World Series MVP And Hometown Hero David Freese Reflects On His Record-Setting Performance

It will forever be impossible to talk about the St. Louis Cardinals' 2011 World Series Championship without invoking the name of Cardinals 3B and World Series MVP David Freese. Sure Albert Pujols and his impending free agency is a big deal in the long-term, but Freese owns this moment and this World Series forever.

His performance in a Game 6 comeback against the Texas Rangers was particularly sweet. In that game alone he smashed a two-out, two-run extra-base hit in the bottom of the ninth inning to save the Cardinals from elimination, and then won the game with a walk-off home run in the bottom of the 11th inning. For the entire series, Freese hit .348 with seven RBIs and five extra-base hits, including that magical walk-off home run from Game 6. For the entire postseason he drove in an astounding 21 runs, which is a new record for a single player in a single postseason. 

In other words, awarding Freese the title of 2011 World Series MVP was an absolute no-brainer. Here's what the man himself had to say:

"I've had plenty of days of my life where I thought I wouldn't be even close to being a big leaguer. I'm here because of everybody around me. They've put so much trust in me to accomplish not only baseball but just stuff in life, and to do this is - I'm just full of joy, finally." Via CBS.

Perhaps MLB Commissioner Bud Selig said it best as he presented the MVP trophy to Freese. "Your Game 6 performance, David, will turn out to be one for the ages. I'm sure this is a dream come true for a St. Louis native." The celebration of Freese and the 2011 World Series Champion St. Louis Cardinals continues today with their victory parade through the city of St. Louis.

Stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis for more breaking news, and for in-depth analysis on the St. Louis Cardinals be sure to visit Viva El Birdos. Visit Baseball Nation for more news and notes on the World Series and other MLB stories.

St. Louis Cardinals World Series Parade Schedule: Parade Route Travels Through Downtown, Culminates At Busch Stadium

At 4 p.m. Central time on Sunday afternoon, the St. Louis Cardinals will once again get to celebrate their 11th World Series title. Led by Budweiser's iconic Clydesdales, the team will embark on a parade route that will take them east on Market Street from Union Station at 18th Street down to 7th Street south towards Stan Musial Drive and right into Busch Stadium.

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To get into the stadium for the celebration, fans must purchase tickets from cardinals.com/parade. The tickets, which go on sale to the general public today at 2 p.m., are limited to two per customer and cost $5 each, with all proceeds being donated to Cardinals Care, the team's charity that serves the children of St. Louis. Season ticket holders will be able to purchase the celebration tickets during various presales on Saturday. Here is the presale schedule:

• From Noon-2 p.m., Full & Share Season Ticket Holders will be able to purchase up to four tickets per customer.
• From 1 p.m.-2 p.m., 27 Game Season Ticket Holders will be able to purchase up to four tickets per customer.
• Starting at 2 p.m., the general public will be able to purchase up to two tickets per customer.

Once inside the stadium, fans will be treated to a championship celebration, a fireworks display and other various forms of entertainment. And yes, the Rally Squirrel will be in attendance. Hopefully he won't try and hoist the trophy.

David Freese Is Your 2011 World Series MVP, Hometown Hero, Earthbound God-King

The St. Louis Cardinals' Game 6 hero is their 2011 World Series MVP: David Freese, whose game-tying RBI double kept the Cardinals from falling to anticlimax in Game 7, earned his second piece of postseason hardware after a night in which he claims to have gotten 45 minutes of sleep. 

David Freese's postseason performance has made it, to say the least, a little more difficult to justify trading him and installing Matt Carpenter at third base. After homering and driving in five runs in the Cardinals' NLDS upset of the Philadelphia Phillies he went 12-22 against the Milwaukee Brewers, driving in nine runs, homering three times, and earning the NLCS MVP Award. But it was his performance in Game 6 of the World Series that will put him in the Cardinals' record books forever.

With the Cardinals down two runs in the bottom of the ninth—down to their last out, their last strike—Freese tripled over Nelson Cruz's head to tie the game and set Busch Stadium afire. In the bottom of the 11th Freese broke another tie with a walkoff home run to dead center field, setting up the first World Series Game 7 since 2002. 

But he didn't stop there. In Game 7, the Cardinals blindsided by the Rangers' two-run opener against Chris Carpenter, Freese came through again, doubling in his 20th and 21st RBI of the postseason—an all-time record. 

St. Louis Cardinals Are 2011 World Series Champions, Top Rangers 6-2

The St. Louis Cardinals are World Series champions for the 11th time in franchise history, with Allen Craig's home run and David Freese's continued heroics backing Chris Carpenter's remarkably gutty short-rest start to put the Cardinals on top in one of the most incredible postseason runs in franchise history. A night after Game 6's ineffable comebacks the Cardinals took the lead early and held it, and that was all. 

The Cardinals came back early this time; with two outs Albert Pujols and Lance Berkman walked, setting up David Freese for yet another remarkable double for his 20th and 21st RBI of the 2011 postseason. As Chris Carpenter buckled down and began to pitch like Chris Carpenter again Allen Craig homered, capping off his own incredible World Series run, to give the Cardinals a 3-2 lead. Impressive plate discipline plated two more in the fifth, when Yadier Molina walked in a run and Rafael Furcal was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, while Molina struck again to add a sixth run in the seventh inning.

But in the end, of course, it came down to the Cardinals' bullpen. Octavio Dotel and Arthur Rhodes staunched the Rangers' seventh-inning threat with three quick outs after replacing Carpenter. Jason Motte was as efficient as ever in the ninth inning, and when he got series nemesis Mike Napoli to fly out to Magic Turtle owner Allen Craig that was it: The Cardinals had won the 11th World Series championship in their remarkable history. 

Cardinals Vs. Rangers Score: St. Louis Up 6-2 Through Eight Innings, Jason Motte Lurking

Another postseason inning, another lever pulled for Tony La Russa: In the eighth inning of Game 7 of the 2011 World Series the St. Louis Cardinals went to Lance Lynn, who's looked less than sharp in his series performance to date, and Lynn responded with a perfect inning, retiring Josh Hamilton and Michael Young and striking out Adrian Beltre on a 95-mph fastball up in the zone to maintain the Cardinals' 6-2 lead with just three outs to go. Jason Motte lurks in the bullpen for the ninth inning.

After a series of bullpen failures following their near-perfect NLCS stint the Cardinals struck gold again after Chris Carpenter was forced out; Arthur Rhodes and Octavio Dotel stranded a baserunner on second in the seventh inning. 

The Cardinals got on the board in the first inning on David Freese's improbable two-RBI double and took a 3-2 lead in the third inning when Allen Craig, who later robbed Nelson Cruz of a home run at the warning track, homered into the right-field seats. Two more runs scored on a walk and a hit batsman in the fifth and Yadier Molina singled in their sixth run in the seventh. 

Veterans of Game 6 will be reminded that no baseball game is over until it is officially over. 

Cardinals Vs. Rangers Score Update: Yadier Molina's Single Stokes St. Louis Lead 6-2

After a long night's worth of Yadi! Yadi! Yadi! at a raucous Busch Stadium the St. Louis Cardinals' catcher finally gave the people what they wanted, grounding a single up the middle to score Lance Berkman and push the Cardinals' lead to a still-terrifying 6-2 in the bottom of the seventh inning of Game 7 of the 2011 World Series. It was Molina's second hit and second RBI of the night, and his 23rd career postseason RBI. 

Molina's single came as the Cardinals finally appeared to solve Rangers set-up man Mike Adams, and just before inexplicably AWOL Rangers lefty specialist Mike Gonzalez came in to handcuff Skip Schumaker and end the Cardinals' scoring threat.

With a four-run deficit and Game 6 still in our collective memory the Texas Rangers are anything but out of this game with two innings to go. The Cardinals will have to deal with the middle of the Rangers' order once more, at least—and they'll have to do it with the best members of their bullpen pitching after a rough Game 6. 

World Series 2011 Game 7: Chris Carpenter Out After Six Improbable Innings

Chris Carpenter looked like a human pitcher on three days' rest in the first inning of his Game 7 start in the 2011 World Series, but that was exactly as much time as it took him to turn back into Chris Carpenter. Despite an arm that's pitched more than 270 innings this year the St. Louis Cardinals' ace mowed down the Texas Rangers over the next five innings, striking out five and allowing just the two runs in a six-inning, 91-pitch monument to his refusal to accept age or injury as the answer to any question about his effectiveness.

Pulled to a standing ovation after an inning-opening ground rule double, Carpenter's last crisis was averted when Arthur Rhodes and Octavio Dotel retired the next three batters to end the seventh inning for the Rangers.

The Cardinals have Edwin Jackson, Kyle Lohse, and their compliment of bullpen guys (likely minus Fernando Salas) available for the last two innings of regulation. Lance Lynn and Jason Motte look like the likely candidates as of the bottom of the seventh inning. 

Cardinals Vs. Rangers Score Update: Walk, Hit Batsman Put Cardinals On Top 5-2

The St. Louis Cardinals' impressive postseason patience paid off again in Game 7 of the 2011 World Series, when three walks and two hit batsmen turned into two runs for the Cardinals, who lead the Texas Rangers by a score of 5-2 through five innings. Reliever Scott Feldman walked Allen Craig, hit Albert Pujols's jersey, intentionally walked World Series god-king David Freese, then walked Yadier Molina on an incredibly borderline 3-2 pitch to score Craig. Rangers ace C.J. Wilson hit Rafael Furcal to score Pujols before striking out an uncomfortable-looking Skip Schumaker to strand the bases loaded, eventually. 

The Cardinals kept Chris Carpenter going after a rough start, and it's paid shaky dividends in the sixth inning; while Carpenter continues to look solid, he was just a leaping over-the-wall grab by Allen Craig away from allowing a home run to Nelson Cruz in the sixth inning. (Torty has done it again.) 

For more in-game World Series updates, follow along on our Game 7 World Series storystream, and remember to continue doing everything you do for Torty in the next hour or two. 

Allen Craig Homers For Torty, St. Louis Cardinals World Series Memes Alive

Cardinals Vs. Rangers Score Update: Craig Homer Gives St. Louis 3-2 Lead

For the second night in a row, St. Louis outfielder Allen Craig has hit a solo homer. But where his shot in Game 6 merely brought the Cards to within two runs of the Rangers, his homer in the third inning of Game 7 has given his team a 3-2 lead. After Ryan Theriot flied out to right field to start the inning, Craig took a high and outside fastball from Texas starter Matt Harrison deep over the bullpen in right.

Thankfully for the Rangers, Harrison was able to stifle what could've been a backbreaking inning. After the Craig longball, the Texas hurler was able to induce a grounder to third from Albert Pujols and a line out to first from Lance Berkman. His counterpart Chris Carpenter was able to come back in the top half of the fourth and retire the Rangers in order, striking out Mike Napoli and Harrison, and getting a ground out from left fielder David Murphy.

Cardinals Vs. Rangers Score Update: Game Tied 2-2 After 1st Inning

Well, if the first inning of Game 7 is any indication, we're in for another pretty good show. The Texas Rangers shook off whatever ill effects may have lingered from last night's devastating loss and scored a pair of runs in the top of the first inning. Josh Hamilton scored Elvis Andrus with a double, which Michael Young followed with a double to score Hamilton.

In the bottom half of the inning, both Albert Pujols and Lance Berkman drew walks, which set the stage again for David Freese. And Freese delivered another huge hit for the Cardinals--a double to left-center than scored Pujols and Berkman.

Not a bad start for a game that has an awful lot to live up to after last night.

For more on tonight's game, check out Viva El Birdos, SB Nation's St. Louis Cardinals blog, and Lone Star Ball, SB Nation's Texas Rangers blog.

2011 World Series Game 7 Lineups: Cardinals Bat Allen Craig Second With Matt Holliday Injured

The lineup for the St. Louis Cardinals' final MLB game of the 2011 season is out:

1. Ryan Theriot, 2B
2. Allen Craig, LF
3. Albert Pujols, 1B
4. Lance Berkman, RF
5. David Freese, 3B
6. Yadier Molina, C
7. Rafael Furcal, SS
8. Skip Schumaker, CF
9. Chris Carpenter, P

The Cardinals got some bad news earlier today when they had to remove left fielder Matt Holliday from the playoff roster, bringing back outfielder Adron Chambers. As a result, Allen Craig, who had an impressive 2011 season during limited action -- and who has been crucial to the Cardinals' postseason success -- takes his place starting in left field.

David Freese -- who played hero in Game 6, hitting a game-saving triple and a game-winning homer -- moves up from No.6 to No. 7 in the lineup following the departure of Holliday.

Meanwhile, Ryan Theriot gets the start and the lead-off spot against lefty Matt Harrison. Theriot hit a strong .310/.356/.413 against lefties in 2011.

Stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis for more breaking news, and for in-depth analysis on the St. Louis Cardinals be sure to visit Viva El Birdos. Visit Baseball Nation for more news and notes on the World Series and other MLB stories.

World Series 2011 Game 7: Matt Holliday Injury Causes Cardinals To Remove Him From Postseason Roster

The St. Louis Cardinals will have to win the World Series without their star left fielder. Mutliple reports are flooding in from Twitter confirming that the Matt Holliday injury -- a sprained right wrist -- will result in Holliday's removal from the playoff roster. The Cardinals will replace Holliday with minor leaguer Adron Chambers.

Holliday, who missed games in the regular season with quad and finger injuries, hit a strong .290/.349/.488 to go with 22 homers. Chambers, who figures to fill the bench as a left-handed pinch-hitter and defensive replacement, hit .277/.368/.415 with the Cardinals' Triple-A affiliate in 2011.

Cardinals manager figures to replace Holliday's spot in the lineup with young rising star Allen Craig, who hit a homer and a triple in last night's dramatic comeback win.

Stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis for more breaking news, and for in-depth analysis on the St. Louis Cardinals be sure to visit Viva El Birdos. Visit Baseball Nation for more news and notes on the World Series and other MLB stories.

According To Report Chris Carpenter Is Cardinals' Starting Pitcher For World Series Game 7 Against The Rangers

According to Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post Dispatch, Chris Carpenter is the Starting Pitcher for the Cardinals in Friday's Game 7 against the Texas Rangers.  

It has been eight years since Major League Baseball has showcased a World Series Game 7. In 2002, Angels rookie pitcher John Lackey gave five innings of masterful pitching to propel the Angels to a 4-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants. Now the Cardinals have turned to Chris Carpenter to write the next chapter in MLB Game 7 history. The Cardinals franchise is certainly no stranger to a World Series Game 7 scenario, as pointed out by CBS:

The eight-year absence of baseball's ultimate game is the longest since the World Series began in 1903. The Cardinals hold the record for most World Series Game 7s, going 7-3.    

As for Carpenter, this is the biggest start of his professional life. He owes the opportunity in part to the rain that postponed Game 6 on Wednesday earlier this week. With the extra day of rest it afforded the team, Carpenter now has a three-day rest heading into Game 7. It will be Chris Carpenter's third start of the World Series.

Stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis for more breaking news, and for in-depth analysis on the St. Louis Cardinals be sure to visit Viva El Birdos. Visit Baseball Nation for more news and notes on the World Series and other MLB stories.

World Series Game 6 TV Ratings Down From The Last Game 6 In 2009

The Texas Rangers and the St. Louis Cardinals have put on show in this World Series, but is anyone watching? The games have been spectacularly entertaining in their own right, including a thrilling come-from-behind win for the Cardinals in Game 6, but for some reason people aren’t tuning in at the same rate as in the past.

@darrenrovelldarren rovell
Last ratings #: Last night’s Game 6 was down -11% from Game 6 in ’09 which was the last time the WS had a game 6

Rovell was quick to note that much of the problem stems from market size. In 2009, the primary markets were Philadelphia and New York, while this World Series draws from home team markets in St. Louis and Dallas/Ft. Worth that are less than half the size.

At any rate, there is no good reason for viewers around the nation to miss Game 7, so hopefully ratings will see a boost with the prospect of a do-or-die matchup looming.

La Russa Yet To Name Cardinals' Game 7 Starter, Might Need To Replace Matt Holliday

In a Game 6 post-game press conference after the St. Louis Cardinals' exciting 10-9 comeback victory over the Texas Rangers on Thursday night, Cardinals manager Tony La Russa gave two vague updates regarding Friday's Game 7. The first nugget was in reference to a question about whether he had chosen his World Series Game 7 starter, to which he responded: 

"I just barely started to think about tomorrow. Actually it'll be fun to think about tomorrow because there is a game 7. Might just throw Jake [Westbrook] back out there. Who knows?"

All joking aside, most people expect staff ace Chris Carpenter to be named the starter later today, as Carpenter has told La Russa he is ready to pitch on three days rest for what would be the biggest game of his life.

The other note was on the status of OF Matt Holliday, who injured his hand during Game 6. La Russa offered the following update after the game:

"We thought at first he had fractured it, but I was told by the trainer later that it's not a fracture. I think it's swelling and he's got a pretty good bruise there. So it may be we need to replace him tomorrow.

For more on tonight's Game 7 showdown, check out Viva El Birdos, SB Nation's St. Louis Cardinals blog, and Lone Star Ball, SB Nation's Texas Rangers blog.

World Series 2011 Game 7 Preview: Start Time, TV Schedule And More

After a spectacular Game 6 comeback win, the St. Louis Cardinals brace for a World Series winner-take-all Game 7 against the Texas Rangers.