Ghosts of Baseball

I believe in ghosts, however I am not writing about ghosts with names like Casper and Slimer. I am writing about the Ghosts of Baseball. One can find a connection between a couple teams every year the postseason rolls around, but 2014 may be something special.

1. The Saint Louis Cardinals and the Kansas City Royals: 29 years after the Royals lucked out by defeating the Cardinals in the 1985 World Series, there is a ever-so-slight chance that they could face off again in the Fall Classic. Of course the guys in blue will have to beat the Angels and either the Tigers or Orioles to get there while the Cardinals have the other guys in blue (The Dodgers) and the Nationals to get by. You don't have to be a die hard baseball fan to appreciate the significance of this match up in the World Series. If you are over 35 you probably have some kind of desire to see it happen.

2. The Saint Louis Cardinals and the Los Angeles Angels: Do I really need to mention what kinds of ghosts will be present if this match up were to happen? It isn't the Cardinals verses the Angels, instead it will be known as St. Louis verses Albert Pujols.

3. The Washington Nationals and the Baltimore Orioles. The Orioles have not won a World Series since they beat the Phillies in 1983. Keep in mind this is just a season and a half after The Iron Man (I don't really need to tell you who that is right?) started his streak which would eventually beat Gehrig's. The season before Ripken (Oops I let it slip) broke the record the Major Leagues suffered a season ending strike. Of course it hurt fans worse than anyone, but the Montreal Expos were probably hit the worst. When the season was called off they led the major leagues in wins and were nearly unstoppable. Of course we all know the Expos left Canada and are now the Washington Nationals.

4. The Pittsburg Pirates and the Angels, Tigers, or Cardinals: Of course the Cardinals play the pirates 20 times a season (more or less) so why would this be a great NLCS? The same reason it would be an invitation to the ghosts of baseball for there to be a Pittsburg World Series against the Angels or Tigers. Many know this story. Pittsburg second baseman has become a pretty good power hitter for his hometown team. What makes him special? Nothing. What makes his story special? Baseball History.

Long before Neil Walker was born, his dad Tom was a baseball player. He played for the Angels, Tigers, and Cardinals. One day in 1972 (The final day of the year actually) Tom was ready to board a plane to help take food to people in Nicaragua when his friend told him to stay and hang out with his friends for New Year's Eve. Tom did just that.

Hours later his friend was dead. The result of a plane crash. Roberto Clemente was elected into the Hall of Fame the following year.

In 1985 Tom would go on to have a son, Neil. The second baseman for the Pittsburg Pirates. Imagine the ghosts that could be awakened if Neil Walker takes the field in the 2014 World Series, with the 21 foot outfield wall in the background?

Although is dad never played for the Pirates, he did play for the Angels, Tigers, and Cardinals. Now picture the younger Walker becoming a post season hero.

Talk about ghosts.