Tuesday, April 6, 1982, 7:42PM
Astrodome
Attendance: 33,521, Time of Game: 2:48
The Cardinals will start the 1982 season on the road in Houston with Bob Forsch facing the Astros and Nolan Ryan.
St Louis Cardinals Starting Lineup
- Lonnie Smith
- Tom Herr
- Keith Hernandez
- Darell Porter
- George Hendrick
- Dane Iorg
- Steve Braun
- Ozzie Smith
- Bob Forsch
Philadelphia Phillies Starting Lineup
- Terry Puhl
- Tony Scott
- Phil Garner
- Jose Cruz
- Alan Ashby
- Ray Knight
- Art Howe
- Craig Reynolds
- Nolan Ryan
The Cardinals bat in the top of the 1st inning and Nolan Ryan appears completely unprepared for the game as he hits Lonnie Smith who steals second, fans Herr, walks Hernandez and allows a home run to Porter. Then Hendrick singles, Iorg doubles, Braun singles and Smith grounds out to score a run and it is 5-0 Cardinals.
In the second inning Smith singles, Herr singles and Hernandez doubles and the Birds score on more run to make it 6-0. The Phillies get one back in the second on two singles, a lineout and a sc fly off the bat of Art Howe and now it is 6-1.
Gordie Pladson comes into the game to replace Ryan in the 4th inning and he allow four runs on four hits with the big blows coming as a double from Porter and Iorg. The Cardinals continue to put runs across while Forsch gives up a solo shot to Ashby in the 6th inning as the Cardinals go on to win the opener 14-3.
BOXSCORE
Umpires: HP – Lee Weyer, 1B – Harry Wendelstedt, 2B – Ed Montague, 3B – Randy Marsh
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The St. Louis Cardinals’ 1982 season was the team’s 101st season in St. Louis, Missouri and the 91st season in the National League. Making up for the previous year’s near-miss, the Cardinals went 92-70 during the season and won their first-ever National League East Division title by three games over the Philadelphia Phillies. They defeated the National League West champion Atlanta Braves in three straight games to claim their first NL pennant since 1968. From there, they went on to win the World Series in seven games over the American League champion Milwaukee Brewers. It was the Cardinals’ first World Championship since 1967, and their last until they opened the current Busch Stadium in 2006.
NOTABLE GAME (that May Have Helped win the PENNANT)
May 30, 1982: The Cardinals rally twice in their last at-bat in a thrilling 6-5 victory over the San Diego Padres at Busch Memorial Stadium. St. Louis trailed 3-0 entering the bottom of the ninth when Keith Hernandez led off with a single to left field. Hernandez took second on a single by George Hendrick and scored on Lonnie Smith’s RBI double. After a Mike Ramsey ground out, Julio González reached on Padre third baseman Luis Salazar’s error, allowing Hendrick to score and cutting the deficit to 3-2, and two batters later, Smith scored on Tom Herr’s sacrifice fly to tie the game. After San Diego tacked on an additional two runs off Bruce Sutter in the top of the tenth inning, the Cardinals rallied again in the bottom half. Padres reliever Gary Lucas retired Orlando Sánchez and Hernandez to start the inning, but allowed a two-out single to Hendrick. Lonnie Smith then doubled Hendrick home to bring St. Louis back within 5-4, and Ramsey’s subsequent RBI single tied the game. After Julio Gonzalez was hit by a pitch, Dane Iorg lined a single into center field, scoring Ramsey with the winning run.
Notable transactions
June 7, 1982: 1982 Major League Baseball Draft
Terry Pendleton was drafted by the Cardinals in the 7th round. Player signed June 12, 1982.
Vince Coleman was drafted by the Cardinals in the 10th round. Player signed June 9, 1982.
June 25, 1982: Joe Boever was signed by the Cardinals as an amateur free agent.
August 11, 1982: Eric Rasmussen was purchased by the Cardinals from the Leones de Yucatán
