Before they even had a chance to play their first spring training game, the Cardinals’ road to the 2011 World Series became significantly more difficult. On February 24, 2011, the Cardinals officially announced that Adam Wainwright would require season-ending Tommy John surgery. “Not to be melodramatic, but you’re losing an ace,” general manager John Mozeliak …
At age 40, Jim Edmonds hoped to tack one more year on the end of a major-league career that had spanned 17 seasons and more than 2,000 games. Unfortunately, just two weeks after Jim Edmonds signed a minor league contract to return to the Cardinals, a lingering Achilles injury forced him to announce his retirement. …
Just a few days away from his 90th birthday, Stan Musial picked up the phone at his office at Stan the Man Inc. On the other end of the line was a White House representative, calling to tell him that he was being awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the United States’ highest civilian award. …
February 15, 2011: Stan Musial receives the Presidential Medal of Freedom Read More »
After Albert Pujols signed a record 10-year, $254-million contract with the Angels following the 2011 season, the Cardinals had a short list of free agents who could fill their sudden need for an impact bat. Carlos Beltran’s name was at the top of the list. On December 22, 2011, the Cardinals signed the 1999 American …
December 22, 2011: Cardinals sign Carlos Beltran in wake of Pujols’ departure Read More »
Just 15 days after Tony La Russa announced his retirement, the St. Louis Cardinals named Mike Matheny the 49th manager in franchise history. The hire represented a stark shift for the Cardinals less than a month after they won their 11th World Series championship. La Russa had retired with 2,728 career wins, just 35 behind …
November 14, 2011: Cardinals name Mike Matheny manager Read More »
Months before his 2011 Cardinals surged into a National League wild-card berth and stunned all of baseball with the franchise’s 11th World Series championship, Tony La Russa knew it would be his last season wearing the birds on the bat. As the Cardinals entered the dog days of August, La Russa realized that while he …
October 31, 2011: Tony La Russa retires on a winning note Read More »
After rallying from 10 ½ games back in the National League wild-card race and falling behind five separate times in their 10-9 Game 6 victory over the Rangers, a 2-0 first-inning deficit didn’t seem like much for the 2011 Cardinals to overcome. Six unanswered runs later, the Cardinals had a 6-2 victory in World Series …
With rain threatening, Major League Baseball postponed the sixth game of the World Series a day. It was well worth the wait. The 47,325 fans at Busch Stadium that evening saw David Freese cement his legacy with a game-tying, two-run triple in the ninth inning and a game-winning solo home run in the 11th. Along …
October 27, 2011: David Freese’s home run caps historic World Series Game 6 Read More »
With three home runs in Game 3 of the 2011 World Series, Albert Pujols didn’t just correct course after an 0-for-6 start to the Fall Classic, or turn attention away from the brief controversy that came after he didn’t speak to the media after the Cardinals’ 2-1 loss in Game 2 of the series. With …
October 22, 2011: Albert Pujols slugs three home runs in Game 3 of the World Series Read More »
The Cardinals opened the 2011 World Series using the same recipe that got them there in the first place: dependable starting pitching, timely hitting, and sparkling relief. Thanks to a diving play from starting pitcher Chris Carpenter, a two-run single by Lance Berkman, and three shutout innings from the bullpen, the Cardinals beat the Rangers …
October 19, 2011: Cardinals win World Series Game 1 Read More »
