A True Fall Classic

On August 22, 2011, the Cardinals began a 3-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.  They were swept 3 games to none, leaving them 10.5 games out of the wild card.  The Cards then went on to win 18 of they're last 25 games and watched as the Braves and the defending World Series Champs collapsing down the stretch.  It wasn't just the Red Sox that failed to hold a lead in the final month of the season. The Cardinals were only at the beginning of their uphill climb to the title.

St. Louis drew the Philadelphia Phillies.  The team many picked to win it all at the beginning of the season and had the best regular season record.  The Cards stayed hot and won the Division Series in 5 games.  Manager Tony La Russa kept his team believing in themselves as the prepared to play their division rival Milwaukee Brewers.  La Russa said, "Anything can happen if we can continue to play hard and play together, anything."  Let's be honest, know one really thought the Cardinals would get past the Brewers but then David Freese went nuclear.

Virtually unknown, this St. Louis native was quietly living the existence and a hometown hero no one had heard of.  Most people thought his play in game 4, with 4 RBIs and a HR, was an aberration.  After the NLCS, we all know, he was just getting started.  Freese battered the Brewers pitching staff hitting .545 with 3 HRs and 9 RBIs in 6 games.  Unknown no more, the Cards 3rd baseman was named NLCS MVP.  After an improbable finish to make the playoffs, The Cardinals had beaten the best in the NL and were in the World Series for the 3rd time in 7 years.

With the Texas Rangers coming to town, the Cardinals post season run started to turn from being a good 'cinderella' story to a great one.  All the Cardinals did was show the world that it is never over until its over.  Ten games back in August? No Problem.  Phillies in the NLDS? We Got This!  The Brewers in the NLCS? Check!  The Texas Rangers (in their 2nd consecutive WS)? Not Worried!!  At least, that is how it played out.  Rangers were one strike away from being champs twice in game 6.  Heart, poise, determination and Freese.  It was amazing to watch this series go from very good to EPIC!  It was what a World Series should be. Full of excitement and drama but best of all, great baseball.  A series were Pujols was Pujols (3HRs in game 3) and Carpenter, without his best stuff,  going 2-0 in three starts with 13Ks/5BB (post season 4-0 in six starts with a 3.25 ERA (21Ks/11BB)).

The first 7 game World Series since 2002 and was just as good.  Truly a Fall Classic for the ages.  And just like in 2002, game 6 will go down as one of the greatest games in World Series history.  It is true that heroes are made in October.  Congrats to the 2011 World Series Champion St. Louis Cardinals.  What a great run, what a great season!!

D!