces the premise, calling it a consistency throughout the system that allows young players to come in ready to contribute. He said it puts them in a situation with veterans who are willing to help.

In Matheny's opening speech, he thanked the fans and called the bond between Cardinal Nation and the team as one that is unique in all of baseball.

"There's something different in St. Louis, and it's all of you," he said. "You guys are into this thing. That's why you get so angry at the manager, right? I forgive you."

After praising his team's effort this past season, Matheny said the team will be better next season regardless of specific personnel, just because of the challenges the organization had to deal with. He refused to apologize for the way the postseason ended, but believes it will provide extra motivation for the Cardinals in 2016.

"That was a tough loss," Matheny said. "It's one of those things where we can't wait to get back there again.

"I see an organization that's on the rise."

Later in the night, Matheny was asked what he might do once the organization is no longer a part of his life; if, maybe, politics would be a part of his future. In true political fashion, the manager gave a non-answer, never ruling out the possibility of moving into that realm one day.

"I never know where God will lead me," Matheny said. "I fight [my job] not being who I am, but what I do."

First Missouri State Bank Executive Vice President Jay Knudtson and President, CEO and Chairman of the Board Steve Taylor acted as moderators for the Q&A, presenting questions that had been submitted before and during the event.

The Southeast Missouri State baseball team was in attendance and had a separate meeting with Matheny before the event. Cape Girardeau Mayor Harry Rediger and Southeast Missouri State President Carlos Vargas were also present.

The event helped benefit the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri, with an auction last month and a raffle on Wednesday night raising a combined $12,000 for the organization.