ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - On Sports Open Line last night I had a chance to talk to Chris Carpenter in advance of the Cardinals celebration of the 2011 World Series championship this weekend. The whole conversation was phenomenal and 10 years after the fact I definitely came away with an even better understanding of all the things that went into that team going on an historic run.
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One thing that really stood out for me, however, came near the beginning of the conversation. That team faced a lot of challenges when you look back on it:
• Adam Wainwright went down in Spring Training and needed Tommy John Surgery
• Albert Pujols was in the last year of his contract and heading toward a big payday in free agency
• Only two regulars (Albert Pujols and Lance Berkman) played 140 games or more (Jon Jay played in 159 games but wasn't an everyday player the whole season, some of those were just pinch-hitting opportunities or defensive substitutions)
• The bullpen was a mixed bag, at times, in the first half of the season
• The shortstop position was a constant source of conversation (at least outside the clubhouse) until Rafael Furcal was acquired and took over the position
Carpenter said all the adversity they faced wound up helping them by bringing the team closer together and, in the end, that was a big part of why they were able to put together the magical run in September and October with Happy Flights and Rally Squirrels for everyone...
Give it a listen ... he puts it better than I ever could!
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