Joy in Cardinal Nation
October 27th, 2006The outlook wasn’t brilliant for the Cardinals team this year.
They faltered down the stretch, gave Cardinal Nation much to fear.
Despite a lead of seven games, the edge withered away.
The Astros pulled to within one with just three games to play.
But they squeaked into the playoffs, thanks to the Braves in part.
The Padres were the team with whom St. Louis was to start.
Would the Redbirds ride the arm of Carp and mighty Albert’s bat?
Or would they in the playoffs, like so many times, fall flat?
Chris Carpenter showed why he is the Cardinals’ pitching ace.
He won two games against the Pads, their bats he did erase.
The win over the Padres forced a showdown with the Mets.
Few people gave the Cards a chance, against them cast their bets.
Besides, the New York Mets were the NL’s winningest team,
It won’t take long for them to show the Cardinals who’s supreme.
The series tottered back and forth, until Game Seven came.
Then Yadier went deep and earned appropriate acclaim.
World Series bound! The faithful in St. Louis did rejoice.
Against all odds the Cards triumphed to hush the critic’s voice.
Meanwhile Detroit was plowing through the Yankees and the A’s,
To set up a rematch from 68’s departed days.
Again the Cards were underdogs before Detroit’s fine crew.
The experts said the Cardinals would soon say their adieu.
But something happened to the Birds that words cannot define.
Perhaps it was the stars above beginning to align.
Scott Rolen’s bat finally awoke from its untimely rest,
While Edmonds also came to life, to help the Cardinals’ quest.
St. Louis took Game 1 behind the rookie Reyes arm.
Pujols smacked one and drove in two, to do much of the harm.
Detroit bounced back to win Game 2. Yes, Rogers pitched quite well.
Two hits are all that he gave up, the Cards’ offense to quell.
Don’t worry ’bout the brown gunk seen upon the gambler’s hand.
The act was not enough to get the Tigers’ pitcher banned.
Back to St. Lou the Series went, games three and four and five,
Our ace, that guy named Carpenter, would keep our hopes alive.
And sure enough, he dominated in his Game Three start,
To give the Cards a 2-1 edge, and fans a hopeful heart.
Game Four saw Suppan take the mound against young Bonderman,
As Eckstein’s late heroics spurred the Cards to win again.
One win away! The Cards fans overflowed with sheer delight.
After twenty-four empty years, would Friday be the night?
It was Weaver for the Redbirds, Verlander for Detroit,
Each pitcher hoping to display his prowess more adroit.
But the defense was the story, as the Tigers couldn’t throw.
Eight errors for the whole series cost them as they well know.
Molina, Scott and Little Eck came through to spark some runs.
Few could have guessed at season’s end that they would be the ones.
Weaver put on a grand display, through eight allowing two.
He gave it over to the pen to pull the Cardinals through.
The rookie Wainwright took the ball and shut the Tigers down.
He struck out Inge on pitches three, to give the Cards the crown.
Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright.
Champagne is flowing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light.
And somewhere men are laughing, and children freely play.
That place is Cardinal Nation, for the Cards are champs today.
By Tim Ellsworth
Adapted from “Casey at the Bat,” by Ernest Thayer
Congrats on your team Tim. I am not normally a Cards fan, but I have been pulling for them throughout the playoffs. What a thrill!
Okay, so judging by the length of the post, you saw this coming, right? LOL
Congrats, Congrats! Enjoy the glow and buy lots of Championship gear. I predict a Cardinals Christmas for Mr. Ellsworth this year.
Leland,
What are you talking about? I punched this out after the game.
Congratulations, and thanks for the hat tip to the Braves.
If I may employ a phrase coined by the Cub fans, “Wait till next year.”
that’s awesomd tim
Well, congrats Tim and other Cardinals Nation members. As long as the Mets didn’t win - I’m happy.
And I’ll second Gordon - thanks for the hat tip to the Braves.
Now, go celebrate by spraying Coke all over Daniel. We’ll see you at the Ted on July 19.
AWESOME!! What amazes me is how quickly you cranked out the summary of tonight’s game. Great job.
Detroit?Adroit?
You had to dig deepto getthat one Tim. Great job!
I wonder how long it will be before someone asks Jim Leyland why he didn’t start Kenny Rogers for this game. The IS no tomorrow now Jim!
Congrats, Tim (and Cardinals fans everywhere). I was pulling for the birds and was truly happy to see a working-class team win. I love it when the role players pull the team to victory!!!
p.s.
I second Scott’s sentiment and take it a step further - I’m especially glad that NO New York team was even in the series!!!
Chalk it up to divine inspiration, I suppose. After all, the Cardinals just became possibly the most unlikely Series champs ever. Anything is posssible! A great piece of writing, without a doubt.
Pretty Awesome Tim. How about them CARDS!!!!!! It’s that playoff magic.
As a Cardinals fan since birth, I AM LOVING IT!!!
I know you didn’t solicit this, but I just sent your poem to about 12 editors at the Post-Dispatch.
Wow, thanks Brett.
What are friends for? Besides it’s good, really good. I doubt anyone else in Cardinal nation had something that good that quick.
To be precise I sent it to 9 folks over at the Post, mostly editors, with Rick Hummel thrown in. 1 just came back as undeliverable, so that puts your piece in front of 8 folks. Let’s see what happens.
Goodnight fellow Cardinals fans! I’ve got to get some sleep. Only got five hours last night and I’ve got a 8:45 tee time tomorrow. That’s TEE time fellas, not teA!!!!
Well, I guess this proves I’m not always right… :silly:
The Cards were the mentally tougher team.
They deserve to be the champs, alright.
On a side note, Casey really was ‘mighty’ in this series. Too bad none of the rest of the Tigers hitters were.
Like I said: mental toughness. It’s a hard tight-rope to walk on. ANd once you slip, you’re in for a hard fall.
Hooray! The Cardinals become the second team in baseball to have collected double-digit world series championships with their tenth. Only the Yanks have won more world series. Obviously we won’t be catching them anytime soon, but 2nd is a pretty good place to be on that list.
Fantastic job, Tim. Thanks for this.
Congratulations! You were obviously inspired.
Go Cards! Great writing. Who would have thought this would be the year they would win it all? I must admit I barely held hope for the first series against San Diego. All is forgotten now though, as Cardinal nation everywhere celebrates!
This post, much like the Cardinals’ improbable run to a tenth World Championship: pure poetry.
Nice poem, Tim! Yes, obviously, you were inspired — but who wouldn’t be, with what the Cardinals accomplished this season?
I have to admit, though, I smiled EVERY time I heard them referred to as “underdogs.” I predicted going INTO the playoffs that they would win the World Series; call me crazy (as in, “crazy-optimistic like a Cubs fan!”), but I had a feeling they would put it all together during this postseason. I really did.
While it was good to see Eckstein get the MVP (being an Angels and Cardinal’s fan) I think the Detroit pitchers should have gotten some recognition for their excellent fielding on behalf of the Cardinals:)
I guess the prognosticators were right, it would only go at most 5 games:)
St. Louis named most dangerous city in the U.S.! Two championships in a row! But I’m not bitter.
The Astros pulled to within one with just three games to play.
I’m not sure how to react to the Cardinal’s victory. Bitterness or congratulatory emotion?
~Perhaps still bitter Astro Fan