It's all in the Cards...

From Dizzy Dean to Lou Brock, and Stan The Man Musial to Bob Gibson, the St. Louis Cardinals organization is nothing short of remarkable. These are some names, that all baseball fans should be familiar with, and marvel at while viewing the stats on the back of their baseball cards. These are some of the players that are brought to awareness while standing at the front gate, outside of Busch Stadium. Outside of the 2006, 46,000 plus seat stadium, stand 10 statues of the more notable retired Cardinals of all time. They served as a great welcome committee, for my 32nd career ballpark in America. On my third stop of my three city tour, which will all be reverse chronologically noted on the blog, I was able to watch the Cards play the Dodgers for two straight nights. The first night, I was able to find the Sunday edition, home alternate cap for St. Louis which is seen above. The cap, which is one of my favorites in the league, has a red brim, navy crown, and the always familiar red-bird logo dead center. Outside of the gorgeous ballpark, this fan was treated with a more than sufficient education on the great Jack Buck. Jack Buck, who is one of the greatest  baseball announcers of all time, called Busch Stadium I home beginning in 1954, all the way to the later years of Busch Stadium II in 2001. Buck saw his Cards win three World Series titles during his career, in 1964, 1967, and 1982. Today, you can hear his son Joe Buck nationally every Sunday on the Fox game of the week, alongside former Cardinal Tim McCarver. Jack Buck is a legitimate legend of the sports announcing world, and will only grow in legend as the years past. In conclusion, the Cardinals have won 10 World Championships, 17 N. L. Pennants, 8 Central Division Championships, and one Wild Card Berth in 2001. With current great Albert Pujols, and established stars Matt Holliday and Lance Berkman, the ball club is sure to see post season play, for many years to come. Seemingly, the question is not if the Cardinals will win another World Series, but when. With a stadium named after a beer company, seasons like this where Milwaukee will likely beat out the red birds for a playoff spot, shouldn't be that hard to deal with. Until tomorrow, keep reading. Another post is just around the corner. Enjoy!

The Bums From Brooklyn Are Back In Action (sort of)

You have got to love Turn Back The Clock nights at your local ballpark. It gives younger and newer fans the opportunity to see team jersey's of the past, but more importantly it also brings back memories of championship seasons, and hall of fame players. This year, Major League Baseball has involved several franchises in this favored tradition, which has been appreciated by fans for the past several seasons. Those teams are the Angels, the Rays, the Mariners, the Pirates, the Nationals, the Cardinals, the Phillies, the Padres, the Orioles, the Royals, and of course the Dodgers. If you happen to be a baseball fan, who lives under a rock, the cap you see above is that of the Brooklyn Dodgers. The story of baseball in Brooklyn begins in 1883, when the Brooklyn Atlantics stormed the fields of Park Slope. Throughout the 50 years that followed, the clubs name would change on the average every 9 seasons. Nothing substantial seemed to materialize, until 1932 when a culture was born. In the midst of the Great Depression, the Brooklyn Dodgers were born. In an incredibly difficult economic, and social time period for America, The Bums From Brooklyn became a beacon of hope and unity. The Brooklyn Franchise, which became the Dodgers, played in Ebbets Field from 1913, up until their departure to the West in 1957. Ebbets Field was roughly a 32,000 seat ballpark, located at what used to be 55 Sullivan Place, Brooklyn, New York. While in Brooklyn, the Dodgers Franchise captured 12 National League Pennants, and one World Series Title in 1955. Despite only winning a World Championship once,  the ball club seemingly possesses an aura of sorts. Outside of the games being played on the field, they were truly an innovative franchise in the front office. As all of you know, they were the first Major League Baseball franchise to sign an African American to play on a teams roster. This little player, turned out to be one of the true Dodger greats of all time, Jackie Robinson. Outside of J-Rob, the Brooklyn Dodgers also saw  Pee Wee Reese, Duke Snider, Sandy Koufax, and Roy Campanella put on the blue and white, while playing in New York; all of which have their numbers retired by the franchise today. When the Giants and Dodgers both left New York in 1957, a void was created in the hears of 2/3rd's of New Yokers. Five years later, which probably seemed like an eternity to widowed baseball fans, MLB brought another franchise to New York in the form of the Mets. The Mets, who wear Blue, Orange, White, and Black, get their colors from the two New York franchises of yesteryear; The Brooklyn Dodgers, and the New York Giants. A subtle payment of homage to the classic history and tradition of baseball in the big apple. The cap above, features a Dodger Blue crown and brim, with the Brooklyn Dodgers B (not to be confused with the Red Sox B) front and center. Honestly, I could talk about the rich history and tradition of the Brooklyn Dodgers all day, but that's what Wikipedia  is for. I hope I was able to impart a little big of knowledge, on one of the biggest franchises in New York Sports history. Until tomorrow, enjoy folks!