ST. LOUIS — The Cardinals play the long game in October. Their 11 championships lead all National League teams, and they have advanced in the postseason in each of the last four years. Of all their decorated alumni, they chose Reggie Sanders, an outfielder who passed through a decade ago, to toss the ceremonial first pitch at Busch Stadium on Thursday.
Sanders made his mark with an outstanding performance to help win a division series in 2005. That is the goal before the Cardinals: just win this round and methodically advance toward their destiny. They know that most baseball fans are rooting for their rivals, the Chicago Cubs, who have not won it all in 107 years, and they understand.