Not in the Cards

It wasn’t in the cards for the Cards tonight.  Still, they should hold their heads high.  Four pennants in last ten years—2004,2006,2011, 2013.  Plus two more memorable years.  2005 had 105 victories but they lost in the playoffs.  2012 had a 3-1 lead over San Fran in NLCS and didn’t win pennant.  At 18 pennants they are the winningest National League team.  And they didn’t even start winning pennants until 1926.  So in 88 years they have won 18 pennants.  They are the most copied franchise in baseball for their ability to bring up new talent, and thus they win with bargain basement payrolls against teams that spend sometimes twice as much.  Beginning with the radio era when Branch Rickey decided to put them on as many stations as possible and they became America’s team, they have been a business success.  I noticed that Fenway Park in Boston a huge Budweiser sign over right field.  Buy another one and send the money to StL!  I remember listening to ESPN, the voice of the coasts in sports who couldn’t hide their disdain for the Redbirds when pitchers Motte, Carpenter, and Garcia were lost for the season.  Ha! The 'Birds reloaded!