Ah, what a festive night at Busch. St. Louis is having a nice time tonight.

First we had the emotional introduction of assorted major league mascots. They danced merrily on the top of the dugouts, making you wonder if they spend all day roaming St. Louis in those costumes.

(That would be cool, especially at the bars later tonight. Billy the Marlin could be the King of Washington Ave. if he wanted to be.)
Ozzie Smith’s kid Nikko did his usual fine job singing Our National Anthem. The inevitable jet fly over was a hit, as you would expect.

That David Cook guy from “American Idol” appealed to a younger demographic with one of his hits. And then he sang another hit.

Not sure he needed the flames shooting up from behind the stage. Alice Cooper he is not. But St. Louisans are polite, so they clapped.

Then came the player introductions and a massive ovation for Albert — especially from the outfield seats, where St. Louis were able to grab tickets.