[Charles Henrickson]

There has been a lot of talk in the East-Coast-biased national media disparaging the St. Louis Cardinals and dismissing their accomplishments. "83 wins," "Worst Series," "only winning because of Tiger miscues," and so on.

So this is for all the national disrespecters out there. I will make the case that the St. Louis Cardinals--no, not the New York Yankees or the Boston Red Sox, but rather the ST. LOUIS CARDINALS--have been the BEST TEAM IN BASEBALL over the past three years, 2004-06.

Here are the 2004-06 cumulative regular-season standings for teams that have averaged 90 wins or more:

New York Yankees 293-193
St. Louis Cardinals 288-197
Boston Red Sox 279-207
Los Anaheim Angels 276-210
Chicago White Sox 272-214
Oakland Athletics 272-214
Minnesota Twins 271-215

So the Yankees and the Cards are the two best regular-season teams over these three years, with the Yankees 4.5 games ahead.

But then add in post-seasons. The Yankees have been 9-12, the Cards have been 22-17. That puts the Yankees at 302-205 and the Cards 310-214, i.e., only a half-game behind (the Cards had an unmade-up rainout this year). If the Cards win this next game, they pull even with the Yanks in the total three-year standings.

But NOW factor in how many pennants and World Series the Yankees have won over these three years. Answer: None. Zero.

The ST. LOUIS CARDINALS, though, are the ONLY team to win TWO (2) pennants in the last three years and, with one more win, will join the Boston Red Sox and Chicago White Sox as the World Series winners.

The most wins, 310, over the past three years (seasons plus post-seasons). The only team with two pennants. The best player in baseball (Prince Albert). The best pitcher in baseball (Carp). Now they're a win away from the world championship. Hmmmm. . . .

Yes, the Cardinals stumbled a bit this regular season. They got banged up and lost significant time from big players: Pujols, Rolen, Edmonds, Eckstein, not to mention losing ENTIRELY their #2 starter (Mulder) and closer (Izzy). But now those banged-up guys are all in the line-up and producing, and guys have stepped up to fill the holes of the missing pieces. The Cards have OVERCOME their injuries and now are playing LIKE THEY'RE CAPABLE OF. The point is, this was a ONE-HUNDRED WIN team the last two years, when more guys were healthy. So this is not some fluke now, that when they're finally healthy again, the Cards could win the championship.

Oh, and one more thing, you East Coast media types: The last two World Series have featured ALL Central Division teams!!

Conclusion: If they win one more game in this Series, the ST. LOUIS CARDINALS will become the overall BEST TEAM IN BASEBALL over the past three years, 2004-06.

[Cyclopean Squid]

Hard to argue with winning the division 3 years in a row and making the WS twice in 3 years. As long as you have Carpenter and Pujols you'll be perennial playoff contenders.

I bet Special K (Preston Wilson)thanks God every night that he was released by the 'Stros and signed by the Cards.

[MOgirl]

Hello,

Will be here in spirit, but hubby and I decided to head downtown with friends tonight, to check it all out. It's REALLY cold, we are breaking out the heavy coats!!

If it is not too late, I'll check in after we get home, GO CARDS!!!!!

Glad to be here, even when I'm not, MOgirl

[hole_n_one]

Nicely done!

[BluesDuke]

My takes on Thursday's doings:

The Little Big Show
Strapped For Cashing In

[TravisBickle]

I really thought 2002 was their year, then I thought 2004 was their year. And just when I had little or no expectations, here they are, right on the edge of clinching.

So, your analysis was really good. It shows that over the long haul, they have consistently been a top notch team.(With a few cold streaks thrown in.)

[Cyclopean Squid]

Looks like your boys came through with a solid win. Where did this Weaver come from? Congratulations on getting the title once again.