Passan:

It was unknowns such as Rzepczynski, rehab cases like Dotel, cadavers like Rhodes, nonentities like Allen Craig, who had lead-taking hits in three of the Cardinals’ four World Series wins. His home run to right field off Matt Harrison(notes) in the third inning put St. Louis ahead, 3-2, and for good in Game 7. The ball landed in St. Louis’ bullpen. Rzepczynski corralled it. Motte ran around with his fist pumping. Dotel whooped. Six innings later, they landed on top of one another in the middle of the diamond.

“Nobody believes me,† Dotel said, “but we won the World Series. Ha ha ha ha ha.â€

He laughed because he had his entire 13-year career without a title, same as Berkman, who was the first Cardinal to hoist the commissioner’s trophy. Holliday had waited eight years – “He said I can’t rub it in his face anymore because he’s got one, too,† Wainwright said – and Furcal a dozen and Rhodes 20. They were all champions, and it felt good.

Dotel couldn’t stop celebrating. Bottle after bottle he shook, popped the cork, sprayed it toward Pujols and repeated the derisive nickname Milwaukee outfielder Nyjer Morgan(notes) tagged him with this summer: “Alberta! Alberta! Albertita!â€

He wouldn’t stop. Nothing was off-limits here, not in the haze of a championship. As Pujols’ eyes burned and twitched to blink the drink out of them, Dotel kept squirting, yelling, laughing.

“He’s a free agent!† Dotel said. “Alberta! Say hello to my little friend!â€