"The Cardinals win the pennant! THE CARDINALS WIN THE PENNANT!!!"

Quoting the late, great Cubs/Cards broadcaster Harry Carey, it's hard to realize that, against the odds, with 20 rookies plated this season (an NL record), the Cards triumphed with a second year manager at the helm!

 

From Wikipedia:

 

On January 24, 2008, Mike Matheny returned to the St. Louis Cardinals organization as a special adviser for the first two weeks of spring training. The Cardinals announced him as the new manager on November 14, 2011 following Tony La Russa's retirement, making him the youngest manager in Major League Baseball.

On April 4, 2012, Matheny won in his managerial début against the Miami Marlins in the first game of their new ballpark. Twenty days later, Matheny was ejected from a game for the first time for arguing a pivotal safe/out call by umpire Bill Welke in the bottom of the 10th inning of a 3-2 loss to the Chicago Cubs. Matheny's first season as Cardinals manager was an overall success, finishing the regular season with a 88-74 record en route to capturing the wild-card game and qualifying for the postseason. However, they fell to the Giants in the NLCS.

On February 14, 2013, the Cardinals agreed to pick up his 2014 option. Matheny exceeded the success of his first managerial season by finishing the 2013 season with a 97-65 record and the National League Central Division title. The Cardinals beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-2 in the NLDS and beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 4-2 in the NLCS.

So, you see, Matheny is the man of the hour, his young team firmly and rightfully ensconced in the 2013 World Series, and it simply can't be disputed that St. Louis, MO is the best professional sports town with the greatest fans!

Just ask 20 rookies!

Keep your bats up and your balls down, Cards! See you in the Series!