In nearly 150 years, the teams owners have been as varied as the fans. Von der Ahes secretary, B.S. 563 Dick Kaegel, Cards Deal Carlton To Phils For Wise, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, February 25, 1972; Cards Trade Reuss, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, April 16, 1972. It would save him $3,000 per year and gave him the right to make improvements as needed.61 Plans for a cafe, restaurant and saloon were on the drawing board. Louis Post-Dispatch, September 8, 1995; Edward H. Kohn, Kiel Suites Prices Likely To Go Up, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, May 19, 1992. The St. Louis National Baseball Club, (charter No. He was in Cleveland to take care of his ill wife. At the TWA Dome, the state was responsible for paying $12 million per year on the retirement of construction bonds, while the Rams received all concessions profits, 90 percent of advertising profits and most of the profits from parking garages. 161 Seekamp to Serve as Temporary Head of St. Louis Club, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, March 30, 1911. [21] The Cardinals also announced the rechristening of the team Hall of Fame Museum with an annual selection process selection commencing in 2015. 418 Seventy Seven percent of $76,000 equals $58,520. Being owned by a publicly traded company was unchartered waters for major league baseball. 588 Kevin Horrigan, Busch Wins In Extra Innings, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, August 23 1981. Linck, St. Louis Globe-Democrat, February 15, 1916. The Cardinals calculated ownership would allow the team to tailor the stations programing around the Cardinals. b The price for the St. Louis Cardinals included Busch Stadium. 406 Denies Cards Used Own Cash to Finance Sale, St. Louis Globe-Democrat, November 29, 1947. The brewery, dating back to its pledges two decades earlier, already owned a quarter of CCRCs shares. It was a donation made by Anheuser-Busch to facilitate the clubs goal of a new building.507, Gussie was so determined to make the stadium project work that the brewery signed the football team to a 30-year lease at the new stadium and turned over their share of the concessions estimated at a minimum of $400,000 per season to CCRC to be used for the loan payment to Equitable Life Assurance.508, The Cardinals new home was named Busch Memorial Stadium because of Gussies efforts to get the $5 million pledge made by the brewery.509 The Cardinals were scheduled to open the new stadium for the first home game April 13, 1966 against the Phillies. Professional baseball made its debut in St. Louis in 1875. 182 Cardinals Owner, Mrs. Britton Ends Her Divorce Suit, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, August 9, 1911. According to a John Wray column in the October 5, 1931, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Willies brother, P.J., told the following story: A Chicago girl named them during the middle of the season.when the St. Louis team came out on the field, road gray uniforms, bright red trim walking across the field was a pretty picture. NL West. Its first concert was in 2008 with the Dave Matthews Band.651 International soccer matches are also held at Busch III, with the inaugural match being English powerhouses Chelsea versus Manchester City. To see the team he formerly owned, he went to other cities where the Cardinals were playing. Fans were up in arms that the Birds on the Bat were removed after being an association by the fans with the long history of colorful Cardinal players and teams.488 He announced that the Birds on the Bat would again adorn the Cardinal uniform for 1957. However, Rickey was getting ready to take a leave of absence to serve as a Major in the Chemical Warfare Division.258. [7] Forbes estimated that the team was worth $1.4 billion in 2014 and $2.1 billion in July 2019. 228 Dr. [23] It was an increase from an $800 million pricing and eighth in the echelon in 2014. The Cardinals opened their 1948 season at home against Cincinnati on April 20, with Breadon, Hannegan, and Saigh in attendance. When I took charge of the club seven years ago, I did it with the hope of winning a championship for St. Louis. Breadon, through his buyout plan, became the largest individual shareholder of the Cardinals holding, 4,211 shares (36.4%) out of the 11,580 outstanding. 235 Rickey Considers Cardinal Offer of 3-Year Contract; Salary Said to Be $15,000. St. Louis Post-Dispatch, March 20, 1917. Date Accessed: March 4, 2019. In 1998, DeWitt purchased the Palm Beach Cardinals of the Florida State League (minor league A-ball) and, in 2005, the Springfield Cardinals of the Texas League (AA). He married Sarah Carver Hathaway, of Philadelphia in 1875 and they had a daughter with the given name Helene Hathaway. 324 Stoneham, Head of Giants, Seeking Plan to Dispose of Rogers Cardinal Stock, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, February 5, 1927. McDonald was Herzogs handpicked general manager and Herzog would give him suggestions on player personnel decisions. It wasnt until 1944, when the Browns stood at the top of the mountain overlooking all the other American League teams, that they could claim the St. Louis home attendance crown in their own ballpark. Two years later, the team moved to the National League and was renamed the Cleveland Spiders. Smith Twins Sold, Daily Arkansas Gazette, May 20, 1922. Robison didnt get a great return from McGraw and Robinson. This was not part of Gussies world view, as he expected his players to be grateful and dutiful after he had made them the highest paid team in the game. He said Wallace and Heidrick were in the second year of multi-year contracts, and Harper had signed a contract for 1902 in August of 1901.135 On May 6, 1902, St. Louis Circuit Court Judge John Talty rendered a permanent denial of Robisons injunction request against Harper and Wallace saying that Robison failed to prove that Harper had a set of unique talents versus other ballplayers, and that Harpers and Wallaces contracts were written to favor Robison, restricted their personal liberty and violated the current anti-trust laws. Rickey had scout Charley Barrett sign collegiate and high school players who had flown under the radar and then assign them to teams in what became known as the farm system. Regardless of the nickname Robisons 1899 team had a successful season at the gate 373,909 fans setting a franchise record. (Kevin Ward/Flickr.com. 50 New Plan of the League, Milwaukee Journal, November 5, 1891. After seeing the NLs Chicago team sell two of its stars catcher Mike King Kelly and pitcher John Clarkson for $10,000 each, Von der Ahe saw he could get inexperienced players for less money. Muckenfuss, told a St. Louis Post Dispatch reporter, that the cost of the damage would be $2,500.79, Creditors were taking action against Von der Ahe and the Sportsmans Park Club and Association. Jones said with a net loss between $25,000 and $30,000 for the season any hopes of building a new Cardinal Field were shelved, but the club would not be playing in Sportsmans Park, and not moving to Kansas City.259 Heading into 1919, the Cardinals were in debt for $90,000 to its noteholders due January 25 plus $125,000 owed to the newly re-married Helene Britton Bigsby.260 If they couldnt come up with a plan to raise $215,000 they would end the first month of 1919 in foreclosure. Louis. 126 Chattel Deed Expires, St. Louis Globe-Democrat, January 16, 1901. The station agreed to a small rights fee, opportunities for the Cardinals to do cross-promotion with CBSs other radio stations and allowing the Cardinals to continue selling their own advertising. It said a player could not make more than his 1942 salary. 402 Hannegan Buys Cards, Quits Cabinet, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, November 25, 1947. It was the Browns fault that they had not specified there could be no consolidations or mergers. 123 Chattel Deed of Trust on Baseball Property, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, November 19, 1900. Rumors were rampant that Gussie was going to replace Keane with Leo Durocher.525 Branch Rickey, who had been named an advisor to Devine, had gained Gussies favor. 213 Mrs. . Von der Ahe said price was no object as he would double the $45,000, he said he spent on the Browns.26 Again Fred Lewis was in the eye of the storm. Going into the board of directors meeting in January 1919, the Cardinals faced foreclosure. In taking over the Cardinal organization I am mindful of the great responsibility to uphold the tradition of the teams integrity and winning spirit and to strive at all times to advance and strengthen the Cardinals 402, Hannegan announced that Breadon would stay on as an advisor to Saigh and himself to provide expertise in overseeing the day-to-day operations of the club as the new owners had no experience in running a baseball franchise. Reporters and columnists laid the blame on a faltering farm system. Not when the big boss has spoken.550 Bob Gibson said, I have nothing to say about it. Jones was very tight-lipped about giving information about his role in the front office.176 As a result, no major trade occurred during the season. Part of the "MLB World Tour," the Mexico City Series is the latest installment of the league's initiative to bring international games to major baseball markets. St. Louis Brown Stockings (American Association), 1882 The payment of $115,000, included $40,000 in accrued interest on notes she held and was delivered to her on May 13, 1920. The club would revert to Britton. Robison sued Hanna but it would take ten years before he won a financial judgement and was awarded a fraction of his losses.104. At that hearing, Lamping and his group were met with resistance by the legislators. 204 Britton Not Seeking Purchaser, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, February 21, 1916. 3 Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. In a radio interview, Cardinals president Mark Lamping said that even with the attendance records the Cardinals incurred a 1998 loss of around $3 million for the season as taxes, interest on debt, revenue sharing payments and officers salaries turned an operating profit into a loss. If that payment was not made, the group would forfeit the $25,000 and the team would revert to Britton.225, Jones launched a campaign of luncheons to entice attendees into buying shares. The firsr dividend declared by the Cardinals board of directors was for the 1922 season and $35,000 was distributed to the shareholders.344 Breadon having 72 percent of the shares received $26,250. Notable Cardinals who have served as GM but gained their notoriety through other roles while with the Cardinals include former outfielder Stan Musial and manager Whitey Herzog. Winningest Coach: Bruce Arians 49-30-1. Everything was lovely between Becker (600 shares), Frank (215 shares) and himself (185 shares), said Stanley Robison. Von der Ahe would be repaid from profits of the games.8 Near the end of the season, Von der Ahe obtained a new lease on the ballpark, promising to make improvements to it with the hope of getting membership in the National League.9. Pour en savoir plus sur la faon dont nous utilisons vos donnes personnelles, veuillez consulter notre politique relative la vie prive et notre politique en matire de cookies. A lawsuit has been filed against Rays principal owner Stuart Sternberg due to an alleged plot to sell the team to Montreal investors. They created their own cable network called Sports Time and then the Cardinal Cable Network but subscription fees and minimal programming turned off viewers.596. The impact was that red ink flowed from the Cardinals to the brewerys bottom line in the amount of $21,891. 584 Anheuser-Busch Threatens to Sell Cardinals Ball Club, St. Joseph Gazette, June 25, 1981; Malone,Team Sale Called A Step to Aid Brewery.. 33 No Game, No Money, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, June 21, 1883. Yahoo Sports. Although the Cardinals had the best overall record in their division, they had been edged out in each half.583. Bleacher fans stayed away instead of paying the higher price. 299 Cardinals Win Over Browns in Injunction Case, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, March 31, 1924. Cardinals Minority Owner in Serious Financial Trouble December 18, 2008 Brian Walton The St. Louis Post-Dispatch? However, he did have the farm system. KMOX wanted to lower fees to the Cardinals from $6.7 million to $4.7 million with the difference made up by revenue sharing. 76 Chris Driven to Extremities, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, October 21, 1896. McGoogan, Card Owner Denies He Led Fight, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, December 12, 1950; Highlights And Sidelights, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, December 12, 1950. Commissioner Ford Frick told Gussie to set up an intermediate corporation to keep the Cardinals operations separate from the brewery.467 That entity, modestly titled August A. Busch Inc., was created to own the St. 529 Carl R. Baldwin, Fans Jam Downtown Streets To Celebrate, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, October 16, 1964. Click on a link below to scroll down to that chapter. 229 Clarence F. Lloyd, Rickeys System Is Vindicated by Success of Team, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, June 1, 1914. Seeing how owning a baseball team could increase profits as well as his prestige, Von der Ahe bought out the other partners for $1,800. The total number of shares outstanding in the Cardinals was calulated using an Excel Spreadsheet based on shareholders as of February 1, 1927. 179 W. J. OConnor, Bresnahan Fired; Earned $227,000 for Team Owner, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, October 22, 1912. 562 Broeg, Busch Leads With Chin.; Baseball-Reference.com. In what became a be careful what you wish for hiring, Gussie brought in Vern Rapp from the Cincinnati organization who had the reputation as a disciplinarian.575, It did not take long for Rapp to cause turmoil in the clubhouse when he instituted a no facial hair or long hair edict.576 But Gussie stuck by him during a confrontation with Al Hrabosky over the pitchers mustache and haircut.577 But, in early 1977, when Gussie found out Rapp had conflicts with Buddy Schultz and Ted Simmons and lost the clubhouse, he fired Rapp.578 By 1980, still frustrated with not having another pennant winner since 1968, Gussie made a decision that was uncharacteristic for him turning complete operation of the Cardinals over to Dorrell (Whitey) Herzog as both manager and general manager. 284 Mrs. With success, Von der Ahe became more and more vocal when the team wasnt playing well. Britton received the $40,000 remaining on the second payment.256, The Cardinals limped to the 1918 season finish line in last place. The $20,000 that was received did not cover the damage.128 The last game of the homestand was played the next day at Athletic Park, despite having a bicycle course and not being suited for baseball.129, Since the ballpark at Vandeventer and Natural Bridge had suffered three fires in five years, the City of St. Louis building commissioner wanted it rebuilt with concrete and steel and denied the Robisons a building permit to use wood. 176 Ray Webster, First Interview With New Cards President Published in St. Louis, St. Louis Star and Times, June 19, 1912. The new prices would be $4.00 and $3.00 respectively. 321 What Breadon and Hornsby Have to Say About Sensational Baseball Trade, St. Louis Globe-Democrat, December 21, 1926. In their anxiety to show up well they became nervous. 466 Frank McCulloch Jr., The Baron Of Beer, Time Magazine, July 11, 1955. 262 Directors to Decide Fate of Cardinals Under $89,000 Debt, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, January 23, 1919. 2019), 6. Peckington secretary of SPCA.83 Von der Ahes claims against the organization totaled $108,962.There were 28 other creditors with unsecured claims between $125 and $3,925 and an additional dozen with unsecured claims between $7 and $90.84, But the deed of trust did not supersede mortgages held on the ballpark, other judgements held against the association, Edward Beckers note for $23,000 and $20,000 in bonds. That relationship was extended in July 2015 for the seasons from 2018 through 2032 with a value to the franchise of $1 billion. Breadon first declined the offer, saying Hornsby should fulfill the remaining year on the current deal. A German immigrant who made his way as a grocer and saloon owner, he saw potential in the sport without otherwise having any other background in it. The new look only lasted one year. 116 Mr. Visit ESPN to view the latest St. Louis Cardinals news, scores, stats, standings, rumors, and more Von der Ahe signed a 15-year lease for the new site. Breadon was joyous. 186 OConnor, Cards to Have New Stands. St. Louis Post-Dispatch, July 9, 1913. Von der Ahe said that the players who caught the late train would have to reimburse the club. Former St Louis Cardinals star and legendary broadcaster Mike Shannon dies aged 83 - as owner Bill DeWitt Jr leads tributes honouring to the two-time World Series champion for his 'unbridled . 315 Rogers Hornsby to Manage Cards, St. Joseph Gazette, May 31, 1925. 3 Joan M. Thomas, Red Stockings Park (St. Louis), SABR BioProject, https://sabr.org/bioproj/park/red-stockings-park-st-louis/. Register now to join us on July 5-9, 2023, in Chicago. St. Louis Cardinals broadcaster and World Series champ Mike Shannon dies at 83. Their continued ownership in the new Endeavor model is not yet known. The remaining money was spent to purchase minor leaguers Memo Luna and Alex Grammas, veteran Vic Raschi and bonus baby Dick Schofield. The ballclub lost $2.9 million in 1980, almost wiping away the profits accumulated in the brewerys first 22 years.584 August III and the brewerys board of directors were weighing a possible sale of the team if it continued to lose money. He came to St. Louis by way of New York in 1867 and found work as a grocery clerk. Before the 1885 season, Von der Ahe took the interim tag off Charlie Comiskey. 649 Bernie Miklasz, Face It Folks; The Better Team Is Series Bound, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, October 21, 2005. The franchise made $40,000, in 1909 and $60,000 in 1910 despite finishing seventh both years.149, Things took a tragic turn for the Cardinals franchise when on March 24, 1911, at his sister-in-laws house in Cleveland, Stanley Robison passed away. For the past several days, we have been working out the details.446, Days later, Saigh revealed that Houston had offered $4.225 million then sweetened it to $4.25 million, the same as the final bid from Milwaukee. He said he would only to return to the National League for a $5,000 salary. She felt that it would be a safer venue to buy tickets instead of venturing into a saloon.164 The second was instituting Ladies Day on April 15, 1912. They said he wouldnt vote according to their wishes and she felt Steininger had shown a lack of transparency.172 There was inadequate information regarding the expenditures, revenues and dividend payments of the Cardinals and the financial information was locked in a safe to which she had no access.173 The court ruled in favor of the women.174, St. Louis Cardinals owner Helene Britton, top center, poses with other National League team owners at the winter meetings in 1913. President of the Knot-Hole Organization Buys Out J.C. Jones and Others, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, May 8, 1922. Von de Ahe started buying real estate in the neighborhood. It was regarded as the first known case of corporate espionage involving computer network hacking in professional sports. These three additions helped create an exciting brand of baseball that became known as Whitey Ball.589 Built for speed and defense, playing in spacious Busch Stadium on AstroTurf, Herzogs team brought Cardinal fans back to Busch Stadium, winning the 1982 pennant and World Series. 157 Denver Man Wants St. Louis Club, New York Times, April 2, 1911. 357 Ray J. Gillespie, Ex-Cardinal Sought 5-Year Pact Even If Baseball Shut Down, The St. Louis Star and Times, November 5, 1942. Lamping said the owners wanted to open the ballpark in April 2006. He works for you. The money spent on these players was an expensive lesson for Gussie because the Cardinals were in the red for the first two years of the brewerys ownership with losses totalling $1.2 million and no pennants.481 The acquisitions flamed out, developed injuries, underperformed or had reached the end of their careers. 358 Keener, Informs Breadon, The St. Louis Star and Times, October 29, 1942. and attendance had a substantial increase from 1924. A total of 14 general managers (GM) have served for the Cardinals. The League then allowed Robison to pay the Browns league dues and debts to reestablish the Browns membership.97, The machinations didnt work, at least at first. It was only 1.3 percent. 63 New Park Leased, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, July 6, 1892. 546 Pension Rejection Indicated in Voting, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, January 6, 1969. Britton Catering to Women Fans, New York Times, December 14, 1911. as an active hunter or campaigner.434, On January 28, 1953, Fred Saigh pleaded no contest to charges of tax evasion.435 He said he did not fight the charges because he did not want his wife and ill mother to endure a jury trial. 210 Mrs. 520 Paper Says Negro Athletes Resent Spring Training Humiliation, St. Louis Globe-Democrat, January 24, 1961. They again expressed serious interest in having the club remain here. He installed his son August III as president of the brewery to proceed with the non-union salaried terminations.565, Over the next year August III brought on board six vice-presidents who would help him stem the tide of falling profits. Radio Programs, St. Louis Globe-Democrat, April 18, 1934. The values of the two garages in downtown St. Louis at Seventh and Pine were not available according to the Citys Assessor.609. https://www.mlb.com/cardinals/schedule/radio-affiliates; Cardinals Spanish Broadcast, Bing.com. Im afraid our team would lose identity by going to the Browns park.194, The Federal League situation in St. Louis was getting more complicated. 604 Edward H. Kohn, Cardinals Game No Longer Best Bargain In Majors, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, April 5, 1992. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/9331/robert-emmet-hannegan. 171 National League Makes No Answer, New York Times, December 14, 1911. 220 W.J. Meanwhile, CCRC hired the investment bank Goldman-Sachs to set up a bidding war. He focused on the growing medium of radio. May 25, 2021. It granted the Cardinals permanent access to Sportsmans Park through the remainder of the lease.300 A year later, Phil Ball went ahead with plans to expand the seating capacity to 34,000 seats.301 His decision was aided when Breadon decided to assume an additional $10,000 a year in rent through 1930, to help pay for the renovations.302 Breadon had also increased his leverage on the Browns by purchasing land at Spring and Chouteau Avenues for a proposed ballpark to begin construction in 1929.303, Construction completed for the 1926 Spring City Series and included new concrete ramps and a screen extending to the top of the second deck of the grandstand that limited the number of baseballs being lost as souvenirs.304, When negotiations for the lease extension started at the end of the 1929 season, things were amicable between Breadon and Ball. 399 Mike Eisenbath, Fred Saigh Jr., Former Owner of the Cardinals, Savvy Investor, Dies at 94, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, December 30, 1999. When the team was winning pennants, it was easier to do.42, One of the times that Comiskey couldnt defuse a volatile situation was the day before a game in Kansas City. When Cardinals lead owner and Chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. needed new investors for the ball club, he turned to familiar faces. 155 Mrs. Date Accessed: March 4, 2019. He attended Bradley and Northwestern universities and received a law degree. Despite the championship, Gussie had to do damage control to get the fans back on his side. The players who missed those games argued that they had regular jobs and couldnt risk losing them to play ball during the week. 215 R.L. Twenty-two former Cardinals players and personnel were announced for induction into the Hall of Fame for the inaugural class of 2014. The established National League, however, required three things that the Brown Stockings owner couldnt accept. I was really worried about that one inning. The networks flagship station was KXOK (1250 AM ) in St. Louis with broadcasters Ray Schmidt, Alex Buchan and former manager Gabby Street. There is a mistaken impression, that it was due to Comiskeys skill that the Browns were successful. 545 Baseball Players Hire Steel Union Officer, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, March 6, 1966. He decided to obey his doctors orders and step down as Cardinal president. Although they had long since surpassed the Browns as the city's most popular team, Breadon wanted to build a park of his own. 386 Cardinal Sale Probably Ran to $4,060,000, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, November 28, 1947. The baseball diamond was laid out by Augustus Solari and the infield contained Kentucky bluegrass, with the players locker rooms located on the first base side of the field. Devine was not disappointed though, because the Cardinals sold their Texas League affiliate Houston Buffaloes, a property which had lost money.491 The buyers were former Cardinal shortstop Marty Marion and St. Louis businessman Milton Fischmann paying $100,000 for the team and an estimated $1 million for the ballpark and other property.492, Gussie was turning his attention to another baseball issue.