St. Louis Cardinals Parade: Who Will Be Cardinals' Mark Madsen?

From 10-and-a-half games back in the National League Wild Card race to the top of MLB, the St. Louis Cardinals are once again World Series champions. The Redbirds earned their 11th pennant in franchise history with a hard-fought win over the Texas Rangers in seven games.

And now comes the fun part—the parade through town into Busch Stadium, guided by the Clydesdale-towed Anheuser-Busch beer wagon. Tony La Russa had the honor of riding in the suds-mobile five years ago and figures to earn a return ticket for the masterful job he did this time around.

But the real excitement will come from the players, who will be partying in the streets like its 2006, or 1982, or 1967, or...

Tyler Johnson and Chris Duncan played the role of Mark Madsen, the eccentric player for the Los Angeles Lakers who danced and rapped his way through their NBA three-peat from 2000 to 2002.

It's tough to predict who exactly will lead the charge this time around, given how buttoned-down and even-keeled La Russa has kept his team all season.

That being said, like any World Series winner, this year's Cardinals squad has no shortage of characters to keep the team carrying on until spring training. I certainly wouldn't expect any of the older guys like Albert Pujols, Lance Berkman and Matt Holliday, to lead the way.

Rather, look for youngsters like Allen Craig, Jon Jay and Daniel Descalso to get the celebration started, in some way or another. David Freese, the World Series MVP and a St. Louis native, will know all the best spots to hit in town.

The one guy to really watch out for, though, is Octavio Dotel. The Redbirds reliever has long been known for his colorful demeanor on the mound and figures to carry that over onto the parade route through the Gateway City.

Now, if celebratory spirit was comparable to facial hair thickness, then that distinction would fall firmly among the many whiskers of Jason Motte, the closer whose high-90s cheese seems to ooze from his "foresty" mop.

Either way, expect a rowdy celebration throughout St. Louis...nay, the state of Missouri, through to 2012.

St. Louis-style ribs included.