1996_St._Louis_Cardinals_season
1996 St. Louis Cardinals season
Major League Baseball team season
The St. Louis Cardinals 1996 season was the team's 115th season in St. Louis, Missouri and the 105th season in the National League. It was Tony La Russa's first season managing the club, after leaving the Oakland Athletics. During the first year of the William DeWitt, Jr. era, the Cardinals went 88–74 during the season and won their first-ever National League Central title by six games over the Houston Astros. They beat the San Diego Padres in the NLDS, but fell in 7 games to the Atlanta Braves in the NLCS after being up 3–1. DeWitt, along with Drew Bauer and Fred Hanser had bought the Cardinals from Anheuser-Busch during the 1995-96 offseason.
Quick Facts St. Louis Cardinals, League ...
| 1996 St. Louis Cardinals | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National League Central Champions | ||||
| League | National League | |||
| Division | Central | |||
| Ballpark | Busch Memorial Stadium | |||
| City | St. Louis, Missouri | |||
| Record | 88–74 (.543) | |||
| Divisional place | 1st | |||
| Owners | William DeWitt, Jr. | |||
| General managers | Walt Jocketty | |||
| Managers | Tony La Russa | |||
| Television | KPLR Prime Sports Midwest (Al Hrabosky, Bob Carpenter, Joe Buck) | |||
| Radio | KMOX (Jack Buck, Mike Shannon, Joe Buck) | |||
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- December 23, 1995: Ron Gant was signed as a free agent with the St. Louis Cardinals
- December 23, 1995: Andy Benes was signed as a free agent with the St. Louis Cardinals
- December 15, 1995: Willie McGee was signed as a free agent with the St. Louis Cardinals.[1]
- January 9, 1996: Todd Stottlemyre was traded by the Oakland Athletics to the St. Louis Cardinals for Allen Battle, Carl Dale, Jay Witasick, and Bret Wagner (minors).
- January 11, 1996: Mike Gallego signed as a free agent with the St. Louis Cardinals.[2]
- February 13, 1996: Dennis Eckersley was traded by the Oakland Athletics to the St. Louis Cardinals for Steve Montgomery.
- December 18, 1995: Gary Gaetti signed as a free agent with the St. Louis Cardinals.
Ozzie Smith's final season
Legendary veteran shortstop Ozzie Smith, announced during the season that it would be his last season in the Major Leagues, while veteran outfielder Willie McGee, was brought back to the Cards as a free agent. Though the tension between Smith and exciting youngster Royce Clayton, acquired in a trade, grew thick and troublesome at times as they shared time at shortstop, both players had good seasons. McGee came off the bench and started when needed.
Season standings
More information W, L ...
| NL Central | W | L | Pct. | GB | Home | Road |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis Cardinals | 88 | 74 | 0.543 | — | 48–33 | 40–41 |
| Houston Astros | 82 | 80 | 0.506 | 6 | 48–33 | 34–47 |
| Cincinnati Reds | 81 | 81 | 0.500 | 7 | 46–35 | 35–46 |
| Chicago Cubs | 76 | 86 | 0.469 | 12 | 43–38 | 33–48 |
| Pittsburgh Pirates | 73 | 89 | 0.451 | 15 | 36–44 | 37–45 |
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Record vs. opponents
More information Team, ATL ...
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| Team | ATL | CHC | CIN | COL | FLA | HOU | LAD | MON | NYM | PHI | PIT | SD | SF | STL | |||
| Atlanta | — | 7–5 | 7–5 | 5–7 | 6–7 | 6–6 | 5–7 | 10–3 | 7–6 | 9–4 | 9–3 | 9–4 | 7–5 | 9–4 | |||
| Chicago | 5–7 | — | 5–8 | 5–7 | 6–6 | 5–8 | 8–5 | 6–6 | 7–5 | 7–6 | 4–9 | 6–6 | 7–5 | 5–8 | |||
| Cincinnati | 5–7 | 8–5 | — | 7–6 | 3–9 | 7–6 | 4–8 | 3–9 | 6–6 | 10–2 | 5–8 | 9–3 | 9–4 | 5–8 | |||
| Colorado | 7–5 | 7–5 | 6–7 | — | 5–8 | 8–5 | 6–7 | 3–9 | 7–5 | 6–6 | 7–5 | 8–5 | 5–8 | 8–4 | |||
| Florida | 7–6 | 6–6 | 9–3 | 8–5 | — | 7–5 | 6–7 | 5–8 | 7–6 | 6–7 | 5–7 | 3–9 | 5–7 | 6–6 | |||
| Houston | 6–6 | 8–5 | 6–7 | 5–8 | 5–7 | — | 6–6 | 4–9 | 8–4 | 10–2 | 8–5 | 6–6 | 8–4 | 2–11 | |||
| Los Angeles | 7–5 | 5–8 | 8–4 | 7–6 | 7–6 | 6–6 | — | 9–3 | 8–4 | 7–6 | 6–6 | 5–8 | 7–6 | 8–4 | |||
| Montreal | 3–10 | 6–6 | 9–3 | 9–3 | 8–5 | 9–4 | 3–9 | — | 7–6 | 6–7 | 7–5 | 4–8 | 9–4 | 8–4 | |||
| New York | 6–7 | 5–7 | 6–6 | 5–7 | 6–7 | 4–8 | 4–8 | 6–7 | — | 7–6 | 8–5 | 3–10 | 6–6 | 5–7 | |||
| Philadelphia | 4-9 | 6–7 | 2–10 | 6–6 | 7–6 | 2–10 | 6–7 | 7–6 | 6–7 | — | 7–5 | 4–8 | 6–6 | 4–8 | |||
| Pittsburgh | 3–9 | 9–4 | 8–5 | 5–7 | 7–5 | 5–8 | 6–6 | 5–7 | 5–8 | 5–7 | — | 4–9 | 8–4 | 3–10 | |||
| San Diego | 4–9 | 6–6 | 3–9 | 5–8 | 9–3 | 6–6 | 8–5 | 8–4 | 10–3 | 8–4 | 9–4 | — | 11–2 | 4–8 | |||
| San Francisco | 5–7 | 5–7 | 4–9 | 8–5 | 7–5 | 4–8 | 6–7 | 4–9 | 6–6 | 6–6 | 4–8 | 2–11 | — | 7–6 | |||
| St. Louis | 4–9 | 8–5 | 8–5 | 4–8 | 6–6 | 11-2 | 4–8 | 4–8 | 7–5 | 8–4 | 10–3 | 8–4 | 6–7 | — | |||
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Game log
More information #, Date ...
| 1996 Game Log: 88–74 (Home: 48–33; Away: 40–41) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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April: 12–15 (Home: 7–8; Away: 5–7)
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May: 12–14 (Home: 4–6; Away: 8–8)
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June: 17–10 (Home: 10–1; Away: 7–9)
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July: 15–11 (Home: 6–8; Away: 9–3)
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August: 15–15 (Home: 10–8; Away: 5–7)
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September: 17–9 (Home: 11–2; Away: 6–7)
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| Legend: = Win = Loss Bold = Cardinals team member |
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Detailed records
More information National League, Opponent ...
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Opening Day starters
| 1996 St. Louis Cardinals | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
Pitchers
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Catchers
Infielders
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Outfielders
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Manager
Coaches
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Batting
Starters by position
Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in
More information Pos, Player ...
| Pos | Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | Tom Pagnozzi | 119 | 407 | 110 | .270 | 13 | 55 |
| 1B | John Mabry | 151 | 543 | 161 | .297 | 13 | 74 |
| 2B | Luis Alicea | 129 | 380 | 98 | .258 | 5 | 42 |
| SS | Royce Clayton | 129 | 491 | 136 | .277 | 6 | 35 |
| 3B | Gary Gaetti | 141 | 522 | 143 | .274 | 23 | 80 |
| LF | Ron Gant | 122 | 419 | 103 | .246 | 30 | 82 |
| CF | Ray Lankford | 149 | 545 | 150 | .275 | 21 | 86 |
| RF | Brian Jordan | 140 | 513 | 159 | .310 | 17 | 104 |
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Other batters
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in
More information Player, G ...
| Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Willie McGee | 123 | 309 | 95 | .307 | 5 | 41 |
| Ozzie Smith | 82 | 227 | 64 | .282 | 2 | 18 |
| Danny Sheaffer | 79 | 198 | 45 | .227 | 2 | 20 |
| Mark Sweeney | 98 | 170 | 45 | .265 | 3 | 22 |
| David Bell | 62 | 145 | 31 | .214 | 1 | 9 |
| Mike Gallego | 51 | 143 | 30 | .210 | 0 | 4 |
| Pat Borders | 26 | 69 | 22 | .319 | 0 | 4 |
| Dmitri Young | 16 | 29 | 7 | .241 | 0 | 2 |
| Miguel Mejia | 45 | 23 | 2 | .087 | 0 | 0 |
| Terry Bradshaw | 15 | 21 | 7 | .333 | 0 | 3 |
| Mike DiFelice | 4 | 7 | 2 | .286 | 0 | 2 |
| Aaron Holbert | 1 | 3 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 |
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Pitching
Starting pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
More information Player, G ...
| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andy Benes | 36 | 230.1 | 18 | 10 | 3.83 | 160 |
| Todd Stottlemyre | 34 | 223.1 | 14 | 11 | 3.87 | 194 |
| Donovan Osborne | 30 | 198.2 | 13 | 9 | 3.53 | 134 |
| Alan Benes | 34 | 191.0 | 13 | 10 | 4.90 | 131 |
| Mike Morgan | 18 | 103.0 | 4 | 8 | 5.24 | 55 |
| Mike Busby | 1 | 4.0 | 0 | 1 | 18.00 | 4 |
| Brian Barber | 1 | 3.0 | 0 | 0 | 15.00 | 1 |
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Other pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
More information Player, G ...
| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mark Petkovsek | 48 | 88.2 | 11 | 2 | 3.55 | 45 |
| Danny Jackson | 13 | 36.1 | 1 | 1 | 4.46 | 27 |
| Tom Urbani | 3 | 11.2 | 1 | 0 | 7.71 | 1 |
| Eric Ludwick | 6 | 10.0 | 0 | 1 | 9.00 | 12 |
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Relief pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
More information Player, G ...
| Player | G | W | L | SV | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dennis Eckersley | 63 | 0 | 6 | 30 | 3.30 | 49 |
| T.J. Mathews | 67 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 3.01 | 80 |
| Tony Fossas | 65 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 2.68 | 36 |
| Rick Honeycutt | 61 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 2.85 | 30 |
| Cory Bailey | 51 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3.00 | 38 |
| Jeff Parrett | 33 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4.25 | 42 |
| Rich Batchelor | 11 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1.20 | 11 |
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Main article: 1996 National League Division Series
St. Louis wins the series, 3-0
More information Game, Home ...
| Game | Home | Score | Visitor | Score | Date | Series |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | St. Louis | 3 | San Diego | 1 | October 1 | 1-0 (STL) |
| 2 | St. Louis | 5 | San Diego | 4 | October 3 | 2-0 (STL) |
| 3 | San Diego | 5 | St. Louis | 7 | October 5 | 3-0 (STL) |
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Main article: 1996 National League Championship Series
Game 1
October 9: Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta
More information Team, R ...
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Atlanta | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | X | 4 | 9 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| WP: John Smoltz (1-0) LP: Mark Petkovsek (0-1) Sv: Mark Wohlers (1) Home runs: STL: None ATL: None | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Game 2
October 10: Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta
More information Team, R ...
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 11 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Atlanta | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| WP: Todd Stottlemyre (1-0) LP: Greg Maddux (0-1) Home runs: STL: Gary Gaetti (1) ATL: Marquis Grissom (1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Game 3
October 12: Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri
More information Team, R ...
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| St. Louis | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | X | 3 | 7 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| WP: Donovan Osborne (1-0) LP: Tom Glavine (0-1) Sv: Dennis Eckersley (1) Home runs: ATL: None STL: Ron Gant 2 (2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Game 4
October 13: Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri
More information Team, R ...
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| St. Louis | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | X | 4 | 5 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| WP: Dennis Eckersley (1-0) LP: Greg McMichael (0-1) Home runs: ATL: Mark Lemke (1), Ryan Klesko (1) STL: Brian Jordan (1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Game 5
October 14: Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri
More information Team, R ...
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 14 | 22 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| St. Louis | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| WP: John Smoltz (2-0) LP: Todd Stottlemyre (1-1) Home runs: ATL: Fred McGriff (1), Javy López (1), STL: None | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Game 6
October 16: Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta
More information Team, R ...
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Atlanta | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | X | 3 | 7 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| WP: Greg Maddux (1-1) LP: Alan Benes (0-1) Sv: Mark Wohlers (2) Home runs: STL: None ATL: None | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Game 7
October 17: Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta
More information Team, R ...
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Atlanta | 6 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 0 | X | 15 | 17 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| WP: Tom Glavine (1-1) LP: Donovan Osborne (1-1) Home runs: STL: None ATL: Javy López (2), Andruw Jones (1), Fred McGriff (2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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- Tony La Russa, Associated Press Manager of the Year
- Ozzie Smith, All Star Game
See also: Minor League Baseball
More information Level, Team ...
| Level | Team | League | Manager |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAA | Louisville Redbirds | American Association | Joe Pettini |
| AA | Arkansas Travelers | Texas League | Rick Mahler |
| A | St. Petersburg Cardinals | Florida State League | Chris Maloney |
| A | Peoria Chiefs | Midwest League | Roy Silver |
| A-Short Season | New Jersey Cardinals | New York–Penn League | Scott Melvin |
| Rookie | Johnson City Cardinals | Appalachian League | Steve Turco |
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- Johnson, Lloyd, and Wolff, Miles, ed., The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball, 2nd and 3rd editions. Durham, North Carolina: Baseball America, 1997 and 2007