When the World Series begins tonight at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, the host Cardinals should consider voting at least one winner’s share to the Atlanta Braves if they emerge victorious against the Texas Rangers in the best-of-seven format.
After all, had it not been for the Braves’ epic collapse — five straight losses to end the year after leading by three with five to go — St. Looie would never have even reached the postseason.
And had the Redbirds not snared the National League wild-card berth on the final night of the regular season, the Philadelphia Phillies almost certainly would have won the NL pennant and become at least slight favorites to make a mess of Texas this week.
But the Braves did collapse and the Cards stunned the Phillies in the division series, then improbably rode their maligned bullpen to a win over Milwaukee in the NLCS.
So now the most storied franchise in the National League — 10 World Series titles, 18 World Series appearances — is up against the Rangers, who are playing in their second straight Fall Classic.