Best Possible World Series Matchups:
4. Cardinals vs. Angels: Would love to see Tony La Russa and Scioscia match wits.
9. Cardinals vs. White Sox: It's not like the Cardinals-Cubs rivalry, but these two cities have something good going. President Obama would have a keen rooting interest with his favorite team going against a team from one of the few states that went for John McCain. Obama could throw out the first ball at Busch again.
11. Yankees vs. Cardinals: Traditional rivalry would be appreciated by longtime baseball fans. Albert Pujols might also enjoy new Yankee Stadium.
16. Red Sox vs. Cardinals: A rematch of 1967 and '04. They can try to repeat '67 and do better than '04.
18. Tigers vs. Cardinals: A rematch of 1968 and 2006. They get to try to repeat '68 and do over '06.
Around The Majors
Tony La Russa's contract is up after this season, and this one should be interesting. While his relationship with the new front office isn't as warm as it was with ex-GM Walt Jocketty, he is said to love the Cardinals' tradition. And while he was annoyed at the trade of trusted pitching coach Dave Duncan's son Chris, he also should love the help the front office has given him in the form of Matt Holliday (a special request of his), Mark DeRosa, Julio Lugo and John Smoltz (another La Russa favorite). I'd guess he'll be back, but he'd be underpaid even if they raised him from $4 million to $5 million.
Smoltz was the Cardinals' latest great pickup. With his Cardinals debut, he may have shown he's ready to be himself now. That (8.33 ERA) didn't look like him in Boston.
Sports Illustrated
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