2012 NLCS at Busch Stadium Details

ST. LOUIS – October 16, 2012 – As the reigning World Series Champion St. Louis Cardinals return home from San Francisco tied with the Giants (1-1) after the first two games of the best-of-seven NLCS, here are details on how fans can enjoy the three NLCS games at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. A very limited number of NLCS tickets may be available – for updated ticket availability, visit cardinals.com/postseason.

HOME GAME 1

NLCS Game 3 – Wednesday, October 17, 2012 – Busch Stadium – 3:07 p.m. CT (FOX)

• 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.  Cardinals Official Pre-Game Pep Rally in Ballpark Village (Clark & Broadway)
  • Live music from Cosmic Cow on the Budweiser Stage, Budweiser Build-a-Bar, entertainment, prizes, a Budweiser Clydesdale and more
  • Appearances by Fredbird, Team Fredbird and Cardinals Alumni
  • Fan photo opportunity with the 2011 World Series Trophy
• Gates will open at 1:00 p.m.
• 42,000 Fans will receive a Rally Towel courtesy of Purina
• Pre-Game Ceremony Starts at 2:40 p.m.
• Introduction of both teams to the line and introduction of Cardinals Hall of Famers
• Flag and colors presented by Ft. Leonard Wood
• National Anthem by country music artist Joe Nichols  
• Ceremonial pitch by former Cardinals pitcher Danny Cox
• “God Bless America” performed by Retired Navy Petty Officer 1st Class and National Recording Artist, Generald Wilson.

HOME GAME 2

NLCS Game 4 – Thursday, October 18, 2012 – Busch Stadium – 7:07 p.m. CT (FOX)

• 4:30 p.m. – 6:30: Cardinals Official Pre-Game Pep Rally in Ballpark Village (Clark & Broadway)
  • Live music from Dr. Zhivegas on the Budweiser Stage, Budweiser Build-a-Bar, entertainment, prizes and more
  • Appearances by Fredbird, Team Fredbird and Cardinals Alumni
  • Fan photo opportunity with the 2011 World Series Trophy
• Gates will open at 5:00 PM
• 42,000 Fans will receive a Rally Towel courtesy of US Cellular and Missouri Lottery
• Pre-Game Ceremony Starts at 6:30 P.M.
• Budweiser Clydesdales
• Major League Baseball Ceremony
• Flag and colors presented by Scott Air Force Base
• National Anthem by singer and former American Idol contestant Nikko Smith
• Ceremonial pitch by Cardinals Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith

HOME GAME 3

NLCS Game 5 – Friday, October 19, 2012 – Busch Stadium – 7:07 p.m. CT (FOX) (If necessary)

• 4:30 p.m. – 6:30: Cardinals Official Pre-Game Pep Rally in Ballpark Village (Clark & Broadway)
  • Live music on the Budweiser Stage, Budweiser Build-a-Bar, entertainment, prizes and more
  • Appearances by Fredbird, Team Fredbird and Cardinals Alumni
  • Fan photo opportunity with the 2011 World Series Trophy

• Gates will open at 5:00 PM

• 42,000 Fans will receive a Rally Towel courtesy of Edward Jones
• Pre-Game Ceremony Starts at 6:30 P.M.
  • Budweiser Clydesdales
  • Flag and colors presented by Scott Air Force Base
  • National Anthem by Matthew Morrison, star of the FOX television show Glee

NLCS Game 6 – Saturday, October 20, 2012 – AT&T Park – 3:45 p.m. CT (FOX) (If necessary)

NLCS Game 7 – Sunday, October 21, 2012 – AT&T Park – 7:07 p.m. CT (FOX) (If necessary)

Watching on TV

Fans can watch the National League Championship Series games on FOX (FOX 2 in the St. Louis market). Fans can also enjoy additional postgame coverage on the Cardinals Live postgame show on FOX Sports Midwest.

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.  

Online Or On The Go

Fans may follow the games for free on cardinals.com using the Gameday application. From mobile devices, fans can keep tabs on the score using MLB’s mobile app, At Bat 12. At Bat is available for purchase during the Postseason at $3.99/one-time or $2.99/mo.

Fans who use the app’s mobile check-in feature will receive an MLB Shop discount.

Fans can subscribe to Postseason.TV to watch live online companion coverage of the 2012 ALCS. For just $4.99, fans 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, view streaming tweets via Twitter, and use clickable line scores. The service is available to U.S. & Canada residents only on the computer and supported iOS and Android devices. LIVE coverage only. No Blackout in the U.S. and Canada. Visit Postseason.TV for all of the details. 

Social Media

Fans can enjoy extensive postseason coverage on cardinals.com and follow the Cardinals on Facebook at Facebook.com/Cardinals, Twitter (@Cardinals), Instagram (@Cardinals) and other various outlets. Be sure to join the Twitter conversation using #12in12, #STLCards, #RED4kids, #Postseason, #NLCS and #WorldSeries. Learn more about following the ream via social media at cardinals.com/connect.

Driving to the Games

MoDOT will make adjustments to planned interstate closures this week to help Cardinals fans make it to the game. The exit ramps from eastbound I-64 to 6th and 11th Streets will both be open to allow fans easy access to the games. Fans coming in on I-70 should remember that the express lanes are closed into downtown while the gates await repairs. All fans should allow a little extra time to get to the game. Illinois fans heading home will be able to use the 6th Street ramp to eastbound I-64 after the game to return home. For complete travel information, contact MoDOT at 1-888 ASK MoDOT or visit gatewayguide.com

Alternative Transportation

MetroLink is a convenient alternative to driving, allowing fans to avoid the cost of parking and traffic. MetroLink will extend its hours of operation and add additional trains to accommodate Cardinal fans. Metro will continue MetroLink service until the downtown stations are cleared after the game.

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 to 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.

Busch Stadium Team Store Extends Hours to Meet Demand for 2012 Postseason Merchandise

The Busch Stadium Team Store will extend game day hours to meet the demand for postseason merchandise. On game days, the Team Store will open at 9:00 a.m., closing briefly 45 minutes prior to gates opening, and remain open to ticketed fans throughout the game. On non-game days, the Team Store will maintain normal hours of operation - seven days a week from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.  In addition to postseason collection, the store will also carry a variety of exclusive, affordably priced NLCS items –   including long-sleeve and short-sleeve NLCS t-shirts ($38, $30), an NLCS pennant ($15) and ‘Go Cardinals’ rally towel ($8). Additional NLCS merchandise includes caps ($30), t-shirts ($35), lapel pins ($10), baseballs ($12-$36) and mini bats ($10).   

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 2012 season, 2011 World Championship themed items, as well as items commemorating the 30th Anniversary of the 1982 World Championship. Cardinals Authentics has a variety of items to fit every budget.

The Definitive Collection of Cardinals Postseason Classics: For the first time anywhere, the ultimate moments in Cardinals postseason history are ranked and presented in vibrant detail in two companion

publications: the special October edition of Cardinals Magazine and the 2012 Cardinals Yearbook. This exceptional collection celebrates the very best from the club’s illustrious postseason past, with in-depth stories and rare photos on each of the Top 25 moments from the club’s 18 World Series appearances, and a Top 10 from the club¹s playoff-round battles. Pick up both and see where your favorites fall! Order them at cardinals.com/publications, call 314-345-9303 or visit area grocery and convenience stores.

Ballpark Bites: During the postseason, the Cardinals will sell Gourmet Hot Chocolate outside section 150 and Gate 6. The hot chocolate, made through a patented process using milk chocolate and whole milk, is garnished with Prairie Farm whipped topping, drizzled with chocolate syrup and served in a 16 oz. souvenir tumbler with lid. The Cardinals will also offer three soups for the playoffs including a chicken noodle, beef vegetable and broccoli with cheese. Served in a lidded 12 oz. cup with crackers, the soups will be sold near section 148 and Gate 5. Stadium beverages will also be available in souvenir postseason cups.

Mike Shannon – Ford C. Frick Award Nominee

For the second year in a row, Cardinals broadcaster Mike Shannon is a finalist for the Ford C. Frick Award, presented annually for excellence in baseball broadcasting by the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. Final voting for the 2013 Frick Award will be conducted by a 21-member electorate and awarded at the Baseball Winter Meetings and honored during Hall of Fame Weekend, July 26-29, 2013 in Cooperstown. Shannon has called Cardinals games for 41 years following a nine-year playing career with the Redbirds. Additional information on the 10 finalists can be found at www.baseballhall.org.

Cardinals in the Postseason Facts

The Cardinals are making their ninth appearance in the postseason since 2000 and the 24^th postseason appearance in franchise history. The Cardinals 54 postseason wins since 1996 are second in the majors only to the New York Yankees. Given the new playoff format and the team’s position as a Wild Card, the Cardinals need twelve postseason victories to claim their 12^th World Championship in 2012 (#12in12).

• Mike Matheny is the first rookie manager to lead the Cardinals to the postseason since Eddie Dyer did so in 1946, leading the Redbirds to a World Championship win over Boston.
• The Cardinals and Giants are meeting for the third time in postseason play, all three meetings coming in the NLCS.  The Cardinals defeated the Giants, 4?3, in the 1987 NLCS and lost, 4?1, in their 2002 NLCS match?up with St. Louis holding home?field advantage in both of those series.
• The Cardinals are taking part in their 11th National League Championship Series and their second?straight.
• The Cardinals were involved in three?straight NLCS from 2004?06, and they’re making their 7th trip to the NLCS since 2000.
• The Cardinals’ 11 NLCS appearances are tied 2nd all?time with Oakland (11) and trail only the New York Yankees (15).

Fun Franchise Facts

• The Cardinals were founded in 1882 as an American Association Team called the St. Louis Brown Stockings.
• In 1892, the team moved to the National League and changed their name to the St. Louis Browns. In 1899, the name was changed to the Perfectos, and in 1900, the team became the St. Louis Cardinals.  
• From 1902-1954, an American League Team called the St. Louis Browns also played in St. Louis. In 1954, they moved to Baltimore and became the Baltimore Orioles. 
• 2012 was the Cardinals 121^st season of play in the National League.
• The St. Louis Cardinals have won over 9,100 games, 11 World Series Championships, 18 National League Pennants, 3 National League Eastern Division Titles, and 8 National League Central Division Titles.
• There are over 40 former Cardinal players and managers enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame Museum in Cooperstown, New York.
• Baseball America named the Cardinals the 2011 Baseball Organization of the Year for the first time, recognizing that the team’s big league success was built upon a strong foundation of a restructured organization that claimed two minor league titles in 2011 and that since 2005 has among the most team-drafted players debut in the majors. Since then, the franchise picked up another minor league title, when the Springfield Cardinals were named the 2012 Texas League Champions in September. It marked the St. Louis Cardinals organization’s first sole league championship at the Double?A level since 1989.
• For the 16^th time in franchise history and the 9^th straight season, the Cardinals drew over 3 million fans (3,262,109) during the season. With a 5.4% increase over last year, the team averaged 40,273, which ranks 6^th in MLB, and had 19 sellout games. The season total attendance was the 8^th highest in franchise history.
• More than 23 Million fans have attended games in new Busch Stadium since it opened  (April 10, 2006)
  • 23,392,744 regular season attendance
  • 839,583 post season attendance ( ’06, ’09, ’11)
• The Cardinals bring more than 3 million fans downtown each year, with more than a million from outside the state of Missouri and over 90% from outside of the City of St. Louis.
• There are approximately 3,000 day-of-game employees at Busch Stadium.
• The St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association (RCGA) estimates that the direct and indirect economic impact of the 2012 Cardinals’ season on the St. Louis region exceeded $338.9 million.
  • Each Division Series game hosted in St. Louis could have an additional direct and indirect economic impact on the region of $5.2 million per game
  • A full World Series run (7 games) could pump over $56 million into the region
• In 2012, the Cardinals had nearly 40 Promotional Giveaways, ranging from magnet schedules and wall calendars to bats, hats, pennants, bobbleheads, replica championship rings and other popular giveaways.
• Cardinals Care is celebrating 15 years of caring for kids both on and off the baseball field.  Since it was founded in 1997, Cardinals Care has invested more than $18 million in helping children, including building 19 youth baseball fields in disadvantaged neighborhoods in Missouri and Illinois, and providing nearly $11 million in grants to over 800 non-profit youth organizations.
• In 2012, Cardinals Care donated $281,000 to 137 organizations that help children, dedicated Lance Berkman Field in Sesser, Illinois and provided $200,000 to four charities helping children in Joplin, Missouri recover from the worst tornado in Missouri history. Cardinals Care and the Cardinals also helped build six homes in Joplin as part of the Governor’s Habitat Challenge that includes each of Missouri’s seven most prominent sports organizations.

For nearly a decade, Cardinals Care has run the innovative Redbird Rookies program, a free baseball league for boys and girls who otherwise might not have the opportunity to play.  In addition to providing all the uniforms, gloves, bats, balls and other equipment needed for each team, Redbird Rookies also provides extensive off-field support in the areas of health, education, mentoring, and the cultural arts for

each of the nearly 4,500 kids in Missouri and Illinois who participate through its more than 20 leagues.

• In 2012, Cardinals telecasts on FOX Sports Midwest generated the 3rd highest local market television ratings in Major League Baseball, the 13th straight year in which the Cardinals ranked among the top three teams (courtesy The Nielsen Co.).  FOX Sports Midwest-produced Cardinals telecasts are shown in nine states and available in millions of homes.
• The Cardinals radio network is the second largest in baseball with 117 stations in nine states (Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Tennessee) with the potential to reach over 21 million listeners.
• In one year, the Stadium sells:
  • 540,000 hot dogs;
  • 181,000 pounds of nacho chips; and
  • 32,000 gallons of nacho cheese.
• During a typical season the Cardinals go through:
• 7,315,200 ft. of paper towels
• 15,373,800 ft. of toilet paper
• In 2012, the Cardinals were recognized by the White House and the NRDC for their sustainability leadership in sports.  The Cardinals’ “4 A Greener Game Program” launched in 2008 is credited with recycling more than 1836 tons of solid waste, more than 575 tons of yard waste and more than 110 tons of composted organic material. The Cardinal’s concessionaire Delaware North Sportservice has donated more than $159,000 worth of food to Operation Food Search, with a waste diversion rate of 29%.
• In April of 2012, the Cardinals partnered with Microgrid Energy, the Electrical Connection, and Sachs Electric to install 110 solar panels around Busch Stadium. During the 2012 Season, the Busch Stadium Solar Power Plant has generated over 22,000 kWh of electricity. That’s enough power to meet the annual energy needs of two average American homes. Using this solar power at Busch Stadium has eliminated an estimated 15 tons of carbon from being emitted into the atmosphere. 
• The Cardinals web site Cardinals.com is very popular with fans, drawing over 32.5 million visitors in season (March-September) and 1.3 million unique visitors a month.
• The St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame Museum (cardinals.com/museum) collection is the largest team-held collection in Major League Baseball and is second only to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in terms of size with over 16,000 memorabilia items and over 80,000 archival photographs.
• The Cardinals have more than 1.3 million fans on Facebook (facebook.com/cardinals) [6^th in MLB], and more than 199,000 followers on Twitter (@cardinals) [8^th in MLB]. 
• The Cardinals recently started an Instagram account and launched the Instagram Fan of the Day promotion to celebrate the best fans in baseball by showcasing fan photos. To participate, fans can follow the Cardinals on Instagram (@cardinals) and tag their photos #cardsgram. The Cardinals will showcase one lucky fan’s photo each day on the Cardinals Instagram account, as well as the team’s Facebook (facebook.com /cardinals) and Twitter (@cardinals) accounts.  More than 1,500 #cardsgram photos have been submitted. The team’s follower base has increased over 425% over the last two weeks.
• The Cardinals #FreesePlease Twitter campaign helped generate enough fan support to send David Freese to his first All-Star Game in 2012.
• In 2011, the Cardinals’ Like Mike Facebook campaign generated fan support to nominate broadcaster Mike Shannon for the Ford C. Frick award, the highest honor for a baseball broadcaster.
• In 2010, the Cardinals launched a social media based “Stand for Stan” campaign to celebrate Stan Musial that culminated in President Barack Obama awarding Stan Musial the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor. 

Seventeen Seasons of Baseball Like it Ought to Be

In March 1996, Bill DeWitt Jr. led a group of investors in the purchase of the Cardinals from Anheuser Busch.  Following the acquisition, the Cardinals made a number of investments to improve the team and Busch Stadium, while promoting an ethic of Baseball Like it Ought to Be to honor the franchise’s rich history and loyal fans. What follows is a list of accomplishments, milestones and highlights both on and off the playing field the last seventeen seasons:

• Since 1996, the team has finished in first place 8 times, won 3 NL pennants and 2 World Series while drawing over 50 million fans.
• The Cardinals have posted a 1409?1183 record (.544 win pct., 4th?best in majors) since 1996, advancing to the postseason 10 times, including 9 times in the past 13 seasons. The Cardinals were N.L. Champions in 2004, 2006 and 2011 and captured their 10th World Championship in 2006 and their 11th World title in 2011. The Cardinals 54 postseason wins since 1996 are 2nd in the majors (NY Yankees, 96).
• Cardinals’ players have won three MVPs, one Cy Young, one Rookie of the Year, 15 Silver Slugger awards, 24 Gold Gloves, and 52 players have been selected to NL All-Star Teams.
• Expanded the team’s international footprint, operating baseball academies in the Dominican Republic, as well as employing personnel in five countries outside the US.
• In 1997 the Cardinals created the charitable foundation Cardinals Care, which has since distributed over $18 million to area non-profit youth organizations, built 19 youth ball fields in local disadvantaged neighborhoods and currently serves over 4,500 kids per season as part of the Redbird Rookies program.
• Donated nearly 4 million tickets to children and charities since 1996.
• Opened the $28 Million Roger Dean Stadium and Sports Complex in Jupiter, Florida in 1998.  Purchased the Charlotte Rangers in 2002 and moved them to Jupiter as renamed Palm Beach Cardinals.
• Since 2005, the Cardinals have owned and operated the AA Texas League Springfield Cardinals franchise that plays at Hammons Field in Springfield Missouri.
• The Cardinals moved into the new $411 million privately-financed Busch Stadium in downtown St. Louis on April 10, 2006 (beating the Brewers 6-4).
  • The team covered nearly 90 percent of the cost of the project, including infrastructure.  
  • Since moving into the new ballpark, the team (and affiliates in Busch such as concessionaire Delaware North Sportservice) has paid over $175 million in taxes to the city and state.
• Hosted the 2009 All-Star Game. The weeks’ worth of activities and events set attendance records and bolstered St. Louis’ reputation as America’s best baseball city.
• Invested over $1 million upgrading the Cardinals Museum’s collection, now second only to Cooperstown in terms of size with over 15,000 artifacts.
• Announced the team anticipates breaking ground in November on the first phase of Ballpark Village, a $700 million mixed use retail, entertainment, office and residential development on the 10-acre site north of Busch Stadium.  The $100 million first phase, scheduled for Opening Day 2014,  will be anchored by a first-of-its kind Cardinals venue called Cardinals Nation.  Totaling over 30,000 square feet on three levels, Cardinals Nation includes a two story restaurant, a Cardinals Hall of Fame and Museum, and a 300-plus seat seating deck with views into Busch Stadium.  A second building will house a 20,000 two-story Anheuser-Busch venue with a festive rooftop party deck offering views into Busch Stadium.  The two signature first phase structures will be joined by a retractable glass canopy covering the Live at Ballpark Village! event space designed to be a vibrant gathering space throughout the year. 

BUSCH STADIUM – POLICY REMINDER

Bag Inspections Policy

• The standard game-day bag inspection policies for Busch Stadium will be 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

Standard Exit/Re-entry Policies are 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 must show ticket 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.