Yesterday, our family made one of our many annual pilgrimages to Mecca, otherwise known as St. Louis, to watch our beloved Redbirds. The difference this time: we’d be watching the Cards play in their new digs, the New Busch Stadium.
I’ve probably seen somewhere in the neighborhood of 30 games at the old Busch; Sunny’s somewhere around 20. So needless to say, it was a bit strange as we drove up to the new stadium, only to find a gigantic hole in the ground where the old stadium used to be. In fact, Sunny had to fight back tears at one point. (All right, I’ll admit, I got a little choked up, too. A lot of special memories in that place.)
But the new park was fantastic. The red brick gives the outside facade a nice, clean look. On the inside, the park resonates with all the amenities you’ll find at the newer parks. But the designers were sure to keep alive some of the Cards rich history as well. Stan the Man has been moved to a new location. The old Busch scoreboards are located in the outer vending areas. Left center offers a sweet view of the downtown arch.
Some of the highlights from our trip include:
* A nice conversation with an elderly Cards fan in Marion, IL who, upon seeing us decked out in our gear, proceeded to tell me he’s a 3rd generation Redbird fan. (The tradition seems to have been passed on to the 5th generation now. Kind of like a Biblical curse.)
* Albert Pujols’ first inning tater off Oliver Perez…and the attendant fireworks.
* The mesmerized look on my son’s face as the players tossed around the “bee-ball!!”
* Being interviewed by a Denver reporter about the rabid nature of Cardinal Nation.
* Watching Chris Carpenter pitch the Cards — and my fantasy team — to victory.
* A sneering look from our hotel desk clerk — a Chicago native…and a diehard Cubs fan. She was quick to point out that we shouldn’t underestimate the Cubbies. “They’re for real this year,” she said. Yeah right. Check back with me in July.
All in all, the hot dog was good, the park was great and the trip with the family was awesome.
already & not yet 
I’m green with envy–greener than an Oakland A’s stocking.Glad the Redbirds put on a show for you guys. I probably better wait and take Eyegal after they fill in the hole and clean up a bit, otherwise I might have a real meltdown on my hands.That picture must be enlarged and framed. Promise me that you’ll do that posthaste.
Glad the trip went well. Looks like you had pretty good seats as well.I can only hope that I’ll get to see my beloved Yankees play in Yankee Stadium before the most historic ballfield in the majors is torn down. Sadly, being a Yankee fan in Southwest Tennessee does not allow many trips to visit them.
YOU GOT TO GO TO THE NEW BUSCH?! Wicked sweet, mah-man! Just got a little ‘Cards gear yesterday to start up the new season.I can’t wait ’til I can take my son to God’s winter homes, Bryant-Denny and Lambeau, and his summer home in St. Louie. It’s cool that you got to do that. Anyway, tell the missus and the kids Big Jake said hello!
Mike,Tell Eyegal that eventually the “old Busch” property will be renovated into a baseball-village, whatever that means. Probably lots of restaurants and retail, sadly. Anyway, you might want to wait until ’07 if the little lady harbors an affinity for the old Busch stadium.Lane,It’s hard to extend sympathy to a Yankee fan (what is it, 27 championships or something?!), but I must say it would be a travesty if you didn’t catch a game at Yankee Stadium before they close up shop. Jake,The New Busch is pretty nice. I feel like I need to go back in order to truly take it in. I’m sure I’ll have plenty of chances. It’s just sad that my kids will never know the old Busch. I think I’m choking up again. Gotta go.