St. Louis Cardinals Home Opener

The St. Louis Cardinals opened their 2015 home season at Busch Stadium against division rival Milwaukee Brewers, Monday, April 13, 2015. Early storms cleared out, and ultimately did not rain on the Cardinal Nation’s parade.The famous Budweiser Clydesdales even made their appearance to kick off the pageantry revolving around the Hall of Famers, club honorees, a military color guard and an eagle.

The proceedings began with the Budweiser Clydesdales immediately followed by the motorcade, a traditional part of opening day, and the introductions of six living Hall of Famers: Red Schoendienst, celebrating his 70th year in baseball, Bob Gibson, Lou Brock, Ozzie Smith, Whitey Herzog, and Tony LaRussa. Then attention turned to the newly elected club hall of famers, Jim Edmonds Willie McGee, and Mike Shannon, who joined the gang on the field.

Players introductions ensued, and all greeted the Hall of Famers, the managers, and general manager. Each had a brush with Cardinal history and the reasons why this franchise has become so prolific. A couple of players did not receive the memo and embraced Mike Matheny, the Cardinals field manager, before turning back to go through the line. Before the National Anthem, an eagle soared around the stadium and actually did not want to return to his handler, exciting the fans. The national anthem, honor guard, and military holding a large flag in the centerfield bleacher put everyone in the mood to “play ball”.

Mike Matheny, Cardinals manager, proclaimed “this is a celebration that baseball in St. Louis has begun. You always say you’re going to be the exact same team every day and that consistent stuff is the right thing, but the atmosphere when this place is alive and hot, you just can’t help but get sucked into it.”

Naturally, what counts occurs on the field. Starting pitcher Adam Wainwright, who also opened the season for the Cardinals, had some struggles but still gave the team 7-innings. Unfortunately, the Redbirds committed two errors and a costly outfield miscue that they could not overcome even though the Brewers tried to assist with their own defensive problems. When the dust settled, the Brewers edged the Cardinals 5-4.

While the pomp and circumstance always sets the tone, no one seemed too concerned about the loss. The sight of Cardinal Hall of Famers, Budweiser Clydesdales, a soaring eagle, and the return of baseball sufficed for one day. Cardinal Nation once again can rejoice in the advent of a new season.

The St. Louis Cardinals began as the St. Louis Browns in 1891 when the American Association folded. The St.Louis Browns rejoined the National League as part of the newly reformed 12-team circuit. The Browns played in Sportsman’s Park at Grand and Dodier.

The St. Louis franchise has maintained continuous membership in the National League ever since. The Robison Brothers, Frank and Stanley, discarded the name of Browns, calling the St. Louis National Leaguers the Perfectos at one point. The team officially changed its name from the Perfectos to the Cardinals in 1900.

Anheuser-Busch, Inc., led by its president, August A. Busch Jr., stepped in and purchased the club on February 20,1953 when it was discovered that the owners were looking to sell to an out-of-town interested party. Following the 1953 season, Sportsman’s Park was renovated and renamed Busch Stadium.

In 1966, the Cardinals played their first home game on May 12 in Busch Memorial Stadium, their new 50,000-seat ballpark in downtown St. Louis. The current Busch Stadium (Busch Stadium III) opened April 2006 and has brought revitalization to the downtown area.

During 2011, the Cardinals won their NL leading 11th World Series, beating the Texas Rangers in a thrilling seven game series, their seccond world championship since 2006. During 2013, they won their 19th pennant but fell to the Boston Red Sox in the World Series. Now, with Ballpark Village in full swing, a new chapter in the club’s history and downtown St. Louis has commenced.