Obama honors St. Louis Cardinals
Share This Story
WASHINGTON (AP)
President Barack Obama on Tuesday dubbed the St. Louis Cardinals the ''greatest comeback team in the history of baseball'' thanks to their thrilling late-season charge into the playoffs and death-defying, seven-game triumph in last November's World Series.
The Cardinals were 10 1/2 games back at the end of August, but rallied to win a National League wild card spot on the last day of the regular season. They trailed in each playoff round and were twice within a strike of elimination in Game six of the series with the Texas Rangers before David Freese's walk-off home run in the 11th saved them.
''That has to be one of the best baseball games of all time,'' Obama said to applause and cheers as he welcomed team members in the East Room.
Leading off at the event was first lady Michelle Obama, celebrating her 48th birthday. And with a swing of the bat, she nearly stole the show.
Mrs. Obama was present at the series opener, and she thanked the Cardinals for all they do for military families. Then team owner Bill de Witt gave both Obamas team jerseys and souvenir bats.
''I'm a little bit worried about giving my wife a bat,'' the president joked. ''If I mess up...''
His wife deadpanned, ''I'll take my bat,'' then hefted and glancing meaningfully in Obama's direction, as Cardinals players, team officials and Missouri lawmakers chuckled.
Two key figures of the championship season were absent. Manager Tony La Russa retired after the series. And star Albert Pujols signed a $240 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels in the offseason.
Meantime, baseball purists still debate which team is really the comeback king of the national pastime. Among the candidates: Some cite the 1951 N.Y. Giants, others the 2004 Boston Red Sox. But there was no doubting Obama's enthusiasm for the Cardinals' heroics.
He noted in late August, Las Vegas oddsmakers had the Cards 500-to-1 underdogs.
''But through skills, guts and I think the team would agree just a little bit of luck - just a touch - this team made the playoffs,'' Obama said. ''And even though they trailed in each of the series that followed, they somehow had the spirit and the determination and the resolve to survive.''
''This team essentially played two months of elimination games,'' Obama said.
Related Stories
Trending Now
-
Report: UFC Octagon vixen arrested
Report: UFC Octagon vixen Arianny Celeste arrested. -
Report: Vick event sparks backlash
A seemingly innocuous visit from Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick caused ... -
No way Celtics can hang with Heat
Celtics advance to East finals, but Heat have nothing to worry about. -
Franchitti wins Indy 500
You don't want to miss the Indy 500 action. -
Report: Matt Forte's knees a concern
One key reason the Chicago Bears are yet to offer a long-term deal to running back Ma...
MLB Videos
MLB on FOX: LAA/SEA recap
Posted: May 27, 2012
MLB on FOX's Victor Rojas and Eric Byrnes recap the Angels' 5-3 win over the Mar...
MLB on FOX's Victor Rojas and Eric Byrnes recap the Angels' 5-3 win over the Mar...
MLB on FOX: CHC/PIT recap
Posted: May 27, 2012
MLB on FOX's Bob Brenly and Kenny Albert recap the Pirates' 3-2 win over the Cub...
MLB on FOX's Bob Brenly and Kenny Albert recap the Pirates' 3-2 win over the Cub...
MLB on FOX: Salty lifts Red Sox past Rays
Posted: May 27, 2012
FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal talks with Jarrod Saltalamacchia after Boston's wi...
FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal talks with Jarrod Saltalamacchia after Boston's wi...
MLB Headlines
More Than Sports on MSN
Fox Sports Store
| itemName | itemURL | imageSrc | price | itemDescription |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nike Chicago Cubs Tackle Twill Hoodie Sweatshirt - Royal Blue | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Chicago_Cubs/browse/featuredproduct/250780/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_250000/FF_250780_xl.jpg&w=100 | 49.95 | Nike Chicago Cubs Tackle Twill Hoodie Sweatshirt - Royal Blue |
| Nike Boston Red Sox Ladies Red Local T-shirt | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Boston_Red_Sox/browse/featuredproduct/605356/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_605000/ff_605356_xl.jpg&w=100 | 19.95 | Nike Boston Red Sox Ladies Red Local T-shirt |
| New Era New York Yankees Youth Navy Blue Tie Breaker 39THIRTY Stretch Fit Hat | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_New_York_Yankees/browse/featuredproduct/605557/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_605000/ff_605557_xl.jpg&w=100 | 16.95 | New Era New York Yankees Youth Navy Blue Tie Breaker 39THIRTY Stretch Fit Hat |
| Nike Oakland Athletics Green MLB Practice T-shirt | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Oakland_Athletics/browse/featuredproduct/606322/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_606000/ff_606322_xl.jpg&w=100 | 27.95 | Nike Oakland Athletics Green MLB Practice T-shirt |
| Philadelphia Phillies Mascot Pillow Pet | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Philadelphia_Phillies/browse/featuredproduct/626447/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_626000/ff_626447_xl.jpg&w=100 | 29.95 | Philadelphia Phillies Mascot Pillow Pet |
| New Era Colorado Rockies Black-Purple Stoked Snapback Hat | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Colorado_Rockies/browse/featuredproduct/644117/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_644000/ff_644117_xl.jpg&w=100 | 28.95 | New Era Colorado Rockies Black-Purple Stoked Snapback Hat |
| Texas Rangers Manager Stainless Steel Watch | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Texas_Rangers/browse/featuredproduct/722692/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_722000/ff_722692_xl.jpg&w=100 | 69.95 | Texas Rangers Manager Stainless Steel Watch |
| Majestic Justin Verlander Detroit Tigers #35 Youth Navy Blue Player Pullover Hoodie Sweatshirt | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Detroit_Tigers/browse/featuredproduct/723016/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_723000/ff_723016_xl.jpg&w=100 | 39.95 | Majestic Justin Verlander Detroit Tigers #35 Youth Navy Blue Player Pullover Hoo.. |
| Majestic Albert Pujols Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Replica Jersey - White | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Los_Angeles_Angels_of_Anaheim/browse/featuredproduct/777026/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_777000/ff_777026_xl.jpg&w=100 | 99.95 | Majestic Albert Pujols Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Replica Jersey - White |
Member Comments
Please note by clicking on "add a comment" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms of Use and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Be polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed by the moderator.