The 2011 MLB season was filled with excitement and it ended with one of the greatest world series of all times
By DAVID LEBLANC
Staff Writer
PUBLISHED NOVEMBER 8, 2011
This past MLB playoffs was one of the most exciting that we have seen in the past decade. With teams like the Rays and the Cardinals needing the last game of the season to get into the playoffs, is true example of baseball at its finest.
Yet with the close of the regular season being a race to the finish, why would it stop there. The drama continued on through the wee hours of the cold October nights. It all came to a halting stop on Thursday October 27th when it looked as if the Texas Rangers were on the brink to win their first major league championship.
With two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning, a two run lead, and their closer Neftali Feliz on the mound, they could almost feel the ring on their finger. Yet St. Louis had other plans. After wearing down Feliz, hometown hero David Frees came to the plate with men on both first and second.
Frees didn’t fail to impress. He delivered a high fly ball to deep left field. The ball flew over the head of the jumping Nelson Cruz and both runners would score tying the game. Finally Feliz retired the side and the game was heading to extra innings.
In the top of the eleventh the drama continued with Josh Hamilton’s deep two run homerun to center field. With all but three outs to go, the Cardinals fight back yet again, scratching two runs off the Rangers bullpen. Finally in the Bottom of the Eleventh David Frees stepped in. On the first pitch delivered to him, he ended the game. The Cardinals escaped elimination. The very next day they went on to win yet another game, making them the 2011 Major League champions.
Many instances made this championship memorable. Whether it is Nelson Cruz’s handle on the ball in game six, or the likelihood of being Albert Pujous’ last year, it was certainly one for the history books. Many fans now admire the young David Frees for single handedly winning them a championship. Not only was he given a Championship World Series ring but also the World Series MVP. This could only have been one of his most memorable nights of his life. After growing up in St. Louis and rooting for the Cardinals all his life, he just won them the championship.
Yet questions still linger. Many people feel that Nelson Cruz misread the fly ball that tied the game in the bottom of the ninth. Many baseball analysts believe that he could have easily caught it. One argument is that he simply thought it wasn’t hit as far. Another is that he thought he had a good beat on it. Regardless, if that ball were caught the Rangers would be your champions.
History is full of “what if” situations, this is yet another. Other sports fans debate Ron Washington’s decision to pull his young 23 year old closer out of the game in the tenth. With a two run lead again, what were the chances that Feliz lost the lead again? With 32 regular season saves, obviously Feliz knows what he’s doing.
Another question that is on the minds of sports fans is, will Albert Pujols return to St Louis? This championship could not have come at a better time for Pujols and the Cardinals. After announcing in the spring that he plans on leaving St. Louis, he helps them win their second championship in that last five years. Whether Pujous returns or not is beside the point, he is for the next year, a World Series champion.
The 2011 hunt of the pennant was one for the record books. With teams like the Boston Red Soxs making costly errors that lead up to one of the biggest collapses in major league history, or the St Louis Cardinals winning 9 out of their last 13 games just barely earning a playoff berth, let alone the championship.
Is this a site that we as sports fans will see again next year? Will the drama continue next October? Only time can tell. Yet one thing is for sure, whether they barely won or they completely demolished the competition, a win is a win and the St. Louis Cardinals are your 2011 World Series Champions!
