Watch this MLB Postseason like it's your first
It's that time again for St. Louis Cardinals fans. The postseason has arrived and the Cardinals wrapped things up with the best record in the National League.
Every spring, just as days start to get longer, everyone gets excited about the baseball season to come.
While some waste their days thinking about blooming flowers and warmer weather, we are sucked into the magic of potential broken records and typical opening day fanfair.
It's the time of year when every fanbase has hope--even in Chicago. We're anxious to see the next big thing--the next Miguel Cabrera, Albert Pujols, Mike Trout or even the next Ty Cobb.
With each season comes its own unique magic. Momentum for a team changes not by the week, series, or game, but by the pitch.
In other sports, we often know the outcome before the coin is ever flipped. You may not know for certain, but in many cases outcomes can be predicted.
That's not the case with baseball.
Once in a while the Houston Astros do beat the New York Yankees. On occasion, a pitcher will go 4-for-4 with 3 RBI and a home run at the plate.
In 2013, the Miami Marlins wrapped up their 100-loss season with a 3-game sweep of the American League Central champion Detroit Tigers. In October 2012, the Marlins were preparing to once again sell the farm and the Tigers were busy battling the San Francisco Giants in the World Series.
Expect the unexpected--that's the beauty of baseball. Don't misunderstand me, April makes for great baseball.
Who doesn't love a "businessman special" on a Thursday afternoon? Or a ballpark hot dog and peanuts washed down with a lukewarm beer on a sunny 80-degree day?
Those things are great, but the regular season is barely even a preview of what's to come.
Real baseball begins when the temperatures start to fall, the trees change colors and it's dark by the first pitch. Welcome to October baseball.
Fans and stadiums alike come to life like they never do during the regular season.
The good players are separated from the great and the great from the legends. There are one-hit wonders and, at the same time, Hall of Famers are born.
In October, everyone lucky enough to make the cut starts their season anew. It doesn't matter how a team gets in on the action, only "that" they got in on the action.
Whether it's a wild card team or the team with the best record in all of baseball, they all have a shot at hoisting the Commissioner's Trophy. It's always enjoyable whether you're listening, playing, watching or covering it.
There's a reason you always hear players talking about how they "just taking it all in." October baseball is special in a way that some people will never understand.
A few hours before the first postseason game I ever covered I was chatting with Ricky Horton on the field at Busch Stadium. We talked about his World Series appearances with the Cardinals in 1985 and 1987 for a few minutes.
Before I went back to my work, he shared with me one piece of advice that I have taken to heart every day since. He told me to soak in every minute of it--even as a reporter--because baseball is special in October.
He was right--even more so than I realized at the time. This year, I advise you to do the same.
So, this week, when all of the teams bring out their legends to kick off the festivities that surround the postseason, take some time to appreciate it for what it is.
Don't take it for granted just because you follow a team who regularly finds themselves in October.
Watch this postseason like it's your team's first.
--
Corey Noles is a Cardinals Writer and Columnist for The Daily Statesman. He is also a regular contributor to StLSportsPage.com, KSDK.com and Bleacher Report. Contact him at cnoles@dailystatesman.com or on Twitter @coreynoles.
Comments
- -- Posted by Dustin Ward on Mon, Sep 30, 2013, at 3:11 AM
- -- Posted by Cheesehead. on Mon, Sep 30, 2013, at 8:23 AM
- -- Posted by Bunk on Mon, Sep 30, 2013, at 8:24 AM
- -- Posted by Bunk on Mon, Sep 30, 2013, at 8:51 AM
- -- Posted by Bunk on Mon, Sep 30, 2013, at 10:52 AM
- -- Posted by Jolly Dump on Mon, Sep 30, 2013, at 3:57 PM
- -- Posted by Dustin Ward on Mon, Sep 30, 2013, at 8:42 PM
- -- Posted by Bunk on Mon, Sep 30, 2013, at 9:01 PM
- -- Posted by Dustin Ward on Mon, Sep 30, 2013, at 9:18 PM
- -- Posted by Bunk on Mon, Sep 30, 2013, at 9:47 PM
- -- Posted by Dustin Ward on Mon, Sep 30, 2013, at 11:30 PM
Respond to this blog
Posting a comment requires free registration:
- If you already have an account, follow this link to login
- Otherwise, follow this link to register