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It seems like just a couple of
months ago when the Cardinals had been left for dead after playing
a lackluster, error-filled portion of the season. Old timers were
asking themselves when was the last time a Cardinal team was this
bad when it came to execution. Some had to really scratch their
heads.
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They were beset
by injuries, starting with the loss of top pitcher Adam Wainwright
before spring training really felt like spring training. Throw in
the injuries to Matt Holliday, Skip Schumaker, Albert Pujols – did
I mention Holliday? – Alan Craig and who knows who else had an
ouchie or boo boo. This team was doomed to fail. The season
appeared to be lost after some heartbreaking and just plain
embarrassing losses, and then something changed.
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Some say it was
a team meeting where players decided to just relax and go out and
play. You see last season, when everyone thought the Cardinals were
going to make a run on Cincinnati after their little dust up, the
Cardinals rang in the wrong direction. Perhaps they learned from
that, or at least the veterans did, as this team was full of
much-needed new blood.
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Starting with
Lance Berkman. He provided a sense of calm and fun that this club
was lacking. He was great with the media, unlike some of his
teammates, and he also produced. He produced so much that he made
the All-Star team as well as winning the Comeback Player of the
Year Award.
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In with the
old. Now time for the new.
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Enter Jon Jay,
Daniel Descalso, Jaime Garcia, Allan Craig and Adron Chambers. They
provided a spark. Jay provided so much of a spark that it was time
to finally move the disappointing alleged phenom in waiting Colby
Rasmus. Jay took over centerfield and played extremely well.
Somewhere between Flood and Edmonds in my mind.
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With the team
play that took place near the end of August, it was time to make a
move that no one had ever seen before. The Cards were 10 and half
games out of a playoff spot. Their pecking away and the meltdown of
the Atlanta Braves gave the Cardinals a playoff spot on the last
day of the season.
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The Cardinals
would have to play the two best teams in the National League in
order to get to the World Series. Not only did they accomplish that
mission, they won twice in the most difficult ballparks for
visitors.
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Â
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In this day and
age of discord and cynics, in St. Louis it is truly all about the
Cardinals. It may be the only thing that can bring an entire
community together. For those who think African Americans are not
into baseball, you should think again. For those who have
questioned the Cardinals hiring practices with black players, if
not for the play of Edwin Jackson, Arthur Rhodes and Adron Chambers
that parade would have taken place in another city. Â Also, there is
more help on the way from the minors.
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I noticed that
the only African Americans on the Texas Rangers were their manager,
Ron Washington, first base coach Gary Pettis and pitcher Darren
Oliver. Upon further review of their front office staff, the only
other person featured was a groundskeeper.
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No, it’s not
just a St. Louis thing as the Rangers and their team president have
issues that have raised an eyebrow among the African-American media
in the Dallas area whose concerns have fallen on deaf
ears.
