Former Spikes lead Cards to World Series title
And the iconic final out of the Series, which will be replayed countless times for years to come, featured former Spikes Jason Motte and Allen Craig teaming up to close out the Cardinals' 11th World Championship.
With two outs in the ninth inning and St. Louis leading Texas, 6-2, Motte enduced a fly ball to left field that was caught by Craig to end the game and an incredible series.
Beyond that final out, Motte and Craig, who were members of the Spikes inaugural 2006 squad, played starring roles throughout the World Series and the entire post-season.
Motte was on the mound for final out of three of the Cards' four World Series wins, and made five relief appearances overall in the Fall Classic. He was dominate in the first two playoff rounds against Philadelphia and Milwaukee, allowing just one hit over eight scoreless with four saves.
Craig, on the other hand, saved his best post-season performance for the World Series. He homered three times throughout the series, including longballs in both Game 6 and 7, and recorded a game-winning, pinch-hit RBI single in Game 1.
Motte and Craig began their championship journeys at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park during the Spikes inaugural 2006 campaign, when the club was affiliated with St. Louis.
Motte was in his fourth pro season in the Cardinals' system back in 2006, but was in his first as a pitcher after switching from catcher earlier that spring. The right-hander quickly made the decision to convert from catcher to pitcher a smart one, as he posted a 3.08 ERA with eight saves and 25 strikeouts in 26 1/3 innings over 21 appearances.
Craig, an eighth round pick of the Cardinals in the 2006 MLB Draft, made his professional debut with the Spikes that summer, hitting .257 with 13 doubles, four home runs and 29 RBI in 48 games. The Cal-Berkley product represented the Spikes in the 2006 New York-Penn League All-Star Game in Aberdeen, MD.
Motte and Craig are two of eight members of the 2006 Spikes to have reached the major leagues, joining Brendan Ryan, Luke Gregerson, P.J. Walters, Mark Hamilton, Adam Ottavino and David Carpenter.