Baseball Like It Oughta Be - The Story of the 1996 St. Louis Cardinals

[Music] leave [Music] [Music] hi I'm nan Wyatt from KMOX along with my total information a I'm co-hosting Jankowski welcoming you to the 1996 baseball like it oughta be Cardinals highlight video and what a year it was new ownership a fantastic new manager and a new passion for the game the entire season was a hit this year we were Central Division champions next year it's all the way to the World Series I'd like to thank all the KMOX listeners who tuned in to cheer the team on and to check us out each morning for the latest news traffic and weather update and of course sports so join us weekdays from 5:00 to 8:30 for the latest on the Cardinals and everything else you need to get your day started enjoy the video see you next year at the World Series hey I play a fox what's going on in there [Music] this is going to be great let's go live to Pittsburgh to Detroit at the summit the Civic Arena time we're covering your hometown team that's incredible we can do this because we are there [Applause] I believe in in high goals I believe in big dreams and my dream real quick for the Cardinals is for this franchise to draw three million plus fans because if you think about why three million people would be excited about coming to watch our games it would have to be because we were competitive winning ballclub and I want us as early as possible to get to September first with a chance to win [Music] [Music] baseball like it ought to be the story of the 1996 st. Louis Cardinals when spring training opened the Cardinals had more optimism the New York the franchise at new light and Tony LaRussa felt confident that the organization made the right move to make them a competitive ballclub we've got a good Club of guys that I think are excited about our chance to win it's not often if you have new players and imagine the coaches that's a lot of new mr. fellows that we've got over here you couldn't have hand-picked any better I mean they were proving winners each one of the players we had it where guys who had been in a postseason among the key acquisitions Ron Gant who had played in the World Series twice Gary guiity a winner with Minnesota in 1987 relief ace Dennis Eckersley who spent nine seasons with Loras in Oakland Andy venez pitched in the postseason with Seattle in 95 God stottlemyre a member of two World Championship clubs in Toronto [Music] and Willie McGee who enjoyed his finest seasons with the cards the pain sure love Willie and Willie love st. Louis I know this place this is my heart this is where it all started you know this is my heart opening day in New York did not feature an injured Ozzie Smith many changes were tough to keep up with it is my pleasure to introduce the 1996 st. Louis Cardinals batting second and playing shortstop he has won the Gold Glove thirteen times he is the wizard Ozzie Smith the veteran roster sparked confidence in skipper LaRussa but the many changes had left some folks like skeptical with a lot of skepticism this was the story that st. Louis Cardinal and it had been a long while since an outsider had come in to a revamp everything I think early on because we had three or four veterans a lot of experience people thought we had an old club if you look at our team we really got a nice mix we got some guys like John Mabry you know Ray's Clayton early in the career we got some guys right in the middle like Lankford and Gant we got some young pitchers in the military R like Andy Bennett's and stottlemyre then you've got young pitchers like Alan Bennett's and TJ Mathews you know so we really have a well-balanced Club in addition to new players Dooley renovated Busch Stadium celebrated its 30th anniversary with the excitement of Broadway show baseball is back it's alive and well in st. Louis [Music] they better make way for a shake [Music] hey game [Music] be wait don't wait nobody's opening day compares to what we have here in st. Louis you'd like you to meet in 1996 say those Cardinals I don't think I've ever been that nervous before in my life outfielder Ron Gant let you know that they fought back in the air let's wish them well let's hope they bring us a winner [Music] this beautiful magnificent lady has never looked so good at 30 years old all the fans have created in took one blimp of the new grass and they said oh my goodness I didn't think it was going to be this beautiful for crying out loud don't drive on the craft a lot of different interactive activities for Cardinal fans homers landing of course much talked about out there in the left-field bleachers the new features make things lots of fun but little did anyone know upon the right it would be [Music] when the team visited San Diego in early May and we're hopeful of breaking that old jinx to see the Redbirds that lost 15 straight in San Diego so now how about this losing streak it's got to end sometime this weekend well there's no way to explain it but now with so many changes in the ballclub we have to believe it's going to come to a halt what's going to make it come to a halt is good pitch e alan Osborne's get that 1 2 3 look on his face tiny defense da see a tremendous job of blocking the played out and timely hitting now I'll say one thing about the Cardinal attack tonight it has been opportunistic nobody knew what the future would hold in San Diego a Dennis Eckersley and his teammates just happy to end the San Diego and the 15 game losing streak to the Padres here is history yeah the cards had their ups and downs in the early going beyond Mabry's batting average heated up to 340 they reproved he's one fine hitter to come into the league like he did last year had 300 I mean that's that's real hard to do and then people might say well he had to had a hole or two they just didn't discover so he'll figure out this year ain't said 300 again try to make a good contact every time I'm captain cap power with absolutely no speed he hit someone was the right-center the hole one lapse the wall three runs will score and Mabry is four for four again I think one of the keys to him he's a real hungry hitter he's like a Tony Gwynn a Wade Boggs he never throws in that bat away many hitters do you see nowadays with Lester wood when you're hot you're hot right mr. Maybury is whoo he's off the scale especially at Coors Field during a Maggie which Mabry accomplice baseball rarity good John we possibly do be improbable here I really didn't know what was going on single double triple so far I was so into the game that that I really didn't understand to all there's a tried to right-center push me no to a no he just left one up a little bit after was it cap and the ball was gone and I got enough of it to describe the pain on the right-center field in a job that was a fence it's this bravery I came back to the dugout the guys really yeah high five man I was thinking yeah head home run you know finally got another one that's because it's been a while as I had one I saw John and Avery did you hit for the cycle answers no no kid and he's gone right up the ladder it is for attack and then afterwards in the clubhouse aces why you hit for the natural cycle that's a lot of total bases for one night right there folks now that I look back at it in some country special this fight Mabry's accomplishment the Cardinals suffered a tough defeat that day as Colorado's young Vander Waal belted a pinch-hit ninth inning homer and the Redbirds of frustrating loss their hopes of being a legitimate contender appeared to say it was time to put up or shut up I mean we were 17 and 26 leaving Colorado our first time it was a very very tough series and we went down to Houston and played the Astros and this was a team we felt we had to beat in our division [Music] during their first visit to Houston and lately the Cardinals open some eyes with some great pitching first it was Donovan Osborn who fired a complete game in the opener and then in Game two Todd stottlemyre was good in the clutch is one right at guy Eddie that's how you get a speedy runner high slider away and he strikes him out to strand three more this ball club has been able to forget about what happened yesterday they've got great character where they can show up and regardless of the adversity they went through in a day before this series before they've been able to clear the heads and go out and and do the best they can on the next day and in the finale the ruses Redbirds showed that resiliency again that is well hit to right is that kind of chance to go you bet home run for Mabry that's his fourth and the fight those late boarded up in Alan Bennett's picked up the victory pitching eight strong innings in the cards had completed a three-game sweep against their arch rivals Houston Astros the only offbeat noted that early season high point against Houston came when coach Mark de Jong who usually keeps a low profile took part and while the most talked about plays of the early season they brace slashes at a line drive what are you do have false in playpal brought up bonehead okay the bullpen coach yeah in the world are you doing I wasn't painted fences and you know what happens in the twenty boxes come up from behind me decision here there was a fair ball I said what he said that ball was fair and I just I just kind of wanted to find a hole he said is there any way you can dig a hole in astroturf because I'd like to get at it and he's really gone the John was forced to face the music when Tony LaRussa broke the bad news he took me out of the coaches in yesterday but guys want to see you so he led me out there kind of face the music and they let him have it he kind of hit up first thing he didn't want to come out and beat red and we got him pretty good and he stood getting every now and again just to remind me but I've been ordered a Gold Glove from Rawlings for him but he signed it put great catch on there when he got back to baseball the Cardinals again faced archrival Houston only a week later the best game of that series featured some late inning heroics a real beauty spearheaded by Luis Alice a [Music] [Applause] whoa and we'll say is third homer and for Davey's dinosaur for for a night and I'm peg Ozzie [Music] [Applause] no status anytime we get a game winner it's a great feeling you know circling the bases you can't wait to get the home plate your teammates aware the mob you came from craziness a great film and you know some people say that was not sort of a turning point for the ballclub but I think we had a lot of turning points that was just one over the cards went on to sweep Houston for the second time [Music] shortly after when the team flew to San Francisco the cards were in a bit of a fog despite their success against Houston only the Russo sense there was still much that needed to be ironed out the players hadn't really gelled as a team it was already June night the club remained inconsistent and after a disastrous high nothing lost to the Giants and the cars were locked under 500 frustration prompted some of the veteran Redbirds to call a team meeting we were playing bad and we decided that we need to get some things out milk and so a couple of we're talking on the plane we decided hey okay we're going to meet the baggage room after the game after we get to LA coming from San Francisco we met we sat there for boy it seemed like all night but we weren't playing good baseball we weren't pitching well we were playing good defense timely hitting it was non-existent at that time and I think guys was pressing you know and you know trying almost too hard to make things happen there was never any question about the talent that we had and if not necessarily you know having all the talent in the world as much as having the right chemistry and I think at that time we figured that we had the right chemistry now it was time to put it all in the same mix and in there and stir it up and started doing the thing that we were people doing I think that's what happened newly found unity emerged from the meeting and the team began to gel players seem to come together at just the right time a lot of times you have a couple of new players or maybe a half-dozen and you have to worry about clipping but one of the key things outside even when you have the same guys every year you got to got to deal that year jelly has a lot to do with playing hard and caring about each other but one of the duties are baseball you know there's a couple big months ahead of us and it's always what you do it's not what you did one of the players who really hit his stride during June Chris Brian Jordan Ryan heated things up from the cleanup spot [Music] the v-j is having a great time here in the hot weather he has been unbelievable with runners in scoring position yes ten games he just adds to his 400 plus average with runners in scoring position up with more big if than anyone else on his part no Club of late his ass six RBI day and a three hit day here's a guy who's taken off since being inserted in the cleanup role [Applause] I never thought be hidden number four you know for the Cardinal I can honestly say I'm still learning this game and after like I still two years away from my potential I have a long way to go when one day our cognitive game jordan was too busy playing football until he got that phone call from the guards and traded those shoulder pads for a bag he's a football player learning to play baseball no that's what he was a few years ago now he's a baseball player serious he's really such a thing who two years ago - now he's a totally different different type of Claire where a guy who says without their plan - all natural sprint to a guy who's going to stamp the game now he's really developed into being a superstar player and and I think you can in my view I think he's going to do nothing but get better Bryan's are great actively he loves to succeed he worked very hard I feel that he's going to be successful Brian possesses that unique combination of power and speed you know he is so fast and when he's running to first base I almost expect to look up and see him breaking the tape Jordan hit an incredible 400 with runners in scoring position helping the Cardinals offense take off [Music] yet as a young player was coming into his own a st. Louis Cardinals legend decided to call it quits and to the point as I complete my final season as an active player I would like nothing better for all of us and to be a part of one more World Championship team I just want to thank everyone who has helped the Cardinals and me during the last 15 years thank you heartfelt goodbyes were many after announcing his decision to retire Smith was selected to the all-star slot and prior to the Midsummer's classic in Philadelphia wishes flocked to the wizard like a ground ball to his many festive lucky baby rabbit hardware and especially touching moment came when Ozzy stepped to the plate to bat in his 15th and final all-star game the big crowd at veteran's stadium is Smith a standing ovation as did the all-stars pretty good like there killed after that all-star hi the Cardinals started the second half of the season with a heart of their lineup in high gear things really clicked during the game against the Cubs at Windy Wrigley Field starting off a home run onslaught was John Mabry pitch comes swinging on a fly ball deep center hit by Mabry at the track at the wall and goodbye it's a Chicago adios eddie puts it in the left this was going to leave the part back-to-back home run they brianc IAT the Cardinals were just getting warmed up for some more big shots a high drive it's going to leave the ballpark and it's way out of here there's a very back part of the bleachers when you do things like that offensively it does wonders for the confidence of the ballclub it's a great thing a great asset to be able to hit home runs droppin a lot of runs in a ballgame and show each other one another that guys do have the capability of doing it an array Langford goes keep the right-field and homers against the pack screen there's a long with a lesson goodbye mr. baseball a three-run homer by Brian Jordan in the Cardinal Valley 12 the one six home runs for the Redbirds today the club record is seven back in 1940 and what job can't make time right here folks they're dead back at the wall seven home runs the Redbirds today and that ties the record that was probably the point where we gelled together as a ballclub and we finally started getting that feeling that we knew one another and you know after that game things started clicking forests and you know that's probably the one game that I would put point my finger and say that's where it all started after that July 12th rampage the cards were 47 and 42 and tied for first but it wasn't only hitting that got the Redbirds back on track this trio or one of the best depends about fields in baseball ray lankford and the entire team worked hard at making big playful here comes Dan because he's Pro fight on the face [Music] [Applause] he calling Brian Jordan at the wall [Music] what a play by Brian George's he's been doing it all year another dieting can't quite short events is the pitchers best friend just ask Andy Bennett it was a catch that turned around his breast rating start iris tritanus philadelphia here in st. Louis and ninth inning two to two the hot day Brian Jordan makes the diving catch with the bases loaded in the gap on who I am and I'm decided if a guy makes a great play when he comes off the field I'm going to be there to congratulate him and when it came in I remember filling our that you don't know how big of a catch that was I go from being three and nine till we come back and Brian Jordan scores the winning run and I was four and eight and I was able to put together another eight wins in a row [Music] people took things they take out his best game well he had 15 of them I went through a streak of about 10 to 15 starts where we were scoring seven or eight runs every game I went out we'd score seven or eight well I was given up zero one or two and so obviously I was getting some wins it wasn't only handy chalking up the WS younger brother Alan was also making his mark Dualla thrived in their first full season in the same rotation Alan and I are four and a half years parts we've never had an opportunity on the same team four brothers will be able to play at this level is one thing but to be on the same team is really special to have your brother sitting next to you on the bench or pulling for you you know you always have somebody there that it's going to be there for you with you know big brother there it's like you know I wanted to show him that that I belong here they say that if you like Andy Venice's slider you'll love Alan slider maybe even better than that of his brother I think we're a lot alike I mean we both fastball pitchers hard slider and changeup the Bennis boys nurtured their love of sports from early childhood our family our free time is always sports we just all rock playing a very very thankful that our parents were supportive that you know we were involved in athletics and I support this 100% and as you would expect they still lend plenty of vocal support mom and pop this come out the book [Applause] me I don't know anything about raising professional ballplayers I like to think we've spent 25 years of our lives raising good people to see one more strike one more month right now how many million times to use the post we have said one more one more strike one more site [Applause] under the thoughtful guidance of Tony LaRussa and his staff the Bennis brothers came into their own both Andrew and Alan have said how they like like Regina with their respective knowledge of the game and has his focus on the game can't tell you how many times Tony came out to the mound during the course of the game when I was struggling and said I know you're really really trying Tony likes to come out and take charge the manager's role I believe is more important than ever trying to get these players focused on what's important that's why I don't play for fighting there was no doubt that the hiring of Tony LaRussa is paying off some big dividends for the Cardinals I started all started last fall we had to find a manager and Tony was a the guy that I wanted all along here comes a guy going to Russa he's heralded but he's from the American League he was advised by Sparky Anderson several years ago before you hang it up you must manage in the National League and as Tony said I did everything else part he told me to do so Here I am this guy loves a challenge more than anything and I think that's why he's here he saw a chance for him to be challenged like he's never been challenged before the one constant that struck most everybody around the Cardinals was LaRussa's unwavering concentration on the task and his intensity day in day out you know I've never played for manager like him and he's push push push he tried to get everybody on it on the same page so let's go let's go I mean you feeling you know you know he's there you know he's there all the time you know Tony pushes it Tony's gonna he's gonna fertilize it every day he's don't make it grow quick Tony is one of those guys that as a manager he's right on that line between insanity and being a genius is this LaRussa out of his way to appreciate Tony epicene I've seen him over the course of six months players will respond to people David Satter they see that he wears the birds on the back with a lot of respect the Cardinals were one half game behind Houston as they braced for seven games in two weeks against the Astros the cards hope to boot the Astros on Houston's home turf Game one of this big weekend for game series the Astros in the Cardinals first place on the line well it should be a dandy of a series it's the one everyone has been waiting for for seven innings donovan osborne held the killer bees in check when ray lankford delivered this blast the cards broke through with a one nothing lead and ray also helped make it stand and the Cardinals are seven at all against Houston this year but a setback came the next day won one game of the night I cried going to wake that I hit the wall not by a painful mistake crostata my early pitched so well and yet another headache game the next night in a four-to-one loss you're headed by Astros slugger yes Bagwell the Mars game it's quite an important for the Cardinal because they lose tomorrow and leave out of here two and a half behind they could have a problem in the fourth and final game of the series it was Willie McGee who came through in the clutch with his two run home run that sparked the Redbirds and the game is tied at two old number 51 comes to the rescue then in the seventh Roy's Clayton I call my guy a go with the go-ahead run an OL number 43 came into isit I give up on the history and the Cardinal split the series and the Redbirds are only a half game out of first place to get out when the team's hooked up again six days later the Astros hope to hike up a one and a half game lead while the Cardinals intended a leapfrog Houston in the standings once and for all it was September and this was the final three games showdown against Houston we are set to play baseball [Music] the intensity was thick and the Cardinals dominance clear-cut [Music] a game and a half deficit turned into a game and a half lead st. Louis swept in feeding Houston for the 11th time in 13 games you know the Astros were our main opponent and it seems like you know when this team's back to get the wall and we have a have a chance to do or die we always do i head-to-head with these guys we did it just like we've been doing it ever since we had the meeting you know we're going to concentrate on this game the things that we need to do at the moment I think I look back on the game that where we played Houston and Willie and Ozzie really those two guys really took control of that game the two players in the twilight of their career combined for an incredible seven hits and 10 at-bats and the wizard even when deep his second home run of the year how about that tens any go-ahead run on second McGee at back if maybe gets to hit here see the role played you ever seen a more gutsy performance by two great champions that we're seeing here today McGee and Smith have Provo eyes the Houston T the oldest Redbirds still came up with their share of big contributions to the Cardinal cause Ozzy and Willie guys with the combined four decades of experience those two guys are awesome professionals for where they are as people the way they play and approach the game of baseball and the respect that they have for this game is awesome Ozzy and Willie are a pair of top flight performers in more ways than one I saw you on television tomorrow other than that you yes I said anymore you're going to get nervous again just like I did in the 80 20 please board make me better known and do justice out here and it take it easy Henry well you know why not get excited by my big ball now I know that right with you okay after watching them board up and I agree with you want starting to feel a move there's no hot flutter few deep integration parties they get exciting and I tell you what they're at it again it was kind of ad lib you know I mean once you know we had like a script but for you know maybe five or six words that started off but then after that it's just blowing you know two old mints and then the barbershop talking about the good ol days and and I guess it worked we had fifteen guys knock off two hours after the game's watching it I'm it was hilarious the outtakes of it they are live at the playoff yeah my name's my that's right that's where we're gonna talk that right no we wouldn't know yeah they were planted on you are actually the first time I watch them I didn't realize it was them I'm still not sure which ones Henry which one Perry which ones Willie you're a little who proves what and I told really when we did it I could you know I don't think people will know if you don't say you don't put underneath people would not know that that was the two of us doing that they have to actually look and look back and to see who it really is first of all it can't believe I did something like that's what it was done you know it's like is that Willie you know Willie's a gave such a shy guy and how so for him to do a commercial like that like you know somebody must be a policy to get him to do it I think it really shocked a lot of people Walter how many time I got kid one man was a wizard yeah upwards I'll tell ya Sheena for one day brought up Walden get mail with the liver I had to take in don't make me hit you big day when I do back wall all turkey put the camera on me and I actually got to meet him he wasn't on camera but I got to meet Walter got to meet you all got till morning I could tell all my seen Gretchen what and I'm that Irishman so what they call you know forgiveth maybe we can get a Tony Award for comedic creativity I get it was time for the old Redbirds to get back to the more serious business of clinching a pennant in September [Music] this was baseball as it ought to be and with the brass ring within reach the card showed a will to win [Applause] waters are going the foot is beautiful they'll be here [Applause] where are you one knows the lead the career I think the people are starting to believe the time Morgaine 13th inning here's my card Oh women know their dick number is five he pops it up and the magic number is going to be one Yuriko calls him Fern Grows were three do the cards arrived in Pittsburgh on September 24th with a chance to clinch the Pirates took a one to nothing lead but the Redbirds on top in the fifth Brian Jordan made another diving draft and then in the seventh you want a guy Eddie long drive in a deep left-center field war high one one and there's only the third hit of the night it belongs to guy Eddie and it's a game-tying home run in the seventh base right field [Applause] for the game and he will be out of the place then in the eighth Brian Jordan's blast on so three run outburst and the cards added two more in the ninth to give them a seven to one lead it was time for a celebration Mariano hit the town right into the corner Georgia there P and the little get ready st. Louis MO season baseball is coming back with halo it for the first time since 1987 the Cardinals and Tony LaRussa are headed to the postseason in 96 what a great feeling a new regime everybody lot of new players and trying to battle through a lot of things and it's very rewarding but you know this is just the first stop feels good we did it today and then had to wait any longer may not gonna marry I'm sorry I guess we had to do it in a little pebbles in today right now it's a joy time for everybody because you know these guys have worked hard to get to this point and I'm happy to be part of it Ozzie also felt happy to have his number retired in 96 along with former great stretch and Easton eNOS slaughter and shortly after the garden hose clinched the division flag they returned to Busch Stadium for the final homestand and a special tribute Ozzie Smith day the sentiment of the occasion brought an outcry of emotion and for Ozzie the moment was overwhelming not everybody get to experience that and that for me was something that I never dreamed of growing up with it happened to me at some point in time and you can only wish and hope that people appreciate what you do that there's nothing the top you know 52,000 people coming out to to say thank you and to say goodbye to you for something that you five tried to present I don't you know I don't know if anybody's ever experienced anything like that but they're to me there is nothing like that from an emotional standpoint because that's the highest compliment that anybody can be paid Ozzie Smith had that quality that captured something special about the game when he went into the hole to pick up a ground ball and bounce back up to throw across the diamond and we were reminded every time why we love this game and I'm sure that there are millions of people who are baseball fans because of Ozzie Smith there are two words that we have to use at this moment and those words are bitter sweet I don't know how much more energy you have left here he is old crazy folks Isaac Smith I'd like to thank my mom for being my inspiration and my driving force I'd like to thank my my family for their support I'd like to thank the Cardinal organization for the support and the opportunity to perform in front of the greatest fans in the world I've often been asked what was my greatest highlight but I might say that being here today with my family and fifty thousand of my closest friends has to be the highlight thank each and every one of you for traveling down my yellow brick road thank you fitting tribute for a hero of the final pages to the story and yet to be ripped he's going to realize that last game [Applause] this is it all these emotions would come out and he has had an awesome career awesome the postseason shine and Ozzy and the Cardinals for the first time in a decade there was a charged atmosphere at Busch Stadium in Game one of the divisional series and the Cardinals responded by striking early against San Diego with two on in the first I Eddie was the hitter fly ball twice centre back at the track at the wall Finley he can't get it oh all right create a nothing Cardinal in the 1st Gary's home run took pressure off Cardinal starter Todd stottlemyre who struck out seven in six and two-thirds the Cardinals held a two-run lead with two outs in the ninth and Tony Gwynn faced tech wing up the middle effort Lee has it out of Burt that's the way the emotion of a 3-1 win in Game one had the red bird riding high I think emotions had a lot to do with it because I think it's bringing our team closer together I think that's what exactly what we needed is to have that feeling of getting excited and bringing us close together there was also much to get excited about in Game two when Andy Bennett struck out nine Padres in seven inning I started off really well that's probably the best five innings that I've thrown all year with the exception one pitch I was pretty much pinpoint with anything I threw up there so there was a type of game that maybe you don't have very often and it was nice to have it in a playoff game in the bottom of the eighth with the score tied at four the Cardinals had two runners in scoring position the batter Tom Benghazi wearing a live [Applause] it proved to be the gamer and the Padres proved to be in dire straits at the best-of-five series moved back to San Diego Game three things appeared bleak at the end of five at the Cardinals trail hold on [Applause] and in the sixth Andy Ashby deliver to ron gant playing on a long-haul bra at the exhibit a lead way back you to let better off the bat again and makes it fully through and gives a little light through the Redbird the card scored twice more in the six to tight then took a 5-4 lead in the seventh but in the 8th Ken Caminiti launched a home run to make it by 5 then with the Padres go ahead and run on second TJ Mathews pitch to Jodi read the sensational cat what a play by Brian Jordan when the ball was hit I knew that Brian was going to catch the ball because he's been doing it all year long a lot of times when the balls hit I can tell that he's going to catch it on most of the time he does and that was definitely I was already running to the dugout when that ball would get it in the 9th Jordan the better go to wait he's a delivery coming blow swinging along with it a lamp might leave the part it's at the track at the wall Oh Bradford Georgia he's done it all year and he did it again want to come back for the Cardinals now with a seven-five lead they turned the ball over to Dennis Eckersley he faced Steve Finley with two outs in the night line drive to center there's Langford Atlanta here we come that's a winner for the Cardinal 7 to 5 the Redbirds our winner and we're going to Georgia it was time for a little celebration the celebration will earn for a team that tackled all the experts except for the ones wearing Cardinal uniform this is a meteo you know rookie phenom you mean to tell me how that they're painted the first time come up here and kind of backdoor help any good well you know it's really good but it's even better when I can by your wife it was on to Atlanta for Game one of the National League Championship Series as the defending world champs expected to chop their way through st. Louis with a [Applause] 24 game winner John Smoltz held the Cardinals to two runs through eight [Applause] and II Venice continued his streak of fine postseason pitching striking out seven and six innings if the Cardinals lost 4-2 despite Andy's efforts obviously everybody was pickin Atlanta tears and so when you go out and play no one expects you to win you can let it all hang out and we've been able to do that all year we've been able to respond real well so we don't mind that role we haven't got a whole lot of respect but I think what's important is that we go out and earn our respect perhaps Gary guy yetee earned a bit of respect before the game by signing if you autographs for Braves fan [Music] gharial blinds the youngster what was much less obliging to the Braves in the top of the seventh the card had just taken a 4-3 lead as Greg Maddux delivered with a bases act with Redbirds [Music] little s get up baby grand slam home run for Gary guiity there's a record Reynold handled him right out of the ballgame and with the cards leading 8 to 3 the crowd at Fulton County Stadium was sent packing it was then just a matter of recording that last out its sidearm and a ground ball back to the mound that or a while throw and that's a winner as that is Lisa wildly to the first column the cardiac Cardinals but Tony LaRussa's bunch was ecstatic even the series at one game apiece we know we went to Atlanta was just wanted so we did our first plug good job so emotionally you know there's a lot of pressures there's some great feelings excitement you know it's going to be a lot of fun and I'm glad to see that you know it's been 10 years since we've hadded here in st. Louis and I know this place will be jumping as the series moved back to save Lois enthusiasm reached a fever pitch Oh God [Music] [Applause] and it was time to play ball the crowd was loud [Applause] Atlanta manager Bobby Cox hoped his Braves but Simon's the record sighs crowd early well boy but the cards would have none of that they Louis came out swinging right from the get-go I'm Levin found himself in a first inning Jam with one on and one out as he delivered a former teammate Ron Gant swinging along on the left right legs apart up up and away and the Cardinals lead a two to one they always like to keep the crowd into it mr. Gant is put them put and fit Ron's Homer also put the Cardinals ahead by a score of two to one [Applause] then again in the sixth eleven - gasps we're gonna fly ball is better back at the track at the bent up up and away free to long all you think this crowds not having some fun you should be here the cards went on to win it free - - thanks to game and thanks to the big crowd they were enthused a whole game I mean you know you can hear them out there not left me or gave me a lot of incentive a lot of adrenaline from for today's game I mean without them I don't know what it did what I did today [Music] with the two games to one advantage the intensity on Tony LaRussa's face was matched only by that of the big crowd they Louis had said postseason attendance record yet game poor took on a different storyline this time the cards trail free to nothing after six in the seventh with two men out on Benghazi follow the John Mabry single with a walk that put runners on first and second and LaRussa opted for a pinch-hitter after a talk with LaRussa and Ron Gant 22 year old Dmitri young stepped to the plate to chomp away at Atlanta Braves relief this year reg McMichael [Music] dripping the left center this Wallace team and this ball is off Mabry score passing scores then these three boys preferred [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] young scored on an infield hit and it was tied at three in the bottom of the eighth it was Brian Jordan who stepped to the plate [Applause] [Music] for free and it had some ball game here tonight the cards had remarkably taken a 4-3 lead and just as Jordan ruled in the 8th in the night the law was set forth by Dennis Eckersley for 2/3 you just cannot believe it for a [Music] remarkable ending and a fantastic display of budgeting by Brian Jordan and of course Demetria [Music] but in baseball fortunes turned so quickly adulation character frustration against Atlantis pitcher seonkyoung sigh young I mean it it's pretty simple like I was telling somebody the other day you're facing John Smoltz in Game one ninety six a young well if you if you don't beat him you get to face three times sigh Young award-winner in Greg Maddux you don't beat him another side young behind it you got you know Glavine it's like it just doesn't stop the cards suffered heartbreaking losses in games five six and seven and a thrilling postseason ride had suddenly come to tragedy a final note of Solace came during Ozzy's lasted there would have received a standing ovation he made that long last walk to the Cardinals [Applause] [Music] cards of course the defending world champs to a seventh gate only to lose 15 while the grain celebrated the Redbirds could only limit you know a lot of tears around the clubhouse you know see men's going very often but it's really it really hurts when you know that you're really close to having the opportunity to play in the World Series and so but at the same time you got beat by a better team and so we'll be ready next year I know it's like 1:00 1:30 and I know it's like it was a horror game and over 15 years this is probably the most remarkable season that I've ever got the ball hands greeted the players at the airport to give us its ear word of thanks the Redbird were once again teamed to reckon with people will take no see st. was targets I don't think that people really took us too seriously this year I think we've proven the people that we have a lot of ways of like ball games and a lot of a lot of weapons one thing I want this is the st. Louis Cardinals came respect we've done that and with manager of the year Tony LaRussa al the Cardinals are in great position to shoot for that pot of gold as for 1996 well it was baseball's like an auto piece [Music] [Applause] Arnold payment is frame rail e85 and x40 11 what a day and of course three Daphne what a come-from-behind win swing and a high fly ball into left at the track 99 the city al has fallen in love with this baseball team again so you trying to avoid the champagne in there mr. white I start the musical what about this this is our first going to give you behind closed doors some new hey let me get a area safer that way double slice right well King wrong wonderful double play oh wow I have noticed it almost everything areas either where slides are red or gray which is rather confusing to Grandma hey come here check this up real quick because the Follis round right look who's what says that aunty give me the Jade season's over give it up yeah I'm in charge everything I got outfit the guy no no that's why he hired me that's why they signed me they assign me to pitch this I can make sure he had clothes to wear it over here for ya is being able to motivate your team to play every day hard and eliminate your limit limit the mistakes come to the ballpark in Cincinnati if the sports page realized that your deep lost all respect movie has bum your the people was there anything particularly inspirational than anybody said I think there was a lot but I think it's going to be left right where it was left and that was in my hotel room in LA hi strike we're going to a boy named Elizabeth gives a Walter Hamid times I got a paid-up I'm a with the wizard the disses what it Multan make me hit you the board name was the wisdom I was sitting there Walter that ball with my mother feet or blah blah Henry I'll kill y'all know what were you drinking man for the same thing I'm dragging mouthwash water I might go out there today man I might go out there today and they do some hooping and Holland my show cause you know what it's not anything eat if I can find me some help to get out there [Laughter]

Channel: Jeff Clifford

Views: 14,893

Keywords: St. Louis Cardinals, 1996, baseball, Jack Buck, Ozzie Smith, Dennis Eckersley, Willie McGee, Tony LaRussa, Brian Jordan, National League, Gary Gaetti

Id: YLLCTfVcYDY

Length: 60min 26sec (3626 seconds)

Published: Wed Aug 09 2017

Reddit Comments

[u/Pad_TyTy]

Best out of print video in baseball

[u/brb1650]

Video evidence that, even 22 years ago, Tim McCarver was lamenting “players these days.”