TOWER GROVE — In one of the most dominant World Series pitching performances of our era, Philadelphia Phillies lefty Cliff Lee tied-up one of the finest lineups in the game last night, striking out 10 New York Yankees and authoring a complete-game in Game 1 at (New) Yankee Stadium. It was, in short, arguably the best World Series start by a NL pitcher since Bob Gibson.

But is it better than Hoot’s?

Lee needed 122 pitches to…

TOWER GROVE — As detailed in the first of Joe Strauss’ post-season autopsies on the St. Louis Cardinals, manager Tony La Russa said a year he enjoyed with a team he professed a fondness for “from Day 1 of spring training really” left a sour, morning-mouth taste because of the way things finished. Not just the sweep in the National League Division Series, but specifically the performance in Game 3 of the playoffs.

“The first two games…

DENVER — Former Colorado Rockies face-o’-franchise outfielder Matt Holliday held court in the visitors’ dugout for the first time in his career, dutifully answering questions about his first trip back to Coors Field, what being back feels like and how Albert Pujols is the best player ever.

Yes. That’s what he said. Pujols: Best. Player. Ever.

Actually, “all-time” may have been his exact words.

Asked to clarify the statement, Holliday didn’t take the the chance to equivocate.

“I’ve never seen…

TOWER GROVE — Five thousand at-bats into his career, baseball great Babe Ruth had already shattered home run records and set the gobsmacking standard with his 60 homers in 1927. He had also been a two-time 20-game winner as a pitcher for the Boston Red Sox.

Five thousand at-bats into his career, the Splendid Splinter Ted Williams had his .406-average season and two Triple Crowns. Five thousand at-bats into their careers, Hall of Famer Hank Greenberg…