Go Cardinals

It's appropriate the St. Louis Cardinals entered the playoffs as the wild card team. The Redbirds have indeed had a wild, and quite remarkable, season.

Early in spring training Cardinals Nation learned that co-ace starting pitcher Adam Wainwright would be out for the season and undergo Tommy John surgery. That auspicious beginning would not be the last of the Cardinals injury woes. A few of the other players to join Wainwright on the DL for some period of time this season: Albert Pujols, Matt Holliday, David Freese, Nick Punto, Allen Craig and Gerald Laird, among others.

Early pitching struggles for former closer Ryan Franklin, a former All-Star selection while in St. Louis, led to the club releasing the 38-year-old pitcher midseason. A lackluster performance by center fielder Colby Rasmus ended with the former No. 1 draft pick being traded for several players who, along with a couple of acquisitions, added depth to the roster.

On Aug. 25 the Cardinals trailed the Atlanta Braves by 10 1/2 games in the wild card race. Few would believe, though still mathematically in the hunt, that the Redbirds would have a chance at postseason play. But the Cardinals would win 23 of their final 31 games, and Wednesday night, after defeating the Houston Astros 8-0, the team gathered around the clubhouse TVs to watch the Philadelphia Phillies come from behind and defeat the Braves in extra innings.

The Cardinals are underdogs going against the Phillies in the first round of the playoffs. The Phillies, with arguably the best starting pitching staff in baseball, clinched their spot in the playoffs more than two weeks ago. But if we've learned anything from this past season, it's that you don't count out the Redbirds.

If sport is a microcosm of the masses, then the Cardinals have surely given us an example of why perseverance matters. Misfortune, brought on by unforeseen circumstances or even self-inflicted mistakes, can build character, and the combination of character and talent can make a huge difference when opportunity blows your way. From upper management making important roster moves, to unproven minor league call-ups making crucial contributions down the stretch, to the manager's insistence on playing the game the right way, everyone played a part in the dramatic wild card run.

Go Cards!