This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon, May 5, 2010 - A recent post on Facebook reminded me of why St. Louis can call itself baseball heaven with a straight face.
One of my goddaughters updated her status with: "Am I the only person in the Lou that doesn't give a crap about baseball?"
Almost Jenny, almost.
When my daughter came home from college last year, she quickly realized that the Cardinals were the thread that brought her friends together. Whether they had returned to St. Louis from campuses far away or lived here year 'round, all the 20-somethings could join in the Cardinals talk. Talk of the games helped get the old crew, which had separated over the school year, back together.
So, even though my daughter would (alas) probably join Jenny in her sentiment, she checked out what had happened with the birds and jumped right in to the ball chatter with her friends.
Baseball is by and large the common language here. You don't have to love it, but it helps if you can talk it.
Beacon staff writer Mary Delach Leonard and features and commentary editor Donna Korando are combining to present Two Chicks Talkin' about the Birds, a look at baseball in St. Louis from the cheap seats by long-time fans.