Take Me Out to the Ballgame

I don't feel Spring is truly here until I make my first visit to the ballpark. The aroma of hot dogs, popcorn, and peanuts (not to mention the gourmet items that now show up on every major league ballpark's menu), serve to drive home the notion that mild temperatures and outside fun have finally arrived.

Today I'm heading to my first game of the season and looking forward to soaking up the experience. St. Louis area peeps tend to be a tiny bit obsessed with the Cardinals. We dress up in Cardinals gear and head to the ballpark or to a sports bar or simply listen to the game on the radio.

I remember hearing Harry Carey and Jack Buck on KMOX announce the play-by-play. It's a treasured part of my early days.

"It might be, it could be...it IS...a home run! Hoooly Cow!" 

St. Louis Cardinals baseball makes me think of my dad listening to a tiny transistor radio while barbecuing pork steaks as Mom prepared potato salad and baked beans. We'd groan at every out and cheer every time the home team scored a run.

In Mom's final few years, when she couldn't do much else, she could watch the Cardinals on television. It gave her so much pleasure...especially when "her" team won.

I believe heaven has a special place for Redbird fans, so I'm sure Dad and Mom will be cheering along with me today. Maybe between the three of us we can bring home a winner.

Rain is the Name of the Game

It rained. And rained. And rained.

My first experience at the extravaganza better known as opening day for the St. Louis Cardinals, was certainly, well, damp. Yet despite heavy gray clouds, chilly temperatures, and pelting rain, you could still sense the energy. Fans were decked out in soggy Cardinal-printed gear ready to welcome a new season. And the weather didn't slow anyone down a bit. The party started at 10 a.m. and went on until game time at 3:15. Music played while beer flowed fast as a raging river. Grilled hot dogs could be found just about anywhere.

The biggest bummer was the weather canceled the annual appearance of the beautiful Anheuser-Busch Clydesdale horses. Those horses are smart...way too smart to come out in the rain. Here's a picture of what they would have looked like had the sun been shining. Biggify the picture to see a handsome dalmatian sitting next to the driver.

We certainly love our baseball in St. Louis. Where else can you find people circulating petitions to make opening day a national holiday? Even the fountains are dyed to mimic Cardinal red.

I spent opening day stuffing myself on popcorn and washing down brats with delicious $1 Hurricanes. The vendor was closing up shop and sold leftover drinks at rock bottom prices...an unexpected rainy day perk.

By the time the game began, we were shivering and soaked through. We folded our ponchos and splashed to the car. With all that pre-game excitement, who can stay and watch a ball game? Especially one played in the rain. So we found a nice warm place to sit, dry out, and enjoy the game on a big screen tv.

Would I ever go to opening day again? Absolutely. It's definitely an experience...sort of like the Woodstock of baseball. Truly far out.

P.S. The Cardinals won.

A Squirrely Tale

When a critter interrupts a major sports event, you have to figure that somebody's going to talk about it. And in the case of the St. Louis Cardinals, you can amend that to a lot of people.

During one of the recent playoff games, both crowd and media were treated to the sight of a squirrel scampering across home plate. And with a Cardinal player in the batting box, too!

Seriously, what are the odds? I mean, you might see such a thing happen at a little league game in a public park, but at Busch Stadium? In front of thousands of people?

After the furry interruption (and a lot of laughter), the Cardinals went on to win the game. This swiftly hatched an idea. The rogue squirrel must have brought the team good luck. And in a whisk of the tail, the intruder was dubbed "The Rally Squirrel".

Without fur-ther delay, more items than a zookeeper can shake a stick at were printed and sold. T-shirts, towels, and other collectibles featuring the image of The Rally Squirrel are now extremely caliente. Vendors can barely keep them in stock. Bringing luck, making money, galvanizing fans...wouldn't you think that squirrel would be a hero?

But in spite of everything, I'm sorry to report that the management at Busch Stadium is not impressed with the new team mascot. They've trapped 4 squirrels so far and relocated them to an area described vaguely as "the country".  Guess they don't think the Cardinals need any more luck.

I've heard that squirrels have a great sense of direction. Can the Rally Squirrel return in time to save the day for the home team? I have my fingers crossed.

And if the Cardinals don't win the World Series, I know who I'm going to blame...

Opening Day

Fredbird in action.

Today is rainy, cold and blustery. There's even the possibility of snow flurries. It's not exactly what you might expect for the St. Louis Cardinal's home opener. But baseball will indeed be played anyway.

Although he's technically not a critter, in honor of opening day here's a quick profile of Fredbird, the team mascot.

Fredbird was hatched in 1979. Due to his love for baseball, his talent at entertaining the crowd, and his never-ending enthusiasm, Fredbird was given a lifetime contract by the Cardinals. He can be seen at all homes games pumping up the crowd by dancing, cheerleading for the team, and "beaking" (i.e. covering a person's head with his beak) fans. At 6'3" (that's a really big bird), Fredbird is one of the most recognized and popular mascots in baseball.

Let's hope he can help the team bring home a wintry winner today! Go Cardinals!