The St. Louis Cardinals are one of the best franchises in baseball. The Cards are second only behind the Yankees in World Championships, and St. Louis is the best baseball town in America. They’ve had great teams now for a few years, and I’m glad to see them break through and win.

Congrats, too, to Cardinals shortstop David Eckstein. He won the World Series MVP award for his timely play-making. But more even then his big-time hitting and all-star glove, Eckstein is the heart and soul of his team. He’s a throwback. A guy who plays ball because he loved the game. A guy who works hard to ring everything out of his body, mind and spirit. A guy who routinely over-achieves.

And the kind of player who doesn’t win MVP awards. They are usually reserved for the big star who hits lots of homeruns. Eckstein is slap hitter whose only home runs are flukes. He gets the job done. Moves the runner over, and delivers wins for his team.

I’m thrilled that a guy like this — and especially Eckstein — is getting the recognition he deserves.