Cardinals defy logic with World Series title

Unbelievable. Incredible. Miraculous.

All are appropriate descriptions for the Cardinals' season -- and that probably doesn't even do it justice.

There really is no explanation for what transpired from late August, when the Cardinals seemed hopelessly buried in the playoff race and perhaps even headed to a sub-.500 record, to Friday night, when they won the World Series in St. Louis.

It defied logic, all the twists and turns that saw the Cardinals squeeze into the playoffs on the final day of the regular season, then beat the favored Phillies, Brewers and Rangers despite trailing in each series on the way to their 11th world championship.

Perhaps the most unbelievable was Thursday's Game 6 that saw Texas twice come within one strike of winning the title before St. Louis rallied for two runs in both the ninth and 10th innings. The Cardinals then won it in the 11th.

I almost kept expecting the Cardinals to need another near-miraculous finish as Game 7 progressed. It just didn't seem right that they would close out this most improbable championship with a routine win.

But that's exactly what the Redbirds got, a 6-2 decision after they wiped out a 2-0 first-inning deficit.

If that triumph seemed routine, it was about the only thing that fit the description over the last two months.

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The Ohio Valley Conference preseason men's basketball poll released last week suggests an exciting and competitive race for the title.

Four teams received first-place votes from the league's coaches and sports information directors, led by favorites Austin Peay and Tennessee Tech.

Austin Peay was picked first with 10 of the 22 first-place votes. The Governors return most of their best players and also bring back Anthony Campbell, their top player two years ago who missed virtually all of last season with a knee injury.

Tennessee Tech, led by preseason OVC player of the year Kevin Murphy and plenty of other talent, garnered eight first-place votes.

Defending OVC regular-season champion Murray State can't be counted out. The Racers nabbed three first-place votes.

In somewhat of a surprise, defending OVC tournament champion Morehead State received the final first-place nod despite losing first-round NBA draft pick Kenneth Faried and fellow standout Demonte Harper. The Eagles, who stunned Louisville in the NCAA tournament, are tabbed for fifth.

Tennessee State, which made a major move last year, is picked fourth. The Tigers return most of their top players and added three transfers from Division I programs.

Southeast Missouri State, which also made a move up the standings a year ago, is ranked sixth. The Redhawks also welcome back most of their top players while adding two transfers from Division I programs.

I'll be surprised if Southeast doesn't challenge for a spot in the top half of the OVC. I believe the Redhawks have upgraded their talent level considerably.

If the Redhawks do place in the top five, then I'll consider that a nice next step for a program that has made progress under third-year coach Dickey Nutt.

I don't know about you, but I am definitely ready for some hoops.

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The Southeast basketball teams both have one exhibition game -- Nov. 7 at the Show Me Center. The squads elected to play a closed, non-publicized scrimmage against a fellow Division I team instead of a second exhibition against a non-Division I opponent. The NCAA allows either option.

The men faced Lipscomb over the weekend in Memphis, Tenn., and also visited St. Jude's Children's Hospital on the trip. The women play Evansville this weekend.

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Big-time congratulations to the Southeast women's soccer team for winning another OVC regular-season title, the program's fourth since its inception in 1999.

Marty Mishow is a sports writer for the Southeast Missourian.