Are all sports fans as superstitious as we St. Louis Cardinals fans were this postseason?

Whether it was the clothes we wore, the food we ate, the beer we drank or where we sat in our living rooms to watch every playoff game, each one of us had the right mix we were sure brought our team good luck. Of course all our efforts made a difference — the Cardinals are World Series champions!

And speaking of right mix, several of us had our own must-listen game day songs too. These songs, in that elusive right combination, helped our Redbirds as well … or so we believe.  Here are 11 songs on the Cardinals October playlist that kept Miranda, Kelly and me going through all 11 wins for the Cards 11th championship. (Sure, several border on cheesy — isn’t that the point?)


Written in the Stars — Tinie Tempah

Yes, we got tired of hearing it 50 times a night at first too. But, as the NLDS turned into the NLCS and the Cardinals actually started appearing in commercials, it became less bothersome. Now it’s the song that will always remind us of October 2011.
» Continue reading “Tune In Tuesday: Cardinals Superstition Edition”

As the World Series travels from St Louis to Texas, I thought it would be interesting to take a look back at these two ballparks. Both Busch Stadium and Rangers Ballpark In Arlington are relatively new compared to some of the older stadiums like Fenway or Wrigley.

I’ve been to both of these stadiums, and I have to say, they’re both absolutely fantastic. I know I might be a little biased towards Busch Stadium (screw Disneyworld, it’s MY happiest place on earth), but the atmosphere in Texas is infectious. The game I saw there was against the Orioles, rain delayed and everything, and you could STILL feel how much these fans loved their baseball. It was a fantastic experience.

Rangers Ballpark in Arlington

Busch Stadium

So let’s take a look back at how these great ballparks got to where they are now.

Rangers Ballpark:

Busch:

And, just because we can, let’s take a second to remember all the ballparks that used to be around but have since been taken from us.

The World Series starts tonight, with the St. Louis Cardinals and the Texas Rangers facing off for the final baseball glory of 2011. However, it wouldn’t be fitting if there wasn’t at least a little bit of drama to add to the spectacle, this year brought on by none other than the U.S. Senate. Because, you know, they really have no other important issues to tackle besides baseball.

The senators, led by Dick Durbin (D. Ill.) have come into a partnership with various health agencies around the country to try and stop the chewing during this year’s world series. The ‘Bacco Coalition (as I have just now named them) is calling for the players union to agree not to chew tobacco in the dugout, and certainly not on camera. This is obviously to keep from influencing children to chew as well as for the players health. The spokesperson for the players union, Michael Weiner, stayed mum about this year but as said a “sincere effort” will be put towards the ban next June. I somehow sense a tad bit of sarcasm in this statement.

This isn’t the first time that government officials have decided to meddle in baseball’s spitting problem, as they tried to ban tobacco at last year’s World Series. Chewing has gone back as far as baseball itself, with pitchers being banned from using spitballs in 1920. Even the minor leagues now have been known to fine players who are caught dipping at their lockers. Either way, some players are not okay with the proposal as it is infringing on their freedoms.

We’ll see how much icky brown tar comes flying out in front of cameras in the next few days. What I want to know is why the senators are chasing particularly after this. Because, of course, football doesn’t have popular players partake in dog fights or cheat on their spouses. Or hockey doesn’t have players having close-handed slap fights because testosterone went through the roof. And basketball certainly doesn’t have the showboating after a single basket is made. Yes, baseball and tobacco are going to lead to the future’s problems. Do the country a favor:  stay in Washington and out of the dugout.

Besides, if you’re a real fan who is actually paying attention to the Series and not what is in player’s mouths, you’ll focus more on the game. It’s gonna be an interesting Series, to say the least.

Go ________s! (I’m a Cubs fan, you can figure it out in no time at all:))