Immediately after the Cardinals' 2011 World Series parade 11 years ago today, Tony La Russa gathered his ballclub one final time and made a surprise announcement: he was retiring.
22 years ago today, Will "The Thrill" Clark retired after playing the final 2 1/2 months of his career with the Cardinals. See how Clark helped the Cardinals reach the 2000 NLCS, where he hit .412 with a home run:
On this date in 1963, the Cardinals acquired pitcher Roger Craig from the Mets. 11 months later, Craig was the winning pitcher in Game 4 of the 1964 World Series, helping the Cardinals capture their first title in 18 years:
On this date 17 years ago, Chris Carpenter was named the National League Cy Young Award winner. See why he credited his wife for talking him into continuing his career two years earlier:
On the heels of Oscar Taveras's untimely passing, the Cardinals made an uncharacteristic trade eight years ago today, sending pitchers Shelby Miller and Tyrell Jenkins to the Braves for Jason Heyward and Jordan Walden:
37 years ago today, Willie McGee was named NL MVP after leading the league in batting (.353), hits (216), and triples (18). He also hit 10 homers, drove in 82, and stole 56 bases while leading the Cardinals to the pennant.
The Cardinals filled their need for a second baseman and leadoff hitter 26 years ago when they signed Delino DeShields. In two seasons in St. Louis, DeShields hit .293 and stole 81 bases:
Take a look back at the Cardinals' trade for speedster Lonnie Smith 41 years ago today. The Cardinals sent 40% of their starting rotation to Philadelphia in the three-team trade:
Nine years ago today, the Cardinals traded a hometown hero and the architect of the greatest postseason moment in franchise history when they sent David Freese and Fernando Salas to the Angels for Peter Bourjos and Randal Grichuk: