St. Louis Cardinals win 2013 NLCS, 19th National League Championship

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With a 9-0 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 6 of the 2013 NLCS, the St. Louis Cardinals were crowned as the 2013 National League Champions.

In winning their 19th NL pennant, the Cards tie the San Francisco Giants with 19 World Series appearances since the World Series started in 1903. Overall, they trail the Dodgers and Giants for all-time pennants.

Going into the game, many in Cardinal Nation were nervous given another pitching matchup between Clayton Kershaw and Michael Wacha.

It’s still amazing to think that Wacha was only a college junior at the start of the 2012 season. This is credit to the Cardinals scouting department and player development. If not for Albert Pujols signing with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, the Cardinals don’t select Wacha with the 19th pick (a compensation pick from the Angels. It’s doubtful that Wacha would have dropped to the Cards with their 23rd pick or any of their first compensatory round picks.

Mike Matheny became only the first Cardinals manager to take his first two teams to the postseason. Now he looks for his first World Series championship as a manager.

Kershaw will win the National League Cy Young Award but the Cardinals just happened to get to him last night. The pitcher now owns a 4-5 record in 12 starts against the Cardinals with a 3.75 ERA. The Cardinals own the most losses against Kershaw for non-West division opponents. Kershaw’s ERA against the Cardinals is the highest for all NL opponents, too.

But enough about that, let’s get to some of the celebration photos!
Oct 18, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals chairman William DeWitt, Jr. holds the National League championship trophy after game six of the National League Championship Series baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Busch Stadium. Image Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

Oct 18, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak (second from left) hoists the National League championship trophy while standing next to chairman William DeWitt, Jr. (left) and manager Mike Matheny (right) after game six of the National League Championship Series baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Busch Stadium. Image Credit: David J. Phillip/Pool Photo via USA TODAY Sports

Oct 18, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Matheny (right) hoists National League championship trophy after game six of the National League Championship Series baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Busch Stadium. Image Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

Oct 18, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Michael Wacha holds the series MVP trophy after game six of the National League Championship Series baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Busch Stadium. Image Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

Oct 18, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals right fielder Carlos Beltran (middle) celebrates in the clubhouse with his teammates after game six of the National League Championship Series baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Busch Stadium. Image Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

Oct 18, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; Members of the St. Louis Cardinals including Michael Wacha (52) celebrate on the field after game six of the National League Championship Series baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Busch Stadium. Image Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports