October 20, 2006

Cards win the NL Pennant.:

posted by Joey Michaels to baseball at 03:31 PM - 49 comments

I mean, just in case anyone missed this news... I was pretty stunned to see them win it, but good for them. A St. Louis/Detroit World Series actually sounds like a pretty darn exciting thing. That all said, Go Tigers!

posted by Joey Michaels at 03:32 PM on October 20, 2006

Which Card? Pujols? Carpenter? Suppan? Is there some sort of seniority rule about who gets to win the Pennant?

posted by grum@work at 03:35 PM on October 20, 2006

A St. Louis/Detroit World Series actually sounds like a pretty darn exciting thing. Except for the folks at FOX broadcasting.

posted by grum@work at 03:35 PM on October 20, 2006

Except for the folks at FOX broadcasting. Are all the games going to be on FOX?

posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 03:42 PM on October 20, 2006

Yes, all games will be on Fox. I'm afraid that their ratings will be lower than last year's Series. That sucks. I'll be watching the games though. Go Tiges!

posted by NoMich at 03:53 PM on October 20, 2006

Andrew Card? Orson Scott Card? Eric Cardman?

posted by chicobangs at 03:55 PM on October 20, 2006

I can't believe the Mets didn't pull it off with that vaunted rotation. Oliver Perez is the worst pitcher to ever start a Game 7. And the Cards scored one run off of him. Tigers in four. Wake me for pitchers and catchers.

posted by BullpenPro at 03:56 PM on October 20, 2006

I hate it when I spell things wrong in the post title. Mea Culpa.

posted by Joey Michaels at 04:03 PM on October 20, 2006

This is total homerism ... but Cardinals in six. I have absolutely no statistical breakdowns or analysis to back that up. I just have to believe hard enough.

posted by wfrazerjr at 04:07 PM on October 20, 2006

My prediction....The Worlds Champion Detroit Tigers visit Angel Stadium in Anaheim twice next season, April 23 & 24 and July 27, 28 & 29. Half prediction-Half fact. I just hope for a 7-game series.

posted by Termite at 04:41 PM on October 20, 2006

My prediction: The Cards will lose like my Astro's did last year but they'll win at least one game.I think the Tigers are destined to win it.

posted by texasred at 05:28 PM on October 20, 2006

Wfrazerjr, it's all about believing...which is why the Tigers will sweep. Seriously though, I didn't believe in September. I sure do now, and the Cards are gonna have their hands full.

posted by ctal1999 at 05:31 PM on October 20, 2006

the mets should've won game 7. bases loaded not once, but twice & we couldn't even get a cheap single up the middle. blame has to go to the offense with major culprits david wright, valentin & chavez. speakin' as a realistic w/out rose-tinted glasses-kind of mets fan, have to admit my skepticism & disappointment with wright in particular for the full second half of the season thru the playoffs. met fans wanna lynch me when i say this, but i'm inclined to at least think about the possibility of trading this guy's long term contract for a-rod in some kind of package deal with maine or perez maybe. no matter how good wright turns out to be, he'll never be a-rod (who will). rodriguez, a hall-of-famer, is 31 but probably good for another 10 years or so, wouldn't have to worry about jeter, plus he'd get to fulfill his big apple ambitions and stick it to the yankees in the process. crazy?

posted by swi at 05:46 PM on October 20, 2006

Both teams left a lot of runners on base. By your reasoning the cardinals should have won game 6 so there shouldn't have been a game seven. The team that should have won it won it. As some one who enjoyed the 1968 world series I'm looking forward to a rematch. I'm also hoping and praying that Tim McCarver and Joe Buck and taking a cruise together and won't be anywhere near a microphone. It should be a fun time.

posted by budman13 at 06:02 PM on October 20, 2006

Yes, all games will be on Fox. Thank god. I've had nightmares about the games being on ESPN.

posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 06:18 PM on October 20, 2006

I tried to watch the game, but McCarver - who had a vintage, vintage performance - forced me to run at high speed into the wall by the 4th. Luckily, I came to enough to see Chavez's catch. And then the Mets lost. On a called third strike. The Cards score 1 run off Oliver Perez and still win. They'll need a miracle against Detroit.

posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 06:31 PM on October 20, 2006

You never know what will happen but if you think the Series is in the Cards, you're dreaming. Detroit may sweep but should win in six.

posted by sickleguy at 06:55 PM on October 20, 2006

I'm not a big A.L. fan, but I am pulling for the Tigers. For some reason I love it when the experts and analysts question a team during the season only to see that team make it to the championships (Heat in basketball, White Sox last year.) Doesn't happen as often as I'd like, but it's nice to see the criticized team win it all. Also, did anyone else enjoy that Endy Chavez catch in the sixth? One of the best I've ever seen in the postseason.

posted by forrestv at 07:07 PM on October 20, 2006

Two outs..... two strikes, bases loaded. Beltran at the plate. Heres the pitch....STRIKE THREE. Beltran caught looking. Game over. I never thought Beltran would strike out looking in a scenario like that. On three straight pitches no less. Go Tigers. Detroit in 5

posted by Ghastly1 at 07:08 PM on October 20, 2006

This should be fun to watch. It looks like if this goes 7, they may have to play in snowmobile suits.

posted by ctal1999 at 07:16 PM on October 20, 2006

The Tigers in 4. Twelve straight World Series loses for the National League, and ten straight for the Cardinals. Say good by to Tony LaRussa.

posted by americanleague at 07:21 PM on October 20, 2006

That was one HELL of a catch.

posted by dusted at 07:50 PM on October 20, 2006

Yea, this series will be a cold one for sure. Especially in Detroit. The Cardinals in 4? Man, if that happens,the shit will be flying in St. Louie. I think LaRussa will catch some heat if that happens.

posted by Ghastly1 at 08:07 PM on October 20, 2006

In 1968 following the Tigers in the Series brought Detroit together after the horrible riots the year before. This year hopefully it'll help bring people back downtown. I'd like to predict the Tigers in 7 just like back then, but I don't know if my heart could take it. Tigers in 5.

posted by commander cody at 09:00 PM on October 20, 2006

The Mets poor rotation didn't lose the series for them. I seriously doubt the Cards lineup can now walk in and start lacing hits off the Tigers studs after struggling against Oliver Perez. It's the Tigers year, plain and simple. But Mets fans can at least console themselves that Albert Pujols didn't beat them. Yadier Molina did!

posted by dyams at 09:21 PM on October 20, 2006

Well said dyams. Plain and simple,it's the Tigers' year. Just like in 04 with the Red Sox. They were destined to win it all. Same goes for the Tigers this year.

posted by Ghastly1 at 09:33 PM on October 20, 2006

I'm pulling for the Cards but will admit it's a longshot for them (but the whole playoffs have been, for that matter). I'll be at Games 3-5 cheering on the folks with the birds on the bat. Speaking of the 1968 World Series, HBO sports put out a great documentary on that Series a few years back (it was in big rotation around 2002, I believe) -- it sets the series in the greater context of the social upheaval in Detroit (and elsewhere in the U.S.). at that time Check it out if you come across it. And for what it's worth with all the long-suffering Tigers talk, the Cardinals have gone longer without a World Series title than the Tigers (although the Cardinals have been back since and certainly have had the better track record in the intervening years).

posted by holden at 09:39 PM on October 20, 2006

Holden, what section? I should be at at least one of the three (I predict Cards in six). Regardless of who wins, I just hope the games are rivoting enough to keep me from going insane listening to useless Fox announcer drivel. I should just mute it and play the radio broadcast, but its always a pitch behind. Being from the STL, its hard to admit that Joe Buck is a sell out.

posted by cardsfan at 11:12 PM on October 20, 2006

Thanks to rcade for fixing spelling error in the link title. I promise I will never make a boneheaded error like that at SpoFi again. Tigers in 3.

posted by Joey Michaels at 11:53 PM on October 20, 2006

Oh, rats.

posted by Joey Michaels at 11:53 PM on October 20, 2006

cardsfan, I did the mute the tv, listen on the radio thing back in 2004, except it was the tv that was a pitch behind. I was studying during the games and always knew when to look up to catch a good play. The fact that the Tigers are in the WS after everyone predicting in June that they'd fall apart after the All-Star break makes me laugh. Experts schmexmperts.

posted by apoch at 02:44 AM on October 21, 2006

there ya go again,Joey:)) (takes 4 to win the series)

posted by texasred at 06:38 AM on October 21, 2006

this will be the best w.s. in a long time, but anything without the Yankees is a good w.s. tigers in 5, sorry S.L. but momentum is on the Tigers side and home field

posted by CHUCKY at 07:15 AM on October 21, 2006

cardsfan, I'll be in Section 167 for probably two of the games and maybe soemwhere in the upper reaches for the other. I won't make any predictions as to the winner, but I will go out on a limb and say it won't be a sweep.

posted by holden at 07:24 AM on October 21, 2006

For those of you saying goodbye to Tony LaRussa, why in hell would Cardinal management let him go after he brought a mediocre team to the World Series?

posted by wfrazerjr at 08:23 AM on October 21, 2006

Being from the STL, its hard to admit that Joe Buck is a sell out. I've been a season ticket holder since 1980 and I have no problem admitting that Joe Buck is not only a sell out but a mediocre announcer at best. I guess Jack's coat tails are a comfortable ride. By the way...Harry Cary sucked too.

posted by budman13 at 11:32 AM on October 21, 2006

I think the WS will be exciting and a well played, low scoring affair with the added bonus of watching Leyland and LaRussa match wits. The two series played previously between these teams (and what great series they were, and great teams as well) both went 7, and it wouldn't surprise me if this one did either. Harry Carey sucked? Blasphemy.

posted by mjkredliner at 12:27 PM on October 21, 2006

Harry Caray DID suck. Not blasphemous at all.

posted by willthrill72 at 12:41 PM on October 21, 2006

Have to agree. Harry Caray sucked. Ernie Harwell on the other hand rocked!

posted by commander cody at 01:42 PM on October 21, 2006

Tony LaRussa's record in the World Series is 5 wins and 12 losses, this included a 4-0 sweep of the Giants in 1989. He lost to the Dodgers in 1988 4-1, to the Reds in 1990 4-0 and to the Red Sox with the Cardinals in 2004 4-0. Whether the Cardinals are mediocre or not won't make much difference. The teams he managed in Oakland were far from mediocre and he managed to only 1 championship.

posted by americanleague at 03:53 PM on October 21, 2006

texasred: Clearly I am destined for greatness. *sighs*

posted by Joey Michaels at 04:01 PM on October 21, 2006

Now what the he// am I supposed to do? Detroit has been my "second team" in the AL since my sister moved there 50 years ago. St. Louis has always been my favorite NL team. I am going to find it impossible to watch when I can't root for anyone (except when NH's own Bobby Carpenter is pitching). Of course, since Buck and McCarver will be on the TV to screw it up, I probably won't watch anyway.

posted by Howard_T at 04:25 PM on October 21, 2006

Just jumping on the Harry Carey Sucked bandwagon. From what I've read (specifically David Halberstram's book on the 1964 season), he seemed like a manipulative touchhole.

posted by yerfatma at 05:59 PM on October 21, 2006

I'm excited. The tigers should win, and I'm pulling for them, but I always have a soft spot for the underdog. Thanks to rcade for fixing spelling error in the link title. You're welcome :)

posted by justgary at 06:32 PM on October 21, 2006

I'm probably the only Cubs fan on the planet who is actually pulling for the Cards. And I really don't even know why.

posted by willthrill72 at 08:48 PM on October 21, 2006

Holden, I'll be in 367-- just look for the Underdog poster, which actually did get shown on Fox during NLCS game 5. Let me know if you need a seat warmer down there in the money rows. Back on subject-- Harry Carey didn't suck, but he couldn't hold a candle to Jack Buck. I wish Bob Costas would loose his mind/sell-out/ignore his morales and return to TV commentary for MLB. He won't, which is why he is my choice for the best modern day baseball commentator. Which I guess I can't call him, since he doesn't do it anymore.

posted by cardsfan at 09:28 PM on October 21, 2006

It's one thing for an announcer to be a home towner but Harry was a franchise butt kisser.

posted by budman13 at 11:08 PM on October 21, 2006

Well, it won't be the Tigers in 4... Cards 7 Tigers 2. Egads!

posted by Joey Michaels at 01:05 AM on October 22, 2006

Harry was a franchise butt kisser. Nothing wrong with knowing who butters your bread, or loving the team you call games for. Besides, Harry was a Bud Man! Jack kissed Augie's ass more than once, too.

posted by mjkredliner at 07:56 AM on October 22, 2006

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