The Historic 2011 World Series

Every St. Louis Cardinals fan remembers the night of October 26, 2011 when they did the impossible to go on to game 7 of the World Series, making them the team with the second most Series wins in the major league. You might remember this remarkable game 6, but do you know exactly how they got to that point? How did they even make it to October in the first place?

What you might not know is that the world famous cardinal names that you may know today like Albert Pujols, Adam Wainwright, and Matt Holliday, could have very well not been a part of this series. Without them, we could have been one ring less than what we have now.

Three time MVP and considered to be the best right-handed bat at the time, Albert Pujols gave the cardinals a deadline of spring training to renew his contract, creating a dark cloud of worry over St. Louis. The two sides could not work out a deal, making it very likely his last year in the organization. Just months later, injuries plagued the team. Only a few days into spring training it became known that all-star pitcher 2nd place Cy Young winner, Adam Wainwright had to undergo grueling Tommy John surgery, knocking him out for the rest of the season. This created even more tension for St. Louis fans. Not to mention Matt Holliday undergoing an Appendectomy and Pujols breaking his wrist in a freak accident, the future for the cardinals was not looking very bright.  

Not only did the injuries that the Cardinals had make it hard to get to the World Series, but it was nearly statistically impossible. At the end of April, the Cardinals had a record of 69-64, trailing 10 ½  games behind the leading team in the NL Central, the Milwaukee Brewers. They also trailed the Braves by 10 games for the wildcard spot. Surprisingly, as the season continued, St. Louis won 17 of their next 22 games, but was still barley under the Brewers. Taking the wild card spot from the Braves was the only shot for the Cards. Fortunately, Atlanta completely forgot how to play baseball and lost 14 of their 23 games, giving St. Louis a glimmer of hope, but Atlanta still had a 3 game lead. Miraculously enough, the cardinals won 3 of their next 4 games while the Braves lost all 4 of theirs, leaving their records completely tied with one game left. The Cardinals ended up winning this game sending them to the playoffs as the NL Wildcard. 

Entering September, the only way for the Cardinals to make it to the playoffs was if they were the very best team in the division, while the Braves had to be dead last. That is exactly what happened. In the playoffs, the Cards went on to win a series against the Phillies and a series against the Brewers. St. Louis continued to amaze its fans, sending them to the series.

Fast forward to game 6 of the world series against the Texas Rangers, the game that St. Louis had worked so vigorously for. One strike away from elimination and defeat, St. Louis native, David Freese is up to bat. All he had to do was hit an extra base hit in order to tie the game and continue playing. That is exactly what he did. Fast forward once again to the 11th inning with the game tied at 9-9, David Freese makes his way back to the plate. With one swing he could send the Cardinals to a final game 7. Again Freese shocks the world, hitting a walkoff home run, allowing the Cards to have one more chance the next night. St. Louis ended up beating the Rangers 6-2 naming the World Series champions for the 11th time.

Most people remember game 6 of the 2011 World Series between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Texas Rangers but may not understand the hard work and determination that got them there. From losing key components the the team and beating the odds statistically, the 2011 Cardinals team did the impossible.  

Luke Laramore