Surprises Abound with Arrival of Cardinals’ Trophies

Major League Baseball has not always had the trophy that we know so well for the World Series champions -- the ones with the pennants spoking out from a circular base and the logos of the two teams featured near the front of the Tiffany & Co.-designed award.

The 2011 title was the Cardinals' organization's 11th World Series title, but only the fourth trophy for the team. All four are on display right now on the field.

And that surprise was who brought them, especially the two most recent trophies:

• 1967 trophy -- carried out by Mike Shannon
• 1982 trophy -- carried out by Tommy Herr, accompanied by Glenn Brummer
• 2006 trophy -- carried out by Jim Edmonds, joined by World Series MVP David Eckstein
• 2011 trophy -- carried out by former manager Tony La Russa, joined by pitching coach Dave Duncan

The Cardinals began the intros of the trophies and their escorts with a short highlight video from the 2011 season, narrated by Dan McLaughlin. The video featured a brief photo of David Freese as a Lafayette High Lancer.

With the trophies still on the temporary pedestals, the parade of current Cardinals has started.

Chris Carpenter's arrival at home plate -- in a blue pickup truck -- was announced by a highlight from the World Series played on the big screen. The highlight? Why his dive into first base for a groundout in Game 1 of the World Series, of course.