Last game at busch stadium

Fireworks popped in the sky, though everyone knew it was a desperate attempt to manufacture hope. After another few hits, the Cardinals chipped their way back to make the score It was as if fate was at work to give Pujols another plate appearance in a 10th inning.

The few remaining fans in the ballpark buzzed; it looked as though the Cardinals might complete a tough comeback. After the game, veterans Pujols and Molina strode across the diamond to meet each other for a final embrace. It was a symbolic snapshot for baseball. Despite any trades, contracts, legalities, and competition, teammates still remained dear friends, and the loyalty between them ran thicker than blood.

Pujols had a storied history with this fan base. The mutual respect and memories shared between Pujols and the Cardinals was deep.

I grew up watching Pujols play, and attending this game gave a very unique and rare experience. For just a few minutes, this was no longer a summer interleague series; the entire ballpark stood frozen in time 10 years ago, during the glory days of Tony La Russa , Adam Wainwright , Molina, and, of course, Pujols. The fans felt it too. This was a night of nostalgia that beautifully underscored the timeless quality of the game of baseball.

In addition to the sources cited in the Notes, I used the Baseball-Reference. If you can help us improve this game story, contact us. Central Ave. This marked the end of an era. In the sixth, with two outs and the score tied at , Giants slugger Willie McCovey, hitting for shortstop Hal Lanier, delivered the game-changing hit, a three-run, opposite-field home run to left off Tracy Stallard.

With a walk in the ninth, Jerry Buchek , a St. Louis native, was the last Cardinal to reach base in the ballpark. Lindy McDaniel, who pitched for the Cardinals from , earned the win with five innings of scoreless relief for the Giants. The Cardinals were the only club I really wanted to sign with. My idols were Stan Musial and Dizzy Dean before him. It was a real good feeling for me, winning the last game in the old ballpark in St. The stands would be demolished but the field was to remain for use by the youths.

It was transported by helicopter and placed in the new Busch Memorial Stadium in downtown St. When the ceremonies ended, children were permitted to run around the bases.

As the farewells played out, general managers Bob Howsam of the Cardinals and Chub Feeney of the Giants made a stunning announcement. The acquisition of Cepeda would be an important step in rebuilding the Cardinals into a championship club in , their first full season in the new stadium. Comments RSS. Busch Stadium celebrates World Series championship. August 'Gussie' Busch Jr. Joe Torre and Tony La Russa talk over lineup cards.

Last remaining arches of Busch Stadium II. Third Busch Stadium rises as second one falls. Nighttime view of the last arches of Busch Stadium. Cardinals dugout lies in ruin. Busch Stadium almost gone. Construction worker near ruins of Busch Stadium. The flags come down at Busch Stadium. Last campout at Busch. Dugout steps show their age. Pujols' locker at old Busch Stadium. LaRussa superstition cleans Cardinal dugout.

Fans sign foul pole on final season. Carp warms up. Ernie Hays was a stadium fixture at Busch. Old seats, new seats. A grand slam for Eckstein.

Beatles at Busch. Architecture of Busch. Three ballparks, one vendor. Reason to celebrate at Busch. Artist captures final opening day. Fredbird takes the stage. Last Cubs series at Busch. Fourth of July weekend at Busch. Moonrise at Busch. Sun sets over Busch. Bye the numbers. Pray ball. Hey, over here. Cooling off period. Related to this collection. Will it be home sweet home for Cards? Talk about it. May 12, Louis Post-Dispatch , N. Notifications Settings. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device.

August 26, August 17, Just above my truck is a bronze bust of famed sportscaster Jack Buck, who had died a few months earlier. At the very top is the moon. August 15, NOTE: The diagram thumbnails have been continually replaced since , so the images seen in the older blog posts do not reflect how the full-size diagrams looked at that time. Roll your mouse over the adjacent thumbnail to see a pre version. Have you been to this stadium?

If so, feel free to share your impressions of it with other fans! Registration is required. Also, I welcome submissions of original stadium photos that fans have taken, and will make sure they get properly credited. Just send me an e-mail message via the Contact page.

All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your agreement to the Terms of Use. Contact Terms. Busch Stadium II: Chronology of diagram updates NOTE: The diagram thumbnails have been continually replaced since , so the images seen in the older blog posts do not reflect how the full-size diagrams looked at that time.