One of the more unlikely postseason heroes breaks the ninth-inning tie of Game 2 of the 2006 National League Championship Series to send the Cardinals to a win over the Mets at Shea.
So Taguchi was one of my favorite Cardinals, especially during an era of good teams. He came with a wonderful attitude, worked very hard, was a very good defender, who also could bunt, run intelligently, and hit in the clutch. We all loved him. He and his wife moved to St. Louis, worked hard to learn English and to experience a period of life in America. I had a great two-year experience in Japan. Those were special years with Albert and Edmonds. 2011 was a miracle series; this 2006 year was totally unexpected, as the team entered the playoffs on a record bad September, barely entering post-season play (and, a team with the worst regular season record to win a World Series).
I will never forget this moment! So Taguchi was a great defensive outfielder and always gave a great at bat. He was such a great fundamentally sound player.
Taguchi was an underrated hitter. In the clutch, he worked the count, fouled off balls and waited for his pitch. This was an excellent post season at bat. Work the closer and wear him down.
This was such a fun post season run by an aging core of STL players that were in their 3rd straight NLCS. Good for So to get a ring and be a contributor to the cause!
This at bat is a perfect metaphor for So's US career. He fell behind, it didnt look like he had a chance, but he battled back against the odds and won everyone's respect in the process.
To add to the pleasure, NYC sports media mocked So Taguchi before this game saying "In an important moment, who do you want at the plate? So Taguchi? Lololo. Card destroy the Mets again.
La Russa was a mastermind in this postseason. Sits Rolen for Spezio who gets 2 clutch hits. Then puts Rolen back in for Spezio so he can make that dandy play in the 9th.
Full count, dont wanna walk the lead-off guy. Challenge him with a heater. Taguchi, as a smart ballplayer knew that was the plan, and reacted accordingly
What an exciting game that was. It looked very much the Cards were goners in that series the way Game 2 was going until it was tied the seventh inning. I had a feeling Tags would get on base to start the inning, but not that he'd a home run. His post-game reaction was just priceless. And nice little factoid from Joe Buck about Billy the Kid not getting a blown save and/or loss since July 1998 when McGwire hit a home run that I thought for sure would go foul.
What an at-bat! So Taguchi was always one of favorites. What he the most talented guy on the field? No. Was he the hardest working and most unassuming? Probably.
There was a reason why St. Louis signed him. La Russa didn't just bring random guys in. He always had a plan and he always carried guys on the bench to fill specific roles. So was one of those guys.
man only one comment on this video... man I remember watching this. had so much fun watching this inning... who can forget the Pickle with Encarnacion to get the last out. had fun with it too.
This was devastating watching this. I remember this was the game I wish they would of won so that we didn't have to worry about that follow up 4-2 loss when cards advanced to world series . We had just came from a great series clearing out the dodgers and then this. I will not loose hope that I may witness a NY Mets world series in my life time and I am 26. If it were up to me I would focus on getting one great relief pitcher for the bullpen and one great 3rd or 4th line-up spot batter for 2015 season
Poor Mets. I can't imagine the feeling losing to a team that won 83 games in the regular season when you had the best record at 97-65. I guess it's a cautionary tale to never take an opponent lightly
I am a Mets fan and though I was not yet into baseball in 1973 When the Mets won 82 games and beat the 99 win Refs before losing to the Series in 7 to A’s
it was a tie game at home in the 9th so there isn't a save situation from that point forward (extra innings or not). that's basic baseball 101 my friend lol
+ogrebattle22763 nob prob ^_^ lol. Btw he was a terrible manager but Randolph was a fantastic 3rd base coach. the yankees need him back big time as our current one always gets runners thrown out at third and home smh
For all the complaining the Mets fans do about Beltran taking strike 3 from Wainwright, it's funny how they consistently ignore the fact that Wainwright has a pretty damn good curve. It's gotten Big Papi (David Ortiz), so it's like quit ragging on Beltran, if David Ortiz couldn't do it in the playoffs, why would Beltran against the same pitch from the same pitcher? Wainwright beat Beltran, that simple.
