2013 NLCS At Busch Stadium

How fans can enjoy Championship Series baseball and rally support for the Cardinals

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (October 10, 2013) – After beating the Pittsburgh Pirates in a winner-take-all Game 5, the St. Louis Cardinals advance to the best-of-seven 2013 National League Championship Series that starts Friday in St. Louis against the Los Angeles Dodgers. With the best record in the National League at the end of the regular season, the Cardinals have home field advantage throughout the series. The Cardinals are making their tenth appearance in the postseason since 2000 and the 26th postseason appearance in franchise history (#PostCards). A very limited number of NLCS tickets may be available. For updated ticket availability, visit cardinals.com/postseasonHere are details on how fans can enjoy postseason baseball in St. Louis.

Game Schedule & Highlights

NLCS Game 1 – Friday, October 11, 2013 – Busch Stadium – 7:37 p.m. CT (TBS)

  • 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. Pre-Game Pep Rally in Ballpark Village Parking Lot
    • Live Music from That 80’s Band, entertainment, prizes, Fredbird, Team Fredbird, 2011 World Series trophy and more
    • Former Cardinal pitcher and current FOX Sports Midwest broadcaster Rick Horton will sign autographs from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
    • Budweiser Clydesdales will be staged in the Ballpark Village Lot
  • Gates open at 5:30 p.m.
  • 40,000 fans receive a Cardinals Rally Towel, courtesy of Phillips 66
  • Pre-Game Ceremony starts at approximately 7:00 p.m.
    • Budweiser Clydesdales will parade the warning track
    • Introduction of both teams to the line and introduction of Cardinals Hall of Famers
    • Colors presented by Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop C Honor Guard
    • Cardinal Hall of Famer Bob Gibson and current Cardinals Jason Motte and Adam Wainwright will throw out the ceremonial first pitches. Each threw the final out of a Cardinals World Series Championship (Gibson ’67, Wainwright ’06, Motte ’11).
  • “God Bless America” will be sung by Generald Wilson, retired Navy Petty Officer 1st Class, during the 7th Inning Stretch 

NLCS Game 2 – Saturday, October 12, 2013 – Busch Stadium – 3:07 p.m. CT (TBS)

  • Noon – 2:30 p.m. Pre-Game Pep Rally in Ballpark Village Parking Lot
    • Music by DJ Todd Thomas, entertainment, prizes, Fredbird, Team Fredbird, 2011 World Series trophy and more
    • Former Cardinal pitcher Jason Simontacchi will sign autographs from 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
  • Gates open at 1p.m.
  • 40,000 fans receive a Rally Towel, courtesy of Purina
  • Pre-Game Ceremony starts at approximately 2:45 p.m.
    • The two all-time winningest Cardinals managers, Red Schoendienst and Tony La Russa, will throw out ceremonial first pitches.

NLCS Game 3 – Monday, October 14, 2013 – Dodger Stadium – 7:07 p.m. CT (TBS)

NLCS Game 4 – Tuesday, October 15, 2013 – Dodger Stadium – 7:07 p.m. CT (TBS)

NLCS Game 5 – Wednesday, October 16, 2013 – Dodger Stadium – 3:07 p.m. CT (TBS) (If necessary)

NLCS Game 6 – Friday, October 18, 2013 – Busch Stadium – 7:37 p.m. CT (TBS) (If necessary)

  • 5 – 7 p.m. Pre-Game Pep Rally in Ballpark Village Parking Lot
    • Music, entertainment, prizes, Fredbird, Team Fredbird, 2011 World Series trophy and more
    • A former Cardinal player will sign autographs
  • Gates open at 5:30 p.m.  
  • 40,000 fans receive a Rally Towel
  • Pre-game ceremony details TBD

NLCS Game 7 – Saturday, October 19, 2013 – Busch Stadium – 7:37 p.m. CT (TBS) (If necessary)

  • 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. Pre-Game Pep Rally in Ballpark Village Parking Lot
    • Music, entertainment, prizes, Fredbird, Team Fredbird, 2011 World Series trophy and more
    • A former Cardinal player will sign autographs
  • Gates open at 5:30 p.m.
  • 40,000 fans receive a Rally Towel
  • Pre-game ceremony details TBD 

Watching on TV

Fans can watch the National League Championship Series games on TBS.

  • Direct TV: TBS – Channel 247
  • DISH – TBS – Channel 139
  • U-Verse – Channel 112/1112 HD
  • Charter – Varies; consult your program guide

Radio Coverage

Fans can tune into KMOX (1120 AM) and the Cardinals Radio Network to hear Mike Shannon & John Rooney call the games, or listen to the national broadcast on ESPN Radio (101.1 FM) or XM Radio.

Social Media

Fans participating in the postseason action on social media can follow the Cardinals at Facebook.com/Cardinals, on Twitter (@Cardinals), on Instagram (@Cardinals) and Tumblr (stlcardinals.tumblr.com). Join the social conversation using #PostCards.

New this postseason, fans can share their good luck wishes to the Cardinals by sending a virtual Postcard to the team at cardinals.com/postcards. Fans can download a postcard template online, personalize the message and share on social media using #PostCards.

Fans will also have the opportunity to win tickets to NLCS games at Busch Stadium just by following the Cardinals on Twitter and Vine. The Cardinals will tweet the contest rules, and fans will be required to tweet an original video on Vine showing their #PostseasonPride. One fan will win tickets to an NLCS game. For more information and official rules, visit cardinals.com/postseasonpride.

Online Or On The Go

Fans can follow the games for free on cardinals.com using the Gameday program. In addition, fans can subscribe to Postseason.TV to watch live alternate angle online companion coverage of the 2013 Wild Card games, Division Series and NL Championship Series.

For just $4.99, fans receive Enhanced companion coverage with complete audio broadcast (full video broadcast feed excluded), and  can watch up to 4 alternate angles at once, choose from up to 10 different fixed camera angles, tune in for live batting practice, use the pitch by pitch widget, and view streaming tweets via Twitter.  The service is available to U.S. & Canada residents only on the computer and supported iOS and Android devices. Visit Postseason.TV for all of the details. MLB’s mobile app, At Bat 1, will provide mobile access to Postseason.TV on iPhone, iPad and iPod touch as well as supported Android phones and tablets. At Bat is available for purchase during the Postseason at $3.99/one-time or $2.99/mo.

Driving to the Games

MoDOT has limited roadwork when the Cardinals are at home during the National League Championship Series. Currently, fans can expect no significant traffic impacts due to construction on Missouri interstates heading into Busch Stadium or heading home on Friday, October 11 or Saturday, October 12. Drivers may also use the new ramp from eastbound I-70 to Tucker Boulevard to get to the games, avoiding much of the downtown interstate traffic. Fans can take Tucker to Market Street to get to parking for the game.

Alternative Transportation

MetroLink is a convenient alternative to driving, allowing fans to avoid the cost of parking and game day traffic.  To avoid the traffic congestion and the cost of parking on game day, fans can use one of 19 free Park-Ride lots along the MetroLink line and take the train to Stadium Station, right across the street from the ballpark.  Check the Metro website www.MetroSt.Louis.org for schedules and the Park-Ride lot nearest you.  There are also plenty of buses in Missouri and Illinois that will get fans to Busch Stadium including the RedBird Express that departs from the Water Tower at St. Clair Square in Fairview Heights, Illinois.  The first RedBird Express leaves 2 ½ hours before the game and runs approximately every 5 minutes.

Fans Urged to Organize “Rally Everyone Days” to Support the Cardinals and Kids

The St. Louis Cardinals are encouraging local businesses, schools and other organizations to help kids in our community while supporting the team by participating in Cardinals RED for Kids (#RED4kids). RED stands for Rally Everyone Day.  Piloted during the 2011 postseason, Cardinals RED for Kids is the team’s version of an office “dress down” day in which participating organizations make a donation to Cardinals Care in exchange for the opportunity to sport their Cardinals clothes at work or school.

To participate, fans should go to cardinals.com/red and register their organization. While the Cardinals would like businesses to help raise money while showing their team spirit, schools are not required to make a donation to get involved. Participating schools, businesses and organizations are also encouraged to submit photos via the team’s website and social media showing their Rally Everyone Day (#RED4kids) spirit.

2013 Postseason Merchandise Available

  • Busch Stadium Team Store: The Team Store will be open seven days a week from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. during the NLCS. On game days, the store will close briefly 30 minutes prior to gates opening for 30 minutes. In addition to standard merchandise, the store will carry general postseason and Central Division Champions merchandise as well as new NLCS dueling/matchup items including hats, t-shirts, balls, pennants, pins and more. The official locker room t-shirt is in stock and also available in ladies and youth sizes as well as fleece. Fans can also buy official t-shirts and hoodies, just like the players wear. Fans will enjoy Beat LA t-shirts, available in unisex, ladies and youth sizes, as well as the STL OCT t-shirt.
  • Cardinals Authentics: Fans will want to stop by the Cardinals Authentics store in Ford Plaza, the only place to get official, game-used, limited edition and autographed Cardinals memorabilia directly from the team. Featured items include game –used equipment from the 2013 season, 2011 World Championship themed items and more. Cardinals Authentics has a variety of items to fit every budget.
  • Cardinals Magazine & Cardinals Yearbook: Two of the most sought-after releases of the 2013 season by Cardinals Publications are on sale now for the League Championship Series. The Official 2013 Cardinals Yearbook celebrates Stan Musial’s baseball brilliance and exemplary character—packed with details of all the big games, record-setting performances and off-the-field experiences that distinguished Stan’s remarkable career. This keepsake publication is loaded with tremendous photography from baseball’s best image collections and captures the extraordinary impact of his legacy unlike anything ever presented before. And the new issue of Cardinals Magazine highlights the MV3 of Yadier Molina, Matt Carpenter and Allen Craig, who helped propel the Redbirds to a 12th division title and a 97-win regular season. Both publications are on sale at 314.345.9303 or at cardinals.com/publications. 

New Postseason Menu Items

Delaware North Companies Sportservice, the St. Louis Cardinals’ concessionaire for more than 50 years, is offering more new items for the NLCS.

In addition to the items below, introduced during the Division Series, Sportservice will be offering Wasabi Sushi Rolls. Sushi chefs from Wasabi Sushi Bar will be on site at the Asian Cafés in the Redbird Club and near Gate 1 to make and roll sushi options including California Rolls, Philadelphia Rolls, and Vegetable Rolls. Wasabi currently operates 5 local restaurants and provides catering for Washington University.

Sportservice will also have a new souvenir beer and soda cup for the NLCS. As the weather turns colder, Sportservice will also offer a variety of gourmet hot chocolate and apple cider recipe cocktails. Following is a list of new items exclusive to postseason games at Busch:

  • All American Grilled Cheese (Section 141): An American Classic. White American and Swiss cheeses melted on giant butter-toasted sourdough loaf.
  • Grilled Cheese Supreme (Redbird Club): Cheezy Heaven! Melted White Cheddar, Monterey Jack, White American, and Swiss cheeses topped with Heirloom tomatoes and Pecan Wood Smoked bacon all on a giant butter-toasted sourdough loaf.
  • Pecan Bacon Dog (Section 599): An all-beef Hunter hot dog wrapped with 2 pieces of sweet, thick-cut Pecan Wood Smoked Bacon on a fresh-baked hoagie roll, topped with jalapeno black bean & corn salsa and tangy Tequila BBQ sauce.
  • Pepper Bacon Dog (Section 599): An all-beef Hunter hot dog wrapped with 2 pieces of fiery, thick-cut Pepper Bacon on a fresh-baked hoagie roll, topped with jalapeno black bean & corn salsa and tangy Tequila BBQ sauce.
  • Double Dog Dare Ya (Section 599): Heaven on a Bun! Combine the sweet Pecan Bacon Dog with our fiery Pepper Bacon Dog all on the same hoagie roll! It comes with a double dose of jalapeno black bean & corn salsa and as much Tequila BBQ sauce as fans want.

Matchup History

  • The Cardinals have faced the Dodgers 3 times in the postseason; 1985, 2004 and 2009.
  • The Cardinals last faced the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Championship Series in 1985, where the Cardinals won the series 4 games to 2, to advance to the World Series.
  • The 2004 and 2009 postseason meetings were both in the Division Series round. In 2004, the Cardinals defeated the Dodgers 3 games to 1, but were swept by the Dodgers in 2009.  
  • During the 2013 regular season, the Cardinals won 3 of 7 games against the Dodgers.

2013 Season Highlights

  • The Cardinals led the National League with 97 wins, the first time since 2005 when they led the Majors with 100 wins. Their 97-65 record also tied the American League Boston Red Sox for the winningest in MLB.
  • The Cardinals set franchise records with 75 errors, the fewest in team history and a .988 fielding percentage.
  • The Cardinals had a Major League‐leading 36 combined wins from rookie pitchers this season, their most since 1941 when they received the franchise record of 42 led by Ernie White (17‐7) and Howie Krist (10‐0).
  • The team has used 20 rookies this season ‐ the most since employing 21 in 1970.
  • Matt Carpenter set the Cardinals single‐season doubles record for a left‐handed batter with his 54th at Milwaukee (9/21), breaking Stan Musial’s mark of 53 in 1953. Carpenter also finished the season one hit shy of 200. The last Cardinal to collect 200 or more hits in a season was Albert Pujols in 2003 when he had an NL‐best 212 hits.
  • Mike Matheny became the first in St. Louis Cardinals history to make the postseason in each of his first two years as a manager.
  • The Cardinals finished the season with 3,369,769 fans, averaging 41,602 per game, ranking second in the majors behind the Los Angeles Dodgers, and earning their fifth highest attendance in franchise history. It was also the 17th time in franchise history the Cardinals eclipsed 3 million fans and the 10thstraight season.

Ford C. Frick Award

Ten of baseball’s iconic voices – including the Cardinals’ own Mike Shannon – have been named as the finalists for the 2014 Ford C. Frick Award, presented annually for excellence in baseball broadcasting by the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. The annual award is named in memory of Hall of Famer Ford C. Frick, renowned sportswriter, radio broadcaster, National League president and Baseball commissioner. The winner of the 2014 Frick Award will be announced on December 11 at the Baseball Winter Meetings and will be honored during the July 26 Awards Presentation as part of Hall of Fame Weekend 2014 in Cooperstown.

Hank Aaron Award

Cardinals’ second baseman Matt Carpenter is a finalist for the 2013 Hank Aaron Award given to the top offensive player in each League. For the fourth straight year, a special panel of Hall of Fame players led by Hank Aaron will join fans in voting for the award, which is officially sanctioned by Major League Baseball and has recognized the most outstanding offensive performer in each League since it was established in 1999. To view the finalists and cast your vote, visit mlb.com. Voting ends today, October 10th.

BUSCH STADIUM – POLICY REMINDER

Bag Inspections Policy

  • Standard game-day bag inspection policies for Busch Stadium are in effect. Bags will be allowed that meet Major League Baseball’s standard size restriction (16”x16”x8”), and all bags will be inspected prior to entry. 
  • Fans will be permitted to bring small personal cameras as long as they do not obstruct other guest’s view and will be subject to inspection.  No professional-sized photography equipment will be allowed except for members of the media with proper MLB Postseason credentials.  
  • Non-alcoholic beverages such as water & soda in open cups or in clear plastic bottles no larger than 2 liters are allowed.
  • Alcohol, bottles, cans, thermoses, hard-sided coolers; hard plastic cups/mugs are not permitted.
  • Small banners and signs are allowed. Banners may be displayed as long as they do not hinder or interfere with a ball in play or distract or interfere with the view of another guest. Banners may not be displayed in fair territory, be obscene or in poor taste, attract abuse or cause a disturbance among other guests. They should be baseball-oriented and not commercial in nature.
  • Please minimize items you bring into the stadium to speed up the inspection process. 
  • Expect long lines upon entry and allow yourself plenty of time to go through the inspection process.

Exit/Re-entry Policy

A new exit/re-entry policy, instituted during the 2013 regular season, is in effect.  Guests wishing to leave the stadium, but planning to return during the same game must have their hand stamped at Gates 1, 2 or 4 as they exit the stadium. Guests will also receive a re-entry card which they must show with their stamped ticket and stamped hand upon re-entry. Inspection policy will also be enforced.

No Smoking Policy

Standard Busch Stadium Smoking Policy is in effect.  Busch Stadium is a smoke-free facility. Exit/Re-Entry turnstiles will be set up at Gates 1, 2 and 4 to allow fans access in and out of the stadium if they wish to smoke. Fans will get their hand stamped as they exit the stadium. Guests must show ticket upon re-entry. Inspection policy will also be enforced.

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