This Day in Missouri History: Busch Stadium III Opens
On April 4th, 2006, Busch Stadium held its first game
Courtesy of Fox Sports
The first game in the new stadium in downtown St. Louis showcased the Cardinals’ minor league affiliates in an exhibition game. The Memphis Redbirds took on the Springfield Cardinals. Even though it was a pair of minor league teams, the game sold out in a matter of minutes when tickets went on sale.
On game day, beautiful blue skies greeted the fans as they got a taste of the historic season that was to come. Sidney Ponson pitched for Memphis as a final tune-up for the regular season with the St. Louis Cardinals. Future MLB players John Gall and Chris Duncan also played in the game. Chris Duncan got the first hit in the new stadium while also having the final home run in Busch Stadium II the prior year. Springfield won the game 5-3 with Mike Parisi getting the victory.
Little did Cardinals’ fans know that the MLB team would go on to win the World Series the very first year the new stadium was in existence.
Key Stats
First Pitch: 6:12 pm by Sidney Ponson
First Batter: Shaun Boyd
First Hit: Chris Duncan (single)
First Win: Mike Parisi
Starting Line Ups and Batting Order
Memphis
CF – Shaun Boyd
RF – John Gall
LF – Chris Duncan
DH – Juan Diaz
3B – Travis Hanson
1B – Gabe Johnson
C – Michael Hernandez
SS – John Nelson
2B – Kevin Estrada
P – Dennis Tankersley
Springfield
SS – Mike McCoy
CF – Reid Gorecki
RF – Nick Stavinoha
3B – Rico Washington
DH – Brian Martin
LF – Cody Haerther
1B – Juan Richardson
2B – Jarrett Hoffpair
C – Iker Franco
P – Sidney Ponson
Here is the broadcast of the first game on Fox Sports.
The First MLB Game
The St. Louis Cardinals took the field a week later. On April 10, 2006, the Cardinals took on the Milwaukee Brewers and won 6-4. The weather was perfect with the Clydesdales, a flyover, and Cardinals’ royalty a part of the pre-game festivities. The game turned into the Mark Mulder show in a game that he and fans in attendance will never forget. David Eckstein got the first hit for the Cardinals with a bunt single in the 2nd inning. Albert Pujols got the first home run for the Cardinals with a solo shot in the 3rd inning. But in the 7th, pitcher Mark Mulder hit his first and only home run with a 2 run blast to give the Cardinals a 6-2 lead.
“What a day for the Cardinal lefty. It’s 6-2. First career Major League home run for Mark Mulder.”
Joe Buck
“A one-man wrecking crew here on April 10.”
Starting Lineups and Batting Order
Cardinals
SS – David Eckstein
RF – Juan Encarnacion
1B – Albert Pujols
CF – Jim Edmonds
3B – Scott Rolen
LF – So Taguchi
C- Yadier Molina
2B – Aaron Miles
P – Mark Mulder
Brewers
CF – Brady Clark
SS – J.J. Hardy
RF – Geoff Jenkins
LF – Carlos Lee
3B – Bill Hall
2B – Rickie Weeks
1B – Prince Fielder
C – Damian Miller
P – Tomo Ohka
First Pitch: Mark Mulder
First Batter: Brady Clark (Brewers)
First Cardinal Batter: David Eckstein
First Hit: Carlos Lee (Brewers)
First Cardinal Hit: David Eckstein
First Win: Mark Mulder
First Home Run: Bill Hall (Brewers)
First Cardinal Home Run: Albert Pujols
First Save: Jason Isringhausen
Broadcast of First MLB Game At Busch Stadium III
