They’re probably still celebrating under the Arch as a I type this. The St. Louis Cardinals claimed the 11th World Series championship in the franchise’s history with a 6-2 win over the Texas Rangers in Game 7 last night.
Fittingly, the Cardinals had to mount a comeback after giving up two first-inning runs to the American League champs. Unlike the late heroics in thrilling Game 6, the home team forged a tie in their half of the first inning. Again it was third baseman David Freese who came through in the clutch, driving in both early runs. For his outstanding effort with the bat, Freese was named the World Series MVP. The St. Louis native batted .348 for the series, drove in seven runs and had three doubles and one game-winning, extra-inning home run. Hot throughout the playoffs, Freese set a new MLB record with 21 RBIs in the postseason.
Just like in Game 1, ace Chris Carpenter and Allen Craig came up big for the team wearing the birds on the bat on their chests. Carpenter gave up the two early runs, then settled into a rhythm and kept the Rangers at bay before the Redbird bullpen closed out the Series and the 2011 season. Allen Craig’s solo homer in the third put the home team ahead for good.
Texas, losers in back-to-back World Series, will be left to wonder about the “what ifs” of the Series. Twice in Game 6 the Rangers were within one strike of claiming the championship only to see the Cardinals come up with clutch hits and extend the game and the Series. The Texas pitching staff struggled at times, giving new meaning to Walker Texas Ranger, allowing a new World Series record for bases on balls.
While Cardinal fans are celebrating and rubbing it in the faces of their rival Cubs fans, I bet Rangers CEO Nolan Ryan feels like tracking down Robin Ventura and punching him all over again.
