document_title: St. Louis Cardinals

question_text: where did the cardinals play before busch stadium

question_tokens: where did the cardinals play before busch stadium

text: St. Louis Cardinals

text: History[edit]

text: Before the Cardinals (1875–1881)[edit]

text: Professional baseball began in St. Louis with the inception of the Brown Stockings in the National Association (NA) in 1875. The NA folded following that season, and the next season, St. Louis joined the National League as a charter member, finishing in third place at 45-19. George Bradley hurled the first no-hitter in Major League history. The NL expelled St. Louis from the league after 1877 due to a game-fixing scandal and the team went bankrupt.[12] Without a league, they continued play as a semi-professional barnstorming team through 1881.

text: The magnitudes of the reorganizations following the 1877 and 1881 seasons are such that the 1875–1877 and 1878–1881 Brown Stockings teams are not generally considered to share continuity as a franchise with the current St. Louis Cardinals.[13][14]

text: American Association and early National League eras (1882–1919)[edit]

text: For the 1882 season, Chris von der Ahe purchased the team, reorganized it, and made it a founding member of the American Association (AA), a league to rival the NL.[15] 1882 is generally considered to be the first year existence of the St. Louis Cardinals.[13][14][16][c]

text: The next season, St. Louis shortened their name to the Browns. Soon thereafter they became the dominant team in the AA, as manager Charlie Comiskey guided St. Louis to four pennants in a row from 1885 to 1888.[3][19] Pitcher and outfielder Bob Caruthers led the league in ERA (2.07) and wins (40) in 1885 and finished in the top six in both in each of the following two seasons. He also led the AA in OBP (.448) and OPS (.974) in 1886 and finished fourth in batting average in 1886 (.334) and fifth in 1887 (.357).[20] Outfielder Tip O'Neill won the first batting triple crown in franchise history in 1887 and the only one in AA history.[21][22][23] By winning the pennant, the Browns played the NL pennant winner in a predecessor of the World Series. The Browns twice met the Chicago White Stockings – the Chicago Cubs prototype – tying one in a heated dispute and winning the other, thus spurring the vigorous St. Louis-Chicago rivalry that ensues to this day.[24] During the franchise's ten seasons in the AA, they compiled an all-time league-high of 780 wins and .639 winning percentage. They lost just 432 contests while tying 21 others.[3]

text: The AA went bankrupt after the 1891 season and the Browns transferred to the National League. This time, the club entered an era of stark futility. Between 1892 and 1919, St. Louis managed just five winning seasons, finished in last or next-to-last place sixteen times, and ended four seasons with 100 losses or more. The nadir was the 1897 season: a 29–102 record for a franchise-worst .221 winning percentage.[3] St. Louis' 84-67 finish as the Perfectos would be the team's best finish between the AA era and Sam Breadon's purchase of the team.[25] As the "Perfectos", the team wore their jersey with a cardinal red trim and sock striping.[25] Later that season, St. Louis Republic sportswriter Willie McHale included an account in a column of a female fan he heard remarking about the uniforms, "What a lovely shade of cardinal." Fans liked the moniker "Cardinals" and, the next year, popularity for the nickname induced an official change to Cardinals.[25]

text: In 1902, an American League team moved from Milwaukee into St. Louis, renamed themselves the St. Louis Browns and built a new park on the site of the Cardinals' old stadium, striking a rivalry that lasted five decades.[26] Breadon bought a minority interest in the Cardinals in 1917 and in 1919 Browns manager Branch Rickey joined the Cardinals.[27][28] The Cardinals' first twenty-eight seasons in the NL were a complete reversal of their stay in the AA – with a .406 winning percentage, they compiled 1,632 wins, 2,425 losses and 74 ties.[3]

text: Breadon era (1920–52)[edit]

text: St. Louis baseball commenced a renaissance: since 1926 the Cardinals have won eleven World Series and nineteen NL pennants.[3] Breadon spurred this revival when bought out the majority stake in 1920 and appointed Rickey as business manager, who expanded scouting, player development, and pioneered the minor league farm system, filling the role of today's general manager.[29] With Rogers Hornsby at second base, he claimed Triple Crowns in 1922 and 1925, and the Cardinals won the 1926 World Series, their first.[23][30] St. Louis then won the league in 1928, 1930, and 1931 and the 1931 World Series.[31]

text: The Gashouse Gang edition claimed the 1934 World Series[31] and the Cardinals amassed new thresholds of popularity far outside St. Louis via radio.[32] Dizzy Dean led the Gang, winning the 1934 MVP, and leading the NL multiple times in wins, strikeouts, innings, complete games and shutouts.[33] Johnny Mize and Joe Medwick emerged as two power threats, with Medwick claiming the last Triple Crown for a Cardinal in 1937.[23][31][34][35][36]

text: In the 1940s, a golden era emerged as Rickey's farm system became laden with such talent as Marty Marion,[37] Enos Slaughter,[38] Mort Cooper,[39] Walker Cooper,[40] Stan Musial,[41] Max Lanier,[42] Whitey Kurowski,[43] Red Schoendienst[44] and Johnny Beazley.[45] It was one of the most successful decades in franchise history with 960 wins 580 losses for a winning percentage higher than any other Major League team at .623.[46] With Billy Southworth managing, they won the World Series in 1942 and 1944 (in the only all-St. Louis series against the Browns), and won 105 or more games each in 1942, 1943, and 1944.[3] Southworth's managerial winning percentage (.642) is St. Louis' highest since the franchise joined the National League.[47][48] Musial was considered the most consistent hitter of his era and most accomplished in team history, winning three MVPs and seven batting titles.[41][49] St. Louis then won the 1946 World Series on Slaughter's Mad Dash in Game 7.[50] Breadon was forced to sell the team in 1947 but won six World Series and nine NL pennants as Cardinals owner.[51] They remained competitive, finishing .500 or better in thirteen of the next seventeen seasons, but fell short of winning the league or World Series until 1964.[3]

text: Gussie Busch era (1953–89)[edit]

text: In 1953 the Anheuser-Busch brewery bought the Cardinals and August "Gussie" Busch became team president,[53] spurring the Browns' departure in 1953 to Baltimore to become the Orioles, and making the Cardinals the only major league club in town.[54] More success followed in the 1960s, starting with what is considered one of the most lopsided trades in Major League history, as St. Louis received outfielder Lou Brock from the Cubs for pitcher Ernie Broglio.[55] MVP third baseman Ken Boyer and pitcher Bob Gibson led the club to a World Series win the same year[56] and Curt Flood, Bill White, Curt Simmons, and Steve Carlton also made key contributions in this decade.[57][58][59][60] In 1967, new arrival Orlando Cepeda won the MVP, helping to propel St. Louis to the World Series.[61][62] The Cardinals won the league the following year behind their Major League-leading 2.49 staff ERA[63] in what was an all-round record-breaking season of pitching dominance. Posting a modern-day record low ERA of 1.12 and striking out a one-game World Series-record of 17,[64] Gibson won both the MVP and Cy Young awards that year.[65] However, the Cardinals failed to repeat as World Series champions, blowing a 3-1 lead to the underdog Detroit Tigers.

text: In the 1970s, catcher/third baseman Joe Torre and first baseman Keith Hernández each won MVPs, but the team's best finishes were second place and 90 wins.[51][66][67] The team found their way back to the World Series the next decade, starting with manager Whitey Herzog and his Whiteyball style of play and another trade that altered course of the franchise: in 1982, shortstop Garry Templeton was shipped to the Padres for fellow shortstop Ozzie Smith.[68][69] Widely regarded as one of the best defensive players in history, Smith ranks first all-time among shortstops in Gold Glove Awards (13), All-Star games (15), assists (8,375), and double plays (1,590).[70][71] St. Louis won the 1982 World Series from the Milwaukee Brewers that fall.[72][73] The Cardinals again won the league in 1985 and 1987.[74] In the 1985 Series, they faced-off with cross-state rivals Kansas City Royals for the first time in a non-exhibition game, and lost the World Series.[75]

text: Bill DeWitt era (1996–present)[edit]

text: After Gussie Busch died in 1989,[77] the brewery took control[78] and hired Joe Torre to manage late in 1990,[79] then sold the team to an investment group led by William DeWitt, Jr. in 1996.[80] Tony La Russa replaced Torre in the spring of 1996.[81] In 1998, Mark McGwire competed with the Cubs' Sammy Sosa for a barrage of home runs in their pursuit of the single-season home run record.[82] From 2000 to 2013, the Cardinals reestablished their way to the top with ten playoff appearances, four NL pennants, two World Series titles and 1,274 regular season wins against 993 losses for a .560 winning percentage, leading the National League and second in MLB only to the New York Yankees.[83] With the addition of Jim Edmonds, Albert Pujols, and Scott Rolen, the Cardinals featured three prominent sluggers and defenders nicknamed "MV3;"[84] Pujols won three MVPs and hit .328 with 445 home runs in his Cardinals career.[85] In 2004, playoff stalwart Chris Carpenter's 3.09 ERA and 15 wins[76] helped power the team to a major-league best 105 wins and take the NL pennant.[86] In 2006, beset with injuries and inconsistency,[87] they won the World Series, beating Detroit in five games to set an all-time record-low of 83 wins for a World Series winner.[88][89][90]

text: In 2009, the Cardinals reached 10,000 wins, dating to when they first played in the American Association (AA).[d][91][92] St. Louis returned to the playoffs in 2011, first surmounting the largest games-won deficit after 130 games (at 10.5) to upstage the Atlanta Braves on the final day for the wild card playoff berth.[93] In Game 3 of the World Series, Pujols became just the third player to hit three home runs in a World Series game.[94] In Game 6, third baseman David Freese and outfielder Lance Berkman each tied the score on the Cardinals' final strike – the first such occurrence in any game in MLB history – and St. Louis defeated the Texas Rangers later that game with a walk-off home run from Freese.[95] After winning that Series, La Russa retired and became the only manager to do so after winning a title. He also finished with the most wins for managers in franchise history with 1,408.[96][97]

text: La Russa's successor, Mike Matheny, helped extend St. Louis' playoff run as he became the first manager in the division play era to guide the Cardinals to the NLCS and playoffs in his first two seasons.[98] In 2014, the Cardinals extended their NLCS streak to 4, with their 3-1 series victory over the Dodgers, in the NLDS. Ten days after being eliminated from the postseason by the San Francisco Giants, rookie outfielder Oscar Taveras was killed in a car accident while traveling to his hometown Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic.[99] On November 17, they acquired Atlanta Braves right-fielder Jason Heyward (who had just come off a Gold Glove-winning season) to replace Taveras.[100] On June 16, 2015, the FBI and the Justice Department started an investigation on the Cardinals for possibly hacking the Houston Astros. The hacking incident was perpetrated by Scouting Director Chris Correa.[101] For the first time since the 2007-2008 seasons, the Cardinals missed the playoffs in consecutive years, 2016-2017.

text: Ballpark[edit]

text: The Cardinals play their home games at Busch Stadium (also referred to as New Busch Stadium or Busch III) in downtown St. Louis, straddling 7th and Clark near the intersection of Interstates 64 and 70.[102] The stadium opened for the 2006 season at a cost of $411 million and holds a normal capacity of 46,861.[103][104] The Cardinals finished their inaugural season in the new Busch Stadium by winning the 2006 World Series, the first team since the 1923 New York Yankees to do so.[105] This open-air stadium emulates the HOK Sport-designed "retro-style" baseball-only parks built since the 1990s.[106] The open panoramic perspective over the outfield wall offers a remarkable view of St. Louis' downtown skyline featuring the distinctive Gateway Arch.[107] A replica of Eads Bridge spans the entrance to the park on the third base side, while the statue of Stan Musial arises in front of that entrance.[108] Other statues at the corner of 8th and Clark include Hall of Famers Rogers Hornsby, Ozzie Smith, George Sisler, Cool Papa Bell, Bob Gibson, Jack Buck and others.[109]

text: Due to increased demand, Game 7 of the 2011 World Series accommodated a baseball record of 47,399 by increasing the number of standing room only tickets. The attendance record for any sporting event is 48,263, in a 2013 Association Football (soccer) friendly match between Chelsea F.C. and Manchester City F.C., made possible by on field seating.[110] The largest attendance (53,000) of any event at Busch belongs to U2 during a concert from their 360° Tour in 2011.[111]

text: Ballpark Village, a mixed-use development located across Clark Street from Busch Stadium, is targeted to enhance the ballpark goers' experience. Phase 1 of the development, completed for the start of the 2014 season, includes entertainment venues, restaurants, and retail. Anchored by Cardinals Nation (which includes the Cardinals Hall of Fame, a two-story Cardinals-themed restaurant and all-inclusive rooftop seating for 300+ fans featuring spectacular views of the field across the street), a 20,000 sq ft Budweiser Brew House, FOX Sports Midwest Live! and PBR, the $100 million phase 1 development of Ballpark Village promises to be a vibrant gathering space throughout the year, not just during the baseball season.[112]

text: Previous ballparks[edit]

text: Busch Stadium is the Cardinals' fourth home ballpark and the third of that name. The Cardinals' original home ballpark was Sportsman's Park from 1882–1892 when they played in the American Association and were known as the Browns. In 1893, the Browns moved to a new ballpark five blocks northwest of Sportsman's Park which would serve as their home from 1893–1920. The new park was originally called New Sportsman's Park but became more commonly referred to as Robison Field.[25] Midway through the 1920 season the Cardinals abandoned Robison Field and returned to the original Sportsman's Park and became tenants of their American League rivals, the St. Louis Browns. In 1953, the Anheuser-Busch Brewery purchased the Cardinals and the new owner subsequently also purchased Sportsman's Park from the Browns and renamed it Busch Stadium, later becoming Busch I. The Browns then left St. Louis for Baltimore after the season. The Cardinals built Busch Memorial Stadium, or Busch II, in downtown St. Louis, opened it during the 1966 season and played there until 2005.[51] It was built as the multi-purpose stadium home of both the baseball Cardinals and the football Cardinals, now the Arizona Cardinals. The current Busch Stadium was constructed adjacent to, and partly atop, the site of Busch Memorial Stadium.

text: Spring training[edit]

text: The Cardinals home field in spring training is Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Florida. They share the complex, which opened in 1998, with the Miami Marlins. Before moving to Jupiter, the Cardinals hosted spring training at Al Lang Field in St. Petersburg, Florida from 1937–1997.

text: Regular season home attendance[edit]

text: The Cardinals have exceeded the attendance total of 3 million every season since 2004.

text:
Home Attendance at Busch Stadium[113]

Year
Total attendance
Game average
League rank

1996
2,654,758
32,774
4th

1997
2,634,014
32,519
4th

1998
3,195,691
38,972
4th

1999
3,225,334
40,317
4th

2000
3,396,493
41,191
1st

2001
3,109,578
37,922
3rd

2002
3,011,756
37,182
4th

2003
2,910,386
35,931
4th

2004
3,048,427
37,635
6th

2005
3,538,988
43,691
2nd

2006
3,407,104
42,589
2nd

2007
3,552,180
43,854
3rd

2008
3,432,917
42,382
3rd

2009
3,343,252
41,275
3rd

2010
3,301,218
40,756
3rd

2011
3,093,954
38,197
3rd

2012
3,262,109
40,273
4th

2013
3,369,769
41,602
2nd

2014
3,540,649
43,712
2nd

2015
3,520,889
43,467
2nd

2016
3,444,490
42,524
2nd

2017
3,447,937
42,567
2nd

text: Logos and uniforms[edit]

text: The Cardinals have had few logos throughout their history, although those logos have evolved over time. The first logo associated with the Cardinals was an interlocking "SL" that appeared on the team's caps and or sleeves as early as 1900. Those early uniforms usually featured the name "St. Louis" on white home and gray road uniforms which both had cardinal red accents. In 1920, the "SL" largely disappeared from the team's uniforms, and for the next 20 years the team wore caps that were white with red striping and a red bill.

text: In 1922, the Cardinals wore uniforms for the first time that featured the two familiar cardinal birds perched on a baseball bat over the name "Cardinals" with the letter "C" of the word hooked over the bat. The concept of the birds originated after general manager Branch Rickey noticed a colorful cardboard arrangement featuring cardinal birds on a table in a Presbyterian church in Ferguson, Missouri, at which he was speaking. The arrangement's production was by a woman named Allie May Schmidt. Schmidt's father, a graphic designer, helped Ricky make the logo a familiar staple on Cardinals uniforms.[114] Colloquially referred to as the "birds on the bat", it initially appeared with the birds perched on a black bat and "Cardinals" in printed letters. An alternate version of this logo with "St. Louis" replacing "Cardinals" appeared in 1930 and was the primary logo in 1931 and 1932 before "Cardinals" returned. In 1940, the now-familiar "StL" logo was introduced on the team's caps. The interlocking "StL" has undergone several slight modifications over the years but has appeared on the team's caps every year since. The first appearance of the "STL" in 1940 coincided with the introduction of navy blue as a uniform color. From 1940 until 1955, the team wore navy blue caps with red bills and a red interlocking "StL" while the jerseys featured both cardinal red and navy blue accents. In 1951, the "birds on the bat" logo was changed to feature a yellow baseball bat.[115]

text: In 1956, the Cardinals changed their caps to solid blue with a red "StL", removing the red bill. Also, for that season only, the Cardinals wore a script "Cardinals" wordmark on their uniforms excluding the "birds on the bat." An updated version of the "birds on the bat" logo returned in 1957 with the word "Cardinals" written in cursive beneath the bat. In 1962, the Cardinals became the first National League team to display players' names on the back of their jerseys. In 1964, while retaining their blue caps for road games, the Cardinals changed their home caps to all red with a white interlocking "StL". The next year, they changed their road caps to red as well. In 1967, the birds on the bat emblem on the jersey was again tweaked, making the birds more realistic and changing the position of their tails relative to the bat and this version remained on all Cardinals game jerseys through 1997.

text: In 1971, following the trend in baseball at the time, the Cardinals replaced the traditional flannel front-button shirts and pants with belts with new pullover knit jerseys and elastic waist pants. Another trend in baseball led the Cardinals to change their road uniforms from gray to light blue from 1976–1984. In 1992, the Cardinals returned to wearing traditional button-down shirts and pants with belts. That same year they also began wearing an all-navy cap with a red "StL" on the road only while wearing the same red and white cap at home games. In 1998, the "birds on the bat" was updated for the first time in 30 years with more detailed birds and bolder letters. That year, St. Louis introduced a cap featuring a single cardinal bird perched on a bat worn only on Sunday home games. The new birds on the bat design was modified again the next year, with yellow beaks and white eyes replacing the red beaks and yellow eyes of the 1998 version. Uniform numbers also returned to the front of the jerseys in 1999 after a two-year absence.[115]

text: On November 16, 2012, the Cardinals unveiled a new alternate uniform to be worn at home games on Saturdays beginning with the 2013 season.[needs update] The modified jersey, cream-colored with red trim on the sleeves and down the front, was the first since 1932 in which "St. Louis" will be used instead of "Cardinals" and retained the "birds on the bat."[116] 2013 also saw the team adopt their red caps as their main uniform for both home and away games; the navy cap was retained as an alternate, used mainly against other red-capped teams. Over the years, the Cardinals have released various marketing logos depicting anthropomorphized cardinals in a pitching stance, swinging a baseball bat, or wearing a baseball cap that never became part of the game uniform.[115]

text: Support[edit]

text: Fans[edit]

text: Mascots[edit]

text: The team mascot is an anthropomorphic cardinal wearing the team's uniform named Fredbird. He is assisted by Team Fredbird, a group of eleven women who entertain fans from the field and on top of the dugouts.

text: While unofficial, the Rally Squirrel became an unexpected phenomenon during the 2011 postseason. Making its "debut" in Game 3 of the NLDS on Oct 4, a squirrel ran across home plate in the middle of a pitch from Roy Oswalt of the Phillies to the Cardinals' Skip Schumaker. The Cardinals would win Game 4 and subsequently Game 5 (Oct. 7) in Philadelphia to advance to the NLCS, symbolizing the squirrel's "role" in the victory. The squirrel was popularized as "Buschie the Rally Squirrel"[117] As a tribute to the popularity of the squirrel, a small depiction of the Rally Squirrel is also included on the official World Series rings the team received. It shows up under the "STL" logo on the side of the ring.

text: Fredbird sparked controversy in May 2015, when he was asked by a fan for a photograph and handed him a sign that said "Police Lives Matter". The team later claimed that Fredbird should not be involved in any political activity or social commentary.

text: Rivalries[edit]

text: Chicago Cubs[edit]

text: The Cardinals–Cubs rivalry refers to games between the Cardinals and the Chicago Cubs. The rivalry is also known as the Downstate Illinois rivalry or the I-55 Series (in earlier years as the Route 66 Series) as both cities are located along Interstate 55 (which itself succeeded the famous U.S. Route 66). The Cubs lead the series 1,134–1,103 through June 22, 2016, while the Cardinals lead in National League pennants with 19 against the Cubs' 17. The Cubs have won 11 of those pennants in Major League Baseball's Modern Era (1901–present), while all 19 of the Cardinals' pennants have been won since 1926. The Cardinals also have an edge when it comes to World Series successes, having won 11 championships to the Cubs' 3. Games featuring the Cardinals and Cubs see numerous visiting fans in either Busch Stadium in St. Louis or Wrigley Field in Chicago.[118] When the National League split into two and then three divisions, the Cardinals and Cubs remained together. This has added excitement to several pennant races over the years. The Cardinals and Cubs have played each other once in the postseason, when the Cubs beat the Cardinals 3 games to 1 in the 2015 National League Division Series.

text: Kansas City Royals[edit]

text: Although both teams play in the state of Missouri, they did not play each other for the first time until the 1985 World Series, which the Royals won in seven games, but which is perhaps best remembered for a controversial call from umpire Don Denkinger in Game 6. Due to their geographical proximity, the teams have faced each other every regular season in interleague play since it started in 1997. This is also referred to as the "Show Me Series" or the "I-70 Series", as both cities are located in Missouri and are connected by Interstate 70. The two teams celebrated the 30th anniversary of their rivalry in 2015. St. Louis leads the series 55 games to 39 as of the end of the 2017 season.

text: Executives and club officials[edit]

text: Ownership and valuation[edit]

text: An investment group led by William DeWitt, Jr. owns the St. Louis Cardinals, having bought the team from Anheuser-Busch (AB) in 1996.[119] As with other periods of the Cardinals' transaction history, doubt loomed as to whether the purchaser would keep the team in St. Louis, due to the city's status as a "small market", which appear to handicap a club's competitiveness. Such was the case when Sam Breadon put the Cardinals up for sale in 1947: then-NL President Ford Frick proposed moving the Cardinals to Chicago.[120] When AB placed the Cardinals for sale in 1995, they publicly expressed intention to find a buyer who would keep the club in St. Louis.[121] In March 1996, AB sold the team for $147 million to a partnership headed by Southwest Bank's Drew Baur, Hanser and DeWitt, Jr.[120] Civic Center Redevelopment, a subsidiary of AB, held the parking garages and adjacent property and also transferred them to the Baur ownership group.[122] Baur's group then sold the garages to another investment group, lowering the net franchise purchase price to about $100 million, about $10 million less than Financial World's value of the team at the time $110 million.[121][123]

text: Current Cincinnati Reds owners Bob Castellini and brothers Thomas Williams and W. Joseph Williams Jr. each once owned a stake in the Cardinals dating back to the Baur-DeWitt group's purchase of the team. To allow their purchase of the Reds in 2005, the rest of the group bought out Castellini's and the Williams brothers' shares, totaling an estimated thirteen percent. At that time, the Forbes valued the Cardinals at about $370 million.[124] However, after reabsorbing that stake into the remainder of the group, they decided to make it available to new investors in 2010. Amid later allegations that the Cardinals owed the city profit shares, DeWitt revealed that their profitability had not reached the threshold to trigger that obligation.[125]

text: Recent annual financial records[edit]

text: As of 2017, Forbes valued the Cardinals seventh among 30 MLB franchises. Their estimated value of $1.80 billion was an increase of $200 million from the season before, when they ranked seventh. St. Louis' revenue in 2016 was $310 million, up $10 million. Their Operating income was $40.5 million.[5] The Cardinals' deal with Fox Sports Midwest, signed in 2015, begins in 2018, and is worth $1 billion through 2032.[126][6][7][127][128][129] In 2014, Forbes valued the Cardinals at $820 million and opined previously that they play "in the best single-team baseball market in the country and are among the league's leaders in television ratings and attendance every season."[129] Concurrent with the growth of Major League Baseball, the Cardinals value has increased significantly since the Baur-DeWitt purchase. In 2000, the franchise was valued at $219 million,[130] a growth rate of 374% through 2014. The franchise's value grew 12.7% from 2013 to 2014.

text:
St. Louis Cardinals' financial value since 2009

Year
$ Franchise Value (mil.)1
$ Revenue (mil.) 2
$ Operating Income (mil.) 3
$ Player Expenses (mil.) 4
Wins-to-player cost ratio 5
Ref

2009
$486
$195
$   7
$120
  87

2010
$488
$195
$12.8
$111
100
[131]

2011
$518
$207
$19.8
$110
  94
[132]

2012
$591
$233
$25.0
$123
116
[133]

2013
$716
$239
$19.9
$134
102
[129]

2014
$820
$283
$65.2
$133
118
[128][134]

2015
$1,400
$294
$73.6
$133
111
[134][135]

2016
$1,600
$300
$59.8
$145
115
[6]

2017
$1,800
$310
$40.5
$173
  86
[5]

text:
All valuations per Forbes.
1 Based on current stadium deal (unless new stadium is pending) without deduction for debt, other than stadium debt.
  (2017: market $666 mil., stadium $411 mil., sport $488 mil., brand management $235 mil.)[5]
  (2016: market $613 mil., stadium $378 mil., sport $406 mil., brand management $219 mil.)[6]
  (2015: market $548 mil., stadium $338 mil., sport $331 mil., brand management $197 mil.)
  (2014: market $339 mil., stadium $211 mil., sport $156 mil., brand management $124 mil.)
  (2013: market $291 mil., stadium $182 mil., sport $151 mil., brand management $91 mil.)
 (2012: market $240 mil., stadium $157 mil., sport $119 mil., brand management $78 mil.)
 (2011: market $206 mil., stadium $136 mil., sport $111 mil., brand management $65 mil.)

text:
2 Net of stadium revenues used for debt payments.
3 Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.
4 Includes benefits and bonuses.
5 Compares the number of wins per player payroll relative to the rest of MLB. Playoff wins count twice as much as regular season wins. A score of 120 means that the team achieved 20% more victories per dollar of payroll compared with the league average in 2010.

text:
Owner, Chairman and CEO: William DeWitt, Jr.
President: William DeWitt III

text: Other interests[edit]

text: Besides Ballpark Village, which has now finished its first phase, opening on March 27,[136][137] and considered a smashing success with the first phase of the project totaling 120,000 square feet (11,000 m2).[138] The Cardinals own three of their Minor League Baseball affililiates:

text:
Springfield Cardinals, Texas League (AA)[139]
Palm Beach Cardinals, Florida State League (High-A)[139]
Gulf Coast League Cardinals, Gulf Coast League (Rookie League)[139]

text: Executives[edit]

text:
President, Baseball Operations: John Mozeliak
Vice President/General Manager: Michael Girsch
Assistant General Manager: Moisés Rodríguez (promoted to Asst. GM on Sep. 27)
Director, Player Development: Gary LaRocque
Scouting Director: Randy Flores
International Operations Director: Moisés Rodríguez (promoted to Asst. GM on Sep. 27)
Director of Player Personnel: Matt Slater
Director, Baseball Administration: John Vuch
Senior Medical Advisor: Barry Weinberg

text: Sr. Vice President and CFO: Brad Wood

text: Vice President, Event Services and Merchandising: Vicki Bryant

text: Vice President, Stadium Operations: Matt Gifford

text:
Sr. Vice President of Sales & Marketing: Dan Farrell
Vice President, Corp. Marketing & Stadium Entertainment: Thane van Breusegen
Vice President, Ticket Sales and Services: Joe Strohm

text: Managerial roll[edit]

text: Field managers with two or more years managing, and the current manager are included here.[3]

text:
Dates
Name
W-L Record
WPct.
Highlights
Ref

1883–89, 1891
Charlie Comiskey†
563–273
.673*
Highest winning-percentage in franchise history;
Four consecutive World Series appearances, one title
[19]

1895, 96, 97
Chris von der Ahe
3–14
.176

[140]

1901–03
Patsy Donovan
175–236
.426

[141]

1906–08
John McCloskey
153–304
.335

[142]

1909–12
Roger Bresnahan†
255–352
.420

[143]

1913–17
Miller Huggins†
346–415
.455

[144]

1919–25
Branch Rickey†
458–485
.486

[145]

1925–26
Rogers Hornsby†
153–116
.569
One World Series win (player-manager)
[146]

1928–29
Bill McKechnie†
129–88
.594
One NL pennant
[147]

1929, 1940–45
Billy Southworth†
620–346
.642**
Second-highest winning-percentage in franchise history (highest modern);
Two World Series (1942, 1944) wins
[48]

1929, 1930–33
Gabby Street
312–242
.563
Two NL pennants and one World Series win
[148]

1933–38
Frankie Frisch†
458–354
.564
One World Series win
[149]

1939–40
Ray Blades
106–85
.555

[150]

1946–50
Eddie Dyer
446–325
.578
One World Series win
[151]

1952–55
Eddie Stanky
260–238
.522

[152]

1956–58
Fred Hutchinson
232–220
.513

[153]

1959–61
Solly Hemus
190–192
.497

[154]

1961–64
Johnny Keane
317–249
.560
One World Series win
[155]

1965–76, 1980, 1990
Red Schoendienst†
1041–955
.522
Two NL pennants and one World Series win
[156]

1978–80
Ken Boyer
166–190
.466

[157]

1980–90
Whitey Herzog†
822–728
.530
Three NL pennants and one World Series win
[69]

1990–95
Joe Torre†
351–354
.498

[79]

1996–2011
Tony La Russa†
1408*–1182*
.544
Most managerial wins and seasons (16) in team history;
Two World Series (2006, 2011) wins
[158]

2012–present
Mike Matheny
544-428
.560
One NL pennant
[159]

text: *All-time franchise leader. ** Franchise leader since 1900.

text:
W-L

Total number of wins and losses

WPct

Winning percentage: Number of wins divided by total of wins and losses

Bold

Franchise leader

†

Elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame

text: Players[edit]

text: Current roster[edit]

text:
St. Louis Cardinals roster

v
t
e

Active roster
Inactive roster
Coaches/Other

Pitchers

56 Sandy Alcántara
67 Matt Bowman
60 John Brebbia
27 Brett Cecil
29 Zach Duke
32 Jack Flaherty
53 John Gant
77 Josh Lucas
31 Lance Lynn
70 Tyler Lyons
18 Carlos Martínez
59 Mike Mayers
12 Juan Nicasio
26 Seung-hwan Oh
65 Ryan Sherriff
64 Sam Tuivailala
52 Michael Wacha
50 Adam Wainwright
62 Luke Weaver
72 Rowan Wick

Catchers

30 Carson Kelly
 4 Yadier Molina
68 Alberto Rosario

Infielders

13 Matt Carpenter
11 Paul DeJong
36 Aledmys Díaz
35 Greg Garcia
 3 Jedd Gyorko
54 Alex Mejia
80 Edmundo Sosa
41 Breyvic Valera
40 Luke Voit
16 Kolten Wong

Outfielders

48 Harrison Bader
25 Dexter Fowler
15 Randal Grichuk
58 José Martínez
28 Tommy Pham
55 Stephen Piscotty
43 Magneuris Sierra

Manager

22 Mike Matheny

Coaches

33 David Bell (bench)
47 John Mabry (hitting)
37 Oliver Marmol (first base)
23 Bill Mueller (assistant hitting)
-- Gaylen Pitts (special assistant)
39 Jamie Pogue (bullpen catcher)
38 Mike Shildt (third base)
76 Kleininger Teran (bullpen catcher)
75 Ron Warner (quality control coach)
-- vacant (bullpen)
-- vacant (pitching)

60-day disabled list

61 Alex Reyes
44 Trevor Rosenthal

40 active, 0 inactive
 7- or 10-day disabled list
 Suspended list
# Personal leave
Roster and coaches updated October 4, 2017
Transactions • Depth chart
→ All MLB rosters

text: Coaching staff[edit]

text: Selected individual achievements and awards[edit]

text:
Darryl Kile Award: Two awards are presented each year, one to a St. Louis Cardinal and one to a Houston Astro, each of whom exemplifies Kile's virtues of being "a good teammate, a great friend, a fine father and a humble man." The winner is selected by each local chapter of the Baseball Writers' Association of America.[160] See: St. Louis Cardinals award winners and league leaders § Darryl Kile Good Guy Award.
No-hitters: Cardinal pitchers have thrown 10 no-hitters: Ted Breitenstein (1891), Jesse Haines (1924), Paul Dean (1934), Lon Warneke (1941), Ray Washburn (1968), Bob Gibson (1971), Bob Forsch (1978 and 1983), José Jiménez (1999), and Bud Smith (2001). The Cardinals have never been involved in a perfect game, win or lose.
Cy Young Awards: Two Cardinal pitchers have won Cy Young Awards: Bob Gibson in 1968 and 1970, and Chris Carpenter in 2005.[161]
MVP Awards: 16 different Cardinal players have won a total of 20 Most Valuable Player awards, the most recent being Albert Pujols in 2009. Pujols and Stan Musial have collected the most MVPs with three apiece. Bob Gibson won both the Cy Young Award and the MVP award in 1968.[161] The Cardinals are second only to the New York Yankees' 22 MVP awards.[162]
Rookie of the Year: Six Cardinals have won the Rookie of the Year award: Wally Moon in 1954, Bill Virdon in 1955, Bake McBride in 1974, Vince Coleman in 1985, Todd Worrell in 1986, and Albert Pujols in 2001.
Hitting for the cycle: 20 Cardinal players have hit for the cycle, the most recent being Mark Grudzielanek in 2005.[163]
Triple Crown: Four of the 16 batting Triple Crowns in the major leagues (including three of only six in the National League) were by Cardinals. Tip O'Neill won the only American Association Triple Crown and the first in franchise history in 1887. Rogers Hornsby became the only two-time winner in NL history when he did it in 1922 and 1925 (Ted Williams won two AL Triple Crowns). Joe Medwick's Triple Crown in 1937 is the last in the history of the National League.[164] Hornsby's 1925 numbers led the entire major leagues, making him one of only five players to have won this expanded Triple Crown.
Home runs and RBI in a game: Jim Bottomley drove in 12 runs against Brooklyn on September 16, 1924, an all-time MLB single-game record that still stands.[165][166] On September 7, 1993, Mark Whiten tied that record and another MLB single-game record with four home runs.[167][168]
2 Grand Slams in a single inning: Fernando Tatís is the only player in Major League history to hit two grand slam home runs in the same inning, on April 23, 1999. Both were against Chan Ho Park of the Dodgers.[169]

text: Team captains[edit]

text:
Leo Durocher 1934–1937
Terry Moore 1942–1948
Ken Boyer 1959–1965

text: Hall of Famers[edit]

text: Inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum[edit]

text:
St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Famers

Affiliation according to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum

St. Louis Browns

Charles Comiskey*

Roger Connor*

Pud Galvin*

George Sisler*†

St. Louis Cardinals

Grover Cleveland Alexander*
Walter Alston
Jake Beckley*
Jim Bottomley*
Roger Bresnahan*
Lou Brock
Mordecai Brown*
Jesse Burkett**
Steve Carlton

Orlando Cepeda
Dizzy Dean
Leo Durocher
Dennis Eckersley
Frankie Frisch*
Bob Gibson
Burleigh Grimes
Chick Hafey*

Jesse Haines*
Whitey Herzog
Rogers Hornsby*
Miller Huggins
Tony La Russa
Rabbit Maranville
Bill McKechnie
John McGraw
Joe Medwick*

Johnny Mize*
Stan Musial
Kid Nichols*
Branch Rickey
Wilbert Robinson*
Red Schoendienst
Enos Slaughter
Ozzie Smith
John Smoltz

Billy Southworth
Bruce Sutter§
Joe Torre
Dazzy Vance
Bobby Wallace**
Hoyt Wilhelm
Vic Willis**
Cy Young

Players and managers listed in bold are depicted on their Hall of Fame plaques wearing a Browns or Cardinals cap insignia.
* Has no insignia on his cap due to playing at a time when caps bore no insignia.
** Wears no cap.
† Played for the AL St. Louis Browns, but not the NL St. Louis club. Because of their status as the only Major League team remaining in St. Louis, the Cardinals franchise chose to honor Sisler as a St. Louis-based player.
§ Wears a Cardinals insignia but the Hall of Fame recognizes the Chicago Cubs as his primary team.

text: St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame Museum[edit]

text: In 2014, the Cardinals announced the reopening of the franchise Hall of Fame after a 6-year hiatus. A formal selection process recognizes former players as Cardinals Hall of Famers each year. To be eligible for election, a player must have been a member of the Cardinals for at least three seasons. The team initially released the names of 22 former players and personnel included in the inaugural class of 2014.[170] There are now 37 members of the Cardinals Hall of Fame.

text:
No.
Name
Years with Cardinals Franchise
Position(s)
Year Elected
Committee Selection

4
Jim Bottomley
1922-1932
1B
2014
Inaugural

14
Ken Boyer
1955-1965, 1971-1972, 1978-1980
3B, CF, Manager, Coach
2014
Inaugural

—
Sam Breadon
1917-1947
Owner
2016
Team

20
Lou Brock
1964-1979
LF
2014
Inaugural

—
Jack Buck
1954-1959, 1961-2001
Broadcaster
2014
Inaugural

85
August A. Busch, Jr.
1953-1989
Owner
2014
Inaugural

29
Chris Carpenter
2004-2012
Pitcher
2016
Fan

17
Dizzy Dean
1930, 1932-1937, 1941-1946
Pitcher, Broadcaster
2014
Inaugural

15
Jim Edmonds
2000-2007, 2016–Present
CF, Broadcaster
2014
Fan

21, 42
Curt Flood
1958-1969
CF
2015
Red Ribbon

31, 37
Bob Forsch
1974-1988
Pitcher
2015
Fan

3
Frankie Frisch
1927-1938
2B, 3B, Manager
2014
Inaugural

45
Bob Gibson
1959-1975, 1995
Pitcher, Coach
2014
Inaugural

—
Chick Hafey
1924-1931
LF, RF
2014
Inaugural

16
Jesse Haines
1920-1937
Pitcher
2014
Inaugural

24
Whitey Herzog
1980-1990
Manager, General Manager
2014
Inaugural

4
Rogers Hornsby
1915-1926, 1933
2B, 3B, SS, Manager
2014
Inaugural

3
George Kissell
1940-1942, 1946-2008
Coach, Instructor, Scout
2015
Team

10
Tony LaRussa
1996-2011
Manager
2014
Inaugural

4
Marty Marion
1940-1951
SS, Manager, Coach
2014
Red Ribbon

2, 28, 1, 11, 10
Pepper Martin
1928, 1930-1940, 1944
3B, CF, RF
2017
Red Ribbon

51, 9, 20, 15
Tim McCarver
1959-1969, 1973-1974, 2014-Present
C, Broadcaster
2017
Fan

51
Willie McGee
1982-1990, 1996-1999
CF, LF, RF
2014
Fan

25
Mark McGwire
1997-2001, 2010-2012
1B, Coach
2017
Fan

7, 12, 21, 28
Joe Medwick
1932-1940, 1947-1948
LF
2014
Inaugural

10
Johnny Mize
1936-1941
1B
2014
Inaugural

2, 8, 11
Terry Moore
1935-1942, 1946-1952, 1956-1958
CF, Coach
2016
Red Ribbon

6
Stan Musial
1941-1944, 1946-1963, 1967
1B, LF, RF, CF, General Manager
2014
Inaugural

—
Branch Rickey
1919-1942
General Manager, Manager, President
2014
Inaugural

2
Red Schoendienst
1945-1956, 1961-1976, 1979-1995
Manager, 2B, LF, Coach
2014
Inaugural

18, 28
Mike Shannon
1962-1970, 1972–Present
Broadcaster, 3B, RF
2014
Team

23
Ted Simmons
1968-1980
C
2015
Fan

9
Enos Slaughter
1938-1942, 1946-1953
RF, LF
2014
Inaugural

1
Ozzie Smith
1982-1999
SS, Broadcaster
2014
Inaugural

—
Billy Southworth
1926-1927, 1929, 1940-1945
Manager, RF
2014
Inaugural

42
Bruce Sutter
1981-1984
Pitcher
2014
Inaugural

9, 22
Joe Torre
1969-1974, 1990-1995
3B, 1B, C, Manager
2016
Fan

text: Inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame[edit]

text:
St. Louis Cardinals in the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame

No.
Player
Position
Tenure
Notes

—
Branch Rickey
Manager
GM
1919–1925
1919–1942

—
Bing Devine
GM
1957–1964
1967–1978
Born and raised in St. Louis

—
Walt Jocketty
GM
1994–2007

—
Lou Adamie
Scorekeeper
1941–1982

—
Charlie Grimm
1B
1918
Born in St. Louis

1
Ozzie Smith
SS
1982–1996

2
Red Schoendienst
2B
Manager
1945–1956, 1961–1963
1965–1976, 1980, 1990

3
Frankie Frisch
2B
Manager
1927–1937
1933–1938

3
George Kissell
Coach
Instructor
Scout
1940–1942
1946–2008

4
Marty Marion
SS
Manager
1940–1950
1951

5, 22
Don Gutteridge
2B/3B
1936–1940

6
Stan Musial
OF
1B
1941–1944
1946–1963

8
Hal McRae
Coach
2005–2009
Elected mainly on his performance with Kansas City Royals

8
Terry Moore
OF
1935–1942
1946–1948

8,14
Mickey Owen
C
1937–1940
Born and raised in Nixa, Missouri

9
Enos Slaughter
RF
1938–1942
1946–1953

9
Bill Virdon
CF
1955–1956
Grew up in West Plains, Missouri, attended Drury University

10
Tony La Russa
Manager
1996–2011

14
Ken Boyer
3B
Manager
1955–1965
1978–1980
Born in Liberty, Missouri, grew up in Alba, Missouri

15
Jim Edmonds
CF
2000–2007

15
Tim McCarver
C
1959–1969
1973–1974

15
Darrell Porter
C
1981–1985
Born in Joplin, Missouri

16
Jamie Quirk
C
1983
Elected mainly on his performance with Kansas City Royals

17
Dizzy Dean
P
1930, 1932–1937

18
Dave Duncan
Coach
1996–2011

19
Tom Pagnozzi
C
1987–1998

19
Preacher Roe
P
1938

20
Lou Brock
LF
1964–1979

22
David Eckstein
SS
2005–2007

22
Mike Matheny
C
Manager
2000–2004
2012–present

23
Charlie James
OF
1960–1964
Born in St. Louis, attended University of Missouri

23
Ted Simmons
C
1968–1980

24
Whitey Herzog
Manager/GM
1980–1982
1980–1990

25
Gabby Street
C
Manager
1931
1929, 1930–1933

28
Tom Herr
2B
1979–1988

28, 40
Dan Quisenberry
P
1988–1989
Elected mainly on his performance with Kansas City Royals

29
Vince Coleman
LF
1985–1990

30
Orlando Cepeda
1B
1966–1968
Elected mainly on his performance with San Francisco Giants

31
Bob Forsch
P
1974–1988

34
Darold Knowles
P
1979–1980
Born and raised in Brunswick, Missouri, attended University of Missouri

37
Keith Hernandez
1B
1974–1983

38
Todd Worrell
P
1985–1989, 1992

39
Al Hrabosky
P
1970–1977

40
Rick Sutcliffe
P
1994
Born and raised in Independence, Missouri

42
Bruce Sutter
P
1981–1984

44
Jason Isringhausen
P
2002–2008

45
Bob Gibson
P
1959–1975

49
Jerry Reuss
P
1969–1971
Born in St. Louis, grew up in Overland, Missouri

50
Tom Henke
P
1995
Born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri

51
Willie McGee
OF
1982–1990
1996–1999

85
Gussie Busch
Owner
1953–1989
Born and raised in St. Louis

text: Retired numbers[edit]

text: The Cardinals have retired 12 total jersey numbers––second in MLB only to the New York Yankees' 20––in honoring 14 total former players and club personnel on the left field wall at Busch Stadium.[171][172] A 15th, Jackie Robinson, is honored by all MLB teams.[173] It should be noted that, during the time Rogers Hornsby had played, the Cardinals did not have any numbers on their uniforms. This practice had begun with the Cleveland Indians in 1920. Thus, Hornsby had no number to retire.

text:
Rogers
Hornsby
2B, Mgr
Honored 1937

Ozzie
Smith
SS
Retired 1996

Red
Schoendienst
2B, Mgr, Coach
Retired 1996

Stan
Musial
OF, 1B, GM
Retired 1963

Enos
Slaughter
RF
Retired 1996

Tony
La Russa
Mgr
Retired 2012

Ken
Boyer
3B, Mgr, Coach
Retired 1984

Dizzy
Dean
SP
Retired 1974

Lou
Brock
LF, Coach
Retired 1979

Whitey
Herzog
Mgr, GM
Retired 2010

Bruce
Sutter
RP
Retired 2006

Jackie
Robinson
2B
Retired by MLB '97

Bob
Gibson
SP, Coach
Retired 1975

Gussie
Busch
Owner
Retired 1984

Jack
Buck
Broadcaster
Honored 2002

text: Notes:

text: Hornsby: When honored in 1937, '"SL"' was used in place of a number as he played mostly in an era without numbers.[174]

text:
42: Jackie Robinson's number 42 was retired throughout baseball in 1997. The Cardinals again retired 42 in September 2006 in honor of Sutter, who was elected to the Hall of Fame earlier in the year.
85: Cardinal stockholders honored Busch with the number 85 on his 85th birthday in 1984.

text: Out of circulation, but not officially retired[edit]

text:
5: Albert Pujols' (1B, 2001–2011) number has not been reissued since he signed with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim after the 2011 season.[citation needed]
51: Willie McGee's (OF, 1982–1990, 1996–1999) number has not been reissued since late in the 2001 season.[175]
57: Darryl Kile's (P, 2000–02) number has not been reissued since his death in the middle of the 2002 season. Along with Josh Hancock's number 32, another active pitcher deceased in the middle of the season, they are honored with small circular logos bearing their initials and numbers on the wall of the Cardinal bullpen. During the 2014 playoffs, but following the Cardinals' elimination, rookie and star prospect Oscar Taveras was killed in a car accident. His number 18 was added along with Kile's and Hancock's in the home bullpen, however his number was reissued the following season to close friend Carlos Martinez.[176]

text: Minor league affiliations[edit]

text:
Level
Team
League
Location
Manager

AAA
Memphis Redbirds
Pacific Coast League
Memphis, Tennessee
Stubby Clapp

AA
Springfield Cardinals
Texas League
Springfield, Missouri
Johnny Rodriguez

Advanced A
Palm Beach Cardinals
Florida State League
Jupiter, Florida
Dann Bilardello

A
Peoria Chiefs
Midwest League
Peoria, Illinois
Chris Swauger

Short season A
State College Spikes
New York–Penn League
University Park, Pennsylvania
Joe Kruzel

Rookie
Johnson City Cardinals
Appalachian League
Johnson City, Tennessee
Roberto Espinoza

GCL Cardinals
Gulf Coast League
Jupiter, Florida
Steve Turco

DSL Cardinals
Dominican Summer League
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Fray Peniche

text: Radio and television coverage[edit]

text: Radio[edit]

text: Capable of reaching 21 million listeners in nine states including Missouri, Illinois, Arkansas, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Tennessee, the Cardinals radio network is the second-largest in MLB with 117 affiliate stations.[11] In St. Louis, CBS-owned KMOX (1120 AM) airs Cardinals games over radio and feeds the rest of the Cardinals network. Mike Shannon and John Rooney alternate as play-by-play announcers, with Chris Hrabe serving as pre-game and post-game host. KMOX's 50,000-watt clear-channel signal covers much of the continental United States at night. At one time, owing to the Cardinals' status as a "regional" franchise, the Cardinals radio network reached almost half of the country.

text: The 2011 season marked the Cardinals' return to KMOX following five seasons on KTRS (550 AM), a station which is 50 percent owned by the Cardinals. With a partnership spanning seven decades, and continuously since 1954, its conclusion realized after the 2005 season when CBS Radio and the Cardinals failed to reach terms on a new rights agreement. However, frustrated by the underpowered coverage of 5,000-watt KTRS, the Cardinals reached a new deal with KMOX in 2011.

text: Mike Shannon will announce 30 fewer games in 2013, compared to the 15 he took off in 2012, and in previous seasons. Most of the games will be road games and three-city trips. He has been announcing Cardinals' games starting in 1972, making 2013 his 41st year announcing. He turns 74 in July.[177] He has announced Cardinals' games for more years than anyone except Jack Buck (1954–58, 1961–2001) who announced for 46 years.

text: Television[edit]

text: Since 2000, Cardinals telecasts have generated the top three in ratings in MLB every season.[11] Fox Sports Midwest airs all games in high-definition and is the team's exclusive television broadcaster, with the exception of selected Saturday afternoon games on Fox (via its St. Louis affiliate, KTVI) or Sunday Night Baseball on ESPN. Fox Sports Indiana, Fox Sports South, Fox Sports Tennessee, Fox Sports Oklahoma, Fox Sports Southwest, and SportSouth air Cardinals games for fans living within the Cardinals broadcast territory who do not receive the Fox Sports Midwest channel. During the 2016 season, the Cardenals averaged a 8.54 rating and 104,000 viewers on primetime TV broadcasts in St Louis.[178]

text: The television commentators lineup includes Dan McLaughlin, Rick Horton, and Al Hrabosky. Jimmy "The Cat" Hayes serves as dugout reporter during the game as well as on Cardinals Live, a pre- and post-game show. Cardinals Live is hosted in-studio by Pat Parris along with game analysts and former Cardinals players Jim Edmonds, Gary Bennett and Chris Duncan.[179]

text: Cardinals Kids, a program aimed at the team's younger fans, airs weekly in-season on Fox Sports Midwest. It's hosted by former Cardinals pitcher Andy Benes, team mascot Fredbird, and Busch Stadium Public Address announcer John "The U-Man" Ulett. The 30-minute show began airing in 2003 and presents team news, player profiles, and Cardinals team history in a kid-friendly manner along with games and trivia.[180]

text: A weekly magazine program, This Week in Cardinal Nation, airs on St. Louis' NBC affiliate KSDK. Cardinals games had been seen on KSDK (and its predecessor, KSD-TV) from 1947 through 1958, 1963 through 1987, and 2007 until 2010. KPLR-TV was the Cardinals' other over-the-air broadcaster, carrying games from 1959 through 1962 and from 1988 until 2006.

text: Former Cardinals broadcasters include Jack Buck, Harry Caray, Dizzy Dean, Joe Garagiola, Sr., and Jay Randolph. Joe Buck, the son of Jack Buck, was an official member of the Cardinals' broadcast team from 1991 until 2007. The younger Buck is currently the lead play-by-play caller for Fox Sports' national Major League Baseball and National Football League broadcasts.

text: Opening Day lineups[edit]

text:
Year
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

2017[181]
Dexter Fowler CF
Aledmys Díaz SS
Matt Carpenter 1B
Jhonny Peralta 3B
Yadier Molina C
Stephen Piscotty RF
Jedd Gyorko 2B
Randal Grichuk LF
Carlos Martínez P

2016[182]
Matt Carpenter 3B
Tommy Pham LF
Matt Holliday 1B
Randal Grichuk CF
Stephen Piscotty RF
Yadier Molina C
Kolten Wong 2B
Jedd Gyorko SS
Adam Wainwright P

2015[183]
Matt Carpenter 3B
Jason Heyward RF
Matt Holliday LF
Jhonny Peralta SS
Matt Adams 1B
Yadier Molina C
Kolten Wong 2B
Jon Jay CF
Adam Wainwright P

2014[184]
Matt Carpenter 3B
Kolten Wong 2B
Matt Holliday LF
Allen Craig RF
Yadier Molina C
Matt Adams 1B
Jhonny Peralta SS
Peter Bourjos CF
Adam Wainwright P

2013[185]
Jon Jay CF
Matt Carpenter 2B
Matt Holliday LF
Allen Craig 1B
Carlos Beltrán RF
Yadier Molina C
Daniel Descalso 2B
Pete Kozma SS
Adam Wainwright P

2012[186]
Rafael Furcal SS
Carlos Beltrán RF
Matt Holliday LF
Lance Berkman 1B
David Freese 3B
Yadier Molina C
Jon Jay CF
Daniel Descalso 2B
Kyle Lohse P

2011[187]
Ryan Theriot SS
Colby Rasmus CF
Albert Pujols 1B
Matt Holliday LF
Lance Berkman RF
David Freese 3B
Yadier Molina C
Skip Schumaker 2B
Chris Carpenter P

2010[188]
Skip Schumaker 2B
Brendan Ryan SS
Albert Pujols 1B
Matt Holliday LF
Colby Rasmus CF
Ryan Ludwick RF
Yadier Molina C
David Freese 3B
Chris Carpenter P

2009[189]
Brendan Ryan 2B
Rick Ankiel CF
Albert Pujols 1B
Khalil Greene SS
Ryan Ludwick RF
Yadier Molina C
Chris Duncan LF
Brian Barden 3B
Adam Wainwright P

2008[190]
Skip Schumaker RF
Chris Duncan LF
Albert Pujols 1B
Rick Ankiel CF
Troy Glaus 3B
Yadier Molina C
Adam Kennedy 2B
Kyle Lohse P
César Izturis SS

2007[191]
David Eckstein SS
Preston Wilson RF
Albert Pujols 1B
Scott Rolen 3B
Yadier Molina C
Jim Edmonds CF
So Taguchi LF
Adam Kennedy 2B
Chris Carpenter P

2006[192]
David Eckstein SS
Juan Encarnación RF
Albert Pujols 1B
Jim Edmonds CF
Scott Rolen 3B
So Taguchi LF
Yadier Molina C
Aaron Miles 2B
Chris Carpenter P

2005[193]
David Eckstein SS
Larry Walker RF
Albert Pujols 1B
Scott Rolen 3B
Jim Edmonds CF
Mark Grudzielanek 2B
Reggie Sanders LF
Yadier Molina C
Chris Carpenter P

2004[194]
Tony Womack 2B
Ray Lankford LF
Albert Pujols 1B
Jim Edmonds CF
Scott Rolen 3B
Édgar Rentería SS
Reggie Sanders RF
Mike Matheny C
Matt Morris P

2003[195]
Fernando Viña 2B
Édgar Rentería SS
Jim Edmonds CF
Albert Pujols LF
Scott Rolen 3B
Tino Martinez 1B
Eli Marrero RF
Mike Matheny C
Matt Morris P

2002[196]
Fernando Viña 2B
Placido Polanco 3B
J. D. Drew RF
Albert Pujols LF
Jim Edmonds CF
Édgar Rentería SS
Tino Martinez 1B
Mike DiFelice C
Matt Morris P

2001[197]
Fernando Viña 2B
Édgar Rentería SS
Jim Edmonds CF
Mark McGwire 1B
Placido Polanco 3B
Albert Pujols LF
Mike Matheny C
J. D. Drew RF
Darryl Kile P

2000[198]
Fernando Viña 2B
Édgar Rentería SS
Ray Lankford LF
Fernando Tatis 3B
Jim Edmonds CF
Craig Paquette 1B
Eric Davis RF
Mike Matheny C
Darryl Kile P

1999[199]
Édgar Rentería SS
Jim Edmonds CF
Mark McGwire 1B
Eric Davis RF
Fernando Tatis 3B
Shawon Dunston LF
Eli Marrero C
Placido Polanco 2B
Donovan Osborne P

1985[200]
Tommy Herr 2B
Terry Pendleton 3B
Willie McGee CF
Jack Clark 1B
Steve Braun LF
Andy Van Slyke RF
Mike LaValliere C
Ozzie Smith SS
Bob Forsch P

1967[201]
Lou Brock LF
Curt Flood CF
Roger Maris RF
Orlando Cepeda 1B
Mike Shannon 3B
Tim McCarver C
Julián Javier 2B
Dal Maxvill SS
Bob Gibson P

text: Opening Day salaries[edit]

text: Opening Day payrolls for 25-man roster (since 2000):[202]

text:
Opening Day Salary
(ML contracts plus pro-rated signing bonuses)

Year
Salary

2000
$63,900,000

2001
$78,538,333

2002
$74,660,875

2003
$83,786,666

2004
$83,228,333

2005
$92,106,833

2006
$88,891,371

2007
$90,286,823

2008
$99,624,449

2009
$88,528,409

2010
$94,220,500

2011
$109,048,000

2012
$111,858,500

2013
$116,790,787

2014
$111,250,000   (Google spreadsheet)

2015
$122,066,500   (Google spreadsheet)

2016
$145,553,500   (Google spreadsheet)

2017
$148,152,933   (Google spreadsheet)

text: Notes[edit]

text:
Jump up ^ In 2001, the Cardinals and the Houston Astros finished the season with identical records of 93–69 and finished tied for first place in the Central Division standings. The Baseball Hall of Fame wrote they were both awarded a co-championship.[1] According to the Cardinals' website, this was "the first shared championship in major-league history".[2] For playoff seeding, the NL Central slot went to Houston and St. Louis was awarded the wild card berth.
Jump up ^ In 1981, the Cardinals finished with the overall best record in the East Division. However, a players' strike in the middle of the season forced the season to be split into two halves. St. Louis finished second in both halves and was thereby deprived of a post-season appearance.
Jump up ^ Most sources consider the 1882 Brown Stockings to represent the beginning of the St. Louis Cardinals (if it was not the even earlier 1875 or 1878 clubs) but the St. Louis Cardinals baseball club itself considers its history to have begun in 1892 when the team (still called the St. Louis Browns) joined the National League.[17][18]
Jump up ^ Although the St. Louis Cardinals do not officially recognize their era in the American Association (AA) as part of their Major League history, Major League Baseball recognized that incarnation of the AA in 1968, as well as other historic leagues, existing as former Major Leagues.

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