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The Day Jeter Was A Cardinal

Read the whole thing. And then stay with me. I don't remember the day now, but I was there. Third game, when the Yanks were in town. We took the Metro. There was a father and son together. Yankee fans. Grown. No fan of the Cardinals can really hate the Yankees, if you think about it. We are the Yankees, for so many other teams.

That conversation was genial, in the way that only fans of The Game's two greatest franchises understand. I said jokingly, "I know I'm supposed to hate the Yankees, but how can I, with the quality of the guys on your club?" I stated plainly, "We had to see Jeter."

And the look between me and the older man could only be described as deep understanding and respect. This is the city of Stan the Man; we know iconic and larger-than-life, and what it means.

He didn't play. Former Cardinal Brendan Ryan started at short, and he played well. We were disappointed, but not too much. Once a Cardinal, always a Cardinal.

But in the middle of the sixth, the Cardinals showed a video, interspersed with Jeter highlights, and tributes from Cardinals players. The crowd got louder; somebody in the dugout pushed Jeter out there, as if to say, "Get out there! There's a reason everybody wants to play here."

He came out, tipped his cap, and found out why. Some say the tributes have been too much. I disagree; when you truly love this game, when it's in your blood, there is plenty of love to be had, and it's not too much for one so great.
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