Before the advent of cell phones and electronic communications, fans and families would use the phrase “Meet me at the Musial” as a way to connect before Cardinals games. The “Stan the Man” statue has moved through the years as the Cardinals have played at three Busch Stadium versions, but Musial’s slightly hunched, left-handed memorial serves as a downtown St. Louis beacon nearly as well-known as the nearby Gateway Arch. Outside of the Yankees -- the only MLB franchise with more World Series titles -- the Cardinals might have one of the broadest fanbases in America. Until the 2024 season, the Cardinals had packed at least 3 million fans inside of Busch Stadium III for 18 straight years -- usually an unheard of number outside of Los Angeles or New York. Much of that popularity is due, in part, to the 50,000-watt reach of KMOX -- the longtime home of Cardinals baseball. Legend has it that fans as far away as Washington, D.C., and east of the Rocky Mountains in Denver could hear Cardinals games over the radio on clear nights decades earlier. Generations of Cards fans fell in love with the team because of the passion poured into microphones by legendary announcers Jack Buck, Harry Caray, Mike Shannon, Jay Randolph, Joe Garagiola, Bob Costas, John Rooney and Joe Buck.
Busch Stadium
Unique Characteristics
One of the most obvious things that makes St. Louis unique is the Gateway Arch, the 630-foot passageway to the west that was founded by the National Park Service in 1935 to commemorate Thomas Jefferson’s vision of a transcontinental United States. Unlike in Busch Stadium II, where the Arch was only visible beyond the left-field fence and mostly obstructed by the curved roof, designers of Busch Stadium III made sure that the internationally recognized symbol of St. Louis would be prominently on display beyond the center- and right-field walls. When sitting behind home plate, it’s often as if one is looking at a postcard with the iconic structure towering over Busch Stadium. Winners of a National League-most 11 World Series, the Cardinals have one of the richest histories in baseball. Much of that can be studied and learned at the
Cardinals Hall of Fame and Museum . Located just across the street from Busch Stadium at Ballpark Village, the Hall of Fame includes 55 players, coaches and executives who have been inducted. Also, the Hall of Fame features one of the most team-specific collections in all of baseball. Speaking of Ballpark Village, it is a first-of-its-kind entertainment district directly connected to the ballpark. It features restaurants, a variety of bars, recording studios for FanDuel Sports Network Midwest, and even tickets to watch games from well beyond the left-field wall. One other unique feature of Busch Stadium III is the nod to its predecessor, Busch Stadium II, which served as the home to the Cardinals from 1966-2006. The dimensions from the infield of the former stadium are marked within the guts of Busch Stadium III, and fans can still track the baselines from the old ballpark. Also, the manual scoreboard used in the latter years of Busch Stadium II is displayed for fans to see along the lower concourse of Busch Stadium III.
Mascot
Since being "hatched" in 1979,
Fredbird the Redbird has been a part of the Cardinals Nation experience for nearly 50 years. You can find Fredbird interacting with fans and leading cheers at every Busch Stadium game, and kids who want to take selfies with the beloved Redbird can find him in the Family Pavilion from the first pitch until the start of the third inning. Fredbird is also very visible throughout that St. Louis area, taking part in hospital and school visits, birthday parties and more.
Concessions
Local attractions
The iconic Gateway Arch is just a short walk away from the stadium and it offers a tram ride to the top of the 630-foot monument, where people can get clear views of downtown St. Louis and the surrounding areas to the West and a look into Illinois to the east. The Old Courthouse, which can be framed perfectly within the heart of the Gateway Arch while taking pictures, is another of St. Louis’ most famous landmarks. The Courthouse, which is nearing a grand reopening following a multi-year renovation process, is where the Dred Scott case was tried. The National Blues Museum and the Anheuser-Busch Brewery are also located in downtown St. Louis and not too far from the stadium. The museum celebrates St. Louis’ rich history with blues music, including being the home to Chuck Berry, Donny Hathaway and Josephine Baker. As for the brewery, which is approximately two miles from the stadium, tours and the freshest samples of the product are available to those who are at least 21 years of age.
Where to stay
There are several hotels in downtown St. Louis that are within walking distance of Busch Stadium. Live at Loews is just across the street from Busch Stadium’s team store and it is just steps away from Ballpark Village, which is packed with several pregame and postgame dining and entertainment options. The Westin, a Marriott property, is also just across the street from Busch Stadium. Visiting teams often stay at this property and it has been known for years as a haven for autograph seekers. Because of the proximity to the stadium, opposing players often walk to and from the ballpark, giving fans ample opportunities to catch glimpses of their favorite stars up close and personal.
