Skip to main content

Remembering The 2011 MLB Season


After one of the best World Series in my lifetime, the 2011 Major League Baseball Season is now complete. In a season that gave us many stories, milestones, and moments, the ultimate prize being won by the St. Louis Cardinals is the biggest and most memorable of them all. A team making the playoffs after being seven and half games back of the wild card spot heading into the final month of the season - impressive. A team making the playoffs after being out three games with five to play - remarkable. A team beating the likes of the Phillies rotation sporting names like Halladay, Lee, Oswalt, and Hamels - stunning. A team outlasting the Brewers offense - astonishing. A team that was a strike away from losing the World Seriese - twice! - and managed to win the entire thing - awesome! The 2011 St. Louis Cardinals is a team that I will always remember for their fortitude, their incomparable spirit, and their never say die attitude led by a Hall of Fame manager/innovator in Tony LaRussa.

Here are some other moments that yours truly will remember from the 2011 MLB Season:

  • Sam Fuld's insane catch. Yes, Sam Fuld.
  • Francisco Liriano finally putting it together for one night, reaching his ceiling and tossing a no-no. 
  • Jose Bautista proving that last year was no fluke by smashing 43 homeruns and hitting .302. 
  • Notwithstanding all the rumors and allegations of the Blue Jays tipping pitches via scout-in-the-seats at the Rogers Centre.
  • Justin Verlander, and his insane video game-like stuff and numbers. 
  • David Ortiz's resurgence as a legit DH in the Show.
  • Bust Posey getting smashed at home plate, and the ridiculous debate by some circles on coming up with ways to "protect" catchers. 
  • Curtis Granderson's flirt with becoming one of the game's most complete players.
  • And Matt Kemp's claim to being the game's most complete player. 
  • Derek Jeter's 3,000th hit being a homerun on a 5 for 5 day. Awesome. 
  • Jim Thome's 600th hit. Hall of Famer, period.
  • Justin Upton as the face of the young and upcoming Arizona Diamond Backs. 
  • Mariana Rivera 602nd save. Greatest Ever. 
  • Ben Revere's over the shoulder catch.
  • And Jeff Francouer's bid to top it.
  • Robinson Cano becoming the new face of the New York Yankees. 
  • Mike Napoli's performance in the 2011 Playoffs.
  • Nelson Cruz's clutch home runs throughout the playoffs. 
  • Josh Hamilton's gutty performance during the World Series with an injured groin.
  • Albert Pujols' Game 3 of the World Series. 3 Homeruns. 5 Hits. 6RBIs. 14 Total Bases. 
  • Let's not forget the first of the three home runs which was a moonshot similar to his 2005 NLCS home run off of Brad Lidge.
  • And finally, David Freese, the kid that was able to live the dream shared by baseball fans all over the world.

Recently Read

Quick Ponder: Man Love

"A man is only loved under the condition that he provide something"  - Chris Rock  Feeling that these days,  with the understanding  of privilege,  and responsibility. 

The Pondering 10 - Wrestling Roster Moves (2024)

2024 was a great year for pro wrestling. So many things are going on, and so many options for whatever you enjoy. For me, pro wrestling felt fun again, especially as my son is now all about the special art form as well.  As 2024 comes to a close, and I begin placing together the traditional posts in the "Most Fascinating Things" and the "Year in Review", I felt it would be fun to drop a new Pondering 10.  In this one, I take a look at the overall landscape of pro wrestling, and fantasy move a wrestler to another company. Again, this is my list. For all of the company tribalists, don't come at me! All in fun!  With that said, here is my Pondering 10:  10. Jonathan Gresham to NWA Gresham's style is unmatched. The dude is old-school and can make technical wrestling look like a modern science happening right before your eyes in storytelling. NWA is still grasping to establish that identity in the landscape by catering to the "old-style" presentation co...

AEW Full Gear 2024 Review: "the potential that resides in this company"

I attended my first AEW show in Full Gear 2024, as the event made its way to the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The event was even more special as it was the very first live wrestling event for my son who has very much caught the wrestling bug. One would think being around my interests would be the spark, but I genuinely believe he understands the beauty and magic that is pro wrestling. All of it is evident in his "universe" within his wrestling action figures and his constant intrigue in searching throughout Peacock and TNA+.  All of that to say, neither of us are big AEW viewers. Yes, I have my gripes with the company which I'll share. Also, AEW isn't the most suitable for a six-year-old to watch, so there's that. As a dad, I appreciate WWE and TNA's approach to their product. It doesn't have to be PG, but feeling comfortable leaving my son in front of your product unattended is a big plus. Again, more on this... Back to AEW Full Gear, it was a...