390 Cardinal Sale Probably Ran to $4,060,000. St. Louis Post-Dispatch, November 28, 1947. He also was one of the few owners to make a profit during his time, in contrast with his rival owners, whose American Association eventually collapsed due to bankruptcy. He entered the Army as a Major in the Ordnance Department. The reduced settlement with Mark Hanna, losses suffered in operating the Cardinals and the League Park fire left him in financial straits. He had only recently sent in the renewal but hadnt received a reply from the insurance company that there was a policy in force. Gussie was ahead of his time when he wanted to rename the ballpark Budweiser Stadium.473 The National League refused his request, saying naming the ballpark after his flagship beer would be an enticement for minors to use alcohol.474 Gussie instead named the ballpark in honor of his grandfather (Adolphus Busch), father August A. Busch Sr. and his brother Adolphus Busch III calling it Busch Stadium.475 In 1955, Anheuser-Busch rolled out a new beer called Busch Bavarian in honor of his family heritage.476, He also did not give up the beer-baseball connection at the ballpark that other teams and their brewery sponsors enjoyed. The first was to sell tickets at a drug store located in the citys business district. 148 Overall Will Face Cardinals, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, April 21, 1909. In June 1883, Von der Ahe challenged an American Association rule with a popular gesture. If we're being honest, an owner with a minority stake experiences a mostly ceremonial involvement. Why shouldnt the superiority of our national game over the sports peculiar to other nations be recognized and encouraged by women? Accessed February 23, 2019. 573 Broeg, Busch Ends Attempt to Buy Cardinals.. Von der Ahe, at first, pointed to the rule posted on the ticket window.32 The next day, feeling that the rule was unfair, he announced rain checks would be issued. Chase Bank of Manhattan, securities broker Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner and Smith, and Willam O. DeWitt Sr., former owner of the Browns, submitted their appraisals, which agreed with the range suggested by Saigh. Her petition alleged that her husband was an alcoholic and when drunk would verbally abuse her, that he promoted a toxic environment at the house inviting friends that she considered uncivilized who were loud and vulgar and that he provided no financial support for the family, and instead wasted her family fortune.208 Her divorce from Schuyler was settled, February 12, 1917.209, On that day, Britton was elected president of the Cardinals, quashing the rumor that Browns executive Branch Rickey would be the next president and business manager of the club.210 She disparaged Schuyler Brittons operation of the Cardinals, saying he prevented progress of the club, but didnt elaborate.211 For her part, she said she would be taking a very active interest in running the ball club. 33690). 155 Mrs. The St. Louis National Baseball Club, (charter No. As a youth Hannegan was consumed in watching the Cardinals play at Robison Field. 151 Stanley Robison, Cardinals Owner, Dies in Cleveland, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, March 24, 1911. Then, the new proposal ran into the aftermath of the deal the city, county and state had signed in 1995 to attract the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League. Von der Ahe expressed optimism for the 1891 season. In January 1953, he pleaded no contest to two counts involving more than $19,000 in tax underpayments, and was sentenced to 15 months in prison. In 1995, DeWitt, with Stephen F. Brauer, purchased the St. Louis Cardinals from Anheuser-Busch for $150 million. By 1960, Saigh held 27,545 shares, and was the largest non-family shareholder in the brewery.445, Said Saigh, They told me that Anheuser-Busch might be interested in acquiring the club if necessary to keep it in St. Louis. According to the St. Louis Globe-Democrat, The preparations for the contest were very hurriedly made, the baseball diamond especially showing need of water and a roller. Both did business with Anheuser-Busch and Gussie.460 They generally dealt with the brewerys financial officer who would give them Gussies answer. 483 Jack Herman, To Pick Pilot Next Week, St. Louis Globe-Democrat, October 7, 1955. 2 Net of stadium revenues used for debt payments. He also got involved in a costly, and revealing, lawsuit with his son. They lost their first two picks in the 2017 draft. https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/torrejo01.shtml. Louis Industries, St.Louis Globe-Democrat, May 1, 1897. In 1952 Anheuser-Busch shipped a record for the brewery of 6,000,000 barrels but still second to Schlitzs 6,347,295 barrels.464 Gussie felt that with Cardinals games being broadcast on a network of radio and TV stations and Budweiser as the sponsor, beer shipments would increase and Anheuser-Busch would surpass Schlitz. But he was very happy when players and fans came to his saloon for post-game drinks. Despite Rickeys disappointment with the demotion, Breadon said he was on good terms with Rickey and that Rickey agreed to continue handling the business affairs of the club. 427 Defaulted Pennant, The St. Louis Star and Times, September 27, 1948. Britton had two suitors for the Cardinals and Robison Field. 655 Cards Fans Go to Bat for KMOX, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, June 26, 2005. 164 Mrs. Despite expected delays getting construction materials due to the war, he was confident that it would be ready for the 1951 season.363 However, once the war ended, the estimated cost of construction rose to more than the $1,250,000, or $31.25 per seat Breadon had earmarked.364. He was not afraid to sell any player, including Breitenstein, the St. Louis-born pitcher who was arguably his best player and main gate attraction. Also pictured are, from left: Mrs. William Niekamp, Rachel Breadon, and Jeanette Hornsby. Dies Suddenly, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, January 27, 1930. 256 $75,000 Pledged by Stockholders to Aid Cardinals, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, July 16, 1918. The October home series against Cincinnati would be moved to the Reds park and the fall City Series games versus the Browns would all be played at Sportsmans Park. Relations between the Cardinals and the Browns soon turned sour. Despite being busy with plans for new breweries, Gussie was in Philadelphia to celebrate with Cardinal players after they clinched the second pennant under the Anheuser-Busch ownership.534 Almost two months after celebrating a World Series win over the Boston Red Sox, Musial stepped down as general manager.535 A winner in his only season, Musial said, I was looking out for my own interests, as well as the clubs and to look out for my health.536 Musial stated he was putting in a lot of hours in running his personal business as well as the Cardinals. 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. His plans were for a 47,000-seat stadium costing $4 million but not at the Spring and Chouteau site that had been bought from Breadon.423 According to Saigh, it was not large enough for the stadium and parking he envisioned.424 He said he had purchased 18 acres of land with nine more still to be purchased. Heyday of Chris Von der Ahe and Comiskey, St.Louis Globe-Democrat, October 12, 1952. In 1936, as he was about to turn 60, he sold the company.348 Ive just got too much to do, he said, and I am definitely out of the automobile game for the rest of my life. The ballclub will be my only business venture, he added, and it looks as if it will be enough to keep me occupied.349, The first objective Breadon pursued was night baseball. Endeavor said it is acquiring the team from its majority ownership group, led by Peter Freund, and the St. Louis Cardinals, which held a minority interest. Other changes were a single Slugger Bird on the left sleeve , a solid blue cap, with a red button on top and an interlocking STL in red on the front. Linck, St. Louis Globe-Democrat, February 15, 1916. Their shareholders had to ratify the brewerys purchase of the Cardinals. The Brown Stockings finished fourth with a roster that featured pitcher George Bradley, shortstop Dickey Pearce, outfielder Lip Pike and outfielder Ned Cuthbert. Von der Ahe, still wanting to maintain his free-spending lifestyle, took on more financial risks. After the 2007 season, Walt Jocketty, the Cardinal general manager hired by Anheuser-Busch after the 1994 strike-shortened season, was fired because he did not embrace the analytics bent that Jeff Luhnow brought to the organization.662, After Luhnow left the Cardinals in 2012 to be the general manager of the Houston Astros, one of his former employees, Chris Correa, illegally gained access to Houstons database under the pretense that Luhnow and the Astros had accessed the Cardinals information. DeWitt, the son of longtime Major League Baseball executive Bill DeWitt, and Margaret H. DeWitt, was born in St. Louis, Missouri, where he attended St. Louis Country Day School. 611 Brian Bartow, St. Louis Cardinals 1996 Media Guide, (St. Louis: St. Louis National Baseball Club, 1996), 4. St. Louis sportswriter Bob Broeg dubbed him the Pilot Light as the Cardinals won pennants in 1928, 1930 and a World Championship in 1931.326 Frisch was player-manager of the 1934 World Series winning team. Two Cardinals minor league teams, the Memphis Redbirds and Springfield Cardinals, played the first baseball game in the new park. 387 New Sports Corporation Helped Swing Cards Sale, The St. Louis Star and Times, November 28, 1947; Cardinal Sale Probably Ran to $4,060,000, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, November 28, 1947. 332 Hyde Park True Lager Beer Brings You the Newest Thing in Baseball Broadcasting, Play-by-Play on KXOK, 1250 on Your Dial, St. Louis Star and Times, October 17, 1940. 29 Bracing Up, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, September 5, 1884. 26 The St. Louis Nine In 1884, New York Times, October 16, 1883. His father, William Sr., started out as a vendor at Robison Field. Dose of Our Own Medicine, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, June 27,1946. [20] Ballpark Village construction was completed and it opened in March 2014. 489 Bob Broeg, Pennant Must Come Busch Warns Lane, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, February 13, 1957. 391 Hannegan Group Buys Cards, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, November 25, 1947; Cardinal Sale Probably Ran to $4,060,000. St. Louis Post-Dispatch, November 28, 1947. Speaking for his wife, Schuyler said, The St. Louis National League Ball Club is not for sale. Saigh could have sold the Cardinals to outside interests, (and he) made several important concessions to keep them here and deserves sincere appreciation.448, Over time that appreciation was forgotten primarily due to the publicity machine of Anheuser-Busch, which Saigh felt regularly proclaimed Gussie (August A. Busch Jr.) as the savior of the franchise. 33 No Game, No Money, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, June 21, 1883. All-time Scoring Leader: Jim Bakken 1,380 points. [1] The Cardinals have won two World Series in 2006 and 2011 during DeWitt's time as owner. The deal proposed by Giants manager John McGraw would have sent four players plus $200,000 for the Cardinals star. 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. Early life [ edit] Fred Saigh was born in Springfield, Illinois, and grew up in Kewanee, Illinois. The league extended a membership to the Maroons for the 1885 season despite Von der Ahes protest that the National Agreement between the National League and the American Association said a second team couldnt be put in a city if one was already there.40 The Maroons found stiffer competition in the National League, finishing last in 1885 and sixth in 1886. The total value of the franchise was roughly $3,700.15 His first act as owner was to sign Charlie Comiskey, first baseman of the Dubuque Rabbits, to a new contract for $150 a month.16, Von der Ahe wanted to take his new team into an organized league. The St. Louis Cardinals have achieved a level of success in Major League Baseball that has been outdone only by the New York Yankees. Until the 1888 World Series, it was part of the playing field. He had been under a doctors care for hypertension and the stress of running the franchise was keeping him from maintaining his health. The Maroons had signed some of Von der Ahes players and ran away with the associations 1884 pennant. The St. Louis Globe-Democrat reported the partners had used over $2 million of the Cardinals funds to pay Breadon for the purchase, reducing the cash available for salaries and improvements in the team. 456 August A. Busch Jr. Named President of Brewery Firm, St. Louis Star and Times, September 5, 1946. 588 Kevin Horrigan, Busch Wins In Extra Innings, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, August 23 1981. As a result, the players who had been reserved on September 30 Heidrick, Mike Donlin, Burkett, Cowboy Jones, Jack Powell, and Wallace were now free agents.121 They could sign with any National League team or a team in the new American League.122. This infuriated Gussie and both were traded and proved successful for their new teams.563, Trying to control the Cardinals payroll was not the only challenge Gussie was facing. The players share was based on the walk-up attendance. Britton Deposes Husband She Sues, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, November 18, 1916. 211 Mrs. In addition, Robison had to pay $500 to the bartender who ran McGraw and Robinsons establishment in Baltimore while they were away playing for St. Louis.117, McGraw and Robinson did not see any game action until May 12, 1900, the Cardinals seventeenth game, citing personal business in Baltimore.118 By the time they did play, the Robisons were feeling the pain of a street car strike that had started May 8. 329 Radio Trumpets Millenium to Baseball Crowd, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, October 11, 1926; Absher, St. Asked why he threw all the parties, the Browns owner said, money dos ist to spend.39. CCRC would purchase the land, communicate with the City committees, and oversee construction.496 The construction of the streets, sewer and water systems was funded by a $6 million bond issue voted on and passed by city residents on March 6, 1962.497 The 50,000- to 55,000-thousand seat multi use stadium, with movable seats, would be bordered by Broadway, Walnut, Seventh, and Spruce.498. Phil Ball, owner of the Federal League Terriers, met with American League President Ban Johnson to discuss buying the Browns, because Robert Hedges wanted to get out.195 Balls original plan to buy the Cardinals had been stymied by the Brittons insistence on keeping the team.196 Johnson sounded positive regarding his discussions with Ball.197, Schuyler Britton was adamant that he would sell the Cardinals for a profit and would not be pressured to sell. OConnor, Handlans Park is Probable Home of St. Louis Federals, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, December 29,1913. 615 ONeil, Cardinal Owners Share Schooling And Social Status.. 231 Rickey Batting .300 in All-Star Oratorical Meet, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, October 21, 1914. It became so profitable that the ambitious Chris bought the store from his partner for $1,125 in 1872. 526 Bob Broeg, Birds Nest Has One Big Branch; Neal Russo,Devine Was Fired, Howsam to be GM, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, August 18, 1964. 631 Bernie Miklasz, Fans Saying Thank You At The Ticket Office, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, March 16, 1996. 331 Absher, St. 32,255 attended. 608 Tim ONeil, Busch, Cards Breaking Up, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, October 26, 1995. 331. 140 Cardinals Increase Stock, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, April 19, 1903. 482 Herman, Profit For Cardinals in 57.. Linck summed up that frustration with a rhyme in the February 15, 1916 St. Louis Globe-Democrat: Wed like to see the Cardinals change hands or else an end Breadon declined both offers, but asked Saigh if he could find someone to buy the Cardinals from him. [11] Hannegan died that October of heart disease. Spink obtained more players and the New Brown Stockings finished a season that lasted into November.14, At the end of the 1881 season, the partnership split profits of almost $25,000 in a back room in Von der Ahes saloon. 407 Melon Cut of $700,000 to Benefit Club Only, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, December 19, 1947. Instead, the Cardinals would have to grow their own. 453 John Stahl, Gussie Busch, SABR BioProject, https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/gussie-busch. The Cardinals maintained their administrative offices at Cardinal Field, but didnt announce any long-term plans for the venue.289 The park was still used for amateur soccer matches and baseball tryouts.290 In 1922, the St. Louis Board of Education, which wanted the site for a high school, began negotiations with Breadon and eventually bought the land for $212,000.291. As a result, Von der Ahe sought like-minded owners in cities that would allow Sunday games, 25 cent admissions and beer sales. 8 Von der Ahes Good Fortune. To further put him at ease, Saigh brought in Robert Hannegan as a minority partner. Cardinals Minority Owner in Serious Financial Trouble December 18, 2008 Brian Walton The St. Louis Post-Dispatch? 127 Fire During a Ball Game, New York Times, May 5, 1901. 506 Busch Defends Stadium Site, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, January 29, 1960. Seed money came from Cardinal owners ($100,000) and other sponsors ($70,000). He had given the bad news two months earlier that the brewery was selling the team, but on this day with a broad smile, he had this announcement: On this holiday weekend, we think we have a great Christmas present for St. Louis.610 That present was a deal to sell the Cardinals to a group led by William O. DeWitt Jr. as principal owner. It took the press out of my pants.517 The game itself lasted 10 innings but took only 2 hours and 19 minutes. The gist of the address was that with all the strike talk over pension benefits and salary negotiations, the players focus had been taken off the game on the field. The $4 million deal closed in late 1947. 248 Cardinals Make $10,000 Payment on Price of Club, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, May 12, 1918. 226 First Payment on Cardinals Ready; Free Score Cards for Fans Today, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, March 31, 1917. 299 Cardinals Win Over Browns in Injunction Case, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, March 31, 1924. 170 W.J. After becoming a free agent, he signed a 10-year contract with the Los Angeles Angels for $254 million.664, Ballpark Village was developed to put the DeWitt ownership corporate footprint into downtown St. Louis and tie in with the Cardinal baseball franchise. 446 Success in Keeping Cardinals Here Praised, St. Louis Globe-Democrat, February 21, 1953. 464 Anheuser-Busch Sets Record in Shipping Barrels of Beer, The Daily Standard, January 3, 1953; Schlitz Sets Record, Kenosha News, January 26, 1953. The fire also damaged the boarding houses and Von der Ahes Shoot the Chutes. Von der Ahe had let the insurance on the buildings and track expire. (LIBRARY OF CONGRESS), The fans were not as forgiving as Comiskey. The dividend payments of the Breadon years ranged from a low of $20,304 to a high of $121,920, with Breadon reaping the majority each time.345, Breadon and Rickey became caught in Baseball Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landiss crosshairs when the farm system came under investigation during 1938 spring training. 602 Edward H. Kohn, Busch Gets Bigger, Better Replay Screen, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, February 15, 1993. 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. He helped Harry Truman to a primary win for the United States Senate in 1940 and to the nomination for vice president in 1944. 219 Wrays Column: Players Power Now Nil, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, February 17, 1917. He focused on the growing medium of radio. The National League adopted a split season in 1892, seeking to give fans hope in cities that had done poorly in the first. The 87 wins in 1921 were a the most wins for the franchise since they were the Perfectos in 1899. Holdings Inc and board member and investor in Churchill Downs Inc; Nick D. Kladis, Chicago, a board member of the Chicago White Sox under Bill Veeck; Michael McDonnell, Memphis, head of Rock Island Corp. a privately held company for hardware and building products distributors; David C. Pratt, founder of United Industries Inc. of St. Louis; Dudley S. Taft, Cincinnati, who had sold his Taft Broadcasting Company for $1.5 billion in 1987; brothers W. Joseph and Thomas Williams of Cincinnati, whose father had served as Vice-President and part owner of the Cincinnati Reds with DeWitt Jr. 624, This group of investors has stayed relatively stable through the 2021 season. replacing Jones.183 The Post-Dispatch reported Schuyler had learned how to run a baseball franchise in a story headlined He Has Been Groomed to Head the Cardinals.184, The big question the Brittons faced was when wooden Robison Field would be replaced with a concrete and steel park. August III said Anheuser-Busch would still own the Cardinals and that his father was still chairman of the board of the brewery, president of the Cardinals, and active in the management of the ballclub. The only question was whether Buffalo Stadium could be upgraded to major-league standards.[15]. Nor did the picture escape the eyes of the Chicago Miss who clapped her hands enthusiastically and exclaimed to her companion, Oh, isnt that a lovely shade of cardinal. McHale caught the explanation and a moment later had flashed over the telegraph wires to St. Louis in his introduction of the game that The Cardinals were confident of victory.114. St. Louis Public Radio's Wayne Pratt spoke with . Herrmann said that Britton would not be prevented from owning the team, but that it would be up to Britton to have a male be her proxy at League meetings.154, The will provided that the stock in the American Baseball and Athletic Exhibition Company of St. Louis, Missouri (the Cardinals corporate name) be divided between Helene Britton and her mother, Sarah Carver Hathaway Robison. Wray, Cardinals Reject Browns Plans for a Post Season Game Series, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, August 10, 1902. Accessed February 23, 2019, 1-4; Sam Breadon Now Has Controlling Interest in Cards. St. Louis Post-Dispatch, May 8, 1922; Cardinals Declare Dividend, Kansas City Times, December 11, 1942; Ray J. Gillespie, 10,160 Shares Earned $12 each, Breadon States, St. Louis Star and Times, December 22, 1936. His search led him to Branch Rickey, business manager of the Browns. Von der Ahe did his part by demanding players board in buildings he owned so he could keep an eye on them. Two weeks after becoming the owner and confirming she would not sell, St. Louis Post-Dispatch society page columnist and sketch artist Marguerite Martyn published an interview with Britton. [26], Reports surfaced on June 16, 2015, that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) were reviewing an alleged incident involving Cardinals' front office officials hacking into the Houston Astros' database of players, scouting reports and proprietary statistics. Five other executives joined the two of them to form the new Cardinals board of directors. 352 League President Verifies Sanction for Night Baseball in St, Louis, St. Louis Star and Times, October 31, 1936. 373 Pasquel Denies Olmo Quitting, Blasts Spink, The Circleville Herald, August 14, 1946. 314 John M. McGuire, Church ladys decorations inspired birds-on-bat logo, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, July 12, 1999. Chandler took the stance that this matter had to be resolved by the two clubs.420 Feeling that he was in the right, DeWitt Sr. sued the Cardinals on April 18, 1949. The Cardinals announced that ticket prices and concession prices would increase.603 The Cardinals Fan Cost Index, which measured on average the cost of a family of four going to see a ballgame had the Cardinals at the sixth best-value in the majors at $78.54 for 1992 versus $69.26 the previous year, which had been the best.604. A majority of the owners supported Chandler, but not the necessary 12 and Saigh remained a vocal opponent.431, Still full of bravado Chandler asked the owners to vote again on a new contract. The band, which performed crowd favorites was conducted by umpire Charley Houtz, who pulled double duty.21, Focusing on maximizing beer sales at the ballpark, Von der Ahe delegated the procurement, training and discipline of players to his on-field managers. It wont do women any harm, either, to cultivate in their own ideas of masculinity, all those really manly qualities which are brought to the fore in baseball. 529 Carl R. Baldwin, Fans Jam Downtown Streets To Celebrate, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, October 16, 1964. Their position was that since the Cardinals drew the most fans to Sportsmans Park (almost 77 percent of combined attendance), their tenants should pay that percentage of maintenance expenses.
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