When he thinks about the day, Cliff Politte still gets chills.
"It was really cool," Politte recalled. "I remember it like it was yesterday."
With hundreds of Vianney students and faculty looking on from the upper deck at old Busch Stadium, the former Golden Griffin lived the dream of many a young St. Louis ballplayer. He took the mound as the Cardinals starting pitcher on April 2, 1998, in the Redbirds' second game of the season.
"I was overwhelmed," Politte said. "I was in the same clubhouse as (Willie) McGee and (Ray) Lankford. Guys I watched as a kid were now my teammates. That's something you don't forget. It was exciting to be a part of."
If he was in awe, Politte didn't pitch like it. Then 24, the righthander allowed just one run and two hits in five innings, striking out four and walking three. Politte didn't figure in the decision as the Cards posted an 8-5 victory on a two-out, three-run walkoff homer in the 12th inning by Mark McGwire.
It was a promising beginning for Politte, who had been drafted by the Cardinals in the 54th round out of Jefferson College two years before. Cardinals president Mark Lamping, a Vianney grad, had donated the tickets to the school.
Politte's high school coach, Steve Travis, had a baseball game that day. But he was on hand for the first few innings.
"It was such a wonderful day for Cliff and our program," Travis recalled.
But by May, Politte was sent down to Triple-A with a 2-3 mark, a lofty 6.32 ERA and a severely bruised ego.
"I was immature at the time and pretty devastated," Politte said. "My initial reaction was I was letting everyone down."
After a short stint in the minors and stops in Philadelphia and Toronto, Politte enjoyed a breakout season as a setup man with the Chicago White Sox in 2005. He finished with a 7-1 mark and a 2.00 ERA, and the White Sox swept the Houston Astros in the World Series.
"It was something everybody in the game hopes happens to them," Politte recalled. "Everything clicked. Our hitters had big years, and I had the best year of my career. When it happens, it is amazing."
Three other Sox with area ties -- pitcher Mark Buehrle, third baseman Joe Crede, and pitcher Neal Cotts -- were on the squad as well.
The foursome, particularly St. Louisans Buehrle (Francis Howell North) and Politte, were excited about the possibility of returning home for the World Series. But the Cardinals fell to the Astros in the NLCS in six games.
"We thought it would be kind of cool, even though we weren't looking forward to all those ticket requests," Politte said. "Albert (Pujols) did us a favor that year with his (Game 5) home run. (Reliever Brad) Lidge wasn't the same after that."
For Politte, becoming a World Champion was a crowning achievement, and the road to get there taught him a lot about perseverance. That came in handy in the latter part of the decade, when he had surgery on a torn rotator cuff, then tried to make a comeback with the Cardinals in 2008.
But it tore a second time, and his playing days were over. Following his retirement, Politte had a complete hip replacement in 2009 -- picked up by MLB insurance -- at the ripe old age of 35.
Politte and wife Jennifer, an Oakville graduate, currently live in Sunset Hills with children Drew (8), Michael (5) and Jack (2). Politte most recently was working at Helitech, a local waterproofing and structural repair company, but has given that up in the hopes of finding a job back in baseball.
"I'm not one of those people who wants to sit at home," Politte said. "I still feel young and want to get back involved."
On occasion he has helped out at Vianney, the place where it all began. He rents an indoor facility there, where he gives pitching lessons.
Back in the day, Politte's skills on the pitch were even more impressive than those on the diamond.
"I knew of him because one of my sons was his age," Travis said. "I heard he was good in soccer before I heard about baseball."
Soccer at Vianney back then, led by current Triad coach Mike Villa, was king. Politte, a 5-foot-11 midfielder, ended up being part of two unbeaten state title teams in 1991 and '92. The latter year the Griffins ended the year as mythical national champions.
Politte said Villa was a fiery guy in contrast to the somewhat laid back Travis. But Politte added that both got a lot out of their players.
"I always respected him (Travis)," Politte said. "We had some pretty good teams. And Villa, he always had you on your toes.
"Two weeks ago, I saw a gentleman at a golf tourney who said, ‘I can't believe you didn't play (college) soccer."
But Politte discovered there were more and better opportunities for him in baseball. Travis said scouts who came to watch standout teammate and eventual University of Illinois signee Josh Klimek, a senior when Politte was a junior, started inquiring about Politte.
Most everyone around Vianney already knew.
"Cliff could really throw hard," Travis said. "You never thought he would be able to move up as a pitcher at 5-11, but he had some strong legs because of soccer. He had tremendous power and speed, was a good outfielder and was our No. 1 pitcher."
Politte also excelled for Rick Fiala and the Esquire Sports Medicine squad in the St. Louis Amateur Baseball Association. He signed to play baseball for powerhouse Memphis State, but Politte wanted to play the outfield in addition to pitching, and that was not in the Tigers' plans.
Veteran Jefferson College baseball coach Dave Oster had no problem with Politte's request, so the Griffin returned to the area and played for the Vikings.
"I had known about Cliff in high school and saw him play with the Metro Collegians," Oster said. "When his arm tired, he would DH some. But pitching was his strong suit, and if he was going to go on, that would be where he would make his name."
The Vikings had a good track record of moving players to the next level -- former MLB pitchers Mike Henneman and Donnie Wall started there -- and under the tutelage of pitching coach Bob Williams, Politte continued his rise.
"Bob did a nice job with him," Oster said. "Cliff developed a really good slider and increased his speed."
Politte was still having fun playing and going to school and really did not envision himself turning pro. But when the Cardinals drafted him, he realized it was time to seize the opportunity.
Politte credits Cardinals minor league pitching coaches Roy Silver and Ray Searage with helping him transition to the pros.
"When I'd make a bad pitch, I used to get mad all the time," Politte said. "They taught me how to keep that under control. They explained that you can't let the other team know you're defeated."
Success at the major league level has put Politte in the company of such noted Griffin greats as quarterback Trent Green and volleyball standout Scott Touzinsky.
Politte says it's no accident that the school has produced a number of elite athletes. His No. 10 Griffin jersey was retired in January 2008.
"The place makes you grow up to be a man," he said. "They also teach you how to be an individual and treat people with respect. I played with people who didn't do that. I guarantee I learned that at Vianney."
