Dominant Astros are World Series champs. But are they Fall Classics like great Cardinals clubs?

What does it take to turn a World Series or a World Series champion into a Fall Classic? Well, Lance Berkman sure helps. New York Times national baseball columnist and New York Times bestselling author Tyler Kepner joins the Best Podcast in Baseball to discuss his new book, "The Grandest Stage: A History of the World Series." In it, Kepner plunges into the stories generated by World Series, revealing the history of Major League Baseball's championship through themes and personalities, not a linear retracing of box scores. With Post-Dispatch baseball writer Derrick Goold, Kepner discusses the Cardinals prominent place in World Series history, how this year's Astros fit with the all-time World Series teams and tales, and what to make of Jeff Luhnow's influence over their run of pennants under the shadow of a sign-stealing scandal. Oh, and Berkman's role in the 2011 World Series is not to be overlooked. Plus, stay to hear Kepner capture the risk the Cardinals run of not responding to fan pressure and then wow with one of his talents -- instant recall of the final outs of World Series. The Best Podcast in Baseball, sponsored by Closets by Design of St. Louis, is a production of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, StlToday.com, and Derrick Goold. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.