September 17, 2000: What a busy Sunday it was in the Gateway City for local sports fans.

Thanks to the scheduling software of that rich and arrogant cartel better known as the National Football League, baseball and football fans had the rare opportunity to watch their favorite local heroes take on their number one rivals. At the Trans World Dome the Rams would be hosting the hated San Francisco 49ers. At Busch Stadium the Cardinals would take on their favorite punching bag from the Windy City, the Chicago Cubs.

Meanwhile, a few miles east over the river, Gateway International Raceway would be opening their doors for the annual running of the Motorola 300.

It would all happen at the same time: right here in our town: within a ten mile radius.

Almost 32,000 would file through the Gateway turnstiles. Over 65,000 would gather at the Dome for the football game. One mile or so south, over 46,000 would enjoy the sunshine as the Cardinals tried for the series sweep and a lower magic number.

This third Sunday in September truly presented quite a dilemma for the residents of the Sporting News' Number One sport city in North America.

I decided to spend the afternoon at the ballpark. This truly beat going indoors. It was a tremendous early fall day with the sun shining brightly and the temperatures in the 70's. (Although once arriving at the baseball press box, I felt like the Maytag Repairman. The amount of local press covering this Cards/Cubs game was truly embarrassing. Hopefully the Cardinals and their PR staff took attendance because way too many of my colleagues were probably gulfing down the cuisine at the Dome. Sadly, those folks will be the first in line expecting to be seen at the ballpark in a few weeks when the playoffs begin.)

So as a public service to those of you that attended either the football game or the baseball game or the race, allow me to provide a chronological journal of what you perhaps missed at the other venues.

12:02PM-Kickoff of Rams/49er Game as the Rams elected to receive. The fans inside were looking for early knockout punch. Meanwhile many others listened to it on the radio while looking for an overpriced parking place.
12:06PM-With most of the fans still either filing or staggering into the Dome, Kurt Warner throws his first pass of the day for an interception. On the very next play Jeff Garcia throws his pass of the day: 29 yards to Fred Beasley for a touchdown.
12:13PM-Jeff Wilkins cuts into the San Francisco lead with a 47-yard field goal
12:51PM--Wade Ritchey's 21-yard field goal gives the Niners their original 7point lead as Fox Sports pans a home made sign reading "Same old Niners".
1:08PM-Lineup cards are exchanged at home plate for the Cards and Cubs.
1:10PM-Rams tie the game as Warner connects with Tony Horne for a touchdown
1:12PM-Darryl Kile throws the first pitch of day: game-time temperature: 80 degrees
1:18PM-Garcia connects with Charlie Garner for a touchdown pass as the football fans wonder if Al Mac Innis and Chris Pronger can suit up with the Rams defense.
1:21PM-The Navy and Gold faithful forget about the play of the defense momentarily as Warner goes deep for a 78-yard touchdown pass to Isaac Bruce tying the game.
1:29PM-Halftime at the Dome with a 17-17 tie. The football locals can still hear those three little words: Same old Rams. Would Ken Norton Jr. punch another goal post?
1:30PM-The gentlemen started their engines for the start of the Motorola 300
1:51PM-Mike Matheny's sacrifice fly gives the Cardinals a 1-0 lead. (Has Mike Matheny recently hired a PR Firm to promote his Gold Glove chances?)
1:57PM-Marshall Faulk's one-yard run gives the Rams their first lead of the afternoon. Loved ones of those watching on TV can now return the sharp objects to the drawers.
2:02PM-Augie Ojeda's third inning solo home run off Kile ties the baseball game 1-1.
2:29PM-Wilkins' 25-yard field goals gives the Rams a ten-point lead. (Remember when Wilkins was considered washed up ten months ago?)
2:38PM-Garcia's third touchdown pass of the afternoon cuts the Rams' lead to three points Cellular phones at the Dome are dialing the Suicide Hot Line.
2:47PM-Faulk's 41-touchdown run restores the St. Louis ten point lead. Cellular phones are returned to their case.
2:50PM-200 laps have been completed at Gateway.
3:08PM-Shane Andrews' third hit of the game goes over the fence, giving Chicago a 2-1 lead. Cardinal fans put their brooms away for the time being.
3:13PM-Faulk's third touchdown run of the game: a one-yard run, gives St. Louis their insurance. The silly and immature bob and weave dance returns to the TWA Dome.
3:18PM-Final gun sounds: Rams defeat the Niners 41-24. They are now 3-0 and have beaten the sixteen-point spread.
3:26PM-Juan Montoya captures the checkered flag at Gateway in 1 hour, 56 minutes. His speed was clocked at 155.519 MPH. (Don't expect that on Highway 40 this Sunday)
3:40PM-Will Clark's double sends Jim Edmonds to third in the bottom of the 8th.
3:44PM-Sammy Sosa's early Christmas present, a three base error on a dropped fly ball, gives St. Louis a 4-2 lead. Red Bird fans scamper to find their brooms.
3:58PM-Jason Christensen started the top of the ninth as the Cards lead 4-2.
3:59PM-Christensen removed from game after walking his only batter.
4:00PM-Matt Morris enters the game in a save situation.
4:11PM-Morris strikes out the final Cub of the afternoon. Cards win 4-2. Kile wins his 19th game. The Magic Number is now two.
4:15PM-We rested

In two weeks, thanks to Paul Tagilabue and his scheduling henchmen, we get to enjoy another one of these doubleheaders in progress. The Rams will host San Diego at the Dome while the Cards play Cincinnati at the ballpark.

Next Sunday: both pro teams are out of town. Downtown will be quiet. Conspiracy theorists, feel free to draw your own conclusions.

All in all, it was a very busy, but eventful September afternoon for the home teams. The locals went home smiling as all the "good guys" scored more points than their rivals.

Still, one cannot help but think of a couple of new twists to that banner seen Sunday at the Trans World Dome. These may have summed up the day best for local sports fans:

Same New Forty-Niners
AND
Same Old Cubs.

Footnote: St. Louis Sports Online would like to acknowledge and thank Steve Cook of the Sports Network for his assistance in the preparation of this piece.