Standout Features of the St. Louis Cardinals Organization
Rewritten Article:
Let's dive into the illustrious past of the iconic St. Louis Cardinals, a franchise steeped in tradition and brimming with tales worth telling. Established way back in 1882 as the St. Louis Browns, the team has been the Cardinals since 1900 – a name change that stuck for over a century!
Since this team has been around for an epoch, it's no surprise they've been home to numerous legends gracing the baseball world. Recently, I polled fellow enthusiasts on social media to gauge fans' opinions on the Cardinals' all-time greatest. Here's what the numbers said.
The Crowd's Choice for Favorite Stadium
Champion: Busch Stadium II
In a tight race, Busch Stadium II emerged victorious, earning 45% of the votes. Good ol' Sportsman's Park bravely challenged both Busch Stadiums, but the second iteration of Busch proved to be the ultimate favorite. Busch Stadium II, which opened in 1966, served as the Cardinals' home until 2005. It hosted six World Series (1967, '68, '82, '85, '87, 2004) and the iconic 1966 All-Star game. The stadium's charm lay in its signature arches throughout the upper deck and its capacity of 49,676, making it one of the largest stadiums in MLB. For a spell, the AstroTurf at Busch pumped up game speed, giving the speedy '80s teams a definite advantage. Combined with Mark McGwire's legendary homerun chase antics, that stadium is a cherished memory.
The Fondly Remembered Owner
Champ: August "Gussie" Busch
In 1953, beer tycoon August "Gussie" Busch scooped up the St. Louis Cardinals for a cool $3.75 million, keeping the franchise founded in St. Louis City. This acquisition marked the beginning of an era filled with success for the franchise. Busch, who eagerly took an active role as an owner, was present at games alongside players, traveled in a railcar with the team, and fostered an inclusive environment. Under his leadership, the Cardinals took home three World Series titles, five National League pennants, and four division trophies.
Legendary General Managers
Winner: Walt Jocketty
Sadly, we recently lost a colossal talent from the Cardinals family tree – Walt Jocketty. The long-time general manager of the St. Louis Cardinals was revered as a guiding force in the club's success by fans far and wide. Fans will miss him dearly, as Jocketty was 74 years old. Jocketty joined forces with the Cardinals as an assistant general manager following the 1994 season, playing a crucial role in the hire of Tony La Russa as manager and the signing of superstars like Albert Pujols, Yadier Molina, Adam Wainwright, and others. Under Jocketty's stewardship, the Cardinals walked away with a plethora of division titles, two National League Championships, and a World Series trophy in 2006.
Top of the Ladder – Best Manager
Winner: Tony La Russa
Tony La Russa, with an impressive 1,408 wins, is the undisputed managerial champ in Cardinals history. His success rate of 544 wins translates into the 12th-highest winning percentage in franchise history for managers who spent at least two years with the team. During his reign, La Russa helped the Cardinals secure three National League pennants and two World Series trophies, eventually being inducted into the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame in 2014. La Russa brought more Supreme Succès to the Cardinals, winning seven National League Central division titles and leaving an indelible mark on the team's history with a mind-boggling victory in the 2011 World Series – his final hurrah as Cardinals manager.
Mound Maestros - Best Pitcher
Winner: Bob Gibson
Votes for Bob Gibson swept the board, boasting 130 of 137 total votes. His closest competitor, Adam Wainwright, fell far behind with a measly five votes. Gibson, who dedicated his entire 17-year career to the Cardinals, wound up with a stellar 251-174 record and a 2.91 ERA. He dispatched 3,117 batters, and his ERA of 1.12 was the best in baseball in 1968. He threw 255 complete games across 482 starts and holds the 13th most shutouts in baseball history with a whopping 56. It's safe to say that few pitchers in baseball, let alone Cardinals lore, can match the career of the great Bob Gibson.
King of the Diamond – Best Position Player
Winner: Stan Musial
The outcome of this vote was closer than I anticipated, with Stan Musial sliding home with 53% of the votes, and Albert Pujols trailing behind by ten. I reckon, if Pujols had spent his entire career with the Cardinals, the voting would have been neck and neck. Stan the Man, who played every one of his 22 seasons with the Cardinals, amassed an incredible 128.5 bWAR during his career. He bagged three National League MVP Awards and clinched a spot in 24 All-Star Games, landing him in second place behind only Henry Aaron for the most All-Star appearances in MLB history. Musial was posthumously inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility in 1969. His incredible talent and dedication on the field were matched by his charitable contributions and commitment to serving the community.
- In 1953, the iconic St. Louis Cardinals franchise was acquired by August "Gussie" Busch, a beer tycoon, for $3.75 million, marking a significant turning point.
- Busch Stadium II, which opened in 1966 and served as the Cardinals' home until 2005, received 45% of the votes in a poll regarding fans' favorite stadium, with its charm stemming from its arches, capacity, and MLB-size, hosting six World Series and the 1966 All-Star game.
- Bob Gibson, who dedicated his entire 17-year career to the Cardinals, is the undisputed best pitcher in the Cardinals' history, with voters giving him 130 out of 137 total votes, praising his record, ERA, and shutouts.
- The top position player in St. Louis Cardinals history is Stan Musial, a player who amassed an impressive 128.5 bWAR, was a three-time National League MVP Award winner, and played every season of his 22-year career with the Cardinals, before being posthumously inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility in 1969.
