Results tagged “Cardinals” from The Southpaw

So, Zack Greinke won the Cy Young. But can he slay a gnome?
An interesting look at Omar Vizquel and where he could end up.

Every World Series has its memorable moment. Or two. Or three.
One player can make a name for himself as a goat or a hero.
Here is each World Series summed up in one sentence.

There are four teams who have made it to the World Series at least 15 times. Who are they?

Historically, if you grew up a Philadelphia Phillies fan, you developed an inferiority complex along the way.
You looked to the north and saw the Yankees perennially winning pennants and the Mets occasionally pulling off the trick. You looked to the west and saw that the Pirates, until recently, were always in contention. Down south, the Orioles were always the class of the American League off the field and often on it.
You were surrounded by success. Just not a part of it.
The Braves, whether in Boston, Milwaukee or Atlanta, had plenty of reasons to cheer. They had Hank Aaron, Warren Spahn, Eddie Matthews, Dale Murphy, The Four Aces and division crowns in 14 straight seasons. Below them were the Marlins. They came around in 1993 and won it all four years later. It took your Phils 97 years to do that.
Then the Fish rubbed it in your face and won it all again in 2002. They'd done in 10 years what you hadn't been able to pull of in more than a century.
And let's not talk about the Cardinals or the Dodgers. But I guess we have to, at least to give the kiddos a lesson. In 64, the Cardinals did to the Phillies what the Phillies did to the Mets two years ago. The Dodgers beat the Phils in the playoffs twice in the 70s, giving Black Friday a totally different meaning in the City of Liberty.
The Phillies were't lovable losers like the Cubs or tragically cursed like the Red Sox.
Your team just lost in unlovable ways that meant they didn't even need a curse.
That's not the case now.

This morning I sat with my wife in a pew of Bruton Parish in Colonial Williamsburg. It's the place where Thomas Jefferson - the father of the Declaration of Independence - and James Madison - the father of the Constitution - once went to religious services while they were in college.
I couldn't help but wonder what it had been like for them when they were idealistic college students. Would Jefferson have been mulling the questions of self-government? Was this where Madison first came up with the seeds of his theories of limited government?
Then another thought popped into my head: What's more important to me, a Yankees' loss or a Phillies' win?
Yes, you just can't break The Southpaw from thinking about the game, especially in October.
This weekend has brought three of my favorite passions together: baseball, American History and hating the British crown.
In case you were wondering, I have been able to mingle with re-enactors and keep up with the playoffs during our three days here in the Old Dominion.
At least as best as I could.
I missed all of the Cardinals-Dodgers finale.
And I didn't find out who won until I was watching the Yankees-Twins game tonight.
Sometimes you sacrifice things you love for the ones you love.
Anyway, I have a couple thoughts on how the playoffs have panned out so far.

Is Matt Holliday going to be a goat?
Momentum swings away from Philly.
The Yankees look to go 2-0.

Three teams are one win closer to the next round.
Three teams are one loss closer to tee time.
Are the Giants shopping for Prince Fielder?

We don't know what happened here. We just know it was bad. But that's been the case all season long for the Kansas City Royals who are not named Zack Greinke.
The Nats can get better. Really they can.
Who's going to close for the Phillies?

Chuck Norris is scared.
Ten stories to watch.
The trouble with Chris Carpenter's career.

Eighty-two years ago today, Grover Cleveland Alexander pitched two complete game shutouts in a double-header. If there are two complete games tonight, The Southpaw will wear a Mets shirt over the weekend.
The Braves and Twins playoff hopes just dimmed. No, actually, the lights were turned off.

The Closer gets long-winded in the Southpaw's defense of the National League.

John Smolts' new outfit looks awkward; his pitching doesn't.
You have to ask, how would Harry Kallas have called the triple play?
Why Joe Jackson belongs in the Hall of Fame over Pete Rose.

Today's most shocking news, Christian Slater is 40.
Which makes Jamie Moyer seem not so old. Speaking of the veteran Southpaw, he dominated Monday.
Cole Hamels had better watch out. His rotation spot might be in jeopardy.

The last time Ryan Howard manhandled teammates was when the Phillies became World Champs. On Sunday, he and Paul Bako had to get control of Shane Victorino, who went insane Sunday.
The Yankees are dominating the Red Sox again.
Shane goes insane.
And what's up with David Ortiz?

Andre Ethier is clutch. Three walk-off home runs this season. Five walk-off hits. Word on the street has it he single-handedly saved Cash for Clunkers.
Break up the Yankees.
And while you're at it, the Nats too.

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Tampa Bay Rays players are about to pounce on Evan Longoria, who's about to bounce on home plate. Did the rays just win a game that could kickstart a late season push for the wild card?
Apologies all around about Tuesday's first pitch. It was a very busy day in the newsroom and by 12 p.m. I realize, "Hey, I never got to The First Pitch."
So here's a doubly good effort today.
Hank Aaron wants names. And Pete Rose to be reinstated.

The Southpaw returns and has a lot of catching up to do.
The Phillies and Yankees are on fire.
A Mets beat reporter has to defend himself.

The Southpaw is sorry he was too lazy to put up a first pitch yesterday. Forgive him, it was his first day of vacation.
Now, if you don't mind a quick ode to his favorite fan, check out the rest of today's First Pitch, which includes:
The Phillies going for a 10th win.
Mets officials tried to fight minor leaguers.