“Remember where you live……”
That was the warning shot across my bow this past week when I decided it was time to wear my Cardinal polo to work and a Rotary meeting.
My response to that line was simple:
“I remember where I came from…”
I was born in the shadow of the Gateway Arch. I saw games in Sportsman’s Park…the first Busch….and to me Stan Musial is more than a statue out front of the current stadium.
Let’s be blunt. It ain’t easy living in Texas during a World Series between the Rangers and the Cardinals.
But these Friday Night Light lovin’ folks truly love their Rangers. And it is easy for me to understand the affection. I have attended many games in Arlington and it is a quality major league experience. The ballpark is beautiful and the team is very good. And what is not to like about their ownership? Nolan Ryan is a Texas treasure. He threw seven no-hitters without steroids! He’s got gravitas.
But let me put this issue on its ear. If my friends from West Texas suddenly found themselves in Seattle as a part of their career……Do you think they would suddenly start rooting for the Seahawks when they faced the Cowboys?
I don’t think so…
I started getting irritating comments from the moment that the Cards got into the post-season. Here’s one---
“Hope you beat the Phillies….Philly might be hard for the Rangers to beat.”
It didn’t stop there. Here is another one that hit home---
“I’m pulling for the Cardinals against the Brewers…..because I know we can beat St. Louis.”
OK… You got your wish.
To my dear Ranger friends…. You have a wonderful team with a quality manager and an owner who has my respect.
How about a little respect for my birthright?
I lived 49 years within the signal of KMOX radio and the voices of Jack Buck, Harry Caray and Mike Shannon. The first outfit I bought for each of my three sons was emblazoned with birds on a bat.
My father has second-guesses every move made by Tony LaRussa for over a decade. He loathes LaRussa….but he loves the Cardinals.
Cardinal is the family language. My heritage.
I can name the entire starting line-up for every Cardinal World Series team back to 1964.
Tommy Lasorda loves to talk about bleeding Dodger blue.
I tear up when I see a Clydesdale.
You don’t have to remind me anymore where I live.
Just remember where I lived….
Love it Mike - keep bleeding Cardinal Red - I can relate here in OKC where I have been wearing my '06 World Series Champs tshirt since before the WildCard deal ... and if the locals don't quite understand ... it's their loss --- Kinda like tonight's historic game... ;) And BTW - I still fondly recall playing with you on your Dad's Y team many years ago... and GO CARDS!!!!
ReplyDeletePhil Taylor OKC, OK (and formerly Bethalto, IL)