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WASHINGTON - The Los Angeles Dodgers are hoping to win their first World Series title in a quarter-century. Shilique Calhoun Raiders Jersey . To do it, theyll have to get past baseballs big roadblock. In the past two years, the St. Louis Cardinals extended even longer droughts in Pittsburgh and Washington. And in 2011, the Cardinals wrecked the party for the Texas Rangers, the franchise that moved from D.C. to the Lone Star State four decades ago. Former St. Louis slugger Mark McGwire, now the Dodgers batting coach, said he wasnt surprised his old club stands in the way of a title for his new team. "You know what? I think everybody figured youre going to have to go through St. Louis to get to the World Series," McGwire said before the start of the NL championship series. "Here we are." And not doing too well, so far. The Cardinals lead the Dodgers 2-0 in the best-of-seven matchup going into Game 3 Monday at Dodger Stadium. To fans in other cities, it must seem unfair. While theyve been waiting for generations in Kansas City, Seattle and elsewhere for that special season, the Cardinals seem to show up every October. Making their 10th playoff appearance in 14 years, the Cardinals are in the NLCS for the third straight season. Theyre looking for their third World Series championship since 2006. And along the way, they keep breaking hearts. Meanwhile, the Pirates havent won a World Series since 1979, when Willie Stargell and the gang grooved to the Sister Sledge disco hit "We Are Family" and defeated the Baltimore Orioles in seven games. A victory by the Cardinals over the Pirates in the decisive Game 5 of the NL division series ensured that Pittsburgh will go at least 35 years between crowns. Last year, the Nationals were hoping to bring a championship to Washington for the first time since the Jazz Age. But the Cardinals rallied from a 6-0 deficit to win Game 5 of the NLDS and prolong Washingtons wait, which will hit 90 years next season. Washingtons first and only World Series championship came in 1924, when the old Senators defeated the New York Giants in Game 7. The winning run scored on a bad-hop grounder by Earl McNeely that bounced over third baseman Freddie Lindstrom in the bottom of the 12th inning. Walter Johnson, who had lost his first two starts, won the seventh game by pitching four scoreless innings in relief. The nations capital didnt have a team from 1972-2004. The Montreal Expos moved to Washington and began playing as the Nationals the next year. In 2011, the Cardinals were down to their last strike — twice — before rallying to beat Texas in the World Series. The Dodgers claimed their last title in 1988, when George Michaels "Faith" topped the Billboard list of most popular songs. Faith was also what Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda had in Kirk Gibson, sending his injured star to pinch-hit in the bottom of the ninth inning in the opening game of the World Series. Gibson delivered with a two-out, two-run homer off Dennis Eckersley to give Los Angeles a 5-4 victory over the Oakland Athletics, hobbling around the bases as he pumped his arm. The Dodgers went on to take the series in five games. Earlier that year, with Magic Johnson at point guard, the Los Angeles Lakers won the NBA title. Now, Johnson is part of the ownership group of the Dodgers, hoping to bring his good fortune to baseball. The group also includes Stan Kasten, who helped build the Nationals team that lost to the Cardinals last year. While the Dodgers have gone a while since winning a championship, theyve been much more competitive in recent years than either Pittsburgh (which snapped a record streak of 20 straight losing seasons this year) and Washington (which hasnt hosted a World Series in 80 years). Both the Cardinals and Dodgers were shaped by Hall of Fame executive Branch Rickey. With the Cardinals in the 1920s and 30s, Rickey established the first farm system; then with the Brooklyn Dodgers, he signed Jackie Robinson, who broke baseballs colour barrier in 1947.In building a contender in recent years, the Cardinals have relied on the tool Rickey pioneered nearly a century ago — a solid pipeline of talent from their farm system. The Dodgers have relied more on high-priced stars. Which approach is better? This series could help answer that question. Sean Smith Raiders Jersey . PETERSBURG, Fla. Tim Brown Raiders Jersey . Louis Blues absence from top spot in the TSN. http:///...tuszak-Elite-Jersey/ . Its 1987 and a Brazilian playmaker, known as Mirandinha, is being paraded around St James Park to the passionate Newcastle fans.SWANSEA -- Liverpool returned to the top of the Premier League standings on Monday night despite its perfect start to the season ending with a 2-2 draw at Swansea. Brendan Rodgers team had won its first three games and a fourth consecutive victory would have marked the clubs best start ever in the Premier League. But Michus second-half equalizer ruined Liverpools plans after goals from Daniel Sturridge and Victor Moses had given the visitors a 2-1 lead following Jonjo Shelveys opener. Liverpool now has 10 points and is one clear of both Arsenal and Tottenham. Rodgers, a former Swansea manager, received a warm welcome on his return to the Liberty Stadium as he greeted some home supporters. But there was no time for nostalgia as Shelvey opened the scoring with a left-foot shot from the right side of the box in the 2nd minute after Liverpool defenders failed to clear the ball properly. Shelvey first missed a volley but recovered to get past Mamadou Sakho and beat goalkeeper Simon Mignolet at his second attempt. But Shelvey, who left Liverpool for Swansea in the summer, went from hero to villain within two minutes by allowing an equalizer when his slack backpass ended up in Sturriidges path, with the England striker firing a low shot past Michel Vorm for his 12th goal in 10 games. Aldon Smith Raiders Jersey. Swansea had a good spell of pressure but Liverpool was the most dangerous team as Steven Gerrard celebrated his 400th game as captain with some superb passes. Sturridge missed a chance when his header from close range was blocked by Vorm. Shelvey made another big mistake when he misdirected a simple pass to Victor Moses, with the player on loan from Chelsea bursting forward from the middle of the pitch before unleashing a shot from the edge of the box to score on his Liverpool debut in the 36th minute. Vorm was forced into a good save early in the second half to block Andre Wisdoms volley from close range before tempers frayed -- Shelvey and Lucas Leiva were both booked. Shelvey made some amends in the 64th minute as he picked out Michu with a fine headed pass for the Spaniard to level the score. Swansea had the best of the second half and created several good chances near the end but lacked the finishing touches. Michu could have given the hosts the three points but his last-minute effort in stoppage time was denied by a diving save from Mignolet. Wholesale Jerseys China ' ' '