More of this, please

So, here we are. The National League Championship Series.

On Sept. 28, that thrilling final night of the regular season, after I’d watched the Phillies come back to sweep the Braves, all the Cardinals clubhouse celebrations, the incredible endings of the Red Sox/Orioles and Yankees/Rays games, I finally turned to MLB Network. Within a few minutes, there was mention of the Brewers. In all the excitement of the evening, the fact there were other teams going to the playoffs too had totally slipped my mind. And, for a brief second, I had this flash — the Cardinals and the Brewers could meet in the NLCS. Winner goes to the World Series. After all the fireworks between them this season, after I’d been so thankful earlier in the month it was over until next year. Oh. Drama.

So, again, here we are.

With drama.

Because it wasn’t bad enough to have to deal with all the previous Nyjer Morgan B.S. — you know, his “humor” in calling Albert a woman and saying the Cardinals would enjoy, oh, I mean “injoy” watching the Brewers in the playoffs. (Should it be a surprise that he is now taking credit for motivating the Cardinals, saying he was “glad to be able to fuel their fire“?)

No, now we have Zack Greinke — Zack Greinke? — shooting his mouth off, about no less than Chris Carpenter. Yes, I’m sure you’ve heard by now. During a press conference yesterday, he was asked if the Cardinals and Brewers legitimately dislike each other after their 18 games this season. His answer: “Maybe now. I think no one really likes Carpenter, but besides that I think they mostly respect everyone on their team.” (You can see it here, two minutes in.)

It took several questions for any of the media to follow up on that and ask what the Brewers have against Carpenter. Watching the video (and MLB conveniently provides just this part separately here), it seems apparent Greinke is not comfortable with this. I know he has dealt with social anxiety disorder, and it seems understandable that being in the spotlight like this is not his thing. But at least part of his answer to that question sounds like something my 6-year-old niece would say, as do his facial expressions in giving that answer.

“They think that his presence, his attitude out there sometimes is, like, a phony attitude. And then he yells at people. And he just stares people down and stuff. And most pitchers just don’t do that and, when guys do, I guess some hitters get mad. Some hitters do it to pitchers but, when you do that, some people will get mad. There’s other pitchers in the league that do it. But, I don’t know. There’s just a lot of guys on our team who don’t like Carpenter.”

Well, that’s smart. Insult the guy who just pitched the Cardinals to the NLCS. And the guy who the rest of the Cardinals so respect that they waited until he was done with all the media that wanted to talk to him after Friday night’s clinching game to even celebrate moving on.

Oh, by the way, Greinke was only involved in a press conference yesterday because he’s starting today. Meaning, of course, the Cards get their chances at him right away. Think they have any extra motivation now, as if they needed it?

About these two teams and the NLCS: we know the numbers for the season — series split, Brewers are great at home, blah blah blah. None of that really matters now. We know all the side stories also. And those are all beside the point too. What does count: the game on the field, the battle for four victories and the National League pennant. It’s not going to be easy. It’s probably not going to be pretty. It’s definitely going to be intense.

When the Cardinals won the wild card, my only goal was for them to win one game so they’d improve on 2009. They did and it was fun and we had the Rally Squirrel and Torty Craig and happy flights again and the like.

But now, with the NLCS, my goal has changed. Win four. Take the high road, don’t stoop to their mouthy level but shut up the damn Brewers — and the sports media that so loves gushing over Morgan and “Beast Mode” and Axford’s mustache and Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun and “oh, aren’t they just fun” and all that. Of course everyone’s picking the Brewers to win this. Everyone picked the Phillies too.

So, my dear Cardinals, one simple request.

Just win. Starting today.


Christine Coleman is the senior St. Louis Cardinals reporter for Aaron Miles’ Fastball. Follow her on Twitter, @CColeman802, or email aaronmilesfastball@gmail.com. Also follow @AMilesFastball for the latest updates.