Six Is a Serious Number

And … we’re back – Season 2, Episode 1, Ballpark No. 6.

Like any good Cardinals fan, I saved the best for sixth. It’s Busch Stadium time, and it’s a very special episode.

My sixth of 30 ballparks and first as a 30-year-old takes me to St. Louis for the grand return of Albert Pujols. And after five road games, I’m ready to root, root, root for the home team.

Six is special. Stan Musial (lovingly known as Stan the Man) wore No. 6.

The stadium opened in 2006. The first World Series the Cardinals won in my lifetime was in 2006, and all Redbirds fans probably know On the Run Mobil’s “six is a serious number” bop.

I’ve been to Busch Stadium many times but never as a 30-year-old on a ballparking mission.

I don’t remember my first Cardinals game. I vaguely remember going to a game at old Busch with my cousins, sitting in the shade because it was hot and eating ice cream, but I have no idea whether or not that was my first game or how old I was.

I do remember my first game at new Busch Stadium, which also happened to be its inaugural game, Opening Day 2006.

I also remember the game I truly fell in love with the new ballpark, allowing it to surpass old Busch on my list of favorite places – Game 5 of the 2006 World Series, the clincher.

I (along with all Game 4 ticket holders) ended up seeing Game 5 rather than Game 4 because of a fortunately timed rainout two days prior. But that’s a story for another time.

I’ve been a Cardinals fan my entire life, and it got serious in 2002 when I went to a playoff game between San Francisco and St. Louis at old Busch, and former Giant Kenny Lofton almost got in a fight. I’ve been a die-hard fan ever since.

New Busch Stadium may be only 13 years old, but in that time, it’s hosted three World Series (2006, 2011, 2013), five National League Championship Series (2006, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014) and has seen postseason play in two additional seasons (2009, 2015).

It’s boasted two World Series champions (2006 and 2011) and hosted an All-Star Game in 2009.

Ballpark No. 6 is the most decorated venue I will have visited thus far.

Quick Cardinals History Lesson

The soon-to-be Cardinals joined the National League in 1892, when they were known as the Browns. They changed their name to the Cardinals in 1900.

They’ve since won 11 World Series (1926, 1931, 1934, 1942, 1944, 1946, 1964, 1967, 1982, 2006, 2011), the most in the National League and second-most in all of Major League Baseball (behind the Yankees’ 27).

The Cards’ current home is the third iteration of Busch Stadium, preceded by the coliseum-style Busch Stadium II (1966-2005) and original Busch Stadium, first called Sportsman’s Park (1920-1965). The Redbirds also played at Robinson Field, League Park and Union Park.

Pujols Homecoming

This game will mark the first time Albert Pujols and the Los Angeles Angels will play in Busch Stadium since No. 5 left in 2011. The three-time MVP will get one of the longest ovations of all time. Welcome back, Pujols. You can read all about what it means in my Pujols Homecoming post.

Game Preview
Angels vs. Cardinals
Busch Stadium
Friday, June 21, 2019
7:15 p.m. CT
Probable starting pitchers: LAA Griffin Canning (RHP) vs. STL Michael Wacha (RHP)

The Cardinals had the best record in baseball (20-10) at the end of the day on May 1 with a three-game lead in the NL Central. Then, the rest of May happened. The Cardinals went 9-18 that month (including the May 1 win).

As of the wee hours of June 20 (when I wrote this), they’ve stabilized somewhat, sitting only two games back in the division (thanks to a weak NL Central) at 38-35, and they’ve won seven of their last 10 (thanks to playing the Marlins a lot in the last week and a half).

The Angels are 38-37 and are also 7-3 in their last 10.

Will the Cardinals get back to their winning April ways, or were we all just April fools? We might not know until late September.

Note: I’m 3-2 in the Ballparking It era, and this will mark my first Friday game.