Birds of a feather do flock together

dwilson

"I heat up, can't cool down, the situation goes round and round. Round and round, round it goes, where it stops nobody knows."

The soothing sounds of Steve Miller's song "Abracadabra." The sounds that capture this year's wild card race so well. And oh what a wild one it is.

It is, in fact, magical how this postseason came to be, the players averting a strike in the final hours of their deadline, a postseason that means so much to the baseball fans (those who are left) out there -- none more than the St. Louis Cardinals.

The Cardinals' run at this year's NL Central title has been nothing short of a miracle. Normal teams don't respond to adversity like that. Resilient. The best word that describes a team that has lost a teammate midseason, lost its Hall-of-Fame broadcaster and battled so many injuries throughout. Through trials and tribulations they stuck together.

Tony LaRussa has been the magician waving a magic wand and pulling rabbits out of hats, i.e. Jason Simontacci, Andy Benes, Travis Smith. He's got my vote (if I had one) for manager of the year. This team could have crumbled, but LaRussa held it together.

That is why they will win the NL pennant this year. No one can beat a team like this. They've come too far to fall. This one's for you, DK. Abracadabra.

I would like to thank Browns linebacker Dwayne Rudd for providing the fans the most exciting game during the kickoff weekend. He responded to his game-losing helmet toss: "I never should have taken it off."

Ya think so?

Without further adieu, your week ahead:

Tuesday

The Mules trot into town to kick a ball around a field with the Bulldogs. Notre Dame beat Poplar Bluff last year in Poplar Bluff. However, this year is a different story. Look at the facts: Carbondale beat Jackson and Sikeston earlier this year. Notre Dame beat Sikeston, too. But Carbondale beat Notre Dame. Central and Poplar Bluff also beat Jackson and Central beat Poplar Bluff. But Notre Dame beat Central. Bottom line: I don't know who's going to win so go see if for yourself -- 7 p.m.

Thursday

The first of many Thursday night home games for the Central Tigers. You know what that means. All you kiddies better have your homework done before you go to the game. Blytheville, Ark., rolls into town, game starts at 7 p.m.

Central will break in its new tennis courts in a match against Charleston. Interested in checking them out? No, not the girls, the courts. 4 p.m.

Friday

I guess you could say we're on the home stretch. The Cardinals play their final 11 games at home. The homestand is the second longest of the season (13 before the All-Star break). Houston is in town first for a pivotal three-game set.

Saturday

Hard-core prep sports fans have been waiting for this day. Six high school tournaments will be held involving area teams, the most in a single day this fall sports season. There really is something for everyone if you're not afraid to drive a little: Boys' soccer teams are in events in St. Louis and Murray, Ky.; volleyball teams go to Perryville and Clearwater; softball teams play at Jackson; and girls' tennis teams compete at Fredericktown.

Big bucks, no whammies. It's not the Game Show Network, it's the Show-Me Shootout. Auto Tire and Parts Racepark is offering extra cash in USCS-sanctioned sprints, modifieds, pure streets and cruisers, which should draw even more talent from the Southeast Missouri area. Hence the name. As part of the festivities a go-cart will be given away. Grandstands open at 5 p.m. Admission is $15.

David Wilson, a junior at Central High School, is a sports writer for the Southeast Missourian. His column appears Mondays.