St. Louis' Weaver finally gets big win

ST. LOUIS -- So many people said Jeff Weaver couldn't win the big one.

He didn't have the stomach for it. He was too flaky. He was too soft.

Well, all those people were wrong about Jeff Weaver.

Cast off by one team this summer, Weaver pitched the St. Louis Cardinals to a World Series title Friday night against the Detroit Tigers -- one of his former clubs -- with a performance worthy of any October ace.

Dropping down at a tough angle to baffle right-handed hitters, Weaver struck out nine in a dominant performance. He allowed only two runs (one earned) and four hits in eight splendid innings for a 4-2 victory.

Jeff Weaver, a midseason acquisition, clinches the title for St. Louis. (US PRESSWIRE)

"He was our biggest hero," manager Tony La Russa said.

Most unlikely, too.

Weaver went 3-10 with a 6.29 ERA for the Los Angeles Angels this season before they traded him to St. Louis on July 5 for minor league outfielder Terry Evans. In fact, the Angels had designated Weaver for assignment specifically to make roster room for his little brother, Jered.

But under the guidance of Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan, Weaver started to come around.

"I've had struggles before and found it again," he said. "When you come to a team that believes in you from the get-go, it just builds your confidence."

Filling a hole in an injury-depleted rotation, the 30-year-old right-hander pitched well down the stretch and earned a playoff start.

Surely, though, that's when he would fall apart.

After all, the last time everyone saw Weaver in the postseason he was walking off the mound in Florida, eyes glazed over, after allowing a homer to light-hitting Alex Gonzalez that gave the Marlins a victory over the New York Yankees in 2003.