Seven Months Later - Following a Baseball Team

Matt Holliday batting at Roger Dean Stadium, Jupiter FL ©Mary Montague Sikes

Seven months ago, excitement filled the warm Florida air and so did the thrill of anticipation and hope. It was February and the start of Baseball Spring Training. In those early days, every player believes his team has a chance to win and go deep into post-season play that starts in October. Every player is trying for a place on his team's roster. Watching the players practice and having a chance to get many of their autographs is a fun time for the fans.

As St. Louis Cardinals fans, we created special memories waiting by the players' parking lot gate and meeting Trevor Rosenthal and Shelby Miller when they stopped their SUV to sign autographs.  At that moment in time, the dedicated fans by the gate didn't know Rosenthal would become one of the best relief pitchers in all of baseball. They didn't know that Miller would be one of the leading rookie pitchers in the National League. Like the players and the other fans, we were excited and happy a new baseball season was underway.

Late September and October are bittersweet. The season ended today, and that's always a little sad. However, although the Cardinals had some ups and downs during the season, they won their division and have the best record in the National League which gives them home field advantage. They even tied the Boston Red Sox for the best record in baseball.

I don't know how far the Cardinals will go in the post season. They kept "manufacturing" pitchers all year long, so we're strong there. And we have a lot of stand out position players, not just one star. We also have an amazing manager, Mike Matheny, who has led the Cardinals to the postseason for the first two years he has held this job. He has brought a special quality of play to the team. It will be interesting to watch and follow and hope we will have a wonderful conclusion to this 2013 baseball season.

Pitcher Shelby Miller signing ©Mary Montague Sikes

It's hard work being a fan and hanging on every pitch. Go Cards!