Erstwhile World Series MVP and scrappiest man alive David Eckstein will serve as the St. Louis Cardinals' official good-luck talisman for Game 6 of the 2011 World Series, throwing out the first pitch and inspiring innumerable references to his impossibly weak throwing arm in the process. If you're looking for a waggish reaction to this news, I offer, humbly, the following materials:

• The galloping start he used on most of his throw from shortstop. 
• The way little kids are sometimes made to throw from the front of the pitcher's mound. 
• The way little kids get their hats autographed by Yadier Molina or whichever back-of-the-bullpen guy they have catching said first pitch after it's thrown. 
• The way Fredbird sometimes eats said hat during the ensuing photo-op. 

Do with that what you will. Then think about that time he hit .364/.391/.500 with three doubles and four RBI in the 2006 World Series. That was pretty great, right? Then think about Ryan Theriot, and kind of get sick to your stomach a little. Then repeat!