This is the newest installment in our series of St. Louis Cardinals-related trivia questions here at The Cardinal Nation Blog. Before responding, please familiarize yourself with the complete contest rules (follow the link) to ensure your entry will qualify.

The reader who posts the first complete and correct answer below will win a free copy of Baseball’s Greatest Games: 2011 World Series, Game 6 - or as the sticker attached to the wrapper calls it, “The historic Freese game”.

In this two-disc set, one of the most exciting post-season games ever is being made available for the first time in high-definition Blu-ray with 5.1 surround sound. This package has the game in standard DVD format as well, along with the audio calls of the iconic contest. It retails for $24.99 and is being provided courtesy of A+E Networks Home Entertainment/MLB Productions.

Here is your trivia question. Note that it has multiple parts, all of which must be answered correctly. Only one answer per person is allowed.

In 2011, David Freese set the new MLB all-time RBI record for a single post-season with 21. That being his first post-season as a major leaguer, 21 is also Freese’s career playoff RBI total.

Where does that rank Freese on the Cardinals team all-time career post-season RBI list AND who are the players ahead of him?

Good luck to everyone and please remember to read the rules before answering. And if you don’t win this time, check back for new trivia questions to be posted at random times this week.

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The reader who posts the first complete and correct answer below will win a free copy of Baseball’s Greatest Games: 2011 World Series, Game 6 - or as the sticker attached to the wrapper calls it, “The historic Freese game”.

In this two-disc set, one of the most exciting post-season games ever is being made available for the first time in high-definition Blu-ray with 5.1 surround sound. This package has the game in standard DVD format as well, along with the audio calls of the iconic contest. It retails for $24.99 and is being provided courtesy of A+E Networks Home Entertainment/MLB Productions.

Here is your trivia question. Note that it has two parts, both of which must be answered correctly. Only one answer per person is allowed.

In Game 6, David Freese hit the first walkoff home run in St. Louis Cardinals World Series history but it was only the club’s second walk off WS hit. Who hit the first AND in what year?

Good luck to everyone and please remember to read the rules before answering. And if you don’t win this time, check back for new trivia questions to be posted at random times this week.

Update: Highlights from the 1944 Series between the Cardinals and Browns, Game 2: Ken O’Dea of the Cardinals grips the bat as he comes to the plate in the 11th inning. O’Dea singles to score Ray Sanders and win the game for the Cards, 3-2. (note the clip has no audio track)

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To celebrate the release of Baseball’s Greatest Games: 2011 World Series, Game 6, A+E Networks Home Entertainment/MLB Productions have provided me three copies – which means they will be available for you to win!

In this two-disc set, one of the most exciting post-season games ever is being made available for the first time in high-definition Blu-ray. This package has the game in standard DVD format as well, along with the audio calls of the iconic contest, won via David Freese’s walk-off home run in the 11^th inning.

If you’re interested in purchasing Baseball’s Greatest Games: 2011 World Series, Game 6, it is available for $24.99 at the MLB.com store.

Later in the week, we will follow with three more free copies of the 2011 St. Louis Cardinals World Series Collector’s Edition DVD Set. Each game is presented in its entirety, with the complete, unedited footage of every World Series game plus other key postseason games, along with exclusive locker room celebrations and interviews. This eight-disc set retails for $56.99.

The rules and how to win

At random times starting this week, I will make a new blog post with a trivia question that relates to the St. Louis Cardinals. The first reader to respond in the public comment area of my related post with the complete, correct answer (as solely determined by me) will be named the winner of the announced DVD set associated with that question.

Think through your response carefully, as you are initially allowed just one guess per question. I will do my best to acknowledge the first winning answer as quickly as possible, but will not comment on each incorrect or incomplete reply. If I deem necessary, I may decide to offer a clue and open it up for one second-chance guess per reader, but that is not assured.

There is another catch. If you have never previously commented here at The Cardinal Nation Blog, you would be wise to register and comment at least once well BEFORE you attempt to answer a trivia question. Otherwise, you may not win, even if you have the correct answer.

This blog is set up such that all comments from first-time posters go into holding status and remain there until approved. Unapproved comments will NOT be considered valid contest entries until approved and publicly posted for all to see. That time gap could be the difference between being first with the right answer and missing out.

Consider yourself warned, but if this snags you the first time, you still should have ample time to register and comment before the next trivia question is posted. Feel free to post your first comment on this thread if you would like!

Previous winners of The Official 2011 World Series Film and The 2011 World Series Champions Collectors Edition DVD Set are not eligible in this contest. Any trivia winners in this contest are ineligible to win subsequent DVD sets. Only one winner per household. Any attempt to circumvent the rules will lead to disqualification from all awards.

Winners will receive an email from me, addressed to the location from which you registered to this blog. If you do not reply with your full street address within 48 hours, you may forfeit your prize to another contestant.

Password reset problem? Several readers have been frustrated by the WordPress password reset procedure that has inhibited their ability to comment. If that includes you, email me at brian at thecardinalnationblog dot com and I will help.

If you don’t win, you can purchase both Baseball’s Greatest Games: 2011 World Series, Game 6 and The 2011 World Series Champions Collectors Edition DVD Set from a number of retailers, including MLB.com.

Welcome to all the new readers and best of luck in the contests!

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One was the subject of the expansion of post-season play. For the first time since 1995, a change will be made to the playoff format. Starting no later than 2013, a second Wild Card will be added in each league, increasing the post-season pool to 10 of the 30 clubs.

The new format does not appreciably increase the length of the post-season since it consists of a simple one-game playoff between the two Wild Cards in each league. The winner of that game will advance to the regular Division Series.

Though this seems like a no-brainer in terms of implementation, the November announcement stated the question of whether it will go into effect in 2012 would be decided no later than March 1. With one month to go before the self-imposed deadline, the two sides have yet to concur.

Not surprisingly, MLB commissioner Bud Selig wants to get it done immediately.

“It’s pretty definite in my mind,” Selig told USA TODAY. “Teams are anxious. Clubs really want it.”

Michael Weiner, executive director of the Major League Players Association, is unsure it is feasible this year.

“The 2012 season was not designed to accommodate an extra round of playoffs,” Weiner told USA TODAY. “We’re having discussions to see if it can work. We’ll decide in the next month or so if we’re able to do it.”

Though Weiner was not specific, the concern seems to be the travel involved in the expanded post-season schedule. In addition to this one-game Wild Card play-in game, any division ties will reportedly also be decided on the field going forward. The potential scheduling impact of this change also has to be considered. Though not stated, revenue-sharing issues could also be present.

Given the considerable regular-season benefit of an additional team in the playoff hunt in each league, having fewer off-days during the post-season to fit in an extra game or two should not present a significant challenge. Nor should money be an insurmountable problem.

Here’s hoping the two sides resolve their differences, whatever they may be, and MLB begins the new playoff format this coming fall.

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The New York chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA) bestowed The Babe Ruth Award upon Freese. The award is given annually to the Major League Baseball player with the best performance in the postseason. It was created in honor of New York Yankees Hall of Famer Babe Ruth in 1949.

In the following clip, posted by MLB.com, Freese accepts his newest award after having been introduced by Yankees general manager Brian Cashman.

(Some of Freese’s television appearances earlier this off-season can be viewed here.)

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Plans are being made for the 2011 Cardinals to head to Washington, D.C. following the conclusion of the weekend’s festivities one week from today, on Monday, January 16. The winner of the World Series is traditionally invited to the White House to meet The President of the United States. So it will be this year as Barack Obama will reportedly entertain the Cardinals the next day, Tuesday, January 17. (The date should be considered tentative until officially announced by the White House.)

Seven members of the club have already departed as free agents, including superstar Albert Pujols, along with since-retired manager Tony La Russa and three members of the Cardinals coaching staff who were not retained for 2012. La Russa is among those scheduled to return to St. Louis for the weekend.

Following the Cardinals’ exciting World Series victory over the Texas Rangers on October 28, Obama did not immediately make a celebratory phone call to the new champions. La Russa was the one to share that news with the media, a week later, on November 4. Much was made of that perceived snub by some.

The call eventually did come. It was on November 7, 10 days after the conclusion of the Series. At that time, The President extended his invitation to the team to visit 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

Though the first-term Chief Executive reportedly did not call the 2009 champion New York Yankees, his call to the previous winner, the 2010 San Francisco Giants, was apparently made in a timely manner.

Former President George W. Bush, once a business partner of Cardinals Chairman and CEO Bill DeWitt Jr., welcomed the 2006 World Champion Cardinals to the White House on January 16, 2007. It is worth noting that was also the Tuesday following Winter Warm-Up.

Obama visited St. Louis on July 14, 2009, when he threw out the ceremonial first pitch for Major League Baseball’s 80th All-Star Game. He wore the jacket of his home-town favorite Chicago White Sox. (In the above photo, The President met Cardinals Hall of Famer Stan Musial, who 11 months ago, made his own trip to the White House to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom.)

Update: Late Monday afternoon, the White House issued their official release. The Cardinals will be honored at 3:05 P.M. ET on Tuesday, January 17. Before the event, the Cardinals will visit Walter Reed National Military Medical Center to thank wounded service members for their service.

And here is the video of the ceremony, courtesy of The White House.

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The actual margin of difference between the two clubs proved to be razor-thin. When all seven games had been played, it was the Cardinals who finished on top, winning their 11^th World Championship in team history and their second in six years.

There were many heroes.

In the sixth inning of Game 1, pinch-hitter Allen Craig broke a 2-2 tie with a two-out, run-scoring single that made Chris Carpenter a winner. Carp allowed two runs over six innings and Jason Motte picked up the save.

St. Louis yielded the home field advantage upon losing Game 2 when the Rangers scored two in the ninth to erase a 1-0 Cardinals lead. The runs were charged against Motte with the key play an Ian Kinsler stolen base. Jaime Garcia threw seven shutout innings in what became a no-decision.

Moving to Texas for Game 3, Kyle Lohse was pulled after three-plus innings, but Albert Pujols had a game for the ages in the 16-7 St. Louis win. The first baseman had five hits, including three home runs, hits in four consecutive innings, 14 total bases and six RBI, all of which set or tied World Series records.

Though he walked seven, starter Edwin Jackson held on for 6 1/3 innings in Game 4, allowing just one run. However, he departed with two on base. Both scored as Mike Napoli launched Mitchell Boggs’ first pitch deep into left field for a 4-0 lead that the Rangers held.

In the pivotal Game 5, the Cardinals stranded baserunner after baserunner, 12 in total, and ultimately fell by a 4-2 score when Marc Rzepczynski allowed a two-run double by Napoli in the eighth inning. Several key mix-ups on Craig-Pujols hit and runs and wrong pitchers warming up due to bizarre phone miscommunications between La Russa and the bullpen contributed to the painful and strange defeat.

It seemed the Series was on the verge of being lost and set up to be the subject of second-guessing forever, but once again, the 2011 Cardinals were not done.

Returning home for the must-win Game 6, the Cardinals showed amazing resiliency despite uneven play. The defense committed three early errors with the result being two unearned runs for Texas. Still, despite having just three hits through seven innings, the Cardinals had pulled even three times before giving up the lead run in the top of the next inning each time. Back-to-back home runs off Lance Lynn in the seventh moved Texas ahead once again.

With the Cards down to their final strike in the ninth, David Freese’s two-run triple sent the game into extra innings. The elation did not last long as Josh Hamilton’s two-run home run off Motte in the 10th powered the Rangers to a 9-7 lead.

When things looked bleakest, the Cards found a way once again, however. RBI from Ryan Theriot and Lance Berkman knotted the score, moving the game into the 11th. Berkman’s hit again occurred with two strikes and two out. It was the first time in World Series history that a team came back twice from a two-or-more run deficit in the ninth inning and later.

Freese’s home run to dead center in the bottom of the 11th ended one of the most exciting World Series games ever. The final score was 10-9.

One of the most pivotal aspects of the 2011 World Series did not occur on the field. A one-day rain delay prior to Game 6 proved a crucial break for the Cardinals as it enabled them to bring Carpenter back for Game 7 on three days rest.

The ace allowed two first-inning runs before tossing five scoreless frames. Freese tied the game in the bottom of the first before Craig’s third-inning solo home run gave the Cards the lead to stay. St. Louis won the World Series title by taking Game 7 by a 6-2 score.

Freese was named Series Most Valuable Player after batting .348 (8-for-23) with three doubles, a triple, home run, seven RBI and four runs scored. Yadier Molina set a Cardinals World Series record with nine RBI. Though he had only one hit outside of Game 3 and batted .240 in the Series, Pujols had six RBI and joined Craig with three home runs. Berkman batted .423 in the Series, drove in five and scored a team-high nine times.

Carpenter made three World Series starts, pitching 19 innings. He won two games, including Game 7, and logged a 2.84 ERA. Garcia did not pick up a win, but allowed just two runs in 10 innings for a 1.80 ERA. The Cardinals pitchers held the Rangers to a collective .243 batting average.

Taking everything into account, including the team being 10 ½ games out in late August, then marching through all three rounds of the playoffs, this most unexpected championship is the top Cardinals story of 2011, hands down.

Link to World Series boxscores

Link to The Cardinal Nation Blog’s top 20 stories of the year countdown

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Few, if anyone, thought St. Louis had a chance against the 102-win Phils. In fact, they were seeded eighth of the eight playoff teams by every source I recall reading. At ESPN, for example, the Phillies were predicted to defeat the Cardinals by all two dozen of their personalities.

As the old line goes, “That is why they play the games.” In the hard-fought five-game series, St. Louis prevailed. Faced with two consecutive elimination games, the Cards took both, including the deciding match at Philadelphia’s Citizens Bank Park.

The best-of-five series began with a pair in Philly. The Cards got out on top in Game 1, but gave back a three-run lead behind Kyle Lohse and fell 11-6. Some of the writers were probably already starting their “Phillies Sweep Cards in Three” articles.

It was the home club that squandered a four-run edge in Game 2, however, as the Cards came back for a 5-4 win despite Chris Carpenter pitching ineffectively on three days rest. Albert Pujols drove in the lead run in the top of the seventh and the pen held the rest of the way.

Having taken away the home field advantage, St. Louis returned home for Game 3. The Phils quickly took back the high ground as Ben Francisco’s three-run home run off an obviously-spent Jaime Garcia in the seventh inning powered them to a 3-2 win.

The Cardinals held off elimination in Game 4 as David Freese plated four in the 5-3 St. Louis victory. Edwin Jackson pitched very well, allowing only two runs over six innings for the victory in the first of two must-win games for St. Louis.

In the deciding Game 5 in Philadelphia, Carpenter pitched perhaps the most clutch elimination game in Cardinals playoff history. He bested another former Cy Young Award winner, Roy Halladay, in a three-hit complete-game shutout, walking none. The tense 1-0 win propelled the Cardinals into the Championship Series. Carpenter, who induced 17 ground ball outs, became just the third pitcher in MLB post-season history to throw a shutout and allow three-or-fewer hits in a winner-take-all game.

Oddly, MLB does not select a MVP for any of their opening round series. I helped fill the gap, naming Carpenter The Cardinal Nation/Scout.com 2011 National League Division Series Most Valuable Player.

The Cards had been at full strength in the NLDS with one notable exception. Matt Holliday was active, but a non-factor in the first three games, reduced to pinch hitting because of a finger injury.

Pujols batted .350 (7-for-20) while Ryan Theriot and Skip Schumaker both went 6-for-10 (.600) with two doubles, but the latter suffered an oblique injury that kept him out of the upcoming League Championship Series. Freese led the team with five RBI.

Even those whose numbers did not stand out on the stat sheet found ways to contribute. For example, Lance Berkman scored four times and drove in four despite batting just .167. Allen Craig, subbing for Holliday in Games 1-3, went just 1-for-10 at the plate, but also drew a club-best four walks and crossed home plate three times.

Rafael Furcal handled two dozen chances flawlessly, including six putouts and 18 assists. He was involved in two double plays and was especially sharp behind Carpenter in Game 5. Furcal led off three of the games with a hit, including two triples.

Setting a pattern for the rest of the post-season, the bullpen was as dependable as it was busy. Jason Motte saved two games, throwing one-hit ball over 3 1/3 innings. Octavio Dotel added 2 2/3 shutout innings. Fernando Salas allowed one run in 3 2/3 innings and deserves special note for stabilizing pivotal Game 2 with two important shutout innings after Carpenter’s early departure.

Link to NLDS boxscores

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The series offered plenty of intrigue and concern for the Cardinals as their opponent had several advantages – on paper at least. The two clubs split their regular-season series at nine wins each, with both clubs holding a slight 5-4 edge at home. Milwaukee held the home field advantage. It seemed a major benefit as the Brewers had gone 57-24 (.704) at Miller Park during the regular season, the best home record in the Major Leagues in 2011.

Milwaukee was a perfect 15-0 in Game 1 and 5 pitcher Zack Greinke’s home starts. Their powerful lineup featured the man who would be named the league’s Most Valuable Player in Ryan Braun. Further, the Brewers would not see Cardinals ace Chris Carpenter until NLCS Game 3 because of his NL Division Series Game 5 start.

As it turned out, the Brewers did not leverage their home field advantage. They fell in six games, including losing two of three in Milwaukee, despite having to face Carpenter just once.

Games 1 and 2 were held at Miller Park. Jamie Garcia allowed five runs in the fifth which became too much to overcome as the Brewers won the opener, 9-6. Albert Pujols took over in Game 2 with three doubles, a home run and five RBI as St. Louis seized a decisive 12-3 victory. It was one of Pujols’ two signature games in the post-season. The five doubles are second-most in team post-season history and LCS history as were his three runs scored.

Returning home to St. Louis, the Cardinals’ bullpen was the star in Game 3, as Fernando Salas, Lance Lynn, Marc Rzepczynski and Jason Motte handled the final 12 outs flawlessly in a 4-3 Cardinals win. Veteran lefty Randy Wolf won Game 4 for Milwaukee as he worked seven innings, allowing only solo home runs to Matt Holliday and Allen Craig. St. Louis took pivotal Game 5 by a 7-1 score as the Brewers’ defense committed four of their 10 CS errors. Holliday and Yadier Molina had three hits each.

What became the final contest, Game 6, was held back in Milwaukee. David Freese launched a three-run home run in the first and the bullpen allowed just two runs over the final seven innings as the Cardinals breezed to the 12-6 clincher. It was the organization’s 18th NL pennant in team history.

The Cardinals scored first in each of the six games. Series Most Valuable Player Freese hit safely in all six games, batting .545, including three doubles, three home runs, nine RBI and six runs scored. Holliday hit .435 (10-for-23) with two doubles, one home run, five RBI and six runs scored.

With the team’s longest starting appearance just five innings in duration, the Cardinals bullpen carried a heavy load. They responded superbly, with a 1.88 ERA (six runs in 28 1/3 innings) while holding Brewers hitters to a collective .155 batting average.

In fact, the Cardinals set a new NLCS record with 28 pitching changes in the series. Not surprisingly, the Cardinals also held the old record of 26 in 1996 (a seven-game series versus Atlanta).

The Brewers may have played their last game with their star first baseman Prince Fielder, as on the Cardinals’ side, it turned out that Pujols had just seven games remaining in his St. Louis career. They turned out to be most important.

Link to NLCS boxscores

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Ankle problems that were feared to be chronic shorted Freese’s 2009 and ruined his 2010 campaign. His primary injury this past season was a May 1 hit-by-pitch broken hand that could have happened to anyone. Still, despite the reason, Freese played in barely half his team’s games over the last two seasons – just 97 regular-season games this season after 70 the year before.

As the 2011 Cardinals unexpectedly entered the playoffs, Freese became a big contributor, arguably their very biggest.

The best-of-five National League Division Series began with the Cardinals down one game to two to the team with the best regular-season record in baseball, the Philadelphia Phillies. St. Louis held off elimination in Game 4 as Freese plated four in St. Louis’ 5-3 victory. The Cards then won Game 5 to advance.

Moving into the League Championship Series against the NL Central champion Brewers, Freese heated up against his familiar opponent. Freese hit safely in all six CS games, batting .545, including three doubles, three home runs, nine RBI and six runs scored.

In what became the final CS contest, Game 6, held in Milwaukee, Freese set the pace. He launched a three-run home run in the first inning and the Cardinals breezed to the 12-6 clincher. After the game, Freese was named LCS Most Valuable Player.

Game 6 was once again Freese’s pivotal contest, this time in the World Series. With the Cards down to their final strike in the ninth against Texas, Freese’s two-run triple sent the game into extra innings. After a pair of lead changes, he came through again. In the bottom of the 11^th, Freese’s home run to dead center ended one of the most exciting World Series games ever by a 10-9 score.

Following the Cardinals’ Game 7 victory over the Rangers, Freese was voted MVP for the second consecutive series. It was certainly justified as he batted .348 (8-for-23) with three doubles, a triple, home run, seven RBI and four runs scored.

Putting it all together, over the entire post-season, Freese was 9-for-19 (.474) with runners in scoring position, including seven extra-base hits. He set all-time MLB post-season marks in RBI with 21, extra-base hits with 14 and total bases with 50 and tied for the most post-season doubles ever with eight and hits with 25.

It was clearly a post-season to remember for the St. Louis native. He was then given the rock star treatment, making television appearances on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, the Country Music Association Awards, a spot on a network sitcom and more.

Now that Freese’s relatively lower profile has been shattered, the pressure will be on for him to deliver more of the same kind of results in 2012. A regular turn in the fifth spot of new manager Mike Matheny’s lineup would mean an expectation of regular run production from the 2011 playoff hero.

Link to The Cardinal Nation Blog’s top 20 stories of the year countdown

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The Official 2011 World Series Film is narrated by St. Louis native Jon Hamm and documents the St. Louis Cardinals’ championship run in a series of segments including game highlights, interviews and more. Extra material includes the last outs and celebrations of key post-season wins and a bit of the World Series parade.

The two-disc set also features a bonus DVD containing the complete NLDS Game 5 in which Chris Carpenter and the Cardinals were one run better than Roy Halladay and the Phillies. Included are the post-game interviews with the winning pitcher Carpenter, manager Tony La Russa (during which he clumsily jokes about the Rally Squirrel and Torty Craig), and a brief look at the raucous clubhouse celebration.

The Official 2011 World Series Film two-Disc DVD has been available since November 22 and will ship in a single Blu-ray disc on December 6.

The 2011 World Series Champions Collectors Edition DVD Set is an eight-disc set of all seven complete World Series games plus a bonus DVD. This collection will first be available on December 6 but is pre-orderable now.

With well over 20 hours of available action from which to choose, I had to make a tough decision where to start. Having seen the games once before, I began my viewing at the end, watching the bonus disc in its entirety.

The final play of each of the Cardinals regular season walk-off game-winners serves as the appetizer. It surprised me that so many different players contributed, from the expected like Albert Pujols to the less-expected such as Skip Schumaker and Tony Cruz.

Other regular season highlights include back-to-back home runs by Matt Holliday and Lance Berkman, Pujols’ 2000^th hit, including the lengthy ovation that followed, and Holliday’s 200^th career home run.

We are taken inside the Wild Card celebration, watching the players watch on the clubhouse television as Atlanta lost its final game and sharing in their jubilation. The NLCS trophy presentation is relived. Not only is the World Series Game 7 celebration featured, it includes isolation cameras capturing the reactions of a number of players on the field as the final out was secured. The disc concludes with World Series parade footage from the perspective of MVP David Freese.

On the game discs, each half inning of every game is individually selectable, as you would expect. The pre-game set up by Joe Buck and Tim McCarver is included. The Game 7 post-game segment includes a lively on-field interview with Freese that was originally shown on MLB Network, conducted by Greg Amsinger, Harold Reynolds, Kevin Millar and Al Leiter.

Here is a neat feature. The game discs include an alternate audio option to view the action synchronized with Mike Shannon and John Rooney’s call rather than the FOX network announcers. You can instead select the Rangers radio or a Spanish option and switch the audio track on demand.

There is so more to see and hear. Get your own copies to serve as your video keepsakes of the Cardinals 11^th World Championship.

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The 10 lucky winners are:

kmcmullan
whcardsfan
planet pujolsian
Kansasbirdman
n8crouch
rmd4vr
DwaininAztec
ferriswill
judcar
shahekee

Winners should check your email at the address used to register and respond back to me by the end of the weekend with your name and full mailing address. Discs will be shipped directly from A+E Networks Home Entertainment.

Those who did not win this contest still have time to order your copy of the Official 2011 World Series Highlight Film 2-Disc Set for Christmas. A+E Networks Home Entertainment/MLB Productions released the set on November 22 and will also be making it available in a single Blu-ray disc on December 6. Both can now be ordered at multiple locations, including worldseries.com.

The 2-disc set features an exclusive bonus disc containing the complete NLDS Game 5 vs. the Phillies. Additional extras include behind-the-scenes interviews and bonus programming. More details, including video previews of the discs, can be found here.

Also coming soon is the A&E Home Video St. Louis Cardinals 2011 World Series Champions Collectors Edition DVD Set, an eight-disc set of all seven complete games plus the bonus DVD. It is also now orderable from MLB.com and other sites with a December 6 availability date.

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The Cardinal Nation Blog will award a copy of the 2011 World Series Highlight Film 2-Disc Set to each of ten lucky readers of this site via a random drawing. To enter, all you need to do is post your interest in winning in the comment area at the bottom of this page. That’s all there is to it!

In the Official 2011 World Series Film, from A+E Networks Home Entertainment/MLB Productions, St. Louis native and narrator Jon Hamm (Mad Men) delivers the redoubtable Redbirds championship run, from first pitch to last in a pulse-pounding documentary format.  Providing comprehensive highlights, exclusive access and interviews, plus breath-taking footage and sounds captured by MLB cameras and microphones throughout the series, this DVD is a perfect way to relive the epic battle against the Texas Rangers.

The Official 2011 World Series Film will be released as a 2-disc set, featuring an exclusive bonus disc containing the complete NLDS Game 5 vs. the Phillies, a taut 1-0 pitcher’s duel which propelled the Cardinals to the NLCS and, ultimately, the World Series.  Additional extras include behind-the-scenes interviews and bonus programming.

Just in time for the holidays, the Official 2011 World Series Film 2-Disc DVD will be released on November 22 and will also be available in a single Blu-ray disc on December 6. Both can now be pre-ordered at multiple sites, including worldseries.com.

Bonus Material: This Week in Baseball – Dave Duncan on This Week in Baseball – Lance Berkman on Prime 9  La Russa Segment on NLDS Game 5 Last Out and Celebration on NLCS Game 6 Last Out and Celebration in WS Game 3 – Pujols 3 HRs in WS Game 6 – Freese Triple to Tie in WS Game 6 – Berkman Single to Tie Again in WS Game 6 – Freese Walk-off HR in WS Game 6 Postgame – Berkman and Freese Presser in WS Game 7 – Freese Double to Tie in WS Game 7 – Last out and Celebration in WS Parade

Here is a preview:

Also, the World Premiere of the 2011 World Series Highlight Film 2-Disc Set will be held this coming Tuesday, November 22 at the Peabody Opera House in St. Louis. Among the attendees will be World Series MVP David Freese, Bill DeWitt III, President of the Cardinals, and Cardinals broadcasters Mike Claiborne, Rick Horton, John Rooney and Mike Shannon.

Tickets for Tuesday’s premiere, which begins at 8:00pm, start at $15 and are still available here.

Speaking of Freese, here is a new clip from the film, showcasing the third baseman’s historic walk-off home run that won Game 6 of the World Series.

Contest notes: Only one entry per person will be accepted. Entries will close at midnight Central time on Friday night, November 25 with the ten winners announced here at The Cardinal Nation Blog the next day. Winners will be asked via email to provide their mailing address with their discs shipped directly from A+E Networks Home Entertainment.

This contest is possible because of the generosity of A+E Networks Home Entertainment/MLB Productions and the support of the United Cardinal Bloggers. My sincere thanks to all.

Password reset problem?: Several readers have been frustrated with the WordPress password reset procedure that has kept them from posting. If that includes you, email me at brian at thecardinalnationblog dot com and I will help.

Welcome to all the new readers and Happy Thanksgiving!

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Following these clips, I have provided descriptions and links for a number of Cardinals-related holiday shopping ideas.

The final game of the 1944 World Series, the Cardinals’ championship number five, includes the clubhouse celebration:

The 1946 Game 7 vs. the Boston Red Sox includes Enos Slaughter’s “mad dash” to score the winning run:

Recalling Game 7 of the 1964 World Series, as narrated by Harry Caray:

In the 1967 World Series Game 7 vs. the Red Sox, just as in 1964, Bob Gibson was on the mound:

The Cardinals 1982 Game 7 World Series finish against Milwaukee:

The preview of the official 2011 World Series film:

Updates: Here is a clip of the 1926 Series:

This is from the 1931 Series with the Athletics taking on the Cardinals:

And here is an extended piece on the 1934 World Champs:

1942 World Series (no sound): First game: Red Ruffing of Yankees hits to right field where Slaughter muffs ball allowing two key runs to score in Yankee win. Third game: Slaughter’s single scores Jimmy Brown as Cardinals win 2-0 to take series lead. Fourth game: Priddy doubles scoring Gordon and Yankees have tied score. Seventh inning: Cooper singles to score Slaughter and Cardinals are never ahead again. Final game: played in fog and mist, Walker Cooper singles to open ninth inning. Sacrifice moves Cooper to second. Kurowski homers for two runs. Jubilant Cardinals after retiring Yankees for series victory. Scoreboard. Kurowski, Slaughter and Beazley in dressing room. Joe McCarthy, Yankee Manager, congratulates Billy Southworth, Cardinal skipper.

1943 World Series (no sound): Game One: Judge Landis in front of B.B.C. mike, players warming up before game, Yankee team poses, Cardinals pose, crowd, Max Lanier of Cards. Throws wild pitch enabling Yanks to score key run in first game victory. Game two: Cooper Brothers, Ernie Bonham on mound for Yankees pitches to Ray Sanders who hits homerun to score George Kurowski ahead of him, crowd. Game three: Billy Johnson of the Yankees hits base clearing triple off Alpha Brazle. Game four: Sportsman Park, crowd on roof, men on ladder, plane overhead, crowd, press, Joe Demaree pinch hits and reaches first on error as Sanders scores only Cardinal run, men pick up pop bottles as excited fans briefly halt game, Crosetti of Yankees hits long fly and Marius Russo scores winning run. Game five: Cameraman, Spud Chandler of Yankees’ on mound, crowd, Bill Dickey at plate, Mort Cooper pitching, Dickey hits home run to score Charlie Keller ahead of him, crowd on field, players in dressing room, back slapping, players hold up Judge Landis, Joe McCarthy rubs Dickey and Chandler, players cheering.

More highlights from the 1944 Series between the Cardinals and Browns: Second game: Ken O’Dea of Cardinals grips bat as he comes to plate in 11th inning, O’Dea singles to score Ray Sanders and win game for Cards. 3-2. Third game: Crowd, McQuinn of Browns singles scoring Gene Moore, crowd cheering, Ted Wilks pitching for Cards. Mark Christman of Browns singles to score McQuinn as Browns go on to win 6-2 and take 2-1 series lead. Sixth game: view of interior of Sportsman’s Park, Cards. Run out of dugout, Chet Laabs triples for Browns. Max Lanier pitches for Cardinals, George McQuinn singles Laabs home for 1-0 Brown lead in second inning, crowd, Fourth inning. Whitey Kurowski of Cardinals hits to Vern Stephens of Browns who throws wide to Don Gutteridge pulling him off second base as Kurowski and Sanders who was going from first to second are both safe and Cooper scoring from third on play to tie score at 1-1. Nelson Potter pitching for Browns, Emil Verban of Cards. Singles knocking in Kurowski to make score 3-1. Potter goes to showers, crowd, Chartak of Browns strikes out to end series. Cardinals mob pitcher Wilks, crowd, Cards. In dressing room, Max Lanier, Manager Southworth and Ted Wilks, Cardinal players hoist Southworth to their shoulders.

To celebrate the launch of the official 2011 film, Major League Baseball, the Cardinals and Budweiser are hosting a red-carpet premiere screening on Tuesday, November 22 at the Peabody Opera House in St. Louis. Tickets starting at $15 are now available at WorldSeries.com.

You can get your copy in one of the following two ways.

A&E Home Video St. Louis Cardinals 2011 World Series Champions Highlight Film 2 Pack is available to order via MLB.com for $26.99 or $31.99 in Blu-Ray. In addition, the site has a 25% off promotion on this and the following set running through November 21. Amazon has them at $14.99/$15.99. They are due to be released the next day, November 22, but pre-orders are being taken now.

A&E Home Video St. Louis Cardinals 2011 World Series Champions Collectors Edition DVD Set is an eight-disc set of all seven complete games plus the bonus DVD. It is also now orderable from MLB.com with a December 6 availability date. The price is $71.99. This set is $50.99 at Amazon.

Given their future release dates, I haven’t yet seen either of these two 2011 collections. With the assistance of the United Cardinal Bloggers, I hope to review them very soon. Then again, why wait to buy? You know the videos end well, right?

As you are thinking about holiday gifts (and who isn’t or shouldn’t be?), here are a few other DVD sets that I own and recommend. (Note: Examples are offered where you can find these items, but this is not an endorsement of any source. Prices and availability may change and shipping could be extra.)

Ken Burns’ Baseball – I watch this documentary almost every off-season. Its price is down to $69.99 for ten discs at Shop PBS and $50.99 at Amazon. Via PBS, you can also add on a hard- or soft-cover book and an audio CD for an additional price.

Greatest Games of Busch Stadium: 1966-2005 – Six classic home games from 1968 through 2004. $34.49 at Amazon.com.

2006 World Series Collector’s Edition – NLCS Games 5 and 7, all five World Series games and a bonus disc. $27.99 at Amazon.

1942, 1943 and 1946 World Series Highlights – Collection of the black-and-white newsreels assembled for overseas servicemen and women. One of my favorites. Only $9.99 at Amazon.

1964, 1966 and 1967 World Series Highlights – $13.99 at Amazon.

1982, 1985 and 1987 World Series Highlights – Also just $13.99 at Amazon.

Then of course, there is the new Rob Rains book, Wild Cards, which highlights the 2011 World Series champs. It is already in its second printing and is a nice, very reasonably-priced gift at just $14.95.

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After the 10-20 collapse of the Atlanta Braves over their final 30 games helped open the door for the Cardinals to clinch a playoff berth on the final day of the season, national “experts” were not impressed.

I went back and referenced three of these prediction articles from 30 days ago. None of six CBS writers picked the Cards to survive the first round. Not a one of the 25 ESPN writers polled had St Louis escaping the NLDS, either.

Yahoo did their predictions differently, by seeding the eight playoff teams. They seeded the Cards eighth, or last. Of course, anyone could have done that simply by ranking the teams based on regular-season wins.

Interestingly, in their view, the Cardinals’ post-season opponents actually became easier in each successive round. They had St. Louis’ NLDS opponent Philadelphia (102 wins) seeded first, with the NLCS losing-Milwaukee Brewers fourth and the World Series-runner up Texas Rangers fifth (96 regular-season victories each).

Especially given the success rate of wild card teams in recent times (five World Championships in the last 15 years, including 2011), rankings that seem to echo the regular-season standings just aren’t worth much.

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The parade will begin at 4:00 p.m. with the Budweiser Clydesdales leading the Procession of Champions in Ford trucks east along Market Street from 18^th Street at Union Station to 7^th Street south toward Stan Musial Drive and into Baseball Heaven, Busch Stadium.

In addition to the 2011 World Champion St. Louis Cardinals, the parade will include Fredbird, Team Fredbird and the Cardinals Rally Squirrel, as well as musical entertainment courtesy of the marching bands of Belleville, Lindbergh, Pattonville and Seckman High Schools.

Tickets to the victory celebration at Busch Stadium will go on sale 2:00 P.M. Saturday at cardinals.com/parade.  Tickets will cost $5, with 100% of the proceeds going directly to Cardinals Care, the team’s charitable foundation that helps kids in our community.

Fans will be limited to two tickets per order.  Season Ticket Holders will be able to purchase up to four tickets two hours in advance of the tickets going on sale to the general public.  Fans can learn more about the celebration by visiting cardinals.com/parade. The parade will be televised on FOX Sports Midwest.

KSDK.com has more information on public transportation plans in conjunction with the parade.

Note: Check out the Game 7 recap article on the main TheCardinalNation.com site, which includes ten videos of Friday night’s proceedings and much more!

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Thursday night was the 56th extra-inning game in World Series history, and the first since Game 3 of the 2005 Fall Classic between the Chicago White Sox and Houston Astros.

It was also the 10th extra-inning game in Game 6 of the World Series, with the most recent prior in 1992, when Toronto defeated Atlanta to win their first of two consecutive Fall Classics.

National League clubs have now won 25 of the 56 extra-inning World Series games, while American League clubs have taken 28, with three games ending in a tie.

Home teams have now been victorious in 35 of the 56 games (62.5%).

Freese’s flourish

Third baseman David Freese hit the 15th walk-off home run in World Series history, and the first since the White Sox’ Scott Podsednik in 2005’s Game 2 against Houston.

It was just the fifth walk-off home run in Game 6 or later, joining some of the most famous World Series home runs ever – Bill Mazeroski (1960 Game 7); Carlton Fisk (1975 Game 6); Kirby Puckett (1991 Game 6); and Joe Carter (1993 Game 6).

The home run gave the Cardinals their second walk-off victory in World Series history, joining Game 2 of the 1944 Fall Classic, when Ken O’Dea collected an RBI-single to give St. Louis a 3-2 victory.

Earlier, Freese tied the game with a two-run triple in the ninth inning off Rangers closer Neftali Feliz.

Friday’s finish

On Friday night, the Cardinals will attempt to win their 11th World Championship, and their first since 2006.

With a win in the Series, the Cardinals would become the fifth Wild Card to win the World Series, and the first since 2004, joining the 1997 Marlins, 2002 Angels, 2003 Marlins and 2004 Red Sox.

All the way

2011 is the 37th time that a best-of-7 World Series has gone to a seventh game (including 1912, when eight games were played following a Game 2 tie).

It is just the first time since 2002 that the Series has gone the distance, when the Anaheim Angels outlasted the San Francisco Giants.

2011 is just the fifth time in the last 23 World Series (beginning in 1988) that the Series has extended to a decisive seventh game. The others: Braves and Twins in 1991; Indians and Marlins in 1997; and Yankees and Diamondbacks in 2001.

Game 7 finishes

In the previous 36 instances (including 1912), the home team has been victorious 19 times (52.8%), while the road team has come out on top 17 times (47.2%).

The home team has been victorious in each of the last eight occurrences, beginning with the Cardinals victory over the Milwaukee Brewers in 1982. The others: Royals over Cardinals (1985); Mets over Red Sox (1986); Twins over Cardinals (1987); Twins over Braves (1991); Marlins over Indians (1997); Diamondbacks over Yankees (2001); and Angels over Giants (2002).

Taking Games 6 and 7

The Cardinals are attempting to become the 19th team to come back from down 3-2 in the Fall Classic under the current seven-game format.

The last team to turn the trick was the 2002 Angels, who trailed the Giants 3-2 before taking both games back in Anaheim. The others include the 2001 Diamondbacks (over NYY); 1991 Twins (over ATL); 1987 Twins (over STL); 1986 Mets (over BOS); 1985 Royals (over STL); 1982 Cardinals (over MIL); 1979 Pirates (over BAL); 1973 Athletics (over NYM); 1968 Tigers (over STL); 1958 Yankees (over MIL); 1952 Yankees (over BRO); 1946 Cardinals (over BOS); 1940 Reds (over DET); 1934 Cardinals (over DET); 1926 Cardinals (over NYY); 1925 Pirates (over WSH); and 1924 Senators (over NYG).

St. Louis in seven

2011 marks the 11th time in franchise history that the Cardinals will play a Game 7 in the World Series, and the first time since 1987.

Of the previous 10 occasions, St. Louis has come out on top seven times, but has lost each of the last two. The three losses came in 1968 against Detroit, 1985 against Kansas City and 1987 against Minnesota.

Their seven Game 7 victories came in 1926 over the Yankees, 1931 over the Philadelphia Athletics, 1934 over the Tigers, 1946 over the Red Sox, 1964 over the Yankees, 1967 over the Red Sox and 1982 over the Brewers.

Thanks to MLB for the above research.

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Win the battle but lose the war

2011 marks the 62nd time in World Series history that one team led the other, three games to two. Of the previous 61 occurrences, the team with the 3-2 lead won Game 6 just 24 times (39.3%). However, the team with the 3-2 lead went on to capture the World Series title 41 times of 61 (67.2%).

Closer to home

The Cardinals have been down 3-2 in the World Series on five previous occasions. In those five occurrences, St. Louis won Game 6 four times, with the only Game 6 defeat in 1930 to the Philadelphia Athletics. That was also the only time the Cardinals lost the Series after being down 3-2 after five games.

The four Game 6 wins when the Cardinals were down 3-2 occurred in 1982 against Milwaukee, 1946 against Boston, 1934 versus Detroit and 1926 versus the Yankees. Of course, St. Louis also took all four Game 7s.

Comebacks common

In Major League Baseball’s current best-of-seven format, a team has come back to win the World Series after trailing 3-2 on 18 occasions: They include the aforementioned four Cardinals teams.

The Cardinals also were on the wrong end of this stick three times – in 1968 against Detroit, 1985 against Kansas City and 1987 versus Minnesota.

Home team down 3-2

The Cardinals are the 33rd team in World Series history to trail 3-2 when going home for Game 6 in a best of seven World Series: Of the 32 previous occasions, the club down 3-2 won 23 (71.9%) and lost just nine Game 6s. The most recent case was in 2003, when the New York Yankees were defeated in Game 6 at Yankee Stadium.

Of the 32 previous occasions when a team trailing 3-2 came home for Game 6, it won the World Series 12 times (37.5%). However, the tables have turned in recent years, with seven of the last nine since 1982 coming back to take the Series. The most recent was the Anaheim Angels over the San Francisco Giants in 2002. Exceptions during that time were the Yankees in 2003 and the 1992 Atlanta Braves.

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The 2002 San Francisco Giants had the record previously, having made 62 pitching changes in 17 post-season games. The 2011 Rangers are not far behind with 58 changes – so far, with one or two World Series games remaining.

Most pitching changes, MLB post-season

Two of Monday night’s changes have caused much conversation. The first was the arrival of left-hander Marc Rzepczynski with one out in the eighth inning. Octavio Dotel departed with two on base after a leadoff double and intentional walk.

Left-handed batter David Murphy hit a ball up the middle that bounced off Scrabble’s knee for an infield single. In a surprise to some, La Russa kept Rzepczynski in to face hot-hitting Mike Napoli, a right-handed hitter. In the play that changed the game, Napoli crushed an offering that one-hopped the wall in right center. It scored what became the two winning runs in the 4-2 Texas victory.

After a strikeout, La Russa brought in right-hander Lance Lynn, whose only job was to intentionally walk Ian Kinsler and apparently buy more time for closer Jason Motte to get ready.

At least that is what I assumed, but there was an odd twist – two of them.

In his post-game interview, La Russa explained there was a reason Motte was not ready initially. A mix-up had occurred – twice. La Russa had actually wanted Motte and Rzepczynski warming, but only got the latter. Then he wanted Motte but got Lynn instead. Due to the crowd noise, the bullpen coaches did not hear and did not warm up the the closer as intended two consecutive times.

La Russa: Well, what happened was that twice the bullpen didn’t hear Motte’s name. They heard “Rzepczynski” and they didn’t get Motte. I looked up there and Motte wasn’t going. So I called back for Motte and they got Lynn up. That’s why he wasn’t supposed to pitch today, so I wasn’t going to let him throw that hitter. He just threw the warmups and walked him and Motte behind was ready. I don’t know if it was noisy, probably real noisy. They just didn’t hear the second time.

Q. Has that ever happened to you before where you had a call to the bullpen and guys didn’t hear you right?

La Russa: Yeah, well, sometimes real loud, especially when some of the bullpens that are right amidst the fans and excitement. It happens in Philadelphia. It’s hard to hear it there. So it’s not unusual. Maybe we need to come up with some ear mikes or something.

Q. Just to be clear, if Motte was ready, he would have faced Napoli?

La Russa: Yeah.

Q. So you had no choice at that point?

La Russa: He was warming up, so I said, “Get Motte up,” and they heard “Lynn”. But by the way, we had a chance with Rzepczynski’s stuff to get Napoli the first pitch, and then he put a nice swing on a breaking ball.

It was that kind of night for the Cardinals.

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Pujols joined Paul Molitor as the only players to have five hits in a World Series game.

Most hits, post-season game, MLB history

Pujols is only the second player to ever log 14 total bases in a post-season game and the first to do so in the World Series. He is on this list twice as the result of his 10 total bases in Game 2 on this NLCS vs. Milwaukee.

Most total bases, post-season game, MLB history

The only four players with more RBI in a post-season contest than Pujols’ six on Saturday night each collected seven during three different American League Division Series in the mid-1990s.

Most RBI, post-season game, MLB history

Thanks to researcher Tom Orf for these tables.

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Among Pujols’ feats:

• His five hits tied Milwaukee’s Paul Molitor for the most in one game.

• His three-home run game tied Babe Ruth (two) and Reggie Jackson (one) for the most in Series history.

• His 14 total bases set a World Series record.

• He collected hits in four consecutive innings, setting a World Series mark.

• His six RBI tied a Series record.

Researcher Tom Orf pulled all the three-home run games in MLB post-season history. They include the Rangers’ Adrian Beltre, who launched three long balls in Game 4 of the ALDS not three weeks ago.

Three-home run games, post-season, MLB history

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In 18 past St. Louis Cardinals post-season games, the team’s starting pitcher went at least seven innings while allowing no runs. Jaime Garcia was the 19^th. He was also third to pitch exactly seven innings and that provides a very interesting observation. Those three contests in which the starter was pulled after seven while pitching a shutout are the only ones of the 19 in which the Cardinals went on to lose the game.

Unfortunately, Garcia’s Thursday performance most closely mirrored Danny Cox’ outing in the sixth game of the 1985 World Series. I don’t need to remind any long-time Cardinals fans the significance of the Don Denkinger game.

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitchers, post-season, seven or more innings, no runs allowed

Jason Motte took the Cardinals’ seventh blown save at home in the club’s post-season history. It was only the second St. Louis loss and the first such game in which the reliever with the blown save did not secure at least one out.

St. Louis Cardinals, pitchers, post-season, blown saves, home

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With the Series shifting to Arlington for Games 3, 4 and 5 on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, that may change.

In preparation, researcher Tom Orf pulled the list of the Cardinals World Series leaders in a number of offensive categories. We’ll check back after the Series to see if any of these records are broken.

St. Louis Cardinals, offensive leaders, single World Series, team history

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For the first time in Tony La Russa’s three World Series since joining St. Louis, I am actually enthused by the opportunity for the use of the designated hitter. (Of course, this is required in the AL home parks.)

Based on past history, that would be a crazy thing to say. After all, in La Russa’s other two World Series with St. Louis, his designated hitters have been more than bad. They were a combined 1-for-14 (.071) with three walks and a whopping eight strikeouts.

In 2006, Scott Spiezio and Chris Duncan received the starts at DH. In the latter case, that pushed light-hitting So Taguchi into the starting lineup in left field. In 2004, Reggie Sanders and another weak-hitting infielder, Marlon Anderson, started as the designated hitter. The Cardinals lost three of the four DH games.

2011 offers promise, however. Allen Craig, a powerful bat, is ready to come off the bench. He can either play right field for Lance Berkman or more likely, become the designated hitter himself.

In fact, with his pinch-hit during Sunday night’s NLCS Game 6, Craig collected more RBI (two) than the aggregate of the Cardinals’ four games worth of World Series designated hitters this decade (one RBI in 17 plate appearances).

Beyond Craig, there are no other good DH candidates on the Cardinals roster. The latter part of that statement is one I recall making about the Cardinals’ options in the previous two Series – no solid DH candidates.

Here are the stats of who served as the DH in the past two World Series and how they fared.

Designated hitters, St. Louis Cardinals, World Series, since 1996

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When following a hashtag associated with a sports team such as #stlcards for the St. Louis Cardinals, the level of activity during a game is very high. Recently, I came across a website, SocialGuide.com, that tracks social comments relating to television programs.

Last week’s results (October 3-9) in the Sports category indicate a strong showing for Major League Baseball. Behind the number one event, the NFL game between the Jets and Patriots, were the MLB Division Series Game 5’s, with the Tigers-Yankees second and the Cardinals-Phillies third.

Almost 125,000 comments were logged during the Cardinals game by over 67,000 unique individuals. The other three NLDS games during the period ranked 15^th, 16^th and 19^th in the top 100, tracked across college and professional sports televised events.

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While the Boston Red Sox’ fall from grace this September has been well-chronicled, their primary combatant for many of the most desirable and expensive free agents, the New York Yankees, did not make it past the first round. They fell to the Detroit Tigers at home last Thursday night.

After the St. Louis Cardinals eliminated the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 5 of their National League Division Series one week ago, the current status of the highest-payroll teams in 2011 is summarized following. Their on-field results are not a very strong endorsement of high spending.

Only two of the top nine spenders made the post-season – period – and after their first-round defeats, neither of them are still alive. Top active payroll clubs are the number 10 and 11 teams, Detroit and St. Louis, at $105 million each. Interestingly, the two lowest-payroll playoff entrants have been eliminated as well, Tampa Bay and Arizona.

Further, the East and West Coasts were knocked entirely out of the picture the rest of the way in 2011, an occurrence the television networks must certainly not like.

Note the salary listings are from the USAToday Salary Database. I believe it records season-opening rosters only, so later moves can lead to discrepancies. Still, the big picture is clear. At least in 2011, money is not going to buy the title.

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The NLCS Game 3 victory was Carpenter’s seventh career post-season win, tying him with Hall of Famer Bob Gibson for first place on the Cardinals’ all-time list. Coincidentally, Gibson was among the Busch Stadium attendees Wednesday, along with fellow Cardinals Hall of Famers Lou Brock, Red Schoendienst and Stan Musial.

With his fifth-ever home win in the playoffs, Carpenter broke a tie with John Tudor and is now alone atop that subset with the most home post-season wins in franchise history.

While Carpenter has enjoyed the advantage of expanded playoffs that did not exist in Gibson’s days, his accomplishments are certainly worth acknowledging here.

Overall in his post-season career, Carpenter is 7-2 with a 2.99 ERA (26 ER/75.1 IP), a .248 (68-for-274) opponents batting average and 46 strikeouts against 25 walks. Most importantly, the Cardinals have won 10 and lost just two of his post-season starts.

In Cardinals playoff history, Carpenter passed Matt Morris (11 starts, 73.1 IP, 44 SO) Wednesday night in starts, innings pitched and strikeouts. He now ranks second in the latter two categories for St. Louis, trailing only Gibson (81.0 IP, 92 SO).

Thanks to researcher Tom Orf, here is the full list of Cardinals post-season winners, including home-road splits. 56 different pitchers have won 103 playoff games, led by Carpenter and Gibson.

Of course, the Cardinals hope to see six more wins added to this total before they pack up their gear for a final time in 2011.

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In the first round, the Philadelphia Phillies contingent received seats in a designated area behind home plate. The Cardinals were afforded the same courtesy in Milwaukee in Games 1 and 2. This appears to be the standard around baseball.

Instead, the Cardinals have moved the Brewers gang to a mix of party suites down the right field line and other seats sprinkled among the regular game attendees.

Some, including Brewers outfielder Nyjer Morgan, are angry, calling the move “bush” and accusing the Cardinals of gamesmanship.

Let’s consider this.

First, do the math. The first 130-150 tickets are in party suites, a secure area. If you assume as many as 35 players, coaches and the like, that is roughly four family members each. While secure, they are clearly further from the action.

The other 200 freebies may not be immediate family members, anyway. Whoever they are, are they wearing big tags with their names on them or carrying identifying signs saying “I am a friend of Nyjer Morgan”? Of course, they are not.

There will be plenty of Milwaukee supporters in Busch Stadium, whether in team colors or undercover. This isn’t exactly New York we are talking about here.

I suspect this issue is rooted in the Cardinals maximizing revenue generating areas of the park. It wouldn’t be the first time that has driven one of their decisions, though this may be the first time it closely affects players.

However, making this change between rounds makes the Cardinals appear to be acting in a punitive manner. Despite the Cards saying there has been no change in their policy in recent years, why did the Brewers this week not receive the same courtesy as the Phillies last week?

When in Milwaukee, did something else happen to irritate the Cardinals? For example, earlier this season, there were accusations that the banner lighting in Miller Park was being used to disrupt the concentration of St. Louis hitters.

Though not related, I recall a flap during the 2004 World Series after the Red Sox assigned the Cardinals an out-of-way hotel. Lack of adequate food facilities upon a late night arrival and transportation snags angered some in the St. Louis contingent.

Whatever is behind the ticket change, based on the initial information available, the Cardinals don’t come out of this looking particularly hospitable.

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• Pujols became the fourth player in MLB history with four extra base hits in a postseason game. The others: Hideki Matsui of the Yankees in the 2004 ALCS Game 3 (2 doubles, 2 homers), Pittsburgh’s Bob Robertson in the 1971 NLCS Game 2 (1 double, 3 homers) and Frank Isbell of the White Sox (4 doubles) in the 1906 World Series Game 5. No one has yet to collect five or more XBH.

• Pujols is the first player in MLB history to have two games with three extra-base hits in a single postseason. In fact, only five players have done it twice in all years.

• Pujols is the 29th MLB player with 10 total bases in a game but the first Cardinal. Two previously had nine – Larry Walker in the 2004 World Series Game 1 and Lou Brock in Game 4 of the 1968 World Series.

Other team-related tidbits from Monday night’s NLCS Game 2:

• With 17 hits, the Cardinals tied their second-most hits in a postseason game. The record is 20 in Game 4 of the 1946 World Series. The other 17-hit outing was Game 7 of the 1934 World Series.

• The 12 runs also tied for second-most in team post-season history. The record is 13, also against the Brewers in Game 6 of the 1982 World Series (13-1). The others with 12: 2002 NLDS G1 vs. ARI (12-2), 1985 NLCS G4 vs. LAD (12-2), 1946 World Series G4 vs. BOS (12-3).

• While Pujols still holds the Cardinals record for most RBI in one postseason with 14 in 2004, David Freese is at risk of catching him. Freese collected his tenth in just seven games via a solo home run in the ninth inning to close out the Cardinals’ scoring onslaught. Tied for second with 12 are Jim Edmonds in 2000 and Reggie Sanders in 2005. Walker is fourth with 11 in 2004. Knotted with Freese at 10 are Edmonds in 2006 and Willie McGee in 1982.

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Pujols went 4-for-5, with three doubles, a home run and five runs batted in. In the process, the first baseman moved ahead of former teammate Jim Edmonds at the top of the Cardinals career post-season home runs and RBI lists. (Edmonds’ final playoff RBI was with the Chicago Cubs in 2008.)

No one in National League history has now hit more post-season home runs than Pujols’ 14 and with 42 RBI, he is just five behind all-time league leader Chipper Jones.

In fact, just 11 seasons into his career, of which seven have been playoff years, Pujols now ranks in the top ten in Major League Baseball post-season history in both homers and RBI. Needless to say, he has joined some elite company.

Career MLB post-season home runs

Note that Pujols RBI rate, exactly two per every three post-season games, is third-best in the all-time top ten, after David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez.

Career MLB post-season RBI

Tied one game to one, the Cardinals return home for NLCS Game 3 on Wednesday. Pujols likely has many more post-season contests ahead in which he can further his already-impressive power and production totals.

Thanks to researcher Tom Orf for the above tables.

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