This World Series was amazing. It had it all, great defense, bad defense, historic offensive nights, historic blows, extra innings, high scoring games, low scoring games, I could go on. Only 36th game seven in World Series history. All games were close, except for game three in Arlington, which was won by nine runs. But, if you're a fan of the game, this World Series was just so compelling. All games had a high sense of drama, at one point or another.
Game one had it going back and forth, knowing with this Rangers team, that they could come back and force extra innings.
Game two went back to Texas, due to some great pitching by Colby Lewis and the Ranger bullpen. Game two also featured some high drama in the ninth inning, just as it looked when Texas was going to be down 2-0 in games in consecutive World Series, Ian Kinsler, Elvis Andrus and Josh Hamilton all came up big for the Rangers. It also featured some help from Albert Pujols, who misplayed a ball coming in from the outfield, which allowed Andrus to get into scoring position.
Game three was what most expected, as the Series shifted back to Texas and the warm weather and the hitter friendly nature of the Rangers ballpark. It also featured only the third game in World Series history to have three home runs hit in one game by one player. Only fitting that the player was Albert Pujols, who many consider to be the best player in the game.
Game four shifted back to Texas' favor, with an absolute gem of a pitching performance by little known Derek Holland, who pitched 8 1/3 innings of shutout baseball. Also featured Mike Napoli starting to make his case for World Series MVP at that point, with his three run home run to give the Rangers the lead for good.
Game five was pivotal for both teams, as it was then just a best of three scenario, with St. Louis having home field advantage. Texas really needed this game in the minds of many, as then they would only have to win one of the final two games in St. Louis before winning their first championship in franchise history, which goes back 50 years. Texas pulled it out in the eighth, with Napoli making an emphatic case to be MVP with his go ahead two run double in that inning. This game also featured some bullpen phone malfunctions, which must be resolved next season before something chaotic ensues.
Game six was the most drama filled game in recent memory, as in the first few innings, nobody seemed to know how to play defense, which had five errors combined before the fifth inning. Game six was also the only extra inning game in this World Series, which is remarkable, considering how much drama it had. St. Louis then proved themselves to truly be comeback kids, starting in the eighth inning, when Allen Craig hit a solo homer, then in the ninth, the Cardinals came back off great closer Neftali Feliz, when David Freese, a homegrown talent, literally came up and tied the game with a triple. Then, in the tenth, Jason Motte, who was terrific throughout the final month of the regular season and in the postseason, blew it, when Josh Hamilton hit a bomb to make it 9-7 Texas. But, in the bottom half of the inning, the Cardinals came back again, their second time, and the second time down to their final strike. The game ended at 12:35 eastern time, but from my perspective, it was thrilling when David Freese again came through with a solo home run to force a game seven.
Game seven wasn't as drama filled as the others, but it still packed quite a punch, with Texas seeming to shake off the loss from game six with ease, going ahead two nothing, but the the Cardinals roared right back, with a two spot in the bottom half of the first. Then, it was all Cardinals.
The Cardinals were an improbable World Series team at the beginning of September, being 8.5 games back of the Atlanta Braves in the Wild Card, something very few teams have done, but they just went on a tear at the end of the season, and into the postseason. First, they beat a team who many considered to be the team to beat in the Philadelphia Phillies in five games, then they beat their divisional rival in the Brewers in six games, then they denied the Rangers their first World Series title. So many words can describe this team, but only one does it for me: persevere. That is what this team did throughout the end of the season. St. Louis fans should be proud of this team, and now they're praying that their best player Albert Pujols doesn't sign elsewhere and give that team a World Series title. Pujols shouldn't go anywhere though, as he has invested himself into the community in St. Louis and he will be revered throughout the area and possibly displace Stan "the man" Musial sa the greatest Cardinal of all time.
Hope the blog was enjoyable!
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