The St. Albert Cardinals came into the League with high aspirations for a quick ascent among the favourites to win a pennant and possibly a championship, both in quick order. Having graduated from a highly successful minor baseball program (SAMBA), this young team was expected to do well. But the road to success for the Cardinals has been anything but easy. Eleven long years later and after many painful lessons learned, the Cardinals have finally discovered what it really takes to become a champion. Perseverance and dedication are the underpinnings of success. This season, under Manager Zach Pollard, the club has seen an increased commitment from a core group of Cardinal players. The pitching staff is deeper led by Tanner McLean-Poll and solidified by veterans like Kevin Dryburgh and Mark Trela. Offensively, the Cardinals have come into their own with four players positioned among the top ten hitters in the League. Pollard, whose league leading .491 average, is being supported by the likes of outfielders Robert Sullivan (.419 average) and Luc Riopel (.368 average) and shortstop Ryan Lehman (.353 average). Although defensive lapses are still not uncommon on this club, the Cardinals are slowly addressing the importance of playing as a cohesive unit. With a combination of youthful new additions to their roster along with a maturing core of players and the leadership provided by a number of seasoned veterans, the 2023 Pennant Champion Cardinals will not cower under pressure. They are battle ready and the Series pitting them against the surging Orioles from Barrhead should prove to be very interesting.