St. Louis Cardinals: An ode to the cult hero cat wrangler

ST. LOUIS, MO - AUGUST 9: A member of the St. Louis Cardinals grounds crew removes a kitten from the field in the sixth inning during a game against the Kansas City Royals at Busch Stadium on August 9, 2017 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
ST. LOUIS, MO - AUGUST 9: A member of the St. Louis Cardinals grounds crew removes a kitten from the field in the sixth inning during a game against the Kansas City Royals at Busch Stadium on August 9, 2017 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) /
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St. Louis Cardinals fans got quite the experience last night when a stray cat made its way onto the field and a grounds crew member became a cult hero.

Last night the St. Louis Cardinals put on a show, beating the Kansas City Royals 8-5 to extend their win streak to five games. The win was great, but it won’t be what people remember from last night. The viral video I am sure you all have seen of the grounds crew member snaring the stray cat on the field, all while being bitten will go down in Cardinal’s lore.

Much like the Rally Squirrel, Rally Cat could become the calling card of this year’s team. After winning last night, the St. Louis Cardinals find themselves just a game-and-a-half behind the first place Chicago Cubs. This team has been given new life for the seventh or eighth time this year.

As I sat and watched the game last night, much like the rest of Cardinal fans watching, saw that cat make its way through the field. Not paying too much attention to the incident, I didn’t realize that I knew the guy who had just had a cat attached to his finger. Not until I received a text in my St. Louis Cardinals talk group chat did I recognize the face I just saw.

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You have probably heard the name Lucas Hackmann over the last 12 hours. You will probably continue to hear the name as the Rally Cat stays relevant.

I have been lucky to know Lucas for quite some time. Even being his golf coach for a couple of years when he attended Metro East Lutheran High School in Edwardsville.

He is one of the nicest guys you will ever meet, which you completely come to understand when you meet the rest of his wonderful family.

Seeing Lucas making appearances on radio shows, Fox 2, and even a Skype interview on SportsCenter is surreal. I know that guy; I’m in a group chat with his brother and have seen him take countless shots on the golf course.

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I hope you enjoy the spotlight for a while Lucas, you are a better man than a lot of us. Personally, I would have let that little monster out of my hands the second it bit me. In any case, it is nice to see a friendly face and nice to see the St. Louis Cardinals winning.