May 12, 1966.
54 years ago today.
A big day for Cardinals fans! (although I was not around to share in the excitement)
Lou Brock smacked a Phil Niekro knuckleball up the middle in the 12th inning to score Curt Flood and beat the Atlanta Braves 4-3. It was a good way to inaugurate the new Busch Memorial Stadium downtown.
More than 46,000 Cardinals fans attended that first game in the $24 million stadium on May 12, 1966. It was round in shape to accommodate baseball and football, and its partial roof complimented the new Gateway Arch three blocks away. Fans appreciated its spaciousness and unobstructed view of the field.
In the bigger view, the stadium was the marquee attraction for a major rebuilding of the sagging south half of downtown. The project area covered 31 blocks and was financed almost entirely with private money, much of it raised in a tub-thumping, civic campaign.
(https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/history/may-12-1966-the-opening-of-the-new-busch-stadium-was-a-tub-thumping-civic/article_7d21a83c-b411-5e1f-ac4c-7f9b2f3c3228.html)
Of course, all good things must come to an end, right?
December 2005:
Grace & Peace & Love to you all -
Matt
54 years ago today.
A big day for Cardinals fans! (although I was not around to share in the excitement)
Lou Brock smacked a Phil Niekro knuckleball up the middle in the 12th inning to score Curt Flood and beat the Atlanta Braves 4-3. It was a good way to inaugurate the new Busch Memorial Stadium downtown.
More than 46,000 Cardinals fans attended that first game in the $24 million stadium on May 12, 1966. It was round in shape to accommodate baseball and football, and its partial roof complimented the new Gateway Arch three blocks away. Fans appreciated its spaciousness and unobstructed view of the field.
In the bigger view, the stadium was the marquee attraction for a major rebuilding of the sagging south half of downtown. The project area covered 31 blocks and was financed almost entirely with private money, much of it raised in a tub-thumping, civic campaign.
(https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/history/may-12-1966-the-opening-of-the-new-busch-stadium-was-a-tub-thumping-civic/article_7d21a83c-b411-5e1f-ac4c-7f9b2f3c3228.html)
Of course, all good things must come to an end, right?
December 2005:
Grace & Peace & Love to you all -
Matt