St. Louis Cardinals

Quick Facts

  • Founded: 1882

  • Original Name/City: St. Louis Brown Stockings

  • Current Ballpark: Busch Stadium

  • World Series Titles: 11 (1926, 1931, 1934, 1942, 1944, 1946, 1964, 1967, 1982, 2006, 2011)

  • Franchise Nicknames: The Cardinals, The Redbirds, The Cards

A History of the St. Louis Cardinals

One of the oldest and most successful franchises in baseball, the Cardinals' history is rich with legendary players and championship seasons. After joining the National League in 1892, the club's first period of dominance came with the arrival of player-manager Rogers Hornsby, who led them to their first World Series title in 1926.

This was followed by the scrappy, hard-nosed "Gashouse Gang" team of the 1930s, which won a title in 1934. However, the franchise's identity would be forever linked to the man who would join the team in 1941: Stan "The Man" Musial. Led by the iconic Musial, one of the greatest and most consistent hitters of all time, the Cardinals became a powerhouse, winning three World Series titles in the 1940s alone.

A new era of dominance emerged in the 1960s, this time built on pitching and speed. Led by the intimidating, overpowering ace Bob Gibson and the record-setting baserunner Lou Brock, the Cardinals won championships in 1964 and 1967. The 1980s brought "Whiteyball," a style of play favored by manager Whitey Herzog that emphasized speed and defense, leading to another title in 1982.

The 21st century saw the franchise reach even greater heights. With superstar slugger Albert Pujols leading the way, the Cardinals remained a perennial contender, winning a championship in 2006. They captured their 11th and most recent title in 2011 in one of the most dramatic World Series ever played, defeating the Texas Rangers after being down to their final strike on two separate occasions in Game 6.

With 11 World Series championships, the Cardinals are the most successful National League franchise and second only to the New York Yankees overall.

Franchise Timeline

  • 1882: Founded as the St. Louis Brown Stockings in the American Association.

  • 1892: Joined the National League.

  • 1900: Officially named the St. Louis Cardinals.

  • 1926: Won their first World Series.

  • 1966: Moved into Busch Memorial Stadium.

  • 1982: Won their ninth World Series.

  • 2006: Moved into the current Busch Stadium and won their 10th World Series.

  • 2011: Won their 11th World Series in dramatic fashion.

Legendary Players

Stan Musial (1941-1963)

  • "The Man" is the most iconic player in Cardinals history. A model of class and sustained excellence, the Hall of Fame outfielder and first baseman won three MVP awards and seven batting titles. He is the franchise leader in nearly every offensive category and personifies the "Cardinal Way."

Bob Gibson (1959-1975)

  • One of the most intimidating and dominant pitchers in baseball history, Gibson was the fierce ace of the 1960s Cardinals, winning two Cy Young awards and two World Series MVP trophies. His unbelievable 1968 season, in which he posted a 1.12 ERA, prompted MLB to lower the pitcher's mound.

Rogers Hornsby (1915-1926, 1933)

  • Arguably the greatest right-handed hitter of all time, Hornsby set the standard for offensive excellence. He won two Triple Crowns and hit over .400 three times, including his incredible .424 season in 1924. He was the player-manager for the franchise's first World Series title.

Ozzie Smith (1982-1996)

  • "The Wizard" redefined the shortstop position with his acrobatic and seemingly impossible defensive plays. A 13-time Gold Glove winner, his backflips on the way to his position and his infectious joy for the game made him a beloved Hall of Famer. He was the leader of the 1982 championship team.