Bring Back Baseball

Now for the right side of the bracket.

This 8 seed play play-in is a little easier than the other side. While I love Yadi and Stan is my ALL-TIME favorite Cardinal, nothing beats Lance Berkman's 10th inning World Series home run.

SWEET SIXTEEN

Edmonds vs. Berkman
I know Berkman is the 8 seed, but nothing can beat the dramatics of that moment. Cardinals were down to their last strike for the SECOND time that game. Not only was it their last strike, but that last strike would have made the Rangers World Series Champions. So it shouldn't be a surprise Berkman's home run beats out the NLCS home run of Jim Edmonds.

Motte vs. Waino
I wrestled with this match-up for quite some time. Both moments won the Cardinals a World Series Championship. I witnessed both live on TV. It came down to one thing. A strikeout. The 2011 WS had its biggest moments in Game 6. Almost anything after that game would have been lackluster. Not that winning a WS is lackluster, but nothing could compare to the drama of Game 6. The 2011 World Series perfectly ended with an outfield catch by, the almost MVP, Allen Craig. On the other hand, the 2006 World Series ended with a strikeout. There is a famous picture of Yadi and Waino screaming face-to-face in celebration. Yadi and Waino are also the Cardinals greatest battery mates of all time. With all of that in mind, I had to choose Waino.

Pujols vs. Gibson
Maybe I'm an old soul. Maybe my opinion would be different had Pujols stayed a Cardinal, although I doubt it. Gibson's 17 strikeouts in the '68 World Series easily takes the cake. He is easily the greatest Cardinal pitcher of all time, and some, me, would say of all MLB pitchers. He's a legend. Just ask the batters who had to face him.

Ozzie vs. McGwire
Whew. This one was hard. I hate that these two moments were up against each other. From a young age, all Cardinals fans learn the phrase, "Go crazy, folks, go crazy!" Ozzie Smith was a phenomenal, hall of fame shortstop. He was not known for being a power hitter. When he hit a walk-off home run to win game 5 of the 1985 NLCS, it was the perfect example of the underdog coming in clutch in October. Cardinals broadcaster called it beautifully. A true historic moment. However, I grew to love baseball because of Mark McGwire and the 1998 single season home run battle between Mark and Sammy Sosa. Once again, it's a moment I have written an entire blog post about.

ELITE EIGHT

Berkman vs. Waino
"They just. Won't. Go. Away." The call Joe Buck made when Berkman hit the 10th inning game tying homer. The Cardinals battled every single at bat in the 9th, 10th, and 11th innings of Game 6. Joe Buck's call is one I repeat often. More than any other famous Cardinals catchphrase. While winning the 2006 World Series was special, it was the first in my lifetime, that series as a whole can't top the 2011 World Series.

Gibson vs. McGwire
Had the Cardinals chosen Bob Gibson's 1968 season, this decision might have been different. It backs up why I think Gibby is one of the greatest MLB pitchers of all time. In 1968, Gibson had a regular season 1.12 ERA. After the '68 season, MLB lowered the pitching mound. During the season, he threw 13 shutouts. He won all 12 of his starts in June and July, and each game was a complete game with 8 of them being shutouts. I think I've made my point. However, I have to go with McGwire's 62nd home run of the season. Not only do I have sentimental attachments to it watching it as a 6 and 7 year old, but in some ways it saved baseball. Allow me to honestly give credit to Sammy Sosa as well (he's a Cub so you know that's hard for me) because without him the moment would not have been as big. But I'll get to more on that later.

FINAL FOUR

Berkman vs. McGwire
Inside my heart is crumbling choosing between my favorite Cardinals baseball memories. It feels more like cruel and unusual punishment than it does a fun game. However, going back to my before mentioned statements about McGwire and Sosa saving baseball, I still have to choose McGwire. I know, without Berkman's home run, we wouldn't have a need for Freese's home run in the 11th inning, but hear me out. First, we have to go back to the end of the 1994 season and beginning of the 1995 season. The players went on strike in the middle of the 1994 season after playing 113 games. For the first time since 1904, there was no post season baseball and no World Series. The 1995 season then started late only playing 144 games instead of the usual 162. When baseball returned, fanbases had shrunk. In 1998, when McGwire and Sosa were battling for the single season home run record, fans of baseball, not just Cardinals and Cubs, were tuning in to see who would break the record first. I'm aware that had the home run battle not happened, something would have brought fans packing stadiums again eventually, but the 1998 season escalated that process.