That House That Phat Albert Built

Busch Stadiums II & III in 2005

Albert Pujols most likely sealed a new deal after his 2nd Cardinals championship. It would seem unlikely that any amont of money would make him want to soil his St. Louis Legacy. Surely, the Cards will make him the highest paid first basemen (until Prince bolts Milwaukee). The Cards second title in New Busch got me to thinking... which current stadium has housed the most World Series titles? The Cards (2006) and Yankees (2009) each christened their new stadiums with a first season title. The Braves waved goodbye to Fulton County Stadium with a title in 1995 (is it just me or do the Rangers look like Braves impersonators?) Anyways, here is a list of the ten (!?!) stadiums that have been the home to the most titles (you'll notice Wrigley is not on the list):
Fenway Park- 6
Oakland-Alameda County- 4
Dodger Stadium- 4
Rogers Centre- 2
Busch Stadium III- 2
Citizens Bank Ballpark- 1
Yankee Stadium- 1
Pac Bell/AT & T-1
Comiskey Park II- 1
Kauffman Stadium- 1
Angel Stadium- 1

Cards in Seven

Some are calling it the greatest game ever!? Five errors, eleven innings, countless big hits. In the end, the Cards came back in the 9th and 10th before winning it on...a homerun by David Freese. Freese went from goat to hero in innings with a dropped popup followed by a triple and walkoff. He'll either become a flash in the pan or an all-star. In my opinion the Rangers are cooked and about to lose two in a row for the first time since August. Pujols will return and the Cards will coast at home tonight in a game made possible by Prince Fielders all-star homerun and lack of homeruns in the N.L.C.S. Game Seven here it comes!!!
Final Out 2011: David Murphy

Got the Motte!

Cardinals "Closer" Jason Motte and I are both Iona College Alum. However, any similarities end there. Rit took this pic of me in 2008 when I was helping Sgobbs out on the bench. I mostly helped out with stats and was an extra pair of eyes. It was a blast and I miss the coaching staff and talking baseball on a daily basis. As for the Series...the Cards have an early Game Five lead after losing 4-0 yesterday. Game Three included a record night from Pujols who went 5-6 with three homeruns. Lance Berkman went on record saying Albert was the best of all-time and better than the Babe who played in all-white league. The former Yank, Fat Elvis impersonator had a tremendous season and turned down a return to Texas with Rangers to play with Cards. Shira and I just looked over some previous World Series logos and are just taking it easy until the baby arrives!

The Rhodes Less Traveled

Arthur Rhodes is about to make his World Series debut after 20 major league seasons. He'll face Josh Hamilton in the top of the 8th of a 3-2 Game One moment. I've been going through baseball-reference the whole game. I noticed that Michael Young just turned 34 and has 2061 hits. He just had his 4th 200-hit season, so with five more solid seasons he'll give 3000 a run. And there is the out. Rhodes gets Hamilton to pop out. This bullpen has been unreal, how long will this last?

Bob McClure Blues

2B Jim Gantner batted .333 in the 1982 World Series.

The other night I was thinking about how most of the eight playoff teams had recently been to the World Series. Then I realized more specifically seven of the eight teams had arrived at the Fall Classic in the 2000's. the only team on the outside is the Milwaukee Brewers. Their last visit is the well-mentioned 1982 team. Harvey's Wallbangers were up three games to two in the '82 World Series (the last post season series lead until last night). Without Rollie Fingers though the team faltered as Darrell Porter, Keith Hernandez, and Willie Mcgee doomed the Brew Crew. I'm really pulling for a Brewers-Phillies LCS because I don't want to see anymore success for the Cards, they've had their fair share. Below is listed the most recent World Series appearance for the 2011 playoff contenders:
Texas Rangers 2010
Philadelphia Phillies 2009
New York Yankees 2009
Tampa Bay Rays 2008
Detroit Tigers 2006
St. Louis Cardinals 2006
Arizona Diamondbacks 2001
Milwaukee Brewers 1982

Head First Into '08!

Almost a year with this blog and about 50 posts AND I still haven't posted my St. Loooie Card pics?!!? Here is the Cardinal sliding under the tag of the Wizard of Oz, Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith!

Stadium #17 Busch

So a trip to the Midwest was necessary because i wanted to add Busch to the list before they demolished it. Of course Pujols was not in the lineup BUT he did make a pivotal AB late in the game. The Cards were defeated by the Giants. the big winner is St. Looie was Shira who won $100 while riverside gambling.

The Trophy that Sealed the Deal

Ah, the elusive 1982 World Series Trophy. Still can't get my mitts on it. In 1981 this fans love affair with the Brew Crew began. It was the strike season and the Brewers lost out to the Yanks in the first division series ever. My first of many reasons to hate the Yanks. By 1982 the Brewers won the AL East on their own. They were down to the Angels and pulled out the ALCS in 5 games. I listened on my walkman at the WP Bowl. The WS was a heart breaker, I remember Gorman Thomas fouling off what seemed like a hundred foul balls before finally succumbing to Sutter and the Cards. Damn you Willie McGee!!!