ST LOUIS CARDINALS INFORMATION:
Founded: 1882
Location: St Louis, Missouri
Stadium: Busch Stadium
Conference: National League
Division: Central Division
Rivals: Houston Astros, Chicago Cubs, Kansas City Royals
Notable Players: Lou Brock, Mark McGwire, Ozzie Smith, Bob Gibson
St Louis Cardinals World Series Title: 11 - Last World Series appearance 2011
St Louis Cardinals NL Championships: 18 - Last Championship appearance 2011
The history of the St. Louis Cardinals dates back to 1892, when the St. Louis Brown Stockings joined the National League after the folding of the American Association. The team played as the Brown Stockings until 1899, when they were known briefly as the St. Louis Perfectos. The team changed its name to the Cardinals in 1900 and would struggle for years to become a factor in the National League pennant race. With 11 World Series championships and 10 division championships over the course of their illustrious history, the Cardinals have built a winning culture that has translated into modern day postseason success.
The Cardinals first championship came in 1926 on the heels of Bob O'Harrell's MVP season and with a lineup of Hall of Famers, such as Jim Bottomley, Rogers Hornsby, Jesse Haines and Chick Hafey. The team knocked off the heavily-favored New York Yankees in seven games to begin a series of winning seasons that would net another two World Series championships in the 1930s.
The '40s were another golden age of Cardinals baseball, with Hall of Fame players like Stan Musial, Enos Slaughter, Red Schoendienst, Mort Cooper and Marty Marion guiding the team to World Series championships in 1942, 1944 and 1946. The Cardinals would experience a down period during the 1950s, but would come roaring back in 1964 to capture yet another championship. Multiple Cy Young Award winner Bob Gibson pitched on two days rest to beat the New York Yankees in a pivotal Game 7. Gibson would repeat his heroics in the 1967 World Series, when he out-dueled Jim Lonberg to upset the Red Sox in Game 7 at Fenway Park.
During this glorious period of Cardinals' baseball, the team moved into Busch Stadium, which continues to be the club's home. After the Cardinals took their ninth World Series in 1982, the team experienced a down period that was finally lifted in 1998 during the famed home run race between Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa. The race is often credited with renewing America's fascination with baseball, and McGwire's 62nd home run to break Roger Maris' single-season home run record, took place at Busch Stadium.
With World Series championships in 2006 and 2011, the Cardinals are still a major contender in the National League during the modern era. The team's storied tradition, winning culture and dedicated fan base make it one of the most successful franchises in American sports.
See Also:
St Louis Cardinals Playoff Tickets
St Louis Cardinals Preview History