Billy Wagner talks about the new Cardinals stadium--NY Post

The ballpark was loud and boisterous. Although nothing compares to our fans at Shea, the loudest and most electric crowd ever, this place packed them in. But this is no surprise to a real baseball fan because St. Louis is a great baseball town. The fans here love their Cards. They live and breathe Cardinals baseball all spring and summer long. We knew the fans would come out to the ballpark early and would be strong and united in their quest to wrap it up in St. Louis.

• We played in this ballpark during the summer, but I didn't get a chance to get a feel for what it was like out there on the pitcher's mound because I didn't appear in any of the games. What I did notice was that, like the old stadium, the same sea of red arrived early. The sea of red chanting 'Soup!' was loud enough to make out the words. Usually those chants sound like one slurred word, but the crowd was into it. They should. He gave them a great outing. Josh Kinney came on in the ninth and was equally as effective and made all of his pitches and executed his game plan as well. He also had some great defense behind him. Jim Edmonds made another highlight-reel catch.

On our side, Darren Oliver came on and did an outstanding job. He threw extremely well and he held the Cards scoreless for over six innings. Roberto Hernandez came on late in the game and also threw really well. Both guys saved the rest of the bullpen and did an outstanding job. We just came up short this time. From the New York Post, Oct. 15, 2006 By Billy Wagner, as told to Burton Rocks

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