Going Back to Cali

Oct 18, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Joe Kelly stands on the field after the playing of the national anthem prior to game six of the National League Championship Series baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

The St. Louis Cardinals embarrassed the LA Dodgers last night at Busch Stadium, and this morning the LA TImes mistakenly said that their prematurely cocky team was left feeling numb, however they left on a plane feeling dumb.

It all started with the standoff when Scott Van Slyke turned his back too early after Joe Kelly faked towards the dugout.  That old fashioned fun battle summarized this NLCS for LA.  They thought for some reason that they had done enough to start celebrating.  The Dodgers players arrogance came back to haunt them.

What is so admirable about this St. Louis organization is that they did their talking on the field.  Sure a Mickey Mouse chant (Chris Carpenter’s idea that he wrote on a ball he signed) last night would have reminded LA of their ignorance, but their time at the beach today will surely teach them a lesson.

October 18th was a night when school was in session and STL taught the world something about winning baseball.  Hopefully they were taking notes in Dodgerland.

Clayton Kershaw‘s breaking balls were not breaking (thank you Mother Nature) and the Cardinals offense found its groove to destroy the lowly Dodgers.  In that same chilly and wet weather, rookie Michael Wacha pitched his fourth consecutive shutout.

It was over after the fifth inning, and still, STL acted like they had been there before, because many of them have.

Yadier Molina was backing up Mike Matheny behind the plate in 2004.  Current hitting coach John Mabry was on that 2004 team as well as Chris Carpenter.  This will be Adam Wainwright’s second Fall Classic on the mound after dominating in 2006.

The 2013 Cardinals World Series roster includes 12 active players from the 2011 Championship ball club and more on the bench.

Looking ahead to Wednesday, whether  in Beantown or in the Motor City, expect the NL’s best to step up to the test, especially with a DH named Allen Craig and few days of rest.

Stay classy Saint Louis!

Oct 18, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals fan Marty Prather holds up a sign referencing Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez (not pictured) before game six of the National League Championship Series baseball game at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports