It's Morning in America...well, the midwest

I hate using a Reagan quote for this one but, it's the way I feel after the last game was played at Busch.

Ray King, a Cardinal pitcher, has asked to be traded. He was not used in the postseason at all.

Larry Walker made it clear last night that he was retiring. He's a Hall of Famer in my mind. His first year on the ballot will be 2010.

When perhaps the best baseball player Canada has produced stepped into the batters' box to lead off the final inning of his final game, home plate umpire Gerry Davis told him to step out.

Davis told Larry Walker to enjoy the moment.

"I couldn't even breathe," Walker said. "All these emotions were going every direction. I knew it was it. I'm not coming back."

Walker, a Cardinal for this past season and the final two months of the 2004 season, made official what he had been hinting at for most of the season: He's taking his league MVP honor, seven Gold Gloves and three batting titles and calling it a career. He made the announcement after the Cardinals' Game 6 loss to Houston in the National League Championship Series.

As he told a few reporters of his decision, the crowd that remained long after the final out, an hour after he struck out in his final at-bat, started to chant, "One more year. One more year."

Walker began to tear up.

Another question that will remain is what happens to Matt Morris? His contract is up this year and he is eligible to become a free agent. I hope he decides to remain a Cardinal.

Last night was also the end of an era for KMOX radio whose station will not be broadcasting sports games anymore. I've listened to quite a few games on KMOX while living in Kentucky.

Mike Shannon was at the microphone Wednesday for the final out of the National League Championship Series, finishing his 34th season in the booth.

"Swing and a little fly ball to right, that's going to do it," he said. "Houston wins this one 5-1 and they go to the World Series for the first time in the history of their franchise," Shannon said in the KMOX finale. ... The last scene (at Busch Stadium) will be of Houston winning this game and going on to play the Chicago White Sox in the World Series."

He added that it is "another one of the little quirks in this wild game of baseball" that the final scene at Busch Stadium is of a rival celebrating after winning the pennant.

He then addressed the KMOX situation.

"We would like to thank KMOX Radio for (all the) years that we have been able to enjoy their great airwaves," Shannon said. "And for all of our fans along the way, and our sponsors. It's been a great ride. It all comes to a close here tonight as the Cardinals lose this one 5-1."

Later, in signing off, he said, "Once again we'll thank all of our network stations, especially our mother station here in St. Louis, KMOX, the 'Mighty Mox,' all through the years. .. After 40-plus years the curtain closes on Busch Stadium. And we say so long for the last time, from beautiful Busch Stadium in downtown St. Louis."

Shannon and Wayne Hagin will make the move to KTRS, but KMOX now is without a local professional sports team after dominating the market for decades as it also was the radio home of the local pro basketball, football and hockey teams.[...]

KMOX then aired vintage tapes looking back at some of its heritage, concentrating on Bush Stadium. Featured were:

Jack Buck's signature "Go crazy folks, go crazy" call of Ozzie Smith's game-winning homer in the 1985 National League Championship Series.

Harry Caray's trademark "It might be, it could be, it is!" home run call.

And Shannon describing the last out of Bob Forsch's second no-hitter.

There figured to be much postgame reminiscing going into the wee hours of Thursday morning.

Curt Smith, widely regarded as the leading historian on baseball broadcasting, has discussed how monumental the move is.

"Since 1929, whether it be CBS games or the Browns or the Cardinals, KMOX has broadcast baseball continuously, which is the longest uninterrupted linkage of any game and station in the country," he has said. "That's impressive."

Bryan Burwell writes a great recap.

In Kentucky, there are questions about building a pool in Knott County. In other news, there is a warrant out there for the arrest of Tom Delay.