Isn't this why it's a "sport?"

Headline reads: Cardinals, Astros Have Mutual Respect".

"On the field, it's a classic," St. Louis manager Tony La Russa said. "We play the game the same way."

St. Louis has six playoff appearances over the past decade, reaching the NLCS four times and the World Series a year ago with a seven-game victory over the Astros — a memorable series that was overshadowed by Boston's comeback win against the Yankees in the ALCS.

The Cardinals stayed alive when Jim Edmonds hit a game-winning homer in the 12th inning of Game 6. St. Louis closed out the series by beating Roger Clemens in Game 7.

Houston is making its sixth playoff appearance in nine years and looking to reach the World Series for the first time in franchise history. The Astros made a breakthrough last year by beating perennial nemesis Atlanta — their first postseason series victory. They knocked off the Braves in the opening round again this year, winning the final game in an 18-inning marathon.

Then again, the Astros still have some catching up to do against the Cardinals, one of baseball's most revered franchises.

When I lived in Bellevue, Nebraska, as a kid, the 1964 Cards were my team because of great players like Bob Gibson (he was from Omaha), Curt Flood, Bill White, and Lou Brock. And because we used to travel to St. Louis to see them play. Bob Gibson
They beat the hated Yankees in the 1964 World Series. But, when I lived in Houston, I was an Astros season ticket holder and was at the long playoff game against the hated Mets (and since the managing partner of the law firm I was working for at the time was not a baseball fan, I probably lost my job as a result of his perception I was ducking work to go to the games (even though I was coming in extra early in the day to get my work done-). I watched Biggio and Bagwell from day one and Roger Clemens attended the same high school as my older daughter (Spring Woods High in the Spring Branch ISD, if you must know). Craig Biggio
My younger son wore a Biggio jersey while we lived in Houston and long after we moved up here. Biggio reminds me of Phil Garner when I first saw him join the Oakland A's when I live out there, when Garner replaced Dick Green at second for the A's. Garner is known has "Scrap Iron" for his style of play and Biggio is a throwback to that style. If he isn't dirty, he hasn't been playing.

Where I live now there is no major league team and there are way too many Boston and New York fans. So where do my loyalties lie? I like the Cards. but...let's go Astros!

Either way, let's have some fun! Isn't that why they call it a "sport?"