The reminders arrived through a mist of beer showers and sprays of champagne friendly fire.
In front of burning eyes, a new crop of Cardinals learned how to celebrate a National League Central championship.
Marcell Ozuna tiptoed up behind Yadier Molina to pour bubbly on the catcher’s head. Miles Mikolas partied shirtless. Harrison Bader ran around with a cork in his mouth, as if it were a cigar. Jack Flaherty threatened to soak coach Willie McGee, who insisted he was wet enough. John Brebbia, wearing a bathrobe, passed out hugs, tried to get media members to accept beers and contemplated how long the beard he refrains from cutting during the season could grow by the time this run reached its end.