2011 World Series: Game 1

Posted on October 20, 2011

St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina tags out Texas Rangers second baseman Esteban German in Game 1 of the World Series at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri, on Wednesday, October 19, 2011. (Photo by Brad Mangin/MLB Photos)

 

Tonight marked the 12th straight World Series I have photographed for Major League Baseball. I would have never imagined back in 2000 when Director of Photography Rich Pilling gave me this dream assignment that I would still be shooting for him in 2011, and boy am I grateful! Rangers Vs. Cardinals. Busch Stadium in St. Louis. Crappy cold and wet weather. Yikes. As I woke up this morning and looked outside I figured they would get this game in, but I also figured it would be played in a constant rain that would leave me and all the other photographers soaking wet. Luckily it all stopped before the game and it wasn’t so bad.

It was still raining when we got to the ballpark, so there was not much to shoot till around 5pm when I ventured outside to shoot some pre-game features. I was able to witness a very midwest/St. Louis moment when a fan offered to sell four nice tickets to the game for face value (see above). He told his customer that he did not want to make any money on a true Cardinal fan. The seller really made some very nice people super happy.

I was assigned to shoot the game from the outside third base well, which was super crowded at this very unfriendly park for photographers. This is a wonderful new yard that beats the heck out of old Busch. They just did not plan on having many photographers come to shoot the Cardinals, thus there is nowhere for us to work. I liked my spot and was excited for all sorts of cool stuff to happen, but much did in this hard faught, low scoring, 3-2 win by the Red Birds.

By the time this game ended, after many brilliant moves by Cards skipper Tony La Russa, the Cardinals hung on to win Game 1. I second-guess La Russa for much of the game, especially when he pinch-hit for Chris Carpenter in the 6th inning. I figured he lucked out when the pinch hitter knocked in the eventual winning run. Damned if he did not push all the right buttons as his bullpen once again made him look like a genius.

While the Cards were celebrating on the field I was already looking forward to tomorrow night’s Game 2. The weather is supposed to be better, and I will be shooting from overhead on the first base side. I love shooting a game every once-in-awhile from upstairs and I think tomorrow night will be the night something cool happens that will look terrific from up there. I can always hope, right? Or maybe I am just a little too giddy after we pounded some Budweiser after the game in  the post-game party.