Misplaced Pages

2006 National League Championship Series: Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editContent deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 18:42, 20 October 2014 editRedban (talk | contribs)378 edits →Game 4← Previous edit Latest revision as of 21:00, 11 December 2024 edit undoAlex9234 (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users7,663 editsNo edit summaryTags: Mobile edit Mobile web edit 
(193 intermediate revisions by 90 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Major League Baseball playoff series}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2013}} {{Use mdy dates|date=November 2013}}
{{Infobox LCS {{Infobox LCS
| image = ] | image = 2006 NLCS Logo.png
| year = 2006 | year = 2006
| champion = ] (4) | champion = ] (4)
| champion_manager = ] | champion_manager = ]
| champion_games = 83–78, .516, GA: 1½ | champion_games = 83–78, {{winpct|83|78}}, GA: {{frac|1|1|2}}
| runnerup = ] (3) | runnerup = ] (3)
| runnerup_manager = ] | runnerup_manager = ]
| runnerup_games = 97–65, .599, GA: 12 | runnerup_games = 97–65, {{winpct|97|65}}, GA: 12
| date = October 11 – 19 | date = October 11–19
| MVP = ] (St. Louis) | MVP = ] (St. Louis)
| television = ] | television = ]
| announcers = ], ] and ] | announcers = ], ], ] and ]
| radio_network = ] | radio_network = ]
| radio_announcers = ] and ] | radio_announcers = ] and ]
| umpires = ], ], ], ], ], ] | umpires = ]<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />]
| LDS1 = ] over ] (3–0) | LDS1 = ] over ] (3–0)
| LDS2 = ] over ] (3–1) | LDS2 = ] over ] (3–1)
}} }}
The '''2006 ]''' ('''NLCS'''), the second round of the 2006 ] playoffs, began on October 12 and ended on October 19; it was scheduled to begin on October 11, but was postponed a day because of inclement weather. The ] defeated the heavily favored ] in seven games to advance to the ] against the ]. The '''2006 ]''' ('''NLCS'''), the second round of the ] side in ]’s ], began on October 12 and ended on October 19; it was scheduled to begin on October 11, but was postponed a day because of inclement weather. The third-seeded ] defeated the heavily favored and top-seeded ] in seven games to advance to the ] against the ].


The Cardinals and Mets took the series to the limit, reaching the ninth inning of Game 7 tied at 1–1. The Cardinals took the lead with ]'s two-run ] off Mets reliever ] in the ninth to put his team ahead 3–1. ] would then hold the Mets scoreless in the bottom of the ninth to give St. Louis their second pennant in three years and seventeenth in club history, placing them one behind the ] and the ] for most in NL modern history (since 1903). The Cardinals were making their 3rd consecutive appearance in the NLCS; manager ], who led St. Louis to the 2004 pennant and previously won AL titles with the ] from 1988–90, became the first manager in history to win multiple pennants in both leagues. The Cardinals and the Mets took the series to the limit, reaching the 9th inning of Game 7 tied at 1–1. The Cardinals took the lead with ]'s two-run ] off Mets reliever ] in the 9th to put his team ahead, 3–1. ] would then hold the Mets scoreless in the bottom of the 9th to give St. Louis their second pennant in three years and 17th in club history, placing them one behind the ] and the ] for most in NL modern history (since 1903). The Cardinals were making their third consecutive appearance in the NLCS; manager ], who led St. Louis to the 2004 pennant and previously won AL titles with the ] from 1988–90, became the first manager in history to win multiple pennants in both leagues.


The Mets had defeated the ] three games to none in the ], while the Cardinals had defeated the ] three games to one. The Mets had home-field advantage due to their better record in the regular season (the Mets were 97–65, the Cardinals 83–78). The Mets and Cardinals previously met in the ], which the Mets won in five games. 2000 was the last time the Mets had made the playoffs before 2006. The Mets, handicapped after season-ending injuries to ] and ], qualified for postseason play for the first time since ]. They defeated the ] three games to none in the ], while the Cardinals defeated the ] three games to one. The Mets had home-field advantage due to their better record in the regular season (the Mets were 97–65, the Cardinals 83–78). The Mets and Cardinals previously met in the ], which the Mets won in five games.

The Cardinals would go on to defeat the ] in the ] in five games.


==Summary== ==Summary==

===New York Mets vs. St. Louis Cardinals=== ===New York Mets vs. St. Louis Cardinals===
{{MLB Playoff Summary {{MLB Playoff Summary
| summary = | summary =
| winner = St. Louis | winner = St. Louis
| score = 4–3 | score = 4-3
| score1 = St. Louis Cardinals – 0, '''New York Mets''' – 2 | score1 = St. Louis Cardinals – 0, '''New York Mets''' – 2
| date1 = October 12† | date1 = October 12†
Line 36: Line 40:
| time1 = 2:52 | time1 = 2:52
| att1 = 56,311 | att1 = 56,311
| ref1 = <ref name="Game1">{{cite web|url=http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/2006/B10120NYN2006.htm|title=2006 NLCS Game 1 - St. Louis Cardinals vs. New York Mets|accessdate=September 13, 2009|publisher=Retrosheet}}</ref> | ref1 = <ref name="Game1">{{cite web|url=http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/2006/B10120NYN2006.htm|title=2006 NLCS Game 1 - St. Louis Cardinals vs. New York Mets|access-date=September 13, 2009|publisher=Retrosheet}}</ref>
| score2 = '''St. Louis Cardinals''' – 9, New York Mets – 6 | score2 = '''St. Louis Cardinals''' – 9, New York Mets – 6
| date2 = October 13† | date2 = October 13†
Line 42: Line 46:
| time2 = 3:58 | time2 = 3:58
| att2 = 56,349 | att2 = 56,349
| ref2 = <ref name="Game2">{{cite web|url=http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/2006/B10130NYN2006.htm|title=2006 NLCS Game 2 - St. Louis Cardinals vs. New York Mets|accessdate=September 13, 2009|publisher=Retrosheet}}</ref> | ref2 = <ref name="Game2">{{cite web|url=http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/2006/B10130NYN2006.htm|title=2006 NLCS Game 2 - St. Louis Cardinals vs. New York Mets|access-date=September 13, 2009|publisher=Retrosheet}}</ref>
| score3 = New York Mets – 0, '''St. Louis Cardinals''' – 5 | score3 = New York Mets – 0, '''St. Louis Cardinals''' – 5
| date3 = October 14 | date3 = October 14
| loc3 = ] | loc3 = ]
| time3 = 2:53 | time3 = 2:53
| att3 = 47,053 | att3 = 47,053
| ref3 = <ref name="Game3">{{cite web|url=http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/2006/B10140SLN2006.htm|title=2006 NLCS Game 3 - New York Mets vs. St. Louis Cardinals|accessdate=September 13, 2009|publisher=Retrosheet}}</ref> | ref3 = <ref name="Game3">{{cite web|url=http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/2006/B10140SLN2006.htm|title=2006 NLCS Game 3 - New York Mets vs. St. Louis Cardinals|access-date=September 13, 2009|publisher=Retrosheet}}</ref>
| score4 = '''New York Mets''' – 12, St. Louis Cardinals – 5 | score4 = '''New York Mets''' – 12, St. Louis Cardinals – 5
| date4 = October 15 | date4 = October 15
| loc4 = Busch Stadium (III) | loc4 = Busch Stadium
| time4 = 3:31 | time4 = 3:31
| att4 = 46,600 | att4 = 46,600
| ref4 = <ref name="Game4">{{cite web|url=http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/2006/B10150SLN2006.htm|title=2006 NLCS Game 4 - New York Mets vs. St. Louis Cardinals|accessdate=September 13, 2009|publisher=Retrosheet}}</ref> | ref4 = <ref name="Game4">{{cite web|url=http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/2006/B10150SLN2006.htm|title=2006 NLCS Game 4 - New York Mets vs. St. Louis Cardinals|access-date=September 13, 2009|publisher=Retrosheet}}</ref>
| score5 = New York Mets – 2, '''St. Louis Cardinals''' – 4 | score5 = New York Mets – 2, '''St. Louis Cardinals''' – 4
| date5 = October 17‡ | date5 = October 17‡
| loc5 = Busch Stadium (III) | loc5 = Busch Stadium
| time5 = 3:26 | time5 = 3:26
| att5 = 46,496 | att5 = 46,496
| ref5 = <ref name="Game5">{{cite web|url=http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/2006/B10170SLN2006.htm|title=2006 NLCS Game 5 - New York Mets vs. St. Louis Cardinals|accessdate=September 13, 2009|publisher=Retrosheet}}</ref> | ref5 = <ref name="Game5">{{cite web|url=http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/2006/B10170SLN2006.htm|title=2006 NLCS Game 5 - New York Mets vs. St. Louis Cardinals|access-date=September 13, 2009|publisher=Retrosheet}}</ref>
| score6 = St. Louis Cardinals – 2, '''New York Mets''' – 4 | score6 = St. Louis Cardinals – 2, '''New York Mets''' – 4
| date6 = October 18 | date6 = October 18
Line 66: Line 70:
| time6 = 2:56 | time6 = 2:56
| att6 = 56,334 | att6 = 56,334
| ref6 = <ref name="Game6">{{cite web|url=http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/2006/B10180NYN2006.htm|title=2006 NLCS Game 6 - St. Louis Cardinals vs. New York Mets|accessdate=September 13, 2009|publisher=Retrosheet}}</ref> | ref6 = <ref name="Game6">{{cite web|url=http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/2006/B10180NYN2006.htm|title=2006 NLCS Game 6 - St. Louis Cardinals vs. New York Mets|access-date=September 13, 2009|publisher=Retrosheet}}</ref>
| score7 = '''St. Louis Cardinals''' – 3, New York Mets – 1 | score7 = '''St. Louis Cardinals''' – 3, New York Mets – 1
| date7 = October 19 | date7 = October 19
Line 72: Line 76:
| time7 = 3:23 | time7 = 3:23
| att7 = 56,357 | att7 = 56,357
| ref7 = <ref name="Game7">{{cite web|url=http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/2006/B10190NYN2006.htm|title=2006 NLCS Game 7 - St. Louis Cardinals vs. New York Mets|accessdate=September 13, 2009|publisher=Retrosheet}}</ref> | ref7 = <ref name="Game7">{{cite web|url=http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/2006/B10190NYN2006.htm|title=2006 NLCS Game 7 - St. Louis Cardinals vs. New York Mets|access-date=September 13, 2009|publisher=Retrosheet}}</ref>
}} }}
<small>†: Game 1 was postponed due to rain on October 11. Game 2 was subsequently pushed back a day as well.</small><br /> <small>†: Game 1 was postponed due to rain on October 11. Game 2 was subsequently pushed back a day as well.</small><br />
Line 78: Line 82:


==Game summaries== ==Game summaries==

===Game 1=== ===Game 1===
Thursday, October 12, 2006 at ] in ]
{{Linescore| {{Linescore|
|Road=St. Louis|RoadAbr=STL |Road=St. Louis|RoadAbr=STL
Line 88: Line 92:
|WP=] (1–0)|LP=] (0–1)|SV=] (1) |WP=] (1–0)|LP=] (0–1)|SV=] (1)
|RoadHR=|HomeHR=] (1) |RoadHR=|HomeHR=] (1)
||Other={{convert|61|F|C}}, partly cloudy|Location=] in ]|Time=8:21{{nbsp}}pm (])|Date=Thursday, October 12, 2006}}
|}}


On a game pushed back a day by rain, both pitchers pitched magnificently. ] earned the win with seven innings of shutout baseball. The only two runs came from a two-run homer by ] off losing pitcher ]. Weaver pitched {{frac|5|2|3}} shutout innings before giving up a single to ] and then a home run to Beltrán. Glavine was aided by stellar defense, as the Mets turned two double plays. In the third inning, with runners on first and second, third baseman ] caught a ] off the bat of ] and threw to second to double up ]. In the following inning, ] flied out to shallow center to Beltrán, who threw to first on the run to double up ], who went 0-for-3 with a walk. Left fielder ] also made an excellent diving play on a flare hit by ]. He replaced ], who left in the second inning when he reaggravated his injured ]. On a game pushed back a day by rain, both pitchers pitched magnificently. ] earned the win with seven innings of shutout baseball. The game's only runs came on a two-run homer by ] off losing pitcher ] in the sixth following a two-out single by ]. Glavine was aided by stellar defense, as the Mets turned two double plays. In the third inning, with runners on first and second, third baseman ] caught a ] off the bat of ] and threw to second to double up ]. In the following inning, ] flied out to shallow center to Beltrán, who threw to first on the run to double up ], who went 0-for-3 with a walk. Left fielder ] also made an excellent diving play on a flare hit by ]. He replaced ], who left in the second inning when he reaggravated his injured ].


Following the game, ] was controversially critical of Glavine's performance, saying that the Cards would have dominated him if they were on their "A" game. His exact words were: Following the game, ] was controversially critical of Glavine's performance, saying that the Cards would have dominated him if they were on their "A" game. His exact words were:

<blockquote>"He wasn't good. He wasn't good at all ... I think we hit the ball hard, we didn't get some breaks. I say he wasn't good at all. We just didn't get some opportunities and that's it.... same thing that he always does. Throw a changeup, fastball and that was it."<ref>http://articles.latimes.com/2006/oct/14/sports/sp-nlnotes14</ref> </blockquote> <blockquote>"He wasn't good. He wasn't good at all ... I think we hit the ball hard, we didn't get some breaks. I say he wasn't good at all. We just didn't get some opportunities and that's it.... same thing that he always does. Throw a changeup, fastball and that was it."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-oct-14-sp-nlnotes14-story.html|title=Archives|website=]}}</ref> </blockquote>

Pujols' comments drew criticism from fans, talk-show hosts, broadcasters, and even his own manager. Tony Larussa, while maintaining that Pujols made the remarks in the heat of the moment, said "It's not a good statement. Glavine deserves credit." <ref>http://sports.yahoo.com/news/pujols-comments-draw-attention-004800985--mlb.html</ref> Tom Glavine, when asked, merely said that everyone is entitled to their own opinion. His teammate Billy Wagner, on the other hand, said: Pujols' comments drew criticism from fans, talk-show hosts, broadcasters, and even his own manager. Tony La Russa, while maintaining that Pujols made the remarks in the heat of the moment, said "It's not a good statement. Glavine deserves credit."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/pujols-comments-draw-attention-004800985--mlb.html|title = Pujols' comments draw attention}}</ref> Tom Glavine, when asked, merely said that everyone is entitled to their own opinion. His teammate Billy Wagner, on the other hand, said:

<blockquote>"I know if Albert would have said that about me, I wouldn't have been as veteraned, as seasoned about it ... I probably would have said something back. That's me. Tom is classy all the way ... Tom's done so much. Tom doesn't have to stoop to tell people how good he is ... His numbers speak for themselves. With 290 wins for somebody that has been in the league as long as he has is pretty self-explanatory ...Tommy's stature is much bigger than Pujols'. He's a Hall of Fame induction coming. Albert doesn't. Albert's a great player, but you just don't know about tomorrow. In this clubhouse, Tommy is the epitome of class and great leadership. He leads by what he does in the field. He doesn't lead by what he says in the media." <ref>http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/playoffs2006/news/story?id=2630313</ref> <blockquote>"I know if Albert would have said that about me, I wouldn't have been as veteraned, as seasoned about it ... I probably would have said something back. That's me. Tom is classy all the way ... Tom's done so much. Tom doesn't have to stoop to tell people how good he is ... His numbers speak for themselves. With 290 wins for somebody that has been in the league as long as he has is pretty self-explanatory ...Tommy's stature is much bigger than Pujols'. He's a Hall of Fame induction coming. Albert doesn't. Albert's a great player, but you just don't know about tomorrow. In this clubhouse, Tommy is the epitome of class and great leadership. He leads by what he does in the field. He doesn't lead by what he says in the media."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/playoffs2006/news/story?id=2630313|title = Wagner speaks up in support of Glavine|date = October 18, 2006}}</ref>
</blockquote> </blockquote>


===Game 2=== ===Game 2===
Friday, October 13, 2006 at ] in ]
{{Linescore| {{Linescore|
|Road='''St. Louis'''|RoadAbr=STL |Road='''St. Louis'''|RoadAbr=STL
Line 109: Line 113:
|H1=3|H2=1|H3=0|H4=0|H5=1|H6=1|H7=0|H8=0|H9=0|HR=6|HH=9|HE=2 |H1=3|H2=1|H3=0|H4=0|H5=1|H6=1|H7=0|H8=0|H9=0|HR=6|HH=9|HE=2
|RSP=|HSP= |RSP=|HSP=
|WP=] (1–0)|LP=] (0–1)|SV= |WP=] (1–0)|LP=] (0–1)|SV=] (1)
|RoadHR=] (1), ] (1)|HomeHR=] 2 (2) |RoadHR=] (1), ] (1)|HomeHR=] 2 (2)
||Location=] in ]|Date=Friday, October 13, 2006|Time=8:06{{nbsp}}pm (])|Other={{convert|52|F|C}}, partly cloudy}}
|}}

⚫ In Game 2, the Cardinals erased three deficits en route to a 9–6 victory. In the first inning, ] hit a three-run home run off the Cardinals' ace ]. ] then drove in two runs with a bases-loaded double in the second inning off of ]. In the bottom of the second, ] hit a leadoff double, moved to third on a groundout and scored on ]'s, but ]'s home run after a walk tied the game in the third. Delgado's home run in the fifth put the Mets back on top 5–4. Next inning, Cardinals reliever ] walked Reyes, who scored on ]'s double, but ], who started the game at third base in place of an injured ], had two hits and three ]s, including a two-run triple on an 0–2 pitch in the seventh inning to tie the game at six off of ].Lefty closer ] came into the game in the top of the ninth inning. Left fielder ], a right-hitting defensive replacement homered on the ninth pitch of the at-bat to put the Cardinals ahead, 7–6. ] doubled and moved to third on a groundout before Spiezio's RBI double and ]'s single extended the Cardinals' lead to 9–6. ] and ] retired the Mets in order in the bottom of the ninth as the Cardinals' win tied the series 1–1.


⚫ In an exciting back-and-forth game, the Cardinals erased three deficits en route to a 9–6 victory. In the first inning, ] hit a three-run home run and added another home run in the fifth, both off the Cardinals' ace, ]. ] then drove in two runs with a double in the second inning. ] and ] added an RBI each, but ], who started the game at third base in place of an injured ], had two hits and three ]s, including a two-run triple on an 0–2 pitch in the seventh inning to tie the game at six. In the bottom of the eighth inning, ] pinch-hit for Mets pitcher ], which made obvious that lefty closer ] was coming into the game in the top of the ninth inning. Left fielder ], a lefty hitter, was due to lead off the top of the ninth. So, Duncan was pulled in favor of ], a right-handed-hitting outfielder who was a better defensive option than Duncan. Taguchi led off the top of the ninth with a solo homer off Mets closer ] to put the Cardinals ahead, 7–6. St. Louis would go on to win the game, 9–6.
===Game 3=== ===Game 3===
Saturday, October 14, 2006 at ] in ]
{{Linescore| {{Linescore|
|Road=New York|RoadAbr=NYM |Road=New York|RoadAbr=NYM
Line 124: Line 128:
|WP=] (1–0)|LP=] (0–1)|SV= |WP=] (1–0)|LP=] (0–1)|SV=
|RoadHR=|HomeHR=] (1) |RoadHR=|HomeHR=] (1)
||Location=] in ]|Date=Saturday, October 14, 2006|Time=7:16{{nbsp}}pm (])|Other={{convert|52|F|C}}, clear}}
|}}

⚫ Back in St. Louis for the next three games, St. Louis starter ] pitched eight innings as the Cardinals defeated the Mets, 5–0. ] hit a two-run triple (his second two-run triple in as many games) in the bottom of the first inning to put the Cardinals ahead, 2–0. The Cardinals loaded the bases on two walks afterward, but Mets starter ] struck out ] looking to end the inning. Next inning, Suppan's leadoff home run made it 3–0, who then loaded the bases on two walks and a line drive off the bat of ] that hit Trachsel, who left with a bruised thigh. Mets reliever ] threw a wild pitch to ] that let ] score before Edmonds's RBI groundout plated the last run of the game. Oliver then pitched six shutout innings. After the game, the Mets had not scored in 12 consecutive innings, making it 14 before scoring in the third inning of Game 4.


⚫ Back in St. Louis for the next three games, St. Louis starter ] pitched eight scoreless innings and hit a home run himself, as the Cardinals defeated the Mets, 5–0. ] hit a two-run triple (his second two-run triple in as many games) in the bottom of the first inning to put the Cardinals ahead, 2–0. St. Louis would add three more runs in the second to finish the scoring for the game. Mets reliever ] pitched six shutout innings, after Mets starter ] only lasted one inning before being pulled after getting hit by a line drive off the bat of ], leaving with a bruised thigh. After the game, the Mets had not scored in twelve consecutive innings, making it fourteen before scoring in the third inning of Game 4.
===Game 4=== ===Game 4===
Sunday, October 15, 2006 at ] in ]
{{Linescore| {{Linescore|
|Road='''New York'''|RoadAbr=NYM |Road='''New York'''|RoadAbr=NYM
Line 136: Line 140:
|RSP=|HSP= |RSP=|HSP=
|WP=] (1–0)|LP=] (0–1)|SV= |WP=] (1–0)|LP=] (0–1)|SV=
|RoadHR=] 2 (3), ] (1), ] (3)|HomeHR=] (1), ] (2), ] (1) |RoadHR=] 2 (3), ] (1), ] (3)|HomeHR=] (1), ] (2), ] (1)
||Location=] in ]|Time=7:05{{nbsp}}pm (])|Date=Sunday, October 15, 2006|Other={{convert|62|F|C}}, overcast}}
|}}


Game 4 was a pivotal game for the Mets, who were faced with a two-games-to-one deficit. They sent ], a young lefty picked up at the trade deadline from the ], to face the Cardinals' own young starter, ]. In a game that would see an NLCS-tying record seven home runs, the Cardinals grabbed an early lead in the bottom of the second on a ] single. It seemed to be a repeat of the night before, but in the top of the third the Mets hit two home runs, one on ]'s second of the series and sixth against the Cardinals in NLCS play, and another on ]'s first hit of the series and first homer of the playoffs. The lead was short lived, as ] hit a two-out RBI triple to tie the game. The game would stay tied until the top of the fifth inning until ] reached on an error by Cardinals second baseman ], Beltrán managed a walk, and ] scored an opposite-field three-run homer, his third of the series, to make it 5–2. ] pulled the Cards back in the bottom of the fifth with a leadoff homer. But, in the top of the sixth, the Mets extended the lead. ] and Paul Lo Duca hit back-to-back singles, and Beltrán walked to load the bases. Delgado then hit a ground-rule double to drive in two runs, and then Wright walked. ] singled to drive in one run and ], who, at that point, was only 3-for-20 in the playoffs, hit a bases-clearing double down the left field line to make it 11–3. The Cardinals got solo home runs from Edmonds and Molina to make it an 11–5 game, but Mets manager ] then pulled starter Pérez and bought in ] pitcher ] to try and limit the damage. Beltrán would tie the NLCS record of seven home runs with another in the seventh en route to a final score of 12–5. Beltrán also tied ] for the all-time postseason record of home runs against the Cardinals hitting a total of seven home runs. He hit four home runs against the St. Louis Cardinals in the ] while playing for the ]. Game 4 was a pivotal game for the Mets, who were faced with a two-games-to-one deficit. They sent ], a young lefty picked up at the trade deadline from the ], to face the Cardinals' own young starter, ]. In a game that would see an NLCS-record-tying seven home runs, the Cardinals grabbed an early lead in the bottom of the second on a ] single. It seemed to be a repeat of the night before, but in the top of the third the Mets hit two home runs, one being ]'s second of the series and sixth against the Cardinals in NLCS play, and another representing ]'s first hit of the series and first homer of the playoffs. The lead was short-lived, as ] walked with one out, then scored on ]'s two-out triple to tie the game. The game would stay tied until the top of the fifth inning, when ] reached on an error by Cardinals second baseman ], Beltrán managed a walk, and ] scored an opposite-field three-run homer, his third of the series, to make it 5–2 Mets and knock starter ] out of the game. ] pulled the Cards back in the bottom of the fifth with a leadoff homer, but, in the top of the sixth, the Mets extended the lead. ] and Paul Lo Duca hit back-to-back singles off of ], and Beltrán walked to load the bases. Delgado then hit a ground-rule double to drive in two runs, and then Wright walked. ] relieved Hancock and ] singled to drive in one run and ], who, at that point, was only 3-for-20 in the playoffs, hit a bases-clearing double down the left field line to make it 11–3. The Cardinals got home runs from Edmonds and Molina to make it an 11–5 game, but Mets manager ] then pulled starter Pérez and bought in ] pitcher ] to try and limit the damage. Beltrán would tie the NLCS record of seven home runs with another in the seventh off of ] en route to a final score of 12–5. Beltrán also tied ] for the all-time postseason record of seven home runs against the Cardinals, having hit four against them in the ] while playing for the ].


===Game 5=== ===Game 5===
Tuesday, October 17, 2006 at ] in ]
{{Linescore| {{Linescore|
|Road=New York|RoadAbr=NYM |Road=New York|RoadAbr=NYM
Line 149: Line 152:
|H1=0|H2=0|H3=0|H4=2|H5=1|H6=1|H7=0|H8=0|H9=X|HR=4|HH=10|HE=0 |H1=0|H2=0|H3=0|H4=2|H5=1|H6=1|H7=0|H8=0|H9=X|HR=4|HH=10|HE=0
|RSP=|HSP= |RSP=|HSP=
|WP=] (1–1)|LP=] (1–1)|SV=] (1) |WP=] (1–1)|LP=] (1–1)|SV=] (2)
|RoadHR=|HomeHR=] (1), ] (1) |RoadHR=|HomeHR=] (1), ] (1)
||Other={{convert|61|F|C}}, partly cloudy|Time=7:20{{nbsp}}pm (])|Location=] in ]|Date=Tuesday, October 17, 2006}}
|}}


After Game 5 was pushed back a day by rain, giving their starter now four days' normal rest instead of three days' short rest, the New York Mets sought a 3–2 lead in the NLCS. However, pitcher ] could not stifle the Cardinals' offense. After the Mets jumped out to a 2–0 lead, the next half-inning ] struck for his first home run and RBI of the series to cut the Mets' lead in half. After tying the score in the bottom of fourth inning and later taking the lead in the fifth by virtue of a ] double, the Cardinals increased their lead thanks to a pinch-hit solo blast by rookie ] that made the final score 4–2, Cardinals. The win moved the Cardinals within one win of their second National League pennant in three years. After Game 5 was pushed back a day by rain, giving their starter now four days' normal rest instead of three days' short rest, the Mets sought a 3–2 lead in the NLCS. However, pitcher ] could not stifle the Cardinals' offense. After the Mets jumped out to a 2–0 lead on ]'s double off of ], the next half-inning ] struck for his first home run and RBI of the series to cut the Mets' lead in half. Glavine then walked ] and allowed a single to ] before ] tied the game with a single to left. ] singled to lead off the fifth and scored on ] double to put the Cardinals up 3–2. St. Louis padded their lead in the sixth through a pinch-hit home run by rookie ] off of ] that made the final score 4–2, Cardinals. The win moved the Cardinals within one of their second National League pennant in three years.


===Game 6=== ===Game 6===
⚫ Wednesday, October 18, 2006 at ] in ]
{{Linescore| {{Linescore|
|Road=St. Louis|RoadAbr=STL |Road=St. Louis|RoadAbr=STL
Line 165: Line 167:
|WP=] (1–0)|LP=] (0–1)|SV= |WP=] (1–0)|LP=] (0–1)|SV=
|RoadHR=|HomeHR=] (1) |RoadHR=|HomeHR=] (1)
⚫ ||Other={{convert|69|F|C}}, overcast|Date=Wednesday, October 18, 2006|Time=8:20{{nbsp}}pm (])|Location=] in ]}}
|}}


Facing elimination, the Mets' sent ] to start Game&nbsp;6. He allowed no runs in {{frac|5|1|3}} innings, earning the win for the Mets. ] hit a leadoff home run in the bottom of the first, giving the Mets a lead that would never be relinquished. Reyes became the first Met to lead off with a home run in the first inning of a postseason game since Mets' former outfielder ] in Game 3 of the ] against the ]. The Cardinals stranded several runners against Maine. In the top of the first inning, with runners on second and third and one out, Maine struck out ]. After hitting ] with a pitch to load the bases, ] flew out. In the top of the third, with a runner on second and nobody out, Maine struck out ] and intentionally walked ]. Edmonds then flew out and Maine struck out Encarnación to finish the job. ] hit an RBI single in the fourth and ] added two more with an RBI hit in the seventh. ] came on in the ninth and made things interesting, giving up a two-RBI double to ] before retiring ] to end the game. Facing elimination, the Mets sent ] to start Game&nbsp;6. He allowed no runs in {{frac|5|1|3}} innings, earning the win for the Mets. ] hit a leadoff home run in the bottom of the first, giving the Mets a lead that would never be relinquished. Reyes became the first Met to lead off with a home run in the first inning of a postseason game since former outfielder ] in Game 3 of the ] against the ]. The Cardinals stranded several runners against Maine. In the top of the first inning, with runners on second and third and one out, Maine struck out ]. After Maine hit ] with a pitch to load the bases, ] flew out. In the top of the third, with a runner on second and nobody out, Maine struck out ] and intentionally walked ]. Edmonds then flew out and Maine struck out Encarnación to finish the job. ] hit an RBI single in the fourth off of starter ] and ] added two more with an RBI hit in the seventh off of ]. ] came on in the ninth and allowed a leadoff single to ] and subsequent double to ]. After retiring the next two batters, Wagner gave up a two-RBI double to ] before retiring ] to end the game.


===Game 7=== ===Game 7===
Thursday, October 19, 2006 at ] in ]
{{Linescore| {{Linescore|
|Road='''St. Louis'''|RoadAbr=STL |Road='''St. Louis'''|RoadAbr=STL
Line 177: Line 178:
|H1=1|H2=0|H3=0|H4=0|H5=0|H6=0|H7=0|H8=0|H9=0|HR=1|HH=4|HE=1 |H1=1|H2=0|H3=0|H4=0|H5=0|H6=0|H7=0|H8=0|H9=0|HR=1|HH=4|HE=1
|RSP=|HSP= |RSP=|HSP=
|WP=] (1–0)|LP=] (0–1)|SV=] (2) |WP=] (1–0)|LP=] (0–1)|SV=] (3)
|RoadHR=] (2)|HomeHR= |RoadHR=] (2)|HomeHR=
||Other={{convert|64|F|C}}, chance of rain|Date=Thursday, October 19, 2006|Time=8:20{{nbsp}}pm (])|Location=] in ]}}
|}}
⚫ In the decisive Game 7, the Mets sent Game 4 winner ] to the mound against ]. The Mets jumped out to an early 1–0 lead when ] drove in ] in the first with a bloop single into right field. The Cardinals tied the game in the second when ] hit into a squeeze play that scored ] from third. In the fifth, with runners on first and second and two gone, ] came up to the plate. Even with ] warming up in the bullpen, ] decided to stay with Pérez. He got Pujols to pop out. Pérez ran into some more trouble in the sixth with a runner on and one out when ] hit a long fly ball to left field to create one of the greatest defensive plays in postseason history.


⚫ The ball cleared the fence, but ] amazingly brought it back by snow-coning the ball, jumping from the edge of the warning track to snag what looked to be a certain home run. He then threw the ball to first base quickly to double off Jim Edmonds, who had rounded second on his way to third, to end the inning. He received two curtain calls from the Shea crowd. With the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the sixth, ] and Chávez failed to get the go-ahead run in.
⚫ In the decisive Game 7, the Mets sent Game 4 winner ] to the mound against ]. The Mets jumped out to an early 1–0 lead when ] drove in ] in the first with a bloop single into right field. The Cardinals tied the game in the second when ] hit into a squeeze play that scored ] from third. In the fifth, with runners on first and second and two gone, ] came up to the plate. Even with ] warming up in the bullpen, ] decided to stay with Pérez. He got Pujols to pop out. Pérez ran into some more trouble in the sixth with a runner on and one out, when ] hit a long fly ball to left field to create one of greatest defensive plays in postseason history.


⚫ With the score 1–1 in the top of the ninth, ], with Scott Rolen on first, hit a deep fly off ] in the same general direction as the one Rolen hit in the sixth. This ball was hit too high for Chávez to catch, and it gave the Cardinals a 3–1 lead, with only three outs in the bottom of the ninth separating them from a pennant.
⚫ The ball cleared the fence, but ] amazingly brought it back by snow-coning the ball, jumping from the edge of the warning track to retrieve what looked to be an easy home run. He then threw the ball into first base quickly to double off Jim Edmonds, who had rounded second on his way to third, to end the inning. He received two curtain calls from the Shea crowd. With the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the sixth, ] and Chávez failed to get the go-ahead run in.


⚫ However, the Mets would not go quietly. Rookie closer ] yielded singles to Valentín and Chávez to lead off the ninth. After getting a strikeout and a fly-out, Wainwright walked ] to bring up Carlos Beltrán with the bases loaded. Down 0–2 to the rookie Wainwright, Beltrán looked at a curveball on the outside corner at the knees for a called strike three to end the series.
⚫ With the score 1–1 in the top of the ninth, ], with a man on-base, hit a deep fly off ] in the same general direction as the one Rolen hit in the sixth. This ball was hit too high for Chávez to catch, and it gave the Cardinals a 3–1 lead, with only three outs in the bottom of the ninth separating them from a pennant. The whole stadium became dead quiet after Molina's home run.


⚫ This was the last playoff game played in Shea Stadium and the last postseason appearance for the Mets until ], six years after ] opened. It was the second and last time that a visiting team won a postseason series at Shea (the other being the Yankees' victory over the Mets in the ]).
⚫ However, the Mets would not go quietly. Rookie closer ] yielded singles to Valentín and Chávez to lead off the ninth. After getting a strikeout and a flyout, Wainwright walked ] to bring up The Mets best player Carlos Beltrán with the bases loaded and two men out. All involved, including the capacity crowd at Shea, were acutely aware of Beltrán's history against the Cardinals, and the tension mounted accordingly. Down 0–2 to the rookie Wainwright, Beltrán looked at a called strike three, a curveball on the outside corner at the knees, and the ballgame was over (To date, many frustrated Mets harbor anger towards Beltran for not swinging the bat, although analysts agree that Wainwright threw a nearly unhittable curveball).

⚫ The whole stadium became shocked in disbelief as the 83 game-winning Cardinals defeated the dominant 97-win Mets to win their seventeenth National League pennant. This was the last playoff game ever played in Shea Stadium and currently the last postseason appearance for the Mets. It is also the second time that a visiting team won a postseason series at Shea (the other being the Yankees' victory over the Mets in the 2000 World Series).


==Composite box== ==Composite box==
Line 201: Line 201:
}} }}


==Trivia== ==Aftermath==
⚫ The Cardinals would win the World Series by defeating the heavily-favored Detroit Tigers in five games. With 83 wins, the Cardinals set a record for the worst regular season win–loss total for any championship team. They would win another World Series in ] and make another World Series appearance in ] (where they lost to the ]). Manager ] retired after the 2011 season, going out a champion. LaRussa would unretire ten years later in 2021 when he became the manager of the ], a team he managed from 1979-1986.
*This series was the first time since the ] that a home team lost Game 7 after winning Game 6. This is also the most recent series where the road team won Game 7.
], taking pictures and one last look.]]
*The seventh game of the series was the second Game 7 played at ]; the only other seventh game was in the ] in which the Mets beat the ] 8–5 to win the World Championship.
As for the Mets, many commentators and fans had predicted that 2006 would be the beginning of a dynasty. They had dominated the National League that season, winning 97 games when no one else won more than 88, and they had a deep and young core, with Beltran, Wright, and Reyes being under 30 (the latter two being under 25). Supporting those three were Hall of Fame caliber players such as ], ], ], and ].
*Mets' left fielder ] earned a 2006 "This Year in Baseball" Award (TYIB), in the category of "best postseason play of the year" for making the leaping grab at the left field wall in Game 7 robbing a home run from Cardinals' Scott Rolen and afterwards turning it into a double play.
] honoring Chávez's catch in the 2006 NLCS]]
*The Mets' record in seventh games is 1–3. Their last Game 7 loss was the seventh game of the ] against the ] as a 30-year old ] pitched a complete game shutout at ]. They also lost Game 7 of the ] to the ].
Nonetheless, 2006 stands as the only major achievement for this group. They suffered a historic collapse at the end of the ], losing 12 of their final 17 games to blow a 7-game division lead and miss the postseason by one game. After a smaller late-season collapse the ] ({{frac|3|1|2}}-game division lead with 17 games left), they again missed the postseason by one game. 2008 also marked the Mets final year at ]. Following this, they suffered through six straight losing seasons and ultimately would not return to the postseason until ] - in which they won their fifth NL Pennant in franchise history - when Wright was the only Met from 2006 still on the roster. Manager ] was fired in the middle of the 2008 season, Delgado played his last game in 2009, General Manager ] was fired after 2010 (In 2017, he was brought back as a Special Assistant to then-General Manager ]), Beltran was dealt away at the 2011 trade deadline, and Reyes left via free agency that offseason. Reyes would eventually return to the Mets in ]; he, along with Wright, would leave the Mets after the 2018 season - Reyes's contract was not renewed, and Wright retired as a result of ].


Despite the loss, ] became a cult hero for his game-saving catch in Game 7. Mets' radio broadcaster ] called it “not just the play of the year, but the maybe the play of the franchise’s history."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Robertson |first1=Matthew |title=Endy Chavez on the 15th anniversary of the catch that turned him into a Mets cult hero |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/mets/ny-endy-chavez-catch-anniversary-nlcs-20211016-uwe62vdsobc2xkgherqyhuklai-story.html |website=New York Daily News |access-date=11 August 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Powell |first1=Nick |title=Confessions of a Masochistic Mets Fan |url=https://www.esquire.com/sports/a34626/mets-2015-team/ |website=Esquire |access-date=27 March 2024 |date=27 April 2015}}</ref> The left field entrance gate of the Mets' current ballpark, ], features a metal silhouette of a baseball player making a leaping catch similar to the one Chávez made during the 2006 NLCS. There is also of plaque Citi Field commemorates Chavez's catch, as well.
==Aftermath==
⚫ The Cardinals would win the World Series by defeating the heavily favored Detroit Tigers. With 83 wins, the Cardinals set a record for the worst regular season win-loss total for any championship team. They would win a second World Series in 2011 and another National League pennant in 2013 (where they lost to the Boston Red Sox).


In 2022, ] and ], who were the ] that closed out the 2006 NLCS, broke the record for most games started by a starting pitcher and catcher.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Schneider |first1=Joey |title=Adam Wainwright, Yadier Molina: The journey to MLB’s battery record |url=https://fox2now.com/sports/st-louis-cardinals/adam-wainwright-yadier-molina-the-journey-to-mlbs-battery-record/ |website=FOX 2 |access-date=14 September 2022 |date=14 September 2022}}</ref> For the rest of their careers following the 2006 NLCS, both men were booed in New York when playing the Mets for their roles in Game 7.
As for The Mets, many commentators and fans had predicted that 2006 would be the beginning of a dynasty, with Beltran and Delgado being in their primes and Jose Reyes and David Wright being in their early 20s. Instead, 2006 stands as the only achievement for this group. They brutally collapsed in 2007 and 2008 to miss the post-season by one game, and they finished below .500 in the next six consecutive seasons (2009-2014). Delgado played his last game in 2009, Beltran and Reyes left in 2011, and General Manager Omar Minaya was fired after 2010. Today, David Wright is the only remnant from this 2006 team in the Mets.


==See also== ==See also==
Line 219: Line 219:


==External links== ==External links==
{{external media|video1={{youTube|YRuQ0JvxS4Y|2006 NLCS Game 7 (Cardinals vs. Mets)}}}}
*2006 NLCS at Retrosheet *2006 NLCS at Retrosheet
*2006 NLCS at Baseball Reference *2006 NLCS at Baseball Reference
*, ESPN.com *, ESPN.com
*, ''Sports Illustrated'' *, ''Sports Illustrated''


{{2006 MLB Playoffs navbox}} {{2006 MLB Playoffs navbox}}
Line 237: Line 238:
] ]
] ]
] ]
] ]
] ]
] ]
]
]
]
]

Latest revision as of 21:00, 11 December 2024

Major League Baseball playoff series

Baseball championship series
2006 National League Championship Series
Team (Wins) Manager(s) Season
St. Louis Cardinals (4) Tony La Russa 83–78, .516, GA: 1+1⁄2
New York Mets (3) Willie Randolph 97–65, .599, GA: 12
DatesOctober 11–19
MVPJeff Suppan (St. Louis)
UmpiresTim Welke
Jim Joyce
Jerry Layne
Fieldin Culbreth
Jeff Kellogg
Gary Darling
Broadcast
TelevisionFox
TV announcersJoe Buck, Tim McCarver, Luis Gonzalez and Ken Rosenthal
RadioESPN
Radio announcersDan Shulman and Dave Campbell
Streaming
NLDS
← 2005 NLCS 2007 →

The 2006 National League Championship Series (NLCS), the second round of the National League side in Major League Baseball’s 2006 postseason, began on October 12 and ended on October 19; it was scheduled to begin on October 11, but was postponed a day because of inclement weather. The third-seeded St. Louis Cardinals defeated the heavily favored and top-seeded New York Mets in seven games to advance to the 2006 World Series against the Detroit Tigers.

The Cardinals and the Mets took the series to the limit, reaching the 9th inning of Game 7 tied at 1–1. The Cardinals took the lead with Yadier Molina's two-run home run off Mets reliever Aaron Heilman in the 9th to put his team ahead, 3–1. Adam Wainwright would then hold the Mets scoreless in the bottom of the 9th to give St. Louis their second pennant in three years and 17th in club history, placing them one behind the New York/San Francisco Giants and the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers for most in NL modern history (since 1903). The Cardinals were making their third consecutive appearance in the NLCS; manager Tony La Russa, who led St. Louis to the 2004 pennant and previously won AL titles with the Oakland Athletics from 1988–90, became the first manager in history to win multiple pennants in both leagues.

The Mets, handicapped after season-ending injuries to Pedro Martínez and Orlando Hernández, qualified for postseason play for the first time since 2000. They defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers three games to none in the NL Division Series, while the Cardinals defeated the San Diego Padres three games to one. The Mets had home-field advantage due to their better record in the regular season (the Mets were 97–65, the Cardinals 83–78). The Mets and Cardinals previously met in the 2000 NLCS, which the Mets won in five games.

The Cardinals would go on to defeat the Detroit Tigers in the World Series in five games.

Summary

New York Mets vs. St. Louis Cardinals

St. Louis won the series, 4-3.

Game Date Score Location Time Attendance 
1 October 12† St. Louis Cardinals – 0, New York Mets – 2 Shea Stadium 2:52 56,311 
2 October 13† St. Louis Cardinals – 9, New York Mets – 6 Shea Stadium 3:58 56,349 
3 October 14 New York Mets – 0, St. Louis Cardinals – 5 Busch Stadium 2:53 47,053 
4 October 15 New York Mets – 12, St. Louis Cardinals – 5 Busch Stadium 3:31 46,600 
5 October 17‡ New York Mets – 2, St. Louis Cardinals – 4 Busch Stadium 3:26 46,496 
6 October 18 St. Louis Cardinals – 2, New York Mets – 4 Shea Stadium 2:56 56,334 
7 October 19 St. Louis Cardinals – 3, New York Mets – 1 Shea Stadium 3:23 56,357

†: Game 1 was postponed due to rain on October 11. Game 2 was subsequently pushed back a day as well.
‡: Game 5 was postponed due to rain on October 16.

Game summaries

Game 1

Thursday, October 12, 2006 8:21 pm (EDT) at Shea Stadium in Queens, New York 61 °F (16 °C), partly cloudy
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
St. Louis 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
New York 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 X 2 6 0
WP: Tom Glavine (1–0)   LP: Jeff Weaver (0–1)   Sv: Billy Wagner (1)
Home runs:
STL: None
NYM: Carlos Beltrán (1)

On a game pushed back a day by rain, both pitchers pitched magnificently. Tom Glavine earned the win with seven innings of shutout baseball. The game's only runs came on a two-run homer by Carlos Beltrán off losing pitcher Jeff Weaver in the sixth following a two-out single by Paul Lo Duca. Glavine was aided by stellar defense, as the Mets turned two double plays. In the third inning, with runners on first and second, third baseman David Wright caught a line drive off the bat of David Eckstein and threw to second to double up Yadier Molina. In the following inning, Juan Encarnación flied out to shallow center to Beltrán, who threw to first on the run to double up Albert Pujols, who went 0-for-3 with a walk. Left fielder Endy Chávez also made an excellent diving play on a flare hit by Ronnie Belliard. He replaced Cliff Floyd, who left in the second inning when he reaggravated his injured Achilles tendon.

Following the game, Albert Pujols was controversially critical of Glavine's performance, saying that the Cards would have dominated him if they were on their "A" game. His exact words were:

"He wasn't good. He wasn't good at all ... I think we hit the ball hard, we didn't get some breaks. I say he wasn't good at all. We just didn't get some opportunities and that's it.... same thing that he always does. Throw a changeup, fastball and that was it."

Pujols' comments drew criticism from fans, talk-show hosts, broadcasters, and even his own manager. Tony La Russa, while maintaining that Pujols made the remarks in the heat of the moment, said "It's not a good statement. Glavine deserves credit." Tom Glavine, when asked, merely said that everyone is entitled to their own opinion. His teammate Billy Wagner, on the other hand, said:

"I know if Albert would have said that about me, I wouldn't have been as veteraned, as seasoned about it ... I probably would have said something back. That's me. Tom is classy all the way ... Tom's done so much. Tom doesn't have to stoop to tell people how good he is ... His numbers speak for themselves. With 290 wins for somebody that has been in the league as long as he has is pretty self-explanatory ...Tommy's stature is much bigger than Pujols'. He's a Hall of Fame induction coming. Albert doesn't. Albert's a great player, but you just don't know about tomorrow. In this clubhouse, Tommy is the epitome of class and great leadership. He leads by what he does in the field. He doesn't lead by what he says in the media."

Game 2

Friday, October 13, 2006 8:06 pm (EDT) at Shea Stadium in Queens, New York 52 °F (11 °C), partly cloudy
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
St. Louis 0 2 2 0 0 0 2 0 3 9 10 1
New York 3 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 6 9 2
WP: Josh Kinney (1–0)   LP: Billy Wagner (0–1)   Sv: Adam Wainwright (1)
Home runs:
STL: Jim Edmonds (1), So Taguchi (1)
NYM: Carlos Delgado 2 (2)

In Game 2, the Cardinals erased three deficits en route to a 9–6 victory. In the first inning, Carlos Delgado hit a three-run home run off the Cardinals' ace Chris Carpenter. Yadier Molina then drove in two runs with a bases-loaded double in the second inning off of John Maine. In the bottom of the second, Endy Chavez hit a leadoff double, moved to third on a groundout and scored on José Reyes's, but Jim Edmonds's home run after a walk tied the game in the third. Delgado's home run in the fifth put the Mets back on top 5–4. Next inning, Cardinals reliever Josh Hancock walked Reyes, who scored on Paul Lo Duca's double, but Scott Spiezio, who started the game at third base in place of an injured Scott Rolen, had two hits and three RBIs, including a two-run triple on an 0–2 pitch in the seventh inning to tie the game at six off of Guillermo Mota.Lefty closer Billy Wagner came into the game in the top of the ninth inning. Left fielder So Taguchi, a right-hitting defensive replacement homered on the ninth pitch of the at-bat to put the Cardinals ahead, 7–6. Albert Pujols doubled and moved to third on a groundout before Spiezio's RBI double and Juan Encarnación's single extended the Cardinals' lead to 9–6. Tyler Johnson and Adam Wainwright retired the Mets in order in the bottom of the ninth as the Cardinals' win tied the series 1–1.

Game 3

Saturday, October 14, 2006 7:16 pm (CDT) at Busch Stadium (III) in St. Louis, Missouri 52 °F (11 °C), clear
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
New York 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
St. Louis 2 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 5 8 0
WP: Jeff Suppan (1–0)   LP: Steve Trachsel (0–1)
Home runs:
NYM: None
STL: Jeff Suppan (1)

Back in St. Louis for the next three games, St. Louis starter Jeff Suppan pitched eight innings as the Cardinals defeated the Mets, 5–0. Scott Spiezio hit a two-run triple (his second two-run triple in as many games) in the bottom of the first inning to put the Cardinals ahead, 2–0. The Cardinals loaded the bases on two walks afterward, but Mets starter Steve Trachsel struck out Yadier Molina looking to end the inning. Next inning, Suppan's leadoff home run made it 3–0, who then loaded the bases on two walks and a line drive off the bat of Preston Wilson that hit Trachsel, who left with a bruised thigh. Mets reliever Darren Oliver threw a wild pitch to Jim Edmonds that let David Eckstein score before Edmonds's RBI groundout plated the last run of the game. Oliver then pitched six shutout innings. After the game, the Mets had not scored in 12 consecutive innings, making it 14 before scoring in the third inning of Game 4.

Game 4

Sunday, October 15, 2006 7:05 pm (CDT) at Busch Stadium (III) in St. Louis, Missouri 62 °F (17 °C), overcast
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
New York 0 0 2 0 3 6 1 0 0 12 14 1
St. Louis 0 1 1 0 1 2 0 0 0 5 11 1
WP: Óliver Pérez (1–0)   LP: Brad Thompson (0–1)
Home runs:
NYM: Carlos Beltrán 2 (3), David Wright (1), Carlos Delgado (3)
STL: David Eckstein (1), Jim Edmonds (2), Yadier Molina (1)

Game 4 was a pivotal game for the Mets, who were faced with a two-games-to-one deficit. They sent Óliver Pérez, a young lefty picked up at the trade deadline from the Pittsburgh Pirates, to face the Cardinals' own young starter, Anthony Reyes. In a game that would see an NLCS-record-tying seven home runs, the Cardinals grabbed an early lead in the bottom of the second on a Yadier Molina single. It seemed to be a repeat of the night before, but in the top of the third the Mets hit two home runs, one being Carlos Beltrán's second of the series and sixth against the Cardinals in NLCS play, and another representing David Wright's first hit of the series and first homer of the playoffs. The lead was short-lived, as Scott Spiezio walked with one out, then scored on Juan Encarnación's two-out triple to tie the game. The game would stay tied until the top of the fifth inning, when Paul Lo Duca reached on an error by Cardinals second baseman Ronnie Belliard, Beltrán managed a walk, and Carlos Delgado scored an opposite-field three-run homer, his third of the series, to make it 5–2 Mets and knock starter Brad Thompson out of the game. David Eckstein pulled the Cards back in the bottom of the fifth with a leadoff homer, but, in the top of the sixth, the Mets extended the lead. José Reyes and Paul Lo Duca hit back-to-back singles off of Josh Hancock, and Beltrán walked to load the bases. Delgado then hit a ground-rule double to drive in two runs, and then Wright walked. Tyler Johnson relieved Hancock and Shawn Green singled to drive in one run and José Valentín, who, at that point, was only 3-for-20 in the playoffs, hit a bases-clearing double down the left field line to make it 11–3. The Cardinals got home runs from Edmonds and Molina to make it an 11–5 game, but Mets manager Willie Randolph then pulled starter Pérez and bought in submarine pitcher Chad Bradford to try and limit the damage. Beltrán would tie the NLCS record of seven home runs with another in the seventh off of Braden Looper en route to a final score of 12–5. Beltrán also tied Babe Ruth for the all-time postseason record of seven home runs against the Cardinals, having hit four against them in the 2004 National League Championship Series while playing for the Houston Astros.

Game 5

Tuesday, October 17, 2006 7:20 pm (CDT) at Busch Stadium (III) in St. Louis, Missouri 61 °F (16 °C), partly cloudy
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
New York 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 8 0
St. Louis 0 0 0 2 1 1 0 0 X 4 10 0
WP: Jeff Weaver (1–1)   LP: Tom Glavine (1–1)   Sv: Adam Wainwright (2)
Home runs:
NYM: None
STL: Albert Pujols (1), Chris Duncan (1)

After Game 5 was pushed back a day by rain, giving their starter now four days' normal rest instead of three days' short rest, the Mets sought a 3–2 lead in the NLCS. However, pitcher Tom Glavine could not stifle the Cardinals' offense. After the Mets jumped out to a 2–0 lead on Jose Valentin's double off of Jeff Weaver, the next half-inning Albert Pujols struck for his first home run and RBI of the series to cut the Mets' lead in half. Glavine then walked Scott Rolen and allowed a single to Jim Edmonds before Ronnie Belliard tied the game with a single to left. David Eckstein singled to lead off the fifth and scored on Preston Wilson double to put the Cardinals up 3–2. St. Louis padded their lead in the sixth through a pinch-hit home run by rookie Chris Duncan off of Pedro Feliciano that made the final score 4–2, Cardinals. The win moved the Cardinals within one of their second National League pennant in three years.

Game 6

Wednesday, October 18, 2006 8:20 pm (EDT) at Shea Stadium in Queens, New York 69 °F (21 °C), overcast
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
St. Louis 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 7 1
New York 1 0 0 1 0 0 2 0 X 4 10 0
WP: John Maine (1–0)   LP: Chris Carpenter (0–1)
Home runs:
STL: None
NYM: José Reyes (1)

Facing elimination, the Mets sent John Maine to start Game 6. He allowed no runs in 5+1⁄3 innings, earning the win for the Mets. José Reyes hit a leadoff home run in the bottom of the first, giving the Mets a lead that would never be relinquished. Reyes became the first Met to lead off with a home run in the first inning of a postseason game since former outfielder Lenny Dykstra in Game 3 of the 1986 World Series against the Boston Red Sox. The Cardinals stranded several runners against Maine. In the top of the first inning, with runners on second and third and one out, Maine struck out Jim Edmonds. After Maine hit Juan Encarnación with a pitch to load the bases, Scott Rolen flew out. In the top of the third, with a runner on second and nobody out, Maine struck out Scott Spiezio and intentionally walked Albert Pujols. Edmonds then flew out and Maine struck out Encarnación to finish the job. Shawn Green hit an RBI single in the fourth off of starter Chris Carpenter and Paul Lo Duca added two more with an RBI hit in the seventh off of Braden Looper. Billy Wagner came on in the ninth and allowed a leadoff single to Juan Encarnación and subsequent double to Scott Rolen. After retiring the next two batters, Wagner gave up a two-RBI double to So Taguchi before retiring David Eckstein to end the game.

Game 7

Thursday, October 19, 2006 8:20 pm (EDT) at Shea Stadium in Queens, New York 64 °F (18 °C), chance of rain
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
St. Louis 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 3 6 1
New York 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 4 1
WP: Randy Flores (1–0)   LP: Aaron Heilman (0–1)   Sv: Adam Wainwright (3)
Home runs:
STL: Yadier Molina (2)
NYM: None

In the decisive Game 7, the Mets sent Game 4 winner Óliver Pérez to the mound against Jeff Suppan. The Mets jumped out to an early 1–0 lead when David Wright drove in Carlos Beltrán in the first with a bloop single into right field. The Cardinals tied the game in the second when Ronnie Belliard hit into a squeeze play that scored Jim Edmonds from third. In the fifth, with runners on first and second and two gone, Albert Pujols came up to the plate. Even with Chad Bradford warming up in the bullpen, Willie Randolph decided to stay with Pérez. He got Pujols to pop out. Pérez ran into some more trouble in the sixth with a runner on and one out when Scott Rolen hit a long fly ball to left field to create one of the greatest defensive plays in postseason history.

The ball cleared the fence, but Endy Chávez amazingly brought it back by snow-coning the ball, jumping from the edge of the warning track to snag what looked to be a certain home run. He then threw the ball to first base quickly to double off Jim Edmonds, who had rounded second on his way to third, to end the inning. He received two curtain calls from the Shea crowd. With the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the sixth, José Valentín and Chávez failed to get the go-ahead run in.

With the score 1–1 in the top of the ninth, Yadier Molina, with Scott Rolen on first, hit a deep fly off Aaron Heilman in the same general direction as the one Rolen hit in the sixth. This ball was hit too high for Chávez to catch, and it gave the Cardinals a 3–1 lead, with only three outs in the bottom of the ninth separating them from a pennant.

However, the Mets would not go quietly. Rookie closer Adam Wainwright yielded singles to Valentín and Chávez to lead off the ninth. After getting a strikeout and a fly-out, Wainwright walked Paul Lo Duca to bring up Carlos Beltrán with the bases loaded. Down 0–2 to the rookie Wainwright, Beltrán looked at a curveball on the outside corner at the knees for a called strike three to end the series.

This was the last playoff game played in Shea Stadium and the last postseason appearance for the Mets until 2015, six years after Citi Field opened. It was the second and last time that a visiting team won a postseason series at Shea (the other being the Yankees' victory over the Mets in the 2000 World Series).

Composite box

2006 NLCS (4–3): St. Louis Cardinals over New York Mets

Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
St. Louis Cardinals 2 7 3 2 2 3 2 0 7 28 56 4
New York Mets 5 1 2 3 4 9 3 0 0 27 54 4
Total attendance: 365,500   Average attendance: 52,214

Aftermath

The Cardinals would win the World Series by defeating the heavily-favored Detroit Tigers in five games. With 83 wins, the Cardinals set a record for the worst regular season win–loss total for any championship team. They would win another World Series in 2011 and make another World Series appearance in 2013 (where they lost to the Boston Red Sox). Manager Tony La Russa retired after the 2011 season, going out a champion. LaRussa would unretire ten years later in 2021 when he became the manager of the White Sox, a team he managed from 1979-1986.

September 27, 2008: Fans staying after conclusion of the second-to-last game ever at Shea Stadium, taking pictures and one last look.

As for the Mets, many commentators and fans had predicted that 2006 would be the beginning of a dynasty. They had dominated the National League that season, winning 97 games when no one else won more than 88, and they had a deep and young core, with Beltran, Wright, and Reyes being under 30 (the latter two being under 25). Supporting those three were Hall of Fame caliber players such as Carlos Delgado, Tom Glavine, Pedro Martínez, and Billy Wagner.

Plaque outside of Citi Field honoring Chávez's catch in the 2006 NLCS

Nonetheless, 2006 stands as the only major achievement for this group. They suffered a historic collapse at the end of the 2007 season, losing 12 of their final 17 games to blow a 7-game division lead and miss the postseason by one game. After a smaller late-season collapse the next season (3+1⁄2-game division lead with 17 games left), they again missed the postseason by one game. 2008 also marked the Mets final year at Shea Stadium. Following this, they suffered through six straight losing seasons and ultimately would not return to the postseason until 2015 - in which they won their fifth NL Pennant in franchise history - when Wright was the only Met from 2006 still on the roster. Manager Willie Randolph was fired in the middle of the 2008 season, Delgado played his last game in 2009, General Manager Omar Minaya was fired after 2010 (In 2017, he was brought back as a Special Assistant to then-General Manager Sandy Alderson), Beltran was dealt away at the 2011 trade deadline, and Reyes left via free agency that offseason. Reyes would eventually return to the Mets in 2016; he, along with Wright, would leave the Mets after the 2018 season - Reyes's contract was not renewed, and Wright retired as a result of spinal stenosis.

Despite the loss, Endy Chavez became a cult hero for his game-saving catch in Game 7. Mets' radio broadcaster Gary Cohen called it “not just the play of the year, but the maybe the play of the franchise’s history." The left field entrance gate of the Mets' current ballpark, Citi Field, features a metal silhouette of a baseball player making a leaping catch similar to the one Chávez made during the 2006 NLCS. There is also of plaque Citi Field commemorates Chavez's catch, as well.

In 2022, Adam Wainwright and Yadier Molina, who were the battery that closed out the 2006 NLCS, broke the record for most games started by a starting pitcher and catcher. For the rest of their careers following the 2006 NLCS, both men were booed in New York when playing the Mets for their roles in Game 7.

See also

Notes

  1. "2006 NLCS Game 1 - St. Louis Cardinals vs. New York Mets". Retrosheet. Retrieved September 13, 2009.
  2. "2006 NLCS Game 2 - St. Louis Cardinals vs. New York Mets". Retrosheet. Retrieved September 13, 2009.
  3. "2006 NLCS Game 3 - New York Mets vs. St. Louis Cardinals". Retrosheet. Retrieved September 13, 2009.
  4. "2006 NLCS Game 4 - New York Mets vs. St. Louis Cardinals". Retrosheet. Retrieved September 13, 2009.
  5. "2006 NLCS Game 5 - New York Mets vs. St. Louis Cardinals". Retrosheet. Retrieved September 13, 2009.
  6. "2006 NLCS Game 6 - St. Louis Cardinals vs. New York Mets". Retrosheet. Retrieved September 13, 2009.
  7. "2006 NLCS Game 7 - St. Louis Cardinals vs. New York Mets". Retrosheet. Retrieved September 13, 2009.
  8. "Archives". Los Angeles Times.
  9. "Pujols' comments draw attention".
  10. "Wagner speaks up in support of Glavine". October 18, 2006.
  11. Robertson, Matthew. "Endy Chavez on the 15th anniversary of the catch that turned him into a Mets cult hero". New York Daily News. Retrieved August 11, 2022.
  12. Powell, Nick (April 27, 2015). "Confessions of a Masochistic Mets Fan". Esquire. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  13. Schneider, Joey (September 14, 2022). "Adam Wainwright, Yadier Molina: The journey to MLB's battery record". FOX 2. Retrieved September 14, 2022.

External links

External videos
video icon 2006 NLCS Game 7 (Cardinals vs. Mets) on YouTube
2006 Major League Baseball postseason
World Series
American League teams
National League teams
Links to related articles
National League Championship Series
St. Louis Cardinals
Franchise
History
Ballparks
Spring training:
Culture
Lore
Rivalries
Key personnel
Minor league
affiliates
Triple-A
Memphis Redbirds
Double-A
Springfield Cardinals
High-A
Peoria Chiefs
Single-A
Palm Beach Cardinals
Rookie
Florida Complex League Cardinals
Foreign Rookie
Dominican Summer League Cardinals
World Series
Championships
pre-MLB
MLB
League pennants
American Association
National League
Division titles
National League East
1982
1985
1987
National League Central
1996
2000
2002
2004
2005
2006
2009
2013
2014
2015
2019
2022
Wild card titles
All Star Games hosted
Seasons (144)
1880s
1890s
1900s
1910s
1920s
1930s
1940s
1950s
1960s
1970s
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s
2020s
New York Mets
Franchise
Ballparks
Spring training
Al Lang Stadium
Clover Park
Culture
Books
Movies
Music
TV show episodes
Notable people
Lore
Rivalries
Key personnel
World Series
championships (2)
National League
pennants (5)
Division titles (6)
Wild Card (5)
Minor league affiliates
Seasons (65)
1960s
1970s
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s
2020s
MLB on Fox
Related programs
Related articles
National
coverage
Former FSN
regional coverage
Fox/MyTV
O&O Stations
  • New York City: WNYW 5 (Yankees, 1999–2001), WWOR 9 (N.Y. Giants, 1951–1957; Brooklyn Dodgers, 1950–1957; Mets, 1962–1998; Yankees, 2005–2014)
  • Los Angeles: KTTV 11 (Dodgers, 1958–1992), KCOP 13 (Dodgers, 2002–2005; Angels, 2006–2012)
  • Chicago: WFLD 32 (White Sox, 1968–1972, 1982–1989)
  • Philadelphia: WTXF 29 (Phillies, 1983–1989)
  • Dallas–Fort Worth: KDFW 4 & KDFI 27 (Texas Rangers, 2001–2009)
  • San Francisco–Oakland: KTVU 2 (Giants, 1961–2007; Athletics, 1973–1974), KICU 36 (Athletics, 1999–2008)
  • Boston: WFXT 25 (Red Sox, 2000–2002)
  • Washington, D.C.: WTTG 5 (Senators, 1948–1958), WDCA 20 (Nationals, 2005–2008)
  • Houston: KRIV 26 (Astros, 1979–1982), KTXH 20 (Astros, 1983–1997, 2008–2012)
  • Detroit: WJBK 2 (Tigers, 1953–1974; 2007)
  • Minneapolis–Saint Paul: KMSP 9 (Twins, 1979–1988, 1998–2002), WFTC 29 (Twins, 1990–1992, 2005–2010)
TV history by decade
Commentators
Play-by-play
announcers
Former play-by-play
announcers
Color
commentators
Former color
commentators
Guest
commentators
Field reporters
Former field reporters
Studio hosts
Former studio hosts
Studio
analysts
Former studio
analysts
Lore
Regular season
Postseason games
World Series games
World Series
AL Championship Series
NL Championship Series
AL Division Series
NL Division Series
All-Star Game
World Baseball Classic
Major League Baseball on ESPN Radio
Play-by-play
Analysts
Studio hosts
AL Championship Series
NL Championship Series
AL Division Series
NL Division Series
AL Wild Card Round
NL Wild Card Round
All-Star Game
World Series
World Baseball Classic
Related programs
Commentators
Lore
Tie-breaker games
Divisional Series games
League Championship Series games
World Series games
Chicago Cubs
Cleveland Guardians
New York Yankees
Yankees–Red Sox rivalry
Related articles
Categories: