The Cards in this save are the poster boys for the term star-crossed. So many good players have come through their ranks over the years it is almost unfathomable that this is just their second playoff appearance (their first was back in 1923, when they lost to the Browns in an ugly sweep). This being so is purely a reflection of the management’s inability to fashion a well-rounded squad and it is no coincidence at all that it coincides with the arrival of arguably the best pitcher in club history.
Even here, however, having ascended the mountain, they find their way to the summit blocked by the formidable cornice of a 100-win Red Sox club desperate to procure another title after three straight WS losses. Even the scheduling gods have forsaken them, with the Red Sox having home-field advantage. The Cardinal Way, it would seem, is doomed to be the road less travelled.
And yet, with presumptive RoY Bob Gibson set up to pitch three games, a – despite the unfortunate loss of Jack Harshman – more than serviceable rotation beside him and their deep and talented offence, St. Louis should prove anything but easybeats. The Redbirds’ lack of post-season experience can be traded off against the aforementioned pressure on the Boston boys to win it all, while they have the emotional impetus of doing it for club legend Stan Musial. That alone should provide all the desire they need to be competitive.
Still, this BoSox group is a
beast. While disappointingly robbing us of the chance to see him go
mano e Stano-el-mano, the extraction of the Splinter from Boston’s calloused palm has allowed Jackie Jensen to finally emerge from his willowy shadow and shine. With Ashburn and Runnels both finishing top-3 in BA this year, and five of their eight starters mashing double-digit taters, it’s no wonder the Red Sox led either league with their 829 runs and finished with an almost pornographic +219 run diff.
So much to like about this matchup for the neutrals – for the supporters of the respective combatants I suspect fear of failure would be the overriding emotion right now. Sox in six for mine.