Another Year in the Books-Cardinals 2013

Well, what can I say? We made it to the World Series but just didn't win. To be honest, the Red Sox were the better team.  They out-hit and out-scored us and that is that.

Yes, I was very upset during the actual games when there were silly, silly mistakes or when we just could not get a hit or when everyone Cardinal fan knew they should be walking David Ortiz and we didn't . . .but, when put into perspective, we made it to the World Series and I can't really complain.  We just won the Series in 2006 and then in 2011, how can I complain?

Even though we didn't win, some things never change about my love affair with the St. Louis Cardinals.

I always love going with this guy . . .(notice the way we are dressed for the NLCS, Game 2 on November 12)

This is NLCS Game 6 on November 18.  Stupid St. Louis Weather!


I also always love when they bring out the pride of St. Louis, the Budweiser Clydesdales.  It NEVER gets old!

I also love being able to experience the post season with family and friends.

In the end, I am proud of the Cardinals.  It stinks that we didn't win but our future is bright.  We are a young team with lots of post seasons in our future.  As many of us discussed during the playoffs, we are very spoiled in St. Louis.  It is almost just assumed that we WILL make it to the post season.  We I often forget that it isn't an automatic thing.

This pretty much sums it up for me (Click HERE for a video from the Cardinals) and I am already counting down the days until March 31, Opening Day!

Chelsea vs Man City at Busch Stadium

Last night was a big night in St. Louis.  The English Premier League's Chelsea Football Club and Manchester City Football Club had a friendly game at Busch Stadium.  St. Louis is a huge soccer town (despite some haters) and the game sold out in record time.

This tent was the first thing we saw when we got down to Busch Stadium.  It was quickly apparent that Chelsea was the favorite team as it seemed everyone initially had Chelsea gear on.

It was really odd to see all of this merchandise at the Cardinals' merchandise stands.

Our seats were mid-field and they were great.  We could see everything.

The Cardinals donated $1 of every ticket sold (over $48,000) to the relief fund for Moore, Oklahoma.  Both Chelsea and Man City Clubs matched that donation.  There was a short ceremony before the game to show signs of unity.

This back up goalie warmed up during half-time and a few minutes in to the second half.  Unfortunately, it didn't do much good.  When he came in Chelsea was winning 3-0.  He gave up one goal within the first 10 seconds and a second goal about 2 minutes later.

Man City ended up coming from a 3-0 deficit and win 4-3.  In the end, I think that most people were cheering for both teams.  There were some die hards for each team but, for the most part, we all were just excited to see these premier players play the game of "football".

After the game, each team walked around the field and saluted the crowd.

One of the hot items of the night were these scarves.  I have seen them in soccer bars/pubs before so I knew I had to have one.  This one has Busch Stadium and the date, May 23, 2013, on it.  Then on each end are the coat of arms of each team.  I love it.

I really hope that we get more games like this to St. Louis.  It was good for the city and great for the fans to see the game played at this high of level.  

Opening Day 2013-The Official Unofficial Holiday in St. Louis

Monday was that very special day again in St. Louis.  The day that almost every St. Louisian has circled on their calendar and starts counting down to beginning in January.  Opening Day for the St. Louis Cardinals!!

St. Louis truly is "Baseball Heaven" and there is no other place that I would rather be that at Busch Stadium on Opening Day.  This year I decided to surprise Kanin and pull him out of school to go to his very first Opening Day.  He was so excited!

For the past several years I have been in charge of the tailgate.  I normally get all of the food and get down to Busch early in the morning; however, after spending the entire day out in the rain at last year's Opening Day, and the forecast of rain again this year, I decided to skip the official tailgate and just eat at one of the restaurants downtown.

We were meeting other people downtown so we brought a cooler, some chairs, and bags to hang out for a bit.

My love and me

Two of my 3 main men

Scott and our nephew, Paul

Our niece, Susie, and her hubs, Doug.  Notice that he is wearing a blue shirt . . .he's a Cubs fan.  He was banned from wearing Cubs gear to Cards' Opening Day so he chose the bluest shirt he could find.

Our neighbor, Corey, and my bonus daughter, Emily

If you ever get the chance to come to St. Louis, you must go to Grant's Farm to see the Clydesdales.  They are beautiful, graceful, and elegant animals.  When they entered in to the stadium, and I got really excited, Kanin made the comment that "they are just horses".  I had to school my son!! The Clydesdales ARE NOT just horses.  To St. Louis, the Clydesdales represent so much more.  Yes, they are Anheuser-Busch (which employees thousands of St. Louisans) and beer (which we are a drinking town) but they are a representation of the pride of St. Louis.  They are a connection to the past. 

Each year for Opening Day, after the Clydesdales come out, we have the player parade.  This parade is always led off by our Hall of Famers.

Bob Gibson

Lou Brock

Red Schoendienst

Ozzie Smith

 

Whitey Herzog

Of course, the biggest glaring absence this year was that Stan the Man Musial wasn't there.  Sadly, we lost him over the winter.  He will never be forgotten in St. Louis.  The Musial family unveiled a new memorial out on the left-field fall.

After the Musial memorial, the players all started to come around.

Cy Young Winner, Chris Carpenter

Adam Wainwright saluting the soldiers who were preparing for the National Anthem.

Kanin's favorite player, Jason Motte

Matt Holliday

 

The most exciting thing of the day happened in the 6th inning when Reds shortstop, Brandon Phillips, hit a home run ball.  One of the bleacher bums we sit with caught the ball and then gave it to Kanin!  He was SO excited!

The ball had an official Opening Day 2013 stamp on it.

Even though we lost, we had a fantastic time and we had so much fun celebrating a Happy New Year!

I truly love this town