Fan Stop Central took an afternoon/evening off to go watch the World Champion St. Louis Cardinals on Monday night.
This picturesque view was taken from arguably one of the best seats in the house … with one of the best views in all of baseball we might add.
The stadium seems to take on a whole different feel as the sun passes from overhead for an early afternoon game, to setting in the right fielders’ eyes in the evening to brilliantly lit at night.
Not only is the seating arena unbelievable, the concourses and fan areas around the stadiums are great. Huge concourses and walk-ways, more than plenty of concessions and gift shops on every level. No seat is really a bad seat in the park. The outfield terraces and party rooms, picnic area and more make going to a game more of an experience than sitting for three hours crammed shoulder-to-shoulder with the guy next to you.
Even the seats seemed to be a bit wider than before. Now, if they could only get the Ballpark Village complete so that we don’t have to look at the construction zone over left field, this thing will be the best in the league hands-down!
If you’re in St. Louis between April and October (and hopefully November), make sure to get a ticket and experience Cardinals baseball at Busch Memorial Stadium … even the standing room only area is great, and you can experience the game from all over the park!
Let’s get right to it. No doubt you’ve heard countless predictions by all the experts out there. Fan Stop Central will just put a prediction out there for the heck of it.
Here we go:
NATIONAL LEAGUE
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Let’s see what happens. Hope everyone has a great and fun summer.
Later.
Source
JUPITER, FLA. - He has been named a National League All-Star at three positions, and he has won a batting title, a Most Valuable Player Award and a Gold Glove.
Now, for the first time, Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols will report to spring training as a U.S. citizen.
Pujols, 27, a native of the Dominican Republic, officially became a citizen Wednesday when he was sworn in by U.S. District Court judge Richard E. Webber. The ceremony at the Thomas F. Eagleton U.S. Courthouse culminated a nearly yearlong process.
Pujols received a perfect score on the oral and written exam, according to Chester Moyer, officer in charge of the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Service’s St. Louis branch. The 10-15 minute exam included questions about the American form of government, the function of its three branches, how a judicial proceeding works and the nation’s history.
“We asked him a few extra questions as a little extra test. He knew everything,” Moyer said.
Upon being told he had answered perfectly, Pujols clinched his fist and beamed, “I did it.”
Pujols graduated from high school in Independence in 1998, and the Cardinals selected him in the 13th round of the 1999 draft. In six major league seasons, El Hombre has amassed 250 home runs, 758 RBIs and a .332 average. He was named the National League’s most valuable player in 2005 and last season was runner-up for the third time.
Pujols applied for citizenship last year, Moyer said. A background check was required. Moyer described Pujols’ check as “real clean.”
Pujols prepared for Wednesday’s exam with his wife, Deidre, as his tutor. The Cardinals slugger took the oath surrounded by about 20 family and friends, including a number of employees from his restaurant, Pujols 5.
Those who have earned citizenship typically take the oath in groups of 70 to 75 at ceremonies held twice monthly, according to Jim Woodward, clerk of the U.S. District Court. Arrangements were made for a special ceremony for Pujols because he is scheduled to arrive in Florida this weekend for spring training. The ceremony was open to the public but was not advertised.
Webber addressed Pujols for about 20 minutes regarding the rights and responsibilities of citizenship. Woodward said, “When it was over, he looked very pleased.”
Neither Pujols nor his agent, Dan Lozano, could be reached for comment Thursday.
Pujols Family Foundation
StLToday.com
Source: StLCardinals.com
Less than three months after bringing home St. Louis’ first World Series championship in 24 years, the Cardinals received a gift even longer in the making. Busch Stadium will host the 2009 Major League Baseball All-Star Game.
Commissioner Bud Selig made the announcement at the annual St. Louis Baseball Writers Dinner, held at the Millennium Hotel in downtown St. Louis.
“There can’t be a better baseball town in America,” Selig said.
The last time St. Louis hosted the Midsummer Classic was 1966, the inaugural season of the previous Busch Stadium. The National League won that game in a classic, defeating the AL by a 2-1 score in 10 innings.
“It really is a big deal for the Cardinals and St. Louis,” said Bill DeWitt Jr., the team’s principal owner. “It’s been a long time for the city. This will cap off our new park, and by 2009 the Ballpark Village will be in great shape.”
Ballpark Village is a downtown development slated to be built adjacent to the new Busch Stadium. When it opens, it will feature shops, restaurants and condominiums. The All-Star Game gives the Cardinals a little added motivation to get the development done in that time.
New Busch Stadium opened in 2006. The Cardinals became the first team to inaugurate a new ballpark with a World Series championship since the Red Sox at Fenway Park in 1912.
San Francisco will host the 2007 All-Star Game. The site of the 2008 game has yet to be determined, but it will take place at an American League venue. Yankee Stadium and Angel Stadium in Anaheim are considered to be among the leading candidates for that event.
