The last stop on the Tigers June torture trip is here in St. Louis where it is approximately fifty degrees warmer than it was the last time they were here.  The last time of course was 2006 when the Cards beat the Tigers in five games for the championship.

As you might expect, both players and staff were peppered with questions about memories of the chilly World Series three years ago.  Most who were here have tried to move on, however, that is easier said than done.  Nate Robertson pointed to the stadium as we waited for our bags to arrive at the hotel the other night and said, "I have bad memories of that place." 

Brandon Inge was sitting at his locker yesterday and his memories came pouring out faster than perspiration on a runners forehead on a July day in St. Louis.  "When you get that close you have to win it or it's a big disappointment," he said.  "We felt we probably had the better team, but the week layoff hurt us."  Inge harbors extra disappointment because he made the final out.  The man who struck him out to end the Series was on the mound last night, Adam Wainwright.  Inge vowed privately to get him, and he did.  It was on a much smaller stage in a blowout game and meant little, but it had to feel good.  Inge said he would homer against Wainwright last night, and he did. 

Not surprisingly, both managers had little to say about the World Series.  Larussa and Leyland are close friends and neither would say anything to embarrass the other.

BTW, if you don't think the humidity has any affect on the players, Justin Verlander's quote said it all.  "After the first inning, I was gassed."

My impressions of the new Busch Stadium?  I like it.  Very cool deep red brick on the exterior.  The inside is a little plain, but the downtown with the arch as the backdrop is very scenic.  There is a statue of Jack Buck on the outside and every time you walk by it, a recording of one of his famous calls plays.