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 St. Louis Cardinals

DESCRIPTION:  The St. Louis Cardinals Baseball Club is one of the oldest (115 seasons) and most successful National League franchises in professional baseball history. A member of the Central Division, the team has won more World Championships (10) than any other National League ball club. They play their home games in downtown St. Louis within the latest incarnation of Busch Stadium. The new ballpark opened on April 10, 2006.   

SLOGAN:  Welcome to Baseball Heaven

ADDRESS:  420 South 8t Street, St. Louis, MO  63102

LOCATION:  Downtown St. Louis

METROLINK:  Take MetroLink light rail system to the Busch Stadium station.

PHONE NUMBERS:  Main:  314-345-9000.  To charge tickets, call 314-345-9500. For stadium tours, call 314-345-9565.

WEBSITE:  http://www.stlcardinals.com/

SEASON:  The Cardinals play regular season games from April through September with post-season in October.

ADMISSION:  Tickets range in price from $7.00 for kids to $90.00 for premium seats. Special suites and party rooms are available for individuals and groups.

ANNUAL ATTENDANCE:  3,500,000

MASCOT:  Fredbird, a giant Cardinal costumed character.

HIGHLIGHTS:

  • The Cardinals were World Champions in 1926, 1931, 1934, 1942, 1944, 1946, 1964, 1967, 1982, and 2006, which places them second on the all-time World Champion list, second only to the New York Yankees.
  • The Cardinals have claimed 17 National League Pennants: 1926, 1928, 1930, 1931, 1934, 1942, 1943, 1944, 1946, 1964, 1967-1968 1982, 1985, 1987, 2004 and 2006.
  • The Redbirds are ten-time N.L. Central Division Champions: 1982, 1985, 1987, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005 and 2006.
  • The Cardinals are a National League attendance leader with more than 3 million fans in attendance for the past several seasons.
  • Redbird Mark McGwire was the first player to break Roger Maris' long-standing 61 homeruns record by hitting 70 homeruns in the 1998 season.
  • 48 players who wore the Cardinals' classic "Birds-on-the-Bat" uniform are enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown and legendary Cardinals' broadcasters Jack Buck and Harry Caray are Hall-of-Famers, too.
  • Thirteen people have had their uniform numbers/slogan retired by the Cardinals. They include Hall-of-Fame players, a team owner, a beloved broadcaster and baseball's immortal Jackie Robinson. Their numbers and/or names are featured in circles below the main scoreboard and above the right-center field wall.

Rogers Hornsby - The team did not wear numbers on their uniforms during his time, but that didn't stop "Rajah" from batting .400 during three seasons, winning two Triple Crowns and having the highest lifetime batting average (.358) of any right-handed batter in baseball history.

#1 - Ozzie Smith - "The Wizard" back-flipped his way into fans' hearts with spectacular defensive play at shortstop from 1982-1996. Smith won 13 consecutive Gold Gloves, was a 15-time All-Star and a St. Louis fan favorite.

#2 - Red Schoendienst - "The Redhead" wore #2 for the Cardinals for 45 seasons as a player, coach and manager and remains a fixture with the team, serving as special assistant to the G.M. A 10-time All-Star second baseman, he managed the Cardinals for 12 seasons, including a 1967 World Series win and the 1968 N.L. Championship. 

#6 - Stan Musial - "The Man." Considered by many to be the greatest player in Cardinals history (some grant this title to the amazing Rogers Hornsby), the personable Musial is the most popular Redbird ever. The outfielder/first baseman played his entire 22-year career with the Cardinals and is the team's career leader in almost every batting category. The bronze statue of "The Man" at the Third Base gate at Busch Stadium is a traditional meeting place for fans heading to the ballgame.

#9 - Enos Slaughter - "Country" Slaughter ruled right field for the Birds from 1938 through 1942. World War II put Enos in uniform for a few years before returning to the team to play from 1946 - 1953.  Slaughter is best known for his stolen base and mad dash run to plate the series-winning run during the 1946 World Series against the Red Sox.

#14 - Ken Boyer - The Missouri native played third base for the Cardinals from 1955-1965. He was named the NL MVP after the stellar 1964 World Championship season where Kenny knocked a magnificent grand slam in Game 4 and three RBIs in Game 7 to overcome the Yankees. He managed St. Louis minor league teams in the 1970s and had a brief stint as Cardinals' manager in 1979 and 1980.

#17 - Dizzy Dean - Here's a great trivia question:  what is Dizzy Dean's given name?  Jay Dean was a jokester, story-teller and the only pitcher in Cardinals' history to win 30 games. A four-time All-Star, Dizzy's post-playing days were filled as a colorful radio broadcaster for the Redbirds.

#20 - Lou Brock - During his days with the Cardinals (1964-1979), Lou was the most prolific base stealer in baseball history with 938 nabbed bags (Rickey Henderson exceeded that in 1991) and still holds the major league record with 12 seasons of 50 or more steals. Lou wasn't just fleet of foot; he had a hot bat, too. A popular and active member of the St. Louis community, Brock is still greeted by shouts of "Loooooooooou."

#42 - Bruce Sutter - The latest Cardinal inductee to Cooperstown, right-handed relief pitcher Sutter was a tenacious hurler and a consummate team player. Bruce saved 127 games during his four seasons with the Cardinals, his most memorable "close" was Game 7 of the 1982 World Series that made St. Louis the World Champions.

#42 - Jackie Robinson - The immortal Mr. Robinson played for the Brooklyn Dodgers and is honored in all of baseball for having broken the big-league color barrier.

#45 - Bob Gibson - The greatest pitcher in Cardinals history, Gibby was a warrior on the mound. A consummate competitor, he intimidated opposing hitters with his blazing fastball and his intense on-field presence. Gibson is a two-time Cy Young Award winner, a nine-time All-Star and collected nine Gold Gloves. No slouch at the plate, Gibby knocked 24 home runs during his Redbird career which ran from 1959-1975. He remains active with the team as a special instructor.

#85 - August A. "Gussie" Busch, was the popular owner of the team from 1953 until his death in 1989. Gussie's honorary number was given to him on his 85th birthday.

"That's a Winner!" - These words are emblazoned along the right-center field wall along with the retired numbers. They honor Jack Buck, the beloved "Voice of the Cardinals" from 1954 - 2001. The signature phrase was the broadcasters' sign-off after every Redbird victory.

"NEW" BUSCH STADIUM:  The third incarnation of the Cardinals home field to be called Busch Stadium officially opened on April 10, 2006 with a home victory against the Milwaukee Brewers. The $365 million stadium has a seated capacity of 43,975, which expands to 46,861 with standing room and extra suite/party room tickets. The first field level rows of seats are as close to the playing field as Major League Baseball permits. There are 16,586 seats at field level; 3,682 bleacher seats. Upper deck seating tiers were designed for unobstructed sightlines and comfortable viewing.

The National League Central Division Champion Cardinals new roost combines St. Louis' classic red brick with old-style ballpark design and 21st century comforts to create a stadium special enough to house baseball's best fans. Enjoy beautiful sightlines of the playing field and the Gateway Arch, take in the Greatest Moments in Cardinals History display and pose for pictures with sculptures of Cardinals' Hall-of-Fame heroes surrounding the park.

CARDINALS EXTRAS:

  • The team sponsors a number of promotional giveaways with admission to the game. Special days include Cardinal Picture Day when players pose for photos, and a day when kids can run the bases on the field.
  • The ballpark offers dozens of group entertainment spaces both indoors and out. Party rooms include five Redbird Roost Suites for groups up to 30, and the climate-controlled area has elegant finished pine paneling, coffered ceiling, cove lights, leather furniture, plus 20 "outside" seats. Amenities include a menu of food and drink options, plasma screen TVs, souvenir pins and private restrooms. Eighteen different Redbird Row party rooms feature climate-controlled social areas with catered buffets, beer service, snacks and soft drinks throughout the game with capacities to 60 persons. The 14 Cardinals Legends party rooms have similar offerings, with capacities up to 50, and the 9 World Championship party rooms handle up to 40 people. The Bank of America Club offers climate-controlled, furnished space with great views of the field, complete with a buffet, beer and soft drink service and private restrooms. A fun outdoor space between Center and Right fields is the Coca-Cola Scoreboard Patio that serves up all-you-can-eat food buffets and drinks for up to 240 fans.
  • Stadium tours are offered year round with the exception of New Year's Eve, New Year's Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Tours depart from Gate 5 (off Clark Street) at 9:30 a.m.; 11 a.m.; 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. Tours are not offered on dates of home day games or days when other special events are taking place in the park. Tours are offered during the day of a home night game but the schedule and route may change on those days. General admission rates are $10 for adults; $8 for seniors (60-plus) and military w/ ID; $6 for kids 15 and under, and children 3 and under are free. Limit 3 free admissions per family or group. Groups of 25 or more qualify for a discount and can receive their own scheduled tour time. For details, call 314-345-9565 or E-mail stadiumtours@stlcardinals.com.

ESPECIALLY FOR KIDS: 

  • Ford Plaza is a large open courtyard on the northeast corner of the park beyond center field. Pre-game activities such as live bands and other entertainment take place here. The game can be viewed on a large-screen TV and kids can "run the bases" of a miniature diamond called "Fredbird's Art Walk."
  • The U.S. Cellular Family Pavilion, located in the outfield concourse plaza, includes a toddler play area, batting cages, a speed-pitch booth and tables and chairs for 100. The pavilion is open to all fans.
  • Kids (and adults) can bring home Fredbird or other furry friends from the Make Your Own Fredbird by Build-A-Bear Workshop store. The colorful shop, located on the main concourse behind section 153, is open during all home games and loaded with Cardinal wear and accessories for the newly built plush toys.
  • Kids 15 and younger can join the Cardinals Crew, a fan club for the Redbirds that focuses on a different player each year. Members receive a pin, ticket vouchers, a specially designed baseball cap, invitations to members-only parties, a newsletter and other Cardinals items. The club boasts members in 48 states and four foreign countries.

ANNUAL SPECIAL EVENTS:  The Cardinals hold an event called the Winter Warm-Up in Downtown St. Louis each year. The Warm-Up includes autograph sessions, clinics on baseball techniques and strategy, interactive games and a sports card and memorabilia show. In-panel discussions with team owners, scouts, broadcasters and other baseball officials are also popular sessions at the event. Proceeds from the Winter Warm-Up benefit Cardinals Care, the team's community foundation serving children and youth organizations in the St. Louis area. During Labor Day weekend each year, the Cardinals hold "Shirt Off Your Back" day, an event to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Fans purchase $1 raffle tickets for the chance to win shirts the Cardinal players wear in the game on that day. In addition, individual team members make frequent charity benefit appearances throughout the year.

HISTORY:  St. Louis became a charter member of the National League in 1876 but withdrew after the 1877 season. In 1892, St. Louis rejoined the league as the Browns but later changed the team's name to the Perfectos. The name was changed once again in 1899 - this time to the Cardinals. In 1946 home paid attendance topped one million for the first time. Anheuser-Busch Inc. bought the team in 1953 and in 1966 Busch Stadium opened in downtown St. Louis. The next year's home paid attendance topped two million for the first time. 

Throughout the years, the Cardinals have played in many World Series. They defeated the Yankees in their first World Series in 1926, but the Yankees beat them in a four-game sweep for the World Series Championship two years later. The Cards did a similar flip-flop when the Philadelphia Athletics beat them out for the Series title in 1930, and they came back to take the crown in a 4-3 series the next year. In 1934 the Cardinals' Gas House Gang won the National League pennant on the final day of the season, then defeated the Detroit Tigers in the World Series four games to three.

In another flip-flop with the New York Yankees, the Cardinals took the Series in 1942, and the next year the Yankees defeated the Cardinals in five games to win the World Championship. In 1944, the only all-St. Louis World Series was held with the Cardinals taking it from the Browns four games to two. Two years later, the Cardinals defeated the Boston Red Sox four games to three for the crown. Following a drought in the 1950s, the Cards once again defeated the Yankees 4-3 to win the Series in 1964.

In 1967 the Redbirds defeated the Boston Red Sox four games to three to take another World Series Championship but lost in ‘68 as the Detroit Tigers rallied from behind to win the last three games of the World Series. The Cardinals rallied from a 3-2 deficit in games to defeat the Milwaukee Brewers in 1982 and bring the World Series Championship back to St. Louis for the first time in 15 years.

Three years later, the Cardinals won the National League Championship Series to play the Kansas City Royals in what many called the "I-70 Series." The Royals won four games to three.  The Cardinals defeated San Francisco in playoffs in 1987 to win the National League Championship Series, but lost the World Series four games to three to Minnesota. In 2000, 2002, 2004, 2005 and 2006, the Redbirds won National League Central Division Championship and tied for first-place in 2001. They were National League Champions in 2004 but lost the World Series to the Red Sox. In 2006, the team returned to championship form, defeating the Detroit Tigers four games to win the World Series.

HANDICAPPED ACCESS:  Busch Stadium is handicapped accessible. 

GIFT SHOP:  There are several gift shops within Busch Stadium, the largest being the official Team Store located at 7th and Clark streets. Cardinal gift items are also available at shops around town including the Cardinals Clubhouse stores at Union Station and at the Galleria shopping mall or through the Cardinals web site, http://www.stlcardinals.com/.

WHAT'S NEARBY:  The St. Louis Riverfront, the Gateway Arch, the Old Courthouse, the Eugene Field House & St. Louis Toy Museum, the blues music clubs of the Soulard neighborhood, St. Louis Union Station, Washington Avenue and the Old Cathedral.

WHAT'S COMING UP:  The St. Louis Cardinals ownership is developing plans with a developer to create a mixed-use, five-block neighborhood called Ballpark Village adjacent to the stadium. With the total investment expected to exceed $650 million, this project would be one of the largest private development projects in the history of the St. Louis region. 

The Cardinals Hall of Fame Museum would move into new space developed at Ballpark Village which would allow more artifacts to be on display and add special exhibit space and event venues.

PUBLIC RELATIONS CONTACT:  Brian Finch, bfinch@stlcardinals.com or (314) 345-9352

 

 

Readers should call 1-800-916-0040 to request a free copy of the Official St. Louis Visitor Guide or point, click and explore St. Louis at www.explorestlouis.com