2011 St. Louis Cardinals are an Amazing Story

It’s confession time. I’m a life-long Chicago Cubs fan. I grew up loving Andre Dawson, Ryne Sandberg, Shawon Dunston and Jerome Walton (that quintessential flash-in-the-pan Rookie of the Year from 1989). My hometown (Terre Haute, Indiana) was almost exactly equidistant from Cincinnati, St. Louis and Chicago.

In those days both the Reds and the Cardinals had good teams. The Cards went to the World Series in 1987. In 1990, the surprising Reds won the World Series behind the pitching of the Nasty Boys and the bats of Chris Sabo, Barry Larkin and Eric Davis. As a Cubs fan, I was surrounded by friends who liked the better Midwest teams. My love for the often awful Cubs (with the exception of that magical 1989 season, when everything came together for the Cubs to win their division) was the source of scorn from Cardinals and Reds fans.

I’d like to say that I’m a better person now and have gotten over those scars from childhood. However, I do harbor a grudge against the Cardinals and the Reds.

Despite this prejudice, I have to admire what the Cardinals have done this season. Clawing back from 10 and half games out of the playoff chase on August 25 is simply amazing. Recovering from a 2 games to 1 deficit to the Phillies in the first round of the playoffs is superb. Coming back from one strike away from losing the World Series in Game 6 twice is not only ridiculous, it’s also incredible. Following that emotional win to stay alive with a victory to close out the Texas Rangers caps off the perfect story for the Cardinals.

This Cardinals team will become legendary. Their Game 6 win was fantastic, but the overall narrative of their season is even more impressive. The ultimate underdogs winning the championship is a story for the ages. I love the Cubs, but I have to love these Cardinals too.