St. Louis is one of the best baseball towns in the country, with a long and storied history. As one of the most successful franchises in the MLB, the St Louis Cardinals seem to put together a competitive team year after year. Like any professional team, there are ebbs and flows, but St Louis baseball is thriving as it always has.
The St. Louis Brown Stockings?
I’ve always wondered what it is with baseball and socks? You’ve got the Red Sox and the White Sox, but did you know the original name of the St Louis Cardinals was the “Brown Stockings?” Baseball in St. Louis started in 1875 with the St. Louis Brown Stockings.
The baseball association that the Brown Stockings belonged to wasn’t around for long due to mismanagement, so the team got together with other teams to form the National League of Professional Baseball Clubs in 1876.
The Brown Stockings finished the season in 3rd place in the eight-team league, which began the winning tradition of St. Louis baseball.
The Game Fixing Scandal
After the 1877 season, the Brown Stockings and the Louisville Grays were involved in a game-fixing scandal. That led the team to resign from the NL and bankrupt both teams.
But all was not lost for the Brown Stockings, who became a traveling “barnstorming” team and playing exhibition games with whoever would play them.
The team had some measure of success and was purchased in 1881 by a German grocer, Chris von der Ahe. Von der Ahe worked hard to save baseball in St. Louis, which attracted investors in other cities, forming the American Association. Baseball once again flourished in St. Louis.
The team went through a few name changes and settled on the “St. Louis Cardinals” in 1900.
Busch Stadium
Busch Stadium is the third iteration of Busch ballparks in St. Louis. The stadium opened in 2006 and has a seating capacity of 45,494.
Over the years, there have been several modifications to the ballpark area. Most notably, the “Ballpark Village,” with 20+ premier eating establishments, retail, and entertainment venues, steps away from the action at the stadium.
Busch Stadium is just a stones throw away from the Mississippi River and the Gateway Arch. Additionally, it’s just an 8 to 10-minute drive from the Central West End.
If you’re a baseball fan and thinking about moving to the St. Louis area, the luxury lofts and condos at One Cardinal Way could be an excellent choice. The Cardinals are one of the best teams in the MLB and host 81 games a year in one of the best ballparks in the country. With 11 World Championships who could argue.
With all that’s going on in downtown St Louis, it’s a perfect fit.
If we can help you get into a downtown luxury loft or condo just minutes from Busch Stadium, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Thanks for visiting!
