ST. LOUIS -- It's no secret the Cardinals have needed a boost lately. Hopefully, Wednesday night's victory in Kansas City will provide just that.
That win came with the Redbirds battling adversity, refusing to give up thanks to a vocal Matt Carpenter and taking back a game that was theirs until those pesky Royals made a comeback. But the Cardinals kept fighting and wound up with an exciting win in 11 innings.
They say winning cures all ills, but sometimes it takes a change in environment, too. Perhaps going on the road and taking a break from their routine will help. One game into a seven-game trip, the early indications are good.
Of course, I'd rather the Cardinals were at home, where the crowd is so clearly behind the home team. You'd think that would be the case everywhere, but when the Cardinals go to Kansas City, the crowds at Kauffman Stadium are about as much pro-Cardinal as they are pro-Royal. Love it!
One other thing I love about games at Busch: the Cardinals' walk-up songs. I like thinking about the reasoning behind the players' selections -- whether it's the lyrics they connect with, or maybe the song's title. Or is it the music itself that gets them fired up for their at-bat?
I would guess that Adam Wainwright's walk-up tune, "Song of the South" by Alabama, connects him to his Georgian roots.
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Personally, I love to hear Yadi's walk-up song, one that pays homage to his Latin home -- "Volvieron" by J King.
It's also fun to watch when fans hear one of their favorite songs, like when Matt Holliday walks up to bat to Imagine Dragons' "Radioactive." Talk about music that will get you pumped up. Or to watch some of the young guys such as Shelby Miller, who rocks out to "Here's to the Good Times" by Florida Georgia Line.
My walk-up song? I know I would step up to the plate with a little swagger if AC/DC's "Back in Black" was blaring through the stadium when I made my approach to the batter's box. There is just something about that song that has always gotten me pumped up and in the zone.
So, what would be your walk-up song? We want to hear from you, so let us know by joining in on the conversation on our Facebook or Twitter pages. To see more of the St. Louis Cardinals' walk-up songs, click here.
QUICK HITS
-- One of the other things I have enjoyed seeing this season is the younger players working their way up from the minors. And when one of them hits a towering, game-winning home run in his first big-league game -- as Oscar Taveras, one of the Cardinals' most highly touted prospects ever, did Saturday -- it sure makes it worth the wait.
It was also great to see a few Cardinals minor leaguers make a road trip to Busch Stadium on their day off this week and get a glimpse of what their dreams could hold here in St. Louis.
The Cardinals also recognized some of the franchise's youth this week.
(Wong hit a grand slam just a few hours after that tweet on Tuesday.)
Congratulations to @KoltenWong, the National League Rookie of the Month for May! pic.twitter.com/VRPH301p1H
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) June 3, 2014
-- The MLB Draft is tonight, and keep an eye out for local pitcher Brett Graves, a Francis Howell graduate who chose not to sign with his beloved Cardinals when they drafted him straight out of high school. He went to Mizzou instead. He figures to be a fairly high pick, but will he regret not taking his shot with the Cardinals three years ago?
#STLCards name outfielder @RGrich15 (AAA) & relief pitcher Chris Perry (A) as the Minor League Player and Pitcher of the Month for May.
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) June 3, 2014
VIDEO PICKS
My top video pick of the week, or maybe even the month, has to go to #OfficerJalisha and all those who helped make her wish come true -- including our very own Jim Hayes. Get the tissues ready!
Taveras' debut is not only worth reading about, but also hearing. Catch his reaction to his first St. Louis start. It's pretty cool to watch a player pursue his dreams.
My shout-out this week goes to the St. Louis Rams, who began OTAs this week. Good luck to the players fighting for a roster spot and to the team as a whole. We are all looking forward to the 2014 season!
Kayla, Katie and I will have a chance to join some of the Rams' players and coach Jeff Fisher on Sunday at GNC Park in Sauget, Ill., for the annual Coach Fisher and Friends Celebrity Softball Game. We are excited to take part in this fun event, helping to raise money for several charities. We hope to see you there!
Teryn, a journalism graduate of the University of Missouri, is a FOX Sports Midwest Girl. You can follow the FOX Sports Midwest Girls on Facebook (FOX Sports Midwest Girls) and Twitter and Instagram (@FSMidwestGirls).
