I sat with my daughter watching the Cardinals winning 2-1 when Lance Berkman hit a 3 run homer in the 7th inning to put the Astros ahead. After turning off the tv and putting the kids to bed, I went back to watch the rest of the game very depressed to have already seen the Vikings football team AND the St Louis Cardinals baseball team going down the tube. And then what a game!!!! I saved the game on TIVO and the next morning, here's what happened....
"Hey Riva, last night the Cardinals went behind when that guy Berkman hit a 3 run homer. I didn't watch the rest of the game. Let's watch it now."
"Dad...if the Cardinals win, we go to the Toy store and get a toy and the bookstore and get a book and then have ice cream for dinner?"
"That right, but the Cardinals have to win the World Series, remember? And now the Astros are winning 3 games to 1 and winning the 4th game. If they win it's all over. Let's go see what happened."
We turned on the tv and the beginning of the 9th inning was starting. I pointed to the Astros reliever Brad Lidge and began announcing the game.
"That's Brad Lidge....he's the Al Hrabowsky of the Houston Astros. He came in and shut down the Cardinals the last 3 games. He got this super fast ball and wicked slider that the Cardinals can't hit. He now in the game to shut down the Cardinals. It doesn't look good. Here's the first batter John Rodriquez...."
"Dad, do the Cardinals have a Al Hrabowsky on their team?"
"Yes, his name is Jason Irsinghausen and if the Cardinals can't beat Lidge, then it's over. So here comes the pitch.....strike 1.....ball 1....strike 2....strike 3....oh no, one out two to go. The Cardinals need a miracle. Here comes Mabry.......and Lidge winds up and throws the ball....strike 1...."
The television showed the replay of Berkman's 3 run homer that put the Astros up by 2 and proclaim Berkman the Chevrolet player of the game.
"Riva....let me tell you something about this Berkman who is the player of the game. It's not over until the fat lady sings!"
"I don't understand - fat lady sings?"
"Yes, in the Opera, the show isn't finish until the fat lady in the end sings this loud song. The point here is you don't ever quit. You just keep going at it until it's over. And there's still 2 outs and the Cardinals ain't going to quit.....uh-oh strike 3 for Mabry. 2 outs and 1 to go. It doesn't look good. Now coming up is David Eckstein. I like this guy cause he's a scrappy player as the announcer said. He doesn't quit. He always tries to find a way to get on base.... And look there is Albert Pujols in the dugout. He's big like Casey. He's good. He's thinking if only we can get two runners on and bring ne up to bat and have a whack at that...strike 1.....strike 2....uh-oh only one strike away and it's over for the Cardinals."
Riva put her fingers in her ears and closed her eyes.
"Whoa...open your eye Riva. Eckstein singles! He's on base. Now Jim Edmond comes to bat. And look ! Jimmy got that look on his face. That focused look - thinking I will get on base somehow so that Albert Pujols can come up and have a whack at bat. Here's the pitch. Ball 1....Ball 2...Ball3....Ball 4!!!!! Jimmy going to first!!!!"
"And look !!!! Mr. Pujols is coming to bat with runner on 1st and 2nd. Look how big he is. He's thinking I here now. My teammates have done their job and now I must take a whack at that... The manager is coming to the mound to talk to the pitcher. The players are getting together. They are telling him to relax. Just give him nothing but wicked sliders. Just put Mr. Pujols down so that we can go to the World Series. Mr Lidge winds up and throws the ball. A wicked slider....Strike 1"
Riva gets up and goes behind the couch. I tell her to come and sit on my lap and let's hang in there. Remember it isn't over til the fat lady sings.
"Here comes the pitch....BAM ! It's going, going, going and it's gone!!!!! Good Bye Mr. Ball ! Mr Pujols hits a 3 run homer. The Cardinals lead! The Cardinals win!!!!"
For a few minute, I was holding Riva and jumping up and down as she was clapping non stop with this big smile on her face. Finally we settle down and I told her this:
"Remember this dear. Never give up! Always give your best like the Cardinals did."
I don't think she'll ever forget that. I think we have another die hard Cardinals fan. Next I gotta work with Judah.
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