NATIONAL LEAGUE: INSIDE THE N.L.: CARDINALS GO ABOVE TRAGEDIES.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

No city in the major leagues has more knowledgeable fans or treats its players with more respect than the citizens of St. Louis. And after a somber season filled with tragedy, there finally was a moment to savor.

The Cardinals overcame a slow start and clinched the National League Central on their home field Friday by beating Houston. They celebrated on the field with a huge group and showed they have not forgotten what took place during a difficult season in which they dealt with the death of pitcher Darryl Kile and loss of Hall of Fame broadcaster Jack Buck.

St. Louis' Albert Pujols walked onto the field for the celebration with Kile's No. 57 jersey, which has remained with the Cardinals all season.

``He was here. He was here with us, and we're never going to forget about him,'' Pujols said. ``He's was in our minds, our hearts, all year long.''

Kile's jersey was placed on a hanger and hung in the middle of the clubhouse during the champagne-soaking party afterward, and Cardinals manager Tony La Russa talked about the memory of Buck and Kile.

``I know what this means to the entire Cardinal family,'' La Russa said. ``I wanted to make sure that we took a minute to include Jack and Darryl. I wanted to make sure they were included before we celebrated.

``I think a bunch of us felt it was appropriate to gather around and restate our dedication to what we've done for Jack and Darryl. I was just trusting my gut. I think it was the thing to do. I wanted to make sure they were included before we celebrated. There were a lot of times I had my doubts we'd get to the finish line.

``It looked like we weren't going to be able to catch a fair break. We'd get something going and then something would happen. And not just the baseball side. To lose somebody like Darryl and then not have Jack around. ... Nobody is going to be able to describe the hits this club took and how it got through it. You have to be here every day to see how these guys take a shot to the jaw and were able to rebound. I don't think anybody's going to be able to explain it.''

--Judging Randy: Arguments are being made that Arizona pitcher Randy Johnson could be the greatest free-agent signing in baseball history, ahead of the Yankees' Reggie Jackson and Atlanta's Greg Maddux.

Johnson, who signed a four-year, $52 million deal and had his option picked up for next season, is likely headed for his fourth Cy Young in as many years after his best season with the Diamondbacks.

Johnson is 23-5 with a league-leading 2.40 ERA, and he also leads the league in innings pitched (251) and strikeouts (326).

Johnson's teammate, Curt Schilling, is the other realistic candidate for the Cy Young, but he is fading. Schilling was hit hard by Colorado on Friday in his worst start of the season. Schilling allowed eight earned runs in 7 1/3 innings and his ERA rose to 3.02, sixth in the league. Schilling is second in innings pitched (250 1/3) and strikeouts (303).

In his four-year career with the Diamondbacks, Johnson is 80-27 with a 2.49 ERA and helped Arizona win the World Series last season.

CAPTION(S):

2 boxes

Box:

(1) WHAT'S ON 

(2) AROUND THE HORN