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Sports Arena
Is God A Cardinals Fan?
The team that wouldn’t die — and killed Washington’s chances.
“Remind me again: How long is winter?”
—
Thomas Boswell, Washington Post sports
columnist
Screaming erupted in our family room this past Friday as the St. Louis Cardinals came up with four runs in the ninth inning to derail the estimable Washington Nationals in the early morning hours not long after midnight. They managed to resurrect themselves from a 6-0 deficit from the early innings, thereby duplicating their performance in the sixth game of the 2011 World Series in which they, ultimately, triumphed. In the process the Cards robbed the Nats of the opportunity to take on the San Francisco Giants for the National League pennant.
On Saturday morning Washington fans had to console themselves with a hard truth: Life is not fair. Maybe God is, truly, a St. Louis Cardinals fan. It must feel like getting hit by a truck.
“Were the Cardinals really down to their last strike on five different pitches?” asked Thomas Boswell, one of the great sports columnists, in a piece on the front page of the Washington Post’s main section. “How many checked swings on the sliders of loser Drew Storen would have ended their season had they gone another foot?”
Boswell’s column is painful to read, a kind of self-therapy in preparation for the long winter ahead. “But it was so close — hold fingers inches apart — a League Championship Series against a team the Nats dominated in five of six meetings during the regular season.”
“Then the reason that the Cardinals are the defending world champions — as well as one of the toughest and most fortunate teams of recent decades — began to come clearer and clearer,” penned Boswell. What happened last Friday night, before the largest crowd in Nationals Park history, 45,966,”was nothing short of diabolical…”
Or providential maybe. These are, after all, the World Champion St. Louis Cardinals with more appearances at the big party than any other team but for the New York Yankees. Yet, truly, my wife and I, residents of northern Virginia for over a decade, love the Nationals and would have rooted for them over any team but one. Yes, once a Cardinal fan, always a Cardinal fan. Our grandchildren will pledge their fealty to the Nationals as they should. But we are who we are.
And, boy, it is great to be a Cardinal fan. After indulging Tom Boswell’s morose musings, read Bernie Miklasz, sports columnist for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch who, on Saturday morning, gave voice to the joy in his heart and every Birds fan from Kentucky to North Dakota, Washington, D.C. to west Texas.
“On a bracing Friday night that felt chilled and charmed, just like the enchanted autumn of 2011, the Cardinals gave us one of the all-time shockers,” wrote Miklasz laying it on with a trowel. “It was something out of the imagination, a baseball fable that couldn’t be real. Except it did really happen, and if you closed your eyes and listened intently, you may have heard the echoes of the late Jack Buck barking ‘Go crazy, folks. Go crazy.’” All genuflect here.
Miklasz reminds us what we already knew but wanted to hear again: “The retired future Hall of Fame manager Tony La Russa wasn’t here to push them on, and the menacing Albert Pujols wasn’t waving a bat at the Nationals, playing his customary role of enforcer. None of it mattered during this 3 hours and 49 minutes of mayhem and madness.”
“The Cardinals are still the team that wouldn’t die,” says Bernie Miklasz.
What this is really all about is tradition and culture, both those of St. Louis and the Cardinals organization which manages one of the most successful teams in a media market that make the Mad Men chuckle. It encompasses the likes of Stan Musial, Bob Gibson and Ozzie Smith. But as Miklasz notes, it now includes a rookie shortstop, Pete Kozma, whose game winning two-run single “left the Cardinals jumping and screaming in their dugout.” This kid was just brought up from the minor league, a product of a system designed for the long haul.
Let’s face it, Cardinal baseball could not afford the money Pujols demanded from St. Louis and got from Los Angeles. They offered what they thought was prudent, and told Albert to go with God when he turned them down. So they cut a deal with Carlos Beltran that has proven to be fair but frugal and worth every dollar. Friday night, he got on base in all five of his appearances at the plate and commenced the crucial ninth inning with a double. This is more evidence justifying praise for the entire Cardinal organization, not just any given player or star. Maybe they will put up a statue for Carlos outside of the new Busch Stadium if he can do this a few more seasons.
I have no doubt that some day, someone, maybe even me, will write about the coming glories of the Nationals, their energy, pride, and unbelievable pitching staff.
Regarding the Nationals and their encounter with the Cardinals this fateful season, Tom Boswell offered these wise observations:
About the Author
G. Tracy Mehan, III served at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in the administrations of both Presidents Bush. He is a consultant in Arlington, Virginia, and an adjunct professor at George Mason University School of Law.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (30) | Leave a comment
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Albert Constantine Jr.| 10.15.12 @ 7:22AM
I’m beginning to see the possibility for a flashback to 1968, with the Cardinals facing the Tigers in the World Series in a Presidential election year. As a Cardinals fan in those days, the World Champions of 1967 broke my heart when they were defeated by Detroit in Game 7. I imagine a Governor of Michigan at the time named Romney was pleased with the outcome, as well.
My sports pain never eased, though my political joy developed as I backed the winner in the weeks that followed when, following a long night, Nixon was declared the winner over Humphrey and Wallace.
In 2008, as a long time and avid Phillies fan, I was treated to a World Series victory, only to have my elation dashed the following week with the result wrought by Obama voters.
This year, I am willing to forego any joy that would derive from a World Series victory in order to see a Romney pleased with the election outcome.
Frank Drackman| 10.15.12 @ 10:04AM
I for one, was glad to see the fair-weather Nat fans sent packing..
OTOH that "President's Race" is pretty funny.
Frank
Anthony| 10.15.12 @ 10:28AM
If that moron of a used car salesman cum Commissioner of Baseball, Dud Selig, doesn't institute instant replay in playoff games, only the pigeons will be enjoying the exploits of the Boys of October/ early November.
Wake the hell up Selig, and bring back the substitute umps while your're at it!!
Cpm| 10.15.12 @ 12:44PM
I can't understand how baseball has lasted for so many years without instant replay.
/
Frank Drackman| 10.15.12 @ 2:44PM
Oh sure, like the game isn't slow/boring enough already..
and I'm a FAN
Frank
Cpm| 10.15.12 @ 2:57PM
Note / (sarcasm tag)
Frank Drackman| 10.15.12 @ 10:49AM
I live my life by the simple philosophy
"WWDDD"(What Would Don Drysdale Do?)
OK, maybe beaning that A-hole during my Med School Interview(I didn't want to go to Vanderbilt anyway)didn't work out so good...
But can you imagine telling Bob Gibson he was "Shut Down"(Who started using that stupid term anyway?) after 160 innings? Hell, he was at 160 innings in July!
And my favorite Autistic, Steve "Lefty" Carlton pitched 300+ innings for the Might-Be-the-worst-Phillies-Team-ever-1972-Take-a-Whiz-Kids...
And who started this whole "Quality Start" nonsense? since when did pitching 1/2 a game with a 4.50 ERA become "Quality"??
I still think that Presidents Race is funny, and did you notice that Lincoln looks a little like EICOTUS(Evolver in Chief of the US)
Frank "Chin Music" Drackman
Occam's Tool| 10.16.12 @ 1:10AM
I worked with Don Sutton's brother in Alabama. Don's a fine gentleman in my book, as is his brother. (Ron Sutton)
But, is G-d a Cardinals fan? Would he have allowed the Brock trade if he were not?
Bob K| 10.15.12 @ 11:23AM
Our recent years of long seasons have been caused by more teams in more leagues and long playoffs which are expanded by adding also ran teams to them.
The two World Series teams are largely determined by good luck and lack of injuries to key players. Key players values are increased by the use of and need for borderline players which all Major League teams now need to fill their rosters.
Frank Drackman| 10.15.12 @ 11:36AM
@ Bob K, please name an Also-Ran in this years playoffs.
Baseballs a Novel, not quickie peep-show porno(remember those?) 162 longggggggggggg games, then ya gotta win 11/12 longggggggerrrrrr games for the Trophy.
Oh Those Injuries! I believe that's why there's this thing called "The Bench" and "The Minor Leagues"
OTOH, several rule changes would help.
1: All Fouls count as strikes
2: Runer advances one base on 3rd unsucessful pickoff move.
3: Get rid of those rediculous pajama pants...
Frank "Lets Play 2" Drackman
Bob K| 10.15.12 @ 11:56AM
Hell, that's easy!
The teams that did not win their divisions.
Bob K| 10.15.12 @ 12:01PM
It's been many years since I went to Baltimore to see the peep shows!
Bob K| 10.15.12 @ 11:53AM
Mr. Mehan,
National's Stadium is one of the costliest stadiums ever built in the country and is supposed to be a model for "green energy." It is also funded and will be maintained by the District of Columbia which owes it's existence to the nation's taxpayers. My guess is lots of people will make big bucks from it!
http://rt.com/usa/news/washing.....um-dc-316/
I note that you "served" at the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency under both Presidents Bush. You also write often for this Conservative Publication which, during this election at least, is advocating less taxes being placed on the people and more prudent use of the ones they must pay.
It would be interesting to get your thoughts on this particular use of subsidized Green Energy in a Government subsidized stadium to provide entertainment for so many people who are either on the public payroll or who are earning money from the taxes of all of us out here in the Heartland of America?
Did you recognize this irony in the article when you wrote it?
Who Knows?| 10.15.12 @ 11:57AM
Nostalgia permeates our Narcissistic lives.
Memories grow, like skins on an onion, which is why kids are so fresh and lively, and the older they get, the “thicker” they get. As for people 40, 50, 60, 70, 80 years old? Well?
“It’s not what you used to be, but what you are today.”
Who said that?
There was this dude, masquerading as my father, over 50 years ago, who’d regularly get loaded on the drug of choice for his generation, whiskey, and in a fit of self pity, let loose with that insight.
As for sports, I doubt there is any area of American life that’s more filled with nonsense and illusion. I speak from a lifetime of deluded involvement.
“Return to what you were BEFORE your mother and father were born”. This Zen gem applies in a touchdown, strike out, three point shot way---the Tao of sports.
I’m a spoil sport—literally, to ask:
WHY are you a fan of X team, say the Cardinals?
Where were YOU born, where did YOU grow up?
It always stems from identification---yes, we are ALL reductionists, as we pass through space-time, which passes through us. Once a hard core fan of X, always a hard core fan of X.
Who Knows?| 10.15.12 @ 11:58AM
An admission---I STILL enjoy watching football, but happily, who wins or loses has become ALMOST an irrelevancy. I’m still working on being indifferent to Notre Dame and the Steelers, who I’ve “hated” my entire sport life.
Why, yesterday, I even managed to set aside my “hate” of the Patriots, especially their cheating coach, and simply watch and enjoy the athleticism and strategy of each team, player by player and play by play.
In short, sport’s fans, it’s NEVER truly mattered if “your” team won or lost. YOU weren’t playing the game!
It’s the game, stupid.
I played pickup basketball after high school until I was 33, except for 3 years in the army. At the beginning, I was terrible, but soon enough became almost addicted to even just shooting around, by myself, since when I was thus engaged, physically, my over-used and normally racing mind was stilled, at least for the hour or two when playing.
What a saving gift those hours spent in 3 on 3 or 4 on 4 games ended up being!
Who Knows?| 10.15.12 @ 11:59AM
And, guess what? I’ll bet “my team” was about 50% wins and losses. Which did NOT matter. Do you think I cared, if “my” team won?
I remember one game with this tall guy, who couldn’t miss. After a while, we all realized it was no fun for US to just give him the ball. WE wanted to shoot, too, and even to go for rebounds when there were misses.
Sports are for playing---by you.
Watching is okay—but, ultimately no biggie. For oldsters like me, as John McKay of the USC Trojans once put it, “A billion Chinese don’t care if we won or lost.”.
Frank Drackman| 10.15.12 @ 12:40PM
thats because they're an evil, inferior race.
But thats just me.
I mean, Who doesn't care about College Football???
Frank
Occam's Tool| 10.16.12 @ 1:11AM
College Fuball, as they say at TCU.
Frank Drackman| 10.15.12 @ 12:40PM
Steve Carlton pitched 30 complete games in 1972.
Not 3, not 13, THIRTY.
Is there a pitcher on any of this years playoff teams with even 3??
Frank "Steve Carlton is God" Drackman
Albert Constantine Jr.| 10.15.12 @ 2:44PM
"Steve Carlton is God"
Does this mean Tim McCarver is an angel?
Frank Drackman| 10.15.12 @ 2:45PM
That's a Clown Question, Bro'
Frank
Bob K| 10.15.12 @ 8:06PM
Frank!
You betcher' Ass!!!
With that team, the 1972 Phillies, it has to be the greatest season any pitcher ever had in major league history! He won 27 of the 59 games they won that year. 46% of them. The Phils ended up 37 games out of 1st place.
Robin Roberts also had 30 CG in 1952 when he won 28; 33 in 1953 with 23 wins and 29 in 1954 with 23 wins. He once pitched 28 consecutive complete games.
Cpm| 10.15.12 @ 12:52PM
When you sit your best pitcher down for the rest of the season you are in effect surrendering. For a team that has never been there you have to realize there is no tomorrow, no next season, only NOW. They could have rested him as soon as they clinched the division, if he needed it, but when you get to the dance you dance with who brung ya.
Derek Leaberry| 10.15.12 @ 1:40PM
As a Nats fan, I would say that the pitchers choked. Drew Storen and Tyler Clippard aren't the answers in relief. The mediocre Edwin Jackson is not the answer at $ 11 million year and shouldn't have been signed in the first place.
BShep| 10.15.12 @ 3:48PM
I have been saying this for years, baseball needs a shot clock.
If the pitcher is ready and the batter is not, call a strike after 7 seconds.
If the batter is ready and the pitcher is not, call a ball after 7 seconds.
If neither player is ready after 7 seconds, both are thrown out of the game.
Make allowances for obvious things; foul ball hit off the instep, pinch runner, new pitcher, etc. Basically, get the game moving.
By the way, that was NOT an infield fly and the infield fly rule did NOT apply (good rule, bad call).
tickedoff2012| 10.15.12 @ 5:01PM
You forgot to mention that the Cards are second to the Yankees in World Series appearances, but the Cardinals have won more than them when looking at head-to-head play between the two.
Crassus| 10.15.12 @ 6:10PM
The Reds were the best team in the National League but they also had Dusty Baker as their manager. Enough said.
Leveut| 10.15.12 @ 9:42PM
Just a thought.
The Boston Red Sox had The Curse Of The Bambino, and only, finally, won a world series when one of their critical players was injured, played anyway, and in doing so made literal blood offerings to The Gods of Baseball.
Washingon had the Senators aka the Twins, the Senators aka the Rangers, and now the, what, Nationals? Records of futility, decades of futility in Washington. Even with teaching and inspiration of The Greatest Hitter in the history of baseball as manager, Ted Williams, they could only manage 4th place.
There is much penance and suffering yet to occur. The Gods of Baseball will require many offerings before they allow the ghost of The Big Train and his fellows to animate the "major league" baseball team located in DC and win a World Series.
Occam's Tool| 10.16.12 @ 1:13AM
Baseball's attractiveness is in the absence of a timer.
Bob S| 10.16.12 @ 2:59AM
It's refreshing to see some good baseball writing for a change at AmSpec.
Maybe it's the name that God likes. The Cardinals are named after the bird that is named after bureaucrats that do God's work.