That stretch that ended the 1962 season is one of my all-time favorite memories. I had been a Cards’ fan for about six years, with nothing to show for it, but sweeping the Dodgers that final weekend of 1962 forced the three game playoff in which the Giants beat the Dodgers. I always tell people I have two favorite teams, the Cards and whoever is playing the Dodgers.

I can still remember sitting on my grandfather’s front porch with him, probably eating an ice cream sandwich and sipping on a Nesbitt’s Strawberry soda from the corner market. Gene Oliver hit a home run in the final game to give Curt Simmons a 1-0 victory. Come to think of it, Vin Scully was announcing that game, just as he is the Dodgers vs. the Angels as I write this. It’s almost enough to make me feel young.