And for those who say this season is karmic payback for 1964... I was around (albeit as a 10-year-old) in 1964.  This ain't no 1964.  The Phillies in September of 1964 tried starting their best two pitchers every other day (!) down the stretch.  If'n the Cardinals don't make the playoffs, it's because they couldn't overcome the injuries to the core of their ballclub.  Would substituting Brian Giles, say, for Juan Encarnacion during the off-season have made up for the losses of Mulder, Jimmy Ballgame, Eck, and Izzy?  I think not.

If'n the Birds get Eck and Jimmy back for the playoffs, I'll take my chances in a best-of-five with Carp, Soup, and me (and my 27-mile-an-hour heater), thankyouverymuch!

STL:
Miles, SS
Duncan, LF
Pujols, 1B
Encarnacion, RF
Rolen, 3B
Edmonds, CF
Belliard, 2B
Molina, C
Carpenter, P

I have to say that my outlook lines up more with #1 but I have this creeping suspicion that getting drunk may be necessary; I have been far too sober for some of these games recently and am convinced that I'm not doing my part to, um, help the team....

So....anybody up for a drinking game tonight?

1 drink per Padre hit
1 drink per Cardinal out
2 drinks for a Cardinal run
5 drinks for a Padre run (Carp is pitching, after all)
5 drinks for a fielding error, a balk, HBP, WP, PB
2 drinks for a double play
finish your beer when either team homers
finish two beers for a grand slam
finish your beer if a Cardinal reliever blows a save
chug the whole time in case there's a dispute and TLR comes out of the dugout to argue; if Tony throws his hat or is ejected go on and finish the beer
do a shot if Carp manages to make it on base
finish the refrigerator if the Cards lose

The definition of "drink" is up to you....post any modifications or addenda....

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Someone showed this to me 4 years ago shortly after my dad was told he was dying with ALS. Dads still alive and kicking, although a machine breathes for him and he cannot get out of bed. But he is still fighting. And thats all I ask of the Cardinals. If you are going down, and least go down fighting boys.

GO CARDINALS!

great comparison lb!

are we really worried about tonight's game?  Carp at home?

man, i hope not.

final table of the WSOP.

and down...before I could finish this post...

What has this world come to?

Ever?

including Thug Life, apparently.