During one of the World Series in the 1980s, Mom said it was peculiar that "nowadays" the World Series always seemed to take seven games, whereas it never had before. In fact, she seemed to think it was deliberate. The fix was in, maximized for entertainment value and advertising dollars.
I thought of that in the 2004 Series when the Cardinals lost to the Red Sox in four straight games. Of course that was a loss to the Sox, who had been denied a Series forever, and what would be more dramatic than the sweep?
And, after Game 6 of the series can you blame me? In the film The Natural they got down to the ninth inning, the last strike, and then Robert Redford's home run hits the lights and they explode and it's all dramatic. But was he playing for his hometown team? And was it actually the second time he'd come up at bat when it was down to the final strike and WAS THERE A MAGIC RALLY SQUIRREL INVOLVED and no, there was not. Because THAT would have been RIDICULOUS.
And so now of course they have won and I have the same reaction as always: if it was a fake win, I don't care, because it was very enjoyable.
If the fix was in all the playoff series would have gone the distance too. They didn't. But what a great story. 10 1/2 back in August. Just got the Wildcard by a hair.
Then dismantled the Phillies, The Brewers, and the Rangers in succession. But Thursday night it could have gone either way and I was afraid they were done. What a comeback team. Woo Hoo St. Louis!
Posted by: Benchmark | October 29, 2011 at 09:00 AM
What is next for Rally Squirrel? Letterman? Leno? Conan? Clearly he was instrumental on the road to glory and should be rewarded appropriately.
Posted by: Zayrina | October 29, 2011 at 10:06 AM
So happy for the Cardinals and all their fans. :) I was hoping with all my might they would beat those stinkin' Rangers who beat up on my Tigers!
Posted by: Kristie | October 29, 2011 at 12:20 PM
Benchmark - that is comforting!
Zayrina - I hope you saw him on the postgame show! He was passed arounf while the media interviewed Pujols.
Kristie - Loser Rangers! Of course, they worked hard all season and we coasted.
Posted by: TheQueen | October 29, 2011 at 09:10 PM
I was on an adrenaline high for weeks. I think it finally wore off today.
Zayrina - What you may not have heard outside of St. Louis is that the rally squirrel is also responsible for a new playground at Cardinal Glennon hospital. Rally Squirrel merchandise sold for the benefit of this playground that incorporates therapy methods. Here's an article on it, although the total is now close to $300K.
http://www.cardinalglennon.com/News/Pages/RallySquirrelfundswillgotonewplayground.aspx
Posted by: Caroline | November 01, 2011 at 09:40 PM
Caroline - my brother wants an official non-squirrel WS sweatshirt. Where do they sell those? Macys? Kohls? The stadium?
Posted by: TheQueen | November 01, 2011 at 10:38 PM
All of the above. I remember that Dillards had a good selection in 2006. I saw non-squirrel t-shirts at Shop 'n Save that featured pictures of about 10 player, but not Freese. WTH?
Posted by: Caroline | November 02, 2011 at 09:31 PM
Caroline - I'll try Walmart first, since I'm looking for a 3XL.
Posted by: TheQueen | November 02, 2011 at 10:10 PM