The 2026 season marks 20 years since Busch Stadium III opened. The St. Louis Cardinals moved into that stadium in 2006. For the last 20 years, Busch Stadium III has seen many things. Hall of Famers, All-Star Games, World Series, and even a hockey game have been played at the stadium. A lot has happened in 20 years. Memories are plenty.
In celebration of 20 years at Busch III, we are going to take a look at special moments/players in the `1stadium’s history. Once a month, we will have a special installment highlighting a special part of the stadium’s history. Today, we take a look at the championships and pennants won in the stadium’s history.
20 Years at Busch III: Championships and Pennants
2006 World Series Champions
Busch Stadium III opened its gates in April 2006, ushering in a new era of Cardinals’ baseball. With a seating capacity of just over 44,000 and a picturesque view of the St. Louis skyline and the Gateway Arch, the stadium quickly became one of baseball’s premier venues. What made its debut season even more special, however, was what transpired on the field.
The 2006 Cardinals entered the postseason as underdogs. They finished the regular season with just 83 wins, the lowest total for any National League playoff team that year. Injuries and inconsistencies defined much of their season, but once October arrived, the Cardinals flipped a switch. Behind veteran leadership and timely performances, they defeated the San Diego Padres in the NLDS and then overcame the favored New York Mets in a dramatic seven-game NLCS.
Winning the NL pennant in the first year at Busch III was a poetic start. The Cardinals’ Game 7 victory over the Mets remains one of the most iconic moments in franchise history, highlighted by Yadier Molina‘s go-ahead home run and Adam Wainwright‘s curveball that froze Carlos Beltran to end the game.
The World Series that followed saw the Cardinals face the Detroit Tigers. Despite being underdogs once again, the Cardinals controlled the series from the outset. The pitching staff, anchored by an unexpected Game 1 gem from Anthony Reyes, and supported by a resilient bullpen, silenced Detroit’s dangerous lineup. Offensively, David Eckstein batted .364, earning World Series MVP. The Cardinals won the World Series in five games, clinching the championship in their new home in front of their home fans. Furthermore, they won all three games played in St. Louis in the series.
The victory marked the franchise’s 10th World Series title. In addition, the Cardinals became the third team to win the World Series in their new stadium’s inaugural season. Just like that, Busch Stadium III obtained a sense of history and significance. As the years went on, even more history would grace the ballpark.
2011 World Series Champions
The Cardinals’ run to the postseason in 2011 was improbable. Trailing the Atlanta Braves by 10.5 games in the Wild Card race in late August, the team mounted one of the greatest comebacks in baseball history. They surged into the playoffs on the final day of the season and carried that momentum into the postseason.
Busch Stadium III got to see critical moments of that run, including during the run to the playoffs itself. A loud crowd helped the Cardinals rally in the ninth inning against the rival Chicago Cubs, where a loss would have certainly been the final nail in the coffin. Busch III saw the Cardinals force a Game 5 against the Philadelphia Phillies behind a big night by hometown player David Freese. In the NLCS, Busch III saw the Cardinals win two of three from the Milwaukee Brewers, setting up the team’s pennant-clinching win on the road in Game 6.
The stadium would then host one of the best World Series games in history. Facing elimination against the Texas Rangers, the Cardinals trailed, 7-5, going into the bottom of the ninth. The Rangers were three outs away from their first championship. The Cardinals’ magical run was down to its last call, and eventually, its last strike. When Freese’s two-run triple tied the game, the Busch III faithful went hysterical. When the Cardinals rallied again in the tenth, including being down to their last strike again, the hysterics only grew. An inning later, Freese hit one into center, and it soon was official. Busch Stadium III would see a game the next night.
The Cardinals cruised to a 6-2 win in Game 7. In just its sixth season, Busch III had won another championship, one celebrated once again on its own field. Freese’s World Series MVP added to the moment, as the third baseman grew up in Wildwood, Missouri.
2013 National League Champions
Two years later, the Cardinals entered the playoffs with 97 wins, the best record in the National League. Once again, Busch III provided a significant home-field advantage. The Cardinals, behind a complete game by Wainwright, won a winner-take-all game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the NLDS. In the NLCS against the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Cardinals won all three games played in Busch III. The series saw continued dominance by rookie and NLCS MVP Michael Wacha, who did not allow a run in two starts, both at Busch III.
The Cardinals eventually lost the World Series to the Boston Red Sox, but Busch III still hosted a historical World Series moment. Game 3 of the series ended when Allen Craig was awarded home plate following an obstruction call on Sox third baseman Will Middlebrooks. The unusual walk-off win was a first in World Series history. Unfortunately for the Cardinals, it would be their last win of the series.
A Postseason Fortress
Beyond the pennants and championships themselves, Busch Stadium III has developed a reputation as a formidable postseason environment. The sea of red-clad fans, the energy of October nights, and the history that continues to build within its walls have made it a difficult place for opposing teams to play.
From Eckstein to Freese, and to Wacha, the stadium has consistently amplified the biggest moments.
A Legacy Still Being Written
Busch Stadium III is home to three pennants and two championships. While that may seem modest compared to the franchise’s overall trophy case, it is a remarkable achievement for a ballpark that has been in use for 20 years.
In a franchise where history is always within reach, Busch Stadium III has already secured its place. From the magic of 2006 to the unforgettable runs of 2011 and 2013, it stands not just as a ballpark, but as a cornerstone of modern Cardinals’ greatness.
Main Photo: Eric Seals- Imagn Images
