A Big Difference

The Cardinals closed out the 2015 season with a doubleheader against the Braves today in a Atlanta. I had two different mind sets for each game today and each mindset was different. I struggled during the first game/telecast. I had a difficult time keeping my focus. I struggled because it was a meaningless game from a standings standpoint and I knew there would be another meaningless game 30 minutes after the it's completion. I knew the second game/telecast was my final show for the 2015 season and this helped me remain focused. In fact, as each inning was completed and the game neared it's finish I felt a bit of excitement knowing the grind of TV baseball was almost over. It will take about a week for my brain to return from the mush it is now. Trust me, a TV baseball season has a way of frying the brain. Now it's home sweet home. This is my last blog for the 2015 season. Thank you to all who follow it.

The Last Day

Rain was threatening all day. There was some mist. At 6:55 - 5 minutes before air - the tarp was put on the field. Some rain - not hard - until the game was postponed at 8:55pm. At least this allowed me and Mike and Keith to enjoy some "last night" beers together. Doubleheader tomorrow starting at 1:10 with the second game starting :30 after the first game. No complaints from this department. Tomorrow is the final day of the 2015 regular season. Tomorrow night I will be sleeping in my own bed for the winter. I am looking forward to tomorrow - "The Last Day".

An Emptiness

The Braves took 3:58 to beat the Cards 4 - 0 tonight in Atlanta in a meaningless game. The Braves have been out of playoff contention for a good while and the Redbirds clinched the Central Division in their last game. This was a meaningless game as far as the standings go but their are still roster decisions to be made by the Cardinals for the post season so there is some meaning for the club. Yes, I believe the Cards still want to win every game (every club does) but there is a certain edge lost for me in games such as this game. I still cut the game to the best of my ability but there is a totally different feeling as I sit in the chair. It is hard to explain but there is a bit of emptiness that I can't get rid of as the game is being played. The more that I think about it I believe that the Cardinals fans that are watching feel the same sort if emptiness that I feel. Two more regular season games to go. I can't wait for playoff baseball. I'll be watching.

Congrats!!

There was a doubleheader today with the Cardinals needing one victory to clinch the Central Division. An early grand slam by the Pirates in the first game basically sealed the victory for the Buccos. Likewise, an early grand slam by the Redbirds basically sealed the victory in game two. Televising a post game celebration can be very hectic especially when the sideline host loses all communication with the truck but it seems to always work out. Thanks to the Cardinals organization for allowing us to put a camera in the clubhouse before the 11 - 1 victory was over. The shots of the sheets of plastic over the lockers and the shots of beer and champaign at the ready were very effective as the game wound down. Off day in Atlanta and then just three more regular season games to go. Congratulations Cardinals!!

I Don't Believe What I Just Saw

If Indidn't see this game, I never would have believed it. The Pirates received 10 walks and batted 6 times with the bases loaded and they didn't score. They left 16 runners on base. On the other side, the Cardinals had 3 hits through 8 innings with only 1 runner reaching second base. Also, and even more negative, the Redbirds lost one of their best players in a violent collision in the outfield. This collision was so ugly that we showed only 1 angle and that being fairly wide from the high home camera - camera 2. Trust me, the super slo-mo angle was sickening. Anyway, through 8 innings the Pirates were constantly threatening and the Cardinals were invisible. Then, to start the ninth inning, the Pirates brought in their closer - arguably the best closer in the game today - and the Cards scored 3 runs on 3 hits with one being a 2-run homerun. Unless you saw this game you would not believe it. I know - I saw it and I still don't believe it.

Shocking

This game took 3:10 and was quite shocking. The Brewers, down 3 - 1 going into the ninth inning, scored 7 runs to defeat the Cardinals. The a Cards closer was in to set the single season saves record for St. Louis and he did not retire a batter. The 4th batter he faced hit a grand slam and his day was over. Yes, this was a shocking loss but is any loss more devastating than another? I think not.

Take Your Pick

Things seem back to normal. The Cardinals won the game and are now 98 - 57. The Cardinals beat a Central Division rival and are now 44 - 28 against the Central Division. The Cardinals won at home where they are now 55 - 25. The Cardinals starting pitcher was stellar and the Cardinals still lead all of baseball in ERA. Even though the Redbirds have the best record in all of baseball, they are still only 3 games in front of the Pirates who have the second best record in the game. The Buccos beat the Cubs at Wrigley today for their 8th straight win and sit at 95 - 60. There is a real possibility that the Pirates could win 100 games and still finish in 2nd place. Yet Cardinals fans, the spoiled rotten fans that they are, are biting their nails. Would you rather be a Cardinal or a Pirate? I'll take the Cardinals.