When Albert Pujols made that dash from second base to score the winning run for the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday night in Colorado, I thought I was watching the Redbirds of the 1980s in action. Pujols scored from second base on a ground out to first by centerfielder Rick Ankiel in the ninth inning to give the Cardinals a 6-5 victory. Not only was it an exciting play that decided a game, it was a sign of leadership by a great player who was making a statement to his teammates as well as the rest of the National League. Albert’s daring dash spoke volumes because it perpetuated the attitude that the Cardinals are about winning, regardless of who is out of the lineup injured or where the Cardinals were picked to finish in the division. Who knows how long the Cardinals can keep up this early winning pace, but Albert set the tone with his dash. It was exciting to see.
MC Earl
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Outdoor National Track and Field Championships will be held at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville from May 22-24. The host schools for the NAIA nationals are Lindenwood, McKendree and Missouri Baptist. It marks the beginning of a two-year run in the St. Louis area. There will be a Hall of Fame Luncheon to kick off the championship weekend on Wednesday, May 21 at the Hyatt Regency, St. Louis Riverfront. I will serve as Master of Ceremonies for the event. As a track and field lover and a graduate of a NAIA school (Lindenwood), I’m honored to be involved in this event.
This Chris Paul
This Chris Paul is really something special. There have been some talented little guards to star in the NBA, but this young man for the New Orleans Hornets is at another level. He’s right up there with some of the great little men of the game such as Isiah Thomas and Nate “Tiny” Archibald. It’s scary how he can control a game in so many ways in just his third year in the league.
Hobbs signs
Gateway Tech guard Derron Hobbs has signed with Missouri State University. The 6’0” Hobbs averaged 13.9 points a game in helping the Jaguars to the Public High League title and a berth in the Class 5 state quarterfinals. Hobbs is the first area recruit signed by new Missouri State coach Cuonzo Martin.
Sites to see
If you want to keep up with high school basketball on a year-around basis, there are some pretty good websites in the area that are doing a good job of keeping St. Louisans up to date of what’s going on. Terrell Ramey’s www.rameybasketball.com, Mark Collins’ www.showtymebasketball.com and Justin Mosley’s www.stlhoopsinsiders.com are all on the scene and doing a good job of promoting area high school hoops. If you haven’t done it already, be sure to check them out.
Thanks, Mom
I would like to wish a very special Happy Mothers Day to my mother, Sandra Austin, my No. 1 role model in life. I love you, Mom. I would also like to extend congratulations to Rev. Ronald L. Bobo Sr., the pastor of the West Side Missionary Baptist Church, where I am a member. Pastor Bobo is celebrating his 22nd anniversary as the pastor at West Side. Congratulations to a great man and a true leader in our community.
Making history
If you are a fan of the Public High League, mark your calendars down for June 24. On this day, I will be appearing at the Missouri Historical Society, giving a presentation on my book The PHL in the STL, on the history of basketball in the Public High League. I look forward to meeting many of you and hopefully share some more great memories of a great era in high school basketball.