As most of you know, I grew up in the era of the 1960’s right here in Trigg County. During those formative years I was a big St. Louis Cardinal fan. There were many reasons for this. My parents took me to St. Louis to see a game now and then. My best friend Steve Guess was a Cardinal fan through and through. Most of the folks in town were Cardinal fans. Whether it was the barber shop, Cadiz Restaurant, Main Street or just about anywhere the Cardinals ruled. It probably didn’t hurt any that the Cardinals were really good back then. They won the 67’ series and lost in seven games to the Tigers in 68’.

Speaking of the latter half of the 60’s, I spent more than just a few nights with my good friend Bill Fort. Bill’s parents Willie and Nell owned and ran the Goodnite Motel. Every night ended the same there. Willie and Nell would be sitting in their respective chairs listening to the Cardinals. It was an era when folks depended upon the radio for their sports. The idea of ESPN was far from being hatched. Willie was always in the chair by the window with the radio up by his ear. More often than not he fell asleep listening to his beloved Cardinals. All that is just more evidence that when it came to Major League Baseball Trigg County was Cardinal Country.

I wish I could say that I stuck with the Cardinals all those years since the 60’s but I can’t. You see, the break-up happened like this. In the late 60’s the Cardinals traded away some of my favorite players including Orlando Cepeda. I was too young to understand that such things were just a regular part of professional sports. I felt like I had been betrayed. Therefore I sought out another team. As a matter of fact, I then proceeded to have flings with several Major League teams until I settled on the Detroit Tigers. I got on board for the Mark “The Bird” Fidridch era. My favorite players were Alan Trammel, Lou Whitaker and outfielder Ron LeFlore. I spent many nights lying in bed listening to Ernie Harwell and Paul Carey broadcast Tiger games on WJR Detroit. After a couple of decades following the Tigers I switched over to the Cubs. I think it was a combination of cable TV and Harry Carey that lured me into Cub land.

I say all that to say or rather ask this? “Cardinals nation, can I come back?” It was so much fun to see the joy on all the Cardinal fans faces here in Trigg County after the World Series victory? Jim Wallace has been glowing for days now. Everyone has been congratulating him as if he played a few innings at shortstop in the Series. Congrats to all of you local Redbird fans including Dr. Bill Anderson and wife Liz. Doc even has real stadium seats in his office that came from old Busch Stadium. You might also notice his framed Cardinal memorabilia on the wall. Congrats also to Cardinal fans Karold Knight, Mike and Dorris Mcgill, Terry, Darrin and Lisa Stevens, Chappel and Steve Allen. As a matter of fact congrats to the hundreds of other diehard Cardinals fans in Trigg County.

Now, back to my question. I know I am jumping on the bandwagon after the thrilling World Series victory, but the questions remains. Can I still come home? I want to be part of the club. As a matter of fact I want to finish my career as a fan in St. Louis. Give me a call and let me know as soon as possible. That Cub thing isn’t working out too well.

Enthusiasm Makes the Difference

Mike Wright is the head coach of boys basketball and cross country at Trigg County High School. Emails concerning Coach’s Corner can be sent to jmcgill@cadizrecord.com.