In 1941, Wrigley Field becomes the first ballpark to employ an organ to entertain fans. Roy Nelson’s pregame serenade doesn’t help the Cubs, when they fall to Max Lanier and the Cardinals, 4-2.
After overrunning Cardinal shortstop Ozzie Smith’s fly ball down in the left-field corner, Giants’ Kevin Mitchell recovers by reaching back and catching the ball in foul territory with his bare right hand. The National League’s eventual MVP’s amazing play occurs in the first inning of the Giants’ 3-1 loss to the Redbirds at Busch Stadium. This was in 1989.
Ozzie Smith steals his 500th career stolen base at Busch Stadium in 1992.
The Cardinals in 2000, set a major league record by hitting 50 home runs in April. Homers by pitcher Rick Ankiel, Jim Edmonds and Fernando Tatis in the 7-0 victory over the Brewers help to break the mark established by the 1997 Indians with 49.
ONE and DONE- One MLB game
Joseph Edward “Wagon Tongue” Adams (October 28, 1877 – October 8, 1952) Adams appeared in one game for the Cardinals on April 26, 1902, at the age of 24. He pitched four innings and allowed nine hits but also walked two players, hit another, and gave up six runs (four earned), resulting in a career ERA of 9.00.
Birthdays
Irv Higginbotham played in 29 games as a pitcher for the Cardinals and finished with a 3.10 ERA and a 5-12 record.
Epp Sell played for the Cardinals near the end of 1922 and early 1923 where he finished with a 4-3 record and a 5.65 ERA.
Sal Maglie (April 26, 1917 – December 28, 1992) was banned early in his career for jumping from the major leagues to the Mexican League in the last 40’s. He played his last season with the Cardinals and ended the year 2-6 and a 4.75 ERA. His last game was on August 31, 1958, and he works a perfect one inning.
Ron Northey (April 26, 1920 – April 16, 1971) played for the Cardinals from 1947-1949. In those 3 seasons, he hit .291 in 296 games, smacked 35 home runs and drove in 177 runs.
Bill Lyons made his major league debut in a Cardinals uniform and batted .195 in his career with no home runs. He played his last game on September 30, 1984.
Debuts
Elmer Miller 1912
Art Reinhart 1919
Al Jurisch 1944
Jimmy Williams 1966
Jon Jay 2010
Cody Stanley 2015
Deaths
John Thornton 1935
Nate Andrews 1991