Cardinals Pitchers Since 1972

Most serious baseball fans with an eye toward the rich history of the game are well aware of the impact on starting pitchers of the increased specialization and deployment of the bullpen in recent decades. Another factor in the resultant reduction in workload for starters is the relatively-new focus on pitch counts.

The Shot Heard Round Detroit launched the Tigers into the World Series and set off an epic night of partying in Motown. Can it get any better than this? Well, barring any more rain outs in the NLCS we'll get a look at the World Series.

Selig's main requirement for a new Dodger owner: SIGN PUJOLS!

I don't believe in random events.
I don't believe in first causes.
I don't believe that actions take place in vacuums.

Even me typing this blog post is the result of a long chain reaction of events.

And a chain reaction of events could be conspiring to bring Albert Pujols to Dodger Stadium.
I have no evidence to back up these theories. But I still think it makes sense.

- Albert Pujols launches 3 home runs in one World Series game, putting him in World Series history with Reggie Jackson and Babe Ruth. And he helps spark one of the World Series saving rallies in Game 6. (The fact that he was basically a non factor in the other World Series games is forgotten by everyone.)

- Albert Pujols is a free agent... a perennial MVP candidate and one of the few marquee stars in the game. Plus he is a class act, free of scandal and has multiple rings in St. Louis. He's probably staying in St. Louis with his father figure, Tony LaRussa.

- LaRussa retires, ending his career with his crowning achievement. He can spend his days saving animals and writing his Cooperstown speech.

- SO Pujols has nothing left to prove in St. Louis. He can leave St. Louis on top and take on a new challenge and more money than any of us can ever dream of. ($30 million a year?)


Meanwhile in Los Angeles...

- The Dodgers fiasco might be finally grinding to a halt. Frank McCourt, in denial like William H. Macy's character in Fargo, might finally realize that he ISN'T just one deal away from keeping control of the team. MLB might take over the Dodgers. They did that once before with the Expos.

- This is a different scenario. That was saving a team from contraction and getting them to Washington DC. The Dodgers need to be lifted from the humiliation of bankruptcy and mismanagement. The Dodgers SHOULD be one of the glamorous franchises. And it would behoove baseball to have a big west coast superpower (sorry Giants fans. Your team isn't a superpower.)

- So if MLB takes over the Dodgers, they can hand pick whomever takes over the team. They will have to be committed to turn the Dodgers back into a powerhouse, make L.A. as baseball crazy as New York and Boston and bring some star power to Dodger Stadium.

- The Dodgers just HAPPENED to have a hole at first base (sorry James Loney). They just HAPPENED to have an MVP candidate to protect Pujols in the lineup with Matt Kemp. They just HAPPEN to play in a winnable division. (Sorry Diamondbacks.) And unless Juan Uribe has more pull than I thought, #5 just HAPPENS to be available in Los Angeles.

- The Dodgers also just HAPPEN to be a team in a desperate situation to have some positive press after all the off the field embarrassment. And they need something, besides a face who ISN'T Frank McCourt, to jumstart season ticket sales.

- If MLB can control who buys the Dodgers, they COULD make "Will you make a big push for Albert Pujols?" a requirement. It would be good for the franchise and could make the Dodgers a marquee franchise again.

Fans are going to show up in St. Louis. It's a new era there anyway.

Pujols (paired with NL MVP candidate Matt Kemp and Cy Young candidate Clayton Kershaw) could have his new challenge.

Bud Selig, someone NOT above colluding, could be in a unique position to handpick someone to bid on Pujols.

Where else is Albert going? Sure Theo Epstein wants to make a big splash with the Cubs, but he has to weed OUT big contracts before bringing in a new one. The Mets are a mess. And maybe the Marlins would make a run at him, but they are a dark horse at best.

Of course the Rangers, White Sox, Nationals and Orioles are never shy about throwing money around. But I can't see Albert going to any of those places.

The Dodgers are the most logical landing place in many ways.
It's a boost to the franchise.
It's a bump in West Coast baseball's interest.
And it could make Albert even more marketable than he is now.

Don't think this ISN'T going through Bud Selig's mind.
It's a chain reaction of events... and it could lead to the image of Albert Pujols playing first base for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

(For the record, I think Pujols is staying put... but you never know!)

Owen Good joins The Sully Baseball Show

Sports writer and comedian Owen Good stopped by The Sully Baseball Show tonight.
We talked Cooperstown, Pete Rose and why we both like Mike Greenwell.


It is the second hour of the Seamheads block on Monday night after What's On Second, the flagship show of the Seamheads National Podcasting Network.

Listen to internet radio with Seamheads on Blog Talk Radio

TITO!!! CALL ST. LOUIS NOW!!!

The World Champion St. Louis Cardinals have a job opening!
Their Hall of Fame manager is leaving on top.
They have the foundation of a great team being left behind.

They can hand the reigns of the team over to a coach like Jose Oquendo or Dave McKay or Joe Pettini.

Maybe long time pitching coach guru Dave Duncan can manage the team.

Or 800 pound gorilla Mark McGwire.

OR they can insert a respected manager who happened to have a bad month.
Someone with two World Series titles of his own... including one at the expense of the Cardinals.

Terry Francona... Cardinals manager.
St. Louis is just as great a baseball city as Boston without the grief or inferiority complex.

The inferiority complex is in Chicago... and who is running the Cubs now? THEO!

Oh this could be a NEW wrinkle in the Cubs/Cardinals rivalry!!!

Become the Cardinals manager, win a World Series title in St. Louis... be beloved forever and rehearse your Cooperstown speech.

Give them a call.

Hats off to Tony LaRussa

I've never been a Tony LaRussa fan... but man you have to respect him.
He is probably the greatest manager of our time. If he's not, he's in the conversation.

And he retired as a World Series champ.
No backstabbing, book writing, passive aggressive swiping at management here.

This isn't Torre or Francona's ending where you need to remind people of the good times.

He's out on top after winning the best World Series in a decade.

He has three World Series titles. No need to apologize for not winning more. He has as many World Series titles as Leo Durocher, Earl Weaver and Whitey Herzog combined.

I was never a fan.
But man I am an admirer.

Ozzie Guillen, Bruce Bochy, Charlie Manuel, Joe Girardi, Davey Johnson, Mike Scioscia and Jim Leyland are the only current managers who have won a World Series title now.

None more than one.

Who will take the title of "Best Current Manager?"

We'll see.

New Sully Baseball Video - "The John Lackey Horror Show."

In the latest Sully Baseball video, I reacted to the news that the Padres were supposedly interested in picking up John Lackey.

They didn't make a deal before Lackey had season ended surgery.

Awful news. But I don't get mad. I make videos.

As always, all the Sully Baseball videos can be found on my ShortForm TV channel.

Kids St. Louis Cardinals World Series Champs T-Shirt, Youth

Kids St. Louis Cardinals World Series Champs T-Shirt

Youth Sizes S, M, L, XL

What a joy it must have been for your kids to witness the Cardinals miraculous 2011 season.  When you never give up, you never know what may happen! Kids LOVE to wear apparel of their favorite team.  The St. Louis Cardinals World Series Champs t-shirts shown below are sure to be one of your kids favorites!

Youth St. Louis Cardinals World Series Champions Gray T-Shirt

Youth St. Louis Cardinals World Series T-Shirt

This youth t-shirt displays the St. Louis skyline, the Arch, and has 2011 World Series Champions screen printed across the chest. Reinforced collars to help prevent stretching.

• Machine washable
• Kids sizes : S, M, L, XL
• Made by Majestic
• Screen printed graphics

Red St. Louis Cardinals 2011 World Series Kids Tee

Cardinals World Series Ring T-Shirt

After watching the Cards win it all youth fans were celebrating and dreaming of the day when they become future All Stars!  This tee is sure to become one of your kid's favorites.  Vibrant Cardinal team colors with screen printed graphics proudly displayed across the chest.

• Youth Sizes : S, M, L, XL
• Reinforced collar
• Made by Majestic
• Cardinals Championship Ring screen printed on the front and center of t-shirt
• Officially licensed by MLB

Youth St. Louis Cardinals Caricature Champs T-Shirt

Caricatures of all your kids favorite players are screen printed on the front of this classic World Series t-shirt.  As you can see Albert Pujols, Chris Carpenter, and Matt Holiday are front and center.  Can you name the rest of the Caricature's on the tee?  I bet your kids can!  This t-shirt is officially licensed by Major League Baseball and is made by Majestic.

• Sizes : S, M, L, XL
• World Series Champs screen printed across front of tee

Youth St. Louis Cardinals Customized Jersey Tee

Looks like a jersey, feels like a tee. Maybe it's just a combination of both.  Does your child have a favorite player? With this tee you can easily add the name and number of any player on the current roster!  Pujols, Holiday, Freese, or anyone else!  Simply click on the tee and choose the player from the drop down menu.

• Add any players name and #
• Officially licensed MLB apparel
• Kids sizes : S, M, L, XL

View More St. Louis Cardinals Kid's T-Shirts & Apparel

Related :

• Cardinals Youth Christmas Stockings

Women's Cardinals World Series Jerseys, Freese, Molina, Pujols

Women's St. Louis Cardinals Women's Jerseys

David Freese, Yadier Molina, Albert Pujols, and more!

Albert Pujols Women's St. Louis Cardinals World Series Jersey

Albert Pujols led the Cardinals all the way to the 2011 World Series.  If your a woman who loves the Cardinals and loves to look good while cheering your team, this jersey if for you.  Notice the World Series patch on the sleeve.  Officially licensed MLB apparel. Looks like the jersey Albert Pujols wears on the field, BUT with a feminine touch, style, and feel.  Also be sure to check out our Women's St. Louis Cardinals World Series T-Shirts, and Hoodies.

Women's Albert Pujols St. Louis Cardinals World Series Jersey

• Sizes : S, M, L, XL, 2X
• Made by Majestic
• 100% polyester
• Officially licensed by MLB
• Official 2011 World Series Patch on left sleeve

Women's David Freese World Series T-Shirt Jersey

David Freese is the new shining star in St. Louis. Freese, a St. Louis hometown product put on one of the greatest post season performances in MLB history.  The t-shirt shown below has that "jersey look" feminine t-shirt feel designed just for the ladies.  This t-shirt jersey can be custom ordered to have ANY St. Louis Cardinals name and number on back.  David Freese, Yadier Molina, Albert Pujols, Chris Carpenter, or even Tony Larussa! 2011 World Series patch on left sleeve.

Women's David Freese St. Louis Cardinals Jersey

• Women's sizes : S, M, L, XL
• Click on tee and choose any name and number from the drop down menu
• David Freese's (or anyone other Cardinal) name and number can be added to the back of this t-shirt jersey
• Team logo and graphics applique across front
• Made by Majestic

Yadier Molina St. Louis Cardinals World Series T-Shirt Jersey

Yadier Molina is a fan favorite in St. Louis.  He's the field general behind the plate and loves to throw runners out trying to steal!  The jersey shown below can be custom made to have Yadier Molina's name and number on back of jersey.  Simply click on jersey and choose Yadier Molina from the drop down menu.  You can also choose any other player from the current Championship roster!

Yadier Molina St. Louis Cardinals World Series Jersey

• Add Yadier Molina's name and number to the back of this officially license St. Louis Cardinals World Series Jersey!
• Team name and logo
• Made by Majestic
• Sizes : S, M, L, XL, 2X

Shop More Women's St. Louis Cardinals 2011 World Series Jerseys!

Broken News: Joe Nathan Could Be The Mets' Closer

Welcome to the latest edition of Broken News, where we take Mets news that has already been broken by someone else, then we break it some more.  In today's edition, we'll be discussing the news that Twins' closer Joe Nathan might have interest in playing for the Mets.

Joe Nathan has been the closer for the Twins since being traded from San Francisco to Minnesota on November 14, 2003.  Nathan's 24-10 won-loss record while pitching in middle relief for the Giants was very good, but his 4.12 ERA and 1.38 WHIP left a little to be desired.  Once he became a Twin, his career took off.  In just eight seasons in Minnesota, Nathan has become the franchise's all-time saves leader.  His 260 saves are six more than former Met Rick Aguilera achieved in 11 seasons as a Twin.

Nathan did not pitch in 2010 because of Tommy John surgery and was erratic upon his return in 2011.  He was replaced as the Twins' closer by Matt Capps in April and was placed on the disabled list in late May when he strained his right flexor muscle.  However, after a particularly brutal stretch by Capps in July (10.80 ERA and a .406 batting average against him in his first eight July appearances), Nathan returned to the closer's role and did well.

From June 28 to September 25, Nathan's ERA was 2.63.  Opposing hitters struggled mightily against Nathan, batting .170 over the three-month stretch and reaching base at a .224 clip.  Nathan also regained his control, fashioning an excellent strikeout to walk ratio (26 K, 5 BB).  More importantly, he proved he could be a successful closer in the major leagues, recording 11 saves for the Twins after he returned to his familiar role.

For his efforts, the Twins decided not to pick up his $12.5 million option for 2012, choosing to buy him out for $2 million instead.  Nathan would prefer to be a closer in 2012 and not go the Francisco Rodriguez route, going from closer on one team to set-up man on another.

In light of this broken news, the question must be asked.  Would it make sense for the Mets to give Nathan a shot as their closer in 2012?

Sandy Alderson has already shown that is not shy to sign low-risk, high-reward pitchers who have been injured in recent seasons.  His reclamation projects in 2011 included Chris Young and Chris Capuano.  Young was brilliant in four starts before succumbing to a season-ending injury.  Capuano, however, stayed healthy all year, pitching 186 innings in 33 games (31 starts) for New York.

The left-handed starter also led the team in strikeouts (168), while walking only 53 batters.  Out of the five starters, only Jonathon Niese walked fewer batters (44).  However, Niese ended his season on the disabled list and made five fewer starts than Capuano.

Although Joe Nathan was born in Houston, he grew up in New York rooting for the Mets during his youth.  Since Nathan is still trying to prove to his suitors that he is not an injury risk, especially since he will be 37 by Opening Day, he will more than likely not sign for big dollars or a multi-year deal.  Rather, he will probably sign a one-year deal for a few million dollars and hope he can re-establish himself as an elite closer so he can get one final big payday in 2013.

Right now, the Mets don't really have a good internal candidate for the closer role.  Bobby Parnell tried last season and fell flat on his face.  Jenrry Mejia is being groomed to be a starter despite his electric "stuff".  Sandy Alderson has let it be known that the Mets may opt to look outside the organization for their closer in 2012.  If Joe Nathan wants to come here and is willing to accept a one-year, reasonably priced deal, then Alderson may have his man.

 Joe Nathan is pointing at you, Sandy Alderson.  Make this deal happen!

I like Joe Nathan.  I'm not afraid of his age or his recent injury history.  He came back for the Twins last summer and pitched well for a team that was out of the pennant race very early in the season.  As of right now, the Mets don't appear to be contenders for a playoff spot in 2012.  That would lift considerable pressure off Nathan's shoulders should he choose to sign with the Mets.  However, if the Mets somehow break their streak of fourth-place finishes and contend for a playoff spot next summer, Nathan has a proven track record of pitching well for contending teams, as his Twins were perennial contenders during the '00s.

If the Mets are going to compete regularly for the playoffs, they'll need to get younger.  They're already on their way to doing that.  However, every team needs veterans to guide their younger talent and help them succeed at the major league level.  Joe Nathan could serve as a mentor to the younger pitchers while serving as the team's closer in 2012.  It's a double duty the Mets should take a chance on.

World Series Recap: I Blame C.J. Wilson

The Texas Rangers were one strike away from winning the World Series in the ninth inning of Game 6.  They blew that lead.  They were one strike away from winning the World Series in the tenth inning as well.  That lead also went poof.  In Game 7, they were 25 outs away from winning the World Series before blowing that lead.

You can say the Rangers lost because David Freese happened.  You can say they lost because the Cardinals had just watched the 1986 World Series DVD as an educational video.  You can say many things about why the Rangers lost.  I'm blaming C.J. Wilson.

 You can't hide from us, C.J.  We know it was your fault the Rangers lost the World Series.

Nelson Cruz had hit his record-tying eighth home run in the 2011 postseason, a shot off designated intentional walker Lance Lynn.  That blast gave the Rangers a 6-4 lead in the seventh inning of Game 6.  Cruz later misplayed David Freese's line drive to turn a World Series-clinching out into a World Series-tying two-run triple.  Blame Nelson Cruz all you want.  I'm blaming C.J. Wilson.

The Texas Rangers pitching staff allowed 41 walks over the seven games, breaking the old World Series record of 40 set by the 1997 Florida Marlins.  Alexi Ogando, who was a strong Rookie of the Year candidate until the Mets beat him up in late June, allowed seven of those 41 walks in only 2 2/3 innings.  Despite his erratic arm, Rangers manager Ron Washington brought him into six of the seven games, where he also gave up seven hits in addition to his seven walks.  It would appear as if Alexi Ogando or Ron Washington would be culpable for this.  I'm blaming C.J. Wilson.

The bullpen of Mike Adams, Neftali Feliz, Mike Gonzalez, Scott Feldman, Alexi Ogando, Darren Oliver and Mark Lowe combined to pitch 19 2/3 innings in the World Series.  After an impressive regular season, ALDS and ALCS, the relievers faltered in the World Series, combining to post an 8.24 ERA and 2.34 WHIP.   The lowest ERA of the Sad Seven belonged to Adams, who led the bullpen with a 4.50 ERA in two appearances.  Blame the bullpen coach or any member of the Sad Seven.  I'm blaming C.J. Wilson.

Ron Washington should have continued to pitch batting practice instead of letting his relievers do so during the actual games.

In Game 3, Albert Pujols went 5-for-6 with three home runs and six runs batted in.  In the other six games, he went 1-for-19 with no RBIs.  However, that one hit came in one of his many "this could be his last at-bat for the Cardinals" plate appearances in Game 6.  Pujols' one-out double into the gap in left-center set the stage for Freese's ninth-inning heroics.  Because of Pujols' reputation as the best hitter in the league and that ninth inning double, the Rangers decided to issue one of the aforementioned 41 walks to Pujols in the tenth inning when they were one out away from becoming World Series champions.  Oops.  Lance Berkman followed El Hombre's intentional walk with an RBI single, sending the game into the 11th inning.  Blame pitching coach Mike Maddux or Albert Pujols' aura.  I'm blaming C.J. Wilson.

C.J. Wilson started two games of the World Series.  After an excellent regular season in which he went 16-7 with a 2.94 ERA, Wilson actually had a lower ERA in the World Series.  His 2.92 ERA in two starts and one relief appearance helped keep the Rangers in the series.  It was Wilson's effort in Game 5 (one run allowed in 5 1/3 innings) that set the stage for Mike Napoli's go-ahead two-run double in the eighth inning, a hit that propelled the Rangers to a 3-2 series lead.

It looks as if C.J. Wilson did everything he could to help the Rangers win the World Series.  So why am I blaming him for the World Series loss?  Because the seeds for this loss were planted in Arizona in mid-July.

 The Fall Classic was lost during the Midsummer Classic, thanks to C.J. Wilson.

During the Midsummer Classic, the American League led 1-0 when manager Ron Washington (maybe I should blame him too) brought in C.J. Wilson to pitch the fourth inning.  Wilson allowed a leadoff single to then-Met Carlos Beltran, followed by a line drive single to Matt Kemp.  He then allowed a titanic three-run homer to Prince Fielder (see photo above), which gave the National League a 3-1 lead.  The American League would not score again in the NL's 5-1 All-Star Game victory.

Prince Fielder's bomb off C.J. Wilson essentially gave the National League home-field advantage in the World Series.  Hence, that is why the wild card-winning Cardinals were able to play Games 6 and 7 at Busch Stadium instead of having those games played in Arlington, home of the division-winning Rangers.  Had Game 6 been played in Texas, the Cardinals would not have gotten a last chance to tie the game in the ninth and tenth innings and could not have possibly won the game in walk-off fashion.  It might have been the Rangers celebrating a World Series championship instead of the Cardinals celebrating an improbable comeback victory in Game 6.

So blame Ron Washington, Mike Maddux, Nelson Cruz or the entire Texas Rangers bullpen.  They might share in the blame for the Rangers' seven-game World Series loss to the Cardinals, but I'm blaming C.J. Wilson.  Had he been able to keep one ball in the park in July, the Rangers might have been having a ball in their park in October as first-time World Series champions.

Don't drop the ball, C.J.  Oh, wait.  Never mind.  You already did in the All-Star Game.

Women's Cardinals 2011 World Series Apparel, Hoodie, T-Shirt

Ladies, when the Cardinals were sitting 9 games out in August did you seriously think that 2 months later your favorite team would be calling themselves the 2011 World Series Champions?  The Cardinals proved that if you keep the faith and striving to do the "impossible" everything becomes possible!  It's time to celebrate the Cards becoming World Series champs with some officially licensed team apparel.  We carry t-shirts, hoodie sweatshirts, tank tops and jackets made just for the ladies!

Related :

Women's 2011 World Series Zip Front Sweatshirt Hoodie

 Women's St. Louis Cardinals 2011 World Series Zip Front Hoodie Sweatshirt

• Life is good when the Cardinals are winning, so after the Cards won the 2011 World Series life couldn't be better! This zip front fleece hoodie is a perfect way to showcase your team pride.
• Machine washable
• Officially Licensed Ladies MLB Apparel
• Hoodie comes in sizes S, M, L, XL

Not what your looking for? Shop through dozen's more Women's St. Louis Cardinals Sweatshirt Hoodies.

Women's 2011 St. Louis Cardinals World Series Championship T-Shirts

2011 St. Louis Cardinals World Series Champions Women's T-Shirt

Have a favorite player?  David Freese? Albert Pujols? Allen Craig?  Yadier Molina?  This customize women's t-shirt can be ordered with the name and number of any St. Louis Cardinals player from the 2011 World Series roster!  Click on the tee for detailed ordering information. Simply choose your favorite player from the drop down menu and their name and number will added to your personalized tee!

• 2011 World Series Women's T-Shirt is made of 100% cotton
• Ladies sizes come in S, M, L, XL
• Screen printed graphics
• Must have for any women's Cardinals wardrobe
• Feminine yet sporty

Browse through DOZENS other Women's STL Cardinals World Series T-Shirts, and Apparel

Related :

• Cardinals World Series Jackets

Cardinals World Series Champions Jacket, 2011 Commemorative

St. Louis Cardinals 2011 World Series Championship Jackets

What and Epic World Series it was for Cardinal fans.  How many times could they come back and snap victory out of the jaws of defeat? As much as what it would take to win the World Series, that's how many!

Cardinal fans are a proud bunch and displaying your "St. Louis Pride" is part of what being a fan is all about. Check out this officially licensed, one of a kind St. Louis Cardinals World Series Champions Jacket. It's safe to say that a commemorative jacket like this will turn heads all throughout the off season. A jacket like this can become a favorite piece of your winter's wardrobe for many years to come.

St. Louis Cardinals 2011 World Series Commemorative Champions Jacket

• Cotton canvas varsity style jacket
• Cardinal team colors with team logo on the front
• 11 Time World Series Champions lettering on left chest
• Commissioner's Trophy proudly displayed on back of the jacket
• Professional embroidery
• Heavyweight button up front jacket
• Officially licensed by Major League Baseball
• Cuffed waists, and wrists to give a comfortable fit while keeping out the cold!
• Sizes S, M, L, XL, 2X

St. Louis Cardinals Wool and Leather World Series Champions Jacket

Cardinals World Series Champions Commemorative Leather Jacket

• Warm Heavyweight button up jacket
• Applique logo
• Professional embroidery
• Officially licensed by Major League Baseball
• Front and inner pocket
• National League patches on the sleeves of the jacket

Related :

• David Freese Cardinals Jerseys

Cardinal World Series Christmas Stocking, Kid Stocking Stuffer

St. Louis Cardinals World Series Christmas Stockings

Looking for that perfect way to accent the mantle in your home during Christmas season? These 2011 Cardinals World Series stockings will be a perfect way to enhance the Holiday decor in your home.

The kids will be staring at these Christmas stocking each and every day right up until Christmas Day when they get to see what kind of stocking stuffers Santa Clause brought them!

Cardinals 2011 World Series Champions Christmas Stockings

Shop 2011 Cardinals World Series Christmas Stockings

• Vibrant team colors
• Embroidered Cardinals name, logo, and World Series Champions design
• Officially licensed stocking perfect for stocking stuffers and goodies for your kids!

Related :

Also be sure to check out the St. Louis Cardinals World Series Christmas Ornaments and other Holiday Cheer items, and trinkets for your home decor.  Let this Holiday the season that you fill a Cardinals fan's home with Holiday AND team spirit.  You don't win the World Series every year, so when you do it's time to celebrate and be festive!

Cardinals 2011 World Series Christmas Ornaments, X-Mas Decorations

Officially licensed MLB X-Mas Decorations

Christmas came early for St. Louis Cardinal fans in 2011!  The Cardinals won the World Series and their fans couldn't be more cheerful.  During this X-Mas season there will be that extra hop to their step when fans are out shopping for their loved ones.  Adding a touch of heart felt decoration to the Christmas tree really adds to the room decor and brings out that Christmas spirit! Also check out our St. Louis Cardinals World Series Banners and Flags.

Christmas ornaments  make great gifts because they will become part of a loved one's home year, after year, after year.  Heartfelt ornaments only inexpensive and they have that special ability to hold on to memories that last forever!  How many ornaments can you remember that hung on the tree.. How many continue to hang on the Christmas tree year after year?  If you love the St. Louis Cardinals or know someone who does what an economical and thoughtful way to brighten someone's Christmas!

St. Louis Cardinals 2011 World Series Red Globe Christmas Ornament

• 11 Time World Series Champions proudly displayed on back of the ornament (including 2011!!!)
• Makes a heartfelt keepsake gift that can brighten someone's home for a lifetime!
• Less than 10 dollars!

Not what your looking for?  Check Out MORE St. Louis Cardinals Christmas Ornaments and X-Mas Decorations.

Related :

• St. Louis Cardinals Christmas Stockings

The Big Bad Cardinals

Let’s take four big league franchises and look at what they’ve done in the past 10 seasons.

Franchise 1 from 2002 to now.
Won 2 World Series Titles.
Won 3 Pennants.
Appeared in the LCS 5 times

Franchise 2 from 2002 to now.
Won 2 World Series Titles
Won 2 Pennants.
Appeared in the LCS 4 times.

Franchise 3 from 2002 to now.
Won 1 World Series Title.
Won 2 Pennants.
Appeared in the LCS 4 times.

Franchise 4 from 2002 to now.
Won 1 World Series Title.
Won 2 Pennants.
Appeared in the LCS 2 times.

Franchise 1 clearly has been the most dominant team of the past 10 seasons.
Franchise 2 had a great stretch but hasn’t been in the World Series nor LCS as much as Franchise 1.
Franchises 3, and 4 each won a title and a few pennants but were hardly dominant.

Which franchise do you think is which?

Franchise 4 is the Giants.
Franchise 3 is the Yankees.
Franchise 2 is the Red Sox.
Franchise 1 is the newly crowned World Champion Cardinals.

Next time in this off season you hear someone crow about how the Yankees win it every year and how they and the Red Sox just buy pennants, remember than in the past 10 years the team that dominated was actually in St. Louis.

The three other teams I mentioned had a monumental face plant in that span of time. The Giants blew the 5-0 lead in a potential World Series clincher in 2002. The Yankees had the 2004 ALCS. The Red Sox had the 2003 ALCS and the great collapse of 2011.

What was the faceplant for the Cardinals?
Where was their classic choke job?
Who was their Aaron Boone? Dave Roberts? Scott Spiezio?

The Cardinals have had the Jim Edmonds homer, Pujols against Lidge (yeah Houston won that Series… nobody remembers Game 6.)… Wainwright striking out Beltran… Carpenter shutting down the Phillies… and Game 6 of the 2011 World Series.

They broke the Padres hearts… the Astros hearts… the Mets hearts… the Tigers hearts… the Phillies and Brewers and Rangers hearts.

Remember that… the big bad Cardinals have won it again.

Another season is over

Only 3 and a half months before pitchers and catchers report...

Sharing an all time classic with my dad

The Game 6 classic was truly one of the greatest baseball games I ever saw in my life. It was insane. It was bonkers.

By the 6th inning with all the errors I thought "This is one nutty game."
Then the home runs...
Then the Cardinals came back down to their last strike...
Then Hamilton homered...
Then the Cardinals came back down to their last strike AGAIN...
Then they won.

It was so obviously a classic. I was kind of shaking when the game was over. And I desperately wanted to talk to someone.

I called my dad. Now I had no idea if my dad was watching the game recorded.
"Yeah."
"Dad, how much time did you leave at the end?"
"Normal length. Why did it go long?"

I paused. I knew there was NO WAY he was going to record the whole thing. He would be watching it and somewhere it would run out.

"Yeah dad. It went long."

So I proceeded to tell my dad all about the game.

I could build the suspense and hear my dad saying "No!" or "Oh my god!" as I told him how the Cardinals kept creeping closer and coming back.

And then I described the finale.
Long pause.

My dad said "Wow."

And then we started talking about the greatest World Series games we ever saw.

Clearly this was a top 5 game for me.
And my dad experienced it with me telling him the highlights by cell phone.

And in a wonderful way, I got to experience it again... but this time it was a gift to my dad.

And THAT is a Fall Classic.

Hey Colby Rasmus! Where did you watch the game?

Hey! If you could have not pulled a Diva act and whined your way out of St. Louis, you might be a World Series champ!

But I'm sure you made the right decision.

These Cardinals seemed like a really tough group to play with.

And yeah, the Cardinals made such a bad move dealing a pain in the ass player with one pretty good season under his belt for pitching depth.

Rasmus is going to get a World Series ring.
I hope LaRussa presents it to him on his middle finger.

If this WAS Pujols' last game... you can not blame him

Pujols is probably going to return...
The Cardinals could finally become a National Brand.

But it also makes sense if he says "I've done EVERYTHING I can possibly do in St. Louis. Maybe I need a new challenge."

The new owner of the Dodgers would want to show the fan base that they spend money on the team instead of on their homes. (And I assume they won't blame victims when they get beaten in their poorly lit and lightly secured parking lots.)

Bringing in Albert Pujols makes all the short term sense in the world for the Dodgers.

If he goes to Chavez Ravine, then I not only don't want to hear CARDINALS fans boo him but I also want to hear nobody in all of baseball boo him.

If he wants to get top dollar, he has done everything he could have possibly done in St. Louis.

But I said all of that before.