#11

Tim McCarver finally shows some lucidity: "How did this happen?" Joe Buck calling to echo his late great legendary father Jack's call of Kirby Puckett's Game 6 walkoff in 1991...what a Game...unbelievable...nearly a week later and I still have trouble believing that happened.

I've now had a few days to soak it all up, digest and reflect, and I've come to the conclusion: That was one of the greatest World Series' ever. The Cards and Rangers was supposed to be the Rangers power destroying the Cards, who were just supposed to be happy to have made it this far, and yet, it ended up being a very closely matched series.
From the first 2 games being so tight, and leaving STL split, to Pujols' Game 3 performance for the ages, to Game 6 (of which I think people will write books)where the Cards were down to their last strike in the 9th and 10th innings, came back from behind 5 different times, and local boy Freese came through twice to break the Rangers' spirits and force the first Game 7 since 2002. Game 7 was nearly anti-climactic, except that it was an exciting game too, with Freese yet again coming up clutch to tie all but sealing his MVP performance, and a 5th inning where the Cards scored 2 runs on 3 walks and 2 hit-by-pitches to go up by 3.
Of all the sports I watch, all the favourite teams, this is the team that is in my blood, and has been with me since I can remember. The Cards were in the World Series in 1982 (coincidentally against their now division-rival Brewers) and I was in St. Louis, visiting my grandparents, when according to them, I just became fascinated with the Series and the Cards, which no doubt thrilled my grandfather, who made sure to outfit me with Cards gear, including a 1982 Series Champs ballcap that I still have today, and a Stuffed Fredbird (the team mascot - who sat clutched in my hands for Game 6 and 7 this year - laugh if you want). Obviously I don't recall those days as I was 2, but I have clear recollection in 1987 of being in tears after Minnesota won Game 7, and suffering through the dry spell of the 90s with only 1996's NLCS loss to the Braves, coupled with Ozzie's retirement to make it worse.
There was just something this year, with Wainwright being out for the season, Pujols missing time with a broken hand, that I just wrote the season off early. But then I started to pay attention in late August and the math said they still could do it. That drive to the wildcard was epic, culminating in the fantastic Game 162 night where baseball witnessed the most amazing night in a long time. After that night, watching with my friend Neil, he said to me, that's amazing, but I don't think you'll get by Philly. I had to be realistic and agree, it didn't seem likely to beat the best team in baseball in the DS. But lo and behold...it all came down to Game 5, a pitching duel for the ages, between best friends, Cy Young winners, ex-Blue Jays Carpenter and Halladay. What a game that was...the NLCS was a blur, and then the Series.
But, here we are, Cards win World Series #11 in 2011, and I'm on such a high from it, the Rams could go 1-15 again this year and I wouldn't be phased; the Habs could miss the playoffs, I wouldn't worry. Because this year, the whole world got a dose of what I've been having for nearly 30 years : Cardinals Fever.