The Memphis Redbirds celebrate their Pacific Coast League championship Sunday. Redbirds general manager Craig Unger, a Waterloo native, is pictured in the third row at far left.
(submitted photo)

While the St. Louis Cardinals appear to be fading out of playoff contention, their Triple A affiliate is enjoying postseason success this year thanks in part to the efforts of one local man.

The Memphis Redbirds won their first Pacific Coast League title since 2009 by defeating the El Paso Chihuahuas in a deciding game five on Sunday.

The Redbirds played the International League champion Durham Bulls on Tuesday for the Triple A National Championship, losing 5-3.

Waterloo native Craig Unger, a 1995 graduate of Gibault Catholic High School, has served as general manager of the Redbirds since 2014. Unger has since taken on the additional titles of team president and minority owner.

Unger, who graduated from Webster University in St. Louis and worked in corporate sales and marketing for the Cardinals before taking on the GM role at Memphis, has earned praise from Cardinals officials for his  enthusiasm and initiative.

The PCL title is special for Memphis considering the team used 62 different players this season, with 22 promoted to St. Louis. Only four players on the roster stayed with the Redbirds all season.