"I'm just glad I had a chance after I looked like an idiot on that popup," David Freese said after the St. Louis Cardinals' 10-9 win over the Texas Rangers in Game 6 of the World Series.
2011 World Series, Game 6: David Freese Goes From ‘Idiot’ To Hero
And boy did David Freese look like an idiot after that popup. Prior to the late-inning heroics on Thursday night, Freese was, at least partially, the goat for the Cardinals. But this was the lasting memory of Freese at the time:
Not the way anyone wants to be remembered in a World Series. Two hands!
And yet, Freese found himself in a position to save the Cardinals in the ninth inning, facing Neftali Feliz with two on and two out. Down to his last strike, Freese ripped a triple to right, tying the game and forcing extras.
“Initially I was like ‘Are you kidding me?’ My first AB off Feliz in this situation ever,” Freese said. “I just beared down, got a pitch to hit. Initially I thought I hit it pretty good, I thought (right fielder Nelson Cruz) was going to grab it, so just a lot of emotions on that one.”
He wasn’t done, though. The man who looked like an idiot just innings earlier stepped to the plate to lead-off the 11th with the score tied at nine. And with one swing of the bat, the self-proclaimed idiot became the hero, ripping a home run to center to send the World Series to Game 7.
The botched popup is all but forgotten now after Freese’s solo shot to cap Game 6. His jersey was ripped off in the celebration at the plate and the Cardinals suddenly have life again after coming one strike from elimination.
For more on the Cardinals’ wild Game 6 win, check out the rest of the Baseball Nation live-blog and Jeff Sullivan’s recap.
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