Running the Bases with Alexandra Shloss: Game # 6 Cubs v. Cardinals, 4/24/12

The Cubs v. Cardinals rivalry is as old as baseball, really. I don't get into the rivalries much. Sometimes I get caught up in the trash talking, but the truth is, I have a lot of love for the Cardinals orginazation. If you go to a game at Busch Stadium, you will see serious fans who are ALL wearing Cardinals t-shirts. And then if you go anywhere in the St. Louis area, you will see people wearing Cardinals gear. I think they may be the most hometown-supported team in baseball. Also, Cardinals fans are smart. They know the game and the players. And their recent track record gives them legitimate bragging rights.

P.S. for a great Cardinals/Cubs book, read Three Nights in August by Buzz Bissinger. It is wonderful.

I was especially excited for this game because I would finally get to see Jeff Samardzija pitch. The numbers don't really tell the story of how incredible he is. He was the love of Angela's life at this point. She was a fan of him even in his lean years, when people booed him.

Batting practice was fun, obviously.

Here's manager Dale Sveum and third base coach Pat Listach shooting the breeze.

The Kid Kerry.

We were excited to be there.

Here's the thing about me and Angela: When we want to meet someone, we get it done. Everyone was like, Dale will never come over. So Angela made this simple, plaintive sign, and over he came.

Oh, just shooting the breeze with Dale Sveum. No big deal.

This is an awesome face.

Angela and Dale.

Me and Dale

This is the first time I saw Michael Bowden. I did not know at the time how much I would come to respect and adore him. We got him as part of the deal with Theo Epstein, I think, but whatever the reason he was new to the club.

Angela made a cheat sheet for us to know the Cardinals players.

David Freese threw me a ball.

David DeJesus has the perfect beard.

Me and bullpen coach Lester Strode. He would come to love us.

Lester and Angela

Jeff walking out to warm up

Ian Stewart

Tony Campana had also been called up from AAA.

Bryan LaHomer

Darwin Barney loves Angela. She is like his little sister. I am pretty much chopped liver. P.S. how about that photobomber?

Tony Campana always liked me better than Angela so that was a comfort to me in the wake of the Darwin Barney ignoring incident. But to be fair, Tony is good to everyone. Look at that smile! He will sign for an endless line of kids. One of the most fan-friendly players in baseball. I always call him The Fastest Man Alive because he is.

Steve Clevenger

Later I had him autograph the picture below and he wrote, "I'm not mad at you." But doesn't he look hateful here?

I love their gloves and how they're personalized.

The cast of Million Dollar Quartet sang the National Anthem. You should go see that show if you haven't because it is fantastic.

I think this is Scott Maine. And here is the thing about Mr. Maine: he pretends he doesn't love Angela and me, but he does. Secretly.

I love the way David DeJesus runs.

Anyway, David was on third in the first inning and Starlin hit a sac fly, giving the Cubs an early 1-0 lead.

Mike Matheny argued the call. The umpire said DeJesus was safe on an awesome, close play. I didn't take a picture because it's too hard when you're obsessed with what's going on.

Jeff Samardzija was amaaaaaaazing.

He's so passionate. He struck out nine in 6 2/3 innings and didn't allow any runs.

Than Raffle Ticket came in.

And Matt Holliday homered to tie it up in the eighth. When I ask pitchers, "Who's the toughest hitter you've ever faced?" all the NL pitchers say Matt Holliday. All of them. They said every hitter has a weakness except him.

David DeJesus is amazing and underrated.

Here's Michael Bowden!

Angela showing off the Dale Sveum autograph on her Cubs team ball. Eventually she filled it.

Then in the bottom of the ninth, like a storybook, Bryan LaHomer hit a homer. The game was tied.

In comes Jeff Samardzija's best friend, James Russell.

I took a picture of the Clev warming up the pitcher because I am just so bitter he didn't play more.

Geovany Soto, the "other" catcher.

In the bottom of the tenth, Tony Campana singled.

Then, because he's brilliantly fast, he stole second, as usual.

Mike Matheny did not agree with the call, and he mentioned this to the umpire. He was ejected.

Meanwhile, LaHomer was intentionally walked, bringing up Alfonso Soriano. He went ahead and singled, Campana scored, and we won 3-2!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The Cubs kind of got into this habit of dramatic wins, which is why I love baseball. There's no clock. You can always catch up, no matter how improbable, until that 27th out.