Postgame Q-and-A: Cards outfielder J.D. Drew

Postnet.com sportswriter Jeff Gordon found Cardinals outfielder J.D. Drew off to the side of the raucous clubhouse celebration and fired a few questions at him.

Q: Were you shocked to beat the Braves the way you did?

A: "Luckily we came out with three straight. I don't think we expected it, but we'll take it any way we can get them.''

Q: You've seen these sorts of celebrations on TV. Are these celebrations pretty much what you expected?

A: "It's awesome. It's really special with guys like this. To be a part of it, to work so hard to get to this point, that makes it really special.''

Q: You're not going to get as wild as these other guys celebrating, are you?

A: "I'm enjoying it. I get in there for a few minutes, then I get out.''

Q: You've been on a lot of teams in your life and had some success, but how does this team rank with them?

A: "This group is the best I've been on. They really respect each other and play hard all the time. It's a clubhouse with a lot of good friends in here. It's a great place, St. Louis, with the fan support we have and the team we have, the management and the ownership. It's an awesome atmosphere.''

Q: What about the veterans on this team who talked to you during the course of the year, helped you improve?

A: "They know. A lot of them have been here (the postseason) already. Some of them, it's their first chance. It's important to play hard and have your best, best quality at-bats you can have and play best defense you can. Things have worked out well so far.''

Q: What about the road you've been on, from playing independent league baseball and not knowing when you'd be in the major leagues to this?

A: "You play as hard as you can and you kind of have an understanding of the game playing at Double A and Triple A. But I knew where I wanted to be. I wanted to be in the big leagues. I wanted to get my experience here and get the call-up in September and never look back. I got some good quality at-bats with the Cardinals in 1998 and worked hard in spring training in 1999.

"I learned a lot last year. I really struggled here and there, but I really learned a lot. This year I was able to apply it a little bit better and hopefully I'll continue to get better as my career go along.''

Q: How much did you learn from playing next to Jim Edmonds?

A: "He's fun to watch and I know where Jimmy was a few years ago. It was a similar situation like I am. I'm just taking bits and pieces from him here and there. When I've got six or seven years in and know the pitchers like he does, hopefully I can contribute like this does.''