Go Cards!

Although April 20, 2009 is the official birthday of this blog, sporadic posts from the early days were followed by a period in which my little corner of the Internet-connected world remained dormant for nearly six months. It wasn't until a story about former Oklahoma State wide receiver Dez Bryant and the circumstances girdling his dispute with the NCAA all but forced me to write a little piece on November 1 of the same year from which approximately 500 more (and counting) have since followed.

Hence with today marking what I consider the second anniversary of my virtual soapbox, which has received hits from all 50 States and 73 countries (since July 2010), I find a bit of contrariety in composing another sports-themed post in observance of my two years working on this largely politics- and socially-themed blog. Thankfully, at least, it centers on a team that’s been near and dear for most of my life:

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They were 10.5 games out of the final spot in the playoffs with 32 games remaining in the brutally long season. A collapse by the frontrunner Braves seemed more than unlikely. But Tony La Russa, the Cardinals manager of 16 seasons, wouldn't let his team quit. And so the Redbirds charged.

The generally unenthusiastic appraisal about the Cardinals depth, and their bullpen more specifically, was bandied about through most of the year even after the 'birds improbable run to the playoffs became reality upon earning the last playoff spot on the last day of the regular season. And despite the doubters, they found a way to defeat the heavily favored Phillies and the division champion Brewers. Their reward: a young, feisty and powerful Texas Rangers team making its second straight appearance in the World Series.

The Cardinals were done in Game 6. They weren't just down to their last out. They were down to their last strike. Twice. But the Cards battled back, yet again, in a way that literally no other team ever has. And now, after an extraordinary seven-game series, the St. Louis Cardinals are champions of baseball for the eleventh time.

Although the Rangers are the first team to lose the World Series after initially being one out away from winning it since the '86 Red Sox, they're also the first team to make back-to-back appearances in the Fall Classic since the Yankees played in four straight (winning three) from '98-'01. The smart money says we'll be seeing the boys from Texas again in the very near future.

Such determination has become rare in the sports world, especially on the professional level. The Cardinals weren't just fun to watch. They were also inspiring. La Russa retired practically hours ago and the legendary Albert Pujols could be moving on as well, but the 2011 Cardinals will always be remembered for all the right reasons.

Sunday's Quote: Stan, The Man

#6 Stan Musial, c. 1942

It is around time every year in which a long and sometimes monotonous baseball season begins to mean something.  As divisional pennant chases are analyzed by the sports media to the point of delirium, it is good to remember those who dug the well from which today's professional athletes, as it were, continually draw the freshest water.

Stan Musial began playing semi-pro baseball in Pennsylvania at age 15.  Having initially competed as a pitcher, Musial was converted to the outfield during his time in the minor leagues and developed a unique hitting stance that is perhaps best mirrored today by future Hall of Famer, Ichiro Suzuki.

A three-time World Series champion, three-time MVP, seven-time batting champion and 24-time All-Star selection, "The Man" was enshrined into the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility with a .331 batting average and 3,630 career hits (1,815 at home, 1,815 on the road, and only Hank Aaron amassed more total bases).  Known for his modesty and class, it is said that fans of the Brooklyn Dodgers gave the St. Louis Cardinal legend the nickname by which he will always be known.  Yet it's the standard he established, both on and off the field, that makes this "perfect knight" my baseball hero.

The summer heat may linger, but we know the pleasantness of autumn is near.  And with that, a new season of football approaches.  But until the titans of the gridiron take the helm, it is baseball -- possibly the most vintage exemplar of Americana -- that holds our attention.

"Baseball is what we were, football is what we have become."

-- Mary McGrory (1918-2004), Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist for The Washington Post

Just Thinking Out Loud: Opening Day

Sporting a White Sox hat to throw the first pitch for the Washington Nationals (who were not playing your beloved Sox) is a major league faux pas.  Honestly, you should have seen the boos coming Mr. President.  You're not that popular anymore.

 

© Associated Press

On This Day in History: February 2

A lot happened on this particular day.  These are some of the more notable events:

1653 -- The Dutch colonial settlement called New Amsterdam is established.  The area is known today as New York City.

1790 -- The Supreme Court of the United States convened for the first time in Philadelphia's City Hall.  The bench consisted of Chief Justice John Jay, and Associate Justices John Blair, William Cushing, James Iredell, John Rutledge, and James Wilson.  The Court itself did not get a building of its own until 1935.

1876 -- The National League of Profession Baseball Leagues, better known today as the National League (or "Senior Circuit"), is formed in New York City.  It remains the world's oldest extant professional team sports league.

1887 -- With origins throughout Europe, the first Groundhog Day is observed in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.

1922 -- Initially serialized in numerous portions by The Little Review from March 1918 to December 1920, the novel Ulysses by James Joyce is published in its entirety.  It is widely considered the greatest fictional work of the 20th century.

1967 -- The American Basketball Association (ABA) is founded.  Its freewheeling style over the league's 10-year existence led to, among other things, the slam dunk competition.  Several dozen players continued successful careers in the National Basketball Association when the two leagues merged in 1976.  Additionally four ABA teams joined the NBA, but its most dominant team -- the four-time champion Indiana Pacers -- have yet to win another title.

1974 -- The F-16 Fighting Falcon took flight for the first time.  Entering service for the U.S. Air Force five years later, the Falcon has been kicking enemy ass whenever and wherever it is called.

The power of a needle

Earlier today, former MLB slugger Mark McGwire came clean (sort of) about his past steroid use after years of speculation and denials. Yet the surprise wasn't in the admission itself, but in the fact that the 12-time All-Star fessed up at all.

We are a forgiving society, especially of our athletic paragons, so the overall impact of this story will fade quickly. It seems that confession does cleanse the soul, as the Good Book says, although the extent of exactly how much performance-enhancing drugs amplified McGwire's statistics, and if he will ever be allowed a spot among the immortals in Cooperstown, is a debate for which a definitive forum could shed some light.

Additionally, if Barry Bonds -- whose career home run record has the biggest asterisk in all of sports -- would man-up and follow McGwire's example, perhaps fans and the sports media would be more willing to accept, forgive, and move on to the next controversy. But until that day comes, Hank Aaron will remain the all-time home run king.

Hammerin' Hank might've had over 2,000 more at-bats than Babe Ruth, but he didn't cheat. For those who are being honest, it's not even a question.