Before I visit Fenway Park tomorrow night to cover my 22nd World Series, I felt it only appropriate to recap my October up to this point…
Adam Wainwright reacts after the Cardinals defeated the Pirates to advance to the National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. (Photo by Ron Vesely/MLB Photos)
It’s been a Red October for me… St. Louis Cardinals red!
I had the good fortune to work on assignment for Major League Baseball Photos this postseason, covering many of the key Cardinal postseaon games leading up to their 19th World Series appearance.
Cardinal “MoJo” is evident. After finishing off the Pirates in 5 games, the Dodgers were next up.
Manager Mike Matheny of the St. Louis Cardinals pauses while throwing batting practice prior to Game One of the NLCS. (Photo by Ron Vesely/MLB Photos)
Mike Matheny had his boys of summer running on all cylinders, just like during the Tony LaRussa days. They haven’t missed a beat, these Red Birds. Really unbelievable and a testament to the Cardinal organization.
ST. LOUIS, MO – OCTOBER 9: Carlos Beltran #3 of the St. Louis Cardinals reacts after hitting a game winning RBI single in the thirteenth inning off of Kenley Jansen #74 of the Los Angeles Dodgers during Game 1 of the National League Championship Series on Friday, October 11, 2013 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Ron Vesely/MLB Photos)
Eventual League Championship Series MVP Carlos Beltran kept the MoJo going when he hit a walkoff Game One game winner.
ST. LOUIS, MO – OCTOBER 18: Scott Van Slyke #33 of the Los Angeles Dodgers stands at attention after the National Anthem was performed, playing a game of “chicken” with the Cardinals Joe Kelly #58 prior to Game 6. (Photo by Ron Vesely/MLB Photos)ST. LOUIS, MO – OCTOBER 18: Joe Kelly #58 of The St. Louis Cardinal looks back toward the Cardinals dugout as he stands at attention after the National Anthem was performed, playing a game of “chicken” with the Dodgers Scott Van Slyke prior to Game 6. (Photo by Ron Vesely/MLB Photos)
After returning to Busch for Game Six of the National League Championship Series, the Cardinals Joe Kelly and the Dodgers Scott Van Slyke stole the spotlight temporarily with their “last man standing” game of chicken prior to the game, ending only when the home plate umpire shooed them off the field.
Oh yeah… the game.
The Cardinals turned what I thought would be a classic pitchers duel between Clayton Kershaw and Micheal Wacha and turned it into a route, taking the suspense out of the game for good with a five run fifth inning to put the Cardinals up 9-0.
ST. LOUIS, MO – OCTOBER 18: Matt Carpenter #13 of the St. Louis Cardinals reacts after scoring a run during the third inning of Game 6 of the National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday, October 19, 2013 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Ron Vesely/MLB Photos)ST. LOUIS, MO – OCTOBER 18: Clayton Kershaw #22 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after giving up runs during Game 6 of the National League Championship Series against Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday, October 19, 2013 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Ron Vesely/MLB Photos)
And after over 1800 miles of commuting back and forth between to St. Louis, here I am in Boston, preparing for Game One’s 2004 rematch between the Cardinals and the Red Sox.
I hope to have the opportunity to say congrats to some of my former White Sox friends, Juan Nieves, Matt Thornton and Jake Peavy. Way to go, boys!
But watch out for the Cardinal Mojo…
ST. LOUIS, MO – OCTOBER 18: Brothers Bengie Molina #18 (L) and Yadier Molina #4 of the St. Louis Cardinals celebrate after the Cardinals defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 9-0 to win the National League pennant and Game 6 of the National League Championship Series on Friday, October 19, 2013 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Ron Vesely/MLB Photos)
