Busch Stadium
Busch Stadium is the name of three different Major League Baseball stadiums located in St. Louis. The stadiums have been the home to several professional sports teams, but most notably the St. Louis Cardinals, one of the oldest and most successful franchises in MLB history.
Busch Stadium I (Sportsman’s Park) (1920-1966):
Originally known as Sportsman’s Park, the stadium was renamed in 1953 after the Anheuser-Busch brewing company bought the Cardinals. It was located in the North St. Louis neighborhood of Grand Center.
The stadium was the site of many historic moments, including the Cardinals’ World Series championships in 1926, 1931, 1934, 1942, 1944, and 1946.
The park was also the site of various All-Star Games, including the first-ever All-Star Game in 1933. It had a seating capacity of around 30,500, then expanded to accommodate over 35,000 fans. The Cardinals played there until 1966 when they moved to a new stadium.
By Haaron755, CC BY-SA 3.0
Busch Memorial Stadium (1966-2005):
The Cardinals’ new stadium, known as Busch Memorial Stadium, was constructed in downtown St. Louis.
It officially opened on May 12, 1966, and featured a seating capacity of 50,000, then increased to over 59,000.
It hosted numerous Cardinals’ playoff games, including the 1967, 1982, 1985, and 1987 World Series.
The classic stadium with the arches around the top was also home to other sports teams, such as the NFL’s St. Louis Cardinals (1966-1987) and the St. Louis Rams (1995-2015). In 1997, the stadium underwent significant renovations, including the addition of luxury suites and an increase in seating capacity. The Cardinals played their final game at the park on October 19, 2005, before moving to a new stadium.
Busch Stadium III (2006-present):
By Lightmetro – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0
The current stadium opened on April 4, 2006. It is situated in downtown St. Louis, adjacent to the the previous stadium.
It has a seating capacity of approximately 45,529, which can be expanded to accommodate over 47,000 for postseason games.
The field hosted the MLB All-Star Game in 2009 and was the site of the team’s World Series victories in 2006 and 2011. In the 2011 championship, hometown hero David Freese won the MVP. Over the years, the park has become a beloved home for Cardinals fans and continues to be a prominent landmark in St. Louis.
