World Series

After being the best team in National League each of the past two years and coming up short, the St. Louis Cardinals win the World Series after a less than impressive regular season. In fact they had only 83 regular season wins, fewest ever by a World Series Champion. But they played their best ball in October when it meant the most and that is why they are the champions.
Like the Cardinals, the Detroit Tigers had a very similar season. A red hot first half of the season and then falling off after the All-Star Break. This was the first time that both teams in the World Series had a losing record after the midsummer classic. The Tigers gave up the division lead to the Twins on the final weekend after leading all year, but still made the playoffs through the wild card. The Cardinals also had to hold to dear life by only winning the N.L. Central by a game and half over the surging Houston Astros. But both teams turned up their play when the playoffs came. The Tigers taking out the Yankees three games to one to win their divisional series before sweeping the Athletics to win the pennant. St. Louis defeated the Padres in four games for their divisional series victory and then taking down the Mets in six for the NLCS crown.
The actual series itself was anti-climatic and filled with mishaps, errors, mistakes or whatever you want to call it. Tigers’ pitchers committed an error in each of the five games which was a World Series first. But don’t take anything away from St. Louis, every time Detroit made a mistake they made them pay price. No error went unpunished.
For game one, Anthony Reyes pitched eight innings for four hit baseball to defeat outstanding rookie Justin Verlander and the Tigers 7-2. Getting that one win in Detroit took a lot of pressure off St. Louis now knowing that wouldn’t go back home trailing 2-0. In game two, we had pine tar-gate. Kenny Rogers said he had dirt on his hand, but who knows. Its still shocking the Cardinals didn’t make a bigger deal but you’ve got to think if the series would have dragged on longer the media would have. Anyway, the veteran pitched eight brilliant innings allowing only two hits to get a 3-1 win. The Series returned to St. Louis for game three where Cy Young Candidate Chris Carpenter pitched eight shutout innings as the Cardinals won 5-0. Game four was full of mistakes that allowed the Cardinals to make a late comeback to win 5-4 and after the game the feeling was that the series was pretty much over. The Tigers had their chance and blew it and it didn’t seem possible for them to recover. Jeff Weaver got his revenge for his game two loss to pick up the win in game five 4-2. Again another Cardinals starter going eight innings allowing less than five hits. Adam Wainwright came in to get the save in the top of the ninth and the Cardinals were champions.
David Eckstein picked up the MVP award. The 5’7” shortstop started the series 0-11 but came on strong to finish 8-22 with three runs scored and four RBI. This is second time he has won the World Series, the other with Anaheim in 2002. You’ve got to love the energy and passion from the little guy. He reminds us all that game is supposed to be fun and that the size of your body doesn’t affect the size of your heart.
St. Louis now has to buck the trend of World Series champions not living up to expectations the following season. The Marlins, Red Sox and White Sox all had disappointing campaigns after their victories. The Cardinals seem to be able to stop the status quo because of their blend of youth and experience coupled with just a lot plain good talent. They have been on the best teams in baseball for quite some time and they should be a favorite to repeat next year. See you at Spring Training.
Celtic great Red Auerbach has left us at the age of 89. He coached Boston to nine titles in the 1950’s and 1960’s and was the general manager of seven more championship teams in the 1970’s and 1980’s. The man changed basketball’s image and the way it was played, a true pioneer that should never be forgotten.