Fireworks!

It may be 4th of July but in the Meyer household it's a much more important day. Yes, that's right folks, time for another Cincinnati Reds vs St. Louis Cardinals series. A few short years ago this was not a rivalry, at all. Every few weeks the Cardinals and Reds would play, the Cardinals would usually win, and we could go on about our business. Until August of last year. Now most of you reading this know what happened, but for those of you that don't, a quick recap:

1. Cincinnati Reds' 2nd baseman Brandon Phillips calls the St. Louis Cardinals "little bitches" right before the Cardinals played in Cincinnati. For his full quotes: click here

2. Brandon Phillips taps St. Louis Cardinals' catcher Yadier Molina on the shinguard with his bat to say hello during his first at bat and this starts a huge bench clearing fight with many punches thrown and even some kicks from Cincinnati Reds' pitcher Johnny Cueto. Cueto had cleats on and connected with the back of St. Louis pitcher Chris Carpenter and backup catcher Jason LaRue's face. We happened to be at that game and here are some pictures from that game:

Over the last year things have not cooled off. Insults have continued to come from both teams and that leaves us where we are today, a house divided. It would be a lie to say things have not been tense during the Cardinals/Reds series over the past year. Especially last fall when it was obvious how badly the Cardinals needed to win and they just weren't. Kate always gets upset when the Cardinals don't make the playoffs, but for it to be the Reds last year was the nail in the coffin, along with all the bandwagon fans. Bandwagon fans are her biggest pet-peeve and they came out from everywhere for the Reds. This sealed her hatred for the Reds and although she wanted to, she just couldn't cheer for them in the playoffs. She now understood how Nick felt year after year watching the Cardinals make the playoffs and not being able to cheer for them no matter how badly he wanted to for Kate.

Both of us truly love our teams and that means taking sides. The insults have flown (always directed at the teams and not each other) and wagers placed (always friendly.) So as we gear up for another series on this 4th of July holiday lets remember what's really important: Albert Pujols coming off the DL in time for the next series. ;)

Nick and Kate Meyer