A Day ofVictory
Unfortunately, I have to work this morning. It`s unfortunate because I was up late celebrating the Cardinals victory over the Detroit Tigers in our spiffy new stadium, and I consumed far too many things I shouldn`t have; nachos with cheese, hotwings, pistachios, and a mini keg of Warsteiner beer (I know-it should have been Budweiser, but I just couldn`t make myself drink that, er, swill.) This morning my stomach feels like I need the roto-rooter man to open it. Oh, well, that is the price of victory!
The Redbirds are the losingest team to ever win the Series, and everyone had written them off as serious contenders. Fortunately, a champion`s heart beat within them, and they got some lucky breaks; several injured players came back for the playoffs and the team just got hot at the end. It is illustrative of a flaw in the system; the best team does not necessarily win-just the hottest team to make it. Not that I`m complaining, mind you!
Even though David Eckstein was awarded MVP for his overall performance, last night the star was (former Tiger) pitcher Jeff Weaver who shut down the Detroit offense for 8 innings and who also made a couple of great defensive plays-one at first base where he tagged out the runner to end the inning and stop a Detroit rally. I thought LaRussa made a mistake in not letting Weaver finish the game, since he was still throwing well and had the Tigers stymied. Still, his relief managed to end the game in victory here in St. Louis, and the city went wild in celebration!
The last St. Louis championship was 24 years ago (1982) and we were sorely overdue. I`ve never had a lot of confidence in LaRussa, who is good at playing winning ball but not so good at bringing home the trophy. I suspect the fact that many of these guys were in the Series 2 years ago may have helped secure the title; the Lions didn`t know what to expect.
We were treated to a couple of controversial commercials between innings here; a collection of disparate Pro-Life people such as actress Patricia Heaton, former Rams QB Kurt Warner, actor Jim Kaviezel, and Cardinal hurler Jeff Supan ran an add at the start of the game trying to set the record straight on Missouri Amendment 2, the stem-cells initiative. This was followed by two adds featuring former Senator and Episcopal priest (and heir to the Ralston Purina fortune) John Danforth, who claimed what opponents of the amendment are saying are lies (if that isn`t the pot calling the kettle black! Lying is a sin, REVEREND!) The Michael Fox commercial was pulled due to the controversy.
The comback of the Cards late in the season brings to mind the political fortunes of a certain obituaried (to coin a phrase) political party; the Press had long since done their post mortem on the Republicans, yet they, like the Cardinals, are surging back for the Series. The Redbirds prove that you should never give up, that victory comes to the determined. I think many Republicans could benefit from the example set here.
The Redbirds are the losingest team to ever win the Series, and everyone had written them off as serious contenders. Fortunately, a champion`s heart beat within them, and they got some lucky breaks; several injured players came back for the playoffs and the team just got hot at the end. It is illustrative of a flaw in the system; the best team does not necessarily win-just the hottest team to make it. Not that I`m complaining, mind you!
Even though David Eckstein was awarded MVP for his overall performance, last night the star was (former Tiger) pitcher Jeff Weaver who shut down the Detroit offense for 8 innings and who also made a couple of great defensive plays-one at first base where he tagged out the runner to end the inning and stop a Detroit rally. I thought LaRussa made a mistake in not letting Weaver finish the game, since he was still throwing well and had the Tigers stymied. Still, his relief managed to end the game in victory here in St. Louis, and the city went wild in celebration!
The last St. Louis championship was 24 years ago (1982) and we were sorely overdue. I`ve never had a lot of confidence in LaRussa, who is good at playing winning ball but not so good at bringing home the trophy. I suspect the fact that many of these guys were in the Series 2 years ago may have helped secure the title; the Lions didn`t know what to expect.
We were treated to a couple of controversial commercials between innings here; a collection of disparate Pro-Life people such as actress Patricia Heaton, former Rams QB Kurt Warner, actor Jim Kaviezel, and Cardinal hurler Jeff Supan ran an add at the start of the game trying to set the record straight on Missouri Amendment 2, the stem-cells initiative. This was followed by two adds featuring former Senator and Episcopal priest (and heir to the Ralston Purina fortune) John Danforth, who claimed what opponents of the amendment are saying are lies (if that isn`t the pot calling the kettle black! Lying is a sin, REVEREND!) The Michael Fox commercial was pulled due to the controversy.
The comback of the Cards late in the season brings to mind the political fortunes of a certain obituaried (to coin a phrase) political party; the Press had long since done their post mortem on the Republicans, yet they, like the Cardinals, are surging back for the Series. The Redbirds prove that you should never give up, that victory comes to the determined. I think many Republicans could benefit from the example set here.
posted by Timothy Birdnow | 6:34 AM
2 Comments:
Congrats Tim! My team used to be the losingest team to ever win the series @ 85/77. I'm glad someone else holds that dubious distiction now. Enjoy it while it lasts because the follow up year after a series victory is always the toughest.
Growing up, I always enjoyed winning by the lousiest manner possible; it was always fun to rub the nose of your betters in a cheap victory. I guess I haven`t changed; I take pride in our lowly triumph! It was fun to make the critics eat crow while their favored clubs lost to what everyone thought was a mediocre team.
The Twins, like this year`s Cardinals, did indeed hold this dubious distinction, but it should be a source of pride, too, Tom; this means that they pulled it together when the chips were down, that they had the internal fortitude to come back and win. Granted, one wonders why they wait until October to shine, but what the heck...
I`m optimistic for the future; the Cards were in the Series just two years ago (and embarassed themselves) so may have a bright future. One can only hope.
It`s good to hear from you again, Mr. Willms; where have you been hiding?
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