They won it before the series could head back to chilly Detroit, where many things they didn't want to face were waiting, the most notable being snow and Kenny Rogers. If Game 6 had happened, Dirtgate would have reopened. The Cardinals buried it.
They won it without much offensive contribution from Albert Pujols, which is important. In the regular season, Pujols was referred to as "a human tow truck," dragging the? often sub-par Cardinals with the sheer force of his greatness.
They would not have made into this month without him, but an injured hamstring and careful pitching meant little production from Albert. That the team found other ways to win makes the victory even sweeter.
This is not a two-man team. It is not a 25e-man team. You cannot count how many people got them to where they are.
They won it, the organization's tenth World Series victory, behind number 10, which is worn by manager Tony LaRussa. LaRussa has been criticized numerous times for his decisions in the post-season, but he walks away with a world championship. He is also the only manager other than Sparky Anderson to win the World Series in both the American and National Leagues.
The Cardinals won it despite the scores of people who scorned their presence, who called them unworthy and attributed their victories to luck and wet grass.? The doubters aren't speaking quite so loudly now.
They won it behind eight stellar innings from Jeff Weaver, a pitcher who, much like the Cardinals themselves, had been written off by the middle part of the season. Weaver allowed one earned run and struck out nine.
They won it on the little shoulders of their little MVP, who threw everything he had into another game with great results -- 2 RBIs in a 4-2 victory.
There isn't a way to talk about David Eckstein that's not corny. He is a small guy with a huge heart, a heart of gold. He gives all he's got. He fights to the finish.
They all did.
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