CHICAGO — Tuesday night’s start against the Cardinals isn’t just another game for David Phelps.
That’s because the Yankees’ right-hander will face the team he grew up rooting for 15 minutes from where he lived.
“I am excited and my family is to see me out there,” Phelps said of his start at Busch Stadium, where he’ll leave 26 tickets for family and friends. “I was a die-hard Cardinal fan growing up. One of the best memories is, I was listening in 2005 when [Albert] Pujols hit that home run off [Brad] Lidge. I was listening in the car.’’
Pujols’ ninth-inning blast carried the Cardinals to an NLCS Game 5 victory, but the Astros advanced to the World Series.
Phelps said he used to attend the old Busch Stadium “four or five times a year,” but he’s only been to the new stadium twice and grew up a fan of Redbird pitchers Matt Morris and Darryl Kile.
Since he was one of them, Phelps has an inside view of a fan base considered by many as the most appreciative in the game.
“They are really intelligent baseball fans,’’ Phelps said.
This will be the first time since 2005 the Yankees visit St. Louis. They went 1-2 on that trip and played perhaps the worst game in the Joe Torre era on a Friday night, losing 8-1. After committing three errors and getting six hits, Torre ripped into the team for the poor effort that included several mental lapses.
First-base coach Mick Kelleher broke into the big leagues in 1972 with the Cardinals and is looking forward to returning.
“Great baseball town,’’ Kelleher recalled. “I have never been to the new stadium and I am looking forward to it.’’
Joe Girardi’s playing career ended with the Cardinals in 2003 when a back injury limited him to 16 games.
“They have very good fans, very passionate fans,” Girardi said. “I don’t ever remember them booing the home team but I haven’t been there in a while. I enjoyed my time there but unfortunately I was hurt most of the time. That made it clear it was time to quit, but I enjoyed it.’’
The Yankees will face Michael Wacha, Lance Lynn and Shelby Miller without the use of the DH. That’s three-fifths of a very talented and young rotation.
“They are young and pretty good,’’ Girardi said. “We are going to see three guys who throw 95-to-96 mph. They are youthful and can be extremely good. They showed that in the World Series last year.’’