‘Cardinal Way’ lays foundations for success
Print Edition
Everyone in the system knows about “The Cardinal Way.” Even before opening day this year, St Louis was hit hard by season-ending injuries to longtime ace Chris Carpenter, closer Jason Motte and shortstop Rafael Furcal. As the summer wore on, the setbacks kept coming.
But the Cardinals kept dipping into the minors for replacements who did more than their share for a team that’s back in the World Series for the fourth time in 10 years.
The rookies they plugged in, most by necessity, weren’t wide-eyed at all. They remembered the teaching and just let their ability flow.
“There’s definitely nerves that are going on,” 22-year-old pitcher Michael Wacha said after beating Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw twice in the National League Championship Series. “You’ve just got to be able to control them and try to use them to your advantage out there.”
The Cardinals are in the postseason for the 10th time in 14 years. Fresh off their 19th pennant, they’ll go for their second championship in three years when they open the World Series against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park in Boston.
Since 1996, only the Yankees have more playoff victories than St Louis.
The pitching staff is deep, thanks to the farm system. Shelby Miller had a 3.06 ERA this season and led major league rookies with 15 wins. Yet there was no room for him in the playoffs rotation.
Wacha is 3-0 with a 0.43 postseason ERA, and fellow rookie Trevor Rosenthal seized the closer’s job in September when Edward Mujica faltered. Carlos Martinez stepped into the setup role and left-hander Kevin Siegrist posted a 0.45 ERA.
“Even in lean years, these guys find a way to be there,” Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington said this summer. “It doesn’t matter the personnel, this is what’s expected, and they find a way to get it done.”
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