Royalties & Cardinalate

Cosmic voodoo at work in Series

Did Edmonds really catch that ball? Did Thursday night really happen? Well, yes, but it has taken a few emails and phone calls to convince me. Contrary to my original plan, I decided I must remain in my Basement Sports Lair to fully consume Game 7. Though I love sports bars, it does leave many things out of the realm of private control. Not a good thing for me when a big game is on. And this was THE GAME. I enjoyed it.

One thing I have yet to see mentioned is what Albert Pujols did moments after the on-field celebration began. As soon as Phat saw Julian Tavarez jumping up and down near the mound he immediately pulled wacky JT away from the mob and told him to watch his wrapped hand/broken fingers. Once JT was safely away from the mob, Albert went right back to the festivities. Given the circumstances, it is amazing Phat AL had such presence to do this. Always thinking. He may (should) wind up with a reputation as one of the most cerebral players in his era.

(From Space.com) A unique date in baseball history will be recorded Wednesday when for the first time a total lunar eclipse will occur during a World Series. Millions watching Game 4 will be able to partake in one of nature’s most beautiful sky shows, as Earth's shadow begins to cover the Moon during the early innings. Weather permitting, the eclipse will be visible to fans with a good line of site at Busch Memorial Stadium. And, if FOX television producers so choose, the potential exists for this to be the biggest audience ever to see a televised lunar eclipse. From 1903 through 1970, the World Series was only played during the daytime. In 1985, a total lunar eclipse on Oct. 28 came the day after the final game between St. Louis and Kansas City. The following year, another total eclipse occurred on Oct. 17. But that was the day before the start of the Series between the Mets and Red Sox.

Supp's on: Time to cook Clemens

Indeed, it was the greatest baseball day of my life -- so far. The Birds were on the verge of crushing the Astros over the first several innings, but could not put them away. Only 4-2. Many lost chances. Then, beginning in the seventh inning, I began to count outs (out loud). Standing, one out away from a win, I then watch that straggly old goat Bags knock in the tying run. From the seventh inning through the 12th inning I could barely sit (I was trembling like a girl), though I was comfortable at home in the Basement Sports Lair. Seeing Julian Tavarez dominate during his two innings was inspirational and then . . . I got my Ozzie moment! I always reference great St. Louis sports moments, but now I have a baseball moment of my own, as a St. Louisan, to put away for my remainding lifetime. I actually experienced the Edmonds Game (or the Busch Blast, Jimmy's Jack, whatever it will be known as). I came closer to tears than reacting like a frenzied fool. For about 10 seconds. Then I yelled, jumped, whooped . . . and watched it over and over again on TiVo. Still have not heard Mike Shannon's call, but Fox and ESPN Radio had adequate calls of the magic. Fours later, it was exactly midnight and the Red Sox were dancing on the mound at Yankee Stadium. What a day. Six RBIs for Johnny Jesus . . . I'm ready to celebrate tonight. I plan to escape the Lair and grab a seat at the SportsZone a few hours prior to game time tonight . . . I'm on edge already (the understatement of my lifetime)

Time for good Morris to rise up (please!)

Considering today's two games, it could be the most memorable baseball day of my life. I moved to St. Louis in 1997 and this is the closest the Birds have come to the World Series since then. Granted, I was not too caught up in the debacle of 1996 since I was busy graduating college and, subsequently, involved in a year-long party binge. Now I am awaiting the biggest game STL has played in 17 years. Of course, the game on Monday had that same label. Anything can happen with Matt Morris on the mound and it is unsettling, yet simultaneously exhilarating because it is the perfect setup (at Busch) for him to succeed. I have had time to come down from Monday’s loss but still cannot justify TLR intentionally walking Lance Berkman after a two-strike count. Having two strikes on a batter is the ultimate situation for a pitcher (OPS diminishes by like 150-plus points) and Berkman had already chased some high heat. You have to try and get him to chase again. Carlos Beltran stealing second should have had no impact on Izzy facing Berkman at 2-2. Seeing Jeff Kent win a game might be the most unbearable thing I’ve seen since in baseball since Kenny Lofton ended the Cards’ season in 2002.

If the Astros do win, that means Roger Clemens would face either the Yankees or Red Sox. That is wild. Let us hope it is a story we do not have to hear about . . . Chris Carpenter might be ready for the World Series. What a boost that potentially could provide . . . I stayed up until 4:30 this morning watching the Red Sox-Yankees on TiVo. It was such a good game during the final three innings that I could not bear to fast forward. Game 7! That’s freakin’ unbelievable. It may have been the most clutch umpiring I’ve ever seen as well.