For me, winter has started.

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

First, I’d like to congratulate the Houston Astros on getting to their first World Series. And to their fans, congratulations as well. It’s been a long time coming, and considering the struggles of the team in the past, it’s well deserved.

And although I’m deeply disappointed that it’s not the Cardinals moving on, I guess the baseball fan in me is kind of glad. Why? Because Craig Biggio and Jeff Bagwell have finally gotten to see the World Series from the field. Granted, I’ve never really liked Biggio. Even though he’s been a great player and should go to the Hall of Fame (I think moving to second base from catcher was the best thing that could have happened to his career), something about him just grates on me. As for Bagwell, I really feel bad for him. His team finally reaches the pinnacle, and there’s not much that he can do to contribute (I feel pretty much the same way about Frank Thomas).

But, despite all that, I’m disappointed. Not mad. Not frustrated. I’m not even wondering why, for the second year in a row, the Cardinals have suddenly stopped hitting at an inopportune time. I’m just disappointed. And I must say, it’s worse than it was last year; I think it’s on par with losing to the Mets in 2000.

This is worse than last year, I think, for two reasons. First, last year, they at least got to the World Series. No, they didn’t win. But I felt that they would take that last step this year. And now that there’s no more magic, it’s a tough pill to swallow knowing that they won’t.

Second, looking at the changes that are facing the team, and looking around the division, I’m not sure they can make it back this far next year.

Now, I realize that there are 26 other teams out there who would have gladly traded places with the Cardinals. I also realize that there are other teams out there who have suffered far worse. That should be some consolation, but it isn’t.

The one thing I’ve gained though, particuarly after they’ve been eliminated the last few years, is some perspective. I may be disappointed, but really, the disappointment I feel pales to real life tragedies that other people are experiencing at this very moment.

To end, I have to say that even though I love baseball, there are times that I wish I didn’t. Because baseball, or any sport you’re truly passionate about, can be a lot like life.

How?

It hurts.

cf’75

2

There’s a lot of things you can look at to measure the success of a season. Some are obvious and some are more nuanced. Every person on that team can hold their head high for the talent, class and heart they exhibited this season.

Even though expectations were high for this team, a fact that often leads to distractions and being in everyone’s crosshairs, they were usually clutch throughout and I think it was finally key injuries that came into play. With a healthy Walker and Sanders, well, who knows.

But by any measure, they’re an admirable lot.

3

cardsfan1975 sums up my feelings very nicely. But I’m a little more optimistic about next year. The infield looks set (assume a healthy Rolen), they have good options on pitching (whose options do they pick up, who do they let go?), a great GM in Jocketty, some decent farm prospects and a new stadium.

Since Walker will retire, that’ll free up some money for Walt to get a young quality outfielder. I fear Edmonds may be close to done also, but we’ll see.

I got to see the last winning game at Busch, the series opener with Houston. Wish it wasn’t the case, but at least I get to say I was there. Remembered to keep the ticket to boot!

4

My condolences to a class team.

I got a little misty-eyed, I must admit, towards the end of the game, knowing this would be the last for Busch Stadium. When I was a kid, I attended some football Cardinals games there. It was in the early/mid-70s, playing the Cowboys each time (except one time it was the Colts). Those were some great games, when the Cowboys had Staubach, et al, and the Cardinals were the Cardiac Cards…Jim Hart, Bobby Moore (before he was Ahmad Rashaad), Dan Dierdorf and Conrad Dobler. I saw Jim Bakken kick the game winner one time…ah memories!

5

My sister was lucky enough to have tickets to the game yesterday. I asked her if it was depressing, and she said that while the game was not good, it was pretty special being at the last game in Busch Stadium. She said after the game they had a video tribute with a lot of good moments at the stadium. They took some pictures and she said it seemed like nobody really wanted to go home. Pretty bittersweet.