The St. Louis Cardinals: Building Baseball's Best Franchise

The St. Louis Cardinals are one of the most successful franchises in baseball history, with 11 World Series titles and 19 National League pennants. This book tells the story of how the Cardinals were built into a powerhouse, from their early days in the American Association to their dominance of the National League in the 20th century.

Taking Flight: The St. Louis Cardinals and the Building of Baseball's Best Franchise

by Jill Sheeley

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	10693 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	272 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

The Cardinals were founded in 1882 as the St. Louis Browns. They played in the American Association until 1892, when they joined the National League. The Cardinals won their first World Series in 1926, and they have gone on to win 10 more titles since then.

The Cardinals have a long and storied history, and they have been home to some of the greatest players in baseball history. Stan Musial, Bob Gibson, and Lou Brock are just a few of the Cardinals who have been enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame.

The Cardinals are more than just a baseball team. They are a part of the fabric of St. Louis. The team's home stadium, Busch Stadium, is one of the most iconic landmarks in the city. And the Cardinals' fans are some of the most passionate and loyal in all of baseball.

The St. Louis Cardinals are a true American institution. They are a team that has brought joy to generations of fans. This book is the definitive history of the Cardinals, and it is a must-read for any fan of baseball.

The Early Years

The St. Louis Cardinals were founded in 1882 as the St. Louis Browns. They played in the American Association until 1892, when they joined the National League. The Browns were not a very successful team in their early years, but they did have some notable players, such as Hall of Famer Charles Comiskey.

In 1899, the Browns changed their name to the Cardinals. The team's new name was inspired by the city's large population of Catholic cardinals. The Cardinals began to improve their play in the early 1900s, and they won their first National League pennant in 1926.

The Gashouse Gang

The Cardinals' first great team was the Gashouse Gang. The Gashouse Gang was a group of hard-hitting, hard-drinking players who led the Cardinals to their first World Series title in 1926. The Gashouse Gang was led by Hall of Famers Rogers Hornsby and Jim Bottomley.

The Gashouse Gang was a fan favorite, and they helped to make the Cardinals one of the most popular teams in baseball. The Cardinals won two more World Series titles in the 1930s, and they continued to be a contender for the National League pennant throughout the 1940s and 1950s.

The Stan Musial Era

Stan Musial is the greatest player in Cardinals history. Musial played for the Cardinals from 1941 to 1963, and he won three National League MVP awards. Musial was a complete player who could hit for average, power, and speed. He was also a great fielder and baserunner.

The Cardinals won three World Series titles during the Stan Musial era. Musial was the heart and soul of the Cardinals, and he helped to make them one of the most successful teams in baseball.

The Bob Gibson Era

Bob Gibson is another Cardinals legend. Gibson pitched for the Cardinals from 1959 to 1975, and he won two National League Cy Young Awards. Gibson was one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball history, and he led the Cardinals to two World Series titles.

Gibson was a key member of the Cardinals' "Big Red Machine." The Big Red Machine was a group of talented players who helped the Cardinals to win three National League pennants in a row from 1967 to 1969.

The Modern Era

The Cardinals have continued to be a successful team in the modern era. The Cardinals have won two World Series titles since 2000, and they have been to the playoffs 11 times in the last 15 years.

The Cardinals are currently led by a group of young players, such as Paul Goldschmidt, Nolan Arenado, and Jack Flaherty. The Cardinals are poised to make another run at the World Series in 2023.

The St. Louis Cardinals are one of the most successful franchises in baseball history. The Cardinals have won 11 World Series titles and 19 National League pennants. The Cardinals have a long and storied history, and they have been home to some of the greatest players in baseball history. The Cardinals are more than just a baseball team. They are a part of the fabric of St. Louis. The Cardinals are a true American institution.

Taking Flight: The St. Louis Cardinals and the Building of Baseball's Best Franchise

by Jill Sheeley

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	10693 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	272 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE