Overcoming the 3-1 Deficit.

Before I discuss my topic of the day it occurred to me after the fact when discussing the tale of two Cowboy QB's yesterday I was forgetful in pointing out how the two had inverted numerical dates(2-14 and 4-21).

Been watching the World Series at all? If not you aren't alone. Another series of low ratings which is too bad since there is alot of history with the Tigers and Cardinals. 1934 and 1968 to be exact. 1968 and 1985 are cause for concern if you are a Cardinal fan. In both years the team jumped out to a 3-1 lead only to lose three straight and not get the trophy. Overcoming a 3-1 deficit has been rare. 1925(Senators), 1958(Yankees), 1968(Tigers), 1979(Pirates), and 1985(Royals with an assist from Don Denkinger). I mention this as the St Louis Cardinals are now one win away from becoming the champions of 2006. Weather permitting, Game 5 shall go off in Missouri later today. For all the bad brakes and bounces that Detroit has suffered, I expect a turnaround with a return trip to Motown. I still like St Louis in seven, yet it needs to be said the last two times these teams met, Detroit won in seven.

Cardinals fans can also look back and remember what it was like two years ago today when the Boston Red Sox ended an 86 year drought of jinxes and losses when the Beantowners swept St Louie four straight. Consider this: In 2002 the Angels ended a 42 year drought. In 2004 Boston erased 86. Now move ahead to year 2005 and the White Sox stopped an 88 year period of futility.

This decade alone we have said goodbye to 216 years of empty. The Cubs alone will void 99 years if they get there in 2007. The last team they won against in 1908? The Tigers, the very same team they would lose to in 1945 and the same team they should have faced in 1984 if it weren't for Steve Garvey and a sleepless Rick Sutcliffe. I remember it well...

I can already hear many of you say,'enough Will, baseball is almost over!' Yes that's true. It bears repeating that history sometimes repeats itself. Here we are this final October weekend of 2006 with a national league team one win away from a trophy and champagne celebration. Can it be? Will it be? It won't be easy, but I believe the Cards will do the unthinkable in Game seven against a cleanhanded Kenny Rogers.

Back to that ratings thing: In 2000 I watched every pitch of the Subway series with the Yankees and Mets. The ratings blew. Only the East was watching. I have to believe with so many more choices of viewing and Tivo and other sports and perhaps diamond burnout that perhaps in the minds of many baseball already is over and why bother watching? I can almost relate...almost.

Over and out in Big D

Mr Will