2011 St. Louis Cardinals season
Encyclopedia
The St. Louis Cardinals
' 2011 season
was the 130th season for the franchise in St. Louis, Missouri
, the 120th season in the National League
, and the sixth season at Busch Stadium III
. The Cardinals began their season at home against the San Diego Padres
on March 31, coming off a 86-76 (.531) season and second place in the NL Central. They returned to postseason play in 2011 (after missing out in 2010) as the Wild Card team, and beat the Philadelphia Phillies
in five games in the Division Series
and the Milwaukee Brewers
in six games in the National League Championship Series
. They defeated the Texas Rangers
in the 2011 World Series
in seven games.
Andrew N. "Drew" Baur
died suddenly at his home at 66, in Gulf Stream, Florida
on February 20, 2011.
decided to return for his 16th season with the Cardinals after agreeing to terms for a new one-year contract, and a mutual option for a second year. Bullpen coach Marty Mason
was not retained, but all the other coaches returned with extended contracts.
On November 2, 2010, the team named a new bullpen coach (replacing Mason) Derek Lilliquist
, who was the team's pitching coordinator for the last three seasons. In another change announced that day, Greg Hauck was promoted to head athletic trainer, while longtime head trainer Barry Weinberg assumed duties as assistant athletic trainer.
.
On November 30, 2010, the Cardinals traded pitcher Blake Hawksworth
for middle-infielder Ryan Theriot
in a trade with Dodgers. They also signed free agent
left-handed relief pitcher Brian Tallet
. On December 12 the Cardinals cleared a space for Theriot at shortstop by trading incumbent shortstop Brendan Ryan
to the Seattle Mariners
for Class-A prospect Maikel Cleto
.
On December 4, 2010, the Cardinals signed 34-yr-old free agent
Lance Berkman
(formerly with the Houston Astros
and then Yankees in 2010) to a 1-yr. $8 mil. deal. Berkman was slated to play right field. The acquisition of Berkman would eventually prove to be key to the 2011 season. Berkman, who had slumped to a .248 average in 2010 and had hit particularly poorly after his midseason trade to the New York Yankees, hit 31 home runs for the Cardinals in 2011 and was named NL Comeback Player of the Year.
On December 14, 2010, the St. Louis Cardinals
signed free agent
catcher
Gerald Laird
to a one-year contract.
On January 15, 2011, Albert Pujols
through his agent Dan Lozano, told the Cardinals that the date to report to Spring Training (Feb. 18) was the deadline to reach a deal on a new contract. Negotiations failed to produce a deal, and on February 16 Pujols suspended negotiations, citing an unwillingness to be distracted during the season, including Spring Training. Pujols received $16 mil. in 2011 and $111 mil. over his previous eight seasons. Pujols had asked for a 10-year deal, worth up to $300 million, averaging $30 mil. per year.
On January 21, 2011, the Cardinals signed a free agent
backup infielder Nick Punto
to a one-year contract for $750,000.
In a surprise announcement on February 4, the Cardinals signed former Cardinal Jim Edmonds
(2000–2007) to a minor-league contract, and an invitation to Spring Training as a non-roster invitee. He hit 241 home runs (4th in rank) as a Cardinal in his eight years, made three All-Star teams (2000, 2003, 2005), and won six Gold Gloves
(2000–05). He needs seven home runs to reach the career 400 level. On February 18 Edmonds announced his retirement from baseball, citing the risk of permanent damage in his comeback from Achilles tendon
surgery.
after he vested his option with his 45th appearance in 2010 (57 G), and finished the season healthy.
On Nov. 16, 2010, the Cardinals signed free agent pitcher Jake Westbrook
to a two-year deal through 2012 for $16.5 mil., with a mutual option for 2013, and a full no-trade clause. The Cardinals had previously acquired Westbrook in a 2010 trade that sent Ryan Ludwick
to the Padres.
On Jan. 15, 2011, the Cardinals agreed to a one-year contract with reliever Kyle McClellan
in avoiding arbitration. Salary was not announced.
The Cardinals suffered a severe setback at the beginning of spring training. On Feb. 24, 2011, it was confirmed that ace pitcher Adam Wainwright
needed Tommy John surgery
on his right elbow after experiencing discomfort in throwing batting practice on February 21. It meant missing, at a minimum, the entirety of the 2011 season. Wainwright was coming off a career year in 2010 in which he won a career-high 20 games, made the All-Star game and finished second in National League Cy Young Award
voting. The Feb. 28 surgery on Wainwright in St. Louis was described as 'successful'.
All Times are Central Time (CT)
Home Games, and those with the Florida Marlins at Roger Dean Stadium
(Jupiter, Florida
).
(ss) = split squad games
The Cardinals released their 2011 Spring Training schedule on Dec. 3, 2010.
The scheduled exhibition game on Mar. 29, vs. their AA-level Springfield Cardinals
team was canceled the day before due to predicted bad weather.
|-
! colspan="3" | Legend
|-
! bgcolor="bbffbb" | Cardinals WIN
! bgcolor="ffbbbb" | Cardinals LOSS
! bgcolor="bbbbbb" | Game POSTPONED / TIE
>
hit what looked to be the game-winning home run in the bottom of the 8th, but closer
Ryan Franklin
gave up a game-tying home run in that 9th inning, sending the game to extra innings. The Padres scored twice in the 11th to win 5-3. It was a sign of things to come for Franklin in 2011.
That evening, Holliday complained of pains, leading to an emergency appendectomy the next day. After missing only seven games while recuperating from surgery, Holliday returned to the lineup on April 10, singling and drawing two walks in a 6-1 victory over the Giants.
Lance Berkman
received the NL Player of the Week award on April 18, batting .417 (10-for-24), leading the majors with six HRs, 12 RBIs, and 1.167 Slugging percentage.
Matt Holliday
(.408) and Lance Berkman
(.393) were 1-3 respectively in the NL batting lead after the first month of the season ended, April 30. Holliday also led the NL in OBP (.511), and Berkman led the NL in both slugging (.753) and OPS (1.207).
The Cardinals recovered from a 2-6 start to finish in first place (16-11) by two games over the Reds at the end of April, and the entire team was also #1 in sweeping all three NL hitting percentages at .295/.362/.451, boasting a .812 OPS and also leading in hits (281), runs (144) total bases (429), and also struckout the least times (168). All those baserunners led to them also leading in grounding into the most double plays (36), with Albert Pujols
(.245/.305/.453, .758 OPS) owning the NL lead with nine.
The Cardinals rose to first place in the standings despite major problems in the bullpen. Closer Ryan Franklin
blew four of his first five save opportunities and the Cardinals lost all four of those games. Franklin never got another save opportunity after blowing a save against the Dodgers on April 17, and finished the month with a 10.12 ERA. Mitchell Boggs
got the call as closer and recorded three saves before blowing another save (leading to another Cardinals blown-save loss) against Houston on April 26. Left-handed reliever Trever Miller was hit for an .899 OPS by opposition batters in April.
The Cardinals continued to search for an effective closer in May. Rookie Eduardo Sanchez filled the role for a while in early May, then Fernando Salas took the job and recorded seven saves in seven chances in the second half of the month.
Jaime Garcia
flirted with history on May 6, pitching 7.1 IP of perfect baseball against the Milwaukee Brewers
at home, winding up with a 2-hit, complete-game shutout (his 2nd of 2011), after losing his perfect bid with first a walk and then a hit in the 8th inning. He later gave up a double in the 9th for the only runner to reach second base. He walked only one, while striking out eight and helped by a double-play in the eighth to preserve his shutout, the third of his career. He was bidding for the first perfect game in Cardinals' history, and the first no-hitter since Bud Smith
on September 3, 2001.
The Cardinals were a strong 17-12 in May and finished the month 2.5 games ahead of the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central despite numerous injuries to key players. Albert Pujols struggled through a most uncharacteristic slump at the start of the season, going a career-worst 105 at-bats without a home run and finishing May with an unusually low .755 OPS for the first two months. Tony LaRussa, suffering from a severe case of shingles
, missed six games, with bench coach Joe Pettini
serving as acting manager.
Tony La Russa
managed his 5,000th major league game (2,676-2,320-4 0.536) on June 10, but the milestone was marred by a shutout loss at Milwaukee
. He joins Connie Mack
as the only manager or coach in American sports history to reach 5,000 games.
On June 19, Albert Pujols
hurt his wrist when an opposing player ran into him when Pujols was taking an errant throw from second baseman Peter Kozma
. A subsequent MRI on June 20, showed a small fracture in the left wrist-forearm. Pujols estimated time on the DL was expected to be from four to six weeks. He had played in all 73 games before the injury.
Pujols' injury was 14th time the Cardinals have used the disabled list this season for 12 different players, already more than they used all of last year. He joined Wainwright, Freese, Nick Punto, Allen Craig, Gerald Laird, Bryan Augenstein
and Eduardo Sanchez on the DL.
Left-handed reliever Raul Valdes
was promoted from AAA Memphis on June 23. Valdes became the third lefty in the struggling bullpen, joining Trever Miller
and Brian Tallet
. Disabled players David Freese
(3b) and Nick Punto
(Inf.), both out for over a month, were activated on June 27, providing relief for the injury-riddled team. Freese last played on May 1, and Punto on May 17. Both players made instant impacts in their first game returning when they helped beat the Baltimore Orioles
at Camden Yards in their first interleague game there.
Late in June the Cardinals cleared two ineffective relief pitchers from the roster. Miguel Batista
, who had given up 27 hits and 19 walks in only 29 innings, was let go on June 22. Former closer Ryan Franklin
was given his unconditional release on June 29. He was 1-4 with a 8.46 ERA. Opponents battered him for a .367 average, plus 44 hits and nine home runs over 21 games, in only 27 2/3 innings. He walked 7 and struckout 17, with a 1.84 WHIP Right-handed pitcher Brandon Dickson
's contract was called-up to fill the roster spot vacated by Franklin's release.
After 81 games on June 29, the half-way point of the season, the team was 43-38 (.531) only 1 game behind the Milwaukee Brewers at 44-37 (.543). The Cardinals played very poorly for much of June, going 3-12 from June 10 to June 26.
out for 6-to-8 weeks projecting an August 1 return, a reevaluation follow-up from a CT scan on July 1 showed faster recovery than originally thought, raising the possibility of a return by July 15, right after the All-Star break. However, Pujols surprised everyone by recovering very rapidly, and he was activated on July 5, after the minimum 15-days on the DL. Lefty reliever Brian Tallet
was placed on the DL to make room for Pujols.
The team made a major trade on July 27, a four-for-four swap, dealing disgruntled Colby Rasmus
(hitting only .246), left-handed relievers Trever Miller
and Brian Tallet
, and starter P.J. Walters to the Toronto Blue Jays
. In return, the team received right-hand starter Edwin Jackson
, left-hand specialist Marc Rzepczynski
, right-hand reliever Octavio Dotel
, and outfielder Corey Patterson
. The team will also receive either three players to be named later, or cash. Jackson was traded earlier the day from the Chicago White Sox
to the Blue Jays. Rasmus had previously asked to be traded away from the Cardinals, and at the time of the trade he was mired in a severe slump that saw him hitting .194 since May 12. Jon Jay, who had been getting more playing time as Rasmus struggled, became the everyday center fielder. Kyle McClellan, promoted to the starting rotation to fill the gap caused by the loss of Adam Wainwright, returned to the bullpen.
Pujols got his 2,000th career hit on July 29, at Busch Stadium against the Cubs in the eighth inning with an RBI double. He became the fifth Cardinal to get to 2,000 hits, joining Stan Musial
(3,630), Lou Brock
(2,713), Rogers Hornsby
(2,110), and Enos Slaughter
(2,064). He got it in his 1,650th game, the 12th quickest. Musial got his in 1,507 games.
The team made another trade on July 31, just before the non-waiver deadline, acquiring shortstop Rafael Furcal
from the Los Angeles Dodgers
in return for an AA-outfielder Alex Castellanos
. Furcal displaced offseason acquisition Ryan Theriot, who committed 17 errors at shortstop for the Cardinals in 2011.
, previously released by the Texas Rangers. The Rhodes acquisition completed a radical in-season makeover of the Cardinal bullpen. The only Cardinal relievers in the bullpen on Opening Day who were still on the team at the end of the season were Mitchell Boggs and Jason Motte. Departures included Miguel Batista and Ryan Franklin (released), Bryan Augenstein (disabled and later sent to the minors) and lefty specialists Trever Miller and Brian Tallet (traded to Toronto). Additions over the course of the season included Rhodes, Marc Rzepcynski and Octavio Dotel (acquired from Toronto in the Rasmus trade), Kyle McClellan (sent back to the bullpen after the Cardinals traded for Edwin Jackson), and Lance Lynn and Fernando Salas (called up from the minor leagues).
At the beginning of the month the Cardinals were 2.5 games behind the Brewers in the standings. However, they lost two of three to Milwaukee on the road Aug. 1-3, then did the same at home on Aug. 9-11, giving the Brewers a four-game lead in the NL Central. The team continued to stumble as the Brewers continued to win. Newly acquired shortstop Furcal hit only .240 for the month. The Cardinals went 2-4 on a six-game road trip to Pittsburgh and Chicago, then came home and were swept in three games by a bad Dodger team. After close of business on August 24, the day the Dodgers completed their sweep, St. Louis had fallen ten games behind Milwaukee in the NL Central standings and 10.5 games behind the Atlanta Braves (and in third place) in the NL Wild Card standings. St. Louis' odds of making the playoffs stood at 1.3%.
The sweep by Los Angeles dropped the Cardinals to 67-63. They ended the month on a positive note, taking three of four from the Pirates and sweeping the Brewers in Milwaukee Aug. 30-Sept. 1, improving their chances of making the playoffs to 4.3%.
After dropping two of three to the Reds the Cardinals played their last series of the season against Milwaukee Sept. 5-7. St. Louis took two out of three and thus won five of its last six games against the Brewers, but Milwaukee still held a lead of 8.5 games. The Cardinals got as close as 4.5 games behind the Brewers later in September but Milwaukee played too well to be caught, clinching the Central Division championship on Sept. 23.
The same was not true of the wild-card leading Atlanta Braves. 10.5 games ahead of the Cardinals on August 24, Atlanta went only 6-7 over its next 13 games before coming to St. Louis on Sept. 9 to play a three-game series that would prove to be critical. In the first game, Atlanta led 3-1 going into the bottom of the ninth inning, but a Schumaker single and walks to Furcal and Theriot set up a two-run, two-out Albert Pujols single to tie the game. The Cardinals won on a sacrifice fly by Nick Punto in the bottom of the 10th. On Sept. 10 St. Louis won by the same 4-3 score when Michael Bourn flied out to right with the tying run on third. On the 11th Yadier Molina hit a three-run double and the Cardinals won 6-3 to complete the sweep. The sweep cut the gap in the wild-card race to 4.5 games, but St. Louis had only 16 games left to play and its playoff chances were still only 7.7%.
The Cardinals followed up their sweep of Atlanta by going on the road to Pittsburgh and Philadelphia and taking two of three from the Pirates and three of four from the NL-leading (and eventually 102-game-winner) Phillies. On the 14th Yadier Molina hit a two-run double and the Cardinals beat Pittsburgh 3-2 behind 6.2 strong innings from Edwin Jackson. On the 16th an error by right fielder Corey Patterson allowed the Phillies to tie the game 2-2 in the bottom of the ninth, but the Cardinals scored on RBI hits from rookie Adron Chambers
and Tyler Greene in the 11th and hung on to win 4-2. On the 19th the Cardinals escaped with a 4-3 victory over the Phillies when Octavio Dotel got Hunter Pence
to ground out in the bottom of the ninth with the tying run on base. The Braves went 3-4 over this same stretch of games, losing to the Marlins on Sept. 19 when Omar Infante
hit a game-winning two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning. The gap in the wild-card standings had decreased to 2.5 games but with only nine games left the Cardinals' playoff chances were still only 17.7%.
The Cardinals then won two of three at home against the Mets, but suffered a bitterly disappointing loss in the third game of that series, when a Rafael Furcal error in the top of the 9th helped open the gates and the Mets scored six runs off the Cardinals to win 8-6. The Braves led by two games with six games left and the Cardinals' playoff chances were 24.4%. The Cardinals won two of three against the Cubs, winning 2-1 on Sept. 24 via a bases-loaded walk and wild pitch by Carlos Marmol
, while the Braves lost two of three to the Nationals. Atlanta had a one-game lead with three games left.
The Cardinals lost in extra innings to the terrible Houston Astros (who finished the year at 56-106) on the 26th but Atlanta lost to the Phillies. On the 27th St. Louis overcame a bad start by Jake Westbrook and a 5-0 deficit, scoring five in the fourth and four more in the seventh and winning 13-6. The winning runs came via a two-run triple from Ryan Theriot. Atlanta lost to Philadelphia again, and with one game left in the season the Cardinals and Braves were tied for the wild card. In the season finale the Cardinals had little trouble with the Astros, winning 8-0 behind a complete game two-hit shutout from Carpenter. The Braves, who played later, were two outs away from forcing a tie-breaker game, but a Chase Utley sacrifice fly tied the game 3-3 in the top of the ninth. In the bottom of the 12th the Braves stranded the winning run on third base. Finally, in the 13th inning Hunter Pence hit an RBI infield single, and in the bottom of the inning Freddie Freeman of the Braves hit into a double play to lose the ballgame and eliminate Atlanta.
The Cardinals had won the NL Wild Card in what became one of the greatest late-season comebacks in the history of baseball. They went 23-9 over their final 32 games to erase a 10.5 game deficit. They went 18-8 in the month of September while the Braves went 9-18 for September to open the door. St. Louis finished 90-72 and advanced to the postseason to face the NL East champion Philadelphia Phillies.
for the first time in postseason, in the NL Division Series best of five, starting the first two games at Citizens Bank Park
in Philadelphia
.
The famous Rally Squirrel
(aka, 'Busch Squirrel'), made his first appearance in Game 3 on October 4, and then again appeared in Game 4 on October 5, running across Home Plate at Busch Stadium in front of Skip Schumaker
who was batting. The team was ahead at the time, 3-2, and held on for the 5-3 victory. The Rally Squirrel was instantly adopted by the fans as the mascot, and thousands of rally squirrel t-shirts were sold. His Twitter
account started, and by October 6 it had over 11,000 followers; by October 20, it had over 27,500 followers.
The October 7, Game 5 winner-take-all in the NLDS pitted Cardinals' ace Chris Carpenter
vs. Roy Halladay
, his best friend off-the-field for the Phillies, at Citizens Bank Park. Carpenter threw an outstanding 3-hit shutout over Halladay and the Phillies to win the NLDS, 1-0.
On Sunday, October 16, the Cardinals beat the Milwaukee Brewers
in Game 6 of the National League Championship Series
, for their 18th NL Pennant, and became the only team to play in three of the last ten World Series. David Freese
was named NLCS MVP.
The Cardinals, facing the Texas Rangers
in the World Series
, pulled-off one of the greatest comeback game wins in World Series history, with an amazing Game 6, winning 10-9 in 11 innings after twice being one strike away from elimination. David Freese
hit a two-out, two-strike, ninth-inning triple, to tie the game after trailing 7-5. Later, with the score tied 9-9, Freese hit a lead-off walk-off home run
to dead centerfield in the 11th, off Mark Lowe
at 11:39pm CDT. Lance Berkman
had previously tied the game in the 10th with a single with 2-outs and 2-strikes, scoring Jon Jay
. The win meant that the World Series would go to a seventh game for the first time since 2002
. Of the last 13 Major League teams that won Game 6 at home to force a Game 7 in the postseason, 12 went on to win Game 7. The Rangers led 4 different times in the game, including with two outs and two strikes in both the ninth and the 10th but the Cardinals refused to die.
Freese's game-winning home run was only the fifth in World Series Game 6 history (1960-Pit., 1975-Bos., 1991-Min., 1993-Tor).
The Cardinals set two records in their Game 6 win: the first team to come back twice from deficits in both the 9th and 10th innings, and the first team to score in the 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th innings.
In addition to the records set in Game Six, during Game Three Albert Pujols
joined Reggie Jackson
and Babe Ruth
as the only players to hit three home-runs in a World Series game. His 14 total bases and four hits in consecutive innings both set World Series records. And his six RBIs matched a World Series record.
On October 28, the Cardinals finished off their amazing, end-of-season run which started after the Aug. 24 game when they were 10 games behind for the NL Central Division lead. They defeated the Texas Rangers
4 games to 3, with a 6-2 win in Game 7 of the World Series at their Busch Stadium
home in front of 47,399 fans. David Freese
, graduating from a St. Louis high school (Lafayette High), won the MVP award for both the NLCS
, and then for the World Series. He knocked in a record 21 RBIs in his post-season. Chris Carpenter
set a franchise record for most wins (four) in a single postseason. Carpenter, 9-2 overall in his Cardinals postseason career, ran his home postseason mark to 7-0 with a 2.15 ERA. Tony La Russa
became only the ninth manager in major-league history to win at least three World Series.
It was a team win ("Team of the Living Dead"), and the 36th time a team won the World Series in a Game 7 (or Game 8).
On October 31, three days after winning the World Series, manager Tony La Russa
announced his retirement. He finishes his career after 33 seasons, third in all time managerial wins and second all time in post season wins.
On November 13, the Cardinals announced that former Cardinals' catcher Mike Matheny
as their new manager with a news conference on November 14.
On November 16, MLB announced that Tony La Russa
came in third in voting for NL Manager of the Year. Kirk Gibson
(Arizona Diamondbacks
) in his first season won, and Ron Roenicke (Milwaukee Brewers
) came in second.
on March 31.
Regular Season Schedule (calendar style)
Regular Season Schedule (sortable text)
All game times are in Central Time Zone
.
|-
! colspan="3" | Legend
|-
! bgcolor="bbffbb" | Cardinals WIN
! bgcolor="ffbbbb" | Cardinals LOSS
! bgcolor="bbbbbb" | Game POSTPONED / TIE
>
(N.L.) over Texas Rangers
(A.L.)
for the seven games was 10.0, with Fox's 14.7 rating for Game 7 being the network's highest for a World Series telecast since Game 4 of the 2004 World Series.
Game 6 on Oct. 27, averaged 21.1 million viewers with a 12.7 rating and a 21 share. Through six games, the 2011 World Series on FOX is averaging a 9.3/15 in household rating/share, with 15.3 million viewers, +11% in rating over last year (8.4/14, 14.3 million) and 2008 (8.4/14, 13.6 million). Both were five game series. The current 9.3/15 average for the 2011 World Series would rank as the sixth highest-rated show (live+same day) in primetime, a ranking that is likely to improve with the inclusion of tonight’s rare Game 7. Game 6 opened with an 8.5 at 8:00 PM EDT and grew steadily throughout the night averaging 11.7 from 9:00-9:30 PM EDT; 12.9 from 10:00-10:30 PM EDT; and 13.2 from 11:00-11-30 PM EDT. The broadcast peaked with a 15.0 HH rating and 25.2 million viewers from midnight-12:30 AM EDT.
From 8:00 to 11:00 PM EDT, Game 6 averaged an 11.8 HH rating, with 19.4 million viewers. From 11:00 PM EDT to its conclusion, the game averaged a 14.3 HH rating, with 23.9 million viewers, +21% in rating and +23% in viewership compared to Primetime. Post mid-night, the game averaged a 14.8 rating and 24.9 million viewers, +25% in rating and +28% in average audience.
St. Louis led all local markets for Game 6 with a 49.4/70, peaking at a 57.0/75 from 10:30-11:00 PM EDT, with the final quarter hour averaging a 53.1/82. Dallas averaged a World Series-high 47.1/67, while peaking at 55.7/81 from 11:15-11:30 PM EDT.
Bold indicates that the Cardinals have finished their season schedule with an opponent.
(through September 28, FINAL)
Cardinals HITTING statistics
Sortable TEAM HITTING statistics
* Currently not on active roster
† Suspended, on 15-day disabled or rehab list
^ Traded away from Cardinals
BOLD / #1 = Leading 16 NL teams
(through September 28, FINAL)
Cardinals PITCHING statistics
Sortable TEAM PITCHING Statistics
* not on active roster
† on 15-day disabled list
†† on 60-day disabled list
Bold = leading NL
"Bullpen Briefs" (through Sep. 28, no relievers needed that day)
28-30, 3.61 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 463.1 IP, 416 H, 210 R, 186 ER, 49 HR 170 BB, 421 SO
Saves/Opp: 47/73 (64.4%) 1st Batter / Retired: 329/462 (71.2%)
Holds: 84 Inherited Runners/Scored: 68/231 (29.4%)
(through Sep. 26, last loss)
Games lost by bullpen: 30 Salas
(6), Franklin
(4), Dotel
(3), Rzepczynski
(3), Boggs
(3), Motte
(2), Batista
(2), Tallet
(1), Augenstein
(1), Sánchez
(1), Miller
(1), Valdes
(1), Rhodes
(1), McClellan
(1)
Blown Saves by bullpen: 24 Salas
(6), Motte
(4), Franklin
(4), Boggs
(3), Miller
(2), Sánchez
(2), McClellan
(1), Batista
(1), Rzepczynski
(1)
Home 45-36 (.556)
Away 45-36 (.556)
Scoring first 64-36
Opp. scores first 26-36
Scoring more than 3 runs 70-29
Scoring 3 runs 13-14
Scoring fewer than 3 runs 7-29
Leading after 7 innings 68-9
Tied after 7 innings 12-14
Trailing after 7 innings 10-49
Leading after 8 innings 77-7
Tied after 8 innings 9-13
Trailing after 8 innings 4-52
In errorless games 55-27
In error-made games 35-45
Extra innings 8-13
Shutouts 9-8
One-run games 26-23
Out-hit opponents 58-15
Same hits as opponents 14-4
Out-hit by opponents 18-53
Runs via HR 262 (34.4% of total)
Opp. Runs via HR 229 (33.1% of total)
By Day
Mon. 6-9
Tue. 16-8
Wed. 11-15
Thu. 14-6
Fri. 14-11
Sat. 13-13
Sun. 16-10
By Opponent
DIVISION
HOME ROAD TOTAL
NL Central 25-15 19-20 44-35
NL East 12-6 10-7 22-13
NL West 6-11 10-6 16-17
AL East 0-3 4-2 4-5
AL Central 2-1 2-1 4-2
TOTALS 45-36 45-36 90-72
(Interleague 8-7)
2011 (100 = Neutral Park, > 100 Ballpark favors, < 100 Ballpark inhibits)
81 HOME G; Cardinals: 2,646 AB; Opponents: 2,801 AB
81 AWAY G: Cardinals: 2,886 AB; Opponents: 2,807 AB
162 G Cardinals: 5,532 AB; Opponents: 5,608 AB
BA 92
R 90
H 88
2B 85
3B 66
HR 81
BB 106
SO 97
E 89
E-inf. 83
LHB-BA 94
LHB-HR 93
RHB-BA 91
RHB-HR 74
BA .273 (HOME .270 ROAD .277)
(Opponents BA: at StL .242 at their Home .279)
2009–2011 Index (3-yr. composite)
HOME 243 G; Cardinals: 7,986 AB; Opponents: 8,371 AB)
BA 96
R 92
H 94
2B 92
3B 76
HR 77
BB 107
SO 98
E 104
E-inf. 103
LHB-BA 97
LHB-HR 86
RHB-BA 95
RHB-HR 73
BA-Home .268
BA-Road .265
Opp.-Busch .247
Opp.-at their HOME .270
-----
The St. Louis Cardinals
' 2011 season
was the 130th season for the franchise in St. Louis, Missouri
, the 120th season in the National League
, and the sixth season at Busch Stadium III
. The Cardinals began their season at home against the San Diego Padres
on March 31, coming off a 86-76 (.531) season and second place in the NL Central. They returned to postseason play in 2011 (after missing out in 2010) as the Wild Card team, and beat the Philadelphia Phillies
in five games in the Division Series
and the Milwaukee Brewers
in six games in the National League Championship Series
. They defeated the Texas Rangers
in the 2011 World Series
in seven games.
Andrew N. "Drew" Baur
died suddenly at his home at 66, in Gulf Stream, Florida
on February 20, 2011.
decided to return for his 16th season with the Cardinals after agreeing to terms for a new one-year contract, and a mutual option for a second year. Bullpen coach Marty Mason
was not retained, but all the other coaches returned with extended contracts.
On November 2, 2010, the team named a new bullpen coach (replacing Mason) Derek Lilliquist
, who was the team's pitching coordinator for the last three seasons. In another change announced that day, Greg Hauck was promoted to head athletic trainer, while longtime head trainer Barry Weinberg assumed duties as assistant athletic trainer.
.
On November 30, 2010, the Cardinals traded pitcher Blake Hawksworth
for middle-infielder Ryan Theriot
in a trade with Dodgers. They also signed free agent
left-handed relief pitcher Brian Tallet
. On December 12 the Cardinals cleared a space for Theriot at shortstop by trading incumbent shortstop Brendan Ryan
to the Seattle Mariners
for Class-A prospect Maikel Cleto
.
On December 4, 2010, the Cardinals signed 34-yr-old free agent
Lance Berkman
(formerly with the Houston Astros
and then Yankees in 2010) to a 1-yr. $8 mil. deal. Berkman was slated to play right field. The acquisition of Berkman would eventually prove to be key to the 2011 season. Berkman, who had slumped to a .248 average in 2010 and had hit particularly poorly after his midseason trade to the New York Yankees, hit 31 home runs for the Cardinals in 2011 and was named NL Comeback Player of the Year.
On December 14, 2010, the St. Louis Cardinals
signed free agent
catcher
Gerald Laird
to a one-year contract.
On January 15, 2011, Albert Pujols
through his agent Dan Lozano, told the Cardinals that the date to report to Spring Training (Feb. 18) was the deadline to reach a deal on a new contract. Negotiations failed to produce a deal, and on February 16 Pujols suspended negotiations, citing an unwillingness to be distracted during the season, including Spring Training. Pujols received $16 mil. in 2011 and $111 mil. over his previous eight seasons. Pujols had asked for a 10-year deal, worth up to $300 million, averaging $30 mil. per year.
On January 21, 2011, the Cardinals signed a free agent
backup infielder Nick Punto
to a one-year contract for $750,000.
In a surprise announcement on February 4, the Cardinals signed former Cardinal Jim Edmonds
(2000–2007) to a minor-league contract, and an invitation to Spring Training as a non-roster invitee. He hit 241 home runs (4th in rank) as a Cardinal in his eight years, made three All-Star teams (2000, 2003, 2005), and won six Gold Gloves
(2000–05). He needs seven home runs to reach the career 400 level. On February 18 Edmonds announced his retirement from baseball, citing the risk of permanent damage in his comeback from Achilles tendon
surgery.
after he vested his option with his 45th appearance in 2010 (57 G), and finished the season healthy.
On Nov. 16, 2010, the Cardinals signed free agent pitcher Jake Westbrook
to a two-year deal through 2012 for $16.5 mil., with a mutual option for 2013, and a full no-trade clause. The Cardinals had previously acquired Westbrook in a 2010 trade that sent Ryan Ludwick
to the Padres.
On Jan. 15, 2011, the Cardinals agreed to a one-year contract with reliever Kyle McClellan
in avoiding arbitration. Salary was not announced.
The Cardinals suffered a severe setback at the beginning of spring training. On Feb. 24, 2011, it was confirmed that ace pitcher Adam Wainwright
needed Tommy John surgery
on his right elbow after experiencing discomfort in throwing batting practice on February 21. It meant missing, at a minimum, the entirety of the 2011 season. Wainwright was coming off a career year in 2010 in which he won a career-high 20 games, made the All-Star game and finished second in National League Cy Young Award
voting. The Feb. 28 surgery on Wainwright in St. Louis was described as 'successful'.
St. Louis Cardinals Spring Training Schedule
All Times are Central Time (CT)
Home Games, and those with the Florida Marlins at Roger Dean Stadium
(Jupiter, Florida
).
(ss) = split squad games
The Cardinals released their 2011 Spring Training schedule on Dec. 3, 2010.
The scheduled exhibition game on Mar. 29, vs. their AA-level Springfield Cardinals
team was canceled the day before due to predicted bad weather.
|-
! colspan="3" | Legend
|-
! bgcolor="bbffbb" | Cardinals WIN
! bgcolor="ffbbbb" | Cardinals LOSS
! bgcolor="bbbbbb" | Game POSTPONED / TIE
hit what looked to be the game-winning home run in the bottom of the 8th, but closer
Ryan Franklin
gave up a game-tying home run in that 9th inning, sending the game to extra innings. The Padres scored twice in the 11th to win 5-3. It was a sign of things to come for Franklin in 2011.
That evening, Holliday complained of pains, leading to an emergency appendectomy the next day. After missing only seven games while recuperating from surgery, Holliday returned to the lineup on April 10, singling and drawing two walks in a 6-1 victory over the Giants.
Lance Berkman
received the NL Player of the Week award on April 18, batting .417 (10-for-24), leading the majors with six HRs, 12 RBIs, and 1.167 Slugging percentage.
Matt Holliday
(.408) and Lance Berkman
(.393) were 1-3 respectively in the NL batting lead after the first month of the season ended, April 30. Holliday also led the NL in OBP (.511), and Berkman led the NL in both slugging (.753) and OPS (1.207).
The Cardinals recovered from a 2-6 start to finish in first place (16-11) by two games over the Reds at the end of April, and the entire team was also #1 in sweeping all three NL hitting percentages at .295/.362/.451, boasting a .812 OPS and also leading in hits (281), runs (144) total bases (429), and also struckout the least times (168). All those baserunners led to them also leading in grounding into the most double plays (36), with Albert Pujols
(.245/.305/.453, .758 OPS) owning the NL lead with nine.
The Cardinals rose to first place in the standings despite major problems in the bullpen. Closer Ryan Franklin
blew four of his first five save opportunities and the Cardinals lost all four of those games. Franklin never got another save opportunity after blowing a save against the Dodgers on April 17, and finished the month with a 10.12 ERA. Mitchell Boggs
got the call as closer and recorded three saves before blowing another save (leading to another Cardinals blown-save loss) against Houston on April 26. Left-handed reliever Trever Miller was hit for an .899 OPS by opposition batters in April.
The Cardinals continued to search for an effective closer in May. Rookie Eduardo Sanchez filled the role for a while in early May, then Fernando Salas took the job and recorded seven saves in seven chances in the second half of the month.
Jaime Garcia
flirted with history on May 6, pitching 7.1 IP of perfect baseball against the Milwaukee Brewers
at home, winding up with a 2-hit, complete-game shutout (his 2nd of 2011), after losing his perfect bid with first a walk and then a hit in the 8th inning. He later gave up a double in the 9th for the only runner to reach second base. He walked only one, while striking out eight and helped by a double-play in the eighth to preserve his shutout, the third of his career. He was bidding for the first perfect game in Cardinals' history, and the first no-hitter since Bud Smith
on September 3, 2001.
The Cardinals were a strong 17-12 in May and finished the month 2.5 games ahead of the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central despite numerous injuries to key players. Albert Pujols struggled through a most uncharacteristic slump at the start of the season, going a career-worst 105 at-bats without a home run and finishing May with an unusually low .755 OPS for the first two months. Tony LaRussa, suffering from a severe case of shingles
, missed six games, with bench coach Joe Pettini
serving as acting manager.
Tony La Russa
managed his 5,000th major league game (2,676-2,320-4 0.536) on June 10, but the milestone was marred by a shutout loss at Milwaukee
. He joins Connie Mack
as the only manager or coach in American sports history to reach 5,000 games.
On June 19, Albert Pujols
hurt his wrist when an opposing player ran into him when Pujols was taking an errant throw from second baseman Peter Kozma
. A subsequent MRI on June 20, showed a small fracture in the left wrist-forearm. Pujols estimated time on the DL was expected to be from four to six weeks. He had played in all 73 games before the injury.
Pujols' injury was 14th time the Cardinals have used the disabled list this season for 12 different players, already more than they used all of last year. He joined Wainwright, Freese, Nick Punto, Allen Craig, Gerald Laird, Bryan Augenstein
and Eduardo Sanchez on the DL.
Left-handed reliever Raul Valdes
was promoted from AAA Memphis on June 23. Valdes became the third lefty in the struggling bullpen, joining Trever Miller
and Brian Tallet
. Disabled players David Freese
(3b) and Nick Punto
(Inf.), both out for over a month, were activated on June 27, providing relief for the injury-riddled team. Freese last played on May 1, and Punto on May 17. Both players made instant impacts in their first game returning when they helped beat the Baltimore Orioles
at Camden Yards in their first interleague game there.
Late in June the Cardinals cleared two ineffective relief pitchers from the roster. Miguel Batista
, who had given up 27 hits and 19 walks in only 29 innings, was let go on June 22. Former closer Ryan Franklin
was given his unconditional release on June 29. He was 1-4 with a 8.46 ERA. Opponents battered him for a .367 average, plus 44 hits and nine home runs over 21 games, in only 27 2/3 innings. He walked 7 and struckout 17, with a 1.84 WHIP Right-handed pitcher Brandon Dickson
's contract was called-up to fill the roster spot vacated by Franklin's release.
After 81 games on June 29, the half-way point of the season, the team was 43-38 (.531) only 1 game behind the Milwaukee Brewers at 44-37 (.543). The Cardinals played very poorly for much of June, going 3-12 from June 10 to June 26.
out for 6-to-8 weeks projecting an August 1 return, a reevaluation follow-up from a CT scan on July 1 showed faster recovery than originally thought, raising the possibility of a return by July 15, right after the All-Star break. However, Pujols surprised everyone by recovering very rapidly, and he was activated on July 5, after the minimum 15-days on the DL. Lefty reliever Brian Tallet
was placed on the DL to make room for Pujols.
The team made a major trade on July 27, a four-for-four swap, dealing disgruntled Colby Rasmus
(hitting only .246), left-handed relievers Trever Miller
and Brian Tallet
, and starter P.J. Walters to the Toronto Blue Jays
. In return, the team received right-hand starter Edwin Jackson
, left-hand specialist Marc Rzepczynski
, right-hand reliever Octavio Dotel
, and outfielder Corey Patterson
. The team will also receive either three players to be named later, or cash. Jackson was traded earlier the day from the Chicago White Sox
to the Blue Jays. Rasmus had previously asked to be traded away from the Cardinals, and at the time of the trade he was mired in a severe slump that saw him hitting .194 since May 12. Jon Jay, who had been getting more playing time as Rasmus struggled, became the everyday center fielder. Kyle McClellan, promoted to the starting rotation to fill the gap caused by the loss of Adam Wainwright, returned to the bullpen.
Pujols got his 2,000th career hit on July 29, at Busch Stadium against the Cubs in the eighth inning with an RBI double. He became the fifth Cardinal to get to 2,000 hits, joining Stan Musial
(3,630), Lou Brock
(2,713), Rogers Hornsby
(2,110), and Enos Slaughter
(2,064). He got it in his 1,650th game, the 12th quickest. Musial got his in 1,507 games.
The team made another trade on July 31, just before the non-waiver deadline, acquiring shortstop Rafael Furcal
from the Los Angeles Dodgers
in return for an AA-outfielder Alex Castellanos
. Furcal displaced offseason acquisition Ryan Theriot, who committed 17 errors at shortstop for the Cardinals in 2011.
, previously released by the Texas Rangers. The Rhodes acquisition completed a radical in-season makeover of the Cardinal bullpen. The only Cardinal relievers in the bullpen on Opening Day who were still on the team at the end of the season were Mitchell Boggs and Jason Motte. Departures included Miguel Batista and Ryan Franklin (released), Bryan Augenstein (disabled and later sent to the minors) and lefty specialists Trever Miller and Brian Tallet (traded to Toronto). Additions over the course of the season included Rhodes, Marc Rzepcynski and Octavio Dotel (acquired from Toronto in the Rasmus trade), Kyle McClellan (sent back to the bullpen after the Cardinals traded for Edwin Jackson), and Lance Lynn and Fernando Salas (called up from the minor leagues).
At the beginning of the month the Cardinals were 2.5 games behind the Brewers in the standings. However, they lost two of three to Milwaukee on the road Aug. 1-3, then did the same at home on Aug. 9-11, giving the Brewers a four-game lead in the NL Central. The team continued to stumble as the Brewers continued to win. Newly acquired shortstop Furcal hit only .240 for the month. The Cardinals went 2-4 on a six-game road trip to Pittsburgh and Chicago, then came home and were swept in three games by a bad Dodger team. After close of business on August 24, the day the Dodgers completed their sweep, St. Louis had fallen ten games behind Milwaukee in the NL Central standings and 10.5 games behind the Atlanta Braves (and in third place) in the NL Wild Card standings. St. Louis' odds of making the playoffs stood at 1.3%.
The sweep by Los Angeles dropped the Cardinals to 67-63. They ended the month on a positive note, taking three of four from the Pirates and sweeping the Brewers in Milwaukee Aug. 30-Sept. 1, improving their chances of making the playoffs to 4.3%.
After dropping two of three to the Reds the Cardinals played their last series of the season against Milwaukee Sept. 5-7. St. Louis took two out of three and thus won five of its last six games against the Brewers, but Milwaukee still held a lead of 8.5 games. The Cardinals got as close as 4.5 games behind the Brewers later in September but Milwaukee played too well to be caught, clinching the Central Division championship on Sept. 23.
The same was not true of the wild-card leading Atlanta Braves. 10.5 games ahead of the Cardinals on August 24, Atlanta went only 6-7 over its next 13 games before coming to St. Louis on Sept. 9 to play a three-game series that would prove to be critical. In the first game, Atlanta led 3-1 going into the bottom of the ninth inning, but a Schumaker single and walks to Furcal and Theriot set up a two-run, two-out Albert Pujols single to tie the game. The Cardinals won on a sacrifice fly by Nick Punto in the bottom of the 10th. On Sept. 10 St. Louis won by the same 4-3 score when Michael Bourn flied out to right with the tying run on third. On the 11th Yadier Molina hit a three-run double and the Cardinals won 6-3 to complete the sweep. The sweep cut the gap in the wild-card race to 4.5 games, but St. Louis had only 16 games left to play and its playoff chances were still only 7.7%.
The Cardinals followed up their sweep of Atlanta by going on the road to Pittsburgh and Philadelphia and taking two of three from the Pirates and three of four from the NL-leading (and eventually 102-game-winner) Phillies. On the 14th Yadier Molina hit a two-run double and the Cardinals beat Pittsburgh 3-2 behind 6.2 strong innings from Edwin Jackson. On the 16th an error by right fielder Corey Patterson allowed the Phillies to tie the game 2-2 in the bottom of the ninth, but the Cardinals scored on RBI hits from rookie Adron Chambers
and Tyler Greene in the 11th and hung on to win 4-2. On the 19th the Cardinals escaped with a 4-3 victory over the Phillies when Octavio Dotel got Hunter Pence
to ground out in the bottom of the ninth with the tying run on base. The Braves went 3-4 over this same stretch of games, losing to the Marlins on Sept. 19 when Omar Infante
hit a game-winning two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning. The gap in the wild-card standings had decreased to 2.5 games but with only nine games left the Cardinals' playoff chances were still only 17.7%.
The Cardinals then won two of three at home against the Mets, but suffered a bitterly disappointing loss in the third game of that series, when a Rafael Furcal error in the top of the 9th helped open the gates and the Mets scored six runs off the Cardinals to win 8-6. The Braves led by two games with six games left and the Cardinals' playoff chances were 24.4%. The Cardinals won two of three against the Cubs, winning 2-1 on Sept. 24 via a bases-loaded walk and wild pitch by Carlos Marmol
, while the Braves lost two of three to the Nationals. Atlanta had a one-game lead with three games left.
The Cardinals lost in extra innings to the terrible Houston Astros (who finished the year at 56-106) on the 26th but Atlanta lost to the Phillies. On the 27th St. Louis overcame a bad start by Jake Westbrook and a 5-0 deficit, scoring five in the fourth and four more in the seventh and winning 13-6. The winning runs came via a two-run triple from Ryan Theriot. Atlanta lost to Philadelphia again, and with one game left in the season the Cardinals and Braves were tied for the wild card. In the season finale the Cardinals had little trouble with the Astros, winning 8-0 behind a complete game two-hit shutout from Carpenter. The Braves, who played later, were two outs away from forcing a tie-breaker game, but a Chase Utley sacrifice fly tied the game 3-3 in the top of the ninth. In the bottom of the 12th the Braves stranded the winning run on third base. Finally, in the 13th inning Hunter Pence hit an RBI infield single, and in the bottom of the inning Freddie Freeman of the Braves hit into a double play to lose the ballgame and eliminate Atlanta.
The Cardinals had won the NL Wild Card in what became one of the greatest late-season comebacks in the history of baseball. They went 23-9 over their final 32 games to erase a 10.5 game deficit. They went 18-8 in the month of September while the Braves went 9-18 for September to open the door. St. Louis finished 90-72 and advanced to the postseason to face the NL East champion Philadelphia Phillies.
for the first time in postseason, in the NL Division Series best of five, starting the first two games at Citizens Bank Park
in Philadelphia
.
The famous Rally Squirrel
(aka, 'Busch Squirrel'), made his first appearance in Game 3 on October 4, and then again appeared in Game 4 on October 5, running across Home Plate at Busch Stadium in front of Skip Schumaker
who was batting. The team was ahead at the time, 3-2, and held on for the 5-3 victory. The Rally Squirrel was instantly adopted by the fans as the mascot, and thousands of rally squirrel t-shirts were sold. His Twitter
account started, and by October 6 it had over 11,000 followers; by October 20, it had over 27,500 followers.
The October 7, Game 5 winner-take-all in the NLDS pitted Cardinals' ace Chris Carpenter
vs. Roy Halladay
, his best friend off-the-field for the Phillies, at Citizens Bank Park. Carpenter threw an outstanding 3-hit shutout over Halladay and the Phillies to win the NLDS, 1-0.
On Sunday, October 16, the Cardinals beat the Milwaukee Brewers
in Game 6 of the National League Championship Series
, for their 18th NL Pennant, and became the only team to play in three of the last ten World Series. David Freese
was named NLCS MVP.
The Cardinals, facing the Texas Rangers
in the World Series
, pulled-off one of the greatest comeback game wins in World Series history, with an amazing Game 6, winning 10-9 in 11 innings after twice being one strike away from elimination. David Freese
hit a two-out, two-strike, ninth-inning triple, to tie the game after trailing 7-5. Later, with the score tied 9-9, Freese hit a lead-off walk-off home run
to dead centerfield in the 11th, off Mark Lowe
at 11:39pm CDT. Lance Berkman
had previously tied the game in the 10th with a single with 2-outs and 2-strikes, scoring Jon Jay
. The win meant that the World Series would go to a seventh game for the first time since 2002
. Of the last 13 Major League teams that won Game 6 at home to force a Game 7 in the postseason, 12 went on to win Game 7. The Rangers led 4 different times in the game, including with two outs and two strikes in both the ninth and the 10th but the Cardinals refused to die.
Freese's game-winning home run was only the fifth in World Series Game 6 history (1960-Pit., 1975-Bos., 1991-Min., 1993-Tor).
The Cardinals set two records in their Game 6 win: the first team to come back twice from deficits in both the 9th and 10th innings, and the first team to score in the 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th innings.
In addition to the records set in Game Six, during Game Three Albert Pujols
joined Reggie Jackson
and Babe Ruth
as the only players to hit three home-runs in a World Series game. His 14 total bases and four hits in consecutive innings both set World Series records. And his six RBIs matched a World Series record.
On October 28, the Cardinals finished off their amazing, end-of-season run which started after the Aug. 24 game when they were 10 games behind for the NL Central Division lead. They defeated the Texas Rangers
4 games to 3, with a 6-2 win in Game 7 of the World Series at their Busch Stadium
home in front of 47,399 fans. David Freese
, graduating from a St. Louis high school (Lafayette High), won the MVP award for both the NLCS
, and then for the World Series. He knocked in a record 21 RBIs in his post-season. Chris Carpenter
set a franchise record for most wins (four) in a single postseason. Carpenter, 9-2 overall in his Cardinals postseason career, ran his home postseason mark to 7-0 with a 2.15 ERA. Tony La Russa
became only the ninth manager in major-league history to win at least three World Series.
It was a team win ("Team of the Living Dead"), and the 36th time a team won the World Series in a Game 7 (or Game 8).
On October 31, three days after winning the World Series, manager Tony La Russa
announced his retirement. He finishes his career after 33 seasons, third in all time managerial wins and second all time in post season wins.
On November 13, the Cardinals announced that former Cardinals' catcher Mike Matheny
as their new manager with a news conference on November 14.
On November 16, MLB announced that Tony La Russa
came in third in voting for NL Manager of the Year. Kirk Gibson
(Arizona Diamondbacks
) in his first season won, and Ron Roenicke (Milwaukee Brewers
) came in second.
on March 31.
Regular Season Schedule (calendar style)
Regular Season Schedule (sortable text)
All game times are in Central Time Zone
.
|-
! colspan="3" | Legend
|-
! bgcolor="bbffbb" | Cardinals WIN
! bgcolor="ffbbbb" | Cardinals LOSS
! bgcolor="bbbbbb" | Game POSTPONED / TIE
(N.L.) over Texas Rangers
(A.L.)
for the seven games was 10.0, with Fox's 14.7 rating for Game 7 being the network's highest for a World Series telecast since Game 4 of the 2004 World Series.
Game 6 on Oct. 27, averaged 21.1 million viewers with a 12.7 rating and a 21 share. Through six games, the 2011 World Series on FOX is averaging a 9.3/15 in household rating/share, with 15.3 million viewers, +11% in rating over last year (8.4/14, 14.3 million) and 2008 (8.4/14, 13.6 million). Both were five game series. The current 9.3/15 average for the 2011 World Series would rank as the sixth highest-rated show (live+same day) in primetime, a ranking that is likely to improve with the inclusion of tonight’s rare Game 7. Game 6 opened with an 8.5 at 8:00 PM EDT and grew steadily throughout the night averaging 11.7 from 9:00-9:30 PM EDT; 12.9 from 10:00-10:30 PM EDT; and 13.2 from 11:00-11-30 PM EDT. The broadcast peaked with a 15.0 HH rating and 25.2 million viewers from midnight-12:30 AM EDT.
From 8:00 to 11:00 PM EDT, Game 6 averaged an 11.8 HH rating, with 19.4 million viewers. From 11:00 PM EDT to its conclusion, the game averaged a 14.3 HH rating, with 23.9 million viewers, +21% in rating and +23% in viewership compared to Primetime. Post mid-night, the game averaged a 14.8 rating and 24.9 million viewers, +25% in rating and +28% in average audience.
St. Louis led all local markets for Game 6 with a 49.4/70, peaking at a 57.0/75 from 10:30-11:00 PM EDT, with the final quarter hour averaging a 53.1/82. Dallas averaged a World Series-high 47.1/67, while peaking at 55.7/81 from 11:15-11:30 PM EDT.
Bold indicates that the Cardinals have finished their season schedule with an opponent.
(through September 28, FINAL)
Cardinals HITTING statistics
Sortable TEAM HITTING statistics
* Currently not on active roster
† Suspended, on 15-day disabled or rehab list
^ Traded away from Cardinals
BOLD / #1 = Leading 16 NL teams
(through September 28, FINAL)
Cardinals PITCHING statistics
Sortable TEAM PITCHING Statistics
* not on active roster
† on 15-day disabled list
†† on 60-day disabled list
Bold = leading NL
"Bullpen Briefs" (through Sep. 28, no relievers needed that day)
28-30, 3.61 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 463.1 IP, 416 H, 210 R, 186 ER, 49 HR 170 BB, 421 SO
Saves/Opp: 47/73 (64.4%) 1st Batter / Retired: 329/462 (71.2%)
Holds: 84 Inherited Runners/Scored: 68/231 (29.4%)
(through Sep. 26, last loss)
Games lost by bullpen: 30 Salas
(6), Franklin
(4), Dotel
(3), Rzepczynski
(3), Boggs
(3), Motte
(2), Batista
(2), Tallet
(1), Augenstein
(1), Sánchez
(1), Miller
(1), Valdes
(1), Rhodes
(1), McClellan
(1)
Blown Saves by bullpen: 24 Salas
(6), Motte
(4), Franklin
(4), Boggs
(3), Miller
(2), Sánchez
(2), McClellan
(1), Batista
(1), Rzepczynski
(1)
Home 45-36 (.556)
Away 45-36 (.556)
Scoring first 64-36
Opp. scores first 26-36
Scoring more than 3 runs 70-29
Scoring 3 runs 13-14
Scoring fewer than 3 runs 7-29
Leading after 7 innings 68-9
Tied after 7 innings 12-14
Trailing after 7 innings 10-49
Leading after 8 innings 77-7
Tied after 8 innings 9-13
Trailing after 8 innings 4-52
In errorless games 55-27
In error-made games 35-45
Extra innings 8-13
Shutouts 9-8
One-run games 26-23
Out-hit opponents 58-15
Same hits as opponents 14-4
Out-hit by opponents 18-53
Runs via HR 262 (34.4% of total)
Opp. Runs via HR 229 (33.1% of total)
By Day
Mon. 6-9
Tue. 16-8
Wed. 11-15
Thu. 14-6
Fri. 14-11
Sat. 13-13
Sun. 16-10
By Opponent
DIVISION
HOME ROAD TOTAL
NL Central 25-15 19-20 44-35
NL East 12-6 10-7 22-13
NL West 6-11 10-6 16-17
AL East 0-3 4-2 4-5
AL Central 2-1 2-1 4-2
TOTALS 45-36 45-36 90-72
(Interleague 8-7)
2011 (100 = Neutral Park, > 100 Ballpark favors, < 100 Ballpark inhibits)
81 HOME G; Cardinals: 2,646 AB; Opponents: 2,801 AB
81 AWAY G: Cardinals: 2,886 AB; Opponents: 2,807 AB
162 G Cardinals: 5,532 AB; Opponents: 5,608 AB
BA 92
R 90
H 88
2B 85
3B 66
HR 81
BB 106
SO 97
E 89
E-inf. 83
LHB-BA 94
LHB-HR 93
RHB-BA 91
RHB-HR 74
BA .273 (HOME .270 ROAD .277)
(Opponents BA: at StL .242 at their Home .279)
2009–2011 Index (3-yr. composite)
HOME 243 G; Cardinals: 7,986 AB; Opponents: 8,371 AB)
BA 96
R 92
H 94
2B 92
3B 76
HR 77
BB 107
SO 98
E 104
E-inf. 103
LHB-BA 97
LHB-HR 86
RHB-BA 95
RHB-HR 73
BA-Home .268
BA-Road .265
Opp.-Busch .247
Opp.-at their HOME .270
-----
The St. Louis Cardinals
' 2011 season
was the 130th season for the franchise in St. Louis, Missouri
, the 120th season in the National League
, and the sixth season at Busch Stadium III
. The Cardinals began their season at home against the San Diego Padres
on March 31, coming off a 86-76 (.531) season and second place in the NL Central. They returned to postseason play in 2011 (after missing out in 2010) as the Wild Card team, and beat the Philadelphia Phillies
in five games in the Division Series
and the Milwaukee Brewers
in six games in the National League Championship Series
. They defeated the Texas Rangers
in the 2011 World Series
in seven games.
Andrew N. "Drew" Baur
died suddenly at his home at 66, in Gulf Stream, Florida
on February 20, 2011.
decided to return for his 16th season with the Cardinals after agreeing to terms for a new one-year contract, and a mutual option for a second year. Bullpen coach Marty Mason
was not retained, but all the other coaches returned with extended contracts.
On November 2, 2010, the team named a new bullpen coach (replacing Mason) Derek Lilliquist
, who was the team's pitching coordinator for the last three seasons. In another change announced that day, Greg Hauck was promoted to head athletic trainer, while longtime head trainer Barry Weinberg assumed duties as assistant athletic trainer.
.
On November 30, 2010, the Cardinals traded pitcher Blake Hawksworth
for middle-infielder Ryan Theriot
in a trade with Dodgers. They also signed free agent
left-handed relief pitcher Brian Tallet
. On December 12 the Cardinals cleared a space for Theriot at shortstop by trading incumbent shortstop Brendan Ryan
to the Seattle Mariners
for Class-A prospect Maikel Cleto
.
On December 4, 2010, the Cardinals signed 34-yr-old free agent
Lance Berkman
(formerly with the Houston Astros
and then Yankees in 2010) to a 1-yr. $8 mil. deal. Berkman was slated to play right field. The acquisition of Berkman would eventually prove to be key to the 2011 season. Berkman, who had slumped to a .248 average in 2010 and had hit particularly poorly after his midseason trade to the New York Yankees, hit 31 home runs for the Cardinals in 2011 and was named NL Comeback Player of the Year.
On December 14, 2010, the St. Louis Cardinals
signed free agent
catcher
Gerald Laird
to a one-year contract.
On January 15, 2011, Albert Pujols
through his agent Dan Lozano, told the Cardinals that the date to report to Spring Training (Feb. 18) was the deadline to reach a deal on a new contract. Negotiations failed to produce a deal, and on February 16 Pujols suspended negotiations, citing an unwillingness to be distracted during the season, including Spring Training. Pujols received $16 mil. in 2011 and $111 mil. over his previous eight seasons. Pujols had asked for a 10-year deal, worth up to $300 million, averaging $30 mil. per year.
On January 21, 2011, the Cardinals signed a free agent
backup infielder Nick Punto
to a one-year contract for $750,000.
In a surprise announcement on February 4, the Cardinals signed former Cardinal Jim Edmonds
(2000–2007) to a minor-league contract, and an invitation to Spring Training as a non-roster invitee. He hit 241 home runs (4th in rank) as a Cardinal in his eight years, made three All-Star teams (2000, 2003, 2005), and won six Gold Gloves
(2000–05). He needs seven home runs to reach the career 400 level. On February 18 Edmonds announced his retirement from baseball, citing the risk of permanent damage in his comeback from Achilles tendon
surgery.
after he vested his option with his 45th appearance in 2010 (57 G), and finished the season healthy.
On Nov. 16, 2010, the Cardinals signed free agent pitcher Jake Westbrook
to a two-year deal through 2012 for $16.5 mil., with a mutual option for 2013, and a full no-trade clause. The Cardinals had previously acquired Westbrook in a 2010 trade that sent Ryan Ludwick
to the Padres.
On Jan. 15, 2011, the Cardinals agreed to a one-year contract with reliever Kyle McClellan
in avoiding arbitration. Salary was not announced.
The Cardinals suffered a severe setback at the beginning of spring training. On Feb. 24, 2011, it was confirmed that ace pitcher Adam Wainwright
needed Tommy John surgery
on his right elbow after experiencing discomfort in throwing batting practice on February 21. It meant missing, at a minimum, the entirety of the 2011 season. Wainwright was coming off a career year in 2010 in which he won a career-high 20 games, made the All-Star game and finished second in National League Cy Young Award
voting. The Feb. 28 surgery on Wainwright in St. Louis was described as 'successful'.
St. Louis Cardinals Spring Training Schedule
All Times are Central Time (CT)
Home Games, and those with the Florida Marlins at Roger Dean Stadium
(Jupiter, Florida
).
(ss) = split squad games
The Cardinals released their 2011 Spring Training schedule on Dec. 3, 2010.
The scheduled exhibition game on Mar. 29, vs. their AA-level Springfield Cardinals
team was canceled the day before due to predicted bad weather.
|-
! colspan="3" | Legend
|-
! bgcolor="bbffbb" | Cardinals WIN
! bgcolor="ffbbbb" | Cardinals LOSS
! bgcolor="bbbbbb" | Game POSTPONED / TIE
hit what looked to be the game-winning home run in the bottom of the 8th, but closer
Ryan Franklin
gave up a game-tying home run in that 9th inning, sending the game to extra innings. The Padres scored twice in the 11th to win 5-3. It was a sign of things to come for Franklin in 2011.
That evening, Holliday complained of pains, leading to an emergency appendectomy the next day. After missing only seven games while recuperating from surgery, Holliday returned to the lineup on April 10, singling and drawing two walks in a 6-1 victory over the Giants.
Lance Berkman
received the NL Player of the Week award on April 18, batting .417 (10-for-24), leading the majors with six HRs, 12 RBIs, and 1.167 Slugging percentage.
Matt Holliday
(.408) and Lance Berkman
(.393) were 1-3 respectively in the NL batting lead after the first month of the season ended, April 30. Holliday also led the NL in OBP (.511), and Berkman led the NL in both slugging (.753) and OPS (1.207).
The Cardinals recovered from a 2-6 start to finish in first place (16-11) by two games over the Reds at the end of April, and the entire team was also #1 in sweeping all three NL hitting percentages at .295/.362/.451, boasting a .812 OPS and also leading in hits (281), runs (144) total bases (429), and also struckout the least times (168). All those baserunners led to them also leading in grounding into the most double plays (36), with Albert Pujols
(.245/.305/.453, .758 OPS) owning the NL lead with nine.
The Cardinals rose to first place in the standings despite major problems in the bullpen. Closer Ryan Franklin
blew four of his first five save opportunities and the Cardinals lost all four of those games. Franklin never got another save opportunity after blowing a save against the Dodgers on April 17, and finished the month with a 10.12 ERA. Mitchell Boggs
got the call as closer and recorded three saves before blowing another save (leading to another Cardinals blown-save loss) against Houston on April 26. Left-handed reliever Trever Miller was hit for an .899 OPS by opposition batters in April.
The Cardinals continued to search for an effective closer in May. Rookie Eduardo Sanchez filled the role for a while in early May, then Fernando Salas took the job and recorded seven saves in seven chances in the second half of the month.
Jaime Garcia
flirted with history on May 6, pitching 7.1 IP of perfect baseball against the Milwaukee Brewers
at home, winding up with a 2-hit, complete-game shutout (his 2nd of 2011), after losing his perfect bid with first a walk and then a hit in the 8th inning. He later gave up a double in the 9th for the only runner to reach second base. He walked only one, while striking out eight and helped by a double-play in the eighth to preserve his shutout, the third of his career. He was bidding for the first perfect game in Cardinals' history, and the first no-hitter since Bud Smith
on September 3, 2001.
The Cardinals were a strong 17-12 in May and finished the month 2.5 games ahead of the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central despite numerous injuries to key players. Albert Pujols struggled through a most uncharacteristic slump at the start of the season, going a career-worst 105 at-bats without a home run and finishing May with an unusually low .755 OPS for the first two months. Tony LaRussa, suffering from a severe case of shingles
, missed six games, with bench coach Joe Pettini
serving as acting manager.
Tony La Russa
managed his 5,000th major league game (2,676-2,320-4 0.536) on June 10, but the milestone was marred by a shutout loss at Milwaukee
. He joins Connie Mack
as the only manager or coach in American sports history to reach 5,000 games.
On June 19, Albert Pujols
hurt his wrist when an opposing player ran into him when Pujols was taking an errant throw from second baseman Peter Kozma
. A subsequent MRI on June 20, showed a small fracture in the left wrist-forearm. Pujols estimated time on the DL was expected to be from four to six weeks. He had played in all 73 games before the injury.
Pujols' injury was 14th time the Cardinals have used the disabled list this season for 12 different players, already more than they used all of last year. He joined Wainwright, Freese, Nick Punto, Allen Craig, Gerald Laird, Bryan Augenstein
and Eduardo Sanchez on the DL.
Left-handed reliever Raul Valdes
was promoted from AAA Memphis on June 23. Valdes became the third lefty in the struggling bullpen, joining Trever Miller
and Brian Tallet
. Disabled players David Freese
(3b) and Nick Punto
(Inf.), both out for over a month, were activated on June 27, providing relief for the injury-riddled team. Freese last played on May 1, and Punto on May 17. Both players made instant impacts in their first game returning when they helped beat the Baltimore Orioles
at Camden Yards in their first interleague game there.
Late in June the Cardinals cleared two ineffective relief pitchers from the roster. Miguel Batista
, who had given up 27 hits and 19 walks in only 29 innings, was let go on June 22. Former closer Ryan Franklin
was given his unconditional release on June 29. He was 1-4 with a 8.46 ERA. Opponents battered him for a .367 average, plus 44 hits and nine home runs over 21 games, in only 27 2/3 innings. He walked 7 and struckout 17, with a 1.84 WHIP Right-handed pitcher Brandon Dickson
's contract was called-up to fill the roster spot vacated by Franklin's release.
After 81 games on June 29, the half-way point of the season, the team was 43-38 (.531) only 1 game behind the Milwaukee Brewers at 44-37 (.543). The Cardinals played very poorly for much of June, going 3-12 from June 10 to June 26.
out for 6-to-8 weeks projecting an August 1 return, a reevaluation follow-up from a CT scan on July 1 showed faster recovery than originally thought, raising the possibility of a return by July 15, right after the All-Star break. However, Pujols surprised everyone by recovering very rapidly, and he was activated on July 5, after the minimum 15-days on the DL. Lefty reliever Brian Tallet
was placed on the DL to make room for Pujols.
The team made a major trade on July 27, a four-for-four swap, dealing disgruntled Colby Rasmus
(hitting only .246), left-handed relievers Trever Miller
and Brian Tallet
, and starter P.J. Walters to the Toronto Blue Jays
. In return, the team received right-hand starter Edwin Jackson
, left-hand specialist Marc Rzepczynski
, right-hand reliever Octavio Dotel
, and outfielder Corey Patterson
. The team will also receive either three players to be named later, or cash. Jackson was traded earlier the day from the Chicago White Sox
to the Blue Jays. Rasmus had previously asked to be traded away from the Cardinals, and at the time of the trade he was mired in a severe slump that saw him hitting .194 since May 12. Jon Jay, who had been getting more playing time as Rasmus struggled, became the everyday center fielder. Kyle McClellan, promoted to the starting rotation to fill the gap caused by the loss of Adam Wainwright, returned to the bullpen.
Pujols got his 2,000th career hit on July 29, at Busch Stadium against the Cubs in the eighth inning with an RBI double. He became the fifth Cardinal to get to 2,000 hits, joining Stan Musial
(3,630), Lou Brock
(2,713), Rogers Hornsby
(2,110), and Enos Slaughter
(2,064). He got it in his 1,650th game, the 12th quickest. Musial got his in 1,507 games.
The team made another trade on July 31, just before the non-waiver deadline, acquiring shortstop Rafael Furcal
from the Los Angeles Dodgers
in return for an AA-outfielder Alex Castellanos
. Furcal displaced offseason acquisition Ryan Theriot, who committed 17 errors at shortstop for the Cardinals in 2011.
, previously released by the Texas Rangers. The Rhodes acquisition completed a radical in-season makeover of the Cardinal bullpen. The only Cardinal relievers in the bullpen on Opening Day who were still on the team at the end of the season were Mitchell Boggs and Jason Motte. Departures included Miguel Batista and Ryan Franklin (released), Bryan Augenstein (disabled and later sent to the minors) and lefty specialists Trever Miller and Brian Tallet (traded to Toronto). Additions over the course of the season included Rhodes, Marc Rzepcynski and Octavio Dotel (acquired from Toronto in the Rasmus trade), Kyle McClellan (sent back to the bullpen after the Cardinals traded for Edwin Jackson), and Lance Lynn and Fernando Salas (called up from the minor leagues).
At the beginning of the month the Cardinals were 2.5 games behind the Brewers in the standings. However, they lost two of three to Milwaukee on the road Aug. 1-3, then did the same at home on Aug. 9-11, giving the Brewers a four-game lead in the NL Central. The team continued to stumble as the Brewers continued to win. Newly acquired shortstop Furcal hit only .240 for the month. The Cardinals went 2-4 on a six-game road trip to Pittsburgh and Chicago, then came home and were swept in three games by a bad Dodger team. After close of business on August 24, the day the Dodgers completed their sweep, St. Louis had fallen ten games behind Milwaukee in the NL Central standings and 10.5 games behind the Atlanta Braves (and in third place) in the NL Wild Card standings. St. Louis' odds of making the playoffs stood at 1.3%.
The sweep by Los Angeles dropped the Cardinals to 67-63. They ended the month on a positive note, taking three of four from the Pirates and sweeping the Brewers in Milwaukee Aug. 30-Sept. 1, improving their chances of making the playoffs to 4.3%.
After dropping two of three to the Reds the Cardinals played their last series of the season against Milwaukee Sept. 5-7. St. Louis took two out of three and thus won five of its last six games against the Brewers, but Milwaukee still held a lead of 8.5 games. The Cardinals got as close as 4.5 games behind the Brewers later in September but Milwaukee played too well to be caught, clinching the Central Division championship on Sept. 23.
The same was not true of the wild-card leading Atlanta Braves. 10.5 games ahead of the Cardinals on August 24, Atlanta went only 6-7 over its next 13 games before coming to St. Louis on Sept. 9 to play a three-game series that would prove to be critical. In the first game, Atlanta led 3-1 going into the bottom of the ninth inning, but a Schumaker single and walks to Furcal and Theriot set up a two-run, two-out Albert Pujols single to tie the game. The Cardinals won on a sacrifice fly by Nick Punto in the bottom of the 10th. On Sept. 10 St. Louis won by the same 4-3 score when Michael Bourn flied out to right with the tying run on third. On the 11th Yadier Molina hit a three-run double and the Cardinals won 6-3 to complete the sweep. The sweep cut the gap in the wild-card race to 4.5 games, but St. Louis had only 16 games left to play and its playoff chances were still only 7.7%.
The Cardinals followed up their sweep of Atlanta by going on the road to Pittsburgh and Philadelphia and taking two of three from the Pirates and three of four from the NL-leading (and eventually 102-game-winner) Phillies. On the 14th Yadier Molina hit a two-run double and the Cardinals beat Pittsburgh 3-2 behind 6.2 strong innings from Edwin Jackson. On the 16th an error by right fielder Corey Patterson allowed the Phillies to tie the game 2-2 in the bottom of the ninth, but the Cardinals scored on RBI hits from rookie Adron Chambers
and Tyler Greene in the 11th and hung on to win 4-2. On the 19th the Cardinals escaped with a 4-3 victory over the Phillies when Octavio Dotel got Hunter Pence
to ground out in the bottom of the ninth with the tying run on base. The Braves went 3-4 over this same stretch of games, losing to the Marlins on Sept. 19 when Omar Infante
hit a game-winning two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning. The gap in the wild-card standings had decreased to 2.5 games but with only nine games left the Cardinals' playoff chances were still only 17.7%.
The Cardinals then won two of three at home against the Mets, but suffered a bitterly disappointing loss in the third game of that series, when a Rafael Furcal error in the top of the 9th helped open the gates and the Mets scored six runs off the Cardinals to win 8-6. The Braves led by two games with six games left and the Cardinals' playoff chances were 24.4%. The Cardinals won two of three against the Cubs, winning 2-1 on Sept. 24 via a bases-loaded walk and wild pitch by Carlos Marmol
, while the Braves lost two of three to the Nationals. Atlanta had a one-game lead with three games left.
The Cardinals lost in extra innings to the terrible Houston Astros (who finished the year at 56-106) on the 26th but Atlanta lost to the Phillies. On the 27th St. Louis overcame a bad start by Jake Westbrook and a 5-0 deficit, scoring five in the fourth and four more in the seventh and winning 13-6. The winning runs came via a two-run triple from Ryan Theriot. Atlanta lost to Philadelphia again, and with one game left in the season the Cardinals and Braves were tied for the wild card. In the season finale the Cardinals had little trouble with the Astros, winning 8-0 behind a complete game two-hit shutout from Carpenter. The Braves, who played later, were two outs away from forcing a tie-breaker game, but a Chase Utley sacrifice fly tied the game 3-3 in the top of the ninth. In the bottom of the 12th the Braves stranded the winning run on third base. Finally, in the 13th inning Hunter Pence hit an RBI infield single, and in the bottom of the inning Freddie Freeman of the Braves hit into a double play to lose the ballgame and eliminate Atlanta.
The Cardinals had won the NL Wild Card in what became one of the greatest late-season comebacks in the history of baseball. They went 23-9 over their final 32 games to erase a 10.5 game deficit. They went 18-8 in the month of September while the Braves went 9-18 for September to open the door. St. Louis finished 90-72 and advanced to the postseason to face the NL East champion Philadelphia Phillies.
for the first time in postseason, in the NL Division Series best of five, starting the first two games at Citizens Bank Park
in Philadelphia
.
The famous Rally Squirrel
(aka, 'Busch Squirrel'), made his first appearance in Game 3 on October 4, and then again appeared in Game 4 on October 5, running across Home Plate at Busch Stadium in front of Skip Schumaker
who was batting. The team was ahead at the time, 3-2, and held on for the 5-3 victory. The Rally Squirrel was instantly adopted by the fans as the mascot, and thousands of rally squirrel t-shirts were sold. His Twitter
account started, and by October 6 it had over 11,000 followers; by October 20, it had over 27,500 followers.
The October 7, Game 5 winner-take-all in the NLDS pitted Cardinals' ace Chris Carpenter
vs. Roy Halladay
, his best friend off-the-field for the Phillies, at Citizens Bank Park. Carpenter threw an outstanding 3-hit shutout over Halladay and the Phillies to win the NLDS, 1-0.
On Sunday, October 16, the Cardinals beat the Milwaukee Brewers
in Game 6 of the National League Championship Series
, for their 18th NL Pennant, and became the only team to play in three of the last ten World Series. David Freese
was named NLCS MVP.
The Cardinals, facing the Texas Rangers
in the World Series
, pulled-off one of the greatest comeback game wins in World Series history, with an amazing Game 6, winning 10-9 in 11 innings after twice being one strike away from elimination. David Freese
hit a two-out, two-strike, ninth-inning triple, to tie the game after trailing 7-5. Later, with the score tied 9-9, Freese hit a lead-off walk-off home run
to dead centerfield in the 11th, off Mark Lowe
at 11:39pm CDT. Lance Berkman
had previously tied the game in the 10th with a single with 2-outs and 2-strikes, scoring Jon Jay
. The win meant that the World Series would go to a seventh game for the first time since 2002
. Of the last 13 Major League teams that won Game 6 at home to force a Game 7 in the postseason, 12 went on to win Game 7. The Rangers led 4 different times in the game, including with two outs and two strikes in both the ninth and the 10th but the Cardinals refused to die.
Freese's game-winning home run was only the fifth in World Series Game 6 history (1960-Pit., 1975-Bos., 1991-Min., 1993-Tor).
The Cardinals set two records in their Game 6 win: the first team to come back twice from deficits in both the 9th and 10th innings, and the first team to score in the 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th innings.
In addition to the records set in Game Six, during Game Three Albert Pujols
joined Reggie Jackson
and Babe Ruth
as the only players to hit three home-runs in a World Series game. His 14 total bases and four hits in consecutive innings both set World Series records. And his six RBIs matched a World Series record.
On October 28, the Cardinals finished off their amazing, end-of-season run which started after the Aug. 24 game when they were 10 games behind for the NL Central Division lead. They defeated the Texas Rangers
4 games to 3, with a 6-2 win in Game 7 of the World Series at their Busch Stadium
home in front of 47,399 fans. David Freese
, graduating from a St. Louis high school (Lafayette High), won the MVP award for both the NLCS
, and then for the World Series. He knocked in a record 21 RBIs in his post-season. Chris Carpenter
set a franchise record for most wins (four) in a single postseason. Carpenter, 9-2 overall in his Cardinals postseason career, ran his home postseason mark to 7-0 with a 2.15 ERA. Tony La Russa
became only the ninth manager in major-league history to win at least three World Series.
It was a team win ("Team of the Living Dead"), and the 36th time a team won the World Series in a Game 7 (or Game 8).
On October 31, three days after winning the World Series, manager Tony La Russa
announced his retirement. He finishes his career after 33 seasons, third in all time managerial wins and second all time in post season wins.
On November 13, the Cardinals announced that former Cardinals' catcher Mike Matheny
as their new manager with a news conference on November 14.
On November 16, MLB announced that Tony La Russa
came in third in voting for NL Manager of the Year. Kirk Gibson
(Arizona Diamondbacks
) in his first season won, and Ron Roenicke (Milwaukee Brewers
) came in second.
on March 31.
Regular Season Schedule (calendar style)
Regular Season Schedule (sortable text)
All game times are in Central Time Zone
.
|-
! colspan="3" | Legend
|-
! bgcolor="bbffbb" | Cardinals WIN
! bgcolor="ffbbbb" | Cardinals LOSS
! bgcolor="bbbbbb" | Game POSTPONED / TIE
(N.L.) over Texas Rangers
(A.L.)
for the seven games was 10.0, with Fox's 14.7 rating for Game 7 being the network's highest for a World Series telecast since Game 4 of the 2004 World Series.
Game 6 on Oct. 27, averaged 21.1 million viewers with a 12.7 rating and a 21 share. Through six games, the 2011 World Series on FOX is averaging a 9.3/15 in household rating/share, with 15.3 million viewers, +11% in rating over last year (8.4/14, 14.3 million) and 2008 (8.4/14, 13.6 million). Both were five game series. The current 9.3/15 average for the 2011 World Series would rank as the sixth highest-rated show (live+same day) in primetime, a ranking that is likely to improve with the inclusion of tonight’s rare Game 7. Game 6 opened with an 8.5 at 8:00 PM EDT and grew steadily throughout the night averaging 11.7 from 9:00-9:30 PM EDT; 12.9 from 10:00-10:30 PM EDT; and 13.2 from 11:00-11-30 PM EDT. The broadcast peaked with a 15.0 HH rating and 25.2 million viewers from midnight-12:30 AM EDT.
From 8:00 to 11:00 PM EDT, Game 6 averaged an 11.8 HH rating, with 19.4 million viewers. From 11:00 PM EDT to its conclusion, the game averaged a 14.3 HH rating, with 23.9 million viewers, +21% in rating and +23% in viewership compared to Primetime. Post mid-night, the game averaged a 14.8 rating and 24.9 million viewers, +25% in rating and +28% in average audience.
St. Louis led all local markets for Game 6 with a 49.4/70, peaking at a 57.0/75 from 10:30-11:00 PM EDT, with the final quarter hour averaging a 53.1/82. Dallas averaged a World Series-high 47.1/67, while peaking at 55.7/81 from 11:15-11:30 PM EDT.
Bold indicates that the Cardinals have finished their season schedule with an opponent.
(through September 28, FINAL)
Cardinals HITTING statistics
Sortable TEAM HITTING statistics
* Currently not on active roster
† Suspended, on 15-day disabled or rehab list
^ Traded away from Cardinals
BOLD / #1 = Leading 16 NL teams
(through September 28, FINAL)
Cardinals PITCHING statistics
Sortable TEAM PITCHING Statistics
* not on active roster
† on 15-day disabled list
†† on 60-day disabled list
Bold = leading NL
"Bullpen Briefs" (through Sep. 28, no relievers needed that day)
28-30, 3.61 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 463.1 IP, 416 H, 210 R, 186 ER, 49 HR 170 BB, 421 SO
Saves/Opp: 47/73 (64.4%) 1st Batter / Retired: 329/462 (71.2%)
Holds: 84 Inherited Runners/Scored: 68/231 (29.4%)
(through Sep. 26, last loss)
Games lost by bullpen: 30 Salas
(6), Franklin
(4), Dotel
(3), Rzepczynski
(3), Boggs
(3), Motte
(2), Batista
(2), Tallet
(1), Augenstein
(1), Sánchez
(1), Miller
(1), Valdes
(1), Rhodes
(1), McClellan
(1)
Blown Saves by bullpen: 24 Salas
(6), Motte
(4), Franklin
(4), Boggs
(3), Miller
(2), Sánchez
(2), McClellan
(1), Batista
(1), Rzepczynski
(1)
Home 45-36 (.556)
Away 45-36 (.556)
Scoring first 64-36
Opp. scores first 26-36
Scoring more than 3 runs 70-29
Scoring 3 runs 13-14
Scoring fewer than 3 runs 7-29
Leading after 7 innings 68-9
Tied after 7 innings 12-14
Trailing after 7 innings 10-49
Leading after 8 innings 77-7
Tied after 8 innings 9-13
Trailing after 8 innings 4-52
In errorless games 55-27
In error-made games 35-45
Extra innings 8-13
Shutouts 9-8
One-run games 26-23
Out-hit opponents 58-15
Same hits as opponents 14-4
Out-hit by opponents 18-53
Runs via HR 262 (34.4% of total)
Opp. Runs via HR 229 (33.1% of total)
By Day
Mon. 6-9
Tue. 16-8
Wed. 11-15
Thu. 14-6
Fri. 14-11
Sat. 13-13
Sun. 16-10
By Opponent
DIVISION
HOME ROAD TOTAL
NL Central 25-15 19-20 44-35
NL East 12-6 10-7 22-13
NL West 6-11 10-6 16-17
AL East 0-3 4-2 4-5
AL Central 2-1 2-1 4-2
TOTALS 45-36 45-36 90-72
(Interleague 8-7)
2011 (100 = Neutral Park, > 100 Ballpark favors, < 100 Ballpark inhibits)
81 HOME G; Cardinals: 2,646 AB; Opponents: 2,801 AB
81 AWAY G: Cardinals: 2,886 AB; Opponents: 2,807 AB
162 G Cardinals: 5,532 AB; Opponents: 5,608 AB
BA 92
R 90
H 88
2B 85
3B 66
HR 81
BB 106
SO 97
E 89
E-inf. 83
LHB-BA 94
LHB-HR 93
RHB-BA 91
RHB-HR 74
BA .273 (HOME .270 ROAD .277)
(Opponents BA: at StL .242 at their Home .279)
2009–2011 Index (3-yr. composite)
HOME 243 G; Cardinals: 7,986 AB; Opponents: 8,371 AB)
BA 96
R 92
H 94
2B 92
3B 76
HR 77
BB 107
SO 98
E 104
E-inf. 103
LHB-BA 97
LHB-HR 86
RHB-BA 95
RHB-HR 73
BA-Home .268
BA-Road .265
Opp.-Busch .247
Opp.-at their HOME .270
-----
St. Louis Cardinals Team Page at Scout.com
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
' 2011 season
2011 Major League Baseball season
The 2011 Major League Baseball season began on Thursday, March 31, and ended on Wednesday, September 28. This marked the first time a season began on a Thursday since , and the first time a regular season ended on a Wednesday since...
was the 130th season for the franchise in St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
, the 120th season in the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
, and the sixth season at Busch Stadium III
Busch Stadium
Busch Stadium is the home of the St. Louis Cardinals, of MLB...
. The Cardinals began their season at home against the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
on March 31, coming off a 86-76 (.531) season and second place in the NL Central. They returned to postseason play in 2011 (after missing out in 2010) as the Wild Card team, and beat the Philadelphia Phillies
2011 Philadelphia Phillies season
The Philadelphia Phillies 2011 season was the 129th season in the history of the franchise. The Phillies won their fifth consecutive National League East championship, and also finished with the best record in baseball for the second straight year. The Phillies, at 3-1 odds, were the heavy-favorite...
in five games in the Division Series
2011 National League Division Series
The 2011 National League Division Series were two best-of-five playoffs comprising the opening round of the Major League Baseball postseason, played to determine the participating teams in the 2011 National League Championship Series. Three divisional winners and a fourth team—a wild card—played...
and the Milwaukee Brewers
2011 Milwaukee Brewers season
The Milwaukee Brewers' 2011 season was their 42nd season for the franchise in Milwaukee, the 14th in the National League, and 43rd overall. The Brewers posted a franchise-best record of 96-66, winning their first-ever National League Central Division title...
in six games in the National League Championship Series
2011 National League Championship Series
The 2011 National League Championship Series was a best-of-seven playoff pitting the winners of the 2011 National League Division Series, the St. Louis Cardinals and Milwaukee Brewers, against each other for the National League championship and the right to be the league's representative in the...
. They defeated the Texas Rangers
2011 Texas Rangers season
The Texas Rangers’ 2011 season was the 51st season in the overall history of the franchise and the 40th since the team relocated to Arlington, Texas. Going into the season they were the defending American League champions....
in the 2011 World Series
2011 World Series
The 2011 World Series was the 107th edition of Major League Baseball's championship series. The best-of-seven playoff was played between the American League champion Texas Rangers and the National League champion St...
in seven games.
Offseason departures and acquisitions
Cardinals co-owner, team treasurer, and member of the Board of DirectorsBoard of directors
A board of directors is a body of elected or appointed members who jointly oversee the activities of a company or organization. Other names include board of governors, board of managers, board of regents, board of trustees, and board of visitors...
Andrew N. "Drew" Baur
Drew Baur
Andrew 'Drew' Baur was a co-owner of the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team. Baur was a key member of the ownership group which purchased the team from Anheuser-Busch in March 1996. Baur served as the team's treasurer, and was a member of the Cardinals Board of Directors.-Early Life:Baur was born...
died suddenly at his home at 66, in Gulf Stream, Florida
Gulf Stream, Florida
Gulf Stream is a town in Palm Beach County, Florida, United States. The population was 716 at the 2000 census.and ranked as the 11th highest-income place in the United States. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 746.-Geography:...
on February 20, 2011.
Management
On Oct. 18, 2010, manager Tony La RussaTony La Russa
Anthony "Tony" La Russa, Jr. is a former Major League Baseball manager and infielder, best known for his tenures as manager of the Chicago White Sox, Oakland Athletics, and St. Louis Cardinals...
decided to return for his 16th season with the Cardinals after agreeing to terms for a new one-year contract, and a mutual option for a second year. Bullpen coach Marty Mason
Marty Mason
Martin Lee "Marty" Mason is a retired minor league baseball pitcher and former Major League Baseball bullpen coach for the St...
was not retained, but all the other coaches returned with extended contracts.
On November 2, 2010, the team named a new bullpen coach (replacing Mason) Derek Lilliquist
Derek Lilliquist
Derek Jansen Lilliquist , is a retired professional baseball player who pitched in the Major Leagues from 1989-1996. He later became a minor league pitching coach for the St. Louis Cardinals and was named their major league bullpen coach on November 2, 2010.-External links:...
, who was the team's pitching coordinator for the last three seasons. In another change announced that day, Greg Hauck was promoted to head athletic trainer, while longtime head trainer Barry Weinberg assumed duties as assistant athletic trainer.
Hitters
On Oct. 6, 2010, the Cardinals picked up the $16 mil. option on Albert PujolsAlbert Pujols
José Alberto Pujols Alcántara , better known as Albert Pujols , is a Dominican-American professional baseball player, who is currently a free agent...
.
On November 30, 2010, the Cardinals traded pitcher Blake Hawksworth
Blake Hawksworth
Blake Edward Hawksworth is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He is 6' 3" and weighs 195 pounds.-Career:...
for middle-infielder Ryan Theriot
Ryan Theriot
Ryan Stewart Theriot is a Major League Baseball infielder for the St. Louis Cardinals.Theriot is the son of Randy and Mary Theriot, and has an older brother Wes and younger brother Austin. Both his father and older brother played baseball at Broadmoor High School.Theriot graduated from Broadmoor...
in a trade with Dodgers. They also signed free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
left-handed relief pitcher Brian Tallet
Brian Tallet
Brian Curtis Tallet is an American professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He stands 6' 6" in height. Brian Tallet pitched for the LSU Tigers and won a national championship in 2000....
. On December 12 the Cardinals cleared a space for Theriot at shortstop by trading incumbent shortstop Brendan Ryan
Brendan Ryan (baseball)
Brendan Wood Ryan is an American Major League Baseball shortstop for the Seattle Mariners. While he has typically fielded at shortstop in his professional career, Ryan has been known to play at second and third base and has dabbled with pitching.-Early and personal life:Ryan was born in Los...
to the Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
for Class-A prospect Maikel Cleto
Maikel Cleto
Maikel Cleto is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals. He was signed as a non-drafted free agent by the New York Mets on August 10, 2006.-New York Mets:...
.
On December 4, 2010, the Cardinals signed 34-yr-old free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
Lance Berkman
Lance Berkman
William Lance Berkman is an American professional baseball outfielder and right fielder with the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball....
(formerly with the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
and then Yankees in 2010) to a 1-yr. $8 mil. deal. Berkman was slated to play right field. The acquisition of Berkman would eventually prove to be key to the 2011 season. Berkman, who had slumped to a .248 average in 2010 and had hit particularly poorly after his midseason trade to the New York Yankees, hit 31 home runs for the Cardinals in 2011 and was named NL Comeback Player of the Year.
On December 14, 2010, the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
signed free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
Gerald Laird
Gerald Laird
Gerald Lee Laird III is an American professional baseball catcher for the Detroit Tigers. He graduated La Quinta High School in 1998, and played college baseball at Cypress College...
to a one-year contract.
On January 15, 2011, Albert Pujols
Albert Pujols
José Alberto Pujols Alcántara , better known as Albert Pujols , is a Dominican-American professional baseball player, who is currently a free agent...
through his agent Dan Lozano, told the Cardinals that the date to report to Spring Training (Feb. 18) was the deadline to reach a deal on a new contract. Negotiations failed to produce a deal, and on February 16 Pujols suspended negotiations, citing an unwillingness to be distracted during the season, including Spring Training. Pujols received $16 mil. in 2011 and $111 mil. over his previous eight seasons. Pujols had asked for a 10-year deal, worth up to $300 million, averaging $30 mil. per year.
On January 21, 2011, the Cardinals signed a free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
backup infielder Nick Punto
Nick Punto
Nicholas Paul Punto is a Major League Baseball utility player. He has played second base, third base, shortstop, and center field. Punto is a switch hitter and throws right-handed....
to a one-year contract for $750,000.
In a surprise announcement on February 4, the Cardinals signed former Cardinal Jim Edmonds
Jim Edmonds
James Patrick "Jim" Edmonds is a former American Major League Baseball center fielder. He played for the California/Anaheim Angels, the St. Louis Cardinals, the San Diego Padres, the Milwaukee Brewers, the Chicago Cubs, and the Cincinnati Reds...
(2000–2007) to a minor-league contract, and an invitation to Spring Training as a non-roster invitee. He hit 241 home runs (4th in rank) as a Cardinal in his eight years, made three All-Star teams (2000, 2003, 2005), and won six Gold Gloves
Rawlings Gold Glove Award
The Rawlings Gold Glove Award, usually referred to as the Gold Glove, is the award given annually to the Major League Baseball players judged to have exhibited superior individual fielding performances at each fielding position in both the National League and the American League , as voted by the...
(2000–05). He needs seven home runs to reach the career 400 level. On February 18 Edmonds announced his retirement from baseball, citing the risk of permanent damage in his comeback from Achilles tendon
Achilles tendon
The Achilles tendon , also known as the calcaneal tendon or the tendo calcaneus, is a tendon of the posterior leg. It serves to attach the plantaris, gastrocnemius and soleus muscles to the calcaneus bone.- Anatomy :The Achilles is the tendonous extension of 3 muscles in the lower leg:...
surgery.
Pitchers
On Oct. 6, 2010, the Cardinals picked up the option on LH relief specialist Trever MillerTrever Miller
Trever Douglas Miller is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent.-High school:...
after he vested his option with his 45th appearance in 2010 (57 G), and finished the season healthy.
On Nov. 16, 2010, the Cardinals signed free agent pitcher Jake Westbrook
Jake Westbrook
Jacob Cauthen "Jake" Westbrook is an American Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher currently with the St. Louis Cardinals. He is known as a sinker ball pitcher and has also hit a grand slam home run....
to a two-year deal through 2012 for $16.5 mil., with a mutual option for 2013, and a full no-trade clause. The Cardinals had previously acquired Westbrook in a 2010 trade that sent Ryan Ludwick
Ryan Ludwick
Ryan Andrew Ludwick is a Major League Baseball right fielder. His brother Eric played four seasons in Major League Baseball as a pitcher.-High school, college, and minor leagues:Ludwick attended Durango High School in Las Vegas, Nevada....
to the Padres.
On Jan. 15, 2011, the Cardinals agreed to a one-year contract with reliever Kyle McClellan
Kyle McClellan
Kyle William McClellan is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals. He attended Hazelwood West High School. After graduating from high school, McClellan was drafted by the St...
in avoiding arbitration. Salary was not announced.
The Cardinals suffered a severe setback at the beginning of spring training. On Feb. 24, 2011, it was confirmed that ace pitcher Adam Wainwright
Adam Wainwright
Adam Parrish Wainwright is a right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals. He was drafted 29th overall by the Atlanta Braves in the 2000 amateur draft. He made his major league debut for the St...
needed Tommy John surgery
Tommy John surgery
Tommy John surgery, known in medical practice as ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction, is a surgical procedure in which a ligament in the medial elbow is replaced with a tendon from elsewhere in the body...
on his right elbow after experiencing discomfort in throwing batting practice on February 21. It meant missing, at a minimum, the entirety of the 2011 season. Wainwright was coming off a career year in 2010 in which he won a career-high 20 games, made the All-Star game and finished second in National League Cy Young Award
Cy Young Award
The Cy Young Award is an honor given annually in baseball to the best pitchers in Major League Baseball , one each for the American League and National League . The award was first introduced in 1956 by Baseball Commissioner Ford Frick in honor of Hall of Fame pitcher Cy Young, who died in 1955...
voting. The Feb. 28 surgery on Wainwright in St. Louis was described as 'successful'.
Spring Training
St. Louis Cardinals Spring Training ScheduleAll Times are Central Time (CT)
Home Games, and those with the Florida Marlins at Roger Dean Stadium
Roger Dean Stadium
Roger Dean Stadium is a baseball stadium located in the Abacoa community of the town of Jupiter, Florida. The stadium was built in 1998, holds 6,871 people, and features luxury sky-box seating, 2 levels of permanent seating, parking and concessions...
(Jupiter, Florida
Jupiter, Florida
Jupiter is a town located in Palm Beach County, Florida. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 39,328. The estimate population for 2009 is 50,606. As of 2006, the population had grown to 50,028, according to the University of Florida, Bureau of Economic and Business Research....
).
(ss) = split squad games
The Cardinals released their 2011 Spring Training schedule on Dec. 3, 2010.
The scheduled exhibition game on Mar. 29, vs. their AA-level Springfield Cardinals
Springfield Cardinals
The Springfield Cardinals are a minor league baseball team based in Springfield, Missouri. The team, which plays in the Texas League, is the Double-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals major-league club, and is owned by the Cardinals. The club plays at Hammons Field.The Springfield Cardinals...
team was canceled the day before due to predicted bad weather.
! colspan="3" | Legend
|-
! bgcolor="bbffbb" | Cardinals WIN
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
! bgcolor="ffbbbb" | Cardinals LOSS
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
! bgcolor="bbbbbb" | Game POSTPONED / TIE
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
>
| 2011 Game Log | |
|---|---|
March–April
The Cardinals opened 2011 with a stunning loss at home against the San Diego Padres on March 31, after leading 3-2 with 2-outs in the 9th. Matt HollidayMatt Holliday
Matthew Thomas Holliday , nicknamed "Big Daddy", is an American Major League Baseball left fielder for the St. Louis Cardinals. Holliday was originally drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the seventh round of the 1998 Major League Baseball Draft.Holliday is a five-time All-Star and Silver Slugger...
hit what looked to be the game-winning home run in the bottom of the 8th, but closer
Closer (baseball)
In baseball, a closing pitcher, more frequently referred to as a closer , is a relief pitcher who specializes in closing out games, i.e., getting the final outs in a close game. Closers often appear when the score is close, and the role is often assigned to a team's best reliever. A small number of...
Ryan Franklin
Ryan Franklin
Ryan Ray Franklin is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has played for the Seattle Mariners, Philadelphia Phillies, Cincinnati Reds, and St. Louis Cardinals.-Early life:...
gave up a game-tying home run in that 9th inning, sending the game to extra innings. The Padres scored twice in the 11th to win 5-3. It was a sign of things to come for Franklin in 2011.
That evening, Holliday complained of pains, leading to an emergency appendectomy the next day. After missing only seven games while recuperating from surgery, Holliday returned to the lineup on April 10, singling and drawing two walks in a 6-1 victory over the Giants.
Lance Berkman
Lance Berkman
William Lance Berkman is an American professional baseball outfielder and right fielder with the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball....
received the NL Player of the Week award on April 18, batting .417 (10-for-24), leading the majors with six HRs, 12 RBIs, and 1.167 Slugging percentage.
Matt Holliday
Matt Holliday
Matthew Thomas Holliday , nicknamed "Big Daddy", is an American Major League Baseball left fielder for the St. Louis Cardinals. Holliday was originally drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the seventh round of the 1998 Major League Baseball Draft.Holliday is a five-time All-Star and Silver Slugger...
(.408) and Lance Berkman
Lance Berkman
William Lance Berkman is an American professional baseball outfielder and right fielder with the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball....
(.393) were 1-3 respectively in the NL batting lead after the first month of the season ended, April 30. Holliday also led the NL in OBP (.511), and Berkman led the NL in both slugging (.753) and OPS (1.207).
The Cardinals recovered from a 2-6 start to finish in first place (16-11) by two games over the Reds at the end of April, and the entire team was also #1 in sweeping all three NL hitting percentages at .295/.362/.451, boasting a .812 OPS and also leading in hits (281), runs (144) total bases (429), and also struckout the least times (168). All those baserunners led to them also leading in grounding into the most double plays (36), with Albert Pujols
Albert Pujols
José Alberto Pujols Alcántara , better known as Albert Pujols , is a Dominican-American professional baseball player, who is currently a free agent...
(.245/.305/.453, .758 OPS) owning the NL lead with nine.
The Cardinals rose to first place in the standings despite major problems in the bullpen. Closer Ryan Franklin
Ryan Franklin
Ryan Ray Franklin is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has played for the Seattle Mariners, Philadelphia Phillies, Cincinnati Reds, and St. Louis Cardinals.-Early life:...
blew four of his first five save opportunities and the Cardinals lost all four of those games. Franklin never got another save opportunity after blowing a save against the Dodgers on April 17, and finished the month with a 10.12 ERA. Mitchell Boggs
Mitchell Boggs
Mitchell Thomas Boggs is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals. He is of no relation to former MLB third baseman, Wade Boggs.-High school:...
got the call as closer and recorded three saves before blowing another save (leading to another Cardinals blown-save loss) against Houston on April 26. Left-handed reliever Trever Miller was hit for an .899 OPS by opposition batters in April.
May
Third baseman David Freese suffered a broken bone in his left hand on May 1 from being hit by a pitch. Freese did not return until the end of June.The Cardinals continued to search for an effective closer in May. Rookie Eduardo Sanchez filled the role for a while in early May, then Fernando Salas took the job and recorded seven saves in seven chances in the second half of the month.
Jaime Garcia
Jaime Garcia (baseball)
Jaime Omar García is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals.-Early life:Jaime García was born on July 8, 1986 in Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico as the second of three children to civil engineer Jaime García, Sr. and Gloria Rodríguez Flores. García was raised between the border of...
flirted with history on May 6, pitching 7.1 IP of perfect baseball against the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
at home, winding up with a 2-hit, complete-game shutout (his 2nd of 2011), after losing his perfect bid with first a walk and then a hit in the 8th inning. He later gave up a double in the 9th for the only runner to reach second base. He walked only one, while striking out eight and helped by a double-play in the eighth to preserve his shutout, the third of his career. He was bidding for the first perfect game in Cardinals' history, and the first no-hitter since Bud Smith
Bud Smith
Robert Allan "Bud" Smith is a retired American baseball player. Smith was active at the Major League level in 2001 and 2002, playing for the St. Louis Cardinals.- No-hitter and Major League career :...
on September 3, 2001.
The Cardinals were a strong 17-12 in May and finished the month 2.5 games ahead of the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central despite numerous injuries to key players. Albert Pujols struggled through a most uncharacteristic slump at the start of the season, going a career-worst 105 at-bats without a home run and finishing May with an unusually low .755 OPS for the first two months. Tony LaRussa, suffering from a severe case of shingles
Herpes zoster
Herpes zoster , commonly known as shingles and also known as zona, is a viral disease characterized by a painful skin rash with blisters in a limited area on one side of the body, often in a stripe...
, missed six games, with bench coach Joe Pettini
Joe Pettini
Joseph Paul "Joe" Pettini is a former Major League Baseball player and a current major league bench coach with the St. Louis Cardinals. Joe and his family now reside in Bethany, West Virginia....
serving as acting manager.
June
Albert Pujols broke out of his season-long slump in style, hitting five home runs in the week that ended June 5 and winning NL Player of the Week honors.Tony La Russa
Tony La Russa
Anthony "Tony" La Russa, Jr. is a former Major League Baseball manager and infielder, best known for his tenures as manager of the Chicago White Sox, Oakland Athletics, and St. Louis Cardinals...
managed his 5,000th major league game (2,676-2,320-4 0.536) on June 10, but the milestone was marred by a shutout loss at Milwaukee
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
. He joins Connie Mack
Connie Mack
Connie Mack may refer to:* Connie Mack I , Hall of Fame baseball manager, player, owner* Connie Mack III , U.S. Representative , U.S. Senator from Florida * Connie Mack IV , U.S...
as the only manager or coach in American sports history to reach 5,000 games.
On June 19, Albert Pujols
Albert Pujols
José Alberto Pujols Alcántara , better known as Albert Pujols , is a Dominican-American professional baseball player, who is currently a free agent...
hurt his wrist when an opposing player ran into him when Pujols was taking an errant throw from second baseman Peter Kozma
Peter Kozma
Peter Michael Kozma is a minor league baseball second baseman/shortstop currently on the St. Louis Cardinals active roster. He is 6'0" tall and he weighs 170 pounds....
. A subsequent MRI on June 20, showed a small fracture in the left wrist-forearm. Pujols estimated time on the DL was expected to be from four to six weeks. He had played in all 73 games before the injury.
Pujols' injury was 14th time the Cardinals have used the disabled list this season for 12 different players, already more than they used all of last year. He joined Wainwright, Freese, Nick Punto, Allen Craig, Gerald Laird, Bryan Augenstein
Bryan Augenstein
Bryan Christopher Augenstein is an American professional baseball player who is currently a pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball.-Professional career:...
and Eduardo Sanchez on the DL.
Left-handed reliever Raul Valdes
Raúl Valdés
Raúl Valdés is a Cuban professional baseball pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball.-Chicago Cubs:...
was promoted from AAA Memphis on June 23. Valdes became the third lefty in the struggling bullpen, joining Trever Miller
Trever Miller
Trever Douglas Miller is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent.-High school:...
and Brian Tallet
Brian Tallet
Brian Curtis Tallet is an American professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He stands 6' 6" in height. Brian Tallet pitched for the LSU Tigers and won a national championship in 2000....
. Disabled players David Freese
David Freese
David Richard Freese is a third baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball. A star high school player, Freese chose not to play college baseball in his freshman year of college, but returned to the game a year later...
(3b) and Nick Punto
Nick Punto
Nicholas Paul Punto is a Major League Baseball utility player. He has played second base, third base, shortstop, and center field. Punto is a switch hitter and throws right-handed....
(Inf.), both out for over a month, were activated on June 27, providing relief for the injury-riddled team. Freese last played on May 1, and Punto on May 17. Both players made instant impacts in their first game returning when they helped beat the Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
at Camden Yards in their first interleague game there.
Late in June the Cardinals cleared two ineffective relief pitchers from the roster. Miguel Batista
Miguel Batista
Miguel Descartes Batista Jerez is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher. He has played for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Florida Marlins, Chicago Cubs, Montreal Expos, Kansas City Royals, Arizona Diamondbacks, Toronto Blue Jays, Seattle Mariners, Washington Nationals, St...
, who had given up 27 hits and 19 walks in only 29 innings, was let go on June 22. Former closer Ryan Franklin
Ryan Franklin
Ryan Ray Franklin is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has played for the Seattle Mariners, Philadelphia Phillies, Cincinnati Reds, and St. Louis Cardinals.-Early life:...
was given his unconditional release on June 29. He was 1-4 with a 8.46 ERA. Opponents battered him for a .367 average, plus 44 hits and nine home runs over 21 games, in only 27 2/3 innings. He walked 7 and struckout 17, with a 1.84 WHIP Right-handed pitcher Brandon Dickson
Brandon Dickson
Brandon Dickson is an American professional baseball player, with the St. Louis Cardinals. He was signed undrafted by the St...
's contract was called-up to fill the roster spot vacated by Franklin's release.
After 81 games on June 29, the half-way point of the season, the team was 43-38 (.531) only 1 game behind the Milwaukee Brewers at 44-37 (.543). The Cardinals played very poorly for much of June, going 3-12 from June 10 to June 26.
July
After an initial estimate of Albert PujolsAlbert Pujols
José Alberto Pujols Alcántara , better known as Albert Pujols , is a Dominican-American professional baseball player, who is currently a free agent...
out for 6-to-8 weeks projecting an August 1 return, a reevaluation follow-up from a CT scan on July 1 showed faster recovery than originally thought, raising the possibility of a return by July 15, right after the All-Star break. However, Pujols surprised everyone by recovering very rapidly, and he was activated on July 5, after the minimum 15-days on the DL. Lefty reliever Brian Tallet
Brian Tallet
Brian Curtis Tallet is an American professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He stands 6' 6" in height. Brian Tallet pitched for the LSU Tigers and won a national championship in 2000....
was placed on the DL to make room for Pujols.
The team made a major trade on July 27, a four-for-four swap, dealing disgruntled Colby Rasmus
Colby Rasmus
Colby Ryan Rasmus is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball.-Early years:...
(hitting only .246), left-handed relievers Trever Miller
Trever Miller
Trever Douglas Miller is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent.-High school:...
and Brian Tallet
Brian Tallet
Brian Curtis Tallet is an American professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He stands 6' 6" in height. Brian Tallet pitched for the LSU Tigers and won a national championship in 2000....
, and starter P.J. Walters to the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
. In return, the team received right-hand starter Edwin Jackson
Edwin Jackson
Edwin Jackson is an American professional baseball pitcher.-Early life:Jackson's father, Edwin Jackson, Sr., a military cook, was stationed in Germany at the time of his birth. Jackson is one of 27 major league players who were born in Germany...
, left-hand specialist Marc Rzepczynski
Marc Rzepczynski
Marc Walter Rzepczynski is an American professional baseball left-handed pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals.The Toronto Blue Jays blogosphere gave Rzepczynski the nickname "Scrabble".-Amateur career:...
, right-hand reliever Octavio Dotel
Octavio Dotel
Octavio Eduardo Dotel is a Domincan professional baseball pitcher who is currently a Free Agent....
, and outfielder Corey Patterson
Corey Patterson
Donald Corey Patterson is an American professional baseball free agent outfielder in Major League Baseball. He is the older brother of outfielder Eric Patterson.-Amateur career:...
. The team will also receive either three players to be named later, or cash. Jackson was traded earlier the day from the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
to the Blue Jays. Rasmus had previously asked to be traded away from the Cardinals, and at the time of the trade he was mired in a severe slump that saw him hitting .194 since May 12. Jon Jay, who had been getting more playing time as Rasmus struggled, became the everyday center fielder. Kyle McClellan, promoted to the starting rotation to fill the gap caused by the loss of Adam Wainwright, returned to the bullpen.
Pujols got his 2,000th career hit on July 29, at Busch Stadium against the Cubs in the eighth inning with an RBI double. He became the fifth Cardinal to get to 2,000 hits, joining Stan Musial
Stan Musial
Stanley Frank "Stan" Musial is a retired professional baseball player who played 22 seasons in Major League Baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals . Nicknamed "Stan the Man", Musial was a record 24-time All-Star selection , and is widely considered to be one of the greatest hitters in baseball...
(3,630), Lou Brock
Lou Brock
Louis Clark "Lou" Brock is an American former professional baseball player. He began his Major League Baseball career with the Chicago Cubs but, spent the majority of his career as the left fielder for the St. Louis Cardinals. Brock was best known for breaking Ty Cobb's all-time major league...
(2,713), Rogers Hornsby
Rogers Hornsby
Rogers Hornsby, Sr. , nicknamed "The Rajah", was an American baseball infielder, manager, and coach who played 23 seasons in Major League Baseball . He played for the St. Louis Cardinals , New York Giants , Boston Braves , Chicago Cubs , and St. Louis Browns...
(2,110), and Enos Slaughter
Enos Slaughter
Enos Bradsher Slaughter , nicknamed "Country", was an American Major League Baseball right fielder. During a 19-year baseball career, he played from 1938–1942 and 1946-1959 for four different teams, but is noted primarily for his time with the St...
(2,064). He got it in his 1,650th game, the 12th quickest. Musial got his in 1,507 games.
The team made another trade on July 31, just before the non-waiver deadline, acquiring shortstop Rafael Furcal
Rafael Furcal
Rafael Antonio Furcal , is a Major League Baseball shortstop who is currently a free agent.-Early career:...
from the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
in return for an AA-outfielder Alex Castellanos
Alex Castellanos
Alejandro "Alex" Castellanos is a U.S. Republican Party political media consultant who specializes in television advertising, and was a top media adviser to Bush Cheney '04 as well as Mitt Romney's presidential campaign....
. Furcal displaced offseason acquisition Ryan Theriot, who committed 17 errors at shortstop for the Cardinals in 2011.
August
On Aug. 11 the Cardinals signed free agent lefty specialist pitcher Arthur RhodesArthur Rhodes
Arthur Lee Rhodes, Jr. is a Major League Baseball left-handed relief pitcher.-Career:Rhodes played high school baseball at La Vega High School in Waco, Texas. He was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 2nd round of the 1988 Major League Baseball Draft.Rhodes made his MLB debut with the Orioles...
, previously released by the Texas Rangers. The Rhodes acquisition completed a radical in-season makeover of the Cardinal bullpen. The only Cardinal relievers in the bullpen on Opening Day who were still on the team at the end of the season were Mitchell Boggs and Jason Motte. Departures included Miguel Batista and Ryan Franklin (released), Bryan Augenstein (disabled and later sent to the minors) and lefty specialists Trever Miller and Brian Tallet (traded to Toronto). Additions over the course of the season included Rhodes, Marc Rzepcynski and Octavio Dotel (acquired from Toronto in the Rasmus trade), Kyle McClellan (sent back to the bullpen after the Cardinals traded for Edwin Jackson), and Lance Lynn and Fernando Salas (called up from the minor leagues).
At the beginning of the month the Cardinals were 2.5 games behind the Brewers in the standings. However, they lost two of three to Milwaukee on the road Aug. 1-3, then did the same at home on Aug. 9-11, giving the Brewers a four-game lead in the NL Central. The team continued to stumble as the Brewers continued to win. Newly acquired shortstop Furcal hit only .240 for the month. The Cardinals went 2-4 on a six-game road trip to Pittsburgh and Chicago, then came home and were swept in three games by a bad Dodger team. After close of business on August 24, the day the Dodgers completed their sweep, St. Louis had fallen ten games behind Milwaukee in the NL Central standings and 10.5 games behind the Atlanta Braves (and in third place) in the NL Wild Card standings. St. Louis' odds of making the playoffs stood at 1.3%.
The sweep by Los Angeles dropped the Cardinals to 67-63. They ended the month on a positive note, taking three of four from the Pirates and sweeping the Brewers in Milwaukee Aug. 30-Sept. 1, improving their chances of making the playoffs to 4.3%.
September: the comeback
The Cardinals set a new NL record of grounding into their 167th (and later, 168th) double-play on September 26, breaking the record set by the 1958 St. Louis Cardinals. They finished the season with 169, five short of the all-time MLB record set by the 1990 Boston Red Sox.After dropping two of three to the Reds the Cardinals played their last series of the season against Milwaukee Sept. 5-7. St. Louis took two out of three and thus won five of its last six games against the Brewers, but Milwaukee still held a lead of 8.5 games. The Cardinals got as close as 4.5 games behind the Brewers later in September but Milwaukee played too well to be caught, clinching the Central Division championship on Sept. 23.
The same was not true of the wild-card leading Atlanta Braves. 10.5 games ahead of the Cardinals on August 24, Atlanta went only 6-7 over its next 13 games before coming to St. Louis on Sept. 9 to play a three-game series that would prove to be critical. In the first game, Atlanta led 3-1 going into the bottom of the ninth inning, but a Schumaker single and walks to Furcal and Theriot set up a two-run, two-out Albert Pujols single to tie the game. The Cardinals won on a sacrifice fly by Nick Punto in the bottom of the 10th. On Sept. 10 St. Louis won by the same 4-3 score when Michael Bourn flied out to right with the tying run on third. On the 11th Yadier Molina hit a three-run double and the Cardinals won 6-3 to complete the sweep. The sweep cut the gap in the wild-card race to 4.5 games, but St. Louis had only 16 games left to play and its playoff chances were still only 7.7%.
The Cardinals followed up their sweep of Atlanta by going on the road to Pittsburgh and Philadelphia and taking two of three from the Pirates and three of four from the NL-leading (and eventually 102-game-winner) Phillies. On the 14th Yadier Molina hit a two-run double and the Cardinals beat Pittsburgh 3-2 behind 6.2 strong innings from Edwin Jackson. On the 16th an error by right fielder Corey Patterson allowed the Phillies to tie the game 2-2 in the bottom of the ninth, but the Cardinals scored on RBI hits from rookie Adron Chambers
Adron Chambers
Adron Lamar Chambers is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the St. Louis Cardinals. He is 5', 10" tall and he weighs 185 pounds.-Early life:...
and Tyler Greene in the 11th and hung on to win 4-2. On the 19th the Cardinals escaped with a 4-3 victory over the Phillies when Octavio Dotel got Hunter Pence
Hunter Pence
Hunter Andrew Pence is a Major League Baseball outfielder with the Philadelphia Phillies. Pence stands tall and weighs . He bats and throws right-handed.-Early life:...
to ground out in the bottom of the ninth with the tying run on base. The Braves went 3-4 over this same stretch of games, losing to the Marlins on Sept. 19 when Omar Infante
Omar Infante
Omar Rafael Infante [in-FAHN-tay] is a Major League Baseball utility player who is currently on the Miami Marlins...
hit a game-winning two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning. The gap in the wild-card standings had decreased to 2.5 games but with only nine games left the Cardinals' playoff chances were still only 17.7%.
The Cardinals then won two of three at home against the Mets, but suffered a bitterly disappointing loss in the third game of that series, when a Rafael Furcal error in the top of the 9th helped open the gates and the Mets scored six runs off the Cardinals to win 8-6. The Braves led by two games with six games left and the Cardinals' playoff chances were 24.4%. The Cardinals won two of three against the Cubs, winning 2-1 on Sept. 24 via a bases-loaded walk and wild pitch by Carlos Marmol
Carlos Marmol
Carlos Agustín Mármol is a relief pitcher for the Chicago Cubs.-Minor league career:Mármol started his career as a catcher/outfielder...
, while the Braves lost two of three to the Nationals. Atlanta had a one-game lead with three games left.
The Cardinals lost in extra innings to the terrible Houston Astros (who finished the year at 56-106) on the 26th but Atlanta lost to the Phillies. On the 27th St. Louis overcame a bad start by Jake Westbrook and a 5-0 deficit, scoring five in the fourth and four more in the seventh and winning 13-6. The winning runs came via a two-run triple from Ryan Theriot. Atlanta lost to Philadelphia again, and with one game left in the season the Cardinals and Braves were tied for the wild card. In the season finale the Cardinals had little trouble with the Astros, winning 8-0 behind a complete game two-hit shutout from Carpenter. The Braves, who played later, were two outs away from forcing a tie-breaker game, but a Chase Utley sacrifice fly tied the game 3-3 in the top of the ninth. In the bottom of the 12th the Braves stranded the winning run on third base. Finally, in the 13th inning Hunter Pence hit an RBI infield single, and in the bottom of the inning Freddie Freeman of the Braves hit into a double play to lose the ballgame and eliminate Atlanta.
The Cardinals had won the NL Wild Card in what became one of the greatest late-season comebacks in the history of baseball. They went 23-9 over their final 32 games to erase a 10.5 game deficit. They went 18-8 in the month of September while the Braves went 9-18 for September to open the door. St. Louis finished 90-72 and advanced to the postseason to face the NL East champion Philadelphia Phillies.
October
The team qualified for the Wild Card on the final day of the regular season and played the Philadelphia Phillies2011 Philadelphia Phillies season
The Philadelphia Phillies 2011 season was the 129th season in the history of the franchise. The Phillies won their fifth consecutive National League East championship, and also finished with the best record in baseball for the second straight year. The Phillies, at 3-1 odds, were the heavy-favorite...
for the first time in postseason, in the NL Division Series best of five, starting the first two games at Citizens Bank Park
Citizens Bank Park
Citizens Bank Park is a 43,647-seat baseball park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, part of the South Philadelphia Sports Complex, and home of the Philadelphia Phillies. Citizens Bank Park opened on April 3, 2004, and hosted its first regular season baseball game on April 12 of the same year, with the...
in Philadelphia
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
.
The famous Rally Squirrel
Rally Squirrel
Rally Squirrel is the name given to an American gray squirrel which appeared on the field and ran across home plate at Busch Stadium during a 2011 National League Division Series Major League Baseball game between the Philadelphia Phillies and St. Louis Cardinals on October 5, 2011...
(aka, 'Busch Squirrel'), made his first appearance in Game 3 on October 4, and then again appeared in Game 4 on October 5, running across Home Plate at Busch Stadium in front of Skip Schumaker
Skip Schumaker
Jared Michael "Skip" Schumaker is a Major League Baseball Outfielder and Second Baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals.-Biography:...
who was batting. The team was ahead at the time, 3-2, and held on for the 5-3 victory. The Rally Squirrel was instantly adopted by the fans as the mascot, and thousands of rally squirrel t-shirts were sold. His Twitter
Twitter
Twitter is an online social networking and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts of up to 140 characters, informally known as "tweets".Twitter was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey and launched that July...
account started, and by October 6 it had over 11,000 followers; by October 20, it had over 27,500 followers.
The October 7, Game 5 winner-take-all in the NLDS pitted Cardinals' ace Chris Carpenter
Chris Carpenter
Christopher John Carpenter is a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who has played for the St. Louis Cardinals since 2003, and is currently signed with the team until the 2011 season, with a club option for 2012.Carpenter was 22 years old and a highly-regarded prospect when he broke into the...
vs. Roy Halladay
Roy Halladay
Harry Leroy "Roy" Halladay III , nicknamed "Doc", is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies...
, his best friend off-the-field for the Phillies, at Citizens Bank Park. Carpenter threw an outstanding 3-hit shutout over Halladay and the Phillies to win the NLDS, 1-0.
On Sunday, October 16, the Cardinals beat the Milwaukee Brewers
2011 Milwaukee Brewers season
The Milwaukee Brewers' 2011 season was their 42nd season for the franchise in Milwaukee, the 14th in the National League, and 43rd overall. The Brewers posted a franchise-best record of 96-66, winning their first-ever National League Central Division title...
in Game 6 of the National League Championship Series
2011 National League Championship Series
The 2011 National League Championship Series was a best-of-seven playoff pitting the winners of the 2011 National League Division Series, the St. Louis Cardinals and Milwaukee Brewers, against each other for the National League championship and the right to be the league's representative in the...
, for their 18th NL Pennant, and became the only team to play in three of the last ten World Series. David Freese
David Freese
David Richard Freese is a third baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball. A star high school player, Freese chose not to play college baseball in his freshman year of college, but returned to the game a year later...
was named NLCS MVP.
The Cardinals, facing the Texas Rangers
2011 Texas Rangers season
The Texas Rangers’ 2011 season was the 51st season in the overall history of the franchise and the 40th since the team relocated to Arlington, Texas. Going into the season they were the defending American League champions....
in the World Series
2011 World Series
The 2011 World Series was the 107th edition of Major League Baseball's championship series. The best-of-seven playoff was played between the American League champion Texas Rangers and the National League champion St...
, pulled-off one of the greatest comeback game wins in World Series history, with an amazing Game 6, winning 10-9 in 11 innings after twice being one strike away from elimination. David Freese
David Freese
David Richard Freese is a third baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball. A star high school player, Freese chose not to play college baseball in his freshman year of college, but returned to the game a year later...
hit a two-out, two-strike, ninth-inning triple, to tie the game after trailing 7-5. Later, with the score tied 9-9, Freese hit a lead-off walk-off home run
Walk-off home run
In baseball, a walk-off home run is a home run that ends the game. It must be a home run that gives the home team the lead in the bottom of the final inning of the game—either the ninth inning, or any extra inning, or any other regularly scheduled final inning...
to dead centerfield in the 11th, off Mark Lowe
Mark Lowe
Mark Christopher Lowe is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the Texas Rangers. He made his Major League debut for the Seattle Mariners on July 7, in relief against the Detroit Tigers, loading the bases before striking out the side. He bats left-handed and throws right-handed. His fastball...
at 11:39pm CDT. Lance Berkman
Lance Berkman
William Lance Berkman is an American professional baseball outfielder and right fielder with the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball....
had previously tied the game in the 10th with a single with 2-outs and 2-strikes, scoring Jon Jay
Jon Jay
Jonathan Henry Jay is an outfielder who plays for the St. Louis Cardinals.-Baseball career:He was drafted by the Cardinals out of the University of Miami in the second round of the 2006 MLB Draft...
. The win meant that the World Series would go to a seventh game for the first time since 2002
2002 World Series
The 2002 World Series was a best-of-seven playoff series to determine the champion of Major League Baseball for the 2002 season. It was the 98th such contest between the champions of the American League and National League , and featured the AL champion Anaheim Angels against the NL champion San...
. Of the last 13 Major League teams that won Game 6 at home to force a Game 7 in the postseason, 12 went on to win Game 7. The Rangers led 4 different times in the game, including with two outs and two strikes in both the ninth and the 10th but the Cardinals refused to die.
Freese's game-winning home run was only the fifth in World Series Game 6 history (1960-Pit., 1975-Bos., 1991-Min., 1993-Tor).
The Cardinals set two records in their Game 6 win: the first team to come back twice from deficits in both the 9th and 10th innings, and the first team to score in the 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th innings.
In addition to the records set in Game Six, during Game Three Albert Pujols
Albert Pujols
José Alberto Pujols Alcántara , better known as Albert Pujols , is a Dominican-American professional baseball player, who is currently a free agent...
joined Reggie Jackson
Reggie Jackson
Reginald Martinez "Reggie" Jackson , nicknamed "Mr. October" for his clutch hitting in the postseason with the New York Yankees, is a former American Major League Baseball right fielder. During a 21-year baseball career, he played from 1967-1987 for four different teams. Jackson currently serves as...
and Babe Ruth
Babe Ruth
George Herman Ruth, Jr. , best known as "Babe" Ruth and nicknamed "the Bambino" and "the Sultan of Swat", was an American Major League baseball player from 1914–1935...
as the only players to hit three home-runs in a World Series game. His 14 total bases and four hits in consecutive innings both set World Series records. And his six RBIs matched a World Series record.
On October 28, the Cardinals finished off their amazing, end-of-season run which started after the Aug. 24 game when they were 10 games behind for the NL Central Division lead. They defeated the Texas Rangers
2011 Texas Rangers season
The Texas Rangers’ 2011 season was the 51st season in the overall history of the franchise and the 40th since the team relocated to Arlington, Texas. Going into the season they were the defending American League champions....
4 games to 3, with a 6-2 win in Game 7 of the World Series at their Busch Stadium
Busch Stadium
Busch Stadium is the home of the St. Louis Cardinals, of MLB...
home in front of 47,399 fans. David Freese
David Freese
David Richard Freese is a third baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball. A star high school player, Freese chose not to play college baseball in his freshman year of college, but returned to the game a year later...
, graduating from a St. Louis high school (Lafayette High), won the MVP award for both the NLCS
2011 National League Championship Series
The 2011 National League Championship Series was a best-of-seven playoff pitting the winners of the 2011 National League Division Series, the St. Louis Cardinals and Milwaukee Brewers, against each other for the National League championship and the right to be the league's representative in the...
, and then for the World Series. He knocked in a record 21 RBIs in his post-season. Chris Carpenter
Chris Carpenter
Christopher John Carpenter is a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who has played for the St. Louis Cardinals since 2003, and is currently signed with the team until the 2011 season, with a club option for 2012.Carpenter was 22 years old and a highly-regarded prospect when he broke into the...
set a franchise record for most wins (four) in a single postseason. Carpenter, 9-2 overall in his Cardinals postseason career, ran his home postseason mark to 7-0 with a 2.15 ERA. Tony La Russa
Tony La Russa
Anthony "Tony" La Russa, Jr. is a former Major League Baseball manager and infielder, best known for his tenures as manager of the Chicago White Sox, Oakland Athletics, and St. Louis Cardinals...
became only the ninth manager in major-league history to win at least three World Series.
It was a team win ("Team of the Living Dead"), and the 36th time a team won the World Series in a Game 7 (or Game 8).
On October 31, three days after winning the World Series, manager Tony La Russa
Tony La Russa
Anthony "Tony" La Russa, Jr. is a former Major League Baseball manager and infielder, best known for his tenures as manager of the Chicago White Sox, Oakland Athletics, and St. Louis Cardinals...
announced his retirement. He finishes his career after 33 seasons, third in all time managerial wins and second all time in post season wins.
November
November 3rd marked the first time in the playing history of Albert Pujols that he would become a free agent. He officially became a free agent as of 12:01 Eastern.On November 13, the Cardinals announced that former Cardinals' catcher Mike Matheny
Mike Matheny
Michael Scott Matheny is the manager of the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball. He is also a former baseball catcher, playing for four different teams during his thirteen years in the major leagues...
as their new manager with a news conference on November 14.
On November 16, MLB announced that Tony La Russa
Tony La Russa
Anthony "Tony" La Russa, Jr. is a former Major League Baseball manager and infielder, best known for his tenures as manager of the Chicago White Sox, Oakland Athletics, and St. Louis Cardinals...
came in third in voting for NL Manager of the Year. Kirk Gibson
Kirk Gibson
Kirk Harold Gibson is a former Major League Baseball player and currently the manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks. As a player, Gibson was an outfielder who batted and threw left-handed...
(Arizona Diamondbacks
2011 Arizona Diamondbacks season
The Arizona Diamondbacks' 2011 season, the franchise's fourteenth season in Major League Baseball, included the team's first National League West championship since 2007, subsequently, their fifth division title since coming into the MLB...
) in his first season won, and Ron Roenicke (Milwaukee Brewers
2011 Milwaukee Brewers season
The Milwaukee Brewers' 2011 season was their 42nd season for the franchise in Milwaukee, the 14th in the National League, and 43rd overall. The Brewers posted a franchise-best record of 96-66, winning their first-ever National League Central Division title...
) came in second.
Season standings
MLB StandingsGame log
The Cardinals, and all 30 teams, had their schedules released by Major League Baseball on September 14, 2010. The Cardinals' opening is at home against the San Diego PadresSan Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
on March 31.
Regular Season Schedule (calendar style)
Regular Season Schedule (sortable text)
All game times are in Central Time Zone
Central Time zone
In North America, the Central Time Zone refers to national time zones which observe standard time by subtracting six hours from UTC , and daylight saving, or summer time by subtracting five hours...
.
! colspan="3" | Legend
|-
! bgcolor="bbffbb" | Cardinals WIN
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
! bgcolor="ffbbbb" | Cardinals LOSS
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
! bgcolor="bbbbbb" | Game POSTPONED / TIE
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
>
| 2011 Game Log | |
|---|---|
St. Louis Cardinals vs. Philadelphia Phillies
St. Louis Cardinals vs. Milwaukee Brewers
NL St. Louis Cardinals vs. AL Texas Rangers
Composite box
2011 World Series (4–3): St. Louis Cardinals2011 St. Louis Cardinals season
The St. Louis Cardinals' 2011 season was the 130th season for the franchise in St. Louis, Missouri, the 120th season in the National League, and the sixth season at Busch Stadium III. The Cardinals began their season at home against the San Diego Padres on March 31, coming off a 86-76 season and...
(N.L.) over Texas Rangers
2011 Texas Rangers season
The Texas Rangers’ 2011 season was the 51st season in the overall history of the franchise and the 40th since the team relocated to Arlington, Texas. Going into the season they were the defending American League champions....
(A.L.)
Ratings
The overall average national Nielsen ratingWorld Series television ratings
This is a list of Major League Baseball World Series television ratings since 1984. Only United States audience totals are included, not Canadian television ratings, although the 1992 and 1993 World Series were highly watched in Canada....
for the seven games was 10.0, with Fox's 14.7 rating for Game 7 being the network's highest for a World Series telecast since Game 4 of the 2004 World Series.
Game 6 on Oct. 27, averaged 21.1 million viewers with a 12.7 rating and a 21 share. Through six games, the 2011 World Series on FOX is averaging a 9.3/15 in household rating/share, with 15.3 million viewers, +11% in rating over last year (8.4/14, 14.3 million) and 2008 (8.4/14, 13.6 million). Both were five game series. The current 9.3/15 average for the 2011 World Series would rank as the sixth highest-rated show (live+same day) in primetime, a ranking that is likely to improve with the inclusion of tonight’s rare Game 7. Game 6 opened with an 8.5 at 8:00 PM EDT and grew steadily throughout the night averaging 11.7 from 9:00-9:30 PM EDT; 12.9 from 10:00-10:30 PM EDT; and 13.2 from 11:00-11-30 PM EDT. The broadcast peaked with a 15.0 HH rating and 25.2 million viewers from midnight-12:30 AM EDT.
From 8:00 to 11:00 PM EDT, Game 6 averaged an 11.8 HH rating, with 19.4 million viewers. From 11:00 PM EDT to its conclusion, the game averaged a 14.3 HH rating, with 23.9 million viewers, +21% in rating and +23% in viewership compared to Primetime. Post mid-night, the game averaged a 14.8 rating and 24.9 million viewers, +25% in rating and +28% in average audience.
St. Louis led all local markets for Game 6 with a 49.4/70, peaking at a 57.0/75 from 10:30-11:00 PM EDT, with the final quarter hour averaging a 53.1/82. Dallas averaged a World Series-high 47.1/67, while peaking at 55.7/81 from 11:15-11:30 PM EDT.
| Game | Ratings Nielsen Ratings Nielsen ratings are the audience measurement systems developed by Nielsen Media Research, in an effort to determine the audience size and composition of television programming in the United States... (households) | Share (households) | American audience (in millions) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8.7 | 14 | 14.2 |
| 2 | 8.9 | 14 | 14.3 |
| 3 | 6.6 | 12 | 11.2 |
| 4 | 9.2 | 14 | 15.2 |
| 5 | 8.8 | 14 | 14.3 |
| 6 | 12.7 | 21 | 21.1 |
| 7 | 14.7 | 25 | 25.4 |
Record vs. Opponents
(through September 28)| Team | W-L Record |
|---|---|
| Arizona Diamondbacks Arizona Diamondbacks The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field... |
4–3 |
| Atlanta Braves Atlanta Braves The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997.... |
5–1 |
| Baltimore Orioles Baltimore Orioles The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league... |
3-0 |
| Chicago Cubs Chicago Cubs The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National... |
10–5 |
| Cincinnati Reds Cincinnati Reds The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890.... |
6–9 |
| Colorado Rockies Colorado Rockies The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains... |
4–2 |
| Florida Marlins Florida Marlins The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at... |
6–2 |
| Houston Astros Houston Astros The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field... |
10–5 |
| Kansas City Royals Kansas City Royals The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium... |
4–2 |
| Los Angeles Dodgers Los Angeles Dodgers The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming... |
3–4 |
| Milwaukee Brewers Milwaukee Brewers The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League... |
9–9 |
| New York Mets New York Mets The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League... |
3–3 |
| Philadelphia Phillies Philadelphia Phillies The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League... |
6–3 |
| Pittsburgh Pirates Pittsburgh Pirates The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions... |
9–7 |
| San Diego Padres San Diego Padres The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times... |
3–3 |
| San Francisco Giants San Francisco Giants The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division.... |
2–5 |
| Tampa Bay Rays Tampa Bay Rays The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field... |
1-2 |
| Toronto Blue Jays Toronto Blue Jays The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League .... |
0–3 |
| Washington Nationals Washington Nationals The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium... |
2–4 |
Bold indicates that the Cardinals have finished their season schedule with an opponent.
Roster
| 2011 St. Louis Cardinals | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers | Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders | Manager Coaches (pitching) (bullpen) (hitting) (first base) (third base) (bench) |
||||||
Players
Batting
Note: G = Games played; AB = At Bats; R = Runs; H = Hits; 2B= Doubles; HR = Home Runs; RBI = Runs Batted In; BB = Walks; SO = Strikeouts; GIDP = Grounded into Double Play; Avg. = Batting Average; OBP = On-base Percentage; SLG = Slugging Percentage(through September 28, FINAL)
Cardinals HITTING statistics
Sortable TEAM HITTING statistics
| Player | G | AB | R | H | 2B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | GIDP | Avg. | OBP | SLG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albert Pujols Albert Pujols José Alberto Pujols Alcántara , better known as Albert Pujols , is a Dominican-American professional baseball player, who is currently a free agent... |
147 | 579 | 105 | 173 | 29 | 37 | 99 | 61 | 58 | 29 | .299 | .366 | .541 |
| Lance Berkman Lance Berkman William Lance Berkman is an American professional baseball outfielder and right fielder with the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball.... |
145 | 488 | 90 | 147 | 23 | 31 | 94 | 92 | 93 | 7 | .301 | .412 | .547 |
| Matt Holliday Matt Holliday Matthew Thomas Holliday , nicknamed "Big Daddy", is an American Major League Baseball left fielder for the St. Louis Cardinals. Holliday was originally drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the seventh round of the 1998 Major League Baseball Draft.Holliday is a five-time All-Star and Silver Slugger... (9/27) |
124 | 446 | 83 | 132 | 36 | 22 | 75 | 60 | 93 | 21 | .296 | .388 | .525 |
| Ryan Theriot Ryan Theriot Ryan Stewart Theriot is a Major League Baseball infielder for the St. Louis Cardinals.Theriot is the son of Randy and Mary Theriot, and has an older brother Wes and younger brother Austin. Both his father and older brother played baseball at Broadmoor High School.Theriot graduated from Broadmoor... leadoff -7/31 |
132 | 442 | 46 | 120 | 26 | 1 | 47 | 29 | 41 | 15 | .271 | .321 | .342 |
| Yadier Molina Yadier Molina Yadier Benjamin Molina known affectionately by fans as "Yadi", is a Major League Baseball catcher who plays for the St. Louis Cardinals.Molina was the third catcher to play in two World Series before age 25, along with Johnny Bench and Yogi Berra. He is considered one of the best defensive... |
139 | 475 | 55 | 145 | 32 | 14 | 65 | 33 | 44 | 21 | .305 | .349 | .465 |
| Jon Jay Jon Jay Jonathan Henry Jay is an outfielder who plays for the St. Louis Cardinals.-Baseball career:He was drafted by the Cardinals out of the University of Miami in the second round of the 2006 MLB Draft... |
159 | 455 | 56 | 135 | 24 | 10 | 37 | 28 | 81 | 11 | .297 | .344 | .424 |
| Skip Schumaker Skip Schumaker Jared Michael "Skip" Schumaker is a Major League Baseball Outfielder and Second Baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals.-Biography:... |
117 | 367 | 34 | 104 | 19 | 2 | 38 | 27 | 50 | 10 | .283 | .333 | .351 |
| David Freese David Freese David Richard Freese is a third baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball. A star high school player, Freese chose not to play college baseball in his freshman year of college, but returned to the game a year later... |
97 | 333 | 41 | 99 | 16 | 10 | 55 | 24 | 75 | 18 | .297 | .350 | .441 |
| Daniel Descalso Daniel Descalso Daniel William Descalso is an American professional baseball infielder with the St. Louis Cardinals.-Early and personal life:... |
148 | 326 | 35 | 86 | 20 | 1 | 28 | 33 | 65 | 3 | .264 | .334 | .353 |
| Allen Craig Allen Craig Allen Thomas Craig is a Major League Baseball utility player for the St. Louis Cardinals.-Amateur career:... |
75 | 200 | 33 | 63 | 15 | 11 | 40 | 15 | 40 | 7 | .315 | .362 | .555 |
| Rafael Furcal Rafael Furcal Rafael Antonio Furcal , is a Major League Baseball shortstop who is currently a free agent.-Early career:... |
50 | 196 | 29 | 50 | 11 | 7 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 3 | .255 | .316 | .418 |
| Nick Punto Nick Punto Nicholas Paul Punto is a Major League Baseball utility player. He has played second base, third base, shortstop, and center field. Punto is a switch hitter and throws right-handed.... |
63 | 133 | 21 | 37 | 8 | 1 | 20 | 25 | 21 | 3 | .278 | .388 | .421 |
| Tyler Greene Tyler Greene Benjamin Tyler Greene is an American Major league baseball shortstop, currently playing in the minor leagues of the St. Louis Cardinals.-Early and personal life:... |
58 | 104 | 22 | 22 | 5 | 1 | 11 | 13 | 31 | 3 | .212 | .322 | .288 |
| Gerald Laird Gerald Laird Gerald Lee Laird III is an American professional baseball catcher for the Detroit Tigers. He graduated La Quinta High School in 1998, and played college baseball at Cypress College... |
37 | 95 | 11 | 22 | 7 | 1 | 12 | 9 | 19 | 3 | .232 | .302 | .358 |
| Chris Carpenter Chris Carpenter Christopher John Carpenter is a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who has played for the St. Louis Cardinals since 2003, and is currently signed with the team until the 2011 season, with a club option for 2012.Carpenter was 22 years old and a highly-regarded prospect when he broke into the... (P) |
32 | 71 | 2 | 11 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 25 | 0 | .155 | .178 | .197 |
| Tony Cruz Tony Cruz (baseball) Arnoldi Anthony "Tony" Cruz is a Minor League Baseball catcher for the St. Louis Cardinals.-Career:From Okaloosa-Walton College and Middle Georgia College, Cruz was selected by the St... |
38 | 65 | 8 | 17 | 5 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 13 | 1 | .262 | .333 | .338 |
| Kyle Lohse Kyle Lohse Kyle Matthew Lohse is a right-handed starting pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals. Originally drafted by the Chicago Cubs in , Lohse was traded to the Minnesota Twins in in a deal involving Rick Aguilera. Lohse made his MLB debut with the Twins on June 22, .Lohse is a member of the Nomlaki... (P) |
33 | 63 | 3 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 17 | 0 | .175 | .188 | .206 |
| Jaime Garcia Jaime Garcia (baseball) Jaime Omar García is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals.-Early life:Jaime García was born on July 8, 1986 in Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico as the second of three children to civil engineer Jaime García, Sr. and Gloria Rodríguez Flores. García was raised between the border of... (P) |
30 | 62 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 18 | 1 | .097 | .111 | .145 |
| Corey Patterson Corey Patterson Donald Corey Patterson is an American professional baseball free agent outfielder in Major League Baseball. He is the older brother of outfielder Eric Patterson.-Amateur career:... |
44 | 51 | 5 | 8 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 12 | 1 | .157 | .189 | .235 |
| Mark Hamilton Mark Hamilton (baseball) Mark Alan Hamilton is an American professional baseball first baseman in the St. Louis Cardinals organization.-Early and personal life:... |
38 | 47 | 5 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 16 | 1 | .213 | .275 | .277 |
| Jake Westbrook Jake Westbrook Jacob Cauthen "Jake" Westbrook is an American Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher currently with the St. Louis Cardinals. He is known as a sinker ball pitcher and has also hit a grand slam home run.... (P) |
33 | 47 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 3 | 23 | 0 | .106 | .160 | .213 |
| Kyle McClellan Kyle McClellan Kyle William McClellan is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals. He attended Hazelwood West High School. After graduating from high school, McClellan was drafted by the St... (P) |
43 | 35 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 12 | 1 | .143 | .167 | .171 |
| Edwin Jackson Edwin Jackson Edwin Jackson is an American professional baseball pitcher.-Early life:Jackson's father, Edwin Jackson, Sr., a military cook, was stationed in Germany at the time of his birth. Jackson is one of 27 major league players who were born in Germany... (P) |
13 | 26 | 2 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 0 | .308 | .321 | .308 |
| Andrew Brown Andrew Brown (outfielder) Andrew M. Brown is an American professional baseball infielder and outfielder for the Colorado Rockies of Major League Baseball. He was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 18th round of the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft.He was called up on June 12, 2011. After hitting .182 in 11 games for... * |
11 | 22 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 8 | 1 | .182 | .182 | .227 |
| Pete Kozma * | 16 | 17 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 0 | .176 | .333 | .235 |
| Matt Carpenter * | 7 | 15 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 0 | .067 | .283 | .133 |
| Adron Chambers Adron Chambers Adron Lamar Chambers is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the St. Louis Cardinals. He is 5', 10" tall and he weighs 185 pounds.-Early life:... |
18 | 8 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .375 | .375 | .625 |
| Shane Robinson Shane Robinson (baseball) Shane Robinson is a Major League Baseball center fielder for the St. Louis Cardinals.-College career:... |
9 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | .000 | .125 | .000 |
| Colby Rasmus Colby Rasmus Colby Ryan Rasmus is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball.-Early years:... ( -7/26) ^ |
94 | 338 | 61 | 83 | 14 | 11 | 40 | 45 | 77 | 8 | .246 | .332 | .420 |
| TEAM TOTALS | 162 | 5,532 (#7) | 762 (#1) | 1,513 (#1) | 308 (#3) | 162 (#6) | 726 (#1) | 542 (#3) | 978 (#16) | 169 (#1) | .273 (#1) | .341 (#1) | .425 (#1) |
BOLD / #1 = Leading 16 NL teams
Starting pitchers
Note: GS = Games Started; IP = Innings Pitched; W = Wins; L = Loss; ERA = Earned Run Average; WHIP = (Walks + Hits) per Innings Pitched; HBP = Hit by Pitch; BF = Batters faced; O-AVG = Opponent Batting Ave.; O-SLG = Opponent Slugging Ave.; R support avg = Average Runs support from his team per Games Started(through September 28, FINAL)
Cardinals PITCHING statistics
Sortable TEAM PITCHING Statistics
| Player | GS | IP | W | L | ERA | H | HR | BB | SO | WHIP Walks plus hits per inning pitched In baseball statistics, walks plus hits per inning pitched is a sabermetric measurement of the number of baserunners a pitcher has allowed per inning pitched. It is a measure of a pitcher's ability to prevent batters from reaching base... |
HBP | BF | O-AVG | O-SLG | R support avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Carpenter Chris Carpenter Christopher John Carpenter is a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who has played for the St. Louis Cardinals since 2003, and is currently signed with the team until the 2011 season, with a club option for 2012.Carpenter was 22 years old and a highly-regarded prospect when he broke into the... (2 ShO) |
34 | 237.1 | 11 | 9 | 3.45 | 243 | 16 | 55 | 191 | 1.26 | 6 | 996 | .264 | .360 | 4.0 |
| Jake Westbrook Jake Westbrook Jacob Cauthen "Jake" Westbrook is an American Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher currently with the St. Louis Cardinals. He is known as a sinker ball pitcher and has also hit a grand slam home run.... |
33 | 183.1 | 12 | 9 | 4.66 | 208 | 16 | 73 | 104 | 1.53 | 2 | 809 | .289 | .433 | 5.1 |
| Jaime Garcia Jaime Garcia (baseball) Jaime Omar García is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals.-Early life:Jaime García was born on July 8, 1986 in Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico as the second of three children to civil engineer Jaime García, Sr. and Gloria Rodríguez Flores. García was raised between the border of... (2 ShO) |
32 | 194.2 | 13 | 7 | 3.56 | 207 | 15 | 50 | 156 | 1.32 | 2 | 826 | .273 | .394 | 5.1 |
| Kyle Lohse Kyle Lohse Kyle Matthew Lohse is a right-handed starting pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals. Originally drafted by the Chicago Cubs in , Lohse was traded to the Minnesota Twins in in a deal involving Rick Aguilera. Lohse made his MLB debut with the Twins on June 22, .Lohse is a member of the Nomlaki... (1 ShO) |
30 | 188.1 | 14 | 8 | 3.39 | 178 | 16 | 42 | 111 | 1.17 | 3 | 775 | .249 | .390 | 4.6 |
| Kyle McClellan Kyle McClellan Kyle William McClellan is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals. He attended Hazelwood West High School. After graduating from high school, McClellan was drafted by the St... ( -7/25) |
17 | 110.2 | 6 | 6 | 4.15 | 111 | 14 | 33 | 55 | 1.30 | 2 | 470 | .259 | .413 | 4.3 |
| Edwin Jackson Edwin Jackson Edwin Jackson is an American professional baseball pitcher.-Early life:Jackson's father, Edwin Jackson, Sr., a military cook, was stationed in Germany at the time of his birth. Jackson is one of 27 major league players who were born in Germany... (7/29- ) |
12 | 77.0 | 5 | 2 | 3.62 | 89 | 7 | 23 | 51 | 1.45 | 2 | 334 | .299 | .460 | 4.7 |
| Lance Lynn Lance Lynn Michael Lance Lynn is an American professional baseball player with the St. Louis Cardinals.-Early and personal life:... (6/9) †† |
2 | 10.1 | 1 | 1 | 5.23 | 10 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 1.26 | 1 | 42 | .263 | .368 | 8.0 |
| Brandon Dickson Brandon Dickson Brandon Dickson is an American professional baseball player, with the St. Louis Cardinals. He was signed undrafted by the St... (9/1) |
1 | 3.1 | 0 | 0 | 8.11 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2.10 | 0 | 16 | .400 | .867 | 8.0 |
| Miguel Batista Miguel Batista Miguel Descartes Batista Jerez is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher. He has played for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Florida Marlins, Chicago Cubs, Montreal Expos, Kansas City Royals, Arizona Diamondbacks, Toronto Blue Jays, Seattle Mariners, Washington Nationals, St... (4/22) * |
1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | -- | 0 | 1 | .000 | .000 | 4.0 |
| STARTER TOTALS | 162 | 1,005.0 | 62 | 42 | 3.81 | 1,052 | 87 | 281 | 679 | 1.33 | 18 | 4,269 | .270 | .401 | 4.7 |
Bold = leading NL
Relief pitchers
Note: IP = Innings Pitched; ERA = Earned Run Average; WHIP = (Walks + Hits) per Innings Pitched"Bullpen Briefs" (through Sep. 28, no relievers needed that day)
28-30, 3.61 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 463.1 IP, 416 H, 210 R, 186 ER, 49 HR 170 BB, 421 SO
Saves/Opp: 47/73 (64.4%) 1st Batter / Retired: 329/462 (71.2%)
Holds: 84 Inherited Runners/Scored: 68/231 (29.4%)
(through Sep. 26, last loss)
Games lost by bullpen: 30 Salas
Fernando Salas
Noel Fernando Salas is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals.-Professional career:...
(6), Franklin
Ryan Franklin
Ryan Ray Franklin is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has played for the Seattle Mariners, Philadelphia Phillies, Cincinnati Reds, and St. Louis Cardinals.-Early life:...
(4), Dotel
Octavio Dotel
Octavio Eduardo Dotel is a Domincan professional baseball pitcher who is currently a Free Agent....
(3), Rzepczynski
Marc Rzepczynski
Marc Walter Rzepczynski is an American professional baseball left-handed pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals.The Toronto Blue Jays blogosphere gave Rzepczynski the nickname "Scrabble".-Amateur career:...
(3), Boggs
Mitchell Boggs
Mitchell Thomas Boggs is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals. He is of no relation to former MLB third baseman, Wade Boggs.-High school:...
(3), Motte
Jason Motte
Jason Louis Motte is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals.-Career:Motte graduated from Valley Central High School, Montgomery, N.Y., in 2000 where he was a catcher...
(2), Batista
Miguel Batista
Miguel Descartes Batista Jerez is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher. He has played for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Florida Marlins, Chicago Cubs, Montreal Expos, Kansas City Royals, Arizona Diamondbacks, Toronto Blue Jays, Seattle Mariners, Washington Nationals, St...
(2), Tallet
Brian Tallet
Brian Curtis Tallet is an American professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He stands 6' 6" in height. Brian Tallet pitched for the LSU Tigers and won a national championship in 2000....
(1), Augenstein
Bryan Augenstein
Bryan Christopher Augenstein is an American professional baseball player who is currently a pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball.-Professional career:...
(1), Sánchez
Eduardo Sánchez (baseball)
Eduardo Nazareth Sánchez is a professional baseball pitcher who plays in the St. Louis Cardinals organization. He was signed by the Cardinals as a non-drafted free agent on December 26, ....
(1), Miller
Trever Miller
Trever Douglas Miller is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent.-High school:...
(1), Valdes
Raúl Valdés
Raúl Valdés is a Cuban professional baseball pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball.-Chicago Cubs:...
(1), Rhodes
Arthur Rhodes
Arthur Lee Rhodes, Jr. is a Major League Baseball left-handed relief pitcher.-Career:Rhodes played high school baseball at La Vega High School in Waco, Texas. He was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 2nd round of the 1988 Major League Baseball Draft.Rhodes made his MLB debut with the Orioles...
(1), McClellan
Kyle McClellan
Kyle William McClellan is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals. He attended Hazelwood West High School. After graduating from high school, McClellan was drafted by the St...
(1)
Blown Saves by bullpen: 24 Salas
Fernando Salas
Noel Fernando Salas is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals.-Professional career:...
(6), Motte
Jason Motte
Jason Louis Motte is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals.-Career:Motte graduated from Valley Central High School, Montgomery, N.Y., in 2000 where he was a catcher...
(4), Franklin
Ryan Franklin
Ryan Ray Franklin is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has played for the Seattle Mariners, Philadelphia Phillies, Cincinnati Reds, and St. Louis Cardinals.-Early life:...
(4), Boggs
Mitchell Boggs
Mitchell Thomas Boggs is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals. He is of no relation to former MLB third baseman, Wade Boggs.-High school:...
(3), Miller
Trever Miller
Trever Douglas Miller is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent.-High school:...
(2), Sánchez
Eduardo Sánchez (baseball)
Eduardo Nazareth Sánchez is a professional baseball pitcher who plays in the St. Louis Cardinals organization. He was signed by the Cardinals as a non-drafted free agent on December 26, ....
(2), McClellan
Kyle McClellan
Kyle William McClellan is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals. He attended Hazelwood West High School. After graduating from high school, McClellan was drafted by the St...
(1), Batista
Miguel Batista
Miguel Descartes Batista Jerez is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher. He has played for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Florida Marlins, Chicago Cubs, Montreal Expos, Kansas City Royals, Arizona Diamondbacks, Toronto Blue Jays, Seattle Mariners, Washington Nationals, St...
(1), Rzepczynski
Marc Rzepczynski
Marc Walter Rzepczynski is an American professional baseball left-handed pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals.The Toronto Blue Jays blogosphere gave Rzepczynski the nickname "Scrabble".-Amateur career:...
(1)
Scoring by inning
(through September 28, FINAL)| INNING | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CARDINALS | 103 | 82 | 82 | 82 | 88 | 95 | 83 | 82 | 54 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 762 |
| OPPONENTS | 74 | 56 | 98 | 80 | 78 | 87 | 63 | 75 | 62 | 12 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 692 |
Cardinals Record When
(through September 28, FINAL)Home 45-36 (.556)
Away 45-36 (.556)
Scoring first 64-36
Opp. scores first 26-36
Scoring more than 3 runs 70-29
Scoring 3 runs 13-14
Scoring fewer than 3 runs 7-29
Leading after 7 innings 68-9
Tied after 7 innings 12-14
Trailing after 7 innings 10-49
Leading after 8 innings 77-7
Tied after 8 innings 9-13
Trailing after 8 innings 4-52
In errorless games 55-27
In error-made games 35-45
Extra innings 8-13
Shutouts 9-8
One-run games 26-23
Out-hit opponents 58-15
Same hits as opponents 14-4
Out-hit by opponents 18-53
Runs via HR 262 (34.4% of total)
Opp. Runs via HR 229 (33.1% of total)
By Day
Mon. 6-9
Tue. 16-8
Wed. 11-15
Thu. 14-6
Fri. 14-11
Sat. 13-13
Sun. 16-10
By Opponent
DIVISION
HOME ROAD TOTAL
NL Central 25-15 19-20 44-35
NL East 12-6 10-7 22-13
NL West 6-11 10-6 16-17
AL East 0-3 4-2 4-5
AL Central 2-1 2-1 4-2
TOTALS 45-36 45-36 90-72
(Interleague 8-7)
Busch Stadium (Indexes, 2011)
(through September 28, 90-72)2011 (100 = Neutral Park, > 100 Ballpark favors, < 100 Ballpark inhibits)
81 HOME G; Cardinals: 2,646 AB; Opponents: 2,801 AB
81 AWAY G: Cardinals: 2,886 AB; Opponents: 2,807 AB
162 G Cardinals: 5,532 AB; Opponents: 5,608 AB
BA 92
R 90
H 88
2B 85
3B 66
HR 81
BB 106
SO 97
E 89
E-inf. 83
LHB-BA 94
LHB-HR 93
RHB-BA 91
RHB-HR 74
BA .273 (HOME .270 ROAD .277)
(Opponents BA: at StL .242 at their Home .279)
2009–2011 Index (3-yr. composite)
HOME 243 G; Cardinals: 7,986 AB; Opponents: 8,371 AB)
BA 96
R 92
H 94
2B 92
3B 76
HR 77
BB 107
SO 98
E 104
E-inf. 103
LHB-BA 97
LHB-HR 86
RHB-BA 95
RHB-HR 73
BA-Home .268
BA-Road .265
Opp.-Busch .247
Opp.-at their HOME .270
-----
The St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
' 2011 season
2011 Major League Baseball season
The 2011 Major League Baseball season began on Thursday, March 31, and ended on Wednesday, September 28. This marked the first time a season began on a Thursday since , and the first time a regular season ended on a Wednesday since...
was the 130th season for the franchise in St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
, the 120th season in the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
, and the sixth season at Busch Stadium III
Busch Stadium
Busch Stadium is the home of the St. Louis Cardinals, of MLB...
. The Cardinals began their season at home against the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
on March 31, coming off a 86-76 (.531) season and second place in the NL Central. They returned to postseason play in 2011 (after missing out in 2010) as the Wild Card team, and beat the Philadelphia Phillies
2011 Philadelphia Phillies season
The Philadelphia Phillies 2011 season was the 129th season in the history of the franchise. The Phillies won their fifth consecutive National League East championship, and also finished with the best record in baseball for the second straight year. The Phillies, at 3-1 odds, were the heavy-favorite...
in five games in the Division Series
2011 National League Division Series
The 2011 National League Division Series were two best-of-five playoffs comprising the opening round of the Major League Baseball postseason, played to determine the participating teams in the 2011 National League Championship Series. Three divisional winners and a fourth team—a wild card—played...
and the Milwaukee Brewers
2011 Milwaukee Brewers season
The Milwaukee Brewers' 2011 season was their 42nd season for the franchise in Milwaukee, the 14th in the National League, and 43rd overall. The Brewers posted a franchise-best record of 96-66, winning their first-ever National League Central Division title...
in six games in the National League Championship Series
2011 National League Championship Series
The 2011 National League Championship Series was a best-of-seven playoff pitting the winners of the 2011 National League Division Series, the St. Louis Cardinals and Milwaukee Brewers, against each other for the National League championship and the right to be the league's representative in the...
. They defeated the Texas Rangers
2011 Texas Rangers season
The Texas Rangers’ 2011 season was the 51st season in the overall history of the franchise and the 40th since the team relocated to Arlington, Texas. Going into the season they were the defending American League champions....
in the 2011 World Series
2011 World Series
The 2011 World Series was the 107th edition of Major League Baseball's championship series. The best-of-seven playoff was played between the American League champion Texas Rangers and the National League champion St...
in seven games.
Offseason departures and acquisitions
Cardinals co-owner, team treasurer, and member of the Board of DirectorsBoard of directors
A board of directors is a body of elected or appointed members who jointly oversee the activities of a company or organization. Other names include board of governors, board of managers, board of regents, board of trustees, and board of visitors...
Andrew N. "Drew" Baur
Drew Baur
Andrew 'Drew' Baur was a co-owner of the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team. Baur was a key member of the ownership group which purchased the team from Anheuser-Busch in March 1996. Baur served as the team's treasurer, and was a member of the Cardinals Board of Directors.-Early Life:Baur was born...
died suddenly at his home at 66, in Gulf Stream, Florida
Gulf Stream, Florida
Gulf Stream is a town in Palm Beach County, Florida, United States. The population was 716 at the 2000 census.and ranked as the 11th highest-income place in the United States. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 746.-Geography:...
on February 20, 2011.
Management
On Oct. 18, 2010, manager Tony La RussaTony La Russa
Anthony "Tony" La Russa, Jr. is a former Major League Baseball manager and infielder, best known for his tenures as manager of the Chicago White Sox, Oakland Athletics, and St. Louis Cardinals...
decided to return for his 16th season with the Cardinals after agreeing to terms for a new one-year contract, and a mutual option for a second year. Bullpen coach Marty Mason
Marty Mason
Martin Lee "Marty" Mason is a retired minor league baseball pitcher and former Major League Baseball bullpen coach for the St...
was not retained, but all the other coaches returned with extended contracts.
On November 2, 2010, the team named a new bullpen coach (replacing Mason) Derek Lilliquist
Derek Lilliquist
Derek Jansen Lilliquist , is a retired professional baseball player who pitched in the Major Leagues from 1989-1996. He later became a minor league pitching coach for the St. Louis Cardinals and was named their major league bullpen coach on November 2, 2010.-External links:...
, who was the team's pitching coordinator for the last three seasons. In another change announced that day, Greg Hauck was promoted to head athletic trainer, while longtime head trainer Barry Weinberg assumed duties as assistant athletic trainer.
Hitters
On Oct. 6, 2010, the Cardinals picked up the $16 mil. option on Albert PujolsAlbert Pujols
José Alberto Pujols Alcántara , better known as Albert Pujols , is a Dominican-American professional baseball player, who is currently a free agent...
.
On November 30, 2010, the Cardinals traded pitcher Blake Hawksworth
Blake Hawksworth
Blake Edward Hawksworth is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He is 6' 3" and weighs 195 pounds.-Career:...
for middle-infielder Ryan Theriot
Ryan Theriot
Ryan Stewart Theriot is a Major League Baseball infielder for the St. Louis Cardinals.Theriot is the son of Randy and Mary Theriot, and has an older brother Wes and younger brother Austin. Both his father and older brother played baseball at Broadmoor High School.Theriot graduated from Broadmoor...
in a trade with Dodgers. They also signed free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
left-handed relief pitcher Brian Tallet
Brian Tallet
Brian Curtis Tallet is an American professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He stands 6' 6" in height. Brian Tallet pitched for the LSU Tigers and won a national championship in 2000....
. On December 12 the Cardinals cleared a space for Theriot at shortstop by trading incumbent shortstop Brendan Ryan
Brendan Ryan (baseball)
Brendan Wood Ryan is an American Major League Baseball shortstop for the Seattle Mariners. While he has typically fielded at shortstop in his professional career, Ryan has been known to play at second and third base and has dabbled with pitching.-Early and personal life:Ryan was born in Los...
to the Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
for Class-A prospect Maikel Cleto
Maikel Cleto
Maikel Cleto is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals. He was signed as a non-drafted free agent by the New York Mets on August 10, 2006.-New York Mets:...
.
On December 4, 2010, the Cardinals signed 34-yr-old free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
Lance Berkman
Lance Berkman
William Lance Berkman is an American professional baseball outfielder and right fielder with the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball....
(formerly with the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
and then Yankees in 2010) to a 1-yr. $8 mil. deal. Berkman was slated to play right field. The acquisition of Berkman would eventually prove to be key to the 2011 season. Berkman, who had slumped to a .248 average in 2010 and had hit particularly poorly after his midseason trade to the New York Yankees, hit 31 home runs for the Cardinals in 2011 and was named NL Comeback Player of the Year.
On December 14, 2010, the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
signed free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
Gerald Laird
Gerald Laird
Gerald Lee Laird III is an American professional baseball catcher for the Detroit Tigers. He graduated La Quinta High School in 1998, and played college baseball at Cypress College...
to a one-year contract.
On January 15, 2011, Albert Pujols
Albert Pujols
José Alberto Pujols Alcántara , better known as Albert Pujols , is a Dominican-American professional baseball player, who is currently a free agent...
through his agent Dan Lozano, told the Cardinals that the date to report to Spring Training (Feb. 18) was the deadline to reach a deal on a new contract. Negotiations failed to produce a deal, and on February 16 Pujols suspended negotiations, citing an unwillingness to be distracted during the season, including Spring Training. Pujols received $16 mil. in 2011 and $111 mil. over his previous eight seasons. Pujols had asked for a 10-year deal, worth up to $300 million, averaging $30 mil. per year.
On January 21, 2011, the Cardinals signed a free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
backup infielder Nick Punto
Nick Punto
Nicholas Paul Punto is a Major League Baseball utility player. He has played second base, third base, shortstop, and center field. Punto is a switch hitter and throws right-handed....
to a one-year contract for $750,000.
In a surprise announcement on February 4, the Cardinals signed former Cardinal Jim Edmonds
Jim Edmonds
James Patrick "Jim" Edmonds is a former American Major League Baseball center fielder. He played for the California/Anaheim Angels, the St. Louis Cardinals, the San Diego Padres, the Milwaukee Brewers, the Chicago Cubs, and the Cincinnati Reds...
(2000–2007) to a minor-league contract, and an invitation to Spring Training as a non-roster invitee. He hit 241 home runs (4th in rank) as a Cardinal in his eight years, made three All-Star teams (2000, 2003, 2005), and won six Gold Gloves
Rawlings Gold Glove Award
The Rawlings Gold Glove Award, usually referred to as the Gold Glove, is the award given annually to the Major League Baseball players judged to have exhibited superior individual fielding performances at each fielding position in both the National League and the American League , as voted by the...
(2000–05). He needs seven home runs to reach the career 400 level. On February 18 Edmonds announced his retirement from baseball, citing the risk of permanent damage in his comeback from Achilles tendon
Achilles tendon
The Achilles tendon , also known as the calcaneal tendon or the tendo calcaneus, is a tendon of the posterior leg. It serves to attach the plantaris, gastrocnemius and soleus muscles to the calcaneus bone.- Anatomy :The Achilles is the tendonous extension of 3 muscles in the lower leg:...
surgery.
Pitchers
On Oct. 6, 2010, the Cardinals picked up the option on LH relief specialist Trever MillerTrever Miller
Trever Douglas Miller is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent.-High school:...
after he vested his option with his 45th appearance in 2010 (57 G), and finished the season healthy.
On Nov. 16, 2010, the Cardinals signed free agent pitcher Jake Westbrook
Jake Westbrook
Jacob Cauthen "Jake" Westbrook is an American Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher currently with the St. Louis Cardinals. He is known as a sinker ball pitcher and has also hit a grand slam home run....
to a two-year deal through 2012 for $16.5 mil., with a mutual option for 2013, and a full no-trade clause. The Cardinals had previously acquired Westbrook in a 2010 trade that sent Ryan Ludwick
Ryan Ludwick
Ryan Andrew Ludwick is a Major League Baseball right fielder. His brother Eric played four seasons in Major League Baseball as a pitcher.-High school, college, and minor leagues:Ludwick attended Durango High School in Las Vegas, Nevada....
to the Padres.
On Jan. 15, 2011, the Cardinals agreed to a one-year contract with reliever Kyle McClellan
Kyle McClellan
Kyle William McClellan is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals. He attended Hazelwood West High School. After graduating from high school, McClellan was drafted by the St...
in avoiding arbitration. Salary was not announced.
The Cardinals suffered a severe setback at the beginning of spring training. On Feb. 24, 2011, it was confirmed that ace pitcher Adam Wainwright
Adam Wainwright
Adam Parrish Wainwright is a right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals. He was drafted 29th overall by the Atlanta Braves in the 2000 amateur draft. He made his major league debut for the St...
needed Tommy John surgery
Tommy John surgery
Tommy John surgery, known in medical practice as ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction, is a surgical procedure in which a ligament in the medial elbow is replaced with a tendon from elsewhere in the body...
on his right elbow after experiencing discomfort in throwing batting practice on February 21. It meant missing, at a minimum, the entirety of the 2011 season. Wainwright was coming off a career year in 2010 in which he won a career-high 20 games, made the All-Star game and finished second in National League Cy Young Award
Cy Young Award
The Cy Young Award is an honor given annually in baseball to the best pitchers in Major League Baseball , one each for the American League and National League . The award was first introduced in 1956 by Baseball Commissioner Ford Frick in honor of Hall of Fame pitcher Cy Young, who died in 1955...
voting. The Feb. 28 surgery on Wainwright in St. Louis was described as 'successful'.
Spring Training
St. Louis Cardinals Spring Training Schedule
All Times are Central Time (CT)
Home Games, and those with the Florida Marlins at Roger Dean Stadium
Roger Dean Stadium
Roger Dean Stadium is a baseball stadium located in the Abacoa community of the town of Jupiter, Florida. The stadium was built in 1998, holds 6,871 people, and features luxury sky-box seating, 2 levels of permanent seating, parking and concessions...
(Jupiter, Florida
Jupiter, Florida
Jupiter is a town located in Palm Beach County, Florida. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 39,328. The estimate population for 2009 is 50,606. As of 2006, the population had grown to 50,028, according to the University of Florida, Bureau of Economic and Business Research....
).
(ss) = split squad games
The Cardinals released their 2011 Spring Training schedule on Dec. 3, 2010.
The scheduled exhibition game on Mar. 29, vs. their AA-level Springfield Cardinals
Springfield Cardinals
The Springfield Cardinals are a minor league baseball team based in Springfield, Missouri. The team, which plays in the Texas League, is the Double-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals major-league club, and is owned by the Cardinals. The club plays at Hammons Field.The Springfield Cardinals...
team was canceled the day before due to predicted bad weather.
! colspan="3" | Legend
|-
! bgcolor="bbffbb" | Cardinals WIN
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
! bgcolor="ffbbbb" | Cardinals LOSS
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
! bgcolor="bbbbbb" | Game POSTPONED / TIE
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
| 2011 Game Log | |
|---|---|
March–April
The Cardinals opened 2011 with a stunning loss at home against the San Diego Padres on March 31, after leading 3-2 with 2-outs in the 9th. Matt HollidayMatt Holliday
Matthew Thomas Holliday , nicknamed "Big Daddy", is an American Major League Baseball left fielder for the St. Louis Cardinals. Holliday was originally drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the seventh round of the 1998 Major League Baseball Draft.Holliday is a five-time All-Star and Silver Slugger...
hit what looked to be the game-winning home run in the bottom of the 8th, but closer
Closer (baseball)
In baseball, a closing pitcher, more frequently referred to as a closer , is a relief pitcher who specializes in closing out games, i.e., getting the final outs in a close game. Closers often appear when the score is close, and the role is often assigned to a team's best reliever. A small number of...
Ryan Franklin
Ryan Franklin
Ryan Ray Franklin is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has played for the Seattle Mariners, Philadelphia Phillies, Cincinnati Reds, and St. Louis Cardinals.-Early life:...
gave up a game-tying home run in that 9th inning, sending the game to extra innings. The Padres scored twice in the 11th to win 5-3. It was a sign of things to come for Franklin in 2011.
That evening, Holliday complained of pains, leading to an emergency appendectomy the next day. After missing only seven games while recuperating from surgery, Holliday returned to the lineup on April 10, singling and drawing two walks in a 6-1 victory over the Giants.
Lance Berkman
Lance Berkman
William Lance Berkman is an American professional baseball outfielder and right fielder with the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball....
received the NL Player of the Week award on April 18, batting .417 (10-for-24), leading the majors with six HRs, 12 RBIs, and 1.167 Slugging percentage.
Matt Holliday
Matt Holliday
Matthew Thomas Holliday , nicknamed "Big Daddy", is an American Major League Baseball left fielder for the St. Louis Cardinals. Holliday was originally drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the seventh round of the 1998 Major League Baseball Draft.Holliday is a five-time All-Star and Silver Slugger...
(.408) and Lance Berkman
Lance Berkman
William Lance Berkman is an American professional baseball outfielder and right fielder with the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball....
(.393) were 1-3 respectively in the NL batting lead after the first month of the season ended, April 30. Holliday also led the NL in OBP (.511), and Berkman led the NL in both slugging (.753) and OPS (1.207).
The Cardinals recovered from a 2-6 start to finish in first place (16-11) by two games over the Reds at the end of April, and the entire team was also #1 in sweeping all three NL hitting percentages at .295/.362/.451, boasting a .812 OPS and also leading in hits (281), runs (144) total bases (429), and also struckout the least times (168). All those baserunners led to them also leading in grounding into the most double plays (36), with Albert Pujols
Albert Pujols
José Alberto Pujols Alcántara , better known as Albert Pujols , is a Dominican-American professional baseball player, who is currently a free agent...
(.245/.305/.453, .758 OPS) owning the NL lead with nine.
The Cardinals rose to first place in the standings despite major problems in the bullpen. Closer Ryan Franklin
Ryan Franklin
Ryan Ray Franklin is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has played for the Seattle Mariners, Philadelphia Phillies, Cincinnati Reds, and St. Louis Cardinals.-Early life:...
blew four of his first five save opportunities and the Cardinals lost all four of those games. Franklin never got another save opportunity after blowing a save against the Dodgers on April 17, and finished the month with a 10.12 ERA. Mitchell Boggs
Mitchell Boggs
Mitchell Thomas Boggs is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals. He is of no relation to former MLB third baseman, Wade Boggs.-High school:...
got the call as closer and recorded three saves before blowing another save (leading to another Cardinals blown-save loss) against Houston on April 26. Left-handed reliever Trever Miller was hit for an .899 OPS by opposition batters in April.
May
Third baseman David Freese suffered a broken bone in his left hand on May 1 from being hit by a pitch. Freese did not return until the end of June.The Cardinals continued to search for an effective closer in May. Rookie Eduardo Sanchez filled the role for a while in early May, then Fernando Salas took the job and recorded seven saves in seven chances in the second half of the month.
Jaime Garcia
Jaime Garcia (baseball)
Jaime Omar García is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals.-Early life:Jaime García was born on July 8, 1986 in Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico as the second of three children to civil engineer Jaime García, Sr. and Gloria Rodríguez Flores. García was raised between the border of...
flirted with history on May 6, pitching 7.1 IP of perfect baseball against the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
at home, winding up with a 2-hit, complete-game shutout (his 2nd of 2011), after losing his perfect bid with first a walk and then a hit in the 8th inning. He later gave up a double in the 9th for the only runner to reach second base. He walked only one, while striking out eight and helped by a double-play in the eighth to preserve his shutout, the third of his career. He was bidding for the first perfect game in Cardinals' history, and the first no-hitter since Bud Smith
Bud Smith
Robert Allan "Bud" Smith is a retired American baseball player. Smith was active at the Major League level in 2001 and 2002, playing for the St. Louis Cardinals.- No-hitter and Major League career :...
on September 3, 2001.
The Cardinals were a strong 17-12 in May and finished the month 2.5 games ahead of the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central despite numerous injuries to key players. Albert Pujols struggled through a most uncharacteristic slump at the start of the season, going a career-worst 105 at-bats without a home run and finishing May with an unusually low .755 OPS for the first two months. Tony LaRussa, suffering from a severe case of shingles
Herpes zoster
Herpes zoster , commonly known as shingles and also known as zona, is a viral disease characterized by a painful skin rash with blisters in a limited area on one side of the body, often in a stripe...
, missed six games, with bench coach Joe Pettini
Joe Pettini
Joseph Paul "Joe" Pettini is a former Major League Baseball player and a current major league bench coach with the St. Louis Cardinals. Joe and his family now reside in Bethany, West Virginia....
serving as acting manager.
June
Albert Pujols broke out of his season-long slump in style, hitting five home runs in the week that ended June 5 and winning NL Player of the Week honors.Tony La Russa
Tony La Russa
Anthony "Tony" La Russa, Jr. is a former Major League Baseball manager and infielder, best known for his tenures as manager of the Chicago White Sox, Oakland Athletics, and St. Louis Cardinals...
managed his 5,000th major league game (2,676-2,320-4 0.536) on June 10, but the milestone was marred by a shutout loss at Milwaukee
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
. He joins Connie Mack
Connie Mack
Connie Mack may refer to:* Connie Mack I , Hall of Fame baseball manager, player, owner* Connie Mack III , U.S. Representative , U.S. Senator from Florida * Connie Mack IV , U.S...
as the only manager or coach in American sports history to reach 5,000 games.
On June 19, Albert Pujols
Albert Pujols
José Alberto Pujols Alcántara , better known as Albert Pujols , is a Dominican-American professional baseball player, who is currently a free agent...
hurt his wrist when an opposing player ran into him when Pujols was taking an errant throw from second baseman Peter Kozma
Peter Kozma
Peter Michael Kozma is a minor league baseball second baseman/shortstop currently on the St. Louis Cardinals active roster. He is 6'0" tall and he weighs 170 pounds....
. A subsequent MRI on June 20, showed a small fracture in the left wrist-forearm. Pujols estimated time on the DL was expected to be from four to six weeks. He had played in all 73 games before the injury.
Pujols' injury was 14th time the Cardinals have used the disabled list this season for 12 different players, already more than they used all of last year. He joined Wainwright, Freese, Nick Punto, Allen Craig, Gerald Laird, Bryan Augenstein
Bryan Augenstein
Bryan Christopher Augenstein is an American professional baseball player who is currently a pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball.-Professional career:...
and Eduardo Sanchez on the DL.
Left-handed reliever Raul Valdes
Raúl Valdés
Raúl Valdés is a Cuban professional baseball pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball.-Chicago Cubs:...
was promoted from AAA Memphis on June 23. Valdes became the third lefty in the struggling bullpen, joining Trever Miller
Trever Miller
Trever Douglas Miller is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent.-High school:...
and Brian Tallet
Brian Tallet
Brian Curtis Tallet is an American professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He stands 6' 6" in height. Brian Tallet pitched for the LSU Tigers and won a national championship in 2000....
. Disabled players David Freese
David Freese
David Richard Freese is a third baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball. A star high school player, Freese chose not to play college baseball in his freshman year of college, but returned to the game a year later...
(3b) and Nick Punto
Nick Punto
Nicholas Paul Punto is a Major League Baseball utility player. He has played second base, third base, shortstop, and center field. Punto is a switch hitter and throws right-handed....
(Inf.), both out for over a month, were activated on June 27, providing relief for the injury-riddled team. Freese last played on May 1, and Punto on May 17. Both players made instant impacts in their first game returning when they helped beat the Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
at Camden Yards in their first interleague game there.
Late in June the Cardinals cleared two ineffective relief pitchers from the roster. Miguel Batista
Miguel Batista
Miguel Descartes Batista Jerez is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher. He has played for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Florida Marlins, Chicago Cubs, Montreal Expos, Kansas City Royals, Arizona Diamondbacks, Toronto Blue Jays, Seattle Mariners, Washington Nationals, St...
, who had given up 27 hits and 19 walks in only 29 innings, was let go on June 22. Former closer Ryan Franklin
Ryan Franklin
Ryan Ray Franklin is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has played for the Seattle Mariners, Philadelphia Phillies, Cincinnati Reds, and St. Louis Cardinals.-Early life:...
was given his unconditional release on June 29. He was 1-4 with a 8.46 ERA. Opponents battered him for a .367 average, plus 44 hits and nine home runs over 21 games, in only 27 2/3 innings. He walked 7 and struckout 17, with a 1.84 WHIP Right-handed pitcher Brandon Dickson
Brandon Dickson
Brandon Dickson is an American professional baseball player, with the St. Louis Cardinals. He was signed undrafted by the St...
's contract was called-up to fill the roster spot vacated by Franklin's release.
After 81 games on June 29, the half-way point of the season, the team was 43-38 (.531) only 1 game behind the Milwaukee Brewers at 44-37 (.543). The Cardinals played very poorly for much of June, going 3-12 from June 10 to June 26.
July
After an initial estimate of Albert PujolsAlbert Pujols
José Alberto Pujols Alcántara , better known as Albert Pujols , is a Dominican-American professional baseball player, who is currently a free agent...
out for 6-to-8 weeks projecting an August 1 return, a reevaluation follow-up from a CT scan on July 1 showed faster recovery than originally thought, raising the possibility of a return by July 15, right after the All-Star break. However, Pujols surprised everyone by recovering very rapidly, and he was activated on July 5, after the minimum 15-days on the DL. Lefty reliever Brian Tallet
Brian Tallet
Brian Curtis Tallet is an American professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He stands 6' 6" in height. Brian Tallet pitched for the LSU Tigers and won a national championship in 2000....
was placed on the DL to make room for Pujols.
The team made a major trade on July 27, a four-for-four swap, dealing disgruntled Colby Rasmus
Colby Rasmus
Colby Ryan Rasmus is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball.-Early years:...
(hitting only .246), left-handed relievers Trever Miller
Trever Miller
Trever Douglas Miller is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent.-High school:...
and Brian Tallet
Brian Tallet
Brian Curtis Tallet is an American professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He stands 6' 6" in height. Brian Tallet pitched for the LSU Tigers and won a national championship in 2000....
, and starter P.J. Walters to the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
. In return, the team received right-hand starter Edwin Jackson
Edwin Jackson
Edwin Jackson is an American professional baseball pitcher.-Early life:Jackson's father, Edwin Jackson, Sr., a military cook, was stationed in Germany at the time of his birth. Jackson is one of 27 major league players who were born in Germany...
, left-hand specialist Marc Rzepczynski
Marc Rzepczynski
Marc Walter Rzepczynski is an American professional baseball left-handed pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals.The Toronto Blue Jays blogosphere gave Rzepczynski the nickname "Scrabble".-Amateur career:...
, right-hand reliever Octavio Dotel
Octavio Dotel
Octavio Eduardo Dotel is a Domincan professional baseball pitcher who is currently a Free Agent....
, and outfielder Corey Patterson
Corey Patterson
Donald Corey Patterson is an American professional baseball free agent outfielder in Major League Baseball. He is the older brother of outfielder Eric Patterson.-Amateur career:...
. The team will also receive either three players to be named later, or cash. Jackson was traded earlier the day from the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
to the Blue Jays. Rasmus had previously asked to be traded away from the Cardinals, and at the time of the trade he was mired in a severe slump that saw him hitting .194 since May 12. Jon Jay, who had been getting more playing time as Rasmus struggled, became the everyday center fielder. Kyle McClellan, promoted to the starting rotation to fill the gap caused by the loss of Adam Wainwright, returned to the bullpen.
Pujols got his 2,000th career hit on July 29, at Busch Stadium against the Cubs in the eighth inning with an RBI double. He became the fifth Cardinal to get to 2,000 hits, joining Stan Musial
Stan Musial
Stanley Frank "Stan" Musial is a retired professional baseball player who played 22 seasons in Major League Baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals . Nicknamed "Stan the Man", Musial was a record 24-time All-Star selection , and is widely considered to be one of the greatest hitters in baseball...
(3,630), Lou Brock
Lou Brock
Louis Clark "Lou" Brock is an American former professional baseball player. He began his Major League Baseball career with the Chicago Cubs but, spent the majority of his career as the left fielder for the St. Louis Cardinals. Brock was best known for breaking Ty Cobb's all-time major league...
(2,713), Rogers Hornsby
Rogers Hornsby
Rogers Hornsby, Sr. , nicknamed "The Rajah", was an American baseball infielder, manager, and coach who played 23 seasons in Major League Baseball . He played for the St. Louis Cardinals , New York Giants , Boston Braves , Chicago Cubs , and St. Louis Browns...
(2,110), and Enos Slaughter
Enos Slaughter
Enos Bradsher Slaughter , nicknamed "Country", was an American Major League Baseball right fielder. During a 19-year baseball career, he played from 1938–1942 and 1946-1959 for four different teams, but is noted primarily for his time with the St...
(2,064). He got it in his 1,650th game, the 12th quickest. Musial got his in 1,507 games.
The team made another trade on July 31, just before the non-waiver deadline, acquiring shortstop Rafael Furcal
Rafael Furcal
Rafael Antonio Furcal , is a Major League Baseball shortstop who is currently a free agent.-Early career:...
from the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
in return for an AA-outfielder Alex Castellanos
Alex Castellanos
Alejandro "Alex" Castellanos is a U.S. Republican Party political media consultant who specializes in television advertising, and was a top media adviser to Bush Cheney '04 as well as Mitt Romney's presidential campaign....
. Furcal displaced offseason acquisition Ryan Theriot, who committed 17 errors at shortstop for the Cardinals in 2011.
August
On Aug. 11 the Cardinals signed free agent lefty specialist pitcher Arthur RhodesArthur Rhodes
Arthur Lee Rhodes, Jr. is a Major League Baseball left-handed relief pitcher.-Career:Rhodes played high school baseball at La Vega High School in Waco, Texas. He was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 2nd round of the 1988 Major League Baseball Draft.Rhodes made his MLB debut with the Orioles...
, previously released by the Texas Rangers. The Rhodes acquisition completed a radical in-season makeover of the Cardinal bullpen. The only Cardinal relievers in the bullpen on Opening Day who were still on the team at the end of the season were Mitchell Boggs and Jason Motte. Departures included Miguel Batista and Ryan Franklin (released), Bryan Augenstein (disabled and later sent to the minors) and lefty specialists Trever Miller and Brian Tallet (traded to Toronto). Additions over the course of the season included Rhodes, Marc Rzepcynski and Octavio Dotel (acquired from Toronto in the Rasmus trade), Kyle McClellan (sent back to the bullpen after the Cardinals traded for Edwin Jackson), and Lance Lynn and Fernando Salas (called up from the minor leagues).
At the beginning of the month the Cardinals were 2.5 games behind the Brewers in the standings. However, they lost two of three to Milwaukee on the road Aug. 1-3, then did the same at home on Aug. 9-11, giving the Brewers a four-game lead in the NL Central. The team continued to stumble as the Brewers continued to win. Newly acquired shortstop Furcal hit only .240 for the month. The Cardinals went 2-4 on a six-game road trip to Pittsburgh and Chicago, then came home and were swept in three games by a bad Dodger team. After close of business on August 24, the day the Dodgers completed their sweep, St. Louis had fallen ten games behind Milwaukee in the NL Central standings and 10.5 games behind the Atlanta Braves (and in third place) in the NL Wild Card standings. St. Louis' odds of making the playoffs stood at 1.3%.
The sweep by Los Angeles dropped the Cardinals to 67-63. They ended the month on a positive note, taking three of four from the Pirates and sweeping the Brewers in Milwaukee Aug. 30-Sept. 1, improving their chances of making the playoffs to 4.3%.
September: the comeback
The Cardinals set a new NL record of grounding into their 167th (and later, 168th) double-play on September 26, breaking the record set by the 1958 St. Louis Cardinals. They finished the season with 169, five short of the all-time MLB record set by the 1990 Boston Red Sox.After dropping two of three to the Reds the Cardinals played their last series of the season against Milwaukee Sept. 5-7. St. Louis took two out of three and thus won five of its last six games against the Brewers, but Milwaukee still held a lead of 8.5 games. The Cardinals got as close as 4.5 games behind the Brewers later in September but Milwaukee played too well to be caught, clinching the Central Division championship on Sept. 23.
The same was not true of the wild-card leading Atlanta Braves. 10.5 games ahead of the Cardinals on August 24, Atlanta went only 6-7 over its next 13 games before coming to St. Louis on Sept. 9 to play a three-game series that would prove to be critical. In the first game, Atlanta led 3-1 going into the bottom of the ninth inning, but a Schumaker single and walks to Furcal and Theriot set up a two-run, two-out Albert Pujols single to tie the game. The Cardinals won on a sacrifice fly by Nick Punto in the bottom of the 10th. On Sept. 10 St. Louis won by the same 4-3 score when Michael Bourn flied out to right with the tying run on third. On the 11th Yadier Molina hit a three-run double and the Cardinals won 6-3 to complete the sweep. The sweep cut the gap in the wild-card race to 4.5 games, but St. Louis had only 16 games left to play and its playoff chances were still only 7.7%.
The Cardinals followed up their sweep of Atlanta by going on the road to Pittsburgh and Philadelphia and taking two of three from the Pirates and three of four from the NL-leading (and eventually 102-game-winner) Phillies. On the 14th Yadier Molina hit a two-run double and the Cardinals beat Pittsburgh 3-2 behind 6.2 strong innings from Edwin Jackson. On the 16th an error by right fielder Corey Patterson allowed the Phillies to tie the game 2-2 in the bottom of the ninth, but the Cardinals scored on RBI hits from rookie Adron Chambers
Adron Chambers
Adron Lamar Chambers is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the St. Louis Cardinals. He is 5', 10" tall and he weighs 185 pounds.-Early life:...
and Tyler Greene in the 11th and hung on to win 4-2. On the 19th the Cardinals escaped with a 4-3 victory over the Phillies when Octavio Dotel got Hunter Pence
Hunter Pence
Hunter Andrew Pence is a Major League Baseball outfielder with the Philadelphia Phillies. Pence stands tall and weighs . He bats and throws right-handed.-Early life:...
to ground out in the bottom of the ninth with the tying run on base. The Braves went 3-4 over this same stretch of games, losing to the Marlins on Sept. 19 when Omar Infante
Omar Infante
Omar Rafael Infante [in-FAHN-tay] is a Major League Baseball utility player who is currently on the Miami Marlins...
hit a game-winning two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning. The gap in the wild-card standings had decreased to 2.5 games but with only nine games left the Cardinals' playoff chances were still only 17.7%.
The Cardinals then won two of three at home against the Mets, but suffered a bitterly disappointing loss in the third game of that series, when a Rafael Furcal error in the top of the 9th helped open the gates and the Mets scored six runs off the Cardinals to win 8-6. The Braves led by two games with six games left and the Cardinals' playoff chances were 24.4%. The Cardinals won two of three against the Cubs, winning 2-1 on Sept. 24 via a bases-loaded walk and wild pitch by Carlos Marmol
Carlos Marmol
Carlos Agustín Mármol is a relief pitcher for the Chicago Cubs.-Minor league career:Mármol started his career as a catcher/outfielder...
, while the Braves lost two of three to the Nationals. Atlanta had a one-game lead with three games left.
The Cardinals lost in extra innings to the terrible Houston Astros (who finished the year at 56-106) on the 26th but Atlanta lost to the Phillies. On the 27th St. Louis overcame a bad start by Jake Westbrook and a 5-0 deficit, scoring five in the fourth and four more in the seventh and winning 13-6. The winning runs came via a two-run triple from Ryan Theriot. Atlanta lost to Philadelphia again, and with one game left in the season the Cardinals and Braves were tied for the wild card. In the season finale the Cardinals had little trouble with the Astros, winning 8-0 behind a complete game two-hit shutout from Carpenter. The Braves, who played later, were two outs away from forcing a tie-breaker game, but a Chase Utley sacrifice fly tied the game 3-3 in the top of the ninth. In the bottom of the 12th the Braves stranded the winning run on third base. Finally, in the 13th inning Hunter Pence hit an RBI infield single, and in the bottom of the inning Freddie Freeman of the Braves hit into a double play to lose the ballgame and eliminate Atlanta.
The Cardinals had won the NL Wild Card in what became one of the greatest late-season comebacks in the history of baseball. They went 23-9 over their final 32 games to erase a 10.5 game deficit. They went 18-8 in the month of September while the Braves went 9-18 for September to open the door. St. Louis finished 90-72 and advanced to the postseason to face the NL East champion Philadelphia Phillies.
October
The team qualified for the Wild Card on the final day of the regular season and played the Philadelphia Phillies2011 Philadelphia Phillies season
The Philadelphia Phillies 2011 season was the 129th season in the history of the franchise. The Phillies won their fifth consecutive National League East championship, and also finished with the best record in baseball for the second straight year. The Phillies, at 3-1 odds, were the heavy-favorite...
for the first time in postseason, in the NL Division Series best of five, starting the first two games at Citizens Bank Park
Citizens Bank Park
Citizens Bank Park is a 43,647-seat baseball park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, part of the South Philadelphia Sports Complex, and home of the Philadelphia Phillies. Citizens Bank Park opened on April 3, 2004, and hosted its first regular season baseball game on April 12 of the same year, with the...
in Philadelphia
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
.
The famous Rally Squirrel
Rally Squirrel
Rally Squirrel is the name given to an American gray squirrel which appeared on the field and ran across home plate at Busch Stadium during a 2011 National League Division Series Major League Baseball game between the Philadelphia Phillies and St. Louis Cardinals on October 5, 2011...
(aka, 'Busch Squirrel'), made his first appearance in Game 3 on October 4, and then again appeared in Game 4 on October 5, running across Home Plate at Busch Stadium in front of Skip Schumaker
Skip Schumaker
Jared Michael "Skip" Schumaker is a Major League Baseball Outfielder and Second Baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals.-Biography:...
who was batting. The team was ahead at the time, 3-2, and held on for the 5-3 victory. The Rally Squirrel was instantly adopted by the fans as the mascot, and thousands of rally squirrel t-shirts were sold. His Twitter
Twitter
Twitter is an online social networking and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts of up to 140 characters, informally known as "tweets".Twitter was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey and launched that July...
account started, and by October 6 it had over 11,000 followers; by October 20, it had over 27,500 followers.
The October 7, Game 5 winner-take-all in the NLDS pitted Cardinals' ace Chris Carpenter
Chris Carpenter
Christopher John Carpenter is a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who has played for the St. Louis Cardinals since 2003, and is currently signed with the team until the 2011 season, with a club option for 2012.Carpenter was 22 years old and a highly-regarded prospect when he broke into the...
vs. Roy Halladay
Roy Halladay
Harry Leroy "Roy" Halladay III , nicknamed "Doc", is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies...
, his best friend off-the-field for the Phillies, at Citizens Bank Park. Carpenter threw an outstanding 3-hit shutout over Halladay and the Phillies to win the NLDS, 1-0.
On Sunday, October 16, the Cardinals beat the Milwaukee Brewers
2011 Milwaukee Brewers season
The Milwaukee Brewers' 2011 season was their 42nd season for the franchise in Milwaukee, the 14th in the National League, and 43rd overall. The Brewers posted a franchise-best record of 96-66, winning their first-ever National League Central Division title...
in Game 6 of the National League Championship Series
2011 National League Championship Series
The 2011 National League Championship Series was a best-of-seven playoff pitting the winners of the 2011 National League Division Series, the St. Louis Cardinals and Milwaukee Brewers, against each other for the National League championship and the right to be the league's representative in the...
, for their 18th NL Pennant, and became the only team to play in three of the last ten World Series. David Freese
David Freese
David Richard Freese is a third baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball. A star high school player, Freese chose not to play college baseball in his freshman year of college, but returned to the game a year later...
was named NLCS MVP.
The Cardinals, facing the Texas Rangers
2011 Texas Rangers season
The Texas Rangers’ 2011 season was the 51st season in the overall history of the franchise and the 40th since the team relocated to Arlington, Texas. Going into the season they were the defending American League champions....
in the World Series
2011 World Series
The 2011 World Series was the 107th edition of Major League Baseball's championship series. The best-of-seven playoff was played between the American League champion Texas Rangers and the National League champion St...
, pulled-off one of the greatest comeback game wins in World Series history, with an amazing Game 6, winning 10-9 in 11 innings after twice being one strike away from elimination. David Freese
David Freese
David Richard Freese is a third baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball. A star high school player, Freese chose not to play college baseball in his freshman year of college, but returned to the game a year later...
hit a two-out, two-strike, ninth-inning triple, to tie the game after trailing 7-5. Later, with the score tied 9-9, Freese hit a lead-off walk-off home run
Walk-off home run
In baseball, a walk-off home run is a home run that ends the game. It must be a home run that gives the home team the lead in the bottom of the final inning of the game—either the ninth inning, or any extra inning, or any other regularly scheduled final inning...
to dead centerfield in the 11th, off Mark Lowe
Mark Lowe
Mark Christopher Lowe is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the Texas Rangers. He made his Major League debut for the Seattle Mariners on July 7, in relief against the Detroit Tigers, loading the bases before striking out the side. He bats left-handed and throws right-handed. His fastball...
at 11:39pm CDT. Lance Berkman
Lance Berkman
William Lance Berkman is an American professional baseball outfielder and right fielder with the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball....
had previously tied the game in the 10th with a single with 2-outs and 2-strikes, scoring Jon Jay
Jon Jay
Jonathan Henry Jay is an outfielder who plays for the St. Louis Cardinals.-Baseball career:He was drafted by the Cardinals out of the University of Miami in the second round of the 2006 MLB Draft...
. The win meant that the World Series would go to a seventh game for the first time since 2002
2002 World Series
The 2002 World Series was a best-of-seven playoff series to determine the champion of Major League Baseball for the 2002 season. It was the 98th such contest between the champions of the American League and National League , and featured the AL champion Anaheim Angels against the NL champion San...
. Of the last 13 Major League teams that won Game 6 at home to force a Game 7 in the postseason, 12 went on to win Game 7. The Rangers led 4 different times in the game, including with two outs and two strikes in both the ninth and the 10th but the Cardinals refused to die.
Freese's game-winning home run was only the fifth in World Series Game 6 history (1960-Pit., 1975-Bos., 1991-Min., 1993-Tor).
The Cardinals set two records in their Game 6 win: the first team to come back twice from deficits in both the 9th and 10th innings, and the first team to score in the 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th innings.
In addition to the records set in Game Six, during Game Three Albert Pujols
Albert Pujols
José Alberto Pujols Alcántara , better known as Albert Pujols , is a Dominican-American professional baseball player, who is currently a free agent...
joined Reggie Jackson
Reggie Jackson
Reginald Martinez "Reggie" Jackson , nicknamed "Mr. October" for his clutch hitting in the postseason with the New York Yankees, is a former American Major League Baseball right fielder. During a 21-year baseball career, he played from 1967-1987 for four different teams. Jackson currently serves as...
and Babe Ruth
Babe Ruth
George Herman Ruth, Jr. , best known as "Babe" Ruth and nicknamed "the Bambino" and "the Sultan of Swat", was an American Major League baseball player from 1914–1935...
as the only players to hit three home-runs in a World Series game. His 14 total bases and four hits in consecutive innings both set World Series records. And his six RBIs matched a World Series record.
On October 28, the Cardinals finished off their amazing, end-of-season run which started after the Aug. 24 game when they were 10 games behind for the NL Central Division lead. They defeated the Texas Rangers
2011 Texas Rangers season
The Texas Rangers’ 2011 season was the 51st season in the overall history of the franchise and the 40th since the team relocated to Arlington, Texas. Going into the season they were the defending American League champions....
4 games to 3, with a 6-2 win in Game 7 of the World Series at their Busch Stadium
Busch Stadium
Busch Stadium is the home of the St. Louis Cardinals, of MLB...
home in front of 47,399 fans. David Freese
David Freese
David Richard Freese is a third baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball. A star high school player, Freese chose not to play college baseball in his freshman year of college, but returned to the game a year later...
, graduating from a St. Louis high school (Lafayette High), won the MVP award for both the NLCS
2011 National League Championship Series
The 2011 National League Championship Series was a best-of-seven playoff pitting the winners of the 2011 National League Division Series, the St. Louis Cardinals and Milwaukee Brewers, against each other for the National League championship and the right to be the league's representative in the...
, and then for the World Series. He knocked in a record 21 RBIs in his post-season. Chris Carpenter
Chris Carpenter
Christopher John Carpenter is a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who has played for the St. Louis Cardinals since 2003, and is currently signed with the team until the 2011 season, with a club option for 2012.Carpenter was 22 years old and a highly-regarded prospect when he broke into the...
set a franchise record for most wins (four) in a single postseason. Carpenter, 9-2 overall in his Cardinals postseason career, ran his home postseason mark to 7-0 with a 2.15 ERA. Tony La Russa
Tony La Russa
Anthony "Tony" La Russa, Jr. is a former Major League Baseball manager and infielder, best known for his tenures as manager of the Chicago White Sox, Oakland Athletics, and St. Louis Cardinals...
became only the ninth manager in major-league history to win at least three World Series.
It was a team win ("Team of the Living Dead"), and the 36th time a team won the World Series in a Game 7 (or Game 8).
On October 31, three days after winning the World Series, manager Tony La Russa
Tony La Russa
Anthony "Tony" La Russa, Jr. is a former Major League Baseball manager and infielder, best known for his tenures as manager of the Chicago White Sox, Oakland Athletics, and St. Louis Cardinals...
announced his retirement. He finishes his career after 33 seasons, third in all time managerial wins and second all time in post season wins.
November
November 3rd marked the first time in the playing history of Albert Pujols that he would become a free agent. He officially became a free agent as of 12:01 Eastern.On November 13, the Cardinals announced that former Cardinals' catcher Mike Matheny
Mike Matheny
Michael Scott Matheny is the manager of the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball. He is also a former baseball catcher, playing for four different teams during his thirteen years in the major leagues...
as their new manager with a news conference on November 14.
On November 16, MLB announced that Tony La Russa
Tony La Russa
Anthony "Tony" La Russa, Jr. is a former Major League Baseball manager and infielder, best known for his tenures as manager of the Chicago White Sox, Oakland Athletics, and St. Louis Cardinals...
came in third in voting for NL Manager of the Year. Kirk Gibson
Kirk Gibson
Kirk Harold Gibson is a former Major League Baseball player and currently the manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks. As a player, Gibson was an outfielder who batted and threw left-handed...
(Arizona Diamondbacks
2011 Arizona Diamondbacks season
The Arizona Diamondbacks' 2011 season, the franchise's fourteenth season in Major League Baseball, included the team's first National League West championship since 2007, subsequently, their fifth division title since coming into the MLB...
) in his first season won, and Ron Roenicke (Milwaukee Brewers
2011 Milwaukee Brewers season
The Milwaukee Brewers' 2011 season was their 42nd season for the franchise in Milwaukee, the 14th in the National League, and 43rd overall. The Brewers posted a franchise-best record of 96-66, winning their first-ever National League Central Division title...
) came in second.
Season standings
MLB StandingsGame log
The Cardinals, and all 30 teams, had their schedules released by Major League Baseball on September 14, 2010. The Cardinals' opening is at home against the San Diego PadresSan Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
on March 31.
Regular Season Schedule (calendar style)
Regular Season Schedule (sortable text)
All game times are in Central Time Zone
Central Time zone
In North America, the Central Time Zone refers to national time zones which observe standard time by subtracting six hours from UTC , and daylight saving, or summer time by subtracting five hours...
.
! colspan="3" | Legend
|-
! bgcolor="bbffbb" | Cardinals WIN
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
! bgcolor="ffbbbb" | Cardinals LOSS
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
! bgcolor="bbbbbb" | Game POSTPONED / TIE
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
| 2011 Game Log | |
|---|---|
St. Louis Cardinals vs. Philadelphia Phillies
St. Louis Cardinals vs. Milwaukee Brewers
NL St. Louis Cardinals vs. AL Texas Rangers
Composite box
2011 World Series (4–3): St. Louis Cardinals2011 St. Louis Cardinals season
The St. Louis Cardinals' 2011 season was the 130th season for the franchise in St. Louis, Missouri, the 120th season in the National League, and the sixth season at Busch Stadium III. The Cardinals began their season at home against the San Diego Padres on March 31, coming off a 86-76 season and...
(N.L.) over Texas Rangers
2011 Texas Rangers season
The Texas Rangers’ 2011 season was the 51st season in the overall history of the franchise and the 40th since the team relocated to Arlington, Texas. Going into the season they were the defending American League champions....
(A.L.)
Ratings
The overall average national Nielsen ratingWorld Series television ratings
This is a list of Major League Baseball World Series television ratings since 1984. Only United States audience totals are included, not Canadian television ratings, although the 1992 and 1993 World Series were highly watched in Canada....
for the seven games was 10.0, with Fox's 14.7 rating for Game 7 being the network's highest for a World Series telecast since Game 4 of the 2004 World Series.
Game 6 on Oct. 27, averaged 21.1 million viewers with a 12.7 rating and a 21 share. Through six games, the 2011 World Series on FOX is averaging a 9.3/15 in household rating/share, with 15.3 million viewers, +11% in rating over last year (8.4/14, 14.3 million) and 2008 (8.4/14, 13.6 million). Both were five game series. The current 9.3/15 average for the 2011 World Series would rank as the sixth highest-rated show (live+same day) in primetime, a ranking that is likely to improve with the inclusion of tonight’s rare Game 7. Game 6 opened with an 8.5 at 8:00 PM EDT and grew steadily throughout the night averaging 11.7 from 9:00-9:30 PM EDT; 12.9 from 10:00-10:30 PM EDT; and 13.2 from 11:00-11-30 PM EDT. The broadcast peaked with a 15.0 HH rating and 25.2 million viewers from midnight-12:30 AM EDT.
From 8:00 to 11:00 PM EDT, Game 6 averaged an 11.8 HH rating, with 19.4 million viewers. From 11:00 PM EDT to its conclusion, the game averaged a 14.3 HH rating, with 23.9 million viewers, +21% in rating and +23% in viewership compared to Primetime. Post mid-night, the game averaged a 14.8 rating and 24.9 million viewers, +25% in rating and +28% in average audience.
St. Louis led all local markets for Game 6 with a 49.4/70, peaking at a 57.0/75 from 10:30-11:00 PM EDT, with the final quarter hour averaging a 53.1/82. Dallas averaged a World Series-high 47.1/67, while peaking at 55.7/81 from 11:15-11:30 PM EDT.
| Game | Ratings Nielsen Ratings Nielsen ratings are the audience measurement systems developed by Nielsen Media Research, in an effort to determine the audience size and composition of television programming in the United States... (households) | Share (households) | American audience (in millions) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8.7 | 14 | 14.2 |
| 2 | 8.9 | 14 | 14.3 |
| 3 | 6.6 | 12 | 11.2 |
| 4 | 9.2 | 14 | 15.2 |
| 5 | 8.8 | 14 | 14.3 |
| 6 | 12.7 | 21 | 21.1 |
| 7 | 14.7 | 25 | 25.4 |
Record vs. Opponents
(through September 28)| Team | W-L Record |
|---|---|
| Arizona Diamondbacks Arizona Diamondbacks The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field... |
4–3 |
| Atlanta Braves Atlanta Braves The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997.... |
5–1 |
| Baltimore Orioles Baltimore Orioles The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league... |
3-0 |
| Chicago Cubs Chicago Cubs The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National... |
10–5 |
| Cincinnati Reds Cincinnati Reds The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890.... |
6–9 |
| Colorado Rockies Colorado Rockies The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains... |
4–2 |
| Florida Marlins Florida Marlins The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at... |
6–2 |
| Houston Astros Houston Astros The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field... |
10–5 |
| Kansas City Royals Kansas City Royals The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium... |
4–2 |
| Los Angeles Dodgers Los Angeles Dodgers The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming... |
3–4 |
| Milwaukee Brewers Milwaukee Brewers The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League... |
9–9 |
| New York Mets New York Mets The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League... |
3–3 |
| Philadelphia Phillies Philadelphia Phillies The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League... |
6–3 |
| Pittsburgh Pirates Pittsburgh Pirates The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions... |
9–7 |
| San Diego Padres San Diego Padres The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times... |
3–3 |
| San Francisco Giants San Francisco Giants The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division.... |
2–5 |
| Tampa Bay Rays Tampa Bay Rays The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field... |
1-2 |
| Toronto Blue Jays Toronto Blue Jays The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League .... |
0–3 |
| Washington Nationals Washington Nationals The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium... |
2–4 |
Bold indicates that the Cardinals have finished their season schedule with an opponent.
Roster
| 2011 St. Louis Cardinals | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers | Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders | Manager Coaches (pitching) (bullpen) (hitting) (first base) (third base) (bench) |
||||||
Players
Batting
Note: G = Games played; AB = At Bats; R = Runs; H = Hits; 2B= Doubles; HR = Home Runs; RBI = Runs Batted In; BB = Walks; SO = Strikeouts; GIDP = Grounded into Double Play; Avg. = Batting Average; OBP = On-base Percentage; SLG = Slugging Percentage(through September 28, FINAL)
Cardinals HITTING statistics
Sortable TEAM HITTING statistics
| Player | G | AB | R | H | 2B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | GIDP | Avg. | OBP | SLG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albert Pujols Albert Pujols José Alberto Pujols Alcántara , better known as Albert Pujols , is a Dominican-American professional baseball player, who is currently a free agent... |
147 | 579 | 105 | 173 | 29 | 37 | 99 | 61 | 58 | 29 | .299 | .366 | .541 |
| Lance Berkman Lance Berkman William Lance Berkman is an American professional baseball outfielder and right fielder with the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball.... |
145 | 488 | 90 | 147 | 23 | 31 | 94 | 92 | 93 | 7 | .301 | .412 | .547 |
| Matt Holliday Matt Holliday Matthew Thomas Holliday , nicknamed "Big Daddy", is an American Major League Baseball left fielder for the St. Louis Cardinals. Holliday was originally drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the seventh round of the 1998 Major League Baseball Draft.Holliday is a five-time All-Star and Silver Slugger... (9/27) |
124 | 446 | 83 | 132 | 36 | 22 | 75 | 60 | 93 | 21 | .296 | .388 | .525 |
| Ryan Theriot Ryan Theriot Ryan Stewart Theriot is a Major League Baseball infielder for the St. Louis Cardinals.Theriot is the son of Randy and Mary Theriot, and has an older brother Wes and younger brother Austin. Both his father and older brother played baseball at Broadmoor High School.Theriot graduated from Broadmoor... leadoff -7/31 |
132 | 442 | 46 | 120 | 26 | 1 | 47 | 29 | 41 | 15 | .271 | .321 | .342 |
| Yadier Molina Yadier Molina Yadier Benjamin Molina known affectionately by fans as "Yadi", is a Major League Baseball catcher who plays for the St. Louis Cardinals.Molina was the third catcher to play in two World Series before age 25, along with Johnny Bench and Yogi Berra. He is considered one of the best defensive... |
139 | 475 | 55 | 145 | 32 | 14 | 65 | 33 | 44 | 21 | .305 | .349 | .465 |
| Jon Jay Jon Jay Jonathan Henry Jay is an outfielder who plays for the St. Louis Cardinals.-Baseball career:He was drafted by the Cardinals out of the University of Miami in the second round of the 2006 MLB Draft... |
159 | 455 | 56 | 135 | 24 | 10 | 37 | 28 | 81 | 11 | .297 | .344 | .424 |
| Skip Schumaker Skip Schumaker Jared Michael "Skip" Schumaker is a Major League Baseball Outfielder and Second Baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals.-Biography:... |
117 | 367 | 34 | 104 | 19 | 2 | 38 | 27 | 50 | 10 | .283 | .333 | .351 |
| David Freese David Freese David Richard Freese is a third baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball. A star high school player, Freese chose not to play college baseball in his freshman year of college, but returned to the game a year later... |
97 | 333 | 41 | 99 | 16 | 10 | 55 | 24 | 75 | 18 | .297 | .350 | .441 |
| Daniel Descalso Daniel Descalso Daniel William Descalso is an American professional baseball infielder with the St. Louis Cardinals.-Early and personal life:... |
148 | 326 | 35 | 86 | 20 | 1 | 28 | 33 | 65 | 3 | .264 | .334 | .353 |
| Allen Craig Allen Craig Allen Thomas Craig is a Major League Baseball utility player for the St. Louis Cardinals.-Amateur career:... |
75 | 200 | 33 | 63 | 15 | 11 | 40 | 15 | 40 | 7 | .315 | .362 | .555 |
| Rafael Furcal Rafael Furcal Rafael Antonio Furcal , is a Major League Baseball shortstop who is currently a free agent.-Early career:... |
50 | 196 | 29 | 50 | 11 | 7 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 3 | .255 | .316 | .418 |
| Nick Punto Nick Punto Nicholas Paul Punto is a Major League Baseball utility player. He has played second base, third base, shortstop, and center field. Punto is a switch hitter and throws right-handed.... |
63 | 133 | 21 | 37 | 8 | 1 | 20 | 25 | 21 | 3 | .278 | .388 | .421 |
| Tyler Greene Tyler Greene Benjamin Tyler Greene is an American Major league baseball shortstop, currently playing in the minor leagues of the St. Louis Cardinals.-Early and personal life:... |
58 | 104 | 22 | 22 | 5 | 1 | 11 | 13 | 31 | 3 | .212 | .322 | .288 |
| Gerald Laird Gerald Laird Gerald Lee Laird III is an American professional baseball catcher for the Detroit Tigers. He graduated La Quinta High School in 1998, and played college baseball at Cypress College... |
37 | 95 | 11 | 22 | 7 | 1 | 12 | 9 | 19 | 3 | .232 | .302 | .358 |
| Chris Carpenter Chris Carpenter Christopher John Carpenter is a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who has played for the St. Louis Cardinals since 2003, and is currently signed with the team until the 2011 season, with a club option for 2012.Carpenter was 22 years old and a highly-regarded prospect when he broke into the... (P) |
32 | 71 | 2 | 11 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 25 | 0 | .155 | .178 | .197 |
| Tony Cruz Tony Cruz (baseball) Arnoldi Anthony "Tony" Cruz is a Minor League Baseball catcher for the St. Louis Cardinals.-Career:From Okaloosa-Walton College and Middle Georgia College, Cruz was selected by the St... |
38 | 65 | 8 | 17 | 5 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 13 | 1 | .262 | .333 | .338 |
| Kyle Lohse Kyle Lohse Kyle Matthew Lohse is a right-handed starting pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals. Originally drafted by the Chicago Cubs in , Lohse was traded to the Minnesota Twins in in a deal involving Rick Aguilera. Lohse made his MLB debut with the Twins on June 22, .Lohse is a member of the Nomlaki... (P) |
33 | 63 | 3 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 17 | 0 | .175 | .188 | .206 |
| Jaime Garcia Jaime Garcia (baseball) Jaime Omar García is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals.-Early life:Jaime García was born on July 8, 1986 in Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico as the second of three children to civil engineer Jaime García, Sr. and Gloria Rodríguez Flores. García was raised between the border of... (P) |
30 | 62 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 18 | 1 | .097 | .111 | .145 |
| Corey Patterson Corey Patterson Donald Corey Patterson is an American professional baseball free agent outfielder in Major League Baseball. He is the older brother of outfielder Eric Patterson.-Amateur career:... |
44 | 51 | 5 | 8 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 12 | 1 | .157 | .189 | .235 |
| Mark Hamilton Mark Hamilton (baseball) Mark Alan Hamilton is an American professional baseball first baseman in the St. Louis Cardinals organization.-Early and personal life:... |
38 | 47 | 5 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 16 | 1 | .213 | .275 | .277 |
| Jake Westbrook Jake Westbrook Jacob Cauthen "Jake" Westbrook is an American Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher currently with the St. Louis Cardinals. He is known as a sinker ball pitcher and has also hit a grand slam home run.... (P) |
33 | 47 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 3 | 23 | 0 | .106 | .160 | .213 |
| Kyle McClellan Kyle McClellan Kyle William McClellan is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals. He attended Hazelwood West High School. After graduating from high school, McClellan was drafted by the St... (P) |
43 | 35 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 12 | 1 | .143 | .167 | .171 |
| Edwin Jackson Edwin Jackson Edwin Jackson is an American professional baseball pitcher.-Early life:Jackson's father, Edwin Jackson, Sr., a military cook, was stationed in Germany at the time of his birth. Jackson is one of 27 major league players who were born in Germany... (P) |
13 | 26 | 2 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 0 | .308 | .321 | .308 |
| Andrew Brown Andrew Brown (outfielder) Andrew M. Brown is an American professional baseball infielder and outfielder for the Colorado Rockies of Major League Baseball. He was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 18th round of the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft.He was called up on June 12, 2011. After hitting .182 in 11 games for... * |
11 | 22 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 8 | 1 | .182 | .182 | .227 |
| Pete Kozma * | 16 | 17 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 0 | .176 | .333 | .235 |
| Matt Carpenter * | 7 | 15 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 0 | .067 | .283 | .133 |
| Adron Chambers Adron Chambers Adron Lamar Chambers is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the St. Louis Cardinals. He is 5', 10" tall and he weighs 185 pounds.-Early life:... |
18 | 8 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .375 | .375 | .625 |
| Shane Robinson Shane Robinson (baseball) Shane Robinson is a Major League Baseball center fielder for the St. Louis Cardinals.-College career:... |
9 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | .000 | .125 | .000 |
| Colby Rasmus Colby Rasmus Colby Ryan Rasmus is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball.-Early years:... ( -7/26) ^ |
94 | 338 | 61 | 83 | 14 | 11 | 40 | 45 | 77 | 8 | .246 | .332 | .420 |
| TEAM TOTALS | 162 | 5,532 (#7) | 762 (#1) | 1,513 (#1) | 308 (#3) | 162 (#6) | 726 (#1) | 542 (#3) | 978 (#16) | 169 (#1) | .273 (#1) | .341 (#1) | .425 (#1) |
BOLD / #1 = Leading 16 NL teams
Starting pitchers
Note: GS = Games Started; IP = Innings Pitched; W = Wins; L = Loss; ERA = Earned Run Average; WHIP = (Walks + Hits) per Innings Pitched; HBP = Hit by Pitch; BF = Batters faced; O-AVG = Opponent Batting Ave.; O-SLG = Opponent Slugging Ave.; R support avg = Average Runs support from his team per Games Started(through September 28, FINAL)
Cardinals PITCHING statistics
Sortable TEAM PITCHING Statistics
| Player | GS | IP | W | L | ERA | H | HR | BB | SO | WHIP Walks plus hits per inning pitched In baseball statistics, walks plus hits per inning pitched is a sabermetric measurement of the number of baserunners a pitcher has allowed per inning pitched. It is a measure of a pitcher's ability to prevent batters from reaching base... |
HBP | BF | O-AVG | O-SLG | R support avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Carpenter Chris Carpenter Christopher John Carpenter is a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who has played for the St. Louis Cardinals since 2003, and is currently signed with the team until the 2011 season, with a club option for 2012.Carpenter was 22 years old and a highly-regarded prospect when he broke into the... (2 ShO) |
34 | 237.1 | 11 | 9 | 3.45 | 243 | 16 | 55 | 191 | 1.26 | 6 | 996 | .264 | .360 | 4.0 |
| Jake Westbrook Jake Westbrook Jacob Cauthen "Jake" Westbrook is an American Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher currently with the St. Louis Cardinals. He is known as a sinker ball pitcher and has also hit a grand slam home run.... |
33 | 183.1 | 12 | 9 | 4.66 | 208 | 16 | 73 | 104 | 1.53 | 2 | 809 | .289 | .433 | 5.1 |
| Jaime Garcia Jaime Garcia (baseball) Jaime Omar García is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals.-Early life:Jaime García was born on July 8, 1986 in Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico as the second of three children to civil engineer Jaime García, Sr. and Gloria Rodríguez Flores. García was raised between the border of... (2 ShO) |
32 | 194.2 | 13 | 7 | 3.56 | 207 | 15 | 50 | 156 | 1.32 | 2 | 826 | .273 | .394 | 5.1 |
| Kyle Lohse Kyle Lohse Kyle Matthew Lohse is a right-handed starting pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals. Originally drafted by the Chicago Cubs in , Lohse was traded to the Minnesota Twins in in a deal involving Rick Aguilera. Lohse made his MLB debut with the Twins on June 22, .Lohse is a member of the Nomlaki... (1 ShO) |
30 | 188.1 | 14 | 8 | 3.39 | 178 | 16 | 42 | 111 | 1.17 | 3 | 775 | .249 | .390 | 4.6 |
| Kyle McClellan Kyle McClellan Kyle William McClellan is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals. He attended Hazelwood West High School. After graduating from high school, McClellan was drafted by the St... ( -7/25) |
17 | 110.2 | 6 | 6 | 4.15 | 111 | 14 | 33 | 55 | 1.30 | 2 | 470 | .259 | .413 | 4.3 |
| Edwin Jackson Edwin Jackson Edwin Jackson is an American professional baseball pitcher.-Early life:Jackson's father, Edwin Jackson, Sr., a military cook, was stationed in Germany at the time of his birth. Jackson is one of 27 major league players who were born in Germany... (7/29- ) |
12 | 77.0 | 5 | 2 | 3.62 | 89 | 7 | 23 | 51 | 1.45 | 2 | 334 | .299 | .460 | 4.7 |
| Lance Lynn Lance Lynn Michael Lance Lynn is an American professional baseball player with the St. Louis Cardinals.-Early and personal life:... (6/9) †† |
2 | 10.1 | 1 | 1 | 5.23 | 10 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 1.26 | 1 | 42 | .263 | .368 | 8.0 |
| Brandon Dickson Brandon Dickson Brandon Dickson is an American professional baseball player, with the St. Louis Cardinals. He was signed undrafted by the St... (9/1) |
1 | 3.1 | 0 | 0 | 8.11 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2.10 | 0 | 16 | .400 | .867 | 8.0 |
| Miguel Batista Miguel Batista Miguel Descartes Batista Jerez is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher. He has played for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Florida Marlins, Chicago Cubs, Montreal Expos, Kansas City Royals, Arizona Diamondbacks, Toronto Blue Jays, Seattle Mariners, Washington Nationals, St... (4/22) * |
1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | -- | 0 | 1 | .000 | .000 | 4.0 |
| STARTER TOTALS | 162 | 1,005.0 | 62 | 42 | 3.81 | 1,052 | 87 | 281 | 679 | 1.33 | 18 | 4,269 | .270 | .401 | 4.7 |
Bold = leading NL
Relief pitchers
Note: IP = Innings Pitched; ERA = Earned Run Average; WHIP = (Walks + Hits) per Innings Pitched"Bullpen Briefs" (through Sep. 28, no relievers needed that day)
28-30, 3.61 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 463.1 IP, 416 H, 210 R, 186 ER, 49 HR 170 BB, 421 SO
Saves/Opp: 47/73 (64.4%) 1st Batter / Retired: 329/462 (71.2%)
Holds: 84 Inherited Runners/Scored: 68/231 (29.4%)
(through Sep. 26, last loss)
Games lost by bullpen: 30 Salas
Fernando Salas
Noel Fernando Salas is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals.-Professional career:...
(6), Franklin
Ryan Franklin
Ryan Ray Franklin is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has played for the Seattle Mariners, Philadelphia Phillies, Cincinnati Reds, and St. Louis Cardinals.-Early life:...
(4), Dotel
Octavio Dotel
Octavio Eduardo Dotel is a Domincan professional baseball pitcher who is currently a Free Agent....
(3), Rzepczynski
Marc Rzepczynski
Marc Walter Rzepczynski is an American professional baseball left-handed pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals.The Toronto Blue Jays blogosphere gave Rzepczynski the nickname "Scrabble".-Amateur career:...
(3), Boggs
Mitchell Boggs
Mitchell Thomas Boggs is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals. He is of no relation to former MLB third baseman, Wade Boggs.-High school:...
(3), Motte
Jason Motte
Jason Louis Motte is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals.-Career:Motte graduated from Valley Central High School, Montgomery, N.Y., in 2000 where he was a catcher...
(2), Batista
Miguel Batista
Miguel Descartes Batista Jerez is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher. He has played for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Florida Marlins, Chicago Cubs, Montreal Expos, Kansas City Royals, Arizona Diamondbacks, Toronto Blue Jays, Seattle Mariners, Washington Nationals, St...
(2), Tallet
Brian Tallet
Brian Curtis Tallet is an American professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He stands 6' 6" in height. Brian Tallet pitched for the LSU Tigers and won a national championship in 2000....
(1), Augenstein
Bryan Augenstein
Bryan Christopher Augenstein is an American professional baseball player who is currently a pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball.-Professional career:...
(1), Sánchez
Eduardo Sánchez (baseball)
Eduardo Nazareth Sánchez is a professional baseball pitcher who plays in the St. Louis Cardinals organization. He was signed by the Cardinals as a non-drafted free agent on December 26, ....
(1), Miller
Trever Miller
Trever Douglas Miller is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent.-High school:...
(1), Valdes
Raúl Valdés
Raúl Valdés is a Cuban professional baseball pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball.-Chicago Cubs:...
(1), Rhodes
Arthur Rhodes
Arthur Lee Rhodes, Jr. is a Major League Baseball left-handed relief pitcher.-Career:Rhodes played high school baseball at La Vega High School in Waco, Texas. He was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 2nd round of the 1988 Major League Baseball Draft.Rhodes made his MLB debut with the Orioles...
(1), McClellan
Kyle McClellan
Kyle William McClellan is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals. He attended Hazelwood West High School. After graduating from high school, McClellan was drafted by the St...
(1)
Blown Saves by bullpen: 24 Salas
Fernando Salas
Noel Fernando Salas is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals.-Professional career:...
(6), Motte
Jason Motte
Jason Louis Motte is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals.-Career:Motte graduated from Valley Central High School, Montgomery, N.Y., in 2000 where he was a catcher...
(4), Franklin
Ryan Franklin
Ryan Ray Franklin is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has played for the Seattle Mariners, Philadelphia Phillies, Cincinnati Reds, and St. Louis Cardinals.-Early life:...
(4), Boggs
Mitchell Boggs
Mitchell Thomas Boggs is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals. He is of no relation to former MLB third baseman, Wade Boggs.-High school:...
(3), Miller
Trever Miller
Trever Douglas Miller is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent.-High school:...
(2), Sánchez
Eduardo Sánchez (baseball)
Eduardo Nazareth Sánchez is a professional baseball pitcher who plays in the St. Louis Cardinals organization. He was signed by the Cardinals as a non-drafted free agent on December 26, ....
(2), McClellan
Kyle McClellan
Kyle William McClellan is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals. He attended Hazelwood West High School. After graduating from high school, McClellan was drafted by the St...
(1), Batista
Miguel Batista
Miguel Descartes Batista Jerez is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher. He has played for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Florida Marlins, Chicago Cubs, Montreal Expos, Kansas City Royals, Arizona Diamondbacks, Toronto Blue Jays, Seattle Mariners, Washington Nationals, St...
(1), Rzepczynski
Marc Rzepczynski
Marc Walter Rzepczynski is an American professional baseball left-handed pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals.The Toronto Blue Jays blogosphere gave Rzepczynski the nickname "Scrabble".-Amateur career:...
(1)
Scoring by inning
(through September 28, FINAL)| INNING | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CARDINALS | 103 | 82 | 82 | 82 | 88 | 95 | 83 | 82 | 54 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 762 |
| OPPONENTS | 74 | 56 | 98 | 80 | 78 | 87 | 63 | 75 | 62 | 12 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 692 |
Cardinals Record When
(through September 28, FINAL)Home 45-36 (.556)
Away 45-36 (.556)
Scoring first 64-36
Opp. scores first 26-36
Scoring more than 3 runs 70-29
Scoring 3 runs 13-14
Scoring fewer than 3 runs 7-29
Leading after 7 innings 68-9
Tied after 7 innings 12-14
Trailing after 7 innings 10-49
Leading after 8 innings 77-7
Tied after 8 innings 9-13
Trailing after 8 innings 4-52
In errorless games 55-27
In error-made games 35-45
Extra innings 8-13
Shutouts 9-8
One-run games 26-23
Out-hit opponents 58-15
Same hits as opponents 14-4
Out-hit by opponents 18-53
Runs via HR 262 (34.4% of total)
Opp. Runs via HR 229 (33.1% of total)
By Day
Mon. 6-9
Tue. 16-8
Wed. 11-15
Thu. 14-6
Fri. 14-11
Sat. 13-13
Sun. 16-10
By Opponent
DIVISION
HOME ROAD TOTAL
NL Central 25-15 19-20 44-35
NL East 12-6 10-7 22-13
NL West 6-11 10-6 16-17
AL East 0-3 4-2 4-5
AL Central 2-1 2-1 4-2
TOTALS 45-36 45-36 90-72
(Interleague 8-7)
Busch Stadium (Indexes, 2011)
(through September 28, 90-72)2011 (100 = Neutral Park, > 100 Ballpark favors, < 100 Ballpark inhibits)
81 HOME G; Cardinals: 2,646 AB; Opponents: 2,801 AB
81 AWAY G: Cardinals: 2,886 AB; Opponents: 2,807 AB
162 G Cardinals: 5,532 AB; Opponents: 5,608 AB
BA 92
R 90
H 88
2B 85
3B 66
HR 81
BB 106
SO 97
E 89
E-inf. 83
LHB-BA 94
LHB-HR 93
RHB-BA 91
RHB-HR 74
BA .273 (HOME .270 ROAD .277)
(Opponents BA: at StL .242 at their Home .279)
2009–2011 Index (3-yr. composite)
HOME 243 G; Cardinals: 7,986 AB; Opponents: 8,371 AB)
BA 96
R 92
H 94
2B 92
3B 76
HR 77
BB 107
SO 98
E 104
E-inf. 103
LHB-BA 97
LHB-HR 86
RHB-BA 95
RHB-HR 73
BA-Home .268
BA-Road .265
Opp.-Busch .247
Opp.-at their HOME .270
-----
The St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
' 2011 season
2011 Major League Baseball season
The 2011 Major League Baseball season began on Thursday, March 31, and ended on Wednesday, September 28. This marked the first time a season began on a Thursday since , and the first time a regular season ended on a Wednesday since...
was the 130th season for the franchise in St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
, the 120th season in the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
, and the sixth season at Busch Stadium III
Busch Stadium
Busch Stadium is the home of the St. Louis Cardinals, of MLB...
. The Cardinals began their season at home against the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
on March 31, coming off a 86-76 (.531) season and second place in the NL Central. They returned to postseason play in 2011 (after missing out in 2010) as the Wild Card team, and beat the Philadelphia Phillies
2011 Philadelphia Phillies season
The Philadelphia Phillies 2011 season was the 129th season in the history of the franchise. The Phillies won their fifth consecutive National League East championship, and also finished with the best record in baseball for the second straight year. The Phillies, at 3-1 odds, were the heavy-favorite...
in five games in the Division Series
2011 National League Division Series
The 2011 National League Division Series were two best-of-five playoffs comprising the opening round of the Major League Baseball postseason, played to determine the participating teams in the 2011 National League Championship Series. Three divisional winners and a fourth team—a wild card—played...
and the Milwaukee Brewers
2011 Milwaukee Brewers season
The Milwaukee Brewers' 2011 season was their 42nd season for the franchise in Milwaukee, the 14th in the National League, and 43rd overall. The Brewers posted a franchise-best record of 96-66, winning their first-ever National League Central Division title...
in six games in the National League Championship Series
2011 National League Championship Series
The 2011 National League Championship Series was a best-of-seven playoff pitting the winners of the 2011 National League Division Series, the St. Louis Cardinals and Milwaukee Brewers, against each other for the National League championship and the right to be the league's representative in the...
. They defeated the Texas Rangers
2011 Texas Rangers season
The Texas Rangers’ 2011 season was the 51st season in the overall history of the franchise and the 40th since the team relocated to Arlington, Texas. Going into the season they were the defending American League champions....
in the 2011 World Series
2011 World Series
The 2011 World Series was the 107th edition of Major League Baseball's championship series. The best-of-seven playoff was played between the American League champion Texas Rangers and the National League champion St...
in seven games.
Offseason departures and acquisitions
Cardinals co-owner, team treasurer, and member of the Board of DirectorsBoard of directors
A board of directors is a body of elected or appointed members who jointly oversee the activities of a company or organization. Other names include board of governors, board of managers, board of regents, board of trustees, and board of visitors...
Andrew N. "Drew" Baur
Drew Baur
Andrew 'Drew' Baur was a co-owner of the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team. Baur was a key member of the ownership group which purchased the team from Anheuser-Busch in March 1996. Baur served as the team's treasurer, and was a member of the Cardinals Board of Directors.-Early Life:Baur was born...
died suddenly at his home at 66, in Gulf Stream, Florida
Gulf Stream, Florida
Gulf Stream is a town in Palm Beach County, Florida, United States. The population was 716 at the 2000 census.and ranked as the 11th highest-income place in the United States. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 746.-Geography:...
on February 20, 2011.
Management
On Oct. 18, 2010, manager Tony La RussaTony La Russa
Anthony "Tony" La Russa, Jr. is a former Major League Baseball manager and infielder, best known for his tenures as manager of the Chicago White Sox, Oakland Athletics, and St. Louis Cardinals...
decided to return for his 16th season with the Cardinals after agreeing to terms for a new one-year contract, and a mutual option for a second year. Bullpen coach Marty Mason
Marty Mason
Martin Lee "Marty" Mason is a retired minor league baseball pitcher and former Major League Baseball bullpen coach for the St...
was not retained, but all the other coaches returned with extended contracts.
On November 2, 2010, the team named a new bullpen coach (replacing Mason) Derek Lilliquist
Derek Lilliquist
Derek Jansen Lilliquist , is a retired professional baseball player who pitched in the Major Leagues from 1989-1996. He later became a minor league pitching coach for the St. Louis Cardinals and was named their major league bullpen coach on November 2, 2010.-External links:...
, who was the team's pitching coordinator for the last three seasons. In another change announced that day, Greg Hauck was promoted to head athletic trainer, while longtime head trainer Barry Weinberg assumed duties as assistant athletic trainer.
Hitters
On Oct. 6, 2010, the Cardinals picked up the $16 mil. option on Albert PujolsAlbert Pujols
José Alberto Pujols Alcántara , better known as Albert Pujols , is a Dominican-American professional baseball player, who is currently a free agent...
.
On November 30, 2010, the Cardinals traded pitcher Blake Hawksworth
Blake Hawksworth
Blake Edward Hawksworth is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He is 6' 3" and weighs 195 pounds.-Career:...
for middle-infielder Ryan Theriot
Ryan Theriot
Ryan Stewart Theriot is a Major League Baseball infielder for the St. Louis Cardinals.Theriot is the son of Randy and Mary Theriot, and has an older brother Wes and younger brother Austin. Both his father and older brother played baseball at Broadmoor High School.Theriot graduated from Broadmoor...
in a trade with Dodgers. They also signed free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
left-handed relief pitcher Brian Tallet
Brian Tallet
Brian Curtis Tallet is an American professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He stands 6' 6" in height. Brian Tallet pitched for the LSU Tigers and won a national championship in 2000....
. On December 12 the Cardinals cleared a space for Theriot at shortstop by trading incumbent shortstop Brendan Ryan
Brendan Ryan (baseball)
Brendan Wood Ryan is an American Major League Baseball shortstop for the Seattle Mariners. While he has typically fielded at shortstop in his professional career, Ryan has been known to play at second and third base and has dabbled with pitching.-Early and personal life:Ryan was born in Los...
to the Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
for Class-A prospect Maikel Cleto
Maikel Cleto
Maikel Cleto is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals. He was signed as a non-drafted free agent by the New York Mets on August 10, 2006.-New York Mets:...
.
On December 4, 2010, the Cardinals signed 34-yr-old free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
Lance Berkman
Lance Berkman
William Lance Berkman is an American professional baseball outfielder and right fielder with the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball....
(formerly with the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
and then Yankees in 2010) to a 1-yr. $8 mil. deal. Berkman was slated to play right field. The acquisition of Berkman would eventually prove to be key to the 2011 season. Berkman, who had slumped to a .248 average in 2010 and had hit particularly poorly after his midseason trade to the New York Yankees, hit 31 home runs for the Cardinals in 2011 and was named NL Comeback Player of the Year.
On December 14, 2010, the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
signed free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
Gerald Laird
Gerald Laird
Gerald Lee Laird III is an American professional baseball catcher for the Detroit Tigers. He graduated La Quinta High School in 1998, and played college baseball at Cypress College...
to a one-year contract.
On January 15, 2011, Albert Pujols
Albert Pujols
José Alberto Pujols Alcántara , better known as Albert Pujols , is a Dominican-American professional baseball player, who is currently a free agent...
through his agent Dan Lozano, told the Cardinals that the date to report to Spring Training (Feb. 18) was the deadline to reach a deal on a new contract. Negotiations failed to produce a deal, and on February 16 Pujols suspended negotiations, citing an unwillingness to be distracted during the season, including Spring Training. Pujols received $16 mil. in 2011 and $111 mil. over his previous eight seasons. Pujols had asked for a 10-year deal, worth up to $300 million, averaging $30 mil. per year.
On January 21, 2011, the Cardinals signed a free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
backup infielder Nick Punto
Nick Punto
Nicholas Paul Punto is a Major League Baseball utility player. He has played second base, third base, shortstop, and center field. Punto is a switch hitter and throws right-handed....
to a one-year contract for $750,000.
In a surprise announcement on February 4, the Cardinals signed former Cardinal Jim Edmonds
Jim Edmonds
James Patrick "Jim" Edmonds is a former American Major League Baseball center fielder. He played for the California/Anaheim Angels, the St. Louis Cardinals, the San Diego Padres, the Milwaukee Brewers, the Chicago Cubs, and the Cincinnati Reds...
(2000–2007) to a minor-league contract, and an invitation to Spring Training as a non-roster invitee. He hit 241 home runs (4th in rank) as a Cardinal in his eight years, made three All-Star teams (2000, 2003, 2005), and won six Gold Gloves
Rawlings Gold Glove Award
The Rawlings Gold Glove Award, usually referred to as the Gold Glove, is the award given annually to the Major League Baseball players judged to have exhibited superior individual fielding performances at each fielding position in both the National League and the American League , as voted by the...
(2000–05). He needs seven home runs to reach the career 400 level. On February 18 Edmonds announced his retirement from baseball, citing the risk of permanent damage in his comeback from Achilles tendon
Achilles tendon
The Achilles tendon , also known as the calcaneal tendon or the tendo calcaneus, is a tendon of the posterior leg. It serves to attach the plantaris, gastrocnemius and soleus muscles to the calcaneus bone.- Anatomy :The Achilles is the tendonous extension of 3 muscles in the lower leg:...
surgery.
Pitchers
On Oct. 6, 2010, the Cardinals picked up the option on LH relief specialist Trever MillerTrever Miller
Trever Douglas Miller is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent.-High school:...
after he vested his option with his 45th appearance in 2010 (57 G), and finished the season healthy.
On Nov. 16, 2010, the Cardinals signed free agent pitcher Jake Westbrook
Jake Westbrook
Jacob Cauthen "Jake" Westbrook is an American Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher currently with the St. Louis Cardinals. He is known as a sinker ball pitcher and has also hit a grand slam home run....
to a two-year deal through 2012 for $16.5 mil., with a mutual option for 2013, and a full no-trade clause. The Cardinals had previously acquired Westbrook in a 2010 trade that sent Ryan Ludwick
Ryan Ludwick
Ryan Andrew Ludwick is a Major League Baseball right fielder. His brother Eric played four seasons in Major League Baseball as a pitcher.-High school, college, and minor leagues:Ludwick attended Durango High School in Las Vegas, Nevada....
to the Padres.
On Jan. 15, 2011, the Cardinals agreed to a one-year contract with reliever Kyle McClellan
Kyle McClellan
Kyle William McClellan is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals. He attended Hazelwood West High School. After graduating from high school, McClellan was drafted by the St...
in avoiding arbitration. Salary was not announced.
The Cardinals suffered a severe setback at the beginning of spring training. On Feb. 24, 2011, it was confirmed that ace pitcher Adam Wainwright
Adam Wainwright
Adam Parrish Wainwright is a right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals. He was drafted 29th overall by the Atlanta Braves in the 2000 amateur draft. He made his major league debut for the St...
needed Tommy John surgery
Tommy John surgery
Tommy John surgery, known in medical practice as ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction, is a surgical procedure in which a ligament in the medial elbow is replaced with a tendon from elsewhere in the body...
on his right elbow after experiencing discomfort in throwing batting practice on February 21. It meant missing, at a minimum, the entirety of the 2011 season. Wainwright was coming off a career year in 2010 in which he won a career-high 20 games, made the All-Star game and finished second in National League Cy Young Award
Cy Young Award
The Cy Young Award is an honor given annually in baseball to the best pitchers in Major League Baseball , one each for the American League and National League . The award was first introduced in 1956 by Baseball Commissioner Ford Frick in honor of Hall of Fame pitcher Cy Young, who died in 1955...
voting. The Feb. 28 surgery on Wainwright in St. Louis was described as 'successful'.
Spring Training
St. Louis Cardinals Spring Training Schedule
All Times are Central Time (CT)
Home Games, and those with the Florida Marlins at Roger Dean Stadium
Roger Dean Stadium
Roger Dean Stadium is a baseball stadium located in the Abacoa community of the town of Jupiter, Florida. The stadium was built in 1998, holds 6,871 people, and features luxury sky-box seating, 2 levels of permanent seating, parking and concessions...
(Jupiter, Florida
Jupiter, Florida
Jupiter is a town located in Palm Beach County, Florida. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 39,328. The estimate population for 2009 is 50,606. As of 2006, the population had grown to 50,028, according to the University of Florida, Bureau of Economic and Business Research....
).
(ss) = split squad games
The Cardinals released their 2011 Spring Training schedule on Dec. 3, 2010.
The scheduled exhibition game on Mar. 29, vs. their AA-level Springfield Cardinals
Springfield Cardinals
The Springfield Cardinals are a minor league baseball team based in Springfield, Missouri. The team, which plays in the Texas League, is the Double-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals major-league club, and is owned by the Cardinals. The club plays at Hammons Field.The Springfield Cardinals...
team was canceled the day before due to predicted bad weather.
! colspan="3" | Legend
|-
! bgcolor="bbffbb" | Cardinals WIN
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
! bgcolor="ffbbbb" | Cardinals LOSS
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
! bgcolor="bbbbbb" | Game POSTPONED / TIE
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
| 2011 Game Log | |
|---|---|
March–April
The Cardinals opened 2011 with a stunning loss at home against the San Diego Padres on March 31, after leading 3-2 with 2-outs in the 9th. Matt HollidayMatt Holliday
Matthew Thomas Holliday , nicknamed "Big Daddy", is an American Major League Baseball left fielder for the St. Louis Cardinals. Holliday was originally drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the seventh round of the 1998 Major League Baseball Draft.Holliday is a five-time All-Star and Silver Slugger...
hit what looked to be the game-winning home run in the bottom of the 8th, but closer
Closer (baseball)
In baseball, a closing pitcher, more frequently referred to as a closer , is a relief pitcher who specializes in closing out games, i.e., getting the final outs in a close game. Closers often appear when the score is close, and the role is often assigned to a team's best reliever. A small number of...
Ryan Franklin
Ryan Franklin
Ryan Ray Franklin is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has played for the Seattle Mariners, Philadelphia Phillies, Cincinnati Reds, and St. Louis Cardinals.-Early life:...
gave up a game-tying home run in that 9th inning, sending the game to extra innings. The Padres scored twice in the 11th to win 5-3. It was a sign of things to come for Franklin in 2011.
That evening, Holliday complained of pains, leading to an emergency appendectomy the next day. After missing only seven games while recuperating from surgery, Holliday returned to the lineup on April 10, singling and drawing two walks in a 6-1 victory over the Giants.
Lance Berkman
Lance Berkman
William Lance Berkman is an American professional baseball outfielder and right fielder with the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball....
received the NL Player of the Week award on April 18, batting .417 (10-for-24), leading the majors with six HRs, 12 RBIs, and 1.167 Slugging percentage.
Matt Holliday
Matt Holliday
Matthew Thomas Holliday , nicknamed "Big Daddy", is an American Major League Baseball left fielder for the St. Louis Cardinals. Holliday was originally drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the seventh round of the 1998 Major League Baseball Draft.Holliday is a five-time All-Star and Silver Slugger...
(.408) and Lance Berkman
Lance Berkman
William Lance Berkman is an American professional baseball outfielder and right fielder with the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball....
(.393) were 1-3 respectively in the NL batting lead after the first month of the season ended, April 30. Holliday also led the NL in OBP (.511), and Berkman led the NL in both slugging (.753) and OPS (1.207).
The Cardinals recovered from a 2-6 start to finish in first place (16-11) by two games over the Reds at the end of April, and the entire team was also #1 in sweeping all three NL hitting percentages at .295/.362/.451, boasting a .812 OPS and also leading in hits (281), runs (144) total bases (429), and also struckout the least times (168). All those baserunners led to them also leading in grounding into the most double plays (36), with Albert Pujols
Albert Pujols
José Alberto Pujols Alcántara , better known as Albert Pujols , is a Dominican-American professional baseball player, who is currently a free agent...
(.245/.305/.453, .758 OPS) owning the NL lead with nine.
The Cardinals rose to first place in the standings despite major problems in the bullpen. Closer Ryan Franklin
Ryan Franklin
Ryan Ray Franklin is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has played for the Seattle Mariners, Philadelphia Phillies, Cincinnati Reds, and St. Louis Cardinals.-Early life:...
blew four of his first five save opportunities and the Cardinals lost all four of those games. Franklin never got another save opportunity after blowing a save against the Dodgers on April 17, and finished the month with a 10.12 ERA. Mitchell Boggs
Mitchell Boggs
Mitchell Thomas Boggs is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals. He is of no relation to former MLB third baseman, Wade Boggs.-High school:...
got the call as closer and recorded three saves before blowing another save (leading to another Cardinals blown-save loss) against Houston on April 26. Left-handed reliever Trever Miller was hit for an .899 OPS by opposition batters in April.
May
Third baseman David Freese suffered a broken bone in his left hand on May 1 from being hit by a pitch. Freese did not return until the end of June.The Cardinals continued to search for an effective closer in May. Rookie Eduardo Sanchez filled the role for a while in early May, then Fernando Salas took the job and recorded seven saves in seven chances in the second half of the month.
Jaime Garcia
Jaime Garcia (baseball)
Jaime Omar García is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals.-Early life:Jaime García was born on July 8, 1986 in Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico as the second of three children to civil engineer Jaime García, Sr. and Gloria Rodríguez Flores. García was raised between the border of...
flirted with history on May 6, pitching 7.1 IP of perfect baseball against the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
at home, winding up with a 2-hit, complete-game shutout (his 2nd of 2011), after losing his perfect bid with first a walk and then a hit in the 8th inning. He later gave up a double in the 9th for the only runner to reach second base. He walked only one, while striking out eight and helped by a double-play in the eighth to preserve his shutout, the third of his career. He was bidding for the first perfect game in Cardinals' history, and the first no-hitter since Bud Smith
Bud Smith
Robert Allan "Bud" Smith is a retired American baseball player. Smith was active at the Major League level in 2001 and 2002, playing for the St. Louis Cardinals.- No-hitter and Major League career :...
on September 3, 2001.
The Cardinals were a strong 17-12 in May and finished the month 2.5 games ahead of the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central despite numerous injuries to key players. Albert Pujols struggled through a most uncharacteristic slump at the start of the season, going a career-worst 105 at-bats without a home run and finishing May with an unusually low .755 OPS for the first two months. Tony LaRussa, suffering from a severe case of shingles
Herpes zoster
Herpes zoster , commonly known as shingles and also known as zona, is a viral disease characterized by a painful skin rash with blisters in a limited area on one side of the body, often in a stripe...
, missed six games, with bench coach Joe Pettini
Joe Pettini
Joseph Paul "Joe" Pettini is a former Major League Baseball player and a current major league bench coach with the St. Louis Cardinals. Joe and his family now reside in Bethany, West Virginia....
serving as acting manager.
June
Albert Pujols broke out of his season-long slump in style, hitting five home runs in the week that ended June 5 and winning NL Player of the Week honors.Tony La Russa
Tony La Russa
Anthony "Tony" La Russa, Jr. is a former Major League Baseball manager and infielder, best known for his tenures as manager of the Chicago White Sox, Oakland Athletics, and St. Louis Cardinals...
managed his 5,000th major league game (2,676-2,320-4 0.536) on June 10, but the milestone was marred by a shutout loss at Milwaukee
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
. He joins Connie Mack
Connie Mack
Connie Mack may refer to:* Connie Mack I , Hall of Fame baseball manager, player, owner* Connie Mack III , U.S. Representative , U.S. Senator from Florida * Connie Mack IV , U.S...
as the only manager or coach in American sports history to reach 5,000 games.
On June 19, Albert Pujols
Albert Pujols
José Alberto Pujols Alcántara , better known as Albert Pujols , is a Dominican-American professional baseball player, who is currently a free agent...
hurt his wrist when an opposing player ran into him when Pujols was taking an errant throw from second baseman Peter Kozma
Peter Kozma
Peter Michael Kozma is a minor league baseball second baseman/shortstop currently on the St. Louis Cardinals active roster. He is 6'0" tall and he weighs 170 pounds....
. A subsequent MRI on June 20, showed a small fracture in the left wrist-forearm. Pujols estimated time on the DL was expected to be from four to six weeks. He had played in all 73 games before the injury.
Pujols' injury was 14th time the Cardinals have used the disabled list this season for 12 different players, already more than they used all of last year. He joined Wainwright, Freese, Nick Punto, Allen Craig, Gerald Laird, Bryan Augenstein
Bryan Augenstein
Bryan Christopher Augenstein is an American professional baseball player who is currently a pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball.-Professional career:...
and Eduardo Sanchez on the DL.
Left-handed reliever Raul Valdes
Raúl Valdés
Raúl Valdés is a Cuban professional baseball pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball.-Chicago Cubs:...
was promoted from AAA Memphis on June 23. Valdes became the third lefty in the struggling bullpen, joining Trever Miller
Trever Miller
Trever Douglas Miller is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent.-High school:...
and Brian Tallet
Brian Tallet
Brian Curtis Tallet is an American professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He stands 6' 6" in height. Brian Tallet pitched for the LSU Tigers and won a national championship in 2000....
. Disabled players David Freese
David Freese
David Richard Freese is a third baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball. A star high school player, Freese chose not to play college baseball in his freshman year of college, but returned to the game a year later...
(3b) and Nick Punto
Nick Punto
Nicholas Paul Punto is a Major League Baseball utility player. He has played second base, third base, shortstop, and center field. Punto is a switch hitter and throws right-handed....
(Inf.), both out for over a month, were activated on June 27, providing relief for the injury-riddled team. Freese last played on May 1, and Punto on May 17. Both players made instant impacts in their first game returning when they helped beat the Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
at Camden Yards in their first interleague game there.
Late in June the Cardinals cleared two ineffective relief pitchers from the roster. Miguel Batista
Miguel Batista
Miguel Descartes Batista Jerez is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher. He has played for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Florida Marlins, Chicago Cubs, Montreal Expos, Kansas City Royals, Arizona Diamondbacks, Toronto Blue Jays, Seattle Mariners, Washington Nationals, St...
, who had given up 27 hits and 19 walks in only 29 innings, was let go on June 22. Former closer Ryan Franklin
Ryan Franklin
Ryan Ray Franklin is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has played for the Seattle Mariners, Philadelphia Phillies, Cincinnati Reds, and St. Louis Cardinals.-Early life:...
was given his unconditional release on June 29. He was 1-4 with a 8.46 ERA. Opponents battered him for a .367 average, plus 44 hits and nine home runs over 21 games, in only 27 2/3 innings. He walked 7 and struckout 17, with a 1.84 WHIP Right-handed pitcher Brandon Dickson
Brandon Dickson
Brandon Dickson is an American professional baseball player, with the St. Louis Cardinals. He was signed undrafted by the St...
's contract was called-up to fill the roster spot vacated by Franklin's release.
After 81 games on June 29, the half-way point of the season, the team was 43-38 (.531) only 1 game behind the Milwaukee Brewers at 44-37 (.543). The Cardinals played very poorly for much of June, going 3-12 from June 10 to June 26.
July
After an initial estimate of Albert PujolsAlbert Pujols
José Alberto Pujols Alcántara , better known as Albert Pujols , is a Dominican-American professional baseball player, who is currently a free agent...
out for 6-to-8 weeks projecting an August 1 return, a reevaluation follow-up from a CT scan on July 1 showed faster recovery than originally thought, raising the possibility of a return by July 15, right after the All-Star break. However, Pujols surprised everyone by recovering very rapidly, and he was activated on July 5, after the minimum 15-days on the DL. Lefty reliever Brian Tallet
Brian Tallet
Brian Curtis Tallet is an American professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He stands 6' 6" in height. Brian Tallet pitched for the LSU Tigers and won a national championship in 2000....
was placed on the DL to make room for Pujols.
The team made a major trade on July 27, a four-for-four swap, dealing disgruntled Colby Rasmus
Colby Rasmus
Colby Ryan Rasmus is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball.-Early years:...
(hitting only .246), left-handed relievers Trever Miller
Trever Miller
Trever Douglas Miller is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent.-High school:...
and Brian Tallet
Brian Tallet
Brian Curtis Tallet is an American professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He stands 6' 6" in height. Brian Tallet pitched for the LSU Tigers and won a national championship in 2000....
, and starter P.J. Walters to the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
. In return, the team received right-hand starter Edwin Jackson
Edwin Jackson
Edwin Jackson is an American professional baseball pitcher.-Early life:Jackson's father, Edwin Jackson, Sr., a military cook, was stationed in Germany at the time of his birth. Jackson is one of 27 major league players who were born in Germany...
, left-hand specialist Marc Rzepczynski
Marc Rzepczynski
Marc Walter Rzepczynski is an American professional baseball left-handed pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals.The Toronto Blue Jays blogosphere gave Rzepczynski the nickname "Scrabble".-Amateur career:...
, right-hand reliever Octavio Dotel
Octavio Dotel
Octavio Eduardo Dotel is a Domincan professional baseball pitcher who is currently a Free Agent....
, and outfielder Corey Patterson
Corey Patterson
Donald Corey Patterson is an American professional baseball free agent outfielder in Major League Baseball. He is the older brother of outfielder Eric Patterson.-Amateur career:...
. The team will also receive either three players to be named later, or cash. Jackson was traded earlier the day from the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
to the Blue Jays. Rasmus had previously asked to be traded away from the Cardinals, and at the time of the trade he was mired in a severe slump that saw him hitting .194 since May 12. Jon Jay, who had been getting more playing time as Rasmus struggled, became the everyday center fielder. Kyle McClellan, promoted to the starting rotation to fill the gap caused by the loss of Adam Wainwright, returned to the bullpen.
Pujols got his 2,000th career hit on July 29, at Busch Stadium against the Cubs in the eighth inning with an RBI double. He became the fifth Cardinal to get to 2,000 hits, joining Stan Musial
Stan Musial
Stanley Frank "Stan" Musial is a retired professional baseball player who played 22 seasons in Major League Baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals . Nicknamed "Stan the Man", Musial was a record 24-time All-Star selection , and is widely considered to be one of the greatest hitters in baseball...
(3,630), Lou Brock
Lou Brock
Louis Clark "Lou" Brock is an American former professional baseball player. He began his Major League Baseball career with the Chicago Cubs but, spent the majority of his career as the left fielder for the St. Louis Cardinals. Brock was best known for breaking Ty Cobb's all-time major league...
(2,713), Rogers Hornsby
Rogers Hornsby
Rogers Hornsby, Sr. , nicknamed "The Rajah", was an American baseball infielder, manager, and coach who played 23 seasons in Major League Baseball . He played for the St. Louis Cardinals , New York Giants , Boston Braves , Chicago Cubs , and St. Louis Browns...
(2,110), and Enos Slaughter
Enos Slaughter
Enos Bradsher Slaughter , nicknamed "Country", was an American Major League Baseball right fielder. During a 19-year baseball career, he played from 1938–1942 and 1946-1959 for four different teams, but is noted primarily for his time with the St...
(2,064). He got it in his 1,650th game, the 12th quickest. Musial got his in 1,507 games.
The team made another trade on July 31, just before the non-waiver deadline, acquiring shortstop Rafael Furcal
Rafael Furcal
Rafael Antonio Furcal , is a Major League Baseball shortstop who is currently a free agent.-Early career:...
from the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
in return for an AA-outfielder Alex Castellanos
Alex Castellanos
Alejandro "Alex" Castellanos is a U.S. Republican Party political media consultant who specializes in television advertising, and was a top media adviser to Bush Cheney '04 as well as Mitt Romney's presidential campaign....
. Furcal displaced offseason acquisition Ryan Theriot, who committed 17 errors at shortstop for the Cardinals in 2011.
August
On Aug. 11 the Cardinals signed free agent lefty specialist pitcher Arthur RhodesArthur Rhodes
Arthur Lee Rhodes, Jr. is a Major League Baseball left-handed relief pitcher.-Career:Rhodes played high school baseball at La Vega High School in Waco, Texas. He was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 2nd round of the 1988 Major League Baseball Draft.Rhodes made his MLB debut with the Orioles...
, previously released by the Texas Rangers. The Rhodes acquisition completed a radical in-season makeover of the Cardinal bullpen. The only Cardinal relievers in the bullpen on Opening Day who were still on the team at the end of the season were Mitchell Boggs and Jason Motte. Departures included Miguel Batista and Ryan Franklin (released), Bryan Augenstein (disabled and later sent to the minors) and lefty specialists Trever Miller and Brian Tallet (traded to Toronto). Additions over the course of the season included Rhodes, Marc Rzepcynski and Octavio Dotel (acquired from Toronto in the Rasmus trade), Kyle McClellan (sent back to the bullpen after the Cardinals traded for Edwin Jackson), and Lance Lynn and Fernando Salas (called up from the minor leagues).
At the beginning of the month the Cardinals were 2.5 games behind the Brewers in the standings. However, they lost two of three to Milwaukee on the road Aug. 1-3, then did the same at home on Aug. 9-11, giving the Brewers a four-game lead in the NL Central. The team continued to stumble as the Brewers continued to win. Newly acquired shortstop Furcal hit only .240 for the month. The Cardinals went 2-4 on a six-game road trip to Pittsburgh and Chicago, then came home and were swept in three games by a bad Dodger team. After close of business on August 24, the day the Dodgers completed their sweep, St. Louis had fallen ten games behind Milwaukee in the NL Central standings and 10.5 games behind the Atlanta Braves (and in third place) in the NL Wild Card standings. St. Louis' odds of making the playoffs stood at 1.3%.
The sweep by Los Angeles dropped the Cardinals to 67-63. They ended the month on a positive note, taking three of four from the Pirates and sweeping the Brewers in Milwaukee Aug. 30-Sept. 1, improving their chances of making the playoffs to 4.3%.
September: the comeback
The Cardinals set a new NL record of grounding into their 167th (and later, 168th) double-play on September 26, breaking the record set by the 1958 St. Louis Cardinals. They finished the season with 169, five short of the all-time MLB record set by the 1990 Boston Red Sox.After dropping two of three to the Reds the Cardinals played their last series of the season against Milwaukee Sept. 5-7. St. Louis took two out of three and thus won five of its last six games against the Brewers, but Milwaukee still held a lead of 8.5 games. The Cardinals got as close as 4.5 games behind the Brewers later in September but Milwaukee played too well to be caught, clinching the Central Division championship on Sept. 23.
The same was not true of the wild-card leading Atlanta Braves. 10.5 games ahead of the Cardinals on August 24, Atlanta went only 6-7 over its next 13 games before coming to St. Louis on Sept. 9 to play a three-game series that would prove to be critical. In the first game, Atlanta led 3-1 going into the bottom of the ninth inning, but a Schumaker single and walks to Furcal and Theriot set up a two-run, two-out Albert Pujols single to tie the game. The Cardinals won on a sacrifice fly by Nick Punto in the bottom of the 10th. On Sept. 10 St. Louis won by the same 4-3 score when Michael Bourn flied out to right with the tying run on third. On the 11th Yadier Molina hit a three-run double and the Cardinals won 6-3 to complete the sweep. The sweep cut the gap in the wild-card race to 4.5 games, but St. Louis had only 16 games left to play and its playoff chances were still only 7.7%.
The Cardinals followed up their sweep of Atlanta by going on the road to Pittsburgh and Philadelphia and taking two of three from the Pirates and three of four from the NL-leading (and eventually 102-game-winner) Phillies. On the 14th Yadier Molina hit a two-run double and the Cardinals beat Pittsburgh 3-2 behind 6.2 strong innings from Edwin Jackson. On the 16th an error by right fielder Corey Patterson allowed the Phillies to tie the game 2-2 in the bottom of the ninth, but the Cardinals scored on RBI hits from rookie Adron Chambers
Adron Chambers
Adron Lamar Chambers is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the St. Louis Cardinals. He is 5', 10" tall and he weighs 185 pounds.-Early life:...
and Tyler Greene in the 11th and hung on to win 4-2. On the 19th the Cardinals escaped with a 4-3 victory over the Phillies when Octavio Dotel got Hunter Pence
Hunter Pence
Hunter Andrew Pence is a Major League Baseball outfielder with the Philadelphia Phillies. Pence stands tall and weighs . He bats and throws right-handed.-Early life:...
to ground out in the bottom of the ninth with the tying run on base. The Braves went 3-4 over this same stretch of games, losing to the Marlins on Sept. 19 when Omar Infante
Omar Infante
Omar Rafael Infante [in-FAHN-tay] is a Major League Baseball utility player who is currently on the Miami Marlins...
hit a game-winning two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning. The gap in the wild-card standings had decreased to 2.5 games but with only nine games left the Cardinals' playoff chances were still only 17.7%.
The Cardinals then won two of three at home against the Mets, but suffered a bitterly disappointing loss in the third game of that series, when a Rafael Furcal error in the top of the 9th helped open the gates and the Mets scored six runs off the Cardinals to win 8-6. The Braves led by two games with six games left and the Cardinals' playoff chances were 24.4%. The Cardinals won two of three against the Cubs, winning 2-1 on Sept. 24 via a bases-loaded walk and wild pitch by Carlos Marmol
Carlos Marmol
Carlos Agustín Mármol is a relief pitcher for the Chicago Cubs.-Minor league career:Mármol started his career as a catcher/outfielder...
, while the Braves lost two of three to the Nationals. Atlanta had a one-game lead with three games left.
The Cardinals lost in extra innings to the terrible Houston Astros (who finished the year at 56-106) on the 26th but Atlanta lost to the Phillies. On the 27th St. Louis overcame a bad start by Jake Westbrook and a 5-0 deficit, scoring five in the fourth and four more in the seventh and winning 13-6. The winning runs came via a two-run triple from Ryan Theriot. Atlanta lost to Philadelphia again, and with one game left in the season the Cardinals and Braves were tied for the wild card. In the season finale the Cardinals had little trouble with the Astros, winning 8-0 behind a complete game two-hit shutout from Carpenter. The Braves, who played later, were two outs away from forcing a tie-breaker game, but a Chase Utley sacrifice fly tied the game 3-3 in the top of the ninth. In the bottom of the 12th the Braves stranded the winning run on third base. Finally, in the 13th inning Hunter Pence hit an RBI infield single, and in the bottom of the inning Freddie Freeman of the Braves hit into a double play to lose the ballgame and eliminate Atlanta.
The Cardinals had won the NL Wild Card in what became one of the greatest late-season comebacks in the history of baseball. They went 23-9 over their final 32 games to erase a 10.5 game deficit. They went 18-8 in the month of September while the Braves went 9-18 for September to open the door. St. Louis finished 90-72 and advanced to the postseason to face the NL East champion Philadelphia Phillies.
October
The team qualified for the Wild Card on the final day of the regular season and played the Philadelphia Phillies2011 Philadelphia Phillies season
The Philadelphia Phillies 2011 season was the 129th season in the history of the franchise. The Phillies won their fifth consecutive National League East championship, and also finished with the best record in baseball for the second straight year. The Phillies, at 3-1 odds, were the heavy-favorite...
for the first time in postseason, in the NL Division Series best of five, starting the first two games at Citizens Bank Park
Citizens Bank Park
Citizens Bank Park is a 43,647-seat baseball park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, part of the South Philadelphia Sports Complex, and home of the Philadelphia Phillies. Citizens Bank Park opened on April 3, 2004, and hosted its first regular season baseball game on April 12 of the same year, with the...
in Philadelphia
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
.
The famous Rally Squirrel
Rally Squirrel
Rally Squirrel is the name given to an American gray squirrel which appeared on the field and ran across home plate at Busch Stadium during a 2011 National League Division Series Major League Baseball game between the Philadelphia Phillies and St. Louis Cardinals on October 5, 2011...
(aka, 'Busch Squirrel'), made his first appearance in Game 3 on October 4, and then again appeared in Game 4 on October 5, running across Home Plate at Busch Stadium in front of Skip Schumaker
Skip Schumaker
Jared Michael "Skip" Schumaker is a Major League Baseball Outfielder and Second Baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals.-Biography:...
who was batting. The team was ahead at the time, 3-2, and held on for the 5-3 victory. The Rally Squirrel was instantly adopted by the fans as the mascot, and thousands of rally squirrel t-shirts were sold. His Twitter
Twitter
Twitter is an online social networking and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts of up to 140 characters, informally known as "tweets".Twitter was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey and launched that July...
account started, and by October 6 it had over 11,000 followers; by October 20, it had over 27,500 followers.
The October 7, Game 5 winner-take-all in the NLDS pitted Cardinals' ace Chris Carpenter
Chris Carpenter
Christopher John Carpenter is a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who has played for the St. Louis Cardinals since 2003, and is currently signed with the team until the 2011 season, with a club option for 2012.Carpenter was 22 years old and a highly-regarded prospect when he broke into the...
vs. Roy Halladay
Roy Halladay
Harry Leroy "Roy" Halladay III , nicknamed "Doc", is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies...
, his best friend off-the-field for the Phillies, at Citizens Bank Park. Carpenter threw an outstanding 3-hit shutout over Halladay and the Phillies to win the NLDS, 1-0.
On Sunday, October 16, the Cardinals beat the Milwaukee Brewers
2011 Milwaukee Brewers season
The Milwaukee Brewers' 2011 season was their 42nd season for the franchise in Milwaukee, the 14th in the National League, and 43rd overall. The Brewers posted a franchise-best record of 96-66, winning their first-ever National League Central Division title...
in Game 6 of the National League Championship Series
2011 National League Championship Series
The 2011 National League Championship Series was a best-of-seven playoff pitting the winners of the 2011 National League Division Series, the St. Louis Cardinals and Milwaukee Brewers, against each other for the National League championship and the right to be the league's representative in the...
, for their 18th NL Pennant, and became the only team to play in three of the last ten World Series. David Freese
David Freese
David Richard Freese is a third baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball. A star high school player, Freese chose not to play college baseball in his freshman year of college, but returned to the game a year later...
was named NLCS MVP.
The Cardinals, facing the Texas Rangers
2011 Texas Rangers season
The Texas Rangers’ 2011 season was the 51st season in the overall history of the franchise and the 40th since the team relocated to Arlington, Texas. Going into the season they were the defending American League champions....
in the World Series
2011 World Series
The 2011 World Series was the 107th edition of Major League Baseball's championship series. The best-of-seven playoff was played between the American League champion Texas Rangers and the National League champion St...
, pulled-off one of the greatest comeback game wins in World Series history, with an amazing Game 6, winning 10-9 in 11 innings after twice being one strike away from elimination. David Freese
David Freese
David Richard Freese is a third baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball. A star high school player, Freese chose not to play college baseball in his freshman year of college, but returned to the game a year later...
hit a two-out, two-strike, ninth-inning triple, to tie the game after trailing 7-5. Later, with the score tied 9-9, Freese hit a lead-off walk-off home run
Walk-off home run
In baseball, a walk-off home run is a home run that ends the game. It must be a home run that gives the home team the lead in the bottom of the final inning of the game—either the ninth inning, or any extra inning, or any other regularly scheduled final inning...
to dead centerfield in the 11th, off Mark Lowe
Mark Lowe
Mark Christopher Lowe is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the Texas Rangers. He made his Major League debut for the Seattle Mariners on July 7, in relief against the Detroit Tigers, loading the bases before striking out the side. He bats left-handed and throws right-handed. His fastball...
at 11:39pm CDT. Lance Berkman
Lance Berkman
William Lance Berkman is an American professional baseball outfielder and right fielder with the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball....
had previously tied the game in the 10th with a single with 2-outs and 2-strikes, scoring Jon Jay
Jon Jay
Jonathan Henry Jay is an outfielder who plays for the St. Louis Cardinals.-Baseball career:He was drafted by the Cardinals out of the University of Miami in the second round of the 2006 MLB Draft...
. The win meant that the World Series would go to a seventh game for the first time since 2002
2002 World Series
The 2002 World Series was a best-of-seven playoff series to determine the champion of Major League Baseball for the 2002 season. It was the 98th such contest between the champions of the American League and National League , and featured the AL champion Anaheim Angels against the NL champion San...
. Of the last 13 Major League teams that won Game 6 at home to force a Game 7 in the postseason, 12 went on to win Game 7. The Rangers led 4 different times in the game, including with two outs and two strikes in both the ninth and the 10th but the Cardinals refused to die.
Freese's game-winning home run was only the fifth in World Series Game 6 history (1960-Pit., 1975-Bos., 1991-Min., 1993-Tor).
The Cardinals set two records in their Game 6 win: the first team to come back twice from deficits in both the 9th and 10th innings, and the first team to score in the 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th innings.
In addition to the records set in Game Six, during Game Three Albert Pujols
Albert Pujols
José Alberto Pujols Alcántara , better known as Albert Pujols , is a Dominican-American professional baseball player, who is currently a free agent...
joined Reggie Jackson
Reggie Jackson
Reginald Martinez "Reggie" Jackson , nicknamed "Mr. October" for his clutch hitting in the postseason with the New York Yankees, is a former American Major League Baseball right fielder. During a 21-year baseball career, he played from 1967-1987 for four different teams. Jackson currently serves as...
and Babe Ruth
Babe Ruth
George Herman Ruth, Jr. , best known as "Babe" Ruth and nicknamed "the Bambino" and "the Sultan of Swat", was an American Major League baseball player from 1914–1935...
as the only players to hit three home-runs in a World Series game. His 14 total bases and four hits in consecutive innings both set World Series records. And his six RBIs matched a World Series record.
On October 28, the Cardinals finished off their amazing, end-of-season run which started after the Aug. 24 game when they were 10 games behind for the NL Central Division lead. They defeated the Texas Rangers
2011 Texas Rangers season
The Texas Rangers’ 2011 season was the 51st season in the overall history of the franchise and the 40th since the team relocated to Arlington, Texas. Going into the season they were the defending American League champions....
4 games to 3, with a 6-2 win in Game 7 of the World Series at their Busch Stadium
Busch Stadium
Busch Stadium is the home of the St. Louis Cardinals, of MLB...
home in front of 47,399 fans. David Freese
David Freese
David Richard Freese is a third baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball. A star high school player, Freese chose not to play college baseball in his freshman year of college, but returned to the game a year later...
, graduating from a St. Louis high school (Lafayette High), won the MVP award for both the NLCS
2011 National League Championship Series
The 2011 National League Championship Series was a best-of-seven playoff pitting the winners of the 2011 National League Division Series, the St. Louis Cardinals and Milwaukee Brewers, against each other for the National League championship and the right to be the league's representative in the...
, and then for the World Series. He knocked in a record 21 RBIs in his post-season. Chris Carpenter
Chris Carpenter
Christopher John Carpenter is a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who has played for the St. Louis Cardinals since 2003, and is currently signed with the team until the 2011 season, with a club option for 2012.Carpenter was 22 years old and a highly-regarded prospect when he broke into the...
set a franchise record for most wins (four) in a single postseason. Carpenter, 9-2 overall in his Cardinals postseason career, ran his home postseason mark to 7-0 with a 2.15 ERA. Tony La Russa
Tony La Russa
Anthony "Tony" La Russa, Jr. is a former Major League Baseball manager and infielder, best known for his tenures as manager of the Chicago White Sox, Oakland Athletics, and St. Louis Cardinals...
became only the ninth manager in major-league history to win at least three World Series.
It was a team win ("Team of the Living Dead"), and the 36th time a team won the World Series in a Game 7 (or Game 8).
On October 31, three days after winning the World Series, manager Tony La Russa
Tony La Russa
Anthony "Tony" La Russa, Jr. is a former Major League Baseball manager and infielder, best known for his tenures as manager of the Chicago White Sox, Oakland Athletics, and St. Louis Cardinals...
announced his retirement. He finishes his career after 33 seasons, third in all time managerial wins and second all time in post season wins.
November
November 3rd marked the first time in the playing history of Albert Pujols that he would become a free agent. He officially became a free agent as of 12:01 Eastern.On November 13, the Cardinals announced that former Cardinals' catcher Mike Matheny
Mike Matheny
Michael Scott Matheny is the manager of the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball. He is also a former baseball catcher, playing for four different teams during his thirteen years in the major leagues...
as their new manager with a news conference on November 14.
On November 16, MLB announced that Tony La Russa
Tony La Russa
Anthony "Tony" La Russa, Jr. is a former Major League Baseball manager and infielder, best known for his tenures as manager of the Chicago White Sox, Oakland Athletics, and St. Louis Cardinals...
came in third in voting for NL Manager of the Year. Kirk Gibson
Kirk Gibson
Kirk Harold Gibson is a former Major League Baseball player and currently the manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks. As a player, Gibson was an outfielder who batted and threw left-handed...
(Arizona Diamondbacks
2011 Arizona Diamondbacks season
The Arizona Diamondbacks' 2011 season, the franchise's fourteenth season in Major League Baseball, included the team's first National League West championship since 2007, subsequently, their fifth division title since coming into the MLB...
) in his first season won, and Ron Roenicke (Milwaukee Brewers
2011 Milwaukee Brewers season
The Milwaukee Brewers' 2011 season was their 42nd season for the franchise in Milwaukee, the 14th in the National League, and 43rd overall. The Brewers posted a franchise-best record of 96-66, winning their first-ever National League Central Division title...
) came in second.
Season standings
MLB StandingsGame log
The Cardinals, and all 30 teams, had their schedules released by Major League Baseball on September 14, 2010. The Cardinals' opening is at home against the San Diego PadresSan Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
on March 31.
Regular Season Schedule (calendar style)
Regular Season Schedule (sortable text)
All game times are in Central Time Zone
Central Time zone
In North America, the Central Time Zone refers to national time zones which observe standard time by subtracting six hours from UTC , and daylight saving, or summer time by subtracting five hours...
.
! colspan="3" | Legend
|-
! bgcolor="bbffbb" | Cardinals WIN
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
! bgcolor="ffbbbb" | Cardinals LOSS
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
! bgcolor="bbbbbb" | Game POSTPONED / TIE
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
| 2011 Game Log | |
|---|---|
St. Louis Cardinals vs. Philadelphia Phillies
St. Louis Cardinals vs. Milwaukee Brewers
NL St. Louis Cardinals vs. AL Texas Rangers
Composite box
2011 World Series (4–3): St. Louis Cardinals2011 St. Louis Cardinals season
The St. Louis Cardinals' 2011 season was the 130th season for the franchise in St. Louis, Missouri, the 120th season in the National League, and the sixth season at Busch Stadium III. The Cardinals began their season at home against the San Diego Padres on March 31, coming off a 86-76 season and...
(N.L.) over Texas Rangers
2011 Texas Rangers season
The Texas Rangers’ 2011 season was the 51st season in the overall history of the franchise and the 40th since the team relocated to Arlington, Texas. Going into the season they were the defending American League champions....
(A.L.)
Ratings
The overall average national Nielsen ratingWorld Series television ratings
This is a list of Major League Baseball World Series television ratings since 1984. Only United States audience totals are included, not Canadian television ratings, although the 1992 and 1993 World Series were highly watched in Canada....
for the seven games was 10.0, with Fox's 14.7 rating for Game 7 being the network's highest for a World Series telecast since Game 4 of the 2004 World Series.
Game 6 on Oct. 27, averaged 21.1 million viewers with a 12.7 rating and a 21 share. Through six games, the 2011 World Series on FOX is averaging a 9.3/15 in household rating/share, with 15.3 million viewers, +11% in rating over last year (8.4/14, 14.3 million) and 2008 (8.4/14, 13.6 million). Both were five game series. The current 9.3/15 average for the 2011 World Series would rank as the sixth highest-rated show (live+same day) in primetime, a ranking that is likely to improve with the inclusion of tonight’s rare Game 7. Game 6 opened with an 8.5 at 8:00 PM EDT and grew steadily throughout the night averaging 11.7 from 9:00-9:30 PM EDT; 12.9 from 10:00-10:30 PM EDT; and 13.2 from 11:00-11-30 PM EDT. The broadcast peaked with a 15.0 HH rating and 25.2 million viewers from midnight-12:30 AM EDT.
From 8:00 to 11:00 PM EDT, Game 6 averaged an 11.8 HH rating, with 19.4 million viewers. From 11:00 PM EDT to its conclusion, the game averaged a 14.3 HH rating, with 23.9 million viewers, +21% in rating and +23% in viewership compared to Primetime. Post mid-night, the game averaged a 14.8 rating and 24.9 million viewers, +25% in rating and +28% in average audience.
St. Louis led all local markets for Game 6 with a 49.4/70, peaking at a 57.0/75 from 10:30-11:00 PM EDT, with the final quarter hour averaging a 53.1/82. Dallas averaged a World Series-high 47.1/67, while peaking at 55.7/81 from 11:15-11:30 PM EDT.
| Game | Ratings Nielsen Ratings Nielsen ratings are the audience measurement systems developed by Nielsen Media Research, in an effort to determine the audience size and composition of television programming in the United States... (households) | Share (households) | American audience (in millions) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8.7 | 14 | 14.2 |
| 2 | 8.9 | 14 | 14.3 |
| 3 | 6.6 | 12 | 11.2 |
| 4 | 9.2 | 14 | 15.2 |
| 5 | 8.8 | 14 | 14.3 |
| 6 | 12.7 | 21 | 21.1 |
| 7 | 14.7 | 25 | 25.4 |
Record vs. Opponents
(through September 28)| Team | W-L Record |
|---|---|
| Arizona Diamondbacks Arizona Diamondbacks The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field... |
4–3 |
| Atlanta Braves Atlanta Braves The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997.... |
5–1 |
| Baltimore Orioles Baltimore Orioles The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league... |
3-0 |
| Chicago Cubs Chicago Cubs The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National... |
10–5 |
| Cincinnati Reds Cincinnati Reds The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890.... |
6–9 |
| Colorado Rockies Colorado Rockies The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains... |
4–2 |
| Florida Marlins Florida Marlins The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at... |
6–2 |
| Houston Astros Houston Astros The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field... |
10–5 |
| Kansas City Royals Kansas City Royals The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium... |
4–2 |
| Los Angeles Dodgers Los Angeles Dodgers The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming... |
3–4 |
| Milwaukee Brewers Milwaukee Brewers The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League... |
9–9 |
| New York Mets New York Mets The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League... |
3–3 |
| Philadelphia Phillies Philadelphia Phillies The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League... |
6–3 |
| Pittsburgh Pirates Pittsburgh Pirates The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions... |
9–7 |
| San Diego Padres San Diego Padres The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times... |
3–3 |
| San Francisco Giants San Francisco Giants The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division.... |
2–5 |
| Tampa Bay Rays Tampa Bay Rays The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field... |
1-2 |
| Toronto Blue Jays Toronto Blue Jays The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League .... |
0–3 |
| Washington Nationals Washington Nationals The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium... |
2–4 |
Bold indicates that the Cardinals have finished their season schedule with an opponent.
Roster
| 2011 St. Louis Cardinals | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers | Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders | Manager Coaches (pitching) (bullpen) (hitting) (first base) (third base) (bench) |
||||||
Players
Batting
Note: G = Games played; AB = At Bats; R = Runs; H = Hits; 2B= Doubles; HR = Home Runs; RBI = Runs Batted In; BB = Walks; SO = Strikeouts; GIDP = Grounded into Double Play; Avg. = Batting Average; OBP = On-base Percentage; SLG = Slugging Percentage(through September 28, FINAL)
Cardinals HITTING statistics
Sortable TEAM HITTING statistics
| Player | G | AB | R | H | 2B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | GIDP | Avg. | OBP | SLG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albert Pujols Albert Pujols José Alberto Pujols Alcántara , better known as Albert Pujols , is a Dominican-American professional baseball player, who is currently a free agent... |
147 | 579 | 105 | 173 | 29 | 37 | 99 | 61 | 58 | 29 | .299 | .366 | .541 |
| Lance Berkman Lance Berkman William Lance Berkman is an American professional baseball outfielder and right fielder with the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball.... |
145 | 488 | 90 | 147 | 23 | 31 | 94 | 92 | 93 | 7 | .301 | .412 | .547 |
| Matt Holliday Matt Holliday Matthew Thomas Holliday , nicknamed "Big Daddy", is an American Major League Baseball left fielder for the St. Louis Cardinals. Holliday was originally drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the seventh round of the 1998 Major League Baseball Draft.Holliday is a five-time All-Star and Silver Slugger... (9/27) |
124 | 446 | 83 | 132 | 36 | 22 | 75 | 60 | 93 | 21 | .296 | .388 | .525 |
| Ryan Theriot Ryan Theriot Ryan Stewart Theriot is a Major League Baseball infielder for the St. Louis Cardinals.Theriot is the son of Randy and Mary Theriot, and has an older brother Wes and younger brother Austin. Both his father and older brother played baseball at Broadmoor High School.Theriot graduated from Broadmoor... leadoff -7/31 |
132 | 442 | 46 | 120 | 26 | 1 | 47 | 29 | 41 | 15 | .271 | .321 | .342 |
| Yadier Molina Yadier Molina Yadier Benjamin Molina known affectionately by fans as "Yadi", is a Major League Baseball catcher who plays for the St. Louis Cardinals.Molina was the third catcher to play in two World Series before age 25, along with Johnny Bench and Yogi Berra. He is considered one of the best defensive... |
139 | 475 | 55 | 145 | 32 | 14 | 65 | 33 | 44 | 21 | .305 | .349 | .465 |
| Jon Jay Jon Jay Jonathan Henry Jay is an outfielder who plays for the St. Louis Cardinals.-Baseball career:He was drafted by the Cardinals out of the University of Miami in the second round of the 2006 MLB Draft... |
159 | 455 | 56 | 135 | 24 | 10 | 37 | 28 | 81 | 11 | .297 | .344 | .424 |
| Skip Schumaker Skip Schumaker Jared Michael "Skip" Schumaker is a Major League Baseball Outfielder and Second Baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals.-Biography:... |
117 | 367 | 34 | 104 | 19 | 2 | 38 | 27 | 50 | 10 | .283 | .333 | .351 |
| David Freese David Freese David Richard Freese is a third baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball. A star high school player, Freese chose not to play college baseball in his freshman year of college, but returned to the game a year later... |
97 | 333 | 41 | 99 | 16 | 10 | 55 | 24 | 75 | 18 | .297 | .350 | .441 |
| Daniel Descalso Daniel Descalso Daniel William Descalso is an American professional baseball infielder with the St. Louis Cardinals.-Early and personal life:... |
148 | 326 | 35 | 86 | 20 | 1 | 28 | 33 | 65 | 3 | .264 | .334 | .353 |
| Allen Craig Allen Craig Allen Thomas Craig is a Major League Baseball utility player for the St. Louis Cardinals.-Amateur career:... |
75 | 200 | 33 | 63 | 15 | 11 | 40 | 15 | 40 | 7 | .315 | .362 | .555 |
| Rafael Furcal Rafael Furcal Rafael Antonio Furcal , is a Major League Baseball shortstop who is currently a free agent.-Early career:... |
50 | 196 | 29 | 50 | 11 | 7 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 3 | .255 | .316 | .418 |
| Nick Punto Nick Punto Nicholas Paul Punto is a Major League Baseball utility player. He has played second base, third base, shortstop, and center field. Punto is a switch hitter and throws right-handed.... |
63 | 133 | 21 | 37 | 8 | 1 | 20 | 25 | 21 | 3 | .278 | .388 | .421 |
| Tyler Greene Tyler Greene Benjamin Tyler Greene is an American Major league baseball shortstop, currently playing in the minor leagues of the St. Louis Cardinals.-Early and personal life:... |
58 | 104 | 22 | 22 | 5 | 1 | 11 | 13 | 31 | 3 | .212 | .322 | .288 |
| Gerald Laird Gerald Laird Gerald Lee Laird III is an American professional baseball catcher for the Detroit Tigers. He graduated La Quinta High School in 1998, and played college baseball at Cypress College... |
37 | 95 | 11 | 22 | 7 | 1 | 12 | 9 | 19 | 3 | .232 | .302 | .358 |
| Chris Carpenter Chris Carpenter Christopher John Carpenter is a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who has played for the St. Louis Cardinals since 2003, and is currently signed with the team until the 2011 season, with a club option for 2012.Carpenter was 22 years old and a highly-regarded prospect when he broke into the... (P) |
32 | 71 | 2 | 11 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 25 | 0 | .155 | .178 | .197 |
| Tony Cruz Tony Cruz (baseball) Arnoldi Anthony "Tony" Cruz is a Minor League Baseball catcher for the St. Louis Cardinals.-Career:From Okaloosa-Walton College and Middle Georgia College, Cruz was selected by the St... |
38 | 65 | 8 | 17 | 5 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 13 | 1 | .262 | .333 | .338 |
| Kyle Lohse Kyle Lohse Kyle Matthew Lohse is a right-handed starting pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals. Originally drafted by the Chicago Cubs in , Lohse was traded to the Minnesota Twins in in a deal involving Rick Aguilera. Lohse made his MLB debut with the Twins on June 22, .Lohse is a member of the Nomlaki... (P) |
33 | 63 | 3 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 17 | 0 | .175 | .188 | .206 |
| Jaime Garcia Jaime Garcia (baseball) Jaime Omar García is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals.-Early life:Jaime García was born on July 8, 1986 in Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico as the second of three children to civil engineer Jaime García, Sr. and Gloria Rodríguez Flores. García was raised between the border of... (P) |
30 | 62 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 18 | 1 | .097 | .111 | .145 |
| Corey Patterson Corey Patterson Donald Corey Patterson is an American professional baseball free agent outfielder in Major League Baseball. He is the older brother of outfielder Eric Patterson.-Amateur career:... |
44 | 51 | 5 | 8 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 12 | 1 | .157 | .189 | .235 |
| Mark Hamilton Mark Hamilton (baseball) Mark Alan Hamilton is an American professional baseball first baseman in the St. Louis Cardinals organization.-Early and personal life:... |
38 | 47 | 5 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 16 | 1 | .213 | .275 | .277 |
| Jake Westbrook Jake Westbrook Jacob Cauthen "Jake" Westbrook is an American Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher currently with the St. Louis Cardinals. He is known as a sinker ball pitcher and has also hit a grand slam home run.... (P) |
33 | 47 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 3 | 23 | 0 | .106 | .160 | .213 |
| Kyle McClellan Kyle McClellan Kyle William McClellan is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals. He attended Hazelwood West High School. After graduating from high school, McClellan was drafted by the St... (P) |
43 | 35 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 12 | 1 | .143 | .167 | .171 |
| Edwin Jackson Edwin Jackson Edwin Jackson is an American professional baseball pitcher.-Early life:Jackson's father, Edwin Jackson, Sr., a military cook, was stationed in Germany at the time of his birth. Jackson is one of 27 major league players who were born in Germany... (P) |
13 | 26 | 2 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 0 | .308 | .321 | .308 |
| Andrew Brown Andrew Brown (outfielder) Andrew M. Brown is an American professional baseball infielder and outfielder for the Colorado Rockies of Major League Baseball. He was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 18th round of the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft.He was called up on June 12, 2011. After hitting .182 in 11 games for... * |
11 | 22 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 8 | 1 | .182 | .182 | .227 |
| Pete Kozma * | 16 | 17 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 0 | .176 | .333 | .235 |
| Matt Carpenter * | 7 | 15 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 0 | .067 | .283 | .133 |
| Adron Chambers Adron Chambers Adron Lamar Chambers is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the St. Louis Cardinals. He is 5', 10" tall and he weighs 185 pounds.-Early life:... |
18 | 8 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .375 | .375 | .625 |
| Shane Robinson Shane Robinson (baseball) Shane Robinson is a Major League Baseball center fielder for the St. Louis Cardinals.-College career:... |
9 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | .000 | .125 | .000 |
| Colby Rasmus Colby Rasmus Colby Ryan Rasmus is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball.-Early years:... ( -7/26) ^ |
94 | 338 | 61 | 83 | 14 | 11 | 40 | 45 | 77 | 8 | .246 | .332 | .420 |
| TEAM TOTALS | 162 | 5,532 (#7) | 762 (#1) | 1,513 (#1) | 308 (#3) | 162 (#6) | 726 (#1) | 542 (#3) | 978 (#16) | 169 (#1) | .273 (#1) | .341 (#1) | .425 (#1) |
BOLD / #1 = Leading 16 NL teams
Starting pitchers
Note: GS = Games Started; IP = Innings Pitched; W = Wins; L = Loss; ERA = Earned Run Average; WHIP = (Walks + Hits) per Innings Pitched; HBP = Hit by Pitch; BF = Batters faced; O-AVG = Opponent Batting Ave.; O-SLG = Opponent Slugging Ave.; R support avg = Average Runs support from his team per Games Started(through September 28, FINAL)
Cardinals PITCHING statistics
Sortable TEAM PITCHING Statistics
| Player | GS | IP | W | L | ERA | H | HR | BB | SO | WHIP Walks plus hits per inning pitched In baseball statistics, walks plus hits per inning pitched is a sabermetric measurement of the number of baserunners a pitcher has allowed per inning pitched. It is a measure of a pitcher's ability to prevent batters from reaching base... |
HBP | BF | O-AVG | O-SLG | R support avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Carpenter Chris Carpenter Christopher John Carpenter is a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who has played for the St. Louis Cardinals since 2003, and is currently signed with the team until the 2011 season, with a club option for 2012.Carpenter was 22 years old and a highly-regarded prospect when he broke into the... (2 ShO) |
34 | 237.1 | 11 | 9 | 3.45 | 243 | 16 | 55 | 191 | 1.26 | 6 | 996 | .264 | .360 | 4.0 |
| Jake Westbrook Jake Westbrook Jacob Cauthen "Jake" Westbrook is an American Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher currently with the St. Louis Cardinals. He is known as a sinker ball pitcher and has also hit a grand slam home run.... |
33 | 183.1 | 12 | 9 | 4.66 | 208 | 16 | 73 | 104 | 1.53 | 2 | 809 | .289 | .433 | 5.1 |
| Jaime Garcia Jaime Garcia (baseball) Jaime Omar García is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals.-Early life:Jaime García was born on July 8, 1986 in Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico as the second of three children to civil engineer Jaime García, Sr. and Gloria Rodríguez Flores. García was raised between the border of... (2 ShO) |
32 | 194.2 | 13 | 7 | 3.56 | 207 | 15 | 50 | 156 | 1.32 | 2 | 826 | .273 | .394 | 5.1 |
| Kyle Lohse Kyle Lohse Kyle Matthew Lohse is a right-handed starting pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals. Originally drafted by the Chicago Cubs in , Lohse was traded to the Minnesota Twins in in a deal involving Rick Aguilera. Lohse made his MLB debut with the Twins on June 22, .Lohse is a member of the Nomlaki... (1 ShO) |
30 | 188.1 | 14 | 8 | 3.39 | 178 | 16 | 42 | 111 | 1.17 | 3 | 775 | .249 | .390 | 4.6 |
| Kyle McClellan Kyle McClellan Kyle William McClellan is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals. He attended Hazelwood West High School. After graduating from high school, McClellan was drafted by the St... ( -7/25) |
17 | 110.2 | 6 | 6 | 4.15 | 111 | 14 | 33 | 55 | 1.30 | 2 | 470 | .259 | .413 | 4.3 |
| Edwin Jackson Edwin Jackson Edwin Jackson is an American professional baseball pitcher.-Early life:Jackson's father, Edwin Jackson, Sr., a military cook, was stationed in Germany at the time of his birth. Jackson is one of 27 major league players who were born in Germany... (7/29- ) |
12 | 77.0 | 5 | 2 | 3.62 | 89 | 7 | 23 | 51 | 1.45 | 2 | 334 | .299 | .460 | 4.7 |
| Lance Lynn Lance Lynn Michael Lance Lynn is an American professional baseball player with the St. Louis Cardinals.-Early and personal life:... (6/9) †† |
2 | 10.1 | 1 | 1 | 5.23 | 10 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 1.26 | 1 | 42 | .263 | .368 | 8.0 |
| Brandon Dickson Brandon Dickson Brandon Dickson is an American professional baseball player, with the St. Louis Cardinals. He was signed undrafted by the St... (9/1) |
1 | 3.1 | 0 | 0 | 8.11 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2.10 | 0 | 16 | .400 | .867 | 8.0 |
| Miguel Batista Miguel Batista Miguel Descartes Batista Jerez is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher. He has played for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Florida Marlins, Chicago Cubs, Montreal Expos, Kansas City Royals, Arizona Diamondbacks, Toronto Blue Jays, Seattle Mariners, Washington Nationals, St... (4/22) * |
1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | -- | 0 | 1 | .000 | .000 | 4.0 |
| STARTER TOTALS | 162 | 1,005.0 | 62 | 42 | 3.81 | 1,052 | 87 | 281 | 679 | 1.33 | 18 | 4,269 | .270 | .401 | 4.7 |
Bold = leading NL
Relief pitchers
Note: IP = Innings Pitched; ERA = Earned Run Average; WHIP = (Walks + Hits) per Innings Pitched"Bullpen Briefs" (through Sep. 28, no relievers needed that day)
28-30, 3.61 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 463.1 IP, 416 H, 210 R, 186 ER, 49 HR 170 BB, 421 SO
Saves/Opp: 47/73 (64.4%) 1st Batter / Retired: 329/462 (71.2%)
Holds: 84 Inherited Runners/Scored: 68/231 (29.4%)
(through Sep. 26, last loss)
Games lost by bullpen: 30 Salas
Fernando Salas
Noel Fernando Salas is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals.-Professional career:...
(6), Franklin
Ryan Franklin
Ryan Ray Franklin is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has played for the Seattle Mariners, Philadelphia Phillies, Cincinnati Reds, and St. Louis Cardinals.-Early life:...
(4), Dotel
Octavio Dotel
Octavio Eduardo Dotel is a Domincan professional baseball pitcher who is currently a Free Agent....
(3), Rzepczynski
Marc Rzepczynski
Marc Walter Rzepczynski is an American professional baseball left-handed pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals.The Toronto Blue Jays blogosphere gave Rzepczynski the nickname "Scrabble".-Amateur career:...
(3), Boggs
Mitchell Boggs
Mitchell Thomas Boggs is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals. He is of no relation to former MLB third baseman, Wade Boggs.-High school:...
(3), Motte
Jason Motte
Jason Louis Motte is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals.-Career:Motte graduated from Valley Central High School, Montgomery, N.Y., in 2000 where he was a catcher...
(2), Batista
Miguel Batista
Miguel Descartes Batista Jerez is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher. He has played for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Florida Marlins, Chicago Cubs, Montreal Expos, Kansas City Royals, Arizona Diamondbacks, Toronto Blue Jays, Seattle Mariners, Washington Nationals, St...
(2), Tallet
Brian Tallet
Brian Curtis Tallet is an American professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He stands 6' 6" in height. Brian Tallet pitched for the LSU Tigers and won a national championship in 2000....
(1), Augenstein
Bryan Augenstein
Bryan Christopher Augenstein is an American professional baseball player who is currently a pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball.-Professional career:...
(1), Sánchez
Eduardo Sánchez (baseball)
Eduardo Nazareth Sánchez is a professional baseball pitcher who plays in the St. Louis Cardinals organization. He was signed by the Cardinals as a non-drafted free agent on December 26, ....
(1), Miller
Trever Miller
Trever Douglas Miller is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent.-High school:...
(1), Valdes
Raúl Valdés
Raúl Valdés is a Cuban professional baseball pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball.-Chicago Cubs:...
(1), Rhodes
Arthur Rhodes
Arthur Lee Rhodes, Jr. is a Major League Baseball left-handed relief pitcher.-Career:Rhodes played high school baseball at La Vega High School in Waco, Texas. He was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 2nd round of the 1988 Major League Baseball Draft.Rhodes made his MLB debut with the Orioles...
(1), McClellan
Kyle McClellan
Kyle William McClellan is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals. He attended Hazelwood West High School. After graduating from high school, McClellan was drafted by the St...
(1)
Blown Saves by bullpen: 24 Salas
Fernando Salas
Noel Fernando Salas is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals.-Professional career:...
(6), Motte
Jason Motte
Jason Louis Motte is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals.-Career:Motte graduated from Valley Central High School, Montgomery, N.Y., in 2000 where he was a catcher...
(4), Franklin
Ryan Franklin
Ryan Ray Franklin is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has played for the Seattle Mariners, Philadelphia Phillies, Cincinnati Reds, and St. Louis Cardinals.-Early life:...
(4), Boggs
Mitchell Boggs
Mitchell Thomas Boggs is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals. He is of no relation to former MLB third baseman, Wade Boggs.-High school:...
(3), Miller
Trever Miller
Trever Douglas Miller is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent.-High school:...
(2), Sánchez
Eduardo Sánchez (baseball)
Eduardo Nazareth Sánchez is a professional baseball pitcher who plays in the St. Louis Cardinals organization. He was signed by the Cardinals as a non-drafted free agent on December 26, ....
(2), McClellan
Kyle McClellan
Kyle William McClellan is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals. He attended Hazelwood West High School. After graduating from high school, McClellan was drafted by the St...
(1), Batista
Miguel Batista
Miguel Descartes Batista Jerez is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher. He has played for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Florida Marlins, Chicago Cubs, Montreal Expos, Kansas City Royals, Arizona Diamondbacks, Toronto Blue Jays, Seattle Mariners, Washington Nationals, St...
(1), Rzepczynski
Marc Rzepczynski
Marc Walter Rzepczynski is an American professional baseball left-handed pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals.The Toronto Blue Jays blogosphere gave Rzepczynski the nickname "Scrabble".-Amateur career:...
(1)
Scoring by inning
(through September 28, FINAL)| INNING | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CARDINALS | 103 | 82 | 82 | 82 | 88 | 95 | 83 | 82 | 54 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 762 |
| OPPONENTS | 74 | 56 | 98 | 80 | 78 | 87 | 63 | 75 | 62 | 12 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 692 |
Cardinals Record When
(through September 28, FINAL)Home 45-36 (.556)
Away 45-36 (.556)
Scoring first 64-36
Opp. scores first 26-36
Scoring more than 3 runs 70-29
Scoring 3 runs 13-14
Scoring fewer than 3 runs 7-29
Leading after 7 innings 68-9
Tied after 7 innings 12-14
Trailing after 7 innings 10-49
Leading after 8 innings 77-7
Tied after 8 innings 9-13
Trailing after 8 innings 4-52
In errorless games 55-27
In error-made games 35-45
Extra innings 8-13
Shutouts 9-8
One-run games 26-23
Out-hit opponents 58-15
Same hits as opponents 14-4
Out-hit by opponents 18-53
Runs via HR 262 (34.4% of total)
Opp. Runs via HR 229 (33.1% of total)
By Day
Mon. 6-9
Tue. 16-8
Wed. 11-15
Thu. 14-6
Fri. 14-11
Sat. 13-13
Sun. 16-10
By Opponent
DIVISION
HOME ROAD TOTAL
NL Central 25-15 19-20 44-35
NL East 12-6 10-7 22-13
NL West 6-11 10-6 16-17
AL East 0-3 4-2 4-5
AL Central 2-1 2-1 4-2
TOTALS 45-36 45-36 90-72
(Interleague 8-7)
Busch Stadium (Indexes, 2011)
(through September 28, 90-72)2011 (100 = Neutral Park, > 100 Ballpark favors, < 100 Ballpark inhibits)
81 HOME G; Cardinals: 2,646 AB; Opponents: 2,801 AB
81 AWAY G: Cardinals: 2,886 AB; Opponents: 2,807 AB
162 G Cardinals: 5,532 AB; Opponents: 5,608 AB
BA 92
R 90
H 88
2B 85
3B 66
HR 81
BB 106
SO 97
E 89
E-inf. 83
LHB-BA 94
LHB-HR 93
RHB-BA 91
RHB-HR 74
BA .273 (HOME .270 ROAD .277)
(Opponents BA: at StL .242 at their Home .279)
2009–2011 Index (3-yr. composite)
HOME 243 G; Cardinals: 7,986 AB; Opponents: 8,371 AB)
BA 96
R 92
H 94
2B 92
3B 76
HR 77
BB 107
SO 98
E 104
E-inf. 103
LHB-BA 97
LHB-HR 86
RHB-BA 95
RHB-HR 73
BA-Home .268
BA-Road .265
Opp.-Busch .247
Opp.-at their HOME .270
-----