Author Topic: The St. Louis Cardinals (Read 4949 times)

No? in Austin · « **on:** October 20, 2005, 01:35:00 am »

We kid a lot around here, most of the time in the most profane ways imaginable. If folks knew us better they'd understand us better and know it's all in good honest fun and meant to cut the edge off of being a fan of a baseball team.

So with all sincerity and with the deepest of honesty a man can muster: How about those redbirds! St. Louis is one classy organization and a hell of a tough team. Many breaks had to go Houston's way and the pitching had to be flawless to get to this moment. Breaks are a product of luck and Branch Rickey said luck is residue of preparation meeting opportunity. So to that extent, Houston was lucky but also good when it came to clutch pitching. The planets finally aligned themselves for our hometown nine. But for every inning of every game I feared these birds. Great team, great city, great fans.

Kudos to the class of the NL.

Ty in Tampa · « **Reply #1 on:** October 20, 2005, 01:38:08 am »

And also to the kinds of STL fans like the ones at birdsonthebat.com. They are extremely gracious in defeat, enough to put a congratulatory banner to the Astros on the front page of their site. A first class rivalry we all can be proud of.

Greg M · « **Reply #2 on:** October 20, 2005, 01:39:57 am »

That misplay by Edmonds on Mo's single was completely gratifying. I guess most of that comes from Edmonds owning the Astros for years. We've all seen great players in a Houston uniform not play their best in the postseason. The tide turned. It's very very nice to be on the winning side.

HudsonHawk · « **Reply #3 on:** October 20, 2005, 01:42:57 am »

Indeed Noe. A shoutout to all the great Card fans, with a special thanks to the good folks at birdsonthebat.com. They were welcoming before tonight, and gracious afterward.

Lug · « **Reply #4 on:** October 20, 2005, 01:58:04 am »

Even (in fact, WELL) before Game 5 I have NEVER EVER feared a batter as much as Albert Pujols. He is, bar none, the best batter in the game today. He makes 2002 Bonds look like Mendoza. And he's pretty classy.

So clearly I have a ton of respect for him. I just wish he were on our team.

Also, I have attended many games at Busch (big company client there until recently). And I have to say, they really know their baseball. And they really do applaud opposing teams' good plays.

I have several friends from that company who are huge Cards fans, and I fully expect that when I get to work tomorrow, there will be gracious congrats emails in my inbox.

Anyway, all this is to say ... based on my own personal experience, I totally agree with Noe's post.

-- L

Judge Mental · « **Reply #5 on:** October 20, 2005, 01:58:10 am »

hello Noe,

you beat us fair and square. The umps drew too much attention to themselves, but they didn't make the difference.

Your format here is a bit of a mystery to me, but... I just wanted to drop by and say thanks.

Missouri Mules are seldom inclinded to doff their hat to Texas, but this time, this Mule must.

It's a mystery to all of us why we like the Astros as much as we do. You aren't the Cubs, Dodgers, Giants, or Mets. Maybe y'all are honorary mid-westerners. You sure don't come off like fans of the Dallas Cowboys.

I hope I didn't step on too many toes.

best regards
Scott Gibbs

Moz · « **Reply #6 on:** October 20, 2005, 02:08:07 am »

Couldn't believe when one of the Fox announcers said Eckstein only had 4 hits in the series (although, I may have been drunk by then and missed it)...seems to me like he had about 24. Same goes for Molina. They're a damn good team.

Arky Vaughan · « **Reply #7 on:** October 20, 2005, 02:14:19 am »

Quote:

We kid a lot around here, most of the time in the most profane ways imaginable. If folks knew us better they'd understand us better and know it's all in good honest fun and meant to cut the edge off of being a fan of a baseball team.

So with all sincerity and with the deepest of honesty a man can muster: How about those redbirds! St. Louis is one classy organization and a hell of a tough team. Many breaks had to go Houston's way and the pitching had to be flawless to get to this moment. Breaks are a product of luck and Branch Rickey said luck is residue of preparation meeting opportunity. So to that extent, Houston was lucky but also good when it came to clutch pitching. The planets finally aligned themselves for our hometown nine. But for every inning of every game I feared these birds. Great team, great city, great fans.

Kudos to the class of the NL.

For all the insults hurled at Tony LaRussa here, I was deeply impressed watching the introductions in Game 3. He clapped his hands for Gary Gaetti and Orlando Palmeiro, two guys who played for him. But he also applauded and saluted Jeff Bagwell -- showing respect to one of the best hitters in baseball history and a brave man who is showing the grit to recover from what could have been career-ending surgery. That was truly classy.

And it is because the Cardinals are easily the strongest team in the league that it was so gratifying for the Astros to win their first pennant this way. It just would not have been the same if Houston had beaten San Diego. The quality of the competition made it that much more of an accomplishment.

homer · « **Reply #8 on:** October 20, 2005, 02:19:25 am »

LaRussa was stand up in the post game interview. He talked about their injury problems, but was quick to point out that they ran into an 'Astros problem'.

Great rivalry, great series.

frankie · « **Reply #9 on:** October 20, 2005, 02:35:37 am »

All right, quit kissing our ass and go enjoy your little World Series. Your boys earned it.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm getting the hell out of here because that aint champagne in my eyes!

Good luck!

Waldo · « **Reply #10 on:** October 20, 2005, 02:40:39 am »

They run a classy organization and are made up of classy players (except for Tavarez). If the Astros don't win the division, better that the Cards win it instead of the Cubs.

Astrobabe · « **Reply #11 on:** October 20, 2005, 03:15:35 am »

The Cardinals and their fans are nothing but class. They always have been, and always will be. They are also the most educated fans in baseball, in my opinion. It is an honor for us to have played them and won. The true exhibition of class was the number of Cards fans who stayed to clap for us after the game was over. I doubt any team in baseball would have done the same.

Although we are divisional rivals, I don't see a hate between us, but a mutual respect. When they beat us last year, we saw the same thing.

Hats off to the Cards for being the excellent competitors they are, for not exhibiting the jackassery we certainly would've seen out of cubbie fans, and for once again being a strong opponent. Let's hope we bring the WS home!

drew corleone · « **Reply #12 on:** October 20, 2005, 10:13:07 am »

That was, "Let's Go Astros" I heard chanted at the end of the game, right?

Classy is right.

I can't wait to look at an opposing lineup and NOT see Eckstein. Man that guy is the Rocky Balboa of leadoff hitters.

drew corleone · « **Reply #14 on:** October 20, 2005, 11:03:21 am »

I meant after the game. It didn't sound like "Cardinals" then. The guys on 1300 this morning said they thought it was "Astros" as well, but it was hard to hear, because I was on the phone.

hostros7 · « **Reply #16 on:** October 20, 2005, 11:21:37 am »

I agree with everything said here...except for the fact that albert may want to reconsider the "who's your daddy?" wardrobe selection after game 5. just a suggestion

Foghorn · « **Reply #17 on:** October 20, 2005, 11:24:22 am »

Ahh, horse shit. This is still the organization of:

(1) Co-champs
(2) calling a game because your best players are sick and are facing Oswalt
(3) Anaheim Jimmy

Fuck. The. Jakes.

JimR · « **Reply #19 on:** October 20, 2005, 12:32:40 pm »

i agree, Noe. this is a rivalry based on respect, and we beat the best team in baseball. we should win with class, even Foghorn. what a day for Astros' fans!

Judge Mental · « **Reply #20 on:** October 20, 2005, 12:55:40 pm »

hello hostros,

Jesus was printed on the back of that Pujols t-shirt you're talking about. Or so I read in my morning paper. I don't know if that makes a difference or not. It's still a tiresome phrase.

best regards
Scott Gibbs

T. J. · « **Reply #21 on:** October 20, 2005, 12:57:22 pm »

No farting on the Cards merchandise in the St Louis airport anymore?

GrizAdams · « **Reply #23 on:** October 20, 2005, 08:31:07 pm »

I was fortunate enough to finally find this board after hearing about it so much on birdsonthebat.

My congratulations to the Astros organization, and I'm glad to see the Astros faithful be rewarded with a WS appearance (hopefully more than just that).

Enjoy the ride.

Alkie · « **Reply #25 on:** October 21, 2005, 12:27:15 am »

Ok, so, it's been 24 hours. Can we not discuss the Cards again until November?

Author Topic: The St. Louis Cardinals (Read 4949 times)

No? in Austin

strosrays