Cardinals And Rangers In World Series

[J Francho]

One of the sloppiest WS games I've seen in a long time. 10-9 and how many errors?

[Siebert Outdoors]

Last night was an exciting game. One more win Cards!!

[senile1]

It was very sloppy early on. There were 3 errors on the Cardinals and 2 errors on the Rangers. The Cardinals errors were truly epic with two routine pop flies dropped. I was sure my team was finished after Freese dropped the popout at third base, but as they say, it isn't over until its over. Unpredictability makes for an exciting series.

[BassThumb]

I loved last nights game. Aside from the sloppy defense, that was the most exciting WS game I've ever seen. If you can think of a better one, name it. The only ones that come to mind are Game 7 in 2001, Game 7 in 1992, and Game 6 in 1991.

This is from an ESPN article written about it that points out some interesting things:

http://espn.go.com/mlb/playoffs/2011/story/_/id/7159207/2011-world-series-david-freese-st-louis-cardinals-force-game-7

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Well, here's where they ought to start:

• They should say they were a part of the first World Series game in history in which a team got down to its final strike, its final breath, twice -- once in the ninth inning, once in the 10th inning -- and somehow won.

• They should say they were a part of the first World Series game ever played in which any team trailed five times -- and still came back to win.

• They should say they were a part of the first World Series game ever in which a team found itself losing in the ninth inning and extra innings -- yet still found a way to win.

• They should say they played in the first World Series game in history in which two players -- Josh Hamilton for the Rangers, then Freese for the Cardinals -- hit go-ahead home runs in extra innings.

• They should say they were the first team in the 1,330-game history of postseason baseball to score in the eighth, ninth, 10th and 11th innings of any game.

• But mostly, they should say this: That they played in a baseball game that reminded all of them why they play, why we watch and why sports can be such a powerful force in all of our lives -- because the term "baseball game" doesn't begin to do justice to this remarkable life experience.

[J Francho]

<Yawn>

Uhhh....Games 4 and 5 in the 2001 WS, anyone?

[K_Mac]

<Yawn>

Uhhh....Games 4 and 5 in the 2001 WS, anyone?

Good, exciting games. Not even close to last nights. That they were both won by the Yankees should disqualify them from consideration.

[J Francho]

My kid's little games had less errors than last night, LOL. The ONLY thing this series has going for it is that they are evenly matched. Two mediocre teams that got in because the entire rest of the league was sleeping. So what if that's me being bitter.

[senile1]

Two mediocre teams that got in because the entire rest of the league was sleeping. So what if that's me being bitter.

That's a pretty strong statement, John, for two teams that won 96 games (Rangers) and 90 games (Cardinals). Only one team won over 100 games (Phillies). I would say the statistics and wins for both teams are evidence that they were far from mediocre, at least for this season. If you are talking about their abilities compared to every great team in the history of baseball, maybe. But sometimes, in professional sports, the line between good and bad can be a thin line.

So its over and the Cardinals are the champs. It was almost like it was written in the stars after game 6. My hat is off to Ron Washington, Nolan Ryan, and the Rangers for playing a tough series and for their sportsmanship. If they had been playing any other team I probably would have rooted for them because of their loss last year. This has to be tough to be that close and then to lose it again. I hope they make it back and get theirs.

[KU_Bassmaster.]

Senile I have to ask .... Are you originally from StL? Have you been in KC your whole life? I just don't see how a KC person can be a Cardinals fan.

[BassThumb]

That 2001 Series is one of my favorites of all time, and those were great games, John. Both were extra inning walkoffs in Yankee Stadium, but they were too low scoring to compete with the dramatics in Game 6 in 2011. If anything, the bad defense increased the drama in that game. it did for me at least. A 1- 0 shutout is a thing of beauty and it has it's time and place, but for the most part in the playoffs, I want to see clutch hitting and teams trading rallies.

As far as these teams being mediocre, they were far from it. Both teams were in the top tier in the regular season in batting average, runs, HR, RBI, OPS, etc. These are premium offensive teams with popular stars that had nice runs in the playoffs. Any team that beats the Phillies and the Brewers on the road in the playoffs, the best team in baseball and the best home team in baseball, respectively, is a deserving champion.

[Grey Wolf]

The Cardinals are truly a blessed team , they won in spite of their manager.

[K_Mac]

I also salute Ron Washington and the Rangers. They are a class act. They represent their league and baseball honorably. As Washington said they are full grown men, and they conducted themselves as such.

The Cardinals did not win in spite of LaRussa. He is often an abrasive control freak who can be hard to deal with. He is a smart guy who doesn't much care what people think of him or his style. This is his team; he calls the shots. Our players trust him, and to a man will tell you we win because of his leadership. He will be a first ballet Hall of Famer. Enough said.

[senile1]

Senile I have to ask .... Are you originally from StL? Have you been in KC your whole life? I just don't see how a KC person can be a Cardinals fan.

I grew up in Southeast Missouri which is Cardinal country. I've been a Cardinal fan since my previous life. I started rooting for the Royals as my second favorite team in the late 70's. When the Royals and Cardinals play I am always for the Cardinals. I didn't move to Kansas City until I was 29 years old.

This is no reflection on your question as you asked in a respectful manner, but I get a lot of flack from some Royals fans which I don't understand considering that I root for the Royals, go to Royals games, and I treat other Royal's fans with respect.. The attacks can be rather rude at times and they generally tell me that Cardinals fans are jerks. I then ask them why they are attacking me since I never say anything bad about the Royals. In return they always back-pedal and say something to the effect that I am the exception. I tell them that the Cardinal's fans I know are very sportsmanlike and that there are bad apples in every group. I have had a few tell me that this is incorrect and that all Cardinals fans are jerks. I just don't understand that kind of biased hatred based on living vicariously through a sports team. I am sure there are fans like this for every team including the Cardinals. I find it very immature and unsportsmanlike.

[Grey Wolf]

I also salute Ron Washington and the Rangers. They are a class act. They represent their league and baseball honorably. As Washington said they are full grown men, and they conducted themselves as such.

The Cardinals did not win in spite of LaRussa. He is often an abrasive control freak who can be hard to deal with. He is a smart guy who doesn't much care what people think of him or his style. This is his team; he calls the shots. Our players trust him, and to a man will tell you we win because of his leadership. He will be a first ballet Hall of Famer. Enough said.

Yes they did , end of statement.

[KU_Bassmaster.]

I grew up in Southeast Missouri which is Cardinal country. I've been a Cardinal fan since my previous life. I started rooting for the Royals as my second favorite team in the late 70's. When the Royals and Cardinals play I am always for the Cardinals. I didn't move to Kansas City until I was 29 years old.

This is no reflection on your question as you asked in a respectful manner, but I get a lot of flack from some Royals fans which I don't understand considering that I root for the Royals, go to Royals games, and I treat other Royal's fans with respect.. The attacks can be rather rude at times and they generally tell me that Cardinals fans are jerks. I then ask them why they are attacking me since I never say anything bad about the Royals. In return they always back-pedal and say something to the effect that I am the exception. I tell them that the Cardinal's fans I know are very sportsmanlike and that there are bad apples in every group. I have had a few tell me that this is incorrect and that all Cardinals fans are jerks. I just don't understand that kind of biased hatred based on living vicariously through a sports team. I am sure there are fans like this for every team including the Cardinals. I find it very immature and unsportsmanlike.

You get a pass. I guess I am guilty of what you pointed out. I have a friend of a friend that I just can not stand (stems deeper than his sports affiliations but he makes it a big part). He was born and raised in KC. He is one of those Duke bball, Nebraska football, Lakers, Cowboys, Cardinals. I guess I generalize my thought of KC Cardinal fans with him. Probably not fair, but it still bothers me when people are born and raised somewhere and they choose non-hometown teams to be a fan of. Totally cool with transplants like yourself though.

[K_Mac]

Yes they did , end of statement.