PITTSBURGH -- The Cardinals had to wait 159 games, until September had nearly given way to October. They had to wait through Tuesday, when rain postponed their first chance, and they first had to endure a loss in Game 1 of a doubleheader on Wednesday.
Even after they'd beaten the Pirates, 11-1, on Wednesday night, the Cardinals chose to wait until they got back into the visitors' clubhouse at PNC Park. Once they got there, finally, they celebrated their third straight National League Central championship -- a rowdy party they enjoyed even more given everything it took to get here.