I will never forget the buzz inside of Busch Stadium October 21st, 2004. It was game 7 of the NLCS, a game that the Cardinals had forced the previous evening on a 12th inning walk-off shot by Jim Edmonds. The atmosphere was electric as Roger Clemens and Jeff Suppan prepared to pitch their teams to a World Series birth. I had spent every dollar I 
had on playoff tickets and Budweiser when my brother scored some choice seats on the first base side for the deciding battle (Thanks Pat).
The game got off to a rough start. Biggio homered to lead off the game and Clemens looked unhittable early. In the top of the second it appeared that the game was about to get away from Soup and the Birds. Already trailing with two Astros on, Houston catcher Brad Ausmus hit a scorching line drive into the gap when IT happened. Jimmy Baseball sprinted to the gap, dived facing the wall, and made “The Catch” fully extended before the ball could touch down and scoot to the wall. This catch is my single most memorable of many Jim Edmonds highlights.
If Jim fails to get to that ball, two runs score for sure, it’s a 3-0 Houston lead, there is still a runner on second, and Clemens is dealing. The catch changed the entire game. Busch went bonkers. Everyone at the park knew the significance of the catch as soon as it happened. Hope was restored and I was hugging my brother and any stranger within range. The Cardinals World Series dreams were still alive and you had Jimmy Baseball to thank.
Clemens eventually faded in the sixth and the Birds went on to win 5-2 thanks to big hits from Albert Pujols and Scott Rolen. We all know what happened in the World Series, but for that night and the time leading up to the Series, the Edmonds catch was the talk of the town. I will cherish this memory forever.
Now Jimmy makes his return to St. Louis…….as a freakin’ Cub. As much as I love Edmonds, I hate the Cubs more. Talk about a conflict of interests. Throw in the tight race for the Central and the return of the Cubbies with a red-hot Edmonds should provide some fireworks at Busch this 4th of July weekend.
A lot has been made about what kind of receptio
n Edmonds will get when he is introduced on Friday. There is no doubt in my mind that he will receive a standing ovation. I will be there Saturday and he’ll get another one from me. I wouldn’t be surprised if he received one for all three games. Jimmy will feel the love and remember the good times.
As a Cards fan you have to feel awkward about giving a Cub a rousing welcome, but this is different. This is Jimmy. He provided so many wonderful moments that Cardinals fans still talk about today. We are not cheering for the cub, we’re cheering for the man. I hope he goes 0 for 12 this weekend and I’ll be livid if he steals a hit from one of my Birds. Cardinal’s fans should show Edmonds the appreciation he deserves for his time here, but must also remember that he’s the enemy now and we want to kill the baby bears.
Welcome back Jimmy, hope your bat goes cold.