Darrell,

     It's always hard to comment on your posts because they're so good I don't have anything to add.  The mental toughness quote at the end is a great one.  I think it was an actor I heard recently talking about performing – he said everyone feels fear, you just have surf the fear.  I like that, too. 

     Also, I love Augie Garrido.  Some of his quotes I keep in my notes:

• Eliminate the fear and it's fun.
• Eliminate the concern for results and it's fun.
• Do your best – fail – then do your best again.
• And my favorite – my coaches and I say this all the time:  Baseball screws everybody.

     Tony LaRussa said during the 12-6 win over the Brewers that played like a slow-pitch softball game that it "wasn't any fun".  I know exactly what he means.  There's a sense of order in a game where your pitchers are shutting the other team down, whether your team is scoring or not you feel like you can find a way to win.  When every pitch your pitcher throws seems to be at risk and you have to just keep outscoring them, that's not my kind of baseball.  I always say there are two kinds of pitchers – pitchers who can get hitters out, and pitchers who have to hope the hitter gets himself out.  It's the difference between hoping and attacking with a plan.  That's why I love your posts so much. 

Well, as usual, I guess I added something anyway.  Great stuff.    

Big game for the Cards tonight.  The Rangers are very, very good.