I was raised on St. Louis Cardinal Baseball. My dad was an avid fan. We always listened to the games and when possible, watched them on television. He and my uncle would barbeque in our carport and listen (wink, wink) to the ballgame.

One of my most treasured memories is of my parents walking hand in hand on the ramp at the old Busch Stadium. It still warms my heart to know that they loved each other. When the Cardinals won the World Series in 1967, I remember my dad coming home for lunch and watching the game on television in the basement. We got to watch it at school too. We are very much a Cardinal Nation.

When my son called on Sunday morning and asked if I wanted to go to the ballgame, I was tickled. Not only did I get to see a game, I got to see it with him and his family and it was door-to-door service. No driving on my part.
We weren’t sure if the game was going to happen though as we drove through torrential downpours all the way to the stadium and even after we parked. Luckily, the rain let up and the game was only delayed about an hour. Another plus was every ticketed adult received either a Jim Edmonds or Willie McGee Bobble Head.

Everyone was thrilled this year when we got back our star, Albert Pujols, for his final major league year before retirement. He’s working on tying Barry Bonds, Hank Aaron and Babe Ruth to join the exclusive 700 club (700 lifetime homeruns).

And add to that one of our favorite pitchers, Adam Wainwright “Waino” and our favorite catcher, Yadier Molina, are also retiring this year. It is an exciting year for Cardinal Baseball and writing this, the team is in first place in the National League Central Division, pushing the team toward the playoffs.

Going into the eighth inning, the game was tied 3-3. A 3-run homer by left fielder, Tyler O”Neill, brought home a 6-3 winner.

I was a happy camper.