The St. Louis Cardinals history is filled with great players like Hornsby and Musial, memorable teams like the ‘Gas House Gang’, and one-of-a-kind moments like Bob Gibson’s 1964 World Series performance.
Since entering the American Association in 1882 as the Brown Stockings the franchise has brought winning baseball to the fans of St. Louis, Missouri. This is their team. Their legacy. Their history.
Table of Contents
The American Association
St. Louis vs Chicago: Act I
St. Louis vs Chicago: Act II
Becoming the Cardinals
Two-Timing “Rajah”
The Executive Branch
The Gashouse Gang
Good News & Bad News
Finishing Strong
Enos Slaughter Gets Pesky
Gibson the Gutsy
Gibson the Great
Gibson the Mortal
The Wizard of ’85
Remember 1998?
It Ain’t Over…
Facts From St. Louis Cardinals History
Franchise Names | World Series Titles | Pennants | Division Titles
Stadiums | Managers | Hall of Famers | Retired Numbers
Awards: MVP | Cy Young | Rookie of the Year
Hitting Records: AVG | Hits | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB
Pitching Records: ERA | Wins | CG | SV | K | K/9 | WHIP
Achievements: No-Hitters | Cycles | 6 Hits in a Game | Special Moments
The American Association
The franchise began as the St. Louis Brown Stockings of the American Association in 1882 and changed their name to the Browns after only one season. It must have sparked something as they immediately put together a string of nine consecutive winning seasons.
FRANCHISE NAMES
St. Louis Cardinals (1900-present)
St. Louis Perfectos (1899)
St. Louis Browns (1883-1898)
St. Louis Brown Stockings (1882)
Facts From St. Louis Cardinals History
They won four consecutive pennants from 1885 to 1888 under the direction of future Hall of Fame executive Charlie Comiskey and behind pitchers Bob Caruthers and Silver King.
It was during this stretch that the most heated rivalry in St. Louis Cardinals history began.
Top of St. Louis Cardinals History
St. Louis vs Chicago: Act I
WORLD SERIES TITLES
2011
2006
1982
1967
1964
1946
1944
1942
1934
1931
1926
Facts From St. Louis Cardinals History
After the 1885 season the Browns faced the National League champion Chicago White Stockings and future Hall of Famer Cap Anson in an exhibition “World’s Championship” series.
Game 1 in Chicago would foreshadow the chaos.
Amid a combined 16 errors between the two teams St. Louis took a 5-1 lead into the eighth inning. But Chicago got a walk, two singles and a game-tying three-run home run as the sun went down. Just in time. The umpires called the game on account of darkness.
The championship series had started with a tie.
But things would really get interesting in Game 2 as the series moved south to St. Louis.
1885 “World Series”, Game 2
Terrible umpiring ruled the day, with questionable calls almost from the very beginning. Chicago’s King Kelly was erased in the first on a stolen base attempt that most spectators agreed was a clean steal. Things evened up in the third as a cry of “Foul ball!” negated extra bases despite the hit being fair.
The home crowd began to get loud and unforgiving.
That same inning saw another St. Louis batter called out on strikes on a high pitch that brought calls for another official. And not the friendly kind.
PENNANTS
2011
2006
2004
1987
1985
1982
1968
1967
1964
1946
1944
1943
1942
1934
1931
1930
1928
1926
1888
1887
1886
1885
Facts From St. Louis Cardinals History
In the sixth inning things began to completely fall apart. When King Kelly was called safe on a play at first, despite clearly being out, St. Louis first baseman Charlie Comiskey walked off the field under protest and declared he wouldn’t play without a new umpire. Anson refused, tempers flared, but the game eventually continued.
But not for long.
A few batters and a couple of White Stockings runs (which tied the game at 5-5) later, Chicago third baseman Ned Williamson hit a spinning grounder up the first base line. Though it looked like it was bound for foul territory, it spun back into fair ground at the last moment and past Comiskey at first as someone shouted “Foul!” The lead run scored as the umpire declared the ball fair, but Comiskey was insistent that it was foul and that he had heard the umpire call it that way.
The umpire, clearly feeling the mounting pressure, initially reversed his ruling to a foul ball. Then he flip-flopped again as Chicago pitched a fit. As the controversy swelled angered fans entered the field, the umpire was escorted away by police and the teams left the field.
Later that night the game was declared a St. Louis forfeit and Chicago claimed a 9-0 victory. Of course, the Browns disputed this decision since they were forced off by the unruly fans, but some witnesses say Comiskey called his team off the field in objection to the umpiring before the chaos started.
When it was said and done, the series was two games in and had produced no definitive results.
Game 3 saw St. Louis tie the series at a game apiece with a 5-run first inning and a decisive 7-4 victory. They then took the series lead with a come-from-behind 3-2 win in Game 4.
Game 5 took the exhibition series to the cold icebox of Pittsburgh, where the fans, media, and even the players began losing interest. Chicago won easily 9-2 after darkness ended the game after the seventh inning, then followed that up with another convincing 9-2 win in Game 6 in Cincinnati (don’t you just love exhibition baseball?).
DIVISION TITLES
2009
2006
2005
2004
2002
2000
1996
1987
1985
1982
1981
Facts From St. Louis Cardinals History
Before Game 7, reports began to come out that the teams had decided that it would be the final game of the series. The teams were burned out. The fans weren’t showing up.
But it was also being reported that agreements had been made and the forfeit of Game 2 would be thrown out, making Game 7 the deciding game.
When St. Louis ran away from the White Stockings, scoring a combined 10 runs in the third and fourth innings on their way to a 13-4 darkness-shortened win, it appeared they would be declared World Champions. But League President Albert Spalding ruled the forfeit would stand and declared the series a 3-3-1 tie.
As if that wasn’t enough drama for these two teams, they would meet in another championship exhibition series the next year…with a finish for the ages.
Top of St. Louis Cardinals History
St. Louis vs Chicago: Act II
While the first five games of the 1886 championship series provided little in the way of classic drama, there were some great moments in St. Louis Cardinals history that came out of those early games.
The White Stockings took Game 1, 6-0, behind the arm of John Clarkson.
STADIUMS
Busch Stadium III (2006-present)
Busch Stadium II (1966-2005)
Busch Stadium (1953-1966)
Sportsman’s Park III (1920-1952)
Robison Field (1893-1920)
Association Park (1892)
Sportsman’s Park (1882-1892)
Facts From St. Louis Cardinals History
But St. Louis got some epic performances in Game 2 that helped them even the series with a 12-0 victory. Bob Caruthers threw a 1-hit shutout while outfielder Tip O’Neill managed not one, but two inside-the-park home runs.
Caruthers got a little greedy in Game 3, though, when he requested to pitch in his hometown of Chicago. The White Stockings got to him early, won the game 11-4 and took a 2-1 series lead.
St. Louis evened the series again at home, putting together back-to-back 3-run innings late in an 8-5 Game 4 victory.
The drama began to build in Game 5 as Chicago began to run out of pitchers and had to resort to signing a minor leaguer. However, the Browns protested that he was not a part of their 1886 roster and should not be allowed to play. The umpires agreed and the White Stockings were forced to send a shortstop and outfielder to the mound, resulting in a lop-sided 10-3 win and a 3-2 series lead for St. Louis.
1886 “World Series”, Game 6
St. Louis was in a frenzy. The city could almost taste the championship.
Game time was set at around a quarter after 2:00 to make sure that darkness would not come into play. This proved wise as dreary, overcast skies set the scene.
Chicago hit Caruthers, the hero from Game 2, steadily but couldn’t put the game out of reach. They managed a single run in the second. They had a runner gunned down at home to end the third. After hitting a solo home run in the fourth they left two runners on base. They finally took a 3-0 lead in the sixth after a routine ground ball rolled past the St. Louis second baseman and outfielder, setting up a sacrifice fly.
MANAGERS
Mike Matheny (2012-present)
Tony LaRussa (1996-2011)
Mike Jorgensen (1995)
Joe Torre (1991-1995)
Whitey Herzog (1980-1990)
Jack Krol (1978,1980)
Ken Boyer (1978-1980)
Vern Rapp (1977-1978)
Red Schoendienst (1965-1976,1990)
Johnny Keane (1961-1964)
Solly Hemus (1959-1961)
Stan Hack (1958)
Fred Hutchinson (1956-1958)
Harry Walker (1955)
Eddie Stanky (1952-1955)
Marty Marion (1951)
Eddie Dyer (1946-1950)
Ray Blades (1939-1940)
Mike Gonzalez (1938,1940)
Frankie Frisch (1933-1938)
Gabby Street (1929-1933)
Billy Southworth (1929,1940-1945)
Bill McKechnie (1928-1929)
Bob O’Farrell (1927)
Rogers Hornsby (1925-1926)
Branch Rickey (1919-1925)
Jack Hendricks (1918)
Miller Huggins (1913-1917)
Roger Bresnahan (1909-1912)
John McCloskey (1906-1908)
Stan Robison (1905)
Jimmy Burke (1905)
Kid Nichols (1904-1905)
Patsy Donovan (1901-1903)
Louie Heilbroner (1900)
Patsy Tebeau (1899-1900)
Tim Hurst (1898)
Bill Hallman (1897)
Hugh Nicol (1897)
Tommy Dowd (1896-1897)
Roger Connor (1896)
Chris Von Der Ahe (1895-1897)
Arlie Latham (1896)
Harry Diddlebock (1896)
Lou Phelan (1895)
Joe Quinn (1895)
Al Buckenberger (1895)
Doggie Miller (1894)
Bill Watkins (1893)
Bob Caruthers (1892)
George Gore (1892)
Jack Crooks (1892)
Cub Stricker (1892)
Jack Glasscock (1892)
Joe Gerhardt (1890)
Count Campau (1890)
Chief Roseman (1890)
John Kerins (1890)
Tommy McCarthy (1890)
Jimmy Williams (1884)
Charlie Comiskey (1883-1889,1891)
Ted Sullivan (1883)
Ned Cuthbert (1882)
Facts From St. Louis Cardinals History
The Browns, meanwhile, were mounting zero offense against Clarkson through the first seven innings. But in the eighth they finally broke through for three runs, tying the game on a 2-out, 2-run triple.
Neither team was able to push a run across in the ninth and the game moved into extra innings.
Chicago went down in order in the top half of the tenth.
St. Louis’ lead-off hitter, Curt Welch, stepped up to the plate and crowded it, determined to get on base with the winning run. He was promptly struck with a pitch.
As he took his base, though, Chicago’s manager, Cap Anson, protested and was able to convince the umpire to overturn the play, ruling Welch had purposefully been hit by the pitch. The St. Louis crowd roared with satisfaction, however, as Welch ripped the next pitch to center field for a single.
After an infield error and a sacrifice, the Browns had runners on second and third with one out.
Ninety feet from a championship. The taste of a title. The deafening roar of the Browns fans.
Chicago’s pitcher, Clarkson, was losing his cool on the mound. The aggressive runner on third, Welch, was rattling his nerves.
What happened next has been recounted numerous times in just as many ways.
Catcher King Kelly had seen the recklessness with which Welch was coming down the line, and appeared to have planned for a pitch-out in an attempt to catch him too far off third base.
But if that was the case, Clarkson didn’t get the signal. As he fired a pitch toward the plate, Kelly shifted away. He managed a futile stab at the ball and got his fingers on it, but as it rolled to the backstop he had to watch helplessly as Welch came home with the championship-winning run.
Not only did the Browns win the series, but because of the financial arrangements they also took home the entire gate receipts of the series totaling more than $13,000!
As the story of the dramatic finish was retold over the years, Welch’s run took on a more aggressive nature, leading to the idea that he had possibly even slid in safely on a steal of home. This play took on a life of its own and became known as the “$15,000 Slide!”
In any case, the game lives on as not only one of the most memorable in St. Louis Cardinals history, but one of the greatest of the 19th century.
Top of St. Louis Cardinals History
Becoming the Cardinals
After the American Association went bankrupt, the Browns moved to the National League and a new ballpark in 1892. But the adjustment would prove difficult as the team posted losing records for seven straight years.
After a dismal 1897 season, the worst in St. Louis Cardinals history at 29-102, owner Chris Von der Ahe had to be hoping for a good start to the 1898 baseball season.
He didn’t get it.
The Sportsman’s Park Fire
The team lost the season-opener to Chicago, 2-1. But it would pale in comparison to what happened during the second game.
During the second inning a fan dropped a lit cigar under the grandstands, sparking a small fire that halted the game. Many in attendance had no idea what was going on, but they soon realized the nature of the situation as the game was called and everyone headed for the exits.
HALL OF FAMERS
2010
MGR Whitey Herzog (1980-1990)
2008
MGR Billy Southworth (1929,1940-1945)
2006
P Bruce Sutter (1981-1984)
2002
SS Ozzie Smith (1982-1996)
1999
1B Orlando Cepeda (1966-1968)
1994
P Steve Carlton (1965-1971)
1989
2B Red Schoendienst (1945-1956,1961-1963)
1985
OF Lou Brock (1964-1979)
OF Enos Slaughter (1938-1942,1946-1953)
1981
P Bob Gibson (1959-1975)
1B Johnny Mize (1936-1941)
1976
1B Roger Connor (1894-1897)
1974
1B Jim Bottomley (1922-1932)
1971
OF Chick Hafey (1924-1931)
1B Jake Beckley (1904-1907)
1970
P Jesse Haines (1920-1937)
(continued below)
Facts From St. Louis Cardinals History
As the fire became more intense some fans were having to knock down gates to escape. The players, whose unrattled nerves helped the crowd avoid panic, were pulling people to safety on the field. And within half an hour the grandstands, the bleachers in left field, and other parts of the wooden stadium were destroyed.
Things went downhill quickly for Von der Ahe as personal injury lawsuits from the fire and looming creditors sent him into bankruptcy by mid-season, a sad end for one of the more innovative owners in St. Louis Cardinals history.
The franchise attracted the attention of the Cleveland Spiders owners, Frank and Stanley Robison, who bought the team at the beginning of 1899 and renamed it the St. Louis Perfectos.
They thought St. Louis provided a larger fan base and traded the Spiders’ top players, including Cy Young, Bobby Wallace and Jesse Burkett, to their new team just before the start of the season. Perfectos indeed.
This decimated the Spiders. They would endure the worst season in major league history in 1899.
Meanwhile, the Perfectos improved to 84-67 but were far from perfect. They had changed their team color to red, which prompted a fan to comment on its “lovely shade of cardinal,” a pivotal moment in St. Louis Cardinals history. St. Louis Republic writer William McHale ran with the Cardinals reference and by 1900 it was the team’s official name.
Top of St. Louis Cardinals History
Two-Timing “Rajah”
Rogers Hornsby, arguably the greatest hitter in St. Louis Cardinals history as well as major league history, put together an amazing six-season stretch as the country entered “The Roaring Twenties” and he entered his prime.
HALL OF FAMERS (cont.)
1969
OF Stan Musial (1941-1944,1946-1963)
1968
OF Joe Medwick (1932-1940,1947-1948)
1967
EXEC Branch Rickey (1919-1942)
1964
P Burleigh Grimes (1930-1931)
MGR Miller Huggins (1913-1917)
1962
MGR Bill McKechnie (1928-1929)
1953
SS Bobby Wallace (1899-1901,1917-1918)
P Dizzy Dean (1930,1932-1937)
1949
P Mordecai Brown (1903)
P Kid Nichols (1904-1905)
1947
2B Frankie Frisch (1927-1937)
1946
OF Tommy McCarthy (1888-1891)
OF Jesse Burkett (1899-1901)
1945
C Roger Bresnahan (1909-1912)
1942
2B Rogers Hornsby (1915-1926)
1939
EXEC Charlie Comiskey (1882-1889,1891)
1938
P Grover Cleveland Alexander (1926-1930)
1937
P Cy Young (1899-1900)
Facts From St. Louis Cardinals History
Heading into the 1920 season “Rajah” had a stellar career batting average of .310 and had led the league in triples (17), slugging percentage (.484), and total bases (253) as a 21-year-old in 1917.
But in a breakout 1920 season Hornsby would lead the league in seven major offensive categories. He then upped that to nine categories the following year, including a .397 average and 126 RBI.
That set the stage for one of the great seasons in St. Louis Cardinals history in 1922.
Hornsby posted his first of three career .400 seasons, finishing the year at .401, and led the league in home runs with 42–the only time this feat (.400/40) has been accomplished. On top of that he also captured the Triple Crown with a league-leading 126 RBI and totaled 450 total bases, second only to Babe Ruth’s 457 in 1921.
Roger still led the lead with a .384 average in an injury-plagued 1923 season, but topped even that with a career-best and sixth all-time average of .424 in 1924.
Hornsby capped off his stellar stretch with his first MVP award and became the first two-time Triple Crown winner in 1925 when he hit .403 with 39 home runs and 143 RBI.
The next year would be his final with the Cardinals as the ill-tempered star would wear out his welcome and be traded for future Hall of Famer Frankie Frisch.
But no one can forget those legendary seasons from 1920 to 1925, some of the best in St. Louis Cardinals history, that defined Rogers Hornsby’s Hall of Fame career.
Top of St. Louis Cardinals History
The Executive Branch
Throughout the first two decades of the 20th century the Cardinals couldn’t get over the hump, never finishing better than third.
But in 1916 the current owner, Robison’s daughter, sold the team to stockholders, including the millionaire owner of Pierce-Arrow car dealerships, Sam Breadon.
RETIRED NUMBERS
1 – Ozzie Smith
2 – Red Schoendienst
6 – Stan Musial
9 – Enos Slaughter
14 – Ken Boyer
17 – Dizzy Dean
20 – Lou Brock
42 – Bruce Sutter
45 – Bob Gibson
85 – August Busch, Jr. (owner)
42 – Jackie Robinson
Facts From St. Louis Cardinals History
When Breadon became the president and majority stockholder in 1920 he moved a baseball man named Branch Rickey, who had spent time as the team’s manager as well as manager and executive with the crosstown Browns, to the position of General Manager.
He also sold the team’s current ballpark, Robison Field, and used the money to buy the Houston Buffaloes minor league team. The league prohibited this but never enforced it. In 1921 an agreement was signed that allowed minor league teams to be owned by major league organizations.
Rickey’s strategy was to own minor league teams, and thus the players’ contracts, to keep the richer teams from always outbidding the Cardinals for the best prospects.
He also knew the organization could unite the instruction of its teams and identify the best players as they progressed through the system.
In 1926 Rickey’s eye for talent and baseball acumen brought the onset of one of the great dynasty runs in St. Louis Cardinals history. They would win nine National League pennants and capture six World Series titles between 1926 and 1946 with homegrown players like Pepper Martin, Dizzy and Daffy Dean, Joe Medwick, Billy Southworth, Enos Slaughter and Stan Musial.
Top of St. Louis Cardinals History
The Gashouse Gang
When you look up “swagger” or “hubris” in the dictionary, there should be full team photo of the 1934 St. Louis Cardinals. Of course you would also have to insert their picture next to “shenanigans” and “clowns” as well.
Oh, and don’t forget “nicknames.”
The frontman for the rough and reckless club was the brash, Southern hurler, “Dizzy” Dean. Before the season even started Dizzy predicted an unbelievable 45 wins between himself and his brother, Paul “Daffy” Dean.
MVP AWARDS
2009
1B Albert Pujols
2008
1B Albert Pujols
2005
1B Albert Pujols
1985
OF Willie McGee
1979
1B Keith Hernandez
1971
3B Joe Torre
1968
P Bob Gibson
1967
1B Orlando Cepeda
1964
3B Ken Boyer
1948
OF Stan Musial
1946
OF Stan Musial
1944
SS Marty Marion
1943
OF Stan Musial
1942
P Mort Cooper
1937
OF Joe Medwick
1934
P Dizzy Dean
1931
2B Frankie Frisch
1928
1B Jim Bottomley
1926
C Bob O’Farrell
1925
2B Rogers Hornsby
Facts From St. Louis Cardinals History
The team also featured a scrappy, slugging outfielder named Joe Medwick who was as quick with his temper as he was with his bat. I’m sure his teammates didn’t help things by nicknaming him “Ducky”!
Handling shortstop duties was Leo “The Lip” Durocher, a gambler and a free-swinger–both on the field and off.
First baseman “Ripper” Collins led the league in home runs with 35, while fleet-footed third baseman “Pepper” Martin led the league in stolen bases with 23 and played guitar for the club’s in-house band, The Mudcat Band.
And pitcher “Wild Bill” Hallahan, who had led the majors in walks three times and strikeouts twice, provided some veteran leadership and post-season experience from the mound.
It was truly the craziest roster in St. Louis Cardinals history.
The team provided plenty of drama, both on and off the field, throughout the season. While the Dean brothers were dominating the other National League teams, they were also driving everyone crazy with their clubhouse antics.
Unhappy with their salaries, the two refused to play during a stretch in August and even tore up the locker room and their uniforms in protest.
Somehow as the team entered the final month of the season at 74-51 but 5.5 games behind Mel Ott, Bill Terry and the New York Giants, they were able to lose the flippant attitude and put together an amazing September run.
They took three of four from the Giants in the middle of the month, including a Dean brothers’ sweep of a double-header. Five days later they swept the Brooklyn Dodgers in a double-header, with Dizzy throwing a three-hit shutout and his brother one-upping him with a no-hitter in the nightcap.
The Cardinals entered the last weekend of the season tied with the Giants after Dizzy Dean shut down the Cincinnati Reds on Friday, 4-0, to move his record to 29-7.
On Saturday Daffy Dean shut down the Reds while the Cards jumped out to a three-run lead in the first inning and never looked back in a 6-1 win. Meanwhile the Giants managed little offense against Brooklyn and lost 5-1.
The Cardinals would take a one-game lead heading into the season’s final day.
Despite throwing a complete game shutout only two days before, Dizzy Dean asked for the ball again with the season on the line. The Cardinals responded by giving him a two-run lead in the first. In New York the Giants jumped out to a four-run lead in their opening frame.
CY YOUNG AWARDS
2005
Chris Carpenter
1970
Bob Gibson
1968
Bob Gibson
Facts From St. Louis Cardinals History
But as St. Louis continued to extend their lead with Dizzy baffling the Cincinnati hitters, the Giants blew a 5-3 lead in the eighth and went into extra innings with the Dodgers.
After the Giants completed their collapse by giving up three runs in the tenth inning and losing to Brooklyn, 8-5, Dizzy Dean was capping off one of the greatest seasons for a pitcher in St. Louis Cardinals history. He spread seven hits over nine innings and won his 30th game of the year–the last National League pitcher to accomplish the feat–and locked up the league MVP award.
Oh, and he and his brother outpaced even his own bragging by winning a total of 49 games.
But the Gashouse Gang wasn’t finished yet.
The 1934 World Series
Dizzy Dean was back to being himself before the series against the Detroit Tigers even started, predicting a St. Louis title and that he and his brother would account for all four victories.
But “it ain’t bragging if you can do it,” right?
The teams split the first four games as Dizzy and Daffy had stellar performances in Games 1 and 3.
But St. Louis fell behind in the series 3-2 to the Tigers after Charlie Gehringer homered off Dizzy and the Cardinals mounted very little offense in a 3-1 loss in Game 5.
The team turned the ball over to Daffy to keep the series alive and he responded with a complete-game, 4-3 win to send the World Series to a decisive Game 7 on the road.
ROOKIES OF THE YEAR
2001
OF Albert Pujols
1986
P Todd Worrell
1985
OF Vince Coleman
1974
OF Bake McBride
1955
OF Bill Virdon
1954
OF Wally Moon
Facts From St. Louis Cardinals History
Once again Dizzy asked for the ball in the crucial moment, and the Cardinals wisely gave it to him.
The 30-game winner spread six hits over nine innings while the Cardinal offense exploded for seven runs in the third inning and never looked back.
There was some drama late in the game when Cardinals outfielder Joe Medwick slid high and hard into third base with the huge lead. The hometown crowd was not happy and littered the field with bottles, food and anything they could find. Medwick was eventually asked to leave the game by Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis or else the Cardinals would forfeit.
Despite the controversy, St. Louis easily finished the 11-0 drubbing and backed up Dizzy Dean’s outlandish prediction. He and Daffy were the winning pitchers in all four victories.
The championship sealed the Gashouse Gang’s place in St. Louis Cardinals history…and baseball lore.
Top of St. Louis Cardinals History
Good News & Bad News
The 1937 season can be considered one of the most memorable in St. Louis Cardinals history, both in a good way and in a bad way.
As a team the season was nothing spectacular as they finished eight games above .500 but fifteen games behind the pennant-winning New York Giants.
But left fielder Joe Medwick had his career year that season and led the National League in almost every offensive category imaginable. He won the franchise’s third Triple Crown with a .374 average, 31 home runs and 154 RBI. But he also paced the league with 111 runs, 237 hits, 56 doubles, 406 total bases, and a slugging percentage of .641!
To no one’s surprise he took home the National League MVP Award.
FRANCHISE RECORDS: AVG
Season
.435
Tip O’Neill (1887)
.424
Rogers Hornsby (1924)
.403
Rogers Hornsby (1925)
Career
.378
Jesse Burkett
.359
Rogers Hornsby
.344
Tip O’Neill
Facts From St. Louis Cardinals History
But history would remember 1937 as the year Dizzy Dean’s young, but remarkable, career would take a fateful turn.
Dizzy started his second consecutive All-Star Game after posting a 12-7 record and 2.41 ERA during the season’s first half.
With two outs in the third inning Cleveland Indians center fielder Earl Averill hit a bullet back up the middle that struck Dean in the foot. He recovered, threw Averill out at first to end the inning and hobbled back to the dugout.
This innocent-looking out would turn out to be one of the most unfortunate plays in St. Louis Cardinals history.
An examination of Dizzy’s foot in the clubhouse determined that his toe was broken–an injury that would normally take about six weeks to heal.
But the desperate Cardinals, who found themselves six games out of first after losing eight of ten games heading into the break, decided to rush their star pitcher back to the mound just two weeks later.
Dean adjusted his mechanics to avoid a painful landing on his left foot, but in the process he slowly injured his pitching arm and destroyed his effectiveness. He posted a 3.59 ERA during his remaining starts of 1937.
The Cardinals traded their brash hurler in the off-season to Chicago where he helped the Cubs win the pennant in a limited role. But his dominance was long gone.
Three years and 30 starts later he would retire.
Top of St. Louis Cardinals History
Finishing Strong
Managers and coaches talk about “finishing strong” all the time. It has become almost cliche.
All teams try to implement it. Some teams even succeed at it.
But the 1942 St. Louis Cardinals epitomized it.
FRANCHISE RECORDS: HITS
Season
250
Rogers Hornsby (1922)
237
Joe Medwick (1937)
235
Rogers Hornsby (1921)
Career
3,630
Stan Musial
2,713
Lou Brock
2,110
Rogers Hornsby
Facts From St. Louis Cardinals History
In early August the young Cards, featuring 21-year-old Stan Musial and MVP candidate Enos Slaughter, found themselves nine games behind the first-place Brooklyn Dodgers despite posting a 63-40 record themselves.
In the most ridiculous run in St. Louis Cardinals history, the team wouldn’t lose back-to-back games the rest of the season.
Anchored by league-leading pitching (2.55 ERA) and hitting (.268 AVG) the Cardinals went 43-8 (including 5-1 against Brooklyn) to finish the season and win the pennant by two games over the Dodgers.
They took that momentum into the World Series against the American League champion New York Yankees.
After trailing 7-0 in Game 1 the Cardinals nearly pulled off an improbable comeback in the ninth inning. After scoring four runs, Stan Musial stepped to the plate with the bases loaded and two out. But he grounded out to end the game.
That would be the plucky Redbirds’ only loss of the Series as they rattled off four consecutive wins to claim one of the most unlikely championships in St. Louis Cardinals history.
Top of St. Louis Cardinals History
Enos Slaughter Gets Pesky
Their 1942 World Series title ushered in another Cardinals dynasty that would bring them four pennants and three championships in five years.
But the culmination of their World Series victory in 1946 would take on a life of its own.
FRANCHISE RECORDS: 2B
Season
64
Joe Medwick (1936)
56
Joe Medwick (1937)
53
Stan Musial (1953)
Career
725
Stan Musial
455
Albert Pujols
434
Lou Brock
Facts From St. Louis Cardinals History
St. Louis and the Boston Red Sox traded wins in the first six games of the Fall Classic, forcing a decisive and tension-filled Game 7.
The Cardinals took a 3-1 lead into the eighth inning, but a pinch-hit single and pinch-hit double by the Sox to open the inning put the tying runs in scoring position with nobody out.
After a call to the bullpen the next two Boston hitters struck out and lined out, bringing up Joe DiMaggio’s younger brother, Dom DiMaggio, with the game on the line. Like his older brother did so many times, he delivered.
A double off the wall brought home both runs and looked to shift the momentum of the game to the American League champs.
But momentum can be a fickle thing.
DiMaggio pulled up lame after his double and would not take the field in the bottom half of the inning. Instead of one of the best defensive outfielders in the league , war-time journeyman Leon Culberson would man center field for the Red Sox.
Enos Slaughter got the Cardinals started with a base hit to center, but they couldn’t move him over with a sacrifice attempt and a fly ball.
That brought Harry Walker, who was hitting .375 in the Series, to the plate. With a 2-1 count and Slaughter running on the pitch, Walker lifted a liner into left-center field.
What happened next would develop several different versions by the next morning and would become one of the great legends in St. Louis Cardinals history.
As the ball landed safely Slaughter raced around second and tore for third, taking a quick glance back at Culberson retrieving the ball. It became clear he was not going to accept a stop signal at third.
FRANCHISE RECORDS: 3B
Season
29
Perry Werden (1893)
25
Roger Connor (1894)
25
Tom Long (1915)
Career
177
Stan Musial
143
Rogers Hornsby
135
Enos Slaughter
Facts From St. Louis Cardinals History
With the third base coach backing out of the way and Culberson’s throw hitting cut-off man Johnny Pesky, Slaughter made his famous “mad dash” toward home plate.
And for a brief moment, Pesky paused.
Newspaper accounts would say that he “froze” or even studied the signature on the ball before throwing it “in sudden panic.”
Those charges seem a little trumped up, but black-and-white video footage definitely shows Pesky was not whirling around in anticipation of a serious play at the plate.
He took the less-than-strong throw from Culberson bent at the knees. Then as he stood up he appeared to glance at Slaughter as though he expected him to be slowly and cautiuosly rounding third.
What he saw instead was the former major league leader in triples barreling home with his head down. The startled shortstop only missed one beat as he shuffled his feet and fired home.
But that beat cost him. His hurried throw sailed up the third baseline as Slaughter slid home with the lead run.
The Cardinals would make it stand in the ninth and capture their sixth World Series title.
Top of St. Louis Cardinals History
Gibson the Gutsy
By 1964 a new generation of Redbirds had reinvigorated the proud franchise and ended a 17-year post-season drought.
Led by the intimidating Bob Gibson, the most feared hurler in St. Louis Cardinals history, the Redbirds took the National League pennant with a 93-69 record and faced the mighty New York Yankees in the World Series.
The two teams split the first four games and entered Game 5 with the Series tied 2-2. The Cardinals turned the ball over to Gibson, who had gone 19-12 with a 3.01 ERA during the regular season but had been the losing pitcher in Game 2.
FRANCHISE RECORDS: HR
Season
70
Mark McGwire (1998)
65
Mark McGwire (1999)
49
Albert Pujols (2006)
Career
475
Stan Musial
445
Albert Pujols
255
Ken Boyer
Facts From St. Louis Cardinals History
Gibson was brilliant, shutting down the fierce Yankee line-up for eight innings and taking a 2-0 lead into the ninth. He was one out away from giving the Cards a 3-2 Series advantage when he gave up a game-tying two-run home run to former Rookie of the Year winner Tom Tresh.
Gibson was unshaken, though.
He got the third out, and after St. Louis responded with a three-run home run from Tim McCarver in the tenth Gibson finished his ten-inning complete game victory.
But the Yankees would force a Game 7 behind back-to-back home runs from Mantle and Maris in Game 6.
Only three days after his extra-inning effort in Game 5, Bob Gibson took the mound again.
He was his dominant self through the first five innings as the Cardinals built a 6-0 lead. But his workload began to show in the sixth when Mickey Mantle crushed a three-run bomb.
He held serve in the seventh and eighth innings while St. Louis added another run on a Ken Boyer home run.
The Bronx Bombers made in interesting in the ninth with two more longballs, but Gibson’s tenacity prevailed and the Cardinals took their seventh World Series title with a 7-5 win.
Gibson’s performance would easily be remembered as one of the gutsiest in St. Louis Cardinals history. And it would not be his last.
Top of St. Louis Cardinals History
Gibson the Great
Following a couple of down years in ’65 and ’66 the Cardinals returned to the World Series in 1967 behind another strong pitching staff. This was despite the fact that their ace, Bob Gibson, was limited to only 24 starts because of a broken leg.
But by the time October rolled around Gibson was in elite form.
FRANCHISE RECORDS: RBI
Season
154
Joe Medwick (1937)
152
Rogers Hornsby (1922)
147
Mark McGwire (1998,1999)
Career
1,951
Stan Musial
1,329
Albert Pujols
1,148
Enos Slaughter
Facts From St. Louis Cardinals History
The intense fireballer got St. Louis off to a great start against the Boston Red Sox with a complete game, 10-strikeout performance in a 2-1 victory at Fenway Park.
But Yastrzemski homered twice and the Cards were nearly no-hit in Game 2, sending the Series to St. Louis tied at 1-1.
After the Cardinals took Game 3 Gibson was again given the ball in Game 4 and pitched a masterful six-hit complete game shutout while St. Louis put up four runs in the first and took the game, 6-0.
But the Red Sox weren’t ready to go away and hit five home runs over the next two games, winning them both.
The Cardinals would play in their sixth World Series Game 7 out of eleven trips to the Fall Classic. To this point they were a perfect 5-0.
There was no doubt who would take the mound for the Redbirds.
Bob Gibson was matched up against Boston’s Jim Lonborg, who himself had a shutout and a 2-1 victory in Games 2 and 5, in the decisive duel.
But the night belonged to Gibson.
He shut down the potent Red Sox offense, limiting them to only three hits and two runs as he finished his third complete game of the World Series.
And at the plate he hit a home run in the fifth inning that extended their lead to 3-0 and propelled them to a 7-2 win.
Gibson’s 1967 dominance was probably the greatest World Series performance in St. Louis Cardinals history and gave the franchise its eighth World Series title.
Top of St. Louis Cardinals History
Gibson the Mortal
The Cardinals successfully defended their National League pennant in 1968 as Bob Gibson had one of the greatest seasons of all time, notching an astounding 1.12 ERA and 22 wins.
St. Louis would face the Detroit Tigers and their 31-game winner Denny McLain in the World Series.
Game 1 seemed to go according to script for the Cardinals as Gibson outdueled McLain with a World Series record 17 strikeouts for a 4-0 shutout win.
FRANCHISE RECORDS: SB
Season
129
Arlie Latham (1887)
118
Lou Brock (1974)
117
Charlie Comiskey (1887)
Career
888
Lou Brock
549
Vince Coleman
433
Ozzie Smith
Facts From St. Louis Cardinals History
Just like the previous year the teams split Games 2 and 3, and St. Louis sent Gibson to the mound for Game 4.
It was more of the same.
Gibson dominated the Tigers for his seventh consecutive World Series win and added his second Series home run in the fourth inning of a 10-1 route.
Gibson and the Cardinals were unstoppable.
Or were they?
The familiar script of 1967 continued to play out as the Cardinals failed to close the door in Games 5 and 6, setting up another Game 7. But they had to be feeling pretty good about their chances.
Bob Gibson hadn’t lost in the Fall Classic since Game 2 of 1964 and St. Louis had never lost a Game 7.
Gibson locked up against Mickey Lolich in a pitcher’s duel through the first five innings as both teams combined for only three hits. But in the sixth inning it looked as though the Cardinals would make their move.
Lou Brock, the stolen base machine, opened the inning with a single and looked to set up the heart of the line-up.
But Cardinals fans watched in astonishment as Brock was picked off trying to swipe second base.
One out later centerfielder Curt Flood reached on an infield single to deep short with RBI specialist Orlando Cepeda behind him.
But the hometown crowd had to watch in agony as Lolich sniffed out Flood’s steal attempt and the Tigers retired him in a rundown.
FRANCHISE RECORDS: ERA
Season
1.12
Bob Gibson (1968)
1.34
Red Munger (1944)
1.54
Bruce Sutter (1984)
Career
2.46
Ed Karger
2.52
John Tudor
2.67
Dave Foutz
Slim Sallee
Jack Taylor
Facts From St. Louis Cardinals History
But at least Gibson was still climbing the hill for them.
The seventh inning began according to script as Gibson got a strikeout and an uneventful groundout. Even after back-to-back singles to Norm Cash and Willie Horton, the runner at second base seemed to be more than a mile from home plate.
Jim Northrup, the only Tiger to put a blemish on Gibson’s 1968 performance with a Game 4 home run, walked up to the plate.
He drove Gibson’s first pitch deep into center field where Curt Flood, who was one of the better defensive outfielders in St. Louis Cardinals history and in the midst of a stretch of seven consecutive Gold Glove seasons, was playing deep and shaded to right-center field.
But Flood misjudged the ball and took an initial step in. As he tried to quickly recover and race to the ball that was slicing toward the left side of straight-away center field, he lost his footing.
After nearly falling, the stellar defenseman sprinted toward the ball but could only watch as it sailed only a few feet over his head and rolled to the wall.
Two runs scored on Northrup’s triple. Gibson was mortal after all.
Another hit scored Northrup, and the Tigers added a fourth run in the eighth inning off Gibson. St. Louis seemed to be in shock, mustering no more hits until a meaningless solo home run with two outs in the ninth.
The Tigers 4-1 victory–and the first World Series Game 7 loss in St. Louis Cardinals history–proved that Gibson truly could be beaten, even if it took something as simple as a misjudged fly ball.
Top of St. Louis Cardinals History
The Wizard of ’85
When Cardinals fans think of Hall of Fame shortstop Ozzie Smith, two things immediately come to mind.
The first is his signature backflip, which he performed as he took the field the begin the game on certain occassions.
The second is him racing around the bases at Busch Stadium, fist raised in the air, and a giant smile on his face while Jack Buck emplores, “Go crazy, folks! Go crazy!”
FRANCHISE RECORDS: WINS
Season
45
Silver King (1888)
41
Dave Foutz (1886)
40
Bob Caruthers (1885)
Career
251
Bob Gibson
210
Jesse Haines
163
Bob Forsch
Facts From St. Louis Cardinals History
That historic moment came during the fall of 1985 following an outstanding season for the Cardinals that saw them go 101-61 as a team with centerfielder Willie McGee taking the batting crown and MVP Award.
The National League Championship Series would become a best-of-seven series for the first time, replacing the best-of-five format that had been used since divisions were introduced in 1969.
Facing the Western Division champion Dodgers, the Cardinals fell into a 2-0 hole in the series as their bats were quieted by Fernando Valenzuela and Orel Hershiser in Games 1 and 2.
Finally in Game 3 the speed of the Cardinals began to make an impact. They grabbed an early 4-0 lead as the Dodgers threw the ball away twice on successful pick-off attempts of rookie stolen base king Vince Coleman and held on for a 4-2 victory.
But before Game 4 got started Coleman would be injured during a rain delay in an incident with the protective tarp. The St. Louis offense responded with a second inning explosion of nine runs that all but ended the game, tying the series with a 12-2 win.
FRANCHISE RECORDS: CG
Season
64
Silver King (1888)
55
Dave Foutz (1886)
53
Bob Caruthers (1885)
Career
255
Bob Gibson
208
Jesse Haines
198
Ted Breitenstein
Facts From St. Louis Cardinals History
In what would have been the deciding game in years past, the Cardinals jumped out to an early lead in Game 5 with two runs in the first inning. But they would muster only three more hits over the next seven innings and enter the bottom of the ninth tied with the Dodgers 2-2.
After Willie McGee popped out to third against Dodgers closer Tom Niedenfuer, the switch-hittting “Wizard of Oz” stepped up to the plate.
Left handed.
Ozzie Smith’s career home run total from the left side of the plate? Zero.
With that in mind, Niedenfuer challenged him with an inside fastball.
The Wizard responded with one of the greatest moments in St. Louis Cardinals history.
The wiry shortstop got the bat around quickly in hopes of finding extra bases down the line. But the ball elevated and sailed over the rightfield wall, prompting the Cardinals’ Hall of Fame announcer Jack Buck to utter the immortal words, “Go crazy, folks! Go crazy!”
That 3-2 win put the Cardinals in victory from another World Series appearance, which they earned with a dramatic Game 6 win in Los Angeles.
But Ozzie Smith’s walk-off home run in Game 5, a moment later voted as the greatest in Busch Stadium history, has become the lasting image of that great 1985 playoff battle.
Top of St. Louis Cardinals History
Remember 1998?
Following the steroid scandal that rocked baseball during the early years of the 21st century, Mark McGwire’s short-lived home run record and his memorable race against Sammy Sosa to eclipse Roger Maris certainly stand tarnished.
But the memories of that epic summer still live on.
March
The 1998 baseball season began with a bang for the Cardinals and McGwire as he hit a grand slam in the fifth inning of the season opener against the Dodgers.
April
“Big Mac” kept a solid pace through April as he launched another ten home runs, including three against the Diamondbacks on April 14. It was his second consecutive season entering May with 11 homers, and after his career-best 58 the previous year, the chase for the record was on.
May
McGwire started the month of May right where he left off in April, ripping a two-run home run off Cubs closer Rod Beck in the ninth inning of a 6-5 loss on May 1. He proceeded to send another 15 blasts over the wall during the month, including a mammoth 545-foot blast off the Marlins’ Livan Hernandez on May 16 and his second three-HR game of the season on May 19 against the Phillies. It was the most prolific month in St. Louis Cardinals history and set the stage for month of June.
June
Cubs outfielder Sammy Sosa began to garner some attention when he notched his third multi-homer game in a week on June 1. But he was still well behind McGwire, who entered the month with 27.
The Cardinals’ slugger kept a steady pace with ten more home runs, but Sosa thrust himself into the race for Maris’ hallowed record with a record of his own–20 home runs in a single month!
By the end of the month McGwire had crushed 37 home runs while Sosa’s total now stood at 33.
July
After taking those totals to the All-Star break neither player let up during July and continued to abuse National League pitching.
McGwire hit eight home runs during the month, including a dramatic two-run walk-off blast against Astros closer Billy Wagner that overcame a one-run deficit in extra innings on July 11.
Sosa inched closer with nine home runs of his own, and by the end of July was trailing McGwire 45 to 42.
That’s when the storybook season really began to unfold.
August
On August 8 the Cardinals hosted the Cubs in what would prove to be a 13-inning thriller. It would also be the first time during the season that McGwire and Sosa would slowly circle the bases in the same game. This was despite the two combining for seven walks!
FRANCHISE RECORDS: SAVES
Season
47
Jason Isringhausen (2004)
Lee Smith (1991) 45
Bruce Sutter (1984)
43
Lee Smith (1992)
Career
217
Jason Isringhausen
160
Lee Smith
129
Todd Worrell
Facts From St. Louis Cardinals History
McGwire struck first, cutting into a 3-0 Cubs lead with a solo shot in the bottom of the fourth. The Cards took a 5-3 lead with three runs in the seventh and held it until Sammy Sosa stepped up with a man on in the ninth. Almost as though by script he launched a game-tying home run into left-center field that extended the game to an exciting back-and-forth finale.
The dog days of August would also find Sosa taking his first lead in the race during another epic match-up between the two teams on August 19 at Wrigley Field.
With the two sluggers sitting on 47 home runs apiece entering the game, Sosa passed McGwire with a two-run homer down the line and over the left field wall in the fifth inning.
But his lead would not last long.
Not to be outdone, the big Cardinals first baseman tied the game (and Sosa) in the eighth with a solo shot. As if that wasn’t enough, McGwire then stunned the Wrigley crowd with a game-winning two-run cannon shot in the tenth.
The two titans continued their torid hitting into late-August and found themselves tied at 55 heading into the season’s final month.
Maris was definitely going down.
September
McGwire quickly made it known that he would be the first to eclipse the “unbreakable” record as he uncorked four moonshots, all recorded at more than 450 feet, in two games on September 1 and 2 against the Florida Marlins.
Sosa tried to keep pace, but as the two teams entered a two-game series against each other at Busch Stadium on September 7 and 8, McGwire stood alone at the top with 60 home runs.
FRANCHISE RECORDS: K
Season
289
Jack Stivetts (1890)
283
Dave Foutz (1886)
274
Bob Gibson (1970)
Career
3,117
Bob Gibson
1,095
Dizzy Dean
1,079
Bob Forsch
Facts From St. Louis Cardinals History
And he didn’t keep the crowd in suspense very long.
The big Redbird launched a 1-1 pitch off Mike Morgan in the bottom of the first inning 430 feet down the left field line to match Maris’ 1961 total of 61 home runs.
The hometown crowd was now in a full frenzy every time McGwire stepped to the plate, anticipating the record-breaking blast with every swing. But he managed only an infield single in the third and flyouts to center field in the fifth and seventh innings.
So on September 8 fans poured into Busch Stadium hoping to see history again.
They got their wish.
After a groundout to shortstop in the first inning “Big Mac” dug in against Steve Trachsel in the fourth. The crowd was already on its feet.
The Cubs starter delivered a pitch low but over the plate and McGwire didn’t miss it. Like a missile it took off toward the left field corner. With laser-like precision it narrowly slipped over the wall and out of sight. Number 62.
The stadium erupted, McGwire momentarily forgot about first base, and baseball fans around the country watched in amazement as one of the most cherished records in all of sports changed hands.
Sammy Sosa even sprinted in from right field to offer his congratulations.
FRANCHISE RECORDS: K/9
Season
11.003
Mark Littell (1978)
9.977
Rick Ankiel (2000)
8.907
Alan Benes (1997)
Career
7.971
Todd Stottlemyre
7.483
Jose DeLeon
7.453
Adam Wainwright
Facts From St. Louis Cardinals History
Ironically, the 341-foot rope would be McGwire’s shortest home run of the year.
Over the next week Sosa would catch McGwire at 62 home runs and as the season entered its final three days with both players at 65, it was unclear which one would ultimately be the new single-season home run king.
On September 25 Sosa hit his 66th home run and took the lead, but McGwire again answered later that night with his 66th. It would be Sosa’s final longball of the year.
It would not be McGwire’s.
Like a fantastic fireworks finale, the Cardinals’ giant hit two home runs in each of the final two games of the season, catapulting him past Sosa and into his own category of the record books with 70 home runs. In one season.
One magical season.
Yes, the revelations of the steroid use of these two sluggers and many others has cast a dark shadow over their accomplishments. And yes, the new “unbreakable” record was quickly broken by Barry Bonds’ total of 73 only three years later.
But even the makers of synthetic drugs couldn’t have concocted a script like the one that unfolded during that memorable summer of 1998.
Top of St. Louis Cardinals History
It Ain’t Over…
In St. Louis Cardinals history no team captured the spirit of Yogi Berra’s famous quote quite like the 2011 squad.
The Wild Card Comeback
The Cardinals entered the final month of the season 8.5 games behind both the Milwaukee Brewers for the Central Division lead and the Atlanta Braves for the Wild Card spot.
With one of their pitching aces, Adam Wainwright, already missing the entire season and their other, Chris Carpenter, having a less-than-dominant year, it looked as though the team would come up short.
FRANCHISE RECORDS: WHIP
Season
.786
Ice Box Chamberlain (1888)
.853
Bob Gibson (1968)
.874
Silver King (1888)
Career
1.080
John Tudor
1.095
Bob Caruthers
1.098
Jumbo McGinnis
Facts From St. Louis Cardinals History
But after losing three of their first five games in September the Cards caught fire with five straight wins against the Brewers and Braves.
In his final five starts Carpenter would go 3-0 with a 1.13 ERA.
And even though the Brewers continued to hold a comfortable division lead, the Braves were busy melting down.
After a 13-6 win over the Houston Astros the Redbirds entered the final day of the season tied with the Braves for the National League Wild Card.
They sent Carpenter to the mound, but before he even through one pitch the Cards had jumped to a commanding 5-0 lead. Their ace dominated with a complete-game, two-hit shutout with 11 strikeouts and the team went back to the clubhouse to see if the Braves would force a one-game playoff.
The Braves took a 3-2 lead against the Philadelphia Phillies into the ninth inning and sent their eventual Rookie of the Year winner, Craig Kimbrel, to the hill. But after a single and two walks, the Phillies’ Chase Utley tied the game with a sacrifice fly, sending it into extra innings.
Neither team could push across a run until the 13th, when the Phillies’ Hunter Pence singled home the lead run with two outs. The Braves completed their collapse on a game-ending double play to send the Cardinals into the postseason.
The World Series Comeback
After taking the Divisional Series from the Phillies, including a thrilling Game 5 where Carpenter outdueled Roy Halladay for a 1-0 win, and securing the franchise’s 22nd pennant against the Brewers, the Cardinals met the Texas Rangers in the World Series.
NO-HITTERS
Bud Smith (9/3/2001)
Jose Jimenez (6/25/1999)
Bob Forsch (9/26/1983)
Bob Forsch (4/16/1978)
Bob Gibson (8/14/1971)
Ray Washburn (9/18/1968)
Lou Warneke (8/30/1941)
Paul Dean (9/21/1934)
Jesse Haines (7/17/1924)
Facts From St. Louis Cardinals History
It would be one for the ages.
Chris Carpenter was his usual postseason self in Game 1 as St. Louis took a 1-0 series lead, and they looked to be heading to Arlington with a two-game lead when they took the field with a 1-0 lead in the ninth inning of Game 2.
But back-to-back singles and an error put the tying and lead runs in scoring position. The Rangers brought them home with consecutive sacrifice flies and tied the series at a game apiece.
After pitching defined the first two games, the Cards’ offense exploded in Game 3, with Albert Pujols having the greatest World Series game in St. Louis Cardinals history and possibly of all time.
Both teams were scoring at a steady pace in the middle innings, and St. Louis was holding an 8-6 lead in the sixth. Pujols crushed a three-run home run to extend the lead and take the momentum back from the Rangers, who had scored three runs of their own the inning before.
CYCLES
Mark Grudzielanek (4/28/2005)
John Mabry (5/18/1996)
Ray Lankford (9/15/1991)
Willie McGee (6/23/1984)
Lou Brock (5/27/1975)
Joe Torre (6/27/1973)
Ken Boyer (6/16/1964)
Ken Boyer (9/14/1961)
Bill White (8/14/1960)
Stan Musial (7/24/1949)
Johnny Mize (7/13/1940)
Joe Medwick (6/29/1935)
Pepper Martin (5/25/1933)
Chick Hafey (8/21/1930)
Jim Bottomley (7/15/1927)
Cliff Heathcote (6/13/1918)
Facts From St. Louis Cardinals History
He followed that up in the seventh inning with a two-run bomb that put them up 14-6, his fourth consecutive inning with a hit. Then in his final at-bat he drove the ball deep over the left field wall for his third home run, fifth hit, and sixth RBI of the game.
The 16-7 blowout gave the Cardinals a 2-1 lead in the Series and a lot of confidence as their offense had finally awoken.
But Texas would shut their bats back down in Games 4 and 5, holding them to just two runs and taking a 3-2 series lead as they headed back to St. Louis.
After a travel day and a postponement due to rain, Game 6 got underway with both teams looking out of sync, committing a total of five errors in the first six innings.
With the game tied at 4-4 the Rangers’ Adrian Beltre and Nelson Cruz hit back-to-back home runs to open the seventh inning and the Cardinals gave them another run after a wild pitch and RBI single. It looked like the fantastic run was about to come to an end.
6 HITS IN A GAME
Terry Moore (9/5/1935)
Jim Bottomley (8/5/1931)
Jim Bottomley (9/16/1924)
Dick Harley (6/24/1897)
Roger Connor (6/1/1895)
Duff Cooley (9/30/1893)
Facts From St. Louis Cardinals History
But Allen Craig made it a two-run game with a solo shot in the eighth and Albert Pujols doubled off Rangers closer Neftali Feliz with one out in the ninth to give the Cardinals fans some life.
A walk to Lance Berkman put the tying run on base, but Craig went down on strikes to bring the Rangers within one out of their first World Series title.
That brought up David Freese–a hometown product, the NLCS MVP, and the hottest hitter in the postseason.
He fell behind in the count, 1-2, and Rangers fans could almost smell the championship as it was only one strike away. But Freese drove the next pitch deep to right field and over the head of Nelson Cruz for an improbable game-tying triple. They couldn’t push that winning run home from third, but the momentum of the game had shifted and the Rangers looked stunned.
That didn’t last long however as Texas got a runner on and slugger Josh Hamilton quieted the crowd with a two-run blast to center field that seemed to certainly secure their first title.
SPECIAL MOMENTS
3,000th Hit
Stan Musial (5/13/1958)
Lou Brock (8/13/1979)
3,000th Strikeout
Bob Gibson (7/17/1974)
19 Strikeouts
Steve Carlton (9/15/1969)
4 Home Runs
Mark Whiten (9/7/1993)
2 Grand Slams in One Inning
Fernando Tatis (4/23/1999)
Facts From St. Louis Cardinals History
But as Yogi used to say, “It ain’t over ’til it’s over.”
The Cardinals got back-to-back base hits from their 8 and 9 batters to begin the bottom of the tenth inning. A sacrifice bunt moved them both into scoring position, and a groundout brought one of them home.
After an intentional walk to Pujols, Lance Berkman stepped to the plate with two outs and the tying run on second. Down to their final strike again, the Cardinals simply would not go down as Berkman ripped a single to center and tied the game. Though they still failed to push across the game-winner, their second two-run rally seemed to all but foreshadow a dramatic victory in the making.
And drama it would be. This is baseball.
The Rangers failed to score in the top half of the 11th, and the hero from the ninth inning would lead off the bottom of the inning for St. Louis.
David Freese worked a full count against Mark Lowe before launching a deep drive to straight away center field. The crowd erupted as it landed in the grass on the other side of the wall and announcer Joe Buck proclaimed, “We will see you tomorrow night!”
To no one’s surprise Texas just didn’t have much left for Game 7 as Chris Carpenter. With a 6-2 win the Redbirds completed possibly the most improbable World Series championship in St. Louis Cardinals history.
Top of St. Louis Cardinals History
Few cities have a rich baseball tradition that can match the Gateway City. A proud line of Hall of Fame players. Championships generation after generation.
The St. Louis Cardinals history is one of a kind and continues to be written with drama and determination.
