Joy in Mudville today: St. Louis Cardinals clinch NL Central! The Cardinals beat the Houston Astros 9-3 Friday night to win the Central Division. Huzzah!
If I were up in heaven today (and I'm not), I'm sure I'd see Jack Buck, Darryl Kile (whose jersey is pictured above in the hands of Albert Pujols), Enos "Country" Slaughter and Darrell Porter smiling down on this year's Redbirds. This team has overcome a season of adversity. Tony LaRussa should be manager of the year. Albert Pujols should get the National League MVP Award, but will probably run second to Barry Bonds. If there's a pitching coach of the year award, Dave Duncan should win it, hands-down. He managed to get the more out of a decimated pitching staff than seemingly possible. And LaRussa pulled this team together. Next up, the NL Playoffs. You know who I'll be rooting for.