Rams owner Georgia Frontiere, Cardinals marketing VP Marty Hendin, legendary Cardinals instructor George Kissell, longtime Cardinals catching instructor Dave Ricketts, retired Steamers goalkeeper Slobo Ilijevski and former Missouri Football coach Larry Smith are among those who passed away in 2008.

For the second consecutive year, the Cardinals, Blues and Rams each failed to make the playoffs. The two-season shutout is noteworthy, considering that at least one St. Louis pro team had competed in the postseason from 1980 through 2006.

The Rams had their worst record (2-14) in franchise history and fired head coach Scott Linehan four games into the season. For the second summer in a row, the Cardinals finished as also-rans to the despised Cubs. And if that wasn't enough, Cardinals fans had to watch a former favorite, Jim Edmonds, roaming center field for the Cubbies.

Despite booming home attendance again in 2008, Cardinals owner Bill DeWitt continues to hold the line on payroll, putting the Cardinals at a distinct competitive disadvantage in their NL Central battle against the Cubs.

The winter hasn't provided much relief. The Blues are headed to their fourth consecutive season of finishing near the bottom of the overall NHL standings, and another men's NCAA basketball tournament passed without an appearance from Missouri or St. Louis U.

The Tigers haven't danced in the NCAA since 2003, and the Billikens haven't been invited to the tournament since 2000. To make matters worse, the NCAA snubbed St. Louis as a host city for future Final Fours at least through 2016.

Injuries deprived the Cardinals of starting pitching ace Chris Carpenter, limited the production of Rams running back Steven Jackson and cost the Blues the services of cornerstone defenseman Erik Johnson.

Even the successes were deflated by unfulfilled expectations. The Missouri Football team won 10 games and climbed as high as No. 3 in the polls, but faded terribly with a 5-4 record over the last nine games.

The Rams cut future Hall of Fame wide receiver Isaac Bruce, Cardinals closer Jason Isringhausen lost his stuff and his role, and Rams quarterback Marc Bulger unraveled.

Of course, it wasn't all bad.

There were reasons to smile.

The Cardinals actually exceeded a set of grim preseason predictions by winning 86 games. We enjoyed another MVP season from Albert Pujols, a breakout year from Cardinals outfielder Ryan Ludwick, 16 wins from Cardinals starter Kyle Loshe, and 27 homers and 99 RBIs from new third baseman Troy Glaus.

There was the Olympic gold medal performance by effervescent sprinter Dawn Harper. The PGA returned to St. Louis with the BMW Championship at Bellerive. St. Louis U. opened its beautiful on-campus arena, and coach Mark Edwards and the men's basketball team at Washington University won the Division III championship.

All three pro franchises rolled out some impressive rookies: Patrik Berglund and T.J. Oshie (Blues), Donnie Avery and Chris Long (Rams) and Kyle McClellan (Cardinals).

It's time to turn the page.

Here are my Five Most Compelling St. Louis Sports Figures to Watch in 2009:

Rams GM Billy Devaney - Promoted to the job on Christmas Eve, Devaney is in position to hire a new head coach and remake the roster. The immediate future of the Rams depends on his judgment.

Cardinals manager Tony La Russa - Since La Russa took over as manager in 1996, the Cardinals have the second-best winning percentage in the National League, and only the New York Yankees have won more postseason games. But La Russa's repeated public requests for roster help were ignored by DeWitt and GM John Mozeliak. And as La Russa enters the last year of his most recent contract, you have to wonder whether he has finally had enough of ownership's dollar-squeezing ways.

Rams owner Chip Rosenbloom - Will he sell the franchise in 2009? And if he sells, will he remain true to his vow to place the team with owners who will keep the Rams in St. Louis? Or does the bad economy mean that the Rams will belong to Rosenbloom for several more years, at least?

Cardinals pitcher Chris Carpenter - After two injury-ruined seasons, the Cardinals desperately need a successful Carpenter comeback if they're to re-emerge as a postseason team in 2009.

Blues chairman Dave Checketts - Blues fans have been supportive of the youth movement, but the 2009-10 season will be Checketts' fourth as the owner, and the fans won't stay patient forever.

Does the grace period end late in 2009, early 2010?

Come to think of it, the same question can be applied to Mizzou basketball coach Mike Anderson and St. Louis U. basketball coach Rick Majerus.

Let's hope that 2009 will indeed be a happy new year for St. Louis sports.

bjmiklasz@ post-dispatch.com 314-340-8192