2006 MLB Playoffs

Catcher Yadier Molina (4) of the St. Louis Cardinals reacts after Carlos Beltran (15) of the New York Mets strikes out to end game seven of the NLCS at Shea Stadium on October 19, 2006, New York. The Cardinals won 3 to 1 and sends St. Louis to the 2006 World Series against the Detroit Tigers.

National League Championship Series

New York Mets' John Maine pitches to St. Louis Cardinals' David Eckstein in the first inning of Game 6 of the National League Championship Series, Oct. 18, 2006, in New York. The rookie dominated St. Louis with the poise of a veteran, Jose Reyes sparked the offense with a leadoff home run and the Mets rocked 'n' rolled at boisterous Shea Stadium to beat the Cardinals 4-2 and force the NLCS to a Game 7.

National League Championship Series

Albert Pujols, of the St. Louis Cardinals, hits a solo home run during the fourth inning of Game 5 of the National League Championship Series against the New York Mets, Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2006, in St. Louis. Pujols' rally-starting homer and another playoff gem by a rejuvenated Cardinals pitcher Jeff Weaver lifted the St. Louis Cardinals to a 4-2 victory.

National League Championship Series

The New York Mets' Carlos Delgado watches his two-RBI ground rule double during the sixth inning of Game 4 of the National League Championship Series agains the Cardinals, Oct. 15, 2006, in St. Louis. Delgado put New York ahead with a three-run homer, then busted open the game with the double, leading the Mets to a record-setting 12-5 win.

National League Championship Series

St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Jeff Suppan delivers a pitch during the first inning of Game 3 of the National League Championship Series against the New York Mets, Oct. 14, 2006, in St. Louis. Suppan was superb, leading them to a 5-0 drubbing of the Mets.

American League Championship Series

The Detroit Tigers' Magglio Ordonez is cheered by his teammates after hitting a three-run home run in the ninth inning to win Game 4 of the American League Championship Series in Detroit, Oct. 14, 2006. The Tigers defeated the Athletics 6-3 to win the American League pennan in a four-game sweep.

National League Championship Series

New York Mets closer Billy Wagner, right, reacts as the St. Louis Cardinals So Taguchi rounds third after hitting a solo home run in the ninth inning of Game 2 of the National League Championship Series, Oct. 13, 2006, at Shea Stadium in New York. The Cards won, 9-6.

American League Championship Series

Detroit Tigers third baseman Brandon Inge falls into the stands after catching a foul ball by the Oakland Athletics' Mark Kotsay during the first inning of Game 3 of the American League Championship Series in Detroit, Oct. 13, 2006. Kenny Rogers pitched the game of his life for the second straight week and the Tigers beat the Athletics 3-0.

National League Championship Series

The New York Mets' Carlos Beltran hits a two-run home run in the sixth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series, Oct. 12, 2006. Beltran rocked Shea Stadium with a homer that crashed off the scoreboard to back another gem by Tom Glavine, as the Mets beat the Cardinals 2-0.

American League Championship Series

The Detroit Tigers' Alexis Gomez celebrates his two-run home run with teammate Craig Monroe during the sixth inning of Game 2 of the American League Championship Series against the Oakland Athletics in Oakland, Calif., Oct. 11, 2006. Gomez hit a go-ahead, two-run single and later added the homer to lead the Detroit Tigers to an 8-5 victory.

American League Championship Series

The Detroit Tigers' Ivan Rodriguez, left, congratulates teammate Brandon Inge after his third inning solo shot, Oct. 10, 2006. Barry Zito of Oakland had retired the first eight batters, but then gave up five runs in the third. The Tigers took Game 1 of the ALCS from the Oakland Athletics, 5-1.

National League Division Series

Starting pitcher Chris Carpenter (29) of the St. Louis Cardinals pitches against the San Diego Padres during Game 4 of the National League Division Series at Busch Stadium, October 8, 2006 in St. Louis. The Cardinals won the game and advanced to the NL Championship Series, where they'll face the New York Mets.

National League Division Series

New York Mets' Paul Lo Duca and David Wright, left, shoot champagne at each other after they defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 3 of Major League Baseball's National League Division Series, Oct. 7, 2006, in Los Angeles.

American League Division Series

Detroit Tigers starter Jeremy Bonderman pitches against the New York Yankees in the first inning of Game 4 of the American League Divisional, Oct. 7, 2006, in Detroit. Bonderman was perfect for five innings and sublime for 8 1/3 in leading Detroit to an 8-3 victory in Game 4 on Saturday to win the AL playoff series and eliminate A-Rod, Derek Jeter and the other high-priced, high-profile Yankees.

American League Division Series

Minnesota Twins' Torii Hunter, left, slides into home plate as Oakland Athletics catcher Jason Kendall moves in to make the tag during the sixth inning of Game 3 in the American League Divisional Series, Oct. 6, 2006. Hunter was caled out on the play. The A's snapped a stretch of nine straight losses in potential playoff clinchers, beating Minnesota 8-3 and sweeping the series 3-0 to reach the ALCS.

National League Division Series

Home plate umpire Bill Welke, right, points to the ball in the glove of San Diego Padres catcher Josh Bard as St. Louis Cardinals ' Juan Encarnacion pleads his case in the second inning of game 2 of their National League Divisional Series, Oct. 5, 2006, in San Diego. Encarnacion was thrown out by Padres' left fielder Dave Roberts trying to score from second. The Cardinals won 2-0.

National League Division Series

New York Mets catcher Paul Lo Duca, right, tags out Los Angeles Dodgers J.D. Drew at home plate in the second inning — AP Photo/Henny Ray Abrams

New York Mets catcher Paul Lo Duca tags out the Los Angeles Dodgers' J.D. Drew at home plate in an unusual double-play in the second inning of the first game of the National League Division Series at Shea Stadium in New York, Oct. 4, 2006. Lo Duca had already tagged out Jeff Kent at the plate. The Mets capitalized on the wild baserunning blunder in the 6-5 victory.

American League Division Series

Torii Hunter (48) of the Minnesota Twins tries to reach a ball hit by Mark Kotsay of the Oakland Athletics in the 7th inning of game two — Getty Images/Jonathan Daniel

Torii Hunter of the Minnesota Twins tries to reach a ball hit by Mark Kotsay of the Oakland Athletics in the 7th inning of Game 2 of the American League Division Series at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on Oct. 4, 2006 in Minneapolis. The Athletics defeated the Twins 5-2.

American League Division Series

Derek Jeter hits a double — Getty Images/Jim McIsaac

Shortstop Derek Jeter of the New York Yankees hits a double in the third inning of Game 1 of the American League Division Series against the Detroit Tigers on Oct. 3, 2006 at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees captain tied the postseason record for hits, going 5-for-5 with two doubles and a home run in an 8-4 victory.

American League Division Series

The Oakland Athletics' Frank Thomas is welcomed at the dugout after his second home run against the Minnesota Twins came in the ninth inning of Game 1 of the American League Division Series, Oct. 3, 2006 in Minneapolis. Thomas' first homer came off Twins' Johan Santana in the second inning and the ninth inning homer off reliever Jesse Crain.