11 in '11

Yesterday was a day for not only the history books, but the memory books as well. The improbable run and underdog mentality (21 of 25 ESPN "experts" had Texas winning) is just icing on the cake. I found it heart-warming that everyone, even those who don't even like baseball, were congratulating me yesterday right after the fact. I said thanks as if I had done something, but really, it's about being a fan for every single year paying off on days like these. Although I did lose a lot of enthusiasm when they were down in the dumps, I'm proud to say that I never gave up on them. It's a lesson in perseverance and giving it your all even when the odds are stacked up against you. It's a classic example of teamwork with everyone contributing their own part. Most of all, it's an example of just how much unifying joyful exuberance can come from a simple game of baseball.

Thanks everyone for sharing the memory.

Cardinals 10, Rangers 9

What a magical night of baseball. It's hard to even recap in words all the different moments that piece together into an outcome that I will never forget. I'm glad that I never gave up hope when we were down in the 8th inning (and Facebook can prove this). I had a good feeling against Adams and once they showed that statistic of Feliz being 7/7 in save chances in the postseason, I had this gut feeling that we definitely had a shot. As everyone keeps saying, it really is the perfect metaphor game for a season where the Cards have never quit. I'm going to reserve further comment on the season until after Game 7, but I wanted to preserve this night of jubilation. Or as ESPN would say, "Freese Frame."

Joe Strauss's fitting lede in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: "The Cardinals have moved beyond the unlikely, through the implausible and onto the absurd. Thursday night before the largest crowd ever to watch a game at new Busch Stadium they added a chapter too complex to fully understand but too compelling to ignore."

These are the games that make baseball truly a special sport, unique from every other. It was great to see people that usually don't watch actually get into it and admit to being sucked into the excitement. It was great to have people reach out to me because I'm one of the only Cardinal fans they know, and wanted to express how happy they were for me. Just crazy. I'll see you tomorrow.

World Series 2011

Somehow, this series seemed anticlimactic and less triumphant than the Phillies series, despite all the bad blood and rivalry that was supposed to make this Cardinals-Brewers series exciting. Maybe because most of the games weren't that close, but the Brewers' "beast mode" antics seemed like more of an annoying side act than a full on nuisance, and somehow our bullpen pitched so well that we didn't even have to worry, which is half the fun. Just a weird, dominant, but mostly weird series.

Anyway, I'm still very appreciative of the Cardinals appearing in only their third World Series since my birth. Considering that we've been in the NLCS seven times over that span, this is quite the rarity. Of course, Padres fans and most every non-large market team (and some large market teams, hello Cubs fans) probably think I'm taking it for granted. I guess sometimes it's just hard not to take things for granted when you have been the greatest National League team over the last 15 years.

Ok, done gloating. Hopefully this hasn't been too obnoxious to read.

for the love of the Cardinals

Warning: this post is going to be me basically just geeking out and reveling in the greatness that is being a St. Louis Cardinals fan. Just so you can stop reading now if you so desire.

6 NLCS appearances and 8 playoff appearances in the last 12 years.

I have been blessed. The Cardinals have never really had a team that has been embarrassing to root for, but in recent years, the magic of the cards had seen to ware off somewhat. No playoffs in '07 and '08, a forgettable NLDS in LA in '09, and once again no playoffs in '10. Many thought we were done in '11 too, and I admit that I all but threw in the towel this year. Never stopped following them, but it looked pretty dang grim. And now, the Cards are NLCS bound, having toppled the mighty Phillies, the team with four aces, about to face their hated divisional foes... I can't say for sure whether we'll advance to the World Series, but I can say that I'd rather have Albert, Carpenter, Yadi, and the rest of the gang over any other team in the world.

And just for kicks, a look back at the rest of the NLCS teams I've had the pleasure to follow in my lifetime.

'96 - I confess that this was the first year I really paid attention to baseball, and in a time before the internet, my knowledge about things were spotty. All I knew is that we choked a 3-1 lead against the Braves in grand fashion, and that Donovan Osbourne didn't cut it. But we had the Benes brothers, HOF closer Dennis Eckersley and soon forgotten Todd Stottlemyre who I really liked for some reason, Brian Jordan, Ron Gant and Ray Lankford, the immortal Gary Gaetti, and of course the last years (and only year for me unfortunately) of Ozzie Smith and Willie McGee. A fan was born.

(Home run chase interlude, Big Mac craze comes and goes)

'02 - I remember I was in 6th grade, and we watched parts of Game 1 of the NLDS during school when Rick Ankiel inexplicably lost his command. Still a great great team that featured a 20 win season from Darryl Kile and one of those one-year wonder years from Garrett Stephenson. Loved Vina, Renteria and Tatis from this team, as well as Jim Edmonds in his absolute prime (42/108/.295). Loved Placido Polanco and Will the Thrill, and also Woody Williams' phenomenal 2.28 era in 11 starts to end the season. To be honest I don't even remember how we lost to the Mets 4-1.

'03 - OK so we didn't make it to the NLCS, but only because we faced a brutal Diamondbacks team with Schilling and Randy Johnson in the NLDS. Should be noted for the beginning of the Albert Pujols era and the end of the Big Mac era.

'04 - The 105 win team. MVP3 plus Larry Walker. Just a phenomenal team that was a pleasure to watch. Coincidentally the first year So Taguchi really played a big part on the team. Unforgettable 4-3 NLCS win against the Astros. Of course, Jimmy Ballgame's walk-off jack in the 12th of Game 6, but people forget that Jeff freakin' Suppan outdueled Roger Clemens (on steroids) in Game 7. This should never be forgotten. This is an Astros squad that features Biggio, Berkman, Beltran, Jeff Kent and Jeff Bagwell, along with Roy Oswalt and Clemens. I don't even care that the Red Sox did something memorable this year.

'05 - Another fantasy team and 100 win squad. Memorable for having Carpenter's 21-5 season as well as Mark Mulder's one year of usefulness. Also, David Eckstein's grit and Albert's monster jack off of Brad Lidge in Game 5. Sadly, this was the Astros' year to go to the world series and get demolished.

'06 - Can't believe this is the last time the Cardinals were in the NLCS. Of course, this team was worse than all of the other ones above, and of course this was the team that won it all. People forget So Taguchi's home run in the 9th off of Billy Wagner in Game 2, and the unlikelihood of Yadi's bomb in Game 7. Taguchi hit 2 homers all year, and Yadi hit .216 on the season. Enter Wainwright, enter freezing Beltran on the called three strike, and enter a fitting cap to the end of the Edmonds/Rolen/Pujols glory years.

With all that being said, I get the same excitement of cheering for the underdog for this '11 team, except with more confidence. It was just bewildering seeing Jeff Weaver and Anthony Reyes win big games for us, but this team is more solid. I like the veteran presence, and I like the spunk from the young guys. Instead of Eckstein, we have Punto. The confidence and "nothing to lose" attitude is evident. Instead of the Astros, enter another NL Central rival, the Brewers. You couldn't ask for a better drama filled series. It's good to be a Cards fan.