Friday, October 20, 2006

Cardinals Vs Tigers Memories From '68

This year's world series matchup between the St Louis Cardinals and the Detroit Tigers brought back memories of the 2nd World Series that I ever followed between the Tiger and the Cards. I had known the Cardinals line up by heart Speedster Lou Brock Centerfielder great Curt Flood. Slugger Orlando Cepeda. Exact same line since the previous year when they slipped by the Boston Red Sox in 7 games. Detroit had been the sentimental favorite the whole year because of their great slugger Al Kaline who was winding down his career and had never been to the World Series. That was the summer I met Cousin Rick down in Seaside Oregon. He was about my age and equally mad about baseball. I had this game called Stat-O-Matic (it was sort of like what we know called fantasy baseball) and we had a blast playing it. Two of the teams we had were the Cardinals And Tigers.
It was the year that Denny McLaine became the last pitcher to win 30 games. It was the year of the pitcher as the batting average leader in one league barely had an average over .300.
Willie Mays was still great and at the time was my all time favorite player. Hank Aaron and Mickey Mantle where hanging in as well.
Back then, they were the St Louis "baseball" Cardinal as St Louis' Football team was also had that name.

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