The St. Louis Cardinals are one of the most historic franchises in Major League Baseball. They have won 11 World Series titles and countless division championships over their long tenure in the National League. Here is an in-depth look at the Cardinals baseball score throughout their history including notable games, players, and eras that have defined the franchise.
The Cardinals began playing in the American Association in 1882 and joined the National League in 1892 where they have remained ever since. One of their earliest stars was pitcher Bob Caruthers who won 40 games for them in 1884. Throughout the late 19th century, they developed a passionate fan base in St. Louis but saw little postseason success. That changed in the 1920s when future Hall of Famer Rogers Hornsby emerged as one of the best hitters in baseball history. Hornsby led the Cardinals to World Series titles in 1926 and 1928, hitting over .400 both seasons.
The 1930s saw the Cardinals rise to even greater heights led by the infamous “Gashouse Gang.” Managed by Frankie Frisch, this ragtag group of players known more for their scrappiness than talent shocked the baseball world by winning the 1934 World Series over the heavily favored Detroit Tigers. Star pitcher Dizzy Dean led the NL in wins that year with 30. Throughout the decade, the Cardinals remained competitive mainly because of Dean and fellow ace Paul Dean along with positional stars like Joe Medwick.
It was in the 1940s when the Cardinals ascended to the pinnacle of Major League Baseball. Led by veteran star Enos Slaughter and young sluggers like Stan Musial, the Cardinals won World Series in 1942, 1944, and 1946. In 1942, they erased a 3-1 deficit to beat the Yankees in seven games. Musial emerged as one of the game’s all-time greats, winning MVP awards in 1943, 1946 and 1948 while hitting .376 with 39 home runs and 130 RBI in 1948.
The 1950s saw the Cardinals remain a force led by Musial and newcomers like franchise hits leader Lou Brock and ace Bob Gibson. They won the World Series in 1964 against the Yankees led by Gibson’s famous complete game shutout in Game 7. Gibson went on to win two Cy Young Awards that decade while Brock stole a then-record 118 bases in 1974 on his way to the Hall of Fame.
In the 1960s, the Cardinals continued finding young stars like pitcher Bob Gibson and outfielder Lou Brock who stole a then-record 118 bases in 1974. Gibson famously threw a complete-game shutout in Game 7 of the 1964 World Series to beat the Yankees. He went on to win two Cy Young Awards that decade. Throughout the late 60s and 70s, the Cardinals remained competitive mainly because of veteran managerial brilliance from Red Schoendienst and later Whitey Herzog.
It was Herzog who led the Cardinals resurgence in the 1980s. Behind pitching staffs that annually pitched the fewest innings but allowed the fewest runs, and offensive stars like Ozzie Smith, Willie McGee, and Terry Pendleton, the Cardinals won division titles from 1982-85 and the 1982 and 1987 World Series. In 1982, they came back from a 3-1 deficit to stun the Brewers, capped by Darrell Porter’s walk-off single in Game 7. The 1987 “Hammerin’ Cardinals” blasted a record 35 home runs in October.
The lean years followed in the late 1980s and 1990s until Albert Pujols emerged in the early 2000s. Pujols immediately established himself as one of the game’s best and led the Cardinals to the 2004 and 2006 pennants. They were led by pitcher Chris Carpenter in 2004 and a lights-out bullpen in 2006. Pujols delivered iconic home runs in both Series, including a game-tying blast in the 9th inning of Game 4 in 2004 off of Brad Lidge. The Cardinals also relied on young pitching like Adam Wainwright and Yadier Molina to extend their run of success, winning the Wild Card in 2012 and 2014 NL pennants.
In the 2010s, the Cardinals continued finding ways to win despite limited financial resources compared to large market clubs. Between 2011-2015, they made the postseason four times including earning 100 wins in 2015. That year, they were led by ace Adam Wainwright and veteran bats like Matt Holliday but fell short in the NLDS again to the Cubs. In 2019, they won 90 games and nearly chased down the Braves and Brewers for a postseason berth. Throughout the past decade+, the Cardinals have exemplified the value of strong player development, fundamentals, pitching, and a knack for getting the most out of role players in response to criticism about their payroll limitations.
From the early 20th century stars like Rogers Hornsby to modern-day greats Albert Pujols, Adam Wainwright, and Yadier Molina, the Cardinals have created a sustained culture of success unrivaled in baseball spanning over 120 years. Their 11 World Series titles places them 3rd all-time behind only the Yankees and Giants. Through analytical baseball minds like Branch Rickey, shrewd trades of prospects for impact MLB talent, expert player development, and clutch postseason performances, the Cardinals have cemented themselves as the ‘Republic’s Team’ and one of the model franchises in professional sports. Their loyal fanbase eagerly awaits their next championship and the continuation of their remarkable legacy built on baseball excellence in St. Louis.
