Baseball DIY

Two outs...runners on first and second...Albert Pujols comes to the plate to face Brad Lidge. Cardinals are down, 4-2.

My version
Jill was in the room until two outs in the ninth; she couldn't take it anymore, so she went in the bedroom. Eckstein got a single, and my heart started beating faster. When Jimmy turned away from that pitch that could have hit him, I nearly cussed him out...but he walked. I looked to make sure Jill wasn't coming back in the room, because I was not going to let her. And then...BANG. That was the coolest thing I've seen since Jimmy's home run last year...nope, definitely cooler than that.

...

(To John E.) That's one of the things that really bugs me about Houston: the Bushes' ubiquitous presence, right where right-handed hitters step out of the batters' box. You see them more than you see the managers. And I won't get into my Fox-Bush-Astros conspiracy right now, but if we lose on a controversial call, you can bet you'll hear it.

I was completely mentally prepared to say goodbye to the 2005 Cardinals, and I was at peace. It's going to be hard to get back to that emotional equilibrium now. The solution: win the whole flippin' thing!

...

(To Jonathan C.) I was definitely thinking about the game in Cincinnati last night when Edmonds got on base...coming back from a two-run lead against the Astros is about as hard as coming back from a 6-7 run defecit against the Reds.

It was weird because I knew Albert could do it, and I wouldn't have been mad if he didn't, but I just wasn't surprised when it happened. I was really, really happy, but I wasn't surprised.

Jill's version
I leave with one out to go in the ninth ("Do I have to watch the last out?") (yes, there is a fair amount of guilt lingering today). With no intention of going back in there, I'm brushing my teeth when I hear a commotion so loud and abrupt that it scares the holy living crap out of me. Hearing and seeing Erik's reaction (including the "f--- you, Fox" and other expletives involved) far and away made up for missing the home run itself.

Dad's version
Eckstein singles -- Kristi still sleeping. Jimmy walks -- Kristi is still sleeping. Kristi awakes for some unknown reason to see the home run and leaps out of bed. I hear her thumping down the hallway and gives me a high five -- she then goes back to bed.

John Eagleson's version (friend, co-founder of Prairie Rehab)
I can't tell you my elation, my spine-tingling elation at seeing that shot off Pujols' bat. It was one of those moments you live for as a sports fan. Over the weekend, I was bemoaning all the freaking heartbreak in sports (there seemed to be a lot of it in football and baseball the past week) and I wondered is it really worth the emotional investment? And then this happens... I want to go out and buy an AP poster and put it in the boys' room. He is a bigger than life hero, worthy of comparison to any of the all-time greats. Period.

Oh yeah, and it tingled my spine to see batty old Barbara Bush getting up from her first row seat all cheery and ready to be escorted out by the Secret Service when Wham-O! Lights Out! Houston, we have a problem! And his name is Albert Pujols!!

Jonathan Cornwell's version (friend, co-founder of Prairie Rehab)
Emily and I jumped around the room, screaming. There were a couple other times this year that I felt that way: the come from behind in Cincinnati and Sanders' slam. This is better than Edmonds in 2004; it's better than beating the Cubs at Wrigley last year after Taguchi's homer.

On the radio this morning, they were talking about how Cardinals fans will be telling their children and grandchildren about where they were when Pujols hit that slider. I think they might be right, and I can't wait for Game 6. And Game 7.

Brian Robison's version (friend, founder and Captain of the St. Louis Unions Vintage Base Ball Club)
I turned off the TV after Berkman's home run, and I started working on the computer. After a short while, I became curious about how it was all going and turned on the radio. I decided I had to know for sure it was over, but I couldn't bear to watch the Houston celebration. So, Eckstein singles and Edmonds walks, and I decide to go upstairs to watch the bitter end. Melanie had the kitchen TV muted and insisted I do the same with the one in the living room, saying she couldn't bear to hear it (the opposite of my own thoughts while downstairs with the radio -- interesting). I told her I was watching it just to torture myself, just to see them get so close and come up short once again (you will recall my frequent complaining about Albert in the clutch during the season). And then when he looked so bad on the first pitch, I thought he was going to go down with a whimper. WRONG! I yelled "OH BABY!" and the celebration was on. I wasn't even worried about Izzy in the bottom of the ninth. I knew Houston would have nothing after that, and no one on that Cardinals defense was going to let each other down. I stayed up until 11:30 watching ESPN and FSN and every replay I could find. I couldn't watch that homer enough times.