What is a Carnoll?

On October 20, 1982 I watched Bruce Sutter strike out Gorman Thomas of the Milwaukee Brewers in game seven of the '82 World Series and the Cardinals were World Champs - that is - back when we still called them World Champs and not "World Series Champs" as is the case today. From that moment on I was passionate about the Birds on the Bat, a passion that has waned during adult life, but that was rich with enthusiasm during the Whitey-ball era. Everyone in my family has always known it, and back around 1985 my youngest sister Angela, who at the time was seven years old, made a Fredbird button for me at school as the Cardinals pursued another World Championship. She included a note that read, "To the best borther in the whole world. The Carlands are great. Go Carlands!" I've always thought that was funny and sometimes I still make reference to it.

Add a new chapter to ways in which we can butcher the team name in love. Mae, who is only a couple weeks away from her ninth birthday, made something for me. She has also been under a misperception about the proper name of the St. Louis Cardinals. Take a look at what she made. I darkened this and increased the contrast so you can barely see bleeding through the paper what she wrote on the back (To: Dad Love: Mae). What is a Carnoll? Now I know.