Cardinals to face Red Sox in World Series

From the Seats, October 22, 2004

ST. LOUIS - The Cardinals beat Roger Clemens in Game 7 of the NLCS to advance to the World Series to face the Red Sox. The Cardinals won all their home games, losing all their road games to win the NLCS. That is something that will have to change if they want to win the World Series with the Red Sox having home field advantage.

A Jim Edmonds diving, gold glove catch was a momentum shifter. With runners on first and second and a fly ball to center Edmonds makes his best attempt at superman and took an extra base hit that would have scored two runs away.

It was just a matter of time until the Cardinals got to Clemens and a two run home run by Scott Rollin made the difference and was the game winner.

Congrats to the Cardinals on advancing to the World Series. This should be the best World Series we have seen in a long time. One where I have no bitter feelings towards one side and am looking forward to good games.

For me, the Red Sox have to be the team I would like to see win the World Series. The Red Sox have three former Twins, the two notables being David Ortiz and Doug Mientkiewicz.

Speaking of those two, David Ortiz is one that would not have done what he is doing if he had stayed in Minnesota. For one, he wouldn't have the same line up he has in Boston and the other being, in Minnesota he would not have been given the chance to start every day. The DH spot wouldn't have been handed over to him. Mistake by the Twins. Maybe, maybe not. Hindsight is 20/20. The Twins would have needed to give Ortiz the DH spot, which would have meant to move players for a guy who was injured much of the time and not putting up that great of numbers. Doesnt make sense.

Doug Mientkiewicz, I really hope he can take his roll as a late inning defensive player. When he was traded I hated to see him go as a Twin. I really think things could have been different and he could still be a Twin. I think Gardy too the wrong approach with it and for whatever reason told Doug he was going to be traded. Why? Who knows. Maybe because he really liked Morneau.

If that was the case, couldn't Gardy sit down both of them and work something out? Couldnt Terry Ryan and Ron Gardenhire sit down and figure something out and than go to Morneau and Minetkiewicz? I would think they could have worked something out. There can be a lot of pride in being a late inning defensive replacement. Or a guy that plays on Sundays or on the road to give the starter a day off. This is in no way a knock or slam to Doug. It makes that team very, very good having a gold glove first baseman playing that roll.

If the mind set is there and the player is thinking like a late inning player, he could be a huge asset to the team. Maybe there is a way Doug can work his way back to the Twins some day. But for now, go get a ring as a Red Sox!

While I am on a bit of a random rant/writing down what is on the top of my head I have to say that I do enjoy listning to Thom Brennaman and Steve Lyons in the booth. They are the only two national announcers I think I do like. They seem to do their best to not take a side and praise both sides. I know they have done some Twin games and given credit to the Twins when it is due.