Edition: Sports in St. Louis
Let's Go to the Game
Author: Gerry Gilman
For those growing up in the St. Louis area in the 1930s and 1940s, "Let's go to the game" meant heading for Sportsman's Park to watch the Cardinals or the Browns play baseball. These two teams were the main professional teams in St. Louis at the time, and St. Louis was then, and still is, a great town for baseball!
The Cardinals were on the way to building their great tradition, and their players were recognized among the best in baseball. We could go to the game and see such players as The Rajah (Rogers Hornsby), the Fordham Flash (Frank Frisch), Dizzy (Dizzy Dean), Ducky (Joe Medwick), Big Jawn (Johnny Mize), Slats (Marty Marion), The Wild Horse of the Osage (Pepper Martin), Harry the Cat (Harry Brecheen), and many more. The Browns, unfortunately, were not as successful as the Cardinals and some people used to describe St. Louis as being first in booze, first in shoes, and last in the American League. St. Louis is still first in beer, thanks to the brewery down near Pestalozzi Street (Anheuser-Busch Brewery Tours, 12th & Lynch, 800-DIALBUD), but the shoe factories have all moved, and alas the Browns have left town forever.
In 1944 the Browns did win their one and only American League pennant and old-time Browns fans still remember players like pitcher Ned Garver, who won twenty games for a last place team, and "Hall of Famer" George Sisler. Some of the better Brownies moved on to other teams. Junior Stephens went on to play shortstop for the Boston Red Sox and Don Larsen pitched a perfect game in the World Series for the Yankees. His catcher was a player from The Hill, the one an only Yogi Berra.
In 1954 the Browns moved to Baltimore and became the Orioles, and in the 1960s the St. Louis Cardinals moved into the new Busch Stadium in downtown St. Louis as part of an effort to liven up the downtown area. On the plaza surrounding the stadium there are statues honoring many of their star players and contributors such as Stan Musial, Ozzie Smith, Lou Brock, Red Schoendienst, Jack Buck, Bob Gibson, and Enos Slaughter. The stadium continues to be the home of the Cardinals, however, a visit to the site reveals massive construction of a new facility that soon will become their new home.
The St. Louis Metropolitan area is also fortunate to have acquired two professional minor league baseball teams, the River City Rascals (888-762-BATS, T.R. Hughes Ballpark) and the Gateway Grizzlies (618-337-3000, GMC Stadium). Minor league baseball is a recent addition to the city. The Rascals and the Grizzlies came into existence because forward-looking individuals saw an opportunity to expand economic activity as the region continues to grow. They were able to capitalize on the love of baseball in this area, especially that of baseball purists who enjoy the enthusiasm of young minor league players.
Since the time when the Cards and the Browns were the main professional sports teams in St. Louis, the city has acquired new dimensions. The football Rams play at the Edward Jones Dome (314-241-1888) in downtown St. Louis. They have fast become a St. Louis favorite since coming here from Los Angeles in 1995. The Rams replaced the St. Louis football Cardinals who were originally the Chicago Cardinals. When the football Cardinals were unable to get financing for a new stadium, the team's ownership moved the team to Phoenix where they are now the Arizona Cardinals. St. Louis was without professional football for several years and area football fans were delighted to have the Rams become their team. Since coming from Los Angeles, the Rams have twice made it to the Super Bowl, winning the Championship in 1999. The fans are now at the point where they expect the Rams to be an annual play-off team.
The St. Louis Blues hockey team played their first game at the St. Louis Arena in 1967. The Arena, later known as the Checkerdome, was demolished in 1999; now the Blues play at the Savvis Center (314-421-4400, 14th St. & Clark Ave.). Most practices take place at IceZONE (314-227-5288, St. Louis Mills), where they are open to the public and free of charge. Fans still remember the amazing "Monday Night Miracle" in 1986 when the Blues made a surprising goal that sent the game into overtime, then went on to win against the Calgary Flames. The team's history, marked with dramatic ups and downs, has included reaching the playoffs 34 straght times - the longest playoff streak in any sport - but never winning the Stanley Cup. This season's work stoppage has left Blues enthusiasts wondering when or if the team will play again. Even so, true Blues fans never give up hope that their team will be back.
Championship basketball is an added attraction for St. Louis sports buffs this year, as "Arch Madness," the Missouri Valley Conference Men's Basketball Tournament, returns to the Savvis Center, March 4-7. In addition, St. Louis will host college basketball's biggest tournament, The Final Four at the Edward Jones Dome, April 2-4.
Anheuser-Busch Brewery
2800 S 12th St, St Louis, MO 63118
The famous Anheuser-Busch Brewery in St. Louis is the company's world headquarters and the largest of its 12 breweries.
