St. Louis Cardinals: Curse you, Star Wars theme night

May 6, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Stormtroopers from the movie Star Wars stand on the field before a game between the St. Louis Cardinals and Atlanta Braves on Star Wars Night at SunTrust Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
May 6, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Stormtroopers from the movie Star Wars stand on the field before a game between the St. Louis Cardinals and Atlanta Braves on Star Wars Night at SunTrust Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
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The St. Louis Cardinals have had terrible luck on nights when the theme is Star Wars. Should they consider avoiding?

The St. Louis Cardinals were stricken once again by bad luck on yet another Star Wars Theme Night. This time while in Atlanta and not at Busch. Historically, these nights have lead to injuries and disabled list visits and once again this theme night bit the birds in the butt.

Let’s take a look back at the horrible injuries suffered on a night when perhaps the dark side placed a target on the Cardinals (because surely the Cardinals, the good guys, are the Jedi, right?).

Back in 2013, when the St. Louis Cardinals’ then-version of Luke Skywalker, Shelby Miller, who was dealing well that season climbed the mound for the birds on the bat. In that season, Miller climbed the mound on August seven and failed to finish the first inning thanks to the Dark Side curse when he took a direct shot back to the mound off of LA’s Carl Crawford.

Prior to his one-batter faced in the game, Miller had owned opposing hitters. At the conclusion of his start just before the cursed game, Miller had an ERA of 2.89. While the comebacker was unlucky, it did not affect his ERA.

The very next season- 2014- saw Yadier Molina tear his thumb ligament sliding into third base. Anyone remember this?

Ouch, right? And may we sadly remember the lengthy stay on the DL from this injury and then the very lengthy recovery time. Remember how long this was? Remember how, even when he returned, how long it took him to get his swing back?

Thank goodness, Yadi is healed this season. And while the Cardinals did suffer an injury at this season’s Star Wars night (on the road- the STL version is yet to happen), it was not an injury to Yadi.

2015 saw another injury suffered on Star Wars night, this time to Matt Holliday. Earlier that season, Holliday had injured his quadriceps and the Dark Side, once again, decided to strike on Star Wars night. While running to first, Darth Vader used his choke hold on Holliday’s quad so strongly that Holliday immediately exited to the dugout.

Curse you, Star Wars night! Lucky for the St. Louis Cardinals, the team was spared in 2016 with the first season without an injury suffered on Star Wars night. Think this was because the Sith knew that the St. Louis Cardinals didn’t need any help avoiding the postseason?

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Then we get to last night. Another Star Wars night but this time on the road. Atlanta’s new ballpark is beautiful and was oddly welcoming to the Star Wars costumes. That was until Jose Martinez injured his left groin in his run to first base. Seems Darth Vader prefers to attack people from home to first.

If you missed the news on this injury, our own Nathan has the news.

All of this said, the St. Louis Cardinals are set to host their own Star Wars night this season at Busch Stadium on July 26. But should they? Would it be better to not roll the dice and avoid this night altogether?

A few seasons ago, several fans tried to petition the organization to cancel and avoid the night. The organization did not listen and the night continued. Do you think the organization should listen this year?

Next: What's in store for May

Any predictions on the number of injuries our St. Louis Cardinals will suffer at the Star Wars night this season? As a funny note, after the top of the fifth inning today in Atlanta, with the Cards leading 4-0, the organist played the Dark side theme; think he is wishing for something? Thanks for reading!