Beech Tree News Network

This Wednesday the 23^rd, the 109^th edition of the Fall Classic kicks off as the St. Louis Cardinals play the Boston Red Sox in a classic North/South battle.  I know there are a lot of fans of both teams around this area, possibly more St. Louis than Boston because of proximity.  I thought before we got into the meat of the Series, I’d give a little background.

The Cardinals take aim at their second World Series title in three years when they play Game One at Fenway Wednesday.  To get St. Louis Cardinals’ origin, though, we need to journey all the way back to 1892, when the American Association folded at the conclusion of 1891 and the St. Louis Browns rejoined the National League as part of the newly re-formed 12-team circuit.  The Browns played in Sportsman’s Park at Grand and Dodier.  The St. Louis franchise has had continuous membership in the National League ever since.

In 1898, after several years of second-division baseball and a disastrous fire, Chris Von Der Ahe and his corporation were bankrupt.  The Robinson Brothers stepped in to purchase the Browns.  In 1899, the Robison Brothers, Frank and Stanley, discarded the name the Browns, calling the team the Perfectos.  The ownership also discarded the Sportsman Park name in favor of League Park.  The team was outfitted in red stiped stockings and red-trimmed uniforms.  Sportswriter Willie McHale of the St. Louis Republic heard a lady remark “what a lovely shade of cardinal”, the new name was used in a column and struck a chord with St. Louis fans.  The team officially changed their name to the Cardinals in 1900.  In 1902, the American League came to St. Louis, taking up the old Browns name, and since they moved into the original Grand Avenue ballpark, they readily took the old “Sportsman Park” name.

In 1911, ownership passed to Frank Robison’s daughter Mrs. Helene Hathaway Britton.  The Park was renamed Robison Field in memory of her father and uncle, the former owners.  In 1926, the Cardinals defeated the Yankees in 7 games to win their first World Series.  Their 90 home runs led the league.  The 1942 Cardinals won the World Series.  The 106-48 Cardinals are considered one of the best in history.  Stan “The Man” Musial was a 21 year-old rookie.  Musial was NL rookie of the year led the league in batting average( .357), hits(220), doubles(48), triples(20), total bases(347), on0base average(425), and slugging percentage(.562).  Stan Musial won his third N.L. MVP award and led the league in nearly every batting department. 

In 1950, the Cardinals played their first night opener.  August A. Busch, Jr. purchased the club.  In 1954, Musial hit five homeruns in a May 2 double-header against the Giants at Busch Stadium.  Ten years later, they won their first NL pennant in 18 years, beating the Yankees in 7.  Lou Brock broke Ty Cobb’s career stolen base mark with 893 in San Diego. 

 The Cardinals won their 11^th World Championship by beating the Texas Rangers in 7 games in 2011.  2012 saw the Cardinals squander a 3-1 series lead in losing to Pittsburgh.  Talk about something that made me sick! This year saw the Cardinals start out, let’s face it, not so great.  We(as fans often say even though we’ve never suited up for the team) have surged back to get back into the World Series.  And the opponent is a “worst to first” story.  6:30 on Wednesday night, we begin to answer the question of whether or not the Cardinals will get #13 in’13. 

Hello.  My name is Andy Sullivan.  I received my bachelor’s degree in business from Mid-Continent University in June 2009.  I began writing for Beech Tree in July 2009.  I enjoy writing, photography, watching basketball and football, and playing guitar.  I also write a blog that encompasses sports and entertainment, called Sports and More, at http://andyuk79.tumblr.com If you have any comments, please leave them in the space below.  Thanks for reading!