Posted on October 19, 2011 at 11:55 AM
Filed Under: St. Louis Cardinals

ST. LOUIS (October 20, 2011) - As the Cardinals return to Busch Stadium to open the 2011 World Series and play host to the American League Champion Texas Rangers, the team announced details about how fans can enjoy the games and share in the excitement as the team pursues their 11th World Championship in 2011.

• First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden will attend Game One as part of Major League Baseball's Welcome Back Veterans program (www.WelcomeBackVeterans.org) and the First Lady's Joining Forces initiative (www.JoiningForces.gov). Prior to Game One, Mrs. Obama and Dr. Biden will join representatives of Major League Baseball and the St. Louis Cardinals, including Hall of Famer and Army veteran Red Schoendienst for a military family appreciation event at the St. Louis VA Medical Center at Jefferson Barracks.

• 3:00 - 5:45 P.M. CT - A Pre-Game Rally in Ballpark Village (Clark & Broadway)

􀂃 Live music featuring Fat Pocket and Griffen and the Gargoyles, entertainment, prizes and more

􀂃 Appearances by Fredbird, Team Fredbird, and the Cardinals Rally Squirrel

􀂃 Photo opportunities with Mike Matheny, Jack Clark, and the '82 and '06 World Series trophies

•Gates will open at 4:00 P.M. CT (Note that gates open at 5:00 P.M. for all remaining games)

•Fans will receive a Rally Towel presented by Taco Bell

•Pre-Game Ceremony Starts at 6:30

o Budweiser Clydesdales and Cardinals Hall of Famers

o A special pre-game ceremony featuring Mrs. Obama, Dr. Biden, veterans and military families and a new Joining Forces and MLB Public Service Announcement (PSA) will premiere.

o Ceremonial First Pitches by Cardinals pitchers who were on the hill for the final out of the last four Cardinals World Series Championships.

􀂃 Bob Gibson ('64, '67)

􀂃 Bruce Sutter ('82)

􀂃 Adam Wainwright ('06)

o National Anthem- American Idol - Scotty McCreery

• 10:00 AM Representatives of Major League Baseball and the St. Louis Cardinals will join the family of Roberto Clemente on a visit of Loyola Academy of St. Louis.

• Starlight Fun Center Donation (11:30 AM): MLB works with Starlight Children's Foundation to purchase a Fun Center™ on behalf of all four Clubs in the League Championship Series. Today, Vera Clemente along with MLB and Club executives will dedicate the Fun Center at St. Louis' Children's Hospital. A Fun Center is a mobile entertainment unit that includes a Nintendo Wii gaming system, a DVD player and flat screen LCD TV monitor.

•Roberto Clemente Award Presented by Chevrolet: Major League Baseball will announce the recipient of the 2010 Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevrolet at a press conference prior to Game Two of the World Series. The Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevrolet recognizes a Major League Baseball player who best represents the game of baseball through positive contributions, including sportsmanship and community involvement, on and off the field.

•3:00 - 5:45 P.M. A Pre-Game Rally in Ballpark Village (Clark & Broadway)

􀂃 Live music featuring Fat Pocket and Griffen and the Gargoyles, entertainment, prizes and more

􀂃 Appearances by Fredbird, Team Fredbird, and the Cardinals Rally Squirrel

􀂃 Photo opportunities with Mike Matheny, Jack Clark, and the '82 and '06 World Series trophies

• Gates will open at 5:00 P.M. CT

• Fans will receive a Rally Towel sponsored by Chevrolet

• Pre-Game Ceremony Details:

o Budweiser Clydesdales

o Roberto Clemente Award presentation on-field ceremony

o First Pitch by Lou Brock

o National Anthem - Trace Adkins

• 3:00 - 5:45 P.M. CT A Pre-Game Rally in Ballpark Village (Clark & Broadway)

􀂃 Live music featuring Fat Pocket and Griffen and the Gargoyles, entertainment, prizes and more

􀂃 Appearances by Fredbird, Team Fredbird, and the Cardinals Rally Squirrel

􀂃 Photo opportunities with Mike Matheny, Jack Clark, and the '82 and '06 World Series trophies

• Gates will open at 5:00 P.M. CT

• 3:00 - 5:45 P.M. A Special Pre-Game Rally in Ballpark Village (Clark & Broadway)

􀂃 Live music featuring Fat Pocket and Griffen and the Gargoyles, entertainment, prizes and more

􀂃 Appearances by Fredbird, Team Fredbird, and the Cardinals Rally Squirrel

􀂃 Photo opportunities with Mike Matheny, Jack Clark, and the '82 and '06 World Series trophies

• Gates will open at 5:00 P.M. CT

Fans can watch the National League Championship Series games on FOX. (FOX 2 in the St. Louis market)

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.

The St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association estimated the economic impact at $6.1 million for the St. Louis area per game during the 2011 World Series. The group stated that $3.1 million of this total will be direct spending in and around Busch Stadium and $3 million of it will be indirect spending as the dollars circulate throughout the region.

The RCGA report points out that this additional World Series economic impact comes on top of the $313.6 million impact of the Cardinals inaugural regular season and the $5.5 million per game average economic impact from the previous rounds of playoffs at Busch Stadium.

MoDOT's construction work on area interstates in the City of St. Louis should be completed by the time fans make their way downtown for playoff games. Motorists who use I-70 in the city should remember that the express lanes will be closed, so they should allow extra time for their drive. For travel information, contact MoDOT at 1-888 ASK MoDOT or visit www.gatewayguide.com

MetroLink is planning extra service to accommodate Cardinals fans and will continue MetroLink service until the downtown stations are cleared after the game.

For the second consecutive season Major League Baseball will utilize the World Series to highlight community initiatives. Here is the schedule of events planned for Busch Stadium and around St. Louis.

Launched in 2008 by Major League Baseball, Welcome Back Veterans supports returning Iraq and Afghanistan veterans and their families with mental health treatment, with a focus on post traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD) and traumatic brain injuries (TBI). MLB, in partnership with the McCormick Foundation and the Entertainment Industry Foundation, raises funds through auctions on MLB.com and sales of special "stars and stripes" logo caps worn by all 30 Clubs on national patriotic holidays. Major League Baseball and its Clubs have awarded more than $11 million to this effort.

Major League Baseball and TEAM Coalition supported the designated driver programs at all MLB stadiums during the 2011 season with a special incentive: Fans who registered as a designated driver were entered into a drawing to be the Club's Designated Driver for the season. The Designated Drivers for the season, selected in October from the Clubs that compete in the World Series®, each receive two (2) tickets supplied by MLB to the first game played at their Club's home stadium. The Cardinals Designated Driver is Crystal Skaggs of Troy, Illinois.

Major League Baseball will announce the recipient of the 2011 Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevrolet at a press conference prior to Game 2. The Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevrolet recognizes a Major League Baseball player who best represents the game of baseball through positive contributions, including sportsmanship and community involvement, on and off the field. The award was created in 1971 (originally the Commissioner's Award), and in 1973 renamed in honor of Roberto Clemente, who died on December 31, 1972 during a humanitarian mission to assist earthquake victims in Nicaragua. Albert Pujols won the Roberto Clemente award in 2008 in recognition of his outstanding play on the field and tireless work in the community.

Since 2003, the ball to start each World Series game has been delivered to the mound by a local Boys & Girls Clubs of America member. In recent years, the activity has been enhanced by having that BGCA Club member accompanied by a team alumnus. This alumnus, in most cases, is someone who is not throwing a ceremonial first pitch. Information about the first pitch deliverers will follow. This special opportunity is being coordinated with MLB's Special Events department.

As part of MLB's ongoing efforts to be environmentally friendly, League and Club Greening initiatives will be highlighted during the Postseason. World Series Green Teams will pick up recyclables in-stadium during all games. MLB will provide branded T-shirts and credentials to the Clubs as well as directional support as to how to run the program in-stadium. Club to provide volunteers (35-50/game). Please contact kate.gibson@mlb.com with any questions you may have.

In July 2010, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) launched a national "If You See Something, Say Something™" public awareness campaign -a simple and effective program to raise public awareness of indicators of terrorism and violent crime, and to emphasize the importance of reporting suspicious activity to the proper state and local law enforcement authorities. The campaign was originally used by New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), which has licensed the use of the slogan to DHS for anti-terrorism and anti-crime efforts.  Major League Baseball is joining the campaign in an effort to help ensure the security of fans, players and employees by encouraging fans to identify and report suspicious activity.

Major League Baseball and MasterCard are working with Tickets for Kids Charities to distribute World Series tickets to local not-for-profits. Tickets for Kids Charities is a non-profit organization committed to enriching the lives of children by obtaining tickets to a wide variety of local arts, cultural, educational, sporting and family entertainment events and donating the tickets to over 700 community-based organizations that serve children and their families, enabling children to enjoy many events that they otherwise would not experience.

As rally squirrel mania sweeps through Cardinals Nation, Cardinals Care has adopted the Cardinals Rally Squirrel as the unofficial mascot of Cardinals Care's 2011 Postseason "Dress Red for Kids" program.

Dress Red for Kids is the Cardinals version of the popular office "casual Fridays" or office "dress down" days, which encourages local employers to rally support for the team while raising money for Cardinals Care.

Employers are asked to sponsor Rally Employee Days (RED), urging employees to dress in Cardinals attire as a show of support for the team this postseason. The team recently added a photo gallery of participating organizations and today posted a printable PDF of the Cardinals Rally Squirrel on the website to encourage creativity.

"We're hoping to get the entire city to dress in red this postseason," Michael Hall, Vice President of Community Relations for the Cardinals and Executive Director of Cardinals Care said. "Dress Red for Kids is a great opportunity to have fun, demonstrate your creativity and rally support for the Cardinals while helping kids in our community."

Organizations can learn more and sign up at cardinals.com/dressred.

Demand for Rally Squirrel-themed merchandise is expected to be among the most popular postseason retail items at Busch Stadium. Fans can purchase stuffed Rally Squirrels (beginning at $6) at the Official Cardinals Team Store, but supplies are limited. "Got Squirrel" t-shirts for men and women, and youth, and rally towels featuring the squirrel, will also be available.

In addition, fans can visit the Team Store for exclusive National League Championship Locker Room t-shirts (short sleeve, long sleeve, ladies and youth), locker room caps, pennants and other related merchandise. Fans can also beat the cold in Locker Room hoodies beginning Tuesday) and Playoff hoodies (beginning Wednesday).

To better serve St. Louis fans hoping to purchase a piece of memorabilia, or apparel to sport their Cardinals pride, Sportservice is expanding business hours at the Official Cardinals Team Store. During the playoffs, the store will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (that's an extra four hours for fans).

The store is located at the corner of 8th and Clark and will close forty minutes prior to gate time to reopen to ticketed guests from the concourse during baseball games. Call (800) 421-3263 or (314) 421-3263 for more information.

Ballpark food will also be getting a boost. Back by popular demand, the Sandwich Showdown, available at Sections 131 and 149, will be expanded for this playoff series so that fans will have more access to these action-cooking stations with made-to-order sandwich options.

Popular favorites from the regular season will also be making a comeback, including smoked beef brisket, which is slathered with a made-from-scratch rub, then slow-smoked on site for 12 hours. This returning fan favorite is available at Broadway BBQ concession stands. For families looking to stretch their dollars, don't miss section 507 of the Family Pavilion, where fans can purchase a kids' meal with a hot dog, chips, cookie and juice or milk for $8.75. In addition, several adult combinations are offered for about $10 throughout the ballpark, including hot dog/soda; chicken tenders/fries; and Hardees Thickburger/fries combo meals. Souvenir cups, mugs and buckets will also be available in concession stands and private suites. Or, "Go Nuts!" with 64 ounces of peanuts in a souvenir bucket, inspired by the Rally Squirrel.

To make it all happen, Sportservice is teaming up with L'École Culinaire and other top chefs from regional Sportservice operations to help serve fans. At least 15 students will get the chance to help prepare World Series food, and assist at stands throughout the ballpark.

The St. Louis Cardinals concluded their 120th season of play in the National League by winning the N.L. Wild Card on the final day of the season. The team went 15-5 over their final 20 games (last done in 2001) and clinched the 2nd Wild Card berth in franchise history by winning each of their last seven series.

The Cardinals had trailed Atlanta by 10 ½ games after play on August 25th and became just the fourth team to overcome a deficit of 10 games or more to win the Wild Card, joining Houston (2005 - 11 ½); Florida (2003 - 11 ½ ) and Oakland (2001 - 10). The Cardinals won 90 games during the regular season, posting the same record both at home (45-36) and on the road (45-36). 2011 was the 71st winning season (+.500) in franchise history. The team led the NL in batting (.273) for the first time since 2008 and led the NL in on-base pct. (.341) for the first time since 2003. The team also surpassed the three million mark in attendance for the 15th time in franchise history, while going over the 150 million mark since joining the National League in 1892. 2011 attendance at Busch (3,093,954) ranked third in the National League and seventh overall in Major League Baseball.

The Cardinals are getting set to take part in their 18th World Series and their first since 2006. The Cardinals are 10-7 all-time in the World Series, winning their 10th World Championship in 2006 vs. Detroit.

The Cardinals are meeting a representative of the American League West for the first time since playing Minnesota in 1987. The Cardinals have home field advantage in the World Series for the first time since 1982 vs. Milwaukee. The Cardinals have won six of the seven World Series in which they held home field advantage with the 1968 vs. Detroit being the lone exception.

The Cardinals are 52-53 (.495) in World Series games, including a 27-25 (.519) mark at home. The Cardinals 52 overall World Series wins are tops among N.L. clubs. The team is 3-0 in World Series games played at Busch Stadium III.

The Cardinals expect strong attendance this postseason, so fans are encouraged to arrive early to the games to enjoy all the festivities and to allow enough time for getting into the ballpark.

􀂃 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.

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.

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.

• The Cardinals trace their roots to an American Association Team called the St. Louis Brown Stockings that was formed in 1882.

• In 1892, the team moved to the National League and changed its name to the St. Louis Browns. In 1899, the name was changed to the Perfectos, and in 1900 the name was changed to the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals are one of only a handful of teams (Red Sox, Dodgers, Phillies, Reds, Pirates, Giants, Orioles and Giants) that can trace its lineage back to the formation of the National League.

• 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.

• Since joining the National League in 1892, the Cardinals have won over 9,300 games, 10 World Series Championships, 17 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.

• The Cardinals bring more than 3 million fans downtown each year, with more than a million coming from outside of the state of Missouri.

• Over 90% of fans attending Cardinals games come 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 economic impact of the 2011 Cardinals' season on the St. Louis region exceeded $313 million, with an estimated $155.3 million this year in direct impact and $158.3 million in in-direct regional economic activity. RCGA projects the additional impact of postseason baseball could be in excess of $50 million in direct and indirect economic activity.

• In one year, the Stadium sells:

o 540,000 hot dogs;

o 181,000 pounds of nacho chips; and

o 32,000 gallons of nacho cheese.

• In 2011, the Cardinals had 36 Promotional Giveaways, ranging from magnet schedules and wall calendars to bats, hats, pennants and bobbleheads.

• The Cardinals radio network is the second largest in baseball (next to Braves) 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.

• The Cardinals local television market ratings finished the 2011 season second among all 30 MLB teams with a 9.0 rating (second only to the Phillies). The Cardinals have finished as one of the top three MLB teams in local market ratings every year since 2000. The Wednesday, September 28th game vs. the Houston Astros was the top-rated event ever aired on Fox Sports Midwest.

• In 2011, Cardinals Care hosted their second annual Run Home for Kids 6K that had over 500 participants helping to raise more than $160,000 for the community foundation. Cardinals Care distributed more than $315,000 this season to area non-profits between their spring and summer grant cycles. On April 19th Cardinals Care dedicated Yadier Molina Field, one of 19 fields built by their Redbird Rookies program.

• During the month of September Cardinals fans were asked to join the team in celebrating the voice of the Cardinals, Mike Shannon. The "Like Mike" campaign was a social media campaign that encouraged fans to vote for Shannon to have his name placed on a list to be considered for the Ford C. Frick Award. In 2010 a similar social media based campaign was successful in helping Stan Musial be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

• During the 2011 season, the Cardinals' For a Greener Game initiative successfully diverted over 389 tons of waste from landfills this season and recycled more than 322 tons of material. More than six tons of food was donated to Operation Food Search totaling over $40,000 worth of food.

In March 1996, a group of investors led by Bill DeWitt Jr. purchased the Cardinals from Anheuser Busch. Upon purchasing the team, the Cardinals made a number of investments to improve the team and Busch Stadium, including installing a natural grass playing surface and 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 sixteen seasons:

• The team has finished in first place eight times, won two NL pennants and one World Series

• The team ranks 4th in wins in MLB (1,408, .544 winning pct.), trailing only the Yankees, Braves and Red Sox

• The second highest batting average (.269) and the second most runs (12,604) in the NL, trailing only the Rockies.

• Cardinals' players have won three MVPs, one Cy Young, one Rookie of the Year, 15 Silver Slugger awards, 21 Gold Gloves, and 46 players have been selected to NL All-Star Teams.

• In 1995, the Cardinals team payroll was ranked 16th in the industry, according to USA Today rankings. Entering this season, the team payroll has averaged 9th, trailing only the Mets, Dodgers, Braves and Cubs in the NL during that period.

• The Cardinals have drawn over 50 million fans, averaging close to 3.2 million a season - 3rd overall in MLB behind the Yankees and Dodgers.

• Expanded the team's international footprint, operating baseball academies in the Dominican Republic and Venezuela, as well as employing personnel in six 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.

• In 1998, the Cardinals opened the $28 Million Roger Dean Stadium and Sports Complex in Jupiter, Florida. In 2002, the team purchased the Charlotte Rangers, renamed them the Palm Beach Cardinals and moved them to Jupiter.

• Since 2005, the Cardinals have owned and operated the AA Texas League Springfield Cardinals franchise that plays at the new Hammons Field in Springfield Missouri.

• In 2006 the Cardinals moved into the new $411 million Busch Stadium in downtown St. Louis. The team covered nearly 90 percent of the cost of the project, including infrastructure.

• Over the last fifteen seasons, donated nearly 4 million complimentary tickets to children and charities

• Developed "4 A Greener Game Program" which has recycled a total of 1633 tons of material so far. Since the new ballpark opened in 2006, the team has reduced its energy use by 15%, its water use by 10%.

• Invested over $1 million upgrading the Cardinals Museum's collection, now second only to Cooperstown in terms of size with over 15,000 artifacts.

• Hosted the 2009 All-Star Game. The week's worth of activities and events set attendance records and bolstered St. Louis' reputation as America's best baseball city.