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You know something, there are so many St. Louis Cardinal
fans around here that you can't throw a rock without
hitting one of them.
After what they did to my beloved Midwestern team over
the weekend, I may take up a new hobby associated with
rock flinging.
Now don't get me wrong. I'm not a Cardinal basher, nor
have I ever been. In fact, I've always liked the
Cardinals and I have tremendous respect for their
history. I love walking around Busch Stadium and looking
at the statues of all the Cardinal greats. One thing
that is especially intriguing is that Lou Brock's statue
displays him as a hitter, not a base stealer. Says
Brock: "I had over 3,000 hits, too."
Brock did manage to get on base.
Let's hit the fast-forward button to 2004. I cringe, but
I concede that the Cardinals may just be that good.
The Cardinals are 23 over .500 and on the fast track to
the National League pennant, as much as it pains me to
say.
Don't get me wrong, I've been pleased with how my team,
which begins with "C" and ends in "incinnati," has
played this season. They are four over .500 when they
should be 19 under right now. And there's a shade under
a half season to play.
But I also have to concede that "Wild Card" might be the
most-uttered word in other parts of the NL.
Like the ruddy-clad team that plays its games on the
banks of the Ohio River, the Cardinals field a dangerous
lineup. They have power, players who can hit for
average, fielders who can get people out in a
spectacular way. There are three, perhaps four
gold-glove candidates on the team.
And does Albert Pujols have any weaknesses?
The most shocking aspect about the Redbirds this year
has been their pitching. They are getting quality starts
from a cadre of guys who could each average 170-plus
innings this year. And the once-suspect bullpen is
getting it done. Sunday, Steve Kline, Ray King and Carl
Eldred combined to hold the Reds scoreless in the last
three innings. And those firemen faced the likes of Sean
Casey, Adam Dunn, Wily Mo Pena, all who have a penchant
for getting the big hit lately.
Consider that the Reds were 12 over .500 and in first
place not six weeks ago. Now they are hovering between
second and fourth place as the Chicago Cubs and
Milwaukee Brewers continue to torment.
Another thing about the Cardinals' success is the fact
that they don't suffer meltdowns. In each game of the
recent four-game set between St. Louis and that team
situated just north of Kentucky, the aforementioned
Cardinal opponent blew leads in each game. They had a a
4-0 advantage Saturday only to watch the Cardinals tie
the game. It took a Dunn homer in the eighth to win.
Friday, that same Midwestern team staked itself to a 4-0
lead only to watch the Cardinals rally with a big homer
from Marlon Anderson, who has been another surprise.
St. Louis crossed five runs in the eighth. The Reds
suffered a meltdown, the Cardinals seldom do (in fact,
the Reds blew a 9-0 lead to the Brewers in May).
Also consider that the Cardinals have won 34 of their
last 46 games. That's Yankee-esque. That's Big Red
Machine-esque.
Again, please don't misunderstand. I'm not a Cardinal
basher. I never have hated the Redbirds.
But it's never too late to start. |
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